This thread has been closed by the original poster.
cherry / 107 posts
I had my repeat Antral Follicle Count today. Good news, the tech easily found my right ovary this time (last time they could only see one). Bad news, I had less antral follicles than last time. I had 6 on my left ovary last time, this time I only had 3 on my left and 2 on my right. Five, with both ovaries. My doctor said that if they only find four they refuse to stim. I’m so down right now. I guess it doesn’t even matter if we don’t get any sperm from the mTESE if I don’t react to the meds and produce eggs. My doctor said in cases like mine there's about a 1/3 chance that the cycle gets cancelled. I just can’t win.
apricot / 365 posts
@jaguar: So sorry this is still dragging along! my last miscarriage lasted 2 1/2 months from the time I knew I was going to miscarry to the time things actually started (and then 2 weeks until I was down to zero). It felt like FOREVER. Hoping things end soon for you so you can move on to planning for your next cycle!
apricot / 365 posts
@Aqualov: my fingers are crossed for you to respond well to the meds!! thinking of you!
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@Amorini: I'm so glad that CD1 hit for you finally. To answer you question from two days ago, my labs never revealed much as to why my period was so delayed. The RE would look to see if I had ovulated, and blood I suppose would test the same thing. Usually just making that appointment is what was needed to bring on CD1! So what did your RE say about you gearing up for a FET this cycle? I am so hoping you get to start soon!
@Mrs. Pinky: I think your embryo looks great! I hope you are feeling good and excited. Your beta is scheduled the same day as my FET!
@fotolori1: I said prayers for you over the weekend.
@dookie32: Hi lady. How are you holding up?
@jaguar: I'm so sorry you are still dealing with the last cycle. I can imagine how badly you are wanting to move on. Are you hoping to do another egg retrieval before the end of the year or do you have some frozen embryos left?
@Aqualov: Oh goodness. Between you finding ovaries/follicles, and the poor issues your husband has, you have had a rough time recently. I'm so sorry you are dealing with all of this. I'm really hoping your next AFC and the mTESE all turn out as best as they can. What's your next step?
@NorthStar: Eeeek! You have just a couple more days to wait. I hope that all of what you are feeling going on means good things for you!
nectarine / 2192 posts
@Aqualov: So sorry to hear that!
AFM, I feel more discouraged than I have since my low AMH came back (0.2, repeat was 0.27, FSH 6, I'm 35 and follicle count has gone from 10 to 20 over the past 4 months). I had a second opinion consult with a new RE. He was very concerned about my low AMH, and is concerned I won't stim well enough to do IVF. I explained that the current RE thinks I stim well and estimated 10-15 eggs. He said with my numbers, he'd be happy to get 6-8 eggs from IVF, and wants to see how I stim for himself. He thinks due to my low AMH, I need to stimulate more eggs to have a shot, and that I haven't been given enough meds to stimulate me enough to get pregnant. He also had concerns that 2/3 IUIs were too early. The current RE says the pregnancy rates are the same from 12-36 hours after trigger, the new RE says postwash sperm only live 16 hours. His recommendation is clomid/menopur/IUI for 1-2 cycles and see how I stim. If I stim ok and it doesn't work, then probably IVF. Since my current RE has always been happy with my response, I think I will respond fine. New RE is very unlikely to cancel a cycle for too many follicles, as opposed to my current RE who was ok with 2-3 because the first two didn't work. New RE works 7 days a week, and while he is 45 minutes from work compared to 20 minutes (and near my house), seems to be better about getting people in, and is an acupuncturist as well as RE. Prior to this appointment, I figured that I needed IVF if this third IUI didn't work, but that I had decent odds for IVF. Now I don't know what to think.
