Jan/Feb 2010--Cycle Group

[rlk1]

Hey all--

So....I'm having a pity party.

Long story short, my AF never showed up yesterday (showed up this morning instead) and I was told they may have to cancel me. Apparently, they don't do FETs on the weekend (my FET was scheduled for a Friday, but since I got my period a day late that would push it to a Saturday). I'm waiting for a call back from the nurse (my nurse is on vacation--of course!) to see if they can work something out.

ARRRRRGHHHHHH!!!

BlessedMama: So sorry to hear the IUI didn't work out. Throwing out some positive vibes for your upcoming IVF cycle!

baby hopes: Hope your basline appt went well today!

moorebaby: Maybe you can tell your hubby that since we, as IVF girls, have to have a HUGE needle repeatedly jabbed into our ovaries during the retrieval, that it's only fair that he gets jabbed into his manly parts! No, seriously, I'm glad that you guys worked things out. This process is so stressful and we can all get a little testy!!

Riley baby maybe: Glad to hear that things are moving nicely for you. YAY!!! So....are we not supposed to drink while we're stimming?

lou71: Hope you got the green light to start the PIO at today's appt! I know, isn't it cruel and unusual punishment to prescribe IM Estrogen shots?!? I asked why they did that and they said that's their "gold standard". Go figure. I was also told that I have a 25% chance with my FET. You and I seem to think alike---my DH and I will also be taking a vacation if this attempt doesn't work (probably in March) and then we might try again in April. But....both of our FETs will work this time, right?

Arabsrcool: Ugh. We're self-pay too. My DH and I said that our Christmas present to each other this year was a four thousand dollar chance at a pregnancy. Good grief!

beth84: Glad to hear things are moving forward for you! Good luck on Monday!

katie99: SOOOOOO exciting to hear the details of your new plan of action! We'll be here for you during those 3/4 days while you wait to see if your eggs have matured/fertilized (which they WILL--PMA, PMA, PMA!!). Do you have to do anything between now and the 19th?

Hi to gi, Jenice, J&C, msmac, D&M and all others I have missed!

I'll let you know what the nurse says when they call me back. Can I just say ARRRRRGHHHHHH again?

[moorebaby]

rlk1- WTF!!!??? are you serious? you can't control when af shows up. are you on BCPs? if not, then they should'v put you on them to regulate your period & control when you got it. what if a woman never always gets it on the weekends? does that mean you can't even do a FET? i can see how you're upste. i really hope they call you back ASAP & tell you it's a go. fingers are crossed!

[moorebaby]

i meant to say "what if a woman always gets it on the weekends?" not "never always"

[Riley baby maybe]

RLK - You're back! I can't imagine them not working weekends in this business...is that even possible?!?

My RE wants us to 'act pregnant' as soon as we start our Lupron. So, only sparkling juice for us.

Let us know when you hear about your cycle. I'll say a prayer for you.

[claud662]

Hi Ladies~

So after obsessively following these boards I have decided to put myself fully back in the game and start doing personals since this next phase has officially begun in my mind!!!! I went in this morning for b/w just to make sure my beta was at 0 (last week it was at 2.4) and then I go in on 1/8 for my saline and follow up and then hopefully I start my Lupron that night and will get my FET schedule!!! I really want to know it since I like to have it on my calendar as a daily reminder of when the transfer will be!! That is just my type A personality though!!!!

rlk1-I SOOOO hope they get their act together and will accomodate you and either make your stims a little higher dosage so that you can have your FET a day earlier!!! I think it's based on our lining anyways....I'm not sure though...

