Jan/Feb 08 Cycle Buddies

[21bat]

Sage,
welcome!

Congrats on starting your 1st IVF cycle! you'll do great!
This is my first IVF cycle also ( and hopefully our last ...until we're ready for another baby! ) I started my Lupron shots on the 9th and I am starting my stim meds this saturday 19th. The shots aren't as bad as I thought! They actualy don't hurt at all, although I did bruise a few times. The stim meds might hurt a little more, but you just have to remember that it's worth it! take it one day at a time - the Lupron shots are a breeze!
I iced the area of the shot the first few times, but now i'm getting lazy and it doesn't even hurt when I don't ice it

I am doing accupuncture and I love it! i do it once a week and the day of the ET, the accupuncturist will come to the surgery center and will do a treatment right before and right after the transfer. it's supposed to increase implantation rates according to some German study. Plus accup really relaxes me - definitely give it a try if you haven't done it before.
I would recommend finding an accupuncturist that works with fertility patients - i used to go to a general accupuncturist, but i feel like this lady i am with now really understands and she is much mmore helpful with advice and the different treatments specifically dealing with infertifility. she was recommended to me by my RE - so you may want to ask them.

[21bat]

Oh Sage -
and abot the book - i haven't read it, but i think we've all been reading little things here and there about what to eat and what not to eat.
I guess you're supposed to eat pineapple for 5days after ET, and i'm going to do that for sure! can't hurt!
My doc and nurses really doesn't give any suggestions abot nutrition....i wish they did, but they don't. my accupuncturist has been mroe helpful in this aspect, but it's been up to me to figure out what to eat and what not to eat.
i am currently reading "Complete Organic Pregnancy" - it was given to me by a friend and it talks about all aspects of pregnancy - food, beauty, environment, painting the nursery, how to get your bosy ready before pregnancy, etc. I recommend it

My DH and I made the decision not to tell ppl about IVF - our families know that we've had problems getting pregnant and are doing IVF in the near future, but they dont know that it's happening now. in fact, we are going to try to keep it to ourselves for abot 3mths during the pregnancy until we know for sure that the pregnancy is strong and everything is going well. i dont know how that's going to work out, but that's the plan

[21bat]

Jomae -
yes, lupron is the drug that keeps you from ovulating before it's time.
Are you on it? how are you feeling?

[21bat]

riogirl -
keep your spirits up - the important thing is not to stress!
feel better!!
is anyone else feeling sick? my accup told me that the dexamethasone we're taking suppresses your immune system and makes you more suseptible to getting sick. so take extra vitamin C, wash your hands a lot, and drink fluids!!

[waitingforMia]

Kristen: WELCOME Not sure why your doc put you on the protocol - maybe some other ladies know?? But glad your cycle is about to start! DOn't stress about the shots; after a few they are such a breeze. I think I am gonna miss em when it is all over with

Jomae: ARe you sure the bigger needle you got is ok to use? Is it the needle to draw up and mix the solutions? I will find out soon about dates - This clinic is kinda secretive about it Not sure why.. I am on Lupron, and yes it shuts down our ovaries before we take the Gonal-f/Follistim.

Sage: Welcome. It took me a while to figure out the design of this message board too I find this to be a great place to share we ladies who really know what I am going through and can encourage me and not say "just stop thinking about it and it will happen" jeez! I am on Lupron too and should start Gonal-F in a couple of days. Last cycle I don't remember if I was late. I think Rio was a week late, am I right? I have heard good things about that book. It never hurts to try! Plus I feel like i am in more control if I am doing something besides just shots!

21bat: You are the same as me. The first two times I iced like a good girl, but man now I am too lazy. And it really doesn't hurt! Have you read anything interesting in that Organic book you'd like to share?? Is it worth buying? Why are you on dexa.. what is it? I don't know if that is in my box of meds - when did you start taking it?

Well the good news: AF is here!! I think. Kinda lighter start than usual, but I guess that is thanks to bcp. Tomorrow mornign I will call the clinic and shedule my labwork and u/s!! I even shaved my legs tonight in anticipation Didn't want to scare the doc!!

Is anyone else using the gonal -F pen?? I am this time it seems like it will be easier b/c I don't have to mix, but it looks a wee bit more complicated than just a syringe and needle!

