Dec/Jan 08 Cycle Buddies

Pummalaemma · Post by **Pummalaemma** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:14 pm

angie: yeah, i understand that waiting may have been a good thing, but i just couldn't do it. here is my protocol: started bcp yesterday and will take 2/day for 3 days then one after that until next monday, AF should then be arriving a couple of days later, i guess. i'll have my baseline us on nov. 21, then if everything looks good i'll start stims on nov. 24. with retrieval on dec 3. in the past i got my AF a couple of days after i stopped BCP, so i am assuming it will be similar, i hope.
as far as work goes, with a biomedical engineering degree people usually work for a medical device company, working on orthopaedic stuff, neural disorders, heart disease, devices like x-rays, so there are a lot of fields and pretty exciting. i actually worked for a utility company eons ago before i went back to school. i better go now. so much work to do.

Pumma

ICSI GIRL · Post by **ICSI GIRL** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:06 pm

PUMMA --- no, no ---don't get me wrong, i think it's AWESOME that you're forging ahead FULL SPEED!!!! and may the holiday season bring some extra miracles this way

I just personally could not do it... but to be honest - am very envious of all of you out there that ARE cycling as we speak.....makes it hard to wait!!

Pummalaemma · Post by **Pummalaemma** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:30 pm

Angie: i did not get you wrong and you are going to be there soon also, soooo soon.

Pumma

tali · Post by **tali** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:42 pm

PUMMA - I am psyched for you! and send you lots of good luck - Are they giving you the double dose of BCP to bring on AF quicker - I have never heard of the double dose. My RE already put me on BCP so I am going to be on them for the next 5 weeks or so. I think it was the timing of my cycle when I had the appointment with her - It was after AF had started from my last IVF cycle. Today, I am very optimistic that the time will go by quickly. With Thanksgiving right around the corner and X-Mass coming up - the time will just fly by.

Keep us posted on how things move along.

Tali

ICSI GIRL · Post by **ICSI GIRL** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:24 pm

tali --- if you don't mind my asking -- how old are you??? i am 33... only reason i ask is that in reading your last post -- you used the word "psyched" --- which was something "our generation" invented!!

so i just thought sure you must be 30-something and had to chuckle a bit!!

remind me -- what is your protocol at this point?? i.e. - you're on bcp's right now.....when do you stop taking them??? and then what?? my next arrival of AF will be next week sometime....and i do sunday start bcp's - and will start my bcp's on sunday, nov 25.....take thru christmas eve - then af suppose to arrive in a day or so (?? never done this protocol before so not sure how long for af to arrive??) anyway....set up appt for 1st bw and baseline scan.....assuming all ok - will start meds in day or two beyond that.....my clinic's "procedure" week is the week of the 7th... so they will cycle me around that.....

Pummalaemma · Post by **Pummalaemma** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:34 am

tali: not sure why exactly they are giving me the double dose, but i felt so sick this morning, probably from the double dose. i am guessing to speed things along since my last AF was about 2 weeks ago and they want me to have another one next week. initially they said i would have to wait until my AF starts again, but we'll see. they did say that what they are doing now is just a "good" as if i had waited, so i guess no decreased chances of getting a BFP. yeahh, i agree the next few weeks will fly by and you won't even notice and you are on stims and your 2ww.

much baby dust to all of you. what are your plans for thanksgiving?

Pumma

esperanza · Post by **esperanza** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:01 pm

Hi all,

I'm really excited for you Pumma. I'm glad one of us is going full speed right now. We are here to support you in your journey. I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

I will be starting my BCP with next AF (which should come at the end of the month/beginning of Dec.) I haven't taken BCP in such a long time that it feels kind of weird to even think about it.

For me time will go by really fast. I'm in grad school, and final papers are around the corner...so just that will keep me really distracted. Although I must confess that IVF and ttc in general takes a lot of my time and concentration from my studies; no good, but I can't help it. When I weigh things in, it feels as if ttc is more important right now than reflecting on some theory. Do you know what I mean?

About the holidays. We are not sure yet about what we are doing for Christmas/New Years. For Thanksgiving we are going to Boston to visit friends and family. I love thanksgiving for that, it's one of my favorite US holidays: you get to eat wonderful food in the company of wonderful people!

Ok friends. Until next time.

tali · Post by **tali** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:41 pm

Pumma - I am sorry you are feeling sick - It is probably from the double dose of BCP. I have been feeling a bit dizzy and my acupuncturist thinks it may be side effects from the BCP.

Angie - *smile* I am 35. I didn't even think about that word, but you are right! It is not a word you hear often now a days.

