Jan/Feb 08 Cycle Buddies

[weezie]

Bat: my nurse will elaborate for me, if I ask. For instance. When I went Thursday for my baseline and u/s the doc came in and told me what we were doing and I asked her "what is the number we are looking for ?" She told me nothing over 70. That way I could make my own decision as to if I was doing good when I got the results. And my nurse called and just told me everything looked fine. I asked. "What is my number? the doc said we are looking for a number around 70". And she proceeded to tell me that 70 is the highest and I was a 30. Then she explained the antrafollicles to me. During the u/s the doc said my lining was thin. I asked, is that good or bad? And I'm always like show me this or show me that. Heck during my hysterosopy I had the doc move the camera here and there and was like "what's that?" Probably sounded like a child, but who cares. I think they know that I am curious, not about the science of what we are doing, but about my body, what is the norm, and where I compare. DH and I were talking about you this morning. You need to step up and ask away. You have put forth a lot of money and there is NO reason you should have any doubts or questions. This is not a walk-in clinic and your not just going in for a cold. Ask questions. Ask as many as you need. That is what they are there for. Glad to read you got through your first menopur this morning. I'll give mine a "shot" tonight.
{{hugs}}
weez

[21bat]

Weezie: Thanks so much!! You're absolutely right! I"m going to ask tons of questions on tues i'll let you know how it goes.

[Rinnie]

Hey eveybody
Hi...I'm new & underway here and glad I found you for my first go.

Bat..I think they see so many women that it becomes like clockwork & they forget to explain things because they've done it a million times. They also don't think we'd know what the numbers meant anyway, but with the internet it's fun to find out yourself.
And what one clinic thinks is normal, another may not....good to know. Like, I think they probably take a few more chances here in LA.
Definitely ask about everything.

Oh, and I have to mix 3 menopur at night....like chem class. I'm also taking 20u of Lupron morning and night. My menopur needle is bigger than the Lupron one so I add some of the mixed M to top off the Lupron needle so i have less to inject from the bigger needle. Probably only a slight advantage but it mentally makes me feel better I don't have a lot of fat on my belly so I think it hurts more...4 shots a day is brusing me a little no matter how careful. I'm 42 so I think I have more meds, although they just dropped me down today after my Day6 u/s. I was doing 20u Lupron morning and night, GF 225 morning and 3 bottles Menopur at night.
Now the Lupron is the same but GF is 150 & Menopur is 2 bottles.
I had 7 follicles with several around 15 already so i guess they wanted to slow it down a bit. I guess 7 isn't great, but at my age i can't complain at all.

I'm really glad I found this board! Congrats to all of you for having the courage & fortitude to do this.

[TammyS]

Hi and Welcome Rinnie. It sounds like you are on the same schedule or close to it as Loopie and I. I had my 6 day u/s yesterday and it was Loopie's 7 day u/s yesterday. When are you guessing ER and ET to be, so that Rio can add you the list? I am guessing the 24th or 25th for ER.

[TammyS]

Ohhh...I just read your siggy. The 25th then? Seems you are a little bit ahead of schedule though, with follicles measuring at 15mm already.

[waitingforMia]

Ok brfore i forget I have a question. How long before ET are you off meds? I know someone said they are stimming for 9 days. Just wanted to get an average. I bet I have to buy another Gonalf pen - and those are sooo expensive.

RInnie: Welcome!! Thats a lot of mixing! This time I got the esay way out with the pen - SOOOO much easier! 7 is great! Good sizess!

21bat: yes - ask ask ask. My Re doesn't offer additional info until I ask. Like Rinnie said they don't think their patients no the specifics enough. SO just ask! I email my nurse whenI have a question. It is very convenient. Good job with your first mixing shot! Check the info that comes with the dexam. It should say what to do when you skip one.

weezie: you go girl asking all those questions Sorry dh is leaving. Did you find a place to stay?

KatieL Whoa 23!! Good job! SOrry you had the stress of going under. I find it relaxing and then I take a nap that day!

Rio: Can't wait to hear the news!!

Tammy: that is hilarious about your pen problem I get so nervous too sometimes and then just don't think! I get even more nervous when dh is helping b/c I am such a control freak!!

I seem to have a slower plan than ya'll with 300 gonal f and 5 units of Lupron. Whatever it takes! I will know more after my Tuesday u/s. As far as the job I haven't heard anything yet! But I am pooped today after teaching my two classes this morning. Think I will take a nap!

