Summer cycle group

[Ruftuf]

Audra...
I too am kind of in the same situation as you... I am part of the June Cycle Buddies right now. I too have had 4 beautiful babies and and now remarried... MY DH and I are doing our first IVF cycle now... started Lupron on Saturday... I think that it is normal to worry about getting pregnant via IVF b/c it is in a controlled enviornment & you never know how you will respond to the cycle not being "naturally". I too am worried about this. That's why I say to another friend that is currently going through IVF as well, that at this point it doesn't matter if I have had natural healthy pregnancies in the past, this is a new adventure. I will be praying and thinking about you... IF anything this process has made me respect & sympothize with all my friends and online buddies that have been unsuccessful... I knew that it was a tough road but didn't know how tough... It takes a VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY strong woman & couple to last through this!
Keep in touch!
Think about you all.

[karin1]

Franny- I am just finishing up AF. I'm sure that my RE wants to do check for cysts on Thursday since I had them in the past. My acupuncturist said that ovulation would be later than usual because I did IVF last cycle. Does anyone know if this is true? I'm hoping that if we do the IUI that it will work, but we've done 3 in the past with nothing. I'm just not that optimistic about it. I actually wanted to skip it and try naturally to save the money, but my DH feels like we need to do everything to increase the odds and it may just save us $12 grand. I guess it does make more sense. I will keep you posted on when the IUI will take place. It's so nice to hear from you and all the ladies.

Lauren- I am thinking of you today and hope that you're okay.

[audraespino]

All of you girls are just so wonderful. I am so blessed to have women to share this experience with, to talk too, to help keep me distracted when anxiety and stress begin to overwhelm.

I am happy to be here for you girls too. Despite that I don't know anything about anything when it comes to all this yet, but, Im happy to learn & I am sure, with time & my own experience thru the IVF journey, I will.

I am hopeful that the outcome of all of our journeys are positive!
That we are share tears of joy and the good news on a BFP & healthy pregnancy at the end of our summer cycles!
So how does the term go? Though I may be using it a little early? Sticky baby dust for everyone!

Lol.

So, what do I do about the doctor?
My first appointment is the 1st. I have a good feel about the place I am going, but after googling the doctors name & reading some of his reviews (5 bad, 4 good = reviews), I cant help but be a little more anxious & nervous then I already am.

Bad reviews are to be expected with any doctors office right? So maybe it is nothing to worry about & I should just go on the 1st?

I mean, I have found 2 other potential places to do my IVF treatment through, but look good as well....
I havent googled their reviews though. Holding off until I get some advice on the subject.

Thing is, I am self pay for the consults which are sorta expensive. So having a consult with all the doctors to get a feel for which one I will like more & feel more comfortable isn't a option.

Any advice on this matter is helpful.

Thank you.

[karin1]

Franny- Are you doing estrogen priming for your next cycle too? I am supposed to do it in conjunction with my IUI. I am told that it wouldn't interfere with the IUI or get prego since your body needs more estrogen anyway. My acupuncturist said that it suppresses your ovaries and that makes me nervous because I don't produce alot of eggs to begin with. I have had 2 cancelled cycles because I was on BCP just before I started meds and only produced 1 follicle. It's all so confusing. My acupuncturist said that he thought that it could help, but it doesn't help everybody....great....no help with that comment.

If you are estrogen priming....looks like we're in the same boat. Maybe it will work for BOTH of us!

~Karin~

[turtle0619]

well that was pointless!! i went to go sign my papers and the office was locked with the lights out!! WTF?? they knew we were coming! grrrrrrr! i called and left a message, but of course nobody called back. i guess we will try again tomorrow, but this is really annoying seeing how DH and i left work early to make it in time. (they said they would be open till 330!!)
ok sorry...i had to vent!

karin i'm not sure about ovulating later because of an ivf cycle. my last cycle was a BFN, and i decided to wait a month before going back on BCP's, and i ovulated right on time starting from cycle day 1. IVF changes your cycle, but it shouldnt cause you to ovulate late after a failed cycle. good luck at your appointment on thursday!
i'm actually not doing the estrogen priming this cycle. i went and got a 2nd opinion, and that RE said thats what we would do, but with timing, and getting all the paperwork, and extra testing for me and DH, we wouldnt be able to start until mid july with a month of priming before the cycle in august. we decided that we would try one more cycle with my current RE since they could get me on BCP's and start my cycle at the end of june. if this one is a BFN we will move on to the new RE and do the priming cycle. did i confuse you? haha i confuse myself!

[audraespino]

Ruftuf ~

I agree. Its a new adventure. We have no idea what to expect. We all hope for the best but expect the worst.
Sharing our stories with one another gives us strength, support, wisdom, encouragement, advice & guidance we seek, a shoulder to cry on, a cheerleader in the background cheering each other on, praying together or for each other, for a "positive" outcome in our attempts to conceive.

I think it is interesting how the forums are a blessing...
They also I think can create or cause new reasons for worry as well.

Ive been doing non stop research on IVF for the past several weeks and havent learned half as much as I have from you beautiful ladies.