My questions:
1. What would you do? Go with IVF at the current place, or try the new place?
2. Where is the cheapest place to get menopur?
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: Yikes. I hate making decisions like this and myself have been reluctant to go to a new person because of the time I think I would lose making the switch. I personally wouldn't spend much more time at all with IUIs. Either go on to IVF with your current RE, or move to new RE and do like one IUI only and then IVF. I really like the 7-days-a-week aspect of the new RE. That seems to solve some of the problems you had with your current RE. Can you look up each of their SART rates? http://www.sart.org/ As for menopur, I don't know where to get it cheapest, but I was specifically told by a Winfertility lady that Winfertility does not offer menopur cheaper than what I was getting it at Freedom Fertility for. But menopur was my most expensive medicine and you should price shop it yourself. Its worth the half day or whatever it takes to do it.
pear / 1881 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: did you mean the new RE would cancel an IUI for too many follicles? That isn't what you said, but what I was thinking you meant. I would hope that an RE would cancel an IUI because of too many follicles as otherwise, you could up like Octomom or Kate + 8.
How many days/week is your current RE open? I would go for a place open 7 days/week as I don't know how you can control someone's cycle, how the meds are working, etc. I've had to go to my RE plenty of times on the weekend because of how things are going. Do they also do IUI's and IVF procedures on the weekend?
Have you checked out this website to see their success rates for IVF (in case you get to that point). If their success rates are higher, then they probably have more experience and can be trusted: http://www.sart.org/Find_A_Clinic/
If you do go with the new RE, it might be a good idea to do at least one IUI to see how you respond to the meds. Then, at least he knows what to expect going into an IVF cycle.
As far as menopur, I got all of my meds from Winfertility, but you have to buy two different meds to get it though them. I found the menopur vials (at 75iu each) to run about $67/each. I went through one vial/day towards the beginning of my IVF cycle, but had to up to 2 per day for about 5 days. MDR Pharmacy and Freedom Pharmacy had it for $67/vial when I checked a month ago. I think that I got it quite a bit cheaper through Winfertility.
Good luck in making your decision! I'm curious what everyone else thinks..
pomegranate / 3809 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: I know you probably don't want to hear this, cause I'm sure you don't want to put more options on your plate, but I'd seek a 3rd or even a 4th opinion to see what a few more doctors think and see if there is a general consensus. MCRM, CCRM and SIRM CT all offer free phone consults. Even if you don't plan to cycle out of state with them, maybe they can give you info that would help decide between the two you are considering now. I'm currently exploring 3-4 options all at full speed right now for my 4th IVF cycle. And while so many options have sometimes sent my head spinning, I think it's worthwhile to try to get as much info as possible to make the most informed decision possible.
grapefruit / 4045 posts
I was just reminded by @NorthStar: that I actually used MDR Pharmacy - my sister used Freedom.
@PurplePumps: How is it that you go about getting a second opinion when you are currently treating with your first RE? Do you ask your RE for all of your med records and specifically say you are getting a second opinion?
pomegranate / 3809 posts
@agold: I just requested all the records through the front desk. They usually just give you a form to sign and then send everything to you. I didn't actually tell my RE when I started making appointments. I did let her know though, since I asked if she would still do my monitoring if I cycle out of state.
persimmon / 1132 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: I really like PurplePumps' recommendation to try for another opinion or two to see where the consensus lies. You received two very differing opinions and that would throw me for a loop, too. It would be shooting in the dark if I had to pick between the two without more information. GL with your decision!
My RE says I can start for a FET now. Suddenly I'm nervous and I don't know if I'm ready. I have 36 hours before I have to do anything, so I'm going to see how it feels over the next day.
Here's my schedule: I'd start BCPs on 11/25 (this Wed), do a saline sono on 12/8, FET on 1/14.
And here's why I'm on the fence:
1) My beta would be just before my 40th birthday, making for either one hella-wonderful birthday or one hellish birthday. (I'm already psychologically thrown off by the upcoming birthday only because of IVF statistics and all of the age-related comments I feel like I get from my RE.)
2) I don't know if the cysts caused by the stims have cleared. If they haven't, that will be discovered in a $600 saline sono. Maybe I should go to my OB/GYN before 12/8 for a "pelvic pain follow-up" so insurance would cover it and make this a non-issue.
3) Random hocus-pocus feelings that maybe it means I'm not ready because I have these sudden doubts. I am sort of like this when making decisions -- they don't feel right for awhile, even when they are right.
