Feb/Mar 08 Cycle Buddies

[itsgottawork]

Hi Ladies!!!
It certainly has been a busy weekend for folks. I am happy to hear the ERs and ETs are going well!

Courtney, thanks so much for keeping track of everyone. It is exciting to see how far along everyone is as we go through this cycle!

This weekend was good for me. I feel too much anxiety to try accupuncture but have been getting massages. I had one last weekend and another one this past Saturday. I just love getting the massage! My RE said there are no studies saying this is beneficial for the cycle but he says it will be good to relax me and it can't hurt.
I went in for bloodwork on Sunday and they have doubled my Menopur and kept all my other meds the same. Has anyone else had changes in dosages while they were on stims? I go in again tomorrow for u/s and more bloodwork. I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything is going smoothly.

Aims327 - Just one more day until the beta!!! Have you tried POAS or have you been able to hold out until tomorrow?

Are folks planning on POAS before their betas? If so, at what point do you think you will test? (Yep, I am already getting ahead of myself and thinking about that before ER is even scheduled!) I get so impatient!!!

Good luck to everyone!

[Beaner]

Courtenay, I'm testing on March 7
Thanks

[JustJenis]

Ya know, I thought that I would really want to POAS, but I'm not going to. I will be much happier and at ease when I know my embies are back with mommy. Having to wait for the 5day blast is a wonderful thing I know, but in a way I felt safer when them inside me. Stupid huh?
Went through all this.. I can wait 2 weeks for blood work. I don't want to get any wrong answers for POAS. Not worth the added stress here.

LOL Check with me in a week and see what i say then

[IrishHope]

itsgottawork - I'll be POAS! I do not want some nurse I barely know giving me my news - I'd prefer to be prepared espeically since my test is on a Monday and I'll be at work. I think I'll try 13 dpo from my trigger shot...I believe they are more accurate than not...of course a blood test is best but I'll take my chances...I can' t wait until 3/10...that's 15dpo which is very conservative so I think a HPT will be accurate on the 8th or 9th...

[kbear4211]

We have been pretty busy the last few days, huh?

I stopped BCP yesterday and went in for my first "Stick and Stir" (my little attempt at a humorous name for bloodwork and ultrasound). I asked what they were looking for and they said "for the lining to be thin and no cysts on either ovary". They said all looked good, so now I am waiting for the official phone call from my RN to say we start on Wednesday with the microdose Lupron.

Microdose Lupron is different than regular strength Lupron. For my first cycle, I injected 20 units Lupron initially then down to 5 units to quiet my own cycle while I stimulated. With microdose Lupron, it is a much smaller dose and when used in this small of a dose, it actually acts as a stimulating drug. I will take 20 units microdose Lupron every 12 hours for two days. Then in addition to the microdose Lupron, I will add Gonal-F and Menopur (both of which I used last cycle). They say this is a more aggressive protocol, so hopefully we will get more eggs.

I am just happy to be getting back into this, but it is also scary, because I know how hard it was to get a BFN the first time. I know I will definitely POAS this time, because I want to have an idea before I get the phone call from my RN. I will wait until a couple days before the bets, so I am sure the HCG shot is out of my system and I will test for a couple days to ensure if a BFP, the line is getting darker.

Does anyone know which brand of HPT is the most accurate and sensitive?

Jill N Mark and Courtney, it looks like we are all on similar cycles, let's get this party started.

I pray for BFP's for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[courtney]

kbear- Stick and Stir!!! I havent laughed that hard in a week!!!! I am on the microdose Lupron too. My RE gives it to anyone over 38 or high FSH...mine was 12.5.

I am truly one of the most inpatient people I know, waiting kills me. I will definitely POAS...I would be lying if I said I could wait!!!!!


Court

[Jill_n_Mark]

kbear and courtney - looks like we are about on same schedule. I start my lupron tomorrow and I am so ready to get this started. It seems like once we get started, it flies by until we get to that dreaded 2WW.

kbear - I take 10 units of Lupron every night for approx 2 weeks and then next Friday, I will add on the Gonal-F and then about 5 days later, add on the Repronex (same as Menopur).

I start my stims on 2/29 too. Do you 2 know your estimated ER and ET?

