May/June Cycle Buddies

Discussion group for all topics related to infertility including preparation for pregnancy, causes, investigation and treatment of infertility.
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TansRN
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Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:13 pm
Location: Michigan

May/June Cycle Buddies

Post by TansRN »

Hello
My name is Tanya and I am just starting my second round of IVF. I have two DS's from a previous relationship and I got married to a wonderful, loving hubby who unfortunately had a vasectomy. We did IVF/ICSI last summer and I lost my baby at 12 weeks. It was so horrible and it feels like it has taken forever for the day to come to start a new cycle! I did a FET in Jan. 2007 with no luck...only one embie made it through the thaw.

Anyhow-I am looking for a few buddies to join me on this thread to support each other and to go through the process.

AF just started and I called today and I will be starting Lupron on CD 21 and then after next AF I will be using the Gonal F, Bravelle and Menopur again. Getting excited!!!

Please feel free to share your story and join right in!!!!!


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Tanya

IVF #1- 6/2006-DH had vasectomy
VERY SADLY ended in m/c of a beautiful baby girl at 12 weeks on Aug. 28, 2006.

FET 1/2007 -ive
#2 IVF/ICSI-4/2007 BFP!!! 1st beta 708!!!!
Sophie and Riley Arrived Dec. 10th 2008!!!
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CarolynB
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Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:49 am
Location: london

Post by CarolynB »

Hi Tanya

Know that I will be behind you but may be I could join? Was thinking of starting a May/June thread the other day but seemed quite a way away.

Firstly I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your little girl. I can only imagine how hard it was on you & your dh. You are brave to be trying again. Sorry also that your snow babies did not work either. So hope that this will be our time!

A little bit about me although lots of it you will see/figure out in my ticker. We have been on the treatment rollercoaster for almost exactly a year now. Three fresh cycles - three negatives. One long protocol. Two short/antagonist cycles. The initial diagnosis of our issues was that both tubes were blocked. IVF 1 was quite postive. 13 retrieved. Good for my age. 2 back on Day 2 - both grade 2 4 cells. AF came on D11. Then we had a lap in June where they could not unblock my tubes. Consultant wanted to unblock so we could try naturally. That was done in August - they were unblocked at that stage. Open surgery though which took me at least 6 weeks to recover from - scar is ugly but on bikini line so not too many people see :wink: They then wanted us to try naturally for 8 months. :evil: We lost patience after a few months. Back to treatment before Xmas. 2nd cycle. Follies grew well but they could only reach 1 side so we only got 6 retieved. 3 back (all grade 2 but 1 6 cell, 1 5 cell and 1 4 cell) as over 40 so that is ok in the UK. Same story. D11 AF. :evil: Last go, they were worried that they might not be able to access either side. Thrilled when they could and we got 11. 6 fertilised so we were determined to try to get to blasts. None made it to blast. Most stopped progressing D5/D6. Two were still a little active on D6 and so they put them back but we knew that it would not work. Same outcome. AF D11. We have follow up at Hammersmith on Thursday to see what they have to say.

In meantime we have registered over the last few months at a 'new' clinic - argc in London. It has the highest success rates in the UK but it is so very expensive & they have a long wait list. I guess that it will be our last roll of the dice - at least for a fresh cycle with my own eggs. They will do a monitored cycle after my April AF. Then depending on what happens with that and my FSH level, the earliest that I might try again would be off my May AF.

I am a big fan of acupuncture and have been going since my first -ve cycle. Have also given up drinking alcohol and tea/coffee. Although all of this does not seem to have altered the outcome. Also gave up my old major stressful job after 1st cycle. Now freelancing so at least I am a bit more in control.

I shall look forward to getting to know you Tanya. Let's hope that it is our time. And hope that some other ladies will join us soon.

Have a nice weekend.

Take good care.
Carolyn
xxxxxxx
Me 42, DH 52 IVF #1, #2, #3 ICSI #4 - 10.05.2006, 12.12.2006, 10.03.2007, 27.07.2007 ICSI/DE/TESA #5, #6 PGD/IVIG #7 - 24.11.2007, 27.02.2008, 23.05.2008 - 7 BFNs
Surrogacy/FET #8 - 15.10.2008 - BFP
[img]http://lb1f.lilypie.com/2iB9p1.png[/img]
TansRN
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Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:13 pm
Location: Michigan

Post by TansRN »

:lol:
Carolyn
It sounds like you have been through so much. When you start your new cycle you will have to work on not being petrified of day 11. I am really hoping that things work out at your new clinic. I went to London last year and I loved it. I would move there in a flash!!!! It would be so wonderful If we could be starting the "February 2008-Moms" board! That would be so cool. Anyhow I like daydreaming.
I thought it might be to far out (to start the board) as well but I need something to do with my idle time and what a better way than to connect with people who are in the same boat!!!! I am getting excited and looking forward to moving forward (with positive results!) Thank you for responding!!!


