January 2012 IVF

[Mrs. Bear]

Hi Smiley :wave:

The injections aren't nearly as bad as you would think they are. I was more worked up before I started than I am now that I am doing it. Just focus on it day by day and it won't seem so overwhelming

There are tons of ladies on here to help with any questions and to give lots of support. I don't know what I would do if I had to go through this without my BnB ladies

 

[smileypants]

Thank you for the reply. I love reading everyone's story and don't feel so alone knowing all us lovely ladies are wishing for the same thing. X x x

 

[vesper21]

Just had my call and I have to reduce follistim to 25 and continue with Menopur and Ganirelix... My E2 has more than doubled from yesterday, which I can feel. Lots of EWCM and feeling slightly hyperstimulated... Dr. dismissed this when I told him, saying that it's not possible to hyperstimulate at this stage. It can only happen at trigger time... Um, I don't think so! I hyperstiumulated once half way through a timed ovulation cycle which had to be abandoned. He said if I experience chest pains I should go to ER. Nope, I'll be ringing their emergency number!

I'm not liking dealing inexperienced drs (I've only had residents scan me so far), don't get me wrong I appreciate they have to learn but do it in the presence of an experienced attending?

Hi Smiley - As Mrs Bear says the injections aren't too bad... you'll be a dab hand at shooting up before you know it

Arimas - I was also getting bad headcaches when I started stimming, but I'm overdosing on water and having acu 2-3 times a week. I think this has helped a lot.

aem - sounds like you are on track with you lining and number of follies. 6 on each side is fantastic.

 

[vesper21]

Hello Ladies!

Looks like we are all getting poked around this week I did Menopur and Ganirelix last night along with Follistim and wasnt as bad as I was thinking. The mixing of Menopur and the burning from it was awful but just gotta suck it up and get sticked I have to take two of the powder vials and 1 cc of saline and that was tricky getting the solution in and out of the vials.

Looks like everyone has a good number of follies

Has anyone had bad side effects? I have just had headaches and sometimes heart palpitations And i have had the weirdest dreams and all i want is to just have a good night of sleep

Oh, and as for the sleeping - I'm with you. I've been having very vivid dream and wide awake at 5am! I'm hoping it's my body getting ready for sleepless nights, which is def the case when pg.

 

[schoolteacher]

ST, hope your scan went well today and you have some answers.

My clinic does hardly any scans, one one day 9 and that's it!

Hi Trask, good news on you being all down-regged! when did you start stimms? My clcinic scan loads! I think I had 5-day 1 of stimms, day 5, day8, day 10 and day 12! xx

Hello Ladies!

Has anyone had bad side effects? I have just had headaches and sometimes heart palpitations And i have had the weirdest dreams and all i want is to just have a good night of sleep

I had weird dreams too! lol! I suffer from headaches normally, but I don't think I had them too bad during stimms as I drank soooooo much water! (really didn't want to get ohss and thankfully didn't!) I'm sure you are, but drink, drink, drink!!! x

Hi ladies,

Hope you are all doing ok on treatment, I start stimulation phase tomorrow with gonal f injections. This is my first cycle so am very scared and unsure what to expect. Any words of encouragement or insight would be greatly appreciated as am feeling a bit apprehensive. X x x

yay for stimming tomorrow! This is a good thing-just try to think of it that way any way!Please try not to worry, before you know it you will be an injections pro! What drugs are you having? Just allow yourself plenty of time to do it, so there is no rush or pressure. Drink lots of water over the coming weeks too! Normally a few days in to stimming you will go for a scan to see how your follies and lining are growing. Best of luck! and there are soo many ladies on here who will be able to answer pretty much any question you have!! xx

Hello to everyone else! x

 

[schoolteacher]

Oh and....

