Anybody IVF progesterone ring study in Texas?

[baylorbear33]

Hello all... New to this string, but I have a question for you all... I too am in the Duramed Research Study in Texas. I am currently in my 2WW period. I was given the vaginal ring and I'm curious as to any others who might have received ring and what symptoms if any you are experiencing. My doc told me to expect spotting with the ring, but I have had none, so I'm not sure if that is good or bad. My bb's are of course sore and feel huge and I've had a bloated feeling for 3 straight days. Can anyone share their experience with the ring? Thanks.

[IndieBlue]

Stress: Don't be silly....you can't run us off!!! I'm glad you're posting your stresses and things...it helps me keep my own emotions in check and know that you got through something that I was going to stress about and I've learned a lot from your situations! So how is everything going now? Any new developments? As far as the HPT, I ordered 25 medical grade ones from online and I play on peeing on them daily after ET. That way I can see the trigger shot leaving my system and know that any positive after that will be the real deal. I'm still cautious though, as I realize that chemical or ectopic pregnancies are a risk too with IVF....so again, I play to POAS daily...but will not get too excited if I get a BFP until I've went and gotten my beta and made it a few months past the risk of MC and the other IVF factors.

Becca: I'm so elated to hear that you saw your little baby....congrats! I'll bet that was just a moment that time stood still....how sweet! I guess they gave you a picture? Do share if you can get it uploaded!

KNR: I'm so sorry for your stress and not getting much in the way of answers about this cycle and why it failed. That is odd that your location hasn't had many BFP's, wonder if they are doing something differently or just having a run of BFN's? I'm your age, 33, and I understand your sadness about not having children, your worry about your own eggs...etc but I do think that we're still young and anything is possible. We adopted and while it's hard and different....it's not impossible and it is a way to add to your family. I'll be thinking of you as you make your way through the next year and finalize some decisions. Good luck with the WW too....I keep thinking if I don't get a BFP then I'm going back to WW....even if I do get a BFP I'll go back afterwards I'm sure, I really like their program.

Angram: Pills still kicking your butt LOL You know what's NOT funny is that my side effects are starting to ease up....but I'm not taking them after Sunday, so what's the point! LOL I've dealt with them this long....now that I'm almost through taking them they give me a break....well how nice! LOL I'm excited about my Lupron tomorrow...when again did you say you were starting yours?

WhyNotUs: Thinking of you while you plan your next step too....I can't imagine how that must feel and yet I'm sure you feel almost relieved to have a break from it all to just ponder your different options. I'm glad to see that you're still here too....it's nice to hear from you about your life and choices...etc.

BaylorBear33: Welcome! I've read about different women on the ring and the side effects are as different as night and day. Some have no effects at all, while others have spotting...etc. I think that not having any symptoms is fine too, you shouldn't worry. Welcome again! Hope you get your BFP!!!

[IndieBlue]

Duh...forgot to update everyone on me. Not really anything to update...guess that is why I didn't really include that in the last post. I've been busy, well trying to keep busy and laying off the Internet as much as possible. I don't want to influence my brain negatively or positively during this cycle...as I've seen a lot more BFN's lately and it makes me question my own chances of getting pregnant. I've seen a lot of otherwise healthy women with no known factors...and they get a BFN, it's heartwrenching. So again, that's why I've missed a lot of days between post....but I still try to check in and skim the post as I can't give up the boards completely I also see a lot of BFP's in certain weeks and again, I start getting this feeling like "well, sure I'll be pregnant soon, I have nothing other than a tubal factor...why wouldn't I be"....getting a little to sure of the chances, and that's no good either. I almost thing the less I know about something the better at this point LOL Sort of like doctors make the worst patients, well I have just enough knowledge to make me dangerous...worrying too much and being overly optimistic at the same time.

I'm staring Lupron tomorrow, last BCP is on Sunday and then my Baseline is on Thursday of next week. Can't wait....it's going to fly after I start Lupron...right???? LOL, I hope so!

Well, you ladies have a GREAT week...only a few days till that wonderful weekend! We're headed out for our run and then to the garden store to pick up some things for the yard (another thing that passes the time)

[angram]

stressball - You could not possibly get rid of us that easy, we all have our ups and downs...that's what is so great about this board and the support of everyone!

beccatx - Do not ever feel bad about your BFP on this board, it is so great to see someone going through all of this finally get what we're all trying to achieve. You should be incredibly happy and I'm sure every woman on this board feels the same, this is your time to shine!

baylorbear33 - Welcome to the board and happy thoughts during your 2WW.

IndieBlue - I'm actually feeling much better today, but it seems to kick in after dinner time...hmm, just in time for my DH to want to get nice and cozy with me I really think things start flying, once you start Lupron. And it goes by even faster once you get the baseline and start the big meds! I still have not received a calendar from my RE, so I have no idea when I start Lupron. If I start mine on day 18 like you, then I should start on the 27th..my goodness I'm so ready!!

