TTC thread take 2

[Falltime]

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

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!! We needed some good news around here again!!!

 

[ead79]

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.

Thanks for the info! I just finished my 2nd round of Clomid (but it's too early to know if it worked yet as I'm only on CD13 and don't usually ovulate that early). So I'm trying to figure out whether to go ahead and go to the RE if this month doesn't work.

It looks like now is a good time to find out what my insurance does and doesn't cover. Up to this point everything has been covered, but really it's only been some bloodwork and prescriptions for Clomid.

Out of curiosity, why do they have you do both Clomid & injectables at the same time rather than just injectables alone? Is that even an option?

 

[Falltime]

Thanks for the info! I just finished my 2nd round of Clomid (but it's too early to know if it worked yet as I'm only on CD13 and don't usually ovulate that early). So I'm trying to figure out whether to go ahead and go to the RE if this month doesn't work.

It looks like now is a good time to find out what my insurance does and doesn't cover. Up to this point everything has been covered, but really it's only been some bloodwork and prescriptions for Clomid.

Out of curiosity, why do they have you do both Clomid & injectables at the same time rather than just injectables alone? Is that even an option?

When I was ready to switch to the RE I made the initial appointment in the middle of my 3rd cycle so that way I had everything lined up for the next month ahead of time. Where I live it's not hard to get into an RE but I know I have read that other people have to wait a few months before they even have an appointment opening. Anyway it doesn't hurt to go ahead and make an appointment now and get your OB referral so that way they have all your medical info ahead of time. You can always cancel if need be.

So during the first appointment my RE sat down with me and DH and discussed our medical history. Then she performed an ultrasound that same day which was around around CD21 for me and my follicles were only at 13mm at the largest. So that info was useful since we found out they weren't maturing. Then when AF started I just called them CD1 and then they do a baseline U/S on CD2 (yes during your period, that kinda of grossed me out but it really wasn't bad at all) they are checking to make sure you don't have any cysts and it's safe to go on the medicated cycle. Then I take 100mg of clomid CD2-CD6 and then start the injectibles on CD7 and follow the protocol from there that they have customized for me. I still don't ovulate on my own before CD14 so once they see that my eggs are big enough on CD14 and I am ready to go I also take a HCG trigger shot to release the eggs and then it's BD time.

From what I understand the clomid is what starts the ovulation process so the injectibles need that first to get things rolling. The injectibles are what gets the follicles up to the recommended size of 18mm.

When I first had the u/s done I couldn't see what they were looking at. But now that I have seen it a few times I can pick out my follicles and tell if they are big enough. I am fascinated by the technology they have available but they sure charge for it!

 

[joanne312]

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!

Thanks for the info! After going back for blood and u/s today they decided to put me back on Menopur but only take half the dose for the next 2 days, then go back again on Friday. Right now I have 6 good follicles the biggest is 9mm (today is CD7). Grow follies, grow!

 

[Falltime]

Thanks for the info! After going back for blood and u/s today they decided to put me back on Menopur but only take half the dose for the next 2 days, then go back again on Friday. Right now I have 6 good follicles the biggest is 9mm (today is CD7). Grow follies, grow!

That's great! Since they grow 1-2mm a day they should be mature by CD14.

 

[ead79]

When I was ready to switch to the RE I made the initial appointment in the middle of my 3rd cycle so that way I had everything lined up for the next month ahead of time. Where I live it's not hard to get into an RE but I know I have read that other people have to wait a few months before they even have an appointment opening. Anyway it doesn't hurt to go ahead and make an appointment now and get your OB referral so that way they have all your medical info ahead of time. You can always cancel if need be.

So during the first appointment my RE sat down with me and DH and discussed our medical history. Then she performed an ultrasound that same day which was around around CD21 for me and my follicles were only at 13mm at the largest. So that info was useful since we found out they weren't maturing. Then when AF started I just called them CD1 and then they do a baseline U/S on CD2 (yes during your period, that kinda of grossed me out but it really wasn't bad at all) they are checking to make sure you don't have any cysts and it's safe to go on the medicated cycle. Then I take 100mg of clomid CD2-CD6 and then start the injectibles on CD7 and follow the protocol from there that they have customized for me. I still don't ovulate on my own before CD14 so once they see that my eggs are big enough on CD14 and I am ready to go I also take a HCG trigger shot to release the eggs and then it's BD time.

From what I understand the clomid is what starts the ovulation process so the injectibles need that first to get things rolling. The injectibles are what gets the follicles up to the recommended size of 18mm.

