The Over 40 Crowd

[hlloyd]

Lara, does your clinic do PGD? This would at least help to choose the best embryos possible and give you the optimum chance at achieving a BFP. I am using my own eggs as quality has never been an issue (as far as I know) and my clinic have never even mentioned DE. That being said, I attend a rather provincial clinic. I am changing clinics and will be going to a city clinic (1400km away compared to my current 2km journey) who are probably a bit better set up to offer DE so it will be interesting to see if this is mentioned.

Dancola, I too am going to ask my clinic to test progesteron levels as I also bleed early..generally 4 days prior to test day and have often thought that my luteal phase support was not sufficient.

Randa, sorry about missing the post. I know what you mean about no longer trusting natural methods of achieving preganancy. This has become such a scientific process for all of us, natural selection seems a bit random! Sad, but true.

Hey BigJ, glad everything is moving forward for you. I truly hope that this cycle turns out way better than the last...you must be due some good karma!

CarolineP, thanks for sticking around. It is a constant reminder that all of this is not in vain and it can work out! You rock.

Well, I am on CD4 of my FET. My doc prescribed a tablet form of eostrogen...the stroke inducing type...so naturally, I have been feeling every small twinge in my head and am very aware of how fast my heart beats. I was extremely worried as I misread the prescription and thought I was taking 50mg of the stuff (would probably not be capable of posting if that was the case), turns out it is 50mcg. After a bit of a chuckle I am now feeling much more relaxed. I am also taking a supplement Coenzyme Q10 and making DH take it too. It is an antioxident and has been shown to improve the quality of sperm...not really an issue for me but it makes me feel good and my skin looks amazing. I highly recommend it!

Ever the optimist (not) I have made an appointment with my new clinic on 1 December so I am looking forward to seeing what they can do for me. I have also made an appointment to have a mammogram next week...one of the few advantages of reaching my age is free breast screening (sad that I am at an age where it becomes an issue). Has anyone had one and does it hurt like hell....it looks kind of nasty!

Hope you are all having a great week. Happy hump day!

Cheers
Heather

[MLG]

Hi

Just wanted to say that personally I've never had a mamogram, but my mother says it is uncomfortable but not that painfull (and she's had a few).
Hope all the tests and tmt go well.


PMA

[AMck]

Hi all, just updating me ....again

Kat - Fresh/donor cycle, hpt +ve!, blood test Tues 8th Nov
Nuala - fresh cycle, late Oct.
BigJ - TESE/donor egg cycle in Kiev, EC set for 23-24 Nov
Caroline - November FET postponed
Amfy - 2ww - test 25th November
Anna - cyst drain on 16th Nov, then start stimming
JackieT - start downregging 2/11 for FET
Heather - FET November sometime
Randa - Natural BDing until Jan, then first full IVF cycle
Lara - choosing tmt (IVF vs GIFT)
jen- Stimming day 13 scan and bloods

Randa, are you OK? Haven't seen you post today.

Jen, good luck with scan, grow follies grow!

Anna

[JackieT]

kat
sooo sorry i havent been in touch all week, madi was sick with bad cold and cutting 2 eye teeth e.t.c but....

you done it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i knew you would .

good luck with your scan now.
love jackie xxx

[lara]

Hi,

Dancola, Heather and CarolineP thanks so much for the information. Yes, Heather one of my options is to to do IVF+PGS (like PGD but screening rather than diagnosis), to reduce risk of m/c.

Basically you've all given me hope to plough on with my own 43-year-old oocytes and give it one (or two) last shots.

I found out that I've left it too late to do GIFT next week as I'd need an X-Ray which I could have today/tomorrow if I was happy to sign a form saying I definitely wasn't pg. WELL, the likelihood is infinitesimally small, let's face it, but just suppose I was? (I always try naturally in in-between months). Oh God Oh God.

So I think I'll have to do the IVF+PGS this time and GIFT next time if it doesn't work.

