Fall 2010 Cycle Group

[lou71]

Hi girls,

How is everyone?

Karen and Rio -- Congrats on great betas!

Rio, Margi, anyone else on DHEA -- Did you check any levels of DHEA Sulfate, Testosterone, etc while on DHEA? I had mine done last Friday and my testosterone was only 22 (normal 11-56) and that's on 5 weeks of 75 mg/day DHEA. I've read that you see best results when it's 80-100. My DHEA Sulfate level was high 470 (upper end of normal is around 250) which means I'm absorbing it but seems converting to Testosterone is going quite slowly. Hmmmm..... Thoughts?

Ryann -- You're FET is finally coming up soon! You'll be PUPO before you know it.

Lauren1171 -- Ugh... I hear ya on a bad AF with a SnS no less! Not fun! But I hope you get good results.

Karian -- Good luck today!

Margi and Ester -- Looks like you are next on the beta list. How are you girls holding up? Fingers crossed for your BFP's soon. Are you going to break down and POAS?

jennieswa -- Congrats on your BFP. Fingers crossed you see that number double! I hear FET's can be a little slow going.

I know I missed a bunch of people but I'm here cheering for all. Good luck everyone!

AFM -- Well, DH is having his varicocele embolization in an hour and I'm having my HSG this afternoon at 1:00. I have been taking DHEA 75 mg daily for about 5 weeks now and had my DHEA Sulfate and Testosterone levels drawn last Friday. My DHEA-S level was elevated showing that I'm absorbing the drug, which is good. But my Testosterone level was low end of normal at 22 (normal 11-56). I don't have a baseline to compare it to but I'm assuming it must have been lower before I started DHEA. I've heard best results for IVF are when Testosterone is 80-100. I've now increased my dose of DHEA to 100 mg/day and I plan to recheck my levels in about 3 weeks. Hope my T increases so I see the benefit of this drug!!! Next week my acupuncturist is going to put me on some herbs. It seems I had an issue last cycle with implantation. How could I get 4 good quality blasts and none of them take? It's so discouraging. Will this ever work for me?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

[ChelleDe]

Hey Everyone !!!

Leorira11 - Okay I am taking your warning about POAS-Aholic. You need to repeat after me, I am a POAS aholic I'm really glad everything is working out for you, and try not to worry about what can happen until it does happen

Kynklee - I am really proud of you for looking forward and not giving up! You're a strong person!

Sonya - I am so happy for you! I have the same feeling about family. You have to live for you and no one else. At the end of YOUR life YOU have to look back. Good job! By the way, I love your picture of your sticks !!

Margi - How's it going after the IUI?

Rypell - Sorry your RE is so insensative !!

Cheri - I agree with Ester, you two are a very cute couple. You'll make a gorgeous baby!

Rio - Awesome Betas !!! I am so freakin excited for you!!! Sorry about the OHSS!! Dec 2nd is soo close weeeeeee !!!

Anna - I am so very very sorry !! hugs !!. Side note. I really like your picture too.

Bakers Baby - Congrats on starting meds!

Krys - I like your picture too !

Baby_blue - Great pic! Congrats on getting it on here!!! and more congrats on TWINS !

Amanda - Congratulations with Twins! I am so happy for you!

Karian - How are you doing with the 2ww?

Lauren - that is hillarious! I wish he would reconsider though. Guys are so funny.

Karin - Pineapple helps the babies stick?? Really? Glad you're taking it easy !

Tammy - Amazed about the whole pineapple thing! Really amazed !! Dont let your brother get to you. I know easier said than done. With family, you just have to smile and know that they are the ones who are lookin bad.

Karenthescorpio - Congrats on the Beta !!!

Nat and Alex - I'm so very very sorry !!

Mishell - Congrats on starting your meds!

Lou - I thought I was getting my barings and after reading your post I have no idea what you just said LOL. HUGS


AFM - I am doing okay. Thanks for everyone's support ! Hopefully I will start meds this week. I think I was just upset Monday about my E2 levels being high because if they dont come down I cant' start until January and that's a little bummer. I called my RE's Nurse and asked her if there was anything I could do to lower my E2. She left me a voice mail that said there is absolutely nothing I can do and to take my BCP through Sunday night. Yesterday I get a call from the other nurse and she said she spoke with the RE and the RE said to stop my BCP on Thursday night and come in Monday like scheduled. I'm sure that will start my AF. I hope he knows what he is doing !

I was also told that my insurance will not cover Menopur. I had them appeal it because they covered all my other fertility drugs. Well in that same voice mail they said that they will definitely not cover my menopur but they should have never paid my other meds. Now I'm hoping they dont recoup! I work for the State of Texas and I can't believe my insurance. None of this IVF stuff is covered. I have already shelled out 10k and I haven't started my meds. Heck, when I wanted to see a nutritionist none of it was covered by my insurance. Weight loss surgery is not covered nor is the tools to prevent it. Insurance companies amaze me. I am not saying any of this in a foul tone. Just in amazement !