4) I'm afraid! Waiting and not knowing if this isn't going to work is an easier feeling than having it fail. (Even though just this morning I was saying that I'm tired of waiting.) I'm afraid of failing and I'm afraid of another fresh cycle and round of stims that made me so sick.
Whoa - I was really enjoying not having to deal with this IVF mental cray-cray! Not to mention the craziness of scheduling these appointments and the background anxiety from managing all of the work/life/IVF stuff.
ETA: I said "fresh cycle" but meant FET. Lordy, no fresh cycle whammies, no fresh cycle whammies.
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@PurplePumps: Thanks. I would have to work up the nerve to do that one day. I so feel like asking for records just screams "I may be going somewhere else!" Yikes. But the fact that I know there is another RE I would try "next" has made me worry about how I'd get those darn records in the least confrontational way. My RE gives a nice discount for a 2nd egg retrieval so I sort of feel like that alone would make me stay there. I only really plan to do one more egg retrieval. But who knows. Maybe a 3rd with new doctor? My husband and I don't talk about TTC with our friends. But he was golfing with a fairly new friend yesterday and the topic of kids came up. New friend just told my husband outright that he and his wife went through IVF with our very same RE. They did a fresh transfer that didn't work, and a FET that did work. I'm praying I have the same outcome. But new friend's wife was planning to go to the same second-opinion RE that i'm planning to go to! I love to get opinion-confirmation like that from other people we like and whose opinions we trust.
pomegranate / 3809 posts
@agold: Well, you could always ask for the records and just say you like to have all your medical information for your own personal records. I've had 3 doctors recently order up tests for me and have been passing them all to each other. They are all super recent with in my last cycle just 4.5 weeks ago, so I'm sure they know I'm "shopping around" too. This is your money and your life, I would think they'd be silly to be offended by you wanting another opinion and just take their word as gospel.
cherry / 107 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: @agold: @endymion4: Thanks ladies.
@agold: My next step is IVF using an extremely aggressive protocol- starting 225 Menopur and 300 Follitism with possibility for increases from there. It's scheduled for January, as my DH can't do the mTESE until after finals (he's in grad school) and my RE's office is closed for 'advanced procedures' such as TESE's the last two weeks of December.
@AmeliaBedilia: If it were me I would try the new doctor. I like that he's more conservative on the sperm survival and that he's open 7 days, especially for IUI's. What he notes about your stimming and AMH is also on par with what my RE says and what I've read in the scientific literature. He sounds a bit brusque compared to your current, RE, but possibly more realistic and well read on the science as well? No idea on the Menopur as I haven't bought any-yet. Soon I'll be loading up though- starting at 3 vials a day- ick! I'll pass along word if I find anything cheaper than what other ladies have given.
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@PurplePumps: Good points, friend. If I get to the point when I want a second opinion, I'm not going to hesitate. And also, maybe I do just want the records for my own use. My friend was asking me about my B12 levels and I upset that I don't have any of my blood work paper work for over a year.
@Amorini: Oh dear. So you got the go-ahead from your RE but now you have all these hesitations! This is such a tough time. I always feel like I'm so tired of waiting, but at the same time, "this is all happening too fast!" Such conflicting thoughts at the same time. I say you just go for it. You have two frozen embryos right? And you plan to transfer one? So just go forward with the transfer if you can. And don't worry about it happening before your birthday. Even if its negative, you will be able to look forward to one more shot at it. Delays will only just be delays - nothing more, and nothing too helpful. As for the cysts holding you back... will the saline sono be a total waste if you find the cysts are still there? Or will it still be useful? How much money to do you lose if you plan to go, but have to call it off because the sono shows cysts?
persimmon / 1132 posts
@agold: I know, I'm such a goof. Only you ladies can understand the seesaw of emotions. I'll transfer our two snow-babies... so it will definitely be on to round 2 if this doesn't work. We paid for two cycles upfront at a discount so it's not like we aren't prepared for that, financially-speaking. Though isn't the money part almost the easiest hard part?!
