TTC thread take 2

[DisneyElite4]

Thanks for all the info on costs ladies. The expense is mind-boggling. We made our first appointment for the RE in May, so I am guessing I should go ahead and start saving for whatever the future may hold.

 

[Kennywife]

Speaking of charges, I got my hospital bill today. The total cost BEFORE the insurance kicked in.....$1,359. After.......

$282.

Woo-hoo! That is doable!!!!!!!

Gabbie

 

[Falltime]

How's everyone doing today? DH left for China yesterday for 2 weeks so I started my spring cleaning of my craft room to keep me busy. Gosh I have way to many craft supplies!!! In my mind I tell my self oh I should get rid of all this stuff but then the other side tells me keep it, if I have a girl someday she'll love all of these cute ribbons for hair bows, necklace supplies and beads etc and making craft stuff like I do. So for now it's all going back in the storage closet but more organized LOL

 

[cherbear]

How's everyone doing today? DH left for China yesterday for 2 weeks so I started my spring cleaning of my craft room to keep me busy. Gosh I have way to many craft supplies!!! In my mind I tell my self oh I should get rid of all this stuff but then the other side tells me keep it, if I have a girl someday she'll love all of these cute ribbons for hair bows, necklace supplies and beads etc and making craft stuff like I do. So for now it's all going back in the storage closet but more organized LOL

I would keep it. I find that if you get rid of stuff like that, that you've collected over time...if you ever want it again it will seem almost impossible to find. (or rather, you'll have to spend a ton to find what you want) I have a lot of little crafty things too...not so much ribbon and beads, but maybe a small amount of ribbons, and some stick on jewels, and a ton of scrapbooking stuff. I know DH is mad that I've never even started filling the big scrapbook he got me a couple years ago. It's just that, I sure thought I'd be filling it with pictures of my child/ren and since that hasn't happened yet, I never got the motivation to scrap. *sigh*

 

[shruley]

thank you...I talked to my dad yesterday and he's going to help however he can. (first he's trying to get a personal loan from my uncle...he already has one but he's trying to get more money. Otherwise he'll cosign for us)



Thank you, hopefully he gets the loan from my uncle..

I don't mind the questions at all! Honestly it varies from clinic to clinic. Our clinic charges $10K for the entire cycle (not including meds). But we are using the ARC 1 Cycle Plus plan. http://www.arcfertility.com/family_building/one_cycle_ivf.html

The plan is about $11,800 but it guarantees a FET if no live birth results from the IVF cycle. (only catch is, you gotta have frozen embryos to work with). It also pays for 2 years of freezing all embryos that make it to freeze. My clinic would charge extra for that (outside of the $10K) if we didn't have the ARC plan.

I've seen some people take very little medicine, and spend maybe $1500...and I've heard of some women spending as much as $5000. The medicine can vary so much that it's SCARY! I believe my clinic charges about $4500 or $5000 for FET.

ICSI is an extra $1700 at my clinic, and it can indeed help your chances. Many people don't need it. But I figure we are spending all this money, why not throw that in there too, to make sure we get the maximum fertilization numbers.

Good luck. Hope you can get everything worked out, sounds like you have a good plan!

 

[Kennywife]

I got a beautiful glass chest for all my Disney pretties! It's in my home office and I it! My mom, dad, and g-ma got it for my b-day!

Waiting to go see the RE Wednesday and working. Other than that, waiting for June 17 (yes, I changed my vacay dates again. lol) We're going to WDW on our anniversary!!!!!!

Gabbie

 

[DisneyElite4]

Hi Ladies!

Looks like everyone is doing well. I was able to get into my first RE appointment this morning due to a cancellation. (My original date was May 12!) After consulting with the RE and doing a quick ultrasound, he thinks I may have Endometriosis. I kind of expected this. He has suggested laparoscopic surgery to remove adhesions.

Do any of you have experience with endo? Has anyone had the laparoscopic surgery and can offer advice? Surgery kind of freaks me out, but I am willing to do it if it will help us conceive. If you had the surgery, how long were you out of work after? One of the girls on my team is out for maternity leave right now, and I think I would get some pushback if I had to be out for a long period of time.

Thanks!

 

[AJ12345]

Hi Ladies!

Hope everything is doing ok. I haven't posted in awhile but like always, praying for little miracles for everyone here.

I had a quick question about vitamin supplements. I was taking Melatonin to sleep @ night and came across a few articles saying that it could cause ovulation to get all out of whack. (and i don't need it any worse off than it is now)

Anyway, my doc told me to take CLA (helps with weight loss, builds muscle) I need to lose weight!!! Anyone heard of any negative side effects regarding fertility and taking the CLA??

Thanks for your help girls! Sending baby dust to all

 

[cc1013]

Hi Ladies!

