OCT / NOV / DEC 2008 Buddies

[kke]

hi everyone
well i had the surgery to remvoe my cyst yesterday and now today i start my meds. i was wondering if anyone has had to mix 3 vials of bravelle and menophur or is this alot to be taken at one time.

[kke]

i have one more question if anyone can help me. i am starting my meds today as i already posted but does anyone no how long i will be on them and when retrevel might be?

[wonderce]

Kas, thanks for the snack suggestions. Your ideas sound really good! I just always reach for something convenient. I'm motivated now though to make a change. It could make a difference in my overall health which also affects a potential embie inside. At least I could feel good that I'm making healthier choices.

NY4thtry, it sounds like your follies are still coming right along, 11 is a good count. These hormones really mess with us don't they? I went for acupuncture yesterday and some really sad music was playing and I started to tear up just thinking about the past few years. I couldn't really let myself get too upset though because I had all these needles in me and was wrapped in blankets. Felt kind of helpless! Hope you are cheerier today.

Rhonda, my protocol was different from your's so I'm not much help. I was on 10 units of Lupron, then started 450 Follistim and 10 units of low dose HCG with the same Lupron until I triggered. You will be one of the lucky ten.

Gina, thanks for the extra baby dust. I'll take all I can get! You're so lucky that you respond so well. That's great news. Will wait for your next update.

Yeah Karen!! That's a great number. So just curious if they gave you a grade for the embies? I'm just trying to figure out what the difference is between A, B, and C. Good luck at your ET today! Welcome to the 2ww.

Prayin4BFP, we are all in this together. I'm saying prayers that we all are blessed with BFP's by Christmas. This is also my first IVF cycle, last time was cancelled and I had yet another IUI. Anyway, I've learned a lot from the friends on this board. I know you will too.

Havbaby, the shots will get easier and easier. It sounds like you are already feeling better about them. For me, I used to almost pass out at the thought of needles, and now I'm just sticking myself left and right with no problems. And when I go give blood, I stick my arm right out and let them poke like crazy. I guess since I've been at this for a few years so I'm really over my fear. I'm sure it will get better for you too.

Well, thank goodness it's almost Friday.

[Love_my_baby]

Hi all!!

OK, so the barbie segment WAS kinda funny I think.. I have a sense of a humor about most things, I'm able to step out of my own situation usually and still see when there is humor in things.. Even though I AM probably the exact picture of a newbie barbie!!!
The two..I guess "IVF role models/examples" that I know - a friend and my cousin - had fairly easy IVF cycles and were PG on the first time and now have beautiful babies.. So I may be tainted But anyways, I still think its funny..

Havbaby - today will be y 4th day on the Lupron shots, and even though I am QUEASY as all get out when I have a nurse draw my blood (b/c of that horrible experience when I was in high school), I find the Lupron injections aren't bad at all .. It doesn't hurt, and it doesn't burn once its in, or itch or anything. and I'm not feeling different at all..
I had a fleeting thought yesterday, that what if that means I'm not doing it right, since so many ladies have these effects?? But I mean, I'm doing it exactly as I was taught, and the medicine DOES go in my tummy and stays in, so I'm probably just being paranoid. I think everyone is just completely different and their bodies are different..

I start stim meds on Monday!! Wow.. Already so close.. I can't wait, even though I'm nervous.. And then, the week after next week- ER on that Friday!!! (IF everything goes as planned).. Wow I might be PG in less than 3 weeks.. Scary. And wonderful I prayed last night guys.. Loooong talk with the man upstairs. I prayed for all of us here. Not only that we receive positive results, but also that we are able to carry the burden of negative results with peace and grace, and always remember that He is with us- we will NEVER be dealing with heartache and adversity alone.

DH is being much better to me now.. He does know that is a difficult time for me as well.. We both just sometimes don't think before we get all up in arms about something ya know.. But we'll make it thru.. We always have

ajdec - I think when you tell people about being PG is such a personal decision ya know.. I personally am not telling ANYone about what we're going through - that we're doing IVF. Except of course my parents (they're helping me finance, and I did tell my boss because I had to - he has to know about the work I'll be missing). But thats it. However, when I get that positive result (probably the 2nd BETA if its good), I think I'm going to just go crazy and tell everyone!!