Katie-I was ecstatic for you to hear that you are proceeding and that you already have all your dates!! The IVM sounds amazing and you won't get bloated from having the eggs on your ovaries for so many days!! I really hope they will update you a little though...those 4 days will be torture!!!!!

blessedmama-we also did a natural IUI in the month that my first IVF cycle was cancelled and I was so hoping to not go through IVF but I am here now and I wish you and your DH the best of luck and if you have ANY questions-this is the best place to ask them

babyhopes=can't wait to hear about your first baseline apt!!! fingers crossed

moorebaby-My heart went out to you when I read your story about your DH freaking out!!! My DH had the nerve to complain about taking the anti-biotic last cycle that it made him feel "sick"! I wanted to shoot him since I had black and blue marks all over, was bloated, and had OHSS!!!! They aren't made for these things!!!!

Riley Baby-I also love my RE and all the other RE's in the practice. Since I have been at the clinic for almost a year and have gone through so much s**t they all know me by name and we know all joke around with each other during my visits....although I love them, I look forward to when I don't see them almost every morning!!!

msmac-YAH for no Lupron headaches!! I got them really bad last time and am not looking forward to them again! It must be hard with your DH overseas, but that is so nice your sons are taking care of you!!! that must be nice to get pampered!! It looks as though we will be doing our cycles around the same time period except you will be stimming and I will be taking estrace to build up my lining and no retreival for me thank god!!!

J & C- AF DANCE AF DANCE!!!

Jenice-good to see you again:) What is your schedule looking like this time around?

Dandme-hope your HSG went well today and that it didn't hurt too much. I almost freaked out during mine since I wasn't prepared but I guess it will be good practice for when the real labor comes!!

Lou-you are going to be the first one on these boards to get a BFP!!! I can't believe you are already so soon....EXCITING!! I only hope my lining will be as good as yours!! I have never gotten over an 8mm

Beth-good luck Monday on your check and hopefully you will proceed with your cycle!

I think that is mostly everyone-if I left anyone out SORRY and I will get you next time!

Franny-hope to hear from you soon and hope that AF stayed away until January 3rd!!!!

xoxo
Claudia

[lou71]

Arabsrcool -- Yes, my FET is getting close. I'm soo happy that cyst didn't grow and produce hormone. I would hate to be cancelled. I'm very cautious about this one since I've only got one embie to transfer. I don't want to get too excited. But RE says I have a real fighting chance with this one, so we'll see. I'll be the first result on this board once again either way.

Katie -- Yes, I did mean progesterone. I had to go back this AM for one more check... seems pointless since I had it checked only two days ago. But, WTH. As for the HCG trigger... I asked RE that on Monday and he told me that some clinics give the trigger and the theory is to replicate the "natural" body hormones as closely as possible prior to pregnancy. Seems a waste to me, but I'll play along.

rlk1 -- WHAT!?!?!?! Cancel you?!?!?! Ohhhh nooooo. I thought with a FET there was a little leway built in? I really hope they can figure this out for you. Let us know what you find out. And yes... keep that PMA coming. We both WILL have our BFP's this cycle! Together we have 50% chance, right? LOL. How many embies are you transferring

J&C and Jenice -- Welcome back! We've missed you!

D&M -- I think it was babyhopes in her 12/29 post who mentioned the class. My clinic didn't have a class, so I'm not really sure what she is referring to.

Claudia -- Yes, I am excited... but very cautious. I think my hopes were up too high for my first IVF. Since the issue was with DH and I am healthy and we had 3 very good quality embies (2 transferred, 1 frozen).... .I thought I would be a BFP for sure. Not so. I was naive to think that in the first place. RE gave me 40-50% success rate for that transfer and a 25% for this one. So who knows? But glad to see you're back in the game. I took oral estrace over the patches. I'm happy with how the lining built. With my fresh cycle, it only got to 11 mm. Too many variables with absorption through the skin and subcutaneous tissue with patches. I think the oral pharmacologically would work better. It's just tough to remember to take it three times a day! (I am a pharmacist btw). I'm only comparing my lining between the fresh and frozen cycles because theoretically, with a fresh, you have sooo much endogenous estrogen in your body that your lining should be richer on that cycle vs when done with estrogen supplement. OK, now I'm rambling. I'll stop.

