Winter 2010-2011 Cycle Board

[Lauren1171]

Kimberly - What is the fluid in your overies from?

[kynlee]

Sweetpea- Congrats on PUPO :)

Hotgreentea & Penney- Welcome

Kimber- Yay for starting Stims so exciting

Leora- Sounds like you had a nice time in Greece and thanks for sharing your pics.. You and your Dh make a great couple

AFM- A/F has arrived and I will be starting meds in 21 days Came on time and even though I wanted her late It will all work out the way its suppose to if any of you girls like to read a great book is "Down came the rain"" by Brooke Shields, it was about her fertility issues and the depression she went through... She was very Real in it, it made me see another side of someone famous...

Baby dust to everyone

[Sunshine1576]

Awesome news Kynlee! Sounds like you have a plan that hopefully work won't interfere. I feel bad for asking off for more than one Friday myself, but we cannot always center our lifes around work, right? Sometimes we have to throw in the towel and say what's really important to us!

Karian, we're all looking forward to reading an update on how the first ultrasound goes. Sooo Excited for you too!

Leora, Glad to connect with you today and see you Greece photos! The architecture is absolutely A-MAZING! I personally think you should consider framing one to give dh for Valentine's Day.

Krcaja, Fabulous news that some of the embies made it to blastocyst and you now have one frozen too! Good report and look forward to hearing more. I also read about the pineapple, but not sure about it. My doctor laughed when I mentioned it to him, but sometimes I don't know if they are in the loop with everything like we are! I must confess to you, I did go out and buy a pineapple, during my first cycle and I ate too much of it. Never again will I ever crave a pineapple. lol maybe a pickle?

Welcome Penny and ALL the newbies, you are in a great forum with the best of the BEST IVF sistas!

AFM: No new news to report. Tried to call the clinic back today to schedule the surgery around 1:15 and left a voicemail message. Wondering if it was just my clinic that was closed for the holiday today? However on Friday, she did tell me she would call me on Monday and of course I never hear from her today. Probably by the time they actually call me back it will be too late. Wondering if anyone out there, can tell me if I should just let my Obgyn do Laproscopic Surgery? Trying to stay nice!

[leorira11]

Kat --- sooo....nuu.... how early will you test?

Sherry- I'm anovulatory, so I don't have a natural cycle to supress. I take BCP to control my period and I do an antagonist cycle too (no Lupron, Ganirelix instead to prevent early ovulation). You should get AF (a light one) after you stop your BCP. I also stop my BCP and then on CD3 start stims.---- as for Lupron vs no Lupron cycles ---- the official names are agonist and antagonist cycles. The different protocols accomplish the same thing (stimulating follicles) but do it in different ways. The advantage of antagonist is the trigger. With an agonist cycle, you can only trigger with hcg. If your e2 levels are too high, the hcg can cause OHSS. With antagonist, you can trigger with either hcg or Lupron (of all things!). So if your e2 is too high, you can avoid OHSS. Have you gotten close to OHSS in the past? I'm PCO and my e2 gets high - that's why I'm on antagonist cycles. I've never had to trigger with Lupron though. I have great results with it -- 14 and 18 mature eggs respectively.

Lauren - I'm so soooo sorry that this cycle isn't going smoothly. I don't ask for my e2 numbers, because it just stresses me out more. Don't self-medicate! Maybe your doc has a plan? Fluid could be anything and probably isn't a problem. (TMI and no need to answer, but did you have sex before your u/s?- maybe that's it)

Sunshine 12 - yeah, this was a bit more than a 'down' after a good vacation. I have a psych appt, so hopefully we can figure out a way to make me more stable again. If Tuesday was the transfer, then Wednesday is 1dpt, etc. So today is 6dpt.... you did a 5 day transfer, right? So you are 6dp5dt or 11dpo. Still a bit early to POAS - but maybe tomorrow? beta is in just 4 days!

Penny100 (Darlene) - welcome! What day embryos did you transfer? Was this fresh or frozen? Is this your first IVF? When is your beta?

deftonesmo - I had a hysteroscopy last year. It really wasn't bad. What are they looking for? The fact that you carried your daughter to term is a great sign. I had the hysteroscopy when my waters broke at 22 weeks with my twins and we lost them. They were looking for uterine malformations and retained placental tissue (and found nothing! yay!)

Kimber - I have a Follistim pen too---- totally not bad at all! I'm glad you got the green light. Here we go - grow follies!

