IVF over 40 Buddy Group........Membership Drive

[Suzanne18]

SueQ... thanks for your kind words... when was your third beta? (i.e., how many days past retrieval?)... the reason I'm asking is yours was even higher than mine, and I'm having twins... was wondering if they mentioned that possibility to you?... either way, congrats on the strong beta... I'm sure that makes you feel good... and being DONE with the Progesterone shots is a treat as well!

and to all the other ladies... thanks for your good wishes and positive comments re: my post... I'm thinking and praying for each of you, as well.

[Liam'sMommy]

Babyluv, i vaguely remember telling you (i think) that i would add you to the list. Because you are young but your reproductive system isn't. Isn't that right? I went back several pages before updating the list but i couldn't find the info. so i thought i made it up. Could you clarify for me what your history is and if you want to be in the group?

[babyluv]

Sure, I don't remember that but I have had so much going on I very well may have missed it.

I'm 28 and DH is 36...issue is low count (technically). We did 3 IUIs, 4 natural IVF cycles (3 cancelled but 2 were converted to IUIs bringing the grand total to 5), and this is my second traditional cycle.

My FSH has been as high as 14, up and down depending on which way the wind blows. Both traditional cycles have yielded 20 eggs with good ferilization through ICSI, but end with less than stellar embryo quality. Not sure if it's egg quality or sperm quality or both. Last cycle I had 15 embies and was left with two young, grade 2 blasts (no frosties). This cycle I had 12 embies at first (a 13th fertilized a day later), but no blasts at day 5. 1 morula and 1 compacted were transfered, again grade 2. The compacted was the product of the late fertilized embie, so it was actually on target...it should have been growing as a day 4.

We adopted our son before trying fertility, then tried the natural cycles, adopted our daughter, then on to the big stuff. Since we don't seem to have outstanding embryos (and the REs aren't sure why), this will be our last try. I'm really praying it works, but understand pregnancy may not be for us. Sometimes my body acts like a 28 year old, sometimes it acts like a 4o year old. Doctors can't really figure it out.

My parents also had a hard time getting pregnant and finally did (after 3 miscarriages and 6 years). I've also been diagnosed with the MTHFR mutation, though apparently it's not "the bad" kind and I only need extra folic acid. I'm asking my RE for more details on that one. Pretty sure I now know why my mom miscarried so much (I think they were all around or past 12 weeks).

Beta is Friday the 20th.

[AKMom]

Good Morning....wow this board has grown. I dont know how some of you ladies keep it all strait, my apologies for not following along and addressing each of you..things are so hectic this time of year at my company. I work for an Alaska Native Corporation, and this time of year our Proxy Statements are due and elections are being held for board members.

IVF, is so stressful, I am having a hard time finding a balance. It is exhausting just thinking about wanting and having a baby, I know you all know what I am talking about. NOT only do the drugs make your body all crazy but emotionally you are wreck. Beteen thinking all the wishful thinking, praying and everyonce in a while a good smack in the face reminding me that I am 41 is frustrating and heartbreaking.

My husband and I have only been married since June 08, he says that he misses his wife (which I would have to admit, has been a bit pre-occupied and emotional, among other things). So, as result, we have decided to wait about 2-4 months before we venture into this again. We are planning to go to a facility in Washington this time, it will be a little more expensive (since we are not covered by ins.), however, DH is more concerend about my emotional and physical wellness and feels his request is too taxing on me (but its not). So we decided to wait thru mid-summer or so.

Maybe he will change his mind, either way, I will still be checking in periodically and asking questions as I start this process over with a new RE.....there are so many things to learn and obsess about.

So there you have it, I am excited about losing the wt I gained with all the hormones about 17 lbs...I am sure my kids have missed me too. I have been really quiet these days, but it figure it was better than lashing out, know what I mean. Dont get me wrong, I am not this crabby mean mom, I am just not the same....only those closest to me can see it, I guess.

Have a great weekend, and I am so happy for all of you ladies who have given us hope with your BFP's and for those of us waiting for "our turn" or "just one" my thoughts are with all of you and prayers too. My "other family" on the over 40 board...