I have a question though, to everyone: I mean, how come IVF women must be so worried about miscarrying, and they feel they can't tell anyone till 12 weeks? I mean, the way I think about it, OK if I was just a regular old fertile gal who got PG, I'd probably be about 5-6 weeks when I found out (they can PG tests so early now!!) and all women tell people as soon as they find out!! I guess its making me wonder if IVF pregnancies are actually more likely to miscarry ?? I thought that once the embryo implanted, from then on out it was just like a regular pregnancy .. ? Forgive me if thats ignorant question - can't help it - I AM, after all, a Newbie Barbie.. LOL

Karen - awesome news about the fertilized eggies!! Wow!! You must be on top of the world.. You've got excellent odds on your side this time! Best of luck tomorrow..

Girls in the 2WW - keep us posted!! Anybody doing a HPT over the weekend? I know, I know, they probably say don't do that, just wait for the BETA to be more definite, but I'll tell you right now - I will be one who takes an HPT a couple days before my BETA. Both my cousin and my friend who did IVF and now have gorgeous babies - they both did HPTs a few days before the BETA and it was accurately positive.. I probably just won't be able to wait! he he

In closing of this rather long post, I must say how much I admire the women I've come across on this entire site - each and every thread. For a woman to go through some of the heartache that I've read about and cried over on these threads... I really have had to rely on my faith.. So much strength and resiliency and determination.. How much character is built!! Its just overwhelming.. Please don't underestimate prayer ladies..

[prayin4BFP]

Thanks Wonderce. I am feeling a bit frightened of the whole process today. I think its because DH is away and I dont have anyone to talk to about this as we have decided not to share what we are doing with family and friends.
I woke up alot last night (doesnt help I am coming down with something...cough, chills body aches) and I kept touching my tummy thinking I was already pregnant. Weird.
Anyway I am loving this site. Thanks to everyone for the love and support.

[gina1234]

just a quick post well it is (10/30) @ 11:45 am in good old CT & i went to do b/w & u/s this morning i was told i have at least 20 follicles that a growing & i started the garerlick this morning...my directions are tonight i do another 175 iu of follistim & tomorrow also with garerlick, then back for b/w & u/s on sat 11/1/08..well i g2g chat with u soon sending more baby dust & hugs

[robin611]

Hi guys,
I have SOOO much work to do today so not a lot of personals today.
havbaby - I didn't do the Lupron so I can't say if Bravelle/Menopur is better or worse but I can say that I didn't think they were all that bad. I had very little reaction to them aside from some minor bruising after the first time I did it and maybe a little moodiness but that was it...
kke - I started on 4 Bravelle (300ml) and 1 Menopur going up to 3 Menopur. I think they typically estimate this combo for about 10 days although I was a slow developer and was on it for 12 days. It depends on how fast your follies grow.

For everyone else...
Thanks to those who commented on my strength and the spirit I am getting from my Dad. Good luck to those upcoming ER's and ET's and those in the 2WW and those starting stims! Congrats to any new BFP's and my best thoughts to new BFN's... And Welcome to the newbies. That ought to cover it today!

As for me, today is the day. My u/s showed good progress on my follies with probably about 18 or so "in the range". I did my last Ganirelex shot this morning and will likely do the trigger shot tonight although I'm still waiting for the "exact time". ER will be on Saturday. I'll keep you posted!

[Melissag]

kke- I was on 3 bravelle 1 menpour and then they bumped me up to 4 bravelle and 1 menpour all mixed in one shot and i was on it for about 2 weeks before they did the ER

Sorry I haven't been posting much I just haven't been feeling well (hopefully that's a good sign) but good luck to everyone out there and I'll let you know on Sunday how it goes.

[to_have_fun08]

For those of you asking about shots. I did menopure shots. They were just as easy as lupron as far as pain wise. It did take some getting use to for mixing the shots. I have also heard that you should mix the shot and then wait a few minutes before you inject it. If you inject it too soon then you might get a burning sensation. I never did but I mixed it, then did my follistim shot and then actually did the menopure shot. There are some videos on you tube that shows people mixing the drug and giving themselves shots. This helped me out because I didn't go over menopure and mixing drugs when I did my shots class at the RE's office.


Karen - Good luck with ER.

Melissag - Glad to hear from you. Sorry you arn't feeling well but maybe it is a good sign.

Robin - YEAH you get to trigger. Sounds like you could get some really good eggs. Good luck at ER and keep us posted.

