TTC thread take 2

[ead79]

Sorry to hear that your sick. Good news is mucinex helps some women while TTC with CM. I know that some people take femera or tamoxifen instead of clomid but don't know if it's still 6 months which one you take? I have also heard of women as long as they have mature follicles just using injectibles and trigger shots with no clomid. When you have your initial consult with the RE she/he will be able to tell you which path is right for you whether they want you to to do TI or IUI and then your options after that.

Gotcha, thanks for the info! You are so helpful, and it's nice to have some idea of what to be asking about. I've still got 3 of the Clomid cycles left after this one, so I'm thinking it's not a bad idea to get to the RE before I've used them all. On the other hand, the first one didn't result in ovulation (too low of a dose), so maybe we should give it 3 full months of the right dose of Clomid. Definitely going to ask my doctor's opinion on this.

You can definitely do IUI without Clomid, but likely you'll want to be on some other form of meds. After 3 failed Clomid cycles (1 with an IUI) we moved on to injectable meds. We have done 1 cycle on injectables with an IUI and are just starting our second.

I can't remember if your DH had a SA? That may help you/your Dr make a decision if IUI is something you should consider.

Clomid is just one med that most doctors start with because it's cheap. I once heard the comparison that it's like taking an aspirin for a migraine. There are definitely lots of stronger meds that you can take if Clomid does not work for you. However, they are much more expensive than Clomid is.

Good to know that injectables are an option if I run out of Clomid attempts. Hearing about the 6 month max for Clomid makes it sound as if you have no other options once you've used your 6 months up. Thank goodness it sounds like that's not the case. My DH did have a SA and it came back totally normal. At this point the cost of the meds doesn't scare me as much as the cost of IUI or IVF, but it all adds up for sure.

DITTO!!

I took tamoxifen by the way. It is a much gentler drug than clomid. But honestly I'd go straight for the injectibles. tamoxifen would almost be going backward, kwim?

Makes sense to me!

oh..


TRIGGER TONIGHT AT 8:30. THE RETRIEVAL IS FRIDAY AT 7:30 AM!!!!

Nervous...excited...gahhh!!

Oooh, exciting!!! Good luck to you!!!

Hi everyone, may I join in?

I had seen threads like this a while ago, but at the time it was not as involved, and not many people had progressed to such treatments as iui or ivf. I'm glad I stumbled in here to see others in the same boat


I'm in another 2ww... had my 4th IUI last Friday. We are going on 6 years of TTC... starting with metformin, working up to clomid, and now a follistim/ovidrel with iui combo. My RE really would prefer IVF, but sadly that is too large an expense for us

Welcome! These ladies have been such a great source of encouragement and information. My DH and I are a bit earlier in the process--TTC for about a year and a half and on our third cycle of Clomid for my PCOS. But these ladies are a wealth of information and we're all here to support each other!

Elisabeth - Sorry you've been sick! Have you spoken to your doc about doing IUI with injectibles? That seems to be an option for most couples.

______________________________________________________________

I tested this morning (9 days past 3 day IVF transfer) and it was negative. I know I shouldn't have tested and now I'm totally bummed.
My blood test is scheduled for Tuesday. I don't seem to be having AF symptoms other than being very weepy. I think that's from the projesterone though. I'm also VERY tired and have trouble staying awake after work. The side pains have pretty much gone away, so I've put that off to a pulled muscle.

My DH seems to think the hormones are doing a real number on me. I'm very depressed and the thought of having to go through this all again in a few months is overwhelming. I'm trying my best to be positive, but can't seem to pull myself out of this.

Sorry for the pitty party....

No I sure haven't yet. I suppose I just want to know what I should be asking about should this third cycle of Clomid not work out. And no apologies please! This is a tough road to walk, made only that much tougher by all the hormones making our emotions out of whack. I too go through times I feel really positive and times I can't snap out of feeling down. I am sure that's totally normal. We're rooting for you!

 

[cherbear]

Hi everyone, may I join in?

