AUG/SEPT BUDDIES!

[MzTia]

Muggsey- Do you still have to have testing done? That may affect when you will start. If you don't have any testing to done then I would guess you may be ready to start. Many ladies down-reg or take BCP's for a month prior to starting the shots. Then once AF comes after you last BCP you typically statr stimming shots on day 2 or 3 of that cycle but one thing I have learned here is that clinics have different protocols and do things very differently. I think some larger clinics have their patients put on the same cycle where as a smaller clinic like I go to just works with each patients individual cycle. You should be right in line with alot of us I should start stimming around the last week in August.

[alimoyni]

Are most people on progrestrone injections in the later stages of the IVF Process? I picked up all my pills and shots today for my cycle (start lupron 7/17) and in the box of meds was progestrone capsules that will be inserted into the vagina 3 times a day! I guess I wasnt expecting this, thought it would be shots.

It sounds like a messy process to me, but I heard the shots hurt - so I guess not to bad.

I guess I should just trust my clinic

[jharris12]

I finally had to call my RE's answering service since it was after hours and I hadn't heard from them. The nurse called me back and said that I get to start Provera tonight! So I will take them for approx. 10 days, and will get AF. Then on day 2 of AF, I will go in for BW and begin stims!! So I will be starting stims around 7/19!! Hard to believe I'm getting closer again finally!! And the nurse said she was going to call in my meds!! Wow, hard to believe I'm looking forward to getting those again!

Muggsey: The first thing we can all teach you about IVF, is that EVERY clinic is completely different! So it will be hard to say exactly how long it will take you to get to ER/ET. After a consult, you & DH will have to get BW, we had to take a class about the shots, then started BCP's on day 3 of AF, then suppression meds after day 21, then stims day 27, then ER day 39, and ET day 42. Make sure to take notes! Good luck with the consult.

alimoyni: Everyone will have to take progesterone after ER. Most of us have to take the PIO shots, but some women use the suppositories. Every clinic is different.

Hope the rest of you wonderful ladies have a great night!

[valerie68]

Good evening ladies...Wow! I go to work and you are all just busy little bees on this thread, I think that's great!

Alimoyni~ The PIO shots are just no fun at all so don't feel bad at all for not having them. I was on PIO for my first cycle and I tried really hard to stay on them but the pain and swelling got so bad that I could hardly sit down or walk. My RE said I was allergic to them and switched me to Endometrin which costs a fortune but is so much better to use. The suppositories stay in place for about 7 1/2 hrs before it started to leak. I was pleasantly surprised and I assume I'll be using the same again. If you push them gently inside as far as you can go, there is no problem.
Best of luck on that.

jharris~ How exciting for you to start so soon. I guess having a late AF really worked in your favor. I'll be right behind you by a couple weeks.
And those meds will be on your doorstep before you know it.
I remember opening this box and seeing all that was in there...the needles totally freaked me out for a while as I had to overcome needle phobia to do this. I'm so much better now and I don't really care about it. I'll do anything for my babies

Turtles~ I'm glad you enjoyed AP and it should only get better from here. I had bruising for the first time on Monday. Apparently she hit a little vessel and it bled inside. I do bruise easily as well.

Muggsey~ I agree that every clinic is different and that's something you can ask your RE as to how long they estimate before you start. They should be able to answer you. Reading all these posts that are here will help you figure out what to ask. In case you forget anything, You can always call your nurse back...they're used to it.

Time for me to go and finish dinner ...Have a wonderful evening!

Val

[heather4312]

Hi ladies. I would love to join your group. I am just starting my first IVF/ICSI. I am scared, excited, and overwhelmed. I just know I am going to screw something up!!

I have been on BCP since July 2nd, so far so good... Hope the rest goes this well! My DH has his sperm aspiration on August 13th two days befor retrieval. So hopefully I will get 2 lines around labor day!

Good luck and my prayers are with you all. This place is fantastic! You just can't talk about this stuff with everyone.

Any advice is greatly appreciated...

