[kmp0430]

I just started my new cycle last week...hoping this one is my lucky cycle, since ET should fall somewhere close to my birthday. Does anyone else have a similar schedule?

Here's mine:
5/21 - started BCPs on day 3 of cycle
6/3 - mock transfer with RE
6/5 - start Lupron (10 IUs)
6/15 - suppression check
6/15 ~ 6/22 - stims (Gonal-F 225 IUs to start)
6/23 - appx trigger (HCG)
6/25 - ER, start progesterone in oil IM shots
6/28 - 31st bday, would be 3dt
6/30 (hopefully) - 5dt
~7/12 - My + beta!

Happy waiting!

[ColoGirl]

I definitely would like to join your thread. My first IVF failed. No eggs to transfer, but I am ready for #2. My RE wants me to do #2 asap and the next cycle for his office starts June 24 to July 9th. Hopefully we both get our this round

[kmp0430]

cologirl! I'm so sorry to hear about your last IVF. I'm feeling lucky for this time around, though, so we will definitely both be very soon!

[ColoGirl]

Thanks. I have definitely mourned, but I am extremely positive that this round is going to work. My RE was actually really worried because my husband and I didn't sound or look upset when we saw him yesterday. He said we were just so positive. I told him that I cried and cried the day we got his call, but I am trying not to focus on what went wrong, but what we can do this time to make it work. I'm glad I have someone who is going to be going through the meds and retrieval the same time I am. Talk to you soon!

[kmp0430]

My name's Kalmi, by the way.

I know what you mean about stuff going wrong...my ET on the last round was very painful. They had a lot of trouble getting to my uterus (they had trouble during my IUIs and HSG as well). My RE thinks it might have contributed to my BFN. This time, we're doing a mock transfer early on (next week) instead of right before the real thing. Hopefully it'll help everything go smoothly. I have to admit that I'm a little nervous about the outcome since last round was heartbreaking. But there's no point in dwelling...this round is a fresh start.

On a totally different note, what has acupuncture been like? My DH isn't really a believer, but he doesn't have a problem with me trying it (I haven't yet). From what I've read, it's supposed to help relax the uterus.

It's definitely helpful to have someone understand what you're going through, especially at the same time that you're going through it. Thanks for dropping in and writing!

[ColoGirl]

Nice to meet you, my name is Ambyr
I'm so sorry that happened on ET. Does your doctor give you Valium? I heard it really helps you relax and not focus on the pain.
My doctor had some difficulties with me on one of my pre-screening tests cause my cervix faces a weird direction so I know how painful it can be when they're poking around. I'm glad they are doing a trial transfer for you on this next one.

My RE is a big believer in acupuncture. He and the acupuncturist have done studies together over the past 10 years and have found a 26% increase in pregnancy rates as well as better egg quality. I definitely recommend looking into it but make sure you go to a fertility acupuncturist. I recommend going to East Winds Acupuncture and take a look around. She has a lot of info on there on how acupuncture can help you.
I can't wait to get this cycle started! Let's get !!!

[kmp0430]

Hi Ambyr! The doctor did give me a small dose of Valium last time, but it didn't seem to do anything. I'm going to ask next week if they can either up my dose or give me something stronger. I expect that the mock ET will probably go smoother than the actual ET since there's a lot more crowding during the real thing.

My IF clinic has an acupuncturist that they work with (I've only gone through the brochures), so I think I'll ask about it next week. Thanks for the link!

The waiting is the worst part of all this...I'm so ready to start this cycle. I just ordered my meds today, so they should be here early next week. I start Lupron a week from today!

We just started telling family last week that we're doing IVF...we told my MIL. She didn't really say much, but she's a very quiet person as it is. Have you told family/friends about your IF journey?

[ColoGirl]

You're welcome! I think it's worth looking into, at least do it before and after the transfer. It helps blood flow to the uterus, which in return will help the embryos attach .

We told all of our immediate family members and only some of our close friends. Our family is very supportive and very excited. They wish they could fix our infertility problems of course, but they are definitely great.

I just ordered all my meds too! Our insurance doesn't pay anymore since we did the max amount last time. Oh well, it's worth it. I'm not sure when I start lupron cause I'm waiting for to start.

Definitely look into doing acupuncture before and after the ET. It couldn't hurt

[kmp0430]

Hi Ambyr,

Well I guess it's just the 2 of us on this board. I tried joining the June IVF board, but there are too many people and I'm finding that my messages are getting ignored. Plus, everyone is at different stages, and it's hard to keep track of who's stimming, etc on my schedule.