I had seen threads like this a while ago, but at the time it was not as involved, and not many people had progressed to such treatments as iui or ivf. I'm glad I stumbled in here to see others in the same boat


I'm in another 2ww... had my 4th IUI last Friday. We are going on 6 years of TTC... starting with metformin, working up to clomid, and now a follistim/ovidrel with iui combo. My RE really would prefer IVF, but sadly that is too large an expense for us

Hi Cat, I'm Cheri. My DH and I are going on 2 and a half years of TTC. We have severe MFI....We did 4 IUI's over about a year's time, and then with our first IVF, we found out that we have a bit of an egg issue too. (Everything looked good on paper before that) They were immature during IVF number 1, but I've been taking CoQ-10, doing acupuncture, anything I can to try to assure that they're mature this time. I go for retrieval tomorrow.

I hear you on the IVF expense. We had to get a loan for the first one. Then we had to wait SEVEN months before being able to do IVF #2...and the only reason we can do it this soon is because we were able to borrow some money from family.

I really hope the follistim does wonders for you! That little pen has become my best friend

What dpo are you?

 

[cat83]

Cat83 - Welcome to our group! I hope your stay here is very short. The women here are great and very supportive. Glad you found us!

Thanks!! And good luck. I always cave and test too early though, and always feel bad afterward.

Welcome! These ladies have been such a great source of encouragement and information. My DH and I are a bit earlier in the process--TTC for about a year and a half and on our third cycle of Clomid for my PCOS. But these ladies are a wealth of information and we're all here to support each other!

Thanks! I have PCOS as well How are you responding to the Clomid? I never responded at all.

Hi Cat, I'm Cheri. My DH and I are going on 2 and a half years of TTC. We have severe MFI....We did 4 IUI's over about a year's time, and then with our first IVF, we found out that we have a bit of an egg issue too. (Everything looked good on paper before that) They were immature during IVF number 1, but I've been taking CoQ-10, doing acupuncture, anything I can to try to assure that they're mature this time. I go for retrieval tomorrow.

I hear you on the IVF expense. We had to get a loan for the first one. Then we had to wait SEVEN months before being able to do IVF #2...and the only reason we can do it this soon is because we were able to borrow some money from family.

I really hope the follistim does wonders for you! That little pen has become my best friend

What dpo are you?

Hi Cheri! Fingers crossed for you tomorrow and the next few weeks We aren't dealing with MFI, but I have pcos and diminished ovarian reserve. You are lucky to have supportive family that are able to assist you!
And I should be 6 dpo. I triggered last Wednesday night, with an IUI early Friday (36 hours).
Part of me looks at all the failed follistim/iui and clomid cycles, and we probably could have simply saved that money for 1 ivf cycle. Oh well, its all in hindsight though.

 

[ead79]

Thanks! I have PCOS as well How are you responding to the Clomid? I never responded at all.

My PCOS is recent news to me. Essentially my period went missing for several months, which led my Dr. to do bloodwork which she felt showed PCOS. Fortunately my period returned out of the blue just like it had disappeared. Plus now the Clomid is making it more regular than before.

I didn't respond to my first dose (50 mg) of Clomid, but I did ovulate last month on 100 mg. So this month I took 100 mg again, and we'll see what happens. I'm on cycle day 12 today, so it's not quite time to ovulate yet. I'm certainly praying that it works again!

 

[cat83]

My PCOS is recent news to me. Essentially my period went missing for several months, which led my Dr. to do bloodwork which she felt showed PCOS. Fortunately my period returned out of the blue just like it had disappeared. Plus now the Clomid is making it more regular than before.

I didn't respond to my first dose (50 mg) of Clomid, but I did ovulate last month on 100 mg. So this month I took 100 mg again, and we'll see what happens. I'm on cycle day 12 today, so it's not quite time to ovulate yet. I'm certainly praying that it works again!

That's pretty great news, actually! My period won't return for years if I let it go without Dr forcing it with meds. But he says we'll focus on that after children, work on getting there first. The only thing that could have helped naturally was weight loss- which I did, with no results.