AFM-my appointment was positive today! Thankfully no cysts! my lining was 5.5mm and the biggest follie was 9mm so haven't even ovulated yet! They basically said the ovaries are 'quiet' and therefore decided that instead of bringing on AF with drugs, I would start bcp (your meant to start it cd 1, cd83 today!) for 2 weeks and start stimms a week after coming off. I knew I had to have the bcp for 2 weeks when i got AF so that's ok I suppose. Was originally starting on 23rd, now starting stimms on the 2nd feb so a 10 day delay.
Also completly out of the blue, they said as I had such a perfect blasto transferred last time (I think they were quite surprised at my BFN), they want to give me steroids this cycle! Eeek!!!!!!!! I have agreed as it's worth a try, and I had actually been reading about steroids and their role in reducing NK cell activity.
Also....My clinic are quite strict on number of embies transferred, and I think most places only transfer one blasto. However due to it being my 2nd cycle, they said they 'may' agree to transferring 2 blasts!!! wow! xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Mrs. Bear]

Just had my call and I have to reduce follistim to 25 and continue with Menopur and Ganirelix... My E2 has more than doubled from yesterday, which I can feel. Lots of EWCM and feeling slightly hyperstimulated... Dr. dismissed this when I told him, saying that it's not possible to hyperstimulate at this stage. It can only happen at trigger time... Um, I don't think so! I hyperstiumulated once half way through a timed ovulation cycle which had to be abandoned. He said if I experience chest pains I should go to ER. Nope, I'll be ringing their emergency number!

I'm not liking dealing inexperienced drs (I've only had residents scan me so far), don't get me wrong I appreciate they have to learn but do it in the presence of an experienced attending?

Ugh - I hate it when they just dismiss your concerns without at least hearing them out. You know your body better than anyone after all. FX the OHSS stays away from you.

 

[Mrs. Bear]

Oh and....

AFM-my appointment was positive today! Thankfully no cysts! my lining was 5.5mm and the biggest follie was 9mm so haven't even ovulated yet! They basically said the ovaries are 'quiet' and therefore decided that instead of bringing on AF with drugs, I would start bcp (your meant to start it cd 1, cd83 today!) for 2 weeks and start stimms a week after coming off. I knew I had to have the bcp for 2 weeks when i got AF so that's ok I suppose. Was originally starting on 23rd, now starting stimms on the 2nd feb so a 10 day delay.
Also completly out of the blue, they said as I had such a perfect blasto transferred last time (I think they were quite surprised at my BFN), they want to give me steroids this cycle! Eeek!!!!!!!! I have agreed as it's worth a try, and I had actually been reading about steroids and their role in reducing NK cell activity.
Also....My clinic are quite strict on number of embies transferred, and I think most places only transfer one blasto. However due to it being my 2nd cycle, they said they 'may' agree to transferring 2 blasts!!! wow! xxxxxxxxxx

Glad to hear your appointment went well and you are finally able to get started. Just as well to go ahead and start BCP if your ovaries aren't going to get up off the couch and get going on their own after all...

I have some pills that I think are steroids that they gave me for right after transfer. I think I take them for four days and they are supposed to help my body not 'reject' the embryos I don't really know. The nurse called in the prescription so I'll take it. She said it was because we discussed doing assisted hatching.

I hope they let you transfer 2 blasts this time. It doesn't seem fair how strict some of the UK clinics are with how many you can transfer. At some point it should be your choice if you want to do 1 or 2. It isn't like you are asking to transfer 6 after all.

 

[hippiehappy]

I was under mild sedation (I could hear everything but was out) but I could feel the pain of that vacuum-like instrument. Ouch!! Hopefully it will go smoother for everyone else.

I've been told that I'll be getting mild sedation too. So that means you can feel it? Booo! Well, at least I bet you're too out of it to worry, right?

My first scan is tomorrow also!!
I am on the long lupron protocol! My stim meds are follistim and menopur..
Which protocol are you ladies in?

I'm on long protocol too, still down regging till at least Tuesday. My clinic makes me DR for 14 days before doing a blood test to decide whether to start stimming. FX I'll be given the go-ahead for stims then!
The DR I'm doing is 0.25 Buserelin injections, stims Gonal-F pen 225

Bear and Vesper: yay!!

Hello Ladies!
Has anyone had bad side effects? I have just had headaches and sometimes heart palpitations And i have had the weirdest dreams and all i want is to just have a good night of sleep

I'm with you on the sleep bit. The dreams are so exhausting! Last night I had bad nightmares as well. Definitely one thing I won't miss when this is all over!