MP

[21bat]

WaitingforMia:
I started taking dexamethasone the same day as my lupron. it's a pill i take once a day at bedtime. i just looked it up - it prevents extra secretion of male hormones.
I am not very far in my organic book, but it did list a few foods to eat that have extra folic acid - strawberries, sunflower seeds, edamame...i think there were a few others. other stuff i read about was with household cleaners and stuf...you really have to take it with a grain of salt...i guess i'll replace my household cleaners with natural "green" products, but it talks abot tons of other stuff you should avoid, which is pretty much everything...so i wasn't impressed with that chapter. i'll let you know what other stuff i read about. in a later chapter it'll talk about how to do a nursery without the harmful paint fumes and stuff...i'll fill you in on that

are you supposed to get AF after the BCPill before the stim meds? my nurse said that i may or may not get it, but it sound slike i am starting the stims on the 19th either way. are you guys in the same situation?

[21bat]

WaitingforMia:
and the Gonal-f pen is what i'll be using too...it's supposed to be easy to use from what i can tell. when you set the dose, there's a little arrow on the other side that confirms the dosage...hope that makes sense.
and check out that website i posted a few weeks ago - it's great, it teaches how to measure, inject, etc.
here it is again
http://www.freedommedteach.com/player/Videos.aspx

[waitingforMia]

21bat: Hmm... i read that cleaning products won't really affect you; so who knows? But I am interested in painting... I plan on using my dh's mask (he is a car painter) I figure it will be ok, but I'll check with the doc first . Yes I am supposed to wait for AF. Which is here Maybe the dexa pill keeps AF away for you?? My RE seemed confident I would start today. From what I guess I will have an appt tomorrow or Thursday and then start the Gonal-F this week!

[/b]

[TammyS]

Hi ladies: I cant believe how on fire these boards are. It is great! But hard to keep up with. LOL

Jomae: No worries. I was just teasing. On the needle thing...I got a big one to mix it with and then a small one to do the shot.

Donna: Welcome! Glad to see you joined! I am on the same protocol.

21Bat: That book sounds like a good one. Thanks for sharing.

WaitingforMia: My AF showed up today, too, sorta. Just some spotting that they said would be normal. It just seems weird cause I am only a week from ER.

Sage: Hi and welcome. That book sounds interesting. You will have to share some of it with us.

Weezie: How is everything going?

KatieG: How is everything going for you?

Dawn: I hope that cyst has shrunk. How are you doing?

Loopie: How are you doing? Brown sugar? LOL

Rio: How are you doing today? Better? Chin up and postive thinking! It will all work out fine.

To everyone that I missed:
To our stimming girls: Happy stimming! Grow Follies Grow!

To our PUPO's: Stay away from the HPT's!

To our preggo mama's: Happy doubling (60% or mor) Betas!

As for me: I had my first u/s and b/w this morning. I have only been taking my meds for 3 days. I have noticed that an appt this early seems to be rare. Did anyone else go in after only 3 days of stimming? The u/s only showed 5 follicles just starting to be big enough to detect. At first I was really upset...I always do better than that. But, then realized it is really early...and you couldnt even tell they were follies yet. I probably have many many more right behind them. I go back on Friday morning. My estradiol level was 119. I heard anything over 100 after 3 days of stimming is good. They kept my meds where they are...and told me everything is as they would expect to see. Why do I feel worried about this protocol not being better for me, now. It is supposed to be better. I know it is early, but I cant help but feel disappointed, already. I have been having alot of cramping today, party do to spotting (AF), and the headached from the lupron are non-stop. The hot flashes and bloatedness started tonight, too. I am gonna change my estimated ER date ...I dont think I am gonna stim as fast as I originally thought. Ghost? Anyone? Input on u/s and b/w after only 3 days of stimming?

[TammyS]

Sugabeanzs and Kbear: Did you both have ER today? How did it go?

Hopin and Optimistic: Grow follies Grow! Are you ladies still on track for ER next week?

To all our newbies: Welcome and Good Luck!

[swimming]

Hi All,

Just popping in to say Hi, I start down regulation sniffer towards the end of Jan - just waiting on AF to start, then its all systems go. This is our first IVF and am quite nervous.
Best of luck everyone, looking forward to using this site.

[TammyS]

Hi and welcome Swimming! Come on AF!

[loopie]

Good morning!! hi to all the newbies!!
had my US and BW this morning- my phlebotomist was terrible! 1st time I've ever had trouble- grr- and her needle was like the size of a mcdonald's straw! U/S was pretty good- saw some follies, but I'm still bleeding a bit from AF, so I might need my timing to go back a bit- with ER 24th-ish grrrrr! any later and I'll have ET after school starts again - well, I'll just wait to hear from the doc later with whether or not they'll be upping my dose

[/b]Kristen welcome! I am on antagonist cycle- but I am not sure what that has to do with anything - I'm 39, but I don't think that's older or a poor responder:shock: I guess it's just to do with what your levels are and such, and - well, I'm not worrying about it to be honest - I'm going to think positively about these eggies, and keep doin' the pin cushion thing!

