Jan/Feb 2010--Cycle Group

[CamiWB]

Ok, so Good Morning, Ladies!!! Remember when I said I needed a day to cool off from losing my epic post? Apparently I needed TWO days to get over it. But over it I am--because I'm hearing a lot of PMA reduction!!!!!!! What can we do to improve this?! Let's begin:

Franny & Heather & Kim--ok, girls--we all know it's just not over til the beta says it is!!! For what it's worth--I POAS'd two or three days before my first beta the first time and it was negative but the beta was 35 (that was my chemical). So, it's entirely plausible that we've got late or slow implanters (especially for FETs) or slower rising HCG-ers. Let's not give up yet!!!!! Sticky dust to Poopo, Darth and Heather's embie (as yet unnamed?)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sdc--let us know how the beta comes back today!! I'm still holding out hope!!! Praying for you!!!!!!
Niki--don't go crazy yet!!! Friday will be here in the blink of an eye!!! And please read my above post to Franny, Heather & Kim. Keep up that sudoku and enjoy PUPO land as long as you can!!!!! Sticky, sticky dust to you!!!!!!
Laurie--best of luck to you tomorrow!!!! How do you feel? And thanks for the vote of confidence for Boston IVF--after two failed cycles, I like all the positive news I can get!!!! Everything crossed for you--let us know!!!!!!
Jacqueline--I'm dying here!!!! How did it go yesterday?! I've been praying for you and thinking about you!!!!
Ashley--I'm going to jump on the "that's great news!" bandwagon and say that seems like a pretty darn-tootin' good sign to me!!! Keep POAS-ing, but that all sounds good to me!!! I'll throw out a premature congratulations!!!!
Ester--praying hard for your two little fighter embies!!!!! I know it's been said, but it's worth repeating--it only takes one, and you've got two!!! Our first two cycles, that's all we ever had on day 3!!! Let us know what they say during today's call--everything crossed for you!!!!!
Ronda--sounds like you and I will be doing our betas on the same day!! Sticky dust to you!! And, boy, do I hear you on the Verizon thing--there aren't enough hours in the day for me to air my list of grievances against them, but don't let it make you fight!!!!! No fighting!!!
Samantha--snuggle in Rip & Cord!!!!! Hope you're not going too crazy and sounds like you've got work to keep you busy--but no major running around!!! You'll be going in for the beta one day before me--so you're BFP can be a lead-in for me, ok?!!!! Sticky dust!!!!!
Beth--How are Hokey, Dokey & Pokey?!!! I hope settling in and making themselves at home!!!! You are in the home stretch now, baby--only six days to a BFP!!!!!!!! Sticky dust to you!!!!
Mandy--I'll say the same thing to you as Ester--it only takes one!!! I had an 8 cell and a 7 cell transfer, too--so fingers crossed!!! Sticky dust to you--and the 5th is just around the corner!!!!
Roshaunda--I've got to say, your story chokes me up every time. I have such a weakness for anything to do with our troops--there's nothing I respect more than that kind of service. I am so sorry that you guys can't be together for this but I am SO sure that you are going to have an amazing anniversary present for your DH!!!! I know you guys won't be together--but you and your baby will!!!! And June will be here before you know it!!! Please thank your DH for us for everything he does--and same to you--it's a huge sacrifice. I wish you both all the best! Sticky, sticky dust for Frick & Frack!!!!!!!!
Katie--I can't wait to hear how today went!!! Man, I hope you have some books on tape or some really good CDs for all the driving you've been logging!!!! Holy Cow!!! I am fascinated by this process of yours--and I am feeling really good about the outcome here!!!!! Report back soon!!!!! Restrained growth dust to you!!!!!!
Claudia--sounds to me like things are moving right along for you!!! Wednesday transfer is great and gives you even more time to thicken up (can you believe we are wishing these sort of things on each other?!)!!! I'm glad that your RE wants to handle you personally--it makes you feel a bit less like Patient X!!!! Everything crossed for you!!!!! Oh, and BTW, I just wanted to say that I hear you about not being able to swing a dead cat without hitting another pregnant woman--I'll never understand why, because she knows everything that I'm going through here, but my mother actually seems to relish and go out of her way to inform me every single time she hears about someone we know or might know who got pregnant.......whether they were trying or not......hmmmm?!
Sonya--I am so glad to hear that your sister is feeling a little better. You are all in my prayers. And--hooray for David coming!!!! I am ecstatic that you guys will get to have a couple of days together before the ER and things sound like they are going so well!!! Everything crossed for you guys and enjoy each other!!!!!!
Gi--Good grief!!! No more puking!!! How awful!!!! I am doing a major get-well dance for you for Friday!!! We don't want any delays on the D&C!!! Thinking of you and praying for a speedy recovery!!!!!
Miyaya--Hope you are doing well--your numbers sound great!!!! Still planning a Thursday trigger? That means Saturday ER? Grow follies grow!!!!!!
Lou--Holy AF!!! Mine after the BFN was the worst!!! That sucks!!! But on a positive note--skiing is only a short week away, right?! And sounds like you're back on track with the BCPs--so no rest for the weary!!! Have a great trip!!!
Marci--doing an AF dance for you, my friend!!!! I'm so glad that the RE finally called and you feel like you have a good plan for moving ahead!!!! Second time will be your charm--I know it!!!!
Dodo--I'm so glad that you are feeling like yourself again and things sound like they are on schedule!! Hooray for your donor's AF!! Everything crossed for you!!!!
Bei--sounds like we are going to have to step up our AF dance game for you!! You have the patience of Job (is that the right phrase?). Isn't there something they can give you to bring that on?
Chris--Hang in there!!! Enjoy PUPO as long as you can!! If you don't have to--don't give in to the POAS siren song!!!! Sticky dust!!!!!
Hope--Try not to feel too guilty--you have enough on your plate!!!! I know it's hard to balance everything out--and then add extra hormones to the mix!!! Take care of yourself, too!!!!! When are you starting stims? Soon, right? Thinking of you!!
Paty--I'm so sorry you guys are having a rough time here--I SO feel you guys on this. We had a really hard time on the second cycle with our BFN. My DH especially--which was really hard to see. But I do feel good that you already have a new plan and a schedule for April--do what you can to take care of yourself between now and April--acupuncture, yoga, diet, whatever you can. I'll be praying for you guys and this second cycle!!!!
Latrell--Thinking of you!!! How did your first injections go last night?! Hopefully they weren't too bad!!! I promise you will get used to it!! Everything crossed for you!!!!