HEATHER - I've had mammogram and it's fine. The bigger your bosoms are the less it hurts - if you've got very small ones it can hurt a lot more because they're squashed between two arms of the machine, and you need the fat around the gland to protect it. Mine were fat so I was completely fine.

CarolineP you're now my inspiration as you're the same age as me! Thank you.

A bientot,
Lara

[Jeni Babes]

hi guys

lara- good luck when you do start the next IVF+PGS. will that be next month then DEC?

Anna how did the aspiration go? and the stimming?

jules - how are you getting on in Kiev?

Randa- Do you have blood tests and scans inbetween tx of IVF?

hlloyd - I have been taking coQ10 the past week. It's also good to heal follies after EC and help Embies at ET and after.( As per Zita West's info)
good luck with the mommo. I'd dread that too as i have only wee bee stings of breasts. Tho they have gone up a cup size since stimming began.

Unbelieve-ably I actually have got some good news for a change. 3 or 4 follies only but i go for ER on Friday 18th. Hopefully i will get some eggs but i am so pleased as last ivf was canc due to NO follies. KAT what your doc said looks very true.

A bIG hi to everyone else. keep warm in this chilly weather.

loving hugs
jenxxx

UPDATE:
Kat - Fresh/donor cycle, hpt +ve!, blood test Tues 8th Nov
Nuala - fresh cycle, late Oct.
BigJ - TESE/donor egg cycle in Kiev, EC set for 23-24 Nov
Caroline - November FET postponed
Amfy - 2ww - test 25th November
Anna - cyst drain on 16th Nov, then start stimming
JackieT - start downregging 2/11 for FET
Heather - FET November sometime
Randa - Natural BDing until Jan, then first full IVF cycle
Lara - choosing tmt (IVF vs GIFT)
jen- Egg Collection frid 18th nov

[AMck]

Hi all

I had my csyt aspiration this morning and starting stimming too! All went according to plan. Can't quite believe that. Every other appointment has ended in a disappointment eg AF not on time, sniffing didn't work etc.etc.etc..
Feel suprisingly OK. Have slept all afternoon.

Jen , that's brilliant news Wow, this Friday. You are the expert at growing follies. What's your secret? One step closer. PMA to you over the next few days, may they fly by.

Kat, are you still there? Hope you are Ok and taking care of yourself.

Lara well done on making your difficult decision. good luck with your tmt.

Randa...where are you?.....hope you are Ok. Thinking of you

Amfy, hope the days are flying by for you, not long now, good luck

Here's the list again, baby dust to all

Kat - Fresh/donor cycle, hpt +ve!, blood test Tues 8th Nov
Nuala - fresh cycle, late Oct.
BigJ - TESE/donor egg cycle in Kiev, EC set for 23-24 Nov
Caroline - November FET postponed
Amfy - 2ww - test 25th November
Anna - stimming 16th Nov, 1st Scan 23rd Nov
JackieT - start downregging 2/11 for FET
Heather - FET November sometime
Randa - Natural BDing until Jan, then first full IVF cycle
Lara - chosen IVF+PGS
jen- Egg Collection fri 18th nov

Lara, I too would be interested to know how many over 40 ladies used their own eggs and achieved a BFP.

Anna

PS having a day off work tomorrow even if I feel Ok...because I'm worth it!!

[randa2006]

Hello Friends!
Please forgive me for going quiet for a few days. Dh is having some family issues that have been absorbing a lot of time and mental energy, plus we are getting ready for our trip to Cuba! We'll be gone 3 weeks! It's our honeymoon, I don't think I mentioned that before.

ANYWAY....I've been checking in daily, just didn't have time to post.

Anna - glad your cyst drain went well and you are now stimming! Do you have a tentative EC date?

Kat - how are you, you ol' pregnant lady you? When is your scan? When is your due date? Is it okay if we keep you on the list even though you are happily expecting?

