https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 07:55:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1733834 Tue, 01 Jul 2014 10:01:02 +0000 Robyn_ZA 1733834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jenn23 : Thanks :happy: I feel like once I have the op out the way I'll be able to get a dash excited about the solid steps we'll be taking with IVF. </p> <p>First appt with the IVF Dr is booked for 29th July. DH is super keen to go! Now that it's a bit less about vaginas and more about science it's perhaps more interesting haha? He's been a total champ throughout our efforts this year, but neither of us felt the need for him to come to any scans and appts I've had thus far. I think it will only really hit home for both of us when we see a heartbeat :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1732306 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:24:48 +0000 Jenn23 1732306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good luck with IVF! Yep, it costs for me $16,000 out of pocket including the meds. Super expensive! We are starting in a few weeks for our second IVF. I'm outspoken about IVF, too. :) Good to let people know and make it not such a "taboo" topic. Let me know if you have any questions about IVF. So exciting!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1731128 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 23:11:17 +0000 Robyn_ZA 1731128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks again so much for all the support. It helps tremendously to log on and have so many words of encouragement and support to read through :heart: Especially now that we have 3 fertility opponents to knock down - my 2 probs plus DH morphology issues following a teenage motorbike accident. </p> <p>@trailmix : It still feels so hypothetical that we may be parents, like having a baby is still this destination that we may not make it to :meh: Once we get through the lap and onto our first IVF appts I think it may feel like we are more on the road to a baby. Everything we've done so far is trying and testing and hoping things work. </p> <p>@fliegepilzhut : It seems to be as normal as everywhere else now :happy: But after some googling to be sure, it appears we only got going with frozen embryos from 2007ish. </p> <p>@mrs.pinata : Gosh, with all the figures you ladies have given me I see why tourists pour into SA for IVF holidays! </p> <p>@mrs.pinecone316: You're so right. I keep having to change my channel when I start thinking about the fricken unfairness of this situation. It makes me want to scream and rant like a crazy woman! I'm going to join you in redirecting to positive and grateful , we're so lucky science is on our side. And that we can afford the science. When we finally get to the point of telling people when we're preggers, I've decided I'm gonna be pretty outspoken about the medical marvel that our IVF baby will be! :happy: </p> <p>@birdsofafeather : Thanks for the wishes :happy: I really hope our bad news streak is finishing up - following the lap op, we've officially tested and attacked everything possible!</p> <p>@winter_wonder: It's the only way to get through all the waiting periods for sure! 3 weeks to our next step, argh! </p> <p>Reading the topic "what are some positives of IVF" really helped me get some perspective. :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1730731 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 17:02:24 +0000 winter_wonder 1730731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Robyn_ZA: Wishing you tons of :goodluck: I love what you said about HB being a sanity saver. I couldn't agree more! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1730398 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 10:58:44 +0000 birdofafeather 1730398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice, but just lots of well wishes and glad you found this community here! Sorry you're dealing with bad news on many fronts but sounds like you're in great hands with your doc! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1730207 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 05:15:51 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 1730207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Robyn_ZA: Sorry for all the bad news:( I have endo too and am starting IVF very soon. It truely sucks that some girls have to not only deal with all these obstacles to try and start a family but also fork over a ton of money in the process.. I could dwell ont he unfairness of it all but I am trying my best to be positive and grateful even that I am able to do IVF. Praying your surgery goes well and good things are headed you way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1729603 Sat, 28 Jun 2014 15:25:44 +0000 Mrs. Pinata 1729603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Robyn_ZA: I'm sorry you got a whole lot of bad news at once. :( It DOES sound like you have a good plan though! And the others are right, IVF would be at least 2-3X as expensive here in the US, so that's good news! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1729441 Sat, 28 Jun 2014 12:02:02 +0000 FliegepilzHut 1729441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Robyn_ZA: That's rough news to weather...but it sounds like you have a good plan and thankfully are in very capable hands. My IVF attempt (with ICSI and freezing + 2 transfer attempts) has cost around $16,000 (US) so far. Wishing you the very best of luck and sending :heart: ! (BTW-- what is South Africa's stance on freezing embryos (just curious)?) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1729044 Sat, 28 Jun 2014 07:00:17 +0000 Trailmix 1729044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry you're going through this! One round of IVF would've been between 17-20k but we didn't end up needing it (did injections plus IUI). Hang in there, this part is sooooo hard but once you have your baby in your arms, it's all worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1729025 Sat, 28 Jun 2014 06:17:47 +0000 swedishfish 1729025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Robyn_ZA: good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1728950 Sat, 28 Jun 2014 00:01:12 +0000 Robyn_ZA 1728950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much for the support and kind words. I'd really be lost without being able to hang out on HB. As we all know, so many friends "on the outside" have helpful suggestions such as the ever popular JUST RELAX and DONT FORCE THINGS and it will happen. It's a sanity saver to have somewhere to come be the shitty, bitter version of yourself :happy: </p> <p>@travelgirl. It's just so annoying as i've controlled all the other aspects of PCOS through diet - my skin is the best its been my entire life, my BMI is great, no excess facial hair, no thinning scalp hair etc. I'd much rather have a hairy face and the improvement on my ovaries :bummed: </p> <p>My Doc said to me yesterday that it still blows his mind that I have PCOS as I "look like I should be playing tennis at Wimbledon" haha.</p> <p>@bluestripedbee and @filly : Wow, we definitely luck out in SA price wise then. $15-18k in dollars is a shitload of SA money at the current exchange rate, i dont think many of us would be able to afford it at that price! </p> <p>I'll be eternally grateful to my parents for loaning us this lump of cash so we didn't have to lean on credit options. My Mom pulled funds out of her retirement policy for us to use and pay back later. She is only allowed one withdrawal prior to the policy cashing out at retirement age so we're going to take enough out to cover 3 IVFs and a bit spare for any other misc. pricey things that may pop up. Holding thumbs that 3 tries does the trick but will cross the "what if it doesnt?" bridge when we get there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1728928 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:40:01 +0000 filly 1728928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Robyn_ZA: I am so sorry. </p> <p>We did IVF + PGD and then we did a FET. Our IVF cycle was 17,580.00 USD.</p> <p>Sending strength your way :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1728927 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:33:10 +0000 BSB 1728927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh! I'm so sorry. :heart: I wish you all the luck with IVF. :goodluck: </p> <p>As for your question about costs, if I wanted to do IVF, it would be $10k plus the cost of meds which can be $5k more. I don't have IF coverage.</p> <p>I haven't gone through IVF yet but we got a great group here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1728917 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:19:04 +0000 travelgirl1 1728917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry honey. I don't have experience with endo, only PCOS but I have heard great things about ovarian drilling. I have a friend with endo who swears dietary changes have made a big difference for her and for my PCOS acupuncture has worked wonders. I don't know if that helps, but it might give you something to try alongside IVF.... Although I know it's all extra $. Big hugs and good luck with whatever treatment you try :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pcos-and-now-endometriosis-on-to-ivf-following-lap#post-1728912 Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:14:04 +0000 Robyn_ZA 1728912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Had a CD 13 scan yesterday to check if the extended clomid course did it's thing, but all we received was bad news :crying: </p> <p>Eggs still tiny and useless. Barely 1mm uterine lining. And now... endometriosis on the right ovary. What a blow. My LH and FSH levels continue to be dismal paired with high male hormones.</p> <p>I'm booked for ovarian drilling/cauterisation, endometriosis clean up and a dnc on 16 July. Then we're gonna go IVF - whether the lap op was a success or not in terms of blitzing the hormone cells. </p> <p>Doc says that the ovarian drilling story is most successful in women with high testosterone. My testost. is only moderately high, but I'm a walking androstenedione factory. At the very least it will clear the endometriosis and reduce a dash of manly hormones. right? Which can only help us prepare for first round ivf. </p> <p>I'm so angry and disappointed with my body, for just getting worse when we're all doing everything possible to improve it. All my ovaries have ever done is cause life-shattering acne from 11 - 22yrs and the rest of pcos. :sad: :bummed: I'm really struggling to let go of this constant feeling of resentment towards this uncooperative body.</p> <p>IVF here will cost us around R50 000 a try (equal to about $4700), how does it fair for those in the US? To give you a reference on our currency, my brand new Fiat 500 just cost R120 000, so R50k is a good pile of money!</p> <p>Some random info, my Doc informed me yesterday that he designed a unique needle/instrument for ovarian drilling which is now in use at the Mayo clinic. Turns out he was was also the first Doc from the African continent to be admitted to the Board of the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists (AAGL). We're fortunate to be in such amazing hands to say the least, yet still so worried about our future :meh: </p>