In the event the cysts / ovary enlargement haven't resolved, then I'd have to wait another month and redo the saline sono ... so I'd stand to lose $600 bucks and another month plus a half-day off work because my RE is 2 hours one way. The conservative thing to do would be to go to the local OB/GYN and see what the ovaries are up to, I guess. Or I could just wing it and hope for the best.
@Aqualov: Sorry I didn't reply earlier! I'm so glad they found your other ovary, though I'm sorry that your one ovary didn't have as many follies. Obviously these things can fluctuate so try to hang on to that fact. REs use these measures based on statistics, but you aren't a statistic or a textbook, so there's no saying how you will respond until they give it a try. I'm so glad you have just enough that they will stim you. When in January does stimming start? Really hoping all of the efforts you and your DH are doing will get your a miracle BFP.
cherry / 107 posts
@Amorini: Thanks. My baseline bloods are January 11th and I start stims on January 14th. Although I know they really have no idea how I'll respond to the meds until I try, it's hard to not get down. Every test we've done has had the worst possible result, or very close to it But I'll keep trying! Odds are we have a good result coming some time, right? If this protocol doesn't work I'll try another. Lets hope that I don't have to!
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@Amorini: I'm on the same seesaw of emotions with you. That is nice you already have your second round paid for. Hopefully you won't need it, but its good its in place. I agree that the money is the easiest of the hardest parts. I haven't cried over money. Just nearly passed out once in costco 20 minutes after our first RE financial meeting. So, still, if I were you I would just go for it. If you get a negative beta before you birthday, just party your sadness away during a sassy 40th birthday celebration. My sister is nearly 40 and she really seems 30 and is still thinking about doing another round of IVF, age totally not deterring her at all. But I'm a glutton for sadness and punishment - my beta this time around is within a week before Christmas. Cheers to that! As for the $600 sonogram, do what's convenient. I usually don't like to spend more than 1.5 days trying to save money. So I'd try for the cheaper local obgyn to check the ovaries if you can do that, but not spend more than 1.5 days of effort trying to arrange that. If it took more effort, I'd throw in the towel and just pay the $600. Gulp. Poor credit card. Poor me at tax time. Poor all the fun trips I would like to take but can't now. Poor bigger house buying plans. F*ck you, expensive RE tests and procedures. So really, I have no good advice. Go with how you feel.
pomegranate / 3764 posts
Posting here, as well as the loss page.
Still. Beeping. Pregnant.
HCG is up again to 25. Scan is tomorrow to check for retained products of conception (what a lovely term) and whether or not I'll need to do a D&C again, or if I will just be stuck in this endless monotony of waiting around.
I hate everything right now.
persimmon / 1132 posts
@jaguar: Ugh. I'm sorry that this sucks so bad. Really hoping that the scan tomorrow provides whatever answer is needed in order to bring about an ending to this for you. Hugs.
@agold: Thanks for commiserating! I also feel super young and light on my feet, except when it comes to this stuff and my RE. I'm glad your sister is thinking about jumping in again! I am going to call my OB/GYN again to see if I can get a quick scan.
@NorthStar: Are you testing at home today?
Fotolori1: !!!
@Aqualov: Yes, I think the bad luck and bad news has to end at some point! I'm so glad you get to start soon and give it a go. Will they do a baseline scan on 1/11, too, to ensure you have the needed follicles? Keeping my FX-ed for you! Are you doing acupuncture as well?
cherry / 107 posts
@Amorini: Thanks:)Yes, I'll have a baseline scan on Jan 11th as well. I'm not doing acupuncture.
pear / 1881 posts
@jaguar: OMG, I'm so sorry! I feel like this will never end for you, so I can't imagine how you are feeling.
