Calling any August Cycle buddies

[jaye]

Hi everyone,
Ellie, so sorry to hear your news. Take care.
Shannon, while people usually say your levels have to double, increasing by 66% in two days is actually the minimum - I don't know how many days apart your tests were, but your levels were exactly 66% apart - don't give up yet! I know it's hard, but your levels are strong. Hang on in there.
Hi Alette - welcome! I'm about last here I think, so I'd be glad to have you! I'm still stimming, EC (if it happens) won't be for at least another week.
You know, Staci, I had another thought about the injections - what about practising on DH? I tried a few out on my DH, just to see what it was like (this made my nurse laugh alot...) - just putting the needle in. It made me see it wasn't such a big deal. Not that I do my own... but it might help (or it might just be fun - gosh, what meannies we turn into!)
Had a dreadful day yesterday, one where all I wanted to do was weep for no reason. Feel better today. I think it was the thought that this cycle might get cancelled (i'm not responding well), and how IVF seems like our last hope, and even this might not work. It's all too much to bear some days. Today I feel better though. Tomorrow have next u/s and b/t, so hopefully there'll be some more activity after increasing the dose.
Take care all,
Jaye.

[Ellie]

Shannon
Just wanted to say I am thinking of you right now and hoping all will be well on monday.I don't know much about what the levels should be but I do know when I was pregnant I had a level of nearly 700 on testing day and didn't feel pregnant all all. As Paige says symptoms in the early days came and went so try not to get too obsessed with them. I know it is easy for me to say but not easy to do. I also have had low levels rising and falling but the initial level has always been under 20 no where near as strong as yours.
Take care .

[Jeanie]

Hi girls. Can progesterone really cause depression as a side effect? I thought it was supposed to actually help combat hormone blues and have been wondering why it doesn't seem to be doing this! I have been finding it hard to get to sleep and, as you may have read, been on the irritable side. Thanks for that info, relief to hear it. Of course, do not begrudge this in any way, just not sure whether I really have been going mad.....

Dolly - I was given a 10 day course of antibiotics, along with DH. He found it a shame he couldn't have a drink for this time, bless x

Alicia - welcome to the 2ww at last! So pleased you had good thaws. Sure they love their warm new beds. How's your personal board going?

Sand - hope today is a good day for you. It's reassuring in a way to know the great Sandra who is so clued up on everyone has bad days too, if you know what I mean? Big hug being sent your way. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it really so bad to take hpts early? Surely if it shows a +ve it's a relief and if a -ve a hope it's just too early? I'm tempted but also a bit scared. I don't know.......

Ang - good luck for EC tuesday. Don't worry, just enjoy it! Think of the relief afterwards, you'll be able to breathe properly again and, if like me, can get rid of all that trapped gas!!

Staci - any decisions yet? Is there no chance of getting any more embies at all? So glad you have some frozen and I hope you would be able to 'grow' some more if (hopefully not) needed? Only you can decide when is best but, as you say, there's always going to be something going on. Good luck thinking x

Jaye - best of luck with your follies. Some take longer than others then suddenly have a big spurt, so hope yours will x

Mandy - welcome! You've come to a lovely supportive group here and we're all rooting for you x

Best go and leave some some board space. Think I've missed reading last page so sorry if these posts are a day out of date!
LOTS AND LOTS OF LOVE, JEANIE XXXXXXXXX

[Jeanie]

I did miss out a page and what an important one. Oh, Ellie, so sorry to hear your news. You've come so far. Is there really not any hope? Could your levels not suddenly rise? Isn't it awful to go through all this, get a positive and still not be out of the woods. Really feel for you and DH. Please stay in touch and do anything you can to help you feel better. x

Shannon - the wait till monday must be agonising. So many seem to think you have strong levels so don't give up hope x

Alette - would be lovely if you joined us. We're not a bad crowd! Welcome to the gang x

Day 10 of 2ww and have good and bad days. Have had sore nipples throughout IVF but they feel ok now and wishing they were sore again in case a symptom. Madness. Too early to tell surely, I know, but I imagine you understand what I mean.

Take care all and look after yourselves. love again, Jeanie xxxxx

[sfisch]

Hi Everyone,

I am really trying hard to take all of your advice and not read too much into my lack of symtoms. I just wish they would come back and I could feel wonderfully miserable again.

