Any other DISers trying to concieve? Reread OP for the QOTD!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Lisa,

They are voting because Massachusetts is one of the few states that mandates infertility treatment coverage.

Ohhh--so they make sure you are covered.


I still say that if they regulate viagra coverage and make a man wait less time so that he can get pills to ...

Then they certainly can follow suit with what medical practitioners say of one year (some even less).

Quite silly.

Does everyone's insurance carrier follow suit with whatever the law says and not go above and beyond?

 

[Syrreal]

Sorry- I need to get on my little soap box here-

My opinion on the reason we are voting on all these ridiculous things is to keep focus away from the real issues out there. That plus the fact that the gvmt want to limit as many of the rights of women as possible. It's really disgusting. And congress is just as bad if not worse than the states when it comes to that. They vote on whether we need a constitutional amendment on whether flag burning is illegal and if they should put a wall on mexico (b/c walls work so well don't they- i.e. Germany!) instead of things to actually better the country! I urge everyone to get involved when they see issues that can affect them in any way they can.

<jumps off soap box>

On another note, I hope everyone is having better days today. And want to send PD to everyone.

 

[vettechick99]

Hi guys! Just wanted to pop in and say congrats to the new BFP's. Becky, woohoo! How exciting! And for you to have morning sickness already, that's a great sign.

Carla, I'm so sorry - I know there is no consolation, but you are young so please don't give up. This thread has been so lucky, I just know you are going to get your baby(ies!) soon!

For me, no news to report. I'm CD 11 and really hoping we get a BFP in the next three months, although I really don't want morning sickness while I'm teaching (speaking of, we need a vomit smilie!!). Ooo, I found this one, does it show? LOL

Lots of pixie dust to all!!

 

[AllyandJack]

Becky, you're right...we're not quitters. When I start to feel sorry for myself, I tap into my anger. I know that these things happen, but I really feel like they shouldn't happen to me. My obstacle is GETTING pregnant. I should be able to STAY that way. I know it doesn't work like that, but it should. How are you feeling?

Elaine, temping stresses me out, too. I was actually happy when my RE took over my cycles and I didn't have to do it anymore! I get up at 4:30am during the week and it wasn't fun to do that over the weekend. I can't fall asleep again after that.

Lisa, the insurance coverage depends on the employer. Some employers will go with the bare minimum. DH's employer isn't like that. I don't have any lifetime max on anything. The insurance company has their requirements - age, FSH level, and there has to be a reason for needing IVF, like sperm issues or 3 failed tries at injectable rounds with IUI. Our insurance is actually pretty affordable, too. It's BCBS PPO with no deductibles, low co-payments, vision and pharmacy. The family plan is under $675. and we pay 20% of it. The funny thing is, I was so used to paying for my own birth control pills (my old insurance didn't cover them) that, when I needed it for IVF, I was shocked it was covered!

vettechick, I can't see the icon. CD11....maybe you can have a 4th of July baby (well, a 4th of July conceived baby).

scifi....are you talking about Jessica on FF?? I've been following her story. She's been such a source of strength for me...she always manages to have hope. There have been so many times I've wanted to offer to donate my eggs for her because her insurance won't cover a donor. I figured I was already on the medication, maybe they could slip her a few of mine. They're good...I can't carry them to term, but maybe she could. She has plans to go forward next year sometime, right?

The Resolve site says there is a federal bill being debated. The opponents say that it could require multiple treatments that might fail. Well, chemotherapy doesn't work on the first try and people die anyway. Should we remove chemotherapy coverage since it's not 100%? Insurance covers elective abortions, so the people who play the religion card should be focusing on that and not preventing the creation of life. I know people don't want to pay for it. I don't want to pay for some obese person to get gastric bypass either, but I do. I'll never need that. I pay for people to join gyms and attend smoking cessation programs. I'll never need that. I also have to pay for the "family" plan when I have no family. I have to pay for maternity coverage I don't need. We all pay for things we'll never need and never use. It's the nature of insurance. I'd be all for a lifetime max of, say, 3 live births. So, people won't use it to have a brood (even though that should be their choice), but it seems reasonable to have some sort of limit, I suppose.

