Anybody IVF progesterone ring study in Texas?

[stressball]

Indie,
I had AF last time in june 07 after bcp and lupron. I am already bloated...and feel that AF is sitting on the edge...I DONT WANT TO STIM WITHOUT AF....do you you if people do that...wait for AF????

[IndieBlue]

I don't really know Stress. Did you call your RE's nurse? What did they say? I think so though....read #3 on this site: http://www.affordable-ivf.com/ivf-cycle-schedule.html under Phase 2. It says that some people only have light spotting...etc but you still continue on with the other Phase? So I'm thinking that it's not necessary to have one....although I'm sure you probably feel like you should, and it's uncomfortable.

Sorry that you feel bad, hopefully the RE's nurse was able to tell you something to make you feel better or relieve some of the pressure and bloating

[beccatx]

My study nurse said exactly..." You may or may not have a period on Lupron." I was set to start the stims no matter what- as long as my numbers were right. I'm sorry you feel so bloated!

Indie- wow- you're busy and sounds like with "heavy" stuff! Hang in there. The ring is totally convenient and I almost never think about it being in. I did freak out however when it was out for 1 hour and 20 minutes at the ET. I took it out when I got there, started drinking all the water, and then had to wait 30 minutes for the doc to come in and transfer my little blasts. By the time she was done and I waited for 20 minutes it was over an hour! I panicked but the study nurse just shrugged it off like- there's nothing we can do now!

It is not hard to get out again...I took someone's advice on here and kinda "squeeze" it out when my finger is touching it. Sorry fot TMI, but you can easily touch it, but it's hard to get your finger hooked on the ring- unless you squeeze! Really easy and belive me- I thought I may have to have them do it at the office I was so worried at first!

I have had pretty bad period-like cramps and lower back ache almost all day...it's so scary in the 2ww. No bleeding or spotting, but I feel like AF could start any moment- I have heard and read on the internet that a lot of women have symtoms very similar to AF during early pregnancy, so I'm trying to maintain PMA and not freak-out. Lord help me.

Take care all!
Rebecca

[IndieBlue]

Becca It was actually me that said to sort of push in the pelvic area to see if it was easier. I've actually gotten tampons stuck before and had to sort of do that to reach them LOL TMI, but it's always worked! I'm glad that it works though...I'll have to remember that. I guess it's kind of hard to tell them you have to go to the restroom at ET to take it out. They don't have a bathroom in our ER/ET room, so you have to walk across the hall to one. With them wanting your bladder full, if you said you wanted to go to the bathroom prior to that I'm sure they'd think something was up LOL I guess I'll try and wait until I'm in the exam room, when they give you that little bit of time to undress, maybe it won't be too much over an hour then.

Lunch with my mom went okay, husband was able to show up...so that was nice! AF still not here , but I've been cramping all day so PRAYING she's early tomorrow. My oldest has an orthodontist appt tomorrow, right after my dd's eye appt, then we have music lesson and science....so another long day Maybe she'll show up first thing in the morning before we leave though....I don't want her sneaking up on me at lunch LOL

[whynotus]

wow, lots going on!

First, stress: try not to worry about AF. They never even asked if I had it, or how long, etc. I agree with Indie and Becca, I don't think it matters.

This process is stressful, isn't it? I was so worried something would happen to get us kicked out of the study every step of the way. When they found that polyp the week before ER I was sure we were going home and that would be it. But I think they have lots of ways to get around obstacles... they've been doing this for a long time.

Becca - my HPT is on Thurs. and I was doing ok for awhile, but I am now finding myself thinking about it constantly. I am dreading Thurs and I want it to be over, but I don't want to know. I don't want to tell everyone else if it fails. I've been having cramps, too. But no pregnancy symptoms... chest is barely sore, not tired, don't have "a feeling". I vacillate between hopeful and pessimistic, sometimes several times within the hour. This sucks. I'm trying to be thankful we have had the opportunity, and have one more chance after this. I wish I knew why I didn't have more eggs.

Indie - so far, no problems with the ring with respect to application. I had to change it once, no problems there. I am noticing some dryness/soreness, but I think that is progesterone in general, and not necessarily unique to the ring. Anyone have experience with this?

[stressball]

Hi all,

My AF is trying to come...I am spotting really bad but no flow like regular AF. My nurse said that I have to go for tomorrow's blood+ US. If my estrogen is less than 60 only then they will start stim...I am feeling better that at least I am spotting....hopefully I will get a flow tomorrow.....I was really concerned thinking that if I dont shred my lining for this cycle...i will not have a new one for implantation...Thanks you all for quick response....Its so weird...sometimes I pray no periods ...and today I am praying for it...

Whynotus: Wow....you test this thurs....I can understand what emotional rollercoaster your mind must be now...BFP is on your way...

Indie: Thanks again...you mentioned that you were not raised by your mother...what does that mean???? We will both have our AFs tomorrow Donating eggs at the age of 24....man...you are incredible..

Becca: hang in there..thanKS for the info on what ur nurse said...rest a lot...and drink water...so you test this FRIDAY??????

