Cycling In 2012 Board (formerly Fall/Winter 2011-2012)

[Tamera]

Wow looks like a nice group is forming here. It will be nice to follow each of you along your journey. I think the waiting to start is driving me nuts. This is something we decided to do early this year but because of the out of pocket expenses we have to wait until November . We have the option to change our health insurance provider each January and if I don't have success in the fall then I will defiantly look at switching to an insurance that has some coverage (that's if out of what we can choose there is one).

I am currently on BCP to regulate me, that has not been fun after being off for many years the first month I started, I bled the entire month, the second month has been fine so far. For you other ladies out there with PCOS, what did your doctors do differently to prevent over stimulating? Since I am traveling to another country for this I have this big fear of a doctor cancelling me because of the risk of this with PCOS, it would be a while to have the money for try two.

Hope everyone is having a great week.

[akdelp]

Sigh....here I am also. BUT - I have faith that this Fall will be the time! Nice to have so many from the previous board! Although, I do wish it were under different circumstances.

MAJOR baby dust to us!!!

[akdelp]

Tamera -

I have PCOS and I did over-stim. Good thing is, I got 59 eggs and of those 39 fertilized! When paying out of pocket it is nice to have the back up eggs! I was miserable for about 10 days and everyday kept getting better. I even had to have fluid drained. I didn't get the luxary of having a fresh cycle but we have a tons of eggs! I wish you tons of baby dust.

[leorira11]

Kerri (adkelp) - soo soo sorry that you are ending up here too. But hopefully this cycle will be time for rainbow babies to be convcieved.

Tamera - This whole IVF process is so hard - I can't even imagine how much harder it must be when you are paying out of pocket and have the huge financial burden. Luckily, where I live (Jerusalem, Israel) we have a national health care system that continues to pay for IVF until you have 2 'take home' babies. Otherwise, we would never be able to afford the cycle #7 I'm hoping to start soon.

WeHaveHope (hmm - any first name you are willing to share?) - that's a great quote. People keep asking me how I find the strength to go on (even my therapist! I was telling her this morning about all the appts we have with high-risk OBs and REs in the next few weeks) --- the only answer I have is "what other choice do I have?" What can I do *except* just keep going on? I'm not yet willing to accept life without kids (and adoption/sperm donor has many many many issues for us - but are options when we've exhausted our IVF option) --- so of course I need to keep going on.

Blue - I was stalking the Summer 2011 board (for some people I remember from previous cycles), so you are a familiar 'face'. AF can be really wonky after IVF cycles - but glad to hear she showed up.

AFM - I have this really crazy irrational thought that maybe, just maybe, I'll get to be one of those super lucky people who goes in to start an IVF cycle only to find out she's already pregnant. When I left the hospital, the doctor told me to make sure to use contraception - but I just laughed it off. I never ovulate (without drugs to help) and my husband's sperm count is practically zero. But now I'm stuck thinking that maybe, just maybe, the hormones from being post partum could make me ovulate and maybe that one little sperm will make it's way up to the egg.... totally irrational and crazy - but I'm oddly hoping for it. I know that I'm just going to be disappointed when I just have to start the IVF again.... <sigh>

[WeHaveHope]

Akde-it's nice to see a familiar name on the board bit I know what you mean bout wishing it wad under different circumstances. I am very hopeful about the Fall for all of us. Glad you joined. On my cell phone so sorry fir the short post. I will officialy add you to the Fall Roll Call later today. Sending you tons of xoxo.

[WeHaveHope]

Leorira-I am glad you like the quote. I rea it this morning an new I had to share it all of you. So many disappointments but we must pick ourselves up if we are not willing to give up on our dream. We are realy left with only one choice. Yes, I am definantely willing to share my fist name. My name is Maria. Sending lots of xoxoxo.

[fruit]

Hello Ladies,

Tamera & akdelp - i also have PCOS, my RE said that it is better to do Antagonist.
but i still dont know what does PCOS means/do in the whole ivf process ?? can anyone expalin it to me?? does PCOS gives bad egg quality or what ??? what are the riska with PCOS other than OHSS ???

