Feb/Mar 08 Cycle Buddies

[JustJenis]

I'm sorry.. this is my first cycle so I'm still getting use to all the terms that are used... What is AH??

*HUGS*
Jenis

[TammyS]

*butting in* AH is Assisted Hatching.

[JustJenis]

Well that just made to much sense LOL!

Thanks Tammy!! Butt in anytime


*hugs*
Jenis

[RunnerKate]

I didn't know what AH meant either....thanks!

Anyone reading any good books about dealing w/ infertility? My RE, Dr. DiMattina wrote a book "100 Questions about Infertility" and that's pretty much all I have read. I just went to check two more books out of the library and they weren't there. I guess I can't bring myself to BUY a book on infertility because I am hoping they won't be of much use to me. Of course, when my RE gave me his book, I thought, "we're not going to need this; we're not at that stage yet." Little did I know that three months later I would have read the book 3xs. I wish all I had to read was "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." Oh well.

[indie_rad]

Can I join in as well? I am new to this group. Spent a lot of time reading all the posts, trying to get used to all the acronyms!!

I am starting my first IVF cycle and am quite nervous about it, specially having to give myself shots! As far as my history goes, we have been TTC since 2003, started IUIs (no meds) in 2005. Got pregnant twice with IUI (no meds) - 1 ectopic, 1 MC. Since then had no luck with IUIs. I have been diagnosed with T-shaped uterus, possible left tube blockage. We also have some male factor.

Long story short, I am on BCPs now in prep for my first IVF cycle.

---------
Me - 33
DH - 35
TTC - 5 years

[joanie74]

I am fairly new to this site. I am scheduled for my first FET. February 18 is the day of transfer. My last day for taking BCP's is tomorrow and my first day of lupron was this morning. I am so glad that I was off of work because I slept all day long. They have me on 20 units of lupron and boy it's like taking a valium.

I am up now watching Sex and the City. My DH bought me the series for Christmas along with Six Feet Under (which I have watched already). I am trying to save Sex and the City for the 2WW.

Anyways, just sending out prayers for all the people out there going through IVF, IUI, FET, etc, etc, etc. I am cheering for everyone including myself. I think that I am starting to get slightly nervous probably because I started Lupron today.

Joanie

[JustJenis]

Hi guys!! I mean Ladies!!! Welcome to our happy lil home. Full of raging hormones, nervous jitters and a whole lot of support

Being a first timer I have to say I often wonder what the WORST part of all the drugs, procedure, retrieval, transfer?? I mean it's alot and being in the medical field the shots and what not don't bother me. The raging hormones, well that scares hubby. But just curious from those that have done all this before.. What's the part you think is the WORST?

*HUGS*
Jenis

[Jill_n_Mark]

Welcome indie_rad and Joanie!

Hope everyone is hanging in as we await our treatments.

Jenis--I think the worse part is the 2WW. Of the actual procedures, I would have to say the shots (they bruised and sting when you have to combine multiple meds in one shot) and the ER. Although you do not feel the ER b/c of anesthesia, you do bloat up afterwards and feel like the only thing that will fit is maternity clothes

I think I lost my PMA last time b/c I just knew it had worked and then took the dreaded HPT and it was negative. So I told myself and DH it was too soon....and what did I do??? Took a HPT everyday up to my beta. The morning of my beta, I started spotting so I knew it was over and then he call....BFN!!!

Enough of that...I am going to stay positive this go round and get that much wanted BFP

Talk to you all later,
Jill

***BABY DUST TO ALL***

[joanie74]

Jenis - The 2 week wait is the worst by far and trying your best not to run to the store and get an HPT (I caved in). This time I am thinking about ordering a couple off of the internet, so I can get a discount. 2nd worst is going in for ultrasounds while they are monitoring you and waiting for a response on how you are doing.

Jill n Mark - Thank you for the warm welcome. Oh, what does "PMA" mean?




Joanie

[joanie74]

I am trying to figure out how many embryos to transfer this time. My RE said that he will be as aggressive as I want to be, but if I come up with more than 3 he will push selective reduction. I just want this to work. I have 9 frozen embryos left.

Also, has anyone transferred their frozen embryos over to another clinic?

[JustJenis]

Good Morning!!

Joanie-- I know I will go insane during the 2 weeks. I'm trying to convince hubby to atleast take me out of town for the weekend or something to get my mind off of it. BUT, we gotta do it. I'm not going to poas.. I've promised myself that. It seems to be bad luck and I have enough of that for all of us LOL! So no POAS for me. I know, I say that now LOL!

