OCT / NOV / DEC 2008 Buddies

[JDC]

ajdec Please try and not read into having a lack of symptoms. Think positive no matter what because your little one likes that! I had very similar feelings last time.... very minor cramping and that was about it. I did not actually feel pregnant until well after my beta test. Everyone is so different so it is impossible at this stage to truly know for sure, so you just act as if you are. What day is your beta? Will you hpt before hand? Best of luck to you.

natashamom Welcome to the board! Is this your first ivf?

As for me.....thanks to all who commented on whether or not to push my cycle to Jan. I made a final decision to go ahead for November. I know my AP won't like it, but it is not her life or decision! I will bump my appt.s to twice a week now though.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

[JDC]

Wonderce I noticed that you said you like to compare protocols.....I was also on 450follistim and 10cc low dose hcg for my last 2 cycles, but no lupron for me. I'm pretty sure this cycle will be the same...I only got a few follies, but all contained mature eggs.

[ajdec]

JDC - Thanks for the note! I'm really focusing on PMA this morning! I'm not sure when my beta is set...need to find out when the DR calls today. I am really really debating the whole HPT thing. I definitely want to...Wednesday is my DH birthday and I really think it would be such a great thing to get a positive on his birthday. On Wednesday, I'll be 9dp5dt...not sure if that's far enough along. On the other hand, I'd be so disappointed if I got a negative on his birthday. Most of the time my head says to just not do a HPT and just wait for my beta test. We'll see how the week goes....

[robin611]

Hi guys,

It's been a few days since my last post - My matron of honor & her hubby were visiting from CA for the weekend. Of course they arrived just as I was doing my first stims ever! DOH!

bell-02, wonderce, to_have_fun08 - Thanks for your best wishes!

wonderce - Regarding ICSI, my DH & I are doing it. He has low motility and low morphology although his count is good. They recommended us doing it due to our ages and the low motility. We are also doing AH (Assisted Hatching) but I'm not sure if that's because we are doing ICSI or for some other reason. HTH...

sloan - Congrats on lucky number 11!

everyone else I missed - hope all is going well!

As for me - So, I started the stims on Saturday after good blood & sono results (although my blood pressure was a little high - they said I was probably nervous). Taking 300 Bravelle & 75 Menopur. The first time I totally messed up and had to stick myself again - DOH! But, that's because it didn't hurt at all and I didn't realize it had even gone in! Last night I had my DH watch and tell me when it was in! The hardest part is all that mixing! So, for anyone who hasn't done it and is nervous about the needles, it's not that bad! You can check my old posts - I was super nervous before!

Now, the first day I didn't notice any of the side effects or anything, but last night when I was trying to go to sleep, I'd swear I felt something growing in there. Maybe I was just imagining it but have any of you actually thought you felt something?

Ok, will keep you all posted. First check -in tomorrow and then maybe adding ganarelix...

-Robin

[ajdec]

DR office called. Hormones look fine...continuing on my meds. She said they can do an "early" beta on Friday, October 17 when I go in for my b/w. You'd think I'd be happier knowing that they'll do the test Friday...but I think I'm more freaked out now! Like...by Friday...I should know hopefully and I think the idea of a BFN is completely freaking me out! But I'm trying to focus...PMA, PMA, PMA!

I so want to start all of us on this tread with a BFP!!!

[sloan88]

Hi All -
just got my report - I have been severely distracted waiting for it...
The nurse said I had 6 good embryos (6 cell -whatever that means) - and one that they are watching.
so they want to do a day 5 transfer - this friday. This sounds good to me! fingers crossed.

I also did the progesterone shot this morning and it didn't hurt at all somehow! miracle.

adjec - I can also feel the 2ww coming on.... I've never been pregnant or felt pregnant so I know if I don't have any symptoms I too will feel like WTF? but a lot of people say you don't feel anything until after the test says yes...

robin - good luck with your stims!

Karen - great numbers!

everyone else - thanks for all your sweet notes... !

[wonderce]

JDC, good for you for going with your heart and what you feel is best for you. So November it is! It sounds like you and I are on very similar protocols. I wonder why I would use the Lupron? I think they explained that it keeps ovulation from occurring too soon. Either way, I got back from u/s and b/w this morning and am anxiously awaiting the results. I'm encouraged that you had a few follies and all had mature eggs. Hopefully you'll have another good response this time too since you will likely be on the same meds.

Adjec, keep the PMA! You only have 4 more days until your early beta. Enjoy your DH's b-day and keep your hopes up. We also want you to have the BFP!

Robin, thanks for the input on ICSI. I've been sharing some of the comments I received from you all with my DH. I'm hoping it will help us make a clearer decision. I believe our clinic does the AH but it was not mentioned to us. I'm wondering if I should ask them? Glad the needles weren't so bad for you. And I definitely feel what I think is follie growth. Right now most of the activity is on my left ovary, and it was really throbbing last night. Bloating is such a wonderful thing. : )

Karen, congrats on the follie count! It's so exciting to get that kind of news. My ultrasound tech calls them lots of chocolate chips. The ICSI advice is helpful. So did you end up with any frosties your 1st cycle? And sorry if I'm repeating questions, but what is DHEA and where do you get it?

NY4thtry, sorry you are feeling so bad. Hopefully you are a little better today. Hmm, not sure about you and DH. Would your RE be able to advise on whether DH could potentially cause any harm?

