First IVF with PGD soon. Anyone else?

[Sophie2015]

Bronte- I was wanting to proceed but I'm currently feeling "unwell" with all over swelling of my hands and feet and legs. It's just odd. So if that continues I'm not sure I can proceed given the risks.

As for the clotting issue. I was diagnosed with this in 2014! And THREE doctors said I only needed baby asa to treat it. My hematologist who was called in when I developed the clot said that the Follistim increasing my E2 levels likely caused me to clot and that I should ALWAYS be on Lovenox before, during, and after EVERY pregnancy. Having said that, the clotting issue didn't cause this mc. Baby was a boy and had trisomy 15. My 3rd loss was trisomy 21. My first 2 losses however did not grow and my OB always felt it was a probable blood flow/clotting issue but we weren't aware of my clotting disorder until she tested me after I lost the 2nd baby.

I'm hoping this swelling issue resolves soon. I was cleared last week to run/walk as I tolerated it and I ran 16 miles in the last week. Hoping my body just needs a break and recovery time. Gonna back off the cardio a bit but it's tough because I've been told not to just sit around. 😕 I feel doomed either way.

 

[BronteForever]

Sophie - what a horrible position to be put it and it does sound like you have to be very cautious, especially now that you aren't feeling well.

Maybe the running 16 miles didn't help. You might want to hold off a bit to help alleviate any clots. Short walks might be best for awhile. I know that's hard if you are an avid runner (my husband is as well and he had a really hard time keeping off it for several months after his heart surgery - and was back to running way earlier than he probably should have been). Anyway, take it easy.

It's good you know the reasons for the miscarriages then and it sounds like they worked out the clotting issue so that isn't the reason for that specifically, but you just need to be monitored very carefully if you proceed once you are feeling better.

I know if I were you; I'd have a very hard time deciding to proceed or not. Even just after my ectopic pregnancy I was very scared to get pregnant again because of the issues I had. I can't imagine it being even more dangerous.

Hugs to you!

 

[3chords]

Sophie - I've never heard of people having to come off Lovenox around egg retrieval. I know several people who started that or Fragmin early and stayed on through egg retrieval and transfer, etc. I myself start Fragmin (same as Lovenox) the day of the retrieval and have never had any issue with bleeding ovaries...maybe something worth checking. I would think that the life threatening condition of clots would be more serious than some peripheral ovarian bleeding (if it happens at all)?

 

[Sophie2015]

Bronte- I was cleared to run. Encouraged to even. And I felt great doing it. So not sure why I'm feeling so bad now?!

3chords- It's because my dose is double what a normal Lovenox dose is. Because I'm being treated for a current clot and that clot and treatment will take up to 3 months to dissolve so I'll be on a therapeutic dose until at least January. If I was on the normal 40mg twice a day dose it'd be fine. But my dose is currently 80mg twice a day plus baby asa.

 

[Sophie2015]

Hi ladies. As long as my labs and such look good this week and next we are scheduled to start ivf with pgd with my next cycle in November. I have mixed feelings. I've enjoyed having a somewhat normal life these last almost 8 weeks waiting for AF to return (you know, minus the PE event and hospitalization). I'm not sure I'm ready to start in with stressful tests and the fear of failure. This will be our final attempt. But we've met our drug out of pocket max plus our medical out of pocket max so makes more financial sense to start ASAP. Plus I just turned 44. Anyway. Just needed to vent I guess. Hope you all are well.

 

[BronteForever]

Sophie - this is exciting news. I'm sure it's a ton of mixed emotions, but I really hope everything goes well for you. It does sound like it makes sense to proceed sooner rather than later.

Good luck!

 

[Sophie2015]

I corrected my post. I guess at 4am when I was typing I decided I'd be 41. I'm 44 😂.

Thanks Bronte. Anything new on your end?

 

[BronteForever]

Ha...we can all hope to be younger during this process!

No I have no news and have not been doing great mentally to be honest. I'm not extremely confident in our next attempt and have lost alot of my hope. It doesn't help that I've had so much to do and my grandmother isn't doing well, which is never fun. However, I've been keeping super busy which is kind of a blessing to keep my mind off other things. I'm so ready for January to get here already!

 

[Sophie2015]

Sometimes the waiting is harder than the process. At least for me. I start to worry about all the negative what ifs. I did it this time as I waited longer and longer for AF to finally show. And once she did I worried it was too light, I had scar tissue, etc. So far nothing seems to be wrong. My body acts like I never even lost baby 5 and hemorrhaged etc. I do so much better once the process of things starts. I hope that'll be the case for you in January.
Honestly I'm not terribly optimistic about our chances. Trying to go into it calmly knowing all my eggs are bad. Hoping I won't worry as much.

 

[BronteForever]

You are right that the waiting itself makes it worse. That's one of my least favorite things.

I'm sorry you aren't having much confidence either, but I really hope everything goes well for you. The fact you have made it so far a few times suggest your eggs aren't horrible, but you just never know until you get through the process.

Best wishes!

 

[eabwhab]

Hello ladies,

I hope you do not mind me joining in.

