The Over 40 Crowd

[chriss]

Hi Amy,
It's good to hear from you. I've heard about Zita West's book, have you read it before? I just got two books that I ordered on Amazon yesterday. I have yet to crack them open. Once is called The Fertility Diet by Jorge Chavarro and the other is called Is Your Body Baby Friendly, Unexplained Infertility, Miscarriage & IVF Failure by Alan Beer. I'll let you know what I think as I begin to get into them. I figure it can't hurt. Do you recommend the Zita West book? What is it called? Glad that you are able to begin your treatment. I am waiting for AF, could be any day now. It would be great if it never came, but I am trying to be realistic. I have some minor PMS feelings today and it is due very soon. That's ok, I am ready to begin next cycle. Wishing you the best of luck and share any tips you find out along the way! Talk to you soon. PS I learned how to do the sparkly stuff from the gilrs on awaiting treatment post. They go crazy with it over there. It's easy to do if you ever want to learn.

Hello pricecake, how are you today? Hope that you are feeling well. Look forward to chatting with you when you are ready.

Hi everyone, miss you guys. -chriss

[jt - ivf at 41]

Pricecake,

I am horrible at this,...trying to say the right thing at the right time, but had to tell you that I am so proud of you for your strength and positive thinking!! I have had much heartache in my own life and have learned that I have gained strength in helping others. (such as you helping DH deal with this pain)

I wish I could say or do something that will help in some way - I know that I cannot. I am sending you lots of love and good thoughts - and wish you all the best in your next step - whatever that is for you!!!

I am so impressed by all of you ladies - you are the most amazing group of women I have ever encountered. When I began this journey all of my sisters & brothers (i have 6 & all married) - they said I was crazy to "put myself" though all of this - why not try adoption. Not just one - ALL of them!!!

I felt it was well worth everything - for the possibility of having our own child together. I still believe that - but am afraid I am not sure if I have it in me to try again. I guess time will tell. I have zero in the freezer,so it would be right back to square one, and quite frankly it costs in Canada about 12,000 for both treatment and drugs - not sure our pocket book can withstand another round. I had hoped to have some in reserve for a second and third try.

You are all my inspiration and I feel truly blessed to have encountered every single one of you through this site!!! Whatever the outcome (for us) I feel I have learned so much and grown because of you all!

xoxox
Joanna

[summerbaby]

Hi chriss - the book is called zita west's guide to getting pregnant. I've found it to be a well written guide to preparing you and your body for pregnancy. I've found the chapters on nutrition and relaxation & visualization to be quite interesting and informative and worth trying. There is also advice addressing what your relationship goes through and tips throughout for DH. In this book, there is only one chapter specifically dealing with ivf, but she talks about it throughout. It is easy to read and to understand and you don't have to read it in order. It was actually sent to me by someone I met on this board who is now pregnant. So nice of her, wasn't it? Anyway, I find it to be like a security blanket of sorts and something to read when I'm feeling doubtful or when I have questions or need reassurance. She addresses both sides of problems and issues and knows that we all have good days and bad days -- After this tmt works for me, I'll pass my copy along to someone else who might benefit from her advice.
I'm sure the books you've ordered will be equally as informative. Let me know what you think of them!
I'll check in again on Tuesday and see how things are going for you.

Joanna - nice to have you as part of our group! will you be testing at some point this week? best of luck for your bfp!

Take care everyone and have a great week!
xx Amy

[Kiwi expat]

Hi ladies - Well I'm away from the boards for a week and so much has happened!

Chriss - with all your glittery sparkle, it has really cheered things up around here - love the snow cone!! (Gotta learn how to do all that one day...!) And I still have my fingers crossed for your IUI this month!

Welcome Joanna and Price cake - sorry about your BFN. Nothing we can say can really make you feel better but as Chriss said, the next IVF routine does get easier and if anything, that makes you more relaxed about the whole thing, and therefore, have a better chance of getting that BFP! Price cake - All the best for that 2 WW!

Amy - Happy Stimming my dear!

Things have been a bit schizaphrenic around here for me... What started off as a mock cycle for DE, then turned into a possible FET (using my own eggs left over from my last cycle). A Donor recipient then dropped out last week due lining problems and I was bumped up the list as her back up! So I'm possibly sharing a donor who has ER this wed 23rd and ET this Fri or Sat 26th.

I have one last scan this Wed, but my lining is only around 7-8mm. My clinic prefers 8-10mm, optimally at 10mm. Can I ask you girls - What does your clinic prefer your lining thickness to be at time of transfer? Should I still go ahead if it is not 'perfect' as I don't want to waste all our $$ on a transfer with less than perfect conditions. My doc says that there is still time for it to thicken up before transfer??

Yes - after all these cycles, I'm still a neurotic mess Fighting to keep up the PMA. Thank goodness for these boards and all you lovely ladies out there to keep me on the straight and narrow...

