cycle buddy late Oct/Nov

cindy71268 · Post by **cindy71268** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:03 pm

Kbat: I'm sorry that things are not going as smoothly with the nurses. I totally understand. Mine seems to have a chip on her shoulder and an attitude. I, like you, call and don't get a response until 5pm or 6pm, which sometimes you then can't do anything until the following day with insurance or whatever. Yesterday, mine actually called me and I only think she did because she probably got a talk to from the on call doctor about me, and the mess up with insurance and her calling in my scripts under a different doctors DEA number. And then she tried to blame me. I don't let her have that blame at all. She needs to understand my case, my extensive history and be the support she is ment to be as a coordinating nurse. I think she thinks that my following up is causing a problem, and I think differently because it seems that not only she and my insurance can not get their stories straight so I don't know who to believe. Meanwhile, my DH is getting the brunt of my anger and fustration. On Friday, when I picked him up from the train, he had a bouquet of flowers for me, and when he came into the car he said, I'm sorry you're having a difficult time with this. Which was sweet and did make me cry, but then I was upset and asked why he couldn't ask me if I need help. I don't think he understands how to really help me, sometimes it's a gesture (like the flowers) or sometimes (mostly) it's just offering.
Although we have one more vial of our donor sperm, I'm considering totally stopping at the end of this cycle. It's just too much to have to do, and I'm tired.
Adoption is not going to be an option for us either, because of my DH health issues and BMI. All agencies we have gone to want more information from doctors or flat out say no, meanwhile having taken $300 or more for the application. If I were a single person, then there would be no problem.
Like all of you we want a child of our own, or a child who needs us. We have grieved over our m/c's and hopefully will have the one result we have patiently been waiting for.

BKat, I wish you well in your next cycle. I'm sorry that this one didn't work. I wish you the strength and everything you need for the one success story you are looking for. Anything you need, I'm here for you.

All the best,
Cindy

cindy71268 · Post by **cindy71268** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:04 pm

Kbat: I'm sorry that things are not going as smoothly with the nurses. I totally understand. Mine seems to have a chip on her shoulder and an attitude. I, like you, call and don't get a response until 5pm or 6pm, which sometimes you then can't do anything until the following day with insurance or whatever. Yesterday, mine actually called me and I only think she did because she probably got a talk to from the on call doctor about me, and the mess up with insurance and her calling in my scripts under a different doctors DEA number. And then she tried to blame me. I don't let her have that blame at all. She needs to understand my case, my extensive history and be the support she is ment to be as a coordinating nurse. I think she thinks that my following up is causing a problem, and I think differently because it seems that not only she and my insurance can not get their stories straight so I don't know who to believe. Meanwhile, my DH is getting the brunt of my anger and fustration. On Friday, when I picked him up from the train, he had a bouquet of flowers for me, and when he came into the car he said, I'm sorry you're having a difficult time with this. Which was sweet and did make me cry, but then I was upset and asked why he couldn't ask me if I need help. I don't think he understands how to really help me, sometimes it's a gesture (like the flowers) or sometimes (mostly) it's just offering.
Although we have one more vial of our donor sperm, I'm considering totally stopping at the end of this cycle. It's just too much to have to do, and I'm tired.
Adoption is not going to be an option for us either, because of my DH health issues and BMI. All agencies we have gone to want more information from doctors or flat out say no, meanwhile having taken $300 or more for the application. If I were a single person, then there would be no problem.
Like all of you we want a child of our own, or a child who needs us. We have grieved over our m/c's and hopefully will have the one result we have patiently been waiting for.

BKat, I wish you well in your next cycle. I'm sorry that this one didn't work. I wish you the strength and everything you need for the one success story you are looking for. Anything you need, I'm here for you.

All the best,
Cindy

LadyB · Post by **LadyB** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:08 pm

Howdy, everyone!

I had my u/s this morning and I don' t think the dr. liked what he saw. He said that one side was at 4 and the other at 4.4 when they should be 8-10. Anyway, he said to expect a call from the IVF nurse on call today. I think it was pretty clear that they plan on upping my Gonal F...As I told my DH, it's just something else for me to fret over, but, on the positive side, at least I got some sleep last night.