When I first had the u/s done I couldn't see what they were looking at. But now that I have seen it a few times I can pick out my follicles and tell if they are big enough. I am fascinated by the technology they have available but they sure charge for it!

Thanks for all the info! I really appreciate it, as more info helps. I think this time around if the Clomid doesn't make me ovulate, I will go ahead and get the RE referral and get that ball rolling.

I used OPKs, and today I detected the LH surge. So we'll see if it's a true surge and ovulation, or if it's just my PCOS messing with the test results. Hopefully it's the real deal!

 

[Kennywife]

I've been up since reeeaaalllyyy early this morning......mamking our ADR's for the fall! What do you think?

9/27--Wolfgang Puck 7 p.m.
9/28--Whispering Canyon 7:30 a.m.
Via Napoli 7 p.m.
9/29--Crystal Palace 8:25 a.m.
Cali Grill 9:10 p.m.
9/30--Boma 7:30 a.m.
Le Cellier 2:20 p.m.
Yachtsman Steakhouse 7 p.m.
10/1--Ohana!!!! 8:45 a.m.
Crystal Palace 6 p.m.
10/2--Grand Floridian Cafe 6:15 p.m.

 

[cherbear]

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

well that is always a pleasant surprise

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

I'm jealous. What a fun anniversary that will be!

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 know anything about the endo/lap, sorry. But I just wanted to say how great it was that you got in to the dr so soon. Good luck!

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

I would just consult Dr Google on this one. hehe

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/

my favorites are the 2nd and 4th ones.

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.

I think part of the con with injectibles is that when you first start, they don't know exactly what response you will have. So if you end up with too many follicles, they will advise against anything. Usually with early enough monitoring, they can control how many you have better. 50 is a pretty low dose of clomid, good thing they raised it now. Sounds like your dr is a bit conservative because I know a lot of people who start out on 100 mg.

If you were to switch to an RE now, he/she would want to get you ovulating on clomid (or something similar) before doing any injectibles. So I would try this 100 out and if it doesn't work, go up to 150. Then if that doesn't work, call the RE. (Of course, I KNOW how anxious you probably are...so I really hope that the 100 mg does the trick either way)

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

well well, congrats to ya!!!!

 

[cherbear]

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!!!!!!!

I would have been throwing punches. Haven't you been waiting a while to see the dr? ( I guess surgery is a good excuse but big UGH!)

okay girl, how many times have your tickers changed now?

Thanks for the info! I just finished my 2nd round of Clomid (but it's too early to know if it worked yet as I'm only on CD13 and don't usually ovulate that early). So I'm trying to figure out whether to go ahead and go to the RE if this month doesn't work.

It looks like now is a good time to find out what my insurance does and doesn't cover. Up to this point everything has been covered, but really it's only been some bloodwork and prescriptions for Clomid.

Out of curiosity, why do they have you do both Clomid & injectables at the same time rather than just injectables alone? Is that even an option?

okay, I might be wrong on this. But when my old RE had me on tamoxifen (a milder ovulatory-helping drug, in pill form like clomid) along with the injectibles, I asked and he said that the tamoxifen would help keep me from getting TOO many follicles (it was an IUI cycle). It would keep things under control while on injectibles. So I don't know how that works, or if it works the same with clomid. But just throwing that out there.

Thanks for the info! After going back for blood and u/s today they decided to put me back on Menopur but only take half the dose for the next 2 days, then go back again on Friday. Right now I have 6 good follicles the biggest is 9mm (today is CD7). Grow follies, grow!

Sounds like things are going good!

Thanks for all the info! I really appreciate it, as more info helps. I think this time around if the Clomid doesn't make me ovulate, I will go ahead and get the RE referral and get that ball rolling.

I used OPKs, and today I detected the LH surge. So we'll see if it's a true surge and ovulation, or if it's just my PCOS messing with the test results. Hopefully it's the real deal!

I hope so too!!

I've been up since reeeaaalllyyy early this morning......mamking our ADR's for the fall! What do you think?

9/27--Wolfgang Puck 7 p.m. Never had it
9/28--Whispering Canyon 7:30 a.m. LOVE IT! Get the caramel milkshake
Via Napoli 7 p.m.
9/29--Crystal Palace 8:25 a.m. can't go wrong with that breakfast
Cali Grill 9:10 p.m. yumm, hope you get to watch the fireworks beforehand
9/30--Boma 7:30 a.m. this has become one of my favs
Le Cellier 2:20 p.m. okay this IS my fav. Best.meal.ever.
Yachtsman Steakhouse 7 p.m. never been there
10/1--Ohana!!!! 8:45 a.m. delicious!
Crystal Palace 6 p.m. again? JK, dinner is good too
10/2--Grand Floridian Cafe 6:15 p.m. went once, it was okay

okay my comments are in RED

 

[DisneyElite4]

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!