Looks like everyone is doing well. I was able to get into my first RE appointment this morning due to a cancellation. (My original date was May 12!) After consulting with the RE and doing a quick ultrasound, he thinks I may have Endometriosis. I kind of expected this. He has suggested laparoscopic surgery to remove adhesions.

Do any of you have experience with endo? Has anyone had the laparoscopic surgery and can offer advice? Surgery kind of freaks me out, but I am willing to do it if it will help us conceive. If you had the surgery, how long were you out of work after? One of the girls on my team is out for maternity leave right now, and I think I would get some pushback if I had to be out for a long period of time.

Thanks!

Hi!

I was diagnosed with endo in 2002 (at 22 years old) and had laparoscopic surgery. I had a chocolate cyst from endo on my left side. My right side was totally clear. As long as the surgery is done laparoscopically, the recovery shouldn't be that bad. I was out of work for about 4 days. The surgery was supposed to be outpatient, but I had trouble with the anesthesia, so I stayed at the hospital overnight. After the surgery, I was on lupron for 6 months to help reabsorb any remaining endo and was then on the pill continuously (no placebos, no periods) for 7 years. I was definitely tender for a few weeks after, but nothing terrible. If you have an active job (I normally sit at a desk) you could be out much longer.

We started TTC during late 2009 and started with an RE about 4 months ago. Based on ultrasounds, my doctor thinks my endo is under control and I have two small legions on my left side. They aren't large enough to warrant another surgery and risk more scar tissue. We haven't been able to conceive on our own and tried IUI with Clomid three times without success. My RE believes that the remaining endo legions are emitting an enzyme that basically kills sperm. Because of that, she recommended that we skip IUI with injectibles and go straight to IVF. We are prepping for our first IVF cycle now and should have the egg retrieval done mid-April.

Hope that helps! It's been a while since my surgery, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

-Christine

 

[cc1013]

I got a beautiful glass chest for all my Disney pretties! It's in my home office and I it! My mom, dad, and g-ma got it for my b-day!

Waiting to go see the RE Wednesday and working. Other than that, waiting for June 17 (yes, I changed my vacay dates again. lol) We're going to WDW on our anniversary!!!!!!

Gabbie

Good luck at the RE tomorrow! Anniversary trip to WDW sounds awesome!

 

[Kennywife]

No co-pay!!!!! Yes, I can get my new glasses now!!!!!

I'm going within a week to get my eyes checked. Kenny is going too since he needs them as well.

The RE staff said that once I have the diagnosis, my insurance will not kick in anymore. Expected that. I can only hope for the best.

Oh....here's the glasses I'm looking at:

http://eyemartexpress.com/frames/view/000316815490/

http://eyemartexpress.com/frames/view/000796100100/

http://eyemartexpress.com/frames/view/000798041992/

http://eyemartexpress.com/frames/view/000441899108/

 

[joanne312]

My first injectables cycle is underway! I started taking the meds on CD3 which was Saturday. I take 75 IU Menopur and 150 IU of Gonal-F. I went in today for blood and u/s to see if I was responding to the meds. My estrogen is 370. I had 24 antral follicles largest being 8mm. The RN left me a voicemail and said that the RE wants me to take only the Gonal-F tonight and not the Menopur. She didn't say why. I'm not sure if that's good/bad/neutral. They want me to go back in for blood and u/s tomorrow so I guess I will find out then!

 

[cherbear]

My first injectables cycle is underway! I started taking the meds on CD3 which was Saturday. I take 75 IU Menopur and 150 IU of Gonal-F. I went in today for blood and u/s to see if I was responding to the meds. My estrogen is 370. I had 24 antral follicles largest being 8mm. The RN left me a voicemail and said that the RE wants me to take only the Gonal-F tonight and not the Menopur. She didn't say why. I'm not sure if that's good/bad/neutral. They want me to go back in for blood and u/s tomorrow so I guess I will find out then!

from what I have gathered, the Gonal F (or follistim, which is very similar and what I was on) helps to grow follicles and the menopur seems to be predominantly to recruit MORE follicles. They certainly don't need you producing anymore, so that would explain their nixing the menopur.

Contrary to your cycle, my dr kept reducing my follistim and increasing my menopur during IVF #1 because she was trying to recruit more follicles.

HTH! Good luck with the injects!

 

[ead79]

Hello ladies!

I wanted to ask you if any of you used injectables without an IUI or IVF. Right now I just finished AF and my 2nd round of Clomid. Since the 1st round of Clomid didn't make me ovulate, they upped my dosage to 100 mg instead of 50.

Should this 2nd round not work, I want to try to understand the pros/cons of injectables so I can ask my doctor about them. Are injectables typically more successful with helping you ovulate than Clomid? Is the main "con" that they are expensive and not usually covered by insurance?

Also, DH and I are praying about when to switch from my GYN to an RE. We'd love to keep the costs down, but I don't want to spend forever without seeing the specialist if that's what it takes in the end.