Check in again soon and a big hi to all,
Andrea

[Catharine]

Hi All
Welcome Joanna. This is a great group of gals; as you said they are inspirational.

Pricecake, I'm so sorry to read of your BFN. My heart goes out to you and DH.

Amy- all the best to you on your stimms PMA

Hang in there ladies, have the faith. Chriss wish I was as savvy as you with all the glitz and glamore, I certainly could use the lesson

Well, not much news on my front. I was using the sticks to identify when I ovulated and I did not this cycle will call clinic today to see what to do.

Have any of you heard of taking L-arginine supplements to increase blood flow in the uterus and ovaries? The concept is that L-arginine is a precursoe to eNOS, a factor involved in stimulting blood vessels. I'm going to ask my RE next time I have an appt.

Wishing you all the best. PMA

[chriss]

Hi guys.

Catharine, good to hear form you. After my 2nd IVF, I POAS and never ovulated as well. Maybe reaction to all the meds? RE didn't think it was a big deal. Can't help you with the L-arginie, but let me know what you find out. My RE never seems to be big on taking supplements and stuff. He's a little old-school. I like it. Keeps me from worrying all the time. Can't really explain what I mean, I guess it just makes me feel that I am doing enough.

Andrea, as I recall, I think my docs always wanted at least 8 for iui's. Not sure about IVF. We never talke about it. Suppose it was not an issue. Seems like you have enough time for it to thicken up. Are you on PIO? That will help. ANd... I am always a neurotic mess too. Some days I am fine, others I am not. It's a tough road. Stay strong buddy.

Amy, I will keep that book in mind. I definately have heard it quoted before. That was soooo nice of someone to pass it on to you. I plan on donating any of my extra meds, etc. that I don't need when the time comes. I know that someone will be able to use them.

Joanna, wishing you the best. WE are here for you. Sometimes family and friends just don't understand. Whatever happens, we are here. ANd... we understand. I am so glad that I found this board!

Pricecake, how are you????

Hi to all, -chriss

[summerbaby]

Hi Catharine, nice to hear from you and thanks for the well wishes! Sorry to hear about the lack of ovulation this month! Hope things get back on track in the coming weeks. Regarding L-arginine, have only read about in regard to helping sperm count and quality and nothing about it helping us girls, let us know what you find out!.... I also see that it is found in nuts, esp. walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, lentils & beans. Sorry I couldn't offer more assistance.
What other supplements are you currently taking? During your last cycle, when did you stop taking DHEA? My RE said to stop when I start stimms. What are your upcoming plans?

Hey chriss - according to my calendar it is Tuesday...any sign of AF?

Pricecake - how are you? we are here if you need someone to talk to or vent or whatever!

Andrea - will be thinking of you this week in case you have the opportunity to go through with your 1st DE cycle! hope your lining gets to the optimal level to make your decision about what to do that much easier and that your RE will also offer his experienced opinion as well. I know Sonia has had 2 cycles cancelled due to a lining that wasn't optimal - but what it measured at the time of her last scan before ER/ET, I don't remember.
Keep us posted on what is going on!

JT - how are things?? hang in there!

Got my plan today and should start stimms Feb 13, with estimated ER on Feb 25.

Take care of yourselves!
Amy

[chriss]

Hi Amy, glad that you got your plan today! Wow, hard to believe it is almost here. Time flies. Well, I did end up getting AF over the weekend. I was at my sister's hose. I kinda figured it was coming. The good news is, I will start my IVF cycle right away. I'm going in tomorrow for baseline bloods & sono. I want to feel excited, but I am a bit apprehensive because of the previous failed cycles. It's not easy as we all know. Deep breath. Always great to hear from you. Looking forward to you starting your cycle, I know it's been a long time coming! You've been patient!
-chriss

[pricecake]

Hi all, I am here, still licking my wounds....AF showed up today, I can't believe how fast time flies by when you aren't in the dreaded 2ww.
I still have to make an appt with RE to see what our plan will be for another cycle. If we go ahead, I think it will be end of Feb to March.
It is strange when you try and think of what went wrong. I guess it is just a numbers game like they say. All levels were excellent for my age while stimming, with 10 nice sized follies. But at ER we only had 5 healthy eggs, that all fertilized....so, who knows what happened? I guess I will get some answers when I speak with RE.
I will be here to keep checking on you all....xo

[chriss]

Hi Pricecake,
Good to hear from you. Glad that you are recovering! I understand that major disappointment all too well. You sound good. Keep the spirits up.
I know the frustration that you feel when it seems as though it should have worked. I've done three cycles! Unfortunatley we did not discover any magic answers to make it work for me. Some things are just unknown. I think it is just an age thing for me and that it takes time. My levels were good and my embryos looked fine. Definately make that follow up appoiontment. Then you can have everything ready when and if you decide that you want to try again. I hope that you find out some information that could lead to success for the next round. I was told that persistence is key. We are here for you, we understand your path, we are on it too. So please stay with us and let's cheer each other on!

