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294043 tn?1354207946

ivf buddy thread: ms320, fifi, miky, magda, fyrefly

I thought I will start a thread for ivf gals to stay in touch and share the news.  Cheerleaders welcome!

I have my baseline u/s tomorrow and hope to start FSH tomorrow as well although 7+ weeks of b/c are screwing with my body and after spotting for about 4 weeks while on b/c now AF is not really starting so I don't know what my doc will say...

I know that most of you guys are at different stages of the ivf process.  I hope to summarize what I remember.

Miky72 -  b/c. IVF for May.
Magda_s -  2ww with 3 super embryos wanting to implant.  When is your beta?
Mary (ms320) - FSH injections.  Any good news on your end?    
fifi - RE appt 22nd April.
fyrefly: in limbo between retrieval and transfer; right now transfer is set for Friday.  
Heather - Perinatologist appt April 30th
Dee - TWW, beta Monday
Lisa - hiatus

Since I have not heard from many of you I am hoping for an update.  Just trying to get in touch and stay in touch with all of you in the same boat.
153 Responses
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294043 tn?1354207946
Congrats on starting new ivf cycle!

HeathJo started a new thread.  Hope to see you there.

Helen
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392430 tn?1382904781
Just got off the phone with the IVF nurse and the baseline will be on the 20th and I start my Lupron on the 12th.  no birth control however due to my migraine history. Fortunately my natural cycle works with the clinics schedule. ^_^

I am trying to read all these other posts to catch up...
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328927 tn?1227761840
Helen--I am still un-groomed and disgusting! My toenails are half-polished from a pedi in January, my hair needs highlights, and I need a haircut as well. I wish you lived here as well! It's either go it alone or with my mother. Think I'll go alone.

Mary--Good that you have a plan, friend. Statistics don' always apply: I was told I only had a 30% chance of having twins, and only another 30% chance out of THAT to have triplets. DOn't know the math on that, but here I am. . .

Lisa--I understand going it alone and how hard it is. Some say when you least expect it, you find The One. This was true for me, and I hope it is for you :-)

Fiona--Thanks for your thoughts, and have a safe trip :-)

Helen (again)--Maybe I am just uneducated, but 8 follies doesn't sound too bad to me. If you trigger Saturday, I'd say you have a good chance of having at least half those working out, if not more. I'm praying and SSBD.

Sorry if I left anyone out--scrolling up and down the page makes me more nauseated :-( Gotta go lay down.
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294043 tn?1354207946
Mary,
I guess a natural cycle makes sense.  Since ivf meds are basically FSH injections, they cannot possibly help your FSH.  
I hope you can get your strength back to tackle another ivf cycle.  

Sally,
I hope your IUI went smoothly.  I am really hoping for a BFP for you this cycle.  Sending lots of SSBD your way!!!!!!  Can you hear me cheering?  
BFP! BFP! BFP! BFP! BFP! BFP! BFP! BFP! BFP! BFP! BFP! BFP!

HeathJo,
are you back to your normal groomed self?  I just wish I lived closer so that I could go with you and have my nails done while having a quality girlfriend time  :)
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Avatar universal
Helen:  I am actually giving myself 1-2 months off as I have been on meds for two staight cycles and I feel I need to take a break.  If my FSH is elevated on day 2, my RE feels that a medicated cycle will not work because the FSH will interfere with the meds.  That is one of the reasons for supression beforehand.  In a natural cycle, there are no stim meds - only Ganirelix to hold off ovulation.  I will be monitored to see how my one naturally occurring follie grows, and they will then retrieve that one follie.  If everything goes well, it will fertilize and be transferred back into me.  Just like a regular IVF except they are only trying to maximize the one follicle.

10 percent is a lousy number, but it doesn't come as too much of a surprise.  Just think how happy I will be to be a statistical outlier if I get pregnant.

