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[Waitingkay]

Hi Kamina,

I felt awful with the meds too. I didn't even realize at once how bad the situation was before RE told me he was thinking of hospitalizing me. I guess the stims are terrible, but there's something about the progesterone (what you have as prometrium and I as endometrin) it crips on you...Last transfer which was a non medicated FET i was only given progesterone from the day of transfer (no estradiol) and was not at all bloated from before like during the first transfer - then after one day progesterone again I had the joy of a twin pregnancy belly yet no offspring. And I had the horrid opportunity to demonstrate this belly at a funeral. Just one day after transfer! I felt so bloated and just all in all bad about myself, only us can understand. I'm not gonna bla bla to you about positive attitude, someone once told me like two weeks ago on this forum that we can and may never understand what there is to learn from all this, and I never do see anything so meaningful in it - it's just bad - then hopefully it's over and with the most fantastic outcome, you get to become a mom. And a very deserving one. Until then feel free to tell it all, we've been there and understand.
I think PH is bound to change, especially if you (sorry if tmi) take it vaginally. We never did do anything during treatment cause I was so bloated, but I see that you have to ttc naturally. With no bla bla, still - whatever's natural here - do cherish. I'm already playing in my head how my SIL will tell my kids how they're different you know, vitro different. I cross my fingers for you Kamina!!! Hold on.
K

[Kamina]

Hospitalized! Thank godness your doc realized this early. That is my nightmare. I am a very natural person. I don't even take asprin. I feel like I am killing my body with meds. But I guess it is all for a good cause, my little Kamina.

I like your attitude. We have to get on and get with it. Stop questioning every little thing. I guess I am learning that I am not the only one. Situations, good or bad happen to all of us. I am hoping that by talking to you guys I can stop feeling sorry for myself and get out of this depression. Could some of it be from the meds? I have become such a cry baby. I'm getting tired of myself at this point.

Yes, I am taking the prometrium internally.

And speaking of tmi. This morning I was like what the hell is that smell. And guess what. I was me. I have NEVER had an odor down there before. Could it have been a mixture of sperm and the prometrium? I think my va-jay-jay is overwhelmed already. I think the my PH has changed because while ttc the sperm caused a stinging sensation. Is this normal? Should I be concerned.

[Waitingkay]

Kamina,
It's very comforting to find you here often - I really am a lot alone now that hubby's abroad. In 2 days I'll be starting my antagonist - have to buy it tomorrow then on Thursday begin to inject it to myself.
I regretted before that I wasn't talking about the mood swings and only referred to the physical aspect of the meds. I had OHSS but even at the beginning I was feeling very shifty. I'm kinda feisty you know regardless meds, so took DH and me time to realize that this time I could also blame it on the meds. They were baaaaad. Everything by the way that you described sounds perfectly normal to me. You also made me laugh How not very lady like to be dissatisfied with your own smell but heck what can you do The best you can do, sorry to sound lame and predicted but it just worked even on my OHSS - drink tons of water a day (I don't know where you're from and if you - like me - use metric system - I drank at least 3 liters a day!). Also, be aware not to work out and stuff cause even if you tend to think this will free endorphins and you'll feel better, unfortunately it dehydrates you which while on meds is the absolute worst you can do.
A lot like what you say, I also feel bad with just the concept of having actual hormones being shoved into me. This creates problems in the relationship because even if I try not to think about it, I feel like I'm healthy and the issue isn't even with me then why s#### with the healthy part of the equation? No answers or wisdom. I just know DH is a wonderful guy and I have to work on realizing internally not only as a matter of speech that it is a couple ordeal, basta. I also feel a lot sorry for myself and this is normal. Of course I think we shouldn't resist having a good time if it's handed to us, but I have developed a certain "Only I know what works for me" attitude, and i'm therefore very touchy to ppl such as me cousin who rang me today out of the blue to remind me that I should invest at least as much of my energy into being positive not just learning the science of the treatments. So Kamina - my good will for you is that I won't do to you what he did to me. Feel free to sob!
Btw - a little Kamina sounds excellent. I am so wishing for girls myself.

[Trusting]

Hello K, Kamina, rph!