Heather

[valerie68]

Welcome Heather~ You will be very well supported in this group as it has some great ladies here. Don't be afraid and don't think you're going to screw up something.
A lot of us are on our second cycle or more so there's tons of experience between all of us. All of the unknown at first is a bit overwhelming but it's really not bad at all. Ask your RE tons of questions and do the same with us if need be.
Best of luck on your journey...we're by your side!

And the the other ladies, I've got to rush out of here for my BW since it's an hr away and then go straight to work. And then I have AP tonight, so a full schedule ahead.

Make the best out of this gorgeous day!

Much love

Val

[JDC]

Hi Heather and Alimoyni, welcome to the group!

turtles I have acquired a few bruises along the way with AP also. It seems everyone's reactions to the treatment is a little different. I would stick with it though and I am certain you will eventually recognize the benefits of it. Good luck to you.

jharris I'm so excited for you starting the meds! I'm right behind you girl! I go for day 21 b/w this Sat. so I will start estrace shortly after that I think! Stims probably around July 22.

I want to address everyone, but I just can't....I'm actually at work right now....woops! I went to AP last night and she put tiny needles in my ear that are covered with tiny bandaids to go home with. I actually have them in right now (I had to remove one as it was hurting!). She said that if I start to feel stressed out or anxious to press on them a little bit. I can leave them in until Sunday night. Cool, huh?

Goodbye for now my friends.[/b]

[babyloves]

Hi everyone,
went for BW/US today after 3 days of stim..my E2 is 426 - RN should this was good, but they only saw 3 follies on the left (10-11mm), none on the right...RN said there weren't even small ones, so the right might be quiet the entire time..did anyone else have no follies initially, and then after 8 more days of stimming, develop more? Some people wrote that they get 23 whereas one person was describing only 1 being fertilized. My RE didn't up the dose yet, so maybe its still okay. What level of E2 are they looking for? I love to have you guys for questions that the RE/RN's don't explain well. Plus, my RN isn't very patient on the phone..its like she can't wait to hung up...oh well, gotta keep the PMA...Thanks!

[SueQiwi]

JDC~I also have those tiny accupuncture points in my ear right now! One for my ovaries and one for my uterus--they are both in my left ear. It's kinda reassuring knowing they are there. I am really excited for you and Turtles to start the cycle off--you will be our first BFPs! You guys sound ready.

Rinnie~Thank you so much for taking time out from your holiday to try and answer my herbs question. I looked them up on the internet and it all seems good. My AP is going to look them up in her gigantic book of Traditional Chinese Medicine and let me know today. Hope you're having fun!

Welcome to all the newbies. This is my second cycle and I remember how freaked out I was the first time around. Once you get going the needles are not as bad as they seem when you first receive all the meds--man is that overwhelming! The shots really do get easier--and beleive me I was scared at first. The hardest part for me is all the waiting and frantic hoping to cross each hurdle successfully. I try to just focus on what I need to do on that particular day and not think too far ahead. But that is tough to do! And I have an active imagination and tend to be a worrier. The ladies on the board helped me tons and we will help you too.

Alimoyni~Im on suppressaries for progesterone--it's standard practise here in New Zealand. Theyre not so bad.

[jharris12]

Good evening ladies! I started Provera last night, which the doctor said would get AF to arrive within 10 days. Well, she arrived this morning!! So I go in tomorrow for BW and should get to start stims tomorrow night! My meds should come tomorrow morning!! I can't believe I get to start again tomorrow!! I am so excited!

valerie: The first time I got my meds, I almost had a nervous breakdown! I think I will do a little better this time! And you shouldn't be too far behind me! How did the BW go?

heather: Welcome to the group! The 1st cycle can be stressful and nerve wracking, but we are all here to help you through it! Feel free to ask anything!

JDC: Good luck with the BW this weekend! How are the needles in the ears helping you? Staying stress free?

babyloves: I'm hoping those follies decide to wake up quick! I guess your RE isn't worried just yet, so that's good. I've also noticed that the RN's at my office don't like to be on the phone either. Mine rarely calls me back! Good luck. You are leading the way for us!