Thanks again for all of the support.  I am sending all kinds of positive thoughts your way for your b/w and u/s on Saturday.
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324913 tn?1302869517
Mary, it's good to hear you sounding quite positive about it.  It would have been nicer to hear a more optimistic guess at your success rate with your own eggs but yes, it is good that she's not dismissing the idea.  She sounds like she's really listening to you as well which is nice when so many don't.
I truly hope this works for you.
I also haven't heard of a "natural cycle"... what does it mean?
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294043 tn?1354207946
Glad you had an informative call.  Clomid with injectables sounds like a good idea since many people (like Lisa) respond better to clomid than injectables.  I am not sure what natural cycle in ivf context means.  Can you explain this part???  10% success rate isn't very high but I am glad she is willing to give your eggs their best shot.  

So, you are just waiting for AF and will start a new cycle on cd2.  Am I right?  And you will not be using lupron which hopefully will help.   I am getting excited for your next try and having you back as a contestant for the top follie model.  
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone,

Just wanted to thank you all for your well wishes for a successful phone consult.  Although my RE wasn't "doing cartwheels" optimistic, she was very informative and willing to hear me out.  She basically has given me two possibilities for my next cycle.  The first option would be using Clomid and injectibles, and the second would be a Natural Cycle.  Basically, I need to go in on day two of my cycle for b/w. If my FSH is already elevated, we'll go Natural.  If it is not too high, we can do a medicated cycle.  I also asked her about trying a low stim protocol as opposed to the high stim protocols I have been on.  She doesn't really think it will work, but is willing to give it a try if I really want to.

She told me that she feels my chances of conceiving with my own eggs are about 10%, and she did mention donor eggs, but didn't push the idea when I told her I wasn't ready to go there yet.

I also asked her about DHEA, as I had heard that a study showed it increased follicle production in women with DOR who took it for 4 months.  She was not impressed by the study, and added that anecdotally some REs have found that it actually makes the response worse.  I don't think I want to take the chance.
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324913 tn?1302869517
Tee hee... Mary, you sound as anal as me... Good to know I'm not alone!!
I'll be pryaing that you get some positive info and come out of this call with a good plan.
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Avatar universal
Sally, best of luck with IUI.  

Helen, they're doing s/a because RE was concerned about morphology.  I wish I had 100% fertilisation rate but it was only 50%.  Had 2 and only 1 fertilised, it was only a 3B.  I'm praying and crossing finger & toes for you.  IVF procedure is not bad at all, I actually though IUI was worse.  

Madga, thanks for you kind words.  I can't believe I actually feel really good about everything.  I've accepted the fact it may be donor eggs and can definitely live with it.  I just want all this **** to be over with.  

Mary, good luck with your conference call today.  I'm thinking of you.

Krista, thanks for the info.  I've spent a forture already on gonal f, what's another 6K!!

Lisa, thanks for all your support.  It means a lot.

Heather, good luck with you appt on the 30th.  Thinking of you.

Dee, hope your keeping sane while the inlaws are visiting.

Right, I'm off.  Probably won't get to check in until May 3.  I hope to read about lots and lots of BFP on my return.  I'm going to miss you all, I feel such a connection to all you ladies. Don't know how I would have done this with you.

God Bless
Fiona




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324913 tn?1302869517
oooh... Good luck Sally.  Fingers and toes crossed!
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Avatar universal
Sally:  Good luck with the IUI.  I am throwing a fastball of SSBD your way.

Fiona:  Sorry that your appointment wasn't what you had hoped.  soemtimes the "best" places do seem a little rushed and sometimes it is difficult to get your questions answered.  One thing I have learned is that with the big hospitals, most of the MDs hade their emails listed on the hospital website.  If you can compile a list of questions that you want answered, perhaps you can email them to the RE.  I have actually done that (prior to that, I would fax a letter).  While my RE doesn't resply via email, she usually calls me within 1-2 days and will address anything I ask.  I hope you have a safe trip.  Although the reason for the trip is solemn, I hope you will be able to enjoy being home.