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

Thanks for the advice ladies! I go back in sometime next week on CD3 to do another ultrasound and from there we may or may not do the surgery depending on what my doctor sees.

 

[Falltime]

@EAD - you're welcome for the info, we seem to have very similar issues so glad I can help! There's a lot to learn and it's not stuff I was ever taught in health class! I would agree with cherbear it seems from what you have mentioned I get the sense too that your Dr is being very conservative. I am also surprised since you have PCOS that he/she hasn't prescribed metformin for you. Metformin helps women with PCOS reduce the risk of miscarriages, plus it helps with other PCOS symptoms, and can help with pregnancy success as well by making your cycles regular and restoring ovulation. Usually they have you start it before taking clomid as it takes a few months for it to start working. For me I started taking it a couple of years ago when I was first diagnosed with PCOS and had my insulin resistance tested. Have you had that test? Here's some info on it.

http://infertility.about.com/od/infertilitytreatments/a/Treatment-With-Metformin-For-Pcos.htm

Anyway I would ask about it at your next appt. I won't lie you'll hate it the first couple of weeks with the side effects but once you make it through that it really helps! Fingers crossed that the clomid alone makes you ovulate this month and if not I would agree with you move on to the RE where they are much more aggressive and will monitor you throughout your cycle so you know exactly how your body is responding and can treat you properly. For me I wish I would have started with the RE the 1st month but I can't turn back the clock.

One thing I need to find out though and haven't been able to find the answer to is how long of a break do you have to take from clomid after taking it for 6 months? Anybody know? I'll add it to my list of questions to ask my RE at my appt next month if I don't find out the answer before then.

 

[Kennywife]

I would have been throwing punches. Haven't you been waiting a while to see the dr? ( I guess surgery is a good excuse but big UGH!)

okay girl, how many times have your tickers changed now?

Not sure. What's so funny is as a travel writer, part of my job is to give advice to others on their trips. However, when I plan my own....I get all crazy about it.

We've been waiting for about a month. On the 6th (the day after the appoinment is my b-day.)

 

[cc1013]

Hi all,

Well, I've had an annoying day so far. Went to the RE this morning for bloodwork and an ultrasound. We've been prepping for our first IVF cycle and I've been on Lupron for 10 days to basically shut down my system. My bloodwork just came back and my estrogen is at 123. They want it below 100. So now I have to up my Lupron dose through Monday and hope it brings it down. If not, we may have to push the IVF off until June. I'm really hoping it comes down and these last few months haven't been a complete waste. To make things even better, Lupron is on backorder and with the increased dosage, I will run out of the drug on Saturday. So now we've found a pharmacy that has it in stock, but we need to get it processed and shipped out ASAP. Ugh, hopefully things look up.

Thanks for listening to my vent!

-Christine

 

[ead79]

I think part of the con with injectibles is that when you first start, they don't know exactly what response you will have. So if you end up with too many follicles, they will advise against anything. Usually with early enough monitoring, they can control how many you have better. 50 is a pretty low dose of clomid, good thing they raised it now. Sounds like your dr is a bit conservative because I know a lot of people who start out on 100 mg.

If you were to switch to an RE now, he/she would want to get you ovulating on clomid (or something similar) before doing any injectibles. So I would try this 100 out and if it doesn't work, go up to 150. Then if that doesn't work, call the RE. (Of course, I KNOW how anxious you probably are...so I really hope that the 100 mg does the trick either way)

Gotcha, that makes total sense about the injectables. Yes, I'm glad they raised it too, and I'm certainly hoping that 100 mg does the trick.

I really appreciate the advice! It's hard to know sometimes when you should be more aggressive and when you should give things a chance to work.

Could I take a month off if I had to when I switch to an RE? In other words, could I skip a month of Clomid if it takes me a while to get in to see the RE? I wouldn't want to "waste" a month of the 6 month max.

okay, I might be wrong on this. But when my old RE had me on tamoxifen (a milder ovulatory-helping drug, in pill form like clomid) along with the injectibles, I asked and he said that the tamoxifen would help keep me from getting TOO many follicles (it was an IUI cycle). It would keep things under control while on injectibles. So I don't know how that works, or if it works the same with clomid. But just throwing that out there.

