JUNE/JULY 09 cycle buddies

[Kushka]

Hi everyone,

Sorry I've been quiet for a while - I've been in Copenhagen on a work trip. I took the over-night train there with a bunch of people from work so I had to inject myself in the train's bathroom, jolting around all over the place. Managed to hit a vein or something - blood everywhere and I now have a massive bruise on my tummy, plus a bunch of them on my thighs. People at the pool must think I'm being beaten up at home!

Anyway, I came back early from the conference to see my Dr, and the good news is that I seem to be properly downregulated, my lining is thin, AF came when she was supposed to, and today I started the next lot of injections to stimulate my follicles to grow. I'm on Projen (or something that sounds a bit like that) at 275mgs - I believe this is quite a high dose because it seems I have a low egg reserve. So I'm not sure how long this will go on for now, but I guess we're looking at ER around mid June(ish).

I'm really excited right now. The side effects off all the drugs haven't been bad so far (I mean I'm night-sweat-tastic, but it really could be worse!) and I feel like each day is one closer to having a baby. And I really do just have to stop and laugh at how crazy it all is - our fridge at home is so full of drugs we can hardly get to the food. I haven't felt like I could tell anyone at work what's going on, so at the conference I'd have to excuse myself from meetings to go back to my room to inject myself. The mini bar fridge in my room was so full of drugs I had to take all the drinks out - what must the hotel staff think I was up to?!

Anyway, thanks to you all for sharing your journeys. It really helps to know that we're all going through the same thing. I'm sorry not to respond to you all personally. To be honest, I don't feel like i have any advice for anyone as I'm one of the newbies here. But love and luck to all of us.

Kx

[katie99]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if I can join your board? I came across it a few days ago when I was stuck home for the day waiting for the large box of stims ( EEK! the price!)

A little bit about me, we were ttc for 2 yrs. every month waiting , hoping ...nothing. apparently I have severe endo w/ blocked tubes.
Dr said tubal ligation then ivf was the best bet. I had the first cycle last Dec/Jan and the stims went well, but the nurses were calling my numbers "poky" ok, I didnt mind as long as it works, right? They retreived only 5 eggs ( and quite a bit of endo tissue that was taking up precious ovarian room!) 3 fertilized - and 0 took. I was crushed. now that a few months have passed we are gearing up for round 2. this time I'll be on an antagonist cycle ( 84 vials of Bravelle 12 of Menopur 6 of Gannerelix) and I'm sure getting nervous about it. Since insurance is covering absolutely nothing I sure hope that this time I get a BFP because I'm not sure we can try again. Boy that helps the stress levels , huh?

If anyone has been on the antagonist cycle let me know what to expect
I'm so glad I found this message board! I mean friends are sympathetic but only someone who has been through infertility also, really understands what its like.

baseline bloodwork + u/s on 6/9
stims start on 6/11
fingers crossed already!
good luck to all!

[katie99]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if I can join your board? I came across it a few days ago when I was stuck home for the day waiting for the large box of stims ( EEK! the price!)

A little bit about me, we were ttc for 2 yrs. every month waiting , hoping ...nothing. apparently I have severe endo w/ blocked tubes.
Dr said tubal ligation then ivf was the best bet. I had the first cycle last Dec/Jan and the stims went well, but the nurses were calling my numbers "poky" ok, I didnt mind as long as it works, right? They retreived only 5 eggs ( and quite a bit of endo tissue that was taking up precious ovarian room!) 3 fertilized - and 0 took. I was crushed. now that a few months have passed we are gearing up for round 2. this time I'll be on an antagonist cycle ( 84 vials of Bravelle 12 of Menopur 6 of Gannerelix) and I'm sure getting nervous about it. Since insurance is covering absolutely nothing I sure hope that this time I get a BFP because I'm not sure we can try again. Boy that helps the stress levels , huh?

If anyone has been on the antagonist cycle let me know what to expect
I'm so glad I found this message board! I mean friends are sympathetic but only someone who has been through infertility also, really understands what its like.

baseline bloodwork + u/s on 6/9
stims start on 6/11
fingers crossed already!
good luck to all!

[CT_Michele]

Kushka- glad to see you back. That is funny about the hotel. I have read lots of interesting stories on this site about traveling with meds and doing injections at inconvenient times. I moved you up to the stimming section of the list...you are so close now!

katie- welcome, I have done an antagonist cycle both times. I was doing follistim and menopur, and then started ganerelix about halfway through. Only symptoms I ever had while stimming was feeling bloated, which even wasn't that bad this past time around. And you are right about friends...I love them to pieces, but the ladies here are the only ones who really understand what I am going through.