Anyways, I had my mock transfer today! It actually went extremely well . The full bladder wasn't fun, but my RE was the one doing the mock, and she is awesome, very gentle, so no pain whatsoever. They were able to see a very sharp curve in my cervix and also I guess my uterus is retroverted. But she inserted the catheter successfully twice without any pain or resistance. At my clinic, they have a rotating schedule for which doctors do ERs/ETs on specific dates, so I may not get my RE on the day of transfer. But she assured me that if she's in the building that day, she will handle the ET.

Also, I made an appointment with an acupuncturist! It's on Saturday afternoon. I'm really curious what it's going to be like...basically I told the acupuncturist on the phone that I'm really only interested in treating my uterus and cervix muscles more towards the days of ER/ET, since I responded very well to hormone treatments last time and the ET was the only problem. She said she usually likes to see patients before they start their cycle, but she did make some time for me, so we'll see what happens. She also makes sure she treats patients on the day of their ER/ET, which is awesome. Thanks for all your advice!

Wow, this would be really hard for us if we were self-pay...We're really lucky that DH's insurance covers pretty much everything but co-pays (and acupuncture). Unfortunately, in order for DH to keep his job and our insurance, he has to travel during the week. So I don't get to see much of him, which is really tough, but his boss let's him stay home the week of ER/ET.

I hope you are doing well...have you started BCPs yet?

[wannabeamomma]

Hi there - May I join this thread ???

Was just looking at my calendar and think that if all goes well, that I too would have my ER and ET the last week in June, 1st week of July.

I have been on BCP's and start my Lupron tonight.

I go back to the dr. on the 15th with the hopes I can start stimming ASAP.

Glad to meet you ladies....My name is Caryn by the way.

[ColoGirl]

Welcome Caryn! Of course you can join! It's nice to meet you. Is this your first IVF cycle?

Hi Kalmi,
I know, the other threads have so many people and it gets all confusing. I'm so glad you got your appt for the acupuncturist. I start my acupuncture again this Friday. I went to the doctor yesterday for an ultrasound to make sure my follicles are going back down so that I can start my stims soon. Looks like we are shooting for a July 5th or 6th ER and July 8th or 9th for the ET. I start my BCP tonight and according to my calendar I start my 10 units lupron on June 18th and start my stims the morning of June 19th.

I'm so glad your mock ET went well. I too have a retroverted uterus...there are only 20% of women who have retroverted. Most are intraverted.

I wish my insurance could pay for this IVF cycle, but we used up all our insurance coverage on IVF #1. All meds and procedures including acupuncture is all out of pocket on this cycle, but that's okay...it's worth it. My husband travels a lot too unfortunately so I know how you feel. I hate when he's gone, but it's because of his job that we can even afford this. When do you start your stims? Good luck with the acupuncture...let me know how it goes.

Ambyr

[kmp0430]

Welcome Caryn!! Of course you can join our cozy little group! It looks like we'll be on a very similar schedule...I start my Lupron shots on Friday, and go in for my suppression check on 6/15 as well. It looks like this is your 1st IVF...I have a really good feeling that this is our time

Ambyr - wow, you start Lupron only a day before starting stims? I have to do it for 10 days before starting Gonal-F! I wish I could make those 10 days go by quicker...If all goes well in my suppression check, I should start stimming on 6/15 (a week from Monday). That's great that you got your schedule...we should be about a week apart.

I just started reading today about this retroverted uterus thing...the data out there is confusing about its effects on fertility. But it is linked with certain types of IF diagnoses I guess.

I will definitely let you know how Saturday's acupuncture appt goes!

Kalmi

[mrembo]

Hi ladies, i'm Faith and i too was in the June thread but its getting long and its hard to keep track of everyone.
I begun my BCP 5/26 and will be on them for 21 days. I still don't have my calender but my ER/ET should be around the same time as you guys.
My protocol is Lupron, Follistism, Repronex and PIO shots.
for all of us and I cant wait for all of us to be

[kmp0430]

Welcome Faith! Glad to have you as a cycle buddy! I love your dog's name. Is this your first IF treatment?

I can't wait for us to be either...I had a dream 2 nights ago that I got a stick! It's making me even more impatient to start this cycle!

[Trish117]

Hi Ladies, Im glad to see this thread started... hope you dont mind one more! Looks like we will be on a very similar schedule. Im hoping for ER/ET in late June early July. I start Lupron next monday, I have been on OCPs for 1 1/2 wks. This will be my third and final IVF. Im very hopeful for some good news.
Reading your posts on accupuncture makes me think I should go back again this time. I did accupuncture with my first two cycles, but it go so expensive and I was thinking I would go without it this time. Ill have to think about it..... Looking forward to having some company throughout this cycle!