Sorry been off a couple of days great to see we have grown in number!

WaitingKay- I am so eager for you to get started on your antagonist, I know you have been through this more times than me so you are certainly more eager than I am to see this cycle get started. I know that giving the shots to ourselves is no fun and it truly does make us feel like, hey why do we have to go through all this when it is our DH sperm not cooperating properly! You are correct though it is a joint endevour for better or worse and sickness and health I just didn't think it would be this kind of sickness or health issue. I guess none of us thought that having a baby would be such an endevour!!!! I still can't believe your SIL very crued and incensitive, it would seem like someone in the family would take her aside and remind her to choose her worlds more carefully!! I really haven't had that much hormonal ups and downs this time around I wonder if it is because my DH is not here or what, not sure how that would effect my reaction to the hormomes but maybe because i've just been down since he has been gone that my hormones are not reacting as much???? I was definitly edgy and very emotional on the first two rounds that we did the Repronex and the TI cycles. That Black Forest Cake sounds awesome!!! I'm sure it was and thanks for thinking of it as a celebration cake for embryo's, that is so thoughful!

rph- It is great to have you join in and it certainly shows what a small world it is! To have two people on here that are from or with husbands in or born in Israel is amazing to me, I have never been out of the States and dream of someday getting the opportunity to go to Israel and meet K and have her show us around it would be fascinating. Have you been to Isreal, or anywhere out of the states? It sounds like you are off to a great start 11 is a great number, what were your estradoil numbers? Mine took awhile to jump up where they wanted them to be but they finally did! This is very stressful especailly on our first cycle through and hopefully our only but so much of what we go through we don't understand! What stimms are you using we used Repronex and now since the ET i am on progesterone suppositories and injections along with delestrogen seems like so much to put in our bodies, I'm not sure when i will start my prometrium but I have those pills as well just waiting to hear when I take those???

Kamina- Wow, I didn't know it was possible to have three different follicles growing without taking the stimms, well I hope that this is God's way of allowing you to conceive without going through another round of all this!!!! Hoping your ttc natural is a success!!!! It would be wonderful to have a success story in our group to cheer us on and spread the baby dust!!!

AFM- When we got to the clinic yesterday they informed me that the machine that takes the pictures of the embryos is not working and so they did not have the pictures to give me so I could see them and keep them. That made me really sad I wan't to have those in thier baby books or albums. The nurse didn't say anything else yet just told me to change and wait for the doctor. So my MIL took some video of me in my gown and all just wiating for the doctor to come back and talk with me she is so sweet, It will be wonderful to have to show my husband when he comes home. Then the doctor comes in and tells me that only three of my little ones made it through the weekend:( I guess it made it much each easier to choice which three to have transfered and I shouldn't be ungrateful the Lord gave us 2-Grade A 8 cell and 1-grade B 6 cell for transfer so we are blessed! We decided on three because that is the most that our doctor said he would recomend for anyone unless over 40 and low quality eggs! We decided that the priviledge of having three would be wonderful, and the same with 2 or 1 so we decided to go with as many as was recommended as still safe. So now i'm here the 2ww!!!! my doctor has me on bed rest through till friday morning when i go back to get my levels checked for the delestrogen and prodesterone. Hey do you ladies know what day implantation is supposed to happen when we do ivf?

Wishing you all wonderful days,
Amanda(Trusting)

[rph]

Amanda-
Thinking of you and can't wait to hear your news!

Kamina-
I know all the drugs make me out of wack--I think the estrogen/progesterone/birth control pills make me even crazier than the stims. And the progesterone suppositories make things burn

K-
It's hard juggling the job but honestly, on my days off I have too much time to think. We'll see how difficult it gets with all the time I have to take off.

My sister said this to me, and it always makes me feel better when you hear those insensitive or just stupid comments people make: "Fertility is inversely proportional to intelligence." The higher the IQ, the more likely people are to have problems with infertility---makes me feel better!