Esperanza - Remind me, is this your first IVF cycle? Where are you doing your graduate work? I lived in MA for 3 years and it is one of my favorite states in the country. I just love Boston and visit often as I have lots of friends in the area. The best of course is having friends who live on the cape

They have me on BCP now and have me on the schedule to start taking stims on 12/26. I am not doing Lupron this cycle and will be taking Antagon which works faster than Lupron (so I assume I will be starting to take that about 5-6 days before my stims). Since its over a month away, I don't have any of my appts set up yet and will probably follow up with my nurse after Thanksgiving.

We are staying in town and visiting with friends for the holiday. I am really glad for the 4 days off. Don't laugh but I get my haircut in Montreal (I have not found a good stylist in Vermont) so I am going to go up on Friday - do some shopping, get my haircut. My DH will stay home with the dog.

Speaking of the dog - He has been such a good boy, has already learned sit and down and starts puppy class at the end of the month.

Pummalaemma · Post by **Pummalaemma** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:01 pm

Esperanza: good for you, i am glad you are keeping busy! what are you studying? but i do have to admit, i am sooo glad i am done with that, even though sometimes i think it would be nice to get a phd, but then often you are overqualified and that would mean another 4 years of school, so i don't think i'll ever go down that road, i am just tooo old. yeah, i also felt weired about taking bcp again, but now it was sort of odd not taking it.

Tali: yeah, darn bcp, but i actually feel much better today. one more double dose tonight and then back to one until i am done on monday. how far is Montreal from where you live? i usually try to find a hairstylist as close to home as possible, there is never enough time. i am glad your doggy is behaving

. our doggy is too, such a good girl. sometimes she has issues with sitting and doing exactly what we want, though.

we are also staying in town for the holidays, which is nice, no travelling and stressing out, i am so glad, just hanging out with friends.

talk to you all later.

Pumma

LB · Post by LB » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:17 pm

I hope it is not too late to join. This will be my first IVF cycle and I don't know what to expect. It all actually came about very fast for us. I went off the pill in January and never got AF. I go some tests done at my doctor, who said to just relax (yes, I wanted to strangle her!) I switched doctors and every time I went from there on in they found something wrong. At first it was just an ovulation issue (which turns out is PCOS), but in doing some preliminary testing they found a tubal blockage. I had the laparoscopy in early October and it turns out the blockage was severe and could not be fixed surgically - everything looked fine, RE said it was likely something I was born with. So we found out then it was IVF or nothing. So we really haven't "tried" in the traditional sense!

Anyway, we just finished all the prelim testing and I should be getting my protocol this week. I am on BCP now, although I don't get a cycle any way, and don't yet know when they will do the retrieval or when the meds start. Can anyone tell me what is normal for a time frame? Again, this is all so new and overwhelming and I am just trying to stay sane! Thanks!!

Lisa

esperanza · Post by **esperanza** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:38 am

LB --Welcome! I'm new to IVF, so I am learning as I go. This is going to be my first cycle as well, hopefully I'll get a BFP again. I got pregnant once the "natural" way but it ended up in miscarriage (really sad and hard to cope with for both of us).

What I love about these boards is that we can go through this together, learn from each other, and support each other when needed.

TALI and PUMMA: I'm getting a doctorate in education (higher education administration, to be more specific); it's great but also a looooong road to take. Sometimes I wonder what the heck am I doing "here." I like my studies, but right now I am so distracted by IVF. For example, I should be editing one of my papers right now

Oh well!

About haircuts, I actually have been my own hair stylist for the past year!

I'd love to go to Montreal and get a make-over though

I love Montreal, and would find any excuse to go back and visit.

ICSI GIRL · Post by **ICSI GIRL** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:21 pm

Lisa --- WELCOME ABOARD!!!!

lovely to have you girl

far as your protocol goes ----- everybody is SO different, but based on what you've said, it sounds pretty "standard" for what i've seen out here.....i'll be doing round #2 w/ ER/ET tentatively schedule for week of Jan 7.....our "issue" is male factor --- all my tests came up clean, no tube blockage, no ovulation issues.....you'll find this board to be a TREMENDOUS support system for you.....i have.....the ladies out here are FAB!!!!! Anyway - welcome, and don't be afraid to as ANY questions..... that's what we're all in this together for

esperanza: i don't know that we've officially "met" --- so, how do you do??? and i apologize for that...went back thru the board and saw you out here - but must have missed it somehow --- SORRY

i remember the days of my graduate work and let me tell you, you must be some kind of SUPER WOMAN (or crazy) to be going thru ivf while working on DOCTORATE!!!! aaaaaaaggggghhhhh!!!!!! i lived, breathed and slept graduate school work for 2 years!!!!!!!!!! and that was an "accellerated" program.......so YOU GO GIRL!

pumma --- how you feeling??? all done w/your double dose of bcps?? and your shots going ok????? you'll have to let me know how long it takes from time you stop your bcps before AF arrives.....so that i know about how long to expect.....

tali --- are you SERIOUS

montreal for a haircut????? how long of a drive is that for you??? am guessing not nearly as bad as i'm imagining from how far it would be from ME (living in MI).....WOW.... yet another good reason i generally chop away at my own hair!!!! (i have shoulder length'ish, naturally CURLY, not wavy, but CURLY hair and is very forgiving when i chop something incorrectly.....i just cant stand the thought of paying $50-$100 for a haircut!!!! i generally go to one of those "quickie hair cut places" in the mall a couple of times a year to have them kinda fix my chopping mess thru the year!!!)

