Dec/Jan 08 Cycle Buddies

[schel67]

washingtonda,
I sure wish I could help you and I'm sorry I don't have first hand experience advise to give you, but I did a bit of research and think your gonna b ok. Sounds like they stopped the lupron cuz your ovaries are already surpressed (that's the job of Lupron to preventing spontaneous ovulation) http://www.ivf1.com/ivf-lupron. Lupron stops menstruation and reduces estrogen levels in your body. Your estrogen levels will return to normal when you stop taking Lupron. Brevell and menopur are FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) drugs so your aleady on to hyperstimulation. If they think you need more estrogen they'll probably prescribe estradiol or estrace. Estrogen plays an important role in growing the uterine lining and embryo implantation. No worrys hun. Let us pray this time will be ur turn and then claim it.

[washingtonda]

Thanks Schel. I am just worried because I'm thinking if my levels don't rise from stopping the Lupron and them increasing my meds that my cycle will be cancelled. That would be devastating after finally being able to start after getting my blood levels up from anemia.

I go back on Monday but two days doesn't seem like alot of time for the drugs to make your numbers go up that much. The nurse advised that she like to see at least a 100 estrogen level at my stage in the ballgame.

I guess all I can do is wait and see what happens. I was hoping for ER next week. I just pray that the levels start to increase, if Im pushed a few days, I'll take that. I just don't want to be cancelled all together.

So how are things go for you? whe do you have your US and is there one or two. I can't wait to get to the point of the two week wait. It's one road block after the next. This can get very frustrating and I haven't completed my first cycle yet.

[tali]

Mrs. G. – I am so sorry it did not work out for you this time. I think one of the most frustrating things is unexplained infertility. I think the others have given you good advice as far as getting your RE to do a lot of testing to try to eliminate issues. Don’t give up hope. There are so many inspiring stories on this board, take strength from your friends here! We are here for you!

Hellokitty—Congrats – I am sooo happy for you! Your bean is here to stay girl!

MLB—Big Congrats to you girl. I can’t believe you held out so long.

WashingtonDA – Hang in there girl. 2 days is plenty of time for your E2 levels to go up. These drugs are extremely powerful. I am keeping my fingers crossed that your numbers go way up.

Esperanza – How is it going? Any side effects from the stims? I am on day 4 and have had a bit of bloating and some headaches.

Cocoa – Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story. You are an inspiration to us all.

Neffi – How are you doing? Just remember this process will be worth it in the end.

Angie (ICSI Girl) – Hope you can check in with us soon. Is ER scheduled for the 2nd? Let us know how you are doing?

As for me, nothing to report yet. I will check in on Monday after my u/s and blood work.

Sending everyone lots of baby dust!

Xoxo

[hellokitty]

Hi Ladies,

Doreen - I responded on the other thread that you started, sweetie. But the ladies are saying the exact same thing. You would be suprised what those drugs can do in two days. I was shocked what they could do in 1 day. I was getting monitored everyday at one point.

Cocoa - Such and inspiration! Thank you for sharing your journey with us and congratulations on your babies!!

Mrs G - I love, love acupuncture. I did it this cycle and it really helped ease my stress level through all that we IVF ladies have to deal with. Ask as many questions that you can think about in feedback session with the RE. I did my homework online and wrote out all my questions concerning the last cycle and what WE were going to do next in the upcoming cycle.

Michele - I've been thinking about that too. But I think the holiday spread that we enjoyed is okay. My RE said after my first u/s they are sending me to a nutrionist because I do have PCOS which really mess with my insulin. So, hopefully I will get some good info. For right now, I backed off my deli meats, eating more fruits/veggies, and gave up my chocolate...booo,hooo! But I think you fine.

MLB - Congratulations...I can't wait to see your beta!!!

Schel67 - Your such a sweetie and a great cheerleader !! Thanks for the beta numbers.

Esperanza - Awesome, your stimming and sounds like you have a great DH assisting. When do you have your first u/s and b/w? Soo excited for you!! Those are beautiful images in your post (and thank you)....did you make those? Gorgeous!!

Tali - Can't wait to hear your b/w and u/s report. I love the stimming phase, that's when all the action really begins to happen.

Pumma - Still thinking of you....hope you are doing okay!

Neffi and ICSI Girl - How are you guys?

Happy stimming to anyone I missed...check in and let us know how it is going.

As for me, I'm up way too early today because I'm excited and anxious all at the same time. DH is freaking out...he's thinking triplets. I'm like dude...the numbers would be much higher if that is the case. He's too funny! He is even thinking of giving up the Corvette...yeah!! I know it's silly but I think he is having an affair with that car. So, I'm not going to remind him that we were going to buy a used car for him to carry the baby around. Lips are sealed !