[Waitingkay]

Hello girls,

Amanda - I was so anxious to hear from you already! I'm so happy for you! Statistically getting 3 successful embryos out of 6 is excellent..and their quality is fabulous. This is so exciting to go through this together! I can't wait to hear it all went wonderfully well. Before you know it you may become a mom of...3!!!
Just like you say I'm extremely eager to get started tomorrow. I'm already counting the days until the end of the 2WW, should be something like March the 6th or so...I hope you are feeling alright, and am of course happy to hear your MIL is there, it sounds like although DH's not there you are in good hands. What you say about perhaps not reacting with your moods so much since DH is not home sounds very smart..I know at least about myself I keep a much stronger facade, but actually not only facade - finding it kind of easier to toughen up when hubby is away like now.
Yes - I wish so much DH's family would say something to SIL. They were never crazy for her for more than one reason but it is a very "together" family and they will do whatever it takes to keep things pleasant. Sometimes I still wish they wouldn't just assume that because I'm older I can so easily tolerate whatever she has to say. I also feel very often she has them rapped around her little finger - She used to nag to me before how I should wait for her and not get pregnant before her (back then she didn't know we had problems) she was asking about it all the time - regardless of how many times we told her to quit. Then after their wedding got pregnant while on honeymoon and for nine months was hysterical about which kind of tea to drink and was never silent about anything, and now of course there's a big and justified fuss around the baby - but DH and can't help but feeling that because everybody wants to keep it pleasant nobody ever dare say anything that other ppl have a life too!
rph - Yes I totally agree, I think I made a mistake quitting my job exactly because of the amount of time I now have to sit, think, stare and search the internet for IMSI success rates like yesterday night.
I love what your sister told you...maybe this will one day be scientifically proven haha. Meanwhile I should perhaps consider answering SIL in a way her IQ simply won't understand so won't even realize she's been told off, yet I will feel so much better (like we say in Hebrew - I'll feel like a cat that licked the cream)

Anyhow, wish you girls a great day,
K

[rph]

Ladies-

I'm on day 10 of stims--this morning I had 4 "measurable" on the right and 3 "measurable" on the left and a bunch of tiny ones...won't know anymore until they call me back with labs and such. Does anyone have a good website/handout SOMETHING that explains estradiol levels, egg quality, etc? I've been attempting not to obsess, but now the lack of information is killing me and I can't seem to find anything really good on the internet.

Amanda-
WOW! 3 perfect little embryos! Did you do a day 3 or a day 5 transfer? I'm taking Follistim and Menopur for the stims. DH and I have traveled a lot--Peru, Costa Rica, Morrocco, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Israel, Alaska, Hawaii, and most of Europe. We don't go out to eat or buy many things--we save it all for travel (though we won't be doing any traveling for quite a while after paying for this).

Kamina-
Yippee! 3 follicles on your own! What side of the world are you located on?

K-
I'm sure it is scientifically proven--think about it. Higher degrees=people wait longer for kids=more problems having them.
PS--I'd probably punch your SIL in the neck, but that's just me

[Kamina]

WaitingKay
It feels good to have folks who are going through the same process to talk to. Injections are my nightmare. I have a needle phobia. I hate having to do blood work. I wait unti the last minute. You are brave. I am a wimp. I even stopped doing the acupuncture because I could not stand the needles any more.

Now back to that wonderful odiferous smell. Well it turns out that I was about to start my cycle and I believe that morning it was a wonderful combination of cycle, prometrium, and sperm. (I never ttc so close to my cycle, girls we know the deal mid cycle ttc is key) If only I could bottle it and sell it to attract sharks I'd be a rich woman. NOT! Yuck.

I was on CD 24 and the the doc was telling me I had a 20 follicle and would need to ttc for the next 3 days?!? My PCOS is obviously schizoid because he changing personalities and ovulating every two weeks? WTH! I was like, AF is coming so how is that working? The doctor told me that since I was on the medication, I would not be having my cycle this month. Well low and behold, CD 26 and AF is here. Should I continue the prometrium? I dont want to back AF up. This sister is in the flow, to stop her now could create a fishy situation. Sigh

I'm glad I make you laugh, I think it is good for the soul. I have a weird since of humor so I hope I do not offend anyone.

Thanks for letting me know water is key. I am drink a very weak jasmine tea as we speak. Should I cancel my gym membership? I dont feel like working out anyway but my husband thinks I should. This is great information to use in my "why working out is not for me" arsenal.

