Anybody IVF progesterone ring study in Texas?

[StayingPositive]

Hey Ladies,

Indie, I think the whole IVF process comes with a bump in the road at every turn. It's meant to be. It just means you're the type of woman who can handle all the bumps!

Becca, Well, all of those symptoms are gone. It's so weird. Only AF symptoms now, POOP! I have my beta on Saturday. I keep going back and forth about doing an HPT. Between your posts and others I have read it seems that you can get an accurate result 7dpt. Right? That would be tomorrow night. The problem is that the next morning I have a meeting with the mayor of our town and if I see a BFN the night before I don't know if I will be able to handle it. I was always against HPT because when I did it last time it was a BFN and it just made the wait for the beta that much harder. But, my mind keeps going there. Maybe I will do it Friday night. Maybe I won't. I am so confused...

Stress: How did everything go? I will keep checking back to see your update!

[IndieBlue]

Just a note on Beta's I read on the other thread that Duramed is changing the way that they are doing the Beta's now. Since they are doing them less than 2 weeks with the study participants, sometimes the numbers are coming in low. So they are making patients wait until the second Beta now before giving them a positive/negative and the numbers!!! I hope that this new protocol has to make it through all the channels before being implemented but just be aware that you may not get your Beta numbers on the day of your test....even if it comes back positive, you may have to wait till the 2nd test.

And they also said they are changing how they do the ET for the study participants....and not giving them any Valium to relax them? Again, heard it through the grapevine from other patients (all of them from the same clinic in TX where Duramed representatives were just a few days ago)....so take it with a grain of salt, it may be a week or so before it makes it's way to the other clinics....or it may not make it around to all of them at all? Just wanted everyone to hear the news I heard so they'd be prepared just in case!

[Soderbee]

Hi there! Wanting to join in your DB. I too have started with the progesterone ring study. I live in FL. This is my 1st time doing any of this because my RE suggested that as "unknown infertility" we would benefit by jumping to IVF to be cost effective and the % to be better then IUI. Quite nervous about it all...I am an OB nurse so I know the lingo and meds (knowing things seems to have me more nervous). I still need to do my saline us on Fri and we take the IVF class on Sat. One of you ladies mentioned a bit back about hearing that the study was ending soon, do you know more info on that? I am nervous that I will not qualify if they end it before I start my period in 3wks with the BCP. I also would like to hear about your side effects from the meds...anyone having hormonal issues? I can get quite PMS'y so my DH should be thrilled about that. Also, how many embryos did you all put back? I was suggested 3 (if good) because I am 32. Thanks guys and glad to see that I am not alone....take care!

[IndieBlue]

Welcome Soderbee As far as the hormones, I've heard that all the meds effect different people different ways (which I'm sure you already assumed, being a nurse). The BCP's have made me moody, but most people say it's the Lupron that does that to them....hoping I don't get worse when I start that LOL

The study was initially supposed to take in 1300 participants. They may only need 1200 for the study data so they build in 'extras' in case someone fails to complete the cycle or something disqualifies them (such as high blood pressure, low follicle count, high/low estradiol and FSH...etc). Once you're in you're in though....my clinic even said that if we were disqualified after beginning that they'd still finish treatment for the 3500 we're paying for the study cycle. That was a relief.

All I know is that CORM in TX and the study location in South Carolina have already told everyone that the enrollment ends in 2 weeks and they either don't have spots left at all, or I think the SC ad said they had 3 spots left? I think that if you've signed up, and the location you are at is considering you a study patient you're safe...but I'd ask to be sure. I start Lupron on the 15th, and will have paid for the study by then....so I hope there are no surprises.

The study officially ends in July 2009 (information I gathered from the Duramed study site) so they have to close it up at sometime so they can start working on the data and getting it compiled...etc. A year isn't very long to get everything put together, and I'm sure it's very tedious having to compile this stuff from all over the country to the FDA's standards....so again I think that is one of the many reasons (along with they are almost full) that they will be closing the study in a few weeks.

That's cool that your doctors will transfer back 3. My RE has already said that it'll only be 3 if I do a 3 day transfer, but at a 5 day transfer I only get 2 and I'm 33. Tubal factors are all that are hindering me though....so far.

Well, good luck! And welcome again to the group....these ladies are great and it's nice to have study buddies

[whynotus]

soderbee - welcome, and good luck, I hope you can squeeze in! This was also my first ivf, and I was also worried about how I would respond to the medications. I was fine, absolutely fine, and dh agrees (he would tell me if I was moody). But... of course, everyone responds differently.

Stressball - where are you? I hope everything went smoothly. I know we're all hoping for the best!

Indie - I wonder why the change in protocol now? I have to say, I don't think that valium really affected me as much as I thought. I didn't feel less worried, and worried the whole time that I would pee on the doctor. I was a little woozy, but not bad. And I agree with stay+ who really has a totally worry-free, perfect ivf cycle? I doubt anyone does. So don't fret that you got off to a less than perfect start!