MP

[hopin4ababy]

Hi All:

This is going to be quick because I am having a much harder time after this reteival than my last. I guess every time is different!

I had to leave work early yesterday because my ovaries were so enlarged and causing me to be sick and in pain. I went home and slept for the entire evening! 4:30 until around 8:30pm but still woke up in discomfort. I just told myself I needed to ride it out! I went in for ER this morning at 11 am EST and was still in a lot of discomfort and some pain. The anestesiologist (sp?) said it was because of all the water and to try to drink gatorade or any sports drink because of the sodium in it and that would help. He opened up my IV all the way to give some extra "salt" so my ovaries wouldn't "slosh around so much". I didn't have any problems like this last time, no discomfort at all! But like I said I guess everytime can be different.

SO...they were able to get 17 eggs this time. I am happy about it but precautios, because I don't know how many of those 17 were mature and how many of the mature will actually feritilize. Its all about quality, so I hope I can get a couple that are high quality! Last time I didn't fair that well, I had 12 removed, but only 8 were mature and only 4 of those fertilized! So we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see how many feritlized, and then the update on Monday to see how strong any of them are.

I didn't read all the posts because it is hard for me to sit right now. I did see that Katie you got 23 eggs!! Way to go! I hope you have a lot of strong embies in that bunch and get to do a 5 day transfer!

Rio: I hope your retrieval went well and you are not feeling what I am.

Suga: They warned me today when I left about what you are going through now. I got a prescription for Percocets and was told to try to go to sleep after taking one to try to avoid moving around and/or getting sick. I hope you feel better very soon and that your transfer is a success!

To all the other girls! Hang in there, it only take one! And is all worth it. If I feel better later I will try to post again. I am going to go back and lay down now. Baby dust to all of you!!!

[Rinnie]

Tammy.. yep..very close to you & Loopy....yeah! They had me down for ER 25th or 26th but I'm assuming 25th with the sizes. I should slow down now. I'm having PGD so the ET has to be 5 day. Are you doing that? I guess over 40 you're required to here.

Mia..I have the pen in the am, so that is so much easier. Lucky you only have that! Don't you stop meds the day of the HCG shot. In my case I'm stimming 9 days + 1 1/2 days with just Lupron to start. Then you have various pills & progesterone shots going forward from ER. At least i think so....I have a ton of pills they said they'd explain later. I am not looking forward to the butt shot I have to say.

[Rinnie]

Owww Hopin. I'm so sorry you're going through so much pain. I think you'll get more good ones, especially with 17. Looks like your body really worked it this time.
Stay positive & keep us posted.
Baby dust all around!

[KatieG]

Hopein---I am so bloated its unreal but im glad im not sick from going under. I think thats why I was so scard I didnt want to puke. I know sounds silly. I am very sore and bloated but ive been this way since about thurday night. I know it all worth it but its a free vent here. I too am not over excited about 23 eggs who knows how many were of good size and quality I wont find out until monday *kinda bummed they wont call me tomorow). Ok well rest up. Hope everyone is having a good weekend

[sugabeanzs]

Okay I need to stay on top of these posts more regularly because I have a hard time keeping up with you all! But it looks like most of you are right on track and I am keeping my fingers crossed for you all!

hopin4ababy: I AM SO SORRY! I feel you there babe! They gave me percocet (sp) as well I am took all that I could. I had my eggs (2) put back in me today thus not taking any more but gosh I thought I was going to die for awhile there! It has been a few days and I am still REALLY tender in my ovaries. But it seems to be going away slowly, very slowly. Hope it goes away for you as well. As for it getting worse with preggo I hope I get preggo but dont have it get worse! lol. Hopefully it is gone before then.

Few questions ladies that I prob should have asked my doctor"
1. How long after they put the eggs back in do you stay in bed? So far I hear just a day but can I make it 2?

2. How long after they put the eggs back in does implantation usually occur?

3. I Just noticed a little blood when I wiped (I know TMI) is that normal? Not a lot just tiny bit. From cathader maybe?

Best of wishes!!!

Oh and the progesterone shots are not bad at all! I am supposed to take them in the AM but that is impossible with my husband and my work schedule so they said as long as I take it at the same time every day I should be okay (hopefully). Not bad though. I up to 2 CC here in a few days so that will be interesting. They may get worse once you have to keep poking yourself in the same spot over and over.

