Update: FET for Dummies =)

[katie99]

Hmmm, maybe I shouldnt have hoped they would find something. Well, they did, but not anything that I was expecting. He said that all of my antibody testing came back normal, but that doesnt mean that my white cells arent interfering with implantation. Umm, huh? He said he'd like to start me tomorrow on Metformin since I came back as borderline insulin resistant and that would go on through the first trimester or the entire pg. He told me the side effects stink ( nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea) whee, sounds like fun, yes? And that he wants to do an intrauterine infusion of Neupogen 5 days before transfer. He said they've tried this on 6 patients with unexplained failures ( now I have THAT label too) and that 5 were bfp. I couldnt disagree that those results are very promising, but that means staying out there for a whole week!
He also told me to choose a "backup" batch again and I said why? there are still 5 left.. he said that he wants to do every possible thing he can think of to ensure success this time and its better to have a backup plan just in case. UGH, this is so confusing and frustrating. I asked him if we're going to have the same problem as last time with the financial lady not being informed of us not having to pay another "donor embryo coordination fee" of 2k. He assured me we wouldnt, but i'm telling you if she sends us some big fat incorrect bill like last time I'm going to tell her to talk to the RE himself. Hee hee, as oppossed to what I did last time which was argue with her, have her be really condesending to me, get mad, instead of asking her to talk to her boss first. Whew, I dont want to have that happen again - I was steaming for days, lol.
So basically I have lots of Googling to do I am thrilled that he's found something and can treat it, I just wish I had a clue as to what exactly Neupogen does when used for ivf, usually its used to help chemo patients recover their white cell count. He did tell me that its been used in Europe for awhile with implantation failure, but said that in the U.S. its still considered "experimental" - For all I know abut ivf at times ( like this) I feel like I know nothing. OK, I'm off to Google, lol. Much love and luck to us all - xoxo

[to_have_fun08]

katie - Wish you luck.. I do like the idea that you have a backup batch.. kind of a backup plan just incase the embryo's you have left don't look so great. this way they aren't trying to transfer bad embryo's just to have something to transfer.. YKWIM. Never heard of the Neupogen but guess since it is new in the US then that is probably why. The metformin... well i have taken it. guess i should start taking it again though i haven't had my levels checked in a long time. I use a brand called Fortamet. it is a little more expensive then the generic but the RE that put me on it said she did a lot of testing and this brand caused the least amount of side effects. I didn't have many side effect. The real main one that i had is if i did eat a lot of carbs, i was running to the bathroom. but i had no nausea or anything else. The RE that put me on the metformin was one of the first dr's that came up with the idea that insulin resistance caused poor quality eggs and did lots of research in boston on it. so she was really into metformin.

Least he is giving you some ideas of different stuff to try. Being out of town won't be so much fun.. is there a chance that Chris and Ryan could go with?

[katie99]

Chris - I'm pretty sure that I remember you mentioning Metformin awhile ago. I'm supposed to go pick it up and start it tomorrow, cant say that I'm looking forward to it though. I wish I werent feeling so blah about another try. I dont know what it is with me today, it must be the sting of 4 failures since Ryan thats making me question whether it will ever work again, or are we just being stubborn and throwing more money away? I've already got an email from my nurse asking me how many meds I have left over and reminding me that we'll have to go and have the paperwork notarized for a backup set. I know I should be feeling optimistic but I seem to be dreading all the appts, b/w, u/s and of course the big 2 weeks of self imposed torment, lol. I know you understand this. And how was your first E2v injection? I dont mind that one actually, haha I guess thats because I'm thrilled to not have to do PIO maybe. Chris seems to be on the fence a little also, and he stopped in his tracks when I told him i'd have to be in Nevada for a whole week! I couldnt imagine trying to keep a boy as active as Ryan busy in a hotel for that long, never mind the 7+ hrs of flight time, and of course trying to board a huge Mastiff thats spoiled rotten would be close to impossible. This just never get easier, does it?
Of course if it works.. oh, if it works.. then we promptly forget all the pain, expense, endless waiting and minor annoyances and fall in love with that little gummy bear on the screen. Hmm, well that thought makes it all worthwhile, doesnt it? Much love and luck to us all - xoxo

[to_have_fun08]