Went to 3day blood/sono appointment. If levels are right, I will begin stimms tonight. I want to feel excited, it's tough. I feel apprehensive and don't want to deal with negative outcome. So I am going to turn my thinking around and focus on the good. I am lucky to have the opportunity to try again. I have good doctors on my side. My DH is caring and lovable. I can do this. It will happen. It is going to work! There, how's that???

Hello everyone! Miss you guys. -chriss

[summerbaby]

to pricecake - the not really ever knowing why it didn't work this time, is hard - but talking things over with your RE might give you some comfort, some answers and some direction, even if you decide not to try again right away or ultimately choose another path. Our 1st clinic never offered a follow-up, and our 2nd clinic offered the follow-up and scheduled an appt as soon as we wanted one. wishing you the best of luck whatever you decide!

to chriss - sorry to hear about AF arriving, but it sounds like you have a very good back-up plan Has your protocol changed each time? Can't believe you had bloodwork done today and will have the results on the same day...I had my b/w done on Monday and I'm still waiting for results...Happy stimming to you! PMA! PMA! PMA! How's the reading coming along? My mother sent me that newsweek article about fertility and diet, which I read last night...it shares a lot of the same principles as what Zita West recommends -

I expect to have my results back on thursday, and will then fax them over to my RE. I've sent them a few questions because my protocol is even different from what they were planning in Dec when everything got cancelled because of my thyroid and never even got started...I hope to get some answers by Friday and I think AF should be here some time next week...do hope I get to start this time. I'll finally believe it when I hear it from them...

just a general question -- is there anyone who does their shots in the morning instead of in the evening?

big hello to everyone! hope all is well!!
xx Amy

[Kiwi expat]

Amy - I do all my shots in the morning as it's just more convenient, especially when I was travelling for work. It just got them out of the way and I could forget about them and just get on with my day. I think it's ok as long as you're consistent with the timing. All my other medication is taken in batches spread equally (as possible) over a 24 hr period to minimise any hormonal fluctuations. Discuss it with your doc and see what they say as your medication may be different from mine. Good luck!

Chriss - I love your attitude girlfriend - the way you pick yourself up and move on. This month WILL be a good month for us!

As for me, well I've had a bit of a 'hairy' week (again!). My scan on Wed showed fluid in the lining which was unexplained and my lining had actually compacted to 7.2mm. If the fluid wasn't expelled all would be cancelled... But my latest scan I had today was "all systems go". The fluid had disappeared (???) and lining had reached a respectible 8.1mm I feel a bit guilty now because I was so gutted that it would be cancelled that DH and I went out that night and had a few drinks thinking it was all over...(oops!) I was really upset at the time, but that seemed to have done the trick!

So I'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning for a transfer. We had 7 eggs, of which 5 fertilised. Two 3 day embies will be taken home with me. I was part of an egg share donor scheme so although it was half the cost, you only get half the eggs. The other three that fertilised will become my precious wee totsicles.

Best of luck to all the ladies cycling this month - And have a good weekend to everyone!

Andrea

[chriss]

Hi Andrea,
Good news about lining figuring itself out. Maybe the drinks did the trick. Helped ya relax, etc. Best of luck to you for transfer! It's wonderful that the time is here for you. You've been through a lot and this is gonna work! thanks for your continued support. I started my stimms a couple of days ago. First scan is on Monday. keep posting during your 2ww! I'll help to cheer you on.
cheezy graphic, huh? Cheezy but real.
-chriss

[summerbaby]

Good luck with your transfer, Andrea! Glad everything has worked out for you, after all your waiting! Lots of baby dust being sent your way to help those embies snuggle in! Take good care of yourself!

All the best for your scan on Monday, chriss! grow follies, grow!!!
even if you think those graphics are cheesy, they are at least bringing a bit of sparkle to our little thread!

Have a great weekend everyone! xx Amy

[Catharine]

Hey Ladies
TGIF!

Chriss love the glitz and cheese wanted to send you some positive vibes to help grow the follies.

Same to Andrea, PMA, babydust, lots of babydust.

Pricecake how are you holding up?

I'll be joining the tmt group next week start with bc patch till AF arrives then move onto stims. Wednesday got called into the clinic because I actually ovulated Tuesday surprise surprise. I had to repeat all my blood work as policy is that all tests expire after one year. The stim meds arrived today. After all the difficulties leading to this point it is hard to believe that tmt is here. I'm so happy and nervous.

Amy-I'm taking DHEA. I eat alot of mixed nuts so guess I have high intake of L-Arg already. In addition I'm taking vitamin E, glutathione, omega-3-FA for anti-oxident properties along with the green tea and chinese herbs. For my immune system health I'm taking zinc. I have acu this weekend and I believe it will step up to a couple of times a week during tmt.

Hello Tammy, Yasmina, Joanna, JenB, Luanne, and anyone else I have missed. Hope everyone is doing well.

All the best to everyone have a great weekend.
Catharine