Leorira - im so sorry about ur loss i was so happy to see the pics of ur 2 little boys, then so sad to hear about the news of their loss i will keep u in my prayers and may ur next cycle be the one for you & DH.
i alwyas say like u said ""what other choice do I have?" What can I do *except* just keep going on?" the fact is that we dont have any choice even though going on is so painful and hard but what can we do .....

wehavehope - nice to read all these quotes, may i add "There is no failure except in no longer trying." ~ Elbert Hubbard

Blue - Glad that AF finally came so u can move on with ur cycle

[Tamera]

Wow akdelp that is allot of eggs, I am hoping I produce allot as well since it gives them a bigger pool to pick from. I do fear that the cycle might have to be cancelled, would not be such a big deal if I were having it done locally. I have already told my husband if that happens for it fails the first time we will see about having our embryos shipped home so I could continue locally and save the expense of traveling.

leorira11 its great that you live in a place that supports having this done. My insurance does cover the meds, up to 90% of $5000. BTW does anyone know about what the medications cost? I will have to pay for them up front and then file a claim with my insurance.

Fruit I don't think PCOS effects the quality of eggs, seems allot of what I read it helps in quantity of eggs, but they have to monitor you closes for over stimulation, so I think there is a fine line that is walked there.

For you Fl ladies out there, my oldest just got married in June and is moving to FT. Walton Beach in April. It is such a pretty area, I tell my husband when we finally move from Germany I want to live someplace near the ocean.

[LYD10]

Hi all I am a little new here, but I have been lurking around a couple months. Thank you "WE" for starting this thread, I too will be cycling in early November and it will be nice to share thoughts and words of wisdom with others because the one thing I have noticed on these boards is there is lots of wisdom and caring.

A little about me, I am 41, will be turning 42 in October, PCOS, have 3 daughters aged 20, 18 and 13. I had to use clomid to conceive my first and last child, second was a "surprise". After our last was born my husband got a vasectomy as we thought we would just keep having girls. Sometimes you think your done, then realize your not and you want another child. Technology has improved so much that we decided we want to try for a boy. We currently live in Germany and are traveling to Cyprus to have IVF, since sex selection is not allowed here. They will be doing Microsort on my husband's sperm to increase the chances of male embryos, along with PGD testing.

All the information out there is a bit over whelming and I find myself stressing over this. With my age I know my chances decrease. I don't know how often it works for women the first time around as I see many on here have gone through several cycles. My insurance only covers 90% of my medications and nothing else, so are completely out of pocket for most expenses.

I look forward to hearing others stories while we experience this journey.

Tamera - i am on the summer board but just wanted to tell you that there is a woman, Anton, on these boards - she is from Cypress and have been seeing an RE there. She's been through quite a lot and can probably share some of her experiences with you. Cypress sounds like a wonderful place!

[WeHaveHope]

UPDATED-please let me know if I have missed anyone. Sending you lots of xoxoxo.








Fvrogers-FET 10/2011


Becca-Donor Transfer Fall/2011
Tamera-11/2011
Leorira-Fall/2011
Kerpupples-starting stim in 9/2011
Kiminsh-Fall/2011
Fruit-Fall/2011
Akdelp-Fall/2011


WeHaveHope-waiting for AF to start BCP for FET 10/2011


Blueeyedreamer-on BCP for cycle 10/2011

[Tamera]

Thanks for the information Lyd10, when I first joined the forums she gave me some great information. I have followed her story a bit and hoping for that miracle for her and her husband.

I hear that Cyprus is very pretty. I will be there for 2 weeks, with my husband coming (and bringing our youngest) for the final week. The clinic said it was ok to travel 24hrs after transfer. For you ladies who have been through this before do you have to limit your activity before or after egg retrieval, or just after your transfer? Just wondering what is ok to do (sight seeing, walking on beach), during that week my husband and daughter are there.

[WeHaveHope]

Fruit-it's nice to hear from you. How are you doing?

Fvrogers-how are you holding up. Thinking of you and sending you positive thoughts and vibes.

Blueeyedreamer-hope your well. Will you be starting BCP today. Sounds like you are in your way to that BFP in the Fall.