 

[ead79]

That's pretty great news, actually! My period won't return for years if I let it go without Dr forcing it with meds. But he says we'll focus on that after children, work on getting there first. The only thing that could have helped naturally was weight loss- which I did, with no results.

Yes, I was glad that it showed back up for sure! Before we started TTC, I was on birth control pills for about 5 years, which kept my periods regular. Then I went off birth control pills, and I continued to have a period each month for about a year. Then bam, it just disappeared one day. Of course I got all excited thinking I was pregnant, but no, unfortunately not. They gave me Provera for 1 month to start my period back up, but it only worked that one month. Then after a few months in showed back up just as it was time to start Clomid cycles.

I do need to lose weight, but I have found that to be nearly impossible over the years and many tries at Weight Watchers. Maybe I had PCOS all along making it so difficult.

 

[cc1013]

don't let it get you down!!! It can take a while for the embryo(s) to latch on and start chuggin' out that hcg!

I'll tell you a story I JUST heard today. A friend of mine online has been telling me about her 38 y/o friend who just did IVF....so I've been following along. 2 days ago she took a hpt. It was negative. Today she had her beta at 14dp3dt. AND she is pregnant!! Her beta is low, but they are going to keep testing to watch it (hopefully) rise.

Fear not, til the beta!!

Hope your retrieval went well this morning! Crossing everything and praying for you!

Thanks for your kind words about my plethora of emotions. I woke up feeling much better today and refused to test b/c I didn't want to bring myself down. It's sunny and I'm enjoying all of the William and Kate wedding coverage. So far, so good.

No I sure haven't yet. I suppose I just want to know what I should be asking about should this third cycle of Clomid not work out. And no apologies please! This is a tough road to walk, made only that much tougher by all the hormones making our emotions out of whack. I too go through times I feel really positive and times I can't snap out of feeling down. I am sure that's totally normal. We're rooting for you!

Thanks! It's nice to know that I'm not alone on this mental rollercoaster, but I wish that all of us just didn't have to go through this.

 

[cc1013]

Thanks!! And good luck. I always cave and test too early though, and always feel bad afterward.

Thanks Cat! Just to formally introduce myself, my name is Christine. DH and I have been TTC since late 2009 and started with a fertility doctor this past December.

I have a history of endometriosis on my left side and had laparoscopic surgery for it in early 2002 at 22 years old. After that, I did a cycle of Lupron and was on the pill until mid-2009. I haven't really had problems with the endo since then, but we assume that is our fertility problem as both DH and I checked out completely fine in all other areas. In fact, my doctor explained that endo spots are thought to emit and enzyme that kills sperm. It doesn't seem that my endo has gotten worse, although my doctor speculated that there could be some on my right ovary now because I was in a lot of pain on that side after my recent egg retrieval. I'm hoping to talk with her more about that soon. Previously, she seemed to think that my remaining endo was so minor that the risks of surgery (primarily additional scar tissue) just weren't worth it for me.

So far, we have done 3 cycles of clomid + IUI along with our first round of IVF. To be honest, my doctor didn't think that the IUI would work for us but we had to do it in order to get the insurance approval on the IVF. We just did our first IVF this month and I am in the 2WW period right now with my blood test scheduled for Tuesday. If this cycle didn't work, we are hoping to try again in June.

So that's my story. Again, I'm happy you joined our group!

 

[Falltime]

Hi Cat

Welcome to the boards glad you found us! My name is Crista and I am 37 and have been TTC actively for the last year and on and off for the last 6 years with no luck. I have PCOS as well and take metformin which helped me to lose 25 lbs and keep it off, it also helped regulate my periods and get my body to respond normally. I am on my 6th round of clomid (the last) with injectibles and TI before we move on to IVF. Did 3 rounds with OB/GYN and then moved on to RE to be more aggressive in getting more than 1 mature follicle a month. Anyway again welcome and hopefully your stay is a short one!

