March/April cycle buddies??

[Sara30]

Amaaaaaazingggggggggggg post Kim, I would just like to say................

I echo what Kim said!!!!

Hi aims, glad you got some better news, so you may be doing ET next week sometime??

Sisi I am sure the decongestant will not have had any interaction with the meds, I know we look for absolutely everything when we are doing this treatment, I am sorry honey not sure what is going on with you there, have you tried oputting a general question out on the other boards to see if anyone has any info or previous experience?? When do you go to see your RE again??

Carolyn you are getting closer do you have any more of a schedule now from your last scan or do you have to wait for AF TO ARRIVE??!!

So anyone know how soon you can POAS for a positive result? As I am doing FET I have not had a trigger shot so any positive result would be a definate positive and not from the trigger. See my PMA there!!!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Lee xx

[CT_Michele]

I gotta start with my girl Kimbob!

My goodness gracious- How in the heck did you pull that off? That post must have taken you 2 hours, and on such a important and crazy day for you! I can't wait to hear how the transfer went, and hopefully you RE let you transfer 2 good quality embies. Please let us know when you have a chance. No need to apologize for the length of your post, it was so nice to read, especially knowing how much work you put into it. If Ella ever givesa me enough time to do that, I will definitely try to accomplish the same feat as you. And I agree with you, no one should feel bad about not getting to everyone. I tend to try and respond to people who have posted since my last post, it is the easiest way for me to keep up with everyone. I agree, post what you can when you can and no one feel bad!

I did end up finding Ella a bathing suit that fits her. It is actually the second, because I got her a super cute one at target earlier in the week, but all target had was 12 months, so I figured it meant up to 12 months, but it was huge on her, so I had to go to babies r us and find a smaller one. She had her first swim lesson this morning and seemed to really enjoy it. My mom (her grandma) got in the pool with her b/c I couldn't swim b/c of the polyp removal. She stayed in for almost all 25 minuts but got really cold at the end and I took her out. I will be posting pics on her website later (which is on my signature, ellamichele.shutterfly.com) and a youtube video tonight. So feel free to check out her pics anytime you need some inspiration or just want to see a darn cute baby!

btw- my neck is much better today, I am suprised it hurt so bad and took so long to feel better, my abdomen is still a little sore, but nothing horrible.

Ok, a few others...I just had to give kimbob a nice one...she deserved it after that crazy post...oh, and some extra sticky baby dust for you to kim!


aims- a big welcome to you. I added you to our list. When do you think your ER will be? Glad to hear your nurse called back with a more positive attitude. I hope you have lots of good size follies in there!

kline- I am not sure about the hair dying, I know during pregnancy it is a no-no, so I would definitely ask RE. Glad to hear you are still happy and positive, it is the best way to be during this time.

sisi- I do not know much about e2 levels, but I reallyhope you do not get cancelled again. I am praying for you and keeping my fingers crossed that you get some good news.

Babymex- Hope we here from you soon, hopefully you are just off celebrating your bfp.

To everyone else...I will catch you all later...

[CT_Michele]

lee- we were posting at the same time, so I missed you.

As far as hpt's go, if you will not get a false positive from trigger, then this is what I have read. If you transferred 5 day blasts, which I think I remember saying you did, then I think implantation is supposed to happen in 3 days after embryo has reached blast stage. You are supposed to be able to see a positive hpt 3-4 days after implantation. I am sure it is different for everyone, but if you transferred blasts, then my best guess at absolute earliest hpt would be 6 days after transfer. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[wmcgrath]

I will be going through an FET on March 23rd. I was glad to find this forum and well as this particular thread. I am a believer in positive thinking and hope this time my husband and I are successful

Best of luck to everyone that has a transfer coming up.

[Sisi1]

Just a qick question for those of you who have done IVF before, when did you start to feel your ovaries swell?

I am hoping the swelling in my ovaries is an indication my follies are working overtime, most likely my cycle will get canceled tomorrow again because there are not enough large follies....day 10 is tomorrow.

Your thoughts are much appreciated:D

[hope2beamummy]

Hi again! First off Id like to say to Kimbob what a great post when it was a crazy time for you! Best of luck and fingers toes and everything else are crossed for you!!Glad that you told me about your down reg that is exactly the one that I am taking so thats great to hear of the effects of it. I like sleep too,so when I start I will let you know if it gets better or worse

wmcgrath:Good luck with you ET let us know how it all turns out.You will soon be addicted to this forum,Im new here too and everyone is just so encouraging,and really makes IVF seem like a breeze! Im sure that its just all the positive energy in here.

kline:I am a hairdresser and I am not saying this as a true fact, just how I feel about it. I personally would have no problem dying my hair BUT,it is up to you and I dont have anyproof to day anything would or wouldnt happen either way. So maybe just ask your hairdresser or your doc?

ct-michele:Glad your neck is feeling better and you are feeling better. When I had my laparoscopy done my shoulders were the ones that got sore. Glad to hear that things are on the up

aims:good luck with everything look forward to hearing what happens...

