March/April cycle buddies??

[hope2beamummy]

WOW everyone! Thankyou all so much for such a warm welcome! I have posted on other boards and had not even one reply so its nice to be a part of such a warm place! My head is spinning with trying to follow everyones stories,so Ill just say a broad GOOD LUCK and lots of baby dust to everyone on this board at the moment. Its amazing how much it can take up so much of your life,and it facsinates me that even the people closest to you cant seem to say the right thing as much as a (for want of a better word), "stranger" online can! Its so nice because just from reading the posts on here I feel like I have already made about 20 IVF friends.

CT-Michele: Seems we will be cycling around the same time and yeah,our situation does sound very similar, Im not sure if DH has to TESE (I dont know what that means???) Noone has said anything about that so Im guessing no?

To all the ladies who are on down reg, what does it feel like? I am so nervous about turning into a crazy mummy before anything even happens!! I am only going to be on a low dosage so they tell me I should be fine.. Just wanted an idea of what is going to happen..

Also how many of you have had 1st time success? How many have taken more than one time? I know each situation is unique,though I am just interested.

Well ladies, Thanks again I will keep watching and try to get to know you all!!!!

[cymplicity27]

Hi Hope. I have to say that my down reg was rather boring and uneventful. I guess it could be considered a good thing. I haven't noticed ANY symptoms. At times I questioned whether I was administering it right A couple nights I got a little hot but I've experienced night sweats before and this was nothing like it. Of course everyone is different but that's my story On saturday I'll go from injectiong 10 units to 5 units since I'll start stimming.

[CT_Michele]

hope- TESE is testicular sperm extraction. It is where they have to actually cut into a teste in order to get some tissue and try to find sperm, my hubby has no sperm in the ejaculate, but last time, we were able to get sperm from TESE. If they didn't say it, your dh p[robably has enough in the ejaculate, which is good, because no dh likes to have the procedure.

I have never down-regged, so I can not offer any help, but many ladies here have, so I am sure they will help you out.

[Sara30]

Good evening to all you lovely ladies

There has been so much going on so will catch up with just a few!!

Michele so glad your op went ok and you are now home relaxing, sending thoughts and prayers for your MIL hope things turn around for her soon.

Melanie glad you are feeling better, so are you having any funny feelings in your tummy area now its feeing better??

Babymex thinking of you did you have your beta yet??

Faith how are you doing, is the 2ww getting tough yet??

Hopetobeamummy I am on try number 4 for IVF 1st cycle BFN, 2nd cycle cancelled no follies, 3rd cycle with sisters eggs BFP but sadly miscarried at 7 weeks so here we go again, this is probably my last cycle might possibly have 1 more embryo if it makes it to Saturday to freeze again.

Hazel hope you have a fabulous time in your cottage away from it all for a few days!!

dys will do the jig for you to get AF flowing!! and yayyyy nearly the weekend!!!

latino sorry its all getting to you and DH sometimes it can do that, plus sounds like you are working very hard, can you have some DH time over the weekend away from it all?? Thinking of you.

Sisi hope they find your missing follies!!! Have never heard of that before, don't worry about it they will be there!!!

Kim Wayhayyyy 4 fertilised roll on Sturday and you will be another on the 2ww!!!

Hi to everyone else, thinking of you all even if I haven't mentioned you

Ok for those that asked our clinic grades the embryos 1 to 10, 10 being a perfect embryo so they thawed and installed two perfect embryos so I have the best chance possible of them developing into a pregnancy. However my last embryo was also a perfect 10 and I miscarried so I am being cautious, resting lots watching TV and reading its so nice and relaxing coz I can do it without feeling guilty that I should be working or 'doing something!!'

Anyway off to get my beauty sleep now as I have an interview with our local paper tommorrow so will fill you all in tommorrow!!

Goodnight

Lee xx

[sbr]

Wow! This is an active board! I've enjoyed reading all the stories and updates, but like hope2be, I am swarming trying to keep it all straight!

I've been on Lupron way too long. Because I wanted to do my FET on 4/2/09 because it's my spring break (I'm a high school English teacher.), I had to be on Lupron for one or two more weeks than normal. When I went through this the first time I don't remember any side effects to the Lupron, but this time I've had a lot of headaches and I've been crabby as hell. I just finished the longest AF ever. I don't know what that was all about, but next Tuesday, 3/17, I start the Estrace pills. This is all a bit different, albeit easier than a fresh cycle, but it seems like it's taking FOREVER!!!

I'm very anxious to "get the show on the road"! The last time I did my fresh cycle (that I got my little son from), it was summer so I didn't have all of the distractions like work and a 2 year old keeping me busy, but for some reason this time seems harder and longer (wow, read that back and it sounds naughty!)---which seems opposite of what it should be.

