Still At It - SUMMER 06' edition

[SAI Ladies]

This thread is for people who have been TTC for an extended period of time (6 months or more) and/or for those with known/diagnosed infertility issues. The and/or is the most important statement here. ;) We welcome you to join whether you're trying to conceive for the first time, already have children, have suffered miscarriages, you're seeking treatment or not.

For non-members:
We always welcome supporters and cheerleaders! Please understand that this is our own safe place to discuss infertility and our feelings about it, and keep your comments supportive and on-topic. Thanks!

Table of Contents for Page 1:
Post 1: Members (part I)
Post 2: Members (part II)
Post 3: Members who are expecting
Post 4: Members' BABIES! (part I)
Post 5: Resources (including HPT Sensitivity Comparison)
Post 6: Links to old threads, recent congrats & condolences


Your current threadmistress is isign - please try post all updates in red so that they're easier to see!

Still At It...Membershttp://www.webmuseum.com/blove/ttc.gif
in alphabetical order by user name


Alioop12345
TTC #2 since 5/05
On: Estradiol, Gonal F, HcG, Viagra supps and Progesterone supps
New plan: Estrogen, Gonal F, Viagra entire cycle, HcG, Progesterone injections instead of supps

Alliannie
Me: 22
DH: 23
Married: 08/04
TTC: 1/05
Charting: 5/06
M/C: 06/06 10wks-D&C
Issue: Anovulatory cycles or very weak ovulation, delayed ovulation
Treatment:
5/06 start Provera to induce period and then Clomid 50mg


Almostthere
me: sarah - 28
dh: andy - 32
DD: Hailey - 3
married 6/2/01
started TTC #2 9/05
12/05 - Blighted Ovum - 9 wks
5/06 - Blighted Ovum - 6.5 wks
8/06 - Day 3 test came back elevated 12.1


Asha
both of us are 28
married 8/16/03
off bcp 01/04
first started ttc 7/04
tests done - dh had semen analysis and everything is ok on his end, we are going to wait one or two more cycles before i go for testing
charting for three months with no clear indication of ovulation
2/06 - transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasounds - no cysts
3/06 - hsg - clear tubes but a heart shaped uterus (uterine anamoly)
4/06 - starting 50 mg clomid
8/06 - possible pelvic and abdominal adhesions caused by ruptured appendix and subsequent infection as a child, but need a lap for definitive diagnosis


Bumble
Me – 30
DH - 33
Married – 8.31.03
Charting – 1.05
TTC – 4.05
Off BCP – years
m/c in June 05 @ 8wks
Obstacles to overcome: impatient-ness
RE visit 1.06, diagnosed with PCOS
SA 1.06, count looks good
HSG 2.06, tubes clear

Chris~n~Jen
Me – 28
DH - 30
Married – 10.29.05
Charting – 02/06
TTC – 10/05


CTs_Punkin
Me - MMT (34)
DH - CT (37)
Married - 11/2004
Charting - 1/2005
TTC - 1/2005
Off BCP - 11/2004
Issues: Premature Ovarian Failure
April 06 - Diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure
April 06 - LAP - no blocked tube, a little endo removed from back of uterus.
My Chart!! (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/mmthomas)
7/06 - Acupuncture & Chinese herbs


DaniML
Me: Daniela - 30
DH: Ross - 36
Married: 04/13/03
TTC: 06/04
11/04: Cervical Ectopic (2 shots of methotrexate to terminate)
TTC again: 01/05
11/05: Dx: Borderline diabetis (weight related) & PCOS, Metformin (850 mg twice a day)
Still not ovulating on a regular basis (every 3 - 6 months), going to doc in August for Clomid

GA GAL
Me:25
DH:25
Married: 12/03
TTC:9/05
HSG: all clear
1/06-2/06: testing
3/06: Menopur injections and trigger shot, BFN
4/06: Cysts on both ovaries
5/06 - menopur injections and trigger shot, BFN
8/06: Letrozol and Menopur injections

Gymwidow
ME: 29
DH: 29
Married since: 6/03
Off BCP since: 2/05
Charting since: 2/05
TTC since: 7/05
Known issues: PCOS diagnosed 9/05, HSG clear 10/05, SA normal 11/05
Treatment:
Treatment:
Clomid - 11/05-3/06, last 3 with IUI
natural ovulatory cycles - 4/06, 6/06 (with IUI), 8/06
Gonal-F - 5/06, 7/06, both with IUI
IVF - 9/06


Happy1
Me: Nikki
DH: Tim
Married: June 8, 2002
Forever in our hearts: Jacob John born and died
10/6/03 at 35 weeks due to genetic issues.
TTC #2 since: January 2004
Known Fertility Issues: DH has an extremely low sperm count which we just found out about a month ago. He has seen a Urologist but there are no physical signs that would explain the decrease.
IUI - it worked! - BFP - Jan 2006






Jess71903
Jess71903
Me: Jessica (27) - December 10
DH: Tony (26)
Married: July 19, 2003
Last BCP: Date August 21, 2005
TTC since: Aug 2005
Charting since Jan 3, 2006
Issues/tests:
CD 21 b/w (I think feb 06) progesterone level of 20-normal.
SH's SA (I think March 06) all good

jessied1025
jessied1025
Stats:
Me: 28
DH: 29
Married 10-03
TTC: 9/10-05
Off BCP: 7-05
Charting: 11-05
Known Issues: None that are diagnosed. However, from charting I seem to have short LP's w/spotting.


jodylovesscotty
Me: Jody (32)
DH: Scott (32)
Married since: 08/30/03
Off BCP since: over 11 years
TTC since: 1/05
Known issues/test results:
Male Factor: morphology
Miscarriage June 06
First IUI July 06 BFN
8/06: Repronex/Ovidrel/IUI ~ failed
9/06: Birth Control and Lupron



jlp
Me: 32
DH: 41
Married: 01/04
TTC: since 07/04
Off BCP: since 03/04
Diagnosed with PCOS: 10/04
Irregular cycles, multiple cysts
04/05: Clomid 150mg - small follies/O on CD21 - failed
05/05: Clomid 200mg - 3 large follies/HCG shot on CD 18 - failed
06/05: Clomid 200mg - 2 medium follies/repeat U/S - failed
07/05: Clomid 200mg - HPT + CD19 - failed
08/05: Took the month off
09/05 / 10/05: 1st RE appt. - diagnosed Insulin Resistant - Metformin 1500mg - AF arrived CD85
11/05: Metformin 1500mg - Femara 2.5mg - low dose hcg therapy, and trigger CD15 - failed
12/05: Metformin 1500mg - Femara 5mg - 2 17mm follies, and multiple small to medium - trigger CD 14 - failed
01/06: Metformin 1500mg - Femara 2.5mg - 75 units Repronex CD7-11 - trigger CD12 - failed
02/06: HSG - tubes clear
03/06: 2nd round of Femara with increased injectibles, more follies, but not big enough - 03/06 FAILED
04/06 and 05/06 wasted cycles to purchase injectibles (doubled from last month) from Europe.
06/06: Missed cycle due to vacation
Just waiting to O.


JnShanna
Me: Shanna (30)
DH: Jose (31)
Married: October 1, 1994
Charting since: August 2005
Off BC: July 2005
Issues:
11/12/05 first known anovulatory cycle (2 others since)
05/26/06 SA - abnormal, zero sperm count (DH started Clomid every other day to increase testosterone)
07/07/06 Confirmed Clomid is working and is increasing testosterone - Continue with Clomid (Will repeat SA in 3 months)
08/11/06 Diagnosed with PCOS
08/20/06 Glucose 2 hour fasting test
08/21/06 Start Metformin (500mg 1st week, 1000mg 2nd week, 1500mg 3rd week, 2000 4th week)
What's next? In 6 weeks, repeat SA and bloodwork for DH and repeat blood work for me.


Kazata
Me: 33
DH: 33
Charting and off BCP since March '04
TTC since July '04
Issues: Went to the ER twice with ovarian cysts. Cycles on the short side.
Testing: Confirmed ovulation by ultrasound, Progesterone 7 dpo was 9.9.
Post Coital was normal.
SA: High abnormal forms, morphology was 4% (kruger scale) (47% by WHO standards), count ok at 29 mil/ml, motility slightly low, after 30 minutes was: rapid, 41%, slow 5%, no progress 7%, not moving 47%; after 2 hours: rapid 32%, slow 6%, no progress 6%, not moving 66%
LAP on 7/27/06, right tube had congenital defect, was not attached to fimbria and formed hydrosalpinx. RE removed right tube.
I suspect that previous "cysts" may have been hydro tube.
Small amount of endo removed.


knoelani
Me: K / 30
DH: B / 34
TTC: 12-2001
Dx: Late ovulation, PCO w/ 80% of symptoms of PCOS, SA issues
1-05: 50 mg Clomid
1-28-5: HSG, all clear
2-05: 100mg Clomid, 1500 mg Metformin
3-05: 100 mg Clomid, 1500 mg Metformin
4-05- DH SA poor results, clomid break, still taking 1500 mg Met
5-6-5: DH SA & urologist appointment: A okay
6-16-05: 1st RE appointment
7-05: 100mg Clomid
8-05: 150mg Clomid, 1st IUI - Failed
9-05: 150mg Clomid, 2nd IUI - Failed
10-05 to end of year: Break from all things medical
1-06: 150mg clomid, 3rd IUI
3-2006: Lap~ three cysts removed, tube unblocked
4-2006: Injectable / 2 IUI cycle
4-2006: Injectable cycle cancelled due to cysts
May 2006- Follistim Injections / Trigger / 2IUI cycle- Failed
June 2006- Follistim Injections / Trigger / NO IUIs - Failed
July 2006: Break from meds due to travel schedule


looty
Me: Ali, 26
DH: John, 33
Married: May 26, 2001
TTC since July '05
Issues: Dh's sample showed coagulated sperm but dr didn't seem too concerned about it since everything else was good.
Testing:
6/06:Bloodwork for me, SA for DH
7/06:failed HSG

[SAI Ladies]

Members (continued)

MrsR
Me - Jessica, 32
DH - Matt, 32
Married: October 18, 2003
Off BCP since: June 2005
TTC since: June 2005
Charting since: February 2006
Testing results: 4/06 bloodwork normal, HSG clear, SA normal
Treatment:
5/06 - clomid 50mg
6/06 - clomid 50mg; 7/06 - Injectibles (follistim)/trigger/IUI


Patience
Me: 33
DH: 34
Married: 10/03
TTC: 12/04 (with charting)
Issue: Anovulatory cycles or very weak ovulation, delayed ovulation
Treatment: Acupuncture and Chinese herbs
3/06 50 mg Clomid, acupuncture - ovulated
4/06 100 mg Clomid, acupuncture - ovulated
5/06 100 mg Clomid, acupuncture - ovulated
6/06 Taking cycle off

Pocahontas
Me: 36
DH: 33
Married: Sept. 2005
TTC: 02/06
Charting: 12/05
Issues: Fibroids (Tests 04/06: b/w fine and HSG shows tubes open with no adhesions)
Lap 7/06 to remove Endo

pocket[size=1]
Me: Pocket, 33
DH: Pita, 30
Married: 8/23/03
TTC since 8/2003
Dx PCOS
Status – 3 clomid cycles, no dice. Starting injectibles w/ IUI.

polarama
Me: 30
DH: 30
TTC since: 10/05
Charting: 10/5
Known issues: Only had 2 periods since 10/5. RE thinks it's possible PCOS, am in the midst of testing to get a formal Dx.

ptcrn
Me: Jenni, 30
DH: Gerry, 30
Married since: 7/05
Off BCP since: 8/05
Charting since: 8/05
TTC since: 8/05
Chart (http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/bed5d)
Issues: SA 4/06-showed low count (23 mil) and clumping.
Repeat SA 5/06 was normal.
5/06-Started acupuncture.

PurpleSunshine7
BFP March 06

skb
me:31
dh:33
10/04: TTC
03/05: hormone levels, ultrasound, SA normal
11/05: HSG uterine abnormality
12/05: MRI Dx septate uterus
01/06: septate resection
02/06: HSG uterine cavity normal
04/06-09/06: 6 cycles 50mg clomid/follicle tracking/HCG trigger/timed intercoarse no pregnancy
Waitlisted for IVF consultation 2007


TazLuv
TazLuv
Me –30
DH - 29
Married – 7-13-02
Charting – no
TTC – since June '05
Off BCP – 6/05
Issues: annovulatory cycles
4 Failed cycles of 50mg Clomid
Now seeing an RE
Cycle #1 of 100mg Clomid + HMG & HCG injectables + monitoring + timed intercourse



Thea
Me=Thea 30
DH = Craig, 37
TTC since July 2004
Off BCP May 2004
HSG left tube blocked, tubal cath opened tube
Clomid challenge test, other bloodwork normal
SA (X3) low normal morphology %, very high sperm count
Will begin with 3-4 cycles IUI in January 06 then reevaluate
Feb 06 abominal myomectomy to remove large fibroids
Mar 06 cleared for IUI w clomid to strt in April
April 06 Clomid 100 mgday 3-7 IUI failed
May 06 Clomid 100mg day 3-7, IUI failed
June 06 Clomid 100 mg day 3-7 IUI



tigerest
Me-28
DH-29
Married 7/6/02
Off BCP 7/03 (started charting 11/03)
10/04 - DH's SA Normal
1/14/05 -Laparoscopy and Chromotubation=Endo removed/Both tubes blocked
4/15/05 - Laparoscopy #2 a success! Both tubes surgically repaired.
12/22/05 - HSG Both Tubes Blocked Again
Starting IVF January


Wonderousglance
Me: 27
DH: 31
TTC since 1/02 with many breaks in between
Endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy in March 05
Just started seeing RE and in the process of getting all the diagnostic tests done

*~*~*~BABYDUST*~*~*

[SAI Ladies]

Taking a Break

hangin'in
Me: Jen (39)
DH: Ron (27)
Married: 10-03
TTC: 10-03
Dx: High FSH in May 04 (13.25) Given Donor Egg speech by RE. FSH retested in February, numbers came back in normal range. Did 1 month of ccupuncture in March.
IUI 2/05, failed
IUI 4/30/05, 2failed
IUI 6/05 failed
the Dr. really only recommends Donor Eggs at this time, and DH and I aren't ready to do that.

isign
Me: 26
DH: 25
Married: 12/02
Off BCP: 02/03
Issue: Anovulatory, very long cycles, no official DX,
05/06 - 1st round of Clomid
07/06: Finally found a pro-active dr, interested in finding a the problem, not just trying to get me PG.
My DX - PCOS
05/06 - 50mg clomid - failed, no O
08/06 - 150 clomid/hcg/timed BD - failed,



jjsanner
Me - Jen (31)
DH - Eric (34)
Married - 4/03
DS - Elijah 2/04
Charting - 10/2004
TTC #2 - 4/2005
Testing Results: 12/05 HSG clear, 12/05 SA normal, 1/05 Bloodwork normal
11/05: Clomid 50mg/Met combo - failed
12/05: Clomid 100mg/Met combo - failed
1/06: Non-medicated cycle, + HPT, miscarried at 4 weeks
2/06: Took the month off
3/06: Clomid 100mg/HCG trigger/Timed intercourse - failed
4/06: Clomid 100mg/HCG trigger/Timed intercourse - failed
5/06: Non-medicated cycle, currently 10 DPO
Next Steps: Lap 7/06
BFP Aug 06!!



MrsSmith
Me: 25
DH: 26
Married: 3/2003
Issues: PCOS, random cycle lengths and no ovulation
TTC: we never officially started, but we've never prevented either
RE visit: 6/2005 - PCOS, suggested Provera and Clomid
Clomid 100mg in OCt 2005


Polkadot
Me - Lauren 26
DH - Brian 27
Married - 11/20/2004
Charting - 5/2005
TTC - 5/2005
Off BCP - 5/2005
Issues - Chem Preg 1/06
5/06 bloodwork shows no O~Clomid 50 mg



Moving on to adoption
Karlatta
Me: Karla, 25
DH: Scott, 26
Married: June 2002
TTC: July 2003
PCOS, Endometriosis, Only One Tube
11/04 - 1st IUI, Pregnant!
Miscarriage 1/05
05/05 - 2nd IUI, Failed
10/05 - 3rd IUI, Failed
Moving on to Adoption


suzfuzsunflower
Me: 25
DH: 25
Married: 08/09/2003
TTC: March 2005
Known Issues: PCOS, male factor (low morphology)
clomid (50 & 100 mg) - did not ovulate
SA 5/06 - 1% normal sperm - count 125 million
repromedix 6/06 - 96.1% of sperm able to fertilize eggs
7/06 - Bravelle/trigger/IUI (15 mil) - did not ovulate
Hoping to adopt soon!


Moving on to IVF

Bellefior
Me – 37
DH - 36
Married – 5.31.03
Charting – 5/05
Off BCP since 5/05
Issues: low SA, repeat SA to be conducted, followed by visit to RE
DX Male Factor Infertility
RE Appointment 6/2
DH dx'ed with varicocele, June /06
Preliminary testing to be completed June/July
Urology consult at end of June
Follow up with RE July 27th

Cath
Me: Catherine, 32
DH: 34
Married: 11/01
TTC: 11/03
Diagnosed w/PCOS in July 2004
Clomid didn't work, now Follistim
3 failed IUIs
1 chemical pregnancy a month we were taking a break(10/05)
2/06 IUI failed

gator97
Me: Kristen (30)
DH: Peter (30)
Married since: 11/06/04
Off BCP since: 12/04
TTC since: 2/05
Known issues/test results:
8/05 laparoscopy: moderate-severe endometriosis
9/05 - Chem PG
1/06- HSG clear
1/06- DH SA normal


julesp313
Me: 34
DH: 39
Married: March 2003
Charting: September 2003
TTC: December 2004
Issues: None known
BFP - 12/2005
M/C - 12/05 @ 6w
May 06 - elevated FSH levels, decreased ovarian reserve


kischer
kisch
WC name- kisch
kischer=ME (31)
hubby=DH (31)
Married- 10/6/01
TTC- 5/02
HSG- tubes clear
SA- normal
Off BCP- of course
M/C's - 7/04 & 12/04
RE - since 9/04-
Clomid - 7 cycles, 2 OBGYN, 5 RE, I think
HCG - 2 cycles
Acupuncture - yes- 4 cycles
back at the RE - 10/05
Letrozol/Femara - 10/05

Suzlywoozly
Me: Sue/28 DH: Jeff/32
Married: 6/15/02
TTC: 10/02
10/02: 1st Lap-Found ovarian cysts and endo
4/04: Started Progesterone supplements and 25 mg clomid
8/04: 50mg clomid - Had no follicles
9/04: 100mg clomid - Had 2 follicles and 1st failed IUI
10/04: 100mg clomid - Had 1 follicle and 2nd failed IUI
11/04: No clomid due to 2 ovarian cysts. Started Metformin 1500mg/day
12/04: No clomid due to "large mass" and ovarian cyst on left ovary.
Surgery the second week of January.
m/c 6/05
IVF 8/05-9/05
9/05 IVF cycle #1: BFN
10/05-11/05 IVF cycle #2:Waiting to do a FET
11/05 FET #1-transfered two blasts; BFN
01/06- Waiting around for a miracle

[SAI Ladies]

http://home.hot.rr.com/lizandrob/smilie_file/smilie_preggo1.gifMEMBERS EXPECTING:
in order by due date and color coded by sex where known



September 2006

UTChick
Me: 28
DH: 34
Married 9/20/03
Off BCP since 12/04
SWH until 5/05
TTC w/ Charting since 5/05
Known issues: irregular ovulation
HSG normal
BFP - DEC 05

Stephanie
Me: Stephanie, 25
DH: Brian, 29
Married: 10/6/01
TTC: 3/04
Known issues: None, that we know of yet. Varicocele possible.
SA to be done in the next month. Cycles returning to normal after BCP.
BFP 12/2005

ocgatita
Me: Judy
DH: Edward
Married: 4/04
TTC #1 since: 6/04
Known Fertility Issues: None
BFP - 12/2005

DallasLady
Me - Giovanna (25)
DH - Tony (39)
Married - 9/01
Charting - 11/2002
TTC - 1/2005
Issues - Low sperm count (14mil/ml) and low morphology (6% Kruger)
First IUI cycle 11/2005- BFN
Jan 2006 - BFP!!

MSH
Me: 24
DH: 24
Married: August 2003
TTC: August 2003
Off BCP: Never on them
Charting: December 2003
12/04: DH had surgery to correct SA issue
02/05: PG!! - m/c'ed at 5w4d
04/05: PG!! - m/c'ed at 5w6d
08/05: CP
11/05: CP - was perscribed prog sup.
01/06: Waiting to have HSG done to make sure tubes are open and there are no other problems
1/06: BFP!!!

October 2006
Nigellas
Me: Kerry
DH: Chris
Married: 8.7.01
TTC: Off and on since 2001.
4 miscarriages (11 wks, 19 wks, 6 wks and 12 wks)
RE is stumped – unexplained infertility and RPL.
5 failed Femara cycles
Currently on Gonal-F with IUI
2/06 BFP!!


November 2006
Kemorr
Me: 29
DH: 31
Married: 1/5/2002
TTC: September 2004
known issues: short LP, spotting, low forward progression, low morphology.
HSG normal, day 3 bloodwork normal, 7 DPO progesterone normal except for most recent cycle - slightly low.
Clomid 50 mg 4/05 - BFN, Clomid 50 mg with IUI, trigger and progesterone
6/05 - BFN
7/05 - Clomid, HCG trigger and IUI - BFN
8/05 - chemical pregnancy
9/05 - injectibles with IUI, BFN and 10/05 treatment break, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy
10/05 - Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, stage 2 endo diagnosed and treated.
10/23 IUI with injectibles BFN
2/06 - IVF - BFP!!

December 2006

ag05
Me: 33
DH: 31
Married 5/01
TTC since 1/04
Clomid 50 mg 5/04
Clomid 100 mg 6/04
Clomid 150 mg 7/04
Clomid 150 8/04 - pregnant
11/04- missed miscarriage w/ D&C (13 weeks)
Clomid 150 mg 2/05 - pregnant
2/05 - miscarriage (6 weeks)
Started seeing RE 5/05
Known issues - Compound heterozygeous MTHFR, Irregular Cycles
8/05 Femara 5 mg/Ovidrel shot
9/05 Femara/Ovidrel shot
10/05 Femara/IUI
11/05 Chemical Pregnancy
1/06 - Femara/Injectibles/IUI, metformin, baby aspirin, progesterone, 4 mg folic acid
BFP - March 06

Delaney21
Me: 26
DH: 27
Married since: 6/14/03
Off BCP since: 2/05
SWH since: 2/05
Charting: 10/05
Known issues: 2 ovarian surgeries - right ovary potentially damaged

Marteneym
Me: 23
DH: 27
Married since: 10/4/03
Off BCP since: 9/04
SWH since: 10/04
TTC since: 12/04
Fertility Blend cycles 4,5,6
Known issues: Delayed Ovulation, SA issues(improving), Varicocele possible
9/05 Clomid 50mg
9/9 FSH and Rubella- NORMAL
9/12 SA ABNORMAL-
count 30mil /Motility 30%
10/05 Clomid 100mg
11/05 Chlomid 100mg
12/12 IUI #1- failed
count 30mil/ Motility 70%
12/05 Chlomid 100mg
1/06 Chlomid 100mg
2/10/06 IUI #2- failed
count 52mil /Motility 85%
4/06 - BFP!!

Mobox
Me: 35
DH: 35
Married 6/04
TTC since 4/05
HSG Clear 1/06
Clomid 50 mg 1/06

Katmg
Me: 26
DH: 30
Married: 11/08/03
Off BCP since: 5/04
Charting since: 8/04
TTC w/ Charting since: 1/05 (took a break when I started a new job) 05/05
Chart:
Issues:Male factor/low sperm count/morphology.
Jan 2006 - BFP!
M/C - 02/06
Taking a Break until ~May
4/06 BFP!!

January 2007
Lucy Van Pelt
Me: Ginger - 35
DH: Brad - 30
TTC: 3/04
Dx: PCOS 1/05 (no reg periods since I started menstruating at age 12 - usually 6-8 months apart)
4/05: HSG - all clear, SA - perfect (of course, as DH put it, "even my sperm are over achievers")
5/05: 50 mg Clomid - nothing
6/05: 100mg Clomid - ovulated, but had horrid migraines
7/05: Femara
8/05: BFP
9/05: m/c at 6 weeks
10/05: Femara
11/05 BFP
11/05 m/c at 6 weeks
12/05 Metformin
May 2006 - BFP!!


February 2007
Elenna
Me: 31
DH: 33
Married: 9/11/04
Off BCP since 7/04
TTC w/ Charting since 11/04, SWH for 4-5 months in the middle of that time
Chart: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/4b883
Known issues: S/A results are abnormal 9% morphology and low (24%) motility. Family history of progesterone problems.
HSG: normal and all clear.
4/06: 50mg Clomid days 5-9
5/06: 50mg Clomid days 5-9 ---BFP 5/26
DUE - 2/1/07

La_bride_2004
Me: 33
DH: 37
TTC: 2/04
DX: male factor, high DFI
IVF #1- OHSS/ chem. preg (Dec 04)
IVF #2 - FET - chem preg (June 05)
varicocele repair surgery, 8/05, 13 found and repaired
11/05 chem preg., SA results now show normal count
1/05 normal hysteroscopy, no uterine septum
Status: SCSA testing Feb 06, if normal, on to injectibles/IUI
04/06- Injectables/IUI #1- cancelled, wrong med. dose
05/06- Injectables/IUI #2- 8 follicles- positive beta
DUE - 2/14/07

March 2007

Freckles
Me: Heather (30)
DH: Paul (38)
Married since: 02/01/03
Off BCP since: Never really on it
TTC since: 06/04
Known issues/test results: All hormonal issues, as well as lack of CM{hostile environment}. I do not ovulate on my own, nor on clomid. I am on my 4th IUI cycle.
Treatment:
1st IUI~ 150mg Clomid/Hcg Shot/IUI/booster hcg shot/Prometrium-FAILED
2nd IUI~ Follistim Injectables/hcg shot/IUI/booster hcg shot/Prometrium-FAILED
3rd IUI~ Follistim Injectables/hcg shot/Double IUI/booster shot/Prometrium-FAILED
4th IUI~ Gonal-F/Ovidrel Trigger shot/IUI/Prometrium ---PREGNANT Due March2007

Tandis
Me - 30
DH - 31
Married- 4/26/03
TTC - 5/04
Known issues: one fallopian tube, half of one ovary (left side), severe scar tissue, assumed poor responder
5/05-8/05 3 IUIs with 50mg Clomid & trigger shot, all BFN
5/05 - Laparoscopy: removal of scar tissue and freed up tube and ovary
11/05-1/06; 5/06-currently - Acupuncture
5/06 - Clomid challenge: Failed CD3 - 8; CD10 - 13.8
7/06 - IVF #1 w/ICSI & AH, using Flare protocol -- BFP!
EDD: March 29, 2007



[size=3]April 2007
Jeggink
Me – Judi, 33
DH - 33
Married – 9.28.02
TTC – now
Off BCP – years
DS - 9/23/04
m/c 1/4/06 at 8.5 weeks after seeing HB (D&C)
m/c 4/12/06 at 8.5 weeks after seeing HB (D&C)
Issues:
Progesterone at 7DPO - 8.0
ANA - 1:40, somewhat borderline
Positive anticardiolipin antibody test, Negative IGG & IGM
Treatment:
Prometrium, 200mg capsules 1x/day
Baby Asprin, 1x per day

[SAI Ladies]

BABIES!!
in order by birth and color coded by sex

babylove
Me - T (27)
DH - K (31)
Married - 8/2003
Charting - 11/2004
TTC - 3/2005
m/c @ 6w4d in 4/2005
Issues - Luteal Phase Defect (low progesterone, late/erratic O, long cycles)
Clomid 50 mg (O on CD17) - 09/2005 BFN
Clomid 50 mg (O on CD 17) - 10/2005 BFN
Clomid 50 mg w/ u/s and b/w monitoring (O on CD 18) BFP!! - 11/2005
Jacob Dahne born August 13, 2006.

