7/26/2010 8:31 AM
|
|
Nwells I was 27 when I did the Lupron treatment. I had every symptom they described. The hot flashes were the worse! A couple months into them I had a big issue with dryness. I would get so dry I was constantly at the doctor for infections. I found that wet wipes were a blessing. I had endo surgery, tried for a couple months to get pregnant and when my pain came back I started the Lupron. I've since had a 3rd endo surgery. Good luck and hang in there!
|
|
|
|
7/25/2010 4:35 PM
|
mablackie: Congrats on the twins!!
Hope/ Hopeand Faith-- welcome to the forum . This process is long and exhausting but I think you will find this group is great for support.good luck on your journey.
Luci, Nevergive up: good luck in the 2ww, hoping for positive betas!
I have been feeling pretty down recently, still waiting to get off steroid inhalers before I can move forward with
IVF #3. My coughing does not seem to be improving, so there is a chance that this is a chronic condition. Anybody out there have asthma? Seems the research shows it is better to take the inhalers when you are pregnant than to have the fetus not get enough air, but I am not so excited about taking steroids while attempting to get pregnant. Why does this have to be so hard? I was so ready to try again and now I just don't know if and when that will be ....
|
|
|
|
7/25/2010 8:45 AM
|
faithnchrist - that's great! Hope your cycle goes well!
mablackie - Congrats! That is wonderful I am so glad that you got your babies and they are healthy! You give me hope that this can work and my pregnancy can stick. There are so many stories about miscarriage even if you do get pregnant with IVF it can be hard to be excited to be pregnant. So thank you so much for sharing and giving me hope!
|
|
|
|
7/24/2010 7:33 PM
|
My IVF twins are here! Caeden James and Kiley Mary Ellen were born on July 18th at 36.4 weeks due to sudden pre-eclampsia. They are both healthy and came home with me after 5 days in the hospital due to a c-section. Caeden weighed 6 lbs 3 ounces and little Kiley weighed 4 lbs 8 ounces. Everyone is doing well!
Girls, it can happen! My miracles babies are proof. Hang in there and don't give up hope. Having to give myself so many shots that it looked like we lived in a crack house...All of the tears when all of my friends called to tell me they were pregnant...again, the lack of a life due to shots, doctor's appointments, etc.. They were all worth it!
Don't give up hope!!!
|
|
|
|
7/24/2010 4:22 PM
|
|
My numbers doubled. My Estrogen today (Day 6) went from 29 to 108 and my follicles went from 6-8 to 11-13. The clinic thinks that I am just a slow responder to Stim meds. They also think that I was over suppressed with an intitial estrogen level of 13 from the Lupron. I have another appointment on Monday at 9am. Prayfully my numbers will continue to double. =) Thank you ladies for your response!
|
|
|
|
7/24/2010 11:13 AM
|
@ Faithnchrist - Don't get bummed yet! My first cycle started out similar to yours (I am 32 with 1 ovary and do not respond well to meds - which we learned during my 1st cycle). They upped my meds and it worked out. Mind you we only had 6 folicles, 5 fertilized and they transferred 2 (none to freeze) but we got pregnant with twins. We later lost them at 11 weeks, but it worked.
Ask yourself 'Do I trust my doc?" If yes, then hold steady and let them do what they do. They know what they are doing and they know the likely outcomes. Make sure you trust your doc - if not, see what they say and consider changing docs at the end of this cycle. In this treatment, there is no room for not trusting your doc. Like I said, I trust my doc - he made a good call last year and we just started stims today - I trust him enough to spend spend a ton of money. They do not mind questions - just ask.
|
|
|
|
7/24/2010 8:28 AM
|
Hi ladies -
Hope&Faith - Welcome to the forum this is a great place for support and info. We have been trying for 3 years too so I know it's tough but don't give up. My RE said that it can take 1 to 3 cycles to get pregnant. So depending on age and other issues that makes sense. Hang in there.
Nwells - Thanks I am really hoping that I did get lucky and this baby sticks! Good luck with the lupron treatment. Hope you enjoy your weekend!
Luci - That makes sense now, I bet everyone does things differently. Good luck with your Beta! Hoping for high numbers!
Nevergiveup - I have heard that the acupuncture works. I didn't look into it until we were mostly through the cycle. But I thought if I didn't get pregnant I might consider trying it out. Good Luck to you!
faithnchrist rn- Is this your 1st cycle? Also depending upon your age that may have something to do with it. From what I have read on here sometimes if you are older its hard to get follicles to grow. But I would ask your RE why he is keeping you on this cycle as opposed to canceling it. The reason why I ask is because I had my 1st cycle canceled and it was a good decision. I was glad that my RE stopped instead of trying to push me and taking our money. We started on a Sat with 26 estrogen level and by Wed it was only at 48. So since it didn't double they canceled me. They said that it is harder to get your numbers to rise if they don't start to increase early on. So rather than push me through and spend more money to maybe not get any thing they stopped it. I was so devastated when it happened. But looking back it was the best decision. The next time around they completely changed the drug regimen and I responded to the drugs. Some times its better to stop and start over. Saved us thousands of $$$. My next cycle while I did respond I had about 9 follicles and at retrieval I only had 6 eggs. This also scared me but all 6 eggs were good quality and they all fertilized. So its all about quality then quantity. Some times they just need to learn more about your body, because everyone is different. I know I kind of rambled on but I hope this info helps you. Good Luck to you!