Kristin - congrats on a frostie! Your beat is the same day as Kat (Sweatpea). I'm not sure what the deal with pineapple is because I'm crazy allergic to citrus fruits and eating pineapple would put me in anaphlactic shock. I'm *sure* that wouldn't be good for the embryos! I'd love to hear what you've done to help you feel like you are 'staying afloat'. The biggest issue is that DH and I feel like we aren't living our lives anymore... we are just on hold and waiting. For what, we aren't sure. Will having a baby solve all of our problems? Almost certainly not. Will stopping treatment? I don't know. Being pregnant again this summer really helped heal a lot of the hurt from losing my twins and the subsequent BFNs..... losing that pregnancy brought back all that pain plus more.

Kynlee - thanks! We are both a bit funny-looking, but at least we look good together! He weighs about 50lbs less than me - which was weird for me at the beginning. But now I'm used to it! Congrats on gettign AF! Perfectly on time! In 21 days you start Lupron or stims? Thanks for the heads up about Brooke Sheilds book - I'm always looking for good books!

Sunshine 1576 - a while ago I decided that my treatments were stressfull enough and I shouldn't make myself crazy about missing work for it. So I don't. I've told my boss why so he understands. I've told everyone else that I am 'in treatment' (very vague)... so I miss a few days every month and thats fine. My work will still be there when I get back! I'm sorry you arent getting through to the clinic. That's the WORST!

AFM - I had my HSG this morning. It was totally fine. No pain, no cramping - only now I have a weird 'full' and bloaty feeling in my tummy. Uterus is perfect and tubes are open and clear. While this is good news, it still leaves us questioning why this keeps failing.....

So one more week of BCP then I go to the IVF clinic for a quick pipelle endometrial biopsy (we are trying that idea that 'stirring things up' in the uterus can have higher implantation rates) and I stop my BCP in about 12 days from now. I get a period and start my stims!

margi ---- I'm not sure if you are following, but I think your WTF appt for your BFN was the same day as my HSG (today, 1.18). How are you?

Ginger (txcpl) had her ultrasound yesterday - I've asked her to update us on how it went, but haven't heard anything.
Karian's u/s is today! She will tell us how it goes! Fingers crossed!



THE LIST:




-swaters2815 (Stephanie) - starting mid-January
-kbillsy – IUI 12.4, Beta BFN - saving up money to do it again!
-jmbella (Jenn) - waiting to start late-Jan/early-Feb
-Sunshine1576 - PLAN: Lap surgery, 2 rounds of IUI and then IVF in June (if not already pregnant!)
-deftonesmo - hysteroscopy 1.21
-Kynlee - AF started 1.18 - start meds 21 days later


-leorira11 (Leora, aka listmistress!) - stopping approx 1.29 to get a period to start stims!
- Krisnjer - AF is here! on OCP, Suppression check on 1.19, ER/ET early Feb
-JustSoLost - on OCP - starting in Jan, approx ER/ET in early Feb, starting Lurpon 1.24, approx ER 2.14
-wannabeamum (Samantha) - AF is here! next scan - 1.31
-hotgreentea (Sherry) - suppression check on 1.18



-LYD10, waiting for AF, starting Lupron on 1.15 and stims on 1.29
- andrea3821 - COME ON, AF!
-nwquiz - BFN - waiting for next AF for another IUI



-NancyB - FET delayed to April
-andsahsa - FET, next appt 12.21
-Katie1231 - miscarriage 12.28 - FET 2.15



-jkulab – start Lupron 12.2, start stims 12.24? - polypectomy on 12.21
-SDtrying#2 - ER/ET 2.7/2.11



-lauren1171 - start stims 1.9, approx ER 1.23
- lou71 (Lou) - started stims 1.11 (ER approx between 1.19-1.21)
-Trusting (Amanda) - started stims 1.10
-amanda1979 on Lupron, start stims 1.12 - delayed because of a stupid cyst....started stims 1.14
-HopeIsAllIHave (Ashley) - on OCP - starting Lupron on 1.6 and stimming on 1.15
-Tiger04 - AF is here - after baseline on 1.17, starting Femera for IUI on 1.25/26
-Kimber Baby - starting Lupron 1.3 - started stims 1.18



-lynniecat - started stims 1.4 - ER 1.16



-CjofNC (Carol) – Waiting to do IUI w/ injectables or IVF - for now, 2ww of regular cycle (hoping for a miracle!)
-Sunshine 12 - ER 1.8, ET 1.12 - beta 1.22
-krcaja (Kristin) - ER 1.11, ET 1.16, beta 1.28
-Sweetpea614 (Kat) - ER 1.14, ET 1.16, beta 1.28
-Penny100 (Darlene) - ET 1.18