Jennylou
Me: Jenny
DH: Sean
Married: 9/20/03
PCOS
Forever in our hearts, DS Andrew Wyatt 5/20-5/22/05
TTC #2 with clomid and metformin
July 2005 - 50 mg - BFN - 9 day LP
August 2005 - 50 mg - BFN - 13 day LP, spot arrived 11 dpo
September 2005 - 100 mg - BFN - 12 day LP, spot arrived 11 dpo
October 2005 - 100 mg - BFN - 11 day LP
November 2005 - 100 mg - pregnant!!!
We're having a GIRL!!
Eleanor (Nora) Grace born August 10, 2006

ShelbyMay
Me: 25
DH: 27
Married: 05/17/2003
TTC: 2/05
Charting: 9/04
Known Issues: Possible semen allergy; antibodies could be inhibiting
sperm
Lydia Grace born July 2, 2006


klav
Married: 10/03
TTC: since 1/04
Off BCP: since 1/03
MC: 11/04
regular cycles: about 28 days but have been fulcuatio sence MC in Nov
Laperoscapie: 02/03 could not find anything causing pelvic pain
HSG:7/05 thought there might be a blocked tube
All Blood work done for IUI: 6/05
06/05: Clomid 50mg , Estrodil and progesterone - failed
010/05: Clomid 100mg, Estrodil and progesterone will only be one month. Oct
BFP: 10/30/05
EDD: 7/10/06 Liam Rylan born June 28, 2006.


bottleored
Me: Caroline (38)
DH: Paul (42)
Married: 10.03
TTC: 1.04
Charting: 3.04
Uterine Polyp: 5.04 (D&C, hysteroscopy)
SA normal, b/w normal
9.04 - 5.05: 6 rounds Clomid
10.04: HSG - left tube blocked
1.05: Tubal recanalization - left tube unblocked!
1.05, 2.05: very low HCG results, discovered antibody issue
6.05, 8.05: injectibles (and low dose HCG), blood thinner, progesterone
BFP 8.29.05 m/c 9/05
9.05: injectibles
Jackson David born June 20, 2006


ds2003
Me: 27
DH: 31
Married since: 11/08/03
Off BCP: 12/03
TTC since: 6/04
Charting since: 7/04
Known issues: dx PCOS 7/04, annovulatory
Test results: DH's SA-normal; HSG 1/14/05-normal;
-->Ovarian Drilling 5/20/05- I'm finally ovulating
3 failed Clomid cycles before Ovarian Drilling (50, 100, 150 mg)
Meds: Currently taking 1500mg Metformin and 5mg Femara/letrazole
BFP October 2005!
Noah Alexander was born on Monday, June 12, 2006 at 4:26pm via C-section. He was 5lbs 11.5 oz and 19 inches long.
FF Chart (http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/ds2003)

Baby Lust
Me: Amanda (23)
DH: Shane (27)
Married: 10/19/02
TTC: 3/04
Charting: 6/04
SA: High count, low motility
Clomid: 50mg April, May ; 100mg June, September
Chemical Pregnancy: June
BFP: 9/30/05 after 100 mg Clomid, Round 2
It's a BOY! Lucas June 13, 2006

Scooter
Me: 29, DH: 32
married: 8/01
m/c 8/02 at 5.5weeks
TTC since 4/03, charting since 9/02
Unexplained IF, uterine polyps removed 6/04
8/04 failed 50mg clomid cycle
10/04 & 11/04 failed clomid 100mg & progesterone
1/05 new RE, suspects immunological issues, began baby aspirin and Folgard
2 more cycles clomid (100mg) + IUI = failed
started accupuncture
2 cycles letrozole (2.5mg) +IUI + progesterone = failed
7/05 bravelle (1.5 amps) + IUI + progesterone = success!
FF Chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/18494)
PREGNANT 8/18/05!!!!
EDD 4/29/2006
It's a Girl!! arrived 5/8 at 6:56 am. She was 6lbs 14.5oz

jrsygirl
Me: Holly (31)
DH: Brian (32)
Married:September 2002
TTC: 9/04
M/C: 12/04
7/05 injectibles and IUI
PREGNANT 8/18/05!!!!
EDD 4/28/2006
ADD 4/5 - TWINS Paige Kelly and Cole Robert

amygrrl
me: amy (35)
dh: dan (33)
dd: ~avery elizabeth~ born still on June 3, 2005 at 27 wks from possible
cord accident (we love you, baby girl!)
frozen embries: 3 on ice from our round with Avery
TTC since: March 2003
Treatments: 6 failed rounds of Clomid. 1 successful IVF producing
Avery
PREGNANT 8/5/05!!!! our miracle baby!
ADD: 4/3/2006 It's a Girl - Malin Elizabeth


Kopper
Me: Katie (26)
DH: John (28)
Married: 9/21/02
TTC: 7/04
Charting: 03/04
6/05 3rd day BW normal
6/05 HSG all clear
6/05 SA normal count and motility, low morphology
Starting IUI next cycle
FF Chart (http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/9e5e6)
PREGNANT 7/05!!!!
Due 4/6/2006
BOY! Jacob Alexander



amychris03 It's a BOY!!!
Me: Amy, 29
DH: Chris, 35
Married: 6/21/03
TTC: 9/03
BFP: 7/13/05
EDD: 3/26/06
ADD: 3/15/06
Sam, 6 lbs 9 oz, 18.5 inches long

heidi0622 It's a SURPRISE!!!
Name: Heidi/29
DH: Mike/29
TTC: 03/04
Treatments: 50mg of Clomid this cycle and I had acupuncture for the past 3 months
M/C: 10/04 at 5.5wks
BFP: 7/12/05
EDD: 3/22/06
Guess on the sex: BOY (no clue why!)
ADD: 3/13/06
Benjamin John, 7 lbs 1 oz, 20 inches long

Christy5599
Me: Amanda (Christy was my mom's name) 27
DH - Matt 30
Married 06-29-02
Off BCP - 01-03
TTC - 08-03
BFP 6-28-05
Due - 3-7-06
ADD: 3-9-06
Patrick Aiden, 8 lbs 8 oz, 19.5 inches long

angelgirl8
Me: 28
DH: dave, 28
Married: 7.6.03
TTC: 1.04
BFP: 6.2.05 after 2nd IVF -- twins!!
EDD: 2.8.06
ADD: 1.10.06 -- It's a BOY and a GIRL!!

Akire
Me: Erika - 34 DH: Jeff - 37
Off BCP: 7/03
TTC: 7/03
Charting: 8/03
HSG: 5/04 - One clear tube
BFP 11/04!! - EDD 8/6/05
Sydney Allyn 8/07/05 @ 3:23pm, 8lbs 8oz, 21.5in

Carissa (Crosew on WC)
Me: Carissa (25) DH: Eric (25)
TTC: Since 3/03
Diagnosed with PCOS and low progesterone.
Clomid, Metformin, prometrium and trigger shot
BFP 3/04, M/C 4.04
BFP 9/04!!! - EDD 5/25/05
Grace Elizabeth 5/15/05

Jennylou
Me: jenny
DH: Sean
Married: 9/20/03
PCOS
50 mg clomid and 1500 mg glucaphage
Forever in our hearts, DS
Andrew Wyatt 5/20-5/22/05

amygrrl
me: amy (35)
dh: dan (33)
TTC since: March 2003
Treatments: 6 failed rounds of Clomid. 1 successful IVF
Avery Elizabeth born still on June 3, 2005 at 27
weeks from possible cord accident (we love you, baby girl!)

[SAI Ladies]

Abbreviations and acronyms
List of TTC & IF acronyms
written out (http://womens-place.com/ttc/ttcacronyms.php)

HPT Sensitivity Comparison Charts
Fertility Plus (http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hpt.html)
Pee On A Stick (http://www.peeonastick.com/hpts.html)
Mama's Ark (http://www.mamasark.com/hpt.htm)
Baby
Hopes (http://www.babyhopes.com/pregnancy-test-sensitivity.html) (they've checked with the manufacturers to verify the numbers)
Remember, the hCG starts at 1 at implantation and increases as time goes
on, so the smaller amount of hCG it measures, the more sensitive the test
is!

Books
Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, MPH (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060937645/qid=1041654042/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-0287896-1655948?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

The Fertility Sourcebook by M. Sara Rosenthal, PHD (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0737303808/qid=1042220393/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-0287896-1655948?v=glance&s=books)

Healing the Infertile Family by Gay Becker (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0520211804/qid=1125724439/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-5989308-5276662?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

Inconceivable
by Ben Elton (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385334656/qid=1041659461/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/104-0287896-1655948?v=glance&s=books) The movie "Maybe Baby" (below) is based on this book

Inconceivable:A Woman's Triumph Over Despair and Statistics by Julia Indichova (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0767908201/qid=1059292613/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-2812959-1358247?v=glance&s=books)

The Infertility Diet: Get Pregnant & Prevent Miscarriage by Fern Reiss (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1893290395/qid=1059292976/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-2812959-1358247?v=glance&s=books)

Conquering Infertility: Dr. Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility & Coping with Infertility by Alice Domar, Phd (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0670031550/qid=1059293116/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-2812959-1358247)

Girlfriend to Girlfriend: A Fertility Companion by Kristen Magnacca (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1588202135/qid=1082306449/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/104-9895052-8814318?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

Great List of books for Infertility (http://www.ein.org/infertility/books.htm)
Includes these and more!!

Movies
Maybe Baby (2001) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000062XKW/qid=1041654127/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_4/104-0287896-1655948?v=glance&s=video&n=507846)

She's Having A Baby (1988) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6300988996/qid%3D1041654195/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-0287896-1655948)

Websites (by subject)

Charting
Ovusoft aka TCOYF (http://www.ovusoft.com/)
The site for Toni Weschler's book which includes message boards, chat and cycle galleries which are very helpful.

Fertility Friend (www.fertilityfriend.com)
A free charting site which includes a lot of information and cycle galleries.

Local Support
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association (http://www.resolve.org/main/national/chapters/resolvenearyou.jsp?name=chapters) Nation-wide referrals to local support groups and therapists.

The American Infertility Association (http://www.americaninfertility.org)
Lots of information and support, including message boards and chat rooms.

Financial Concerns
ARC: Advanced Reproductive Care (http://www.arcfertility.com/)
information on financing infertility treatments

Family Fee Plan (http://www.amerifee.com/fertility-financing/index.asp)
information on financing infertility treatments

State Insurance Requirements (http://www.resolve.org/main/national/advocacy/insurance/index.jsp?name=advocacy&tag=insurance)
Links from the Resolve site about insurance & laws.

Inciid's Insurance pages (http://www.inciid.org/index.php)
Click through menu on right for more financial topics and the insurance
forum.

General TTC
Trying To Conceive.com (http://www.tryingtoconceive.com/)
All things TTC! Lots of info as well as a place to buy herbal therapies for conceiving.

Baby Med (http://www.babymed.com/)
Tons of information. Everything from Chinese gender charts to an FAQ section on pretty much any TTC question you could have.

Baby Hopes (http://www.babyhopes.com)
Baby makin' supplies!

OBGYN.net (http://www.obgyn.net/)
Lots of general info on women's health. They also have doctors on line who answer questions.

Infertility Sites
INCIID (http://www.inciid.org/) Pronounced "inside".
(The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination) Excellent national resource.

Resolve (http://www.resolve.org)
Wonderful site with lots of infertility information and support.

I dream of baby (http://www.idreamofbaby.com/fertility.php)
Learn the basics of fertility issues here. This site also has a great message
board community!

Fertility
Plus.org�s list of female hormone levels (http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html#female)
Starting your fertility work-up? Check out this site to see a list of the commonly tested female hormone levels, the function of each hormone, and the normal levels of each hormone.

Shared Journey (http://www.sharedjourney.com)
Shared Journey is dedicated to providing quality information on topics such as
infertility, miscarriage, surrogacy, pregnancy after infertility, living child-free, and adoption. Our information is supplied by well noted Reproductive Endocrinologist's, Psychologists, Adoption professionals and links through various sites.

FertileHeart (http://www.fertileheart.com)
A community of people exploring holistic approaches to fertility. A site by author Julia Indichova (see books above)

Specific IF Issues
Soul Cysters (http://www.soulcysters.com)
PCOS site with lots of support and info

Dr. Beer (http://www.repro-med.net)
Reproductive Immunology information, including lists of tests, pricing, local referrals

Reproductive
Immunology Support (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/immunologysupport/)
Yahoo group for RI patients, tons of info and articles

Info for Family and Friends
Empty Arms (http://www.vocalicious.com/empty_arms/empty_arms_mod.html)
This is a great video so they can understand what you're going through. (And get out your kleenex!)

[SAI Ladies]

Welcome to the 2006 Summer Still At It thread on Constant Chatter! Let's all hope (and pray if you wish!) that this new thread will mark the beginning of an unprecedented amount of fertility on the board...

In our last thread we have sent a hearty
congratulations to these happy members!!:
MarteneyM
Lucy Van Pelt
Elenna
Mobox
Jodylovesscotty
La Bride
Katmg

In this thread we have sent a hearty congratulations to these happy members!!!:
Freckles :)
Tandis :)
Jeggink :)

Our condolences to:
jodylovesscotty

We welcomed these new members:
Freckles
jeggink
Polarama
Ptcrn
isign
Chris~n~Jen
Jess71903
Pocahontas
looty
Almostthere


Members we'd like to hear updates from:
wonderousglance

previous members who are expecting or had their babies!
Let us put you back in the stats!

[SAI Ladies]

Link to previous threads
SPRING 2006 SAI (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=647218#post647218)
2006 SAI (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=13442)
HOLIDAY 2005 SAI (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=11304)
FALL 2005 SAI (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=6389)
SAI (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=192)

We are now open for Business!!!
Here's hoping SUMMER brings us lots of BFPs!!!

Please update any stats that are out of date!!
Also, if you would like your chart added to your info, please post it & I'll add it.

Thanks!

[CTs_Punkin]

Congrats Suzfuz on a lovely new thread!!!

Nothing to update here - we're hoping to do an IUI next cycle... whenever AF decides to show up, which could be tomorrow or 2 months from now. Need to call the RE to see if they'll perscribe some prometrium to get AF rolling....

Thanks again for taking on the duties of Threadmistress!!

Edited to add - can you update my age to 34.... Thanks!!

[SAI Ladies]

Updated to here

Good to see you, doorchick!

[DaniML]

Updates in red (thanks for the PM reminder)

Me: Daniela - 30
DH: Ross - 36
Married: 04/13/03
TTC: 06/04
11/04: Cervical Ectopic (2 shots of methotrexate to terminate)
TTC again: 01/05
11/05: Dx: Borderline diabetis (weight related) & PCOS, Metformin (850 mg twice a day)
Still not ovulating on a regular basis (every 3 - 6 months), going to doc in August for Clomid

I did ovulate this month though! So I am now in 2WW. I'm only 3 DPO and it's killing me!

[jjsanner]

Threadmistress, please update my stats as follows:

Me - Jen (31)
DH - Eric (34)
Married - 4/03
DS - Elijah 2/04
Charting - 10/2004
TTC #2 - 4/2005
Testing Results: 12/05 HSG clear, 12/05 SA normal, 1/05 Bloodwork normal
11/05: Clomid 50mg/Met combo - failed
12/05: Clomid 100mg/Met combo - failed
1/06: Non-medicated cycle, + HPT, miscarried at 4 weeks
2/06: Took the month off
3/06: Clomid 100mg/HCG trigger/Timed intercourse - failed
4/06: Clomid 100mg/HCG trigger/Timed intercourse - failed
5/06: Non-medicated cycle, currently 10 DPO
Next Steps: Lap 7/06

I took an HPT this morning because I've been feeling a little off the past couple of days (and because I'm a glutton for punishment). Surprise, surprise, BFN. I had a good cry and am now ready to move forward with the lap next month. Still waiting for the call to get it scheduled, but I am to go in on CD1 to pick up the meds and to get blood drawn. I was so hoping it wouldn't come to this, that somehow I would be pregnant this cycle. Still no spotting, so I suppose there is still hope, but I'm not holding my breath.

[TazLuv]

No updates here - just subscribing, thanks for the new thread! :)

[kazata]

Hi all just checking in. My stats are still up to date. Sorry I don't post much, but I do follow along. Sometimes I just have to turn my mind "off" all things TTC, so I tend not to post (especially during the 2ww).

Update on me: I've been trying to schedule a lap (RE wants to do it due to sac of fluid he saw on ultrasound), but my insurance has not been cooperating, so we've been delaying. My insurance won't cover my RE to perform it, as opposed to an OB, but I want the RE to do it as he has much more experience, and I figure if there is a problem, then he can fix it right away. When I was trying to figure out all the insurance stuff and get the procedure pre-authorized for out-of-network reimbursement, I got the "procedure codes" from the nurse, and was schocked when one of the codes was to "remove my right fallopian tube." Ummm, I had no idea that this was part of the RE's plan - and it seems kind of premature since we haven't done a lap yet. I asked her to have the RE call me to discuss why he thought that was necessary, and he told her he couldn't talk to me about it over the phone and I needed to come in - I have an appt. next wednesday, so we'll see what's up with that. (I'm a bit annoyed though, because this is exactly why I'm so scared about the lap to begin with - I don't want to be put under, then wake up to find out that somebody made a decision to remove an ovary or tube or whatever - I want to be part of that decision process). I'm also annoyed because it seems like the RE will not code the lap so that my insurance will cover it. I've heard from so many people that laps are covered b/c they are used for non-fertility issues as well - and in my case I've had severe pain that sent me to the ER twice, so it would seem justified - but the RE's office says that if they perform it, then it will be coded for infertility - because afterall I'm seeing them because I want to get pregnant. Grrrr. Why can't people cooperate? Maybe I should just go to an OB and get them to do it so it will cost less....

In other news, I've been doing acupuncture (decided to try that for three months, while waiting for the lap). I enjoy it, and I think it might be helping in terms of regulating my periods, (bleeding has been a bit heavier, cramps have been less), but haven't gotten pg. yet (in fact AF just showed yesterday). I will keep doing the acu. at least until the lap.

Thanks to Suz for taking over the thread and thank you to CT's Punkin for all your hard work!

[SAI Ladies]

Updated to here

Thanks to everyone for updating their stats!

[suzfuzsunflower]

From the old thread...
skb - Thank you for the well wishes for our test results. It does seem like it's been a long time since DH gave the blood work and semen sample, but in reality it has only been 3 weeks - I guess it seems like a lot longer when I think about it all the time. :rolleyes:
I hope that you enjoyed your time at the spa last night. That sounds really nice... I haven't done that in a long time. And that is wonderful that the ultrasound tech was so nice and understanding of IF. Good luck with your appointment today!

MrsR
It is good to see you. I'm sorry about the disappointment with the positive urine test and then the negative blood work. :( That is tough. Good luck with the clomid and the opks. I really hope those work.
BTW, I love your avatar. Are those your dogs? They are so adorable!

And now the new thread...
kazata- Thank you for coming by and checking in. It's good to see you. Do not worry in the least about not coming in often. Sometimes we all need a break. I have taken a short break myself, and it was good to not think about obsess over all of this.
Wow - they were planning on removing your tube? :eek: Hopefully that isn't necessary. I am sorry that you are experiencing a lot of frustration with your doctor and insurance and trying to get the lap covered. Ah!

Hi TazLuv, Bellefior, and doorchick!

jjsanner - I hope that you can get the lap scheduled soon.

DaniML - It is good to see you. Congratulations on ovulating this month!! :D And good luck in your 2ww wait.

CTpunkin - I hope that AF comes soon so you can get the IUI ball rolling. Is this your first IUI?

[Patience]

Thanks Suz for being our new threadmistress. Could you update my stats to the following?

Me: 33
DH: 34
Married: 10/03
TTC: 12/04 (with charting)
Issue: Anovulatory cycles or very weak ovulation, delayed ovulation
Treatment: Acupuncture and Chinese herbs
3/06 50 mg Clomid, acupuncture - ovulated
4/06 100 mg Clomid, acupuncture - ovulated
5/06 100 mg Clomid, acupuncture - ovulated
6/06 Taking cycle off

I went to see my Ob/Gyn yesterday to discuss what’s next. She suggested a HSG then follow by 3 cycles of IUI + Clomid or 3 cycles of IUI + injectables. If I were to go the injectable route, then she will refer to a RE. She didn’t see a problem with continuing with Clomid because I was responding well to it. The HSG should be covered by my insurance as IF testing, but everything else will not be covered. So, I’m waiting for someone from the doc’s office to talk to me about the financial aspects. I’m leaning towards the IUI + injectables route even though it’s a lot more expensive. I’ll have to mull this over some more and make a decision after the HSG.

[SAI Ladies]

Updated

[skb]

patience Choices, choices. Fortunately I haven't really had to mull anything over which would likely complicate matters for myself. I just do as I'm told! Out of curiousity...why would your OBGyn suggest injectables if the clomid works? I'm not familiar with injectables and wonder why they may be better/different or whatever compared to the clomid in your case? I could understand why you may feel ready to move onto an RE though. Marching onward....

kazata I'd be pretty irritated too to find out that type of information via the coding without a discussion first. Can they even do that, can they actually remove anything without informed consent first? I would think not..maybe in emergency situations...but I don't blame you for your concern. The only shock I wold like to have in my treatment process is a BFP! I hope your insurance matters work out.

suzfuzsunflower The new thread looks great. It seems longer than 3 weeks to me. The spa is a good way to take your mind off things.....

jjsanner There is always hope. Sorry for your tough day though.

That's it for shout outs....work calls. I won't be triggering until Monday which is later then usual. But who knows...maybe that will be the ticket. All looks good and I'm hopeful. The spa was certainly a nice break and I've rescheduled for 3 weeks! I'm sure I'll require a nice break again!

[suzfuzsunflower]

OK, skb, I think you've convinced me ;) - I need to make a spa appointment. I have today off, but I think it's a little too late to make an appointment for that. I *might* go and get a pedicure though... :)

ETA: The spa talk got me thinking - what do you ladies do to help you relax/keep your mind off of IF things/get yourself through the 2WW/pamper yourself/etc... I'm going to need something during the next week or I will make myself go crazy! ;)

[Thea]

Wow am I behind. That is what I get for taking a few days off from posting!

Ct's pumpkin Thanks for al of your hard work!

suz Thanks for voluntering to take over.


Can you please update me:
April 06 Clomid 100 mgday 3-7 IUI failed
May 06 Clomid 100mg day 3-7, IUI failed
June 06 Clomid 100 mg day 3-7 IUI
Thea age 30, DH 37

We are calling it a night early tonight, but Ill try to get to SOs later this weekend. 10DPO here. Nothing to report. Trying not to get anxious. Good friend IR had a M/C on Tuesday and I have been trying to support here as well as I can (considering I am in FL ad she is in VT). She has been trying for over a year and my heart just breaks for her.

[Patience]

skb That's a good question about the difference between Clomid and injectables. I dunno the answer, but I'll be sure to ask. Actually I was thinking of asking that question to the RE because I'm not sure my Ob/Gyn is equipped to monitor me very closely if I choose to do IUI+Clomid. At this point, I'm willing to shell out the $$ to assure myself that I'm getting the best possible care.

[la_bride_2004]

Just waving hello to the ladies!

Patience I could not tolerate Clomid (blurred vision) so it made the choice to go to injectables easier. (In my situation though, I had already been through IVF, so I was already familiar with them). I had few side effects on them. I guess it depends if you want to be more or less agressive, plus, there's the financial aspect.

ETA- you will definitely have to be monitored, and an OB/Gyn most likely will not have the capacity to do it.





I do have a stat update:

Due 2/14/07

[gymwidow]

Wow, a new thread! Thanks, suz for taking over, and thanks so much cts punkin for all your hard work!

Drive by posting b/c I have to leave for my acupuncture appt in 10 minutes, but I wanted to give you guys an update:

By Thursday afternoon the spotting had turned into AF. I was actually okay with it, no tears or anything. Yesterday DH and I met with my doctor and we talked about what steps to take next. The doc said we are welcome to move to IVF if we want, but that he thinks we can still give the injectables another 2-3 shots (haha) first. I only did one cycle of injectables and I way overstimulated on them, which might have affected my body and its ability to do the right thing. With another injectables cycle, we would lower my dose so I would respond more normally and hopefully have a better shot. He still isn't too concerned with the length of my LP - they typically average at least 10-12 days, which is generally long enough. He said that taking the drugs I take (Clomid, Gonal-F) can sometimes shorten an LP.

DH and I talked for a few minutes about it and we decided to go ahead with injectables/IUI at least 2 more times. While our chances are obviously greater with IVF, we don't want to move forward to something so invasive (and costly) until we absolutely have to.

So, since we were there yesterday and it was CD2, I went ahead and had my CD3 b/w and u/s done so we could get started. My ovaries were clear this month = no cysts! My progesterone was still a little high, though, so I was told to wait till tonight to start the Gonal-F shots. I'm starting at half the dose I was on last time = 75mg, so hopefully no overstimulation this time!

Oh, and we are going to go ahead with the saline u/s on Monday, just to double check my uterus and make sure there's nothing else in there that might be causing the bleeding or any troubles. DH can't get off from work for that, so my mom will go with me and hold my hand (I'm a little worried about pain since my HSG hurt so damn much).

That's it for now. I'm off to get a dozen needles stuck in me! ;)

[SAI Ladies]

*~*~Updated to here~*~*

Congratulations LaBride!

[skb]

To relax....let me see.......

I'm a regular at the spa primarily for manicures and pedicures which is always lovely. 75 minute massages are great unfortunately I do not indulge nearly as often. Warm soaks in my large bath with my favorite mango butter, cocoa butter or milk products. Lots of long walks with DH at a nearby park which is gorgeous. Cruiser bike rides. Sitting outdoors in the evening enjoying a nice glass of wine or a cup of tea. Spending time with family and friends during a wonderful meal or BBQ. Browsing my favorite home decor shop. Reading. Movies. Exercise. Church. Treating myself to sorbet, truffles, white soya deliciously scented candles or a bouquet of flowers.

Soon I will break into song...~sing~ these are a few of my favorite things......

Have a good weekend girls. I'm off to babysit tonight with DH.

[polkadot]

subscribing....just flying by...will be back later...

[jnshanna]

Subscribed....

