Welcome to 'Trying To Conceive Over 35'

[alicatt]

Sam- I think you should try IVF at least this once! Maybe it won't be "as bad" as you fear. The meds are just hormonal influencing type stuff, so not to wrry-- Ali's done it and she's normal!

Afterbirth's not so bad....I'm always so jazzed and so tired at the same time I could care less.

Coy - you think I'm normal Yes I'm mostly normal

Sam - glad you got your meds FINALLY! It is scarier than you think. In my last cycle I was injecting up to vials of Menopur and Bravelle a day. You mix them with water and just do 1 injection, or possibly 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. It sounds scary but it really isn't. I didn't really have any side effects from these meds until about 3-4 days before ER, at that point my abdomen started to swell. All the follicles made it grow a little, so putting pressure on your abdomen was slightly uncomfortable, but not painful. I switched to comfy pants at that time, and all was well. My office is very casual, people wear shorts and flip flops, so my LuluLemon comfy pants with a nice top were just fine and nobody batted an eyelash.

When the eggs look like they are getting to be mature, say 16-20mm they will give you the go ahead to do the 'trigger' and will give you a specific time, say 9pm. Then ER is only 36 hours away! After ER you will feel a lot better, the swelling will go down. With the help of the Medrol and the Doxycycline which will help with the swelling and also keep you from getting an infection. I pretty much slept the day of ER, and lazed around the next day or 2 (it was the weekend). Then I was back to work after that. Then before you know it, it will be ET day. About an hour prior to the ET day I took the Valium so that by the time I get to the transfer I'm loopy and totally relaxed. It is important to be relaxed as you can't be tense, being tense could adversely effect the transfer. Then you are in the 2WW baby! With 1-2 little embryos sitting in your belly snuggling in for the duration.

I was looking at the timeling, and I'm thinking you'll be testing around St. Patrick's Day! Amazing!

Don't be afraid, be amazed and maybe overwhelmed, but embrace this process, because it will hopefully bring you the of your dreams!!!

 

[alicatt]

AFM - I just woke up from a 3 hr nap. OMG that was luxurious! Napping.. mmm. I think I slept more due to the rain. I always sleep well with the pitter patter of rain on the roof.

Going to go watch my hockey game now. TTFN

 

[alicatt]

Sam- when do you start Bravelle? or will it be something else? Bravelle and Menopour I think, right?

Bravelle helps to stimulate the number of follicles, and Menopur makes them grow. So my FS has us start with both, and then once we get a good number of follicles, we stop the Bravelle and take the Menopur through until ER.

 

[Samsfan]

Coy. Yes I'm going to start Bravelle and Menopour. Shots twice a day. I may be starting tomorrow. Ill know after my doctors visit.

Alicatt. Thanks so much for the information. I'm hoping I land on the weekend. Question. Is ER day at the clinic? I keep envisioning a hospital. I'm excited. DH is excited. Hoping for good embies ans 2 to transfer. I don't know how ill deal if I do get preggers. But I refuse to accept that my life(career wise) will change. I keep sayingm my life will just get better. I keep asking my dh who is going to watch the kids. I know I have issues.

Sam- I think you should try IVF at least this once! Maybe it won't be "as bad" as you fear. The meds are just hormonal influencing type stuff, so not to wrry-- Ali's done it and she's normal!

Afterbirth's not so bad....I'm always so jazzed and so tired at the same time I could care less.

Coy - you think I'm normal Yes I'm mostly normal

Sam - glad you got your meds FINALLY! It is scarier than you think. In my last cycle I was injecting up to vials of Menopur and Bravelle a day. You mix them with water and just do 1 injection, or possibly 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. It sounds scary but it really isn't. I didn't really have any side effects from these meds until about 3-4 days before ER, at that point my abdomen started to swell. All the follicles made it grow a little, so putting pressure on your abdomen was slightly uncomfortable, but not painful. I switched to comfy pants at that time, and all was well. My office is very casual, people wear shorts and flip flops, so my LuluLemon comfy pants with a nice top were just fine and nobody batted an eyelash.

