[2LinesIn09]

There are some days that I can't help but feel like a human voodoo doll. Between the acupuncture, the stim shots and the blood draws, my body is just one ginormous bruise. Today was yet another frustrating day at the RE's office. Thirteen needles sticks, a whole lot of black and blues, and two frustrated phlebotomists later and we finally managed to obtain the holy grail of blood. Uggghhhhh. If only I could have a vein transplant! You see, I inherited the world's worst veins from my mom, one of the only qualities about her that I would never want to have. They are tiny, and the roll. On Monday, after 12 needle sticks, the two nurses gave up on trying to do an e2 level and did an ultrasound instead. Then on Wednesday, Nurse D got my blood on the second try. Score! But today, it was not so easy. My bladder was about to explode I drank so much water and still they kept poking me.

The good news is that on the ultrasound we saw 13 follies, much better than the 6 of the previous two appointments, so that gives me hope. I have been so upset all week with my poor response to the meds. I don't know if it is because my doctors were being way to cautious with the medication given my recent rocky medical history, or if I really have a problem in there they have yet to discover. Thirteen is good though. Maybe 13 is my lucky number after all. 13 follies, beta on the 13th. Screw superstition; it's totally overrated. It looks like they predicted my IVF calendar perfectly, and we will be going for egg retrieval Wednesday morning July 29th as expected and a 3 day transfer on Saturday August 1st. The transfer will be exactly one day before our first wedding anniversary. That has to be a good omen right? I am praying for the best first anniversary gift ever. From now on, I will only think positive thoughts. This will work. This HAS to work.

[Evan]

Thanks everyone. I'm hoping we're right on the suppository thing. I wouldn't be upset to miss anymore shots as long as there's not a difference in what happens.

I did hear back from the nurse too. She agreed to let the Follistim warm up to room temperature before injecting. So...woo hoo! Let's go tonight!

PG_Florida: My estimated ER is 8/3-8/5 and ET is 8/6 - 8/8

[MrsJB]

Originally Posted by 2LinesIn09

There are some days that I can't help but feel like a human voodoo doll. Between the acupuncture, the stim shots and the blood draws, my body is just one ginormous bruise. .

Love the voodoo doll reference. I have been calling myself a human pin cushion.

[Evan]

Originally Posted by MrsJB

Love the voodoo doll reference. I have been calling myself a human pin cushion.

Too funny. My DH calls me his pin cushion since he was doing the majority of the shots.

2Linesin09: I'm sorry to hear about your blood draw issues. sounds terrible! I completely agree about the 13 superstition. Screw it! This 13 is going to work for you in a good way!

[MrsJB]

Originally Posted by Evan

Thanks everyone. I'm hoping we're right on the suppository thing. I wouldn't be upset to miss anymore shots as long as there's not a difference in what happens.

I did hear back from the nurse too. She agreed to let the Follistim warm up to room temperature before injecting. So...woo hoo! Let's go tonight!

PG_Florida: My estimated ER is 8/3-8/5 and ET is 8/6 - 8/8

Hey Evan-
If you are nervous about it just ask your doctor- I am sure that there is good reason why they want you to go that route!

I ask so many questions- I am like a 4 year old that constantly asks WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?

[WeWantaBaby]

this IS your lucky 13!!!!! you are the first one on this board with ER, right....YAY - - you'll lead the way to a for us all

[Christeena]

Originally Posted by 2LinesIn09

There are some days that I can't help but feel like a human voodoo doll. Between the acupuncture, the stim shots and the blood draws, my body is just one ginormous bruise. Today was yet another frustrating day at the RE's office. Thirteen needles sticks, a whole lot of black and blues, and two frustrated phlebotomists later and we finally managed to obtain the holy grail of blood. Uggghhhhh. If only I could have a vein transplant! You see, I inherited the world's worst veins from my mom, one of the only qualities about her that I would never want to have. They are tiny, and the roll. On Monday, after 12 needle sticks, the two nurses gave up on trying to do an e2 level and did an ultrasound instead. Then on Wednesday, Nurse D got my blood on the second try. Score! But today, it was not so easy. My bladder was about to explode I drank so much water and still they kept poking me.