Thanks--that's a good question for me to ask. And I also hope this LH surge is the real deal!

@EAD - you're welcome for the info, we seem to have very similar issues so glad I can help! There's a lot to learn and it's not stuff I was ever taught in health class! I would agree with cherbear it seems from what you have mentioned I get the sense too that your Dr is being very conservative. I am also surprised since you have PCOS that he/she hasn't prescribed metformin for you. Metformin helps women with PCOS reduce the risk of miscarriages, plus it helps with other PCOS symptoms, and can help with pregnancy success as well by making your cycles regular and restoring ovulation. Usually they have you start it before taking clomid as it takes a few months for it to start working. For me I started taking it a couple of years ago when I was first diagnosed with PCOS and had my insulin resistance tested. Have you had that test? Here's some info on it.

http://infertility.about.com/od/infertilitytreatments/a/Treatment-With-Metformin-For-Pcos.htm

Anyway I would ask about it at your next appt. I won't lie you'll hate it the first couple of weeks with the side effects but once you make it through that it really helps! Fingers crossed that the clomid alone makes you ovulate this month and if not I would agree with you move on to the RE where they are much more aggressive and will monitor you throughout your cycle so you know exactly how your body is responding and can treat you properly. For me I wish I would have started with the RE the 1st month but I can't turn back the clock.

One thing I need to find out though and haven't been able to find the answer to is how long of a break do you have to take from clomid after taking it for 6 months? Anybody know? I'll add it to my list of questions to ask my RE at my appt next month if I don't find out the answer before then.

My doctor did mention Metformin to me, though she said she wanted to hold off on that since it has unpleasant side effects if we could. I'm going to read the link you sent for more info though. She diagnosed my PCOS through bloodwork, so I haven't had the insulin resistance test. I will add that to the list of things to ask her.

What side effects did you experience if you don't mind my asking? My dad takes Metformin for his adult-onset diabetes, but he didn't seem to have any bad side effects other than flatulence. I'm sure my mom enjoyed that!

 

[Falltime]

My doctor did mention Metformin to me, though she said she wanted to hold off on that since it has unpleasant side effects if we could. I'm going to read the link you sent for more info though. She diagnosed my PCOS through bloodwork, so I haven't had the insulin resistance test. I will add that to the list of things to ask her.

What side effects did you experience if you don't mind my asking? My dad takes Metformin for his adult-onset diabetes, but he didn't seem to have any bad side effects other than flatulence. I'm sure my mom enjoyed that!

I had stomach aches, tummy growls, and loose bowel movements not at all pleasant I had to be near a toilet at all times. The trick for me was adding more fiber to my diet and taking the pill half way through my meals. You take the pill with food and for me I am on 2,000mg a day which is two 1,000 mg pills one with breakfast and one with dinner. I started out at 1,000mg a day for a year then last year doubled it. The other thing is you want to avoid missing a pill because if you do the 2 week symptoms start all over again, I have come close a couple of times of forgetting to take it.

Now here's some of the benefits: I lost 20lbs right away and have continued to lose weight and maintain the weight loss. It really curbs your appetite so I rarely snack during the day and if I do it's fruit as sweets just don't even taste or sound good to me anymore. I eat a lot smaller portions than I used to and feel more full. As for my cycles I would only have a period 2-3 times a year before metformin. Now I have them every month plus the clomid has also helped with that too.

As to your other question about skipping a month on clomid that is completely fine. In fact I am skipping this month as my DH is out of the country so there was no point in taking all the meds since it definitely isn't going to work without him here!

I completely understand your comment about how to know when you need to be more aggressive or not. My OB was somewhat conservative and I felt like well let's see if the clomid works by itself for 3 months. So after 3 months of it not working and no monitoring as I didn't even have a clue what my follicles were doing and knowing I could only take the clomid 3 more I told her I wanted a referral to an RE.

Before we went to the RE, DH and I both said let's tell her we want to be as aggressive as possible. We didn't even have to say a word that's their plan of attack as they deal with this every single day. It was funny as soon as we got in the car after our first appointment we turned towards each other and said in unison "we'll that's the aggressive approach!" That's why I say now that I feel those first 3 cycles I just wasted since I didn't respond at all whereas the last 2 cycles I actually had the chance finally to become pregnant, but hindsight is 20/20.