Thanks for taking over threadmistress duties, suz. And thanks for the great job when you were tm, CTs Punkin. :)

We're just hanging in there. DH should go in for blood work next week to see if the Clomid has increased his testosterone. Here's hoping! If it worked, we wait more for a repeat SA in a couple months. As for me, I'm not sure what's up. My temps are still really low so I bet I won't O this month. And I've had quite a bit of spotting. I really don't understand what that's all about. Anyway, I'll try to do SO's next week. Good luck to everyone wherever you are in your cycles. :)

[polkadot]

during our vacation...brian and I had a good talk about TTC. We have decided to see what his SA results( he has a varicocele) are and if they are semi good...i will call the doc for another cycle of Clomid, to begin next month...this time with monitoring...if the results arent so good and it will take a miracle for us to get PG given the results...we will discuss the surgery...Brian is very worried about the side effects...he read somewhere that some lost strenght of erection, and another whos testicle swoll to the sixe of a baseball...so he really needs to stay off the internet but...we have decided to wait and see this cycle....We did talk about IUI and IVF....he was very open to the IUI but kinda reluctant to the IVF b/c of cost....soooo i guess we will cross that bridge when we get there....

Also, while we were on Vacation we got a call from a couple that we are friends with saying that they are pregnant. I am happy for them and not at all jealous...they have been trying for about the same time we have and she had a m/c in Jan also....so i know how happy and scared she must be. I know this will happen for us....its just like when we were all getting married...

We were the first to get engaged and the last to actually get married...everyone managed to get it all done before us...we had a long engagement and we are having a lone TTCment...so I am ok with that....i am hoping that this cycle off will be good for both of us...i wont have to worry about temping and **having** to have sex and he can be free of the hormonal mess that I am when stressing out...

I hope everyone is well...and we need some baby dust....or some BFP's in here...:D

[GA_GAL]

Hey girls-

I know I'm really spotty on here, but I promise I need y'all's support. I just don't have the ability to be on the boards very frequently. Anyway, could you please update my stats and add...

5/06 - menopur injections and trigger shot, BFN
taking the summer off to de-stress and re-group

During my two medicated cycles I started my period 7-8 DPO each time. I was already taking progesterone supplements, but my RE said they will most likely increase the dose and possibly try something else to lengthen that time. I'm just trying to take some time off and relax this summer. We're getting ready to go on vacation (Hawaii!!) so I'm hoping that will help get my mind of things. As soon as we get back I'm going in for a consultation to discuss the next steps of treatment. I'm either going to try one more cycle of menopur or possibly letrozole. We're planning to start back up in August.

In the meantime, I can't help but thinking how great it would be to get pg on my own when we aren't really "trying." You know, to have one of those random stories you hear of couples dealing with fertility issues and then magically getting pregnant on a non-medicated cycle. It would be nice!

[Alioop12345]

just subscribing....CD1...again

[polkadot]

hey bellefior~ I forgot to tell ya...while we were away on vacation....the docs office called to tell us they needed to change B's appt. I was less than happy :mad: I told them they had to give us an appt at an earlier date because we could not wait...and it actually worked we now have our appt on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. I am praying we both get great news....i'll keep ya posted!!

[HGMorgann]

polkadot I hope your appt goes well! Good luck
GAGAL I hope the prog. helps your LP! I did the natural kind this month and saw a great improvement!

alioop ITs CD1 for me too.

AF arrived this morning. I'm a bit bummed, but also positive because using Vitex and NPC this cycle helped my LP tremendously. I had a 29 day cycle with an approximate 14 day LP which is incredible for me. So this herbal thing might just work again. I hate doctors.......but will go at the end of the summer if I have to.

[knoelani]

Just subscribing to the new thread, I know I haven't been around much lately, but this journey gets to be too much sometimes. I am reading and cheering for all you wonderful ladies though.

Threadmistress please update my stats:

DH Age: 34
May 2006- Follistim Injections / Trigger / 2IUI cycle- Failed
June 2006- Follistim Injections / Trigger / NO IUIs

[Patience]

La_bride_2004 Thanks for the info on injectables. I'll have a list of things to discuss with the RE when I go see him. BTW, congrats again. It's great to hear success stories in here because it gives us hope that it can happen to us too.

gymwidow I just looked at your TTC history and it looked like you O'ed on Clomid, so what made you decide to go to injectables? I'm doing some research to decide if I should go to injectables. Your story about getting cysts made me a little concerned that I could experience the same thing.

polkadot Welcome back from vacation! Fingers crossed that you'll get good news on Tuesday.

[Thea]

Started spotting today. 11DPO. Completely bummed. We had plan for lots of house work today, but totally bummed out and did mostly nothing. DH is so depressed. Makes it hard because I want to scream and cry, but feel like I should keep my spirits up for him. Waiting for AF, then I will make an appt w RE for beginning of August to discuss options and go from there....

Sorry no SO's. Reading along. Too bummed for a long post....Maybe next week....

[ptcrn]

Sorry I haven't been around much, I feel like I joined this thread and then abandoned it! Thanks to everyone who answered my questions about acupuncture in the last thread, it's helpful to hear other people's experiences with it.

I feel like the acupuncture may be working now. My temps seem much more even this cycle and I actually had 2 days of EWCM for the first time! I'm so excited about that! It may have more to do with the evening primrose oil, but I think both have helped. I'm currently 3 DPO now and actually hopeful about our chances this month.

Threadmistress, just a picky update- can you correct the spelling of my screen name? It should be ptcrn. Thanks! And you can add my chart link if you want too. url=http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/bed5d

Thea, so sorry about the spotting. **Hugs**

Bellefior, I'm glad to hear you are feeling good about the fertility clinic you are going to. It must really help to hear the success stories. You are in Boston, right? I know they have some of the best IF specialist in the country there. Good luck at your DH's appointment!

polkadot I'm glad you had a nice vacation! Good luck with your DH's appointment as well!

HGMorgann, Sorry about AF. :mad: But that is great about your LP! I'm with you on the herbal stuff- I will try anything if it may work!

GA_GAL, I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing vacation in Hawaii. It is incredible there, I'm sure you will have a great time! And I will be hoping for once of those unexpected surprises for you!

jnshanna, hoping for good bloodwork results for your DH!

thedoorchick I'm sorry about the BFN and the news about your SIL. That is such a hard thing to hear, even if you are happy for them. It's good that you have a plan for the next few cycles though.

gymwidow, I'm sorry about AF. :mad: I think it's great that you are going ahead with a couple more IUI's- hopefully you will only need the one, right?! Good luck at your u/s tomorrow, crossing my fingers for a pain free day for you!

suzfuzsunflower, thank you for the new thread! I really need to do more things like massages and pedicures during the 2WW too. It's hard because we are really trying to save money, but sometimes you just need to pamper yourself!

Ctspunkin, thanks for all your hard work as threadmistress!

skb, Good luck with your trigger tomorrow! I hope this is your month!

jjsanner, sorry about the BFN. :( I hope you can get your lap scheduled soon and see where to go from there.

kazata, wow, that's kind of scary about him possibly removing your tube! I guess they do have to prepare for everything, but to not even talk with you about it? I hope you can get the lap scheduled soon- insurance sucks, doesn't it?

Whew, that was a lot of typing! Now lets just hope CC doesn't eat my post! :p I'm sorry if I missed anyone and good luck to anyone testing soon!

[GA_GAL]

HGMorgann- when you say you tried natural progesterone, what do you mean? I've heard of the creams...is that what you used?

[gymwidow]

CD5 here and day 3 of shots. So far, so good. No pain with either shot (pinching the skin where I inject them seems to help). I go in this afternoon for my saline u/s and I'm pretty nervous about how much it will hurt. I forgot to bring extra Advil with me and I only have 2 in my desk stash, so hopefully those will do the trick. DH can't take off from work so my mom is going to come with me and hold my hand.

kazata, what a PITA the insurance is. It's not like this isn't hard enough already! I hope you can get it worked out. How scary about hearing about the possible tube removal like that! I hope your RE is very open at your next appt and gives you ALL the info! I'm glad you like the acupuncture. I'm also glad I'm doing it and I hope that I can see more results soon. It's hard to tell that it's working, but my acupuncturist says it is and I guess I have to take his word for it!

Patience, good luck with all the testing. I did 5 cycles of Clomid (3 w/ IUI) before moving to injectables. This is my 2nd cycle on the injectables and will be my 6th IUI.

skb, jumping in here b/c my RE addressed your question about Clomid v. injectables when we met with him on Friday. He said that there are a lot things doctors still don't know about fertility and meds, but that the strength in the meds can often make a difference in the strength of the ovulation (which affects the viability of the eggs). Just because you ovulate on a certain med does not mean that you will get pregnant on it, and after a certain number of cycles on anything, if it hasn't resulted in pregnancy it *probably* won't and then it's time to move on to something else.

suzfuz, I don't do enough for myself during the 2WW! I used to exercise, but lately I've been turning away from that "just in case" (even though I know that it shouldn't really affect the turnout, I still am hesitant not to do anything jarring to my body. I think I may schedule a mani/pedi for my next 2WW.

la bride, what a wonderful Valentine's Day present you'll be getting next year!

thedoorchick, I am so sorry you had a rough weekend. It sucks when good news causes us so much pain. I'm glad you have your goal of January in sight (it'll be here before we know it!) and am glad you're going to continue with treatment till then. It can't hurt!

jnshanna, spotting sucks. I'm so sorry you have to deal with it.

polkadot, I'm glad you guys had a good talk. It helps to be able to do that with your DH. It sounds like you have a really good plan and I hope that you get the results you want so you can proceed quickly!

GA GAL, I've had similar problems! I always seem to start AF too soon after O, even while on the supplements. My doctor says not to worry, that my LP is still long enough, and that prog. shouldn't be an issue. I hate the nagging fear that he's wrong, but am trying to just believe in him.

HGMorgann, I'm so glad the herbs helped! I think no doctors would be a great thing and am cheering for you!

Bellefior, that's wonderful that you were able to get something so good from church yesterday. It's hard to believe in God sometimes when you're dealing with things like this, but it can be such a source of peace. I hope you find some of that and are able to stay confident throughout your storm.

Patience, my doctor, and all the stuff I read about Clomid, all said that if it hasn't worked by about the 5th or 6th try, it probably won't. No one knows why, but it's the kind of drug they don't want to keep you on for too long, so if no luck, then it's time to move on. I ovulated each time on it - even had 3 follies one month! But I never got pregnant. So we moved to injectables. Again, it's obvious that I respond, but just because you ovulate doesn't mean you'll get pregnant (as we all sadly know too well). So we're hoping it will happen this way, and if not we'll move to IVF when the time comes. Injectables come with a higher chance of hyperstimulation syndrome, which is why you're carefully monitored while on it. I took only 3 shots of Gonal-F in May at a mid-size dose (150 mg) and overresponded to that. I was monitored w/ b/w and u/s daily after that and my dose was significantly decreased (went from 3 days at 150, to one at 75, then one at 37.5, then skipped a day altogether before we could trigger and IUI). I had great care and thankfully didn't get any other symptoms such as leaking fluid into the abdominal cavity. My cysts last month were probably a result of the hyperstimulation - it's not natural to produce 10 eggs in one month, and a couple of those didn't pop and then took their time in breaking down again. However, even with all of that, I have no fear or worries about doing the injectables again. We know I need a lower dose and lots of monitoring and I am confident I'll have no problems this month.

Thea, hugs........

ptcrn, I'm crossing my fingers for you! I hope the acupuncture worked miracles.

[SAI Ladies]

Updated to Here

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hi everyone. I don't have time to respond to everyone right now. I will try later in the week.

This weekend was very stressful. DH and I are trying to figure out whether or not to move. Beazer is having a great sale right now - 3% off a new house if you move within 5 months, 5% off if you move within 3 months. We weren't planning on moving for another 6 months to a year, but getting $12,000 off a house might be too good of a deal to pass by. We would not be as comfortable as we are right now, but it would work. I am worried, however, about having the money needed for treatments. The house has 4 bedrooms and would be great for kids - but we need to get them first - and it probably isn't going to be cheap. I don't want a big house and not be able to afford the treatments necessary for us to have children. So I don't know what we're going to do. DH is confident that we would have the money necessary for dr. stuff, but I'm not so sure. It can be very expensive, as you all know.

Also we told DH's parents about our situation. We weren't planning on doing it yesterday, but with the house hunting the conversation just kind of went that way. Glad that's over with. DH's parents were so nice about everything, and MIL said that if we didn't feel like coming to the big family gathering on Sat. just to let her know and she'd make an excuse for us or say that I was sick. I thought that was very considerate of her.

Only 5 days until we get our results!

[HGMorgann]

GA GAL I use "Natural Progesterone Cream". I use the brand Femgest. I got it at GNC. You can get it at any health food store too.

[polkadot]

Hey girls...i have a question...i thought that I had maybe brusied a rib so I went to the doc today and she said I had defintley not done that...she said she suspects it may be my gallbladder...I have just started taking Evening Primrose Oil..which i have read gives you extra fatty acid...has anyone heard of any correlation thanks in advance....

[Patience]

Thanks gymwidow. Your experience with Clomid and injectables will help me when I talk to the RE. I will bring up the possibility of hyperstimulation to the RE since I’ve responded to each dosage of Clomid. My acupuncturist thinks I’ve been ovulating on my own since I started treatment with her (before Clomid), but since I didn’t do any bloodwork for those cycles, I have no definitive proof except for my BBT charts. How did your u/s go today?

Polkadot I’m not sure if there is any correlation between Evening Primrose and your gallbladder, but I did not have a good experience when I took EP. I thought it would increase EWCM, but all it did was delay O by 4-5 days. I stopped after one cycle. I hope your bruise is nothing serious.

Suzfuzsunflower I would suggest doing a financial spreadsheet to figure out the added expenses from moving as well as those for the treatments you need. One column would have the expenses while the other column will have your income for the next year. If your income is going to be greater than the expenses, then I would say “buy the house” because that’s a good deal. I think that’s great that your IL’s are supportive. It’s always good to have more moral support during this TTC roller coaster.

Ptcrn I’m glad to see that acupuncture is working for you. As I told gymwidow, I’m pretty sure my treatments have enabled me to ovulate on my own before the Clomid.

Thea ((Hugs)) to you.

Hi to everyone else I’ve missed. Hope everyone’s week is going well. Anyone testing this week? We need some good news in here soon!

[Jess71903]

Hi everyone! I see a lot of familiar faces! I am not sure I am ready to join, as I am a member of both the SWH and charting thread, but I may be coming soon. I have a question that I am sure you guys can answer. First a little about me:
*We have been TTC for 10 months, this is my 12th cycle.
*I have been charting since Jan '06 and always show a clear thermal shift.
*I have had CD 21 b/w with a progesterone level of 21, so I am Oing.
*DH has had a SA which the nurse said was "normal" with a count of 131 mill. We never got the report on that so I plan to ask for it to see exactly what his #s were.
I went to see a herbalist a month and 1/2 ago who said to take "raw thyroid" for 60 days and gave DH some stuff to take and I should be pg. It's been about 50 days, but I am on CD 6 so I don't think I will be by the 60 days, but maybe I just need to be patient....yeah, right! He also mentioned that if my temps were below 97.6 that I may either have a thyroid problem or Wilson's Syndrome (wilsonssyndrome.com) and they always are that low. Anyway, with the start of this new cycle, I think I should call my dr. but I don't know what to say. I guess I should tell her about the herbal stuff, but I am not sure how she will feel about that (I'm thinking she is pretty anti-natural). I think she SHOULD want to go ahead and start testing since I have been charting for 6 months and this is my 12th cycle, even though it hasn't been quite a year yet. What is the next step in testing and such? TIA!

[HGMorgann]

jess i never told my dr. about the herbs the first time around. they worked though and i didnt have to do clomid so I was happy;-)

[Patience]

Jess71903 I would tell your doc about the herbs just so she will have a complete picture of your TTC history. I was in your similar situation when I went to my Ob/Gyn to start IF testing (10 months TTC) and my doctor didn't have any problem with starting testing right away. My doc had the following bloodwork done (FSH, LH, estradiol, TSH, free T4, antiphospholipid antibodies, and a couple more that I don't remember).

[gymwidow]

suzfuz, good luck with your decision making. That's a big choice to make, especially when you have other big matters to consider! I'm glad that your ILs responded so well to the news. My DH told his parents, but neither has mentioned it to me at all, which I'm glad about (I am not close with them and don't particularly like them very much).

polkadot, I'm sorry, I have no experience with that!

Patience, I'm glad I could help a little. Hyperstimulation syndrome is pretty rare and a good RE will monitor you closely. My RE said he considered canceling my cycle b/c my estrogen levels were so high, but instead he allowed me to go forward and chose to trigger me differently with a drug designed to lower the estrogen. And he said it was a good learning experience for us b/c now we know much more about how to treat me with these drugs! The u/s went well, thanks for asking!

Jess71903, if it were me, I would tell my doctor about anything I'm taking. And I think you're well within reason to ask for basic testing at this point.



Update on me: I had a saline u/s yesterday and all is clear. There are no polyps or anything in my uterus that could be causing bleeding or interfering with implantation. The procedure itself wasn't that bad. It didn't hurt nearly as much as the HSG - this time all I really did feel were the "really strong period cramps" that they told me to expect before. But I didn't even get to see anything on the u/s monitor b/c I had my eyes closed and was gripping my mom's hand and just trying to breathe. Thankfully it was over fast!

At the same time I had my first monitoring of the month, after 2 days on the Gonal-F. I don't have my b/w back yet (b/c I went after morning monitoring hours I have to wait till this afternoon to get the results), but I did see on my regular u/s that I'm already growing follies. 3 on the right and another 2-3 on the left. Yay ovaries! I'll likely continue at 75 mg today and tomorrow and will go in again on Thursday for my next appt.

The RE did suggest we do yet another SA for DH. His first SA came back with low counts, but his next one was normal. However, his samples that he's given for my IUIs have sometimes shown low motility (the numbers and morphology have all been fine). So he suggested we do another SA in the RE's own lab, where they're trained to look for just the right things and will also take the time to do more than the regular check they do for IUI samples. We got lucky and there was a cancellation today so DH was able to go in and leave a sample this morning and I should have those results also this afternoon.

Totally funny IF story of the day: last night DH was in the bathroom when I went to give myself my shot. I didn't care that he was there so I went ahead and did it while he was brushing his teeth. So, I stick in the needle and you're supposed to hold it in for 5 seconds after you press the plunger to make sure all the meds are dispensed. So I'm standing there with the needle-pen stuck out of my belly counting to 5 and DH starts freaking out, shouting "EEWWW, get it out, get it out!!!!" He was jumping around like a little kid. You probably had to be there (gotta picture my 6'2" bodybuilder husband doing this), but it was hysterical! I'm still giggling about it now!

[polkadot]

gymwidow~ that is great news that the u/s was clear and there were no obstructions and such....I hope you get the news we are all waiting for....fingers crossed...and Yay! for your ovaries!!!:D

As for me....we actually got good news today....We got Brians SA results and the doc says they are all in the normal range...here's what we have...

Morphology~ 31 (normal range 30-100) So we are on the low side there...:(

Sperm Count~ 87 (normal range 2-150) Yay!!
Effective Motility~69 (normal range 60-100) Ok :)

the doctor said that we are in the normal range and there is no reason from a sperm perspective that we could not get PG. We are in the lower part of the normal range but thats ok...

One level that I must go and look up what it actually means...is the Total PMN~ 1.74 (normal range 0-1) and this level being higher than normal indicates a prostate infection that could be effecting the numbers, so...Brian has 6 weeks of antibiotics to take and hopefully after that the infection will clear up and then we will do another SA to see if the numbers improve....soooooooo i am in a much better mood and things are looking up in the Polkadot House!! :D

So now all i need to do is get myself to O..and we will be in business!!!

[gymwidow]

polkadot, thanks, I'm relieved it's over! That's great news you got!!! I'm really happy for you and hope that the next test results come back even higher. Will you wait till then b/f you try Clomid again or anything else, or will you keep trying through the summer?

[Jess71903]

Thanks girls! I didn't mean to ask whether or not I should tell her about the herbal stuff. I will do that. What is the next step in testing, though? Patience, if I understand correctly, is all of that just blood work? Is it just one draw and they test for all of that?

[polkadot]

Belle~ I am hoping that you get good news tomnorrow too...fingers crossed....i had the ultrasound today but i didnt get result back yet...still waiting to here from her actually. oh and thanks i love my avatar too...i found it on LJ.


gymwidow~ we had taken this month off from the Clomid b/c we thought that with the varicocele the Sa results would not be good but they are so...we are going it alone this month...although I am taking EPO hoping it will give me more EWCM....if it doesnt happen this month I am going to take the clomid again..i didnt O on 50 mg so hopefully he will up the dosage!!

thanks for thinking of me girls!!!:D

[Patience]

gymwidow Hooray for the all clear on the u/s and the ovaries working away! I hope your DH's SA is ok. LOL at your DH's reaction to your injection. What a funny mental of him jumping up and down. Thanks for the laugh. :)

polkadot Yay for the good news! It must a huge relief for you to hear that the results should not prevent you from getting pregnant. Ok, polkadot's ovaries, you heard the doctor...ovulate and let there be little "polkadots" soon.

Jess71903 What bellefior said was correct, I had more than one vial of blood drawn for my entire batch of bloodwork. Due to some family medical history in addition to the IF, I ended up having 21 vials of blood drawn! :eek: I think that's more than what IF testing requires, so you might not have that much done.

Bellefior Good luck tomorrow. May the "good results" trend continue with you.

Not much to update with me. AF is gone and I'm still waiting for the authorization for the HSG. I hate HMO's for this reason - it seems like I'm always waiting for them to ok something.

[la_bride_2004]

polka just wanted to peek in and say with the extraordinary count you have, my RU would claim it would make up for borderline motility or morphology. Seems like you are ok! Also, one varicocele doesn't generally affect the results that much. Remember almost half of all men have them, so they don't affect fertility in everyone.

[polkadot]

thanks la bride....i am feeling much better about the whole thing....hopefully we can get me to O regularly and will hear the pitter patter of little feet very soon....fingers crossed!!!

[skb]

Eeek, falling behind......

Trigger shot on Monday went fine despite a minor snagfoo. My doctor was out of town so I was told to see my family physician for my trigger shot. This required me to take part of my morning off work and good thing I did. When she filled up the needle it came up short! Yeah, there I am pants dropped and there wasn't enough HCG in the vial to make up the 2.5cc. Horrified! So I had to run to the pharmacy and fill another prescription and then run back to my doctor's office to get the injection. Nothing major, but it's those little glitches that get goofy in this whole process. I have no idea why there wasn't enough in the vial. It was supposed to be good for 2 injections and has been fine in the past. I could feel my heartrate go up as I tried to figure out just how I was going to get everything done in a short amount of time, get to work and be subject to questions and ridicule as to why I wasn't there first thing in the morning. Anxiety. Honestly, I wish my doctor would just let me do my own triggers! I'm excited about this cycle though. This is the latest I've been told to trigger and my cervical fluid is much better. DH and I have been doing our best in the timed intercourse department. So I am hopeful!

I'll be back to check up on all you later. Must get to work....on time.

[polkadot]

Belle~ I am so sorry you didnt get better news today. But you seem to have a good outlook on the future. I also have sucky insurance I am teacher in Louisiana and I have insurance paid for by the state...and it sucks...no coverage for ANYTHING!!!

Fingers crossed....goodluck!!!

[polkadot]

yeah that does really suck...La is working on making it mandatory but it probably wont be applicable b/c we work for the state :rolleyes:

At least it covers your drugs needed...I had to pay out of pocket for my clomid and estrogen..:rolleyes:

[pocket]

I guess I’m back.

Me – Pocket, 34
DH – Pita, 31
TTC since 8/2003
Dx PCOS
Status – 3 clomid cycles, no dice. Starting injectibles w/ IUI.

Last night I got a call from the Kaiser IF Clinic – a cancellation! They could see me this morning at 9 AM. To summarize – they just hired a new doc – Dr. Nachtigal – and he is taking up the appt backlog. He’s SO nice! I really really like him. We had a nice talk as far as we know I have only ovulated the one time that we know of, though that’s a positive sign. Maybe if I were younger we might go home and come back in 6 months. But since I am nearing the witching hour, we decided to begin a new protocol –

* 3 wks b/c pills to wipe the hormonal slate clean.
* Appt on 7/12 to get a baseline u/s, a scrip for Lupron (one of the injectible meds) and an HSG.
* On 7/18 I have my injectible class to learn how to do the Repronex/Follistim – the other injectible, they have to be mixed together…? I guess this is what I will learn in the class.
* On CD1-3 (probably 7/22-ish) I call and go in for another u/s and start the injections.
* They will monitor me a few times a week, and give me a trigger shot before insemination.
* We will probably do the IUI in August. It looks like I will not be able to go to the beach this summer.

Also, he thinks it’s a good idea to start making plans to do IVF in early 2007. That will mean we have done three IUI cycles, and while we can do them indefinitely, that’s enough tries to give IVF a shot.

I feel so much better now that we have a plan! I know it’s still not very likely to work, and I am trying to be realistic about the chances. But it’s still totally worth trying.

[Freckles]

Freckles
Me: Heather (30)
DH: Paul (38)
Married since: 02/01/03
Off BCP since: Never really on it
TTC since: 06/04
Known issues/test results: All hormonal issues, as well as lack of CM{hostile environment}. I do not ovulate on my own, nor on clomid. I am on my 4th IUI cycle.
Treatment:
150mg Clomid/Hcg Shot/IUI/booster hcg shot/Prometrium-FAILED
Follistim Injectables/hcg shot/IUI/booster hcg shot/Prometrium-FAILED
Follistim Injectables/hcg shot/Double IUI/booster shot/Prometrium-FAILED
Current Cycle: Gonal-F/Ovidrel Trigger/b2b IUIs/Ovidrel Booster Shot after O/Prometrium pills after O orally due to low progesterone
12/05- HSG: Clear
12/05- DH SA Normal

I think I would like to re-join this thread. I was a memeber briefly a year ago, but I was in a bad state at that time, and greatly discouraged. I am trying to remain positive for now, and would like a place to give and feel encouragement, as well as a place to vent. We have just begun our 3rd year TTC, and we are in the midst of our 4th Injectables/IUI cycle----we have one more after this if need be, and then we need to consider IVF or adoption.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y244/ttc_rollercoaster/babydust/thbabydust.gif

[Thea]

Welcome Freckles! We started trying around 6/04 so I feel your pain! The 2 year mark hurt!

OK, everyone. I am in a better place. CD1 today. Knew it was coming, so today wasn't as bad as Sunday. Called my RE's office today and told them we were taking a month off and asked if we could have a phone consultation with my RE to discuss our next options. They agreed to this because we have a 2 hour drive, so I am happy about that. The nurse said that even though I am ovulating fine on the clomid, the RE may still suggest trying the injectables, as it will give them an idea of how I will handle an IVF cycle, and because my insurance covers the meds, that it may be a good option while we are waiting to try IVF. I am calling to schedule the phone consultation tommorow. I guess what we really need to figure out now is the financial aspect of IVF.

OK...I'll try to get to SO's tommorow. DS will be at daycamp and I am off. Gotta run and cook dinner now though. :)

[pocket]

oh yeah, one more thing -

I talked to the NP about acupuncture. First of all, you can't get a Kaiser referral (you need this to have it covered) for infertility only for pain management. That sucks. Second - she and Dr. N both agreed that there's no point really to doing acupuncture with injectibles/IUI. The reason is that what these drugs are supposed to do is cut off my own hormones and create an environment where they can manipulate my hormones. So acupuncture won't help. BUT they said if we go to Israel to do IVF in December I should start acupuncture before I go. It helps a lot with IVF success rates.

