Fall 2010 Cycle Group

[DandMe]

Hello everyone. Just a quick question as I run out the door. Then personals later!!

Is 123 a good beta? What does it mean? My RE tends to think it's strong but mine was the lowest from yesterday. Any advice?

Talk to you all very soon....this afternoon!!

Kaylie

Kaylie; 123 is awesome! Mere hours at this point can make the difference between yours and mine. Go to www.betabase.info and you'll see how awesome your's is.

[DandMe]

Hello ladies...Just back from the RE and I didnt ask too many questions just how many and he said 9! I really hope that is good and he said back on friday and I will have ER Sun or Mon so we will see!

Rypell-Any reason for ganirelex in leg? Thanks Im getting excited!!

Klinger-Your funny...I have plenty of cushion too! Thanks
Have to run...ttyl

Can't wait to see an excellent ER report, Lauren! 9 follies is great!

[Meinemo]

Michelle - Your baseline is just that initial u/s and b/w when you're starting your IVF cycle. They'll check the number of antral follies (AFC), check for cysts, etc. I did the saline u/s and it was a piece of cake. Just like a regular u/s but they also inject the saline and watch the u/s screen.

Meinemo - Hoping like crazy that you get that wonderful BFP phone call on Friday! It's definitely not over and while I too must POAS eventually, those sticks can be evil and may not show positive until after the beta...you just never know. And while I'm keeping my PMA up I personally already know what my plan is if I get a BFN. Sad isn't it??? But if that BFN phone call comes in, I'm going to go to 7-11 to get myself a pack of cigarettes, followed by a trip to the liquor store to get the fixin's for a great deal of really dirty vodka martinis. I will wallow in my disgustingness of drinks and smokes for a few days while crying buckets of tears. Then the Monday that follows I will join a gym and start working off all the weight I've gained in my TTC'ing. That is my plan LOL.

Kaylie - Your first beta is great! What's more important is that they rise appropriately in subsequent draws. They should double (or some say increase by at least 66%) every 48-72 hours.

Klinger, I love your contingency plan! I love those dirty vodka martinis, myself. I need a professional massage (not that my partner doesn't do an awesome job, herself), and I may add that to my contingency plan! Your comment made my day. Thank you.

Lou, I don't want to promise anything, but I may have Follistim for you. I'll let you know tomorrow after I look in the fridge.

[Osi]

My gosh, don't log on for a couple of days and it so heats up.
Congrats on all the BFPs, yeahhhhhh!

Just woken up from a lovely afternoon nap. Had my ET this afternoon, they transferred 2 early blasts! Are early blasts a good thing? Another early still growing and waiting to see if it can be frozen and whether the others have caught up and be frozen tomorrow too. Feeling ok but I have been warned that my ovaries are still big, so I have to keep drinking loads. I have to take a test on the 7th nov. I am sooooooo nervous, I don't think it's going to work because they are early blasts.

I will log on tomorrow from my laptop and do personals.

[TammyS]

Well girls, I have a huge decision to make. I dont know what to do and need your honest input. I only have 4 mature ones to work with this cycle...which means 1 or 2 to put back in 3 days...remember I normally put back 4 or 5 each cycle...and start out with 7-9 eggs retrieved each time.

My follicle sizes today are 20, 19, 19,19 and then there is an 11 and a 10 and lots under 9. They are waiting or my E2 level to come back and then having the doctor call me to decide if we should cancel, convert to IUI, or coast 1 day and hope maybe the 11 and 10 can catch up.

If we coast we risk overmaturing the 4 good ones...and having nothing to transfer and going through ER for nothing.

If we cancel...we will likley have to wait an entire month, because the follicles wont all ovulate and I will end up with leftover cysts.

If we convert to IUI it seems like a complete waste of time to me, as we have been down that road 3 times before when I was much younger. I do think though that taking the hcg trigger and either doing IUI or the deed at home (if they will allow this) will at least get us moving right into another cycle....cause doesnt the trigger help ovulate all of them so that there are no leftover cysts???

Or do we just go for it with just 4? I am waiting for a phone call right now to find out if we only have insurance coverage left for 1 or 2 more cycles including this one. I was under the impression that we had unlimited tries...till 2 hours ago...and I have no idea how they coded my FET back in April...if it was coded as IVF, then this is our last cycle. Ugh! Do I waste a chance?

Please...someone tell me what you would do.