[beccatx]

Baylor- I have the ring and have not spotted at all...once when I wiped there was a miniscule amount of the light brown blood- this was at the end of 2ww...nothing since. And I accidentally left it out yesterday for 3 hours! I took it out for the Ultrasound then we were so excited I forgot it was in my purse until I looked in there 3 hours later at work. I kind of panicked but then got pver it...whats 3 hours when I've been wearing it for 5 weeks(nad what could I do after the fact..I felt like an IDIOT). I didn't spot at all yesterday or today.

The only other symptom I've had is constipation...everything else is pregnancy related I think.

Rebecca

[stressball]

Hi all,

Bear: welcome....I am in 2ww too..when do you test..was it 5dt???I have crinone so cant help much...symptomwise...nothing is what what I am feeling today...breast are getting lighter and less sore every day scary...I test this coming tuesday

Hi Indie: My goodness...I missed you soooooo much....next time please let us know when you decide you hide...welcome back...

Becca: did you feel anything on day 3-4 of 5dt trasfer....that stood out..I know bad question....I will hpt on Sunday...thanks...and dont feel bad about BFP alone becoz you will soon have some company......

one more day gone....arent we all happy about it

[whynotus]

becca - great news, becca! I agree, do not feel bad that you are finally where you should be. If anything, it gives me hope!

angram - glad you are feeling better!

Indie - yay! LUPRON! that's so exciting! You are on your way!

Baylorbear- welcome! I had a strange symptom with the ring... aching and dryness.

stress - it is impossible to be stressful all of the time.

I finally have some good news. I met with my RE, and she said my eggs looked great, and the fertilization was good, and my two frozen embryos are grade 4AA, which is their best grade. So that made me feel a little better. i have to be careful not to get too hopeful, though. My transfer is tentatively scheduled for 7/7 - so far away! Back to the BCP's in two weeks - most of you are finally escaping them!

I also found out that the FET is not covered under the study. I thought it was... was anyone else under that impression?

[angram]

whynotus - The study at my clinic only covers one IVF, so no FET, ICSI, or freezing. Would be great if so, but I'm just happy to have this much covered. That is excellent news about your embies!!

[baylorbear33]

Thank you to all for sharing your experience...

Stressball - I had a day 5 blast transfer on 5/9/08. I go in for my betaHCG on Monday, 5/19/08. I actually should have tested on 5/18, but since that is a Sunday, my clinic pushed it to Monday. I am trying desperately hard not POAS until at least Saturday in the hopes of getting a true result.

Whynotus - those are interesting symptoms. Now that you mention it, my skin has been really dry. Not sure if that's the body part you were referring to or not , but perhaps it is related to the ring. I hope it is not a obscure symptom of OHSS. I have not gained any weight, in fact I've lost a couple of pounds, so I'm hoping that OHSS is not a possibility.

Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I still have sore/enlarged bb's, bloated/crampy abdomen, and headache started this afternoon. I'm really hoping these are good signs and not just a crappy side effect of the progesterone.

[IndieBlue]

I also found out that the FET is not covered under the study. I thought it was... was anyone else under that impression?

I actually asked at the very beginning of this with our first few calls to the RE's office and the first coordinator told me that the study covered 1 fresh and 1 frozen cycle. I found out a few weeks ago that she was mistaken...it only covers the fresh cycle and 6 months of freezing for leftover embryo's. Some study locations don't even cover the freezing and it's extra to patients...so again, looks like we all got different packages but the common thread seems to be that no one is getting any FET's through it.

I started thinking today, gosh I hope I get a BFP....of course because I want a baby but also because the location I'm going to reimburses you so much per visit once you've completed the cycle. I didn't even think about that in the beginning but if you don't get a BFP and you only go back for the final visit...that's shorting you almost 1/2 the money they quoted in the beginning. That was another thing...the first nurse/coordinator told me that you got 1500.00 back at the completion of the study, but the paperwork I received said it's 150.00 per visit, so in essence you could get a LOT less if you fail to move on to the next stage of the cycle.

Oh well, live and learn. I'll just be hoping and praying that I can make it through the whole series of visits for all those reasons listed above LOL

Well, today is my first Lupron and I just took my BCP and my Doxycyclin....so moving on to the next stage

Rebecca That's funny (but not really at the time I'm sure) about the ring being in your purse. I probably would have forgotten too....it's easy to forget half this stuff going on.