I've been reading about the insurance issues that you guys are posting about. I thought mine were going ok, but the last week has changed all that. I've got the doctor's office saying one thing and the insurance company saying something completely different. And if the insurance company told me wrong, I've just cost myself some $ that wasn't necessary. *sigh* So, I guess I'll be making several phone calls tomorrow...

Good luck to everyone! -LadyB

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:47 pm

Went for my baseline and bloodwork this morning. I thought everything was going to go smoothly, especially after speaking w/ a nurse last night who was actually on the ball. Both nurses last night said that I had been approved for IVF by my insurance, but the ICSI part was "pending." I figured that I was approved because I got my meds, and if it hadn't been approved the meds would have been rejected. The 2nd nurse last night seemed to indicate that it was just a matter of a phone call to remind the insurance that the ICSI needed to be approved, which she was going to make a call on Monday when people are actually there to talk to. But that wouldn't affect the IVF part and doing the stims. But then the nurse told me today that I would have to stay on the birth control one more night (I am not even taking birth control for this cycle) and call my nurse in the morning b/c I am not approved... ARRGGHH!!!

Cindy71268--I am sorry to hear you are having similar problems w/ your nurse. I will pray for you for a good outcome. I really hope for the best for you and all the ladies on this message board.

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:20 pm

Well, it looks like most everything is finally set. Ran out for an errand and the clinic called back w/ plan. I will start taking clomid tonight. They told me to take 300 units Follistom 2X a day starting in the morning. My insurance doesn't actually cover Follistom anymore, so I really will be taking Gonal-F. I did leave a message for my nurse just to "remind" her that I won't be taking the Follistom b/c it's not covered by my insurance anymore, so I would be taken 300 units of Gonal-F instead. It shouldn't be a problem since I took the Gonal-F during my cycle, but I think they should the exact drug I am taking in my file--which they should anyway since the pharmacy had to call them to get the correct perscription anyway. I feel more stressed out w/ this clinic than I do w/ the other clinic and part of the reason I left the other clinic was because they were disorganized. This place isn't any better, although I do like the doc. better at this place. Oh well, I can only hope it gets better from here on out. I will call the financial office myself on Tues to follow up and make sure that someone makes the call tomorrow to the insurance about the ICSI part. After all my experiences and ups and downs w/ this clinic, I don't know if I can trust them to do anything right.

Good luck to everyone!!!!

cindy71268 · Post by **cindy71268** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:38 pm

Kbat, just keep in touch with everyone in your office and insurance. I know it's a pain, but sometimes we can't leave it to another person to do the job they are intended to.
Also you need to take a little time to breathe and take some time for yourself. Right now, your mental health and physical is important. Taking the Gonal-F twice a day, should be too bad. I'm taking Follistim 2 x's a day as well as Lupron. Four shots, soooooo

fun! Speaking of which, I have to do that in a 1/2 hour.
I'll be at the RE tomorrow am for my blood and u/s. Hopefully numbers will be good as well as follies growing. Then on to work and my fight with insurance --- Round 10 in the boxing ring, who will win? LOL
Well have a good night.

Talk soon

Cindy

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:05 pm

Hopefully, WE WILL WIN!!! I know I am going to seem like a pain in the butt to the financial office, my insurance, my re's office, but considering I am down to the wire and will only have one or maybe 2 cycles left, they won't have to deal w/ me too much longer. If they could just get it right to begin w/ then I would have to be a pain. I tend to be a worry wart anyway, so I will be thinking about it until I have an answer, so best if I am a pain until I hear what I need to.

Thanks for your support!!!! My 5th cycle. I am kind of excited I don't have to take 4 shots a day for a little while. (No lupron this time around.)

LadyB · Post by **LadyB** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:54 am

Well, we got the call this afternoon from the IVF nurse on call. My blood work results were much lower than they hoped, which accounts for the numbers they were seeing regarding my ovaries during the u/s. So, they have upped my Gonal F to 450 units a day.

Has anyone else ever dealt with something like this? Thanks in advance!

To cindy71268: I think I recall you saying that you have a dr. appt. tomorrow. Please keep us updated!

Good luck to everyone!!! -LadyB

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:37 pm

In the past, I was started off w/ about 200 IU of Follistom and the uped to 300. Since then I've always taken 300. I've also heard where they up the dosage in some cases. Good luck!