For everyone else best wishes for the next few days!Im going back to work this week so I will never catch up here now!!

[cymplicity27]

Hi everyone. Welcome wmcgrath!

Sisi1, I'm kind of wondering the same thing. Of course I just started stimming today (impatient I know ). But I was curious what type of side effects people have felt and how soon they came on.

Btw, as soon as I responded that I was having no side effects from the Lupron I had night sweats last night!! I was drenched in sweat (ok, maybe drenched is an exaggeration, but it was a lot) and could not get comfortable! And I've had a headache ALL day that tylenol couldn't get rid of. I know it was the Lupron since I just gave myself the gonal-f shot tonight. So sounds like the hot flashes/night sweats and headaches are the most common with the down reg meds.

Well I hope every is having a great weekend! AFM, I'm just impatiently waiting for my next u/s next Wednesday!

[sbr]

I've been away from my computer for about 12 hours and it seems as if everyone has posted! It made for good reading this evening! WOW Kim, amazing work on that personal post to each member of this thread. I'm just going to admit that I'm simply not going to attempt that feat. I'm anxious to hear how your ET went today!! I hope you're feeling ok!

Kline: Your question about hair dye is a good one. I know that when I went through my first IVF that produced my son and my 7 remaining frosties, I detoxed my body of everything. I didn't drink alcohol for about a year before I started my IVF process and I stopped caffeine a good 6 months prior to getting pregnant, and then I got my hair highlighted about few months before I started my IVF drugs and then I didn't get it highlighted again until my son was born. This time I'm a lot more lenient because I'm of the philosophy that my little embries are already created. Maybe I'm a bit more relaxed because I've already had a baby too. I don't know the answer though....

CT_Michele: For some reason I'm quite drawn to your story because we're in a similar boat with one successful IVF and now we're trying for a second miracle. I was so sorry to hear that you couldn't afford to keep your embryos that were created from your first IVF. What a miracle that your IVF worked. What would you have done had it not worked? And what did you say you worked out for this second costly procedure? Do you have any insurance coverage? We have none, so we had to take out a home equity loan against our house for our first IVF attempt. I luckily responded well to the drugs and had 7 embryos left. My husband was obnoxious through my whole pregnancy, being so cautious with every single thing I did, because I was carrying $12K!!! I was so worried that he wouldn't call our son by his name (Jack) and that he would continue to call him our $12K child. Thankfully that stopped as soon as he came out! This time we luckily only have to pay $4K, but that's still a lot of money. We flexed that much money out of our paychecks, so we're going in this week to pay with our credit card and then we'll get the money back from our flex account and then we'll pay off the CC. The money stuff is very stressful for us. And strangely, not many people talk too much about the money stress of all this on these threads. I read of all of these women who have gone through procedure after procedure, and I'm wondering if I'm the only one without health insurance coverage???

Cymplicity, I've been struggling with "Lupron headaches" all week. I wonder if it's because I've been on Lupron two more weeks than normal so I could manipulate the transfer to fit with my teaching schedule. I'm glad I'm finally moving on to the next phase (estrogen) on Tuesday! This Lupron stall has seemed to be forever. I'm sorry you're dealing with night sweats AND headaches. Hang in there!

wmcgrath, I'm doing a FET too. Most people seem to be doing fresh cycles, so I'm glad to hear you're in my boat about a week and a half before me! Good luck!

aims327, I'm glad you got a more positive phone call back from your nurse. It's hard to stay positive when you're feeling that your doctors and nurses aren't really very positive! Those numbers sound good and it's good to have someone more conservative measuring your follicles. That way you won't be disappointed if they're smaller than what the others have been measuring when they retrieve them!! Keep your chin up! We're all with you!

AFM, I'm anxiously awaiting Tuesday so I can add to the medication regime and get one step closer to my FET! Question for all of you: How many of you are doing the progesterone suppositories vs. the progesterone shots? I did the shots with my son, which I hated, but I'm a little nervous to switch a thing that worked for me. My RE has assured me that after studying many studies, he's decided that there are no differences in results/outcomes based on the two delivery methods. So, I told them I'd try the suppositories because I really did hate the shots for 6 weeks! My other concern is the whole "leaky factor." How bad is it those of you using them now????