 

[Falltime]

Gotcha, thanks for the info! You are so helpful, and it's nice to have some idea of what to be asking about. I've still got 3 of the Clomid cycles left after this one, so I'm thinking it's not a bad idea to get to the RE before I've used them all. On the other hand, the first one didn't result in ovulation (too low of a dose), so maybe we should give it 3 full months of the right dose of Clomid. Definitely going to ask my doctor's opinion on this.

Sure no problem. I was on the fence about going to the RE but my OB/GYN said they could better help me than she could and I am so glad that she referred me. Sure it's a lot more expense with the u/s and injectibles but at least now I am being monitored and know exactly how my body is working and responding all through my cycle. Plus their goal is 2 mature follicles per month so that helps with the odds game too.

Although I have to admit I am a little worried/scared since I have 3 follicles that appear that will mature this month and I'll find out for sure tomorrow. As I was waiting to checkout the other day they have pictures of all the other patient's babies on the walls and I just focused on all the triplets and thought ohh I don't if I could handle 3 at once, but I am leaving it in God's hands whatever may happen.

 

[Kennywife]

Well girls, I was up early watching the wedding! Wow, what a wedding it was!

Anyhoo, while I was up, I did this:

10/26--Rose and Crown 7:45 p.m.
10/27--Crystal Palace 9:05 a.m.
Via Napoli 12:45 p.m.
Yachtsman Steakhouse 9 p.m.
10/28--Akershus 9:30 a.m.
Le Cellier 12:20 p.m.
Chef Mickey's 5 p.m.
10/29--WWOHP day. Cali Grill 9:10 p.m.
10/30--Kouzzina 8:55 a.m. Then....we go home. Boo-hoo.

Tada! What do you think? I hope to get Boma and T-Rex. Other that that, I'm good! (We're going in the summer to WDW/D-land for D23 and the end of Summer nightastic)

Gabbie

 

[Falltime]

oh..


TRIGGER TONIGHT AT 8:30. THE RETRIEVAL IS FRIDAY AT 7:30 AM!!!!

Nervous...excited...gahhh!!

Thinking about you.. Hope everything went well!

 

[cherbear]

Bad news ladies. 8 eggs, none mature. They were all pretty much 1's. (on a maturity scale of 1 to 3, 1 being the least mature). Two or 3 of them looked like they were becoming level 2's. Im expecting zero fertilization. So if we get a few embies, I'll be happy. Won't find out anything til tomorrow (hopefully early)

And to top it off..I have some symptoms of OHSS.(Ovarian hyperstimulation) But if you ask DH, I'm "fine, just overreacting". I spoke with my doctor and she said that this time around she really went in and out of the ovaries a lot, so it makes sense that I would be feeling worse.

I have shoulder pain, chest pain (like below my ribcage), and am very bloated in my UPPER abdomen. The pressure is intense and very uncomfortable.

for more details please check out my blog post at www.infertilityinanutshell.blogspot.com

I was really optimistic, and now realize I shouldn't have been. I'm freaking 28 years old and my eggs suck.

 

[joanne312]

Bad news ladies. 8 eggs, none mature. They were all pretty much 1's. (on a maturity scale of 1 to 3, 1 being the least mature). Two or 3 of them looked like they were becoming level 2's. Im expecting zero fertilization. So if we get a few embies, I'll be happy. Won't find out anything til tomorrow (hopefully early)

And to top it off..I have some symptoms of OHSS.(Ovarian hyperstimulation) But if you ask DH, I'm "fine, just overreacting". I spoke with my doctor and she said that this time around she really went in and out of the ovaries a lot, so it makes sense that I would be feeling worse.

I have shoulder pain, chest pain (like below my ribcage), and am very bloated in my UPPER abdomen. The pressure is intense and very uncomfortable.

for more details please check out my blog post at www.infertilityinanutshell.blogspot.com

I was really optimistic, and now realize I shouldn't have been. I'm freaking 28 years old and my eggs suck.

Cher,
I am so sorry. I know there are no words to make you feel any better. I am going to be praying for you tonight and I'm praying and hoping that those embies fertilize. You deserve good news tomorrow, and I truly hope that you get it.

