[ms610]

to all the new members......gosh we are growing by the day!!

Getdpg---my heart breaks for you as I know you have been through alot. I am so, so sorry for your loss. This is a great site/board for support, I think everyone on here understands pain, loss, grief, and the joy of miracles.

PG_Florida--Congrats on starting your BCP's, hope you lead the way to many the month of August!!!!!!!! Shared risk is a hard decision, we also considered it as well. But my DH is not anxious to do more FET's either, especially if by some miracle we get twins from the fresh. So, we decided to pay cycle by cycle. Our clinic offers a self pay discount which helped alot.

justwantababy--we all feel your pain and anxiety....but just try to think about the outcome.......that is the only thing that gets me through this whole process. I find holidays very difficult. I didn't think I would get through Mother's day. I had just had a m/c and the despair I felt was so overwhelming. Just try to go day by day and don't give up on your dream.

I am on cd 10, so I have awhile before shows......still waiting on all the results from my RPL panel. Hope everything comes back ok. Has anyone tried acupressure?? I tried acupuncture with my first cycle and didn't really like it. Looking for an alternative to decrease stress/anxiety.

[PG_Florida]

I had made a mistake. The IVF/ICSI shared risk will cost $26,600. Not 28K. But that includes everything, and I pray it works the first try even though it would be the more expensive route. DH and I agree we will pay the price and not look back. If it works on the first try we'll be thrilled -- not wallowing about the extra $$$ it cost. Probably easier said than done!

Getdpg, welcome to our group. So sorry for you coming to us like this, but we're happy to have you. There are awesome ladies here, I hope you will find the same support I, and so many others, have found.

[amax]

Originally Posted by Newbie

Hi Ladies, I was hoping I could join your group. I have never been pregnant and my husband doesn't have any kids either. We are about to start our first attempt at IVF. Once I got on line and researched, I realized how much I DON'T know about IVF. So many questions. I've learned a lot already from others' experiences. I just think it would help a lot to have others to chat with who are going through the same thing. I am confused by one thing though. I think everyone here is talking about BCPs. I'm not on them and havne't been for years. My doctor has not mentioned BCPs to me at all. Just told me to call them on day 1 whcih I did and 21 days later (July 5th), I'll start Lupron. Are the BCPs jsut for timing or what? My doctor's office seems to have my scheduled all laid out - you know - if I respond appropriately to the meds. Baseline U/S and BW will be on July 17. Retrieval scheduled for July 17th. We have the PGD process going on as well (genetic testing to avoide sickle cell disease) and then a 5 day transfer. I'm reading as much as I can to try to get a better understanding of what I'm in for. Sounds like its going to a doozie. I'll be a lot - for me and for all of you, too!

Hi Newbie,
My protocol doesn't involve BCPs either - I had the same question as you did when I first joined because it seemed like a lot of people were going to be using them. From the sound of it, your protocol seems indentical to mine: call in on cd1, start lupron cd21 etc...

We just went through our first IVF cycle a couple months ago. I was VERY nervous, but it ended up being not as bad as I'd imagined. So ask away with any questions about it - everyone here is very supportive and helpful. I didn't discover this forum until I was in the 2ww after IVF and realized that it would have been really helpful for the during part too.

[Newbie]

Thanks for putting my mind at ease about the BCPs. Now I'm just anxiously awaiting July 5th so I can start the lupron. Anybody want to share their previous lupron experiences? I'm told it basically puts you into menopause and that its not fun. I've heard some people get headaches which would really suck for me since I already get migraines at least once a month.

[thebunn]

I turned into crazy, crying wife... it didn't seem so bad at the time, but WOW- I was a mess!! The good thing is that you know will be different going into it, so at least you and DH will be prepared for a change. And, you know it's just temporary and totally worth it I also get migraines, but I didn't get any headaches with the Lupron, so hopefully you won't, either!!

Originally Posted by Newbie

Thanks for putting my mind at ease about the BCPs. Now I'm just anxiously awaiting July 5th so I can start the lupron. Anybody want to share their previous lupron experiences? I'm told it basically puts you into menopause and that its not fun. I've heard some people get headaches which would really suck for me since I already get migraines at least once a month.