I tested with a cheapie this morning (like a wondfo) and had a negative. I picked up a FRER this morning, but am scared to even test. I feel like I'm already out and am on the verge of tears. I really wish I had an office or could just work from home today. I have my beta tomorrow..Now, time to google success stories to try to get my hopes up.
pomegranate / 3809 posts
@jaguar: I'm so sorry. As if all this IF crap wasn't bad enough as it is, it just finds a way to make it even worse at every turn.
pomegranate / 3809 posts
Insurance rant ahead:
So I just called my insurance company to get pricing for a test my doctor recommended. (MTHFR gene mutation... has anyone else had this done? I've never heard of this screening) They looked up the CPT code and said it was valid, and that per my policy it would be covered 90% after deductible if the ordering facility was in network (which it is). So I asked, Ok… 90% of what? What is the cost of this test. They tell me that it depends on the lab that runs it since they have different rates. Ok, I understand that. So I tell her it will probably Lab1 or Lab2, since it seems like all my bloods go through one of those. She said oh, ok, Lab2 would be less since it’s their lab and they have lower contracted rates. Perfect! I thought, since it’s their lab, they can tell me how much, right? WRONG! She tells me they don’t see that info until the claim is run. uhh, what? If it’s their lab, and they HAVE contracted rates, why wouldn’t they have that info? It’s an arleady agreed on rate, so why would a claim have to be run first?? Then for Lab1, they could only give me a “reasonable” cost estimate based on location?? Once again, they have the lab name, the test code… rates have already been agreed on, why can’t they just tell me this info!?! Why do they keep telling me “we wont know for sure until the claim is run” ?!?!
persimmon / 1132 posts
@NorthStar: Cheapies are often wrong and not as sensitive, right? I hear that all of the time on HB. I can't imagine how scary and sad this feels. We are here for you whatever you decide and GL on the beta! Hoping for a miracle BFP!
@PurplePumps: Sorry that the insurance stuff is so crazy-making. It's bad enough even when it's not for IVF! I have heard of MTHFR mutation but I can't say why or where. I'm sure you will find a lot if you google and odds are that someone else got tested ... can't remember who, though.
pomegranate / 3809 posts
@Amorini: Yea, I've looked it up and all. I just never heard of it so I didn't know if it was a common one for IF and wanted to see if anyone else here had it screened. I think it's only $50-$100 per the info the finally gave me, so I'm gonna have it run. What's another few bucks more for mooooore screening! lol
pear / 1881 posts
@PurplePumps: sorry to always mention this podcast, but there are so many answers and people with experience on it. here is the episode regarding that gene:
http://podbay.fm/show/999336048/e/1441609581?autostart=1
http://beatinfertility.co/mthfr-recurrent-pregnancy-loss-laurie/
nectarine / 2192 posts
@PurplePumps: You could also find out by getting a homocysteine level- if high, then you almost certainly have it.
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@jaguar: I'm so sorry. And that is absolutely a horrible term for whatever is going on. (Aren't so many IF-related terms absolutely horrible?) I hope this all gets resolved soon for you.
@Amorini: I'm always happy to join in on some good commiserating.
@PurplePumps: I'm sorry your insurance gave you the run around. I'm glad you found out within the same day that the cost to you isn't too entirely bad. I've only heard about the MTHFR issue on here by girls who had trouble keeping a pregnancy. They needed PGD testing or whatever.
@NorthStar: I'm so sorry your cheapie test was negative. Still hold out hope for tomorrow's blood test.
kiwi / 538 posts
@PurplePumps: It was part of my overall blood panel that they did before we started IVF. I don't think it's a big deal if it comes up abnormal- I think they give you an extra drug during stims? Have you done the killer cell testing? I know that was part of my panel after my 3rd MC. I think that's another one that's common.
kiwi / 538 posts
@NorthStar: Sorry it's not good news so far :(. Positive thoughts for your blood test tomorrow. After I tested at home and got the negatives I second guessed myself on whether I should have done it but ultimately I felt better knowing before getting the phone call. All of this sucks- there's nothing about this entire process that's not anxiety-filled and stressful.
kiwi / 538 posts
@jaguar: I'm so sorry. My 2nd MC lasted 6 weeks because my levels wouldn't go down and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. I ended up doing the D&C and while it was emotionally tough it was such a relief to just be done. I know the process is different everywhere but here my dr does the twilight anesthesia and it's the greatest thing ever- you don't feel or remember a thing. Hope there's some resolution to this soon.
