Injectables with IUI or Timed Intercourse Club!

[bernina]

Hi Everyone!

I searched and searched and couldn't find a thread dedicated to those on an injectable cycle but who are using IUI or timed intercourse and not doing IVF so I thought I'd start one. If there's already a thread out there somewhere please let me know and I apologize for the double post.

I thought it would be helpful to chat with others going through the same thing. Most of the threads I found were for those doing IVF and I know the desired outcome is a bit different when egg retrieval is taking place.

This is my very first cycle of injectables. I had 3 previous rounds of Clomid which I responded well too (except it took away most of my cervical mucus), but alas no BFP.

I began 75IU Follistim injections on July 4 (cd 3). Regular ultrasounds have confirmed that I am responding well and as of today (cd 12) have 3 or 4 good sized follies, a nice thick uterine lining (complete with cervical mucus stripe!) and am set to trigger with Ovidrel tomorrow evening. DH and I will be having timed intercourse 24 and 36 hours after the trigger shot (and probably a day on either side of that as well).

A little background on me. DH and I have been trying since August 2008 and had 2 early miscarriages (Dec 2008, Aug 2009) but just can't seem to get a BFP again in nearly a year. Have taken up yoga, acupuncture, and traditional chinese medicine. Was diagnosed with a uterine septum which was removed in January, so just waiting for a little bean to move into the comfy new home I've built for it

Would love to hear from others with similar experiences.

Best of luck and lots of baby dust and sticky glue

 

[MarsMaiden]

*waves* hey there!

wow 3 or 4 follies is great!! are yyour clinic happy to go ahead with that? I know some won't go ahead with more than 3 due to the chance of multiples...

I'm gearing up for my second IUI cycle. Currently on norethisterone to delay af to fit in with the clinic's schedule. Start buserilin and puregon injections two weeks today and my follie scan is booked in for 3rd August.

I'm on quite a high dose of FSH as my first cycle at 50ius I barely responded at all, my second cycle I had 2 follies at 14mm by cd12 on 100ius but this still wasn't really big enough. they went ahead with the IUI on cd16 but I'm not convinced I was stimmed enough. My next cycle will be 125ius so we will see what happens with that!! My under response has been worrying me a bit as if I'm resistant to FSH that could be a sign of not many eggs left! (Or I could just be googling waaaaayyyyy too much!!)

Anyways good luck with your cycle, can't wait to hear how you get on! FX for a sticky bean!

 

[bernina]

Hi MarsMaiden! I think we've bumped into each other before on these forums, I remember loving your username

The first words out of my fertility specialist's mouth after saying I have 3-4 good sized follicles were "don't worry, that doesn't mean 4 babies!" I had 2 good sized follicles in the past with my monitored Clomid cycle, and that ended in a BFN, so maybe he thinks the chances of all 4 being of high quality and ovulating and getting fertilized are not very high.

I'm not familiar with the drugs you listed, so of course I had to google them! So the buserilin suppresses your normal LH and FSH production, then the puregon is an actual FSH injection like Gonal-F or Follistim? Just want to make sure I understand. It looks like puregon is only available in Europe, so that's probably why I've not heard of it.

It's only natural to go google crazy after every lab result and ultrasound, I know I do! Usually in the car I have my phone out googling like crazy while DH just rolls his eyes. He's supportive but I'm sure he thinks I've lost my marbles

From what I've read, the higher dose of FSH should do the trick for you. You're obviously responding to the injections, so upping the dose should help to pump those follies up

So you start injecting July 27 and then have your first scan 7 days later, is that right? I'm very excited to watch your progress and really hope the higher dose does the trick for you.

 

[MarsMaiden]

haha oh yes I remember!

Oh if it was me I'd definitely want as many eggs as possible! It has to improve your chances!