Amfy - I learned how to use a decision matrix in college. They really are a big help for those few decisions in our lives when our female instincts just aren't giving any strong signals. Sorry you are so bored already with your 2ww, but at least you're in the 2ww!!! I'm so jealous as I've never been there. Take it easy going back to work.

Lara - So you've decided on IVF + screening. Great! And like you say, you can go the GIFT route next time if there is a next time (which I doubt). Thanks for the info on Foresight. I'm going to check it out. I had already started a list of concerns to address with my dr before our next round and my opening statement was going to include the word "proactive" (similar to foresight). Rather than learn about any issues the hard way (failed rounds of 2ww), I want to know as much as we can now about what hormone production problems we might be facing. Also, I didn't know selenium was important. I am getting 50 mcg in my multi-vitamin, but that may not be enough. How much is recommended?

Heather - yes, I've had a mammogram and they are very uncomfortable for small chested types (me). Also, please be aware, they miss things. I have a small lump that only an MRI can read (I can feel it myself also).

JackieT - how are you? Do you have an update for the list?

CarolineP - only 12 days to go!!!! Is the room ready? Are you stocked up on diapers? I hope you have a rocking chair - you'll need it!

BigJ - how was your trip?

Jen - How are the follies today? Did your scan go okay? Is EC still set for Friday? Thanks for the info on coQ10. We sell a bit of it in the pharmacy, but I didn't understand what it was good for.

Caroline - how are you?

Updated the list a little more:

CarolineP - baby due Nov 28
Kat - Fresh/donor cycle, +ve Nov!!!
Nuala - fresh cycle, late Oct.
BigJ - TESE/donor egg cycle in Kiev, EC set for 23-24 Nov
Caroline - November FET postponed
Amfy - 2ww - test 25th November
Anna - stimming 16th Nov, 1st Scan 23rd Nov
JackieT - start downregging 2/11 for FET
Heather - FET November sometime
Randa - Natural BDing until Jan, then first full IVF cycle
Lara - chosen IVF+PGS
jen- Egg Collection fri 18th nov

[Smita]

Randa,
Happy Honeymooning!

have lots of FUN!!

smita

[AMck]

Randa, good to see you back.

So much going on at the moment. Hope your trip to Cuba is fab!



My tentative EC date is 28th Nov!!!! Crossed fingers.

Jen, only one more sleep. Hope you have a good day.

Love and luck to all other girls, see you later

Anna

PS as you can see I have FINALLY learnt how to post the smileys....it's a whole new world!

[Jeni Babes]

Hi guys
just a quick one as i am busy with stuff to day havng lost friday to EC..
Still makes me smile saying that!

Anna -glad all went well. YOU are worth it!!!! We will be calling you L'Oreal next.

Randa- Wow honeymoon in Cuba...FANTASTIC Enjoy a relaxing loved up time....then you'll come nack all 'Chilled' and ready for starting IVF in Jan....Enjoy have a fab time... xx

Hi & hugs to everyone else....

Df and i are off out tonight to have a meal before the big starvation at midnight. Then EC tomorrow 8.15 am. I have been taking arnica today( Zita suggets this) and already feel less anxious about tomorrow. Only 5 follies so it won't be that long....just hoping for eggs tho. It never stops, all this stressing..... does it!!!

Lov e
jen#xxx

[cmg]

Hi all

just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the support I got here when my mother died. I couldn't bring myself to type a reply at the time but I did read it and it meant a lot to me.

It was all so quick that I think I'm still in shock really but I'm kind of doing ok. I went to see my acupuncturist yesterday who said that grief is very depleting and I should give myself a few months to build up my resources before doing the FET we had planned for this month. So I've decided to wait til February. As some of you pointed out, I may be getting older (44 in Jan) but the embryos are still those from a young whipper-snapper of 43 and a half. I won't leave it longer than that, but I just feel I need some time. I also couldn't handle the grief of it not working on top of the grief of losing my mum all at the same time.