God's speed and Angle Kisses!

Kat

[santa]

Hi everyone, hope you are all doing ok, I have been off the boards a bit, feeling low, but am hoping to start cycling again next month.

Kelly, that is awesome news - 10 follies?! that is amazing, especially since you said you had only 4 the last time? What do you think explains it? Is it a case of one ovary being "stronger" than the other, and this is the month for the stronger one? Or are you on a different regime? I was downregging with Synarel for 1 week and then 450g of Menopur for about 10 days.

x
Santa

[missygirl]

Santa....glad to see you back on the boards and good for you for keeping at it!!! I know your day will come.

I too am horrible at keeping up with eveyone but I always am thinking of you all and hoping for good news.

Missy

[Sisi1]

Nice to have you back with us Santa, hope you are on your way

So all you who have done IVF before, my cycle will most likely be canceled tomorrow as I don't have enough large follicles. I am hoping and praying the rest of them are growing fast until tomorrow.

I have been "feeling" my ovaries since yesterday afternoon (day and today (day 9) I feel they are becoming a bit sore. Is that not an indication of good growth?

When do you normally start feeling your ovaries (when you don't end up getting canceled)? Or does one not have anything to do with the other?

I can't imagine continue getting much worse until Tuesday, I am already getting uncomfortable, what is "usual"?

I am also going to the washroom ALL THE TIME!

Please respond, it is my only hope until tomorrow, the big day!

Many thanks for all your support and advise

[SueQiwi]

Sisi~I would start to feel my ovaries workin very early on--around the 3rd day of stimming. It freaked me out on my first cycle and i called the Doc--but he said it is normal and good to feel some action going on in there. I hope that your follies pick up the pace and you don't get canceled. How many do you need to proceed?

Kat~A big hug for you. I know how tough it can be on this IVF rollarcoaster. What you feel is totally normal when you are yearning for a baby and then have to do all these crazy drugs and procedures to get there! It is truly exhausting and just wears us down. I'm glad your DH is being supportive and you have a plan together now. Don't forget you've got some great frosties and an FET cycle will be less stressful as you won't have to do stims. Will you take your frosties with you to the new clinic?

Santa~I am glad you are back. your new plan sounds great--Im glad you get to start a new cycle again so soon. I hate all the waiting around between cycles--it is torture.

Kelly~Congrats on those 10 follies!! That is soooo impressive for us over 40s. You are sure to have a few winners in there! How many good embies do you need to bank before you do your FET?

Suzanne~My third beta was 25 days past retrieval (do you count the day of retrieval too? if so 26) Good golly--I'd be so excited to have twins! That is what I've wanted all along--that's what I viualize during meditation! It just didn't dawn on me that it could be possible cause my earlier betas are such average singleton levels.

Sharon~Congrats on the low FSH! That is impressive for us over 40s! I only had 4 follies this cycle--so I think you've got a great chance starting out with 3. I've gotta hunch you are going to beat the odds!

Tam~I hope all is going smoothly. Has the hag shown up yet?

[teachertam]

Kelly: Great news on your bumper crop of follies.

Every month I think that I'm having implantation cramping and bleeding as it is right around the time that implantation should be happening. However, I have not yet become preggo. So either I'm partially implanting and the embies are not viable, or I'm having very messed up cycles.

Sis1: I sure hope your follies grow overnight.

Kat: Are you going to try a FET cycle? They are much less stressful than the fresh cycle.

SueQiwi: No, the hag has not shown up yet. I think I'm getting the flu, as I have an elevated temp. and do not feel well this evening.

Babyluv: Good luck on your upcoming beta!!

NY4thtry: Good luck on your upcoming ER!

Hello to Suzanne, Rhonda, Sharon, Lynnie, Santa, Renee, Bonnie, Kris, Missy and anyone else that missed.

I'm off to bed, as DS is waiting for me. He told me tonight that he wanted to sleep with Daddy. (Translation: I want to sleep in your bed, not my bed.) Since the little rascal has a cold it is hard to say no.