That's right, the buserilin suppresses the pituatary gland and stops me producing any LH or FSH and then the Puregon is FSH so they essentially take over my whole cycle for me. I have a HCG trigger then to make me ovulate and progesterone pessaries after the IUI. I quite like the idea of my cycle being controlled as being unexplained I am fairly sure my hormones must just be slightly imbalanced so this takes the doubt out. Although of course there is still plenty my body has to take care of itself and I will kick it if it doesn't get it sorted soon!!

Haha I honestly find google my lifeline! So many questions pop into my mind during the day and it just helps pass the time during the torture that some like to call the two week wait!

Yes that's right, I start injecting on the 27th and then the scan is 7 days after. Depending on the size of my follies at that scan depends on when they decide to do the IUI but I don't get any more scans after that. I found that a bit frustrating last time after my follies were last scanned at 14mm that they didn't do another just to make sure they were definitely ready to go. But I guess that's NHS cost cutting for you!! I'm really hoping to have some good 18mmers on the first scan this time!!

The norethisterone is really screwing me up at the moment. Very crampy and gassy and of course I'm certain that I might be pregnant! 10dpo today and planning to test at the weekend so we'll see, maybe I won't need to be stabbing myself after all!! (Of course I have ben certain that I'm pregnant more than 30 other times so my pregdar may not be entirely accurate!! )

So you should have had your first go at timed intercourse now? Is all going well so far?

 

[bernina]

I agree, the idea of a controlled cycle feels like a step in the right direction for us. DH and I also suffer from unexplained infertility, all tests have come back normal. Only indicator of a problem was my eggs (non medicated cycle) were smaller than they should have been during the scan, but then again I always ovulate a good 2-4 days later than the average cd 14, and no matter how many times you tell the Dr they never seem to understand. Always seem to run in standard 28 day cycle mode.

I'm also excited about using the progesterone supositories (well not actually using them, but the effect they may have). I'm sure it's all in my head, but since I've been pregnant before and know what it feels like, during the 2ww there have been times where I have sworn I was preg, same symptoms, etc. And then boom, period shows up. I always thought my period was coming too soon and not giving the little bean a chance to implant, so the progesterone should at least put my mind at ease on that subject.

Did my ovidrel shot last night and dr said ovulation should be 36 hours later (10am Friday morning by my count). Am a bit concerned as had small amount of watery cm the last 2 days, and today, check in the shower and it's thick and creamy, def not what you want the little guys to be swimming through. Took a Mucinex this morning and am going to drink a ton of water. Will also use a full plunger of pre-seed to help compensate. Dr. said I would have an excess of cm, but so far I'm not seeing that. What was your experience with cm on your last round of injections?

Ohh, I had no idea you were still in the running for a BFP. I know the symptoms can be either from the meds or just there to fool with you, but it's always nice to still have a glimmer of hope. I'm so excited for you to test this weekend. Sending lots of BFP vibes your way.

DH and I took last night off in order to save up for the next 3 days of BD'ing. We'll cover 24 hours, 36 hours, and then 48 hours after the trigger shot, just to be safe. I'm mostly throwing the 48 hour one in there just on the off chance we do get a BFP, we can say it could have been conceived on our vacation (leaving for San Francisco tomorrow!)

Best of luck to you over the weekend, I'll definitely bee keeping an eye out for updates

 

[fitzy79]

I'll sign myself up for this new thread too!! Bernina you know my story hun and for everyone else I'll post it in time or you can find details in my journal...am just feeling a bit weary to go into details now!! Will be interesting to hear from lots more ladies on injectable cycles...loads on Clomid but not so many of us. I'm on Gonal-F BTW. x

 

[MarsMaiden]

The progesterone suppositories are 'wonderful' - not! lolol! I used them as pessaries on my last cycle but they are pretty messy and they made bd'ing really sore! I have decided that I will use them as suppositories on the next cycle, although I like less the idea of where they're going I heard it's less messy but that also it's better absorbed that way. And reading back that's a whole lot of TMI!!!

