Dec/Jan 08 Cycle Buddies

[higgins237]

Hi everyone!!! I'm new to this site and am happy to have found you all. I am 37 and starting my 1st round of IVF. I'm scared to death but also anxious and excited. I have a procedure this Thurs to widen my cervix which I'm not looking forward to, then my 1st Lupron shot on the 12th. They are looking at the week of Jan 7th for my procedure week. Will start all of my injections on Dec 2th.. .this is all very confusing and complicated and I have alot to learn. Any suggestions and/or advice would be greatly appreciated-glad to have you all out there so I'm not feeling so alone...

[tali]

Hello lovlely ladies,

Sorry, I have not been on for the last couple of days. Had to work on Saturday, and spent my short weekend getting my house ready for my friends to visit next weekend - which I am really excited about.

We also got hit with a huge storm today - My husband is still outside digging out and let me tell you I did not have fun drive home.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi and wish everyone a good night.

By the way, the list is great - Thank you for putting it together. Our group has grown so much - I know we are going to be posting some BFPs soon starting with LB and Pumma... Lots of baby dust to everyone.

[CT_Michele]

Hello Everyone,

I am a long-time reader, but first time poster. I decided I could use some support and knowledge as I am going through my first ivf cycle.

Here is some background- I have already started stimulation this past Thursday. I went for my first ultrasound today and they saw 11 folicles(I don't really know what that means or if it is good or bad). They increased one of my medications even though they said I am right on track and everything looks great. I am scheduled for retrieval next week, hopefully on 12/10 or 12/11 so we can take our pregnancy test on Christmas eve.

I am very optimistic since our infertility issue was no sperm, but we were successful in freezing via TESE. I am also nervous as I do not know much about this stuff. I have read everything I can get my hands on, but sometimes it's better to hear it from the people who know, so thank you all for you support and knowledge, and I will take all the baby dust I can get!

[laglenik]

welcome ct_michele and higgins237

this website is the proving to be my best find ever as far as suppport etc...you'll both also find there's a wealth of info to be found here.


ct_michele my DH also had TESE done on the 28 Nov.and has had his sperm frozen but we don't start actual icsi until late january....

I'm sure we'll be seeing lots more of both of u around here so until....stay well...stay positive.


To all you other ladies hope everyone is doing great....until later....be well.

[esperanza]

Wow! our group has grown!! woohoo!!

I don't have much time right now, but I just wanted to say hi to my gals

It's so good to have this community.

I will update our list and post it again with all our new members info in it.

I talked to my nurse today. I should get my calendar with all the important dates/instructions tomorrow. My tentative ER is January 10th I'm SO happy right now

My new goal right now is to finish the semester...trying hard to concentrate on those final papers...ghhhh

Hugs

[summerbaby]

Hello friends!

Please let me know if you want me to make any corrections. It's my first time doing this, so nothing too fancy, but here it is:

LB --ER/ET around Dec 09-11

Angel505— start stims Dec 1st ER/ET Dec 12-14

Pumma—ER Dec 10 ET Dec13 or 15

Hellokitty—currently on meds ER Dec 13th ET Dec 16th

Wunnam—stims Dec 3 ER Dec 17

Neffi211—sonohistogram today! start meds Dec 26th ER/ET ?

Amy2410—Thyroid test after holidays

PrincessB—currently on meds ER Jan 4th

Tracy S—start shots Jan 6th

Tali— start stims 12/26 ER/ET Week Jan 7th

ICSI Girl— ER/ET week of Jan 7th

Esperanza – ER/ET first week of January

Washingtonda— ER Jan 9 ET Jan 12

Jomae—ER/ET mid January

Colesmom—ER Jan 21st

Laglenik—Start meds on Dec 31. ER Jan 23-25 ET Jan 26-28

MLB—pending on cyst development


ALL looking forward to BFPs!!


Sticky baby dust to all!

[CT_Michele]

I am with you esperanza. My Hubby and I both work full time and go to school. He is graduating in May and I am a grad student working on my masters. I am just now finishing final projects and studying for final exams.

It is very hard to concentrate considering my ER/ET will be next week. The one good side effect of my injections is that I really am not stressing about finals because my attention span is short and all of my attention is focused on my ifv cycle, it's all I can think about.

Just hang in there, semester is almost over, and then we get a break until next semester starts. Thank goodness I only took 2 courses next semester, considering I may be pregnant! (And one class I am taking with my husband, so he can help me through!)