AFM -- Had one more P4 level today. Waiting on the call but expect it to be fine since Monday's level was fine. Tomorrow I stop lupron and start PIO 1.5 ml daily as well as give myself a 10,000 unit HCG shot apparently just for shits and giggles. I also decrease Estrace to twice daily from three times daily as well as add on methylprednisolone and tetracycline. I will find out on 1/5 what time my transfer is on 1/6. Seems I'm first again on this board. It's scary going first. I was first on the November board as well. Hope I start us off on a positive note! We'll know on Friday 1/15, that's the day of my beta. At least my "2ww" is only a 9 day wait this time.

[lou71]

OK, so after doing some research on the odds of BFP with IVF & FET, and after a recent trip to Vegas..... the mathmatician in me started doing some thinking. Now mind you I never said I was a GOOD mathmatician... .

Known Variables/Assumptions : 35 women cycling at approximately the same time doing IVF/FET. National average of 30% success rate per transfer.

Unknown Variables: individual embryo quality, clinic differences, varying age of patients (i.e. all 35 patients aren't the same age), thaw rates, cancellations, other

Therefore:
Cycle 1: Should produce 10 BFP's. If the remaining 25 women cycle again, then
Cycle 2: shoould produce 8 more BFP's for a total overall success rate of 51% (17 women remaining). And so forth.
Cycle 3: 5 more BFP's (12 women remaining) At this point there is a 65.7% overall success rate after 3 cycles.
Cycle 4: 3 more BFP's (9 women remaining) 74% overall success rate.
Cycle 5: 3 more BFP's (6 women remaining) 83% overall success rate.
Cycle 6: 2 more BFP's (4 women remaining) 89% overall success rate and the BFP's from Cycle 1 now have kids in college

So after 6 cycles, there should be a 89% success rate (31/35) . Not bad odds if you are a gambler! I choose 6 cycles because I purchased a shared risk deal that includes 3 fresh cycles plus use of any frozens (if there are any) up to 6 total cycles (3 fresh and 3 frozen). So this is Cycle #2 for me. But the sad news is that there will probably be 3-4 women who don't get a BFP at all for various reasons. If I am one of those people, I will get 80% of my money back from my clinic. Hence the "shared risk".

Just thought this was interesting and that I would share how my crazy mind works.

Happy New Year!

[Faith2009]

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone Christmas went well. I also wish everyone a Happy New Year!!! This well be our year. I went for my b/w and u/s last week and the lining in my uterus is thin and it's ago ahead with Bravelle and Repronex. I start the shots on New Years Eve. Has anyone had any side affects from these drugs? My DH and I also start antibiotics New years day. I'm so nervous about this all. I'm 37 and afraid it won't work. I guess I have to have faith in the DR. If they didn't think I stand a chance I'm sure they wouldn't put me through this. Is anyone else on this thread starting their meds soon too? Lots of baby dust our way for 2010!!!!!!

[moorebaby]

so i just posted the following on my f/b page: "I'm excited...2 date nights in a row with my hubby!!! Going out to see Avatar tonight & then to Diorio tomorrow night!"

my hubby's stepsiter responded: "have fun while you can, once the kids come its a whole different experience...lol"

i really want to respond like this: "i'd rather have kids & stay in & even go to bed before the ball drops. you have no idea what you're saying! must be nice to have a 2 year old & also be preggo. some people don't know how good & easy they have it & need to stop making stupid comments!"

obviously, i will be the better person & leave it alone. i'm not sure if she knows about our problem of getting preggo. but my dh's brother (also her stepbrother obviously) had similar issues with his wife & they did ivf/icsi 7 years ago & now have 6-year old triplet boys, so she must know they did ivf. regardless, people should be more conscious of what they say.

thanks ladies....i really needed to vent!!!

[rlk1]

Okay......