Image
Tanya

IVF #1- 6/2006-DH had vasectomy
VERY SADLY ended in m/c of a beautiful baby girl at 12 weeks on Aug. 28, 2006.

FET 1/2007 -ive
#2 IVF/ICSI-4/2007 BFP!!! 1st beta 708!!!!
Sophie and Riley Arrived Dec. 10th 2008!!!
CarolynB
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Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:49 am
Location: london

Post by CarolynB »

Hi Tanya

How funny that you were in London just last year. I have been to Michigan too. Only once. I was working for Reuters and they sent us on a week long management programme to the University at Michigan. Must be 7 years (OUCH) ago now. I really liked it there. Cannot recall much about it other than there were lots of good bars as it was pretty intensive in the day so we did not have much time to look around!!!

Agree with you that it is good to have somewhere to come and chat as we wait. We have both been in the wars so must be time for something good to happen!??

Just so you know I am often pretty busy at work, & I do therefore find it hard to post during the week but try to make it up at the weekends. Don;t want you to think that I am ignoring you. :oops:

Have a good week.
Carolyn
xxxx
Me 42, DH 52 IVF #1, #2, #3 ICSI #4 - 10.05.2006, 12.12.2006, 10.03.2007, 27.07.2007 ICSI/DE/TESA #5, #6 PGD/IVIG #7 - 24.11.2007, 27.02.2008, 23.05.2008 - 7 BFNs
Surrogacy/FET #8 - 15.10.2008 - BFP
[img]http://lb1f.lilypie.com/2iB9p1.png[/img]
shantala
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Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:36 pm

Post by shantala »

hey tans and carolyn!!!

i wont introduce myself as i know you both but can i please join you lovely ladies??

i figured out that i'm pretty sure we will be able to start with my may AF, which means starting to downreg in june. i know its still miles behind you tans but it will be nice to know who my cycle buddies will be!!

brief history for those who dont know me (who will join): i'm 22, nothing wrong with me but lovely dh has severe male factor (about a quarter of a million)...had our first IVF/ICSI in feb/march which unfortunately resulted in a dreaded BFN...so from what i know we can go again with my may AF.

lots of lovely sticky baby dust to you!!!

xxx
2nd IVF/ICSI - baby girl Elliana born 21.4.08 weighing 7lb 6.5ounces; 7 frosties left...
[img]http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/471/471593nd9346hthf.gif[/img] to all!
[img]http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/lamlamavi20080421_-1_Elliana+is.png[/img]
CarolynB
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Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2006 8:49 am
Location: london

Post by CarolynB »

Hey Shantala

I was SO hoping that you'd join us. I nearly put it on the Feb thread to come over here but thought that it may be just too soon for you and I did not want to appear insensitive.

It will be great to have you along for the ride - again! Although wish that none of us had to go again at all. :evil:

How are you doing? You seem positive and appear to be looking forward already. Will you have a follow up review to discuss your 1st cycle?

My timing is going to be behind Tanya too but we can cheer her on and she can lead the way with the BFPs :wink:

I will be doing a 'monitored' cycle off my April AF at my new clinic. Think they take lots of tests and see if/when I ovulate naturally. They do it so that they understand how your body works naturally so they can make the ivf cycle as in tune with your own body. Sounds sensible to me. The earliest I could possibly go again would be my May AF but they wait til my FSH level is low. Have heard that sometimes the wait can be a few months but trying to stay positive and hope that they'll let me start around about May/June. So we can be cycle buddies again - I hope.

Lovely to have you as a bud.

Lots of Love
Carolyn
xxxxxxx
Me 42, DH 52 IVF #1, #2, #3 ICSI #4 - 10.05.2006, 12.12.2006, 10.03.2007, 27.07.2007 ICSI/DE/TESA #5, #6 PGD/IVIG #7 - 24.11.2007, 27.02.2008, 23.05.2008 - 7 BFNs
Surrogacy/FET #8 - 15.10.2008 - BFP
[img]http://lb1f.lilypie.com/2iB9p1.png[/img]
shantala
Valued Contributor
Posts: 1502
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 8:36 pm

Post by shantala »

oh carolyn....you are so sweet!!! thank you!!!