The high order multiples you see are not the product of fertility treatments, they're the product of lack of IF coverage. People take the cheap way out - that usually involves taking medication without monitoring. That is very dangerous for a variety of reasons. They can either pay the $1,700 (that's what my insurance pays and the rest gets written off) for an IVF cycle or millions for 7 babies in a NICU for 4 months. Plus, some causes of IF, like PCOS, are real medical problems. The infertility is minor when you realize it causes diabetes, heart problems, obesity, abnormal hair growth - all MEDICAL problems. Women are being denied coverage for this medical problem. There is no logic in that. If the treatment happens to aid in their fertility, so be it.

I think it's just a bunch of fertile MEN who never have to know the ache of not being able to carry a child and not being able to have children. They're also horribly misinformed. Male Factor problems are caused by real MEDICAL problems. This is more than just people wanting kids - these problems have a medical root. It's not impatient people looking for the fastest way to a family. Who in their right mind would CHOOSE this?!

That's my soapbox speech for the day!

 

[AllyandJack]

I don't have good news either. No heartbeat was found at my last US and I had a D&C yesterday. Things were looking iffy for quite a while so I was somewhat prepared, but it is still very disappointing. I was so looking forward to a new baby this January. I had said if it didn't work out this time I was through, but I've changed my mind. We're going to try again, so as soon as AF comes, it's back to square one again.

The thing is, I've had NO bleeding since the D&C which is weird. I suppose I need to ask my OB about it, but I'm going to wait a bit and see what happens. The last 2 times the bleeding went on forever; this time....nothing. I'm a little worried that my body hasn't recognized that the pregnancy isn't over which doesn't bode well for getting my hormones back in gear to try again.

Kim, I'm so sorry. I've been trying to get caught up in the fast moving thread and I just found this post. I'm with you....we're not giving up, right? I also said this was it for me, but then I realized I have nothing to lose. The worst thing that can happen to us is a repeat of what's already happened. We managed to make it through, so we'll just continue doing what we're doing.

Is your doctor going to check your levels? Do they know what's causing the m/c? Even if it means surgery and tests that sound unpleasant - I want something to blame. Have they done any testing?

 

[KimR]

Is your doctor going to check your levels? Do they know what's causing the m/c? Even if it means surgery and tests that sound unpleasant - I want something to blame. Have they done any testing?

They did testing on my last two and both times it was due to a chromosomal abnormality, which is common especially at my age. They are doing testing on this one and I expect the same result. I asked my OB if it's even worth it to try again or if my eggs are just bad and the same thing is going to happen again. He assured me that there was nothing 'wrong' with me and it was just a fluke that it happened 3 times. The odds of a miscarriage at my age are between 25% and 33% (according to my OB...stats I read on the internet are much more depressing). I don't seem to have too much problem getting pregnant, my HCG and progesterone levels have always been excellent, it's just that I can't seem to pop any good eggs anymore. I wish it were some sort of hormonal problem, at least that can be fixed. There is absolutely nothing that can be done about chromosomal abnormalities. I wish those darn bad eggs wouldn't even fertilize in the first place...I feel like I'm playing a game of chance....every month I flip a coin and then even if I do get pregnant I have to wait 2 more months to find out if I win or lose.

 

[LisaB]

My husband works for the state of RI but we live in Massachusetts. They were debating this in RI. We have United Healthcare because last year the governor put our insurance out to bid and United Healthcare won the bid from BCBS. BCBS covered diagnosis stuff at 100 % United Healthcare at 80% It is like 80% of what they allow; it is crazy. There is no cap on the amount. Even with IVF I would be responsible for 20% which is like 1500 plus meds. The meds are pretty cheap. Only 30 for named brand meds. There is no reason why this is even in the budget because it isn't having an effect on the budget either way. This is just to apise the insurance companies

 

[AllyandJack]

Kim, I think a BFN is easier to deal with, too. At least there is no waiting. With this crap, you have to wait for the beta to get to 0 and it's a huge ordeal and a constant reminder of what happened. Some silly books say the best way to get over a m/c is to conceive again. Right....in my case, that's more than a roll in the hay and in your case, it causes the same worry and fear.