THREE different nurses called me (apparently they didn't coordinate who would call me back) to say that I should still be fine for a 1/15 FET date (if all goes well at my baseline appt and the lining-check appt). They said the important factor is to get 4 Estrogen shots before the lining-check appt--which I should still be able to do even though I got AF a day late. I'm relieved but a little confused. I hope they don't rush me just to get the FET done on a weekday.

Gotta run. I'll do personals later. Thanks for all of your support/replies/prayers!

[jenice]

rlk1 - I did an FET transfer in Nov,the cycle should be alot easier to control with the estrogen. I would be very upset that they didn't plan better doing your cycle . I am sorry but that is BULL**** !!!!!! That is the advantage of doing an FET more room to decide when to transfer, @ least that was what I was told. I know your lining has to be over a certain # to be receptive though. Hope everything works out.

moorebaby - Your sis-in-law is probably jealous that you can take off whenever you want. She was insensitive to your situation though. Myself I am in both worlds, have a little one, so we can't go anywhere like we used to and crave a baby all @ the same time. I know it is insensitive for your sis-in-law to say that but she probably misses her carefree days and don't understand that your days consist of b/c, ultrasounds RE appts and the stress of IVF. People live in their own little worlds sometimes and don't even think about what they say. I have people say to me all the time, your lucky to have only one child to take care of. Yeah, sure that is how I planned my life, NOT !!!!! I do miss goin out to the movies and dinner with just the 2 of us. Bringing a toddler out to dinner is a new dimension of eating, usually yelling getting up from the table, constant fussing I always tell DH I think I'm starting to twitch from all the noise. So we NEVER go out to dinner by ourselves and sitters are sooooo expensive. Once in a while go out with friends and we take turns of girl/guy nights out. Grandparents don't help out or babysit maybe for a DR appt only I wouldn't change it for the world but would like dinner out with no screaming

[bethanyneedsluck]

sheesh it took me days to get cought up with you ladies. Looks like most are doing well and we all made it throuh the Holidays. It's been a while since I posted last, Lost my job last month, but I think I was for the best less stressed now and never happier. DH and I have chose to continue with this Cycle we already have most of the drugs and all of the money. Last BCP on Jan 5th so excited about that (they don't agree with me). Its nice to see some girls from the Nov/Dec group, although not for good reasons. Well here is to luck in 2010. One good thing that has come from this canceled cycles is if I get prego in Jan it will most likely be an Oct baby same as my sister and little brother. Good luck to everyone and I will be better at checking in to cheer all you other ladies on!!!!

[baby hopes]

Hello Ladies. I hope everyone is staying warm. It's freezing in Boston. This morning my car read 11 degrees. YUCK!!!! All those in warm weather....send it our way!!!!!

msmac- I got nightsweats from lupron. I'll I could think about is when I get older this is what a hotflash feels like, great something to look forward too. I am so glad your boys are there to help you. Please thank your DH for serving his country.


r1k1- So when I read your first post about the possible cancelation over the weekend thing I got so pissed. ARRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! Then when I read your second I was relieved for you. See how things turn out if you feel they are rushing you tell them and make them prove to you that they are doing what is best for you to get an BFP

moorebaby- This is my second IVF attempt and my DH felt "left out" last time because I got all the attention because I was taking shots. So when I started my meds I asked" would you like to get a shot too so you feel included?" I told him how I could fill a syringe with saline. Needless to say he declined...baby!!!! As for the insensitive comments.. vent a away here.. we all understand and have all heard them.

rileybabymaybe- when are you stimming?? I think a few of us might be stimming around the same time... I start tonight!! YEAH!!!

lou71- I love how your mind works!!!! I am a betting woman and I appreciate hearing the percentages broken down like that.

katie99- I am so glad you IVM plan is set to roll. For that 3/4 day window of waiting.. we are all hear for you. I feel this is truely the only place I can say how I am feeling without feeling guilty or hearing someone say "don't worry about it". I wish I had a worry switch that I could turn off. I am already dreading the 2ww....

claud662- I find type A people to be a person I always want on my side. Information and a plan of action is the only thing I find helps with this crazy and uncertain world of IVF.