|
|
|
|
7/23/2010 11:46 PM
|
|
I am soooo bummed. I started stim meds on Monday went for my US and BW on Thursday I have 7 follices ranging from 6-9 in size my estrogen was only 29. My baseline estrogen was 13. They increased my Menopur to 225 IU and my follistim stayed at 150 IU. I have an appointment tomorrow morning at 9am for an US and BW. I am really praying for a miracle. After waiting this long I really thought it would be easier than this with IVF. ='(
|
|
|
|
7/23/2010 4:02 PM
|
BC and anyone interested in acupuncture....I would highly recommend doing acupuncture through an IVF treatment. The research has clearly shown it almost doubles your success. I have just completed my 2nd attempt at IVF and we are waiting for the results. I did acupuncture both times. I absolutely loved it and there was no pain involved. Don't think of it as extra needles because it's nothing like injections. It puts your body in a very relaxed state, something every woman could use during the long process of fertility treatments. Important note: do your research on finding an acupuncturist!!! I'm not sure how or why your person told you your eggs would double....acupuncture will not aid in that. Only medications, god, and fate have to do with the number of eggs they can get from each attempt. I checked with 2 acupuncturists before responding to you if that helps. I really believe in the research done and know it helps, but how somewhat remains a mystery. Don't let that deter you. Ask your doctors, friends, online, and find a great acupuncturist that works for you. I saw mine (both times, different people) 3 months prior to the IVF and on the day of implantation/transfer, he came to my house immediately before and was there right after the transfer. 2 treatments were done that day and the sooner you can get them done that big day, the better. Unfortunately, the hospital I go to does not allow acupuncturists onto the floor so he willingly came to my house as I needed to be on that lovely bed rest Hope this helps and please shoot me any questions if you have more!
Good Luck!
Katie
|
|
|
|
7/23/2010 8:31 AM
|
Lucky- Thanks. My clinic is a little different. When we thought we would get to do a fresh cycle, they had a 3 day transfer date before I even had my ER. I am not quite sure why but that is how my doctor always does it. The lab freezes them on whatever day the transfer was scheduled for. I just hope that it works. Congrats on the baby. That is wonderful news!
I am getting ready for my first blood work. Beta on Wed.
|
|
|
|
7/23/2010 8:28 AM
|
hello all
Faith and Hope: welcome yes this place is great and the ladies are amazing!!! I haven't posted in a while because I am in a limbo period, however I will be starting the Lupron treatment next month. MY RE is giving me my first Lupron shot in like two weeks, then I will get another shot in Sept and then she will evaluate me to see if I need another or if i should go straight into an IVF. Mind you I have been going through this for 2 years, trying to conceive for 3. We did 4 IUI's and have already done 3 IVF's- last Nov I had the endo surgery, our 3rd IVF was after and after that didn't work, my RE decided to do a mock cycle and we had more testing and NOW the dreaded Lupron treatment. Can you give me a little insight into your treatment. I am very nervous about it, my RE says I will be in Menopause so I will have hot flashes and night sweats and moodiness- great just what I need!!!! Thanks.
Lucky looks like you have gotten lucky!!! so exciting!!! I am waiting patiently for that day!!!
Luci- I hope this is it for you!!!
Wanna- hang in there and good luck with your cycle- I will soon be there too. Myrtle is making her appearance, she is moving in slow, but she is letting me know she is here, what a witch!!!! HEy I guess one advantage of this whole Lupron treatment thing is NO MYRTLE for two possible three month- I won't be miss her I can tell you that!!!!
To all the ladies, I hope everyone is doing well have a great weekend, I am heading to New Hampshire with our four legged son to do some hiking and swimming- he is a lab/sheppard mix and LOVES the water!!!!
|
|
|
|
7/23/2010 7:48 AM
|
Hi ladies, what a wonderful forum! I have had a hard time finding people to talk to! Not everyone can understand what you are going through, unless you've been through it. My husband and I have just begun our first IVF cycle (hopefully last). We did 3 unsucessful super stim and IUI cycles. A week after finding out our last cycle did not work, my younger sister told us that they were pregnant and only tried for a month. We were devestated, but happy for them at the same time.
I've just started the Lupron Wednesday. I was on Lupron for 6 months to treat my endo. pain, so I'm dreading the next couple weeks.
We are trying to stay positive, but after 3 years of disappoinment it's hard to.
Thanks everyone for your posts, they are truly motivating!
|
|
|
|
7/23/2010 7:38 AM
|
Hi Ladies -
Luci glad your FET went well. I didn't realize that they froze embryo's that didn't make it to blast stage. We had 2 at 7 cell and 1 at 6 cell. The embryologist told us we had about a 30% chance that one would make it to blast to be frozen. So we didn't freeze any based upon his recommendation. But every clinic is probably different. We transferred back 2 embryos at 8 cell and one 7 cell. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to freeze any but I was lucky to have 2 good ones put in and one they rated fair the 7 cell. I really hope everything works out for you!
As for me I guess they aren't as concerned with my betas anymore. I went for my ultrasound yesterday and I had one gestational sac with the yolk. Which is what they wanted to see. So now that they can see it they don't really need to keep testing the betas. My nurse said that this was a huge monument. The next apt is in 2 weeks and we will listen to the heart beat and take measurements. She said after they hear the heart beat I can relax a bit more because the chances of miscarriage go down. I am really hoping my age is on my side and I can keep this baby! This was our last chance and I am so grateful to God for getting me this far.