Love_my_baby - I am not too far behind you. As long as AF get here and everything goes well with my baseline appt I will be starting stims on Friday. YEAH!!!! Glad to see that DH is better.

Gina - Gosh you do grow them follies quickly.


prayin4BFP - Don't be frightened. Know we are always here for you. Ask any question we will be glad to try and help.

mrscutter - Glad to hear from you. Stims start tomorrow. YEAH another step closer to a BFP.

Baby dust to all..

For me I feel like pooo. I am getting a cold and I hate being sick. I am going out of town this weekend so getting sick just sucks. This weekend I am finally going to see my nephew that was born in Sept. I have been so busy doing other things I haven't made it for a visit. I also get to see my 2 yr old nephew dressed up in his Halloween customer. He is going to be so cute. I guess yes this weekend will be a little depressing since my sister and i started TTC at the same time and she has 2 and I have none. O'well I will get over it and have some fun.

[havbaby1627]

Thanks to wonderce, robin, karen and kke for the insight into the needles, medication and all that. I am doing just fine and better than I had expected. I have a bit of a burning sensation at first and then some pretty bad night sweats but, if that's the biggest issue - that's fine by me!! I've gotten kinda used to the injection, although I'm still having my DH do it for me. It's just easier that way. Thank goodness with his work schedule, he's going to be able to be here as a huge support to help me out with all this and is going to go to all the appointments with me leading up to the procedure. Thanks for asking how I am feeling gina, I am doing really well and only hope that it continues to be this way when I start the other injections. Good luck with your ultrasound!!
You're welcome for the site kas, I hope that we'll all be able to proudly order from that site soon!
I feel you ajdec as far as telling people...I myself wonder how the heck I am going to be able to keep this "secret" when I get that BFP. I expressed before that it was great you told your Mom. If you are anything like me, your Mom is everything to you and your biggest supporter so, not telling her would just be so hard and like you said; God forbid you miscarry, you can't go through something like that "alone" and don't want that to be the way she knew you were. You actually made me think about it more as far as telling my Mom and I have made the decision to tell her when we find out. I've been dying to tell her just about the stuff I'm doing because I know what a great support and how excited she'll be. So, when I get that BFP, I'll be letting her in on the "big secret" early. As far as telling anyone else, I understand your DH's reservations but, I also understand your exitement and knowing that a lot of people tell others right away so, it's like: why can't I?!
Basically, the way I see it is - whether you're pregnant the "old fashioned way" or the IVF way, it's totally your decision on when to say something. Irregardless of the method, some feel it's best to wait while others don't. It's not that women who do IVF are at a higher risk of miscarrying, it's just that during IVF, so many things are kept up on and reported versus the "OFW" that those don't get reported like the IVF's do. SO, it's all on you - you and your DH make an agreement on when to say something and proudly go tell the good news!

Good luck to everyone for the remainder of this week...sprinkling baby dust to all and positivity all around!

[JDC]

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to pop in and say hi.....I have really fell behind and have kind of lost track of this board. But I am still thinking of everyone and hoping for those BFP's! Karen.....awesome fert report!

I have my day 21 bloodwork on Saturday to make sure I ovulated, then I will start with estrace, then stims after AF.

I have had such mixed feelings about the whole thing. I've been extemely irritable lately and I think somehow I'm just fearful that I'm setting up for another dissappointment. I desperately have to find my faith and PMA. I have been taking my herbs and doing AP, but only half as much as my last cycle and I've been doing the herbs half ass.

I do not want to be a bummer, sorry! I guess I just need to vent....

[robin611]

Updating myself from Stims to ER... -) Anyone else need a status update?
Cycling:

October Stims:
wickedwheel - stims Oct 14 (gonal F) ER Oct 28
karenvanc.island - ER Oct 27! got 9 eggs!
robin - ER 11/1
NY4thtry -done Lupron, on ganirilex, - stims 10/20
Melo_P -down reg Oct 6, stims around Oct 22th
chenry- stims Oct 24
gina- stims Oct 26
babyhope- polyp removed, stims around Oct 25
johnson 1902- stims Oct 29
mrs.cutter- stims Oct 31
keesha2008 - end of Oct
mally - first u/s Nov 4 - superfact injections
Much Hope-Donor Egg. ET Nov 2/3
Biddy - Fet Oct/Nov
kke

