Cycling In 2012 Board (formerly Fall/Winter 2011-2012)

[SamanthaRae21]

Ive had a rough day today. Alot of extreme lower abdominal cramping on my right side. I had a Saline Infusion Sonogram done Friday and Ive had cramping and very very light spoting since which they say is normal. Its suppose to usually go away after 72 hrs but I called the nurse today to let her know its still very much present and she says that my uterus is probably just very irritatted being that thats the first procedure Ive ever had done to my uterus.

Another possibility is that Im starting my AF earlier than planned. My cycle is usually 27 days and I started my BCP on the 3rd day of my cycle last month. I stop pills tonight and have 2 active pills left. So I might be starting 6 days early or so. I think its due to the BCP hormones and all the stress and worry ive been having lately in anticipation of all this IVF stuff.

I really hope I learn to mellow out! I was talking to my DH tonight and telling him how I wish I could just learn to be excited about this and happy instead of constantly worrying that something will go wrong. I swear my mind thinks im going to die from this IVF. Naturally Im a worry wart and obsess over things like this but Im driving myself crazy worrying that the shots will bring on terrible side effects, or that ill get DHSS and somehow die from it. LOL. I know this all sounds very extreme but since this is all brand new to me, I just dont know what to think!

[WeHaveHope]

Ninde-thank you so much. How have you been feeling. I pray for you everyday. I'm glad to see you posting and slowly getting back to somewhat normalcy. Take as much time as you need. Sending you all my love and a great big hug.

[LYD10]

hi ladies - sorry i've been MIA. work has been ridiculously crazy. i mean ridiculously. projects coming at me from all sorts of angles. i am constantly walking around with tension headaches.

on the reprodictive front - spotting, spotting and more spotting but no AF. urghhh. WE - i think you spotted a ton before actually moving on to AF. i spoke with my RE and he said - yep - its to be expected. and - no - it is not my AF yet - i'll know when it comes becoause teh flow will get stronger. so just sit and wait for the AF. i am just thrilled that i will be able to start with BCPs right after. they are letting me go straight without skipping a cycle.

ok, back to work.

WE - cant wait for your next beta and your U/S with twins on it!!! you are so twins!!!!

[WeHaveHope]

Samantha-like others have said, try to go easy. I'm not a natural worry wart but I know that IVF can make you go a little crazy if you let it. I guess the only suggestion I have that has worked for me is praying. Don't know if you are religious or not. I'm not overly religious but defiantly believe and go to church every Sunday. I have found lots of peace in praying. I can only speak for myself but it's helped me so much. Sometimes we forget that we are not in control. I used to think that if I worried enough about every little detail and every little thing I could change the outcome. Truth is I couldn't changethe outcome an I didn't. I'm not saying it's easy but it is possible to changethe way you view going through IVF. Possibly some of the other suggestions like acupuncture could also work. I wish you all the eat and know that I will pray for you everyday.

[WeHaveHope]

Lyd10-I'm sorry your having such a busy week. Busy isn't so bad but too busy is all that great. Try to take it easy and take a little time for yourself. Yes, you are right, I spotted for what seems like forever. Unlike with you I did not have a D&C so my RE thought that there mat still have been some reminence of the pregnancy left and that is why I was spotting. I spotted so much I thought I wa not going to be able to tell when AF came. But I was able to tell the difference and you will as well. Once she comes you'll know and then you'll be that much closer to ring PUPO. It realy does go fast after that. I can't wait for you to be PUPO. I will be cheering you until your BFP!!!

[WeHaveHope]

Furmomma-hope your feeling better. I want to make sure I'm not mistaken. Are you still in the 2WW?

[SamanthaRae21]

Wehavehope- I am a Christian (Catholic) to be specific and I do pray, everyday in fact. My husband and I pray everynight before we go to sleep, not just for ourselves but for our loved ones...even our pets. Maybe some more intensive praying is in order. My momma is coming up to our house tomorrow to stay with me through all the 10 days of shots and also through all the procedures. Thank God I have her close by so she can help me deal with all of this. My husband is my Best friend and is a GREAT helper but theres something about having your momma taking care of you that no other person can replace or even come close to! I only hope to be just as wonderful of a mother as her some day! Im so happy for your results on your lab work! What an amazing feeling im sure!! I wish you all the best tomorrow on your next testing. God is with you, along with all your loved ones who are by His side in Heaven. Keep the faith. Remember, God doesnt bring us to it, if He cant bring us through it!

You know what I find amazing, is that when people come to me for advice, and are worried, ect, I sit there and tell them to relax, pray and understand that everything will be okay, because the Lord will with them every step of the way. Now, here I am, needing the same advice I give everyone around me and cant for the life of me come to grips with it. Ironic isnt it!?! I give great advice and help others cope and when it comes to my own issues, im a walking mess...LOL. Good grief!

[bodie1011]

QUESTION: What side effects come with being on the shots? Anyone chime in on this!