By the way has anyone here ever had an ultrasound and seen one sac and then had a twin pop up later? The nurse said that anything can happen but that it's likely we are having one baby.
Hope everyone has a nice weekend!
|
|
|
|
7/22/2010 8:18 AM
|
Well I am off of bed rest. I just get so restless.
My Fet went pretty well. They had to thaw out 5 embies. We had and 8 and 7 cell die. They thawed out 3- 6 celled. They were happy because one grew to 7 cells , one grew to 8 and one grew to a morula, which is the stage before blastocyst. They were all still thriving when they put them in. I am a little more hopeful then last time. I did get a bfn but out of the 3 embies they all survived the thaw but only one of them grew a cell. I go in for blood work tomorrow, Monday and my beta is Wed. I am trying not to be too scared. I just hope that I get a BFP and that my numbers are better than last time and that this is our happy ending.
Good luck to all. I will keep you posted.
WannaBe - thanks for the luck. I hope that you get your miracle soon. You are stronger than me. I don't know if I could have sat there and then not been curled in the fetal position for days. I admire you for that.
|
|
|
|
7/21/2010 10:51 AM
|
Hi Ladies -
Wannabe - Good luck on the lupron.
Luci - hope the FET went well and you are doing OK and taking it easy.
Hope123 - Welcome to the group. My DH had sperm issues but the RE said she had seen a lot worse and people getting pregnant on there own. I have no known issues and I am 30. I think our problem was the sperm and egg getting together. But if you have sperm issues I would suggest ICSI where they inject the sperm into the egg. All of my eggs fertilized this way. I am currently pregnant from our 1st IVF attempt. Good Luck to you! I would also say that the waiting on every step can be very difficult. But I prayed a lot and that helped!
So I am a little freaked out. I went for another beta test yesterday, and Friday it was at 1299 and by Tuesday it was 2477. It should have doubled more since there were 4 days in between. Has anyone had this happen? I am wondering if as it gets higher it slows down a but? I mean the number is still high but all last week it doubled every time. So the nurse said I shouldn't be worried yet. They are going to do an ultrasound and beta tomorrow. I just really hope there is at least 1 gestational sac in there. The nurse said it's possible that since I had 3 put back that its possible that 1 embryo went away. Not sure what to think.
Anyone have any advice? Thanks!
|
|
|
|
7/18/2010 4:57 PM
|
Hey luci......just wanted to wish you the very best of luck with your FET tomorrow. I really hope this is your time. I'll say a prayer for you.
Snowie...you've been on my mind. You always have a place here with us. I'm hoping God opens a window for you so you can cycle again and hopefully, get your miracle baby. Bought a lottery ticket lately? Might be time!
Cristeen...have thought of you so often and wish your cycle had been different. Know and completely understand that you are disheartened? it's devastating to turn to DE and then have it fail. I think even more so than with our own eggs because "supposedly" this is the sure fire way to get there. Do you know if your donor's previous cycles had resulted in BFP's or not and if so, were they first time, FET, etc.? May give you some insight/reassurance about cycling again. Don't know if you ever checked out the other blog I mentioned about DE. If not and you're interested, I can give you the link again. It is very educating to learn how long it's taken/not taken for others, etc. I'm thinking of you and hoping your miracle is just on "ice" for the timebeing.
I am doing OK. On Lupron....yet again...6th time...yowza! FET will be in mid-late August as of now. Have my suppression on 7/27. We will transfer our last 2 remaining embryos so praying they implant. It's been a hell of year in so many ways so we could really use some wonderful news. Have not lost heart or faith though. That is all we have, girls, to hold onto...so don't lose it either! We attended a new church today for the first time. Have known the pastor via friends and attending his Bible study before. He performed the service for our baby boys at their memorial and burial. Anyway, so my DH and I are sitting there with our former neighbors and a couple with 10 day old fraternal twin girls walk to the front and proceed to baptize them. I look at my DH (our friend is sitting between us) and we both just start crying. I thought I was going to have to leave the room, the tears came so profusely for us both, but somehow made it through. I told my DH it was meant for us to be there today. I believe it was God's way of telling us our boys are OK in Heaven and to not give up hope that our miracle is still waiting for us. Yours are waiting for you too!
Good luck to everyone in cycle. I don't spread "baby dust" anymore as my experiences have led me beyond that. But, I do spread good wishes, prayers, and hope. To those of you gals waiting....your turn will come too. Through it all.....I still believe!!!
|
|
|
|
7/18/2010 2:46 PM
|
Snowie- I am so sorry.
I am getting ready to leave to go to the hotel. My Fet is tomorrow at 8 am. The hospital is only about and hour and a half away, but this way we don't have to rush. I am really nervous. I have never met the doctor or the nurses. I just really hope that it works this time and that my numbers are strong and double like they are supposed and that this time it will be a happy ending instead of a tragic one. I hope to not go stir crazy on bedrest.
Wish me luck. I will check back on Thursdaywhen I am off bed rest.