Lisa, my cycle was billed at $12,888. BCBS paid $1,700. The rest got written off. Why can't everyone pay those rates? You should see if you pay 20% of the contract rate. It might end up being pretty cheap for your 20% if you only have to pay the contract rate. I paid about $60. a cycle for my meds - I'm on low doses, so I got by with a small amount of Follistim. They have some odd formula about how much is a "one-month supply", so if I got more than they deemed necessary, I'd end up paying more than the normal co-pay.

Kristy, did you get your drugs? I stayed home all day waiting for those drugs and sat here wondering why anyone would want to steal them if they saw them sitting on the front step. I can understand the appeal of checking it out, but once they got a good look at what was in there, I guarantee they would leave it alone. I don't think an addict wants to shoot up with Lupron. Especially since it can cause men to grow breasts. BTW, that works as a pretty good threat if DH gets on your nerves. I always told DH I'd get him in his sleep and he'd wake up with Double D's.

 

[FlyingBelle]

BTW, that works as a pretty good threat if DH gets on your nerves. I always told DH I'd get him in his sleep and he'd wake up with Double D's.

 

[2bemarried]

Lisa, my cycle was billed at $12,888. BCBS paid $1,700. The rest got written off. Why can't everyone pay those rates? You should see if you pay 20% of the contract rate. It might end up being pretty cheap for your 20% if you only have to pay the contract rate. I paid about $60. a cycle for my meds - I'm on low doses, so I got by with a small amount of Follistim. They have some odd formula about how much is a "one-month supply", so if I got more than they deemed necessary, I'd end up paying more than the normal co-pay.

Kristy, did you get your drugs? I stayed home all day waiting for those drugs and sat here wondering why anyone would want to steal them if they saw them sitting on the front step. I can understand the appeal of checking it out, but once they got a good look at what was in there, I guarantee they would leave it alone. I don't think an addict wants to shoot up with Lupron. Especially since it can cause men to grow breasts. BTW, that works as a pretty good threat if DH gets on your nerves. I always told DH I'd get him in his sleep and he'd wake up with Double D's.

Yup....the drugs are here I saw the Fed Ex truck pull up so he didn't even get the chance to ring the door bell. I swear this whole ordeal didn't really sink in until I got those meds and had to refrigerate them. I'm really going to do this

WOW....I thought I had great insurance by being covered 90%...now I want your coverage. I paid 95.00 yesterday for the meds, tomorrow I have to pay ~1100.00 for all the non-covered items(cryopreservations of the embryo's, sperm preparation). We also got a bill this morning for DH's surgery but I have contested it b/c the hospital didn't even try to bill it to insurance

 

[FlyingBelle]

I swear this whole ordeal didn't really sink in until I got those meds and had to refrigerate them. I'm really going to do this

Good luck with it!

Has anyone created a profile of those who've been successful? Such as age, the meds/protocol that worked, how long they TTC?

I had my IUI yesterday, and feeling pretty good today! Last month I was so bloated I couldn't even sit upright for a couple days. Although - my moods are through the roof today. Poor DH

 

[2bemarried]

Okay....out of curiosity I just called my RE financial advisor and she told me that I have a 12,500 cap for treatments and a 12,500 cap for meds. So I'll be able to get two complete cycles and 1 frozen embryo transfer out of the 12,500.

 

[AllyandJack]

Kristy, they don't include the freezing in the "package"? My cycle includes freezing for 3 years and, after that, I have to pay for the Totscicles myself. I don't have many (on purpose), so I plan to go back and fetch 'em at some point. After my Fed Ex fiasco, I think everyone on the DIS sits looking out their front door for the Fed Ex truck. You start your Lupron tomorrow night, right? Are you injecting in the stomach? Frozen peas work great to numb the area.

