AUGUST/SEPTEMBER CYCLE BUDDIES!

[KM0803]

Hello all-

Dexter- I'm jealous that when your lab calls they give you so much information. Mine called this morning to tell me what time to come in for transfer tomorrow and said they don't look at them today because they are better off not disturb them but ysterday they "all looked good". I wish I knew exactly what that meant.

Kelley- Love your name!! Welcome welcome to this thread. No worries on your follie count, they actually found a few more eggs than follicles and I only had 10 eggs retrieved and have only lost 1 of them, so still 9 of them are growing at a good rate. It is all about quality and not quanity, I had to be reminded of this as well.

Lee- Good luck on your scan on Friday, I took stims until day 10 as well.

I'm going in tomorrow at noon for the transfer. They said the Dr. would discuss the egg quality and we'd have a pretty picture of the best two embryo's. I'm still hoping for extra's to freeze. I wish I knew more about the egg quality but I guess I'll find out everything tomorrow, there's not much I can do about it even if I did know.

Question for everyone: Has your clinic said no sexual intercourse from ER to pregnancy test? My DH is DYING about that.

Good luck to everyone! Keep up with the good news!
-Kelly

[sonu911]

HEY EVERYONE!!

Dexter n Kelly - Don't forget the follwoing three golden rules for the next 2ww.
1. Drink lots of water 10 to 12 glasses per day...may be more than that.
2. Rest upto 3 days after ET.
3. PMA in, stress out.
Well one more thing especially for dear Kelly n her DH-My clinic asked to observe celibacy for these two weeks...

All the best wishes for your ET...HOPING TO HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS AGAIN....LOTS N LOTS OF BABY DUST TO YOU BOTH!!!

Lee Hey nice to have u hear!! I am on 6th day of my stimming, I will probably go for 6 more days and then have ER on 9/10. I am on Gonal F 225units, Menopur and Lupron 15 units.

Kelley - We are together with stimming...welcome aboard, dear!!

Where are you Christin....missing u dear!!
Lots n lots of baby dust to u all

[wishfull27]

Hi everyone - hope today has been good for you all!

Dexter and Kelly - good luck for tom - one step nearer those BFP - poor DH Kelly - you will just have to be more adapatable!!!!

Lee Good luck on scan on fri - I am on day 6 stimming at moment and got my scan on fri too !

Sonus911 - I am on gonal F too - but 375 units of whatever they call them!!! - I won't know till friday when ER is but I think Lee, you and me will all be around the same time!!

MY doc has not said alot about follicle sizes and that - what is the average number and size???

Lots of love, baby dust and grow follies grow to all xxx

[sonu911]

Hey All...
Just thought of getting more systematic just like some of the other threads here. This will help us keep tract of our buddie's progress. You just need to fill in the details like I have done.

sonu911 (Archana) 33, DH-malefactor
IVF Attempt: 3rd IVF with ICSI
Location: India
BCP 1st day: 8/11
Lupron - 8/21
Stimulation (meds & day started) - Gonal F, Menopur , started on 8/30
ER: 9/10
ET:

Name-, DH-
IVF Attempt:
Location:
BCP 1st day:
Lupron -
Stimulation (meds & day started) -
ER:
ET:



BCP BEGINNERS

LUPRON LIMBO

ANTICIPATING AF

STIMMING SALLIES
archana
Christin
lala
lee

2WEEK WAITERS
Dexter
Kelly

CANCELLED CYCLES

Ladies, please update the information. And make changes wherever necessary.

[Christin]

Hey Ladies!!!!

I miss you guys! I have tried my hardest to take my mind off of IVF for a couple of days, so have stayed away from the computer

Lee and Kelley
Welcome! Very excited to have you here.

Lee
I had some cramping too probably beginning around day 4 or 5. Once the cramping started, I could def tell that there was a correlation with growth. Let us know how the next scan goes. I bet you will be pleasantly surprised!

Dex and Kelly
I am very proud of you two! Yall are holding it together like a bunch of champs!! Not much longer to go before you BFPs!!! You two are kicking bootie!!!