Ellie, thank you so much. I have thought about you everyday. I was really hoping for a different result for you. I am so sorry. I can't remember, did you have any frosties? Will you go for another cycle?

Jaye, I hope your day today is better! How was your u/s and b/t? I know how frustrating that can be. I took a whole week of work off based on the clinic's estimation of when I would have ec and et -- and I didn't end up having ec until Thursday of the week I took off of work! I was so disappointed in my little follies not growing fast enough so that I could have my transfer during the week I was off! Of course, I didn't tell my boss why I was taking the week off -- so then I had to make up an excuse for missing two more days the following week. Hang in there~!

Jeanie, I was (am) totally depressed with the progesterone. I just cry all the time! And I read all the articles about progesterone used to treat depression in menopause, I guess we just get the other end of the spectrum. Also, my doctor said that it is fine to take an HPT and if it was positive, congratulations, but if it was negative, it didn't mean a thing. But then again, the IVF nurse told me to stay away from HPTs she had seen too many women come in for their blood test in tears because they had taken HPTs that morning that were negative. Also, I understand about wanting the sore nipples for some sign of symptom -- I am wishing a huge wave of nausea on myself right -- so I will also add wishing sore nipples for you to my wish list!

Mandy, Chubbs, Alicia? How are all of you? If I missed anyone on the 2ww, I am so sorry -- Lots of ++++++ives your way!

Thanks,

[alicia]

Hi Shannon,

I'm glad you're almost to the end of what must be a very hard weekend, waiting for Monday. The waiting is the worst of this whole process, I think. And just when you think it's over, they tell you to come in again in a day or a week and it begins all over again. You will be in my prayers for Monday.

Jeanie,

I also am looking for any little symptom during the 2ww. And my ET was only 3 days ago I feel some weird woozy feelings, but it is probably the progesterone. Yes, I have to take that even on a natural cycle. Hope your symptoms return in spades and you get a BFP on Saturday - you're up next, I think.

Jaye,

Good luck for your scan tommorrow. I hope the follies grew tremendously over the weekend! I hear of a lot of women who have a slow start and end up with many healthy embies!

I'm doing okay. It's my birthday today - 38 - the age at which the fertility chart really starts to plummet DH says that it doesn't go down like that immediately on your birthday, but it sure looks like it on the chart.

Alicia

[jaye]

Hi everyone,
Alicia, happy birthday! I know you might not feel like celebrating, but try and do some special things for your special day.
Shannon, my thoughts are with you. Hope it was good news today.
Jeanie, this time I really mean it, I'm not taking any HPTs. Either way, you never know with them. If you get a +ve - is it just the trigger? If it's -ve, is it REALLY -ve or just too early??? I had so many problems with my levels last time - I got a +ve but really low levels (which didn't show up on an HPT so days of sobbing for no reason), and anyway it's the levels and how they change that are important. I really mean it, I'm just going to wait and find out what the actual betas are, coz those HPTs are nothing but trouble! But that's just my opinion....
My scan today was better, although not great. They found 8 follies, probably 4 are OK (others are too small). Still, better than 2 last time. I was given the option of cancelling the cycle, but I figure there's nothing to say it would be better next time, and I've come this far... so EC will be Thurs or Fri - they're doing another b/t tomorrow and then they'll confirm. I'm happy that at least (crossed fingers) it looks like I'll get that far - looked like I might not have a little while ago. One step at a time...
All the best to everyone,
Jaye

[alicia]

Jaye,

So glad your follies are developing enough to go forward! It must be so disappointing to have a cycle cancelled. I hope one of them (or maybe two of them) is "the one". Best of luck and let us know how your next test goes!

Alicia

[Jeanie]

Hi all. Day 11 and yes, stupid I know, did an hpt. Was -ive and hoping it's too early to tell. Does make you feel worse but I heard can be detected as early as day 9. Not a good idea after all as it makes you feel disappointed, like it should be positive now if all going well. Has anyone else tested early and got a + or -? I don't understand how for some it's 2ww and others 16/17dw. Anyone have any ideas? Would be day 15 for me on friday but I have to do an hpt on sat. and as it's bank holiday mon, would have to wait till tues for blood test.