I think that's all for now. My DH and I are going to catch up on our TV from this past week. He was out of town all week---slightly nuts working full time and mommying a 2 year old. And then my daycare provider's dad died this week, so it was a bit nuts!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
~Sarah

[kimbob]

Gosh, I was hoping not to have a lot of catching up to do, but you ladies have been busy!

aims327 welcome aboard! I'm sorry you had the 'tight wad' nurse! I swear either some of them just don't get it, or they used get and sometimes forget how hard this can be on us. I'm glad things are looking up. Good luck with your ER!

Lee I think I've heard similar numbers as Michele for a 5DT. Let us know if you decide to go for it! Good Luck!

Michele I'll be sure to check out the pics later! Can't wait to get both inspiration and to see a really cute baby. That's great that your mom was able to take Ella for her lesson. I'm glad the neck is getting better. And, yes it took a few hours, but like I said I have slept so much during the days that now I don't seem to need to sleep so much at night. It helped a lot to focus on all of you guys rather than the upcoming ET!

wmcgrath well, if you believe in postive thinking, then this is the right place for you. We will all be sending you lots of PMA and sticky embie dust on the 23rd! Welcome!

Sisi I didn't feel the swelling until day 8 and it was what I would think was relatively minor and only on the left where I had about four or five larger follies. From my limited experience I would think that your feelings are a good sign. Some people have to stim for up to 14 days, so I don't really see why they would have to cancel you tomorrow. Keep up the PMA and be ready to fight for more stimming tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you all day!

hope2beamummy I hope your synarel goes well. The worst part was really the bad taste running down the back of my throat a few minutes after I took it. At least I knew it came out of the bottle that way! I found that drinking hot tea after helped with the taste. Happy sniffing!

Kline RE said he would not get his hair done if he were me. It may be different if you have not just transfered. I guess I'll call my hairdresser and postpone the appointment until I get my BFP (note my positive thinking there!) and feel more comfortable discussing it with her. Right now I don't want to tell her because we know too many of the same people.

Cynthia I didn't feel the heat, so to speak, until near the end of my stimming. The good news is that it stopped when I got to stop the stimming and down-regging. I hope the headache goes away soon! I'm wishing for Wednesday to hurry up for you!

AFM - I think I'll change my user name to "Oh, woah-is-me!". I wish that I could just tell you the nice bits. That is, the transfer is definitely way smoother than both the ER and the hysteroscopy. In fact I think I felt it less than a pap smear! Now for the other part...
So, you know I was hoping to talk to the RE about transfering 2. DH and discussed it and ultimately we just want a safe pregnancy so if RE says 1 we'll do 1, but we just felt we couldn't not ask for 2. So we check in at reception and the girl says, "The lab has done some freezing for you." And I said, "Pardon?" She says, "The lab has frozen your eggs. Do you want to pay for that now?"
WTF? If the RE is going to say no, that's fine, but for all the money I paid I'd like someone to at least pretend to listen to me!
So I go for my accupunture and don't totally relax - I actually cried a little under the eye pillow thingy. So I'm trying to get a hold of my emotions, there's nothing we can do about it, but I can't just not say anything, but every time I think of what to say I get all teary-eyed.
So a nurse comes in to tell me that one embie had arrested and they were going to transfer the one that was an 8 cell, grade B (A is best). So I just start blubbering and whining like a baby. She said she'd let me talk to the RE before going in. So a few minutes later another nurse comes and says we'll talk in the room. The RE was being all nice and sympathetic and says, we can talk about it and put in two if he thinks it will be a safe enough risk. Um, hullo - they're already frozen! Oh, no, they didn't freeze them yet, why would I think that? Um, because the receptionist said that!
So, long enough story short(er) the RE and nurse said that if that other RE complimented my cervix that really means something because she is very reserved about that stuff. RE said my cervix seemed nice and long and whoever did my cone biopsies must have been good. They just had a woman in that morning who had almost no cervix left from a biopsy. Poor lady! So, we transfered the 8-cell B, and a 7 cell B-. RE was not shy to say that the quality was not great and that it may not be just male factor we're working with. After much discussion we decided to freeze the last lonely embie just in case it's a fighter. It was slow, only a 5 cell B+. RE commented that $700 to freeze one embie is not super cost effective, but I figure $10,000 for 3 B grade embies is even less cost effective!! Not that I'm a math whiz, but I think it works out to be a worse ratio!

