I was just curious if anyone was starting IVF in March... I'm set for a possible retrieval date of the 12th... I can't believe it's finally here!
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I think @shutterbug: is, and she's awesome!
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Yay! Good luck! I just got word from my doctor that we're starting stims next week. My tentative retrieval date is Feb. 20. Are you as terrified and excited as I am?
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Good luck!!
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@Lilamo: @thisisme: Good luck ladies!!
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@Happygal: aw shucks
@Lilamo: yes I am! I will start some time in late March with retrieval probably in early April. This is my second go around, so if you have any questions let me know!
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Yay, good luck! Breaking out the old IVF thread-it brought so much good luck the last time around
http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ivf-thread/page/36#post-1390251
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@Lilamo: @Shutterbug: So I'm in my TWW of my 3rd and last IUI and will be going to IVF next. I know I have to get onto birth control to regulate my cycle for IVF but I'm not really sure on the timelines. Maybe I'll be in the April-May IVF group. What were your timelines like?
Sending positive sticky baby thoughts your way!
ETA: Nevermind. I googled IVF timelines and found this http://www.ivf.com/timelines2.html
So it looks like bcp would start end of February and my IVF would start end of March or Early April.
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Looks like I begin my first injections this Saturday, March 1st! Potential retrieval date is March 12. EEEEEEEEEEEEE. I can't believe it's here!
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@Shutterbug: Thank you! Most of all right now I'm nervous about the injections. I don't mind needles, but seems to be so many different things to remember for each one! I'm sure after the first couple times it'll be fine.
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@Lilamo: So exciting!!!
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@thisisme: How did everything go! I hope you are doing well!
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@Lilamo: we transferred one embryo yesterday and had four left to freeze. I've been on bed rest all day! Looking forward to getting up tomorrow!
We ended up writing down a meds schedule each day and setting alarms on our phones to help us keep the schedule straight.
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@thisisme: Oh that is wonderful! Sending good wishes your way.
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Well, we've been doing shots for 3 days now. We are frustrated with the Follistim pen. What a chintzy device for A LOT of money! I don't understand why they don't just have you use a syringe with the proper dosage instead of this weird plastic pen.
We were told (by the nurse and the videos) that if there was some left over, you can refrigerate and use the next day. We did that, dialed the appropriate amounts, and the vial should have been empty. Instead, there were about 30-40 IU's left. Arg! I have a call into the nurse to see what is going on.
It's the most expensive drug we ordered, and I'm nervous we're going to end up paying more.
*disgrunted follistim pen user*
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@Lilamo: I've been frustrated with it as well. I have to do the math when getting near the end to figure out how much I used in one vial and how much I'll have to crank out of the second vial. I dislike not being able to easily see how much is left in the vial as well.
Who are you ordering your drugs from?
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@Happygal: We ordered the drugs from Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy...
We're just worried we're not getting the correct dosage and we're going to end up having to order more of these insanely expensive drugs, or we'll have to "start over"... both scenarios are scary.
They are probably just hitting me and I'm worrying/stressing out more than I have to because I'm full of hormones and drugs!
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@Lilamo: if you're being careful, you're getting the correct dose. At least that's what I tell myself! It's understandable that you would worry and stress--this is a big deal.
I still have my drugs sitting next to the broccoli in my fridge. They're expired, but I can't bring myself to throw away such an expensive item!
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We thought we were being careful, but ended up doing too much dose on night 1. Now there's a chance the follicles will be too large and we'll have to stop. I will find out tomorrow after my ultrasound. This is so heartbreaking and frustrating. Why in the hell don't they just give you a syringe and a vial like every other medication instead of the Folipen. It seems ridiculous.
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If so that means we can't start again until May.
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@Lilamo: Did you do a double dose, or just a little extra? I would call your IVF nurse. If it was a double dose, maybe they will have you skip a night? Or they'll put your mind at ease and tell you it's just fine.
I have not done IVF, so my protocol wasn't as strict and intense as yours. But I messed up the dosing the first night and was freaked out like you. I told the nurse and both she and the RE told me it was just fine.
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@Happygal: We added more to our dose the first night... not knowing the cartridge has overfill. The follicles may be too big, but I won't know until tomorrow when I get my ultrasound. My nurse told me to be "cautiously optimistic"... They have me on a big dose of Follistim as it is, so who knows. This is my first time using ivf so I have no idea how I react to stuff. It's really stressful, as we can only afford one round of ivf. So if it doesn't work... then no baby. It's really emotionally difficult.
