First time IVF - Started Lupron last Thurs - Would Love some Buddies

[terripeachy]

booger-Chocolate cysts? Interesting name. hee hee. Hopefully all will be well at your appointment next week. There is nothing to freak out about before you go to your appointment. And...if you've had most of your testing done, you're in a really good place to start moving forward. You may have to call your insurance and get an approval before proceeding, but that is not a big deal, but I think you said that insurance doesn't cover ART so you won't have to call, I guess. You may have to get genetic testing done too. It'll be fine. Hope you got some good Bd'ing in this week. Your temps are on the upswing!

ERose-Thanks..I feel much better hearing your story. I think I can stand quite a bit of pain, but I've never really had anything done that was super painful. Like I've never broken a leg or anything like that. hee hee. Maybe I have no idea how much pain I can stand, but I like to think I can stand a lot. HA! I'm a goofball. I hope they give me pain meds. I'll ask at my appointment tomorrow, although I have taken percoset and hydracodone before and they made me nauseous, so I never took more than one. I'm the worst! Now I keep trying to recall painful experiences. HA!HA!! My brain has probably blocked them all so I can go on with life.

 

[ERosePW]

I've never heard of chocolate cysts either, wow! Booger, I remember when I was about to go to my consult for IVF, and to be honest, I was the complete opposite of nervous... I was super excited. I couldn't wait! I was so happy to be taking that next step. I mean, a year ago, I would've been shocked to know I might have to do IVF, haha! But after having TTC for so long, I couldn't wait to take that next step that has such a high percent chance of producing a baby! I was SO ready. Now, it may not have worked the first time, BUT I got all my embies, and like my RE said to me the other day, there's definitely a couple babies in there. So even though I didn't get prego yet, as far as I'm concerned, it was a success. So, just relax and think about how much closer you're getting to becoming a mommy.

Terri, the way it worked at my clinic, was that they gave me a prescription for 6 vicodin (it is hydrocodone). They made me bring the bottle with me to my ER and had me take 2 about a half hour before the procedure (and that was on an empty stomach too since you can't eat after midnight the night before). If your clinic works the same (which I have NO idea if they all work similarly in this respect or not), don't worry about getting too nauseated, because from that point, you will be laying down the rest of the time anyway. They had me in my hospital gown, had me laying down, and put my IV in. So if I had gotten nauseated, at least I was laying down and comfy. She did ask me first if that stuff nauseates me, so if I had said yes, she might've just had me take one instead of two, not real sure. After some time passed, they rolled me in, put my legs up in these weird stirrups, and once the anesthesia hit, I dont recall a THING. They said I talked, but I do not remember it at all. The next thing I remember, I woke up in recovery with my hubs sitting there, and they came in and told me they got 20 eggs. I had no pain when I woke up, so there must've been other pain meds in the IV. The last 4 vicodin were what they sent me home with, and told me I could take one every 4-6 hours. It took a few hours before the other stuff wore off. Your clinic might work totally different from mine, and your experience could be totally different from mine, but if you do get pain meds, I highly recommend making sure you have one for bedtime. At least for me, it was tough getting in any comfortable position when I got into bed. On my back, nope, on my stomach, nope, on my sides, nope. With a vicodin, YEP.

 

[terripeachy]

Talking while under anesthesia CRACKS.ME.UP. I think I"m a talker too. I'm never going to get my work done...ok..I'm reading the rest of your story and closing out BnB. HA!!HA!!

 

[ERosePW]

I think the Dr was about ten minutes late, and I guess they just happened to mention it to me (even though I was already under).... they said I responded with "The doctor didn't show up for my egg retrieval??" And then while I was in recovery, when I mentioned to the nurse that I was dreading the P injections, she said "Girl, you're so worried about that...you were even talking about it in the operating room!" HAHA! I hate knowing that i'm talking when I'm not aware! I guess they wouldn't have told me if I said anything embarrassing.

 

[beaglemom]

IUI went well. Count was 5 million. I have a much longer story but on my phone and pretty uncomfortable and tired. Better update later.

 

[JCM]

I found you! Haha oh I'm so glad you posted your egg retrieval experience. I'm so nervous about it! Hi everyone! I followed Erin over here since I'm on the ivf train now! I had some pretty giant cysts on my baseline scan so I'm on a month of bcps to shrink them. I HATE HATE HATE this birth control. My next ultra sound isn't til August 25th so I'm trying to stay patient. DH says we should just try naturally this cycle. I laughed and thought hey maybe I could be one of those women that gets pregnant on birth control since I don't get pregnant any other way for the last 2 years! Lol wouldn't that be a trip!? Anyway, I guess the plan is to check my cysts the end of the month and if all is good, I stop bcp and have a "withdrawal bleed" and then start my injections. They said about 10 days, nothing for a day and then trigger with egg retrieval 36 hours later. I am so freaked out about it! All I can think of is an ultra sound wand with a needle that pops out of it! The standard at my office is a 5 day transfer. I'm worried my body might be too stressed from the drugs to implant an embryo though. Hopefully I get lots of embryos! In the meantime I plan to stalk you all on your ivf journey! : )

 

[ERosePW]

Oh, I just PM'd you the link, haha! You found us on your own!