The cm doesn't great but I guess you still have a little time for it to change and if not the pre-seed should do the trick! I didn't really monitor my cm last time but the nurse at the time of my iui said that I had a lot which was 'good'. I was afraid to check cp afterwards in case I disturbed anything so don't know what colour/texture the cm was!!

Thanks for the BFP vibes! I have no idea how realistic my hopes are, everything I've read about norethisterone says that it is contraindicicative to pregnancy but it is just progesterone and as I started taking it late in my cycle in theory it would'nt prevent pregnancy. We'll see in no more than 4 or 5 days anyway!

Good luck for the weekend and all the bd'ing!! haha! hope you have a fab break!

Fitzy - Hi *waves*, look forward to catching up with you more. So sorry to see your recent loss, that must be heartbreaking *hugs*

 

[bernina]

Welcome Fitzy, glad to have you on board

MarsMaiden, I agree with you, if the med you're on now is just like progesterone, then I'd think if there's a little bean there, then it wouldn't do anything to jeopordize that. So many women use prog supplements in the first tri and I haven't read of it causing any problems.

I am always afraid to check my cervix position or reach up inside to check cm during the peak times, just too afraid I'll disrupt the natural flow of things. Small amounts of ewcm (I mean really small) are showing up when I use the bathroom, but it seems to be getting thicker as the day goes on. Think my mucinex is wearing off so I'm off to the drug store to pick up some more and will take the max dose over the next few days.

Don't ever worry about TMI with me (and I know Fitzy is the same), we've heard and posted it all

Will be thinking of you both over the weekend and will check in periodically from our vacation (I can't stay away fror long!)

 

[MarsMaiden]

well I'm 14dpo today and a BFN so I guess I'll definitely be starting injectables next week. Just a few more days of the norethisterone and then I can wait for AF to get going with it all. Impatience starts now!!

Hope your weekend went well!!

 

[nikki0530]

Hi ladies! just wanted to hop in here. I wish everyone luck, this road is getting to be so tough. I swear my hubby is going to leave me because of my crazy hormones...not really

Background: married 3 years trying since then minus 1 year deployment to Iraq. Month 10 of consecutive trying. Did the clomid thing 3x, bad visual side effects and OHSS, femara 1x, don't trust it, just finished follistim for 12 days with Ovidrel and iui last Monday.

I don't know about you ladies but I have been so hormonal and depressed. Any advice for trying to cope. I feel like I'm losing my way and driving my husband crazy too. I'm trying to stay positive but after a while it's just....challenging.

I hope you all get bfp's! I seem to be quite the pregnancy charm for everyone else

Thanks for listening

 

[MarsMaiden]

hi nikki! Good luck for your IUI cycle, I guess you'll know later this week whether it worked or not? At least not too much longer to wait! I found the tww after my first iui absolutely tortuous so know how you are feeling!

As for coping with the depression, I write a personal journal which helps me to get things down and clarify my thoughts but otherwise distraction is really the only other thing that helps. I planned a weekend away during my last cycle's tww and I remodelled my kitchen yesterday!! I may not be pregnant but I am at least getting some stuff sorted! But in all honesty nothing works that much, we just have to grit our teeth and ask those closest to us for their love and understanding. I am having my own five minutes of hating the world today for depriving me of the one thing that should be so easy and natural but I do know that by tomorrow I will be back to head down determination that I will win this battle!

I have a post it stuck on my desk at work with the words 'When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place' which I first saw on someone's signature here. I look at it often and it really helps me.

Hopefully this cycle will be the charm for you, fingers crossed *hugs*

 

[nikki0530]

hi nikki! Good luck for your IUI cycle, I guess you'll know later this week whether it worked or not? At least not too much longer to wait! I found the tww after my first iui absolutely tortuous so know how you are feeling!

