Summer Lovin'...bring us some babies!

[minuet]

In case anyone could benefit from knowing this, you can pay for blood tests through Lef.org, who has the tests done through Lab-corp, a respected lab.
Last year being able to order tests myself was - literally - a lifesaver. My DH had cancer the year before, but we moved and lost our insurance for a while until Cobra set in, and then everything was out of pocket. So I paid for tumor marker tests privately, and they tested positive for cancer again. ( those test results were the most upsetting words I have ever read in my life!)

Anyway, all that to say that we have appointments set at Lab-corp for blood work on Tuesday. I'm very curious to see what our insulin and cholesterol levels are - and that 7dpo progesterone!
I have PCOS/insulin resistance, and hubby has insulin resistance also. Last summer was the last time I had my insulin checked, and even after months on metformin it was way too high.
We dropped the metformin and have been eating primal/low carb for five months now, and really only been slacking at it the past few weeks. Hubby went in for tumor marker blood work two months after starting primal, and his cholesterol was hugely improved, and his fatty liver markers were 100% gone! The doctor was shocked! ( they had been high for years and we couldn't figure out why since he'd stopped the fast food, didn't drink or smoke etc)
Primal means no bread/pasta/donuts/etc, high protein, high good fats,and it seemed to do the trick for him. SO all that to say, I'm very curious to see if it is enough to affect insulin levels also. If not, we'll have to figure something else out to get those under control.

That was probably way more than you wanted to know, but I'm one of those weird people who loves seeing what blood work says about my health!

 

[misaacs117]

Cd20 and no O yet?! I thought I would be O early since starting all these vitamins this cycle. Plus we went to an amusement park yesterday and I though I'm going to O tomorrow because these rides are going to shake the egg(s) right out of me. Plus all the walking. Nope just another high today and opk was - Maybe my bodies just getting use to the vitamins??

 

[moni77]

Sara - hoping to do a transfer right after with some left over to freeze for a FET transfer if needed.

Minuet - It is prob better to schedule sooner rather than later, sometimes these clinics fill up fast and as long as you have had the initial consult you can go in for labs easily enough.

I was slightly disappointed because I was hoping for 6-7 on both sides - or more than 10 total. But if we get healthy eggs out of all of them - that should be good.

 

[minuet]

Cd20 and no O yet?! I thought I would be O early since starting all these vitamins this cycle. Plus we went to an amusement park yesterday and I though I'm going to O tomorrow because these rides are going to shake the egg(s) right out of me. Plus all the walking. Nope just another high today and opk was - Maybe my bodies just getting use to the vitamins??

Lol at the mental image of amusement rides shaking eggs out, ready or not ready!
That positive opk needs to hurry up and show up for you.

 

[misaacs117]

Lol I was so exited because I have O on cd20 every month I have taken femara. Then opk was - and digital opk said high. I was disappointed for sure. But plan on having a BDing session today anyway.

 

[beaglemom]

Michelle - sorry your cycle is being so mysterious. I saw your temp drop some today. I do not temp, so not sure what it all means...but do know that probably means no O yet. So strange. Hope your cycle is just off & O is on the way.

Moni - I think that is a pretty decent count. And by the time you trigger, more may show up.

I woke up yesterday with a horrible pain/ache in my lower back. It continued most of the day & I was pretty uncomfortable. We had a long day, so by the time I got home, I didn't want to move. So I laid down on a super hot heating pad & felt much better. Today I have a dull ache, not so bad & hope it stays like this & doesn't get worse. I cannot think of ANYTHING to cause this. I have not lifted anything heavy...not really drinking a lot of soda or tea...I drink water at work & juice at home. The night before, my dogs did crowd me a bit in bed, so maybe that was it. My husband thinks it is a pregnancy sign. A girl on another thread is begging me to test tomorrow (12 dpo). My husband says no...wait until his birthday on Thurs...says it is a good omen. I think in the year we have been back trying again, this is the first month I have waited until 14 dpo to test.

I hope everyone else is doing well...Monday again...I am just counting down until my vacation.

 

[floridasian]

So my follicle check turned into an IUI. I'm sitting here waiting for DH to collect his specimen now. Lining was 9.5 mm and the dominant follicle was 19 mm. They did an OPK here and it was positive so they asked me if we wanted to do the IUI since I'm ovulating today. I figured there were no other costs involved (didn't take any other meds than the Letrozole) and just the $350 for the insemination so why not.

Will update later!

 

[beaglemom]

So my follicle check turned into an IUI. I'm sitting here waiting for DH to collect his specimen now. Lining was 9.5 mm and the dominant follicle was 19 mm. They did an OPK here and it was positive so they asked me if we wanted to do the IUI since I'm ovulating today. I figured there were no other costs involved (didn't take any other meds than the Letrozole) and just the $350 for the insemination so why not.

Will update later!

