April/May Buddies??

[CarolynB]

Sofia

Thanks so much for your post. It is great to know that you have so much support from people that you have never met but are living the same dream.

dh has just popped out to get me more water so I am back on his lap top. Must be close to 2litres today but clinic have told me to try to do 3 litres a day. Lots of getting up to wee in the night!!!

Verybest of luck for your scan tomorrow. I was on bureslin for down regging and I bled on and off for around 2 weeks. I figured that it was a good sign of my system and lining all get cleaned out. Cannot answer whether they will start stimmies as think that I had stopped by then but I could still have been spotting on & off. Fingers crossed for you. Let us know how you get on.

Love Carolyn xx

[DaniaBB]

Hi Sofia
I started stimming 4 days after my AF was over but my AF was 5 days long. This is how it went for me:
March25=1st BCP on first day of natural AF
APRIL 7=started Buserelin .50ML and con't BCP until april 10
April 12-16= Bleeding
April 20= 1st scan- first FSH-Gonal-F shot 225 units and Buserelin.20ML

I don't know if that will help, but that's been the course of my treatment so far.
Good luck on your scan tomorrow.
Dania

[CYOT]

HELLO EVERYONE----SOFIA----I STARTED STIMMS WHILE STILL ON AF----MY AF WAS ALSO VERY LONG---MY CLINIC SAID IT WAS BECAUSE MY ESTROGEN WAS SO LOW AND THAT I WOULD STOP BLEEDING WHEN I STARTED STIMMS--GOOD LUCK TOMARROW
I ACTUALLY FELT BETTER AT FIRST WHEN I STARTED THE STIMMS BUT TODAY I HAVE BEEN QUITE FATIGUED-----I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS A SIDE EFFECT OF THE STIMMS BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WOULD GET MORE ENERGY AS MY ESTROGEN RAISED----I HAVE NO PAIN AND CAN'T FEEL A THING AS FAR AS FOLLIES GROWING SO I HOPE EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL------I GO TOMARROW FOR MORE BLOOD WORK SO I'LL FIND OUT THEN
CAROLYN -----CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS WITH EC----I TRULY HOPE YOU CAN DO ET FRIDAY----I WOULD HATE TO WAIT AGAIN WITH A FREEZE----BUT AT LEAST THE HARD PART IS OVER---GETTING THOSE EGGS OUT SAFE IS A CHALLENGE-----I HOPE YOUR BLOATING GOES AWAY SOON---GOOD LUCK
NATALIE---I CAN'T BE OF ANY HELP WITH THE INJ YOUR DOING BECAUSE I'M NOT USING THAT---ALSO DH DOES ALL MINE FOR ME--I CAN'T EVEN LOOK AT THEM-----GOOD LUCK I'M SURE IT WILL BE FINE
DANIA----I GUESS YOU HAVE BEEN TIRED LIKE ME----IT MUST BE THE DRUGS THEN----I KNOW THIS IS DUMB BUT WHAT IS CM
WENDY ---GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SCAN TOMARROW---I HOPE ALL GOES WELL
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYBODY ELSE---LOTS OF PMA

[missprissy]

Hello everyone! Well, I have been getting lots of rest and not really lifting a finger!! DH and my parents have been doing an OUTSTANDING job taking care of me. I am holding up fairly well. I am VERY NERVOUS!! I have been thinking positive, but reality bites me every now and then. The other day I had a "little" cry because there is a possibility that I'm not pregnant. However, I feel like I am ......if that means anything right now, it's so early. I know how POWERFUL the mind is, so I try not to feed into every twinge and tingle. I have suprisingly stayed away from HPTs but I think I may take one in the morning. Tomorrow will be 11 days since my HCG shot and 6 days since the ET, I'm sure it's too early to show anything, but I really want to pee on that darn stick!! My DH is trying to talk me out of it so we'll see.

Gailp: I know exactly what you mean about trying to always think positive but being worried at the same time. Now I'm paranoid that maybe my REAL test date may be too early. I remember you mentioning that my ET was a day after yours and I'm testing two days before you. My serum HCG test is May 2 which is only 11 days after ET. I'm so nervous. I honestly don't know what I'll do if it's negative. I'm trying to only think positive, but I'm human and I'm scared.