[smiley]

I know everyone keeps saying this but...Can I join too?? I am planning my first IVF in August but should be ER in late August best guess. I have read all the posts to date before posting (it has takent me 2 days!) and here so many similar stories and see some familiar names for IUI threads. I just a BFN last week after my 5th IUI. We have male factor IF due to a vasectomy many years ago. Now we are going to "bite the bullet" too (I think it was PG that said that) and pay for the guarentee. In our case its 22K which inlcudes ICSI but not meds and is 100% money back if we don't deliver a baby- up to 6 fresh cycles and fet in between (if I remember right). We considered paying per cycle but the odds were not in our favor for IUI even thought there is supposedly nothing wrong with me so we just don't want to take that chance and waste more money. We spend a lot onl IUIS- 1 natural, 2 Clomid, 2 Clomid and Follistim. We decided to take a month off- my body needs it and we are going to take a couple little trips. So I will start BCP the middle of July or so. It has been such a rollercoaster for the last 5 months as I am sure you all appretiate. I also wanted to take the time to loose the 6-7 pounds I put on with all the meds. I already have trouble with my weight so thats important to me. Actually going back to Weight Watchers tomorrow to give me that push. I would like to loose a few pounds since I will be gaining it with my pregnancy!!! We are also making a to do list for the next month-to get done before we get pregnant. paint our bedroom, paint hall, maybe some crown moulding in a couple rooms,and some deep cleaning/organizing- I am trying to be positive. Anyone else trying to "get everything done"?

A little personal info I am 34 (almost) and DH just turned 46. I have no children and have never been pregnant and he has 1 son (19- and actually just moved out this weekend which was rough).

Question ladies- I know a few were talking about it earlier- but how many are you going to transfer? My RE said during our consult 1 or 2. So not quite sure yet if its my choice or if they decide after ER. I have a good number of antral follies in the past and RE was cautious with IUI not to overstim me as she thinks there is great potential. DH and I have talked aobut it and think we want 2 but how do you ladies feel?? We are not scared about twins...would just be worried about working till the end as I am the primary bread winner and of course the helath of babies and me.

I hope to get to "know" everyone a lot better and to give and recieve support. I will be at the end of August but read of at least 1 more in my situation.

Sorry so long just wanted to give some info. The support I got in a few of my IUI cycle treads was amazing. to all the August IVF ladies

[TabbyM]

Originally Posted by thebunn

I turned into crazy, crying wife... it didn't seem so bad at the time, but WOW- I was a mess!! The good thing is that you know will be different going into it, so at least you and DH will be prepared for a change. And, you know it's just temporary and totally worth it I also get migraines, but I didn't get any headaches with the Lupron, so hopefully you won't, either!!

Omg...Bunn thats exactly how I was!!!

[PG_Florida]

Smiley! Hello again! I'm bummed that IUIs didn't work for you, but it's nice to 'see' you again.

I took my first BCP tonight. It's been quite a few years since I've had one of those............

Anyone else started BCPs yet????

[amax]

Originally Posted by thebunn

I turned into crazy, crying wife... it didn't seem so bad at the time, but WOW- I was a mess!! The good thing is that you know will be different going into it, so at least you and DH will be prepared for a change. And, you know it's just temporary and totally worth it I also get migraines, but I didn't get any headaches with the Lupron, so hopefully you won't, either!!

I turned into crazy, crying wife, but WITH the headaches, and dose of *****iness (all toward my DH!!!) that would come out of nowhere! The good news is that my RE wants to lower the amount I take next time by half - she thinks I was over suppressed. At least this time I am more prepared for it! But as the Bunn says, it is worth it. Just take it one day at a time.

In other news, still no . No cramps. Nothing. I called the nurse on Friday and she said that if no AF over the weekend then I should go in to have a blood test on Monday. She said that if I ovulated, then I will definitely be getting my period. If I haven't, they can try to induce it. I'm CD38 as of tomorrow. What she very clearly did NOT say, was that if I ovulated and there was no period, that I could be (dare I say)... I suppose she is right to not suggest it. I don't let myself think that way either. It is too much of a roller coaster ride as it is. It is hard to stay hopeful but also not overly hopeful. Does that make sense? It is the same way I've felt over the 2ww over the 3 years of TTC. You want to stay positive, but not get your hopes and expectations too high so as to come crashing down. And yet, even trying to keep everything in check, the disappointment is almost too much to bear. Every month. I know you guys know what I'm saying. I didn't mean to start writing all of it out. I only meant to respond to the lupron stuff. I guess it needed to come out. Thanks for listening (reading).

[WinniePoo]

She showed up this morning!!!! Never been so happy to see her show up in my entire life. Will start BCP in a few days and have a target ER date of August 7th! You ladies are going to be my lifeline cause I'm not telling family this time around. It was harder to tell my mother about my BFN than to actually get the BFN myself. So this time we can just tell them if (when I mean) we get our BFP and they can all just be happy! So here we go again. CD1!

[Newbie]

Great news, WinniePoo. I think you are scheduled about one week ahead of me. My ER is scheduled for August 15th. (I think I said July in an earlier post - that was a typo!) That seems so far away, though. I'll just focus on the Lupron start date of July 5th for now. One day at a time. I've warned my husband about the craziness that may come about with Lupron. He said he is ready. He just hopes and prays I don't throw him out of the house in a fit of rage or something! LOL!