Knj: 15 is a very good number....

Saty+: how is stim????

Does anybody know...how to digest iron so that it does not make you sick...I started my prenatal today with iron abd I hate it...in general I only take calcium+ magnesium+ zing (2 tabs) and foliic acid...

Okay guys...take care and keep bacca and why in your prayers...every day...

[beccatx]

Whynotus...I totally understand about being afraid to find out. The thought of it being negative can be overwhelming. Sooooo many people at my work (elementary school I've workd at 13 years) and church know that I don't want to have to tell them the news. There's no shame or embarrassment in a "no" it's just difficult to face over and over again. I really didn't mean for so many people to know my husband and I were doing this and people who don't really understand the process think I'm pregnant now just because of the transfer- they have just enough information to be annoying- even though it comes from a thoughtful place.
Do you HPT and then go to the clinic Friday or next week?

Knrjack- even if you don't read this until later...today's the transfer and we're thinking of you! Good luck!

Indie- you do lead an interesting life- I mean that in a good way- you make a lot of "bold" choices (egg donation, foster care and adoption, homeschooling) that many people would be afraid to take on and I really pray that you'll have your heart's desire.

Stress...don't stress! The number will most definitley be under 60- that's what the bcp and lupron have been doing..shutting ya down! Maybe that's why no period flow. Stimming is exciting because you're developing all those little follicles....be gentle to yourself and them...relax!

Blessings to all.

[Handsandfeet]

Hi everyone. I'm considering doing this trial in the DFW area, but wanted to ask a few questions about qualifying.

First of all, do they reject you if you are on certain meds? For instance, I take Zantac for reflux and synthroid for my thyroid. Would that count me out?

Second, does everyone use the same stimming drugs or is that up to each clinic?

Do any of you have PCOS? I'm terrified of the risk of hyperstimmulation with PCOS, but if I get accepted I'm just going to take the plunge.

Becca -- I read all of your posts and can't wait to hear how it goes for you. Good luck. I assume you're doing this at CAR? Do you have much interaction with the doctor?

[stressball]

Becca....I like that...when you said...dont stress...i actually started laughing....people have been telling me this since my childhood.

I am glad today I got my flow...yeee..I think whynot had said that we freak out becoz we think what we will get disqualified????? or out of the study????

Welcome handsandfeet: what made you pick this name???just wondering...I am sorry that I do not have any answers...but...If I would be you I would call the RE office and tell them you want to enroll...without wasting time....they will call you and give you those answers...so pick up the phone...you can walk out even after saying yes to the study..if for some reason you cannot do this...good luck....

[IndieBlue]

Evening all! Wow...busy busy day.

First, STress: Glad you got AF going. Mine still hasn't shown up...but again, kind of glad since today we've not been home and I didn't want to be running to all these appointments and cramping. So you will start stims soon..YAY! I wish that I was already to that point, but I'll get there. Oh and what I meant by I was not raised by my mother....is that I wasn't raised by my mother LOL Sorry....ummm, hmmmm how to explain. Well, she met a new man and he didn't want daughters/step children so she left us at her mothers (my maternal grandmother). After a few years of staying there and figuring out that she wasn't coming back, I moved in with my paternal grandparents and my sister stayed with my maternal ones. At 16 my grandparents retired and moved to Florida and I moved in with my father so I could finish out school here. Now I see my mother once a year or so So again, it's nice to have my husband there so I don't feel as awkward LOL I never really know what to talk about...etc. TMI? Trying to explain it better....so I wasn't exactly homeless or in foster care or anything as tramatic as what my adopted children went through.

As far as Iron, hmmmm I'm not sure. I take Repliva, which is a prescription Iron that my RE called in for my anemia. It has 27 days of active pills and then some purple ones for 7 days that help with the Iron somehow...but those purple ones don't have Iron in them. I eat about 10-20 prunes a day to keep the Iron from stopping me up, or a bowl of Kashi granola cereal with flax in it, or maybe a few Kashi or Fiber bars for snack throughout the day. It's worked so far Your body will only soak up what it needs though...with any vitamin I think that is pretty standard. Then you lose the rest through waste. If you don't think you're getting enough Iron, the RE will tell you....I wouldn't worry about getting more unless they said something, Iron can make you really sick if you get an overdose of it.

HandsAndFeet: Welcome! No they won't exclude you from the study for meds...unless they interfere with their meds/protocol. She even asked me if I was on anything at the consent visit so she could write it down. You'll just have to call and ask them about your meds. Each clinic decides on stimming meds. I know mine is a bit different than the other ladies that I've read about on this board as well as the other board (mostly TX study girls). You can find it at http://forums.fertilitycommunity.com/vi ... tx-53.html and as I said...most of those ladies are from TX in the study, so you might find a buddy or two there that would be able to tell you more about the TX clinics and their protocol. Welcome again, best of luck!!!