So now I'm looking into buying Menopur on my own. Anyone ever buy medication for the Canadian Pharmacies? I am so scared to buy something like that and have it be junk. Especially since I have invested so much. Or does anyone know of a good discount pharmacy?

Oh the other day I was at Tommy Bahamas for lunch and there was group of four (two couples) that was seated by us. One of the couples had a baby girl who was just so stink'n adorable! She kept staring at my husband and I. I told the lady that we are planning to do IVF. Well it turns out the other lady at the table was pregnant and had just gone through IVF. After talking turns out she goes to the same RE! How awesome is that

Sorry guys for not posting often. I've been blogging everything I feel and this whole journey. I really want my child to know what we went through to have him and how wanted he is !!

I'm going to go post my picture in my profile. I love everyone's pictures. We really do have a great group!

HUGS ALL AROUND !!!!

[ChelleDe]

[klinger13]

lou - Good luck with the HSG today!! Hope it goes well as does DH's procedure!

[nat&alex]

ChelleDe - u can check Freedom Drugs Pharmacy i ordered mine from them and had no problems.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

[karenthescorpio]

Lou- good luck today! I will be thinking of you and DH. Wish I had some insight to the DHEA. You sound really on top of it!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too! Xoxoxoxo

Will do the rest of personals later! Xo

[ChelleDe]

bumpety bump

[baby_blu73]

Baby_blu/Stephanie: Excellent news! So glad to hear hematoma breaking up!! So you and twins can feel more relaxed now? When do you get released to OBGYN?

I officially "graduated" yesterday. I had no idea what she was talking about, at first. Then, I realized they were getting me appts set up for prenatal group class and my first prenatal appt with the OB NP. Those start Dec. 13th! In the mean time, any questions or concerns are directed to that office, not the RE's. Everything's moving along so quickly! I have to pick an OB already. My biggest concern is picking one that doesn't feel like I HAVE to have a C-section, just because there are two babies. I feel like twins can be delivered vaginally... right?? Everyone's saying I'm gonna get a C-section and that there's no way I'll be able to breastfeed. It's frustrating and motivating at the same time, I'll show them!

[riogirl71]

LOU - I sent you a PM, take motrin before your HSG it really helps with cramps. I hope you get great results with your procedure and DH's. I am sorry I don't have insight on the numbers, I never got my levels tested while on DHEA. Who ordered the labs? Do they have insight? I hope DHEA helps you and it WILL work for you! You deserve your baby so much you will have your miracle. Are you going to retest your FSH, TSH and prolactin?

BABYBLU - congratulations on graduating! From what I have see on the board most twins are c-sec, you might want to ask that question on the parents after treatment board and see what they say. Absolutely you can breastfeed but you might have to supplement with formula. Do you not have an OB already?

KAREN - when is your second beta?

MARGI - I am afraid you might be the blinkie queen now LOVE IT!

ESTER - how are you doing hun?

AMANDA - 2 healthy heartbeats!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear news and post pics please!!!

LAUREN/RYAN - I needed that laugh, that was so funny, boys will be boys!

CHELLE - insurance stinks, mine is paying for my meds but they are not supposed to either so I stay quiet. They do not pay for anything IVF. It is very expensive. Freedom is a good place and I get my stuff from them too. Do you mind me asking how come you are doing PGD for a boy? Love your picture!

AFM - well I am not getting worse with OHSS so that's my good news, not getting better, but at least not worse. I cannot wait to lose at least 1 of the 11lbs so I can breathe and move better! Peeing a bunch never sounded so good! Everyone is looking at me funny with my 8 mo pregnant belly that showed up overnight! Argh! All for a good cause right? Is it 12.2 already?

[ChelleDe]

Hey Rio

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has an insurance company that is crazy. It seems a lot of people on these boards are given at least a few cycles free. That would have been nice !

And no problem answer the question. My husband has 3 daughters. We decided if we are going to do this save the extra money and do PGD. I have always wanted a son. And just about 10 minute ago my husband texted me "I am sooooo ready to do this" He is just excited.

How do you get OHSS? Isn't that where the the ovaries are over stimmulated? What do they do for that?

Have a great thanksgiving !!

[riogirl71]

HI Chelle, yep insurance stinks. So are you doing this because of DHs vasectomy? Is this your first IVF? I have a son and he is the light of my life and boys sure give you a run for your money! What is your antral follicle count and FSH, did they tell you? I know you want to have a son but I think that in order to do PGD you have to take your embryos to 6 days. Karenscorpio can probably tell you more. Usually clinics don't go to day 5 unless you have more than 6 or 7 good looking day 3 embryos. Hopefully you will have tons of embryos and you can pick your boy with PGD but I just wanted to let you know about this because IVF is a huge expense emotionally and financially and you want it to work. I never had embryos go to day 5 so I had them transfered on day 3, never had any to freeze (we have male fertility issues). Again, I hope you have tons of embryos and this won't be an issue but I just wanted you to be well informed for your IVF.