[J&C]

HHHHHmmmmmm....still trying to decide if I'll POAS. I'll decide that down the road.

IrishHope - a soothing CD sounds like a GREAT idea. I'm sure I even have a few around the house. I'll have to put one in the car. Thanks for the great idea! I keep reading on the message board about acupuncture, but I haven't tried it yet. I do love a good massage though. I have one scheduled for next Monday, and I'm looking forward to it. [itsgottawork - I'm totally with you - it's all about the massage]

Sue - my next appointment is on Thursday then Sunday.

kbear - "Stick & Stir" - that's HILARIOUS!!!! ROTFL I'm going to remember that on Thursday at my next appointment.

Sticky Baby Dust for Everyone!!!

[aims327]

itsgottawork - I am afraid I'm not starting off this board with much luck. Last friday, I started spotting a little. It stopped on saturday and started back a little on sunday. Then today even more spotting. It's not the usual AF flow for me but more than spotting. I POAS this morning and it was a BFN. I am still having the beta test tomorrow and hoping for a miracle but I don't think it was meant to be this time.

I was lucky enough to have insurance pay for IVF for two cycles. So, I have 7 frosties and hoping the 2nd and final try will be the one that sticks. I am thinking about asking the doctor about assisted hatching.

Good luck to everyone who are stimming, ER, and ET. The 2WW has been the hardest part. If you can avoid POAS I would! I wish I hadn't now. I will update you tomorrow on the results.

[kbat]

aims327--will be keeping my fingers crossed for you. I am really hoping for the best for you.

My 1st 2 cycles I got a full blown af about 2 or 3 days before the preg. test. I too did the test w/ little expectations as to whether it would work. This past cycle, I didn't bleed right away, but after my 1st beta test, which came back w/ a low number of about 2.5 I did bleed a little--more than spotting, but not quite a full af. Then, I got cramping & I passed something (sorry for the tmi). I had 2 embryos transferred, and probably one didn't make it at all. The other one ended up in my right tube, so it became etopic. I am cautiously optimistic, but I am a bit afraid of what will happen given my past experiences.

I do have a question for you all. My husband usually gives me my progestrone shot. I usually get it around 7 ish. At the clinic the other day, they did mention that there's a 1-2 hour window. However my husband has a meeting tonight, and may not be home until 10 pm or later (the meeting doesn't even start until 7 p.m. and it's about 1 hour away).
My question is has anyone tried to give it to themselves and if so, how did it go? Any tips would be helpful!!!

[J&C]

I actually slept through the night last night. That feels sooooooo much better.

Question for everyone - we've been stimming for 2 days now, and I don't feel anything. And actually, I feel really good. This of course makes me wonder if anything is going on at all. How long before you start to feel bloated and that your ovaries "hurt"? I'm sure I just need to relax and go with the flow.

aims327 - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you too!!!

[JustJenis]

J&C - I would say that it took me about 5 days to really notice things. Then it was like a freight train and hasn't slowed down. LOL! Don't worry, you' doing it right.

*HUGS*

[IrishHope]

aims327 - sending sticky vibes your way!!! Good luck!

kbat - I have not given myself the PIO injection...I'm sure if I had to I could/would...do you ice first? not sure if this helps but think of it that from start (getting things ready) to finish it's probably about 3 minutes...you can do it!!!

J&C - I'd say I felt something around day 4 of stimming...so you are progressing normally I would guess...

in general is anyone just loopy? I am back at work and am so emotional and just can't focus and don't want to see or talk to anyone and PRETEND everytihng is normal...I'm having a really hard time today...I feel like an absolute freak show

[JustJenis]

Irish,

I totally agree. You feel like you have no control over your body functions and emotions. It's the drugs hun. Just remember that this is all for a good purpose and it'll get better. I can't tell you when cause I"m on the PIO and well, I'm still a mess LOL! I sleep somewhat better but still not like i use to. Bloated seems to be better if I drink a TON of water.. but then you're up all night in the bathroom LOL! Lots of catch 22's in this game.

You have us, and we're all just as looney as you right now

*HUGS*
Jenis

[IrishHope]

JustJenis - thank you thank you - I just balled at my desk for 10 minutes!

LOOOOOOOOOOOPPPYYY!!!