[karin1]

Meinimo.....don't count yourself out yet. PMA! PMA!

Lauren.....9 is great! When I did ganirelix, my RE and my acupuncturist said to put it in the side if the tummy with the dominate follies and the stims in the other side.

Klinger.....I love your contingency plan too! Cracks me up! I thought that I was the only one that stocks up on booze for beta day! I actually buy it a few days in advance....preparation is everything when you're drowning your sorrows.

Lou....Looks like you're on your way to a plan! I wish I could help u, but I only did follistim once a year ago and had nothing left. With the help of these generous ladies, hopefully it will take off some of the stress. We all want to see u succeed...and u will. On the bright side....think of the fun holiday parties you get to enjoy! Eat, drink and be merry!

Tammy....How goes the stims?

AFM......nothin much. Started AF yesterday. I have the Justin Beiber concert tonight with Hannah and a friend. She was able to get one of her other friends to go. I asked her mom if she could help me with the cost of the ticket and she's going to give me a $100. So at least I can get something for it. I was beginning to get worried that I wouldn't have been able to find someone to go for free since it is a school night. Shew! I'm looking forward to it! Should be fun! Looks like I'll be doing my shot at the concert.


Have a great day ladies!

[karin1]

Tammy....we must have been posting at the same time. If I were you, I would go for the four. If you're not hopeful with IUI, then don't do it. I did it 5 times and felt like I was wasting time and money. If u cancel and go again, u could still only get 4....or less. I would't waste them. It's just my opinion and what I would do. Talk to DH and your RE and I'm sure you'll make the right one.

[margi26]

Tammy: What a dilemma... And one that truly only you, DH and your RE can decide.

I will throw in my 2 cents, but I really hesitate because really only you can know what is best for you.

I would first nail down what the insurance will cover and not. I think that is key to your decision (unfortunately, but it's reality). If insurance is going to significantly restrict your options, then I would move forward one way or the other for certain--either with IVF or IUI. I personally think coasting seems too risky with those so far behind-maybe if they were 13/14; and if you cancel--no guarantees next cycle won't result in the same outcome. I don't know if you have any male factor issues that contribute to not wanting to try IUI again, but as you say you then could have the option to start again right away as opposed to waiting.

What a difficult decision. What a rollercoaster. I am hoping for the best regardless of what you decide to do. Those 4 follies could always all fertilize and grow and give you 4 to put back--and it only takes one.

Final thoughts: Get all the information (from stupid insurance co.-maybe a new abbreviation is born: SIC?) Weigh all the information. Listen to your RE's recommendation. Talk to DH. Then listen to what your heart and head tell you to do.

Sending positive energy to you to help you with this choice.

[TammyS]

I completely agree that it is up to us...but I'm hoping to hear something that I havent already thought of to help me make the most informed decision possible, ya know?

Yes, male factor, morphology and motility both. We actually need ICSI and AH.

From what I understand ...we can always write a letter and get more cycles approved easily...still havent heard back yet though from the SIC.

I truely believe that there are a few reasons why my cycle didnt go as well or like it normally does this cycle...all reasons that can be easily corrected for next cycle...and I can do much much better than this.

DH is leaving it up to me...and RE is gonna pretty much do the same thing...the nurse already asked me what I want to do. I think the whole situation is so borderline, that there just isnt one solution that stands out as better than another.

Thank you for any and all thoughts.

[riogirl71]

Lou - good to see you here hun. I am definitely keeping you in mind if I have left over meds. Would you need Crinone? Any others? Have you thought of switching REs? You are in Illinois right? Check out
http://fertilitysuccessrates.com/report ... /data.html also look at the number of cycles some clinics have very few cycles and then claim 60% rate - my quack RE did that and I swtiched. Also have you thought of CCRM in Colorado? They take the cases that no one takes or last resort. There is a girl here who had DOR and had cycles canceled and little hope until she went to CCRM and she got 3 babies from 2 fresh cycles! It is worth a look since you are out of pocket. A different RE might do the trick, keep us posted

Tammy - they have a name for it, they retrieve mature eggs, then almost mature eggs and them immature eggs there is GV, MII and MI - I think the mature ones are MII so you want more of those, the GV ones won't mature but there is a chance that the MI ones might go to MII in the lab. My new RE explained that they will watch those and try to ICSI them if they become MII in lab. The place I am going to has an outstanding lab. The thing that most women don't normally look for is not hust you need a good RE but you need a kick ass lab. The RE can be awesome but a bad lab diminishes your chances. With a great lab they can do miracles! Sort of! Tammy do you know on day one of your AF what your progesterone should be?

