April/May Cycle Buddies 2008

SDtrying · Post by **SDtrying** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:45 am

Welcome Amber!- I wish I could give you advice but this is my first IVF, you'll be teaching me, 'cause you'll be ahead of me. I'm sure others here will be able to help out.

Yellow- did AF arrive?

Dr. Jen- I'm sure your RE will order whatever tests you want. I've never even heard of an implantation panel? Do you know what's in it?

JessJess- I totally agree that looking at the other thread is really encouraging! I can't wait to we all start with our BFPs!!! I don't have an exact schedule yet unfortunately. This is my tentative schedule

April 7- bcps
Last week April stim/early May
ER May 5th (ish)
ET May 10th (ish)
1st Beta May 22nd (ish)

DrJen · Post by **DrJen** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:24 pm

SDtrying-the implantation failure panel consists of anti-phospholipid antibodies, anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-thyroid antibodies, immunoglobulin panel, embryotoxicity assay. reproductive immuno-phenotype, and NK activation assay. My nurse called me back and said my Dr will call me to discuss tomorrow. She said the lab in Chicago is the only one doing this panel and it is extremely expensive--not like everything we do isn't extremely expensive! Anyway, she said this has been studied for 20yrs and there is no real scientific proof. However, if I want to proceed we can. I guess I'll wait and talk to my RE tomorrow. I'm not sure how to proceed. I wouldn't even be worried if my mom wasn't just diagnosed with her disease.

My sched: 3/28-Lupron, 4/11 b/w and u/s-start Follistem-estimated ER-4/23--ET 3-5 days later.

SDtrying · Post by **SDtrying** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:47 pm

Wowza! I bet that's expensive. I'd probably get it too if I was suspicious that could be a problem. If the cost is prohibitive, perhaps you can order those which have the highest incidence (or just the one that would test for what your mom has). Also, as I'm sure you are well aware, only get the ones that a diagnosis who change the management. I'm sure your RE will go through that stuff with you thoroughly.

There are few on there that you might be able to get your primary care doc to order (your insurance would hopefully pick up the tab then) just a thought....

Good luck, keep us posted.

Yellow · Post by **Yellow** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:39 pm

Hello, All!

DrJen, how's your mom doing? You and she are in my thoughts. I'm sure I'd have a reaction like you if I learned there was an "implantation failure panel" and I'd learned of my mom's diagnosis. I'd want the test, too. Let us know what your RE says. I'm sure everything will be fine.

I have some spotting today, but the nurse said I should wait until "full flow" before I start BCPs. Hopefully, that will be tomorrow.

I don't have an exact schedule either. The ER and ET will hopefully be the week of May 5th. My clinic is only doing retrievals one week in May so if I miss that window, I'll have to wait until June.

I think a book on nurturing yourself through IVF is a great idea. Wish I'd thought of it. Maybe I could have written it. (jk) Does it seem good? Maybe I'll look for it.

Welcome, Amber!

Amberb28 · Post by **Amberb28** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:33 pm

Thanks everyone for a warm welcome !!.. I will be starting Lupron next this week from Sunday morning...I am liitle nervous

It would be great if the experienced can give some insight on the same... Also if we can share Do's and Dont's during each phase of IVF, that would be of great help....

May God bless each ones of us

Amber

DrJen · Post by **DrJen** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:10 am

SDtrying-The cost of the panel is $1300! I'm going to talk with my RE tomorrow and see what he says. I also contacted my mom's immunologist for his input. In addition, I did more online research. It seems that there is some controversy over the immune aspect of achieving pregnancy/implantation. Thanks for the advice

Yellow-Thanks for asking about my mom. She seems to be doing a bit better. I am so hoping the IVIG tx helps her. Thanks for your encouraging words. I noticed you have a DD from IVF#1. That is wonderful! Maybe you should write a book

The book "Nurturing Yourself Through IVF" does seem good--it's on Amazon. So, your clinic only does ER one week in May?

Amberb-This is IVF#2 for me. I start Lupron this Friday. I was nervous with my first cycle as well. That is normal. Has your nurse helped you practice the injections? They aren't bad. I had some bruising after a couple of the injections, but really no side effects from Lupron. What do you start after Lupron? I will start Follistem approx 4/11. The only effect of the Follistem was the growth of the follicles. Your abdomen will be very tender and your ovaries/follicles will feel like they are bouncing with every step as you get closer to ER. Of course, my DH would say I was hormonal as well

This is just my experience, but everyone is different. I'd be happy to answer any questions. As far as the Do's and Don'ts, everyone's RE has differences. I did not exercise much while taking Follistem b/c of my bouncing ovaries, nor did I exercise immediately before or after ER and ET. In addition, I did not exercise during the 2ww. Obviously, I've not been exercising much! I was in bed or on the couch the day of and the day after ER--I felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach. I rested for 24 hours after ET. I didn't go back to work for several days b/c our office was closed due to an ice storm. So, this gave me more time to rest. RE's vary on how long they want you to have bed rest. Many now say light activity and do not rec. bed rest. Again, every RE is different. I've read some studies that say there are no differences in pregnancy rates if you rest or if you have light activity and return to work. Do what you feel is best for you. Hope this helps.