Alicia - climbing the walls yet? Hope you're not feeling too woozy, or if you are, that it's not a side effect of the progesterone!! I bought a cabbage to help with my sore boobs, typical they've subsided. Is it really me to go next? Aaaaaaaaaah! I feel like it's taking turns to jump off top board in the pool. Take care of yourselves you 3! x

Jaye - so glad to hear your news. 8 follies - well done! There's plenty of time for the smaller ones to catch up and even 4 possible eggs would be good. Just because someone has a lot of follies, doesn't mean they will have that many eggs - I had 15 and got 6 eggs, which I was pleased with. So keep om thinking positive, sounds very hopeful. Good luck with your EC on thurs. I really enjoyed the sedation part of mine! Plus the pampering afterwards...x

Won't be doing a mega epic this time as alreedy left some posts yesterday and don't want to bore TOO much. Take care,
love Jeanie xxxxx

[Jeanie]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICIA!!!!!!!
Hope you have a good one!! Aren't the statistics '38 and under' ? I'm sure they are, so you still have a full year of being in the younger margin!
love Jeanie xxxxx

[Jeanie]

SANDRA!!!!!!!! How did it go? Am waiting with bated breath now I've kicked myself for thinking 23rd was tomorrow! Hope to hear from you soon x thinking of you, Jeanie xxxxx

[sfisch]

Jeanie! It is still way too early to tell! Only trust the HPT if you get a positive! As my doc said, if you get a +ive, CONGRATULATIONS, if you get a -ive, it doesn't mean a thing! So if you are going to keep taking those HPTs, you have to tell yourself that it doesn't mean anything if you get a -ive! The nurse at my clinic said so many people come in with -ives on their test day and are shocked when the get the call from her later that they are pregnant!

I got my results back today after waking up in the middle of the night very sick and with horribly sore boobs and my hcg rose 96% to 563! Whew! I feel so much better! Thanks to everyone for sending me words of encouragement!

I hope all you 2ww-ers are getting along well! Just remember, test day eventually gets here! I am thinking of you all and sending lots of +++++vibes your way!

Love,

[candy]

Great news Shannon! I am absolutely thrilled for you!

Happy Birthday Alicia! How is your 2ww going? I just started my second week but so far so good.

I have a question for you girls. I had my progesterone level checked today and it is 25 which they say is good but they like it to be a little higher for IVF patients so now I have to do 2 CC. OUCH! I know this helps thicken the lining but what exactly does it all mean?? Why don't women who get pregnant naturally need progesterone shots?

Jeannie - I have definately noticed a mood change since starting the progesterone. I am a lot more irratable. I am so happy to have an understanding husband.

I hope everyone is doing well. Only one more week until the big day!

[AMITHIS]

Alicia,

Just wanted to wish you Happy Birthday! Did you do anything special?

Jeanie,

Just ignore the hpt result. I've seen people test -ive the same morning they've gone in to get the blood test, only to end up getting a +ive. I know it is frustrating and I really envy those people who get a +tive after like 10 days (or less)!

Jaye,

So glad you didn't cancel. I mean it certainly sounds like you have enough to move ahead and so many people have a large number to start out with only to end up with one or two anyway. It's the end result that's important.

Candy,

My clinic didn't even measure progesterone levels at all. Do most? I think the reason IVF patients need progesterone as opposed to women who get pregnant naturally has something to do with the fact that IVF patients have produced huge amounts of estrogen; more than someone who would have gotten pregant naturally. For that reason, extra progesterone needs to be added so that the two are more in balance. I'm pretty sure that is what I read somewhere when I was trying to figure out the same thing.

Shannon,

What a relief! Try to relax now and enjoy your pregnancy.


Hello to everyone else!

Staci

[alicia]

Shannon,

Oh, thank goodness! I'm so glad for you and hope this is really the last time you even have to question that you'll have a beautiful baby soon.

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes! We went out to a nice dinner - it was very relaxing. I am doing okay on the 2ww. I have felt irritable today, but that isn't really all that unusual . Just taking it one day at a time.

Today I had to clean out my closet for a school exercise. Those beautiful tailored suits from my old software sales job finally grew too small for me and I had to let them go. But letting go of that old life, when I was just falling in love with DH and the world was open to us (before we knew about our little problem) is so hard. I cried and cried. But it's good to have some space for new possibilities...

Alicia