March/April cycle buddies??

[hjw]

Afternoon everyone! I have just returned from acupuncture so am feeling very calm and mellow and in the perfect mood to catch up on everyone's news. She did some extra points today to try and counteract the headaches and hot flushes I've been getting from the down regulation drugs so fingers crossed that it works - I'm really not liking the constant headaches!

Welcome to estrellita and Latie. With so many people joining us lately, we're going to be keeping Michele busy updating the thread! It's so lovely to have a big group though...

Babymex - my heart went out to you when I read your news about your BFP being an ectopic, I'm so sorry. Like some of the other girls, I have felt totally inspired by your courage and how positively you have been dealing with the situation, and I just loved your song, I have played it a few times now.

Melanie - I'm so sorry about your BFN, sweetie. You are also a total inspiration for how well you are dealing with the news. It's really great that you can go straight into FET if that's what you want to do. Do update us all when you've had your appointment on Monday and you know how soon it is going to be - we will all still be here to take that journey with you as well.

aims - 13 eggs and 9 fertilised, what great numbers! I'm so pleased it went well for you at ER - are you still sore? Will you have a 3 or 5 day transfer?

Sisi - you triggered last night at last, HURRAH!! What a rollercoaster you've had in the last few days! I assume that means ER tomorrow? Will be thinking of you...

Cynthia - good luck at your u/s tomorrow.

Latino - what a lovely thing it would be for you to be able to give your cord blood to help your mother. I'm sorry to hear about your headaches, they are horrid I know, but pleased to hear that they have stopped now that you're no longer on BCP's.

Sarah - happy "thickening"! Yes, your protocol does sound a lot more pleasant that the drugs you take for a fresh cycle, but you've been through the mill with it before so you've definitely earned an easier ride this time around! As for POAS, different things will be right for different people. I know it won't be the same, but every time I've had IUI I've forced myself to wait the full two weeks and not test early. So I think I'm going to try and wait it out, but who knows how I will feel when I finally get there! The one thing I do think makes a lot of sense afer reading aspotoftea's story is to do a HPT after beta, either as a keepsake to confirm a BFP or just to make sure there wasn't any lab error in the event of a BFN. P.S. Oooh, don't tell me the Idol results, I haven't watched last week's shows yet!!

Nicole - yay, ET went well for you! Just think of those two embies snuggling in. We'll all keep you company until the 27th - you'll have to keep checking in with us!

Babyluv - happy stimming tomorrow!

statsgoddess - happy to hear that AF arrived. Let us know when you've got your schedule. Re good IVF books, I really like Zita West 'Fertility & Conception - the complete guide to getting pregnant'. It's a UK book though, so deals with UK protocols, which I think are a little different to elsewhere. The IVF section is only a portion of the book - the rest of it deals with lifestyle factors, nutrition and a discussion of different fertility 'issues' (both male and female) and their treatment. It has been my bible through this journey and filled in a lot of gaps left in the information provided by the hospital/clinic!

Lee - not too long to go now until your beta! Are you managing to stay calm? Hope you are outside with this fabulous sunshine on your face! BTW, what did you mean when you asked whether they give me a beta test to test for pregnancy or whether they give me a HPT? It's a way off for me yet but from what I read, the clinic will get me in two weeks after ET to do a blood test (I think!).

AFM, I'm now halfway through down regulation and the side effects are getting steadily worse - boo!! The lovely lady who does acupuncture says that is to be expected and she is doing what she can to reduce the effects. Baseline assessment two weeks today - time is really dragging!!

Hazel

[Sari]

Hello ladies:

Melanie and Babymex sorry about your news. You, both, have a great attitude and are of great inspiration for me.

I need to vent. My mind is a complete storm. Yesterday was a very emotional day. Well, I went to my baseline. The labs were good. At least they told me it was good. FHS = 12. I don't think that's very good. Then when I went to u/s, the ER couldn't find my right ovary. WHERE DOES HE GO????? WHERE IS MY OVARY??? He couldn't find it anywhere. ER told me it could be the Endo but the nurse told me it could be because of the BCP's, I took them for 30 days and she thinks it shrink and its hidding behind the uterus. What to believe? ER told me he is a little worried about it. Does this happen to any of you? Then ER told me to be positive, the meds will wake up the ovary and everything will be fine. The left ovary has follies, so everything look good with that one, and the uterus too.

