Jan/Feb 2010--Cycle Group

[CamiWB]

Hi, All! Think I could jump in here or would it be too late to catch up? I'm trying to do things differently this cycle--so maybe joining your group would count as something different? I'm on day 6 of stims and thinking that my ER will probably be a week from today--but that's just a guess. Thanks, Cami

[PatyPaty]

Hi Everyone - I'm new to the message board & to IVF. I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis & was told that if I was planning on having a family I would need to start ASAP. The endometriosis got to my ovaries & I have minimal time to try and conceive.

I just started my first IVF cycle this past Sunday & I'm some what anxious, nervous, etc. Since, it's my first time going through this process I don't know what to expect. I'm taking Menopur 1x day & Folllistim 2x day- I started experiencing abdominal & lower back pain on day 2 - The pain has been moderate to severe & I'm taking Tylenol, but it's just not working. I find myself calling my dr everyday to make sure I'm not doing anything to harm the process. I keep hearing try to relax, but it's easier said than done. maybe I should go get a message!

any suggestions or feedback on how you handled it would be great.

Patricia

[jenice]

Hi all- I received some bad news our insurance is running out We still have some but not enough to cover a cycle. I had spoke to my IVF nurse for about a half an hour(she is really nice) all about the ordering of the meds, when to come in even approx retrieval/transfer. I get all that done and then the phone call from $$$$$ nurse who tells me we are running out of insurance $$$$$. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, once AGAIN have hit a wall. My clinic is very expensive and their are other clinics I can travel to. One clinic does 1 fresh/1 frozen cycles for $7,500 plus meds . That is really good though, I would get 2 cycles. My clinic is 10,000 plus meds for only one fresh. What do you ladies think ? Go with a new clinic or stay with the same one ? I've been @ the same clinic for 8 years, hate to go somewhere else but I have had 1 BFN and a miscarriage cycle. Or go to the new ,cheaper clinic who I actually know someone who went there and is very preggo right now. So, anyway I think my cycle is over before it could even begin. My blood pressure has been high getting stressed out BP last night was 151/105 NOT GOOD !!!! I think I'm going to need a mental break really soon. I have to see my cardiologist today and tell them meds aren't working that great lately. My poor DH got the brunt of it all last night. He thinks maybe I should take a break and start trying to lose some of the weight and start excercising again and maybe my blood pressure will come down @ least some. What do you ladies think ?

hms - Congrats on triggering, GROW FOLLIES GROW !!!!!! Hope your retrieval/ transfer is a success. That is the exciting time of all of this cause you are one step closer to being a MOM

positivethinking - Freeze all !!!!! This is the cheaper part if you are paying out of pocket. I think an FET is around $5,000 with meds , am I right ladies about the price ???/ Cryopreservation i think cost me $600 plus the quarterly charges of $250 but I used my frozen embies pretty fast. It is only my opinion, but to go through all of this, you don't want to do agian if you had a change of heart.

[to_have_fun08]

nooo Janice - Sorry you are running out of insurance. I am in the same boat, trying to do whatever I can to get the most for my money. How much do you have left? Can your current clinic work with you to lower some of the costs? I was kind of in the same position. I only have $5000 left for infertility coverage. I was thinking about going back to my old clinic because they bill differently and I could possibly get 2 cycles in with the $5000. For my fist IVF at my old clinic they only charged the DR. fees to my infertility max which was $1500 All testing, transfer, ICSI was covered under another part of my insurance. I really didn't want to go back to my old clinic so I am going to end up paying $$$$ for this the donor cycle because the $5000 won't cover 1 full cycle at my current clinic. If $$$ is a major issue, maybe taking a break and going with another clinic might be good. All depends on how reputable the cheaper clinic is. Hope you can figure something out.

I just found out yesterday that my insurance will not cover any donor expenses. Before I switched to this insurance plan I was told by Aetna that they would cover all donor expenses. So now all donor stuff will be out of pocket. Once the eggs are taken out of the donor, my insurance will take over and start paying stuff. So at least I have some coverage but not as much as I figured.

Good luck!!!

Chris

[Mandy14]

I am scheduled for my 2nd IVF cycle in Jan. My egg retrival is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 20th. Wish me luck and baby dust to you all!!!

[claud662]

welcome Mandy!! I actually just saw your other post on the topic discussion and I JUST posted the same question a couple of days ago!! I also have had two chemical pregnancies and feel that my lining is effecting implantation. I also read pineapple juice was good as well as baby aspirin and red tea leaves. GL on your egg retrievel and please stay with us to track your progress!!

Riiley & baby-hopes-can't wait to hear your fertilization reports today!!! Grow babies grow!!!