[summerbaby]

Hi girls, I hope you don't mind that I copied the list to this page so we can keep an eye on things.
Esperanza, I'll let you do the updating! I was happy to have been able to move it without making a mistake!
WELCOME to CTmichele and higgins237 & waitingforMia, Angel & Brandy! You've joined a great group where you'll find lots of support and plenty of good advice.
CTmichele - 11 follies sounds great. over the next days they'll monitor their size and look for the development of others as well as measure the thickness of your lining. It's perfectly normal that they adjust the meds accordingly. they are just trying to get optimal conditions when it comes time for your retrieval and later transfer. Best of luck to you! grow follies, grow!!
Higgins237 - best of luck with your procedure! hope all goes well!
HelloKitty - on other cycles, I've had some leftover meds - some of which I thought I was finished with, but then was told to use them at the end of the cycle again -- so, you'll just have to wait and see. I think sometimes they prescribe a bit more than you might need incase they have to adjust your dosage over the course of the cycle and then you don't have to wait for the meds to come....just a thought...Sorry you're being stung by one shot imparticular! try to think lovely baby thoughts and maybe it won't be so bad! -- but, I really have no advice to give you...other than I feel for you.
LB - congrats on getting over your first round of shots! good for you!!
Pumma - how are things going with you? Still digging out from the under the snow?
Tali - glad to hear you made it home alright. Hope you made yourself a nice cup of something warm to relax you after a stressful drive in a storm.

Hello and warm wishes to everyone I missed. Sending a large dose of baby dust to everyone!

xx Amy

[ICSI GIRL]

WOW!!! so cool that we've got just boat-loads of gals out here!!! I'm so excited!!!

Amy --- thanks for copying the list over here......i can't imagine that esperanze will mind your (or anybody elses for that matter!!) help!!

**********WELCOME TO OUR MADNESS HIGGINS, WAITINGFORMIA & CTMICHELE!!!!!!! I know you'll find yourselves right at home.......is the absolute BEST source of support i could have EVER asked for --- gals out here = AMAZING!!

higgins -- i also send you a pm........i see you're from MI --- me too!!!

CT --- 11 follicles is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i remember first time us for me where they struggled to find FOUR YEAH-FOR-YOU!!! ***grow-follies-grow***

waitingformia ---- you can stay on this thread (as opposed to FEB) long as your little heart desires!!! that's why they overlap -- so that you can make buddies ALL OVER!! we're happy to have you.....the more the merrier i always say!!!

hellokitty --- sorry to hear about your meds making you feel crap i've not been on the low dose hcg protocol, so i can't really speak to it (intelligently anyway!!) call your doc!! maybe your meds need adjusted??? just a thought.........i've always thought that i must drive my nurse INSANE cuz i call w/ every little thing!!!

pumma ---- NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU GIRL!!!! so glad to hear so-far-so-good on all your levels/meds and stuff!! NOT LONG NOW!!!!! will be keeping everything crossed for good follie counts at us on thursday!!!!

angel --- i remember during my round #1, i was tired all the time too.... although, i was never sure if it had more to do w/ my MENTAL state of mind more than the actual meds ?????? i'll tell ya, this whole process can really wear on you mentally!!!! hang in there --- just keep remembering why you're doing it all!! GROW FOLLIES GROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LB --- YEAH ON ALL YOUR FOLLIES!!!!!!!!!!! keep us posted

branbree ---- i'm with ya on "January bringing lots of BFP's"!!!!!!!!! not sure if i extended a GIANT WELCOME to you or not???? if not, i'm SOOOO sorry!!! you guys are just multiplying like crazy out here!!! (wish we could all do that so easily with our belly bumps )

tali ---- hope you guys got yourselves un-burried!!!! have fun w/ your friends in town this weekend!!

GEE -- i know i must have missed some of you.....am terribly sorry but hello and hope all is well with ya'll (no, i'm not from the south, i just think it's fun to say!!!) i just crack myself up!!! not much new with me.......just playing the hurry up and wait game!!! don't think there's ever been a holiday season i've wanted to WISH AWAY so fast in my life!! feel like a kid at christmas again!! ha, ha, ha!! anyway, it's so cool that our group is growing at lightening speed!!! BRING 'EM ON!!!!! BFP'S for all!!!!!!!!! [/b]

[Pummalaemma]

wow, i can hardly keep up with all the great posts and new people. welcome to everyone.

angie: yeah, i know what you mean about wishing away christmas, but don't worry, time will fly and then it will be your turn, with a bfp.

Amy: i am doing okay, it's sort of scary, even though i have been through it a couple of times ... AND thanks for copying the list over.