When I got home, I was joking around about the stims and trying to be smiling and happy for my DH sake. Then he sat besides me while I was preping the stims, took my hands and told me he was with me, that I'm not alone. He's sure this is going to work, and if it's not, we will think in something but we will be happy for the rest of our life no matter what happens now. I couln't help but cry. I cried like never before, I have never cry about this in front of him.

I am suppose to be happy, not crying. I am possitive, I really am. But I couldn't stop crying, even now. Why is it?

Well, my instructions are 300cc Follistim, 1 Menopur and .15cc Novarel. I thought it was going to be only Follistim for a week. But I got a full coctail of meds. Ohh, and the protein supplement, YUCK!!!!, got all nauseus.

Thanks for listening, I mean reading. All your thoughts will be of great help.

[Sisi1]

FSH of 12 could be better but it does tend to change every month so don't get too hung up on the number.

I am not sure how your ultrasound tec. was but I have had my share of poor tecs so don't worry yet. I am sure your ovary is in there somewhere.
The funny thing about ovaries is that it can trawel around the cavity quite a bit, for example if it is hiding behind bowel it can't be seen on ultrasound. Did the tec. try to scan you from above? Sometimes that works. So unless you have a sonohystogram that confirms you only have one, you are perfectly normal until proven otherwise.

I think it is perfectly natual to get emotional about this, it is a very basic human desire and the prospect of it can be very overwhelming.

Take care and good luck, you will be fine, you will see!

[aims327]

hjw - I was am still a little sore but today is the best I've felt since ER. It wasn't so much being sore as being bloated. I did a lot better this time then I did after my first ER. I started the progesterone suppositories this morning...no PIO which is nice. My clinic stopped the PIO.

Now here is my concern with ET. They want to try a 5 day transfer but they schedule a 3 day transfer incase the embryos don't meet the criteria for a 5 day. So, I got the call today that my transfer will be tomorrow at 8:45ET. I live 2 hours away from the clinic and have to check in 30 minutes prior. So, I won't get the phone call til 7:30 tomorrow morning to tell me if I can wait til day 5. I'm going to be 30 minutes from the clinic by then! So, do I just go ahead and tell them I'll do the 3 day or turn around?

[melanie_100]

Cynthia- Two things I wanted to comment on for you. Don't know if you remember, but I did my own HCG injection into my thigh. Wasn't terrible that night, but my leg was soooo sore for at least 3 days, I was actually limping around. The HCG trigger is in Sodium Chloride, I think, either way its a regular mild liquid, NOT OIL!!! I can't even imagine doing the shot of PIO in my leg, you literally might as well forget about walking for weeks
Since my RE suggested I do PIO this time instead of the Crinone, I did a lot of research last night regarding the subject. If you google- Vaginal vs injectable progesterone IVF (or something along those lines)- you will find a lot of info on studies they have done on the subject. Not a singe one has found that the latest forms of vaginal prog. have anymore or any less effectiveness in IVF than the IM Prog. They are very interesting studies. One was done at Boston IVF which is Harvard's Med Hospital and it is the largest study on the subject.
Anyway, you seem like a prime candidate for vaginal prog because of your situation with DH not always being around. Remember that your doctor is there to help you on this mission, but don't be afraid to chart your own coarse at times. Most of the docs do PIO because it has been around the longest. Most of the clinics that are cutting edge and rely heavily on research are now switching to vag prog. because of all the data and studies. Just don't feel that if you do your own homework and feel comfortable with your decision, that you can't tell your doctor you want a different protocol. As I have mentioned before, I am an RN and know first hand how old school most of the doctors are....they like to stick to what they know, but that doesn't mean, new and better things don't come out all the time. I still haven't decided whether or not I will do the PIO or continue with Crinone Gel. I also know now that I won't need as much Prog. support for an FET as with a Fresh IVF cycle. So I have to decide at some point. I may do the PIO at first and if I get pregnant switch to the Gel. I have my DH around most of the time though, so your situation is so different. You could always suggest doing the Crinone 3 times daily instead of the normal twice daily, or if you do crinone twice daily, supplement it with an oral dose of prog. No matter what, just don't do it in your leg (PIO)!
Other interesting thing regarding your injections that your giving for stim and why they hurt more on thigh. When I got acupuncture done, I was saying how much the needles hurt that they put right above your toes, more than some other ones. He said as you get further from your torso you have more nerve endings, makes sense, and so it hurts more. I agree that the belly ones were a little less painful than the leg ones. I broke my belly into four quadrants when I did mine. Below bellybutton and to the right or left, then even further down for my next two quadrants. I just rotated those four quads and that worked well for me.
Well I tend to rant on medical matters, sorry but hope this helps. Remember too that Docs including RE's aren't Gods, and we are ultimately responsible for our own decisions
Melanie

[latinosunshine]

aims, I would turn around if it gave me the best shot of getting pregnant. But thats just me. Its only wasted time.