Stay+ this is a dilemma with the HPT. For me, I waited until the morning of, so that I wouldn't have to find out at work. It worked out well, I think, because I would have been crushed at work. And I was totally calm (but yes, very disappointed) for the beta. I think you have to do what will make that day easier on you, and if you think about it, you'll probably know what that is. Fingers crossed, though!

Ah, the dreams. I dreamt that my doctors decided it was best if they observed me and my husband in the bedroom, if you know what I mean. And of course, they all had white lab coats on. We couldn't get things right, and I kept insisting that we did it right when they weren't there! I realized then that the loss of privacy was really getting to me, even though I look forward to getting results from each test. Maybe these dreams of famous people involved are similar; a reflection of this private experience being exposed in a very public way?

[StayingPositive]

Whynot: Thanks for the input. I find out on Saturday, so I guess it would make sense to wait until then. But, the longer I sit here with AF cramps the more I want to HPT!!! Oh, this cruel cruel 9-day wait!!

Soderbee: Welcome aboard!! You shoudl be fine with the meds, for the most part. There are side effects but I would say that they are very mild. Although, this progesterone is giving me Hot Flashes galore. I was up all night last night dripping sweat. YUCK!! I just remind myself how worth it it all will be! You are lucky they want to put back 3. I asked my RE to do 3 and they told me the study required a maximum of 2. I don't know why it is different. I am 29, do you think that had something to with it? I don't know...but, I thought I read some where the cut off for the study was 35?

Indie, do you know? Either way, that is GREAT! I think the more the merrier!! BFP vibes coming your way!!!!

[IndieBlue]

Staying Positive: I read somewhere that the study had a max of 2 as well...maybe those TX ladies mentioned it? But my RE said that for my age (33) I could have 3 on day 3 and 2 on day 5, so again, maybe it does have to do with age.

So are you going to POAS on the day of Beta? If you don't get your numbers that day and have to wait another 2 days....are you going to POAS? I don't understand if it's positive why they wouldn't say something....but then again, I guess it's study protocol and they can change things when they want to

Good luck...I can't wait to hear!

[StayingPositive]

Indie: Ok, I gotcha. 3 on day 3 makes sense. My RE says if we have to do this again that we could do 3 on day 5 but said something about having to agree to selective reduction which I would NEVER do. But, I will cross that path if and when that time comes. I think that whole not telling you thing is such crap. What is the point of even taking the test then? I will be demanding to know if they don't tell me. I hope you were right that hopefully not all RE's will have heard about this by then. I know that my RE's office doesn't seem to organized when it comes to this study. I hope they are unorganized when it comes to that part! And yes, I will definitely POAS that day if they don't tell me. If, I haven't already! If you were to ask me 2 weeks ago if I were going to POAS I would have absolutely said No. Everything changes, I guess.

[IndieBlue]

LOL, I already ordered 25 test strips for my 2ww....I have absolutely no will power. I figured with 25 of the test strips (they detect HCG as low as 20) I can test from 1 day after ET to the test day....to see when the trigger shots leaves my system (and I get a negative or a light line) to Beta day....to see if it's a true positive.

It's not really much pressure since we've not told anyone (except 1 friend)...until!!!! My husband this weekend rearranged our room and when I asked why he said he didn't want the baby crib anywhere near the TV, and it would fit nicely in the corner...etc. Now there is some pressure! And then just a day or so later he was watching a commercial and it had a pregnant women on it, he said "that's what mommy will look like in a few more months".....Uh, again PRESSURE!

If we get some to freeze we'll do a FET if the fresh doesn't take...but this is our only chance so I'm trying not to tell anyone that there is even a potential to becoming pregnant for us.

Oh well, going to check the mail....those HPT's should be here today LOL, not that I'll need them for another month!!! Oh and Freedom just called back to let me know they had a problem with their delivery truck last night and my order didn't make it out, was it okay to schedule delivery tomorrow...ummm, already had this discussion! Good Grief....is this really happening LOL

[angram]

Stressball – where are you and how’d everything go? Per your question before, I participated in a long lasting Gonal F study, but the study didn’t allow for more than 150 IU’s per day and that just wasn’t enough for my body. I’m not sure which study nurse you got for this particular one, but I believe they’ve assigned just one nurse..so guessing I’ll get the same one

IndieBlue – Hope everything gets straightened out with Freedom, my goodness it’s just one thing after another for us girls. My last cycle seemed to have everything go wrong and I hope once AF arrives things will smooth out this time around. Thanks for sending AF my way, she has yet to arrive and must be traveling by mule

StayingPositive – Sending positive vibes your way, just a few more days.

Regarding the study changing up some of the rules, I really do not understand the valium one. The meds are not really to calm us down (because it’s too low a dose), but to relax our cervix and keep it from cramping when they insert the catheter. The last thing they want our body to do is cramp during the ET, so that just doesn’t make any sense to me.

BCP’s for me just caused really sore BB’s, which I don’t remember from the years I took them before. The Lupron gave me headaches and made me pretty cranky, but that could’ve just been the entire process and not necessarily that specific med

Hope everyone else is doing well and welcome Soderbee.