Katie - I feel your pain. It just isn't fair we have to go through all this crap. I know some part of you are probably thinking maybe one child is enough. I know i have thought this since i really am dreading this FET, and being on the roller coaster ride again. Really think hard on it, would you regret not having another child? That's how i look at things. I feel that i would regret not having another child or at least trying. Thus i have told myself if i transfer all 3 embryos and none attach then i am done. Kind of easier for me since i only have 3. Try to figure out a stopping point for yourself. How far do you want to go? the clinics will always blow wind up your behind and say how great everything is and that they can get you pregnant. Its easy for them cus they don't have to shill out the time, money and go through all the emotions. I know its a hard decision. Doing all the crap is not any fun.

[Supergenius]

Libby - How are you holding up? Hoping that you're alright and gearing up mentally for another round.. jeez this sure isnt easy on us. Thankfully we have each other and this forum! I know at times I had no one I thought could understand except you all and I'm so thankful for this oasis - xoxo

Katie, I'm doing okay and trying to mentally gear up to do this again. I'm with you - without this "oasis", as you put it so nicely, I'm not sure what I would have done. I am in awe that you are trying again, by the way!

Have you heard from Claudia recently? I've been wondering how she's doing...

[katie99]

Chris - You took the words right out of my mouth. I hope that as I get closer and get a schedule ( or at least an idea of a schedule) that I'll get a little more enthusiastic. I am hopeful that at leaat he found something, but umm, hmm, I do not like metformin so far! Holy moly, I hope my body adjusts to this quick! Thankfully I havent felt any nausea yet, but of course there are still 2 more dosage increases to go So pretty much every week when i'll likely acclimate to this med, they raise the dose for 3 weeks until getting to 2000mg/ day. I'll do it, but I dont have to like it, right? I've been checking email since tues for some answers to the questions i knew I'd forget after talking to the RE I'll update whenever they get back to me. I knew I was setting myself up for a long wait when i asked several questions that the coordinator will have to hunt down. One of my biggest faults is having very little patience, well except for with Ryan, then I have infinite patience. Hmm, maybe its just this process that I've grown to dislike that I've no patience for anymore, lol. How are you feeling? The E2v always gives me hot flashes and cycling in this weather makes it worse. You must be getting ready for a lining check soon, let me know how it goes. I'm so glad that we have each other and this place to help us feel the strength to keep going. Much love - xoxo

Libby - Glad you've got the summer off of trying so you can have a nice fresh start and clear head to try again. I actually havent heard a thing from Claudia since she last posted here. I hope she's feeling alright. I think she keeps super busy all the time though.

Claudia - How are you mama??

Franny - Same here, how are you doing honey?

[wishfull27]

Stalking you katie99 and chris !!!

Where does the time go !!!

[claudia662]

Hi girls!!

I'm here and sercretely stalking the thread but my password always gets messed up and I can only post from my work computer and I haven't been there most of the summer!!! I just changed the password so I now will have access to my home computer as well

Katie is right though...my summers are always super busy because besides running after a 19 month old I am also coaching the summer swim team which I do every year but I have practice every morning, two swim meets a week, and a lot of paperwork!! (Who thought this was a good idea doing this at 8 months pregnant!?!?!) Along with the heat wave let's say I'm hanging in there!!

I had a 3-d ultrasound last week which was exciting since at the 20 week one we didn't get a to see her face and we got some great pics this time!! Can't believe this is happening again in less than 10 weeks

Franny...I have been waiting for your update but I know you and Barry usually take some time so I'm hoping you get your boogie on at the SPAC shows and jump back in the crazy IVF world ASAP. xoxo

Katie....I hope the side effects haven't started and you will breeze through the next few weeks till your next cycle. I'm so glad your DR is being super aggressive with your treatment plan this time.

Libby...I think of you often and I hope you start to cycle again asap. how's the little one doing?