Helen:  I am glad you are able to accept your 8 follies.  As has been said a million times on this forum, it only takes one.  Did they give you any idea at what size they will have you trigger.  The variation from clinic to clinic is pretty amazing.  

I am just killing some time now waiting for my call.  Helen, in her infinate wisdom advised me to have my questions prepared.  You will all be happy to know that my anal retentive self has had a list prepared since the day I scheduled the appointment.  It is all typed up with adequate space for notes depending on my REs reply.  I will fill you in later
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380530 tn?1239162538
Good luck Sally!  Throwing lots of sticky baby dust your way!!!!
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458090 tn?1256321162
Hi Ladies,
  On my way to IUI... Im nervous!  
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324913 tn?1302869517
Fiona, I'm not going to say I'm sorry... they haven't told you that there's no point trying and there is still a chance and that's all you need.  so instead I'll just hope and pray that you get really lucky.
I hope the trip home does you good and wish you the very best of luck.

Helen, I wish the follies were being more cooperative but you know, sometimes, when everything seems to be going wrong, it turns out just right.  And who knows, the worst case scenario for you may easily be that you don't get to freeze.  I know that's disappointing.  It was for me last try and if I'd had some to freeze, I wouldn't have to go through it all again next time but such is life.
Hopefully you won't NEED any frozen embryos!!!

Dee, thanks for the pm.... sorry my reply was so long!!!

Lisa, hope that by the time you read this you're feeling a bit more energised.  I think we can all understand what you're saying about feeling an emptiness in that one area of your life.  I hope with all my heart that when that changes you will be truly fulfilled because he will be such a wonderful person.

Mary, I hope your call goes really well today...
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380530 tn?1239162538
Oh Helen and Dee you made me laugh and cry.  You are so sweet!!!  

Thank you everyone, Magda, Mary, Fiona, and everyone for your support and love (I do feel that you are loving friends!).  

I'm not feeling "empty" because I'm without a dh.  I do LOVE many aspects of my life and feel very lucky and blessed in so many ways.  But, defintely feel an emptiness in one area of my life and want so badly to share that part with someone.

I am very, very tired tonight. Lots going on at work. So, I'm sorry I can't address each of you tonight.  But, I've read your posts and have all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

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126702 tn?1240888250
lisa the offer still stands- if i were a bloke i would marry you!

magda - i am pming you in a minnie
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294043 tn?1354207946
Lisa,

I am so sorry you are feeling blue about not having a man in your life.  But I hope you do not feel unfulfilled.  You have a great job, close friends and students who adore you.  

On the other hand I don't understand why would any man not date you: you are easy going, caring, have a great job, hot, blonde...  What is wrong with men???

I know that it’s difficult to be single when the whole world around you is married or engaged.  I hope you will find that perfect someone (and by perfect I mean smart, caring, funny and with ivf insurance coverage) in the near future.  Mature mommy’s bfp @ 46 gives us all hope.

Mary,
I hope you have a productive conference call tomorrow.  Make sure you have all questions prepared.

Update:
Miky72 -  b/c. IVF for May.
Magda_s -  AF  :(  Waiting to discuss next step with RE in 2 weeks
Mary (ms320) - waiting for a conference call with RE on Thursday.    
fifi - is in Ireland: have a safe journey!!
fyrefly: 2WW, resting after transfer.  
Heather - 13 weeks!!!  Perinatologist appt April 30th
Dee - going au naturelle while hosting in-laws.
Lisa - cd30+, waiting for AF and to start the ttc game.
sasparilla: IUI in a few days w/ 2 follies; appt at new clinic in mid-May.
Helen: FSH injections, 3rd bloods & u/s 4/26.
Jen: Lupron injections+b/c, RE appt Friday
timeisticking: FSH injections
kele1129: b/c, baseline sono May12
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398459 tn?1262186144
Helen,
Good luck with the rest of this cycle.  Don't be discouraged--remember, it only takes one!!!