Right now we are planning to go to Israel for IVF sometime in the Winter. Has anone else done international IVF?

[gymwidow]

Jess71903, before my doc would start me on any drugs, I did a full blood panel and HSG and DH did a SA.

polkadot, sounds like a good plan. Definitely ask for a higher dosage! I O'd, but late, on 50 mg and my doc immediately moved me to 100 mg.

Patience, we've got to be able to find some humor in all of this! My ins. co. was such a PITA with the HSG. They told me it didn't need to be pre-authorized, but then denied my claim because I hadn't had it pre-authorized! Thankfully my doc's office straightened it all out.

skb, ugh! What a mess. Why won't they give you the pre-filled syringes? The Ovidrel is no-fuss, easy to use!

Bellefior, I'm sorry. That's not great, but at least you still have options and are somewhat prepared for it. For lack of a better word, it really sucks that the government gives less coverage to its employees than many goverments mandate for private employers! Sending you many hugs.....

pocket, welcome back. I'm glad you were able to get in and can start treatment again so soon. I'm on my 2nd cycle of injectables with IUI and going for my 2nd monitoring appt of this cycle tomorrow. Good luck to you! That's interesting what your doc said about acupuncture. Mine said that it's not been proven to help with IUI, but that he wouldn't discourage me from doing it. My acunpuncturist says that the treatments are supposed to help increase blood flow to the area and something else that I can't quite remember right now..... I don't know if it's doing any good for real, but I figure it can't hurt for now and if we have to go to IVF, I'm all set! :rolleyes:

Freckles, welcome back to you, too. My meds are very similar to yours! What does the Ovidrel booster shot post-O do for you? I hope this cycle is the one that works for you!

Thea, hugs, and I'm glad you're doing okay today. My RE says that sometimes women who O but don't get pregnant on Clomid do great with the injectables (at least that's what I'm hoping for). I hope it works for you!

[Patience]

skb Sorry you had to go through the incident at the doctor's office today, but it's good that it worked out in the end. What reason did your doc give you for not letting you do the trigger shots yourself? I don't know anything about trigger shots/injectables, so I'm curious.

BellefiorI'm sorry you didn't get the news you hoped for. But you guys seem to have a good plan for the next step.

pocket Welcome back! Yay for getting a such a nice doctor. You and your doc seem to have a good plan. I know what you mean about getting closer to the witching hour because I'm just one step behind you (33 nearing 34). Your comment about acupuncture has me intrigued. Why would acupuncture help IVF, but not injectables/IUI if both require some sort hormonal drug to induce extra follicles? I should ask my acupuncturist the next time I see her.

Freckles Welcome back! Let's hope this cycle will be successful.

Thea Sorry about AF. I wonder if my RE will tell me the same thing about starting injectables even though Clomid has worked.

gymwidow The staff at my doctor's office has been very helpful to me in sorting out everything related to insurance and testing. Yes, the insurance company can be such a PITA, so I don't dare do anything unless my doc has gotten the authorization first.

*A quick update on me*
My doctor's office is trying to schedule a last minute HSG for me because my authorization came in on Tuesday, but I'm already on CD9. So, the latest they can schedule me is Friday. Ok, I'm off to research what I need to do before a HSG.

[Freckles]

Thea~ I hope this cycle off is relaxing, and that you come up with a great plan with your RE for next cycle.

Has anone else done international IVF?
Pocket~ No, but I am interested in some info if you have any to share. Is the cost much less?

Freckles, welcome back to you, too. My meds are very similar to yours! What does the Ovidrel booster shot post-O do for you? I hope this cycle is the one that works for you!
Gymwidow~ It is nice to have someone on a similar protocol to share the experience with, and I hope we both get our BFPs soon. As to the 2nd hcg Ovidrel shot, it is a booster to support the luteal phase, because I have very low progesterone, so I have the booster after O and then I start prometrium the following day.

Patience~ Good luck with your hsg. I took some aleve an hr before the procedure to help minimize any discomfort.

[jeggink]

Can I join??

Jeggink
Me – Judi, 33
DH - 33
Married – 9.28.02
TTC – now
Off BCP – years
DS - 9/23/04
m/c 1/4/06 at 8.5 weeks after seeing HB (D&C)
m/c 4/12/06 at 8.5 weeks after seeing HB (D&C)
Issues:
Progesterone at 7DPO - 8.0
ANA - 1:40, somewhat borderline
Positive anticardiolipin antibody test, Negative IGG & IGM
Treatment:
Prometrium, 200mg capsules 1x/day
Baby Asprin, 1x per day


I am actually just starting my 2ww now and start prometrium on Sat. My dr said if my ANA was a bit higher he would put me on baby asprin or steroids, so I just decided to go ahead and take some baby asprin. I am hoping this will help and we can carry another child to term. With DS I never had any of these issues except we have had subchorionic hematomas with each pg which I guess can also indicate some immune issues (Dr Beers site). If we have another loss we will do further testing.

I am hoping this will be a good place to discuss what I am going through, it has been a rough road so far.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hello everyone! Thanks for all your advice on what to do during the 2WW/waiting period to keep your mind off things and help you relax. I have one for all of you....find something else to obsess over! :eek: Anyway, we decided to go ahead and buy the house, and that has brought A LOT of stress into our lives this week (not good) BUT I haven't really thought about DH's test results (good) that we're getting on Sat. until we got a $1500 bill in the mail yesterday for the bloodwork. :mad: Not happy about that.

I feel badly for just running in and out of here, but I am reading along. We have another house meeting tonight, and we're also trying to get our house ready for sale by Monday.

[SAI Ladies]

Updated to Here

Welcome back, Pocket and Freckles!

Welcome Jeggink!

[gymwidow]

Patience, I'm glad your doc's staff is helpful! It makes a huge difference when you get the support there that you need. I hope you were able to get your HSG scheduled. Don't forget to take about 4 Advil or Tylenol ahead of time.

Freckles, gotcha. I hope it works this month! I picked up my trigger dose of Ovidrel this morning on my way to work and have to remember to take it out of the office fridge and take it home with me tonight!

jeggink, welcome. I hope this 2WW goes quickly and ends happily for you!

suzfuz, wow! Congrats and good luck selling your place! This will definitely keep your minds busy while you wait.


So, for my update: my b/w and u/s were good today. B/W came back fine and my u/s showed TEN follies growing! :eek: Five on each ovary, ranging in size from 13mm to 15 mm. My uterine lining is at 9 mm. I'm to stay with my current dose for the next 2 nights and go back on Saturday for another check. I'm hoping that I'll be able to trigger that night and IUI on Monday. Hopefully at least one of these ten suckers will find a little spermie it wants to let in to play. :p

[TazLuv]

Well I see the new thread is moving along, nice to see some new faces. Welcome. Glad to hear things seem to be relatively uneventful (in the bad way) for everyone, here's hoping to some BFP's for July.

CD-1 for me. I will start the 4th round of 50mg Clomid on Saturday and I'm also starting with the OV Watch this cycle. I'm probably changing doctors but if I don't get an appointment with the new one before CD-1 or a BFP I'll do 100 mg Clomid next cycle.

I'm off to a wedding for the weekend - everyone have a fabulous weekend and a fun 4th of July! :D

[Patience]

My doctor's office was able to get me an appt. for a HSG tomorrow morning. I have my Advils ready and have started taking the antibiotics that my doctor prescribed. I hope it's not going to be painful because I'm a wuss when it comes to pain. I'm making my DH go with me in case I can't drive home afterwards. Besides, it's good to have some moral support. :)

Freckles Thanks! I'm taking the Advils an hour before the HSG.

jeggink Welcome. I'm sorry for your two losses. The women in this thread are a wonderful support network, so feel free to discuss whatever is on your mind.

suzfuzsunflower Congrats on deciding to buy the house. Good luck on selling your house quickly!

gymwidow 10 follies! That's fabulous!! One spermie has to get lucky with 10 follies. ;) Good luck!

TazLuv Have a great time at the wedding. Maybe this next round of Clomid will be your lucky one.

thedoorchick Thanks for the advice. I hope any cramping I feel will be bearable. So, what is involved in an embryo toxicity test? That’s odd that the two RE’s in the same practice would have such differing opinions on IVF. I would ask for a consultation with both RE’s to figure out what’s the right choice for you and your husband if the injectables+IUI doesn’t work.

[gymwidow]

Bellefior, I was so nervous the first time I gave myself a shot, my hands were shaking and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it. I just took a deep breath and stabbed that sucker in! And you know what, it didn't hurt! I've given myself over a dozen injections now and only one hurt. You can ice the area before you inject, but I never remember get ice from downstairs and bring it upstairs, so I just pinch the skin and put in the needle and that's it. I rarely even feel a pinch.

TazLuv, good luck this cycle! Have fun at the wedding.

thedoorchick, thanks. I hope you're able to get a clear answer on the IVF soon. Will the embryo toxicity test help figure that out?

Patience, thanks. I hope your HSG is quick and painless. Definitely bring DH with you. I could drive home after mine, but certainly wasn't in the mood to do it, and I'm glad my DH was with me. Good luck!

Not much for me. I have my next appt tomorrow morning. I'm not looking forward to getting up so early (the doc's office is an hour from my house and I have to be back home by 9, so I have to leave around 6 am to drive there), but I know the little bit less sleep will be worth it in the end!

[Patience]

My HSG went well - no blockage. I did feel cramping when the dye was being injected, but it wasn't too bad. I'm still feeling dull cramps now. I guess I could have gone to work, but I decided to take it easy the rest of the day at home.

gymwidow Thanks! The HSG was relatively painless. It was nice having my DH there to keep me company. As for your appt. tomorrow, it sucks having to wake up so early on a non-work day, but it's all for a good cause. ;) I hope your doctor will give you more good news.

[jjsanner]

Holy cow, Gym thats a lot of follies! I am keeping everything crossed for you this cycle. I'm getting tired of seeing you (and me) over here in SAI ;) . Time for both of us to move over into the pregnancy threads!

Patience, good luck with the HSG today!

thedoorchick, I too am curious as to what the emryo toxicity test is. I don't think they've spoken to me about that one. Mabey its something I should mention to my RE at our next appointment.

Taz, have a great time at the wedding!

Belle, so far I have only given myself the HCG trigger. I am a TOTAL wimp when it comes to needles. The first time I did it I sat there for 30 minutes staring at the needle. When I finally stuck it in, it didn't even hurt! I practically made myself sick for nothing!

As for me, I went in yesterday for my day 3 bloodwork AGAIN. They lost my first set. Anyway, I still hadn't heard back from them regarding my Lap, so they scheduled it tentatively for August 17th! So, we are doing a clomid/trigger/IUI cycle (started the clomid last night) and hoping for a BFP so I don't have to deal with the lap. Feeling very confident about our chances this month. The nurse told me it would be a "super" ovulation cycle, same meds but they won't trigger unless there are at least 3 eggs. Does this sound right? I guess I need to get more info. Anyway, I am excited about the IUI because I fear our issues might be immulogical (i.e. hostile CM), and this would bypass that. Here's to hoping for a boatload of BFP's in here this month!

Have a Happy 4th, everyone!

[pocket]

No, but I am interested in some info if you have any to share. Is the cost much less?

MUCH less!

Pita and I are talking about going to Israel to do ivf this winter. It costs about $3000 not including the drugs. in fact, it costs much much less almost everywhere but here. medical tourism, here i come!

[skb]

jjsanner Did your RE say anything more regarding the "immunological" part of unexplained infertility? My doc basically said that we have "unexplained primary infertility which is typically attributed to an immunological problem"......"once all the tests come back good, yet there is an inability to conceive...then it is pretty much assumed to be immunological and there may not be a test for it." So I understand what you mean when you say you fear an immunological problem. WTH does it mean? But if it can be as simple as hostile cervical fluid that makes me feel better. I was thinking my body attacks the sperm, or my egg doesn't like the sperm, or my body attacks the embryo......who knows, I didn't know what to think or if it's more of a reason for concern.

[gymwidow]

Patience, that's great!

jjsanner, you got that right! ;) That sucks that they lost your b/w, but at least you're all scheduled for the lap, which hopefully you won't need. Good luck with your cycle!


So, my RE called me today (in the middle of a meeting!) and we went over DH's latest SA results. They're not perfect, but could have been worse. His count was fine, but he's borderline for both motility and morphology. The motility we knew went up and down (his was 44% when 50% and above is "normal"), but the morphology was a new one (was 3% when they like to see above 4%). We're going to have his first two SA results sent over on Monday to the RE so he can look over all three.

If we truly do have "mild male factor", then that could be why we've done 5 IUIs and none have taken. My RE said we can continue to try IUI with injectables for another 1-2 cycles, but he suggested that we start thinking about IVF. I told him I've been thinking about it already! He's going to have their IVF coordinator call me next week to go over what tests we'd need to have done and to talk about what cycle I'd be able to get in on, if that's what we decide. I'm going to talk again with my RE after that and ask what he thinks. If we have to wait to get in for an IVF cycle, we can continue trying IUI till then. But I think I'm ready to move on. I don't want to waste any more time on something that seems less likely to work.

So, I came home and had a dinner of Ben & Jerry's, and that's it. My last self-indulgence. I have been indulging too much lately and want to get myself back into the best shape possible, especially if we're going to add the stress of IVF soon. I'm pretty much off the gym already this month - today I could realy start to feel those 10 eggs sitting inside me - but I can clean up my eating a lot! We're still going to do IUI this month, so I'm off to the doc in the morning and it'll be a fresh start from there!

[julesp313]

I'm still lurking and cheering everyone on in here... just wanted to respond to Bellefior and say I just had my first shots last night, and neither hurt at all. The Follistim pen is a total breeze - I literally have to watch myself give the shot to make sure the needle is all the way in because I can't feel it. The Menopur, which is the intramuscular shot into the hip, didn't hurt either - I iced the area for a couple of minutes, bent over, and DH was done with the shot before I knew it. Without his running commentary, I wouldn't even have known the needle was in! And believe me, I detest needles - I used to get all light headed and cold sweating just thinking about a needle, but since starting this IF/IVF route, I'm really over that fear. Blood work every other day plus 2-3 shots a day will do that to you! Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[suzfuzsunflower]

Finally had our doctor appointment today. All of DH's tests came back normal. Bloodwork was great, DNA testing showed that 96.1% of the sperm should be able to fertilize and undergo normal DNA reaction with egg. This is what the RE suggested:

Injectables (w/IUI) or IVF - we would have a much better shot with IVF, but of course it costs a good deal more. So we're going to try the injectable drugs and see how it goes. I am also being put on metformin, which I am starting tonight. I really don't know why I'm being put on it as my blood sugar levels are fine, and I do not have diabetes.

So that's where we are at. I think we are going to go ahead and start this month! :) I'm going to take a preg. test tomorrow, and then take provera, and then we'll be ready!

One bad thing - RE thinks that I have an increased risk of hyperstimulation to the meds...doesn't sound like fun. Do you know how many mature follicles they will allow you to get the hcg shot and continue with the cycle? My RE said that if I had 10, the cycle would be canceled. We didn't talk about a number lower than that. I am concerned about cycles being canceled.

[gymwidow]

Jules, I'm glad the first set of shots wasn't bad!

suzfuz, that sounds great! I had hyperstimulation my first month on the meds, and am producing a ton of eggs again this cycle. I was allowed to trigger with ten eggs, but my doc triggered me differently because of my high estrogen levels and to decrease my risk of OHSS. This month I have about 8-10 eggs maturing but my estrogen levels are more normal (I'm on a much lower dose), so it looks like I'll be able to go forward again.


My monitoring appt yesterday was fine. I haven't progressed much since Thursday. I still have 5 follies on the left and now only 3 maturing ones on the right, all about the same size as two days prior. My b/w was fine, so they upped my dose from 75mg to 100mg for last night and tonight and I go in again tomorrow for another check. I'm hoping at least a few of these suckers are ready to go so that I can trigger and do the IUI on Wednesday.

Oh, and I started spotting again this morning. CD11, pre-O, what fun.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

[Freckles]

Bellefior~ I have to admit that I still have a mini panic attack everytime I take the injectables, but I am really needle-phobic. The trigger shot does hurt a bit, but the FSH pens only pinch, so I get all worked up over nothing. My hubby has to give me my shots, because my hands shake too much. LOL I believe most women handle it better than I do.

TazLuv~ Hope you had a wonderful time at the wedding. Good luck this cycle.

Thedoorchick~ I hope this IUI cycle works magic, so you don’t have to face that next step, especially if they think that IVF might not be the best option.

Patience~ Glad the hsg went well.

Jjsanner~ I’m a sperm killer {I have a hostile environment} and the IUI corrects that issue, so I hope this super-ovulation IUI cycle works for you, so you get to avoid the Lap.

Pocket~ Thanks to your post we are now researching IVF abroad---very interesting how much more affordable it is even for high quality care.

Suzfuzsunflower~ My RE will NOT do the IUI with anything more than 6mature follicles due to the risk of high level multiples. He would prefer 3-5 mature follicles, and strongly encourages selective reduction for anything more than twins or triplets to give the babies a better chance. The difficult aspect being that you have to carry to 10-12 weeks to see which babies stick before reducing.

Gymwidow~ Sorry about the spotting. It’s too early for a progesterone issue, so what causes the spotting so early? You certainly have lots of follicles…interesting how differently each RE treats the IUI cycles with many mature follicles.

My Update~ 4th IUI Cycle
This month I was switched from Follistim to Gonal-F at 225U, since I never responded well on the Follistim. On Monday, CD9 my ultrasound showed 13 follicles growing towards maturity, so my RE wanted to covert to IVF since I had responded so well, but given that we pay out-of-pocket for everything we were not prepared to switch protocols, so they dialed down my meds to 150U Gonal-F and by Friday, CD13 only 1 follicle had continued to grow---17mm. So with only 1 possible egg we decided to skip the IUI this cycle and save the $600. I am so pissed that my body responds so poorly….I either under-stim or over-stim, no happy medium for me. Anyway, I trigger tonight and we will just BD Mon-Wed with pre-seed instead of my usual back to back IUIs. It just doesn’t seem worth the cost for one egg, especially since my RE’s office is closed Tuesday, so I would only be able to have the one IUI and it wouldn’t be ideal in terms of timing----12-24hrs post trigger, and I usually O closer to 36hrs post hcg trigger.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c33/BlueMoonBean/Babydust.gif

[Cath]

Hi ladies!

I still lurk over here, even though I spend most of my time over at the IVF board.

Suz - I read your post and there are a couple of things I wanted to respond to.

Since you have PCOS, metformin has shown success in helping women ovulate, even when blood sugar and insulin levels are fine. I've been on metformin for a couple of years for PCOS, and I'm not insulin resistant either. One hint - take itafter you've eaten. It helps with the unpleasant GI side effects. Taking with some sort of protein helps as well.

Metformin will also help lower your chance of OHSS, but with PCOS it's always a risk. I think it has something to do with lowering the number of follicles you develop.

For IUIs, my clinic will cancel a cycle if you have 5 or more mature follicles. I had two cancelled IUI cycles. With IVF, I'm learning, it's a little more tricky and seems to be based more on estrogen levels and the increased risk of OHSS with high estrogen.

Good luck.

Waves to everyone else.

Quick update on me - I'm in the middle of my first IVF cycle right now, with egg retrieval scheduled for tomorrow.

Catherine

[Asha]

not so good with me. i woke up a few days ago with severe abdominal pain. i could barely get out of bed. i saw a new doctor the following day bc the lady i see wasn't available. he was so strange. he actually told me he loved doing internal exams!!! come to find out i have developed two smallish cysts. he wants me to take a month off of clomid to make sure the cysts go away on their own.

[Asha]

pocket - my dh has talked about going to india for fertility treatment. he said it is only a couple thousand dollars, and i could stay with my in laws. i am just afraid of the risks bc i have this fear that the quality of care isn't as good abroad. also, don't you have to commit to staying there for quite awhile?

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hello everyone! I hope that you all enjoyed your weekend! :)

Bellefior
Question for those of you who have done injectibles (because it's looking like we are going to have to do IVF unless something changes drastically in the last and final SA). How do you get over the fear? It's not that I am afraid of the shots themselves, just having to have to do them myself (even having DH do them for me freaks me out).
I have not done injectibles yet, but will be beginning the shots by the end of the next week and I am really scared of them. I'm not sure how I will be able to push a needle into my stomach. DH has offerred to do them, but I think I might rather do them myself... For those of you who have done them: Do you give yourself the shots? How did you get over any fear that you had? Does it hurt?

Tazluv
Good luck on your 4th round of 50 mg clomid. I really hope that this works for you. What is the OV Watch? Is it a fertility monitor?

doorchick
Good luck with your injectable cycle and IUI. Have you started the medication yet? What is the embryo toxicity test?

Asha
I'm sorry about the cysts. :( I hope that you feel better soon.

Cath
Thank you so much for coming in and explaining about metformin. I have taken it for 3 days now (at night, with a small snack), and haven't had any side effects. I am considering myself very lucky and blessed, as my RE told me what some of her patients had said about the medication. And thanks for the information about the maximum number of follicles that your office will allow for an IUI. I would love to hear from others if your clinic allows different numbers. Good luck with your IVF cycle! :)

Freckles
Thank you for your information on the max. number of mature follicles and IUI. So your dr. max is 6, and Cath's is 5...anyone else? I guess this is something that I should have asked.
I'm so sorry that your body is responding poorly to the meds, and that you needed to cancel the IUI.

gymwidow
Good luck with your IUI!

Hi everyone. I have taken the metformin for 3 days and have had no side effects - I am so thankful for that. I started the provera and CD1 should be next Thursday, Friday, or Sat. And then the excitment will begin... I really am looking forward to the injectables and IUI, and having the POSSIBILITY of becoming preg. I have not ovulated in several years (and combine that with DH's issues) so we have NEVER had a chance at conceiving. I am excited about the smallest glimmer of hope.
The only thing that bums me out is the success rates... My RE's success rate per cycle with IVF is 60%, but with IUI it is only 10-20%. Is that average? I know that the success rate rises with increasing numbers of good sperm, so that effects it. From the SA's we have done, it looks like that we will only have about 1.25 million good sperm post wash for the IUI. I always thought that I had heard it should be at least 5 million... :(

[Asha]

I am excited about the smallest glimmer of hope.
that's wonderful that you are keeping up hope.

suz - physically i am feeling better, but emotionally i am still pretty tender.

cath - good luck with ivf!!

[TazLuv]

What is the OV Watch? Is it a fertility monitor?



Suz, it is...sort of. Its a new thing which I know some people are very skeptical of but its about the same price as a fertility monitor and since I'm tired of peeing on sticks and need something easy this is the route I've chosen to take. There is one thread here on CC about it. But like I said, most "traditionalists" are skeptical of it.

[polarama]

Hi all, hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend. I got swept up in work-related travel so I never came back to post my official Dx and treatment--I do indeed have PCOS, and my RE has put me on metformin for now. I'm slowly making my way up to 1500mg/day (started with 500mg and added 500mg each week). After 3 months of metformin, he wants me to go to Clomid+IUI. DH's SA is on the low range of normal, so my RE has us moving to an IUI pretty quickly. When he first described this, I sort of thought that it was kind of fast--to go from "hi, you have PCOS" to "ok, now we're going to inseminate you with a long needle" in the span of 5 minutes had my head reeling, but now that I've had time to think, I'm actually looking forward to it. At least we're taking some action. If I change my mind and want to stay on Metformin for another 3 months, we can do that too.

DH and I also both got put on a course of antibiotics--they found ureaplasma during one of my exams. Whoopeee. Not.

[skb]

Sorry ladies....I've been in a posting lull these days. Trying to chill out in my 2WW and not feeling really confident the last couple days. I'm sure AF will be here shortly. I did want to welcome Freckles and jeggink. Also, ovarian cysts are not fun Asha. It's been 6 years since I've had the pleasure but all I can say is thank goodness for demerol. Cath I read about you ER on the IVF thread. Holy cow you egg producing thing! Hope DH feels better real soon. To everyone else *hello* for now, I'll be back once my PMS haze lifts!

[Asha]

skb - isn't pms ten times worse when you are ttc??!! i hate it.

[Freckles]

My Update: We did decide to go forward with the one ill-timed IUI on Monday----24hrs post trigger, and with only 1 mature follicle and one borderline mature follicle----21mm and 18mm. Not feeling very optimistic, since it hasn't worked the past 3 injectable b2b IUI cycles with better odds from the get go{more mature follicles and better timing}.Ah-well. :rolleyes: :(

polarama~I'm glad you have a definite dx now, and PCOS is very treatable under the care of an RE. It is scary to move onto the next step, but it will increase your chances dramatically. The IUI is quick and pain-free, so at least that is nothing to worry about.

suzfuzsunflower~ My RE's success rates for clomid IUI are 20%, injectable IUI 35%, IVF 65%. Regarding the injecatbles---My husband gives me the shots in my stomach. The Gonal-F or Follistim pens are very easy to use, and the needle is small. It just pinches a tiny bit, but I do have a mini panic attack each time, because I am a total needle-phobe. I think most women handle it better than I do. The Ovidrel Trigger shot does hurt, but the needle is much longer and the fluid that you inject is more as well, so it isn't as quick. Anyway, it is still worth it in the end to help get that elusive BFP.

Asha~ Sorry you are in pain from the cysts. Growing cysts is definitely a side-effect of fertility meds, and it sucks. The IVF abroad programs get very high marks, and the care is of high quality. The doctors often spent many years working and training in the US as part of their work history. It is a huge step, but something to consider for some of us that pay out of pocket.

Cath~ Lots of luck and babydust for this first IVF cycle.

skb~ http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/blue_babydust.gif for this 2WW.

[skb]

Nobody has ever sprinkled me with babydust freckles. I think I like it. I'd sprinkle you back for this IUI but I am computer challenged. Optimistic vibes to you anyhow. Yup, asha...I am officially blah. Whoever I was giving the old pep talk to, "I know my time will come with some persistance"...I am really sorry. I'm a bit frustrated as I sit here with my cramps. I have doubts given this is round 4 with clomid. I have questions regarding injectibles and IUI. Yet my doc has referred us for IVF and the big wait until "the earliest January 2007" has begun. All so frustrating. I found a Men's Health magazine this morning. A magazine my DH does not read I was perplexed until I saw the article on, "The Brave New World of Baby Factories." Apparently my Dh is preparing himself for what seems to be the inevitable. I wish I could be excited by the option but yet I still feel so doubtful about any chance of success. And to compound matters we have a family reunion this month. As you can imagine I am dreading all of the fertile people (it rained babies in our family this past winter) among other things. Blah I tell you.

[gymwidow]

Freckles, the spotting is probably due to a sensitive cervix. It could result from sex or exercise or any number of things. I've always spotted midcycle but have never been concerned about it before TTC. I take progesterone supplements post-O just in case. I'm sorry you didn't have a great response to the meds this time, but am crossing my fingers for you that the IUI did the job!

Cath, I hope the ER went well!