The good news is that on the ultrasound we saw 13 follies, much better than the 6 of the previous two appointments, so that gives me hope. I have been so upset all week with my poor response to the meds. I don't know if it is because my doctors were being way to cautious with the medication given my recent rocky medical history, or if I really have a problem in there they have yet to discover. Thirteen is good though. Maybe 13 is my lucky number after all. 13 follies, beta on the 13th. Screw superstition; it's totally overrated. It looks like they predicted my IVF calendar perfectly, and we will be going for egg retrieval Wednesday morning July 29th as expected and a 3 day transfer on Saturday August 1st. The transfer will be exactly one day before our first wedding anniversary. That has to be a good omen right? I am praying for the best first anniversary gift ever. From now on, I will only think positive thoughts. This will work. This HAS to work.

2lines: you are a BRAVE BRAVE girl. I hate having blood drawn more than giving myself shots. I freak if they have to stick me twice. definitely FOCUS on those 13 follies! thats an excellent way to start.. you will produce lots and lots of eggies!! YAY!

[Christeena]

PGFlorida...

can't say it enough..

THANK YOU for being so wonderful at organizing us..

u ROCK

[rzaloudek67]

Hello all!

I think I was pretty lucky. With my 2 IUI's, I had Follistim...and, other than feeling like a pin-cushion (or human VooDoo Doll!), I had no issues with burning. I did it or my DH stuck me. We put in in medium speed...and only a few times was there bruising or blood. Sometimes a bit of the med came out of the puncture.

Talked to my RE today, was getting nervous with everyone starting. I will stay on BCP until the 31st, then I will start stimming on the 5th. Back 3 times the following week...then the ER and ET the following week.

I see my RE on the 28th will all the fun meds, and she will show me how to use them, and then give me a copy of my timeline.

It is getting closer. I'm getting more nervous! You ladies that have started already are paving the way for the rest of us.

Thanks for all the great info. It's really good to hear of all the good, bad, and ugly details. Keeps us all informed, and hopefully a bit more calm!

Thanks again!!!

Rose

[mi11]

Originally Posted by Evan

I was talking to my SIL last night and she was telling me about the projesterone shots, etc. Made me very nervous. But I didn't receive any of those shots. The only shots I have are the Lupron, Follistim and my Ovidrel. After that I only have pills and what looked to be suppositories. Can it be true that I won't have to do the painful shots that my SIL was saying are not fun at all?

evan:
there is data out there that has shown that progesterone IM shots( the painful ones) and the suppositories (what u've been prescribed) are equivalent in all terms (except of course the pain). I was given the choice of either IM injections or suppositories. Being the ever so believer in "no pain no gain" .. i chose the shots. ... truly i think i chose the shots coz im not sure how comfy i will be with the suppositories.. my doc thought 2 weeks of shots .. then if things look gud .. we will switch to the suppositories ... so thats the plan

[WeWantaBaby]

Originally Posted by mi11

evan:
there is data out there that has shown that progesterone IM shots( the painful ones) and the suppositories (what u've been prescribed) are equivalent in all terms (except of course the pain). I was given the choice of either IM injections or suppositories. Being the ever so believer in "no pain no gain" .. i chose the shots. ... truly i think i chose the shots coz im not sure how comfy i will be with the suppositories.. my doc thought 2 weeks of shots .. then if things look gud .. we will switch to the suppositories ... so thats the plan

my RE said POI injections from ER through Beta and then for another 2-3 weeks. we never talked about suupositories...but maybe i'll ask about that depending on how the injections go - - although after 2 weeks of them what would be another 2-3 weeks LOL

[mi11]

wewantababy-

ive been told that will need progesterone for 6 weeks post ER date .. after that hopefully the corpus luteum will take over .. for how long have you been told that u will need progesterone

[mi11]

pg-florida,

thnx so much for organizing us!!

i had my basline u/s and b/w today
will be staring stims tomorrow night
expected ER date 8/5
hope and pray things go well for all of us!!

[WeWantaBaby]

Originally Posted by mi11

wewantababy-

ive been told that will need progesterone for 6 weeks post ER date .. after that hopefully the corpus luteum will take over .. for how long have you been told that u will need progesterone

it sounds like we were told very similar timing. my RE said ER through Beta (so ~2 weeks); then if ( ) continue for an additional 2-3 weeks so a total of 5-6 weeks.

[mi11]

Originally Posted by PG_Florida

Someone asked about being on antibiotics... they are putting both of us on doxycyclene (sp?) for 7 days. Then we are both doing it again around ER. Don't forget to eat yogurt and stay out of the sun!!!

Are there ppl not on antibiotics? I have tetracycline (thats the same class of antbx as doxy), but to be taken only around the time of ER. No antbx for DH. Also have been given some steroids (prednisone) to be taken around the time of ET .. anyone else on a similar schedule??