March/April cycle buddies??

[wishfull27]

Hiya evryone!!

Wow this thread is so big now am sure I am going to miss someone off

mel - good luck with ER tomorrow hope you have a bumper harvest

Kimbob - hows the stimming going - any idea on ER yet ??

Lee - not long now till your PUPO - hope your feeling better and life has calmed down a bit ?? - when do you have oyur next scan ??

sari - wow - you got your schedule does it all seem a bit more real now ??

Cynthia - I was like you with injections - once you got over the intial fear of jabbing yourself its no problem - in UK I have always have progsterone suppositories and not shots so can't help you on that one .. sorry

CT - hows you - love the idea for Ella's birthday party .. not long now till surgery - fingers crossed that all goes ok xxx

Hazel - just noticed you satrt down regging tomorrow - good luck with the injection x

Sprout - hope your enjoying your holiday - is this the on where you are in teh UK ??

Bianca - hope all Ok - paid my money for treatment today so def possibly see you in Prague xx

Sisi - that sunshine on its way to the Uk got lost- its cold, wet and windy - hope your ok ??

Wishing/Waiting/latino/sunmoon/trying - hope your all ok - give us an update at where your at

AFM - off to the spa tomorrow for 4 days so won't be around - going with my mum, SIL and her mum - so will be good to relax, do some exercise and spend quality time with my mum - don't see an awful lot of her as she lives like 3 hour drive away

Take care ladies and good luck Mel for tomorrow- you go girl and get the ball rolling for all our BFP's on this thread .... no pressure

Carolyn xx

[Sara30]

Hi Guys

Just wanted to wish you luck for tommorrow mel, still feeling really ill so will try and catch up properly with you all in next couple of days.

Lee xxx

[melanie_100]

Thanks guys for the well wishes. I am excited to see how many good eggs I will "hatch"
Cynthia, I can tell you that after doing the shot last night myself, I would strongly suggest you get someone else to do it. The progesterone is especially uncomfortable due to the fact that it is in oil. The HCG wasn't as big a deal, although big enough for me, but I wouldn't dare attempt to do the Progesterone shot on myself. Also, my leg is super sore today, and I know it wouldn't be as sore on my bum, but you use your leg muscles a lot more. So you definitely want to give the Prog. in your rear, which is nearly impossible for you to reach on your own (I'll never say never for all those Yoga girls out there).
I feel that I need to rant a little bit about the progesterone injection vs suppositories. I think that if the RE doctors had to give themselves prog. oil injections for weeks in a row, they would quickly switch to the supp. My doctor originally prescribed the injections; then I did my homework when I heard its hard to even sit for weeks. With prog. injs your RE will see higher levels of prog in your blood work since it has to get from the muscle then to your uterus via the blood. So they think it has a better "effect" since they can see higher levels on the test. With the prog supp, or at least the one I chose to take, Crinone 8% Gel, the uterus gets the prog very quickly since it is placed in the vagina. It makes sense though that the prog. blood levels won't be as high, but you still get the medicine where you need it most, in your uterus, and not in your blood. My understanding of the need for prog. is to keep the uterus calm, so as not to cramp as much and expel or keep the embryo from implanting.
So, I asked my doctor to change me from inj to Crinone, because I read enough research that Crinone is as equally effective as prog injs. That's all I needed to see.
Please do your own research and make your own decision. Not all prog supps are the same, and some may not be as effective, my thoughts are based off my research of Crinone only. I also have to note that my insurance helps pay for this, and my understanding is that it can be expensive. I'm not an RE, but felt comfortable with what I read to make this decision. Not everything in life is "No Pain no Gain". I just want some women to know there are other effective options out there.
Well have a great evening, and I'll catch up with you girls after the ER

[hjw]

Morning ladies, just checking in quickly.

Melanie - hope everything is going well with the ER, I know we're all thinking of you and hoping you get lots of lovely eggs. Report in when you can and let us know how you got on. I found your progesterone rant quite interesting, btw - I checked back through the info my clinic gave me and they prescribe the Crinone gel (not injections) as a matter of course. So maybe UK practice is to avoid progesterone injections if possible? This is my first IVF so I don't really know, but I'm certainly grateful not to have to do more injections than are absolutely necessary.

Lee - you sound really ill, you poor thing. Hope it passes quickly. Have you been able to get your IVF drugs done OK or have they been making you feel even worse?

Carolyn - yes, it all starts for me tomorrow!!! Yippee! Thankfully I'm only sniffing for my down regulation phase, not injecting. Whew... Sisi's sunshine made it to my part of the UK so I think you just got unlucky. Have fun at the spa - I'm very jealous of four days of pampering. I suspect we could all cope with that quite happily!

Sisi - if you send some more sunshine can you send it Carolyn's way as I've had some already. Thanks!

Sari - from what I understand, there are pros and cons of a 2/3 day transfer versus a 5 day transfer. My clinic suggested to me that because of my age (34) it probably wouldn't make a huge difference either way and that they only really recommend a 5 day transfer to much older women. As it happens, my IVF is funded by our national health service, and the funding does not include the extra cost of developing the embryos to 5 days. So I don't actually have the choice, but that's fine. On the positive side, I'm thinking that it's got to be better for the embryo/s to be in the womb where they belong than in a petri dish!