Asha, ugh. I hope you're feeling better now!

suzfuz, I do them myself. I prefer it that way; I feel more in control. Truly, it's a baby needle and I only rarely feel a minor pinch when it goes in. The Gonal-F doesn't sting when it's injected and I've never even needed a bandaid for the injection site. The Ovidrel shot has never been bad for me either. It hurts worse when I get a paper cut or poke myself with a needle while sewing! 20% I think is about average for the success rates with IUI. My doc quoted us 15-20% last week when we were discussing IUI v. IVF. It's not great, but it helps, and you definitely have more sperm closer to the target than with old fashioned BDing.

polarama, my doc said we could go straight to IUI if we wanted, and we actually did that in our third month on Clomid. No needles involved! It's actually a catheter inserted into the uterus, and the sperm are injected into the catheter. It's virtually painless, except for the uncomfort of the speculum and very mild (and I do mean very mild) cramps when they're inserted. IMO, we were fast to move to it, but I didn't want to waste time and I knew it increased our chances, so why not!

skb, hugs to you. I am NOT looking forward to this 2WW. I'll join you there tomorrow!

Bellefior, wow. I'm sorry it was a rough few days. I can't imagine having to spend that much time with a MIL who seems so insensitive. My MIL and I are not close, but she knows about what we're going through b/c DH has told her, but she's never once mentioned it to me and I'm very grateful for that. We also have a weird situation with my ILs over money, and I feel like I can really relate to how you feel about yours. I'm glad you got a lot off your chest with DH and that he is being supportive and trying to help protect you as much as possible.


I'm here, waiting to O and IUI tomorrow. My Monday u/s showed only six follies and my b/w revealed elevated estrogen, so I stopped taking the Gonal-F that night and had to go back yesterday for another check. I'm down to only four mature eggs, which is good and what the doc wanted to see (less is more!), and my estrogen levels were back down so I triggered last night.

When I go in tomorrow for the IUI, I'm going to try to meet with the IVF coordinator and get all the info I need from her. I'm truly ready to move on. Scared a bit, but more scared that it won't work either. But either way, I just need to have it done. I can't take much more of this roller coaster ride!

Hugs to all and hope for everyone that we can all leave this thread soon!

[jeggink]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.

Bellefior So sorry about the IL's, that is a horrible situation to be in!!

I am at 4 DPO and started Prometrium on Monday night. We shall see what happens, not to optimistic at this point. Even if I do get pg, who knows if I will be able to carry it.

I hope there are lots of BFPs here soon. I also see I have a lot to learn!

[polkadot]

Hey ladies~ I havent been here in quite a while...and lots is going on with me...I had surgery last Friday to remove my gallbladder and so I have been out of commission for a while. It started while I was on vacation and when I got back they immediatley put me in the hospital to remove it. The crazy thing was....I started my period the day before we left for vacation...the 16th of June after a month on the Clomid and no Oing. I was kinda bummed but given the fact that we knew Brian had just been given the diagnosis of the varicocele we were pretty sure his SA results would be low. So I wasnt holding my breath. We had decided to take a break and see what happens. So we go on vacation and then the gallbladder thing happens....the morning they put me in to the hospital we had the appt to get Brians test results back and they were actually good. SO I was very happy as was he.....well then they put me into the hospital to remove my gallbladder. I had the surgery on Friday and on Sunday I started my period....I had a 17 day cycle. I was totally shocked....i think it may have been the trauma of the surgery so I guess I will be waiting this cycle out to make sure all is well with the surgery.

So thats where we are...sorry if this is so long...and thanks if you stuck it out and read it....i wonder if anyone who has had any kind of surgery have had the same type of thing happen....

thanks girls

[pocket]

pocket - my dh has talked about going to india for fertility treatment. he said it is only a couple thousand dollars, and i could stay with my in laws. i am just afraid of the risks bc i have this fear that the quality of care isn't as good abroad. also, don't you have to commit to staying there for quite awhile?

Asha,

I think the standard of care is pretty high for fertility treatments in India, especially so if the doctors are western-trained, and even more so if you can find a doc who splits their practice between the US and local. I would feel completely comfortable doing fertility treatments in India, Thailand, the Philippines, Israel or Argentina. I'm not sure how long you would have to stay - maybe 3 wks? I'll write all about it as I make plans so we can all find out together!

My father just had quintuple-bypass surgery in the Philippines from the same doctor who did Pat Buchanan's heart. Apparantly he actually HAS a heart! Surprise! The surgeon splits his practice between Washington Hospital Center in DC and this new hospital he just opened in Manila.

Freckles - I'm very interested in international ivf! My new RE is very supportive of doing IVF in Israel, it's covered under their national health insurance plan, so they do a ton of them.

Today's gripe - This is a small gripe but... I feel like I haven't had a solid shit in 2 years. It's the Metformin that kills me.

[Thea]

Nothing new happening here.....but I am reading along!

polka so sorry you had to have surgery. Glad you are on the mend. Wanted to comment that AF showed up for me the day after my surgery (abdominal myomectomy) as well. It was early too. My doc says that that can happen.

Extremely busy here..have a 13 yr old and 16 yr old boy stayin w us (along w 8yo DS) plus DS's bio parents case went to court this week.

Reading along and thinking about everyone....want to see some BFPs soon!

[polkadot]

thanks Thea! My doc said the same thing...i was very surprised though...sound like you have your hands full...good luck...

[polkadot]

wow...that is a lot to take in. I am glad that you got some answers and that you are feeling better about the whole situation. I hope that the varicocele surgery gives yall the improvement you need and yall get your BFP soon enough...I have no advice about the IVF because I try not to think about it...I hope others can give you the info you are looking for....:D :D

[pocket]

Here's a link to tha Glamour article on intrnational ivf: http://www.ivf.co.il/Glamour.pdf

[Patience]

Thanks everyone for your concern about my HSG. I'm reading along, but have nothing new to post.

polkadot Glad to hear that you're doing well after your surgery. Sorry about the short cycle.

Bellefior Yay for the encouragement from a medical professional! It seems like your appt. gave you a new positive perspective.

pocket I remember reading that article in Glamour. I think more and more people are opting for medical treatments outside of the U.S. because it's so much cheaper.

gymwidow How did your IUI go today?

Sorry I don't have more time for SO's. Hi to everyone else I've missed!

[gymwidow]

jeggink, good luck surviving the 2WW!

polkadot, wow, how awful! I'm so sorry that happened but glad that you're already on the road to recovery. Now that you're in a new cycle, will you take it off or start Clomid again? Do you have to wait till you're all healed from the surgery?

Bellefior, a break from your MIL will be nice! I hope your DH does well on the bar exam! That's great about your appt today. Six months seems like so long to wait (I know!), but the idea of being able to succeed without IVF is a good incentive.

Patience, hi! Read on for my update...


We had our sixth and final IUI this morning. It went well. DH's numbers were great - 50 million and 51% motility (last week's sample was only about 27 million and 44% motility). So we're cautiously hopeful for this month.

But just in case, we're all signed up for IVF. We've done all the preliminary testing except for the blood work. I'll do CD3 b/w (if necessary, of course) when AF arrives and we have an appointment on July 26 for the full blood panel and to meet with the doc. We have our long IVF class scheduled for 8/15 (at which point I'll already have started the Lupron) and will tentatively start stims on 8/21. ER around the end of August and ET 3-5 days after that. I left a message for someone in the finance dept. to go over that aspect of it and we're going to call our GYN friend who said he would speak with the RE to see if they can "do something" to help us out.

DH still doesn't want to think or talk too much about it. He doesn't want to feel like we're giving up on this cycle. I keep telling him I'm not - I had four good eggs and he had a great sample today, so of course there's still hope. But after five failed IUIs, I'm not counting on anything and I want to be totally prepared to move on right away. So I'm just getting everything in order and now will just wait out this 2WW! :rolleyes:


ETA: I just found out there's a new IVF class being opened up on 7/27, so we're in for that one instead of having to wait till 8/15.

[polkadot]

gymwidow~ i hope this is it for you...you are in my thoughts all the time...

as for me...we are not doing the Clomid this cycle b/c it was so sudden and I didnt have time to get in to see my doctor...so we are gonna go it alone and see what happens...we are going to use the fertility monitor though...hoping it works...although B just called to say that he is starting night shift on Monday so trying to schedule BD is going to be kinda tough...i hate when he does this...but thats a whole other post...:rolleyes:

[gymwidow]

Polkadot, thanks, right back at ya! It's so annoying to have to schedule sex. Honestly, I've been relieved at times when we're doing IUI because we have to abstain for a few days beforehand and it sort of takes the pressure off. We're going to BD tonight just in case, but after that it'll just be for fun, which will be nice!

[polkadot]

what exactly is a AF scan? i am clueless...thanks

[polkadot]

thanks for clearing that up...i was confused....so its kinda like when they do the Clomid challenge...they use that to test ovarian reserve too right? thanks for clearing that up though...thanks for being so quick...

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hello everyone. I hope that you are all having a nice Thursday. I am so happy that tomorrow is FRIDAY! :D

It is nice to see you, polarama. I'm sorry that you have PCOS. I also just started metformin. How are you doing on it?

I hope that the 2WW turns out good, skb, gymwidow, jeggink and freckles. How are you all doing?

Bellefior, I'm sorry for all that you had to deal with over the long weekend. A lot of people just don't understand, and are not thinking before/as they speak. Hopefully none of the comments/situations were purposely done or said.

Polkadot - Wow, you have had a lot going on! I hope that you are feeling better, and recover quickly. Please take it easy.

Hi patience and Thea!

Thanks for posting the article, pocket. That is all very interesting... I really wish that it wasn't so expensive here in the US.

Nothing going on here. Just taking provera, hope to begin injectables by late next week/early the following week. I am excited, and trying to remain optimitic, but I really don't think the inject/IUI are going to work. Many of you ladies know more about sperm counts and IUI's than I do, so I was wondering if you could tell me if I have any reason to have doubts...

My DH's #'s:
Total count: 125 million (I know that is really good)
Everything was great except for morphology - 1% (due to most of the sperm being immature).
The DNA testing came back normal. Sperm permeability testing said that 96.1% should be able to fertilize an egg, even being immature (but I don't know if that means ICIS w/IVF).

With 1% morphology that gives us about 1.25 million normal sperm for an IUI. That doesn't sound wonderful to me.

Now granted that the SA was done a while back...and DH was wearing briefs...and diet wasn't the best. He is wearing boxers now, drinking green tea, and diet has improved. Hopefully that will help.

Do you all think that I have a reason to worry?

[gator97]

As far as I understand it the number of antral follicles is a good indication of how you will respond to the stimulation during your IVF cycle. My RE starts with a scan before each IVF cycle. .. to look at lining and to look at the antral follicles.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hi Ladies...just wanted to let you know that after being on the market for 6 days, our house got an offer. We haven't signed a contract yet. They offerred close to our asking price, but want $3,000 in closing cost, our refridgerator, and all wooden trim to be painted on the outside of the house. We are going to counter offer with $1,000 more, and either a $500 to $1000 painting allowance (write them a check at closing). I am really hoping that they will take this. They want to close on Aug. 4th, which is really close. I don't know if we'll be able to paint (and move) that quickly. Plus, if we do the injectables this cycle, I don't to stress by body outside in the hot sun.

So I am going to be nervous about this all day long...we are sending the new contract to them later this morning.

[gymwidow]

Bellefior, thanks, and thanks for sharing the info about the AF scan.

suzfuz, thanks! I'm only 1DPO and am trying to psych myself up for a good LP. I always try not to get my hopes up and I fail, so this time I'm just going to let myself go and hope and pray for the best! I hope the injectables work for you. Which one will you be taking? The Gonal-F isn't bad at all. Your numbers may not be perfect, but the samples vary each time, so hopefully with the changes that your DH has made he will be able to produce a good enough sample. Remember, it only takes one little guy! (Also, don't freak out when his count comes back lower for the IUI. They give you the count post-washing and a lot of the overall number disappear when the entire sample is washed.) Good luck with your house sale!!!

[Freckles]

Happy Friday All!

I went to the RE this AM for bloodwork and ultrasound. I did ovulate, and my lining is better than normal, but I do have one remaining follicle from the injectables that they are hoping my body will just absorb. I have my beta in 10 days on July 17th. I am not doing a booster hcg shot this month, since my lining is strong, but I do start the prometrium today, which I hate, but what can you do?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gymwidow~ Hope this IUI was successful, but at least you have a plan all set for your next move if need be. We are in the 2WW together. http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/babydust.gifhttp://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/luck.gifhttp://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/babydust.gif

Suz~ Best of luck with the sale of your home! As to sperm counts---after the wash it usually cut in half, so we typically have 40-90MIL post wash, but I know that my RE told me that IUI can work with as little as 5MIL. I don't know much more, since hubby's sperm is super-sperm. :D It is the only thing we have going for us really.

Bellefior~ Glad to hear your appointment was very encouraging. I think finding the right doctor is so important. Hope the surgery for your husband does the trick.

Polkadot~ Hope you are healing quickly from your surgery. Rest-up!

Pocket~ Thanks for the link about international IVF.

jeggink~ Hope your 2WW wait is going by fast, and that you have good news to share with us soon.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c33/BlueMoonBean/Babydust.gif to all!

[suzfuzsunflower]

HOUSE IS SOLD! And we are getting the asking price and don't have to paint! Yipee!

Freckles, darn it on needing 5 mil good sperm for an IUI. I ***really*** hope that DH's morphology is better. :(

[gymwidow]

Freckles, that all sounds very good! I highly recommend Crinone over Prometrium, if you have a choice. Once a day "application" and no mess!

suzfuz, woohoo, that's some great news! I didn't know about the 5 mil thing. I hope you're able to get enough to make the IUI work!

[Freckles]

suzfuzsunflower~ Congrats on the sale of your home! Are you already under contract on another home?
As to the sperm counts----I would really rely on your RE, since that is not our issue, and I just was told the 5MIL number in passing when I inquired about needed numbers before our first IUI.

Gymwidow~ My RE really is behind the prometrium pills taken orally vs any creams. It's weird how adamant each RE is on this subject and how differing the opinions can be on what is absorbed into the body the best. Typically I have a booster shot as well, but this cycle I don't need it. I guess that is slight progress.

[suzfuzsunflower]

gymwidow and bellefior - thanks

Freckles - I have heard 5 million too. I was just wishing that it wasn't true... We do have a contract on another house, but the closing date will be a little later. We've got offers to stay with his grandparents, his parents, and my parents. So we'll see...

[gymwidow]

Freckles, I know, it's strange how RE's can differ so much in how they treat the same things. I have a very good friend going through IVF now and we compare notes all the time. I started with the Prometrium suppositories and when I consistently got AF even while taking them, switched to Crinone. I wouldn't mind an oral pill instead at all! ;)

[polkadot]

good luck to everyone...we havent been the injectable route or anything more invasive than the Clomid so I have no advice or experiences to offer but i hope it works for everyone...

~~~~~~good luck vibes to all~~~~~~~~~~

[kazata]

Just trying to catch up with this thread...forgive me for the lack of shout-outs, but I'm pages behind!

I saw the RE last week, and we tentatively scheduled a lap for July 27. (Assuming I get AF when expected). We talked about the possibilities, and one scenario was the possibility that the fluid that they saw on the right side was in the fallopian tube, in which case the RE recommends removal of the tube. The argument is that fluid in a blocked tube may be dripping back into the uterus and inhibiting implantation. I don't know how I feel about consenting to possible removal during the lap - I know that it means one procedure instead of two, if I later decide to do it, but it's all so "what if" and I think if it came down to it, I'd want another opinion. Also, since the fluid was only seen once in many, many ultrasounds in the past, I wonder what's the chance that it is really in the tube (in which case I guess it wouldn't matter if I consented anyway, as they wouldn't have to remove it). Anyway, the bottom line is that the RE wanted to put all scenarios out there, and I will be asked to give consent, but they won't know until they go in what really is the problem. (I haven't had an HSG, because once the RE saw the fluid he recommended going straight to a lap). *Sigh* I just don't know whether I can give consent ahead of time to such a "what if" scenario, but on the other hand, we are paying out of pocket for the lap, so doing it all at once might be preferable....

*****

I see lots of people are mentioning morphology issues - DH also has low morph (4% Kruger), and in researching it I came across studies showing dramatic improvement in morphology by taking pycnogenol (basically a super antioxidant). Don't know if it will make a difference or not - DH hasn't yet had a repeat test performed, but I thought I'd mention it as a possibility - since taking a supplement isn't very invasive at all. I figure, if it helps, great, if not, then it was worth the try. link to article about pycnogenol's effect on morphology (http://www.pycnogenol.com/cgi/cms/start/pycnogenol/show/research/1010581942)

[skb]

Quick question. Has anybody else been required to have a laproscopy before commencing IVF. It would be purely exploratory. An ObGyn friend of mine gave me the heads up that it is manditory. I am wondering if only for this particular fertility clinic or as part of most IVF protocols.

[polkadot]

ok question...I have never had an HSG done. I was wondering that since I am still with my OBGYN and not an RE will he be able to do one or should I ask for one...i am just kinda confused at what our next step should be? This is our 14th cycle trying and i am running out of patience...Just wondering if anyone's OBGYN reccomended the HSG or was that not an option until you saw the RE?

thanks in advance...:D

[suzfuzsunflower]

polkadot - I had my HSG done with my regular doctor. My doctor suggested it before I tried clomid.

[polkadot]

Belle~ I am thinking the same thing...but i wonder if its possible for one to get through if there is actually a blockage...know what i mean...i may call and ask for that...thanks girls'

[Freckles]

Originally Posted by skb--
Quick question. Has anybody else been required to have a laproscopy before commencing IVF. It would be purely exploratory. An ObGyn friend of mine gave me the heads up that it is manditory. I am wondering if only for this particular fertility clinic or as part of most IVF protocols.

This is my 4th IUI, and since I either over-stim or under-stim on the injectables, my RE wants us to move to IVF if this cycle fails. However, RE first wants to test me for Endometriosis, since I have many of the signs, and that could be preventing the IUIs from working. I will have to have laparoscopic surgery to confirm this, and if they find the growths that they expect then they will remove them, and we can try 1-2 more IUIs, since they may work after the LAP if Endo is diagonsed and treated. I believe my insurance will actually cover the LAP cost, as it is considered a disease, but they don't cover any IF treatments/meds, so we want to have the LAP before moving onto the costly and invasive IVF.

ETA: I had my hsg done by my 2nd RE at the 18month mark even though my OBGYN did lots of bloodwork beforehand and was treating me with clomid{of which I did not respond}.

[TazLuv]

suz, congrats on the house.

Good luck and a speedy to 2 weeks to everyone in the 2WW.

Nothing new here, CD9 here. Have a nice weekend everyone! :)

[skb]

Thanks for the answer bellefior and Freckles.......Anybody else? I do not have any symptoms for endo but suspect they may want to rule this out too.

polkadot My family doctor ordered my CD 3 and 21 bloodwork, my DHs SA, sent me for an ultrasound and referred me to my ObGyn. My ObGyn ordered the HSG at the 1 year mark prior to commencing clomid. I hear your frustration...I think this is cycle 25 or more now for me. It's all blending together........

[Asha]

anyone's OBGYN reccomended the HSG or was that not an option until you saw the RE?

my doc wouldn't prescribe clomid without me going to get an hsg. i thought it was just part of the necessary testing for infertility. my doc didn't do the hsg, but i went to a radiology center for it.

[Patience]

Quick response for polkadot - My Ob/Gyn ordered the HSG and I haven't been referred to a RE yet. I think it depends on how experienced your Ob/Gyn is in IF treatments. Mine does everything short of injectables, so that's why I'm still with her instead of a RE. BTW, I hear ya on being impatient because it's now cycle 19 for me. Never imagined it would take this long...sigh...

[TazLuv]

Polkadot, I have not had an HSG, DH has not had an SA. That was the plan for after cycle 3 of clomid but dr. changed her mind and we will now do at least two cycles of additional clomid then make a plan which I hope will include both of those. I have a friend who is an Ob/Gyn in Boston, she has referred me to a friend of a friend that is an RE fellow here so I'm hoping to see her soon and get a 2nd opinion.

[polkadot]

Ok so i am defintley calling on Monday for another appt with the OBGYN since Brians SA results came back normal and I am going to ask about the HSG before next month of Clomid...

thanks for all the help girls..

[Thea]

Wow...I am way behind in here. Sorry about this drive by posting, but we are leaving to go camping in the am and I wanted to share my AWESOME news.

DS bio parents reliquished their rights today and he is officially free for us to adopt him. :D :D :D I know this is kind of off topic and I dont talk about it much in here, but this is a tremendous weight off our shoulders and the best thing that could have happened for DS. (We were really afraid of a long drawn out battle! ) So yea for us and DS!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for leting me share....now back to your regularly scheduled thread......

[polkadot]

Thea that is great news...Congrats!!! You are a great mommy!!!

Happy happy Day!!!

[suzfuzsunflower]

Congratulations, THEA! That is wonderful news! :)

[Patience]

Thea Congratulations!!! That's one less stress you have to deal with. I hope you guys are having a great time celebrating.

[Alioop12345]

TheaWhat wonderful news! That's just fantastic!

Sorry no time for shout-outs....I've been pretty scarce here...Just getting discouraged and trying to stay busy. Going in this morning for the 4th U/S this week. Yesterday, my lining was 9.8 and the largest follie was 17. If they are big enough, DH and I will only get 1 chance to BD as he is leaving to go oout of town this afternoon. (Please God, let DS take a nap at noon) :)

Hope everyone is doing well

[jjsanner]

I'm just back from by CD 14 follie scan.....not very good news.

She only found 1 @ 32mm. No wonder I have been in pain for the last few days. Said it was either a very large follicle or a cyst. I didn't do a CD 3 baseline scan this month, and last cycle was unmedicated. So who knows. I was very upset but have since calmed down. We decided to go forward with the IUI anyway on Tuesday morning at 9:00AM. I am triggering tonight.

Of course my two other cycles on 100MG clomid I had 4 mature follies each time. Now just one. Figures.

[papergirl]

I can’t believe how busy my life has become with my new job. I just never seem to have a moment to check on my friends but I do think of you ladies often. There seems to be some newbies around here – welcome to the group and I hope your stay is brief.

Quick update on me, last cycle we took a break from the Clomid/trigger shot/IUI. For the most part, I don’t have a lot of complaints for the Clomid other then it makes me hot if I move around a lot. Problem is, I hate being hot. Grrr. And then it’s the summer so that just sucks. I needed a break after two rounds so last month we laid low and did it the old fashion way. Well, I’m still here so clearly that didn’t work. ;) This week we started our third and probably last cycle of Clomid. Though I am on the fence about IVF I am excited to be nearing an end of this chapter.

Is it just me being negative, or do you not hear a lot of people talking about Clomid/IUI success on round three?

Almost forgot, a few months back we got a letter saying our RE will not be taking our insurance after February 2007. I don’t really plan to be doing this in 2007 so I wasn’t really phased by what I read. Fast forward to me last RE visit, there were letters posted saying their contact with my insurance company ends in September 2006. Eek! I just don’t know if this means the contract ends but that they still are taking the insurance till Feb. 2007 of if the will stop taking it in Sept. 2006? I hope it’s not Sept. since that was when I was hoping to do IVF if we did it. This would be a huge bummer. I know I can find another doctor, have all my records transferred, do a consult and hopefully then do IVF but I want something with this process to be easy for once!!

Thea - Congratulations. Are you a foster parent?

[Asha]

well, we have tentatively decided that we will go to india if we are good candidates for ivf treatment. we will go next summer when i can be there for at least three months, and i can get in at least 2 rounds. i will stay with my in laws during that time. my in laws were telling me that people from all over the world come to india for treatment. in addition to that, i have the opportunity to take classes and learn how to speak my dh's native language, so i am also excited about that. though, does anyone know the risk of long distance flights when newly pregnant? also, my dh only needs to be there in the beginning to give semen, right?

[Freckles]

My Update~ One week until my beta. Not feeling very optimistic. The prometrium is kicking my ass per usual. I hate the overly sore bbs and the dizzy spells right after taking it. Oh-well.

Asha~ India sounds like a great plan for you if it comes to IVF. Your huuby will need to be there to give a donation, so maybe a weeks time to make sure he is ther for the right time frame.

Bellefior~ So sorry about the witch showing. IF is just so tiring. :(
I don't temp or use OPKs any longer, since I am monitored so heavily with the injectables/IUI and I can't say that I miss the stress of that part of the TTC process. Have some sweets or a nice glass of wine tonight.

bumble~ I'm sorry you're still here. Bummer about your insurance. I would assume as soon as the contract had expired the doctor's office would stop accepting it, but maybe it will hold over until Feb07? As to clomid/IUIs not being very successful on here--I would agree. Clomid never worked for me, and it really is a non-direct route towards ovulation, so it doesn't always work for women suffering from IF. Is there a reason you would move on directly to IVF vs injectables/IUI?

jjsanner~ I feel your pain with the lack of response this cycle. It sucks having just one follicle for the IUI. How did your follicle get so large without them noticing beforehand? Do you have ultrasounds every 2-3 days? *~*~babydust~*~* for the IUI.

Thea~ http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/congratulations.gif

[gymwidow]

kazata, yikes, that's a lot to have to think about! Can you get another opinion prior to the lap, i.e., ask another RE what they would do if they saw fluid during the lap? Maybe that would help you make a decision? Good luck and many hugs to you.....

skb, my doc has talked about a lap only as a last resort. I plan to move to IVF w/o one because, as I understand it (and I could be totally wrong here), anything a lap would show would not be an issue with IVF since IVF bypasses the body's natural reproductive system almost entirely.

polkadot, my regular GYN made me have an HSG before she would prescribe Clomid for me. We did all our preliminary testing with her, but the HSG itself is usually done at a hospital by a radiologist since it involves X-Rays. I agree, perhaps since you've been pg they might not think it's an issue, but it's definitely something worth asking about.

Freckles, I def. think the lap is a good idea for you. It'd be much better to have that and be able to move forward with additional IUIs. I hope that all works out perfectly!

Thea, that's AWESOME! Congratulations!!!!!

Alioop, I hope that egg was ready and that you caught it!

jjsanner, holy moly, that's a big egg! I hope this IUI is it for you.

bumble, I know one woman who was successful in her fifth round of Clomid. And I think there was someone on the boards here who was successful in her sixth and final round of IUI (I'm hoping I will be the same way this month!). I hope you can get the insurance thing figured out and that it doesn't mean you have to switch so soon!

Bellefior, even when we're half expecting it, AF sucks. Hugs to you.....

Asha, how exciting! I hope the year flies by for you. Will you continue to try with other methods till then?


4DPO here and FPS are in swing. They started before I started the progesterone, and way too early for them to really be anything other than my mind playing tricks on me, but still...... I'm having cramping pretty regularly and my boobs are sore like they've never been sore before. They don't usually get sore at all, but now are so sensitive to any touch (I told DH, hands off!) and are basically aching all the time. And I have another week to wait........ :mad:

[Asha]

I'm having cramping pretty regularly and my boobs are sore like they've never been sore before. They don't usually get sore at all, but now are so sensitive to any touch (I told DH, hands off!) and are basically aching all the time. And I have another week to wait........

gymwidow - i hope this is a good sign that they are sore. i have noticed that sore bb's have been a new pms symptom i have develped over the past year. argggh - the first time it happend i got my hopes up thinking i was preggo, but for you i hope it is good news!! well, we are going to keep trying until september/october with clomid if the cysts go away on their own. also, we will talk to an RE after that bc i would like to have some sort of diagnoses and assessment done of us before we head off to india. if the re can suggest some other less, expensive alternatives we may try that too. i would like a few months off of just having sex bc we want to not bc we are hoping to make a baby. that's getting pretty old.

[CTs_Punkin]

Well AF has finally arrived.... after only 55 days... jeez...

Anyhow, we are having our intial IUI consult with the nurse today, then I go in for a cyst check tomorrow. So cross your fingers that I even have a couple of eggs that are "resting" right now. With my POV (Premature ovarian failure) diagnosis, who knows when I'll actually have eggs ready to go, vs when I won't. So I'm trying to think positively and not get my hopes up too high that this may be our month. The RE only gave us about a 10% chance of getting PG on our own without donor eggs....
However, we wanted to give this atleast a shot before spending LOTS of money doing IVF w/ donor eggs.

Sorry - rambling there.
Freckles & Gymwidow Fingers crossed - I hope this is it for you guys!
Thea Congrats! That is excellent news.

[suzfuzsunflower]

CTs_Punkin
That's great that AF arrived. Long cycles suck, don't they?
I hope that your IUI consultation went well. Will you be taking clomid, or doing injectable drugs?

Freckles and gymwidow
I hope that you're hanging in there in your 2WW. I hate prometrium/progesterone as well.

Asha
That's great that you have decided to go to India next summer for IVF. Have you been there before? Regarding flights...I don't think it matters if you are newly pregnant, but I do know that woman far along in their pregnancies are discouraged from flying.

Hi to everyone I missed!

I'm just waiting to get my period. Stopped provera on Sunday, so AF should hopefully be here by Thursday or Friday. Injectable drugs, here I come!!

[CTs_Punkin]

Well had an inital follicle check this morning, but I had a Cyst on my left ovary... so we thought we would have to cancel this month...

The nurse called & the dr said that he would give us another follicle check on day 5 (today is CD2) to see if it went down small enough to go forward with the IUI cycle. The kicker, he's not charging us for it!!! Wha? an U/S for free??? :eek: :eek: So now if everyone can send me
~~~~~ Cyst Reducing Vibes ~~~~~~
for the next few days, hopefully this cycle won't be a complete bust.