[katie99]

Thanks Michelle!
your posts are always so helpful. I'm learning so much from this site.
I do remember the bloated, tender feeling from the first attempt - like hating the seat belt because it hits right at the wrong spot

9 days left until I srart stimming! It seems like I cant think about anything else! Also I discovered that I have the exact same schedule as Tanya123

Me=40 DH=42
Me= endo/ tubes removed 11/08
1st IVF = BFN 1/09
2nd IVF=ER/ET week of 6/22!
TTC= 2yrs

[Rosario]

I am 4dp5dt and have gotten a BFP on a HPT... Too early? I will keep testing until beta on Monday. Lets hope this is it!

[Stay Positive]

HI everyone!

So much news on here, it's really exciting!!

Debbie67- It's always helpful for me to see ladies on here in the over-40 club. I'm 42 and trying IVF for the first time. I hope that you do well with the different meds this go round, and I am crossing my fingers for you extra hard given what you said about this being the last cycle for you. I'm glad that you found this forum as hopefully the support and information will be helpful to you along the way.

wicked- Thanks for your comments. I will remember what you said about the JOURNEY being what's important, not the TIMING!

Rosario- Oh, I am SO hoping that the hpt BFP is a sign of things to come!! I will be so happy for you.....keep us posted on every detail!! And glad that you're feeling so good in the 2ww!

hjw- Welcome! I was sorry to read of your last BFN but I am glad that your clinic got you in a month sooner! Way to go! Perhaps that bodes well, as this may be the time when everything is meant to be...........

morningglory- I was also sorry to hear of your first IVF outcome, and I give you a lot of credit for turning right around and trying again. I think we all have to stay determined in this situation and never give up. I think you and I will have ERs very close to each other in date (as of now I am estimated around July 2, but that might change by a few days). I'll keep you updated and you do the same. Also, I understand about your fear and lack of excitement...I'm hoping that by being on this forum you can find some good support and hopefully start to feel more positive. I'll keep the good thought on you.

prayin4BFP- Are you feeling better? Ugh, your symptoms sound yucky! What we put our bodies through for this, right??!! I hope by now you are getting a little relief....keep us posted and hang in there!

marymeganB-Welcome here! I was sorry to read of your first IVF cycle/mc. I really hope that this time things go better and I agree with you that perhaps it does indeed bode well that you got a BFP the first time around. I understand your fear and like I said to morningglory, I hope that it helps to be on this forum and to know that you're not alone in your feelings. I'm hoping for the best for you. And by the way, I grew up in Annandale!

Kushka-Welcome back! I LOL at your stories of injecting yourself on the train and the fridges at home and the hotel? We all need to maintain a sense of humor around here and you've definitely helped in that department. And like you, I'm a newbie and don't know how much I can really contribute at this point. However, I think humor is ALWAYS welcome!!

katie99-Sorry to hear the outcome of your first cycle. I will say that your attitude the second time around sounds very strong, positive, and determined which is wonderful! I have to also believe that it will only help so keep it up and i wish you the best.

CTMichele-Thanks for your continued upkeep of everyone's progress! You do a great job. I hope your pain is better....ugh, you don't need anything extra to deal with!

AFM, I have officially joined the "I love AF" bandwagon. Started yesterday, so as of tomorrow I start my bcps and really, finally, get the IVF ball rolling! I will talk to the nurse today and get more information on everything to come (meds, dates, etc) and post back.

In the meantime, good vibes to all!!!

[morningglory]

Hey Stay Positive, Good to know I have a cycle buddy. Hope to stay in touch with ya.
I have been on my BCP's since the 5th day of the period after the BFN. Since I get to skip the Lupron suppression stage of IVF, they wanted to keep my cycle under their control early on. I'm glad they are doing it.

[EYCI]

Well ladies, a BIG Hello –

Today is my birthday and I got the call from the clinic that the embryos (our last 2) thawed without issue. Yeah!! The best birthday present I could ask for. We won’t know until tomorrow if they grew or what grade they are. The transfer is scheduled for 7:45am. I always find something to worry about and I’m nervous that my lining is too thick. It was at 12mm a week ago, but now I’ve been reading that over 15 is not good. I’m afraid it will have grown too much in the last week. I guess there is nothing to do about it now, so I’ll just try to stay positive and knock off the negativity.

Rosario - Hooray for your BFP! I’m very happy for you!

Nicksgam – Did you have your ER today?

Michelle – Thanks for the new list with the FET section. I hope things in your life are settling down and becoming less stressful. Just a few more days of work for you right?

A big welcome to this thread for Sheri_121, Debbie67, hjw, morningglory, marymeganb, and katie99. I hate to see so many people on this thread… just means more people with infertility ; But I am SOOOO glad to see that we can all be there for each other!

Sabi – Are your medications similar to an FET, except that you’ll have the fresh DE embryo transferred? I’m glad Lupron is going well for you. I HATE it! Bad headaches and hot flashes.