Tammy part II I agree IUI is a waste of time. The left over cysts can come from the ones that are small now and don't ovulate so I am not sure the trigger would clear you for next cycle. Gosh, what are the chances that if you coast one day that they will be ruined? Can you coast half a day (might be a silly question), like I said my RE said that if they are close to mature that they would actually try to fertilize them later in the day or next day so I don't know if your lab does that. Those slow to mature sometimes do not make good embies but it is a try. Honestly I think I would go with what I have and try it anyway. If you get canceled do you have to pay again or just for meds? If this is your last try then I would cancel or do IUI or something so that you can feel you tried. If you have one more IVF try I would go for it now with 4. Does that help? Sorry! Ask about your lab and how close they are to maturing, what do you think you could have done different in this cycle?

babyblu - you are too cute I would love to know what the anti-cyst dance is! How did you tell DH? Was he there with you? I am so happy for you!

Sonya - I know it is hard to keep the PMA when you have been through so much but look how much your beta got up then last times! I am praying this is it for you. Yes it is frustrating that we have to go through this, it is not fair, but we also got dealt some amazing DHs and we are fortunate to afford it sort of! You will get your miracle!

jennies- I put my patches on my back

Lauren1171 - good to see you here and best luck with your D&C and welcome to the crazyness again! New puppy momma welcome to baby training 101! Sleepless nights!

Lauren - I don't do legs, just belly... 7 bigger follies is awesome! Trigger soon? 9 is great!

margi26 Did you end up taking DHEA? Man my periods are like in high school on that stuff, it's like crack for Aunt Flow ! So heavy crazy (TMI). It is so good to come here and have the support, no one gets us like us! I am scared that I might not let myself be happy even with a BFP since I am scared of another ectopic or m/c, first time I was dumb and happy. I want to be dumb and happy again!!! You are correct my friend and thank you for your great advice. You will get your BFP girl and it will be a healthy baby and we will keep each other in check for PMA!!! Are you going to POAS?

klinger - you seem so calm, are you sure you are in crazytown, did they give a long lasting valium there or what? I see your plannign your POAS strategy!!! Oh I just saw your plan for a BFN, you crack me up good thing you WON'T NEED IT!

chelle - saline is no big deal you just go crazy wanting to pee!

Meinemo - you could still get a BFP, some betas are low and don't show, I was very pregnant and still got a negative, you saw other girls here too get negatives to get positives. PMA girl!!!!

miami - thank again for everything! So excited for you! You WILL not need the meds cuase you will have your gorgeous baby here soon!

karescorpio- you start tomorrow! Yeay! We will be stimm buddies and go all the way to parents after treatment together!!!!! I am very excited for you! Come bake here too my oven needs the practice!

OSI congrats on being PUPO!

Karin glad you got someone to go $170 yickes!

AFM - Estradiol 29!!! they wanted it under 50 and progesterone 1.9 she said it was a bit high - anyone know what it is supposed to be on day one of AF? So I stimm tonight!!!! Now praying hard that my US shows nothing - no cyst. I am nervous because my left ovary is a bit sore and I might still have my cyst, my left ovary is the only one that works hard. Thank you for all the good wishes for tomorrow!!! klinger move me to the girls in the crazy juice section!

[Meinemo]

Tammy S, I agree with riogirl. Don't waste your time with IUI's and use the 4 eggs that you have for this IVF cycle.
Just my two cents. I've done at least 8 IUI's and once you have done a few, you kinda know. Especially for us girls over 39, there's no time to waste!

[baby_blu73]

Osi - I'm so happy for your blasts! Mine were early BB and B-B- grades, I think one was a 2 and the another a 3 (?) So keep your head up! Everything is going to be great, and before you know it, you'll be getting a fabulous beta number! Stay hydrated, for sure. An idea I had to help keep the insane consumption of water from getting to be boring (since we're all guzzling down the H2O) was to add thin slices of citrus fruit (lime is DELICIOUS) to brighten it up. Plus, I'm sure it adds some vitamin C...

Tammy - I wish I had any kind of advice for you... I feel awful that you're faced with such a difficult decision I'm praying for you, hon. I just know you'll make the right decision.