AFM, I am happy to report that I am getting on a plane this evening and heading to sunny FL!!!!! My DH and I are going to be there through Tuesday night, so we will get back and I will have my beta on Wednesday morning!!! Hopefully this will be a good distraction to keep me off of Google and slightly less crazy!!! I did get a call yesterday that none of the embryos that we took to blast were freezer-quality. I was a little encouraged that several of them continued to divide and were of appropriate cell-count for their age (six days) but they were too fragmented to freeze? I'm trying not to read too much into it. Hopefully these two little beans are survivors, right? Oh, and as for names, we've always referred to ours as The Beans. The Beans are very demanding--it's never me, of course. I'm fairly certain my DH is tired of hearing phrases like "The Beans would like you to come home early tonight because they're bored" or "The Beans would like you to get them some dessert" and so on.....

Other than that, nothing much to report other than huge boobs and on/off cramping. Whoever said Colace is your friend--damn right. That's it--I'll be checking in with you all from my blackberry while on the beach.

Love to you all--you're all in my thoughts and prayers every day!!! It's time for some BFPs to start rolling in!!!!!!!!!!

XOXO Cami

[jenice]

Sorry, to break into this thread. I couldn't resist to say "CONGRATS" to Ashley. You definitely sound preggo to me. My DD made me have soooo much nausea, my sis had told me the nausea was a good sign cause your hormones were increasing. As far as the chemical I did have one and it is heartbreaking. I would be cautious and not tell everyone if you can hold back.Don't want to rain on your parade, cause you are SUPER DUPER PREGGO AND WISHING YOU LOTS OF STICKY GLUE !!!!! Congrats to DH also

HMS, Turtle - Sorry to hear about your neg POAS but you never know until beta day. I did a POAS @ home with my DD and was neg then a couple days later went to RE and had a positive. I will wish you guys tons of baby dust your way

AFM - I feel soooo much better now that I'm having a long break from IVF. I've started going to the gym and dieting and am losing weight already. I figure we'll try it the "old fashioned way" for awhile. I actually can feel which side I ovulate from and I think it was my right side which is where I have my tube on. It actually hurts when I ovulate, does this happen to anyone else ???? My BP is under control with an increase of meds though but I feel better. It would be nice for a surprise pregnancy, never know it can happen

Good luck to everyone, tons of baby dust to yas!!!!!!!!!!

[miyaya]

so sorry but this is super quick....I just got back to work after SNS....so lining is over 9mm....and MY OVARIES are about ready to bust....I will be triggering tonight and ER 1/29/10.....whoo hoo...I do not have my numbers yet but I know I have at least a couple follies at 20-21mm.....I am so excited. I so hope this works....please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will write more later.....ttyl!

[sdc]

Bfn thanks for support and good luck

[rlk1]

sdc, turtle0619, hms, and nej: Me too. I had one more HPT (I had a pack of three) and thought, "Hey, why not POAS again." Bad, bad decision. BFN....again. No hope for me (I'm 12dp6dt), but I'm still holding onto hope for you guys since you're all still testing pretty early!!