Chris-how is your cycle going so far? You should be getting ready for transfer soon?!?!?

love you ladies....xoxo

[Twintrons]

Hi everyone,
It's been a long time since I've posted on these boards. I don't even know if anyone still remembers me. Well anyway, after a long time away, with a lot of healing, and soul searching DH and I have decided it is time to start our FET. I just got home from my new RE (DH and I moved from NH to NY in September!) and after a hysteroscopy showed that my uterus is as the nurses called it "perfect". The nurse then asked me if I ever had a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) test done. I told her that I had when I had my lap done when I was diagnosed with stage 4 endo, and they told me that my right tube was completely closed, and that my left one was 90% closed. She then told me that on the ultrasound it looked like my left tube was a little inflamed and she wanted me to have a HSG done while I was there. She said that if it was bad that I would need to have my tubes removed before I could start my FET. So there I sat...waiting...thinking why did I get myself into this mess again...There is noway I could have surgery....I can't take that much time off of work...blah blah blah...so the RE came in and did the HSG and he told me that everything looked just fine. I said what?? He showed me on the screen how the dye went into both tubes perfectly, and that both of them were wide open with no problems!!! I was in SHOCK!! He told me there was no need for surgery, and that I have the go ahead to start my FET with next months cycle day 1!!!

I am so excited, but also a little confused because I never had an FET before. I would love to have advice and support from you amazing wonderful woman. Please join me, and we can get through this together!!

Here we go again!!!

Much love always,
Franny

The wife and I have 3 frozen embies on ice. Not sure if we're going to donate or try again. My wife's uterus is a battlefield with all the surgeries she's had. We need another women to step up and carrier for us, as one did for our 3rd IVF cycle.

Man o' man, IVF #7? I applaud your determination. Good luck.

[katie99]

Where did everyone go? I guess this is a busy summer for everyone.. I think of you all each day whether we have anything to post or not. I'm just waiting for AF which loves to show up late when waiting to cycle. And I cant believe that I'm going to put myself throught this again either. At least we know for a fact that this will be our last try. I'm so ready to not have ivf dictate my life and schedule anymore, lol - Now if only we were sure that it would work then maybe I'd have some enthusiasm, lol. Oh, and the Metformin wasnt as bad as it was the first few days - but tomorrow I have to increase the doasage, and wait for my body to adjust all over again. Much love - xoxo

[to_have_fun08]

Katie - I am still here.. will do the AF rain dance for you, if you do the keep AF away for the next 9 mo dance for me..

I go in for u/s tomorrow and then hopefully will know for sure when my transfer will be. If i transfer Monday or Tuesday then i will know if i am in less then 2 weeks. guess you can say i am already in the 2ww.

[to_have_fun08]

Fet is scheduled for 1130 July 16.. Beta will then be July 23 and July 25.... Still don't think i am mentally ready if it doesn't work. Wish all the old feeling of BFN's would just stay away. Why can't i dwell on the happiness that i had with my BFP?

[turtle0619]

Chris That's awesome news!! The 16th is my wedding anniversary so it is the best day of my life. I hope it brings you tons of happiness too. It's scary for everyone, but us who have multiple BFN's it makes it even harder I think! PMA sweetie! I will be out of town this weekend until the 18th. (going to the beach for our 6 year anniversary), but know that I will be thinking of you, and I'll try to check in for an update! I'm so happy your time is finally here, and now I can cheer you on!
xoxoxo

[to_have_fun08]

Frannie - Hoping your wedding anniversary bring me good luck. Have fun at the beach.. i need to get away. Enjoy your time drink a few margaritas. What is your next game plan?

[katie99]

Chris - I will do all the "no AF for 9 months" dances that I can think of for you! I know it gets all those old bad feelings brought up again, but all we can do is push forward and hope for the right answer. You've got loads of love and support around here honey! Roll on the 16th!! And maybe you can make minea "hurry up AF!" dance? because not only is mine missing, late, but there is no sign whatsoever that AF is showing up anytime soon. sigh. Cant believe that I'm eagar to start BCPs and get put on a schedule..

Franny - Yippeee for a beach mini vaca for your anniversary! Enjoy it and your hubby! I'm glad that you're feeling a bit better and amybe you'll update us on your next move when you have time, I hope. Get some sun and have some nice coctails on the beach! oh, now I'm jealous! - xoxo

Claudia - Girl, just reading about your schedule makes me tired! You must have loads of energy to keep up with all of your obligations while very pregnant AND chasing an active little girl!! I admire you. Get some rest when you can and I hope that this nasty heat we've been having isnt bugging you too much. Wheee mama, you're getting close now..

Wishful - I love when you stalk me! I just wish that I had something going on that ws stalking worthy - haha. - xoxo