Am looking forward to the break next week for thanksgiving.....has been since summer since i had day off work!!!! We stay "local" -- all of my dh's family lives w/in hour radius and we always go to his one sis's for thanksgiving.....good food, good conversation --- YUMMY!!!!!!! and then i think am going to sweet talk my hubby into taking me out for some bargain shopping on black friday!!! (we'll see if he bites!!)

Pummalaemma · Post by **Pummalaemma** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:04 pm

Lisa: welcome to the board. no, no, no, it's never too late. i don't know too much about not getting a cycle, but i assume that when you are on bcp and stop that's when you should be getting it. i believe that's the whole reason for being on bcp, but i could be totally wrong about that, so don't quote me on that. i remember my first cycle and it can be a bit overwhelming in the beginning, but that's why we are here to answer questions and support each other. in terms of a timeframe for one cycle, hm, it usually takes a little less than 3 weeks from the time you start Lupron until your ER. before that i was on bcp and either had a break in between or not for about 6 weeks. right now they started me really fast and i was taking a double dose of bcp for three days, last night was my last one, and then back to one per day. so i guess it can also vary quite a bit.
i am so glad you joined this thread, keep us posted.

esperanza: wow, a doctorate in education. i think that must be a lot of work, but hang in there girl if you can, it think the education field is a good field to be in. my husband has a phd in linguistics and i remember how much work it was for him, but it's all worth it in the end. perhaps ivf is a nice distraction if its not taking over all your studying????

angie: thanks for asking, yeahh, i am all done with bcps, i felt so sick again this morning, terrible. i also just started dexamethasone last night, which does not help either. i started my lupron shots yesterday morning and good a big bruse this morning, must have hit a little blood vessel in there, it even formed a little lump inside, weired. things are good though. i have i'll get my af a couple of days after i stop bcp on Monday, we'll see. i am a little suspecious, since they changed my protocoll so quickly and now all of a sudden i am going full speed. in the past my af started about 3 days after i stopped bcps.
good luck on your doctor's appointment today.

i am sooo lucking forward to the four days off next week. yeahh, can't wait. i just hope the baseline us next wednesday won't show that i still have any left over tissue or cells in there from my last chemical pregnancy.

Pumma

tali · Post by **tali** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:53 pm

Hello everyone,

Lisa, welcome! You will find a lot of great info on this site as well as amazing support. This is my second cycle and I can tell you that everything you will go through sounds a lot worst than it is. The worst for me was the mood changes while I was on the stims. But that only lasts while I was on the stims. I agree with Pumma on the 3 weeks, but everybody's protocol is different. I know that they typically will not have you on the stims for more than 10 days.

Esperanza, I am sorry, I think I assumed you were working on your masters. Wow a doctorate. You go girl. I know what you mean about it being hard to focus. I had the worst time before starting my IVF process. I was on all the boards all the time. Now I feel that I am doing something so I am not so anxious about it.

Pumma, Hopefully you won't feel like this the whole cycle. I hope you get your AF soon. I think that we are pretty amazing for being able to deal with all the shots, bruises, pain, poking and prodding of the doctors, etc, etc. We just have to remember that it will all be worth it!

Angie, Montreal is only about 1 hour and 45 mins from us. We are waaaay north

seriously, I tried so many stylist here, from really expensive to inexpensive and they all butchered my hair and the girl who cuts my hair in Montreal is really inexpensive and knows my hair. My hair is wavy too, but I have a lot of it and I have been growing out a short haircut for a few years - But I am kind of sick of the long hair now - so we'll see. Plus, I love the shopping in Montreal. Here in Burlington, we don't have many of the big city chain stores and only a couple of department stores - So I try to go up every couple of months to see what the city trends are. Oh and my husband is from there, so most of the times we combine our haircuts with family visits (yes he goes to a salon for his hair too

)

tali

LB · Post by LB » Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:37 pm

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome! I was supposed to hear today regarding my protocol but did not, so I will call them tomorrow. At this point I just want to know when things will happen so I can make plans (yes, I am sort of a control freak!) But also, my sister just had our second nephew (yes, both she and my mother are the most fertile women in the world so of course I thought I would be too!) and she lives in New Mexico and is hosting Christmas this year. I really want to go and spend time with my family and nephews, but may not be able to travel then depending on the timing. I guess we just wait and see!

Dec/Jan 08 Cycle Buddies

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