[rachelannsauer]

I'm starting stims today for my 3rd round of IVF.

I know there are SEPT/OCT groups going right now but I thought I'd reach out to see if anyone started stimming this week (9/14) or next week 9/21 and wants to be on a smaller thread together.

I feel on the fence and was not sure what board to join, so I just thought I'd throw it out there to see if anyone is interested.

No worries, if nobody wants to join or if you're already part of a great support group, but good luck to everyone! I wish you all the best and pray for for all of us!

[readyinKC]

I started my stim med (Gonal) 9/12. Had E2 9/17 2857. they reduced my dose for 2 days, then i go back to RE. I noticed you had your previous cycle cancelled due to OHSS. What were your E2 levels 5-6 days after starting stims? Do you remember? I know everyone is very different, Im just curious what others went through

[rachelannsauer]

Hey KC- My E2's were right around 3500 around day 6 of stim on my first round of IVF. (150follistim- we started lowering my dose on day 6 of stim). They were at 5000 when I triggered. My OHSS symptoms set in horribly the morning I was supposed to transfer. Throwing up uncontrollably- it was horrid we couldn’t transfer and had to freeze.

They were around 2500 around 7 day stim on my 2nd round (we lowered my dose to 75Follistim/75menopur during this round). We also triggered with ½ the amt HCG then we did during round one (5000 units, opposed to 10000 the first time), and that seemed to help also.

For this round I’m on the same plan as last time. RE plans to watch me very closely.

I hope your levels are steady tomorrow. Keep me posted if you have any questions. It sounds like your RE is watching you very closely and that you are in good hands.

Make sure to eat a lot of protein and drink a lot of Gatorade from now until after your transfer- it helped me with OHSS symptoms and has helped a lot of ladies I know.

[flashgal24]

I start Stims tomorrow for my first IUI!!!! YAY! RE has me doing 150 of Follistim for 4 days, then u/s wed morning... and we'll go from there.

[rachelannsauer]

GOOD LUCK Flashgal! Looks like you guys have had a long road.......I hope IUI is all you need!

[flashgal24]

Rachel, yes *sigh* it really has. almost 2 yrs with treatments... and another 2 and a half years before that.... ugh. I'm really confident IUI will work! Especially since our inf is pretty much still considered "unexplained". My RE told me IUI has a higher multiple rate than IVF does. I'm assuming this has to do with your body "accepting or rejecting" the embryos as foreign bodies in IVF. Anyways, he has me on the highest does of Follistim, so I'm hoping I produce two or three follies without overstimming. I would LOVE twins... in fact, my whole life I've told everyone I'm going to have twins (but this started WAY before I realized I didn't have much say so)... so maybe there's a reason my journey has been so long... lol

[hopeful1103]

Hi ladies,

I'm actually starting my stims tomorrow. This is my first round of IVF and its been pretty intimidating, but I'm getting really excited.

I had my ultrasound and b/w today. My level was 35. The nurse said it should be below 50, so I guess that means all is well. The RE also said the ultrasound looked good. I had 15 pre-follicle sites (I forgot what the RE called them) on the left and 18 on the right, so he said I look pretty favorable for this cycle. I'll be starting Menopur and Gonal-f tomorrow (at 75) as well as reducing my Lupron to 5 units. B/w scheduled again for Tuesday to see my levels.

Rachel, it seems like you have been through a lot with this. Thanks for starting the thread. I'll be hoping and praying that you and your husband have successes at each step along the way. Looks like we'll be doing this at the same time. I'd love to have some people to talk to and ask questions during this experience.

On that note, good thoughts and prayers to everyone!

I'm curious about the protein and gatorade. Why is that helpful. Not that I'll mind. Any excuse to eat I'll jump at!

[rachelannsauer]

Originally Posted by hopeful1103

Hi ladies,

I'm actually starting my stims tomorrow. This is my first round of IVF and its been pretty intimidating, but I'm getting really excited.

I had my ultrasound and b/w today. My level was 35. The nurse said it should be below 50, so I guess that means all is well. The RE also said the ultrasound looked good. I had 15 pre-follicle sites (I forgot what the RE called them) on the left and 18 on the right, so he said I look pretty favorable for this cycle. I'll be starting Menopur and Gonal-f tomorrow (at 75) as well as reducing my Lupron to 5 units. B/w scheduled again for Tuesday to see my levels.

Rachel, it seems like you have been through a lot with this. Thanks for starting the thread. I'll be hoping and praying that you and your husband have successes at each step along the way. Looks like we'll be doing this at the same time. I'd love to have some people to talk to and ask questions during this experience.

On that note, good thoughts and prayers to everyone!

I'm curious about the protein and gatorade. Why is that helpful. Not that I'll mind. Any excuse to eat I'll jump at!

Hopeful-

I noticed you have PCOS and a ton of follies to start! It looks like we're on the exact same protocol. (75/75, 5 lupron at stim start) It also looks like your RE is conservative and you will probably respond really well to the injectable meds, especially since you have PCOS.

With PCOS you have a higher chance of developing OHSS. I can’t remember the exact reason protein is so important but it has something to do with after they retrieve the eggs and the ovaries tend to fill up with fluid. The protein helps counteract the fluid build up/symptoms of OHSS. All I know is that it helped me the 2nd time and I was able to transfer.