-anacris (Nov) – FET 11.29, Beta 12.11 = 444, u/s on 12.28 - one happy, healthy baby!
-rypell1985 (Ryann) – start Lupron 10.11, lining check 11.29, FET 12.3, Beta 12.15 = 275, beta #2 = 824 - u/s = twins!
-annashope – natural IUI 12.2, Beta = 247, Beta#2 = 725 - one happy, healthy baby!
-kildean23 – FET 12.14, beta 12.27 = 565!, 2nd beta = 1315!, u/s on 1.6 - 2 sacs! next u/s 1.31
-taxcplforivf (Ginger) – start stims 12.4, ER 12.15, ET 12.20, beta 12.29 = 68!, beta #2 - 1466!, u/s 1.17
-BakersBaby (Kelly) – start stims 12/3, ER 1.13, ET 12.16, beta 12.30 = 365!, beta #2 1.7 = 3300, u/s one happy, healthy baby! OB visit on 2.2
- Karian - SURPRISE SPONTANEOUS BFP! beta = 101!, beta #2 - 566, u/s 1.18
-kariberri517 - 3dt on 12.10, beta on 12.27 = 392, 12.29 = 472, 12.30 = 576... waiting....


-Krys – started estrogen 11.11, FET 11.30, Beta 12.14- BFN
-TammyS – start Lupron 11.18, start stims 11.19, ER 11.29 w/ ET 12.2, Beta 12.13 = 8.5, chemical
-Cshell717 (Mishell) – start stims 11.22, ER 12.3 w/ ET 12.6, beta 12.20 -BFN
-x0Heather0x – FET, b/w 12.3, u/s 12.10, FET 12.16, beta 12.28 - BFN
-margi26 – IUI start stims 12.6, IUI 12.15, beta 12.28 - BFN
-Riya - beta on 1.7 BFN
-Jamiep03 - ET 12.27, beta 1.9 = 21.8, chemical

[anton]

hi there everybody! thank you al for your kind words and wishes!!! it feels really good to share ur thoughts and emotions with a group of people facing more or less the same situation with you! i will keep you posted on my situation ( i had and my sencond shot last week and so one more is left on the 3rd of feb) good luck with you all and hope this year is everyones lucky year with BFP's!!!...follies to grow, embryos to hatch and healthy babies to be born!!!

[CJinNC]

Wow, lots of ladies PUPO or about to be... I hope they all turn into PBaRD (I made it up - Pregnant Beyond a reasonable doubt)!

Can't do personals this morning - I have a headache that is quickly turning into a migraine. Unfortunately I spend 8-10 hours a day in front of this computer working. I actually hop in here and do personal stuff when I am waiting for files to download or upload. I need to get my work done asap and take a break from my glaring screen and hope this goes away. My eyesight is already getting blurry.

Leora, I feel ya' on the depression. Before TTC a few years ago I was put on meds for it... it helped some but I didn't like the side effects. Then with TTC and all the hormone fluctuations and meds, I think my "moods" have gotten worse. Its even worse when I try to pretend everything is fine for DH and kids because I don't want them to know how I really feel. Then, after my loss in 10/09, it took at least a year before I could be the least bit optimistic in life in general. I cried at the drop of a hat - I still tear up when I see babies in toilet paper commercials... but then I change the subject in my head to... why do they have babies, puppies and cartoon bears in toilet paper commercials.... none of them use it? Its like having an old man advertise tampons. It was only a few months ago that I started turning around emotionally by accepting that a baby may just not be in my and DH's future. I am sure the meds you have been on as well as everything else you have been through this last year have not been helping and I'm so sorry you are going through it. You obviously have a loving, understanding (and can I say very cute) husband to carry you through all of this. I am praying for a Fertile February for you!

Well, time to answer some emails and take a visual break, along with some tylenol and caffeine to get rid of this headache.

Oh, and I'm 9 dpo and have no desire to test. Whats wrong with me?

[to_have_fun08]

Lynn and Lou - Just checking to see how you guys were doing. Haven't seen an update in awhile.

[CJinNC]

krcaja, I saw your question about pineapple and I meant to reply. Pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain in it. Its been used for centuries by island cultures and has been found to have anti-inflammatory benefits. In modern times its used as a meat tenderizer. Apparently the bromelain has similar affects as aspirin in increasing blood flow which helps thicken the uterine lining for implantation. You are supposed to take right after ovulation for about a week. The entire pineapple has the bromelain, but it is most concentrated in the core and stem, so its best to get a whole pineapple, cut away the rind and slice the fruit without coring it. Eat a little everyday. Supposedly you don't want to take before ovulation or for more than a week. HTH and good luck on sticky embies!

[lou71]

Hi all... I'm kinda down and really pressed for time so I apologize for lack of personals.