I find it very interesting all of the different protocols as well. I just love reading about all of the different journeys you're all taking. It makes me feel like I'm not alone. So many of my friends are having babies now, so it's nice to come here for support! Thanks!

~Sarah

[esperanza]

Hey Everyone!

I can't believe how many of you were thinking of me today, that's so nice. Well, the polyp is gone...yay! It was horrible getting to the hospital, we were almost a half hour late, which killed my blood pressure. The signs off the highway were horrible and then they kept sending me to the wrong place for surgery...but I finally made it and with time to spare.

I was pretty nauseous from the anesthesia. I had to do everything in my power to eat some crackers and gingerale so they would let me go home. RE said everything went great and I will now wait for af, then start bcp and should be good for april, I just hope af comes in enough time. Not really any pain from the surgery, I took a precautionary ibuprofen, but don't even think I needed it, it was really just upset tummy and after a long afternoon nap in my own bed and an egg sandwich, I feel good to go.

Michelle, it's so good to hear that everything went well. Wow! you are on your way to # 2...how wonderful. My ballerina is doing well, she's practicing her routine as I type sounds like you're going to recover pretty fast, and I'm wishing you ALL the best as you move on.

Same to all the ladies here...best wishes in your journeys.

[hjw]

Hurray the cottage (which is lovely, unlike the weather!) has semi-decent internet access! So I will be able to follow you lovely ladies over the weekend, although I may not post too much myself in case the connection goes! So briefly:

Dys and Latino - finishing your BCP's on Sunday and Monday respectively. That means that we can all do the AF dance for you both early next week!

Kim - 4 fertilised eggs, that's great. So you're likely to have ET tomorrow - I will be thinking of you. Do you know how many you are going to transfer yet, or will you decide tomorrow?

Michele - sorry to hear about the added stress of your hospital trip but I'm so happy to hear that the operation went well. Just you rest up and recover!

Hope2beamummy and Sarah - don't worry about your heads spinning with all our stories, mine did for about 10 days after I first joined the thread until I got used to who was doing what, and that was when we had much fewer people! Michele's list and the IVF calendar which Cynthia set up for us are both great places to reference what people are doing - with so many of us on this thread, there's no way I would remember what we are all doing without those two tools!!

And Hope, I know exactly what you mean about online "strangers" knowing what to say when your best friends don't - I think that's why I check these boards so much, I just love knowing I have a group of friends who are keeping me company through this, and I them. My down regulation has been fine so far. My nose is a little tingly from the spray but that's about it - like Cynthia, I have felt a little hot at times but that may not have even been due to the drugs. The worst thing I've found is that after you sniff, about 5/10 mins later you get the spray running down the back of your throat - I got a fab tip from one of the ladies on here to have a hot cut of tea handy to wash the taste away. Chocolate has been my friend too!

Lee - WOW, two absolutely super-duper all-singing all-dancing perfect embryos who were still grade 10 after the thaw! They must be strong little fighers - I so believe that this is going to be your time.

AFM, have just done my morning sniffing so am sitting here sucking a boiled sweet with that horrible taste running down the back of my throat! I think my withdrawal bleed is threatening to start today, so although that's not great timing for my weekend away, it's great that I seem to be on track.

So, it's Friday and the weekend is here!! Yippee!! Hope everyone has a great time.

Hazel

[Sari]

HOLA CHICAS:

How exciting, there are a few us us in the 2WW, others preparing for ET, and other stimming. This is happening so fast.

Melanie - I'm happy your feeling better. Thanks for the suggestion about the CD I'll look it up.

Babymex - I'm waiting to hear good news from your.

Hazel - Enjoy your vacation. I wish I could do the same.

Michelle - I am so glad everything went well with your polyp removal and you are ready to stimming.

Kimbob - Are you nervous about saturday? Keep us posted of everything.

AFM Yesterday We went to the orientation and it was a little overwhelming. There were 4 couples. All the ladies were screaming each time the nurse show a needle and the genttleman were enjoying the fact to pinch their wifes. It was a little funny. In the middle of the class my DH told the other husbands, "half of this meds should be for us" and all the men scream NOOOO!!!!. Then when we got home my DH told me to forgive him because all of the situation is his fault. And he is sad because of all the stimming I have to do. And he is trouble by the fact of the other embries, what to do with them. He doesn't want to froze them or throw them because is like killing a baby. I think he is finally sinking all in. I am trying to get him to relax and explaining the process and letting him know, its not his faul. We both have our problems and it's something many people go through.