CarolynB: 13 eggs....how WONDERFUL!! Congratulations!! Your egg transfer WILL BE FRIDAY!! (PMA) It sounds like your drinking plenty of fluids and getting lots of rest so I'm sure you'll be just fine! Soon you'll be posting your test date!

Sofia and Wendy: I hope both of your scans go exceptionally well tomorrow!

Prissy

[CarolynB]

Morning Ladies

Up early as cannot stop thinking that I might just have 2 back on board by tomorrow. CRIKEY!!! Excited & nervous all at the same time. Long post from me to all of you today as know that husband will have me in bed for a few days if we are able to go ahead tomorrow. Tummy was very very painful last night but took loads of water plus some nurofen and it seems quite a lot better today although too sore to go to work.

Prissy - glad that you are being taken good care of my dh & your family. You could not be giving yourself a better chance. Zita West's book talks about the power of visulisation. Think and behave like you are pregnant although I know that it is easier said than done. Sure that I will succumb to evil pea sticks. Saw quite a few posts on here about some being much better than others but as a nurse I am sure that you know that. It still seems early for you though so if it does not show what you want at this v early stage, you could still end up with a BFP.

Brenda - have posted on your own test thread but almost there now. Just one sleep (that is a joke in itself!!!) to go. Fingers crossed for your big day tomorrow.

Lucy - what news from you hun. Been a bit quiet so hope that all is well.

Gail - see that you have kicked off the May test thread. I am really really hoping that I can join you there sooner rather than later. I truely hope that this is the one for you after your long journey. Can understand why you are nervous but as you say try to keep the PMA going and tell yourself that this will be the one that works.

Sofia & Wendy - Hoping that you both have good news to share after your scans today. Fingers crossed that you can both get going on the stimmies

Em - good luck for your scan tomorrow down under! Hope that it shows that you are on the way to some good follies. Sending a follie fair around the world for you.

Dania - I can't get the smiles/ticker to work from dh's pc but they are fine from mine - strange? I am rubbish with technology but think that it has something to do whether your pc can deal with HTML I am also at a big clinic so see loads of different people but overall I have to say that they have done a pretty dam good job of keeping track of me & calling when they say they will. I am sure that you've done the same but I just put their 24 hour number into my mobile (which is ALWAYS with me) and even though I have not called it - the thought that I can if anything starts to go astray has calmed me down a bit. Zita West book is on Amazon and although not all the book is about infertily/ivf it has lots of advice about how to get your body ready to be pregnant. Not sure what CM is? But certainly felt rumbling/gurgling in my tummy as got near the end of stimmies. Not long til your scan now.

Lucybucy - how are you doing on the Puregon? What dose are you taking? I was on 150ml per day and felt pretty ok for the first week. Second week was when I could really feel action going on inside!

Cyot - hope that the increased dose has done the trick. We all respond differently. They need to adjust carefully as it seems to be such a fine line between making sure that you are producing follies and not getting so many that you either get OHSS or lower quality eggs. Seems such a delicate balancing act. Let us know how you get on with the bloods today. I felt tired some days and a bag of energy other days. Think that it is the combo of all the drugs and the nerves too.

Natalie - Hope that stimmies are not too bad for you & that you have recovered from scan the other day.

Sally - must say that I was impressed with Hammersmith yesterday. Lots of ladies there so did feel a bit like a production line for EC but nurses/doctors all very friendly & were careful to walk me & dh through everything. Other than the 1 day when they were a little light on info I have been pleased with the care that I have got.

Heather - Beth - any news from both of you? Beth know that you had to go back again for more checking of the follies - are they now behaving themselves and growing as they should

Sammy - hope that you are bearing up ahead of testing on Saturday

Lots of luck for everyone else.

Tomorrow looks like a very busy day for this crew. Brenda testing. Dania - Lucy - Em - & - Sally all up for scans. Me hopefully on for ET. Hope that it is a very happy Friday for us all.

Love Carolyn xxx

[Xrayem]

Hi Carolyn,

Are you going to the Hammersmith? I used to work there (2 years ago) as a radiographer. I used to do hundreds of HSG's a day.....never thought I'd be on the receiving end though! Lord Professor Winston used to sign the request forms and I always felt like he was a celbrity. Sigh.... I just got homesick for my 2nd home. We were there for 4 years but have been back in Oz for the last 2 years.