I thought it was clear cut. IVF. You get pregnant, you don't.

Not, you wait for two weeks, get a positive hpt when your not actually pregnant or visa versa.
Or you could have a chemical pregnancy....
Or the u/s show a sac but nothing inside and you have to miscarry.
Or you could have an old fashioned miscarriage.
Urgh! Did I miss anything!?

So stressful all the ways it can play out. Instead of just either a BFP or BFN.

This is going to be a very up & down rollercoaster of a journey. Isn't it?
It would seem so. I havent even started yet & already, the anxiety of getting started & the overwhelming desire, urgency, need to get pregnant seems to have me emotionally on edge.
Im having dreams at night....

(sigh).

I seriously started crying when I learned that due to having started my period Saturday, I will have to wait til my next period to start my cycles. I dont want to wait!

[hopeforbabies]

Happy Monday everyone. I want to welcome all you new ladies and please know that you have come to the right place to find support! I cant wait to get to know you all better and be a part of this crazy rollercoaster.

Franny- DH and I are huge Lost fans too but unfortunately we only watch them on Netflix so we are way behind in the seasons. We dont have DVR and I'm always afraid that if we miss on episode we will miss something critical so we wait for them to be released on DVD which takes soooooo long after the season finishes. Glad to hear your Party went well it sounds like a lot of fun.

Lauren- I'm sorry to hear about your pregnancy and the upcoming D&C. But you're right when you say that it will finally be over and you can try again. You are a very strong woman and I admire you for you courage. Cant wait to see you triumph in your next cycle!

Audra- I dont know if there is much advise I can give in regards to which RE to choose. I can say that I agree with you that no RE can get a 100% of positive reviews. I was referred to my RE by my OB/GYN who I have seen for years and years so he was the only one I really checked into. If your gut feeling tells you that this RE is the one then go for it. Or at least look at some of the other reviews and maybe that will help you decide.

[audraespino]

Hopeforbabies~

Thank you! My gut feeling says or womans intuition says the the PNW Fertility Clinic is a good choice.
There is on other Fertility Clinic that may be a wise choice as well, its called Overlake Reproductive Health.
(sigh) I could go with the one that is cheaper, however, I am not sure basing my IVF clinic off of "cheaper" is wise.
Afterall, I do want to conceive a healthy baby or (fingers crossed) babie(s).

Im thinking about signing up for the refund cycle program or whatever it is called.
The program basically guarantee's me a 2nd cycle if the 1st one fails.
Which I have heard there is sometimes more success on the 2nd try for w/e reason.
I have to pay a little more, but it gives me the reassurance & peace of mind that if at first we don't succeed, we can try again.

There was another clinic I was feeling really great about, I contacted them via the form I had to fill out online but I havent heard anything back.

Their success rates were unbelievable & there were a lot of other positives.
Like, they have an unlimited cycle refund program and only consider a successful pregnancy one that carried to term, with a live, birth.


Eh. Its w/e. Im just waiting. Hurry up and wait. Seems to be the answer no matter what avenue I take or doctor I see.
Just waiting will be the hardest part of this WHOLE damn process. Lmao.

[hopeforbabies]

Audra- I know the waiting is hard but as my nurses always tell me (sometimes I could strangle them) "it will be here before you know it". I think its great that two of the clinics you are looking into have the "refund" cycles. I think they are called "shared risk"? My clinic offers those to people paying out of pocket but since my DH (dear husband) and I couldnt afford it we are lucky to at least have insurance. I too am hopeful that the 2nd rounds are often just as successful as this will be our second and final try. We just dont have the financial means to pay out of pocket. So I pray for all of us on here that we will get our BFP and a healthy baby out of our next cycles. And yes the waiting kills but try to hang in there and know that I am waiting along with you. I think we are scheduled for the 28th of Aug.

[audraespino]

Hopeforbabies~

The place the dh & I have an appointment with one the 1st accepts his insurance, Aetna. However, we are not sure if his insurance will cover fertility treatments. We have been trying to get an answer on that question for about 3 weeks now & have so far, had no luck getting a call back.

We have our fingers crossed.
If his insurance doesnt cover the cost of IVF we will see if we can upgrade the plan to cover the costs.
Hopefully this will work. Even if it is only eventually.
For now, we understand fully & are prepared, that we may have to get a medical loan or a loan via bank.
If our 1st 2 tries (shared risk plan) are unsuccessful then perhaps, once insurance has been upgraded to cover those costs, we can try twice more.

Btw, does a medical loan cover the cost of the prescriptions/medications?

Im hopeful for us all as well. Lots and lots of baby dust and sticky glue. My fingers will be crossed so hard that my knuckles very well may remain a permeate white color similar to that of white out. Just being anxious for us all.

My cycle may being in August too. Since my appointment isn't until June 1st and since I may have to wait until my next period to really start. (huge sigh of disappointment).

[rebeccajm]

Thank you for the warm welcome. I enjoy having this place to come and hear how everyone is doing. I too get tired of the waiting and my husband just says things will happen when they are supposed to.

