[ValtheGal]

Hi Ladies

I'm due to start stims for my first IVF in a couple of days. I completed 3 unsuccessful IUI, so we're praying this could be it for us!!

Would you mind having another on board? I should have my ER/ET between 22 - 26 June if all goes according to plan!!!

[wannabeamomma]

Val !!!

[ColoGirl]

Hi Val! Glad you joined

[mrembo]

Welcome ValtheGal and nak1203. Glad you joined the group

[ValtheGal]

Hi everyone, hope you all had a lovely and relaxing weekend!!

I'm just waiting for , then will start my stims. I just can't wait to get started. I'm sure you must feel the same, but I am getting so from waiting, waiting, waiting for everything to happen. Maybe this is so we will be the most wonderful and patient Mom's ever!!

I started acunpunture on Sat, and will go weekly until the ER/ET, then I'll have it just before and just after ET. Spending money I can ill afford but in for a penny, in for a pound!!

Will be great to follow everyone progress, at time I do feel a bit alone on this journey and it really helps to share all the crazy thoughts and worries!!

[kmp0430]

Welcome Nak and Val! Feel free to post your dates on our new calendar: junjul_ivf: June 2009

Ambyr - shots into your deltoid? That does sound painful. I wonder why you can't do your Gonal-F shots sub-Q...

AFM - I had my first acupuncture appt on Saturday! It was really relaxing...I ended up falling asleep at one point. I'm a little sore today, but otherwise fine. Tamie (my acupuncturist) seems to think I have more problems with my left side than my right, so that side is a bit more sore. She also gave me some 'homework'...she put 2 magnets on me (1 on each leg) which I am supposed to massage in an upward motion. Apparently, the magnets are on the meridians that lead to my uterus. I'm also supposed to drink hot water with ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon in it and eat more alkaline foods. And I go in again next Saturday. Val, sounds like we may be on a similar schedule. Is this your 1st time trying acupuncture? It's mine.

Otherwise, our friends came over for dinner last night with their 5-month old. I was about to kill DH when he went out to pick up the pizza and left me alone to listen to our friend talk nonstop about breastfeeding! (We haven't told any of our friends yet about our IF journey.) So last night was kind of rough. But I'm back in positive vibe mode, since the weather was so great here today.

Glad to have some new people join our group! Can't wait until we all get started on our way to !

[mrembo]

Kmp-How are the Lupron shots going? Glad to hear your acupuncture session went ok...must have been quite relaxing if you fell asleep. I start mine this Wednesday. I feel you on the whole breastfeeding talk...my friend who doesn't know about our IVF will not stop talking about her 8 month old and its hard trying to be happy for her while dealing with my own IF.

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

[kmp0430]

Faith - the Lupron shots are a breeze...I think I've got it down to about 1 minute from the time I take the vial out of the fridge. I take mine in the stomach, sitting down. Doesn't hurt at all anymore! Do you start yours soon?

Happy Monday

[wannabeamomma]

Originally Posted by kmp0430

Faith - the Lupron shots are a breeze...I think I've got it down to about 1 minute from the time I take the vial out of the fridge. I take mine in the stomach, sitting down. Doesn't hurt at all anymore! Do you start yours soon?

Happy Monday

You put your Lupron in the fridge ??? I was told not to. Hmmmm.

[kmp0430]

Hmm...the package says to refrigerate after opening. Also, it says you can store it at any temp under 77 degrees F (as long as it doesn't freeze). I store it at the very front of the fridge (least cold part) so there's no risk of freezing. Also, I figure it helps keep the temp steady instead of leaving it in the house where temps could fluctuate. I think as long as it doesn't go above 77F, it should be fine inside or outside of the fridge.

I found a thread asking about the same issue: lupron

[wannabeamomma]

Interesting...I will have to check the bottle when I get home.

When the pharmacy sent me the drugs, the explicitly told me the only thing that goes in the fridge is my follistim.

Hmmm....should I be worried ???

[kmp0430]

I have been googling "how to store lupron" and all it says is to store below 77F but don't freeze it. My pharmacy is IVP Care. On their website, it says "Keep the leuprolide in the refrigerator upon first use; this is a multiple dose vial." But other pharmacy websites just say "Store at room temperature (below 77F)." So I think you are fine either way. I refrigerated the Lupron during my last IVF cycle, and it still seemed to work. I guess whatever you're accustomed to doing is fine for the Lupron.

I'll call my RE nurse and see what she says.

[wannabeamomma]

Thanks !!

I am not going to stress. My pharmacy MDRx - told me to only refridgerate the Follistim and that is what I will do. Even when the meds were shipped - the follistim was in a cooler and the rest were not.

I keep them in a shady spot in my extra bathroom, and that is prob the coolest room in the house.

I know its working bc I am a hormonal mess !!

[wannabeamomma]

So I couldn't keep it all in check and stop myself from freaking out so I called MDRx.

She said that after use, I SHOULD keep it in the refridgerator. WTF ???? NO ONE TOLD ME THAT !!

She said its just bc of contamination and that its a multi-use vial. And that even though I wash it thoroughly with an alcohol swab - that its best from here on out to keep it in the fridge.

Now, I am scared that I messed the whole thing up.

[kmp0430]

Wannabe - I think the Lupron will still do its magic, even if left out of the fridge. If your RE said to keep it in the fridge to prevent contamination, then I think you are OK. I think keeping it in the fridge also extends its shelf life...that's about it. I don't think it has anything to do with how well Lupron works in your body. I've been trying to read up on it and look at other chat boards, and it doesn't seem to matter one way or the other on cycle success. I hope that helps.

I hear you on the hormonal-ness...this weekend, I was getting upset with DH for no good reason, and then when he woke me up this morning at 4:30 to say bye (travels for work), I started crying after he left, and I'm not a cryer normally. This definitely isn't easy...hang in there are feel free to vent anytime!