Good luck to all and sticky baby dust.
|
|
|
|
7/17/2010 2:22 PM
|
|
Cristeen- Thanks for reaching out to me. I really appreciate it. Sometimes I feel really out of place here because I do have children already. But I love all the ladies here and I wouldnt want to leave them. But yes it is very hard to deal with decisions that we made thinking we were doing the right thing and then 10 years down the road realize it was the biggest mistake of your life. I look at the hurt in my wonderful husbands eyes and I wish there was something I could do. But for now we will focus on the family we do have and hope that we can come up with the money to try IVF again.
|
|
|
|
7/17/2010 10:15 AM
|
|
Hi everyone. I am new to IVF and was just reading thru the IVF buddies forum and thought it would be a great way to calm my nerves. My husband and I have our first IVF consult on Wednesday and I am just wondering what to expect. What is a typical timeline? We are doing IVF because of low sperm quality. Is there anyone else with a similiar story? Hope to hear from you soon! So glad I found this site.
|
|
|
|
7/17/2010 1:47 AM
|
|
Snowie...been thinking about you as our stories have alot in common. I know having other children ( I have three) still doesn't take away the ache. I remember when you were thinking about having the reversal and I was wishing I could do the same. But with my age, it was better to go right to IVF. As it turned out, a reversal would not have worked as my ovaries didn't respond to stims and I had to go for a donor. And I still ended up with a BFN. It hurts every single day. I don't know what it's like for women who don't have any children but noone knows what it feels like to voluntarily have your tubes tied at 27 yrs old like I did because my marriage was unhealthy and I was overwhelmed raising 3 kids very close in age with very little support from their father. I knew I wanted a divorce and I thought I was doing the right thing. Now I have someone in my life I love so much who is a wonderful stepfather and who deserves his own child and I can't make that happen. And we financed everything we could to do IVF with a donor and it still didn't happen. It's really hard not to ask why and not to feel guilty in some way for making that decision 13 yrs ago. I say thanks to God everyday for what I have but the ache in my heart is always there. I wish there was something I could say...just know I'm thinking of you.
|
|
|
|
7/16/2010 8:13 PM
|
Hi ladies -
Snowie - So sorry about your tubes. You are very blessed to have 2 children and I hope you can enjoy them and they bring you some comfort.
Nwells - I hope everything goes well with your lupron.
As for me the nurse called and said my labs looked beautiful and to keep it up. I doubled again in 48 hours to 1299! I go back in Tuesday for another beta test, hopefully at this rate I will be well past 2000 and then they can do an ultrasound then on Thursday to look for gestational sacs. I am praying that we can see at least 1 baby! Then maybe it will feel more real, I am still so scared to believe that this is actually going to happen.
Good Luck to everyone. Hope you all have a nice weekend!
|
|
|
|
7/16/2010 8:29 AM
|
Snowie- so sorry, I teared for you.
Waiting to here when I will begin the lupron process, I will keep everyone posted, figure at this point what do I have to loose right. My RE has been recommending this for the last year, there must be a reason for it, I hope!!!
|
|
|
|
7/15/2010 9:47 PM
|
|
Oh I completely understand and so sorry.
|
|
|
|
7/15/2010 9:30 PM
|
|
IVF2Mom- I did IVF already and I m/c the fresh cycle and chemical the 2nd. I have two children then had my tubes tied b/c I was in a bad abusive relationship. Now I have the man of my dreams my best friend and soulmate and since IVF didn't work and we couldn't afford another fresh cycle we tried TR and now it has scarred closed apparently. So nothing more we can do.
|
|
|
|
7/15/2010 6:26 PM
|
|
Snowie, I don't know all your history but I have 2 blocked tubes as well. To keep the infection out i had one tied and one removed. it's not the end of the world, just means IVF is you only option. I never got a chance to try any other treatments and went straight to IVF. Goodluck
|
|
|
|
7/15/2010 5:42 PM
|
|
Oh, Snowie....I am really so very sorry to hear that your tubes are blocked. It just stinks, nothing more to say about that! Did the clinic that did it offer you any kind or recourse if this happened? I hate to hear that this is the end for you. I will be praying that God opens up a window for you somehow, some way. Don't know what else to say but I will be thinking of you and praying for you. Take good care, Snowie. XO
|
|
|
|
7/15/2010 5:34 PM
|
|
Had my HSG today instead of tomorrow (they had an opening) anyway both of my tubes are blocked again so this is the end of the road for sure for us. I wish all of you much luck
|
|
|
|
7/15/2010 11:02 AM
|
Hello ladies
Lucky- AWESOME!!!!
Epilady- thank you, you made me cry because you totally hit the nail on the head for me, I feel that way and if I was only so forward and bold I would express it!!! Meg says I am so strong, and there are girls I have been talking to who are not on this forum who are going through the same thing and I give them advice because they are falling apart and try to keep them going, and guess what both are now pregnant, so sometimes I feel like I am just the cheer leader and I will never get into the game. I am strong for myself, strong for others and sometime I feel like for what!!!! UGH!!!
Well my update, my RE definitely wants me to do the depo-Luron for 2 months and go right into an IVF cycle. I am so torn because what if it doesn't work after that, my body has been through so much already. I am not liking the menopause idea, or the weight gain, part of me just has to trust my RE the other part wants to be like, no way I don't feel right about it so I am not doing it. However if I choose not to do it, then what, am I done? So I need advice, any one ever do the Lupron high dose for any length of time, or know anyone who has? I know one person but she was done having children . As for acupuncture, I have gone on and off for the the last year and 1/2 never consistent enough to really make a difference, except it did help my cramps. In June I started going once a week, I love it and it is great, if anything it totally relaxes you!!!! So I say do it.