[IndieBlue]

Angram sorry...forgot to tell you that I wasn't sending her with her own plane ticket...I didn't have any money left after buying meds to buy her a separate ticket so I stood by the gates/x-ray machines and just tossed her on someone coming your way LOL Iccky if you actually visualize that! HaHaHa

I didn't understand the valium thing either, and I'm PRAYING really hard that my RE's office doesn't get that bit of news before I have ET. I do not want to cramp up...I have a 2 hour ride home after that and wanted something to relax my cervix. But then one of the ladies said on the other thread that her doctors said it might actually increase the odds? Another patient (not in the study)almost refused the valium after hearing that from the doctor....so maybe we do want our cervix to snap shut after those embryo's get implanted back in there LOL

[stressball]

Wow...it took me sometime to read you all....First and foremost...THANKYOU for thinking and praying for me....I think I could feel it...becoz It was real easy to get up in the morning and be there on time...very unusual for us...and then I was not nervous...in fact I was very calm and relaxed..On the day of ER... they send me into the lala land at 6.15 and I woke up with a heavy head at 8.25...drank tons of water...then came the embryologist...and SURPRIZE..one good one bad...bad that my DH unborn kids looked low and good that they retrieved 10 EGGS....WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?????STILL WONDERING....anyway....the news of "may be ICSI" did not bother me....and then I got home and slept on and off until 7.30....my head was very heavy and I could feel the migrane seeping in....my DH made me fresh orange juice but becoz I had;nt had much to eat in the morning...I threw up in a couple of hours later...TMI...I think I moved around more than I could... made me nauseated.....my left side ovary/ back pain was gone by the end of the day.....

Today....we had to go for a blooddraw....which the nurse said a day before is to test progesterone level....I went to pick up the lab slip and I was given a packet just like what I got in the begining with the bcps in it...took it to the lab...found out that they are doing estrodiol and not proges...called the nurse and she said that was correct...anyway...went to TFC back and then met with the nurse and she came in with a nice pink bag..and declared that I am in crinone group...I was then told that the nurse draws the lottery that too not in front of the patient...then how is it lottery??????anyway...I was okay with that...she gave me the crinone and the bag...then asked to put one inside and save the wrapper....came home....still light headed and lil nauseated...ate and waited for my nurse to call about the fertilization report...she was suppsed to call before 2..anyway left messages...the reaserch coordinator was the extreme...I caught hold of her on the phone and she said " I will call you right back" and still nothing one and hour hour later I called my IVF nurse...still nothing...then the office got closed at 4...and at 4.20, my nurse called and said that 9 fertilized with ICSI....so all that wait ended in a good news....but really even now I am really not that excited...not even after my F- report....I think "whatever" approch is helping me......sorry for that long story....I am compensating for the time when I was not here....

Becca, saty+ and why: did you all have a headache/ migrane +soreboos after ER...mine is killing me...

Angram: If you want AF soon...may be some wild baby dance would help....that works for me worth trying....

bee: yes hormones make you moody...and more PMSY....warn uy DH about it too....

Indie: I have a feeling that your dream will come true....and also....things like these (meds fail to reach on time etc) might happen...hope not..but if they do....you got to know that we all had bumpy rides...still survived...

About the study realted changes...I was not told anything yet...but the way things are moving...who knows more surprises could be on the way....

In the end...I am happy......I get to keep the pink bag...yeeeee

[IndieBlue]

YAY...that sounds very very positive! I'm so glad they got so many eggs from you....so you're going in on day 3 or day 5??? And I heard that the pink bag was cute....too bad they didn't make them pink and blue bags LOL, I guess they figured we're women so pink was good. So we were both throwing up last night Sorry you were sick....was it the anesthesia and all the stress? I always throw up after anesthesia...even one that is as light as the one for ER.

So that's cool that you got the gel....I really don't care which I get at this time, the gel is fine and it's been proven in studies....so again, either is fine. I'm amazed at how many women have gotten the ring on the other board though, it's very uneven right now. I don't think that's right about them doing the lottery without you present either....seems a bit secretive.

Again, glad that you made it through and things are looking up Can't wait to hear your ET report!

[stressball]

Indie: I think the anesthesia made me sick...anyway...the nurse will schedule a 3 day trasfer tomorrow..and on Friday morning I will find out if I would go for the ET that day or wait until Sunday...for me...I dont care...I had trasfered perfect blasts on day 5...and got BFN...when some other lucky ones got BFP with 3 day...I beleive...that you worry or not...it would happen..what is planned to happen....do you know any "non chemical" style of dealing with migrane????

FYI: Drinking COLD, FRESH, citrus juice HALF A CUP in the evening before i get sick....helped my nausea...

[IndieBlue]

I don't know any way to get rid of a migraine sorry And I plan on asking for some anti nausea meds before I leave the doctors office....she said I could have anti nausea meds, so I'm going to use that knowledge

I would think that maybe a long nap in a dark room would help your migraine? My husband gets them but he takes meds to get rid of them.