I always like to think they made me extra emotional during the stimulation cycle, but honestly that could be the whole bag. Either way, its at least an excuse to use when those sad TV commercials come on that make me cry

The main side effect right now for me is the constipation (sorry if TMI) - from progesterone. The other thing that is driving me nuts is the stupid patches leave a glue residue on my stomach when I take them off, that I have to scrub off until my skin is raw. I'm on two patches every two days so every other day I'm scrubbing away.

Thanks to everyone for all the welcome messages! You are an awesome group of ladies and I'm looking forward to continuing to get to know you. This is making the 2ww so much easier, with looking forward each day to here updates from all of you.

[SamanthaRae21]

bodie1011- Thanks for the information! I will not be on any patches, just shots and then some oral pills here and there, like antibiotic, aspirin and ect. The most common theme I am seeing with the stimulation shots for follicle growth are alot of bloating and some mild cramping, and every says that they feel like their ovaries are going to burst through their skin...eww...lol. I just hope I dont become very nauseated with the shots, they Dr and nurses dont think I will but there is always that chance just because everyone responds differently and I naturally have a very sensitive tummy to medications so we will just have to wait and see...oh waiting...how I dislike thee...

The pharmacy called with the LONG list of shots and medication inventory they will be delivering to my house tomorrow and Im serious, it took the lady 5 minutes just to get through the list of surenges, units, meds, etc. I was like "WOW!" Im going to try and follow everyones advice on just taking things one day at a time instead of looking at the entire calender of events and looking at the big picture, because I think thats whats driving my little brain insane!

I should be stating the shots Friday, pending all my blood levels are good to go Thursday.

[WeHaveHope]

Samantha-you sound alot like me. Last cycle I was such a mess. I was so consumed withthe process I found myself only thinking of myself. After the miscarriage, I had this revalation and something told me that I should start the Fall Board which is now the Fall/Winter Board. Starting this thread was such a blessing for me. It has taken the focus off of me completely. I find myself now always worried about everyone else. What all of you on this board are going through and feeling have become my focus. Praying for all of you and helping everyone through their difficult times has become my focus. Thus not leaving much time to focus on me. And that has been a blessing. Providing others the advice and support I couldn't accept or take myself in the past has been a blessing. I'm a nurse so I naturally love to help others but this is so different. I have become so close with the ladies on this board that the worry for all of you sometimes is more than the concern for myself. This has made me much more relaxed about my own cycle. I'm really blessed to have all of you for many many reasons.

[SamanthaRae21]

Wehavehope- Im glad to know that Im not acting out of the ordinary and I know I probably do sound selfish being that alot of posts are about my concerns, Im sorry if it seems that way. I just have so many questions and concerns with this being my first IVF...or really anything major. The most surgery Ive ever had was getting my wisdom teeth out and otherwise Ive been a healthy girl with nothing to complain about. Now that I have something to worry about, I guess everything is coming out at once! LOL.

Joining this board was a great step in the right direction for me. Having support here is making a great difference in my life and I cant thank you all enough for your patience and love! Please everyone, try to be patient with me...I know Im a worry wart and can be extreme in my worrying but when I get all my questions out, it helps me gain some relief and allows me to breath a bit.

[WeHaveHope]

Samantha-being active on the board is very important. It helps you to connect with others going through the same things you are. We all help each other and before you know it your giving advice to others like you just did with me tonight. What I meant about focusing on yourself is not about being selfish. I didn't mean for you to take it that way. What I meant was that just by the nature of being there for others that you have become close to and in the process of trying to help them in their time of need you kind of put what your going through to one side without even realizing it. It's a side effect but one that was a blessing for me. Trust me thinking about every detail can drive one crazy. I should know someone should have put me in the looney bin last cycle

[SamanthaRae21]

Dear EVERYONE!

I just had a major breakthrough, balled like a baby and talked till I was blue in the face to my husband. We were laying there in bed just quietly and all the sudden out of no where I said "Wow.." My husband looked at me and asked what I was talking about...and tears began to fall from my eyes...

I said, here I am worrying about things that havent even happend to me yet, and all around me are women who have gone through so much more than even the things I find myself constantly worrying about. Some of these women have expierenced the loss of their baby/babies, some multiple times, some have fertility issues that make concieving very difficult, and etc. I worry about feeling nauseated, bloated and etc while these women have faced challenges I cant even imagine and somehow they find the strength to keep pushing on with life and have a constant faith in God. When most people would turn their backs on God, because they see his plan as cruel, these women build an even stronger bond with Him and are telling me to pray. How amazing is that!?! Ive never seen such strength from anyone outside of my momma who battled cancer.

What an awakening! I feel like God slapped me in the face and yelled GET A GRIP and look around you and realize that you are blessed!

God bless you ALL!

[WeHaveHope]

Samantha-God bless you to. And don't worry God has slapped me in the face several times. That's one of the reasons why I've been able to take it much easier this go around. That and having all of you. I know I am truly blessed.

[moorebaby]

WeHaveHope, good luck tomorrow! I cannot wait to hear about your 2nd BETA...it is going to be great!!! This is your cycle!