ETA - Suz I'll be doing Clomid this time.

[TazLuv]

Don't have time for SO's, I've been reading along though and I wish everyone luck. CD13 here, the BD fest is in full force.

CT, as requested ~~~~~ Cyst Reducing Vibes ~~~~~~

:)

[Asha]

suz - is this your first time on injectables? i am sorry if you have said before.
thanks for reassuring me about flying. no, i have never been there before, so it will definitely be quite an adventure.

bellefior - ugggh - i hate evil aunt flo.

[Patience]

Alioop12345 I hope the BD was successful.

jjsanner How did your IUI go? Crossing my fingers for you that it was a very large follicle instead of a cyst.

bumble Yes, having something be easy would be a tremendous help during this whole process. Let's hope that it's the February 2007 date so you won't have to go through the hassle of finding another doctor.

Bellefior Sorry about AF. I hate it when our bodies play mental games with us by lengthening our LP and giving us FPS, but AF shows up in the end!

Asha That's great you can go to India to save on the IVF costs. Hopefully it will turn into a babymoon trip for you and DH. :) I agree with suz, I don't think the airplane ride back would be a problem if you're newly pregnant.

Freckles Good luck on your beta. Maybe all the pain you're dealing with right now will be worth it when you get your good news next week.

gymwidow Ouch on the sore boobs! I never noticed the pre-AF soreness before I started TTC, but now I seem to feel them every cycle. Hope the pain eases up a bit.

CTs_Punkin Wohoo on the free u/s! That's definitely a good sign that your cyst will go away because the word "free" is almost never associated with anything IF related! Here's your ~~~~~~cyst reducing vibes~~~~~~

TazLuv Hope you catch the eggie.

suzfuzsunflower Good luck with the injectables. You're the one who didn't have any luck with Clomid, right? Maybe injectables will be your secret weapon. ;)

Update on me: Still waiting to talk to my doc about the results of my HSG. I guess she's been busy the past week, especially with the the 4th of July last week. Basically I want her to get me a referral to see a RE. I'm going to call her tomorrow to request the referral. I've taken this cycle off (no Clomid, no temping, no OPKs). We still BD during my fertile time and I think I know when I ovulated. I think I'm about 7DPO right now.

[skb]

Howdy all. No big surprise that I am on to cycle number 5 with clomid and fast running out of chances. I spoke with my doctors assistant today and she indicated that she just sent my referral for IVF TODAY. I am very disppointed considering it has been 1 month since I saw my doctor and the referral was supposed to have gone out at that time. The earliest we can expect to consult with the fertility clinic is in 6 months and it typically takes longer.

Question Does anybody know about a fertility clinic in Colorado and if the process can commence more quickly then 6+ months????