Angram I'm excited that you're moving forward. Everyone kept telling me to take the BCP's at night...but since I only have till Sunday I figured I'd just keep taking them when I'm taking them and it'll be over soon. They have KILLED my libido too though...poor hubby. And just when the RE and the Psychologist told him he needed to 'empty' the reserves every few days while going through this process....until ER and then he needs to the night of my trigger and then not again till ER. I feel bad for him....I wish I was more frisky LOL Stress, didn't you say that the Lupron did that to you? Maybe I'll feel better in that area this weekend after a few Lupron shots LOL Or was it the stims that made you that way? LOL

Stress did you find out when your Beta test is? Will you be POAS soon? I know I've probably said it before, but I ordered 25 medical grade test strips for my 2ww. I wanted to start testing the day after so I can watch the trigger shot leave my system. I have no will power at all!!!! I figured you would use a HPT too, since you were asking about days....when do you plan on using one? Just remember that some HCG is slow to build up in your system so don't count on those test being 100% accurate if it's a negative. Since this study is testing ladies so quickly after ET the Beta's have been coming in lower for many of them. Oh and I asked on the other board and the ladies said that most of the clinics were still giving the Beta numbers the day of the test....but if they were low they wanted to make sure they were doubling before giving you numbers, so again they are just being cautious.

Why How did your appointment go? Hope you got some answers and you're moving on to FET soon

KNR Still pondering on things? How is that WW going?

[angram]

Hi IndieBlue - I was laughing when reading your last post because it seems the last 2 years of fertility treatment have completely killed my libido! We've been full steam ahead for 2 years now; several rounds of meds & natural, 9 IUI's and going on my sencond IVF, which has just killed to mood altogether. I think most of it has been the tons of medication and the other portion is just overall stress and living on a freaking schedule! I'm so ready to just be pregnant, and then looking forward to the libido coming back for good, okay at least until I deliver and am totally tired from chasing around a small one (or two)

[stressball]

Hi all,

Indie: Congrates...on starting the Lupron. Its funny that you bought 20+ hpts....I am going to buy some today....cheap ones....and will test on Sunday....beta is Tues.

And my libido was flat too during those bcp and Lurpn time...but I was good during stim.....

And FET is not covered at our clinic too as Angram said...

Me: I am biopsing every posssible symptom...in fact boucing the boobies to see if they hurt .....so far I have concluded that they feel more heavy at the end of the day....all my cramping is gone....I just feel normal...feels good in a way....

[IndieBlue]

Stress OMGosh....you're walking around bouncing your boobies!!! LOL We went for our run this morning and I had every intention of just WALKING! Well, the little ones wanted to run so I started running and OUCH, I'd totally forgot to wear my running bra and those babies HURT. Darn those BCP's LOL We did 3 miles though, I just did a brisk walk to keep up with them...glad they have little legs LOL

Oh and about 1-1/2 miles in to the walk it started raining....so of course they wanted to run back to the truck. Well, I thought...NOPE! It wasn't lightening or thundering it was just a nice misty day so I walked the other 1-1/2 in the rain The little ones thought it was funny...but I was just enjoying it because in a week when I start stims there isn't supposed to be any vigorous exercise that could twist your ovaries, so again I just took it all in and enjoyed the rain There were lots of other runners in the park too...so it wasn't like we were weirdo's for being out in it LOL



Angram Our psychologist consult brought up libido and he told us the number 1 cause for infertility was lack of sex....can you believe that. I kept thinking....well everyone is so busy these days, who has time LOL But then after babydancing for months or years and it not working, who has the energy for more LOL I do have to make more of an effort though.

[beccatx]

Hi all...so excited with all the progress and news.

Why- great news on FET...my precious little nephew Nolan was a FET...I have such high hopes for you and it's great to have you back

Stress- I pretty much just remember off and on cramping and lower back ache...never really thought my boobs were too bad- but yes, I often "cop a feel" of myself to see if they are sore...it's mostly my nipples???? Otherwise- not much- didn't "feel pregnant".

Indie- wow time has flown by! No one told me not to exercise during stims...oh well, too late now! I did my spin class the night before transfer...I will admit I was tender during that time in my abdomen, so it wasn't very comfortable. I ran 3 miles last week BEFORE DH asked the RE at US and he said not to run anymore until further notice...I can't do spin either...only walking and ride the bike at a reg. pace. I am already busting out off my clothes from the BCP, stims, pizzas, etc I can't wear my old pants and had to buy new ones in 1-2 bigger sizes. When I can't fall asleep I just try to count how many points I've had that day...I never finish because it puts me to sleep! HAHA

My clinic cost included freezing for 1 year.

[stressball]

Hi Becca,

Thanks for writing your symptoms.....My cramping was gone until today...I woke up with a lower back ache with lil cramping...I really cannot make out if its only back ache wor cramping too...My Breasts are still heavy....which is unlike last 2 times....but my nipples dont feel sore...they are more erected (sorry TMI) than before....now this could be becoz I am touching them too often...... yes I am going crazy.....I was sooooo tempted to do the hpt today which is 5 days to 5DT...but then I told myself.....there is a whole weekend for me just for that...My DH for the first time in life started talking about adoption.....he wants to adopt twins He really loves kids....God if not for me then for his sake please bless us with a/or two healthy child/ children.

Indie:
Again..its funny how we want some things some time and then dont want the same things other times...I am talking about sore boobies...I want them so bad....

Ladies ladies....please pray for me.....


enough is enough I want a BFP.....

Why: your dream will be fulfilled by FET.....I know....

Love you all....