Anyway, I'm happy to have brought home two embies to love and nurture. Now I just need to avoid anything as stressful as this morning was! I'm starting to feel a little better about it. I really hope the RE didn't do 2 just because I cried. I really dispise crying to get your way! It's just not my style.

Well, I'm off to put my legs up! Thanks for letting me ramble on again!

Have a good night everyone!

Kim

[aims327]

Thanks for the warm welcome. For those that asked when my ER would be, I'm still not sure. But I have a feeling I will trigger tomorrow (3/15) so that means I would have my ER on 3/18. For ET, I told my dr I wanted to do a 5 day transfer.

I have another u/s in the morning. I feel like i have to be really close to being ready. My stomach is extremely bloated.

[CT_Michele]

aims- hope all goes well at u/s. Let us know, hopefully you get to trigger tonight.

Kim- I am glad you were able to bring home 2 embies with you, just so sorry about the confusion before hand and you getting upset about it. And who cares if the dr only put 2 back b/c you cried...sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do! Hopefully the sticky dust I sent you is working. Have fun putting your legs up! hehe

sbr- We are in very similar boats, but I am going for another fresh cycle b/c I did not freeze last time. We are covered by insurance, for mostly everything, but this will be the last time. Of course freezing is not covered and we weren't prepared for that the first time, and on our ET day they told us if we wanted to freeze our outher 2 we needed to pay $2000 right then and there. We just didn't have the means to do it, and prayed we would get our miracle. I honestly didn't think if we got pregnant, that I would be wanting to do this again so soon, but my life has changed so much and Ella has brought me so much joy, I just can't wait to bring her a sibling to play with. This time we are prepared for freezing, we took out a capital one healthcare loan for it, and for other fees which are not covered by our insurance, which all add up to just over $4000. If we are not successful this time, or if we are and decide to go for a third at some point, it will be out of pocket, so I will want to do an FET. The money stuff is very stressful, I agree, money can cause huge problems in a relationship and then throw IVF in the mix, it is a recipe for disaster, which is why I try to take the money matters very seriously. I always said I would not take out any huge loans, like an equity loan, no big student loans, no car loans, but IVF might be the one thing that I have to do it for in the future. That is funny that your dh called the baby the $12k baby. Hopefully he doesn't refer to this one as the $4k baby, we wouldn't want baby #2 to think they were worth less! How old is your first ivf miracle?

As far as your question about progesterone- I used crinone gel, and obviously it was successful for me. I am glad I did not have to do those horrible sounding shots and I will be using crinone gel again. I did not find it that bad, a bit messy at times, but I always put it in right before bed b/c I was told you have to lie down for a half an hour anyway, so I figured just go to sleep. There was some discharge and I wore panty liners for that. But I think much better than a shot.

Sisi and Cymplicity- If I remember correctly, I felt bloated within just a couple days of stimming, but not real bad until close to the end. At the end, I was praying for trigger to get the eggies out.

wmc- welcome to our wonderful thread, I will add you to our ever growing list.

Ok, now to go update the list!

[CT_Michele]

lionoe - ER - Mar 12, 9 Fertilized Embies! ET - Mar 17
aims327 - Stimming! ER Mar 17 ET Mar 20 or 22
Wishing4Baby - Stim start Mar 6, estimated ER Mar 18
millie 09 - Stimming!
Sisi1 - Stimming!
cymplicity27 - Stim start Mar 14



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
kimbob - ET Mar 14, Beta???


SunMoon&Stars – DE w/icsi, ET Mar 16
wmcgrath - FET Mar 23
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
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
statsgoddess - IVF Apr/May?
CT_Michele – Start stims 4/10, ER/ET/fresh TESE week of 4/20

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

[aims327]

My u/s went much better today. 18 follicles and 17 in the mature range. I'm still waiting on the bloodwork but the nurse is positive I will trigger tonight. I will have ET on 3/17 and ER on 3/20 or 3/22.

[Sisi1]

OMG todays ultrasound was much better, 11 follies from 1.1-1.5!

I am hoping my blood tests check out ok and I get to stimm for a day or 2 more and go ahead with the procedure.

What a difference a couple of days can make!

What an emotional roller coaster.....

Keep you posted on what happens......
___________________________________________________________

Ok blood test levels are ok E2 rising to 1903 CAN/582 us.

I am on to stimm for at least one more day, most likely 2 I think?

Keep you updated tomorrow

[aims327]

Correction on my previous post....ER on 3/17 and ET on 3/20 or 3/22.

Sisi1 - Congrat on a better u/s! A day or two can make a huge difference. I found that out this weekend.