Sophie, I am so sorry for everything you have gone through. I can relate to it a bit as I also had five losses before having a successful pregnancy.
I am 41 now and was almost 40 when I fell pregnant with my daughter via IVF. I did tested the embryo via PGS. That gave me some peace of mind.
I am due to start a fresh IVF soon. I am going for my baseline u/s tomorrow. I have not yet decided whether I will do PGS.


Bronte, sorry it has been so difficult. Good job on your weight loss. It is great!!
Wishing you all the best for your next cycle.

 

[TTC First]

I had 3 losses and was tested for everything. I had only done IUIs. The doctor told me that my only hope was IVF with PGS. We decided to try IUI one more time, this time I took aspirin. This led to our DD. I am now PG again and on aspirin again. I had my betas done and things are moving well, I have my first u/s on Monday.

Take a look into aspirin before you make your decision.

 

[Sophie2015]

eab- good luck with your fresh ivf!!

TTC- I've been on baby aspirin since March of 2014. I'm still on it WITH my Lovenox.

 

[BronteForever]

Eab - best wishes on your upcoming IVF cycle. Hope you have success this time around again.

TTC - congrats!

 

[Sophie2015]

My IVF class is tomorrow and for some reason this is the piece of IVF that stresses me the most. 😕

Any news with any of you ladies?

 

[BronteForever]

Sophie - how exciting. I didn't have an IVF class itself, but once you get into the process it's a bit overwhelming at first, especially the big first step that makes it feel "real" and so I imagine that's alot of what the class will feel like. Ours was signing all the paperwork and doing injection training. It just feels overwhelming because you haven't ever done anything like this. I'd never given myself injections either, but you are already familiar with that, so that's one thing down. Anyway, it will settle in as you go along and you will do fine. Best wishes!

No news; still not doing my next cycle until January but really hoping it works!

 

[Sophie2015]

Hey Bronte! Happy to hear from you! How's the weight loss going? I'm trying to lose all the weight 5 pregnancies and mc's put on me the last 2.5 years. I used to be so thin. Infertility has totally taken over my life.
IVF class. The process itself doesn't bother me at all. I loved my IUI injectibles cycles. Maybe I'm just anxious about getting started. I'd rather jump right in than sit in a 4 hour class! I also see my hematologist tomorrow to come up with a plan for my Lovenox. Been dealing with a 2nd suspected clot in my arm for almost 2 weeks now. We've been at the beach so it hasn't been evaluated. Hoping we discover tomorrow it's a hematoma and not a clot. A 2nd clot without having a reason for it will really make my Drs reluctant to start me on clot inducing hormones!!

I'm excited for your January cycle! Do you have a plan you feel better about? I know you had concerns after your last attempt.

 

[BronteForever]

On no, really hope it's not another clot and they can get whatever it is under control.

I totally feel you on the anxious to get started. I'm really ready to start my next one. I don't know what my protocol will be yet, but I know I want to add in HGH regardless of what the doctors said. One of my doctors last time didn't recommend it, but I actually haven't gotten to talk to my primary RE about it and he was supposed to be coming up with protocols. I need to call soon to make another meeting so we will be on track for a January start time.

I feel a bit better and think my body is better ready at least with the weekly acupuncture and tons of supplements I've been on. I actually no longer have spotting before my periods which is something I've been dealing with for more than 4 years. They thought it was scar tissue related, but I'm not sure now. Whatever it is, I'm hoping it means something has improved internally and I'll have a better cycle because of it!

 

[Sophie2015]

Bronte- I think no spotting is a great sign your body and hormones are improving!!

Did my IVF class and saw my Hematologist yesterday. My arm was evaluated via ultrasound and isn't a clot although it's unclear what it is exactly. It's slowly improving so just gonna ignore it.
Have my plan from my RE. IVF starts in 2 weeks using massive doses of Follistim and Menopur. Given my over response with a much smaller dose of Follistim I'm nervous things will escalate out of control rapidly. Plus between the Follistim Menopur and Lovenox I'll be giving myself 6 abdominal injections a day into an abdomen that's one giant bruise and hematoma. Finding places for all these shots is going to be a challenge.
Hematologist wants me hospitalized for my ER. But it's complicated because my Heme and RE don't have privileges at the same hospital so they are working together via phone to put together a plan that keeps me as safe as possible from more clots and hemorrhages. A little stressed something will go wrong with the overall process.
And...against my better judgment we decided to TTC this month. I had a positive LH surge last night so we've been trying all week plus last night. Really hoping I'll get lucky and won't have to risk my life with IVF. Of course DH is worried I'll end up risking my life with another mc/D&C if we conceive on our own. Sigh. I want a baby so badly but will be glad when this season of my life is over. It's been almost 3 years of non stop worry and drama.

 

[BronteForever]

Sophie - so glad you don't have another clot and can get started with IVF soon. 6 injections a day is alot. I was doing about 3 a day and didn't find it too bad to find spots and I bruise really easily too. Hope it's not too bad and they can work out the logistics for ER to keep you safe.

Really hope you have success!