Floridasian I am so excited for you!!! And that is really CHEAP! Even going through my gyno, it was close to $500. I paid about $200 for the semen wash & $250 for the insemination. Sounds like they are combining the 2 costs...& you are getting out with a good price.

Good luck! And if possible, try to BD again tonight. I can't remember but I think you have never had a semen analysis, right? So this will give you a number. If the number is good, you should put in another BD if possible.

 

[minuet]

So my follicle check turned into an IUI. I'm sitting here waiting for DH to collect his specimen now. Lining was 9.5 mm and the dominant follicle was 19 mm. They did an OPK here and it was positive so they asked me if we wanted to do the IUI since I'm ovulating today. I figured there were no other costs involved (didn't take any other meds than the Letrozole) and just the $350 for the insemination so why not.

Will update later!

That is good news! IUI can sure help your odds and that is a cheap price too. Yay!
Your lining sounds good too.

 

[minuet]

Beaglemom - that is for sure a good symptom! Can't wait until Thursday.

Misaacs - great temp dip today! O should be coming shortly.

 

[floridasian]

Just got back from the IUI. Post wash count was 90 million with 96% motility!!!!

DH never had a semen analysis before so I didn't know what to expect! The insemination itself was slightly more uncomfortable than my HSG but it was done in no time. RE wants me to start on progesterone again on Wednesday, but I'm not totally convinced that I'm ovulating today. When I did my OPK this morning at home the test line was still slightly lighter than the control and I have never ovulated the same day as my first positive OPK before. I think we're going to skip tonight and just BD tomorrow. I really think the earliest I'll O is tomorrow. And yes I was very happy with my lining of 9.5 mm. Follie seemed a little on the small side though (another reason I don't think I'm o'ing today).

Beaglemom your symptoms sound promising. I don't know if I can wait that long without testing but the 14th is just 3 days away. I hope we both get our BFP's this cycle!!

minuet - your chart is looking good with those high temps!!

 

[beaglemom]

19 is a good size!

 

[floridasian]

This is going to be the longest TWW ever! How do you not sit on pins and needles with your first IUI/IVF? I was going to wait until at least 12 DPO to test but now I don't think I can wait that long!!

 

[minuet]

Floridasian - holy smokes! Your hubby has super swimmers! Sounds very promising to me.

 

[floridasian]

Yep! I was telling DH after the insemination - so you are fine. Let's just see if my old egg and my scarred uterus will take! LOL!

 

[beaglemom]

I think you have a great shot. You have something on your side I do not. You can keep up BD. Naturally for us is just probably not going to work with our count. And since your count is high, the better chance the boys can survive up there longer. It is def going to be a hard wait, I am sorry to say. But I think you have a great shot.

 

[moni77]

Yay Floridian!!! Great numbers too! The first one is definitely the hardest wait. I am not looking forward to my first IVF wait, that is for sure!

 

[minuet]

So I called the fertility place, they are booking appointments two months out!
A city of over half a million people and they are the ONLY place that deals with this. Now I'm losing at least two cycles having to wait for just an appointment! Let alone all the tests and junk they'd want.
I don't feel comfortable doing Clomid again unmonitored. My doctor doesn't do anything, even the standard scan before starting Clomid again. I'm not going to risk having a cyst and taking Clomid to make it worse. Or wasting Clomid cycles when they should be IUIs. Plus what is the point of taking Clomid and maybe getting pregnant when she won't give me progesterone?
So I am, again, officially thwarted.
Does anyone else just get so emotionally weary of constant setbacks, bad news, and heartache?

 

[beaglemom]

So I called the fertility place, they are booking appointments two months out!
A city of over half a million people and they are the ONLY place that deals with this. Now I'm losing at least two cycles having to wait for just an appointment! Let alone all the tests and junk they'd want.
I don't feel comfortable doing Clomid again unmonitored. My doctor doesn't do anything, even the standard scan before starting Clomid again. I'm not going to risk having a cyst and taking Clomid to make it worse. Or wasting Clomid cycles when they should be IUIs. Plus what is the point of taking Clomid and maybe getting pregnant when she won't give me progesterone?
So I am, again, officially thwarted.
Does anyone else just get so emotionally weary of constant setbacks, bad news, and heartache?

It is overwhelming. I am traveling an hour & a half to appointments. Make sure there is nothing else a little further away...but if no other doctors, then make the appointment & call back regularly to check for cancellations.

Also check to be sure no regular gynos will do testing for you. My regular dr did a lot of the testing for me. So when I went to the RE, she just did the AMH & thyroid.

 

[beaglemom]

Ugh...my husband just reminded me my desk I ordered came in Thursday & I moved it in to the house & in the living room. Now I am wondering if that is why my back hurts. It started Sunday morning...maybe that was too late after the desk...I don't know. Usually aches come much later after the incident with me. The desk wasn't that big...and I mainly slid it across the floor. Doesn't seem like I would hurt this much for this long.