[ChelleDe]

Hey Rio!

Thanks for helping me out !!

Yes. Yes and Yes. Doing this because of his vasectomy and this is my first IVF. Okay my follicle count and FSH.. let me go look at my patient portal.

Okay, help me out with the numbers ..

Left Ovary: 11.36
Right 3.29

Then for left it says <10mm 10+
Right it says 5 to 7

I am assuming those are follicles?

My FSH .. I've had it tested 3 times and the average is 4.09 What does the FSH number means?

I appreciate you letting me know. My doctor did tell me that they do the PGD on day 5

[kbillsy]

ChelleDe - I did some Rx pricing around a few weeks back on menopur (and a few other drugs). I found that although Freedom was cheaper on gonal f, Alexanders Twin Pharmacy (609-585-7222) was cheaper for the menopur they were $66 per vial. I found some in Canada and Europe that were even lower but was hesitant to order internationally and then when I asked my doctor they said they would only order off their pre-approved list. You are lucky your insurance covered the others!!

Lauren1171 - My AF was really bad for a day or two this last time around - then it almost completely tapered down to near nothing. When I went in for that baseline SnS I thought I was going to seriously mess up their table - I guess they are used to it, but I was relieved to have it over

Ladies with betas today and over the holiday weekend - good luck - can't wait to hear your results

AFM - Shots have been ok so far this cycle - already a few bruises though - I think with my few months off I am a little out of practice Looking forward to the results of my first SnS on Friday morning. Does anyone know - on the estrogen priming protocol is it normal to not take Lupron once you start stimming? I took Lupron last week when I was on the estrogen but now that I am on to the stims, they didn't include Lupron on my list of daily shots. Not that I miss it but wanted to make sure that wasn't a mistake.

Hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving!

[karin1]

Karian......praying for your BFP!

Lou.....sorry you have to do the HSG....sucks! Thinking of you and DH hoping it goes well. As for the other stuff....you might as well be speaking a foreign language. I know nothing about E2, testosterone levels, etc. I don't know how you guys keep up with that stuff.

Chelle.....the cost of IVF is overwhelming for us all. We've spent well over 50k....not sure exactly. We try not to add it up, it's depressing. Maybe you'll get lucky and they will pay for something by mistake. Good luck. BTW....an FSH of 4 is really good. Anything under 10 is considered good.

Ryann.....Boys say the darndest things:)

Tammy......what's up with you?

AFM......I'm not feeling anything much at all. Maybe a small twinge or cramp, but nothing major. It's so small that i feel like maybe I imagine it. Shouldn't I feel something? We are so busy with this house crap that I can hardly take it anymore. Another inspector this morning and a back-up offer guy seeing the house again to show his sister. I am so tired of cleaning and putting things away. Soooo annoyed with it all. We called the clinic about our other possible embie and got nothing. They said it would be a week before they got the report. What about a phone call of yes or no? How hard is it? Is this normal of time to find out? Don't I sound like a bundle of joy right now? I'm sorry I missed so many of you. I just have alot going on right now.

All in all....I am in good spirits. The things that i complain about are irritating but doesn't affect my overall mood. I am happy to be spending our last Thanksgiving in this house with our family. I have so many things to be grateful for. You ladies for one. I truly am blessed in so many ways. I hope that all of you have a wonderful day full of food and family.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

[riogirl71]

Chelle - not sure how they word it but looks like you have a good antral count and your FSH is great. I think PGD is done on day 5 but then you get the results and transfer on day 6. Again, hopefully you will have tons of good looking embryos to pick from. If you have been following this board you will see that this is all a numbers gamble. You start out with so many follies, the meds try to recruit as many antral follicles as they can to mature close together, they monitor than trigger you to ovulate. THen at Egg retrieval they tell you how many follicles they got and how many eggs. Not every follicle has an egg, I think average rate is around 70%. Then out of those eggs they are put in 3 groups, GV which is immature and won't mature on dish they are discarded, MI which are almost mature ones and they might try to fertilize those and MII eggs which are mature and ready! So the next day you get a fert report. Not every mature egg fertilizes normally, and the ones that fertilize, not every one of the fertilized eggs turns into a good embryo. At day 3 they want to see about 8 cells and no or litle fragmentation. If you already know all this, I am sorry to repeat it. In this cycle we had 14 follicle, 14 eggs but only 4 mature and 1 maybe, 5 fertilized but one did not look good so we ended up with 4 embryos and we decided to put them all in on day 3. Again, I just letting you know what happens in these crazy IVF cycles, of course there are women who have tons of eggs and end up with tons of embryos. I have normal FSh and normal everything and MFI. I pray you get a ton of eggs and embryos but just want you to be prepared for what sometimes happens in cycles if you guys need to change the course of action since you are out of pocket like us.

Karian - you are killing me here! Results!!!!!

Karin - nope sometimes a big sign of BFP is a big fat nothing of a symptom! A week for an answer, yickes! Did you guys buy a house in san jose yet? You are PUPO and enjoy it, PMA!!!