CT_Michele: welcome, welcome and good luck on your studies and yeah, it's a good idea to take it easy next semester with a bfp coming soon

esperanza: i look forward to hearing the news about your dates tomorrow and good luck on your papers, you'll do great

laglenik: i love this website as well, it has helped me a lot ...

Tali: so i guess you just got our storm, stay warm because we are getting another one today, so it should be out in vermont in a couple of days ...

higgins237: welcome to our board, this is the best place to be for anyone doing ivf, it has helped me so much. keep us posted on how things are going and we are all happy to answer any questions

keisha: yeah, i always had some of my follistim left over as well, in fact, i did not even need to get some this cycle because i still had some left over. i have taken 2 doses of 150 iu on saturday and sunday, then nothing yesterday and today, and i'll start again tomorrow for 2 days. today was my last day with menopur. i am also still taking lupron, which i always have some left over; it's actually enough for 2 cycles. i am not on hcg, so i don't have any advice about that, i usually only take my hcg shot 24 hours before ER. in terms of the burning, i have notice that the menopur causes some burning, not sure why, but it usually goes away quickly. hang in there girl

MP: welcome to the board, this is a great place to be

i am sending much baby dust to everyone, and my apologies in case i forgot someone.

Pumma

[laglenik]

Hello to everyone,
am fairly worried...realised today from counting my b/c pills that i might have missed a day ...am just wondering if anyone can tell how big a deal it may turn out to be....also am totally lost as to what to eat to ensure that i am at my optimum.....i mentioned to the nurse at my clinic that i am total crap when it comes to a balanced diet,and enquired whether i should be taking prenatal vitamins in addition to the 400mcg of folic acid they suggested....was told its not necessary...i've cut out sodas,have started drinking decaf tea...have now included sweet potatoes and yams in my diet, also started drinking cream o'wheat(which i hate)....if anyone has any suggestions would be grateful as i just want to know that i have done everything i can to make this work.....OH am also going to start walking as of next week...never smoked...don't drink but am afraid my age is against me and am already staring to feel a whole lot of anxiety...

ANY suggestions or advice would be welcome.....

T H A N K S!!!

[Neffi211]

Hi ladies--
Welcome to everyone that has joined! Its so nice to have so many different people to get advice from. I just love coming home and reading what people have written. The weekend was a little crazy. We got just a little snow here in PA, and we are expecting more tomorrow.
Tomorrow morning we have an appt to sign all of our IVF consents. So I will be able to ask some questions about my estrogen levels. Thnaks for the input, I haven't really found anything online that is of much help.


LB--congrats on starting--I'm jealous! The waiting sucks! I start meds on Dec. 26th---its almost like Xmas doesn't exist this year

Michele--welcome--My DH and I also have male infertility! Good luck to you!

Laglenik--looks like we will be close to the same cycle. I start meds Dec 26th. Tentative ER Jan 18th ET Jan 23rd


Good luck to everyone! Lots of baby dust!

[Pummalaemma]

laglenik: i have also missed my bcp in the past and am not sure if it's really bad, but i did not think so. in terms of what to eat, i am not sure either. i think i usually eat pretty well, but i am actually not doing anything special. don't worry too much about it, i think, but i could be totally wrong. so if anyone has any ideas, i would appreciate it as well.

Neffi211: i don't remember right now whether you asked about my estrogen levels or if it was someone else, but mine were 96 on tuesday, which they said was good. when i had my functioning cyst i believe they said my level was over 300. i can let you know tomorrow what my level will be if it helps. i am glad you have your ivf meeting tomorrow. good luck.

hello to everyone else. we had a really bad snow storm yesterday. it took me almost 2 hours to get home, usually it takes me 30 minutes, but we are all fine. tomorrow we are supposed to get more snow and the current temps are 10 F, but sunny i go back for my blood work and US tomorrow, hope everything will be fine and i can have my ER on monday. i am a little pesimistic since so many things went wrong before i got to stim again. anyway, don't want to bore you, but just can't help it ...

much baby dust to everyone and i'll keep you posted.

Pumma

[tali]

Hello everyone,

Hope everyone is having a good day

LB --ER/ET around Dec 09-11
How is it going? Hope all those follicles are growing big and fast. Are you on track for ER next week? Let us know how your u/s are going? I have a/c tomorrow and can’t wait, I always feels so much less stressed after a/c

Angel505— start stims Dec 1st ER/ET Dec 12-14
Hope that things are going better with the shots – I never had to do any muscle shots during my first cycle, but have heard that they can be painful – Remember, it is only for a few days and it will so be worth it in the end.