Jenice-I'm so sorry to hear that you are having insurance issues...I would personally switch clinics if you can get more for your money and maybe starting somewhere new would give you the BFP we are all waiting for!! how far is the drive if you switch? Could you still continue this cycle since you just got your AF? keep us updated

Franny-any report on your 11 follies? When is your SnS?!?! Thinking of you and your comfy naps at acupuncture!! I go in Friday for my acupuncture apt but no naps for me

misocial-DON'T FREAK OUT!! Day 4 doesn't always show follies right away and I'm sure after they check your b/w they can alter your dosage accordingly. From someone that stresses over EVERYTHING-save those tears for when it matters and not before we get reassured from the RE or nurses!!!! I was told to stop drinking once stims start but that you can drink until transfer for a FET

hms-how was your trigger last night? GL on your ER tomorrow-we will be rooting for you

rlk-is Friday still a go for the FET? How is your lining looking?

positivethinking-as someone who also was told this was "in her head" from the obgyn-I am still trying to concieve a year and a half later and am on my first FET...this is a personal decision but if it were me I would freeze the extra embryos because you just NEVER know what can happen on your first try. Plus, your body sometimes responds better to FET's because it's not under the meds/stress as a normal IVF. Just some food for thought!

Paty-welcome to the board!!

Cami-never too late to join! Welcome

AFM...Off my BCP's and I go in Friday for my SnS!!! I also have my first acupuncture apt so I am looking forward to this weekend!! My DH's work just switched insurance after the New Year so I'm dealing with having to get approved for their infertility program We are fortunate enough to have amazing coverage since DH works for govt so I just hope they don't have us issues/problems with coverage!!!

xoxo

[latrell22]

I've seen a lot of posts about acupuncture and I'm wondering is it for stress relief or to possibly improve the cycle? This is the first I've seen this and I'm in Germany..my doctors are all German so sometimes the language barriers make it a little difficult but he hasn't mentioned anything about any additional treatments or procedures. I'm wondering if this is something that I should look into??

[Mandy14]

Hi Latrell
I asked the same question to my Dr and she bascially told me that the study results are mixed. Some showed that it helps, others said it actually hurt the cause. The advice she gave me was that if I did want to pursue acupuncture, that 1st: go to someone who specializes in fertility acupuncture and 2nd: do the acupuncture well before starting your cycle. No reason given for that though. Other people may have differing opionins though. Guess I really didnt answer you question, but good luck.

[gi]

Evening ladies,

Jenice ah no i hope you are not cancelled you sound stressed enough as it is,sorry cant advise you as we dont have insurance here, best of luck xx

Babyhopes 18 eggs big congrats!!!

Riley baby 25 Wow!!!!

hms best of luck tomorrow hope you get a bumper crop too

positivethinking freeze,freeze freeze!!! Thats my advice, 2 yrs ago when we 1st started out we were told we were young healthy and should only take a couple of cylces to work.....6 cycles and 2 mc later still battling, you just dont know whats around the corner. And how rude of re to say its in your head!!

dodo Yeah for AF!!

misocial way to early girl, due to overstimulating in the past my new clinic are bringing me in early for scan and thats day 6 so on day 4 you are grand.

Camiwb and paty paty welcome!! the more the merrier, great support here though as you can see they love typing

to_have_fun08 i have been following your journey and i too understand how frustrating it is after 2 yrs and so many failed atttempts, it took me till my 5th attempt to get 1st bfp and still battling for my baby but we will get there, best of luck with your IUI

AFM just waiting on date from hospital to get polyp removed prob wont here till late next wk but i will be on to them on tues and hound them!!

lou not long now how are you feeling??

gixx

[gi]

Evening ladies,

Jenice ah no i hope you are not cancelled you sound stressed enough as it is,sorry cant advise you as we dont have insurance here, best of luck xx

Babyhopes 18 eggs big congrats!!!

Riley baby 25 Wow!!!!

hms best of luck tomorrow hope you get a bumper crop too

positivethinking freeze,freeze freeze!!! Thats my advice, 2 yrs ago when we 1st started out we were told we were young healthy and should only take a couple of cylces to work.....6 cycles and 2 mc later still battling, you just dont know whats around the corner. And how rude of re to say its in your head!!

dodo Yeah for AF!!

misocial way to early girl, due to overstimulating in the past my new clinic are bringing me in early for scan and thats day 6 so on day 4 you are grand.

Camiwb and paty paty welcome!! the more the merrier, great support here though as you can see they love typing

to_have_fun08 i have been following your journey and i too understand how frustrating it is after 2 yrs and so many failed atttempts, it took me till my 5th attempt to get 1st bfp and still battling for my baby but we will get there, best of luck with your IUI

AFM just waiting on date from hospital to get polyp removed prob wont here till late next wk but i will be on to them on tues and hound them!!

lou not long now how are you feeling??

gixx

[gi]

oops double post and not that ye want to know but i gotta get out of the sitting room my dog has farted

[CamiWB]

Thanks to everyone for letting me tag along!! Latrell--my understanding is that there is actual science behind the benefits of accupuncture specifically immediately before and after the transfer. I did one additional session of accupuncture with my 2nd cycle, but there's no way to know if that helped or hurt because it was BFN. That said, based on the suggestion of one of the women on this board, I am having my DH do a session of accupuncture on Friday before our ER next week, since sperm issues seem to be a major factor in our lack of success. I'll try to let you know if it helps!! Oh, and also, I do personally find accupuncture quite relaxing--and for a control freak like myself--every little bit helps!! Good luck to you!!