Thanks to everyone for their welcomes! Is everyone doing IVF? I'm only new at the "fertility slang" used on this site and can only assume that when people say stimmies, they mean Clomid, etc. But what is down reg? Is that an IVF thing or another delight I have in store for me?

Had a cheeky peek at my ovaries today (having access to ultrasound can be a dangerous thing!) and I have a 20mm follicle and then 3 10mm ones. Do I go ahead if there's only 1? I guess I have to be patient and wait until the doc scans me tomorrow. I hate all this waiting! I hate the fact that everything seems to hinge on the next tests results. GGRRRRRR.

Getting grumpy again,
Gotta go, Em

[Sallyc]

DaniaBB-hey...I’ve got my scan on Friday too…*g* Good luck with yours.

Gailp-Keep up the PMA Girl...I’ll be thinking of you. PMA…PMA…PMA…PMA

LucyBucy-how are you? How did the first injection go? Good luck.

I read Zitas book and about the DHA, but I decided not to take it. I’m already taking Zink and folic acid and b-vitamins so I gave that one a miss *g*

CYOT-good luck for your blood test today and for your scan tomorrow. Don’t be disappointed if things don’t go to plan…they rarely do with IVF/ICSI.

Xrayem-welcome to the board. I’ve been to Hammersmith for my HSG in 2004 (July or August it think it was). Where you still there then? Most Ladies here r doing IVF or ICSI with Drugs like Gonal F or Puregon (stimms). DR is the Down regulation. Depending on the Protocol you get given its 2 weeks of injecting Buserelin or sniffing another drug etc. This prevents the eggs from being released to early. Good luck with your scan tomorrow.

Natalie Anne-sorry can’t help you on this one, only ever used the Gonal F pen. Good luck.

CarolynB-heyyyy....that’s brilliant news. 13 is a perfect number I’m sure you will be ok for transfer on Friday. The first time round I had 12 eggs…felt awful for a few days after EC but no OHSS.

Well…hoping for 100 % fertilisation and a smooth transfer on Friday. I hate the Transfers because they make you drink loads so you’ve got a full bladder for the transfer *g* I’m not very good with a full bladder and not allowed to go to the loo

Good to hear you are feeling better today. My fingers are crossed for you.

Let us know how you get on. Say hello to DH, quite often they feel left out and can’t do much…so my DH told me.

Sofia-good luck for your scan today. AF should stop soon. Mine was longer than normal but stopped just before I started stimms. I think the hormone levels r important.

WendyW-how r you doing. Hope the headache has gone. Good luck for your scan.

Missprissy-stay positive girl. And keep away from that stick...*g*

I´ve just been for a run, didnt go too well though. Think i might have to stop now. After about 15 min i had aches and pains in my tummy... Hope it is a good sign for loads of nice follies growing. *g*

Got to go for Blood and scan tomorrow and then have a day out with hubby whos on a day off tomorrow but will be working all day saturday.

Hope you all have a nice day and good luck everyone for tomorrow.

[CarolynB]

Hi Em

That is so wierd. Yes I am at IVF Hammersmith for treatment and had my diagnosis there too - including of course an HSG!!! They were very nice to me there as I was rather up tight. Have not seen Lord Prof Wilson of course but saw one of the other ladies say they saw him in the street so guess that he is still there. A couple of the other ladies on here are at Hammersmith too (Sally & Sofia - sorry if my meory has got it wrong!?).

Afraid that I cannot help with your queries as I had to leap straight to ivf as both tubes are completely blocked and age - rapidly approcahing - 4 - 0.

Not everyone is on ivf though, it is a real mixture. Somebody will jump in an answer your question for sure.

There is also a great thread at the top of the General Forum with loads of help on all the abbreviations. Well worth a read.

Take care.
Carolyn xx

[LucyBucy]

I'm currently at work, pretending to be working..

Feel like I've been away from this forum for weeks, so much has happened!

I was wondering whether I should be booking time off work after my EC? Does anyone know if I should just stay off until ET? Also, does anyone have any experience of going to work during the 2ww? Not sure what 'taking it easy' means and whether I'll be alright on the tube in rush hour etc...?

Am going to start on injections tonight so will do a proper catch up and personals later.