Glad you popped over. Looking forward to following you in your journey!! I'm sure you're getting excited!! Don't worry about the fresh transfer... TONS of women have successful fresh transfers. I think its just been in the last couple of years with medical advancement, that frozen transfers have been becoming so successful. I know what you mean though... I was so bloated and full of hormones and certainly didn't feel my best, so I wondered about it too. But it works!

I'm just praying that my FET works, and I do feel good that it will. Currently scheduled for sometime around Sept 4th. So lets hope we have a bunch of IVF bump buddies around here. (or natural or IUI bump buddies for those who haven't moved to IVF yet!)

 

[ERosePW]

IUI went well. Count was 5 million. I have a much longer story but on my phone and pretty uncomfortable and tired. Better update later.

Happy the count went up so much beagle!!! Rest up. I know O'ing mulitple eggs is rough! I went through it on my last IUI, and it was tough. I was even nauseated. Give us an update as soon as you've rested up.

 

[JCM]

I keep trying to map out my schedule but I won't know anything until I stop these awful birth control pills. I think I started bleeding about 3-4 days after I stopped them. It was the lightest period ever which made me miss my nueva ring! Lol! I wanna say retrieval will be right after your transfer. I think injections start on cd3. I just need August to hurry up! I also need October to hurry up and get here because of the walking dead season 5. So many things to look forward too!

 

[ERosePW]

I keep trying to map out my schedule but I won't know anything until I stop these awful birth control pills. I think I started bleeding about 3-4 days after I stopped them. It was the lightest period ever which made me miss my nueva ring! Lol! I wanna say retrieval will be right after your transfer. I think injections start on cd3. I just need August to hurry up! I also need October to hurry up and get here because of the walking dead season 5. So many things to look forward too!

Yea, its hard to map out an exact timeline since its still such a waiting game... waiting for AF, waiting for AF to stop, waiting to see how you respond to meds, etc. LOL! That will be cool if your retrieval is right after my transfer. We'll still be really close. And I hear ya' on Walking Dead! I'm looking forward to it too! Sure hope I'm sitting there watching the first episode as a pregnant woman!

 

[beaglemom]

Ok so today was my last IUI & hopefully my last step in tis TTC journey (until#2 ) So we got there & my husband did his thing. I asked him how it went. We always joke about his part. He said he waited a minute to make sure every last drop got in the cup! So we were waiting for my turn. Just a back story...my last IUI was done by a dr because the count was so low thy wanted him to talk to us. Anyways while I waited I saw that dr go to the room where they wash the sperm. He came out with a sample & saw me & waved. I was like oh shit that better not be my sample! I was nervous of another low count. So a few minutes passed & I said it can't be us...he wouldn't have gotten the sample before we were even in the room. So we get called back & we wait. Then the tech says do you prefer a dr or it doesn't matter. I said it didn't matter. So she leaves & we are like wtf! Why ask about a dr? Never asked before. So we are nervous. So then my nurse pops in & says I am going to get the goods be right back. Again, what the hell! Just get in here & do it...we were freaking out. So she comes back & I say what's the verdict? She said 5 million & we were so happy. So she starts & can't find my cervix...took forever...but she was joking around. She sad she inserts the sample in spurts...no science behind it but she just figured it is easier for my body to accept it a little at a time. Then she holds the catheter in for a bit to bock the only exit. I really liked her.

So then after we went around shopping & looking at baby things. We love doing that. I went to Target...the devil! Because I always find something to buy! Well I found a breast pump for $54 originally $180! I looked around & hand pumps not on sale are $40, so I figured worth buying. By lunch I was walking so slow & ready to get home. So I slept on the hour & half drive back. It was a really good day. I am feeling good about everything.

Now I am home on the couch relaxing while my husbands gets some much needed chores done. I may have to nag him, but he does get things done...I love him so much!

Oh & on the way home I accidentally said do you think we made some babies? (Instead of baby...singular!)

 

[beaglemom]

IUI went well. Count was 5 million. I have a much longer story but on my phone and pretty uncomfortable and tired. Better update later.

Happy the count went up so much beagle!!! Rest up. I know O'ing mulitple eggs is rough! I went through it on my last IUI, and it was tough. I was even nauseated. Give us an update as soon as you've rested up.