My RE said since I was under 35.. he doesn't like to do more than 2 for transfer.. over 35 it's different. I'm comfortable with whatever he thinks is our best option. It's his area of speciality.. not mine. Besides.. I'm a FIRM believer that God will not give me more than I can handle. If it's twins.. GREAT! if not, then so be it.

*HUGS* Hope everyone has a great Monday and stays warm! It's -1 here right now.. brrrrrrrrrrrr!

Jenis

[Jill_n_Mark]

Good morning! Wow, Jenis...that is cold In Alabama, we never get below the teens and that's not to often in itself---right now it's 25.

Joanie, PMA means Positive Mental Attitude if I am not mistaken or something along those lines

Well, I was just checking in...talk to you all later.

[itsgottawork]

Hi Ladies!
I just left a message with my dr to say AF finally started yesterday afternoon! Now I am waiting for them to call back to tell me when I go on for the baseline. I am guessing it will be 2/9 and I will start Lupron 2/10. That's my hope anyway.
I think there are a few "worst" things during the cycle. The waiting is absolutely horrible. There is so much waiting. Waiting to start anything, waiting to start stims, waiting to do the trigger shot, waiting after the ET is the worst. Too much waiting!
I took lupron, gonal-f, the trigger and progesterone shots. The worst for me was definitely the trigger. I was sore afterward and could feel it the next day. Doing an injection itself is daunting but the lupron and gonal-f weren't that bad at all. I was very nervous and took a few minutes to do the first one but caught on really quickly and didn't feel a thing. I was lucky not to have any reaction either. This time I am also doing menopur so I will be mixing and will see if I get a reaction with that.
The progesterone (and trigger) had to be done intramuscularly. After the trigger, I was really nervous and so was DH. But, those weren't that bad at all. I think I built everything up in my mind so much that the reality couldn't be that bad.
For procedures, I had never had anesthesia before so they didn't know how I would react. I was there a couple hours longer than expected and they had to keep upping the anti-nausea medication in my iv. That wasn't fun. I am hoping they will be all set on the dosage this time.
For transferring, last time I did 2 and I expect we will do 2 this time. It has actually always been my dream to have twins but more than that would be tough. I know I will be happy with anything - as long as I have big beta numbers!
And, for POAS, I know the effects of getting a BFP only to have an unsuccessful cycle. I wasn't sure I would POAS last time and then I became an addict. I don't think my husband wants me to do it again but I don't know if I can help myself. I have 2 or 3 tests under the bathroom sink already. I think I will try to hold out until I am at least close to the beta test but I guess it will depend on how I am emotionally.
How are you all dealing with this with work? Are you telling anyone in advance that you are going through this or are you just going to take time off for the procedures without anyone knowing why?
Also, do family and friends know you are doing this? We told our moms last time but haven't told anyone yet that we are going to try again.
I must get to work now. Unfortunately, I don't get the holiday off. But, we are going south on Wednesday for a long weekend so I can't wait for that. This is our unwinding trip that we scheduled at the end of the last cycle. We figured we'd either be celebrating or recovering. I didn't actually realize we'd be preparing for next time!
Baby dust to all!

[JustJenis]

It'sGottawork - We haven't told many at all. All my close friends and family know my medical past so they don't ask about us having kids. His mom would call me DAILY if she knew we were trying. She tends to obsess so we're not telling her till we get a 3 month BFP! I have told me 3 dearest friends so that I can have that emotionaly support. He's told his best friend. Other than that.. NOONE knows. Oh wait, he had to tell his boss for when he has to go with me to appointments. I am "retired" as I like to call it so I don't have to worry about calling in sick or asking for days off. We decided in Nov that I would "retire" and take some "me" time.. then in Dec we were told by my OB/GYN that we need to take the IVF route and not to wait. So here we are with you wonderful ladies

We thought, mainly I thought that it would be best to have the least amount of people that knew until we reached a 3 month BFP and he agreed. The added stress of everyone asking and waiting was to much to handle.

*HUGS*
Jenis

[jenjen220]

The worst part of it all is the waiting and wondering. And of course the phone call at the end of all that waiting. I've had that phone call go both ways BFP and many BFN and it goes without saying which call is better. I can handle all the shots and stuff that pain passes. But the emotional side of it all doesn't go away as quickly as the pain does. But hopefully this board helps everyone pass the time and provide support. I'm currently waiting and wondering when AF will come so I can get this process started!! I'm wondering how many peoples insurance covers IVF? Ours never has and I'm wondering if that is usually the case. I understand why they don't but dang I could probably have my house paid off by now.