[Carolee]

Ok, I have been on stims since monday. I went for my appointment on friday thinking I was gonna find out what day and time to trigger. Instead I got told that I will continue with stims throughout weekend and come back for appointment on monday. What the.....? I have a cyst in my only ovary wich i causing me to not be as receptive to meds ( I guess). So now I'm a little nervous. Has anyone else been through this?

[kblythe]

Hey Carolee,

I don't know if I have any answers, but I wanted to let you know that I was considered a "good responder" but I was always on stims more than just 5 days. (And by "stims," I'm talking huge doses, which is a factor of my age.)

I think there are so many variables ... your age, the dosage, your response. At this point, if your RE isn't worried, I don't think you should be. We're all a little different. And the decision to trigger was never made until the 11th hour. I certainly didn't know 5 days into stimming when I would trigger.

So best of luck. And to the extent possible, try not to worry!

Kathryn.

[BayBook]

I believe you are normally on stims for 7 to 10+ days so you are probably fine. They see you for the first time 4-5 days after starting... then every 2 days after that.

[charms]

I know you want to worry, this is a process that changes constantly and is different every time.

I was on stims for 12 days ~ retrieved 25 eggs, 21 fertilized with ICSI and 20 were embies!

Keep the positive thoughts Carolee!

We are all here rooting you on.

[MamaSoon]

The doctors will put you in the best possible place to get good quality eggs. There isn't an exact formula since we all respond differently. I was on stim shots for 8 days, then the trigger shot. :-)

Report back on your appt today. I am sure you'll already see a difference since Friday. :-)

[Tabitha]

I was on stims for 9 days, and I was told to expect 7-12 days. Like the other ladies have already mentioned, it is based on individual response, and hard to predict. Good luck with your cycle!

[Sailor]

Hi Carolee
I had similar news this morning (day 6 of stim in first ivf cycle). Retrival now planned for next Monday (day 13)...have just 6 follicles which is disappointing and E2 levels are low (49 on day 4 and jumped to 167 on day 6 today). It means I will be on stims (follistim, menopur and lupron) for 13 days...yikes. Am so nervous...would really like to hear how things go for you. Fingers crossed this cycle works for both of us.
Does anyone have a similar experience?
Katie

[Carolee]

Ok just came from my appointment and there has been some change. There are more visable follicles this time around ( I'm learning how to decifer what I see on the ultrasounds, how wierd). But that is about all I know. They said they were waiting for my labs to come back to determine next step. My aunt is friends with my nurse so she just told me to come by this evening and she would show me how to mix the hcg. So I guess thats a good thing but here is where I am confused. She was making it sound as if I would be taking more than one shot of the hcg. I always thought that it was just one shot. I am so confused. And I don't want to keep harassing them but it feel like I don't have any answers. But I don't want to sound like a crazy women. Should I just wait until I see my nurse this evening? Help!!

[MamaSoon]

Carolee, I think you only get one shot. But while your clinic is open, always call. This process is YOUR process. You don't have to feel bad for needing clarification at any time. Call while they are open. Ask them to confirm the instructions. HcG is the single most important shot. Don't ever, ever, ever feel bad about asking them questions. Who is paying for this anyway? Who is trying have the baby? Who is simply in need of a little tiny answer? Get up there girl, and call your nurse. That is why they are there. By the way, Carolee, I remember my trigger last Sunday. I freaked out and couldn't remember the proportions. I wrote in on the forum and with five minutes I had 5 awesome detailed super scientific but easy to follow responses. I LOVE THIS FORUM!!!!!!!!!!

Katie, Welcome to the forum. Some people have had low E2 too levels and smaller number of follicles but that doesn't mean they don't have anything to work with. I was freaking out with my E2 levels every day and counting my follies and wondering while everyone else have substantially higher E2 levels. What did your RE tell you? So what if you have to take a few extra days of shots, this is so you can have you little snugglebug!!! And, if for some reason this didn't work out this time, your doctor would know a lot about you. My doctor learned about me every step of the way. From how i respond to meds, to my natural E2 production, to which one of my ovaries is my producer. At least they are checking you and making adjustments. Hang in there. That is only a week. The week I was on stims was the longest so far. I heard it only gets longer. LOL. If we weren't tough enough to handle it, we would be such awesome tough future mommys. After you've had your moment of doubt, repeat to yourself, It is what it is and I'll make the darn best of it! Come on back and voice your concerns, fears, and good news as often as you'd like.

[Webb]

I have been stimming since 9/6! I go back tomorrow morning to see how everything is going. I guess every month we have a different response or at least I have.

[wannabigbabybelly]

My last medicated cycle I was on stims for 30 days straight before taking the trigger shot. I too am a slow responder....but then I over respond so they have to watch me very closely to find that perfect balance where I'll respond just enough but not too much.

As far as two HCG shots I have heard of it happening. But I would definately talk to the doctor or nurse just to make sure your doing the right thing. I think most people only have it one time.

[Carolee]

Thanks ladies! I love this forum because I can ask question and not have to worry about feeling dumb. So the nurse actually called me and told me that i will be on stims for another 2 days with appt on wednesday. (ugh).

[cat915]

my dr won't do trigger if you stim too fast. I was on the cusp of stimming too fast. they like you to be on stims for at least 7-10 days. My dr says egg quality is better that way...

[Sailor]

Thanks so much guys for your encouragement and advice....I have another sonagram and blood tests tomorrow morning so fingers crossed my follicles are still growing and that my E2 levels are rising!
Carolee, how did you get on last night with the nurse?
Katie

[Murphette]

Carolee -- my RE told me I would be stimming anywhere from 7 to 12 days. Also, I have two vials of HCG and instructions on how to do the first "trigger" shot which is 10,000 and "If Needed" how to do the second trigger which is only 5,000. Not sure how or when they determine you may need two.

Sailor -- My first E2 on Saturday (4 days after starting stims was 223). My 2nd E2 on Sunday only went up to 323 and I only had 6 follies - 5 on the right and 1 on the left. My AFC before starting stims was also 6 -- 4 on the right and 2 on the left. I was a bit disappointed by the nurse told me 6 was a good number. Today -- 7 days on stims I had 10 -- 9 on my right and 1 on my left. The nurse said the 2nd one on the left might be hidden because the follie she could see was at 14.5 and might be hiding the other one. And my E2 went up to 752 -- Yahoo! so hange in there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. You may see others on different posts that tell you not to get too hung up on the numbers. I know it's hard not to, I've been there several (okay MANY) times over the last three weeks, but try to stay positive.