When the eggs look like they are getting to be mature, say 16-20mm they will give you the go ahead to do the 'trigger' and will give you a specific time, say 9pm. Then ER is only 36 hours away! After ER you will feel a lot better, the swelling will go down. With the help of the Medrol and the Doxycycline which will help with the swelling and also keep you from getting an infection. I pretty much slept the day of ER, and lazed around the next day or 2 (it was the weekend). Then I was back to work after that. Then before you know it, it will be ET day. About an hour prior to the ET day I took the Valium so that by the time I get to the transfer I'm loopy and totally relaxed. It is important to be relaxed as you can't be tense, being tense could adversely effect the transfer. Then you are in the 2WW baby! With 1-2 little embryos sitting in your belly snuggling in for the duration.

I was looking at the timeling, and I'm thinking you'll be testing around St. Patrick's Day! Amazing!

Don't be afraid, be amazed and maybe overwhelmed, but embrace this process, because it will hopefully bring you the of your dreams!!!

 

[alicatt]

OOOH.. I want a house husband!

Have they told you how many vials yet? I always loved mixing all the vials together it was like I was a scientist! Always so much fun!

I can't wait to hear how your appt goes tomorrow!

 

[Samsfan]

Alicatt. They gave me 48 vials of each. Does that mean 2 vials of each a day?

 

[alicatt]

Alicatt. They gave me 48 vials of each. Does that mean 2 vials of each a day?

You will only use these drugs for the first 6-10 days. I'm thinking 6 of each for the first 8 days, which would account for the 2 shots per day and the number of vials. So you'll likely mix 3 Menopur and 3 Bravelle into one shot each morning and afternoon. Don't worry the shot itself doesn't increase, just the concentration. You'll mix 1.5 cc of the special water with the meds. Easy peasy! It only gets complicated if they insist you do it in the afternoon while still at work! My co-worker always burst in when I was doing this. My door is closed for a reason. UGH. Anyway, it only takes 5 mins and you are done!

 

[Samsfan]

Afternoon???? Oh my? What time? And I don't see myself shooting myself. Did you see that needle??? I know I'm a kid at heart.

Alicatt. They gave me 48 vials of each. Does that mean 2 vials of each a day?

You will only use these drugs for the first 6-10 days. I'm thinking 6 of each for the first 8 days, which would account for the 2 shots per day and the number of vials. So you'll likely mix 3 Menopur and 3 Bravelle into one shot each morning and afternoon. Don't worry the shot itself doesn't increase, just the concentration. You'll mix 1.5 cc of the special water with the meds. Easy peasy! It only gets complicated if they insist you do it in the afternoon while still at work! My co-worker always burst in when I was doing this. My door is closed for a reason. UGH. Anyway, it only takes 5 mins and you are done!

 

[Grey Eyes]

Sam- will your dh give the injections? My dh is diabetic and injects himself several times a day- he says you get used to it, trick is to relaaaaaaxxx RIGHT.

Ali- yes, I think you are normal!

AFM- getting ready to administer antiobiotic all round! Aeryn is in a very good mood, jabbering at me at the moment I am thinking of hanging out a bit late tonight, haven't eaten anything except yogurt and toast this morning so maybe I should eat something and take my vitamins *sigh*

Oooo maybe I will have a glass of wine...no Soft Red (my favorite) but we do have a white St. Chapel Spring Harvest, very fruity, maybe fix my sweet tooth. I am wondering if AF will show soon as I am craving chocolate and don't have any!

 

[Grey Eyes]

lol, trying to get a jump start- I always seem to miss you when you are on or you leave as I am coming on Anyway- good morning!

and........................

 

[Samsfan]

The plan is for dh to inject me but if its the afternoon at work thats going to become problematic.

Coy. Yogurt and toast? No wonder your so thin. I wish. Id be svelte. Chocolate and wine is always yummy in any form.

Ali. I wish you come up and mix my vials.

Sam- will your dh give the injections? My dh is diabetic and injects himself several times a day- he says you get used to it, trick is to relaaaaaaxxx RIGHT.

Ali- yes, I think you are normal!

AFM- getting ready to administer antiobiotic all round! Aeryn is in a very good mood, jabbering at me at the moment I am thinking of hanging out a bit late tonight, haven't eaten anything except yogurt and toast this morning so maybe I should eat something and take my vitamins *sigh*

Oooo maybe I will have a glass of wine...no Soft Red (my favorite) but we do have a white St. Chapel Spring Harvest, very fruity, maybe fix my sweet tooth. I am wondering if AF will show soon as I am craving chocolate and don't have any!

 

[alicatt]

Afternoon???? Oh my? What time? And I don't see myself shooting myself. Did you see that needle??? I know I'm a kid at heart.