Thanks...it is def rough. This time & last time I had at least 3 I think...possibility of 4. And this time the 3 larger ones were all on the left...largest measured 22 on Tuesday...so who knows what it is now! If I have to do IVF, I don't know how I will manage with so many mature follies in there!!!

 

[terripeachy]

Hi JCM and welcome-stalk or post away. We're fun. HA!!HA!! I hated going back to BCP after all those years. It was a like a slap in the face. I also had Nuvaring-best BC ever. But, now I'm on stim days and hanging in there. It'll be worth it. Oh, and you know, after you take those BCPs, my doctor said we had to use condoms. So the BCP was a slap in the face, but condoms-PUNCH in the face. It's pretty terrible. hee hee. And girls...last night hubs put it on backwards! HA!!HA!! I said 'Do we need to turn on the light??' Maybe I need to change my avatar picture and go anonymous.

beaglemom-Glad to hear that the count was so great! It could definitely be worst, let me tell you. I'm also glad that you really liked the nurse. Maybe she's onto something with her procedure. For mine, they just shot it in there, and then said to lay down for 5-10 minutes and then they will come get me. And the baby shopping afterwards sounds so cute. I'm happy that the two of you are in love again. Your hubs means well, he just doesn't know how to SHOW it to you. Have you guys done/read the 5 love languages? That is a really good book describing what types of love each of you prefer. It's really telling.

I'm going to look for some skirts after work and then I'm heading over the library so I can have a book or two to read on my upcoming days off. My sisters and I share a Kindle account, and I don't want to be annoying with buying pregnancy books. They know I'm trying to get prego, but I don't want to have all those books popping up on their Kindles this week. hee hee. Plus, the library is free and I can find one I like before I am stuck with it when I'm laid up on the couch.

 

[beaglemom]

Ye he does mean well...sometimes things just pile up on me...& the hormones don't help...god help him when I am pregnant!

I am already in skirts & dresses at work & if I go out on the weekend. This past year of TTC has caused me to gain weight...I refuse to buy new clothes because I insist I will be getting fat soon anyways So I have belly fat & no pants fit. I feel so much better in skirts! I may have to wait to tell people when I am pregnant so they won't mistake my fat or bump. That would really suck.

If I told my husband the word condom he would probably just say forget it, then...lol!!!

 

[booger76]

BeagleMom, it sounds like things went well! As ERose said, rest up. Glad the husband is getting some chores done for you. I love shopping at Target as well - especially the clearance section. Sounds like you got a great deal on the breast pump. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer until you can use it.

JCM - Welcome! Weird to say that as I am new here myself. I haven't started IVF yet but it was recommended I go to a specialist by the OB/GYN. We have our first appointment next week. So, I might not be too far behind you guys depending on how that first appointment goes.

ERose - I am excited. I mean, I think it's exciting that DH and I are moving forward rather then just trying and waiting month after month. I guess I'm just so anxious to get the process moving that I don't want anymore delays to getting pregnant. So hopefully we just have some testing to do and then we can get going. I know that probably sounds weird to a lot of people but you ladies seem to get it. I just feel like I don't have any more time to waste! I can't believe we are this point - a year ago we were saying if it happens, it happens and if it doesn't, it doesn't. Well, now we are certain we want to be parents so it figures that it hasn't happened (yet)! Even my DH finally seems to be excited about the prospect of being a parent. He has a natural way with kids that I don't; I can't wait to watch him be a parent.

Terri, I have a couple of maxi skirts that I love. I think something like that would fit the bill for you if you like that style too. Even though they are long, they are so cool during the summer but then I find I can wear them in the winter too. Very versatile - and most importantly, stretchy!!

My temp did rise this morning, as expected - hopefully it keeps going up! We got in one final BD last night. I don't bother with the day after O.

 

[ERosePW]

Yep, we totally understand booger. I guess that is one thing that I did have on my mind when I had my first consult with the RE. While I was super excited to be going, I was hoping in the back of my mind, "I hope I've already done most of the tests I need done, so that we can go STRAIGHT into a treatment cycle!" That was the one thing that was on my mind before my appt. Hoping there was nothing to keep us from getting started right away. Luckily, we had already done everything she needed me to do, so we just had to wait for AF and we moved straight into an IUI cycle. Through my OB, we had already done my hubs' SA, my HSG, tried Clomid for a few months (with one CP), and I had been using OPKs and temping. So other than a few blood tests, we were ready to go. She did some of the blood tests that very day (like ovarian reserve, which doesn't have to be tested on any certain day). And then when AF came, we started my IUI cycle with an u/s and day3 bloods. Since everything looked fine, they started me on Femara that evening. Did you do IUIs with your OB? I know some do that. Mine didn't though, so I didn't start those until I saw the RE.