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@Lilamo: I'll be watching for a good update tomorrow. What dosage are you taking? I know you're not alone in feeling such pressure and like there are such high stakes with IVF.
I stumbled upon a book to help with all the IF emotions called the Infertility Workbook. I've really like it and appreciate skipping around to different parts, working at my own pace, etc. If you can find a copy, it might be helpful to you as well.
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@Happygal: They have me on 450 IU/day. Which seems like a lot, given I have had no fertility issues in the past. We are doing ivf because my husband is unable to get a reverse vasectomy. Perhaps because of my age and where my hormones are or something.
That book sounds great!
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@Lilamo: I'm so sorry there were issues with the Follistim pen and your dosage. I'm hoping it didn't have too negative an effect and everything will be fine after your US. Will this be your first monitoring appointment? My fingers are crossed for you!
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@Lilamo: We had an odd bit left over in each of our pens, too. It scared us the first time to see some left after we thought we should have used up the pen based on our calculations. I think I also ended up getting a slightly larger dose by accident on my first night. My doctor wasn't at all concerned by it. Fingers crossed that you get lots of little follies growing exactly as they should!
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Well we figured out the pen problem... we ended up overinjecting one night! But it turned out ok because it's looking like I'm a slow responder to meds. So we were able to continue as planned. It is day 6 of meds and I have 8 follicles. I thought I would have way more, so I felt a little let down about that. Funny how many pre-conceived (no pun intended) notions I had about this whole thing.
I have so many worries and I have acupuncture this afternoon to help calm my mind. Worries about "what if nothing gets fertilized? What if when we vitrify them all they don't survive the thaw? What if I miscarry? What if......." It's crazy!
One step at a time....
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@Lilamo: that's great! You're exactly right, one step at a time. My mommy friends say that the worry is never going to end, it'll just take different forms. Fingers crossed for you! Have you posted on the IVF thread? Lots of cheerleaders and experience there!
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I'm wondering what you've done to help quiet the mind during the ivf process. I'm already worrying about how we could possibly pay for the 2nd round (which we can't) in case this one doesn't work out. And I haven't even received my trigger shot yet (which is tonight)!!!
Ohhhh boy.
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@Lilamo: Lots of prayer and meditation. Like we said above, concentrating on one step at a time, and knowing that you're doing all that's in your power to make this round successful. Are you able to relax at the hotel? (I think you mentioned that on the IVF thread.) Sending good vibes your way! Is retrieval Tues. or Wed.?
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They decided to do retrieval on Tuesday! So trigger shot tonight at 10pm. I think because we can only afford one round, it's a lot of pressure and adding to my stress. I'm trying to calm it down a bit. Just me at the hotel for now. Eating a Trader Joe's salad and watching reality tv.
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I love Trader Joes salads (and reality TV)! Keep thinking positive!
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@Lilamo: OH... good luck on your retrieval tomorrow!! I hope all goes smoothly and they get lots of good ones!
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@Lilamo: good luck! You can read about my retrieval on my blog if you think it would help. Fingers crossed for you!
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@Lilamo: good luck!!
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@Lilamo: good luck today!
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@Lilamo: Hope everything went smoothly today!
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@Lilamo: How are you feeling?
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Hi everybody... thank you so much for the kind words. It made me so happy to see all the comments!
The husband's sperm aspiration went well- they were able to grab a lot of sperm. I guess I had 7 follicles, and they were able to get 6 eggs. We get a call tomorrow to see how our genetics handled each other! Fingers crossed. Oh man. They seemed happy with the # of eggs retrieved, so that is good. I'll find out more tomorrow when I get the call.
I feel very tender and just took some Tylenol/Codeine. Off to dreamland for me. Thank you again for the nice words.
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@Lilamo: that's great! If you don't mind me asking, what's you husbands diagnosis that required aspiration? We had to do that too since my husband doesn't have a vas deference. He did his procedure a month before my ER and we froze his sperm. I can't imagine both of us doing those procedures on the same day!
Hope you're able to relax and rest up! FX for a good report tomorrow!
@Lilamo: yes I am! I will start some time in late March with retrieval probably in early April. This is my second go around, so if you have any questions let me know!
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