It really does get easier. The first few times were hard, but as I said it does get easier. I still don't like giving myself the shots in my rear. It is hard to do that on your own. You have your DH to help you!

So most of the time the Menopur and Bravelle is injected into your belly, and its super easy and doesn't hurt. Just pinch your belly and stab, inject, withdraw and done! The nurse at your FS office will likely do the first one with you tomorrow and show you how. Take your DH with you so he can learn too! My FS made me do my Menopur and Bravelle on my second round in my rear end that was not pleasant. Hopefully yours is nicer and lets you do it in the abdomen! Trust me, it is way better!

So my FS office wanted me to do my stim shots at 9am and about 3-5pm. They timed them so that they could do the injections at my (almost daily) appointments, and then they wanted me to do them shortly after I got the results of the morning blood work which would arrive between 2-3pm. I think they wanted to get as much of the meds into me and stimming my ovaries so that when I returned the next morning they would see as much of the growth as possible before my next shot. Oh, and don't be surprise if they adjust your meds. Mine did that a lot based on the ultrasounds and the bloodwork. They do it to make sure the follicles are growing and your E2 levels are not rising too quickly.

The stim portion of the cycle is an art. The idea is to get as many mature follicles as they can without your E2 (estrogen) levels rising too high. Ideally they can get 15-20 follicles and not let your E2 level go above 3000. If it gets above 4000 then you are at risk for OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). I had this my first cycle, and it sucked. Oh, and once they start measuring your E2, they want to see it double every 48 hours. Follicles are considered mature (or expected to be mature) once they reach 16-20mm, so once the majority of your follicles are in this range they will tell you to trigger.

Oh so much information! Don't be afraid to ask a million questions of your FS and your nurses, my cycle co-ordinator was amazing, she was patient and answered all sorts of questions. She also called me every couple of days during my cycle to see how I was going, especially towards the ER to see how I was feeling and if I had questions.

I know you are a nervous wreck, that is to be expected. It is a new and kinda scary journey, but you will be just fine! I remember the first cycle and I was a mess! Just remember you have us and the IVF/FET forum to ask questions as well!

 

[alicatt]

AFM - very achy from sitting badly on the couch for hours completing my taxes. Plus I have a headache OUCH! At least it is DONE Can I just say that the one thing that came out of this is a monster refund!!! I'm getting all but $70 back. I guess I had to leave the FEDs with something So now I have the $$ to pay for most of my renovations. Unfortunately my refi is blocking me from doing it now They made me sign a document stating that I wasn't going to make any large purchases. So I have to wait until the refi is complete. It is OK though, as I think I will wait until Memorial Day as that is when Lowe's is doing another 18mo no interest so I can use that to my benefit. Not that I will really need it by why not take advantage of the extra time to pay it off? In the mean time I am going to get the electrical and the painting done as both of those items will be cash transactions and they shouldn't effect my credit.

So while I haven't done much today, I really have! I got my car fixed, my flooring picked out, and my taxes done! Not bad for a Saturday.

Tomorrow? I have a load of laundry, some grocery shopping and some sun bathing to do!

 

[alicatt]

The plan is for dh to inject me but if its the afternoon at work thats going to become problematic.

Coy. Yogurt and toast? No wonder your so thin. I wish. Id be svelte. Chocolate and wine is always yummy in any form.

Ali. I wish you come up and mix my vials.

MMM.. Chocolate and The way to a woman's heart!

You'll see the mixing is really easy! Before you know it you'll be thinking this is a snap! Besides, it is nice and warm down here in FL, I think you should come down here! Especially since I'm planning on heading up to the pool to catch some sun. I will have to find my tire pump so I can inflate my bike tires. I figure I'll ride my bike up to the pool! Get some exercise It is only about 3/4 of a mile up to the pool. Not that far.

 

[Samsfan]

Alicatt- Lucky you with that weather! What I would do for a warm breeze. Sorry about those taxes... It is just getting tougher.

So- I went did my sono this am and blood work. They said my lining is still a little too thick.. 5.7.. so they will let me know later after they see my bloods if they want me to come back for another sono.
The nurse told me I'll be injecting 4 vials of bravelle in the am 6-9 and 4 vials of menopour in the pm 6-9. In three days I probably will return for a sono and blood. Ladies ...looks like a finally made it.