Sonu911
You are too sweet! I miss you too! I am loving the Buddy Summary suggestion. I will post mine at the end of this message. So how are you feeling....it sounds like you are progressing very well.

Wishfull27
I don't think you and I have formally "met" yet!! It is nice to have you here with us. In terms of follie size and count, it is my understanding that they like the follies to be 18-20mm before the ER. Count is very relative to your body though. I dont think there is a standard number out there. Plus, you may see that each ovary reacts differently to the stimms. My left ovary doesn't respond as easily as my right. But it isn't something to be concerned with. Keep us posted!

lala
I can't wait to hear about your ER. So happy for you!! Today the RE told my my E2 was 4225. So I am right up there with you. I will post an update below so you can see more details about it. Are you having any sympthoms of OHSS? Please monitor yourself closely. We are all thinking about you!

I hope I didn't forget anyone, I feel like I have been away forever, and it hard to keep up with everyone now!

Update
I had an appt on Friday, Saturday and today (Tuesday). My follies seem to be kicking butt now. They have really kicked into gear. I still have about 25 follies in total. About 8-10 of those are above 17mm. So I am very happy about that. Others are running close behind in the 15s and 16s. I still have some baby ones that probably won't do anything other than take up space now..LOL.

If you recall, originally we were expect the ER today. Then, last week they told me it will probably be Thursday. So I went in today all excited to hear that I get to do the trigger shot tonight. Then they told me my Estrogen is above 4200. So RE is taking me off of the stimms, and only keeping me on Lupron for a day or two to get my levels down. He didn't tell me what he want it to be, b/c they are secretive like that, but that he just would like to see it a little lower. So he is now expecting Saturday (give or take a day) for ER. I guess all in all, I am happy that he is paying that much attention to what my body is telling him. But I certainly do wish I could have been ready for today or tomorrow ER.

So I go back tomorrow for more U/S and Labs. I will let yall know what they say then.

Miss you guys!!

Grow follies, Stick embies.....Baby dust to all!!
------------------------------------
Christin 27, DH 36 - male factor
IVF Attempt: Ist IVF with ICSI
Location: Louisiana
BCP 1st day: 8/01
Lupron - 8/16
Stimulation (meds & day started) - Follistim, Menopur , started on 8/24
ER: Who knows..it keeps getting pushed back
ET:
-------------------------------------

[Julieboo]

Hi, everyone!

Hope we're all doing fine and dandy.

Christin, we're right on the same schedule. My RE told me today that I'll be going in for ER (*spit* *spit* fingers crossed) on either Friday or Saturday. I hope they can get your levels down to where they need them to be. I also have around the same number of follies as you do.

Kelly, best of luck tomorrow! Don't tell your DH, but I've read a few of the girls around here bemoaning that their doctors told them to hold off until the end of the month or so. That seems a tad ridiculous.

Way to go, Dex! Is Grade 1 the best? So much luck to you on Thursday.

Kelley, good luck. Remember that it only takes one good egg, in theory.

Lee, I hope those follies are growing! I think it's a good sign that you're actually feeling something happening in the ovarian region.

Sonu, way to go on the 10 follies! A nice round number.

Update...

I've got to go back in once again tomorrow to make sure my E2 levels are not skyrocketing. Then it might be time for the trigger shot. I'm feeling very bloated now, what with all the follicles. I'm totally feeling Lala's pain.

Warm fuzzies!
Julie

[Dexter]

Hi girls,

Just a quickie

Kelly - my clinic tells me these gradings but my previous clinic didn't. Sounds like your clinic is doing everything exactly the same..Day 5 transfer? No news is also good news. Mine won't disturb the embies today either by looking at them and there is still a chance for me that I will go in for ER tomorrow and they could have all arressted (I already know I must have an egg issue as nothing is wrong with DH!) I have been told by the nurses, expect the worse hope for the best. We are at least better off than we were last time. How would you feel about asking the embryologist about your eggs? You are certainly entitled too. I am presuming though that everything is looking good, otherwise they would have said something. You wait..You will have a perfect little blast tomorrow! Good luck hon.