Schoolteacher, Smiley, Trask & everyone else, :wave: and to all

 

[schoolteacher]

vesper-sorry I missed you we posted at the same time. Sorry your feeling it right now, I hope it doesn;t get worse for you! What is E2? they don't do any blood tests at my clinic once stimms has started! -which I find weird? !

Hippie Happy-I will be on Gonal-F 225 too-but not a pen though, boo!x

Mrs Bear-you are totally right we should get to choose how many transferred! it's all to do with them not wanting to produce too many twins, as there is a policy(not the right word!) on reducing multiple births in the UK. The thing is most ladies would be happy to have twins! who cares about their data looking 'bad'!x

 

[vesper21]

Hey Schoolteacher - which clinic are you with in the UK? I did my last 2 cycles in the UK.

E2 is Oestrogen (yup I'm British I so still spell it like that! ). Bizarre that you don't have any bloods done, how do they decide on your dose everyday? Will they scan you throughout though?

I've been going in for blood every day, but probably because of the PCOS and risk of hyperstimming.

Yup, the Uk is quite strict on how many they put back. I can understand why; multiples cause so many complications through out pg, but they should loosen up a little . The clinics I had my last two cycles would have transferred 2 if I had insisted, but I went with their recommendation...

 

[Arimas]

Hi ladies,

Hope you are all doing ok on treatment, I start stimulation phase tomorrow with gonal f injections. This is my first cycle so am very scared and unsure what to expect. Any words of encouragement or insight would be greatly appreciated as am feeling a bit apprehensive. X x x

Hi Smileypants!

I haven't done gonal f injections but dont be scared. Its very nerve racking but you won't feel the needle because its so thin, and the pinch will go away in a bit. Its gonna be over before you know it I have kept myself busy by watching tv (the bachelor, toddlers and tiaras, etc) just to be distracted from all the medicine and needles-its the only think keeping me sane

Let us know how it goes, take care

 

[Arimas]

aem - schoolteacher is right, our numbers go high due to the PCOS. 6 on each side is awesome! The success charts I've seen show the best results in the 10-12 range but we've had ladies on BnB with half that many end up with twins so you are doing great

Arimas - I haven't had headaches but have had an awful time getting to sleep the last few nights. DH calls it the 'crazy legs' - pretty much no matter what I do I can't get comfortable and my legs from the knees down feel all twitchy. Don't know if it is the meds or what I know some of the meds do cause headaches so that is probably what you are getting them from.


As for me - Talked to the nurse and she said both my scans and blood tests looked great - right on track I am supposed to stay at 225 tonight and tomorrow and start adding the Ganirilex tonight. I go back in first thing Saturday for my next scan and blood draw (hurdle #3).

My legs are going crazy too!! My calf area just needs a massage all the time!! I keep putting lotion on and resting them but its no use. Yes, i am gonna drink more water, its just so hard at work to keep drinking and then using the restroom. I will drink up tonight Good luck on Saturday!!

 

[Arimas]

Just had my call and I have to reduce follistim to 25 and continue with Menopur and Ganirelix... My E2 has more than doubled from yesterday, which I can feel. Lots of EWCM and feeling slightly hyperstimulated... Dr. dismissed this when I told him, saying that it's not possible to hyperstimulate at this stage. It can only happen at trigger time... Um, I don't think so! I hyperstiumulated once half way through a timed ovulation cycle which had to be abandoned. He said if I experience chest pains I should go to ER. Nope, I'll be ringing their emergency number!

I'm not liking dealing inexperienced drs (I've only had residents scan me so far), don't get me wrong I appreciate they have to learn but do it in the presence of an experienced attending?

Hi Smiley - As Mrs Bear says the injections aren't too bad... you'll be a dab hand at shooting up before you know it

Arimas - I was also getting bad headcaches when I started stimming, but I'm overdosing on water and having acu 2-3 times a week. I think this has helped a lot.

aem - sounds like you are on track with you lining and number of follies. 6 on each side is fantastic.

I dont understand when doctors dont understand that everyone is unique and IVF hasn't been around that long that they know 100% what can and cannot happen I hope everything goes well the next time you have your U/S.

 

[Arimas]

Oh and....