yes, i am actually looking forward to the next one. it gives me something to focus on....yes, will have a follow up appointment and should find out when that is tomorrow when the clinic call me back. AF arrived soon after my BFN (the day after, which was the day after i finished the pessaries) which is a good sign....

your clinic does sound logical....will be interesting to see what they have in store for you...i'll definitely be keeping a close eye on you!! hope that you can start with your may Af too then we might be on our 2ww together!!

and yes, we'll definitely be cheering tans on!!!

bring on the summer BFPs!!!

xxxxx
2nd IVF/ICSI - baby girl Elliana born 21.4.08 weighing 7lb 6.5ounces; 7 frosties left...
[img]http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/471/471593nd9346hthf.gif[/img] to all!
[img]http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/lamlamavi20080421_-1_Elliana+is.png[/img]
jen779
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Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:16 pm
Location: Texas

Post by jen779 »

Hi Ladies! I would like to join your group...this is our 2nd attempt at IVF. We had A BFP in March, but I miscarried 4 days later. The RE said it was a chemical pregnancy. So we are planning to do it again the first week in May. We have four frozen embryos that were all grade AA blastocysts. She is adding Lovenex to my regimen, along with estrace, estrogen patches, progesterone supp and injections. She is also allowing us to have a natural cycle this time, which I am glad. I couldn't stand being on bc pills...it seemed like a waste. Anyways, I know that is was great to have support of other women going through the same things I was when we did it the first time.
Looking forward to the journey...
Jen
Endo, fibroids, cysts
Laproscopic sx 09/06
1st IVF February 2008--BFP
miscarried on 3/16--chemical pregancy
FET June 2007
FET July 2007-PREGNANT!
PMApsy
Regular
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Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:39 pm
Location: Montreal

Post by PMApsy »

Ah, so it finally took off!

LOL I tried to start a May/June buddies thread last month when I got my BFN, but it was much too soon apparently! ;) Glad this one seems to stick around!

So! A little about me. I'm 28 years old and I live in Montreal with my husband, our dog Daria and our cat, Moïra. Unlike some people here probably, I have known practically from the start that I would not be able to conceive without medical assistance. Here's why in a nutshell.

A third year resident in gynecology gave me a routine check in October 2003 and used a hysterometer to measure my uterus. A hysterometer is, basically, a long metal stick. She went right through and perforated my uterus. Two days later, I was in septic shock in the ER with three abscesses the size of a grapefruit and going steady towards heart failure. The infection was eventually controlled with antibiotics and in 2006, I went through surgery: my left tube had to be removed and the right was declared destroyed by the 2003 infection but they left it there. We were told to go straight to IVF. I am with Procrea clinic under the good care of Dr Pierre St-Michel.

We attempted our first IVF in Jan-Feb 2007. We retrieved 14 eggs, 100% mature, 10 fertilized, 4 were perfect, 5 were fragmented and one was abnormal. They transferred 2 embies (9-10 cells) on day 3 and froze 4 (two perfect and two borderline fragmented). I started AF 12 days after ET. We're going for FET probably at the very end of May with my May AF (which should arrive towards the second week of May or so).

So here's the plan. I'll call my clinic on day 1, but I won't have any ultrasound or blood check before day 11. From then, they'll keep a close watch on me until my follicle disappears and then the FET will begin. My clinic is really cool and they'll do assisted hatching for free on our embies (they realized it upped their success rates).

My doctor said that I should expect 50% of my embryos to survive the thaw, maybe less given that two are fragmented. He also said that, again given my age group and situation, I should expect a FET success rate betwen 10-25% only. He said that studies and his personal experience show that, given that you traumatize the embies when you freeze and thaw them, it's normal that implantation is more iffy than with a fresh cycle (despite the "but you have less meds in your body" argument). So my hopes are not sky high at all, but he confirmed that I could go straight into a fresh cycle with my possible AF on the FET cycle if it fails. I love that thought; no waste of time.

He seems really, really confident that I can become pregnant with IVF given my "cycle history". He also said that, should we do a fresh cycle, he'll adjust a couple of things: the dosage during my stimming for example, and he also might help me with the implantation phase a little more by... prescribing me fire injections for the butt (awwww guys, I'll share the pain!!! :lol: )

He also suggested me to take the transfer day off. He said it won't do miracles at all for the implantation, but he said that it would help me take it even more easy. Given that the problem occurred at implantation, he also told me that it would prevent me from feeling guilty during my next cycle(s). He also said that, given my job as a psychologist, staying home watching TV or listening to clients wouldn't make a big difference and he advised me to work the next day. Again, he strongly advocated against bed rest and said it could even harm me by putting me at serious risk for developing blood clots in the legs. And implantation is also about blood circulation, so...