Take care all,
Tammy

[Suzanne18]

SueQ... mine was 22 days past retrieval... so not far off from yours (25, I didn't count day of retrieval), and mine was lower than yours... so my point, yours seems QUITE strong... could it be???...

I think Missy has high betas as well, and I believe she's having a singleton... your first ultrasound should tell-all...

if that makes you happy, then I hope it's so... either way, congrats on a STRONG beta!

Kelly... you are so right... my butt is very happy about finishing the Progesterone shots

[AKMom]

Hey Tam,

I dont know about the frosties...the previous doc was not all that impressed with the blats..I dont even know what grade they were, he was not very communicative (among other things) just another reason (of many) for our finding another facility.

I suppose a FET would be best, I will just try even harder to mask the side effects...If I can.--just when I thought i was so good at it! HAAHAAA

I have an appt with my new nurse on March 28.... to discuss our options I am anxious to hear a breath of fresh air....

Hopefully my husband will too. He doesnt seem to be as concerned about my biological clock screaming in my head as loudly as I do!

I will let you know, thank you ladies again for you all your kind words and your pm's. You're the best...

Kat

[Biddy]

I am 42 years young. Today I saw the line on my HPT test say positive!! I never thought I would ever see a line, never dreamed I would be one of the lucky ones! I just had FET - 2 embies - I am 9dp/3dt. My 1st beta is on 17th - 2 sleeps. Wow. I am in shock...

[njsurga]

AKAMOM: Good Luck...maybe the time will do u good!

Biddy:Congrats to u!!! I hope I'm one of the lucky one's too!!!

I am cycling right now...my RE monitors for a whole cycle first. Personally I think he missed a good month but thats just me!! What do I know right? My FSH was at 6.6 this month and all my other tests looked good. I only showed 3 follicles but with stims I coulda got more. Could my FSH jump over 10 in a month? I'm so worried I missed the boat!!

Sharon
43 (April 29, 44yrs)
2 Natural Children 19 & 22
Tubes removed "90"
1st IVF

SueQ: Thanx...I can only hope your hunch dead on!! This is gonna be the longest 28 days of my life...LOL!

[Suzanne18]

Sharon... don't be too concerned re: FSH in a given month (should next month be higher than 6.6), although I know that material (and RE's) state that you're only as good as your HIGHEST FSH... I've listed my FSH values over several months preceding my IVF... as you can see, the month prior to my IVF cycle, I reached 14... I also had an ovarian cyst and the whole cycle was a mess... by the next month, I apparently stabilized (really stabilized!) and they retrieved 12 eggs, 9 fertilized normally, 5 were transferred, 4 were frozen... and I'm pregnant with twins... my point is (and I have a LONG way to go before I can be excited about the final outcome of this cycle), I don't think I was "only as good" as a 14 at the ripe ol' age of 41... so should you get a disappointing FSH thrown into the mix, it's def. not the end of the world... your dreams can still come true.

FSH
result: 7.6
result: 5.4
result: 5.64
result: 14
result: 3.6 (IVF cycle)

Biddy... CONGRATS... what perfect news.

[Suzanne18]

Sharon... don't be too concerned re: FSH in a given month (should next month be higher than 6.6), although I know that material (and RE's) state that you're only as good as your HIGHEST FSH... I've listed my FSH values over several months preceding my IVF... as you can see, the month prior to my IVF cycle, I reached 14... I also had an ovarian cyst and the whole cycle was a mess... by the next month, I apparently stabilized (really stabilized!) and they retrieved 12 eggs, 9 fertilized normally, 5 were transferred, 4 were frozen... and I'm pregnant with twins... my point is (and I have a LONG way to go before I can be excited about the final outcome of this cycle), I don't think I was "only as good" as a 14 at the ripe ol' age of 41... so should you get a disappointing FSH thrown into the mix, it's def. not the end of the world... your dreams can still come true.

FSH
result: 7.6
result: 5.4
result: 5.64
result: 14
result: 3.6 (IVF cycle)

Biddy... CONGRATS... what perfect news.