Becca: Aren't those people nice...the ones with just enough information to make them annoying! LOL We get a lot of those with our adopted kids, you wouldn't believe how bold people are....well maybe you would LOL They tell you things about a brothers friends girlfriend that adopted older kids and the kids killed the parents...etc. I just look at them and usually walk away LOL We haven't told anyone (well 1 friend) that we're going through IVF....we didn't mention adoption until we were well on our way and through all the hurdles, just made it easier to dismiss those doubters and not let them get us down early on in the process. Thank you (I think LOL) about the compliment too, I don't really see them as bold....I'm actually the person that HATES change LOL so I see them as slow evolving changes in my life, not bold at all.

KNR: Praying for your safe journey!

Why: I worried about getting kicked out of the study until the RE nurse told us at the shot class that even if a test or something came back 'off' they could still allow us to complete our cycle for the amount paid (in my case 3500). The study sponsor couldn't use our data in that case though, but still she said that the cycle wouldn't be a complete loss That made me feel a LOT better since I do have a cyst and my lining was a little thin last US. Can't wait to hear about your Beta test Are you going to POAS? I do think that the dryness and irritation could be caused by the Progesterone ring but I'd ask. It's not listed in the paperwork under risk of the vaginal ring, it actually says discharge would be one as well as yeast infection...but I don't see dryness. Maybe that's a pregnancy related side effect???? PMA!!!!

Well, off to get supper going......nothing new with me Just waiting on AF!

[hope2bmommy]

I'm in the study too in GA. (Indie - I sent you a private message.) Going for saline u/s in a couple of weeks, then start BCP/Lupron.

Good luck to everyone!

[IndieBlue]

YAY, got the message. I'm so glad to see someone else doing it from GA. Most people I've seen in the study are from other states...mostly TX LOL Maybe we'll see each other at our appointments! I sent you a PM back!

[beccatx]

Hands&Feet- yes I'm at CAR. I worked with Dr. Nackley prior ro the study, but I haven't seen her once since I started the study. Dr. Kevin did the ER and his wife did the ET. (I had never met either of them before that moment) Dr. Nackley had her baby the night before my egg retrieval- I was assuming she would do it- she's the one who made the big decisions on my stim drugs. LeeAnn or another nurse did everything else.

I'm sorry I have to go so soon ladies- I LOVE checking in on you all! I POAS in the morning and I'll write more then.

Rebecca

[whynotus]

whew! It's a good think I have you girls or I might be going a little crazy right now.

Stress: Yay! I totally relate to waiting for AF before stims. I never in my life wanted it to come early (or even on time) until this cycle! Thanks for your Prayers, they are much appreciated!

Becca- I meant to say beta, I guess I don't have my terminology down yet. HPT - home pregnancy test... oops. Anyway, I go to my clinic on Thurs for my blood test. It's early! 11 days after my 3 day transfer.
Yeah, I know a neg is nothing to be ashamed of, but I feel like so many people are hoping - especially my family - and it has been 5 years for us, so my family is worried about me going through this for so long. I am more worried about them than for us sometimes... they don't understand how or why we put ourselves through this, after having m/c, etc. I told too many people toward the end... even my neighbor. Ugh. I should know better. You go in Friday? I hope we both have great news to start the weekend.

knrjack - can't wait to hear your update on the transfer!

hands and feet - welcome to the boards! I say go for it. I understand your concern, but you can ask your doctor how they monitor people with PCOS to get a better idea of your risks.

Indie - I don't know for sure, but we are thinking about POAS on thurs morning right before I go in, just so dh and I can be together and I don't have to find out at work and try to deal with it there, and give him some sort of code word... that's all so horribly impersonal. But I kind-of don't want to, because it is so early. I can't believe I'm being tested 11 days fast transfer... I worry I'll get a false pos if I do it earlier from HCG, and false pos. on Thurs b/c it's so early. Then I will worry... but we will prob POAS on Thurs. morning, which should make it hard to go to the clinic and work, either way. No good answer on this one.

hope2bmommy - welcome, and good luck! I would also recommend calling asap. That way if you need to do any tests before AF, you can get those out of the way.

Ok, girls. One more day. Who did I miss that was stimming? I almost enjoyed those shots... made me feel like I was actually a little in control of this again!

[Handsandfeet]

Thanks for the welcome, everyone!

Indie -- thanks for the info. I'll check out the other forum, too.

Stressball -- not sure why I picked that name. I use it on a couple of other forums. Guess I was noticing my hands and feet at the time. No real significance

I have just completed a follistim/IUI cycle (also at CAR, becca -- with the female Doody), and POAS this morning with a negative. Turns out my beta was low positive, so it's probably a chemical pregnancy. I have to go back on Thursday for a followup beta. Hopefully it's fast and overwith quickly so I can move on. Anyway, it's a delay in looking towards the study, since I can't really get it going until I know for sure this is a done deal. This is my first almost positive of any sort since I started trying, so it's a step in the right direction. I just hope it's not an ectopic.

Becca -- Dr. Nackley did my HSG. She was really nice, and very pg at the time. I haven't met the male Doody yet. How were your ER and ET? Did you have anesthesia for the ER?

So I'm looking forward to keeping up with everyone, and hoping hoping everyone gets their miracles from this study!