November Stims:
sol2009 - Nov cycle
cocosmomma - FET Nov
Foreverlove - BCP's Oct 24 Lupron Nov 7th, planning ER/ET week of Thanksgiving
to_have_fun08- start Lupron Oct 24, praying to start stims Nov 7th.
dagnytaggart - bcps Oct 9, ER Nov 19
jnitschke- nov?
JDC- mid Nov stims, estrace 1st
bell 02- Lupron Oct 25, FET Nov 28
Lady J- on bcp's, Lupron Oct 26, Nov stims
Lynnie- end of Nov stims
not hopless yet - BCP's Oct 24, Lupron Nov 16
wishing4baby - FET
kinababy - ER & ET middle of NOV
havbaby1627 - ER around Nov 7th
Love_my_baby Lupron Oct 27th
amanda717 -start stims Oct 27 ER 1st or 2nd week Nov
abp - ET middle of Nov.


December stims:
Kas101 - currenlty taking DHEA - bcps early Nov, stims early Dec
Rosario- stims Dec
JennLB25 - Tube removal Oct 8 - cycle Nov/Dec
Natasha- Donor Egg cycle
sprouthaus - stims Dec 6th

2WW --- PUPOLittle embies snuggle in tight and stick!!!


Sloan - ET Oct 23 - Beta Nov 2
Melissag - FET Oct 23 - Beta Nov 2
wonderce- ET Oct 26 Beta Nov 6



Beta Results PLEASE BRING US ALL BFP's!!!!!
AJDEC - BFP!!! Beta 340 -

[Love_my_baby]

Robin - I need an update. I start stim meds on 11/3 !! Yay!! Probably ER on 11/14..

Thanks!

[robin611]

Cycling:

October Stims:
wickedwheel - stims Oct 14 (gonal F) ER Oct 28
karenvanc.island - ER Oct 27! got 9 eggs!
robin - ER 11/1
NY4thtry -done Lupron, on ganirilex, - stims 10/20
Melo_P -down reg Oct 6, stims around Oct 22th
chenry- stims Oct 24
gina- stims Oct 26
babyhope- polyp removed, stims around Oct 25
johnson 1902- stims Oct 29
mrs.cutter- stims Oct 31
keesha2008 - end of Oct
mally - first u/s Nov 4 - superfact injections
Much Hope-Donor Egg. ET Nov 2/3
Biddy - Fet Oct/Nov
kke

November Stims:
sol2009 - Nov cycle
cocosmomma - FET Nov
Foreverlove - BCP's Oct 24 Lupron Nov 7th, planning ER/ET week of Thanksgiving
to_have_fun08- start Lupron Oct 24, praying to start stims Nov 7th.
dagnytaggart - bcps Oct 9, ER Nov 19
jnitschke- nov?
JDC- mid Nov stims, estrace 1st
bell 02- Lupron Oct 25, FET Nov 28
Lady J- on bcp's, Lupron Oct 26, Nov stims
Lynnie- end of Nov stims
not hopless yet - BCP's Oct 24, Lupron Nov 16
wishing4baby - FET
kinababy - ER & ET middle of NOV
havbaby1627 - ER around Nov 7th
Love_my_baby Star stims on 11/3, Probably ER on 11/14.
amanda717 -start stims Oct 27 ER 1st or 2nd week Nov
abp - ET middle of Nov.


December stims:
Kas101 - currenlty taking DHEA - bcps early Nov, stims early Dec
Rosario- stims Dec
JennLB25 - Tube removal Oct 8 - cycle Nov/Dec
Natasha- Donor Egg cycle
sprouthaus - stims Dec 6th

2WW --- PUPOLittle embies snuggle in tight and stick!!!


Sloan - ET Oct 23 - Beta Nov 2
Melissag - FET Oct 23 - Beta Nov 2
wonderce- ET Oct 26 Beta Nov 6



Beta Results PLEASE BRING US ALL BFP's!!!!!
AJDEC - BFP!!! Beta 340 -

[Rosario]

So i got my new patient packet in the mail last night and I sent it out this morning. Everything is going smoothly and I am praying it stays like this. My PCP appt is on the 12th and my actual appt is on the 19th. I am only 2 weeks and 6 days away. I have already spoke to people in my job about letting lme eave after lunch to get to my appt on time. Hmmmm lets see what else... Oh yea I am not letting anyone know whats going on except my sister and my hubster. No one else will know until after the beta whether its negative or positive. Hope everyone is doing fine. Take care and baby dust to all.