Much love and baby dust to all!

Keisha

[chriss]

HelloKitty, I am a friend from earlier posts. I just wanted to congratulate you on your BFP. You have been through so much. I am so happy for you. Take care, I'll be checking in on you. -chriss

[blondzella]

Good morning ladies,
I am embarking on this wonderful yet scary journey. Today is the first day of my stim shots (300ui Gonal and 75ui of luveris). I am a little scared about doing the injections and hubbie indicated he would assist. Any advice on how to make it easy, especially for us queasy type?
A friend of mine went thru IVF and mentioned this website to be the best and most helpful. I am happy to know that I am not doing this alone.

ER = Jan 12
ET = Jan 15

I am 39 and hubbie is 45....TTC = 2years, unexplained infertility.

Look forward to getting to know everyone!

[esperanza]

Welcome Blondzella. Yes, this web site rocks! I love chatting with all the ladies here, and I certainly don't feel alone going through this thanks to them

The shots are a piece of cake for us. First day we were anxious and it took us a while to do it because we were nervous we would mess it up. Now, we do it without giving it too much thought. My dh was on the phone the other day, and he was still able to help me

I'm stimming with Follistin, so I don't know about your protocol. My advice to you is to relax, do things step by step calmly and talk it over with dear husband as you are doing it, that helps us. For example, I say to him "ok, now you have to push it slowly and count until 5" "ok?" "1, 2, 3, 4, 5,..." and so on. For us it has been a bonding experience. Did the nurse give you resources to follow? (DVD? webpages?). We watched those together about 1 hour before starting our injections and they helped us as well. GOOD LUCK! just relax and everything is going to be OK.


Hellokitty--thank you for the compliments on the images. I'd like to say I made those but I actually borrowed them from photobucket.com


To all my other ladies out there, PMA!!

My stims are going well. It seems to have given me energy, I had a nice work out session today AND did some cleaning around the house. Wow! I am surprised my self

Ok, friends. Sending lots of baby dust!!!!

[CT_Michele]

Blondzella- Congrats on embarking on this journey wih all of us and welcome to our thread! All I can tell you is that I am quite squemish about needles myself, so I was pretty nervous about the injections. I decided to have dh do the actual injection for me. We would prepare everything together. I would then have him inject it on my bottom so I wouldn't have to watch. It was quick and usually painless, sometimes would sting just a little. I just found it to be easier if I didn't watch and if he did it quick and I wasn't expecting it.

hellokitty- I have been watching deli meats and processed meats, I have been watching out for eggs with runny yolks or anything made with egg yolks or raw eggs, soft cheeses, and I have been trying to cut out diet soda, or keep it at one a day. I read that caffeine is ok in moderation, I think up to 300mg, which includes chocolate. I read someplace that chocolate has not been proven to be bad for baby as long as it is in moderation. They actually said it can be good because it keeps mom happy, which means baby is happy....

washingtonda- this crazy process is definitely about getting from one road block to the next...it is all a waiting game. We get through one test and then have to wait for another. I think it almost won't feel real until I make it to u/s for how many and heartbeat. And then I will probably be worried about getting out of first trimester, it seems like it never ends.

Tali- The bloating is te worst. It actually started for me right after I started stimming and did not go away until about 4 days after transfer. It was 2-3 weeks of bloating torture!

Esperanza- happy stimming, it is especially fun when dh wants to be involved, it makes it so much easier on us.

MLB- so close to test date, but it sounds like you got an answer already...congrats!

Schel- When is your u/s? With such high numbers, it should be soon. I read that they can see how many once your hcg is over 1000. I will find out when my u/s is on Wednesday. If my numbers continue on the path they are on, it should be Friday.

To everyone else- happy stimming to all...before you know it, you will be at ER/ET and 2ww!

Happy New Year to all! Stay safe and for most of you, enjoy your last drink! Enjoy it for me since I will be sipping on apple juice!

[Neffi211]

Welcome Blondzella-- you have surely come to the right place! I dont know where I would be without these ladies! I was very nervous about my first injection..I do them myself...DH is very helpful, but it was something I thought I should do. After I stood there with the needle in my hand I kept telling myself to suck it up and think of what I was doing this for....its a peice of cake! You'll see, just remember why you are doing it!

I dont have too much time to post. I know I've been kinda quiet...not much to say...jusy doing Lupron injections. Af should arrive around jan 4-6th. Stimming hopefully will start the 7th. I'm just so happy that we have been getting a lot of good news on this thread! It is very encouraging! I have spent most of my weekend on the couch...I told DH I needed a mental health weekend! And I have REALLY enjoyed it Hope all is well with everyone! Have a happy new year...its going to be a great year for us Ladies!!!!!! I cannot wait for 2008! I will have a drink for those who can not

[schel67]

Mimi,
Thanks for the kind words and checking up on me!!! I hope your well!