Praying4BFP – How are things going? Did AF come yet?

Deftonesmo – How did your baseline go?

Sarah – not only are our situations very similar, but I too am from MN. How funny is that? How’s your cycle going? Not much longer until transfer!

Tanya123 – I hope your new protocol works better for you this time. Not much longer!

Wishfull – Just another 9 days until transfer. Hope things are going well and the time goes quickly for you.

To_have_fun – Are you back from vacation?

Mikeandjess – Sorry to hear about your delay. Better to wait than move forward with less than ideal stuff going on. I hope having your RE do the FET works out for you!

StayPositive – Sorry to hear the Clomid cycle didn’t work out. I’m sure July will be here before you know it. We’ll be right there with ya through it!

Wickedwheel – I’m glad you heard from your clinic. It always seems to go faster when you know dates and timing. Not too much longer for you!

Bey1214 – Did you get an answer from your RE about why they are starting you if your lining is thick? Did you start your meds?

Kushka – Welcome back. Sounds like an adventure with the traveling, injecting, etc. You have a very positive attitude about it… that’s very admirable. I get cranky when I have to pack a syringe and meds in my purse if we are going somewhere for the evening.

So sorry if I missed anyone!!! I hope all of you ladies are doing well! You are all amazing!

--Julie

[statsgoddess]

Hey guys, just a quick update since we finally got our follow-up with the clinic today. Our first cycle was a chemical pregnancy, which we were both pretty torn up about. We have two frozen embryos, both good quality, but after talking with the clinic today, we are going to do a fresh cycle this time and leave the two frozen for a later attempt. Our odds are a lot better with a fresh cycle anyway, and these embryos will still be from 29-year-old eggs, regardless of when we use them. Plus, if we do a fresh cycle, we might end up with more frozen for a later try. They said they would change my stim med dose this time, since I responded so quickly the last time, but they don't really have a good explanation for why it didn't work out the last time other than playing the odds.

So right now I'm waiting for AF and I got my prescription for bcp's today. I'm probably more of a July/August cycle, but I think I'll hang out with you guys while I'm waiting around a couple more weeks for AF. Looks like I'll be spending the summer with lupron headaches after all

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for #2 to be the lucky cycle

[Rosario]

UPDATE: I just got a letter in the mail from clinic and was notified I have 2 snow babies (blasts). I am just so happy!!!!!!

[sbr]

Hello everyone! We're getting quite a crew of ladies here! So many to welcome! I see some familiar names, like HAZEL! Welcome! I'm glad you're able to get going this July!

Rosario, this is fantastic news---on both fronts, a BFP and good frosties! Congrats!

Julie, very weird we have so many similarities including that we live in the same state. I wonder if we're doctoring at the same clinic!

Michele, You're doing a great job keeping up with everyone on here. So many people are joining and writing in that I get overwhelmed and then I just decide not to post! I feel guilty not addressing everyone, but I just can't!

AFM, I'm still taking the Estrace pills priming my lining for next week's transfer. I have an ultrasound on Thursday morning. I should find out if they'll transfer me next Thursday or Friday. I'm secretly hoping for Friday because I'm starting to get superstitious. With my son three years ago they transferred me on a Friday. My BFN was on a Thursday. I'm going back to PIO shots which worked with my son and the suppositories gave me a BFN in April! Also, I'm going to go back to the stricter resting like I did with my son (which I didn't with my BFN in April). I'm just hoping these little minor changes help---even though I'm quite positive it's really embryo quality and the Powers Above!!

QUESTION: So, my clinic told me that they would thaw my embryos two days before my transfer. The nurse said that they'd thaw them on Tuesday if I had a Thursday transfer and Wednesday if I had a Friday transfer. They were frozen at 3 days, so does this mean they are growing two more days to make them a 5 day blast? I asked the nurse this on the phone, and she didn't seem to really know (or know what I was talking about). She then said, well, it's still a 3 day transfer if they were frozen at three days. I'm just really curious about it... When I see a nurse after my u/s on Thursday I'm going to ask again (hoping it's a different nurse). Since I'll be AT the clinic, she could run out and talk to a doc, so maybe I'll get a straight answer. Just curious what you guys think about this???? With my FET in April they transferred two, two days after they thawed them (3 day frozen) and then "looked beautiful" when they transferred them. So, they made it two more days. I just really want to know if they're considered blasts, then???

ONE WEEK LEFT OF SCHOOL!!! Can't wait for summer---hopefully a pregnant summer!
~Sarah

[wishfull27]

morning ladies

wow i can't keep up with you all !!