If I may rant a bit more....the thing that annoys me the most is that I'm having a reaction to my progesterone again (they had to switch me once already during this 2WW). It makes doing the PIO injections all the more unbearable when I know for sure that I'm not preggo. AHHHHHH!!!

Okay....calming myself....deep breaths....

Moorebaby: I'm rooting for your two little embabies! I'll be thinking of you and J&C tomorrow since you'll BOTH be PUPO then. YAY!!

Katie: What's the word after today's u/s? Did those follies of yours grow a bit? Do tell, do tell!!

gi: Ugh. Stomach viruses are the WORST!!! Are you feeling better today? I really hope so!!

CamiWB: A trip to Florida sounds sooooo great. I can't tell you how jealous I am (yes I can...I'M JEALOUS!!). Have fun, relax, and enjoy that BFP of yours when you get back!

ashleyncsu77: CONGRATS!!! I'm so thrilled for you. I hope your nausea and headache have both subsided---although they do say that both are good signs for a strong Beta! Keep us posted!!

PatyPaty: Glad to hear that you're moving on. I might be joining you on the April thread (not sure when I'll be able to cycle again). Good luck to you, and may we both get those BFPs next time!!!

claud662: YAYYYY for a thick lining!! Woo-hoo!! I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday---just one more week!!!

miyaya: Sooo exciting that you're triggering and will have your ER on Friday!!! I can't wait to hear about all those eggies that they they collect!!

Ugh. I know I forgot about half of the people on this thread. I hope everyone's doing well!! I'm thinking of you all!

sdc: I was about to hit submit when I saw your recent post. I'm so sorry to hear the official news.

[bei]

sdc ; Sorry to hear that , i know how u feel right now , I know how hard to go thrue whole process again its realy emostional jorney ,take a break and make ur self ready for next cycle ,Lots of hugs and we all here for u ,
lots of hugs girl

[to_have_fun08]

Patricia - Double ovidrel or HCG might help. I have seen several RE's now say they won't even use ovidrel because it isn't as strong as HCG. My first 2 IVF's I had a lot of empty follicles. First time I had 11 follicles only 6 retrieved, 2nd IVF I had 8 follicles and only 2 retrieved. After that I started researching empty follicles and found that the trigger shot could effect your follicles. If the trigger shot is not enough then your follicle won't mature and it is harder to release the eggs. So after that I moved to a different RE and asked for 2 ovidrel shots. I haven't had any issues with empty follicles since.

SDC - So sorry for the BFN. (((HUUGSS))

miyaya - YEY Congrats on getting to trigger. FX'd for a great ER.

Katie - Hope your U/S goes good today. Can't wait to see how ER turns out and fertilization and all that since you are doing such a strange protocol.

CamiWB - Have fun in Florida. I am so jealous. I need some sun and warm weather.

nej, hms & turtle - don't give up, lots of gals get bfn on HPT and go on to have a positive beta. I think the best test to use are the First response early response. From what I hear they measure as low as 15u.

AFM - not much to report. IUI's are so much easier then IVF. I am 6dpo today and if there is an embie it hasn't implanted so can't even have imaginable pregnancy symptoms yet. Going crazy trying to figure out things for the donor cycle. My clinic won't do testing on my sister without a contract but I don't want to get lawyers involved until it has been confirmed that her test are good. She will have to do testing next week and there is no way I can contact lawyers and get a contract by that time. Plus, what if this IUI actually works? Then I paid for a lawyer for no reason. UUGHH!! I will have to figure something out.

Chris

[meganlynn]

Thanks for all the advise and words of experience. This is all new to me and just don't know how I feel abou all of this. I just know that I want to be a mother and I will do what I need to. My husband does not have any issues but I guess he tested positive this last time for some antibodies that could result in some bad sperm so they are going to ICSI to ensure the good guys get to the egg. We are both healthy and have been trying for a good couple of years now. My doctor seems to think there is no reason why this should not work but he has said that since day 1 and here we are! I am trying to focus on the end result and stay positive but my emotions/hormones are all out of sorts. And we are just in the beginning stages. I am on lupron now with an appointment next tuesday and start all the other good stuff then. Anyone have any luck with IVF the first round..???
Thanks again for all the support! Best of luck and happy baby thoughts to all!!