Christin - Good luck with everything. Sounds like you have a fab doc that knows how to get the very best for you and produce the outcome you want! No point overstimulating and going thru uneccessary grief if ya don't have to!

Sonu911 - Thanks for the tips and I'll get back to you with that list shortly!
ER not far away now! Woo hoo

Wishfull27 - Thanks for the well wishes. I think the average amount of follies varies a lot. My SIL only had a couple and conceived thru IVF 2nd time with just 2 eggs retrieved and others I know have averaged about 9. I think the "text book" amount is 9-12. When I asked my RE what the 'average' amount of eggs retrieved in women, he said usually 9-12, same as follies! You can't really go on this though. Look at me... Large amount of follies & eggs but rarely many good quality embryos. It's very much an individual thing.

Julie - Good luck to you for trigger and ER! Not long now!! I felt very bloated after ER but it has subsided now (I think)
Yes Grade 1 is meant to be the highest grade and I wish I had a couple more but hey .. All I ask for is 1..please!! A lot can drop off between days 3 and 5. I hope my 7 x Grade 2's are late achievers.

I'll update after ET tomorrow

Dex xx

[rockrat71]

Hi everyone. Hope I can join your group! I was part of the June/July buddies (BFN) and now I'm back for IVF#2! I have stage 4 endo and my first IVF on the long lupron protocol yielded just 5 eggs which resulted in 3 poor quality embroys. This time I'm on the microdose lupron protocol and am also taking femara and metformin. I just started stims this morning with retrievel probably 9/12-9/14. I'm feeling hopeful to be doing SOMETHING but also nervous it will not work again. Hope everyone is doing well in their journey!

Melanie

[lala]

Hi Ladies. I apologize for not checking in for the past few days. Man, the last few days were certainly a rough ride for me. Yesterday was particularly hard because I got so sick after ER. My clinic had four ladies (including me) going through ER yesterday and I was the fist one at 7a.m. Normally, people get better and leave the clinic 30-40 minutes after ER. I didn't leave until 3 hours after. Two ladies who had their procedure done after me had already gone home. Basically, what happened was when I woke up from sedation, I felt pain and I told the nurse that I felt pain. She then gave me some painkillers through IV. When the pain didn't get better, she again gave me another dose of painkillers. I immediately felt sick (i.e., dizzy, nauseated, heaviness in my chest, just SICK!!!). Then, she gave me something to help with my nausea. It got better but the nausea came back with a vengeance shortly after. I puked. Man, that was bad. I felt horrible. I puked again 10 minutes later before finally going home at 10. I felt slightly better after getting home. My DH made me some soup and I just rested the entire day. I was also in quite a lot of pain yesterday, but managed to not take the more potent Vicadin as I was told it will make me nauseated again. I had 2 extra strength Tylneol once every 4 hours and the pain was manageable. I finally feel better today, but still think that it's best for me to take the day off from work. I was ordered to drink 2-3 liters of Gatorade for the rest of the week to prevent hyperstimulation. So now everywhere I turn, there's Gatorade sitting in some corner

Overall, it was a successful ER. They took 19 eggs, which is pretty much all of what I've got. I have yet to hear how many got fertilized. I will be getting a call today. Very anxious.

Kelly and Dexter How are you doing? I am so excited to hear your updates. Let us know how your embies are doing. Kelly, good luck to your ET today

Melanie Hi friend. Welcome on board. I am sorry to hear that it didn't work for you the first time. I sincerely hope that things will be better for you this time around. You are in our thoughts.

Christin Hi dear. It does sound like your RE is doing the right thing. Good luck to trigger shot tomorrow night. I will be thinking of you. My trigger shot didn't go that badly. I just felt more tired the next day. Take it easy, gal.

Sonu911 How are you doing? Thanks for getting that list going. I will fill that in later. So excited for you too now that ER is just around the corner. Make sure you drink lots of liquids. I am also very happy to hear that your DH can make it back in time. Having DH around is definitely very comforting.