Well, There were some advices I want to share with you. During stimming they suggested 1) Drink lots of water (64 oz a day) 2) Drink 1 gatorade a day 3) Drink 1oz Pre-Proteins 3 times a day 4) exercise 2 times a week. Then after ET 3 to 5 days bedrest.

It's all for now, tonight is my last bcp and my baseline is on wednesday. So, lets wait for our miracles. This threat will be bless with many miracles, you'll see.

[dys24]

Hi Ladies, HAPPY FRIDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!

kimbob- thanks for doing the dance for me I hope AF will hurry once I'm done with my pills on sunday . Congrats on the 4 fert. I hope that you will keep hearing the good news today.

Michele- I'm glad they were still able to do your procedure, it would of suck to have to reschedule, I'm happy you got that over with. Now we can focus on getting our BFP's so we can be both preggo .. Lupron is ok, I have alot of B&B's on my tummy auchhhhhhhhh its stings for a while but I'm sure it will be worth it.

hope2beamummy- I'm down reg. its ok nothing different than natural cycles. I'm doing lupron shots every day and they sting a little afterwards, but for me no mood swings or anything (as of yet) I'm sure you'll be fine !! As for me, I wasn't successful my first time, but hoping this second will be it, I'm doing a different protocol so I hope that will improve my results.

Sara30- thanks for your AF dance for me . Congrats on your transfer!! You'r officially PUPO!!!!

hjw- thanks for your dance too!!! hope you have a good time at the cottage!!!

AFM nothing new 2 more days of BCPs... I'm excited for the weekend, going away to see my mommy

[kimbob]

Good morning ladies,

I hope that everyone is keeping well. Things are really starting to roll around here. I think everyone has something to look forward to!

For me it's finally starting to sink in. When we were driving home from the ER I was like, "Wow, so I guess we're really doing this IVF thing, hey?" I guess I've been a little detatched - a little bit in denial, maybe. Last night I read Lee's post about starting the 2WW. I was like "Wow, me - I'm almost there?" I am starting to realize that it is very real and much to my relief I am feeling far more calm about the whole thing than I would have expected me to be. I mean, every year until I was 12 I threw up on my birthday 'cuz I was so excited that it was finally my birthday. That's not a normal thing! But now I am so excited to finally get to bring home my embies tomorrow - but not so excited that I feel like throwing up! I guess I've grown up a little bit!
I was bummed after last weekend when the RE predicted only 6 eggs. When I had my 1st US in January there were 8 follies on righty and 10 on lefty. So I guess from that I was expecting to get at least 18 good follies. I guess since my IVF cycle wasn't then, I just didn't get the bumper crop I had hoped for. Last night I had an epiphany of sorts. I didn't think about the numbers, but about the percentages. I would guess they took maybe 10 or 11 follies in total on Wednesday. From that they got 6 eggs. That would be 55 - 60%. Then, of the 6 eggs, 4 fertilised properly. That is 66%. Now we'll see how many are doing well today. So long as 2 or 3 are doing really well, then I'll be in the 50-75% range. Then, if we transfer 2 and stay above the 50 range, we would be successful. I know it really won't be as simple as that - but thinking that way is helping me get my full PMA back. Boy - the things I have to do to convince myself that things are looking good!

Thank you all for letting me let that out. You are the only people in my life - if only cyberly speaking - who either get it 'cuz you feel the same way, or who accept it and don't judge 'cuz you've had your own crazy thoughts! What would we do without each other?

Kim

[cymplicity27]

Sari sounds like you are exactly a week behind me! I took my last BCP last Thursday and had my baseline this past Wednesday I start my stimming tomorrow so it's good that you shared your instructions! My instructions are similar and I have a few extras. Here's exactly what was given to me:

1) Drink plenty of fluids - at least 10-12 glasses per day or one 8oz glass per hour while awake (that's a lot of water, sheesh!)

2) Dirnk enough so your urine is clear or pale yellow. You should be emptying your bladder every 2 hours. (with that much water I guess so!!)

3) Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages i.e. colas, teas, Mountain Dew, coffee.

4) You may use extra strength Tylenol if needed for pain. NO IBUPROFEN PRODUCTS! (it is capatlized that way on my instructions, so I shall take heed, lol)

5) Way yourself at the same time on the same scale each day to monitor for rapid weight gain. (they say normal is 5 - 10 lbs in 3 - 5 days. abnormal is > 10lbs)

They also mentioned protein shakes and ensure but said I only have to take it in the clear case of hyperstimulation. It's up to me whether I want to start out taking it. I'll probably skp it but I think I'll add the gatorade that you suggested. I've read here that it's been helping with bloating.