Sari, I cant tell you about the "missing" ovary but Im sure things will work out.

tomorrow is my bloodwork and sonogram. If all goes well, I will start Lupron tomorrow and the stims on Saturday! I dont know whether to be excited or scared.

[melanie_100]

Hey girls on a more personal note.
Thanks for all your well wishes and notes. You guys are so sweet to think of me and babymex.
I'm actually in a good place right now. I'm really crampy and can tell AF is going to be a b*tch this month But I'm looking forward to my FET so I'm actually looking forward to getting Af too- how awful is that .
Michelle- Thanks for the AF dance from Ms Kitty. What a hoot. You are too good with this html thing. Really got a good smile out of me. Wish my dh could dance that good- bless his heart (grew up in North, but when I lived in Atlanta, I was taught by the southerners that when you say something bad about someone, if you follow it up with "bless their heart", then its OK
Here's a little inspiration that I read last night from an RE that posted to someone's question on some forum. He was saying that he tells his patients that he expects most people will have to do 2-3 cycles of IVF to get pregnant, since this is how it happens in the real world as well. Not every body gets pregnant right away when trying naturally, so it makes sense that it wouldn't always happen right away even with IVF. Anyway, it gave me a lot of hope.
Most things don't just happen for me (at least as far as fertility goes), so I kinda figured I wasn't going to necessarily get pregnant right away. I am very confident though that it will happen for us, but that we just have to work at it a little bit. I am actually very optimistic about this upcoming FET cycle
Thanks again to all for your kind words.
For those of you on the 2ww wait, I don't envy you, and am not looking forward to going there again. Just a little pep talk though. Just spoke to my SIL, she had a bad pap smear come back, this has happened before and they were able to do a LEEP to clear her cancerous cells. Anyway, she did a cervical and uterine biopsy this past Friday. I thought she would know the results this week... but no, her doc is making her wait 3 weeks because he wants to "meet" with her in person to talk about it (not good). You think our 2ww is terrible, can you imagine waiting 3 weeks to find out if you have cancer after already having had it before. I can't even imagine it. At least we're waiting for news that doesn't mean our lives could end!
So just wanted to put that 2ww into perspective for all of us.
Keep the faith and think positive
Baby dust to all,
Melanie

[Sari]

Another question. I got AF on Monday, started stimms on Wendesnay, Today AF had gone away, but, just a few moments ago I felt a very bad cramping and went running to the bathroom. I was bleeding and in pain. Is that normal after the first stimms?

[Latie]

CT_Michele: Thanks for your welcome! My egg retrieval (ET?) is tomorrow, 3/20; transfer is either 3/23 or 3/25 (won't know until I call in on 3/23); pregnancy test is 4/3.

[cymplicity27]

Sari, I don't know about the stims but with Lupron AF literally stopped for a day! I thought it was a short 3 day cycle but it showed back up on the 5th day and went on for about 2-3 more days. By the time I started stims it was pretty light and didn't last much longer after that. I didn't experience any cramps.

Melanie, thanks for the info on the PIO. I think I will speak up and ask about it. Too bad DH hasn't been with me the last few appts because I know he would ask! He just blurts out whatever is on his mind. I thought it was odd that she was now saying I could do it in my thigh since it was never even posed as an option in orientation. They clearly told us it HAD to be done by someone else in your butt (hip). Yeah, the thigh sounds even scarier especially having to do it myself!! Ok, I promise I will ask about the suppositories tomorrow!