[katie99]

Oh my Lord - What happened here today? Why did you all have an HPT fest? You're all too early! By 1 -2 days! And what brands were these?
I wish that I knew how to make a link (sorry) but at the very least go to
www.peeonastick.com ( who knew such a thing existed?) at the top on the left side click on home preg test - all of the different brands are listed along with the most important - their sensitivity levels! I understand the lure of these evil sticks, but they're not right all the time - especially when you test too early! Please no one give up hope because of this! Remember if these sticks could totally be trusted we wouldnt need betas
ONLY b/w is exact! I'll repost the embie chart so you can all see
you're all too early - grumble grumble grumble

[katie99]

3 Day Transfer:

1dpt... Embryo is growing and developing
2dpt... Embryo is now a blastocyst
3dpt... Blastocyst hatches out of shell on this day
4dpt... Blastocyst attaches to a site on the uterine lining
5dpt... Implantation begins,as the blastocyst begins to bury in the lining
6dpt... Implantation process continues and morula buries deeper in the lining
7dpt... Morula is completely inmplanted in the lining and has placenta cells &
fetal cells
8dpt... Placenta cells begin to secret HCG in the blood
9dpt... More HCG is produced as fetus develops
10dpt... More HCG is produced as fetus develops
11dpt... HCG levels are now high enough to be immediately detected on HPT

5 Day Transfer (if your transfer is done on the 6th day please adjust according to the timeline based upon how the embryo was doing by 1-2 days {e.g. blastocyst was hatching from the shell}):

-1dpt... Embryo is growing and developing
0dpt... Embryo is now a blastocyst
1dpt... Blastocyst hatches out of shell on this day
2dpt... Blastocyst attaches to a site on the uterine lining
3dpt... Implantation begins,as the blastocyst begins to bury in the lining
4dpt... Implantation process continues and morula buries deeper in the lining
5dpt... Morula is completely inmplanted in the lining and has placenta cells &
fetal cells
6dpt... Placenta cells begin to secret HCG in the blood
7dpt... More HCG is produced as fetus develops
8dpt... More HCG is produced as fetus develops
9dpt... HCG levels are now high enough to be immediately detected on
HPT

[lou71]

I've been checking in regularly in hopes to hear good news.

sdc & rlk -- I'm so so sorry! I know that BFN call all too well. Take a little time to collect your thoughts and figure out your next steps. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

franny, hms, & nej -- Oh, I sure hope you guys are the ones who get BFP's after a negative HPT. My RE's web page says they don't recommend POAS because "we've seen lots of beautiful babies born from negative home pregnancy tests". I'm praying for you!

katie -- Good Luck!!!! Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Gotta head back to work now.

Peace and love to all.

[Riley baby maybe]

I have missed you all SO much! My OHSS kicked back in Friday and I was in the RE office Sunday and yesterday. He finally drained me (talk about hurt) but got much less than he expected. For some reason the fluid wouldn't drain. I do feel a little better and know I'm way behind, sorry!

Ok, so my mom took me in yesterday (9dp5dt) and the nurse was telling her we should do an HPT and of course my mom agrees. So I did and it was BFN. But, the nurse calls me today and our beta is 97...so BFP! Don't trust the HPTs my friends, they are NOT accurate!!!!

I love you guys for asking about me; it means so much. I will go back through the 10 pages I missed and do all of my personals today.

RLK - STOP POAS!!!! Or at least don't put all your faith in them!
SDC - SO SORRY FOR YOUR BFN (((HUGS)))

[JG_379]

Sorry to crash! Riley congrats on your BFP, i'm soooooo excited for you! What wonderful news. Those darn HPT's, I bet your heart just sank. 97 is a great number and definitely should have shown up on the HPT (usually anything over 25 does). Good luck to you and keep in touch!!!!

[katie99]

I was so upset about the hpt fest I forgot to tell you what happened with me today - are you ready? RE STILL doesnt want to trigger me AND upped my meds to 450iu all menopur. WTH? So I dont know whats going on now - am I still ivm? is he going back to ivf? a weird combo? I have no idea - I think my RE's excited that we FINALLY have 7 follies to work with that are all even for a change! So I think I'm now on a day to day basis - hee heee maybe this has become FRANKENCYCLE -a little bit of this & a little bit of that. Of course this means another morning u/s ( yay for getting up at 4:30 and spending 4 hrs in the car!) The sonographer said that the follies looked the same as yesterday, so thats good, I guess. And my lining is at 7mm, I'll ask tomorrow if its a triple stripe yet. So I've no idea now when I'll trigger

[Molly05]

Hi everyone,

Thank you in advance for listening to my story and answering any questions.
I am new to this message board and have NEVER been a part of any kind of forum before...thanks for having me. It has been informative, motivating, heartbreaking, and heartwarming to read all of your posts. I have had two IUIs (with Follistim) in the past four months and am set to start meds for IVF next week. This is my first shot at IVF and I am both terrified and eager to begin. We are set to be part of a study that will separate us into two categories. If we are chosen for the first one, we will have a live transfer and then remaining embryos are frozen and genetic testing is performed. If we are chosen for the other, all embryos are genetically tested before the transfer. We will not find out which one we are in until the day of the transfer.

I have not had any really bad effects to the stims for the IUI aside from general moodiness. Can I expect the same for IVF or is it much more intense?

My husband is fine and I am an unknown. I am sorry if I don't know all of the abbreviations for everything!

Thanks again for any advice.