Riogirl - Thanks so much! DH was there. He kept me calm in the waiting room by playing this Youtube clip of a "dramatic chipmunk" over and over again on his phone. He's so sweet and thoughtful!!! We both cried when we got the news...

I would just like to state, for the record, I officially hate bed rest. I feel awful watching my DH buzz around the house trying to get the laundry and housework done on his day off, all by himself, while I just lay here... He's such a wonderful man!

Prayers for all!!!

[lou71]

Tammy -- I'm with the others.... go for it with your 4. My 2nd IVF, the one I conceived on, I only had two good embies and one crappy one on day 3 from 5 mature eggs. I transferred all. You only need ONE. There is an article that I have at home if you need... it shows that success rates are still very good with 3-4 eggs.

Rio -- Thanks hun! I appreciate you keeping me in your thoughts for the meds. I have seen that site. Currently I go to Advanced Fertility which is one of the highest in all age groups. They also take some "tough" cases and never turn anyone away who really wants to cycle. I have thought about CCRM. My OB used them and strongly suggested I go there. I've considered it and financially, it's just not possible right now. So I will cycle once more with my clinic. I do trust my RE and don't feel that the other Illinois clinics would be any better at this point. Remember, I had 10 eggs and made 4 great blasts! So the problem wasn't them... it was me.

Meinemo -- Thanks so much. Every little bit is a help. I PM'd you.

Karenthescorpio -- You're in my thoughts every day. I'm really pulling for you my dear 'ol friend! Good luck with stims!!!

Everyone else -- I'm at work so I must make this short. Good luck to you all! Much love!

[Lauren]

Thank you ladies for ur Wishes for me and my follies!!! I truly hope this cycle goes better than last time!

Tammy- wow..I seem to think that u should wait and see what happens with ur insurance. I know that shouldnt be a reason but if u get those 4 u can still get a good amout for transfer right? When I had my cycle I got only 2 eggs and both made it to a 3 dt ICSI so its possible! If u dont have any hope with IUI bc of male factor it maybe best to just continue...i dont kniw what to say! Its such a hard decision did ur RE give u any help or feedback? And whats with the insurance? It covers only so many? I honestly dont know what I would do! I almost canceled my first cycle bc of low response but for some reason I decided not too! U will make the right decision and either way we will be here for you! (((HUGS)))!!!

[TammyS]

Rio...Thanks for the info. I just called the lab and they do leave the immature ones with sperm to hopefully mature overnight and fertilize on their own, but they wont ICSI them the next day...cause if they didnt fertilize on their own, then they are highly unlikely to catch up and grow as they should and turn into a pregnancy if they were forced to fertilize a day late by ICSI. Who knows. Great thoughts and info. I really appreciate it.

I do not know what the progesterone level should be on day 1. Sorry. Let me know what you find out about that. I'm praying for a perfect u/s today for you.

I'm extremely confused about whether I have unlimited coverage or 2 more tries left. My RE's office has in my file that there is no cap on fertility coverage (I dont think they mentioned that I've had a live birth)...but my insurance company said the same thing till she read the part that says something about only 4 retrievals after a live birth...this would be number 3. She is emailing me the statement now...so I can decipher it. I'm going to email it to you Rio...tell me what you think. I do know that writing a letter asking for one more try is simple to do and they always says yes, too...so really no biggie at this point anyhow....my friends had to do this. I only pay co-pays for meds. Thank God. I feel so guilty having coverage...but so thankful too...we wouldnt have Zach right now and any chance of trying again without it.

The things that I would do differently next time is not start a cycle 3 weeks after a miscarriage, I would not start stims on cycle day 1 (full flow) even though I sarted after 6pm the night before so realy it could be considered day 2 of AF, I would not start a cycle with a 10mm follicle, I would not let family drama with my brother get to me so badly, and not drink coffee/wine at all in the beginning of stims...even though nurse said it was okay.

Good News!!!
The nurse said that the doc saw my chart and said we are stimming one more day!!! The nurse never even got a chance to tell him that we were concerned about what to do about everything...the doc made the decision and acted as though there was no decision to be made. Whew! So praying hard now that we end up with 6 mature ones come Saturday morning. The embryologist I spoke to did not think that the big ones would over-mature (in her opinion) by stimming 1 more day.

Thanks everyone for all your advice, prayers, and everything...I feel sooo much better about everything! xoxo