I have seriously been lacking in the shout out department. First due to bad mood and now due to crazy life between work, family and other obligations. I will try to pull up my socks really soon though.

~~~~~cyst reducing vibes for CT~~~~~~~~~

Had to add.....my dh brought me flowers. *luv*

[jjsanner]

Hi all.

No time for s/o 'cause I am still here at work and trying to go home....

But I wanted to update on my IUI this morning. The major pain I was feeling yesterday on my right side (the same side as my crazy big 32mm follie) was gone when I woke this morning. I was concerned that I had ovulated overnight but the nurse didn't seem to think that was an issue. DH's count was good (119 mil) but they didn't check for motility or morph. The procedure itself was fine but I am still a little crampy. I start the progesterone gel (due to Gymwidows suggestion ;) ) on Thursday and am to take an HPT on 7/25. Let the FPS begin.

[Thea]

Thank you so much to polka, suzfuzsunflower, patience, alioop, bellefior, bumble, freckles, gymwindow, and CTs punkin!!!!!!!!!!!!! We just returned from our camping trip and I am exhausted and going to sleep, but it was really great to get all of your congrats. Thanks for the flowers freckles! I think it was bumble who ased, yes we are foster parents. We were considered a "legal-risk" placement for DS which meant that we would adopt him if he became free. He is ouonly foster son, and weplan on waiting for at least a year before we take anymore, as the individual attention is doing him a world of good right now......

Oops...got me rambling.....

Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone else....

[gymwidow]

Asha, I hear you. I told DH that the only good thing about IVF will be that we won't have to have sex on a schedule any more. Not that I'll want to at all after being shot up full of so many drugs! I hope your cysts go away so you can keep trying for now. Who knows, maybe the only reason you'll ever go to India will be for a vacation! :)

CTs Punkin, thanks. Hugs and luck to you that you'll be successful! ~~~~~Cyst reducing vibes~~~~~ coming your way!!!!!!!!!!!!

suzfuz, come on AF! :rolleyes:

Bellefior, oh, I definitely share those feelings. I'm ready to stop having my doctor see more of my hoohah than my husband does.

Patience, thanks. It's a new symptom for me, so I hope it means something more than psychological mind games! I hope you can get ahold of your doctor soon.

skbB] ugh. Is that the only IVF clinic nearby that you can go to? I have a friend who lives in Denver. I'll email her to see if she knows of any. Yay for your DH! That was very sweet of him.

jjsanner, I hope this IUI did it. "Enjoy" the Crinone. ;)

Thea, that is just so awesome. I'm thrilled for you! :D


My temp shot up this morning and my boobs still hurt, although not all the time. And I had the most vivid strange dreams last night. The FPS are really piling up this time. Other than the sore boobs, I've had all these other symptoms before, though, so while my hopes are of course already up, it's hard for me to just *know* that this is it. I guess after so many rounds of treatment and all these IUIs, I'm really doubting that the SIXTH one will have worked. But it's not over yet! Only 6DPO.........

[pocket]

I went in for my second appt with Dr. N today and also had my HsG. Pita came with. Dr. N is so nice and unruffly. We had a nice chat and then did a baseline dildocam. He took measurements of my lining and visually confirmed the diagnosis of PCOS. Lots of little follies, one cyst. Then we went back to his office again to talk. We discussed reduction in the case of multiples and the low and slow protocol we will be starting next week (ACK!). Pita and I agreed that we would absolutely reduce in the case of more than two. I’m so glad we are on the same page about this. Twins would be hard enough. We’re not going to do triplets. Then we went downstairs and did our labs – HIV, Hepatitis, and some other tests I don’t remember. Then we went across the street to Radiology for the HsG. The doc doing the HsG was Dr. Feigenbaum, the director of SF Kaiser Fertility and one of the best PCOS docs in the area. He just published an important study on PCOS, and has another coming up on PCOS and Miscarriage. I’m so glad to be in his clinic. The HsG was crampy and I didn’t like it. They found crazy uterine fibroids too which really freaked me out. I know they are very common, and can be removed but they make implantation very iffy.

Suzfuz - I am on my first injectible cycle this time too. Or that was the plan before all the docs got frowny over the fibroids anyway.

[Thea]

gymwindow Keeping my fingers crossed with all of those new FPS. :) Maybe the 6th time is the charm????

pocket Did they tell you the size of your fibroids (i.e. was there 1 or 2 big ones or lots of little ones)? I know in the case of fibroids size does matter...many times they will leave little ones be. I just had an abdominal myomectomy in Feb to remove 1 large and 2 medium sized fibroids, so if you have any ?'s ask away. Hopefully you won't need surgery.

jj I have my fingers crossed for you too....all you need is 1. :)

bellefior sorry for evil AF. Hope your test goes well.

skb yea for flowers! DH brought me some on Friday which was awesome....6 mos wait really stinks!!!

CTs cyst reducing vibes coming right at you....hopefully you don't need them anymore.

Haven't made he appt w MD yet to discuss next steps. Partly because of how busy we have been, but partly b/c I dread the answer. Will call tommorow and make the appt. I think I am about 3DPO, but no meds or anything this cycle, and not a lot of BDing since we were sharing a tent, but one never knows I guess.

[polkadot]

gymwindow ~Hoping that this time is the charm...fingers crossed for you!!!

pocket~ Sorry about the fibroids, but atleast you have an idea of what you are dealing with. Here's to hoping that this is the first step to getting closer to your BFP~~

jj~ I to have my fingers crossed for you...thinking positive thoughts...:D

bellefior~ Sorry she showed...she sucks...((((hugs)))

skb~ Sorry things are moving as fast as you would like. Dont they understand this is our life we are planning out ;) Here's to hoping you never need the referral for IVF!!

CTs ~ More ~~cyst reducing vibes coming right at you~~

Hope I didnt miss anyone and if I did...sorry...
I am sitting at cycle day 10...pretty boring around here..just waiting till next week...hoping my preseed comes in before all the Bding begins...

[Asha]

Hopefully it will turn into a babymoon trip for you and DH.

awwww!!!

[skb]

bellefoir At least that is one more thing you can cross off your list. It doesn't sound pretty but I would bet not as painful as a HSG can be. I couldn't say if your numbers are good or bad. The ladies on IVF will definitely have more info. But adequate reserve sounds encouraging to me.

Gosh this week is going S-L-O-W. All I have to look forward to on the weekend is DH's family reunion. Many babies will be in attendance. I'm sure there will be no shortage of the popular question, "when are you having babies." Oh well, what's a girl to do. I've decided to find a comfy lawn chair in a shady spot with a nice cool beverage........and wear my thick skin!

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to say a quick "hi." I am still waiting for AF to get here. It has been 5 days since I stopped the provera. My period has always started 3-4 days after (with the exception of one time when it took 7)...I know that I am being impatient :rolleyes: , but I am just so ready to try something new. Nothing has worked so far to even make me ovulate, so I'm really hoping that the injectable meds work, and that DH's sperm are able to do what they need to do.

Hey, bellefior, I get to have an ultrasound done as soon as AF comes, and I'm definately not looking forward to it. I'm sorry it was an unpleasant experience!

[skb]

suz I hope the injectables to the trick. Come on ovulation!!!!

bellefoir If I'm remembering correctly I think you've had some different opinions in what to do from your specialists. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a clear path? I think your plan regarding IVF is logical. Probably because it appeals to my impatient side. I am a tad younger than you and already feel frustrated by delays. Although as you said, your test results will be back at the end of the month and you will be able to make a more informed decision.

[kazata]

belle I actually really like your plan of attack. I definitely would want DH to do the surgery, but if you are willing and able to go the IVF route (which it seems you are) it seems logical to go forward with IVF in the meantime. That way, as you said, you aren't wasting time and you are leaving as many options open as possible. I like the attacking it from all sides angle. (In fact I wish I could get my own DH to go ahead and see a urologist at the same time that I am dealing with my lap...but it seems he wants to wait and see what the lap finds. :rolleyes: ).

[tigerest]

Bellefior - I think that is a great plan! It would be very cool ifyou could do frozen cycles while DH recovers from surgery.

skb - 6 months seem ridiculous to wait. Have you gone to IVFconnections? If you go in there there are topics by location. You could go into the CO and ask in there. You might get more suggestion in there! Good luck!

Thea - That is awesome! Good luck with the adoption! How old is he?

Asha - You may have said this before. But how much will IVF cost you in India? That is so cool that you can stay with the IL's there. As far as flying, I am not sure there are any risks as long you drink plenty of fluid and walk around every once in a while. You would have to ask your Doc sure.

Ct - Hope the cyst doesnt affect your cycle.

Sorry for incomplete S.O.'s. Looks like you all have A LOT going on right now! Wishing good luck to everyone. I lurk but dont post often, just too many message boards to keep up with. ;) I just had a failed FET, and we are thinking I may have immune problems that keep killing my embryos! So I have had my head deep into researching that stuff. I go for another fresh IVF in Sept.

[jjsanner]

Belle, gosh, that's a tough one. I think the IVF option sounds like a good plan so that you don't waste more time. That's my biggest concern right now, too. But I digress....What are your thoughts on multiples? IVF obviously has a much great multiples rate than traditional treatments. So much to consider.

Suz, don't worry about being impatient, I think we're all to that point and can definately commiserate!

Gym, crossing everything for you! Your temps look great!

[skb]

tigerest Thanks for posting. I agree 6 months (minimum) is ridiculous. We were diagnosed "unexplained" and my doctor cautioned me about immunoligical factors. I have often wondered and feared that my body attacks the embryo. What are the options in that case? I am sorry to hear of your last FET and hope that your next fresh cycle will be more successful.

[tigerest]

skb - The problem is that "immune factors" are very controversial. Some RE's don't believe it has an affect, others disagree on the treatment. And its not 100%, some women come back with immune issues but do get PG. Women with endo tend to have immune factors as well. My RE does feel like I will eventually get PG, but that it may just take more tries for me. The tests include things like NKA(natural killer cells), ATA(anti-thyroid antibodies), APA(anti-phospholipid antibodies). There are more too, but that is what I am doing. IF I have both the ATA or APA and elevated NK's the treatments is Ivig, if my NKA are ok then it could just be that they add heparin. If you want to learn more type Dr. Beer in yahoo...his website...repro-med will pop up. THere are more explanations in there. The other thing that could be wrong with me is that I may be missing the Beta3 Integrin in my uterus, which is a protien needed to implant. But again, my RE said he has had women come back without those and still got PG without any treatment. Hope that helps some. It is very confusing and can be overwhelming. I started looking into it a long time ago and just sort of gave up hoping I wouldnt have to deal with this. Sorry for such a long explanation! :)

[gymwidow]

pocket, how great that you're in such good hands at your clinic! It's comforting to know you're being well taken care of. I'm glad the HSG wasn't too too bad for you (crampy doesn't sound too bad!) and that pita was with you. When do you start the shots? What dose will you be on?

Thea, that's what I'm hoping. Our last chance b/f IVF - would be nice to not have to take that next step!

Bellefior, it took me a while to get used to seeing my RE just casually take the blood-covered condom off the dildocam and toss it in the trash like it was nothing. You get over that embarrassment! I'm glad you got good results from it. That number sounds good to me (from what little I know)! You definitely have a lot to think about. Waiting another six months would be hard for me, especially with the outcome being unknown. But then again, IVF is a lot to go through if you don't *need* to. I actually think your idea is a decent combo, though. I would probably lean towards that, especially if the money isn't an issue. What does your doctor think?

skb, good luck at the family reunion this weekend. Give those nosy people some good comebacks!

suzfuz, I don't blame you for being impatient. When you want AF and she doesn't show?!?! That's nerve! ;) I hope the injectables are just the trick for you.

kazata, that would frustrate me. It might take weeks for your DH to even get an appointment, and won't he need to be checked out anyway before you take the next steps? I hope he rethinks that!

tigerest, have you read "The Infertility Survival Handbook"? I think the author of that had some kind of problem where her body did attack the embryos, which made it so that she couldn't sustain a pregnancy. I'm sorry this FET didn't work. Hugs to you!

jjsanner, thanks!


8DPO here. I'm so excited when I think of all my symptoms: the highest temps I've ever seen, sore boobs, VERY vivid dreams, and the fact that I seem ravenous all the time. A couple of hours after eating I'm starving again! Of course, all of this could be nothing, or just my mind playing tricks on me, or the progesterone. Since the supps can often give symptoms that mimic pg ones, I take them all with a grain of salt.

I did actually take an HPT this morning, but it was more for the purposes of making sure that my trigger shot is out of my system so that I know the next test I take will be an accurate one. Today's test was a BFN, which is actually good so that I know the shot is gone! My longest LP lately was 10 days, so if I can make it to Monday then I'll test again. Sunday is going to be rough, checking for spotting all the time and waiting!

I went to a support group/lunch today that my doctor's office just started. Today was the first meeting. It was really nice. Five women, including me, led by a psychologist they just hired. We just talked about how it feels, our different treatments, how to cope, etc. It's going to be a weekly thing and I think I may keep going. But hopefully not for long!

Have a great weekend everyone! :D

[tigerest]

gymwindow - I did read that book! I really liked it! :) That is so neat that there is a support group through your Dr office! I really wish there was one by me, but so far there isn't. I did just find a counselor that deals with infertility, actually went through it herself, and thats been a huge help! Good luck on Monday!

[CTs_Punkin]

Question Does anybody know about a fertility clinic in Colorado and if the process can commence more quickly then 6+ months????

SKB - Where in CO? I'm currently going to the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine. They have 3 offices, one in Denver, one at Swedish and one in Lone Tree - so depending on where you live (if in Denver Metro) - you could try there. I am currently seeing Dr Surrey and he is very good. They are top ranked in the country. I hear Dr. Minijarez(sp) and Dr. Schoolcraft are both very good as well.

Sorry I can't be more help....

Thanks for the Cyst reducing vibes ladies
Unfortunately, at the U/S today, it shows the cyst grew from 2.5cm to 3.1 - so I have to wait it out and see if next cycle it goes away. What really pisses me off is that I'm annovulary, so the fact that I'm not even on clomid or anything which is normally when they appear, PISSES the F*** out of me. Sorry, pissy right now. So I can wait another 30 - 60 days to find out if it goes away..... ah gotta love having your ovaries fail.... grrr...

Hope you all have a good weekend!

[pocket]

Did they tell you the size of your fibroids (i.e. was there 1 or 2 big ones or lots of little ones)? I know in the case of fibroids size does matter...many times they will leave little ones be. I just had an abdominal myomectomy in Feb to remove 1 large and 2 medium sized fibroids, so if you have any ?'s ask away. Hopefully you won't need surgery.

I hope I won’t need surgery too! They didn’t say anything about the fibroids. The aforementioned Dr. F is also known for his terrible bedside as well as his stellar pcos research. He just said – hmm..uterine fibroids, frownyfrownyfrown, doesn’t look normal, follow up with Dr. N, take advil for the cramps, buh-bye! I was in a total panic until I got to the internets. How did they visualize the fibroids to know how big they are? With the dildocam?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the fibroids. I have pcos, and so I almost never get AF. I cycle with Prometrium (which explains why I am such a massive bitch all the time, I guess, that Prometrium/Clomid 1-2 Punch just laid me out flat). But since January I have been getting like clockwork every 27 days. But it’s HEAVY and lasts 7-10 days and has lots of clots. That sounds like fibroids, doesn’t it?

pocket~ Sorry about the fibroids, but atleast you have an idea of what you are dealing with. Here's to hoping that this is the first step to getting closer to your BFP~~

Gosh, I sure hope so! I know that fibroids can cause fetal demise – gulp. That would so suck!

At this point I could care less about the money because having all the money in the world makes no difference to me if I don't have children to share it with. Thoughts anyone? If you were stuck in my situation, what would you do?

I would go ahead and get an ivf cycle in. I would also feel like 6 mos was too long to wait.

pocket, how great that you're in such good hands at your clinic! It's comforting to know you're being well taken care of. I'm glad the HSG wasn't too too bad for you (crampy doesn't sound too bad!) and that pita was with you. When do you start the shots? What dose will you be on?

I spoke too soon about the hsg. The really bad cramps started the next morning and went on all day. Is it always like that? It was very painful!

I have my injectibles class on Tuesday and Pita will come with me for that. He is going to try to do the shots, he used to do subq shots for our old dog Pua when she was dying from kidney disease. (sniff – poor Pua! I still miss her even though it’s been 2 yrs!) I feel more nervous about Pita doing it than I do about doing it myself. I don’t know about the dose yet, but I will tell you as soon as I know.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hi everyone. I'm sorry that I haven't been really good on SO's recently. I have been keeping up, though.

I just wanted to ask all of you how long it takes after stopping provera for you to get a period. Today is 5 days after, and I have no signs of it at all - no cramps, no spotting, nada. I have taken provera for the past year and a half to induce periods, and I always start spotting 2-3 days afterwards and begin AF 3-4 days afterwards...well, one time it was longer, maybe this time is like that time??

I'm just so frusterated! I really want to do this cycle before school begins again (I'm a teacher). And I'm teaching summer school - it ends Thursday - I was REALLY hoping that my period would have started yesterday, today, or tomorrow so that I could go ahead and get my baseline ultrasound done before Monday-Thursday. So if I period starts tomorrow - great. If it starts Sunday - Thursday then it's going to be a bit of a problem to get the doctor for the ultrasound. I'm not sure whether I am able to have a substitute during summer school. :(

Anyway, I have gotten myself all worked up, and for about an hour this afternoon I went all crazy and convinced myself that maybe I am pregnant and that's why my period hasn't started. Nevermind that I took a preg. test before beginning the medication and it was negative. Nevermind that I do not ovulate on my own, and that DH's morphology is only 1%. I am over that now, and am just feeling impatient!!!

[TazLuv]

Suz, that happened to me with my last round of Provera. I have always started 2-3 days after the last one and this one took 7. I hope it comes soon, sorry I can't offer more.

[Thea]

tigerest Thanks! He is 8, will be 9 in October. Has been with us since October 1st.

pocket That is so funny as I had the same type of doctor when I first found out about my fibroids. He basically told me nothing and left me a little freaked out and it was the same day of the HSG. Everyone's experience is different on that, I personally had bad cramps during and about 12 hours after. They estimated the size of the fibroids by an ultrasound (both internal and external.) My large one measured 5 cm (when they took all 3 out they said it was 200 gm in total weight.) My period is always heavy and always last 7 to 10 days and always has lots of clots. I thought it was the fibrois because right after surgery AF was gentler, however it has now (4 mos afer surgery) gone back to its normal self. My doc said that fibroids can cause that type of periods, but they can be caused by other tings as well. One symptom I did have that I can contribute to the fibroids was having to pee all of the time (2-3 times a night and all day long). That has gotten much better along with a kind of abdominal bloaty feeling (if that makes any sense.) Hope this helps and doesn't scare you anymore....for what it is worth the surgery was not nearly as bad as I thought it might be and I recovered and was back to full time work (10 hour days of standing) within 3 weeks. Also, depening on the location and size of the fibroids they might be able to do the surgery by laser which is a lot less invasive and a lot shorter recovery time.

suz sorry never had to use Provera...hope AF shows soon.

CTsso sorry. evil evil cyst! It is definitely OK to be bitter and pissy!

gym still keeping my fingers crossed....hope you survive your anxious weekend.

belle I think your plan sounds reasonable. Good Luck with DH.

OK. Off to sleep with me. Have to work this weekend...yuck.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Thanks Tazluv and Thea. Well, as of noon today, 6 full days since stopping provera. Since it's after noon, I'm going into my 7th day after. No cramps still. I went ahead and called my doctor's office (I know, I am so impatient :rolleyes: ), and spoke to a nurse. She said not to worry, and if I don't start my period after 14 days (1 more week) to come in for an ultrasound. I am sure that it will start before that...

Our last friends to not have children announced that they are pregnant when we went over to their house last night. It was their first month trying. I am very happy for them, but at the same time so sad for my husband and me. :(

[papergirl]

gym are you by chance in the nyc area? just asking because my RE just started a similar lunch program and i am wondering if maybe we see the same clinic. i was thinking of going but was way too busy at work.

[Alioop12345]

Hi friends. Quick question...has any one dealt with a ruptured ovarian cyst that caused internal bleeding? I just got home from the ER and was diagnosed with this. I received Morphine, Dilauded(sp?) and Torradol which greatly diminished the pain...it is already coming back and I was wondering how long it takes for the pain to go away. I have incredible pain in my abdomen, it's distended, and not to sound rude but it feels like my internal organs are going to fall out thru my bottom. I hade about 25 follicles and the doctor thought that at least one cyst had ruptured, maybe two. Please tell me this won't last long. I want to spend time with my family tomorrow and I haven't slept yet

[suzfuzsunflower]

Ali
I really have no advice for you. I have never had one before. Please take care of yourself and rest.

Ladies, I am having some trouble of my own. I wanted to provide a link so that if you have any idea of what is going on you can help provide me with some answers. Thanks!

Pain on left side (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=861887#post861887)

[jjsanner]

Oh Ali, I'm so sorry to hear that you're in pain! I went in on CD 14 for my normal u/s and it showed something measuring 32mm. Nurse said it was either a "really big follicle or a cyst". Gee thanks. Anyway, I was in some pretty terrible pain there for the next two days but then the pain just went away. I have been having some mild pain in the same spot the past few days, but nothing like what it was. I've never had a follicle burst (that I know of), so I'm sorry I can't be of more help!

Suz, have you taken another pregnancy test recently? I think HPT's register even for ectopic pregnancies and this would rule that out. It could very well be a cyst, although I would think the provera should help shrink it and not make it bigger/more painful. Like you said, if the pain presists I would get to your Doc 1st thing tomorrow morning. Hope you are feeling better!

[gymwidow]

Hi ladies. Sorry for no SO's, but I'm a little down today and just not feeling chatty. I started spotting yesterday at 9DPO. It's been very light and it's prime timing for implantation, but with my history of very short LPs, it's both stressed me out and made me pretty depressed. If it hasn't turned into AF by tomorrow I'll call my RE and ask to come in for a blood test on Tuesday. If it is AF, I just wish it would get here already. This sort-of-bleeding-but-not-really-and-only-sometimes is almost as bad, if not worse.

[polkadot]

no words...just ((((((hugs))))))

[OctoberPrincess]

Hi Ladies, DH and I have been ttc #2 since September 05 and I'm starting to get nervous. How do you know it's time to see someone? Do you go to your regular ob/gyn or do you go directly to a specialist? We have only been charting for a month but have been bd'ing often (every day or every other day) on days 10-20 during prior month. It took 4 months of ttc with my DS and we charted for the last 2 of those months. I'm just begining to wonder if we should get some help and what the process involves....

I know many of you have been trying for much longer than us, and that we are lucky to have the one we have but it's a very frustrating situation. I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

[polkadot]

OctoberPrincess~ I would call my regular OB and explain the situation and see what the next step should be. We have been trying since May 05 and I am still with my OB right now...he has given me Clomid and sent my DH to be tested...I think that your OB can help and if he/she cant they can refer you to someone who can. Good luck to you...and let us know what happens.:D

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hi OctoberPrincess
We have some members who have a child, and are trying for #2. They can probably answer secondary infertility issues better than I can.

If you have been ttc#2 since September, that puts you at about 11 months, right? I would say that it's definately time to mention your concerns to your ob/gyn if you feel that it's taking too long and that there could be a problem. I did not go immediately to a specialist. I started with my regular doctor, who did some beginning testing/treatment, and then sent me to an RE (reproductive endocrinologist) once she could no longer treat me. Most ob/gyn can do some testing and non-invasive treatments.

Good luck with what you decide to do. :)

[Asha]

alioop - i am sorry to hear about your ruptured cyst. that sounds very painful. take care of yourself and get some rest.

suz - i didn't read the whole thread, but it could be a cyst. as i said earlier, i have two cysts that have devloped on each side. the pain was actually in the middle, and i could barely stand. also, like you, it hurt when i was laying down too. when i went to the dr., he actually asked if the pain was on one side. apparantly, one of the cysts, is twice as large as the other. now, that the cycle has gone on the pain alternates between being in the middle and sometimes pain on just one side or the other. i guess, that's bc i have cysts on both sides. maybe, you have a cyst just on that side. i hope not, though. most cysts go away on their own. also, are you experiencing in soreness of the hips? my hips were sore for about three days before i started feeling pain, and they get sore again when i get the feelings of pain. i just take advil, and it seems to help a bit.

gymwidow - i hope you get answers. i really hate evil aunt flo.

octoberprincess - since it's been almost a year, you should def. go to the dr's. most people start by going to the regular ob/gyn. most of them can order all the regular tests for infertility. a lof of insurance plans don't cover fertility specialists, so it would be best also for the sake of money to first get the opinion of your regular ob/gyn.

****
ok, evil aunt flo is supposed to come today or tomorrow. i am not very hopeful this cycle since i have the two cysts. also, i have been feeling pms'y bc i have been craving and eating all sorts of junk, and i am very bloated. though, i always have felt bloated on clomid. the only little glimmer of hope i have is that i am wetter than usual for this late in the cycle, but that could just be that it is blazin hot here. sorry, tmi, i know!! this coming cycle i will be off clomid to see of the cysts go away on their own.

[Patience]

Alioop12345 I'm sorry you're dealing with so much pain. I hope you got some rest since yesterday. Has the pain subsided a little?

suzfuzsunflower Is the pain still there? Did you contact your doctor this morning?

gymwidow ((Hugs)) to you. I'm still going to think positive for you that it's implantation spotting as opposed to AF.

OctoberPrincess I would you to talk to your doctor already. If your problem turns out to be annovulatory cycles, then no amount of waiting will get you pregnant. Much better to find out and correct it right away. Good luck!

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hugs to all who are in pain right now or are hurting.

Ali
I hope that you are feeling better.

Asha
Here's hoping that evil AF stays away :)

gymwidow
I hope that it is good spotting (implantation) and not bad spotting. Hope you are doing OK...

Thanks for asking about me patience, asha, and jjsanner. The pain has been so much better since yesterday afternoon. The most painful part was Sat. night. Doc. doesn't sound too worried about it. I took 2 pregnancy tests yesterday :rolleyes: and they were both negative. Still waiting on AF to show up - it's been about 10 days since stopping the provera. I am getting VERY impatient and WORRIED that something is wrong. From my research, I have found 2 reasons why provera would not cause bleeding...pregnancy or an estrogen problem. Not preg., and I have never had a problem with my estrogen (if this is the problem, then it's going to be about a month before we can try injectables b/c I'll have to have estrogen and provera therapy :mad: ). Weird.

I've had a strange last couple of days - no period, that pain, and I seem to have gained some weight pretty suddenly in my abdomen. If AF doesn't come by Friday, I'm supposed to go in for an ultrasound and bloodwork to see what's up.

Oh, and patience, I love your user name. Every time I see your user name I am reminded that I really should be patient. It's hard though. Maybe I should change my user name to a virtue - that might help me some. ;)

[Freckles]

Hello ladies. I have had the most difficult time getting on CC today, so I am going to make this post quick.


My Update~ 4TH Injectables/IUI Cycle
I had my beta today 13dpiui, and I will get the results tomorrow. I am not feeling very optimistic because everything went wrong this cycle, and I am crampy. You never know though.....

gymwidow~ I am so utterly sorry about the spotting. I hope that the the evil witch has stayed away. I am thinking of you and wishing you well. {{HUGS}}

Alioop12345~ I hope you're feeling a bit better as of today. I know how painful ruptured cysts can be. Take care and rest-up.

Asha~ Lots of babydust for this cycle! Do you have a beta scheduled? If not, will you test tomorrow?

suzfuzsunflower~ I hope you have gotten some answers as to why you are experiencing such pain. Feel better!

[tigerest]

alioop - Sorry about your pain. Hope it has gone away. I have had several cysts burst and its terrible. The worst pain I have ever felt in my life! Luckily for me I guess the pain always only lasted anywhere from 1 hr - 4 hrs. I would usually take something to knock me out and when I woke up I would feel better. Bellefior is right the pain is a reaction to the blood in your abdomen. Not fun. Hope you are feeling better!!

[Patience]

Asha I hope evil AF stays away.

suzfuzsunflower Thanks. I wish I could get more inspired by my own username. At times it feels like I'm losing more patience everyday. But I keep telling myself that good things come to those who wait. Maybe one day I'll actually believe it. ;) I'm glad to hear that your pain is much better. Let's hope the pain is a fluke and you don't have an estrogen problem.

Freckles I'm crossing my fingers for positive beta results. Keep thinking positive until you hear otherwise!

******
I've made an appt. with the RE for July 31. I wish I could have go see him at the start of my next cycle, but unfortunately he's on vacation. Bad timing. I'm 12 DPO and if we were unsuccessful this cycle, then AF will make her appearance on Thursday. So because of the bad timing of my RE appt., I will most likely be going treatment-free again next cycle. I think my body is ovulating on its own even though I'm not on Clomid. I guess that's good, but now that I'm ovulating and all the other tests have come back with good results, then I fear that we've moved into the "unexplained" category. In some ways, I wish there was a "problem" that we can fix. Now I feel like we're in limbo-land. Will it ever happen?

[Asha]

Do you have a beta scheduled?
freckles - since i don't know what that is, then i guess i don't. i am not seeing an re yet. i usually don't take the preg. tests bc i just wait to see if af comes.

thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and wishes for aunt flo to stay away.

patience - that's great that you are ovulating on your own. i hope this is the cycle for you.

[Thea]

suzfuz so sorry about the pain....glad you are feeling better and I am hoping for AF for you (as wierd as that may feel!)

alioop Hope youare feeling better!!!

gymuggghhhh...the evil spot.....I hate her more than her twin AF! Hoping it is iplantation and keeping my fingers crossed for you.....if it's got to be AF, hoping he comes soon

asha keeping my fingers crossed for you!

freckles Hope the beta numberscome back good!

patience hoping that you won't need that RE appt at the end of July. :)

OctoberPrincess I agree with everyone else, that you should get things checked out. I however, went straight to a specialist, but that was probably because I moved the same time I decided to go see someone and I didn't want to get used to 2 new doctors. My insurance covered the testing part even though I was seeing a RE and not an OB/GYN.

[gymwidow]

Well, AF showed for real yesterday. We had decided that if last cycle didn't work we would move to IVF, but I'm having all kinds of second thoughts and am having a hard time making that call. Realistically, I know that if six IUIs and 8 months of treatment (plus one natural cycle) haven't worked, chances are that's not going to change and we're not going to suddenly wake up pregnant one day. But I know that stranger things have happened..... DH is mostly leaving it up to me, telling me that he'll support whatever decision I make. I'm going in for CD3 b/w tomorrow and will have to make a decision by then because if we're doing IVF, I'll start BCP tomorrow night. I'll keep you guys posted......

p.s. sorry for such a self-centered post. I'll do proper SO's when I can.

[Alioop12345]

Hugs to those who are in need.

Not sure how many DPO I am but I amf rustrated. My RE told me when I was there on Sunday that if I am not PG soon, that we need to move on to IVF. I am scared, and my DH is not sure he wants to go that route.

I am sad, scared and really down

[Patience]

gymwidow, Alioop12345 ((Hugs)) to the both of you. Please take care of yourselves.

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Hey ladies - I'm still lurking in here from time to time and have kept you all in my thoughts.

Gymwidow - I have been following you this cycle in particular and I am so very sorry it didn't work out. I hope if you decide to undergo IVF, it works out very soon.

[TazLuv]

I’ve haven’t stopped in for a few days ladies. So I’m trying to catch up.

Suz, sorry to hear you had another friend announcement – those are getting harder and harder for me. We went to an event this weekend where we saw a lot of DH’s high school friends and we got the “Do you have any kids” question way too much. I hope the pain has gotten better, have you received a diagnosis?

Ali, sorry to hear about the cyst. I have not experience one but they do not sound like fun. IVF is a very scary step to most people just remember we are all here to talk you through fears.

Gymwidow, I too had high hopes for you this cycle. I’m so sorry. (((((((((hugs))))))))) NO need to apologize for venting, THAT is exactly why we are all here.

OctoberPrincess, I have been TTC for 13 months now and we are still at my regular gynecologist. One more round of clomid and then we will move on to the RE. Hopefully we won’t make it that far. Good luck.

Asha, hopefully you are wrong and your pessimistic side is just getting the better of you. I know I have found it really hard to stay positive in the 2WW.

Freckles, we’re all hoping with you. This thread needs some good news.

Patience, I know what you mean. At least if you knew there was a problem you could fix it. The unknown is very annoying and frustrating.

******************************

As for me, today is 4DPO if I go by my OVWatch. I tried to temp this cycle to confirm that but I haven’t been sleeping well so my temps were not reliable. I think our timing was good this month so we’ll just wait and see. My ILs are visiting the 28th-31st so if AF doesn’t show while they are here I will test AFTER they leave. I don’t want them to be party of a celebration, if there is one.

[pocket]

We went to the injections class this morning. There were 5 other patients and one other partner there. I had thought I would be doing the injections by myself, but when I got there I decided this was Pita’s job. I am starting the 20 units of Lupron tomorrow. Then I call in when AF comes and come in for a baseline sono probably CD 3-4. I start Repronex the same day as the baseline sono – Probably 7/26-ish From there we take Lupron and Repronex and stay in a holding pattern with sonos once or twice a week. Then, assuming all goes well with the eggs development we do the HCG, stop the Lupron and then abstain until the IUI. Then we do the IUI and start Progesterone suppositories. And then we wait. No impact exercise, inversion positions in yoga or torso squishing positions in yoga. Walking is fine. Casual riding of bikes back and forth to Bart is fine, spinning classes are out. Strenuous hiking is out. This has to do with the enlargement of the ovaries – apparently they can twist [shudder]. The NP giving the class said not to worry about the fibroids and she would go over my HsG with Dr. N to be sure. I asked several embarrassing questions about the Pro suppositories.

I’m feeling pretty awful today. I hate this so much. My body has done nothing but let me down time after time after time. It’s depressing to be starting a new protocol again. To pump my poor ovaries with drugs and take injections and go back and forth to the clinic for u/s. I guess I don’t really believe that anything is going to work for us.

[Thea]

HUGS to alioop, gymwidow, and pocket.

gymwidow I aso can;t decide, and have actually put off my consultation because I can't. Hope the decision comes easier to you.

[Asha]

it is now cycle day 29. my cycle has been 27 days on clomid. i am wondering if the cysts are causing the delay in my period. do you think i should go out and get a preg. test or wait a few more days?

[Freckles]

After TTC since June 2004, I can hardly believe that I am sharing this news.........
http://static.flickr.com/47/192600440_7258952621.jpg?v=0

We are over-the-moon excited. My beta draw was positive Monday 7/17 but I was waiting for the doubling before announcing here. My progesterone levels were borderline even after being on prometrium for 10 days, but they are in a safe zone and improving and I haven't had any spotting.

Protocol:
4th IUI/ 3rd round of injectables
Changed to Gonal-F this cycle
Over-responded w/13 follicles and then under responded by only developing 2 mature follicles
Trigger Shot Sunday July 2nd
IUI Monday AM July 3rd---bad timing for my usual 36hr post trigger O
Sex 2x July 4th---Even had some beers that day.
Skipped the booster hcg shot bcz my lining was strong for once
Start Prometrium just in case
Dismal numbers from bloodwork 5 days past trigger

So, basically the most imperfect cycle ever, and somehow it worked. I had zero faith this cycle as you all know, but my husband still believed, and you all rooted for me in spite of my poor attitude, so thank-you.

We are not telling our friends or extended family for awhile, but we did tell our parents and siblings. They are all beyond thrilled as well. This has been a long time coming for everyone.

Symptoms/Signs:
My cat was extra cuddly---he is being very attentive and wants to snuggle on my lap all the time. My dog is going through a false pregnancy herself, which started 2 weeks ago. Very strange.
10dpo: I felt like I had the flu---tired, dizzy, and very achy
12dpo: My stomach feels like I have done a tons of sit-ups
Still crampy---boobs are only sore on the sides.

I have to admit as a woman who has struggled for over two long years to get pregnant I am incredibly excited, but also scared. I am trying very much to avoid waiting for the other shoe to drop, and to instead just fully enjoy this time, so continued prayers and sticky vibes are so appreciated.


I will be back soon to catch-up on all I've missed the past few days. I am rooting for all of you strong women. You so deserve to get your heart's biggest wish.

http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/dust.gif

[Asha]

freckles - congrats!! that is too funny about all the different preg. tests. i am wondering if i should go pick up a couple of different brands when i test tomorrow. i understand your feelings of fear. i am really scared that once i get pregnant, it won't go through all the way. i think when we have faced so many months/years of disappointment that we get conditioned to have these negative feelings/reactions.

[MrsR]

TazLuv -- fingers crossed!!!

pocket -- I am so sorry you are feeling so down. Hopefully this will be the last step you will have to take and you will respond to the injectibles.

congrats Freckles -- H&H 9 months!!!

Asha -- my fingers are crossed, hopefully a trend will be started here.

Sorry ladies I have been MIA -- I was in Ireland for vacation last week and work has been crazy this week. I O'd on my own in Ireland and DH and I did BD but not as often as I would have liked. My temps have been pretty high and today had a slight dip, but yesterday my CM was ***TMI ALERT*** tinted brown (so not really like AF spotting but it was definitely a darker color than usual). Anyway, DH and I have an appointment with the RE to discuss injectibles in case this cycle is a bust (which I am pretty sure it is since we have not been able to get PG on our own, why would this cycle be any different -- unless it is the luck of the Irish;)).

I'll keep you all posted.

[Patience]

Freckles Congratulations! We finally got some good news in here! I hope it's contagious. :)

[jjsanner]

Congrats, Freckles! It is so good to hear success stories from people on this thread, it gives me hope and faith to continue on. Wishing you the best 9 months ever, and keep us updated as to your progress!

As for me, 9 dpiui, and feeling very crampy the last two days, not AF crampy, but a dull ache/pulling lower in my abdomen. I've had this before in both preggo and non-preggo cycles, so who knows. Trying not to get too hopeful, but at the same time trying to stay positive. Doesn't help matters any that I took an HPT yesterday at 8 dpiui, 10 days past HCG trigger simply to see if the HCG was out of my system. Of course there was a very, VERY faint + there, I figured as such. Of course now I can't stop thinking "what if.....".

So I have a question....I'm on progesterone gel for the first time ever. Should I expect AF to show while still taking it or will I need to rule out pregnancy and stop taking it before AF will make an appearance? All my RE said was to take an HPT two weeks post-iui (so next Tuesday, July 25th) and call with the results.

Belle, yay for having a plan! I totally think you guys made the right decision. We would have done the same in your position.

Mrs. R, crossing everything for you! Sounds like you had a good time in Ireland, that's one place we've never been that I would love to visit. I am 25% Irish (my mom's maiden name was Sullivan) and would love to see where my relatives came from!

[TazLuv]

Pocket – I’m so sorry the new road isn’t bringing new hope. Hopefully it will.

Freckles – CONGRATULATIONS! Very excited for you, we all need a little hope around here.

MrsR – don’t give up yet, its not over until the fat lady shows.

Bellefior – I hope the plan gives you a little bit of piece of mind, at least you have one. As for the IL’s I feel your pain. We have not told anyone IRL that we’re even TTC except my sister. When we do get pg we won’t tell ANYONE until we hit 12 weeks. My DH learned when he asked my parents for permission to marry me that my mother can’t keep a secret.

*************************
As for me – nothing new, today is 6DPO. Other than being extremely hungry today for no reason I’m not having any FPS. If I am I’m discarding them as my mind playing tricks on me. I keep telling myself that will make my 2WW go faster. :)

[OctoberPrincess]

Thanks for the advice ladies, I know I probably should have gone by now but I guess I'm kinda in disbeliefe that this might really be an issue. I used a midwife for the birth of my son (even though I ended up with a c-section) and continued using them for Well Woman's services until recently. The practice closed last month due to increased malpractice insurance costs, there was a big article about in the paper, basically they opted to close rather then spend less time with each client in order to make better turnover..the premiums were just too high for them to continue with the level of service they were currently providing. Needless to say, I have no regular OB/Gyn here in Staten Island so I made an appoinment with a new OB/GYN, based on a recommendation, for the 23rd of August. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I am pregnant for that appointment.

Tazluv I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this last round of Chlomid does the trick for you.

Pocket {{{hugs}}} I'm new to this and don't really know what to say but I am listening and I feel for you, you will be in my toughts.

Ali I hope you are doing better, sorry you had to experience that.

Thea I will also need to see someone new but I'm not sure if I need or my insurance will cover the RE so I will try the regular doctor first, thanks for sharing with me.

Freckles, what wonderful news! Sending you all the sticky vibes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I can.
Congratulations, may you have a very happy and healthy 9 months.

[polkadot]

Freckles ~ CONGRATULATIONS H&H 9 montsh to you!!!

[jeggink]

Congratulations Freckles!!!

[pocket]

oh Freckles - congratulations!!!

[suzfuzsunflower]

Congratulations, Freckles!! :D :D
Let me know when you want to be graduated.

It's been about 2 weeks since ending the provera, and no period or spotting yet. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. in severe pain, could hardly move, it has gotten MUCH better. I decided to call the doctor a little while ago, and although day 14 isn't until Sat., I think that I really need to be seen, and am kind of going to "demand" to go in today or tomorrow. Waiting to hear from the nurse...

[Freckles]

Thanks so much ladies!
I will be under the care of my RE through the 10th week, which puts me at ease. I am currently 4 weeks/3days and I will have my first ultrasound either the 5th or 6th week depending on my hormone levels. I will have bloodwork once a week as well to keep an eye on things. I just hope and pray this baby sticks!

Patience~ I'm sorry you feel like you're in limbo with treatment. I hope your next RE appointment sets you on a new successful path.

Gymwidow~ I'm sorry this cycle didn't workout for you. IF is so tortuous at times. Sometimes I do not know how we survived 25 months of TTC. I hope that your next move with IVF brings you your much deserved BFP.

Alioop12345~ I hope that the ugly witch has stayed away, and you get some surprising good news.

TazLuv~Glad to hear your timing is great this month! Lots of fresh *~babydust~* sent your way!

Pocket~ I am wishing you so much luck for the start of your injectable cycle. My husband gave me the shots, and it helped keep me a bit at ease, as well as allow him to feel more involved throughout the process. It took me quite a few cycles to get lucky, but you have to keep the faith in spite of all the struggles. You just never know.

Asha~ Good luck testing! Generally, I do not use hpt tests, but this cycle I didn't have my 2nd hcg booster shot after O, so I knew the results would be accurate, so I tested and tested some more. I found holding my urine for 2.5-3.0 hrs was best for getting it concentrated for an early result.

MrsR~ Hope the ugly witch stays away, but if not, best of luck with the injectables. It worked magic for me after all this time.

Bellefior~ Best of luck with IVF. It is a huge commitment and cost, but it will all be worth it in the end if you get the elusive BFP.

jjsanner~ http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/babydust.gifhttp://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/fertilization.gif I hope your symptoms are for a good reason. I have been and continue to be crampy. As to progesterone supplements---I have to admit that the worst side-effect is the way it plays tricks with your mind, because it greatly extends your LP, but AF will eventually come. I stop taking the progesterone after a negative beta and then AF comes 2-5 days later.

OctoberPrincess~Lots of luck to you! I hope you like your new OBGYN.

Polkadot & Jeggink~Thanks for the congrats!

Suzfuzsunflower~ I think you have every right to be seen. I know in the past it has never taken me more than 10 days for AF to arrive after starting Provera. The norm was more in the range of 5-7days. I'm sorry you've been in pain.

Threadmistress~ I am ready to graduate. I hope many of you follow me soon.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Well, I am mad! :mad: Actually, I'm more disappointed and upset that I'm not being taken seriously.

I just spoke with the nurse. She doesn't seem to be concerned that it's been about 2 weeks since stopping the provera, or that I've been having these weird pains. They won't see me until Monday at 9 a.m. I really wanted to go in this afternoon or tomorrow...I would have been OK with Sat. Ugh, so 3 more days of NOT knowing what is going on. :(

The nurse said that what they would do is an ultrasound to check my lining...that doesn't sound like much to me. Even though I've taken a preg. test (Sunday) and it was negative, I want them to make sure that there isn't a baby in there before they make me take more crap. I guess I wanted her to sound more interested in my situation, and sound like they really wanted to figure out what was wrong.

I just wish my body would respond as it is supposed to to the meds so I can get on with a medicated cycle. I broke down and sobbed last night to DH. I am so frusterated....

[SAI Ladies]

Updated to Here!

Congratulations, Freckles!!!

Good luck with IVF, Bellefior!

[suzfuzsunflower]

I called DH and he said I shouldn't have to settle for Monday.

So I called the doctor back. I left a message to the nurse, expressing how much I'd really like to be seen tomorrow, and describing the pain in detail. I should get a call back in the next 30 min. or so...and then I'm going to have to stick to my guns. That nurse is going to hate me.

[MrsR]

suz -- good for you -- stick to your guns -- I think its ridiculous that they would make you wait until Monday if you are in pain.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Guess who has an appointment at 8 AM tomorrow....ME! I am so much happier with this. :) It would have been a long weekend not knowing what's wrong, and worrying about pain.

[Asha]

good for you for fighting for the appt, suz. sometimes you have to be a pita for them to take you seriously.

[Alioop12345]

Congrats Freckles! how wonderful!

Well, in preparation for tomorrow's RE appt, I have done some review of all my charts. I am faiurly convinced that I can talk the RE into delaying IVF for a few cycles... Because of my shoulder surgery and cysts from the Gonal F, I have only used the Gonal F 3 cycles and only 2 of those cycles have included Viagra...so I am fairly certain I can convince him to do at least 3 more cycles (which for me would be another 6 months since it seems I have to take a cycle off after each Gonal F cycle to get rid of cysts).

Fairly certain I am NOT pg as my temp dropped today and HPT was a BFN (I am only 9DPO though)

[Patience]

suzfuzsunflower Good for you for standing up to your doctor's office! I can't believe they would be so non-chalant about someone's persistent pain.

Alioop12345 You sound like you have a good plan. I understand your reluctance to move to IVF. Although I haven't been faced with that decision, I have discussed it with my DH and I'm really torn about IVF. I honestly don't know what my decision will be if I have to decide to do IVF or not. Good luck with your appt. tomorrow.

Freckles Let me say congrats to you again! You don't know how wonderful it was to hear your news. Although I don't know you, your post really hit home for me because I've been TTC for over 1.5 years and I would feel exactly the same way if I were in your situation. It's a joyous time to find out you're pregnant, but you can't help but feel very scared. I hope all your fears will be unfounded and you'll have an easy pregnancy and delivery.

Mrs. R Maybe you do have the luck of the Irish and it was implantation spotting you saw. Try soaking up some of Freckles' baby dust. ;)

Bellefior Sounds like a good plan for you and your DH. The situation about your ILs not being able to keep quiet would be frustrating. I think I would wait to tell them too if they're going to be blabbermouths.

jjsanner I hope the dull ache isn't a FPS. Maybe you'll get some good news by this weekend?

TazLuv I've been trying to ignore my 2WW symptoms as much as possible too, but it's hard to not notice the sore boobs when I move.

[kazata]

Holy Canoli! CONGRATULATIONS FRECKLES!!!!! It's been way too long since we've had good news in here! H&H 9 months to you. I'm so excited to hear your news (having just recently hit the two year mark of TTC myself, it somehow gave me exactly the hope that I needed to keep moving forward right now). I have a big ole smile on my face for you.

[Asha]

well, no good news for me. i tested today after my period has been 3 days later than it normally has on clomid. it says not pregnant. i'm really disappointed. i thought for sure i must be pregnant since my period has been like clockwork on clomid. it must have to do with the cysts. well, i already had an appt scheduled with my doc a week from now, so if my period still hasn't come, i am going to ask him if there is anything i can take to make it come. i will also test again on monday.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Asha, I'm sorry the test was negative.

I am back from the RE. I had a transvaginal ultrasound. No large cysts or fibroids to explain the pain. My lining looked really good, so estrogen is not a problem. At the end of the ultrasound, the RE showed me some pictures which looked like a preg. sack or a blood clot. So onto a blood draw/beta. They wanted me to wait for the results so we could make a plan.

Now even though I knew that there was no way I could be preg., and even though I kept telling myself not to get hopeful...I started to dream a little.

The beta was negative. Not preg. RE has no idea why I've had pain, or why I haven't responded to the provera. So I have been given another medication (not sure of the brand name - but it is norethindron ace). I take it 2 times a day for 5 days, and should start my period within 2-5 days.

[isign]

I've finally decided to join. My stats
Me: 26
DH: 25
Married: 12/02
Off BCP: 02/03
Issue: Anovulatory, very long cycles, no official DX,
05/06 - 1st round of Clomid
07/06: Finally found a pro-active dr, interested in finding a the problem, not just trying to get me PG.


My previous NP told me that she thought I'd get pg on 1st round of provera, and it wasn't going to be hard. :rolleyes: It was at that moment I knew I needed to find someone else. Right now, AF has decided to make up for the past 2 years of AF being out of wack and doesn't what to stop. Dr put me on Provera to get it under control. I have an appt in 2 weeks for an u/s, then we'll start clomid. Then we'll start clomid. I think we accomplished more in 15 minutes of talking to him than I have the entire time with my NP. Finally, after 2 1/2 years, I feel like we are making some progress.

[Freckles]

Suz~I am so sorry. What an ordeal you have gone through lately. I hope this new drug brings on AF, so you can move on to the next cycle. Rest-up and feel better!http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/hug.gif

Asha~Sorry about the negative pregnancy test. It is weird how these various drugs can effect your system. http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/hug2.gif

Kazata~Two years is such a difficult mark to face, but we did get lucky our very 1st cycle of our 3rd Year TTC, so perseverance is so key. I pray that your BFP comes very soon. Keep the faith!http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/pink_babydust.gif

Patience~Thanks so much for your enthusiasm. I'm happy that my news has given you hope. Your name is so perfect for this forum, because patience is of the uttmost importance on your IF journey. I am joyous and nervous all wrapped up in one big ball. I don't know if I'll join the March2007 Mommy Thread, because it seems everyone in there got pregnant as a surprise, or on one of their first attempts, which is great, but I can't relate.http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/babydust.gif


Threadmistress, will you update my stats one final time:
Treatment:
1st IUI~ 150mg Clomid/Hcg Shot/IUI/booster hcg shot/Prometrium-FAILED
2nd IUI~ Follistim Injectables/hcg shot/IUI/booster hcg shot/Prometrium-FAILED
3rd IUI~ Follistim Injectables/hcg shot/Double IUI/booster shot/Prometrium-FAILED
4th IUI~ Gonal-F/Ovidrel Trigger shot/IUI/Prometrium ---PREGNANT Due March2007

I will probably just lurk in here from now on, so as not to be a constant reminder. I will pray for you all and continue to root for you from a distance.

http://www.chittielounge.com/forum/images/smilies/dust.gif

[suzfuzsunflower]

Freckles
I have really enjoyed having you as a thread buddy. You have been so supportive of us all, and we will be fortunate to have you rooting for us. I am so happy that this has happenned for you. Please feel free to come in here anytime. I hope that one of us gets to join you soon. :)

Hi isign! I'm glad that you have decided to join us. I have really received a lot of support from this group, and hope that you are able to find support if you are in need of any.
I found a lot of your post interesting b/c we should like we have/had a lot of the same issues. I also have anovulatory, long cycles. Just curious....did clomid work to make you ovulate? I did not ovulate on clomid, and am moving on to something else.
Also, I had some periods where I bled NON STOP for weeks. This was before going on bcp, and I didn't find what was wrong with me at that time. No I have the opposite problem just like you have had - no AF.
That is wonderful that you have a pro-active dr. and feel like you are getting somewhere. That should make all the difference in the world.

-----------------------
I am still disappointed from my appointment this morning. When I saw the "sack" (or whatever it actually is) on the ultrasound, I was really hoping for a miracle. Between the blood draw and beta results I called DH just to let him know what was going on. He ended up being disappointed as well. I shouldn't have called him.

My therapy when I am upset is baking. I have today off (thankfully teaching summer school just ended), so since I've been home looking for recipes and cooking. I'm working on some yeast rolls right now (1st time making any) and some brownies. Then I think I'll start marinating something for dinner.

OK...I have 2 small vents.
1. Best friend who just got preg. (1st month trying - and knows that we are having difficulties) wants to go see her grandparents to tell them the news. They live about 2.5 hours away. She wants me to ride down there with her to tell her grandparents her happy news. I really don't want to be a part of that. I don't understand why her husband isn't going. DH and I are moving tomorrow, and her husband has offerred to help if I agree to go with friend to see her grandparents. I need to be here to pack and move, and I've been around quite a bit of baby gushing with her the last week, and don't want it tomorrow. She is irritated that I don't want to go. :mad:
2. MIL is a real estate agent. Since has some clients coming from out of town and is trying to find a sitter for their two small children. She calls to see if my sister has a job - she does. She then asks if I will be working on those days. I didn't want to lie to her, so I told her that no, I wasn't working (I'm a teacher...I have been teaching summer school...I have only 2 weeks until the real school year starts - that is my vacation). She immediately says, "Great! Well that's perfect!" :rolleyes: I responded back that wasn't sure that I wanted to or could. I called DH and we decided that it wouldn't be a good idea b/c: we're moving, our house is a mess, we don't have any toys for young children, I want some time off, I haven't felt the greatest recently, we could be doing cycle stuff next week, I don't want to watch children I don't know for 2 days from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. (I would feel differently if it was family or someone I know). MIL is going to be SO MAD if I say no. :mad: During our engagement and for about 2 years after we were married, she was horrible. Things are just getting better.

Sorry this is so long. Thanks for reading. :)

[Asha]

suz - man, you friend is very insensitive. doesn't she realize that it is hard for you to hear this kind of news?! don't feel guilty about saying no to her and your mil. this is the time to take care of yourself. as a former teacher, i know those couple of weeks btwn summer school and reg. year are a time for r&r.

freckles - no need to lurk. you being around won't make me feel badly about not being preggo. its more hard for me to see the people who went through no or very little effort to conceive. sad to admit, but all the surprise pregnancies are the hardest for me to see.

isign - i so need a dr. who is proactive. he is a real piece of work. you know what he said to me the last time i was there? he said, "i need you to get pregnant so i can start getting more money from you." hopefully soon i will be getting an re, so i don't have to deal with him anymore.

threadmistress please update me
may 06- 50 mg clomid
june 06 - 50 mg clomid
july 06 - 2 cysts

[suzfuzsunflower]

he said, "i need you to get pregnant so i can start getting more money from you."

Oh wow, Asha. He really IS a real piece of work. :mad: What an insensitive, horrible thing to say. I hope that you are able to find another doctor soon.

[SAI Ladies]

*~*~*~*Updated to Here*~*~*~*

Welcome isign!

[Asha]

suz - well, i can't really choose another gyn now bc of insurance issues, but given my current issues, we prob. will go to an re sooner rather than later. luckily, i am able to see the np instead of him most of the time. he also said that he loved doing internal exams. he is crazy!

[Tandis]

Just peeking in from lurking to say:

I don't know if I'll join the March2007 Mommy Thread, because it seems everyone in there got pregnant as a surprise, or on one of their first attempts, which is great, but I can't relate

Freckles - I *just* said this same thing in the IVF thread! Kischer clued me to the "Pregnant after infertility" thread, that isn't extremely busy right now, but it could be if the three of us join! :D Congrats on your pregnancy, and H & H nine months.

[Patience]

Freckles ITA with what you said about not joining the March 2007 thread. IF has definitely change my perspective on pregnancy and having a baby. If I ever doubted whether I wanted children, IF has made me realize that I *really* do want to be a mother (regardless of the child being biologically mine or adopted).

Asha Sorry about the negative result. There's still hope until AF shows up. But it sucks when our bodies play cruel tricks on us like this. As for your doc, wow, what an a$$! Doesn't he think before he speaks? What's with the "I love doing internal exams" comment? Sounds creepy to me. I would change doctors as soon as you can.

isign Welcome. You seem to be in good hands with your doctor. Doesn't a caring proactive doctor make a world of difference? I wish I liked my doctor a little more, but her medical staff have all been wonderful, so I'm hesistant to change. I hope joining this thread will give you the support you need.

suzfuzsunflower I would tell both your friend and MIL that you're absolutely not going to do what they want. How dare your friend get upset with you for not wanting to subject yourself to endless baby talk when you're going through so much emotional turmoil with IF! So inconsiderate. I recently had to tell my good friend that I cannot attend her baby's 1st birthday party because I couldn't handle it emotionally. She told me that she understands how difficult it must be for me to be at those type of events. Although not everyone will know what we're going through, I expect them to be sympathetic to our emotional needs when it's reasonable. I wouldn't feel guilty saying no to your MIL since she hasn't been nice to you in the past. She has to realize that the whole world doesn't revolve around her. Your DH show tell her that you need to have some vacation time before schools again.