Everyone else, hope you have a great night!

OK, spoke a bit too soon. The pharmacy called, mine order missed the truck! So they have to call the RE's office in the morning to see how to get my meds to me tomorrow. Its always something!

[muggsey24]

Well ladies I had my IVF consult today. My Doctor is so nice. We talked for like 45 minutes and he answered so many of my questions. We did find out that our insurance pays for our u/s, lab work, etc. Everything but ER and ET and meds. For that we are very thankful. That alone saved us like $4,000. My doctor wants us to do ICSI. He said that if we go through everything else he wants us to have the best chance possible. I ask him about me only having one ovary and he said that wouldn't be a problem. He said that he thought all the m/c that I have had were all tubal and never made it to my uterus. He said "my plumbing just didn't work well".(LOL) He did a quick u/s and said my ovary and uterus looked great. I also can do all my bloodwork, u/s monitoring, etc. at my local OB office and all I have to travel for is one visit around Aug. and then for ER and ET. I am very excited and can't wait to get started ~ which brings me to my next point ~ I am suppose to start my next AF on July 24th and I am usually a every 28 day girl, call and have BW with baseline scan etc... and then around the middle of Aug. start my lupron and go from there. Hoping for ET around Labor Day. I told him it would be neat to do the transfer on my B-Day (Sept. 3rd). I want to thank each of you for all you help thus far. I am sure I will be asking a bunch more questions. I will be praying for each of you as we go through this journey together!

[valerie68]

Good evening ladies,

I hope everyone is doing well!
jharris~ I'm so sorry about your meds, it's always something, isn't it?
But worse come to worse, you'll start a day later, that should not be any problem. Maybe your RE's office can provide you with meds until you get yours, that way you can start on time. I'm sure they have extras in the office. I understand your frustration

I'm starting BCP on Saturday and stims on Aug 7th. I have to wait for the results of my BW. I'll let you know, I'm hoping for a lower FSH #.

Babyloves~ Your numbers sound good especially for 3 follies, I'm sure there are some more hiding in there. I can't help you about one ovary not producing since I only have one to begin with. It's only 3 days, I think they will produce more in the meantime. Those 3 are good size already!
I had posted a question about E2 numbers and Ghost said it was very difficult to tell, there just is no set rule, it depends on the #s of follies and how big they were.

JDC~Sounds like something relaxing to have those minute needles in the ear. Hope BW comes out well and you're right behind jharris..that's exciting...the thread is starting to move...I love it!

I went to AP tonight and it was a wonderful experience in a way I did not anticipate. I don't know if I'll be able to put it into words because it so deeply touched me.
After the session, my AP started to talk and she told me that I thought too much, which is true, my mind is constantly going, not that I'm stressed just that my mind thinks all the time.
She said I had to let go and not think so much. She talked about the fact that it's so difficult to teach AP because people don't understand certain things, that you have to feel what you're doing, that it becomes your life and that you have to feel it in your heart. ( I told her that I thought it would be fun to learn AP). To make me understand that, she referred to my job and taking care of orchids, something you can't teach just like that. It takes years to learn, understand and feel what to do. I told her that the orchids spoke to me, that they are like a part of me and that just by looking, I know what they need. She said that that's how she is with her patients. It all became so clear.
My clients put their trust in me that I will do the best job that I can and I will put that same trust in her instead of wondering what every little needle is for, I will just enjoy the process and give my body to her and just relax more. Not that I didn't trust her before, just that I was wondering what every little needle did to my body. I won't think about it anymore and just simply feel it...
She also said that we have no control of what will happen, whether we get pregnant or not, as much as we'd like to control it, we can't. So we try to control the whole process we're going through because it makes us feel better. But actually, I don't think it does.
I think I finally understood today what it means to let go. I nearly cried in her office and I came home and told DH and that's when I just cried, tears of relief, joy, of being so touched. I'm crying again thinking about it!
I'm going to enjoy this journey, not just the outcome because I'm learning so much during this process about myself, other people and life in general.