Wishfull27 As far as average sizes and follies count go, my clinic says they need at least 2 follies in the 18mm range to perform ER. They won't retrieve anything that's less than 14 mm. The average number is between 9-15. Try not to worry too much. When do you go in again?

Julieboo Your follies must be growing, hon. I can't wait for your next follies report. It must be good! Sorry though you are feeling the pain. I know exactly what you are going through. Hang in there. You are almost there.

Lee Nice to have you on board with us. The more of us, the better. We are on in this together. Good luck to your scan. I stimmed for 11 days total. It's not easy, but you can do it. I pray that you have a better and SUCCESSFUL outcome this time.

hellokitty How are you? Are you doing alright? Let us know how you are doing when you have a chance, ok? I am thinking of you.

LOADS of sticky babydust to you all!!!

[lala]

Update- Just got a call from the clinic. We've got 16 ICSI-ed and 14 got fertilized!!! Very happy.

Name-lala (29), DH-35 (male factor-low sperm count, poor motility, poor morphology)
IVF Attempt: Ist ICSI attempt 9/07
Location: Seattle, WA
BCP 1st day: 7/07
Lupron - 8/6/07
Stimulation (meds & day started) - 8/22/07
ER: 9/4/07
ET: possibly 9/9/07

[sonu911]

HEY LADIES,
THANKS FOR GIVING IN THE INFORMATION WITH YOUR SIGANTURES.
I have compiled the following list - (Pl. correct wherever wrong)

BCP BEGINNERS - none

LUPRON LIMBOS - none

ANTICIPATING AF - none

STIMMING SALLY/IES -
Christin (D13)
Wishfull (D7)
Lee (D7)
Sonu (D7)
Kelley (D6)
Keisha (D3 OR 4 ???)
Julie (D?)

EXPECTING ET woooo hoooo!!!!!
Dexter (18 fertilised)
Kelly (9 fertilised)
Lala (14 fertilsed)

Wow....I am feeling so proud of our little team here!! We all are doing so well.

Dexter - ALL THE BEST FOR THE BIG DAY!!! STICK EMBIES, STICK EMBIES!! BABY DUST!!!!

KELLY - When are you going for ET, dear?? ALL THE VERY BEST TO YOU TOO.. WOW!! GETTING CLOSER TO BFP!

Lala - Congrats!! you have all the reasons to celebrate now... 14...that's a great number!!

Christin - Welcome back from hibernation....!! well I am also going to take sometime off as my DH will be here on Friday!!! so happy!!!
Your ER is also very close.....woohoo, I am so eager to know about the follies...the main thing is that they should be healthy!!

Keisha - Come out from your hibernation, dear!! we are waiting to hear from you.

Wishfull - we have another thing in common, the number 9 (2+7=9)
Do you believe in numerology?

Melanie, Wishfull, Lee, Kelley, Julie....Happy stimming, dear ones!!
Julie, I think you are close to your ER. isit??

Update - I feel this thread is quite contagious.
..I am feeling the pain too, in my stomach, it is completely bloated out, my legs and thighs, I feel cramps almost the whole day, yesterday night, I had hot flashes, took shower at 2.00 at midnight, then could have some sleep. I am tired and sleepy the whole day...Lala, Christin, Julie...I can understand now

[Christin]

lala
That is AMAZING news!!! OMG...I don't think you could ask for better. You and I have the same type of male factor situation, and I am also doing ICSI. So I hope and pray that our eggs fertilize and divide well too!!! Good job!!! All of that discomfort is INDEED worth it in the end!! When do they expect to do the ET? 3day or 5day?

Melanie
Welcome girl! I hope you find all of the support and encouragement that you need from our group. PMA is the best dose of medicine I do believe....and we are all here to help you obtain it! Can't wait to hear your progress!

Dexter
Anymore news from the clinic? When do you do the transfer?

Julieboo
I can't believe our day is almost here! I will put more info in my update below, but I am doing the trigger shot TONIGHT!!!!! I can't wait to here how your E2 levels are today. Mine dropped quite a bit, so we were happy about that.