I am feeling incredibly frustrated. Long story short, my RE doesn't see any need in testing me for everything under the sun. She does want to do a sonohystogram and, pending that, will decide whether to do the scope. She says the auto-immune stuff isn't presenting with me because I haven't had multiple losses - my last "loss" was ectopic, so that's not a "loss" they consider a "loss" consistent with the auto-immune stuff. This one....well, they're going to try and test the tissue and see what they find, but it's also not consistent with Lupus or some other immune disease. She doesn't want to put me through a lap because, even if she found endometriosis, it wouldn't be interfering with IVF since we bypass the problems endo could cause. She also said the biopsy isn't useful since she monitors my lining and it's controlled by medication. She said if we didn't have male issues, I would have had the testing prior to leaping to IVF, but since we had to go right to IVF, I got lucky and got to skip the testing. The SHG will look for any abnormalities in the uterus that the HSG didn't pick up. Blah!

So, then I call my brilliant OB/GYN who has been in the field for 50+ years. He agrees with her. WTH?! Is everyone in some sort of Keep Carla Not Pregnant Conspiracy!?!

I have to take my 3 cats to the vet tonight. The joy never ends. Have you ever tried to get an 18lb male cat in a carrier? Have you tried to get other cats in a carrier after they watched the big guy get stuffed in his?? Not looking forward to it.

 

[LisaB]

I think it may be 20% of the contracted rate. For example the u/s for May (2-3) were billed at 990 and lab at 476. Of that the am't allowed was 410.47 Benefit avaliabilty was 328.38 I pay 82.09. Also the practice might be paying some of that 82.09. I will not know until I get my bill from them

 

[helenabear]

Wow, you have no idea what it is like to read all this info on the insurance and the like! Just mind boggling!

Lisa, I do hope you get somewhere good with all the work on that stupid law.

Carla, I am much like you. Once I wake up to really do something I can't fall back asleep. I wouldn't have to wake up quite so early as you, but I am awake most week days at about 5:30 or 6. Not something I do on weekends (especially after going out at night).
Do you want us to go kick your docs in the behind? In all serious I am sure something good will happen for you soon!

Kristy, I can imagine what that is like having it sink in like that. I wish you all the best

Kim... I can't even know what you are going through... but you're in my thoughts

 

[LisaB]

Still no AF but my beta on Monday was negative. I am 18dpo and 32 dys of my cycle. Do you think I should test???

 

[LisaB]

Okay she arrived I will have to call the doctor tommorrow to get my plan.

 

[beckmrk04]

Hi girls.

I tested again today. I'm feeling a bit irrational. See- yesterday and today I haven't really had much by the way of morning sickness and my breasts aren't *as* sore as they were... So of course, I assume the worst. But, I got a plus. But now I'm overanalyzing that- it didn't seem as strong as the first two tests I took a week ago. The positive line was just more faint this time, it seemed.

I'm sure I'm jumping to conclusions, but I'm still a bit worried.

I am actually hoping for worse morning sickness, just so I feel more pregnant- I know you guys will know what I mean.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Becky, try not to worry. I had NO morning sickness with my first two and my breasts only hurt for about 2 weeks with all of my pregnancies (including this one).

I must admit this is my first bout with morning sickness and it is.....quite an experience...

 

[Maleficent13]

Pregnancy - the only time you worry when you don't feel bad!

Seriously though...you are a bit early for morning sickness anyway...most people at this point wouldn't even know they were pregnant. I think everything will be fine; it's totally normal to gain all kinds of irrational fears at this point. My best friend is 12 weeks and she was telling me the other day she still doesn't feel pregnant...I told her that'll even out in about 28 weeks when she'll be sure she's the only person going to be pregnant forever.

to you...it'll be fine!!