Fiona,
My RE recommended a similar protocol (using gonalf 300 units twice per day, ganerilex 125 mcg once per day and estrace tablet daily)  Also, if you are paying for Gonal-F out of pocket, Freedom Pharmacy sells it cheaper than anywhere else I have seen.  I have purchased a few of the gonal pens---they are sooooo expensive!

Best to you,

Krista
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392430 tn?1382904781
Hey IVF ladies.  My cycle finally started back up and we are looking at having my baseline done May12th-ish...While I am happy to get back going with IVF, I am also terrified.
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294043 tn?1354207946
So, here's the latest from "down there": same 8 follies between 8-15; unfortunately the larger follie grows faster than the little once  :(  My next u/s is on Saturday and then trigger Saturday or Sunday with retrieval on Monday or Tuesday.  I guess I just have to accept the 8 that I got and live with that.  

Fiona,
sounds like your visit was very unsatisfying.  I am surprised he did s/a since you had very high fertilization rate on your last ivf cycle, basically 100%.  I hope the super-aggressive protocol he suggested works for you.  Can he replace Gonal-F with Follistim?  If I recall correctly you pay for meds out of pocket and that much Gonal-F can ruin anyone financially.  

Everyone,
thank you so much for your support and cheerleading.  It means more than you know.  
Helpful - 0
398459 tn?1262186144
Jeez!  I just got a call from the RN.  The cyst is 42 mm in size.  That sounds huge and scary (is that a big cyst or pretty typical?), but as usual I have to wait to talk to the RE until monday.  Please please please if anyone can shed some light on this I would be so grateful.  All I can think about is that something is really wrong, I have PCOS, etc etc etc.  
Infertility sucks.
Krista
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398459 tn?1262186144
Hi girls.
So I have been looking for a new thread for a few days, and was beginning to think that the last thread was just a figment of my over-active imagination, but Sally led me back to the fold.  Thanks Sally!

Anyway, still reading all that I have missed.  Although I am new to the group, I have missed the stories over the last few days.

Latest update on moi`:  STILL waiting on AF (day 37, and about 2 1/2 weeks since my cycle was cancelled due to low response).  Went in today for BW and US, and they found a big cyst on my right ovary.  No wonder my right side was painful.  So, what in the world does this mean?  I am waiting for the RN to call with BW results and tell me what needs to be done.

Helen, was it you who recently had a cyst?  Any ideas?

Glad to find you all again...

kp (Krista)

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Avatar universal
Hi Ladies, a quick update from me.  I'm absolutely slammed at work and only have a few minutes.

I saw my new RE yesterday.  Going to Brigham & Women's in Boston.  It's a huge medical facility and in actual fact more like a zoo.  My RE was really nice but he rushed us out of there so fast that my head was spinning.  I didn't get to ask a whole lot of questions and it was only on the way home that DH and I thought of questions we should have asked.  He pretty much confirmed what I already know, diminished ovarian reserve.  He said my prognosis was guarded and I have a success rate less than the average for my age which is 19% so I figure maybe 15%?  Even though my hormone levels are very good for my age the fact that I'm producing so little follicles is indicative of DOR.  He's going to put me on their most aggressive protocol which is estrogen patch, 600 gonal f, reponex, ganerilix.  He said if I don't produce on this cycle I probably shouldn't continue and recommended donor eggs.  He took a blood sample from me and is doing genetic testing.  He also wanted another semen sample from DH because of low morphology on the previous test, this was news to both of us.  So, waiting for test results and insurance issues to clear.  I'm really not sure when I begin again.  I'm really very confused about the next step.  Anyway, I decided to go home for my Dad's anniversay mass and am flying home to Ireland tomorrow night.  I'll be checking in before I leave and of course I hope to hear some happy news from you all when I get back which will be May 3.

Madga, sounds like you're in a great place right now.  I have no doubt that this is going to work for you.

Helen, good luck today with u/s.  

Lisa, your day will come soon I know it.

Heather, thank God you feel better.  I'm so happy for you.

Dee, when are the outlaws leaving?

Fiona
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