Love, PMA, and twinkly smiley vibes to everyone!

[Natalie Anne]

Hi Lucy

opinons differ wildly about taking time off. my personal experience is that i took about 5 days off after my first 3 transfers and got negatives. i took the whole 2ww off after my last one and got a +ive. i then miscarried a week later but at least i'd got further than before so even if it's only in my mind, i think it helps so i'll be taking time off from just before egg collection right through to result day.

the previous times i used a combination of annual leave and unpaid leave but this time i'm going to my GP to see if she will sign me off. worth a try.

Natalie
x

[tlkmoser]

Hello everyone!! I've been lurking around for a week or so and thought I'd just say Hi.

My DH and I have MFI. He had a vas in the early '90's. We had a reversal two years ago and it worked. We have swimmers, they are just a little slow!

We did 3 IUI's with 3 BFN's and then decided to move on to IVF. All stim went well with 9 eggs, 6 mature, 5 fertilized and 2 tranfered.

I'm getting towards the end of my 2ww with a test date of Monday the 1st.

I've been pretty down these past couple of days because I really feel like I'm getting AF. I know cramps are common in early preg. but my AF is usually accompanied by lower back pain and burning in my thighs (weird I know), but I've been having that for the past two days. I'm trying to keep a postive attitude but it's hard. My DH is being soooo sweet trying to keep my mood up but that's not really helping either.

I just wanted to say thanks, because lurking around on this board has really helped me. Even if it is BFN I'm beginning to see it's not the end of the world. We can always try again.

Oh and I just wanted to say hi to MissPrissy whoever you are. We were apparently in the same cycle at Walter Reed. My EC was Monday the 17th and my ET was Thursday the 20th!

Thanks for all the support even if you didn't know it!!!


tlkmoser

[CarolynB]

Lucybucy - I was really not sure what to do either about - work or not to work. So I left it a bit flexible with work. Have just told my boss that I have medical issues so have to be in & out of hospital on particular days/times. He was scared that I might tell him more & so just told me that was fine. I planned my schedule to be in the day between EC and ET (today) but changed my plans when I knew that I had quite a lot of follies as guessed that I would need the recovery time (which I have done). If I get ET tomorrow, it will have worked out quite well in terms of timing. I am planning to stay in bed - Fri - Sat - Sun. I may get up on Monday and just potter at home. Am meant to be in work Tuesday. DH & I are not sure about the tube so if I do go in he may drive me or I may invest in a mini cab. Seems expensive but not compared to the investment made already. I do have a desk job and will be trying to avoid rushing around. If I feel knackered then I shall just say that I am ill and come straight home. Have cancelled any evening engagements as want to get home to put my feet up. Guess it is different for all of us but I am not sure that I could do nothing at all for two weeks. I will be trying to take it MUCH easier than usual and sure that dh will be constantly nagging me to sit down!!!!

Tlkmoser - - read or post - whatever best helps you. You are almost there now. Not long until you test. Try to stay positive just for a little while longer.

Sally - Thank you for letting me know your numbers first time around. That made me feel much better. Have been waiting all day to see if I get a call from Hammersmith - they said that they only call if none work. No call as yet. Thanks for the message for dh. I think that it is quite weird for them as they are not sure what to do/say to help us. Sure that will change as I will have him running around if i make the 2ww. Good luck for your scan tomorrow - are you in Hammersmith tomorrow?

I feel quite a lot better. Been sleeping, on laptop and just drinking water. Tummy has it's moment but I have not taken any drugs since this morning and am moving a little bit more freely. Willing myself that I can get them back tomorrow.

Love Carolyn xxx

[Sofia]

Hello

Well I'm back from my scan. The good news is that there is no polyp, cysts or any other little lumps in sight and I am down-regging nicely. (For those new here, I almost didn't start this cycle of IVF due to a polyp being diagnosed - so it pays to get a second opinion!). The bad news for me is that the entire clinic is going on holidays for a week from 1 May, so I will have to wait till the 8th to start stimmies. Now, I can't complain, because I am on the 'one-shot' regime, so I don't have to inject myself everyday, but I can't help wondering whether this is OK. Has anyone else been in the suppression stage for over three weeks? Will I be over-suppressed or not? If it is just the one injection anyway, that can't happen, right? Like someone recently said, I guess there is no such thing as a 'text-book' cycle.