Yellow · Post by **Yellow** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:45 am

Amber, I didn't find the lupron shots that bad either. The needle is so tiny it doesn't really hurt, and I didn't have any side effects. Everyone responds differently, but try not to sweat it.

Like DrJen said, RE's vary in their advice to patients. Mine didn't offer too many restrictions. I've racked my brain trying to figure out what I did differently between my 2 cycles -- the BFP and the BFN. I think I did things pretty much the same. I took it really easy with both. The big ovaries make it hard not to take it easy around the time of ER and ET. I did yoga, but I stopped running (and I have yet to take it up again

). I wish I could pinpoint the things that made a difference. Unfortunately, luck will play a big role. I think one of the nurses before my first cycle said, "Treat yourself like you're pregnant." I think that makes sense. I tried to eat well and rest. I'd be curious to hear what advice DrJen's book offers. I'm happy to answer any questions, too.

DrJen, my clinic is only doing transfers one week a month now. They use BCP to get patients on their cycle. Kind of annoying. With my first cycle they didn't use BCP. Makes me wonder if that made a difference, but I hear of lots of women who had success with BPC...

JesJes, how does it feel to be underway?

SDtrying · Post by **SDtrying** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:47 am

Hey Everyone!

DrJen- thanks so much for the heads up on everything we are about to experience. I usually run and will make sure a prepare myself to take a break. If you think of anything else, please share.

Amber- Good luck with the Lupron on Sunday- will you keep me posted about how its going? I'm nervous too.

Yellow- Hopefully AF will show on time, that would suck to miss the window. But there's no reason to think that you'll miss it, so let's try not to think about that for now!

JesJes- As soon as I get my official schedule, I'll give it to you (likely April 6-7- that will be CD1 for me). Can you tell us about the lupron? You're leading the pack to our first BFP!! I can't wait!!

jharris12 · Post by **jharris12** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:30 pm

Hello Ladies. I'm really new to this message board thing, but after seeing that everyone is dealing with the same stuff, I thought it might be helpful getting through this whole IVF thing! This is my first IVF cycle, so I hve no idea what i"m in for.

SD, looks like we are on similar schedules. My AF CD1 should be around April 6/7, with a similar schedule following. I won't get an actual schedule until after I start my BCPs, and give the doc a call.

Good luck to all you ladies! Glad to know there are others that feel the same way I do.

Yellow · Post by **Yellow** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:26 pm

Yipee! I got my period. I talked to the nurse and she said we could do the ER in May. I'll start BCP tonight. She'll call with the rest of the schedule tomorrow.

The technician I talked to remembered me from last cycle. She said, "Oh, I thought you were pregnant." I hope she's psychic and she was "remembering" the future.

Welcome, jharris12!

jharris12 · Post by **jharris12** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:35 pm

Thanks Yellow! And good luck. My AF should be here in another week and a half, so hopefully I won't be too far behind you! But at least you can fill us in as you go so I know what is coming up next!

SDtrying · Post by **SDtrying** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:58 pm

Hi jharris! That's great that we'll so close together. I hate waiting for AF. I know I'm not pregnant this month because I ovulated on my right side which is my bad side, but I still have my hopes up for a miracle. I really hate getting disappointed every month. I've been lurking on the other links and it seems that with each month of cycle buddies so many of women get pregnant. I'm so excited for that to be us in May!!!!

jharris12 · Post by **jharris12** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:23 pm

Hey SD. I am glad I found someone going through this around the same cycle as me. I have seen several other boards with cycle buddies and stuff, but somehow they always seemed to be on a totally different schedule than me. So it looks like I found a great place finally! I have been reading other boards too, and it is so good to hear about everyone's success. Gives me great hope that this is definitely going to work out for all of us!

Amberb28 · Post by **Amberb28** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:51 pm

Thanks a lot DrJen and Yellow for your advice... I would try to stay calm and just pray that everything goes well...My baseline u/sand bloos level is scheduled for 4/11 and then I would start with Repronex and Follistism..I just pray that everything goes well....

SdTrying, I would definitely keep you posted how my Lupron goes....

Take care.. and All the best to all...

Yellow · Post by **Yellow** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:13 am

I have my schedule.

Lupron: 4/10
Follistim: 4/25
ER: Week of May 5th

It's progress, but always with the waiting...

I remembered one more piece of advice I heard somewhere -- get to know the clinic staff so you are more than just another case. I think that's helped me stay sane. I feel like they know who I am when I call. (Of course, it helps to be nice to them so they like you.

Probably, it's not good to be remembered as the crabby lady who always calls. You can always get your crabbiness out here if you need to.

)

April/May Cycle Buddies 2008

Hi

Can I join in?

Advertisements