As for coping with the depression, I write a personal journal which helps me to get things down and clarify my thoughts but otherwise distraction is really the only other thing that helps. I planned a weekend away during my last cycle's tww and I remodelled my kitchen yesterday!! I may not be pregnant but I am at least getting some stuff sorted! But in all honesty nothing works that much, we just have to grit our teeth and ask those closest to us for their love and understanding. I am having my own five minutes of hating the world today for depriving me of the one thing that should be so easy and natural but I do know that by tomorrow I will be back to head down determination that I will win this battle!

I have a post it stuck on my desk at work with the words 'When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place' which I first saw on someone's signature here. I look at it often and it really helps me.

Hopefully this cycle will be the charm for you, fingers crossed *hugs*

Thank you so much for that, especially your post it quote, I'm going to go write that down right now.
Today I decided to do something nice for my hubby since I'm sure I've been just dreadful. When he got home he was very pleased

On to more waiting....

 

[Isi Buttercup]

Hi ladies....can I join?

I was placed on HMG injectibles earlier in the year, along with clomid. But we could only do this for 1 cycle, as it was a bit too much, and I overstimulated. BFN that cycle

Anyways, fast forward a couple of months and I'm considering IUI as a next step. Changing my FS, so not sure if I'll be placed on clomid or injectibles. I'd rather the latter though, as clomid isn't too friendly on my CM. I'm really praying for twins, so I'm hoping for the one that can make me produce more follicles (I have only one viable tube, so it makes things even more complicated).

Would love to share experiences with you lovely ladies

 

[MarsMaiden]

Bernina - Hope you had/are having a good break! You're 5 dpo now? Hope the tww is treating you well!

Nikki - You're welcome, I hope things are getting easier for you. Do you know yet when you'll test?

Isi - hiya!! Any idea yet when you might see your FS to find out either way? I don't know much about multiples, obviously IUI increases your chance especially with ovarian stimulation but I don't know what your chances are of releasing two eggs from the same ovary. I have to say for me the thought of twins is really scary!! After so long ttc, the thought of completing my family in one go is great but the practicalities and financial aspects honestly terrify me! Right now though, i just want to be pregnant so I will take whatever's on offer!

Took my last norethisterone today thank goodness so just waiting for AF now at the weekend and then I start stimming next week. I really can't wait to get going with it all now. The norethisterone have been horrible and made me so bloated and crampy, plus has messed madly with my blood sugars so I have been starving all the time!

best wishes to everyone! *hugs*

 

[nikki0530]

Hey there Isi Buttercup! Welcome!

Marsmaiden, I had my iui Monday and i did the trigger shot midnight the Saturday before. So I guess the doctors told me to test this coming Monday. I haven't been paying attention to any symptoms I have because since I have been taking fertility meds they all make me feel totally different than any normal cycle. I just can't wait until Monday but I'm not feeling preggers
Thanks for asking!

Anyway, how are all of the other ladies doing out there?

 

[Isi Buttercup]

Thanks so much ladies!

Marsmaiden, I used to be terrified of the thought of twins as well....but after 21 cycles ttc, I'm so ready it have it over and done with! Sending you tons of for your coming cycle, and so sorry the meds have made you feel poorly. Hopefully, the BFP that's coming your way will make everything well worth it.

Nikki....I've learnt the hard way that not feeling pregnant could actually be a good thing. Wishing you all the best for Monday.

I've scheduled an appointment with the new FS for Tuesday next week....the day before I go on vacation. Looking forward to it!

 

[nikki0530]

Well ladies, I'm out. I guess Follistim caused a short LP and cysts too so I get the break I have been wanting, just not the way I wanted it. I think i'm just about ready to quit. I wish everyone else great luck!

 

[Isi Buttercup]

Oh, so sorry Nikki. But please don't quit. Will you be trying IUI again this cycle?

 

[MarsMaiden]

oh nikki, I'm so, so sorry. *hugs you* were you taking any progesterone support? How llong wil the cysts take to go down?

Isi - good luck for your appointment on Tuesday hon!

 

[Isi Buttercup]

Thanks MarMaiden!! I'll keep you posted!!