Thanks Carolyn, Dania and Cyot for the info on AF - I guess it doesn't matter now!!

Good for you Prissy, our 'thread mum' - you seem to be holding out really well, and I don't blame you for wanting to do a PT. Let us know how things are going...

Xrayem - how strange it must be to 'be from the other side' , as it were. Quite handy too I suspect. You must have lots of inside info you can share!

tlkmoser - welcome, even if it is for a short time. I also read other boards and never respond, but I still feel like I am emotionally involved in their story.

Wendy, how did your scan go? I hope it was just good news, not like mine!

Good luck Carolyn tomorrow with the possible ET. No pressure, but you know there is a group of us with fingers crossed waiting to hear the good news!

Well DH has just wandered over to find out what I am up to, and asked in a surprised voice 'What girls??', when I said I had to let 'the girls know how my scan went!

Vessi - we haven't heard from you recently - are you still there?

Sofia

[tiffichels]

Hello Ladies. I just wanted to pop in to say hey.


I am back from my looooong 18 hour drive from Texas to South Carolina and back. I'm sure glad I did it now and didn't wait until further down the line on the drugs.

Sounds like most of us are doing quite well besides a possible delay or two here and there. That's no bad thing though. The doctors know the best way to go about this and it's better to have to wait a bit and get the + result so just try to relax and look for the wonderful outcome.


I started the lupron shots on Saturday the 22nd. Got home last night and this morning dh was freaked about giving me the shot (little sis gave them to me in SC). I had to ease his mind and tell him it was no biggie and he did fine. I have my baseline scan and some bloodwork tomorrow then I am supposed to start the stimmies (Repronex) on Saturday. That's the 1.5 inch needle that I'm totally freaked out about, can't ease dh's mind on that one. It should be a pretty entertaining scene.

Anyway, have a few scans next week and still scheduled for 5/10 for the ER.

While in SC, mom insisted on buying me a Big Bird holding a huge Easter egg to represent my one big wonderful fertile egg that we are hoping for. I told her she was silly but maybe it will give me good luck.

I'm sending positive vibes to everyone. I pray that there are many future babies on the way for all of us loving mommy's and daddy's .

[luby]

Hi everyone

Haven't been on for a few days, I have been so bust with work, that I just haven't had the time, and gosh, I've so much to catch up with.... Well have my first follie scan tomorrow, only on 5th day of stims so not expecting too much..!

Prissy - I'm glad that DH and his parents are looking after you. Resting is the best thing you can do. I know its hard to stay positive but if you can its great, we should believe we are pregnant, as hard as it is.... you will be celebrating a BFP on 1st May (hope I’ve got your test date correct) Good Luck Hun

Sofia - Hope its all good news from your scan today.

Lucybucy - first I would like to apologies for nicking your nickname, my friends call me luby or I just get Lu. I do like Lucybucy though...! You should watch "50 first dates" it’s very good..! How is the Puregon going? Hope your not feeling too bad, I wish I had of booked a few sessions of acupuncture..! Hope it helps you.

Cyot - Hope your doing OK on the stims not long now until EC, make sure you drink plenty of water... there is me telling you that and I should be doing the exact same but finding it hard, prob only having one small cup a day. How did the bloods go today? Good luck with scan tomorrow (hope I've got date correct, if not sorry)

Carolyn - Wow I was so pleased to read you got 13 eggs, that’s fantastic news. Well done sweetie. Also to you, drink plenty of water and rest as much as you can, let DH take care of you. It is very boring just lying around but well worth it in the end. So then are you going for transfer tomorrow? I wish you all the luck in the world, everything will be fine.!

Brenda - Good luck for 2moro, I just know you'll be posting a BFP...

Gail - wishing you loads of luck for 4th May, I know this waiting has been hard for you but it'll be all worth it in the end. You too will be celebrating BFP.


Have to go now so I am so sorry for the people I have missed, I will catch up on other posts later. I am soooooo tired, work has been manic and been doing loads of hours so need some rest, could do without work commitments when going through IVF, I have booked a week off for after my ET, I am on annual leave from W/C 8th May. I think I'll be going for EC on 6th May....

Bye everyone and take care

Lucy