To the rest of you ladies, stay strong, have faith, Lord knows I am trying and we need to!!!
|
|
|
|
7/15/2010 5:20 AM
|
|
My update: My estrogen level was 13 and my lining was very thin. RE said I looked great. I will be starting Follistim 150U and Menopur 150U on Monday. So far no set back prayfully this trend will continue! =)
|
|
|
|
7/14/2010 5:46 PM
|
Thanks so much ladies for the well wishes. I got my second beta, and in 72 hours it was 608. So hopefully it will keep rising and stick! We go back Friday morning to check again.
Hope everyone is doing well in their cycles and what ever stage you may be in right now!
|
|
|
|
7/14/2010 12:19 PM
|
Hey Ladies,
I haven't been on any forums in a while. All I want to do these days is sleep (but I'm not complaining). I haven't had a chance to read all the latest post so please forgive me for not commenting.
AFM, still growing 2 babies. 7 week u/s yesterday showed 1 @ 6w5d with a hb of 141.5 and 1 @ 6w3d with a hb of 113. I'm still praying both continue to develop and I get to see my sweet peas sooner than I realize.
Take care ladies...baby dust
|
|
|
|
7/13/2010 4:34 PM
|
Lucky : congrats on the BFP!
BC: I have had acupuncture and found it to be very relaxing and it did help me deal with massive amounts of stress last cycle. However, not sure if I will do it again since I did months of acupuncture leading up to 2 IUIs and 2 IVFs - all unsuccessful. I would recommend it for stress relief but for me at least it didn't seem to be the missing link in achieving success.
|
|
|
|
7/13/2010 12:18 PM
|
I went in for my lining check yesterday. Everything looks good. My FET got pushed back a day until Monday. My doctor won't be there for it , it will be some doctor that I don't know. They pushed me back since he won't be there and we would be the only reason anyone would be coming in. I am still really nervous. It just has to work . I am afraid it won't and I am afraid it will and end like last time.
The last few days I have been really angry. I just found out my waste of space cousin's girlfriend is pregnant. She just took a test because everyone thought that she was. My mom says by the way she looks she is at least 6 months. She just graduated from high school. I know that they both smoke and do drugs. My cousin is 25 and he is on disability for being bi polar and he doesn't take his meds. I am just so angry . That baby is already doomed. I am trying to be positive and calm and tell myself that this time it will happen.
I am going on a date with myself this afternoon. My husband refuses to take me to the new twilight movie , so I am going to go by myself.
I hope that everyone is having a good day. Baby dust to all.
|
|
|
|
7/13/2010 12:56 AM
|
@BC: several of the ladies here have done acupuncture. I did not, mostly because I couldn't figure out how to squeeze that into my schedule too. However, if this IVF did not work (or I lose this preg), I probably would take at least 3 months off and just do acupuncture. I believe it can really work and know people who are not the "touchy-feely" type who've given acupuncture a go as a last resort to dealing with their health issues and have come away feeling much better (not just with fertility). I'm of the opinion that it can't hurt, even if it doesn't help.
@Lucky: congrats!! Keep us informed, and sticky baby dust!
@praying4: that's interesting. My RE told me I could call at any time and come in for a scan, even if it was just to reassure me. I'm actually scheduled for 2 more scans before I get officially passed off to my OB, even though my first OB appt is on Friday. I totally understand where you're coming from with the thought that anything could've happened, but I hope these two things give some reassurance: 1) if something did, there's nothing we can do about it and 2) if something was wrong, your body would likely have told you. Hang in there and let us know how your next scan goes!!
@Snowie: I know you were looking forward to the clomid, but, yay, no hormone-enduced emotional roller-coaster this month! I actually responded better to Femara (and had less emotional instability).
@NWells: Gotcha. Well, at least it's a little less strange than your brother's wife talking about their sex life (Jerry Springer, anyone?). Youth definitely gets the bravado, but as we all know, there's no way of telling who gets to get pregnant or when. I understand what you mean about the "it will happen." My mom used to tell me I just needed to relax. Because we all know only relaxed women get pregnant. Don't know any Type A personalities with kids, do we? If it helps at all, it doesn't meant that they don't care. They are uncomfortable. One friend of mine who was very dismissive, "Oh, you know, it will happen on God's time frame. You just have to be patient and believe." I said, "No, I don't have to be patient, and no, I don't believe this is God's time frame. That's almost like saying God is punishing me. I know this subject makes you uncomfortable, but if I were diagnosed with cancer, you wouldn't be telling me to be patient and let God heal me on His time frame. While infertility may not kill me the way that some cancers do, it feels like a cancer of the soul, eating away at my hopes and dreams. And I have no control over it. Sure, I can do this treatment or that treatment, which worked for Sally at work and Jen from the gym. But that doesn't mean they will work for us. I don't need platitudes; I just need someone to listen and hear my pain." Of course, I also tend to be a little confrontational when I have had "enough". That wasn't as mean as I would've liked to be, but it definitely did stop her "helpful" comments. A good friend could have heard that and listened, though. In some ways, people with kids feel guilty, especially if it just happened for them. What can they say? It's almost like you're starving and they have a lot of food, only it's not food that can be shared with you. One of my friends who is a stay at home mom with 2 kids was having some difficulty controlling them the other day. She said, "You really want to deal with this? I'd rather have your life." I said, "Sure, I'll trade you. I'd choose runny noses and poopy diapers and tantrums over medication that makes me gain 10 pounds, bloats my stomach, where I have to inject myself 3-5 times a day (for the entire 9 months if it does work), that sends my emotions all over the place, and where I'm not even guaranteed success. And if it doesn't work, then I have to deal with both my disappointment and my husband's." She said, "Yeah, that does suck. I think I'll choose my messy boys." I call it "sharing my perspective." But hang in there. You do have fight, and that is worth a lot.