Wickedwheel, good luck with the u/s later this week and maybe b/w. Keep us posted!

Natashamom, how exciting! You will have 2 embies and could get the best news ever for your Christmas gift. Wishing you and everyone here much success.

[robin611]

Test to see if signature worked...

[Kas101]

Wow, everyone's been posting like crazy!!! Good to see the board so active, and everyone moving along (seems to be going FAST)

JDC Good luck with the saline sonogram !! (not fun) Have you considered using another AP as yours will be away? I found a couple in my area a few of whom listed infertility and IVF as a specialty. When i was choosing one, if they didnt list it as a specialty i wasnt interested...

Sloan Congrats on the ER!!! I missed your post about this as i think we posted at the same time so i only saw when i was looking back!!! SOunds like you have 6 good embies dividing away right now which is great news - keep us updated about their progress.

Karen FAB FOLLIE COUNT 7 already!!! I'd be doing cartwheels!!! Eggcellent news XX

NY4th Sorry the dexameth is making you feel lousy. At least (in a way) you know it is 'doing something'. I'm guessing this is part of the plan to reduce NK cell activity....

As far as the DH issue i would ask Toth about that. It does make sense that you could re-introduce bacteria etc when such efforts have been taken to eliminate EVERYTHING esp as you are now kind of 'supressing' your immune system in an attempt to slow down those NK cells.

ajdec Everthing sounds like its going well, good hormone levels etc but i know the waiting drives you crazy !! Good news you will get an early beta, but with that in mind i would recommend NOT doing a HPT as it may be too early to detect (but i never take my own advice!)

Hope everyone is having a great day, and hey to natashamom, wicked wheel, wonderce, robin and everyone else

[babyhope1]

Hello ladies,

There are a number of women who may be joining our board from the Sept.Oct board. Sprout is one of them, welcome Sprout! We welcome Sept/Oct boarders with open arms and we rely on your experiences.

Someone had mentioned ICSI and AH Assisted Hatching. My doc suggested ICSI for minor male issues we have. I also was scared two sperm or a headless sperm or some morphologically messed up sperm was fertilizing the egg. So we are doing 50/50 ICSI. My DH was worried about his manhood but the lack of a baby is more of a manhood problem than ICSI I believe he concluded. Nobody will know but us and docs we will never see again anyway.

Also my doc advised against AH for us. I am 31 and she said the risks at my age are greater than the rewards of AH and they usually don't do that unless they see thick shell or its the second IVF for the reason it leads to more monozygotic twins or twins that share a sac. You may have seen the TTTS twin to twin transfusion syndrome problems on TLC shows. who knew?

[robin611]

Someone had mentioned ICSI and AH Assisted Hatching. My doc suggested ICSI for minor male issues we have. I also was scared two sperm or a headless sperm or some morphologically messed up sperm was fertilizing the egg. So we are doing 50/50 ICSI. My DH was worried about his manhood but the lack of a baby is more of a manhood problem than ICSI I believe he concluded. Nobody will know but us and docs we will never see again anyway.

Also my doc advised against AH for us. I am 31 and she said the risks at my age are greater than the rewards of AH and they usually don't do that unless they see thick shell or its the second IVF for the reason it leads to more monozygotic twins or twins that share a sac. You may have seen the TTTS twin to twin transfusion syndrome problems on TLC shows. who knew?

Interesting that Docs tell us all different things. We are doing ICSI but the embryologist is "hand picking" the good ones since not all the sperm have the motility/morph issue - there is a small percentage of good ones in there.

As for AH, it's funny because our doc recommended it for us at my age, 38, and didn't mention any of those side effects. I'll have to ask him about that. Thanks for the heads up.

[JDC]

My sonogram was fine and everything looked normal, so that is quite a relief.

Kas It's funny because I did not even consider using another AP. I have so much faith in my current one...she has helped me alot in different ways. But I will look into it, but that time around Thanksgiving will be tough...My transfer may fall then, but I'm hoping it will fall before the holiday. My clinic does offer some sort of electro stimulation acupuncture for immediately after transfer - I never tried it. I suppose that is an option if I'm desperate!

NY4th Hope you are starting to feel better.....

[Melissag]

Hello Everyone!! I was wondering if I could join this board, I have my FET on Thursday and was looking for some support from people who know what I'm going through. I also wanted to say gook luck and good vibes out there to all you ladies!

[gina1234]

hey ladies
just wanted to see how u all are doing, because i am not doing so good...i got into a car accident this weekend and some lady hit me from behind & i am more than likely going to get AF which i cant wait for because then i start meds again & off to the ivf trail i go...i am just going crazy... the car just has damage to the back, but i went to the doctor & found out i have some nerve damage to my left arm... i am in so much pain but i didnt want to forget about u ladies....i hope u all had a lovely weekend...i just need to vent chat with u soon.....sending u big hugs and alot of baby dust to u all

xo
gina

[chenry4413]

Hi Ladies,
I just checked in and got updated on everyone... I just want to wish everone well and great PMA!

I spoke to DH the other night again about DE ....just want to have a backup plan. It is really hard to get him on board as he is so hesitant. I really want a back up plan to keep me sane!! I think I can get him to come around but it's difficult.

Good Vibes to All!