Prego test Jan 31!!!

[TammyS]

Hopin: I am so sorry that you are in so much pain. I hope you have lots of eggs that fertilize! Rest up!

Rinnie: No, I asked the doc about PGD....he said he dont feel we need to...and that insurnce doesnt cover it...and it would be $3500 to do it.

21Bat: Did you figure out what to do with the pills issue? I am not on that and dont have a clue about it either.

Sugabeanzs: As a far as bedrest. Every doc will give you a different answer. My first doc said 3 days strict bed rest...my new doc said take it easy the first day and then off you go. I have heard everything at this point. I am doing the 3 days bed rest other than to pee....because I do not want to look back on this and say I did not do everything I could possibly do. So talk to your doc and use your best judgement, too. No lifting, cleaning, or exercising...either way. Let Dh do all the work for awhile...lol...he owes you for everything you have had to endure. LOL That is what the first doc told all the Dh's at the seminar. LOL

Implantation normally occurs between 6-12 days after retrieval ...more likely 8-10 days. You may or may not have very very light spotting of light pink or dark brown with some cramping. Most woman never notice it or have it...so dont be surprised, if you dont.

A little blood right now...is probably normal. I dont know for sure on this one...but you have just put your body through alot...and I am sure it is normal.

I hope I dont have to take the PIO in AM ...DH leaves at 4 am most mornings ...which means he will have to wake me.

On a side note: I just had the first nosebleed ....that I can ever remember having?!!! I do not have a stuffed up nose...cold or nothing. I have no idea where it just came from. Kinda scary. I wonder if it is a side effect of the meds somehow. I just dont think so, though. I am on alot of vitamins and prenatal, folic acid, and baby aspirin. Hmmm. Anyone? Ghost??

[Rinnie]

Thanks sugabeanzs...good to know the progesterone isn't too bad. My needles look huge.

For the longest time I thought the embies just stuck when they put them in..like with velcro lol . I'm having accupuncture & was really concerned about timing & if my accupuncturist would be avail at ET etc. But they told me you can do it before or after, as the eggs take a few days to settle. I guess it's supposed to send extra blood to the uterus lining to make it more welcoming.
Every little bit helps I hope.

[riogirl71]

Hi Girls!

Sorry I didn't post lately or update he calendar. I am also having a really hard time after ER. I feel so bloated and swollen, I literally stayed in bed all day yesterday and today. I feel like someone is stabbing me whenever I empty my bladder (TMI!). The doctor said it was normal. Yickes. It hurtts wen I sit so I will update everything tomorrow!

Out of the 10 follicles we got 7 eggs and 4 were mature and ready for ICSI. THe nurse said that the 4 are 100% great, fertilized and she thinks they will all divide and that the doc had a note on the chart "good!" We are still trying to figure out how many to put back in depending on the quality, fingers crossed forrthe embies to grow! ER is Monday morning!

The numbing cream is benzo/lido/tetro/plo 20/6/4% gel, it works really well on the PIO shot. Don't feel a thing! The doctor also said that bleeding s normal as long as it is not like a regular period, cramping is normal too as long as it is not off the chart.

Thank you for all of your positive thoughts!!
Good luck to all the girls in ER/ET in the next couple of days. The girls that are stimming: good job on the follies!

BABY DUST!!!

[riogirl71]

Hi Girls!

Sorry I didn't post lately or update he calendar. I am also having a really hard time after ER. I feel so bloated and swollen, I literally stayed in bed all day yesterday and today. I feel like someone is stabbing me whenever I empty my bladder (TMI!). The doctor said it was normal. Yickes. It hurtts wen I sit so I will update everything tomorrow!

Out of the 10 follicles we got 7 eggs and 4 were mature and ready for ICSI. THe nurse said that the 4 are 100% great, fertilized and she thinks they will all divide and that the doc had a note on the chart "good!" We are still trying to figure out how many to put back in depending on the quality, fingers crossed forrthe embies to grow! ER is Monday morning!

The numbing cream is benzo/lido/tetro/plo 20/6/4% gel, it works really well on the PIO shot. Don't feel a thing! The doctor also said that bleeding s normal as long as it is not like a regular period, cramping is normal too as long as it is not off the chart.

Thank you for all of your positive thoughts!!
Good luck to all the girls in ER/ET in the next couple of days. The girls that are stimming: good job on the follies!

BABY DUST!!!