Michele - Not long until your polyp removal now! Then you and I are going to be on much the same timetable for ER/ET I think (maybe a week apart)? You never know, my baseline is on 2nd April and if you start stims only two days later we may even be closer than that. I love the idea of the Hawaiian birthday party for Ella in the summer, you are going to have to send us all a link to some photos for that one! Thanks for the offer of joining the reality show thread but I think American Idol is probably the only one which is showing in the US and the UK at the same time. We've coming towards the end of a Biggest Loser (the couples series) but I imagine that is an old one for you. We don't have the Bachelor and Survivor etc (I don't think anyway!). And I'm so jealous of you watching The Amazing Race. It is one of my favourite shows ever but the UK channels have only ever purchased a couple of the series and none for the last 3 or so years. I even tried to buy the old series on DVD but no joy!

Have a great day ladies.

Hazel

[CT_Michele]

Good Morning everyone!

Mel- Good luck, we can't wait to hear how many. Let us know when you can, we will all be thinking about you. Also, I use the crinone gel, it is all my clinic uses. I didn't realize it was different from any other vaginal suppository that women talk about here. Maybe that is why other women here say they do not need to lay down after doing it. I was told I should do it before bed or lay down for a half an hour after doing it, maybe because it is a gel that can seep out??? I don;t know, all I know is it worked for me the first time and no shots, yay!

hjw- The polyp thing is coming fast. I have consult today, history and physical for pre-op stuff. I guess they are taking blood and I am sure I will find out more about time and what is invloved with the procedure. I will let you all know how appt goes this afternoon. It looks like we will be about a week apart, my stims won't start until 4/10, as long as we have no more delays.

As far as the reality shows, especially amazing race, you can watch them on hulu.com. It is a site where you can watch all your favorite tv shows for free. I don't like watching from my computer, but it is great for when I miss an episode. I watch some of your uk shows, like big brother and I just finished watching that girls and boys alone. Biggest loser is airing here right now, a couple one, but there was another couples one at the end of last year too, so I don;t know what one you guys have, the one on here has a brown team with a dad and son, dad is really sick and big, and a green team with two former blonde models that were friends, does that sound familiar?

cymplicity- I am sure you will get a better idea of a schedule as time goes by. I guess now it all depends on when af decides to show up...so I will do a little af dance for you


Carolyn- Thanks for the compliment about the b-day idea. I will definitely show you guys pics in 6 months when it actually happens. Everyone thinks I am nuts for planning so early, but this stuff books fast! How are you doing? I am definitely jealous of 4 days at the spa! I wish I could just get out for a pedicure, man, my feet need it bad!

Sara- When is you FET? Less than a week, right? I am so excited a couple people will be in the 2ww soon and on their way to bfp's!

Sari- How are you hanging in there? Not much longer for bcp's and then you are on your way too!

Ok, I know I missed people, but with our thread growing, I think it will be tough to hit everyone, everytime...

so to all of you other ladies, I will catch you next time and I am sending many happy vibes your way! I will post again later after my appt.

Talk to you all soon!

[cymplicity27]

Melanie, your post was VERY informative! I'm definitely going to inquire about my options. My clinic's website actually gives a description of Crinone so I know they prescribe it to some patients under certain circumstances. I was instructed on how to administer the injection so I was never even offered any other options. I'll inquire about it with my nurse next week and let you know what she says.

Thanks and good luck on your ER!!!!

[milpagan]

I can’t begin to describe how I feel right now except for I feel that my dreams are being swept from under my feet. Unfortunately my insurance company doesn’t cover IVF and we were just denied for a loan. I don’t understand why because we both have good credit, it might be because we both have car loans out. But right now I’m sitting at work trying to control my tears and have no clue as to what to do next.

[latinosunshine]

Just wanted you all to know Im still here and lurking. Since Im on BCP until March 16th, I dont have much to inject. I am reading everything though. Trying not to obsess too much about the IVF until it actually starts!

[CT_Michele]

Milpagan- I am so sorry to hear about insurance. Did you think you were covered and are just finding out now that you are not? If so, why won't they cover it, I am not sure about the NY laws. Where in NY are you? And for the financing, I don't know where you tried to get financing through, but dh and I were approved for a small amount through capital one healthcare loans at a very good interest rate, so you may want to check their website out. Have you talked to your clinic and what do they suggest? Some places have progarms or are willing to help with some of the costs when you are completely out of pocket. I really hope you are able to figure this all out. I am the type of person who is not willing to go into debt for much, I refuse to take out car loans or charge anything I can't pay in a month, but I have since realized that the one thing I would do it for is the chance for a baby, even if it meant equity loans and such for me. I know it is crazy to think about to, but if you search online, there are "ivf vacations" where you have it done in other countries for a fraction of the cost, Isn't someone on this thread traveling to prague from the states? Is that because of cost? If this time doesn't work for me and I become out of pocket since my insurance coverage will max, I will consider an ivf vacation in order to pay for it. Maybe others can give suggestions too, we will help in any way we can.