Pumma—ER Dec 10 ET Dec13 or 15
Pumma, yeah, we got your storm and it feels like it is here to stay. The forecast has snow showers through the end of the weekend. Did you guys get a lot of snow? Our puppy isn’t sure about the snow yet, he is still a bit young and really little – He is so cute trying to run in the snow.

Hellokitty—currently on meds ER Dec 13th ET Dec 16th
Hey Kiesha, how are the shots going? Is the stinging any better? I must admit, a part of me is sooo not looking forward to starting them after the holiday.
Wunnam—stims Dec 3 ER Dec 17

Neffi211—sonohistogram today! start meds Dec 26th ER/ET ?
Neffi – we are on the exact same schedule, I starts stims on 12/26/07 and I totally know what you mean about X-mass not existing. We’ll be waiting together

Amy2410—Thyroid test after holidays
Hey Amy, We finished digging out on Monday, but there is more snow – supposed to snow all week. At least there are no more major storms in the forecast – Just snow showers. Can’t believe it is not even winter yet!!!

Tracy S—start shots Jan 6th
Hey Tracy – We are in the same boat – Waiting – It will go by fast with all the holiday festivities

ICSI Girl— ER/ET week of Jan 7th
Hey Angie – I lived in Texas for a while and it is sooo easy to get used to saying ya’ll !!! I love it, this was ten years ago and I still catch myself sometimes. Well girl keep on smiling. I have friends visiting this weekend and it will my last weekend before I cut myself off from the wine J I drink to lots of BFPs coming from out group.

Esperanza – ER/ET first week of January
Have you gotten your dates yet? It always makes it so real once we get the calendar. Good luck with the papers and your studies. This time will fly by and you can concentrate on IVF soon.

Jomae—ER/ET mid January
I agree that it is hard to keep up with everyone – no worries! I think we have a couple of members who have had successful IVF treatments in the past. Which is such an inspiration.

Wunnam – how is it going? Isn’t it nice to see our group growing so fast? Hope all is well with you.

Laglenik—I would check with my RE to make sure that missing one pill will not affect anything. They may want you to double up to catch up. Also, the cover story in NewsWeek that came out yesterday, has an article all about diet and infertility. I scanned it yesterday and the only thing that really stuck out is that drinking whole milk and full fat yogurt is helpful. That non or low fat dairy products will have a negative affect while trying to conceive. The article also conveyed the importance of protein and exercise. I am not a milk drinker, by my mom has told me that I should have a glass of sweetened warm milk with an egg mixed into it every night. I think I am going to start doing that starting 2 weeks before I start stimming. I can post more about it after I really read the article.

Branbree – A big welcome to you. Glad you found us! Great group of ladies here willing to share stories and give support

WaitingforMIA – Welcome – I too am on second round of IVF. I have to say, so far the second time has been easier on my emotionally than the first. Of course this thread has been a tremendous help.
Hope AF arrives soon!

Higgins – Welcome, Welcome – It is totally normal to be scared and anxious – This is such a stressful process, both emotionally and physically. You have come to the right place for support, everyone is so wonderful here. Let us know how your procedure goes tomorrow. Good luck

CT Michelle – Glad you decided to join in the fun. Welcome. 11 follies are great. Here is to them growing fast and big.

Thank you for all your support and lots of baby dust to all you lovely ladies.

[Angel505]

Hi

Bit rushed at work today so I'm afraid I don't have time for personals. But I do hope you are all well. Thanks also for your kind words and encouragement. This forum is really a lifeline for me. I just feel sometimes that no matter how wonderful your family is, they do not understand what we are going through.

Yesterday's shot was particularly painful. I had tears streaming down my face and DH was feeling so bad for me. For some reason it still feels a bit sore today. On the bright side, I can stop taking the stimms after ER, right? See, I didn't know that and the thought of taking intra muscular injections for a month was making me very very nervous.

Regarding lifestyle and diet during IVF, I asked my RE and I was told that the best advice is to listen to your body and have a sensible approach to things. Otherwise, he said that none of the thoeries have real scientific backing and a lot of the advice goes back to times when IVF was starting and there wasn't enough research. Back then, women were told to rest and stop caffeine, smoking, drinking...etc to be on the safe side. What he did say is that its important not to get stressed and ensure you get your RDA of essential vitamins and minerals. He said that none of your normal activities will influence the embryos from attaching.

Well, thats what he said anyway. But I totally understand that when we are going through an IVf cycle that costs so much you want to give yourself the best possible chance.

Anyway, thats enough rambling from me .........its all the drugs in me

Take care of yourselves