[Sari]

Hi Cinthia:

What??????? Ten pounds in how many days??. They didn't tell me that. About the Protein, They strongly suggest the proteins to prevent hyperstimulation. There are something call Pre-Protein, you mix it with juice three times a day. However we should eat meat (2 times a day), eggs and vegetable.

You are one week ahead, so lead the path I will follow you.

[CT_Michele]

Hi Ladies, and happy friday to everyone!

Well, I am much more sore today than I ever expected. My throat is sore and neck is stiff, which I guess is all side effects of general anesthesia from the surgery. The top part of my abdomen is tender too, which I am sure is from the procedure, but not very much bleeding, which is good. I hope all this stiff neck stuff goes away soon. And atleast my upset tummy is gone, that is the worst feeling.

Sari- I definitely think weight gain is normal. I was super bloated and started needing new pants pretty quickly, so just be prepared. Also, about dh feeling like it is his fault, my dh felt that way too. We are male factor only, and he felt sorry for me having to do everything I did when it was his issue, but I explained to him over and over, this is OUR issue as a couple, not his. It is not like I am goign to find someone else, we are in this together, no matter what. Even though he didn't like going through TESE, I think he atleast felt like he partook in the pain equally. Hopefully dh will realize you guys are a team, even if one of you endures more of the procedures.

kimbob- it is all for real honey! It is a crazy realization to come to, but I am glad you are calm about it all. And it is definitely a numbers game. I think my first time, I had 11 follies, only 8 viable eggs that fertilized, but then that dropped to 5, and then at my 3 day transfer, only had 4, we put in 2, one took. So 50% they whole way through seemed about right to me too.

dys- I am glad I didn;t have to reschedule either, I think I would have popped a blood vessel. I was running all over the hospital trying to find the right place, running into dead ends and wrong turns. Dh said after wards he though I was going to have a stroke! He was just following me at every turn, trying to keep up with me. Sorry to hear about your black and blues from the shots...doing an af dance for ya!

ok, i am dealing with a lot of hospital stuff today with mil. looks like her insurance will not cover the psychiatric care at the hospital she is in now, so she needs to be transferred to another hospital down the street. All i can say is insurance sucks! I am going to post our list to keep it accessible.

Talk to you soon

[CT_Michele]

lionoe - Stimming! ER - Mar 11 ET - Mar 16
kimbob - ER - Mar 11 - 6 eggs!
Wishing4Baby - Stim start Mar 6, estimated ER Mar 18
millie 09 - Stimming!
Sisi1 - Stimming!



babymex - ET Mar 1, Beta Mar 12
melanie_100 - ET Mar 7, Beta Mar 18
faithseverything - ET Mar 9, Beta???
Sara30 - FET Mar 11, Beta Mar 25


SunMoon&Stars – DE w/icsi, ET Mar 16
Latinosunshine – Last BCP Mar 16, ER around Mar 30
Sari - Start stims Mar 18, ER Mar 30? ET Apr 2?
Trying for another angel – Stim Start end of March, ER Apr 3???
Waiting For 4 - Consult w/ RE Mar 13
dys24 - on bcp's, waiting for af to start stims
sprouthaus - ganirelix/antagonist cycle - Apr
milpagan - BCP start Mar 7? RE consult Mar 9, ER/ET early Apr
tabatha1975 - on lupron
cymplicity27 - Lupron start Mar 2, start stims Mar 14
sbr - FET Apr 2
biancajb - Last bcp Mar 20, stim start Mar 25
wishfull27 (carolyn) - ET around early April, ICSI/DE
Hjw – down-reg start Mar 5, baseline Apr 2, ER around Apr 13
kline - down reg start Mar 8, stim start mar 26?
hope2beamummy - IVF w/icsi April
CT_Michele – Start stims 4/10, ER/ET/fresh TESE week of 4/20

Calendar site -
http://freecal.brownbearsw.com/IVFCycleBuddies

[sbr]

Sari and Cymplicity--Definitely keep watch of your weight. I experienced OHSS with my first IVF. Mine was so severe that I was hospitalized for 8 days. The rapid weight gain was the first clue that I was in for a long haul. On the positive side, my OHSS indicted a pregnancy that resulted in my son. For some strange reason, OHSS tends to get much worse if you're headed down that path when you get pregnant. Mine didn't really present itself too badly until I did the ET. (That's why my cycle wasn't canceled.)

On another note, I think that Sari, you and I will be having our ET on the same day, 4/2/09. Let's cross our fingers that we stay on schedule. It will be nice to have a cyber buddy on the exact same schedule!!

~Sarah