[milpagan]

CT_Michele thanks for replying. I knew my insurance didn’t cover it the only thing I wasn’t sure about was if they covered the meds, which I just found out they do. When I spoke to the finance dept at the facility she told me to be safe ask for a $20k loan b/c we also have to do ICIS and we weren’t sure if my meds were covered. I honestly never in a million years thought dh and me would be denied b/c we do have good credit. Unfortunately I HAD to buy a new car b/c my poor lil Saturn had it, I ran it to the ground (lol) I’m not sure what the problem was and why we were denied. Maybe I should have asked for a smaller amount. Who knows at this point but I’m done crying (for now) and I am applying with a credit union. Oh I did apply with capital one healthcare that’s who denied me. I’ve heard of women going out of the States for IVF, my cousin is going to Nicaragua in August, it’s costing her about $5k. I’ve told dh if they told me parachuting off a building would get me pregnant I’d give it a try so I know what you mean by taking chances. By the way I live in Long Island and I’m going to Reproductive Specialist of New York.

[Sara30]

Ok I am back in the land of the living just!! I hope I never get that particular virus again, it has completely wiped me out. My 2 little cherubs only went to day as well so have had a tough time of it. It was sad to see them go they were such sweet little angels...........

Mel hope everything has gone well for you and you are resting and recovering ready for your ET, have they given you a date for that yet?? Or are they going to see how your little embies go???
I use the crinone gel, have never been offered the option of injections, was using progesterone suppositories last 3 cycles but they have changed me to the gel this time.........

Carolyn, sooooo jealous of you away at your spa would love to be there with you right now!!! Have my scan tommorrow so will see if my little bout of poorlyness has affected anything, will know tommorrow when ET day will be.............
Have a fab time and a lovely relax, April is coming ever closer!!!

Hazel did you start sniffing today, how was the taste in the back of your throat!!??!! You are now on your way!!!! Yayhaaaayyyy!!!!
The only problem I had with my meds was the sniffing over the last few days, my nose is so sore and my sinuses so swollen that it was quite painful to sniff, and then as I was feeling sick as well it didn't go down too well!! I know I could never be a drug addict all that sniffing couldn't be doing with it!!! LOL!!!

Sisi can we have a sunshine alert over my way too please, had storms last night one of our trees has branches snapped off!! Right next to the window as well, good job it was only a small one!!!

Michele, how did the consult go?? Yep this time next week if all is well I will be starting my 2ww and officially be PUPO!!!

Milly, I am so sory to hear your news regarding funding your IVF, where there is a will there is a way and you will find it, it may not be the way you wanted it to be or the easiest of ways but it will be there. This journey is hard enough without other things making it harder, You are now on the IVF roller coaster and believe me when I say it really is a roller coaster not always in the ways you expect it either. Thinking of you honey.............

Hi latino nice to see you, hows things over in your part of the world???

Ok I know I have missed people but as others have said before me we have an amazingly huge thread, so hi to everyone else and hope all is well with you all,

Lots of love xxxxxxxxxx

[melanie_100]

Hey Guys, I got 18 EGGS!!!!!
I'm a bit groggy now, just took a lortab and am going to lay down. Just wanted to share the good news with my girls. You guys really do mean a lot to me. Hopefully a lot of those 18 will fertilize. We are doing ICSI since DH has low morphology.
I'll keep you guys posted tomorrow!
Off to bed now for a good drug induced nap-HAHA

[milpagan]

THAT IS GREAT NEWS!!! Will keep you in my prayers.

Hey Guys, I got 18 EGGS!!!!!
I'm a bit groggy now, just took a lortab and am going to lay down. Just wanted to share the good news with my girls. You guys really do mean a lot to me. Hopefully a lot of those 18 will fertilize. We are doing ICSI since DH has low morphology.
I'll keep you guys posted tomorrow!
Off to bed now for a good drug induced nap-HAHA

[wishing4baby]

Hi Ladies! Sorry I have been MIA. I have been in a little funk lately with all this fertility stuff, but I am trying to get rid of all the negative and scary thoughts and bring back the positive ones. Even though I havn't been posting, I have been keeping up to date with where everyone is and all the new ladies that have joined the thread.

melanie_100 - congrats!! I hope you get 18 healthy embryos

milpagan - so sorry to hear about your set back today. It will work out. Just keep looking for more resources. Don't give up or feel discouraged.

To everyone else, hope you are having a great night and everyone's cycle is progressing well.

AFM, I took my last BCP on monday and start Follistim this friday. I am trying to get some good positive vibes going .

Have a great night!

[lionoe]

Hello Ladies,

I had my day 5 BW and US today. There were only 3 good sized follicles so far. My day 8 BW and US is scheduled for Saturday. At least the migraines have subsided. My ER is scheduled for 3/11 and ET on the 3/16. Any wise advice for a first timer?

Nicole