Okay, must finish the garbage now. Night, ladies.
|
|
|
|
7/12/2010 9:27 PM
|
Has anyone done acupuncture with their IVF? Why or why not? If so, do you feel like the acupuncture made a difference? Was it the acupuncture or the being totally relaxed 2 times a week?
We are trying to decide if we want to try it, we didn't last time and carried to 11 weeks. But the lady said she could double my egg count. What do you think? Any input is appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
7/12/2010 6:26 PM
|
Hi ladies - I just wanted to let you know that we are BFP! My level was 209 and the nurse said I was very pregnant! I am so happy I can't even put it into words. She did preface it by telling me that anything can happen and it could go either way. So not to tell anyone who I wouldn't want to untell. But I think that have to tell you that to keep you grounded. But for right now I am pregnant and it feels wonderful!
Thanks to all you ladies for all the support and encouragement!
Good Luck to everyone!
|
|
|
|
7/12/2010 4:47 PM
|
I'm know i haven't been around in a while. I'm so sorry to read about the BFNs and losses. I can only imagine what u are going through. Hugs and Kisses to you all.
AFM, Nothing much has been going on with me. I had my first OBGYN visit last week. Nothing much happen. I was hoping to get an US since my last one was was at 6w5d. But I was told I couldn't get another one until I'm 12wks. Hopefully I'll get a chance to hear the baby's HB and see how much they have grown. On Wed. I'll be 10wks. I'm a little worried because of how long it will be between ultrasounds, it'll be seven wks. I'm feeling like anything can happen to my babies between now and then. I'm just trying to keep my faith. I haven't had any spotting or pain, so I'm trying to take that as a positive and live in the moment and enjoy being pregnant.
|
|
|
|
7/12/2010 3:32 PM
|
|
disregard previous entry change of plans: No Clomid this month going to have an HSG on friday to be sure my tubes are still open then will go on from there.
|
|
|
|
7/12/2010 10:11 AM
|
|
So new plan this month 100 mg of Clomid in stead of 50 and taking it days 5-9 instead of 3-7 so here goes nothing.
|
|
|
|
7/12/2010 10:06 AM
|
Hi ladies,
Epilady- Lisa my SIL is actually my husbands brothers wife, and he is in constant competition with my husband, so any time he can accomplish something before him he lets everyone know it. I was talking to my husbands sister Meg, who lived with them and when we were talking about the way LIsa is acting regarding the whole getting pregnant thing, Meg made me feel so much better because she felt the way I did, and she is only 25 and no where near having kids, she said she can't imagine how I feel about it because it bothered her so much, lisa is almost so confident and cocky about getting pregnant. It felt good to hear someone else say what was on my mind. Meg also told me I have more fight in me and I need to just keep going, you asked if I have a counselor, not really an actual one I have all of you and if I had to say the person who is encouraging and listens and just cheers me on it is Meeghan. Most people don't know what to say to me, or how to responds when I talk about everything, and they just ask a lot of questions. Or they have Kids already and they almost feel bad saying anything at all. I try to talk to my sister, and some of my friends and their only response always is.... it will happen- I AM SO SICK OF HEARING THAT- Meg doesn't even go there, she is great and gives me the support I am looking for!!!!! I have learned that in the last three years, she really is the best person for me to go to just because she doens't know what I am going through, she doesn't pretend to know and she just listens talks about my strengths and keeps me going.
Lucky- sounds like it could be it, but I will not say anything until I hear back from you!
No idea what is going to happen, still planning on starting in August.
|
|
|
|
7/11/2010 4:17 PM
|
|
Lucky Good luck on beta test tomorrow, please let us know the results! (Sounds encouraging so far!)
|
|
|
|
7/11/2010 4:15 PM
|
epilady: congrats on the BFP!!
snowie: sorry to hear about another BFN, good luck next month!
As for me, still in the waiting game. i saw a hematologist last week. She was not concerned about the PAI 1 or MTHFR muttations as the 1st RE was. but she did think that my Protein S levels were low. Same treatment as the others - blood thinners, which I have been on before, so I don't really see how we solved anything here.
I am currrently on Advair for a (hopefully ) temporary respiratory condition due to exposure to some chemicals at work. so I don't know if I will have to wait for the next round of IVF, which we were hoping to do in August. I may have to be on Advair, which is a steroid inhaler, for several months and I would certainly rather not be taking anything when we start IVF. I just feel like our life is on hold and we are so ready to move forward, feel like we have been waiting forever and I am really disapointed if I will have to wait a few more months. Hopefully I will just stop coughing soon!
|
|
|
|
7/11/2010 12:02 PM
|
|
Sorry to keep you ladies waiting I have been kinda depressed. It was BFN AGAIN!! I HATE HATE HATE that my body screwed with me like it did this month but oh well. Increased dose of clomid this month to 100 so maybe that will do the trick.
|
|
|
|
7/11/2010 2:51 AM
|
Hi Ladies!