AFM-my appointment was positive today! Thankfully no cysts! my lining was 5.5mm and the biggest follie was 9mm so haven't even ovulated yet! They basically said the ovaries are 'quiet' and therefore decided that instead of bringing on AF with drugs, I would start bcp (your meant to start it cd 1, cd83 today!) for 2 weeks and start stimms a week after coming off. I knew I had to have the bcp for 2 weeks when i got AF so that's ok I suppose. Was originally starting on 23rd, now starting stimms on the 2nd feb so a 10 day delay.
Also completly out of the blue, they said as I had such a perfect blasto transferred last time (I think they were quite surprised at my BFN), they want to give me steroids this cycle! Eeek!!!!!!!! I have agreed as it's worth a try, and I had actually been reading about steroids and their role in reducing NK cell activity.
Also....My clinic are quite strict on number of embies transferred, and I think most places only transfer one blasto. However due to it being my 2nd cycle, they said they 'may' agree to transferring 2 blasts!!! wow! xxxxxxxxxx

I hope they agree on transferring 2 this time!!

 

[Arimas]

I added a ticker for the transfer date!!

 

[HuskyMomWI]

Hello Ladies!

Looks like we are all getting poked around this week I did Menopur and Ganirelix last night along with Follistim and wasnt as bad as I was thinking. The mixing of Menopur and the burning from it was awful but just gotta suck it up and get sticked I have to take two of the powder vials and 1 cc of saline and that was tricky getting the solution in and out of the vials.

Looks like everyone has a good number of follies

Has anyone had bad side effects? I have just had headaches and sometimes heart palpitations And i have had the weirdest dreams and all i want is to just have a good night of sleep

After the few days of the menopur I decided to try letting it sit in the syringe for 5-10 minutes before injection. It did reduce the burn. Give it a try.

 

[Traskey]

Evening all, I could drink a lake today I am so thirsty. The joys of stimming

for all!

 

[berki]

wow everyone has been busy!!!

I cant catch up so I hope everyone is doing well, it seems that everything is going well!

As for twins, its not just about their date its also about increasing the live birth rate too because of all of the complications but i think it should be informed consent and you decide. I for one do not "want" a twin pregnancy, if it happens I will embrace it and consider myself blessed but that is not my goal. If I had a crystal ball and could see it would be a good outcome, I def. would want them. However, being an L&D nurse I see a lot more that side of it than the average person does!! Its such a big debate/difficult decision.

 

[HuskyMomWI]

Oh and....

AFM-my appointment was positive today! Thankfully no cysts! my lining was 5.5mm and the biggest follie was 9mm so haven't even ovulated yet! They basically said the ovaries are 'quiet' and therefore decided that instead of bringing on AF with drugs, I would start bcp (your meant to start it cd 1, cd83 today!) for 2 weeks and start stimms a week after coming off. I knew I had to have the bcp for 2 weeks when i got AF so that's ok I suppose. Was originally starting on 23rd, now starting stimms on the 2nd feb so a 10 day delay.
Also completly out of the blue, they said as I had such a perfect blasto transferred last time (I think they were quite surprised at my BFN), they want to give me steroids this cycle! Eeek!!!!!!!! I have agreed as it's worth a try, and I had actually been reading about steroids and their role in reducing NK cell activity.
Also....My clinic are quite strict on number of embies transferred, and I think most places only transfer one blasto. However due to it being my 2nd cycle, they said they 'may' agree to transferring 2 blasts!!! wow! xxxxxxxxxx

I hope they let you transfer 2 blasts this time. It doesn't seem fair how strict some of the UK clinics are with how many you can transfer. At some point it should be your choice if you want to do 1 or 2. It isn't like you are asking to transfer 6 after all.

I was reading a book that talked about the 1 vs 2 blast debate. They talked about the lack of insurance coverage in the US and that people want to do 2 so they don't have spend the money for a second round. They were talking about how, for the first time in history, the infant death rate has increased and they attribute it to the increase in multiples due to increase in fertility treatments. They said that in countries that fund treatments, they usually only do a transfer of 1 blast because there isn't the financial pressure to transfer a second.

It was an intersting way to look at it. I don't know if we are doing 1 or 2. If we make it that far, we are going with whatever the doctor says.