Anybody IVF progesterone ring study in Texas?

[Knrjack]

Becca ~ So nice to meet you. My husband has very low numbers too and we are doing ICSI as well. We are going to Reno here around the 19th for ER and using Fresh Sample. So I am thinking ET around the 20th depending on everything. Please keep us posted. You are very close in similarity to my situation. Did they say how many eggs you have?


I go in tomorrow for my Baseline Ultrasound & bloodwork. I am still spotting so I wonder how tomorrows appointment will be affected. I beileve I will be CD 1 tomorrow. Brown spotting yesterday, red spotting today. Stomach is making all kinds of noise. he he. I also start my Menopure and Follistim tomorrow. HERE WE GO AGAIN.


It is really slow at work this week. Someone talk to me.

[StayingPositive]

Hi Ladies,

The study coordinator just called me today to tell me that my TSH thyroid level is borderline high and that I have to retake the blood test today. She said that if they come back high again I will be disqualified! I feel like I just can't catch a break. We have already spent almost $30,000 trying to have a baby and the thought of having to pay again for this cycle is just unimaginable.

I put off trying another IVF since last June to wait for a study that was taking place in January of this year. When I found out I didn't qualify for that study they told me that this study was taking place in March and that I did qualify for this one. I thought my prayers had been answered and now I may get disqualified again. I am trying to stay positive (hence the screen name ) but it is very difficult. I am praying for a miracle that today at 2:30pm when I get my blood rework my levels will be fine.

It gets to a point where DH and I have to ask ourselves how far in debt we are willing to go to try and have this baby. I say $1,000,000 might be my limit ...Unfortunately, my credit card limits don't come close! It just sucks that a free cycle was right at my fingertips.

Anyways, please send positive "normal blood level" thoughts my way today. I won't give up hope just yet...

[Knrjack]

Staying Positive ~ WOW you have been through a heck of a year. Now t have a thyroid issue to be haning onto. I will keep you in my thoughts and wish you the best of luck. Positive Blood VIBES coming your way.


GOOD LUCK

[ELH073]

Hi everyone,

I found this board a few days ago and was so excited. I actually live about an hour from Reno, so hopefully I'll be in the study there soon. I only found out about the study a few weeks ago. We'd gone to see Dr. Foulk after trying unsuccessfully for a year. I've had 2 ultrasounds, and HSG and lots of blood work - which unfortunately showed elevated FSH and E2. I took Clomid (truly awful) in Dec and Jan and my cycles have been a mess since then. So I'm really hoping that my FSH is ok and we get in. We would have never considered IVF until Dr. Foulk told us about the study. We just always figured we'd go straight to adoption. I don't have years to spend on emotional turmoil (this year has been hard enough, frankly), I just want to have a family, ya know.

I'm a bit behind you guys, as I'm still waiting for my day 3 tests - in about 10 days. I've done the screening visit zero and I have my pink book. Now I'm just waiting and hoping to get in.

Stayingpositive: I was so touched by your recent post about not being in control. I really needed to read that - as that's my main problem these days. The very first month we started trying I got preg and had a miscarriage, so it seems like the entire time we've been trying it's been a struggle... blood tests and dr. visits and charting and thinking about it and going to the RE, only to get the news that it have low ovarian reserve at 34. So, thank you for sharing your wisdom. It really affected me. I hope that you aren't disqualified - I'll be thinking about you!

It's nice to know you girls are out there. I hope the best for all of you and look forward to hearing your updates. When you come to Reno you should come on up to Lake Tahoe, it's amazing and it's not far away!!

Lisa

[ELH073]

Ha, just figured out how to edit.

[IndieBlue]

Wow, we're really picking up Glad to see all the new post....YAY, more study buddies.

Well, no updates on me. The SA was normal so we're waiting on AF and then I'll start BCP's, which I already have. We have to have a psychological visit sometime before then though....if I can't get out of it LOL That's an additional 350.00 and I'm really wanting to hold on to all my money, for the meds and such...not to mention the study cost (since GA's isn't free)

Staying: Praying that your test comes back normal....what a tough situation. Everytime I go in for another test or US I keep thinking "yep, they'll call me back with some disqualification". There are a lot in that study from your weight to how many IVF's you have previously done...etc. One good thing though, is that one you are IN the study, if anything comes up that kicks you out, you can still participate in the IVF at no additional cost but they just won't use your information for the study. This is what my RE's study coordinator said....so that was a relief.

Again, glad to see all the new post. I can't wait to see how we all progress in the study....and if we are able to acheive a BFP!!!

[ELH073]

Indie,
You can still stay in the study and have the IVF for free - even if you get disqualified? Does it say that some where on the consent form? Holy cow! That would be amazing.

Lisa

[IndieBlue]

Indie,
You can still stay in the study and have the IVF for free - even if you get disqualified? Does it say that some where on the consent form? Holy cow! That would be amazing.

Lisa

Lisa, I'm not sure about the free ones....I'm paying 3500 for the study itself plus meds and the male testing that my husband had to have done. So the assured us that even if down the line (after we started meds and we were accepted) something were to happen that disqualified us that our 3500 would still be all we'd owe for the cycle, Duramed just wouldn't be able to use our results in their statistics for the study.

The study has limits on how many follicles you can produce to continue with the study, how large those follicles are...etc so there are lots of ways that you could be disqualified it seems.

Again, might be something you could ask your coordinator We were told this during our study meeting/shot class...so she told it to all the participants that day (around 5 couples).

[ELH073]

Thanks for the info Indie!