LadyB · Post by **LadyB** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:38 pm

To Kbat: Thanks for the info! At the time, I had no idea what to think because the IVF nurse on call isn't my IVF nurse. So, she only had the test results and my doctor's notes. I have put a call into my IVF nurse, so I should know more about my specific situation this afternoon. Thanks again!

kbat · Post by **kbat** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:59 pm

No problem. I found that when they upped it from 200 to 300, I believe that I wasn't responding properly. I think when they up it, they are just trying to find the "right" dosage for you and for you to respond, but it would be helpful to hear why they adjusted the dosage right from the nurses mouth. I don't think it's unusual for them to up a dose I myself tend to be a poor responder to these medications--I never had more than a few eggs retreived--usually only about 3-4. Once they upped it to 300, they haven't upped it anymore. Best of luck to you.

cindy71268 · Post by **cindy71268** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:48 pm

Hi all....

Here's the latest drama of the morning.
I went in for blood work and u/s. Only to find out at the office I go to, no doc's to do the u/s, so I had to drive another 45 minutes to Philly for my u/s. Let's just say I was a "hot head" this morning and let my IVF nurse have it. UGH.

So, when I got to the Philly location, I think with all the drama over the weekend, I ended up producing several more follicles. I have a total of 5 largest being at 21 and the smallest being a 10. No wonder why I'm feeling pain down there!

Will find out about blood work later this afternoon.

LadyB, don't worry about increasing of medication. They're looking out for the best possible scenerio for you. It'll be ok in the end!

Kat, what is happening with you today?

Talk to you soon.
Cindy

LadyB · Post by **LadyB** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:24 pm

Kbat: Yep, that's pretty much what they said. Although, I got really upset with my husband because he took the call and didn't give me the phone. I mean, I know he wants to be involved and he's trying to help, but sometimes, I just need to talk to the IVF nurse to allay my fears. I wonder if it's the higher dose that is making me so emotional and such. I rarely just burst into tears, but I've done that twice today. Ugh! Anyway, they don't seem to think it's a big deal about raising the dosage. It just seems to be the response they have to take to get my ovaries to do what they want them to do...

Cindy: I would have been furious in your situation!

I think that's a bit unprofessional. I can't imagine getting to my doctor's office and the sono tech (or the doctor) not being there! Holy Moly! Let us know how the lab results go! And thanks for the information. I was fretting just a bit, but it seems that this happens quite a bit.

Hugs and Good luck to everyone!

-LadyB

Grace35 · Post by **Grace35** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:37 pm

Lady B: Just to add my experience - on my first cycle, my numbers were considered terrible and my follies were hardly there on the first u/s day. They upped my follistim from 225 twice/day to 300 twice/day, and the next visit went much better.

Cindy: Oh my, I would have croaked if they made me go elsewhere for an u/s!! This is all difficult enough as it is without adding that kind of stress. At least your follicles are doing awesome! Keep us posted!

Kbat, I also understand your insurance nightmare. My RE's office told me they would "take care of" all of the communication, and that we were covered at 80% for 3 cycles. THen we go to start the first one, and whoops! Insurance refused everything and claimed no medical necessity (fortunately we hadn't begun yet - just ordered the meds). Like I would go through this if it wasn't necessary... Anyway, I ended up making every phone call to the insurance co. and getting the paperwork from my RE to prove that we need IVF. We are covered at 80% for 3 tries, excluding, of course, thousands of dollars of stuff! (semen freeze, embryo freeze, etc.)

I had another u/s today too... one 14 on the right, and two 11's, one 13, and several under 10 on the left. E2 was 1727. They actually lowered my follistim this time, to 225 twice/day instead of 300. Something about not wanting things to happen too fast. I am relieved that it's good news, but I find that on this second round I am feeling a little discouraged and less hopeful than the first. I saw a little girl this morning at the coffee shop who looked like me, and I felt so sad, and then selfish for feeling like that.

Grace

cindy71268 · Post by **cindy71268** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:19 pm

Hi there Girls!

Ok, well I think from laying into my nurse this morning, that they are now taking my case more seriously. I actually recieved my blood results at 3pm whereas lately I didn't get them until 5 or 6.

So my results are as follows: LH 1.5 Estrogen 523. I'll continue same dosage of meds. Wednesday I'll have more blood work and u/s. And I have confirmed apt at my usual office.

Whew! am I feeling so tired. Luckily I work part time, so now I think I'll rest.

cycle buddy late Oct/Nov

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