[kline]

hi everyoe! im invalid for 3 days during my menstrual period..severe dysmenorrhea.. cramps, i soaked 6 pads on second day of my period and change bedlinens 2X, headache is worst i dont know if its the suprecur nasal spray or my migraine. yesterday was my apointment for accupuncture.. i had a great relief.. she stuck needles on my head... pains are gone.. last day of period as well. glad its over.

hazel.. i hope you dont get much of the pain as i did on your withdawal period

latie.. all the best for your ET tom

babyluv.. happy stimming tom and for all those who are stimming!

statsgoddess.. i use plan to get pregnant by zita west book.. but im sure you already read a lot of info by internet and leaflets.. it's like a summarry though.. very brief discussions. you can read the whole book in one sitting.

lionoe, kimbob,sara,faithseverthing.. hold on to that 2ww.. you're all nearly there. i like the story of melanie about 2ww.

melanie.. you are an inspiration.. you had such a woderful spirit.. goodluck to your FET.

ct-michelle.. what can we do without you.. great job with the notice board so handy, we have the glimpse of everybody.

and for those who posted re:hairdye.. thank you very much, i decided not to color my hair, yes, i nearly forgot i did detox as well few months ago.

kline,
35, DH33
TTC 6yrs
Ectopic Preg 2005- rt tube removed
TSI-BFN
HSG- lt tube hydrosalphinx
1st IVF

[kimbob]

Hey everyone,

I hope everone is doing well.

Babymex I'm so sorry about your loss. It sounds like you have great support and are getting yourself ready for a new try. Good for you!

Melanie So sorry about your BFN. It soulds like you have good perspective. I guess it really does take few tries "in the real world", so why not in our world too, hey? Good luck with your FET! I hope your SIL is okay.

Sisi yeah - trigger!! Good luck tomorrow - you'll be in my thoughts all day!

Aims Congrats on the successful ER! I agree that at least all you'll lose out on is time if you do end up having to turn around. Good luck either way!

Kline sorry that AF is so bad for you. Yikes! You must really be looking forward to a BFP if it means a nine month reprieve form that kind of pian!

Latie Welcome and good luck on your ER (egg retrieval) tomorrow!

Sari I'm not sure if that's normal for stimms, but for me, that's just a normal month! I hope your AF finishes for real today! Sorry that rrighty is playing the disappearing act on you. I am sure it's just hiding at that once your follies start growing it will not be able to hide anymore! As for srying with DH - we all get to that point sooner or later and it's probably a good thing that DH was there to comfort you. Good luck with everything.

Hazel I'm glad acupuncture was able to help you. I have an appoinment today and I'm really looking forward to relaxing. I seem to have caught the blues and I sure hope I'll be able to shake then soon!
I didn't seem to have such bad reactions to the synarel. I hope that your situation changes. What you're describing sounds miserable! I'll do a little "side-effects-be-gone" dance for you!

estrellita Welcome! Happy reading while you wait for your turn to start!

Lee - hope you're enduring the 2WW - I still have 8 days left 'til beta!

Well, that's all the time I have - hope everyone else is keeping well.

Cheers,
Kim[/code]

[wishfull27]

evening ladies - sorry not been around to post there is just so much sh1t going on at work and not enough hours in the day - there are so many redundancies that I am just keeping my head down and hoping I am out of the radar

Too knackered to do lots of personals :-
Babymex/mel - hugs to you strong ladies - an inspiration to us all xxx

sisi/latie - thinking of you for ER - and hopefully a bumper harvest xx

aims - dificult one - go with your gut instinct xxx

hazel - yeh I just love accupuncture - halfway there to baseline scan xx

lee/klim/lione/faiths - pma and sticky baby dust to you strong ladies - the wait is nearly over

Michelle - our super trooper list keeper!!!

AFM - please can you all do the AF jig - I need her by saturday at latest so my holiday dates don't go up the wall!!!

love to everyone else I have not mentioned

love and hugs

carolyn xxx

[tabatha1975]

Well I went to re today I have 8 follies measuring 10-11 mm 1 at9 mm 1 at 13 mm my uterus lining is 12.9 what ever that means and he showed me the three lines on ultrasound and said that was good does anyone know what this all means? I gave to atom until Monday then back for mire blood work and u/s maybe trigger Monday if all looks better. Come in follies grow!!!!

[Latie]

Thanks so much for the good wishes, everyone! Last u/s (yesterday) I had 11 follicles 15 mm or bigger, and some smaller ones as well. I really feel ready to bust -- here's hoping for that bumper crop tomorrow!