I'll probably dip in and out a bit but may not be around much before the new year. I've kept up to date with the posts but can't remember everything. But I did want to say, Anna I'm so pleased to hear that your cyst is sorted out and you're off the starting blocks. And Randa - enjoy Cuba. Who knows, maybe a honeymoon baby?!

good luck to Big J in Kiev (will you be having a white Christmas?), to Caroline P, everyone's inspiration, hope it all goes plan, to Kat with the exciting first scan and to everyone else wherever you are in your cycle.

thanks again

Caroline

[lara]

Randa, have a fab honeymoon, I'd love to go to Cuba, how fantastic! I think you're taking enough Selenium, especially if it's within a good quality all-round Vit + Min supplement, which prevents one mineral in isolation depleting others.

Good luck tomorrow Jen, fingers+toes crossed.

Caroline, I understand your decision, you must be exhausted. I'm 44 in Feb, so I have that identification with you around the age this (as do we all on this thread). Yeah, build yourself up and look after yourself, and check in here now and then and the New Year will hopefully be a fabulous new surprise for you...

28th Nov, Anna, cool! If I go ahead, I'll be not that far behind you, maybe about 3rd Dec. I hope it's not 3rd Dec as I'm supposed to go to a wedding that day - not my own, I hasten to add!

I have this awful thing where my body is not the same as it was before I started ttc, and yet I can't bring myself to go out and buy a whole load of 'fat' clothes. When I'm pg I tend to stuff myself to stop feeling sick, so I've done that twice this year, put on all the weight, but with no baby to show for it! Anyway, I've got nothing to wear that fits me and it's FREEZING! Oh well, it's a very bourgeois problem!

Good luck all,
Lara

[taylorjools]

Hi Ladies

as always this is a nic busy place to be at the moment, what a help!

Randa - happy honeymoon
Dancola - great to hear from you sweetie, how are you doing??? how wonderful you egg production machine you, wish I could do that!

Caroline - put your feet up and enjoy the peace while you can. I was with my sister with my niece (3 months) and nephew (17months) nearly changed my mind after 5 days of that!!!

Hi Heather, good luck with the mammogram and with your clinic appointment. We have changed clinic and country ( ) I found it a resfreshing change and good to get a new view of things, hope the same happens for you.
Anna - glad the cyst drain went painlessly and simply, you must be champing at the bit to get going now....
Lara - good luck with your IVF and PGS - ISIDA told us that for PGS they would have to freeze the embryos probably as the results can take a long time, has your clinic said anything about that??????
Jen - fantastic, will be thinking of you tomorrow. Bet you get a lovely egg for each folly, clever old you. Quality counts sweetie.
Caroline (cmg) thinking of you dear {{{{hug}}}}}

Well loads of news from here, we fly to Kiev Sunday and will stay for 10 days, so til 30th November. That gives options for all variations on EC and Et dates. I had scan this morning and have a lovely 10mm endometrium after just 5 days of stimms BUT one ovary has decided to produce a follice - I mean what the hell after 3 years of nothing, I mean no eggs menopause finished etc, hello b***y what have emailed scans to ISIDA and waiting for doctors response. My gynae said we can just ignore it. It'll be empty anyway as I've had the ovarian function test, so all I want is for it not to mess this cycle up Must admit though I did think maybe they could take the egg out if there is one and fertilise it with the donor eggs.........DH's TESE biopsies are still in Kiev customs they can survive another 21 days on liquid nirtogen but we need them out by the middle of next week or dh has to go through the TESE again and do John wayne impressions round Kiev Oh well the trials of international IVF. I am looking for a great 10 day holiday, and yes like randa, this will be our honeymoon as we never had one, and our flight tickets are not refundable so whatever happens we are going..will keep you updated as the story unfolds!

Biggest hugs and love to all of us wiseys

BigJ

[AMck]

Caroline, just read your post. Thanks for your message.

These are difficult times but we are all here for you.

I know it will be difficult but try and relax over xmas and we will see you back next year.

Sending you some and lots of PMA to see you through

Take care of yourself

Anna