J&C- I always find it so ironic that we all have spent years not wanting to see our AF and then in IVF we beg her to show!!!! I hope she comes soon...

DandM- Lou was right I am the one that mentioned that my clinic did an IVF class. It was ran by the NP's and they went over every medication (s/e, administration, etc.) I just assumed a injection class would give the same info. If the nurses in your clinic are running it they should be more than willing to answer all your questions..


Faith2009- You and I are starting meds together too.

bethanyneedsluck- Another reason to have a baby in Oct because if you have baby in Sept you always have that issue with kindergarden starting before or after their birthday....

AFM- I had my baseline u/s. everything looked good so I start stimming tonight. Jan 4th I go in for a estraidol check and then an u/s soon to follow. So, I think I might next after Lou1.

Sending BFP's to us all!!!!!!

[rlk1]

Me again!

So I went in for my baseline appt this morning. The sonographer said that the u/s looked good---I'm just waiting for the call about my b/w results.

msmac: Are the Lupron shots still treating you well? I had anger issues when I was on them!

D&M: Any sign of AF yet? The waiting is KILLER!!!

Riley baby maybe: Hope you're still happily stimming away! When is your next appt again?

claud662: I'm a Type A person too---the more organized I am the better! Did the Beta results go as planned yesterday? Hopefully, it dropped so you can move forward.

lou71: So....you're starting the dreaded PIO shots tonight, huh? If I get the go ahead after this afternoon's call, I'll be starting the Estrogen IM shots tonight. Fun, fun! As far as how many we'll transfer, we decided to transfer 1 embryo if it's good quality after the thaw and 2 embryos if they're so-so after the thaw. That's the plan for now, anyway!

Faith2009: I'm starting meds tonight too (if I get the green light this afternoon). I've never been on Bravelle or Repronex, so I can't tell you about the possible side effects of those drugs. Ususally, though, side effects seem to be pretty mild. It's normal to wonder/worry about whether this crazy process will work, but, as Lou71 pointed out, the more you cycle the higher your chances are. Sooooo....IF it doesn't work out this time (which it WILL----we're all trying to think positive about the Jan/Feb cycles), your chances are good with future cycles.

moorebaby: I hear you about insensitive remarks. I had a friend tell me, who was very ill when she was pregnant, that I was "lucky" that I wasn't pregnant. Um.....are you serious?

jenice: How old is your little one? I have a DS that will be 13 months on Saturday---we also don't have quiet dinners (we don't have any family in town who could watch him). I imagine it'll be a while before we don't have to eat our dinner in 10 seconds flat!

bethanyneedsluck: Glad to hear that you're stress-free now! I hadn't thought to look-up when the baby would be born if we get pregnant in January---October sounds nice!

baby hopes: I asked the nurse this morning (based on your post!) if they were SURE they weren't rushing me. She said not to worry--all I need is four Estrogen IM shots before my lining check. Hmmmm....we'll see! How did your stims go last night?

So.....baby hopes, Faith2009, lou71, Riley baby maybe (and all others who are stimming)....are you going to have a drink tonight? I asked the nurse if I could have a glass of wine tonight, seeing as it's New Year's Eve and all! She said that the doctors don't like for patients to drink while they're stimming, but one glass of wine should be fine. I told her that I wouldn't if she thought I shouldn't, and she said, "It's New Year's Eve, I would.". What do you think? I must be a lush, because I'm leaning toward having that one glass of wine (and then NO more the rest of the time).

[bethanyneedsluck]

rlk1- My sister is 3 years older then me but 4 years ahead of me in school she was born on the 12th and made the kindergarden cut off. I didn't look I just figured we were all concieved in January so that would only make sense.