@wannabe - you are right, I am new here. I have been on another forum for the past 4 years and thought it might be time to expand my horizons to a forum of IVF folks. There were a lot of people on my old forum (which I still frequent) that were not to this stage and could not understand. Glad to have found you ladies!
@IVF2 - You are also right. I have come to that realization and am doing much better this week. I am just letting it go and flow and God will do the rest. I am accepting that it will all be on his terms and his time line. Just breathe and go with it!
@luci - I have often wondered the same thing - how much pain and loss can one person stand. But please know that God does love you and he will never give you more than He knows you can handle. Easy to say but hard to know. My niece passed away, then 2 months later my Father and 2 moths later we lost our 2nd and started chemo. And that was only 1 year and it was 5 years ago. I promise that even if you cannot pray, God knows your heart and he will help you heal.
@cristeen - sometimes REs won't call to talk because they are afraid that calling will make it harder on you. When we lost our twins, and had the D&C - other than a quick check-in after surgery I did not hear from my RE for 2 months. When I finally did go see him 2 months after that he said that they try to give the family space to work through things together and often people feel pushed if they call too soon. Almost like they are saying 'gosh sorry. are you ready to come spend more money?'. Maybe that is your situation?
@aga - it totally depends on your doc. Mine recommends 2 cycles. 1st to get the body to heal and back on track and the 2nd to build up a nice lining in the uterus. I am sure if you are wanting to you can ask them to start right away - however, I would follow their recommendation if they want to wait. Best of luck!
@lucky - my shots started to sting after about 6 weeks, but it was more to us running out on places that hadn't been stuck already. Can you ask for suppositories or a different oil? I think ours was in soy oil. RE said that there were fewer reactions. It was about $80 for a 2 week supply.
@Epilady - Thanks for asking. We are 2 weeks into BCP (one more to go thankfully!). I am feeling bloated and very tight in my lower abdomen. When I started my cycle (day 1) they also had me start pills and my cycle was only 3 days long instead of 6 and very light. So I am thinking that the next cycle will be fabulous (dripping with sarcasm!), probably super heavy and crampy. I have a clotting disorder and have to do lovenox when on BCP and after transfer. For some reason my stomach is very tender this time (last time lovenox didn't bother me at all). I am thinking that maybe it is because we did Lovenox for so long last year (14 weeks) and it is just still sensitive? Kind of makes me worry about how the progesterone shots will be this time if the lovenox hurts after 2 weeks... Looking forward to starting hormones. I will also be staring acupuncture next week - she says it can increase our follicle count, which we really need.
Baby dust to all who are trying, sticky dust to all the BFPs, hugs to all the BFNs and prayers for all.
|
|
|
|
7/11/2010 2:15 AM
|
Hi, Ladies! Sorry to have been such a stranger, but I've been so tired when I get home from work that I'm not good for much of anything these days. These are the times that it really stinks that my husband is so far away, because it sure would be nice to have someone else to vacuum or put the dishes in the washing machine.
@Lucky: I had the same reaction, and it occurred around 2 weeks, too. It looked like I had a butterfly on my butt (the rashes). This cycle, I used progesterone in ethyl oleate and all has been well thus far. Good luck with your blood test - that's exciting! (I've never actually seen a positive result from any of my POAS tests, so no!)
@Mummy: I'd second WannaBe's advice and hope you are finding the support you need, and that your doctor is giving you advice and counseling. Did they also look at the nuchal fold (the thickness around the developing neck) during your first and second trimester? That's a screening test, where the amnio is considered to be "diagnostic". However, every diagnostic test has a certain percentage of results that are false positive (classified as positive, when it shouldn't be) and false negative (classified as negative, when it should be positive). It's worth chatting with your doctor about it, especially if they didn't see any abnormalities in the nuchal fold. Best wishes for a positive outcome.
@Smiles: congrats!! Hope you're getting *some* sleep!
@aga: I'm so sorry about your m/c. It is really hard; I know. Different clinics do their FET cycles differently - some wait a month or longer; some start immediately. It really depends on the protocol (and your mental and physical readiness).
@ivf: good news about the heartbeats for both your babies!!
@NWells: I'd tell my SIL in no minced words, "I REALLY don't want to hear about you having sex with my brother. I love both you guys, but would not prefer to have THAT image stuck in my head. This isn't an episode of Jerry Springer!" Ewww - especially the bit about "a lot of babymaking love." Maybe I'm repressed, but blech! LOL! I'm also sorry to hear of your mental state - the ups and downs of this process are so difficult to take. Do you have a counselor that your see? It's such a hard decision to make: when is "enough" actually "enough"? And as women, we tend to be so self-reflective and self-blaming. "I should've done this instead. I should've gone there. I shouldn't have had that drink. I should've tried one more time." And numbness is a natural part of the loss cycle. Wishing you a better mental state.
@cristeen: sorry to hear about your RE troubles. Before you go to the other clinic, have you (or will you have) met with your RE to talk more about the cycle?
@snowie: 2ww almost over! Let us know!
@luci: good luck with your FET cycle. I don't believe in omens, although I did change my underwear before an RE visit (because I was wearing a pair that my husband and I joked are a "bad" pair. We'd plan for intimacy, but times that wore that pair, it just didn't happen.) I totally understand the anger at God; I have a lot of it myself, still. And I don't know about you, but my God can handle my anger. I've had people tell me it was inappropriate to be mad at God; that He didn't like that. Well, if my anger and rage can affect my God that easily, He's likely not that omnipotent. Besides, He made me and He made me a little prone to anger anyway. LOL
@BC: how's your cycle going?