 

[smi727]

Alright ladies, TMI but I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure out what's going on. I've had cramps on my lower right side for the last 4 days. I'm still 2 weeks away from getting my period. Every ovulation test I take has been negative. I took a pregnancy test this morning - also negative. What could be going on? Should I call my OB? Am I freaking out about nothing?

Well ladies - I figured out what those cramps were... implantation cramps! I just found out I'm 5 weeks pregnant!

 

[cc1013]

Well ladies - I figured out what those cramps were... implantation cramps! I just found out I'm 5 weeks pregnant!

Congratulations!!!! That's fantastic! So happy for you!

 

[ead79]

Well ladies - I figured out what those cramps were... implantation cramps! I just found out I'm 5 weeks pregnant!

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!! Congratulations!!!

 

[ckret01]

Hi Ladies!

Looks like everyone is doing well. I was able to get into my first RE appointment this morning due to a cancellation. (My original date was May 12!) After consulting with the RE and doing a quick ultrasound, he thinks I may have Endometriosis. I kind of expected this. He has suggested laparoscopic surgery to remove adhesions.

Do any of you have experience with endo? Has anyone had the laparoscopic surgery and can offer advice? Surgery kind of freaks me out, but I am willing to do it if it will help us conceive. If you had the surgery, how long were you out of work after? One of the girls on my team is out for maternity leave right now, and I think I would get some pushback if I had to be out for a long period of time.

Thanks!

I don't have any experience with Endo, but I did have Laparoscopy surgery to have one of my tubes cut that was damaged and to get rid of scar tissue. That was my first ever surgery and I was deathly afraid. The surgery itself wasn’t bad at all. To be honest, the day after my surgery I was walking around (just not over doing it). On the 2nd and third day after surgery, I did have some very mild soreness I think because everything wore off and maybe because I did more walking than I should have around the house right after surgery but nothing bad at all. It was completely tolerable. I actually work from home but I would have been able to go to work by the 4th day. The ONLY problem if I had to go to work was wearing pants because of the incisions. At home I wore sweats for the week but I am not sure if I would have been able to put on a pair of dress pants during that time.

I actually have to have a Myomectomy in the near future that I am not looking forward to because that is a bikini line incision and I will definitely be out of work for a few weeks.

If you have any other questions on the Lap surgery just let me know I wish you all the best!

Well ladies - I figured out what those cramps were... implantation cramps! I just found out I'm 5 weeks pregnant!

Wow, that is AWESOME! CONGRATS TO YOU!

 

[Kennywife]

Aaaarrrrggghhh!!!!!

SHe was in surgery all day today so we had to reschedule for the 5th at 10 a.m. I'm hoping she's free to talk to us then.

Good news though....we are changing our ticker!

June 17-20, Pop Century, 80's section

Aug. 18-20, solo trip to D-land for D23

Sept. 27-Oct. 3.......Courtyard View at Wilderness Lodge!!!!!!!

 

[Falltime]

Hello ladies!

I wanted to ask you if any of you used injectables without an IUI or IVF. Right now I just finished AF and my 2nd round of Clomid. Since the 1st round of Clomid didn't make me ovulate, they upped my dosage to 100 mg instead of 50.

Should this 2nd round not work, I want to try to understand the pros/cons of injectables so I can ask my doctor about them. Are injectables typically more successful with helping you ovulate than Clomid? Is the main "con" that they are expensive and not usually covered by insurance?

Also, DH and I are praying about when to switch from my GYN to an RE. We'd love to keep the costs down, but I don't want to spend forever without seeing the specialist if that's what it takes in the end.

Yes I am doing injectiables w/o IUI or IVF. My DH doesn't have a sperm issue so they said for us to do timed intercourse which is in 12 hour increments (he loves that!!!). Next month will be my 3rd round of clomid with injectibles. We are taking this month off since DH is out of the country. I have PCOS and did 3 months of clomid only with my OB (waste of time in my opinion as I never ovulated) then switched over to the RE and they are really aggressive. They put me on Bravelle you give yourself shots in the stomach. First month I ovulated one egg and last month they upped the dosage and I ovulated 2 eggs but you still only have a 20% chance of becoming pregnant. Since next month will be our 6th round of clomid we'll be moving on to IVF if it doesn't work.

Here's what the cost's are for me the Bravelle costs $77, clomid $5 and then I also have to take progesterone after I ovulate so that runs about $15. Ultrasounds I have to do 3 a month, baseline and then 2 follow-up ultrasounds to check my follicles and they run $200 each and then the blood draw which is $55. It of course depends of what your insurance covers and doesn't cover and what the RE charges but that's just to give you an idea hopefully. I have fertility coverage but I still have to pay a $1,600 deductible first which I am almost there. My insurance also allows 2 lifetime IVF so at least we'll get 2 "free" tries at that if needed.

Also it never hurts to call around to RE's and ask them what they charge for u/s and blood work that way you'll have a better idea of the costs in your area.