I could use some advice though. It seems my cycle isn't going so great. I've got 4 follies on the right 16, 16, 16,12 and two on the right 14, 11. My RE brought up cancelling and doing an IUI instead to "save money". He said IUI would have 5-10% success rate and IVF 25-35% IF I ended up with two good embies to transfer on day 3. My DH wants to go ahead with the IVF. If we do IUI, then we could probably afford another IVF cycle in a couple of months. But there's no guarantee I'd have a better response. I'm somewhat hopeful I might get at 3 mature eggs and 2 embryos to transfer on day 3. But I am not sure. I've never had a mature egg in a follicle less than 16 mm on trigger day although I've heard mature eggs can be in smaller follicles. RE says I will trigger tomorrow. But I am going in for u/s and b/w in the morning. Maybe the 14 will grow to a 16 and I *might* have 4 to work with, otherwise, probably just 3. I dunno. What would you ladies do in this situation?

Thanks

[HopeIsAllIHave]

Hi ladies,

First of all, thank you SO much for making me feel better about the period thing, totally helped! Secondly, just getting back from my SnS appointment (after 4 days of stimming) and the tech only saw 10 follies measuring on average between 6-8mm. There was one just under 4 (just to compare what that would do as opposed to the other 10). I'm a bit discouraged. 10 isn't that big of a number, huh? What should I expect my doctor would do? Up my dosage? I'm only taking 175 of Follistim. Is that too low of an amount? I don't get it.. when they did my antral count back in November, it was at 18, so why such a low number this time? Sigh.. I go in for another appointment on Thursday.

Sorry for the lack of personals; I've been having a terrible headache from follistim, up to the point of a migraine, and now hearing this news didn't really inspire confidence, so I'm going to go wallow in self-pity for a bit

[CJinNC]

Hope.. I don't know much about the IVF, but it seems 10 is a decent number if you respond well to the stim meds and most of them mature. I think its all in how they grow, but am sure most ladies would be happy with 5 or 6 that mature for trigger, so hopefully you will get more.

Lou, that sucks that you have some slow ones in there. I wonder why they would give you such a low success rate for IUI with 3 or 4 mature follicles? Do you have tubal issues? That seems like a good number to go into IUI with and I can understand wanting to save your money for a greater chance at IVF. If you trigger tomorrow, then your follies have 2-3 more days to mature, which could be another 4-6mm even at a slow rate. So it sounds like 4 would be it. In your past IVFs, how many have you retrieved and how many became viable embies for transfer?

I'm curious though, are there any "averages" as to how many follicles become viable embies once retreived?

[nwquiz]

sunshine- all the best with surgery.
leo- keep up the pma. sometimes we go through a hard road but we have to get back on track. right ladies this year will be a better year for us.
CjinNC-get some sleep lady that baby will be happy you rested looke ahead for you . and its about time to start pulling out those stick and peeing on them. since margy is not here to push i get a chance for once to push oh i ate alot of pineapples and it sure did the trick for me once but it ended to soon for me. this last cycle i forgot all about it coz i was so scared of doing anything. i was even scared of my progesterone supp.
Lou71- how many days has it been? just like cjinnc said they keep growing even after the trigger. So the big question for me would be how much are they gping to give back? remember the meds dont count so that is another factor i learnt the hard way. then is dh has great swimmers? but the main thing knowing what i know now i would go ahead with ivf to avoid that question at the back of my head of what if?????. also that way i know what they are putting in or at least know if i had any good eggs just for peace of mind. Am doing iui and i was told with that many follies the chance is 25% per cycle. then it comes down to quality vs quantity. Think over it and make your decision. all the best. wish i had a definate answer to give you. all the best still.
hope-grow follies
Nothing new to report on me. just patiently waiting for af. to start. just cant come quick enough.

[penny100]

Hello ladies,

Just wanted to say thank you for the warm welcome!

Leora - This is my first IVF, I transferred the embryos yesterday 1/17 & they were fresh, & I am not sure what BETA means, but if it's the pregnancy test, then it is on the 31st of January. I am slowly learning what all these acronyms stand for. I really like PUPO. My husband loved that too. I hope you are feeling well. I think I saw you were on BCP & getting ready to start Stims. Best of luck to you with this next cycle!

I am eating pineapple & trying to rest. Does anyone have any info on what one should not eat or eat during this 2 week wait?

I love this board! It is so nice for support & info.

Wishing everyone the best!

Darlene

[lou71]

CJ -- I guess he told me 5-10% because IUI has lower success rates in general. DH has low motility but said #'s should be adequate for IUI. He did also say that although I may want to slap him, I would need to be counseled for the high risk of multiples! Are you kidding me? So it's either none or 4? What happened to 1 or 2? lol

nwquiz -- Today is day 9 of stims. 25% chance for IUI seems quite high to me especially since IVF is only 30-40% in most cases. I am 38 years old. Maybe that's why it's lower.

[Kimber Baby]

Lou - That's a tough decision. Personally, I think I would try the IUI to give myself more chances (money wise), since I'm more practical-minded. But, after all the hassle of doing a cycle, I can see why DH just wants to go for the IVF. Go with your gut and best of luck with your decision!

Kimber