It's hard road to tavel but hopefully we can all support each other. We can laugh, cry, and rant together.

[Waitingkay]

Hello everyone!

Amanda - I forgot to refer to what you asked. Implantation normally should occur 6 days post ovulation, meaning 3 days post 3DET. It can vary a little, not much. I have heard and read that frozen embies can be late implanters, luckily you have fresh ones! I am the living proof that one need not worry if you have no "implantation signs". My transfers implanted each time (to then dissolve) and I felt nothing, I also consulted about this several docs which all said most women will feel nothing - ESPECIALLY - that during hormonal treatment our bodies are messed up as is and can't feel authentically what's going on there!
rph - G, your science equation actually DOES make sense...and it sounds like you have like me, a bit of a temper going I am not the most patient person with ppl saying such stupid stuff like SIL if it's harmfully meant and not just something witty or sarcastic which I'm all for. I was checking out to see any information regarding the different hormonal levels compared with Ovum quality, but you were right - most that appears is just the basics since before the treatment, just regarding FSH level.

Kamina - lol again - your sense of humor me cupo tea, no problem. Jasmine tea is great, also mint, Mellisa,and Louisa tea. Cause they hydrate you and unlike coffee do not make you wanna wee more often (sorry if it sounds bad in English feel free to correct me as I'm not a native speaker). Your DH is right in that basically gym is - according to Waitingkay - the med for almost everything, including a broken heart, weather, as well as the more obvious such as hips and thighs one gets from the love of baking. BUT - I asked RE while I was hyper stimulating and he said he was afraid this would dehydrate me in a way I could not replace quickly enough so I dropped it. And I wasn't planning on working out vigorously like jogging, just a studio class of Pilates on a fit ball. I was so bloated that anyhow I wouldn't have been able to do most exercises. So the best would prolly be a combination of drinking loads and loads, not forcing yourself into something too harsh - but remembering the harm sitting and doing nothing can do to you. Generally forcing yourself a little bit out of your comfort zone especially at a time like this is something very beneficial cause you'll view yourself as more powerful. Actually please believe me, I'm not brave - other stuff scare me prolly that you wouldn't give a damn about. And you definitely are not a wimp! Going through treatment is not for everyone yet you did it/do it.

[Kamina]

Hello Trusting Amanda

I feel left out. I want to be part of the tribe too!

Yes, I really do not know WTH is going on with my body. With PCOS I was told that I was not ovulating, and needed Femara. Now I'm being told I'm ovulating every 2 weeks? I just don't know. I have a feeling I will not be the happy ending. This is my last year to try and just need to talk to people who know what I went through so that when I say goodbye to this process it will have meant something. Doing this in silence is too hard.

Sorry about the picture. That would have been perfect. Im not sure when implantation happens with ivf. I guess whenever the lil ones find a nice place to nest.

[Kamina]

rph
I don't get the estradiol pills is that consisder birth control. If I am trying to get preg why would he give me birthcontrol pills?
Sorry to sound stupid, but I have never taken BC pills in my life.

ALL
I also quit my job. And I like it. I finally can focus on my body and healthy living. I eat 6 small meals a day. I eat a diet of no carbs, sugar, and low sodium for my PCOS. I make everything from scratch. The day fills up. I guess I should focus on the process more... I mostly try to ignore it cause I dont want to obsess. But I think I need to. Any advice on any good books?

[Dee24]

Hey Yall

My name is Dee and Im doing my first IVF treatment. Last night I took my first injection of 5 Bravelle ad 2 Menopur! It really burns going in:( I went this Monday for u/s and everything seemed ok and I have to go back next Monday for another u/s and they should tell me when my egg retrieval is.... Im so ready to get this over with.... the " unknowing" is killing me. Im scared to death about the egg retrieval..I have heard some bad stories of it.... but I have faith and Im good to go... Im 33 and my hubby is 37...and I have NO ONE that knows what Im going through so any new friends would be great!!!!