We have to pay for the meds ($2000-4000), $500 lab fees, $750 for cryopreservation and $500 for anesthesia. I will give the coordinator a call though - well, once I find out if I'm in the study for sure.

I'm ready to know, ready to take the damn test ... the waiting is killing me. I've never been so anxious for my period to start

Lisa

[Knrjack]

Lisa ~ I am in Boise and will be coming to Reno here around the 20th for my IVF/ICSI through the study. I have the exact pay items as you do. I bet they are the same because Dr.Foulk founded the one in Reno where you are going too. Let me know what you find out please.

[IndieBlue]

We just have to pay a flat fee of 3500 and then the testing for my husband, 350 for a psychologist visit, 2000-3000 for meds and the study pays for 6 months of cryo for any leftover embryo's. It looks like most clinics are getting about the same, just breaking it up differently.

The study will not pay for assisted hatching, but they say that it will pay for ICSI so that accomplishes the same thing by breaking that outer part of the egg for easier implantation so assisted hatching shouldn't be needed.

It's a neat study....praying I get all the way through it Just waiting on AF to start for April so I can begin the BCPs and then I think they said I have to start AF again to get a 'baseline' and then on to Lupron?

[beccatx]

Knrjack-

I think I have 12 follicles- the first time it was 11 and the next sonogram showed 12, but 2 are quite a bit smaller than the others. On Monday they were measuring anywhere from 7.8 - 14.2. I wish I had more?! - My day 3 FSH test last year came back as 12.8, and then 13.2 the next month. For this study, when I tested, I was a 6.5. ??? My doctor said she would still treat me as having diminshed reserve because of the higher numbers. "You're only as good as your highest FSH" I'm 35, but she said my eggs were closer to 40...booo!!!

I go today for another E2 and sonogram...I really hope everything has progressed enough to do the trigger shot tonight and egg retrieval on Friday. I am out of meds now, so each night more is going to cost me 200-300 dollars- not to mention the headache of aquiring them, giving them, etc....plus my boobs are so tender and my ovaries ache!

Does everyone begin the progesterone the day of or day after egg retrieval?? I want the gel I think- I'm scared the ring won't give me enoogh and that makes me worry!

I'm keeping everyone in my prayers!

[IndieBlue]

From what I've read you get your Progesterone the day after, so everyone should start that day. I want the gel too LOL The ring worries me (just as far as staying in so long...etc)....although you're going in so much that if your Progesterone was too low I'm sure they'd step in and give you something else and you'd just be disqualified from the study? I don't think they'd let you lose the baby if you got a BFP, because of low Progesterone...surely not!

From what I understand though, the initial trials showed that they were just as good as the gel, now they are putting them to use and seeing if that indeed is the concensus. So, I really don't think that we're doing the 'dangerous' trial, they've already been tested...etc and show to be a good form of Progesterone. We're phase 3 of the study...so again, I think by now if they were not working at the same level, or exceeding that current level of treatment then they wouldn't have made it through the other trials

[Knrjack]

I am loving the popularity of the Group. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. This is such a support group. I constantly go in and talk to my Coordinator and compare info. She loves to hear updates on everyone around the nation.

Indie ~ You are amazing. I am officially calling you the Study expert. I have read that we are not in the dangerous stage of the study as well. The med has been approved and everything so I am not worried. Except that if I get it will I be able to keep it up there? he he. Oh I wanted to tell you I started my Lupron while still on BCP. I stop BCP after 5 days of lupron. I was worried AF wouldn't show up on time but SHE IS HERE IN FORCE as of yesterday. YEAH

Becca ~ I hope they get bigger. How are you taking the extra shots? I had my baseline / bloodwork / shot class this morning. They told me I can do the Follistim & Menopur together in one shot instead of 2 seperate shots if I choose. The needle looks the same as the lupron shots too so not bad. I can do it.


ELH073 ~ Did you sign consent forms yet? When I got my pink book I also signed my consent forms and they told me I was basically in the study just waiting on my last 3 digits for my study number. I think you are in. . Keep us posted.



So I finally got AF last night and thought ooops aren't we suppose to use pads not tampons so I rushed out to the store just in case. I hate pads but better safe than sorry. I was happy because I was able to do the baseline ultrasound and I am right on target, perfecto for meds and right where she wants me to be. She did mention my lining was thinner than what she would like but that is nothing just made it a bit difficult to measure. I had my shot class and bloodwork done as well. Now, I am just waiting for Janna (coordinator) to call me back to say if my blood work is low enough for me to start my next meds. So I have them in the work fridge right now. HE HE. I am positive I will be shooting up in the bathroom here today.

Check in everyone when you can. Thank you again.

[stressball]

Hi,
Glad to see so many people joining in....
Miracle girl....congrates....and thanks for the hope...
Indie: I dont think there is any way to test the level of progesterone after the transfer...so the only way they would know is by camparing the pregnancy rates of the two groups gel vs. ring. Thats what my nurse told me...

I did a test In Jan. 2008, called Beta Intergrin test which showed that my lining look perfect but its maturation is delayed...becoz of lack of progeterone.....So RE recommended proges. shots +gel

But if I am in this study I cannot take both...That worries me becoz I am on the ring side then I would no know if I am getting enough proges. or not...

Do you guys know that there is a shortage of the HCG trigger shot nationwide....Freedom company does not have it too..so my nurse old me to look for that locally so that we have a back up plan if the Freedom comp. caanot send that shot by the time I am ready to trigger...So girls ask your nurse too...make sure you have that...there is a substitute availale called OVIDREL BUT NOT OKAY FOR THE STUDY.....

Hang in there all...