I went this morning for bloodwork and ultrasound. I am currently completing an evaluation cycle. The doctor was surprised that I was ovulating already and wants to see me for another ultrasound and bloodwork in one week. I'm still not sure what all of this means yet.

My husband and I have a vacation planned for July, but I am thinking that I may have other things going on now that I have started this IVF journey. I hope to know soon what our next step is. I am a teacher which will leave my entire summer free to focus on this, but too much time to think could be a bad thing.

I do know that I feel encouragement and supported through this as I read all of the other posts. I am so glad that I stumbled upon this board. Thank you to all of you...

[Lauren1171]

Hi Rebecca! I also have a little vacation planned in July. I have no idea when my next AF will be here so I don't know if I will start before or after my trip. I am thinking of waiting until after since I did not have a very good experience with doing a transfer a few weeks before my last vaca. Plus I want to be able to drink on vaca and lose a few lbs prior. I hate waiting though! Another thing is if things don't work for a year inurance companies require all the tests to be done again ugh! My year is up in August. Maybe I can work it so I get my cycle started before that date.

[Lauren]

Hi Ladies...

I took a break from posting these last couple weeks. Been busy working.

I see some familar faces from the march/april cyclers! Hello to all you other ladies who will be cycling this summer. Think we will have an awesome group!

So as some of you know I got my BFN on May 3rd. My RE said I could start up with following it again and that are changing my protocol to one with estrogen? I will start estrogen on day 20 and when I get AF I will start stims. Im not really sure what the benefits are of this but Im trusting things go well and I dont have any cysts like before...I thought about starting in June but my transfer would have been the week before I take my vacation and I wanted to get away and enjoy myself and then start. So if the dates line up and I can start it will be July (early) but my RE closes the lab for two weeks so I hope it lines up otherwise August..

Lauren-Im glad to see your hear but I am so sorry all you have been going thru these past couple weeks. You are one strong girl! Will be praying and thinking of you tomorrow.

[turtle0619]

ahhhh...i got my 2 lauren's back in action!! haha i'm gonna have to come up with nicknames this time so i dont confuse you guys!!
until then...

lauren welcome back!! i'm so sorry about your BFN! trust me, ive been there, done that, and its not cool at all! i'm glad you are getting a chance to try again, and i cant wait to cheer you on! if this cycle in june doesnt work i will be doing one more cycle at a different clinic and they will be using the estrogen priming for it. from what i understand is once you detect your LH surge you start on the patches, and then add cetortide to stop your body from ovulating that cycle. you then wait for your next AF, and start the stims. the thought process of doing this is to kinda make a stock pile of follies from the first cycle, and add them to the actual IVF cycle so you hopefully get more mature follies. its supposed to be good for people like us who only end up with 1 or 2 eggs to help us get more. <shrugging my shoulders> its all new to me too, and the more i try to research it the more confused i get, but i've read some past posts on other message boards and it seems to work for a lot of people. I figure you will be doing an antagonist protocol with the estrogen priming right?? if this cycle doesnt work for me, i am going to try to get the next one started asap, and that will hopefully be in august...so hopefully i wont need it, but most likely i will be with you in august if you have to wait till then!!

lauren how are you feeling today?? thinking of you always! (you are beautiful btw!!)

rebecca what day are you in your cycle? i hope you can get a cycle in before vaca! its so hard to plan your life around IVF. trust me i know all too well. there have been so many things i've had to miss out on this past year because of never knowing where i would be in a cycle. (ive been cycling back to back since last august). people have no idea what we all have to go through, and its even harder when you dont tell friends and family about whats going on. it can make you feel very isolated, and alone. thats why this board is sooooo special. we all get it! we are all here for each other, and its such a great place for support. i know the waiting is horrible, but this whole process is a hurry up and wait type of a situation. it stinks. stick around here and we will keep each other company ok?
oh and my DH is a teacher. I've met so many wonderful woman on here that are also teachers, and i find it very ironic that so many people who dedicate their lives to help and educate our children have such a hard time having a family of their own. it breaks my heart.

teresa i loved the finale, but i wont give anything away! of course i dont even know where to begin to give away any spoilers haha
how are you doing?? thinking of you!

AFMnothing really new to report. just in my BCP phase that is always annoying, and never seems to end. (its hasnt even been a week yet, and i'm already ready to get on with it!!)
my RE office called me back this morning saying that they had to close the office unexpectedly yesterday, and that they were sorry. so we have to go back tomorrow, and they promised they would be open when we get there!! grrrrr they better be!!
oh and its like 90 degrees here today...WTH? i'm melting, and i'm trying to NOT put in my AC's today because its way too early for AC's..i live in new england...this is so not right! haha and its not like i can go hang out at the beach because the ocean is like 45 degrees up here.
oh well...me and DH are heading to our friends house tonight for the american idol finale, and i hope they have their AC's in!
have a great day everyone
much love always***

[Lauren1171]

Franny - I am melting too! I came home for lunch and now I don't want to go back to work! ACs were put in yesterday. I got home and DH is in back yard working out. Front and back doors are wide open, and all ACs are on! This is what goes on when he is home?