pomegranate / 3809 posts
@dookie32: no, i have done the killer cell test (that i know of). I've never actually been pregnant, so it doesn't seem like I'd need either of these tests
kiwi / 538 posts
@agold: Hey! Doing ok. My period started back yesterday so I'll do my baseline U/S tomorrow and then start on drugs for my ERA mock cycle on Friday. I got my schedule today and fortunately it's not anywhere near as intense as the FET prep I did. Patches and Ganirelix for a few weeks and then endrometrin and PIO start 5 days before the biopsy on the 16th. That sounds much more manageable thank God. How is your prepping going?
pear / 1986 posts
@jaguar: OMG, I am so sorry to hear this. Hoping for some peace for you asap.
@NorthStar: You are heading in tomorrow for the beta, right? FX so hard for you! I don't even know why they make this cheapies !
@fotolori1: FX for you!
@PurplePumps: Ugh, insurance… My best friend has the MTHFR mutation and she had to take prescription prenatals, but otherwise no additional treatment. I know her mom suffered several MCs (likely because of the MTHFR), but she did not have any issues herself. I don't know how it impacts IVF.
@Aqualov: So hopeful that this January cycle is the one for you! You definitely are due for some good news.
@Amorini: I'm sorry you are going through a tough time deciding to move ahead with the FET. I also always get nervous in the face of the next step because I am scared of another failure. But I just try to tamp down those feelings and forge ahead because I know this is the only way it will happen for me. I agree with PP about going into the OB for the ultrasound if you can make that happen rather easily. And either way (that or saline sono) I really hope that your body has recovered and you will be ready to move ahead!
@AmeliaBedilia: I agree with getting some additional opinions if you are not confident with your REs (old one or potential new). I think finding one you are confident with is really important.
AFM: I'm working on getting my meds straightened out. Just applied for the Compassionate Care program to try and get some discounts for my Centrotide and Gonal-F (https://fertilitylifelines.com/?q=save-fertility-treatments/savings-self-pay-patients). Waiting for AF to come in the next couple of days.
Also, just thought I would add this as a read for all of us:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathryn-kefauver-goldberg/infertility-can-be-hell-d_b_8590388.html
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@GreenThumb: Thanks for posting that article. It articulated very well much of what I'm feeling but don't always know how to express. From the reasons why I don't like to talk about IVF with people in my life, to feeling horrible about CD1 on Christmas morning, to feeling like I'll never be able to "blend in" again because I know too much. Such a bummer. The article totally made me laugh too. Specifically, "hey, I'm bleeding a bucket of blood, and I might fall off the chair and just die" is something I'm always going to laugh at with each CD1 now.
@dookie32: I'm so glad your period came back quickly. You've got 3 great embryos waiting for their chance. I don't remember the mock cycle prep being horrible either. What I'm doing right now is sort of the same as mock cycle prep and it feels extremely uneventful at the moment. Estrogen on Tuesdays and Fridays last week, this week and next., and a few thereafter. But twice daily progesterone kicks in next week. I need to leave work early for PM shots and that's easy enough, but also tough at the same time, to explain to my work. FET is December 4th!
persimmon / 1132 posts
@GreenThumb: Thanks for your thoughts! You are right -- this is the only way it's going to happen so might as well forge ahead...
I applied for the Compassionate Care program and only qualified for 25% off. I found that if I had qualified for more than that (like closer to 40%) I would have gone with the pharmacy who takes it over WinRx (who doesn't), but then again I was only getting a ton of Follistim and not Menopur which sounds so expensive. Also, if you are going to have a drop in earnings next year then write a letter explaining that, since they are basing your qualifying level off of last year's tax returns. I originally only qualified for 10% and then made a case for an adjustment and it worked!
@dookie32: Glad AF came and you can start again! Back in the saddle!
@agold: You're getting so close! It's nice to hear that it all seems uneventful. My RE isn't doing a mock cycle for me. I wonder why...perhaps because I haven't had a failed cycle before. I guess I'm just as happy to go for the gusto and see what happens. Wishing you so much luck already!
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