 

[booger76]

No IUIs with the OB, although she can do them. I think after the HSG showed the blocked tube, IUI didn't really become an viable option. Even though my CD3 bloodwork is close to normal, it's on the higher end of normal and I didn't have a ton of follicles when she did the ultrasound (5-6 on each side). She also didn't recommend Clomid as she said it doesn't really increase your chances all the much. She basically said "If I were you and I wanted to have a baby as soon as possible, I would go find an IVF specialist." I'm glad she was so blunt and didn't really advise trying the other options first. I just feel like I don't have that much time based on my FSH/Estradiol numbers being what they are now. I know they have worked for others, but I don't have the patience to potentially wait another 6 months or more.

I haven't had my AMH tested yet - I am assuming the RE will do that. Frankly, that test makes me more nervous than anything because if it comes back low, then we will be dealing with an ovarian reserve issue and that can be a challenge with IVF. Not sure why I always jump straight to the worst case scenario - maybe it's easier to deal with if it actually becomes reality.

 

[terripeachy]

booger-I don't blame you for going straight to IVF if that is what your doctor recommends. I mean, the IUI was good for me because I had to practice taking injections, so in that sense, it helped, but I don't know that IUI is even a really a better next step after trying naturally. Not sure about the success rates, but for me, I just didn't really feel that it was the best thing for me. That is why I stopped at two. My doctor said that after 3, your success rates don't really improve AND I could afford to move to IVF, so that's why I moved on. At my age, I need all the help I can get, so if there are some embryologists that can make a good baby for me, have at it! I was excited for my appointments and such, and I'm still excited, so remaining positive is key.

I picked up two skirts at Goodwill yesterday. One was a brand new maternity skirt that's too big for me. It sits low on my hips and it was brand new, but it will be comfy. It's that cottony/knit material and it's in a denim blue color. I also got a beige strapless dress/skirt thing that I can wear around the house and doesn't touch my stomach at all. It's short, like the girls are wearing now, but I'm too old to be wearing that stuff in public, so it'll be a cute house dress in case someone wants to visit me during my bloat. HA!!HA!! I spent $10, and honestly, I can see getting more prego clothes from there. They don't have a maternity section from what I can tell, but there are plenty of large items for cheap, and maybe they just mix them in with the other clothes, so I can take my time looking to save a few pennies. I don't need to buy expensive maternity clothes. I don't care that much.

Ugh..I'm going on and on. I had my ultrasound today and the doctor said 3 small on right and 3 small on left. Not sure where the others went, but maybe they were feeling shy. Hopefully by Sunday they will come back out of hiding and I'll have a few more. Of course, I'm going to google "disappearing follies" and see what comes up. I'll also ask the nurse when she calls tonight.

I have to go back on Sunday for another progress report. Again, I hope my meds stay the same, but if they have to increase them to get more follies/eggs, I'm all for it.

 

[beaglemom]

Terri - I do not have the patience to shop clothes at Goodwill. If someone said to me here I got these at Goodwill & they will fit you, I will take them...but just no patience. I am the same way at places like TJMaxx. My plan is to use Craigslist if possible. I live in a military town so people are always pregnant

I def agree that if you are older, skipping IUI or only doing one is a good plan. I am younger, so IUI is a good option for me. But I am stopping after this one. 6 total, 3 fully medicated & monitored...enough. Plus the amount I have spent so far. A girl on another thread is getting darker pregnancy tests after the trigger. Never really got a negative. I am hoping this is it for her & I think it is. The tests are really dark. She got lucky on IUI #1!!! I wish I was so lucky. But I know soon enough it will be me.

If no positive this times, looks like I will be on bcp though the 1st week of August. So I will need to get on the ball with everything. I am not in town that first week...so need all my meds & classes before then. I may be cutting it close. But who am I kidding...this is my month anyways, right? No need to worry about IVF

I opened my pregnancy tests last night so I could explain them to my husband. I think it is funny he will do the test for me. Hoping for some good luck.

Still feeling crampy today...but not bad. Yesterday I tried not to leave the couch because it was uncomfortable to walk around.

 

[terripeachy]

I took a test the day after the trigger and it was light but there, and the following day it was much darker. I hate to ruin the excitement of a darker test, but after that darker test mine immediately started fading, and fading fast. She's probably still seeing the trigger, but I hope not.

This was my second time shopping in Goodwill ever. There weren't any shoppers in the store, PLUS, I had to do laundry last night, so the timing worked out. hee hee. It really wasn't bad at all, and didn't smell like I thought it would. It's in a fairly nice part of town too, so I think the merchandise was a little better than at most Goodwill stores. Who knows. I'm not a big shopper, so I don't even know what it's like to go in TJ maxx or Ross Dress for Less. I went to Marshalls a few years back and that wasn't too bad. I'm not googoo over deals like some people are. I buy what I want because it's rare for me to buy stuff.

Glad you're feeling better today!