Tamera-I am glad you were able to get some useful information from the ladies on the board. I have also never been to Cyprus but hear it is beautiful. Enjoy your visit there. I have a feeling this one will be the one for you. Ialso suffer from PCOS and tried many different things before turning to IVF. I even tried Metformin but became very sick with extremely low blood sugars so I had to stop using it. With my 1st fresh IVF cycle we had to cancell the transfer due ti OHSS. My RE was extremely careful but to no avail. I ended up gaining 10 piunds if fluid bit i cant comolain because i have read where others hsve even ended up in the hospitalfrom OHSS. You have to realy be cateful and be on top of your Estrogen Levels. Work with your RE closely and i am sure you eill do very well. Unfortunately, this journey has been long and heartbreaking at times. After my great Betas with this last cycle I realy thought we had finally done it but alot of us have been there dine that. Great Betas, doctor says two imanted, and no one know why I suddenly lost both. I had almost given ip last week but ad to pick my self up and keep going. I am not ready to give in or give up on our dream. I wish you all the best.

Becca-how are you doing?

Leorira-Your very sting and an inspiration to me and others in this board. I am glad that you have not given up. How are you doing? And, your idea of the hormones and a possible pregnancy is not at all crazy. It has happened before to many woman.

Kerpupples-how are you? Hope your having a good week.

Kiminsh-How are you? Hope your having a good week.

Akdelp-How are you holding up? Thinking of you.

AFM-I stopped all meds on Monday but still no AF. I was sure it was going to come the other night but nothing. I know I need to be patient but that's hard for me. DH and I are trying our best to get life back in order. It's been very hard. We had not spent anytime together without crying since last Wednesday. Not usual for us at all because we are very big on always finding quality time for each other. But with my emotional state it was almost impossible to look at DH and not cry or just sit there and think of nothing at all and cry. I felt so terrible this past week but it is slowly getting better. I am so hopeful that this next time will be our time. I hope I did not forget anyone. Sending you all much love.

[akdelp]

WeHaveHope - you know, I love your name! How are you? Next steps for you? I am holding up ok. Thanks for asking. I think I am still in the anrgy - why me, why not me, why stage. Everyday is different. My great aunt just passed away and it just stirs it all up, not that it has been very long.... It takes a lot of effort to stay positive. I know I have a lot of grieving to still do, that is odvious.

AFM - Well, just called RE. My blood work is back to negative, which is good for the next cycle. However, she decided to tell me that there may be a delay in me getting my transfer!!!!!!!! Like the end of October instead of September. They are down one embrologist. It enrages me! Seriously, it is not like I am doing a fresh cycle and need to go through all of that. Just thaw my eggs and transfer. Apparently I have a lot of anger issues. It makes me want to just wail and kick and scream and throw a fit like a two year old!!!! UGH! I just want to move on with the process and get the show on the road! Sorry to be a downer....

[WeHaveHope]

Akdelp-you never ever have to appologize here for any of your feelings. I know that you know this but let me remind you that you are entitled to feel angry, sad, confused, and even a little crazy. The IVF journey will bring out a whole different person that we otherwise may have never seen. I know that first hand. You do have to greive. Give yourself that time. Try and also find something that takes the focus off of what you have just been trough, just for a little while. Anything that may make you feel a little better, reading a book, running, singing in the shower, even dancing to your favorite song in the kitchen. I also still ave alot of grieving to do and alot of hurt feeling and anger. But I after I let myself greive, cry, kick and scream, I remind myself of the blessings I have been given. I know that the blessing I was asking for was given to me and then taken away so quickly but I have many other blessings. And I have to constantly remind myself of that when I feel like it's all over and I can't possibly go on. I premies you, it will get better. Sending you a great BIG HUG. I am waiting for AF ehichseems like it never going to come. Then I will begin BCP. I will be checking my Beta weekly until it goes back to zero. Then I can start the FET process all over again.

[blueeyedreamer]

Bcp officially started today. U/S was clear of any new cysts. I have and endometrioma that we are following.

I'm not sure if I will be on bcp for 3 or 5 weeks for suppression. Will know more tomorrow.

My iPod is driving me mad. Will update more tomorrow when at my computer.

Nicole