[TTCAngel34]

Originally Posted by Tanter602

You know, Angel, I think you might be right!! I checked the calendar and it COULD be that I'm doing a 3-day transfer on Aug. 30 or a 5-day transfer on Sept. 1! So, maybe I WILL hang around. That's close enough to August, right??

Thanks for being so encouraging, Angel. Really, your words were exactly what I needed to hear.

Tanter, you're welcome! I'm so glad you're going to hang around. We can be the late August/early September stragglers to the group!

So, I step away from the computer for a few days, and we've expanded!! The same thing happens when I step away from the scale...

Anyway, August(ish) IVFers!!

[Tanter602]

Angel -- You are hysterical! Seriously, you bring some much-needed humor to this very stressful time! The scale thing was so funny. And I totally share your pain!

Smiley -- Your Shared Risk program sounds just like the one we're in. I wonder if we're in the same one. I'm in Shady Grove. Are you with me? We're doing the same thing: $22K (for ICSI), plus meds. We estimate that it'll cost us about $2,500 for our first round of meds. Let's it's our ONLY round of meds, since we're paying completely out of pocket for everything!!

Our RE wants us to elect to do single embryo transfer to reduce the possibility of twins. I have done the research and I completely respect the science and logic behind it. But I still think DH and I are going to ask them to transfer 2. As I've said before on these threads, we REALLY don't want to have to do this again if we don't have to. So a healthy set of twins would start and complete our family in one fell swoop!

AFM - showed up today! If I hadn't gotten sidelined by this darn abnormal pap, I'd be starting BCPs. But instead, I have to wait until AF shows up NEXT month!! Grrrr!! But I'm gonna hang in here with you guys, since it looks like I'll just be slipping in under the door by having a (possible) ET of Aug. 30.
So I've told DH that this is officially our last chance to try naturally to get PG so we're pulling out all the stops! I'll let you all know how it goes.

Good luck to all of you starting BCPs this week!! Whoo-hooo!!!

TTYL.

[yodasmistress]

I did lupron last cycle and didn't have a lot of side effects from it. It did make me a little moody but not too bad. Likewise I had occasional, mild headaches, but nothing too bad. Probably the most prevalent side effect was the TIREDNESS. I seriously wanted to sleep 14 hours a day (though that was obviously not possible).

I do not know for sure what my schedule will be due to:
a.) my cycles are always irregular
b.) this being my first "natural" cycle post-IVF and c/p, who knows how long it will be
c.) I am not even 100% positive what protocol I will be on. I *think* I'll probably get AF in mid-July. Then 2 weeks of BCP. Then a few days of Lupron only. Then begin stims the second week of August, with ER toward the end of the month.

My husband and I (mostly me) are very concerned about twins. I am very tall and am pretty sure I could physically carry them without issue. It's the logistics and finances afterward that would be very hard. I have quite a few (online) friends who have twins from IVF and they all say that first year is ROUGH. Several are now SAHM, not all of whom intended it that way. Statistically, moms of twins are 22% more likely to become SAHM. While that would be lovely, I am the major breadwinner and a small business owner so that is just NOT an option for us. At the same time, the cost of daycare for two infants would be 2/3 to 3/4 of my DH's take home pay. I'm sure we could manage, but that would be a very difficult financial reality for us...

This is one of the reasons we are currently leaning towards doing the CGH. CCRM's success rates with CGH normal blasts for women in my age group is >80%. So... we could do an eSET with a CGH normal blast to maximize the potential for success while minimizing the potential for twins.

[I think someone asked what CGH is? It is a genetic screening process similar to PGD but better. The results are more accurate and it damages the embryos less. It costs an extra $5K+ though because not only do you have to do the testing, but you also have to pay for a FET (+ travel costs) since all embies are frozen after biopsy to await results. The results takes 4 to 8 weeks. So... we wouldn't be looking at doing transfer until between September and November (ouch!).]

[Tanter602]

Originally Posted by Christeena

HELLO EVERYONE !!



TRACYB / ZOZO / Yodasmistress



TRACYB , GL on your iui next week. hopefully it works so you can avoid the whole IVF
if it doesn't , we are all here for you....



JUSTWANTABABY , I sooo understand your feelings of anxiety about IVF. I go through many mood swings myself (even when not stimming). I think about how UNFAIR it is that we have to suffer through all these tests, injections, retrievals.. and then I try to think how lucky I am that at least this alternative is here for me. Things could always be worse,, like maybe I didn't have any eggs or I wasn't able to carry to term. I try to focus on the positive. I am NOT trying to downplay your feelings, just trying to help you look at something positive to focus on! We are here for you =)


PG FLORIDA , Thanks for posting your q & a! those were good questions. I am so sorry about the money thing. Its annoying to have to pay for test after test after test.



Well, my ARRIVED last night! Guess I will be doing my day 3 tests on Tuesday and starting on BCP shortly afterwards. finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay Christeena!!!! So excited for you!!!! I'll be for you and sending your way!