So there ya go! Sorry about the lengthy explanation, but I thought the info might interest those who'll attempt a first FET (jen? not clear if you're doing a fresh cycle or not)

TansRN: I'm happy that we'll be cycling together! :D I remember you from the Dec/jan thread I think! *hugs*

Shantala: Do I need to precise that it's the same! *hugs*

Carolyn, Jen: I'm glad to make your acquaintance!

Laides, let's try and put the past behind us! This thread is about staying turned towards the future! And yes, some of us will surely start a Feb 2008 babies thread! ;)

Looking forward to go through the journey with you lovely/brave ladies,

Sophie
1st and 2nd IVF = BFN 1st FET BFP! m/c at 7 weeks. 2nd FET BFP! 3rd FET BFN
Image
Now let's spend the rest of our lives having fun together! Image
jen779
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Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:16 pm
Location: Texas

Post by jen779 »

Wow, Sophie! I am so sorry to hear about what happened to you...but like you said we have to look to the future! Just another bit of info...my RE suggested that I do acupuncture also. She said that this is a very stressful time and that it helps to relax. Just thought I would pass it on...
Hopefully we will all have February 2008 babies!!! :D
Jen
Endo, fibroids, cysts
Laproscopic sx 09/06
1st IVF February 2008--BFP
miscarried on 3/16--chemical pregancy
FET June 2007
FET July 2007-PREGNANT!
PMApsy
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Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:39 pm
Location: Montreal

Post by PMApsy »

Jen,

:D Still not clear to me whether you're doing a fresh cycle or FET with your four totsicles (we have four too!).

As for acupuncture, I did it for my first cycle and it did make a difference; I was veeeery zen and it contributed to it! Plus it helped with the pain when my growing ovaries pulled on my surgery scars inside. I sure plan to go back with our FET cycle.

Shantala: by the way, I never replied to your AF-related post. I got a very heavy AF after my BFN and even this AF was unusually painful (I had to take two Advils three times during the first two days, something I've never done before). And don't be surprised if you keep spotting for a while... and I mean a while; it took forever until mine stopped! Started AF Feb 17th and we were in MARCH when the spotting stopped, lol! :lol: So don't worry if your body is not reacting the same way. It's all normal.

Off to bed! aaaaaaaaaaaaah! DH is reading, as always... I'm going to annoy him... :twisted:

Sophie
1st and 2nd IVF = BFN 1st FET BFP! m/c at 7 weeks. 2nd FET BFP! 3rd FET BFN
Image
Now let's spend the rest of our lives having fun together! Image
shantala
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Post by shantala »

sophie and jen - welcome to the thread!!!!!!!!

sophie - thanks for sharing your AF situation with me. oh great, we'll have to wait and see i guess!!! :lol: i always knew your clinic botched something up but was never quite sure exactly what happened.....bottom line is i cant believe it!! thats terrible...have you thought about suing them??

xxx
2nd IVF/ICSI - baby girl Elliana born 21.4.08 weighing 7lb 6.5ounces; 7 frosties left...
[img]http://dl3.glitter-graphics.net/pub/471/471593nd9346hthf.gif[/img] to all!
[img]http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/lamlamavi20080421_-1_Elliana+is.png[/img]
PMApsy
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Location: Montreal

Post by PMApsy »

Shantala,

No problem for the AF situation! LOL we sound like secret agents! "PMA, I think we have an AF situation here, over." :lol:

As for the clinic, it's not "my clinic" that made the mistake. My father and his wife are both doctors and, as doctors, don't mind their business at all when my body is concerned. So they knew I had been through all the BCPs on the market and kept having severe yeast infections. I had tried for 7 years and finally gave up. I had begun a steady relationship with my DH and they started insisting that I have an IUD installed. I know how this will sound, but here it is... I would have never considered that option had they not insisted, I was 100% happy with the condom. (the fools, as educated as they are, they believe that the condom is only 20% effective... the condom is 100% effective when used the right way! its real efficacy is indeed only 20%... because people don't put it on correctly, or at all! fools fools fools!)