My update: I am pregnant, with 1, and there was fetal heart activity at my 7 week visit. I was fortunate enough to have a good friend who insisted on coming to the appointment with me so I wouldn't be alone if the news was bad. I find that I was relieved, but not totally. My friend said, "I thought you'd be ecstatic!" I said, "It's still early, and I'm worried, although it was a relief to see that activity." The baby measured at 6w4d, so it's well within the margin (plus or minus 5 days). Meanwhile, they still can't get my clotting factors in the right range (I've gone from 5000 units of heparin 2x day to 9500), so they will be switching me to Lovenox. I've been tired, nauseated a lot, but I'm hanging in there and thankful for every day I get to be pregnant. Hopefully it will all work out okay. It's so hard to have this thing going on inside and have no control over it. I guess that's the first step in accepting parenthood, though.
Hope all you ladies are having a great weekend. Sorry to anyone I missed.
|
|
|
|
7/10/2010 1:15 PM
|
Good morning, ladies.
Lucky....Congratulations! You sound BFP to me! It is highly unlikely that you would get a positive on an HPT and then get a negative beta, so I would rest assured that you are pregnant! Wonderful news and so very happy for you. Can't wait to hear your beta results. Please be sure and share them with us!
Mummy23.....long time since we've heard from you. Have thought of you and wondered how things are going. So, how many weeks officially are you? Around 18 I think. I am happy you have your girl but very, very sorry to hear about the Trisomy 18 possibility. FYI....if you just google "support groups for trisomy 18" several things will pop up. I found one for you at http://www.trisomy18support.org/ Hope this is helpful. So, what is your OB saying at this point? That is the person who should really be giving you advice, information, and knowledge of what is likely and what to expect at this point. If you are close to 20 weeks and haven't yet had it, you should soon have the full autonomy scan of your baby. This will measure literally every detail of your baby from heart size, chambers, brain size, etc. It will give you a ton of information and will help you to see what is going on with your baby's growth.
I will keep you and your baby in my prayers. I hope they are incorrect in their diagnosis at this point. A friend of mine, in her late 20's with 2 healthy boys, had a little girl born last January with Trisomy 13. I know what a challenging & heartbreaking situation it was for her. Will be praying for you and thinking of you. Please let us know what your OB says.
XO God bless.
|
|
|
|
7/10/2010 9:16 AM
|
Hi Ladies -
Mummy23 - Congrats on your girl you always wanted. Did you select the gender before hand and have them use only female sperm? So sorry about the amnio, if there didnt appear to be anything wrong why did you have to have it? Is it an age thing? Well I hope everything turns out to be OK and you find a forum that will give you some information. Good Luck!
Agahope - good luck with your FET cycle!
Nwells - I know how hard it is to see people around you getting pregnant. My sister in law found out she was pregnant a month before we started our cycle. I completely lost it. I thought we couldn't be pregnant at the same time. But I am happy for her now, because it will be another baby to love and hopefully a cousin close in age if I am so blessed to get pregnant.
IVF2mom - hoping your babies stick and are growing healthy. Just remember to take care of yourself and have faith!
faithnchrist - I had no side effects with lupron at all. My first cycle was canceled due to lack of response which could have been too much suppression. The 2nd cycle I was on a very watered down version for only 2 days before stims. And to be honest I didn't really have that many side effects with any of the drugs. I was crazy emotional all the time when I was on clomid.
Have any of you ladies had a bad reaction to your progesterone shots? Mine are sesame oil based and I have these itchy blotches on my butt. Not sure if they are hives. But I have been on progesterone 2 weeks yesterday. So its strange that if was an allergic reaction it would happen after almost 2 weeks. Called nurse and she says that can happen. She asked if I wanted to change drugs. I said well since we have BT Monday I might as well wait and see if I am pregnant, then we can make a change.
So I broke down and took a POAS this morning. I thought my HCG should be out of my system by now since they are going to do a BT on Sunday morning. The office is open but lab wont be run until Monday. We decided to go Sunday since its about an hour and a half a way by Chicago then we wouldn't have to deal with traffic. Anyway it was BFP! I am too nervous to think that this is real. But has anyone ever gotten a false positive the day before the blood test? I have never seen a positive result so I was so happy but I am also trying to stay grounded and tell myself that it might not be correct.
Well I am done rambling on. I wish everyone the best of luck, and please keep your fingers crossed for me that it really is positive! I will let you all know on Monday what the result is.
|
|
|
|
7/9/2010 11:36 PM
|
|
Smiles - congratulations to you! Blessings to you, your husband and your new bundle of joy! Glad to hear all is well. Take care.
|
|
|
|
7/9/2010 12:28 AM
|
|
Hey Girls I know its been a minute but I have something I need to share and hope someone can direct me somewhere anywhere...we finally got pregnant due date dec 12 its the girl I have always wanted did genetic screening last week came back 1 in 5 for trisomy 18 did an amnio and it came back positive weird thing is everyone of our ultrasounds have been perfect so perfect had I not had this testing they wouldn't have even suggested it but I can't find a chat room to talk with other families to start figuring out what is going on please pray for us as I still pray for all the women on this site regularly...I need help in crisis -momma23
|
|
|
|
|
|