[Waitingkay]

Kamina - you asked rph, but I'll try to answer anyhow. The birthcontrol pill for IVF anyhow, is given like the antagonist is in order to prevent self or "natural ovulation". This way RE when seen on u/s the prevention worked can then put one on stims to have the development of the follicles just like needed for treatment and under frequent control of both blood works and u/s. So I guess the story is very similar also for IUI - in the end, the purpose is having you produce more follicles!

Amanda - missing you! How are you feeling? time is proceeding so fast!

Dee - Welcome on board! Amazing that you started yesterday, today is my first antagonist injection! Great to have you so synchronized! But I guess it's different cause I've done this once before in October. If you wanna read a while back about what "Trusting" (Amanda) went through - and at least for me during my first trial ER (egg retrieval) was nothing much. On the contrary, it's when everything starts paying off! Normally the pain is mild and hormones, especially the stims feel A LOT harder to tolerate than the actual clinic procedures.

rph - What's up?

Tonight I start! Tonight!!!!!!!!!!
Kay

[Dee24]

Thank you waitingKay.... It feels sooo good to be able to chat with someone that knows how you feel!!!!

[Trusting]

Hello Ladies,

Dee- it is great to have you along with us this is my first IVF cycle as well and the ER was certainly not as bad as other people had stated in their blogs and such that it was. I was totally out during the procedure and then they gave me demorol and phenergan which both make me sleep so it was uncomfortable but nothing to be anxious about and Kay is so right it is a big step toward the goal we are all so desperately eager to have our very own precious bundles of joy!!!! it is so exciting to get started on the injections and know that each day you are closer to having your dream!

rph- I have looked all over the internet for information on almost everything they have been telling me and you are right it is hard sometimes to find good quality information on this stuff my estradiol levels did not react very quickly at first (it finally got up to 2274 on the wednesday before my ER on friday) until they doubled my stimms I didn't take any estradiol which is what i have read alot of women take I just had to double my Repornex. I did find this article about E2 which is estradoil that states--- "In other centres, hCG is administered when the serum estradiol level reaches 200-300 pg/ml per follicle >17-18 mm in diameter. Patients with poor follicular development or with only one developing follicle are not given hCG. It is inadvisable to give hCG to patients in whom the serum estradiol level is seen to increase rapidly (i.e. doubling in 24 hours) in order to minimize the risk of the OHSS."
the site that I got that from is-- http://www.gfmer.ch/Books/Reproductive_ ... g_IVF.html
hope that helps! Can't wait to hear the update on how things are going/went?

Kamina- I thought it was crazy when the clinic have me a prescription for birth control pills, i was just dumb founded like why in the world would i want these until I did a little research and found out what Kay already said in her response. I still hope that you were successful with TTC naturally, a friend of mine on face book tried one last month before she was shceduled to start her IVF cycle and it happened she is now 18 weeks along so exciting to see her success she had been trying for 4 years! At any rate you are never left out we all have that same yearning in us to be mothers and that brings us all together in the same tribe! Ohh, we did a day 3 transfer my doctor never even talked about a 5 day transfer so we didn't have that option this time around. It is wonderful that you all have traveled so much it will be great to share that with your little one(s) when they are old enough!!!

Kay- thanks for the update on the implantation i have been doing as much research as i can being on bedrest until tomorrow it is hard to do very much. They dont want me to sit straight up in the bed and no laying on my stomach so only on my back and on my sides!!!My back is aching!!!!! Anyhow it is wonderful that you have started your antagonist how long are you supposed to take that? It seems it is different for everyone! When is hubby going to be home next?

AFM- I am getting so anxious and worried I havent felt anything I'm sure it is just my mind messing with me since I can't do anything but lay here and think about it!!!!! It seems like each of these days are like four days!!!!!! My MIL and SIL are wonderful though they play games and such with me and keep asking if i need anything they are wonderful God is good he gave me a wonderful family through my husband. My hubby has been calling everyday checking on me he seems so worried, I guess I didn't think about how hard this would be on him worring about me and how I will feel either way it goes. All of this is so overwhelming sometimes. I can't wait to get out of the bed tomorrow and go up there to get my estradoil and progesterone levels checked just to feel like Im doing something!

Wishing you all many blessings,
Amanda