 

[Falltime]

Hi all,

Well, I've had an annoying day so far. Went to the RE this morning for bloodwork and an ultrasound. We've been prepping for our first IVF cycle and I've been on Lupron for 10 days to basically shut down my system. My bloodwork just came back and my estrogen is at 123. They want it below 100. So now I have to up my Lupron dose through Monday and hope it brings it down. If not, we may have to push the IVF off until June. I'm really hoping it comes down and these last few months haven't been a complete waste. To make things even better, Lupron is on backorder and with the increased dosage, I will run out of the drug on Saturday. So now we've found a pharmacy that has it in stock, but we need to get it processed and shipped out ASAP. Ugh, hopefully things look up.

Thanks for listening to my vent!

-Christine

Hope everything works out for you. I know what's like to try and get the meds you need right away.

 

[Kennywife]

I had stomach aches, tummy growls, and loose bowel movements not at all pleasant I had to be near a toilet at all times. The trick for me was adding more fiber to my diet and taking the pill half way through my meals. You take the pill with food and for me I am on 2,000mg a day which is two 1,000 mg pills one with breakfast and one with dinner. I started out at 1,000mg a day for a year then last year doubled it. The other thing is you want to avoid missing a pill because if you do the 2 week symptoms start all over again, I have come close a couple of times of forgetting to take it.

Now here's some of the benefits: I lost 20lbs right away and have continued to lose weight and maintain the weight loss. It really curbs your appetite so I rarely snack during the day and if I do it's fruit as sweets just don't even taste or sound good to me anymore. I eat a lot smaller portions than I used to and feel more full. As for my cycles I would only have a period 2-3 times a year before metformin. Now I have them every month plus the clomid has also helped with that too.

As to your other question about skipping a month on clomid that is completely fine. In fact I am skipping this month as my DH is out of the country so there was no point in taking all the meds since it definitely isn't going to work without him here!

I completely understand your comment about how to know when you need to be more aggressive or not. My OB was somewhat conservative and I felt like well let's see if the clomid works by itself for 3 months. So after 3 months of it not working and no monitoring as I didn't even have a clue what my follicles were doing and knowing I could only take the clomid 3 more I told her I wanted a referral to an RE.

Before we went to the RE, DH and I both said let's tell her we want to be as aggressive as possible. We didn't even have to say a word that's their plan of attack as they deal with this every single day. It was funny as soon as we got in the car after our first appointment we turned towards each other and said in unison "we'll that's the aggressive approach!" That's why I say now that I feel those first 3 cycles I just wasted since I didn't respond at all whereas the last 2 cycles I actually had the chance finally to become pregnant, but hindsight is 20/20.

Ugh. I hated Metformin. I couldn't take it for long. It made my IBS act up and also my seizures. Never taking that again!

Gabbie

BTW.....would you guys like in on our whopping $11 check from the IRS? We owe $433 to Oklahoma! Nice.

 

[cc1013]

Hope everything works out for you. I know what's like to try and get the meds you need right away.

Thanks. Walgreens Fertility Services had the Lupron in stock and will be sending it to my home. We should have it tomorrow. Now, we just need to hope that my estrogen level comes down. I started spotting yesterday and the nurse said that getting a period would definitely bring it down. Fingers crossed!

 

[cherbear]

Hi all,

Well, I've had an annoying day so far. Went to the RE this morning for bloodwork and an ultrasound. We've been prepping for our first IVF cycle and I've been on Lupron for 10 days to basically shut down my system. My bloodwork just came back and my estrogen is at 123. They want it below 100. So now I have to up my Lupron dose through Monday and hope it brings it down. If not, we may have to push the IVF off until June. I'm really hoping it comes down and these last few months haven't been a complete waste. To make things even better, Lupron is on backorder and with the increased dosage, I will run out of the drug on Saturday. So now we've found a pharmacy that has it in stock, but we need to get it processed and shipped out ASAP. Ugh, hopefully things look up.

Thanks for listening to my vent!

-Christine

Thanks. Walgreens Fertility Services had the Lupron in stock and will be sending it to my home. We should have it tomorrow. Now, we just need to hope that my estrogen level comes down. I started spotting yesterday and the nurse said that getting a period would definitely bring it down. Fingers crossed!

girl you are close to 100!!! We are going to WILL your estrogen down!! It WILL come down, it WILL come down. I just know it will!

 

[cherbear]

acupuncture session #3 tonight. Girls...it looks like I *might* have ovulated as early as cd 12!! If that's the case then my IVF cycle will be starting sooner than I thought. ooooh I hope I hope I hope!!!

There will be no suppression for me this time around so just as soon as AF makes her arrival, I get into the dr and start meds!!