The plan is for dh to inject me but if its the afternoon at work thats going to become problematic.

Coy. Yogurt and toast? No wonder your so thin. I wish. Id be svelte. Chocolate and wine is always yummy in any form.

Ali. I wish you come up and mix my vials.

MMM.. Chocolate and The way to a woman's heart!

You'll see the mixing is really easy! Before you know it you'll be thinking this is a snap! Besides, it is nice and warm down here in FL, I think you should come down here! Especially since I'm planning on heading up to the pool to catch some sun. I will have to find my tire pump so I can inflate my bike tires. I figure I'll ride my bike up to the pool! Get some exercise It is only about 3/4 of a mile up to the pool. Not that far.

 

[alicatt]

Alicatt- Lucky you with that weather! What I would do for a warm breeze. Sorry about those taxes... It is just getting tougher.

So- I went did my sono this am and blood work. They said my lining is still a little too thick.. 5.7.. so they will let me know later after they see my bloods if they want me to come back for another sono.
The nurse told me I'll be injecting 4 vials of bravelle in the am 6-9 and 4 vials of menopour in the pm 6-9. In three days I probably will return for a sono and blood. Ladies ...looks like a finally made it.

Sams - I am happy my taxes are done, as I'm getting a nice big refund Mostly because my medical expenses were over the top. Leading me to massive deductions.

Glad to hear you headed off to the FS for your first appointment! They typically want to see your lining aound 2-4mm, but if your bloods are good, then maybe they can get you started. If not maybe they will have you come in again tomorrow to see if you've shed more of it?

Interesting that they want you to do Bravelle in the AM and Menopur in the PM. My FS had me mix them but like you do 1/2 the vials in the AM and 1/2 in the PM. It is normal to do 4 vials of each. At one point I think I was doing 8 Menopur a day Don't even think about the $$ With each vial of Menopur costing $72 it is insane how much $$ you are pumping into your body each day. Did they show you how to mix them yet?

I found this video.. helps to show you how to mix multiple vials into 1 injection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxo38Pcx4_4

 

[Samsfan]

Thanks Ali!!!! They showed me... I hope I get it right... Insane what we are putting into our bodies. You just reminded me, I didn't get one of those disposal containers for the sharps. Ouch! 8 menopour a day! Say what?!

I've decided I'm going to try to walk everyday, consume huge amounts of water and stick to proteins. I hope that will keep me normal. I'm waiting for the phone call on my start time.

 

[alicatt]

Thanks Ali!!!! They showed me... I hope I get it right... Insane what we are putting into our bodies. You just reminded me, I didn't get one of those disposal containers for the sharps. Ouch! 8 menopour a day! Say what?!

I've decided I'm going to try to walk everyday, consume huge amounts of water and stick to proteins. I hope that will keep me normal. I'm waiting for the phone call on my start time.

I'm sure you can get one when you go back the next time, until then just save the needle parts. The rest can be put in the garbage.

Did they say when they would call you with the results?

Drinking plenty of water and eating a low carb, diet is a grand plan! You can't go wrong with that You will need to drink plenty of water during your 2WW, it is very important for implantation I hear. Plus it is important to stick with it through the pregnancy. So much to remember

OK ladies - I'm off to give the doggies a bath, and then it is time to go run a few errands. Then I hope to go to the pool for a bit.

It was 1 year ago this Sunday that I brought him home and he stole my heart! These pictures were taken the day I brought him home. As you can see he didn't have much hair on his back, and he was painfully thin.

Stay tuned though, after his bath and blow dry I plan on doing a photo shoot to show how far he has come!

 

[Grey Eyes]

Sam- lol here I was set to post a couple videos and Ali already did! Well, here there are anyway...the 1rst video the ladie totally mind-psychs herself then finds it to be super easy lol

Progesterone in oil
(hip/butt)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r8MoqUtmZM

Lupron
(in belly fat)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWROu73BS7o

 

[alicatt]

Sam- lol here I was set to post a couple videos and Ali already did! Well, here there are anyway...the 1rst video the ladie totally mind-psychs herself then finds it to be super easy lol

Progesterone in oil
(hip/butt)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r8MoqUtmZM

Lupron
(in belly fat)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWROu73BS7o

Luckily Sams is not using Lupron and I think she said she was using suppositories for Progesterone? I have used both, and will eventually be doing the progesterone shot. Just have to wait until the latter part of my cycle for that!