But my father's wife talked to two gynecologists among her colleagues (she's a surgeon) and they assured her it was safe for a woman in my situation, and even suggested a brand. The Cadillac of IUDs, one that even releases hormones to have an added contraceptive effect and even stops your AF at some point. So I first tried to have it installed by my family doctor, who said that my cervix was real small and he preferred that a gynecologist do it. Long story short, I had moved to Sherbrooke for a practicuum in a hospital at the time, and I just made an appointment to have that darn thing installed. I'll pass on the awful way that resident treated me, but she basically refused to install it before she tested me herself for STDs (which was very insulting... the general rule is you don't install IUDs on a woman who's had more than one sexual partner in the past two years... I had been with my DH 5 months at the time.. but it still did not make me a prostitute and she sure almost treated me as one). She still wanted to make the hysterometry test to see if the installation would be easy or not. So she did not explain anything, did not use any anaesthetic (nobody does anyway) and simply made me cough to make my cervix pop, grabbed it, pushed it open, pushed the hysterometer inside, went too far and perforated my uterus. Third year resident!! Her boss wasn't even in the room when she did that; I figure that three years into a 5 years residency, one should be able to perform that procedure with one's eyes closed. Well, not her.

All this to say, I filed a formal complaint to the hospital and an investigation was made. No complaint was retained against her boss because he was not declared guilty of anything and was considered to have taken very good care of me (mind you, he's the one who stood up to that crazy surgeon in the ER who absolutely wanted to open me up and look and remove everything that was "on fire"; he would have most probably taken away my tubes AND ovaries :shock:). It is, after all, a normal procedure and nobody could prove, even if it's plain obvious, that she perforated my uterus. The bacteria that almost killed me was part of the normal flora of any vagina so, again, it's not like they did anything wrong per se, it's part of the procedure's risks. Though after going through the same procedure at Procrea clinic for IVF and feeling absolutely nothing (and nobody had me cough to make my cervix pop!!!), I really, REALLY wonder what that b**ch did down there that day.

As for the resident herself, here's the thing. In order to be sued, you have to be part of a professional order. Residents are doctors, but they still have to have their boss co-sign everything they do, so they don't fully own the title... so they're not part of a professional order. Exactly like psychologists like me, who have a license, and psychotherapists, who don't (though psychotherapists are not psychologists in training; you could become one tomorrow in my country... the gov. is working on it though). Try and sue a psychotherapist for a professional fault, just for fun! And see what happens! :lol:

I could still have sued her, but hiring a lawyer, having little proof and all... I would basically have wasted my money. But I did have some satisfaction. The chief of the gynecology residents met me after I filed my complaint and I explained everything that happened to him. He took things in hand. But by the time those procedures were over, he had become Chief of all residents in the hospital. And he had me meet the resident with him. He was borderline cruel, if you ask me, but I can't say that it was totally unfair given what she did and its consequences. He took the letter of complaint that I had sent the hospital and he read it aloud, stopping at each point I had made (and as you can guess, I was icily polite, very thorough and circumspect), asking her questions and making sure she learned something from it. It didn't take long before she broke down in tears. She was crying so much at some point that she was hyperventilating and not able to speak, and I can assure you that she wasn't playing the drama queen. I took pity on her at the end and almost wanted to hold her in my arms, it gives you an idea. But I got to tell her something I really had to get off my chest, "You realize you've taken away all the magic of having children, for me, Madam."

When I look at the amount of money we have to invest in this, I wish I could have had some retribution. But it just doesn't work that way, for one, and it doesn't guarantee that I'll have children in this life. I still think about her sometimes, especially when I connect with the unfairness of it all. But I'm becoming better and better at leaving this behind, even though the pain of this cannot totally go away. I do believe that everything happens for a reason, and that the obstacles that are put on my way are only challenges that I can meet.

Enough babbling! :D Back to cleaning the house!

Lots of love,

Sophie
1st and 2nd IVF = BFN 1st FET BFP! m/c at 7 weeks. 2nd FET BFP! 3rd FET BFN
Image
Now let's spend the rest of our lives having fun together! Image
jen779
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Location: Texas

Post by jen779 »

Sophie..sorry ...it is a FET! I start acupuncture this Friday! I am excited...anything that will help!
Jen
Endo, fibroids, cysts
Laproscopic sx 09/06
1st IVF February 2008--BFP
miscarried on 3/16--chemical pregancy
FET June 2007
FET July 2007-PREGNANT!
PMApsy
Regular
Posts: 948
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:39 pm
Location: Montreal

Post by PMApsy »

jen,

HA! :D So were're going through the exact same thing, procedure-wise! Great! You're beginning acupuncture already? You're right, anything that helps!

Cheers,

Sophie
1st and 2nd IVF = BFN 1st FET BFP! m/c at 7 weeks. 2nd FET BFP! 3rd FET BFN
Image
Now let's spend the rest of our lives having fun together! Image
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