I feel so much more inner peace, like a weight has been lifted of my chest. I can't wait to speak to her again, there seems to be so much to this little woman, something amazing resides inside her, I just feel it.
I told her that everything in life happens for a reason, I strongly believe that. She said yes, every little thing happens for a reason.
She mentioned that it had been a few years that she wanted to put orchids in her trees but always waited for one reason or another. She said, now I know I've been waiting for you to come into my life.
I think I was waiting to have her come into my life as well.
I don't think she realizes how much she touched me today...

Thanks for letting me talk tonight, I know it's a long post but I wanted to share this with all of you. I hope I expressed myself clearly, it's not always easy. Losing control is a difficult thing to do especially in this case, but once you do, it feels absolutely incredible.

Good night to all ....Lots of baby dust ...

Val

[karenvancouverisland]

hi all. it's been a few days since i've posted. i've missed a lot, find it hard to keep up with all our happenings. i'm so excited to hear of everyone getting closer, and closer to bfp's.. i'm behind in the race. won't be stimming til sept., but very happy to be part of everyone's journey.

val- your story about your AP really touched me- i get what you're talking about in more ways than one. thanks for sharing it. i struggle very much with quieting my mind, wanting to 'understand' things. i've found over the years this can bring much misery- yet i still do it... crazy. i work on trusting my clinic, yet i also want to be a good advocate for myself- where is the line? this struggle is so hard once i'm in the thick of an ivf cycle. i developed a mantra in my last cycle- 'i'm available for miracles (not in charge of them)"

i'm trying to think positive lately. and since my m/c my body feels different- i try to imagine that this is my fertility awakening like it's never been before..maybe i'll even get pregnant without ivf.. (wow! what a thought). i want this so bad, and i can think positive now, but i know when i get closer to stims, my sanity will leave and be replaced with fear.

anyways, welcome to the newcomers and to answer a few recent questions- we pay 5000 for ivf, another 1500 for icsi, about 2-3000 for meds (covered by our plan though). no services are covered here in canada, only meds if you're plan allows.

i took progesterone after ET vaginally and it was fine for the first while, by the time the ttw was up- i was very glad to be done with it, but i think i'd take it over another needle anyday.

glad to hear all the excitement in this thread and i'm sending tons of good energy out for everyone's stims! karen

[JDC]

Valerie Thank you for sharing your "letting go" experience with us. I really struggle with control - it is so true that with ivf, I control every detail that is possible, but in reality it is in God's hands. I have been practicing letting go lately, but, in my case it takes a lot of practice! But, when those moments do come......it is pure serenity. It is true that every little thing happens for a reason - I believe that with all of my heart. For me, I have to remember all of the positive things that have come out of this experience for me. I've learned so much and allowed a lot of wonderful people into my life.

jharris and babyloves congrats to you ladies on getting started! I will be praying for you and those bfps! Babyloves, only one of my ovaries produced any follicles last cycle as well. I am hesitant to comment on your situation only because I really think things can change a lot at this point. I would like to say that regarding your nurse on the phone - don't worry about her feelings or impatience on that phone. If you have questions, you need to ask them - I mean that is what they are there for and you are paying big money for this service. Even if you start by saying, " I know you are busy, but I have a few questions I need to ask....." Good luck to you!

suekiwi I think my points are for stress relief as I was starting to get edgy with the approaching ivf coming up. I'm finding they are really helping! Are you also doing herbs, I can't remember? I will be stopping mine next week as I will probably be starting estrace soon.

everyone Have a wonderful friday and I hope all is well with each and every one of you! Keep up the PMA!

Good bye for now......

[hopinginpa]

jharris- Wow that is great that you are getting started. I am going to the RE soon and should be stimming tonight as well!! We can cycle together.

Hope everybody else is doing well. I have to run and get to RE. More later.