Jomae - you're a star!

Sage- The Fertility diet author was just on The Diane Rehm Show (NPR public radio) monday, and my good friend actually called in and spoke to him about what she's doing - she's on a chinese fertility diet - but his book sounded good- I missed the 1st part of the show, so I don't know if any of it has to do with male diet and stuff - I will get the book and have a look for myself

doc says he saw some fine follies, but it's the estradiol levels that will tell him what we need to know. I have a sneaking suspicion that they'll be upping my dose of folistim --that's fine - let's get things moving!!!

I had a friend say to me yesterday - so why are you on all of this stuff if it's primarily the mf - I had to laugh - I said - well, they're not going to go in and get just 1 egg!

anyhoo- super day to you all- I'll let you know what the docs say when I know
now off to move my outdoor sculpture

loopie

[weezie]

Good morning ladies!
Loopie: a mcdonalds' straw! lol! Let us know what the doc says. Glad that you're off the brown sugar.
Mia: I'm on dexamethazone too. It is supposed to prevent the excess secretion of male hormones from the adrenal gland. I'll be doing to gonal too. Do you have an appointment today or Thursday?
Katie: keep calm and let us know what the doc says. prayin' for ya
Rio: how are things? Are you going to the doc today? keep us posted. I'm sure you are doing just fine. Positive thoughts
Suga/Kbear: Well? how'd it go?
Hopin4baby- grow follies GROW!
dawn- shrink cyst SHRINK!
doddo- #5, this will be your time
newbies- welcome
Sage- never heard of that book, but it sounds interesting.
Bat21- are you ready for your meds on the 19th? that's exactly when I start my gonal and menour. I never heard of the dex lowering my immune sys. I've been battling a tiny cold this whole time. but nothing major.
Tammy- 5 follies is not bad. And your b/w seems to be in line. Keep positive. I will be going after only 3 days of stimms and then I go almost every other day after that.

ME: Besides waking up this morning sobbing b/c DH's ex is still harrassing us, everything is going pretty well. I will go for my 1st b/w and u/s tomorrow morning. Then Saturday I will start my gonal in the morning and my meopur in the evening. I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL day.

[hopin4ababy]

Wow, it IS really hard to keep up with everything and everyone! But I am so happy to have these boards!

WELCOME Kristen, doddo, Jomae, Tlova, Sage and swimming! The more the merrier, and happy baby thoughts for all of you!

Dawn: I hope your cyst is shrinking, little bugger!

TammyS: My clinic makes me go in for u/s and b/w on day 3 also; but I think that is because of my estrogen (it is crazy!). I have been on a pretty low dose this cycle (75 follistim pen, and 75 menopur) and my estrogen is still climbing like gang busters! I would just listen to what they say, but not worry about it too much that early!

Mia: I hope AF is in full effect by now and everything is progressing smoothly for you! Best of luck with stimming!

Rio: Stay positive! It only takes 1! I hope you are feeling better today!

Loopie: Straight brown sugar? You are a rock star! I am with you, GIVE THE BODY WHAT IT NEEDS! Cravings have to mean something right!

Katie: How is everything going for you? I hope your retreival went well and your feeling good! Lots of good baby thoughts headed your way!

Weezie: I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well! I am sorry to hear about your DHs ex, that is horrible. I hope she finds something else to do soon! Prayin' for you!

Sorry if I missed anyone! I hope you are all doing well and stay positive!

Me: Went to the doctor this morning, everything looks "really good" she says! After 7 days of stimming she thinks I am ready to trigger already. We of course will know more when the results from my BW come in this afternoon, but she says I will trigger tonight or tomorrow! I hope the eggs have had a chance to mature even though I have only stimmed for 7 days. I have "a lot" of follicles in both ovaries but my left one seems to be the rock star with most of my follies measuring 15 and 16 mm this morning, my right ovary has one at 16 mm but the rest are 12 or 13 mm. Keeping my fingers crossed for good report this afternoon for my estrogen levels, they were 515 on Monday...So it looks like my ER is going to be 1/19 now! I will keep you all updated!

Thanks to everyone for being so supportive and entertaining! You girls are the best!