[baby hopes]

Hello ladies I hope all is well...

ASM- out of the 18 eggs 13 were mature and 9 fertilized!! I know this might not seek like a a lot but my 1st IVF only 1 fertilized out 9. I get an update again tomorrow and they'll tell me when to come in on Friday!!! on Friday is when I find out about the grade and fragmentation. I do not know how many they will recommend to implant but if they look good I am only going to do 2. God I can't believe on Friday I will be PUPO!!!!!! Thank you for your well wishes and prayers. I swear every bit of it helps. I can not wait to return the favor to all of you xoxox

misocial- It is still early on your stimms. I did not get my SnS till day 7 then I stimmed another 5 days. In this IVF process it better to go slow than to risk overstimulation ( that is what happened to me with my 1st IVF) So just take it one day @ time grow follies grow!!!!

dodo- I hope you are feeling better. My only advice is rest and plenty of fluids. I hope you are on the route to recovery soon

positive- 1st of all can I say that when someone tells me that my infertility is "in my head" I want to kick them and then make them take all my shots, have all my stress and anxiety. What assholes... I mean I am not doing IVF for the fun of it...... stay strong!!!!

msmac- My u/s tech told me that ovaries most often grow asymmetrical and not to worry. My rt had on 3 and lt had 10. The funny thing was that the constant discomfort I felt was equal. grow follies grow

mandy414 and camiwb- welcome. welcome. you all will be come addicted to this board!!! Be prepared to type lol.

jenice- do you have pre existing high BP? Your BP needs to be under control before you get pregnant or you are @ high risk a multi issues while pregnant. So my advice is get that under control 1st. Your health is priority #1. As for switching clinics I would go with whatever I can get more bang for my buck. Also go with whatever your gut tells you what to do. You do not owe your old clinic any loyalty. This is a business.

hms- YEAH for trigger!!!! Sending prayers your way tomorrow for your ER. Enjoy the drugs.....

tohavefun08- I hate that a price tag is even put on IVF. I am happy that your insurance will cover 1/2 expenses for the FET.

claud- glad your insurance covers you. My heart breaks for all these wonderful ladies who have to deal with insurance crap on top of all this. I wish I had a $$$$ tree. I mean how did octo-mom get covered??? GL on SnS on friday!!!!!

katie- Because I am a nurse who has to wear 40lbs of lead ( work with fluoro) and push stretchers( in and out of the procedure rooms) my RE put me on bed rest and NO work. I took out an intermittent FMLA. So I am taking tis whole week off and since MLK day is monday and I always have Tuesdays off (child care issues) I am not back to work till next Wed. YEAH. My fellow workers are so supportive so when I get back I will have plenty of help.

Morebaby and bei- hope AF comes soon. God I hate that ***** sometimes!!

Patypaty-Welcome. I felt immediate bloating and discomfort on day 5 of stimms. I found that warm packs and hot showers really helped. I did not take tylenol so be careful not to take more that 3000mgs a day for the liver does not like tylenol too much! One of my friends who has done and is doing IVF told me to think of the discomfort and pain as the meds working. It helped a little.... GL

rileybabymaybe- My IVF sista!!! How are you feeling? I am taking everyone's advise and drinking lots of water... as well as warm packs and percocets. Did you get any reports back yet? My ET will be in the afternoon on friday( will find out the time tomorrow). I did want to tell you that my DH's family name is Riley and I am taking it as positive sign for the 2 of us!!!! xoxoxox

Again I want to thank all you wonderful and fabulous women. Your support and encouragement have made a very lonely process not so lonely. God I hope we all get BFP's!!!!!! XOXOX

[hms]

hi all:

there are definite scientific reports on the success of acupuncture when treating infertility. Two great resources:

1. This site is amazing. She does a weekly podcast and the one from Jan 7th is precisely about this. It's a big loooong but worth it for the statistics and recommended timing alone.
http://www.creatingafamily.org/radioshow/186.html

2. This book changed my entire perspective on fertility! "The Infertility Cure". easy to find on amazon. Written by a WOMAN DOCTOR who has an extensive background in chinese medicine AND experience with infertility. read read read it! The reason they want you to start acupuncture right away is that it actually takes an egg 90 days to develop - so if you want to affect its quality, they recommend working on it a few months before you try (be it naturally or via IVF).

I am really enthusiastic about it even though this will likely be our last IVF attempt, because we really just want to be parents at this point. whether through an ART success this week, or an adoption this year.

xo

[misocial]

Okay, you ladies are the best at encouragement. I was feeling much better until Nurse called to tell me that due to lack of follicles my next SnS would be Friday and if there were none at that time, they would cancel my cycle. that would be 6 days of stimming. No they did not increase my meds, or add to them. Just a cancellation if no follies. I dont understand, I swear I feel something twinging on either side started yesterday afternoon. Can I cry now?
I have read about other cancellations but did not know why, is this the reason? I was never told that I might not make follies. We are cash pay and just (mortgaged the farm so to speak) to get the last oder of med, which arrived today. nonrefundable. She said if we cancelled then we would do a different set of meds next time.
Is this a common occurance?