Having never done IVF before, I don't really understand the egg maturity scale. So you can have mature follicles, but not mature eggs?

 

[joanne312]

Cat (& everyone else I might not have been introduced to!)-

I'm Joanne. DH and I have been TTC for 1 yr 4 months. We never went thru the OBGYN for any treatment and went straight to the RE. We have been with the RE since September. Both DH and I are perfectly normal so we still have no answers as to why we are having problems with TTC. I have done 3 Clomid cycles, one was TI, one was cancelled due to poor uterine lining, and one IUI. We just did our first cycle on injectables(Menopur and Gonal-F)/IUI. We are now in our second injectables/IUI cycle. If we get another BFN this cycle we are mostly likely going to move on to IVF.

 

[cc1013]

Bad news ladies. 8 eggs, none mature. They were all pretty much 1's. (on a maturity scale of 1 to 3, 1 being the least mature). Two or 3 of them looked like they were becoming level 2's. Im expecting zero fertilization. So if we get a few embies, I'll be happy. Won't find out anything til tomorrow (hopefully early)

And to top it off..I have some symptoms of OHSS.(Ovarian hyperstimulation) But if you ask DH, I'm "fine, just overreacting". I spoke with my doctor and she said that this time around she really went in and out of the ovaries a lot, so it makes sense that I would be feeling worse.

I have shoulder pain, chest pain (like below my ribcage), and am very bloated in my UPPER abdomen. The pressure is intense and very uncomfortable.

for more details please check out my blog post at www.infertilityinanutshell.blogspot.com

I was really optimistic, and now realize I shouldn't have been. I'm freaking 28 years old and my eggs suck.

Cheri,
I'm so sorry today didn't go better. I'm saddened and mad that you have to go through this. I will be praying tonight that those 3 embies work their magic and develop quickly. I hope your symptoms subside so that you can get some well-deserved rest. Hugs and support to you, sister.
-Christine

 

[cherbear]

Cheri,
I'm so sorry today didn't go better. I'm saddened and mad that you have to go through this. I will be praying tonight that those 3 embies work their magic and develop quickly. I hope your symptoms subside so that you can get some well-deserved rest. Hugs and support to you, sister.
-Christine

they are not embies yet. (but I'm thinking you meant to say eggs) I don't know if we will get fertilization at all. The best thing of all would be if all 8 miraculously mature in the lab and fertilize. But I know that won't be the case. The reality of possibly having NOTHING to transfer and therefore no chance at all, is sinking in.

 

[cc1013]

they are not embies yet. (but I'm thinking you meant to say eggs) I don't know if we will get fertilization at all. The best thing of all would be if all 8 miraculously mature in the lab and fertilize. But I know that won't be the case. The reality of possibly having NOTHING to transfer and therefore no chance at all, is sinking in.

I probably should have said eggs, but am trying to stay optimistic and assume that all 3 of the borderline mature eggs move on to the next step and become embies. This is not the end for you! I refuse to believe that!

 

[cherbear]

I probably should have said eggs, but am trying to stay optimistic and assume that all 3 of the borderline mature eggs move on to the next step and become embies. This is not the end for you! I refuse to believe that!

thanks very much. I needed that hug.

 

[cherbear]

hey girls, I was in some severe pain last night, almost went to the ER but after talking to the dr on call (he said my ER probably wouldn't know what to do for me, and he's probably right) I ended up doubling up on my vicodin (which they only gave me 6 of by the way...5 mg instead of 10. d'oh!) and sticking it out through the night.

I didn't sleep much...ugh. DH ended up staying home from work and he's going to drive me to the clinic an hour away, I need to be there by 8.

I just can't believe this...sh1tty eggs AND freaking OHSS!! I just can't win.


for those of you who don't know what OHSS is, it is ovarian hyperstimulation. It can cause pain around the ribcage and shoulders, and shortness of breath (the breathing thankfully hasn't been that bad for me, but OHHH the pain!!!