Rosario - our first BFP - so pleased for you all crossed that the trigger has gone and its a true BFP to start us off and frosties too xx

Julie good luck for transfer xx

hazel - knew you would have been lurking xx

staypositive - i am too in the 40's group .. remeber age is just a number

i am thinking about all you wonderful ladies as we embark on this roller coast journey of IF - hoping this thread will have the best success ever and we will all get our BFP's

AFM - off for lining scan this morning, then accupuncture then thought best do a few hours at work to show willing

Will try and post a bit more but never enough hours in the day

hugs

carolyn xx

michelle - as always doing a grand job keeping us all in order!! - have you hit 1000 posts yet - cannot tell on review !!!!

[hjw]

Morning ladies. Thank you all for the warm welcome, I can tell that this is a great thread! Hope it's a lucky one too and we all get our BFP's - PMA!

Carolyn - yes, I was lurking, so guilty as charged! I was soooo tempted to join you all about three weeks ago but was feeling a little superstitious that if I did, I would jinx things and definitely get pushed to August! Only 8 days to go until your FET, it's so exciting! Oh, work, don't worry about that, acupuncture and enjoying this lovely UK sunshine sounds like a much nicer plan!!

Rosario - congratulations, what a great way to kick off the results on this thread! Let us know how beta goes.

Sarah - hey, lovely to see you as well, although I wish that we were meeting again over on the 'pregnant after treatment' boards. Let's hope this one's the one for all of us on this thread. On the subject of thawing, I would guess that if your embies grow another two days then they must be blasts at the point of transfer, but I don't know that for sure. I'm jealous that they grow them at all, my clinic thaws them about 3 hours before transfer and puts them straight in, which worries me a little. I mean, how do they know that they are going to actually start growing again?? Oh well, I just have to trust that they know what they're doing... GL for your scan tomorrow!

statsgoddess - nice to see you as well. I think your decision to do a fresh cycle sounds very sensible - I would do another fresh rather than a FET if I could, given that like you we only have 2 frozen emrbyos, but I'm restricted on what I can do with my public funded treatment. Let me know when you have dates - my FET transfer isn't going to be until 27/28 July so you and I may end up being quite close together.

Julie - that's so great that your two embies thawed OK, did you get a grade for them today? Hope the transfer went well this morning! Enjoy being PUPO!

Nicole - how did your ER go?

Stay Positive - thank you for the welcome! Know what you mean about being in the "I Love AF" club - who would have known pre-IVF that there would come a time when we would actually WANT her to show up! Did you speak to the nurse and get a better idea of dates?

Everyone else - thinking of you and hope to get to know you all better over the next few weeks.

Hazel

[CT_Michele]

Wow- I have a lot of catching up to do!

hazel- my clinic does the same thing with thawing that yours does and it makes me nervous. I asked them last week, how do they know they "survived" the thaw if they do it that morning, and the response was that as long as the embryos still have atleast half of the cells they were frozen with then they are good. So if you froze an 8 cell, they want to see atleast 4 cells when they thaw. Watch for my post to ghost, I will be asking about this

carolyn- thanks for noticing I am close to 1000 posts! I can not believe it myself. I remember so clear my first post, so nervous about not knowing anything...and now I am addicted! I am just a few away until I guess I become a "valued contributer" whatever that means. I guess I will have to make post #1000 extra special so watch out for it!

sarah- so happy you only have one week left of school. I thought my tutoring would end next week, but it looks like I might have a chance to go into july if I can coordinate with parents, so I will try only because the pay is crazy good...and if it doesn't work out, I won't be sad to be done with it. Those are good questions about the embryos...I am now starting to find out more about fet's, so if I find out, I will let you know.

Rosario- congrats on your frosties, and of course, congrats on what looks like our first bfp on this thread! I would think your trigger would be gone by know, mine was gone well before this time on both of my cycles. Have you done another hpt to confirm?

stats- we would love for you to hang with us, even if you are going closer to august, hazel is almost in august too. I think if you can do another fresh, then that is a good way to go. If we still had a try covered by insurance, I would do the same, but unfortunately, finances are driving our decisions right now. Here is a little AF dance for you...


Julie- Happy birthday...well belated birthday, I didn't get a chance to say it yesterday. What a wonderful present to get. I am glad the thaw went well. And good luck on your transfer...let us know how it goes.


stay positive- congrats on getting that ball rolling. It is nice to be able to finally do something other than wait. Let us know your dates.

to everyone I missed...a big hello and hope you are doing well wherever you are in your cycle.

Nothing to report for me. I go for u/s and bw tomorrow and I think that is when I start estrogen, so I will move up on our list...finally I am making progress! I have been trying to get back to my parents group, ella and I met them at starbucks the other night and a park yesterday. When I did my last cycle in april and got the bfn, I was so devastated that I lost touch and stayed home for a while, but ella is really getting to the age now where she enjoys the other kids and being out...so I am trying to make a better effort, and it really is good for me to get out of the house too.

Ok, gotta run, I will catch up again later.