[schel67]

CT_Michelle and anyone else who asked (I'm such a flake lately),

I'm going to get my Ultra Sound on Fri. Jan 4th. I actually started my 6th week today. We are waiting till Friday cuz I'm away on holiday till Jan 2nd and hubby doesn't come home till thursday night Jan 3rd. I'm so excited and I think this two week wait seems longer than the beta 2ww!

I don't have much of any pregnancy symptoms. I feel aliitle nauseous here and there but not actually physically sick, my right boob aches a bit, and I'm tired but can't really sleep.

I hope everyone is well and staying stong!

[TammyS]

Hi everyone. I am new and am doing our first IVF cycle (hopefully only) around the end of Jan. I have been reading through some of the posts and see that alot of you are going through the same things I am.
Blondzella...hi and welcome... it seems like we have alot in common ...same ages, years trying to concieve, and our IVF's are gonna be around 2 weeks apart. I personally waited too long to find the right man and start trying for a family. The doc seems to think it is egg quality and age. He feels that even though DH's SA is borderline that he is not the problem. He has only 18% good morphology...and 5% strict. His counts are fine and so is forward motility. However, my DH was married 20 years and although they never tried to have children ...it is rare that they didnt have an accident either. His exwife had a child a few years ago and she is over 40, too. They werent even trying. I now have him on a cocktail of vitamins...I am on them too... to hopefully help in the morphology dept. I am not trying to lay blame in any way. After all it is probably me. My point is that due to insurance ...I changed from my IUI doc to another doc for IVF. I am curious as to what the new doc thinks...since we are under the unexplained category. It seems if we knew what the problem was...then we could perhaps fix it. Am I right in thinking that IVF may help to figure it out and perhaps if it doesnt work at least we will know if we truly do need an egg donor or what not for the next round? I had a large fibroid removed last year that was blocking the opening to my uterus. They left the little ones in the lining alone. My uterus appears to be fine, now. I stimmed great for IUI and it shouldve in theory worked.

My question is this. My IUI doc ordered all my meds Follistim...Ganirlex...and HCG, and I have them on hand. That is their IVF protocol. I did day 3 bloodwork on Dec 22 and started my bcp that night. I got my records on Dec 26 and drove to the new doc (45 minutes from home now)...filled out the app ...explained that I am already in the IVF process...and had to change due to insurance...and that I would like to be able to continue this IVF cycle without losing a month. They called me the next morning...and made me a consultation appt for Jan 2! My DH will have his bloodwork done that day, too. I am sooo excited to get in this quick and to continue with what I am doing already. However, I am worried because when reading the Cleveland Clinics protocol...it seems they prefer Lupron as most of your docs do too. AF is due on Jan 17. I believe if he starts me on Lupron instead of Ganirlex...then it would be around Jan 10th. That is not a big deal...unless there is something else that I am missing that shouldve been done already. I am also curious about Micro-something Flare Lupron protocol??? Which means I shouldve already done it by now. Anyone hear of it or know about it? Is there a certain time frame for hsg or mock transfer that shouldve been done already? I guess I will know more on Jan 2nd. I didnt have another appt with old IVF doc till Jan 8th for consent signing and everything...so I am guessing that everything should be fine for Jan IVF. I am gonna learn one thing and fast from you girls...that is to calm down and not be so anxious about everything. *Deep Breath* Whew. LOL

Anyhow, sorry for rambling and thanks for anything anyone can tell me.

[washingtonda]

Hey ladies just wanted to post before going to bed. Wish me high Estrogen levels for tomorrow. I have been worried whether my cycle would be cancelled because my estrogen level was 47 on Saturday and they advised that it should be at 100 at this stage in the game. They have stopped lupron and increased Bravelle and Menopur.

Wish me luck tomorrow. I had hopes of ER this weekend and now I'm not sure if it will happen. Today was only day 5 of stimming and I'm not having any sympthoms. Is this normal?

Never did I wish my ovaries ached but sadly I do.

[TammyS]

Good Luck!

[Dexter]

Hi ladies,

Happy New Year to you all and may 2008 realise all your BFP dreams.

Just butting in to say CONGRATS to my old cycle buddy HelloKitty (Keisha). So happy for you hun! Read that they found you had clotting issues? Well I'd say this time you'll be just fine. I know how nerve wracked you must be, as I still am, but I think this is the one girl - woohoo!

Take it easy...

Luv Dex xox