I hope and pray that you are one and done with a successful pregnancy. Prepare to get a very swollen tummy! =) I’m headed to the RE on Monday for E2 level and follie check. Stay in touch!
.

[hopeful1103]

Originally Posted by rachelannsauer

Hopeful-

I noticed you have PCOS and a ton of follies to start! It looks like we're on the exact same protocol. (75/75, 5 lupron at stim start) It also looks like your RE is conservative and you will probably respond really well to the injectable meds, especially since you have PCOS.

With PCOS you have a higher chance of developing OHSS. I can’t remember the exact reason protein is so important but it has something to do with after they retrieve the eggs and the ovaries tend to fill up with fluid. The protein helps counteract the fluid build up/symptoms of OHSS. All I know is that it helped me the 2nd time and I was able to transfer.

I hope and pray that you are one and done with a successful pregnancy. Prepare to get a very swollen tummy! =) I’m headed to the RE on Monday for E2 level and follie check. Stay in touch!
.

Hi Rachel,

My RE did warn me about the OHSS. They said that they may have me come in every day instead of every other day just to make sure I stay safe. The office is really wonderful. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time. Right now everything is going well, so I'm praying that it continues!

How are the stims going? Is this the same protocol you were on previously? The Menopur this morning burned like crazy going in. Is that normal? It was tolerable, but certainly not enjoyable. How about side effects? Anything notable with the Lupron, Menopur or Gonal-f? I've been a little moody and I've got a pretty terrible headache today (my cycle just started yesterday, so the headache is kinda normal for that, but it seems worse than usual.)

Hope all is well! Best of luck on Monday for your check-in. I'm scheduled for Tuesday. So it looks like I'll be a day behind you each step of the way.

[rachelannsauer]

I'm so glad you're RE warned you about it. It sounds like you'll be fine. They are being very responsible for you.

My protocol is the same as last time, I can't really be on a much lower dose. I plan to be really uncomfortable like last time.

I take my shots at night and yesterday was my first round of shots. Menopur does burn, it is not fun but it is bearable. I did end up getting a bad headache last night and an upset stomach. I went to bed and felt better this morning.

Hopefully it was just a fluke. Last round I really felt as "normal" as you can from the shots- next to no side effects. I hope that's how it feels this time.

[missy_musiccity]

Hi Ladies,
I started stims on the 19th.... I do 20 units of Lupron and 225 units of Follistim each morning and then again each evening. Lot's of shots! But so far so good. Couple of hot flashes and now I think a little bloating, but nothing unbearable yet.

This is my first IVF... so I have no preconceived notions on what should be happening, so I just read everything I can. These boards are wonderful!

I have an US on the 23rd and we'll see what they adjust. Looking like ER around last week of month

[Janet79]

hi everyone..

I wanted to join you too.. started stims on 18th.. going for my first u/s tomorrow...
my history.. this is my second ivf.. first one ended in OHSS, so didnt transfer fresh..had 4 blasts... got pregnant on the first FET.. m/c at 8weeks... second FET didnt work.. now I start again..

good luck to all of us..

[prince_jolsin]

I start my IVF # 2 with my stims on 9/29!!

I will be on the Ganerelix protocol. I stop taking my (crazy pills) BC pills on 9/24! Thank God!

Excited for all of us! Good luck everyone!

Eileen

[mytaylor08]

Hello Everyone:

I'm new to this site; I first went thru ivf in 9/07 and have a beautiful 14 month old daughter. We started our second treatment 9/10/09. Wishing and praying for a with the first cycle. If anyone would like to chat about ivf; I'll stay logged on. It's so nice to be able to discuss what can be a very complexed situation that alot of people just can't relate to. The best of luck for all us.


Me 30 blocked tubes (both removed 8/2007)
DH 28 (Perfect)
Married 9/20/08


1st IVF
10/2007
Lupron, Bravelle, Menopur
8 eggs retrieved 7 fertilized
2 transeferred

Beta 37

Healthy baby girl born 7/13/08 (easy 4 hr. labor/delivery)

2nd IVF started 9/11/09
Lupron since 9/11/09
9/20/09 Begin lupron 5u/bravelle/menopur

[rachelannsauer]

Missy- Good luck on your first round! I hope and pray it's your one and only! I had hot flashes really bad back in the day with Clomid but so far with these shots, I've been lucky to avoid those. Are you giving yourself the shots or is your husband giving them to you? I do my own subcutaneous shots but the Intramuscular I have my husband do, I haven't gotten up the courage to try those on my own yet. Glad to have you on here- keep us posted on your progress!

Elieen- Good luck on #2. Were you on on of the boards back in June? I feel like I've seen you around before. I was on the boards back in June for my last IVF. Best of luck to you!

MyTaylor- Congratulations on having success with your first IVF- what a blessing! I pray this round is a success as this is not a fun process! Keep us posted.

AFM- Had my first stim check today. All follies are really small biggest mesauring at 8.5 on one side and 9 on the other side. I appear to have about 7-8 on each side right now. I've had OHSS in the past both cycles (#2 wasn't has bad as #1). My RE is watching me very closely. I go back on Wednesday for another check.