Update
Well, as you recall, I had to go off of my stims for a day so that they can try to get a handle on my E2 level. Yesterday it was 4225. So today I went back in, my follies are growing (so proud of those things!!) and now I have 3 follies that are 20mm. I have 3 that are 19mm, and 3 that are 18mm. Those are my big-boys! In total I have about 12 that are above 16mm for them to retrieve eggs from. Hopefully my 14s and 15s will catch up in the next couple of days too for extra egg possibilites. They are very pleased with my follies. But the main focal point today wasn't the follies, it was E2. Finally, they came back with my results....drum roll please...and it decreased to 3850. So RE is ready for me to take the trigger shot tonight!!!

I was so excited. You would have thought he told me that I was going into labor tonight..LOL.

So they walked me through all of the information on hyperstimulation. So I have to go get me some V8 juice, and some more gateraide. They want me to either drink 2-3 quarts daily beginning tonight of gateraide, or 8 oz 2-3 times a day of V-8. I am going to try to do the V-8 and gateraid, so that I have the V-8 vitamins too. I am not a fan of V-8, i love tomato juice, though, but I don't think it is the same thing. Do you think V-8 splash will do the same thing? I need to ask the IVF coordinator when she calls me back today.

Oh, then they walked me through my calendar of when to do things after ER, so they talked about ET, and said that I will need to be on complete bedrest for 3-4 days after the transfer.

Anyway..I am so happy about the ER. Can't wait to hear from everyone on your updates today!!!

-Christin

[sonu911]

Dear Christin

I am so happy for you...Trigger shot tonight...getting closer!!
I wish for you the best and you will be in my prayers too.

By the way, I think I am also in the same league with the same malefactor problem and I am also going with ICSI.
You guys give me so much of hope, last time only five out 10 eggs could fertilze well.

[Christin]

Sonu911
You are on my tail girl with your cycle!! I have a good feeling about all of us gals! I think we are all going to see some BFPs really soon.

One thing taht I love today was when teh RE said, Christin, nice job, and now your job is over for a bit!!! Now it is all up to DH. I told DH today, no more running, keep your little guys cool, drink a ton of water, and eat healthy for the next few days. The pressure is on him now...LOL!

-Christin

[Kelley77]

Hello ladies...I went in for U/S & BW this morning, and was disappointed to see that of the 12 or so follies the left got much bigger than the right, with the largest already being 22..not good since the smallest is about 11 or so..with most being around 15-16 (some larger at 17 some smaller at 11-12). They said that I might do the trigger tonight..although I really am hoping for one more day of stimms since I just don't see how they could extract any eggs at all? It is obvious that I won't get anything from the 22 (too ripe?)....and the 11's will never grow enough by Friday! Well I guess if I keep things in perspective, even if I get a couple of eggs, I should be happy right?

If I stop stimms today (last being this am), do your follicles still grow? Do you think that they will still grwo 2mm today & tomorrow?

I wish things weren't so difficult......why can't they all just grow at an even stage (even somewhat even! Some are 11 and one is 22!! Argghh!!)

Just got the call from the coordinator - HCG will be tonight. I am ready to go...ER will be on Friday at 9am. My estrogen was at 1678 Prog was at 1.2 - don't have any idea what these numbers mean - but apparently am ready..... Weird...it will be strange not doing any more shots?? Well I guess until Prog. Oh, and she said they are expecting 9-10 good eggs...which I was really hoping for more, knowing that probably 4-5 will never make it right off the bat, and only 1/2 of those will actually fertilize...Yuck, what a sad sad feeling. I can't believe how fast this journey has gone.....

Name-Kelley (29), DH-41 (male factor-low sperm count, poor motility, poor morphology)
IVF Attempt: Ist (ICSI too)
Location: Chicago, IL (Oak Brook)
BCP 1st day: 8/07
Lupron - 8/16/07
Stimulation (meds & day started) - Follistom 75 ml in the am & pm & Lupron 8/28/07
ER: 9/7/07
ET: possibly 9/12/07

Natural conception of a beautiful baby boy in 8 of '03
Oh..and my husband has 3 kids from a prior marriage..apparently I scared all of his sperm away! hehe