~~~~
I've started spotting, so AF will be coming by the end of the day. I'm disappointed, but not as upset as the past couple of months. So, I guess it's on to my appt. with the RE on the 31st.

[isign]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

Suz - are you sure you didn't marry my brother & my mom is now your MIL? My oldest bro just got married & my SIL was 7 months pg when I met her for the first time. My mom felt the need to take that oppertunity to remind me about Sara in the bible, not being PG till she was ancient, that Drs are always coming up with new technology. I'm sorry your MIL was is so insensitive and doesn't get it at all. I was blessed with a good MIL (after a long battle to get there) She struggled for 3 years with IF till DH came around. She has really taken the place of my mom with TTC.

Asha - I'm so sorry that you have to deal with that kind of Dr, he seems so creepy.

~~~~
After a BFP, 3 BFNs last week, and bleeding/AF for the past 9 days, the provera perscribed yesterday has turned off the leaky faucet! Of course I know that as soon as I'm done it'll start again, but I get a break for now. I have a very happy DH.:D

[Alioop12345]

AF is on her way, I'm not PG, BUT I convinced my RE to do at LEAST 3 more Gonal F/Viagra cycles. I will be using the Viagra the entire cycle next time and will be switching from progesterone supps to injections

[Lucy Van Pelt]

1. Best friend who just got preg. (1st month trying - and knows that we are having difficulties) wants to go see her grandparents to tell them the news. They live about 2.5 hours away. She wants me to ride down there with her to tell her grandparents her happy news. I really don't want to be a part of that. I don't understand why her husband isn't going. DH and I are moving tomorrow, and her husband has offerred to help if I agree to go with friend to see her grandparents. I need to be here to pack and move, and I've been around quite a bit of baby gushing with her the last week, and don't want it tomorrow. She is irritated that I don't want to go. :mad:


OMG Suz! That has got to go in the insensitive hall of fame! Had she said that to me, I know I would have ripped her a new one...:mad:

Both of my best friends got pregnant very easily. It's been really hard to discuss the issue with them becaue they just don't get it. That is why I loved having this forum. The support and comfort I received in here was invaluable. I think we all feel that way...

[Asha]

isign - i hope i am not offering unsolicited info., but i read in my internet surfing today that ovarian cysts could set off a false postive on the preg. tests. the possiblity of cysts could also explain why your period was abnormally heavy and long.

[gymwidow]

Asha, Patience, suzfuz, Freckles, Thea, Bellefior, Lucy Van Pelt, TazLuv, thanks for the words of support and encouragement.

Ali, I understand the scared-ness of moving to IVF. I'm glad that you've been able to postpone that for a while. I hope you never have to get there!

TazLuv, I hope this is it!!!

pocket, hugs. I hope the first injections are going okay and not too bad. Hopefully this will be the thing your body needs to finally wake up and do its job!

Freckles, WOOHOO! That is AWESOME! I'm so happy for you! Finally, some good news in here! We need this kind of news more often! Thank you for the good wishes. I'm glad you're staying with your RE and continuing monitoring. I'm sure that will help keep your mind at ease. Come back and share the details of your u/s with us!

Bellefior, I'm glad you guys decided to go forward. We can go through this together! I hope your ILs have been able to keep things to themselves.

jjsanner, from what I understand, the gel is supposed to work the same way the pills do - no AF till you stop taking it. I'm the anomaly - I get AF no matter what kind of progesterone I'm taking. Hopefully the PIO shots will work for me during IVF!

OctoberPrincess, good luck!

Asha, I'm sorry. I hope you get better news soon! What a horrible thing your doctor said!

suzfuz, I'm so sorry. How frustrating. I hope the new drug does its job fast! I like your therapy. I do that, too. Or I clean. This week I baked gingersnaps and painted my bedroom. It kept me busy. I hope both your friend and your MIL are understanding. Maybe if you explain it to them so that they know it's about you and your feelings and not in any way indicative of how you feel about them (or that you do want to help them, but just are unable emotionally) they'll understand? Tell them point that you know that since they both love you and care about you, that they want what's best for you and will be understanding. Maybe that'll shut 'em up.

isign, welcome! I hope you're not with us for long!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

So, we decided. We're doing IVF. I think I knew all along that we would, but I just got cold feet. It's such a huge step and more than anything I was freaked out because it's pretty much the last step in me carrying a child of our own. The cost also scared me because we have a lot of debt as it is, but the good news on that front is that we just learned we were approved for a huge home equity line that will not only pay for IVF but also pay off most everything else, too!

I start BCP today and my Lupron shots on 8/8. I'll stop the BCP on 8/15 and once AF arrives will go in for CD3 b/w and u/s and then start stims (200 mg Gonal-F). That should be around 8/21. So we're looking at ER and ET around Labor Day. We have a few more tests to do in the meantime and DH has to do a 4th SA and see a 3rd urologist, plus we have our IVF class in 3 weeks, so we'll continue to be busy while we wait for our cycle to *really* start.

Since we're in the updating mode, please update my stats with the following:
7/06: Gonal-F injections = 4 good follies, Ovidrel trigger, O/IUI on CD 15
8/06-9/06: IVF

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hey gymwidow. Good luck with IVF. That's a big decision... I have a feeling that DH and I will end up doing that at some point, but it's scary b/c like you said - that is the last step to carrying a child on your own. There really is nothing else after that left.

I have a question. I have always wondered why they put you on birth control pills before IVF? That seems a little odd to me...

[Lucy Van Pelt]

I have a question. I have always wondered why they put you on birth control pills before IVF? That seems a little odd to me...

They do that to regulate you. My doc put me on them after my second m/c to "start fresh". Of course, the pills gave me horrid migraines just like I knew they would. Thanks Doc!

[isign]

Asha - thanks for that, I've wondered the same. Does it sound silly to say that I'm *excited* about having an u/s done. I want to see whats in there and see if it's normal.

[gymwidow]

suzfuz, thanks. I have to admit, I cried last night when I took my first BCP. Even though we had made up our minds, it was still really hard to actually take the first step towards IVF physically.

The BCP also clean out your system - get rid of any cysts that might be hanging out in the ovaries, and gets your hormones back under control. With IVF, practically nothing (except the growth of the embryos) is left to chance. The doctors very carefully control the hormones in the body so that they can get the max chance of success. That's the part of IVF I like - having a teensy bit of control back!

isign, I always seem to look forward to my u/s. I like seeing what's happening inside and watching my little follies grow. :)

[Asha]

he BCP also clean out your system - get rid of any cysts that might be hanging out in the ovaries, and gets your hormones back under control. With IVF, practically nothing (except the growth of the embryos) is left to chance. The doctors very carefully control the hormones in the body so that they can get the max chance of success. That's the part of IVF I like - having a teensy bit of control back!

that makes sense. makes me want to go back on bc when we finally have our babies bc my system will be cleaner. so does that mean people who are on bcp's have less chance of cysts? i would love that as cysts are painful.

[Asha]

i will have to tell my friend this. her insurance won't cover bcp's, but she frequently gets cysts. i wonder if they would pay for bcp's if it were to prevent her from getting cysts.

bellefior - oh that sounds awful! does that mean your cyst broke? my dh doesn't understand my extreme desire to want to go back on bcp's. he thinks they caused this mess we are in to begin with. now, i have a good argument to go back on them once we have babies. do you think going on birth control for a few months might help clear me out, so i can start on a fresh slate too? i am also wondering if we had actually started ttc right after going off bcps if we would have gotten preggo bc i was all clean. keeping my fingers crossed that you do get pregnant.

[papergirl]

October princess I know I am late to reply but I would definitely encourage you to see a doctor. Personally, my friend suggested I skip the OB and go straight to an RE and I am happy we did. Mostly because an RE is going to treat the situation a bit different then your OB. With an RE I have felt like there is more urgency and a wider set of resources available. RE’s specialize in infertility and OB don’t. OB’s do have vast knowledge but I have preferred seeing someone who specializes in infertility. All the best to you and regardless of who you see first I think you will feel much better making some step towards getting help.

BTW, are you open to seeing a doctor (specifically an RE) in the city or do you prefer Staten Island? I am in the city and could recommend my RE’s practice.

patience Is there another RE you can see in the office while your doctor is on vacation? That just seems off that his patience would not have a back-up when he is unavailable.

gym Congratulations on moving onto IVF! For some reason I always feel very hopeful when I hear about people on IVF and I definitely feel that way for you.

freckles Congratulations!!

MSR I think brown spotting should be taken as a potentially good sign. Good luck to you!

jjsanner I hope this is it for you.

pocket hi chica! this is bee_beck from LJ.

isign Welcome!



I’m not sure why but I’m really feeling like we are about to have a couple BFP’s. For all the ladies testing soon, I wish you the best.

I am 5DPO. We just had what is hopefully our last IUI but we will need to meet with our RE if this cycle fails to confirm that. DH is ready for adoption and we are still playing with the idea of IVF.

[Asha]

bumble - i am in the area too, and we will prob. go to an re soon. could you pm me the information about your dr? i also want to know how long it takes to get an apt and if you have to wait long in the waiting room.

[pocket]

suzfuz - i got my pcos diagnosis young - 1998. since i am almost completely anovulatory and never cycle, i have taken provera/prometrium quarterly if i wasn't on the pill. sometimes in the past it has taken the full 14 days for AF to come but she did eventually come. once or twice it hasn't come at all. i hate hate hate provera and prometrium.

isn't it such a pain to have to deal with doctors all the time? it shouldn't be this hard. dealing with the dmv is easier!

i really sympathize about the friend and MIL situation. if you haven't been through IF yourself it is really hard to understand how hard it is. it's like asking your single 35 yr old girlfriend whose bf just dumped her to host your couples wedding shower.

isign - Welcome! good to see you here! my mom and MIL are both really supportive - the whole family is. but my mom does one thing that really annoys me. she thinks it's hilarious to give me way way way too graphic sex advice for fertility like positions or lubricants. it really grosses me out. my sister is a biologist who studies hormones, so she has done ovarian stimulation in rats hundreds of times. she gave the whole family a talk about it.

asha - what a stupid thing for your doctor to say. i hope he's at least a good doctor because clearly he has a terrible bedside. is he mainly a researcher or something?

gymwidow - that's great that you are doing ivf! where is your clinic? have you met them yet?

bumble/beebeck - hi! good to see you here - well, not that good actually. how has the clomid been for you? it was horrible for me, but i know a lot of people have very few side effects.

________________________________

As for me, today is CD1! We started the Lupron injections on Wednesday and so far it's been fine. it's a little bit itchy at the injection site for about 5 minutes and that's it. today i call to schedule my baseline u/s and bw (Monday) and we start the gonadotropins then - repronex or brevelle. the one sad thing is that we might not be able to take our vacation. we were planning to go to NY and go to the beach with the fam after SIL's wedding 8/13. if the low and slow ovarian stim takes longer we won't be able to go. i'm more disappointed than i expected to be! i need a vacation!

[gymwidow]

Asha, I think so. It's probably the even dose of hormones that the BCP lets into your system. I never wanted to go back on BCP after we had kids, but once I found out I have PCOS, I knew that as soon as we were done with each pregnancy (we want a few kids) I would be taking BCP to keep me regular.

bumble, thanks, I'm starting to look forward to our treatment. I hope you're right and we get a ton of BFPs soon! And that you're one of them!!!

pocket, the same RE I've been seeing since November will do my IVF. The clinic is not far from where I work and is great. I like all the doctors and the nurses support staff are wonderful. I really can't say enough good things about them. I'm glad your CD1 is here so you can get a fresh start. I'm also glad that the Lupron shots aren't bad. I took it once, two doses, and will start my next round of them in a few weeks. I'll be on it for a while this time. I hope that your system works fast this time so you don't lose out on vacation!

************************************************** **************************

So I had my weekly acupuncture appointment this morning and my acupuncturist suggested I bring DH in for a couple of treatments. He said he might be able to help increase his boys' strength (well, he didn't put it exactly that way). My DH is totally for it, so he'll go with me the next time we go (in 2 weeks).

[skb]

I am waaayy behind! First things, first......

freckles Congratulations to you. Considering it was a less than "ideal cycle" and it worked that is really wonderful. I will have to remember this for when I think chances are slim. Good also to see somebody get pregnant after 2 years. I keep saying this but I've lost track, I think I am around cycle 26 or maybe more. Too long but there is H-O-P-E. I agree with the other ladies and don't think you should feel unwelcome to post. You're the only one who spreads all that dust and funny icon stuff around! Try not to gush too much though will ya. ;)

Welcome isign. Are you seeing an RE now? I hope your new doc quickly gets your cycles sorted out!

Hi again bumble.....long time. I agree with you...I think we are due for a cycle of many BFPs. Perhaps this IUI for you will continue the hopeful trend. We have also been referred for IVF and sit on a very long waiting list that will take me to January 2007 minimum. Crazy.

pocket So you're on to injectibles heh. I hear you on the vacation thing. My ultrasound tech went on about it yesterday, "many ladies go away for vacation and poof....pregnant." I'm thinking, yeah I've heard it before and whatever, but I still would really love a vacation. Just feeling like a slave to the treatment plan!

asha I've had 2 episodes of an ovarian cyst 2 years apart and nothing in the past 6 years. I was on birth control pills at the time. Thank goodness for demerol and vicodin.

gymwidow I'm on board with you for IVF. Only I have 6+ months to get used to it given the stinkin long wait list. It's too bad really since I recognize alot of names on the IVF thread right now. But the way I look at it is a means to an end one way or another. We haven't had success so far and at the very least if IVF was also unsuccessful I know all this tretament stuff would finally be over! I can see how it may be tough to take that step but good for you.

[skb]

patience AF sucks. Sometimes I'm almost feel desensitized to it all. I try not to speculate or test in an attempt to not feel disappointed in the end. I guess denial of some sort has been a wonderful coping mechanism for me! But glad to hear you RE appointment is right around the corner.

alioop Yeah for 3 more cycles since that is what you wanted! I am doing the big countdown to when I can be done with this clomid business. I'm on cycle 5 now with one more to go. I just keep thinking "end of august." Of course a BFP before then would be great.

Lucy I hear you on friends that fall pregnant easily. Two of my dearest friends ended up pregnant on first attempts on two different occasions. Awhile back I posted about how one of them actually asked if anybody had discussed with me how to have sex appropriately to get pregnant. It's a big joke for me and DH. She had sex from day 10 to 20 for both of her children and was pregnant first try for both. If only it was so easy. :rolleyes:

suz EEK! You've been having a really tough go of it! The rollercoaster of emotions....joy. I hope this new medication does the trick for you. Baking is sure to help too! I wish I had a friend nearby who bakes. I could really use a chocolate fix. As for your MIL and friend....a girlfriend of mine always says, "build a bridge and get over it." I think this advice would apply well to them!

bellefoir I agree, IVF and ILs probably don't mix. But hopefully they will rise to the occasion. Good thing for your dad!

jjsanner This IUI could be the one. Trying to stay positive for you!....and me too. :)

tazluv 8DPO now? I'm not too far behind you. Waiting sucks. HOPEFUL for you.

tigerest Thanks for all of the information on immunological factors. I'm going to have to go back to review that post. I am almost beginning to think that the less I know the better. Ever feel that way? If ignorance is bliss I could really use the bliss these days. Hope you are well.

Sorry ladies....I know I've surely missed somebody. But hello to all nonetheless. I'm trying to catch up!

[skb]

As for me.....

Cycle 5 clomid, HCG trigger and timed intercourse. I had my ultrasound yesterday and found out why all the lower right quadrant abdominal discomfort. 3 large follicles on the right ovary and lining almost ready to go. So we are about to trigger and begin all the ~fun~. I have never had 3 large follicles. Always 1 dominant and maybe some others nearby. So I've told Dh he potentially has 3 targets and better start pep talking those sperm of his!

Still haven't heard from the IVF clinic. My goofy doctor and/or his assistant sent my referral off for IVF about 1 month later than indicated. Insert *bad name* here. If they insist on reminding me that the wait list is long (6+ months min.) then please, is it so difficult to get the stupid paper work off in a timely fashion?! I will call the clinic next week to confirm and hear it from the horses mouth.

Happy it's the weekend.

[jjsanner]

Ladies, 12 dpiui today. I tested this morning w/ a BFN. Not even a trace of a line. I'm going to stop the progesterone tonight.

My bff just called, she is 13dpiui today (one day ahead of me) of an injectibles/IUI cycle. She went in for her beta this morning and it was slightly positive (she didn't ask for the exact number). She's to retest Tuesday and see if the numbers are doubling. I am so happy for them (although cautiously, nurse said it could be a chemical) but so so sad for me and DH. I'm not sure how much more I can take. We are still unexplained and I can't keep trying every month not knowing what is causing us from getting pregnant only to be heartbroken when I don't see two lines. There has got to be something wrong and I want them to figure out what it is already! Enough is enough! I have a lap scheduled for Thursday, August 17th and I am so scared. I was hoping I would be pregnant before so that I wouldn't have to go through with it. Unfortunately, depending on what that shows, I think we might be done trying. I am crushed and out of hope....

[gymwidow]

skb, I can't believe it's a six month wait! Wow. I hope hope hope that you never even need it.

jjsanner, 12 days still may be early. Would you consider staying on the prog. for another day or two or getting a beta done to be sure? I hope the lap is able to give you some answers. Have you guys thought about IVF?

Bellefior, wow that is early! I'm glad you were able to get some fun time in this weekend. Tell DH it's just another form of stress relief! ;) Good luck to him with the bar exam!

[TazLuv]

Oy, I can't beleive I'm two pages behind - I was doing so well at keeping up. :(

Anway, the few that I saw...

jj, I'm so sorry but I agree that maybe you should give it a couple more days. Did you have TTC issues with your son? ((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))

isign - welcome to the group, these are a great bunch of ladies, hopefully your stay is short.

suz, I'm sorry about your results and about your friend, I truly beleive that until you've been through it you don't get it. (((((((((hugs)))))))) :(

gymwidow, glad you have a plan. Good luck with the IVF.

I'm sure I missed some people, I'm sorry for those which had AF show. All crossables crossed for everyone in the 2WW.

************************

As for me, 9DPO. No symptoms at all, no sore boobs they don't even hurt at all which is odd. I haven't really felt like myself today but I've shrugged it off as too much caffeine this morning (12 oz when I probably haven't had that much in months), not enough food in me until a late dinner, and I have allergies of some sort which have had me sneezing up a storm for the last month but has gotten worse in the last week. MIL and FIL will be here Thursday - Monday, I won't test until they leave or I will let AF show on her own. Because I know if I do get that BFP DH and I will be too excited not to tell them and we don't want to tell anyone IRL until 12 weeks. Friday night when MIL was over for dinner she mentioned that a friend of DH's SIL had a miscarriage, we didn't even know she was pregnant. My MIL can be a gossip with her circle of friends most of which are DH's friends' moms and we don't want anything spread around that group.

I hope everyone has a nice week. :)

[Patience]

TazLuv I think you're making a wise decision on not telling your MIL until later if she's going to blab it to everyone she knows. Good luck to you this week as you finish the 2WW. Bring us some good news, ok? :)

Bellefior Good luck to your DH on his bar exam. What a wonderful relief to have the stress of the bar exam over for the both of you. It sounds like your DH is committed to getting healthier, so that will improve your TTC chances.

jjsanner Perhaps 12 dpiui is still too early for a positive result? Like the other ladies suggested, maybe you should get a blood test before you stop the progesterone. Hugs to you on having to hear another pregnancy announcement in the midst of all your frustration. I think we all can relate.

skb Yay for 3 large follicles! This cycle looks very promising. Fingers crossed for you. What the heck is wrong with the doctor's office screwing up your referral?? Like a 6 month wait isn't long enough! I would definitely insist that the referral be done correctly ASAP since they wasted your time already.

gymwidow I hope the accupuncture treatment for your DH will help. My DH tried it once (around my O date to increase his "potency", so to speak), but he was such a baby about the insertion of the few needles my accupuncturist used. :rolleyes:

pocket Here's to the ovarian stimulation not taking longer than expected so that you can go on a vacation. I think many of us need a vacation from all the craziness of TTC.

bumble This is my first visit with the RE, so that's why I have to wait for him to come back from vacation. But you brought up a question that I should ask him at my appt.: who covers for him when he's not available? Good luck to you during your 2WW. Maybe you won't need to consider IVF or adoption because this cycle will be the one for you.

[Alioop12345]

jjsanner Hang in there... I wish I could think of something profoound to say to make you feel better.