IVF with PGD #2

WTH, I'm so absolutely over the moon for you! I do want to say - take it easy with the OHSS. I got it mildly with Sam, and I could barely stand and walk up until about 8 weeks or so. I'd been through much worse OHSS before, but I found having it while pregnant even harder because it lingered for so long. I was probably around 15 weeks before I stopped getting ovary pain. I hope you don't suffer as badly as I did - my other health issues appear to make me recover slowly from things that others bounce back from really quickly.

I'm praying for more of this in this thread!

BW

Thanks Meredith - you are right about my feeling anxious. This is my 6th pregnancy so I am not counting my chickens just yet. At least I am in with a much better chance this time, given two of my four losses were confirmed to be chromosonal. I hope AF continues to keep far, far away from you and that we can be Belly Buddies together :crossfingers:

BW - thanks to you, too :) and about the info about OHSS. My stomach seems to have settled a bit, though I am still having a few wardrobe malfunctions from some remaining bloating - nothing really fits around my waist or is comfortable. If we get to HB in three weeks, my biggest worry will be about NK cells as I have been cleared of everything else. Dr Sacks found my activated NK cells were borderline (though normal cells in the normal range) when I did the BT. But I never got around to the endometrial biopsy and now regret it. Do you know if NK cell probs present as a normal PG to start with? I think I have read people with raised levels have trouble with implantation when doing IVF, so hopefully I may not have anything to worry about.

AFM - very busy getting a lot of work done before we go away next this weekend for a two week trip to Victoria. My 7 week US is booked for the day after we get back, so I am hoping the holiday keeps me pre-occupied and the time flies. Also hoping I can access BB to check up on your prospective BFP, Cuddlepie. The weird thing will be that I will not be doing BT's every other day like I have with all my recent PG's. This will probably be a good thing as I really dwell on the numbers.

WTH, I'm not sure I can answer your question, I'm afraid. I know I have a slight NK problem, but I also have a severe PCOS problem and a slight blood clotting problem so it's hard to isolate one particular thing for me from everything else. I've also been on prednisone for all of my pregnancies as I needed it to keep the arthritis under control. I can tell you that at any stage if I was under 10mg of prednisone I would spot and bleed. If I was over 10mg of prednisone I had major implantation problems. Deb (Flowerchild) or Melbel may be able to tell you more. I'd also suggest an email to Dr S to put your mind at ease if you are really worried. He's usually brilliant at replying quickly and is certainly more able to answer your questions than I am!

When it comes to dealing with OHSS, I found that I had increased pain very early on, but it was the day of my blood test that I suddenly had to go up a pants size. Most of my bloating and "bump" was simply OHSS until I hit 16-17 weeks. You may find you have to get some larger pants/skirts like I did, or invest in some belly belts/belly bands early on to keep comfortable. There's absolutely nothing worse than tight clothes on OHSS!

BW

WOW BW - I am amazed at your lightning fast reply. Go Supermum :clap: The whole NK cells thing continues to be a grey area. It seems the endometrial biopsy is more definitive than the NK BT. I tried to arrange the biopsy before this IVF cycle but could not get through to my FS in time. I am actually seeing my OB today so may raise it again with him. He has spoken to Gavin before about my BT result, Gavin is not overly concerned. Just call it my newly PG paranoia. Having invested a lot of $ in the SIVF MC investigation program it is the only stone I have left unturned. On the OHSS - the worse thing is I have been quite bloated for weeks and the other mums at my DD's playgroup already thought I was PG before I even got to ET! Given my history, DH and I do not want to share any :crossfingers: good news until we pass the first trimester.

WTH: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Meredith: When are you testing, hon? Are you feeling better?

CP: I have my FX for you. How are you going?

Sara/Julie/BW: :hello:

AFM, back on the OCP as of today, so I'm down regulating again. I'm a little bit down about being on the rollercoaster again (and the fact that within the next seven days my poor face is going to breakout horrifically from the Pill), but am feeling almost 100% lung-wise now and all the swelling in my abdomen has gone. I'm not getting winded as often so I figure that my lungs have reinflated properly and the fluid is mostly gone. My pre-cycle FS appointment is less than four weeks away now, so I guess it's just a matter of watching time tick by until then.

Sorry for interrupting...BUT

WTH - well done -congratulations hun. I am so happy for you! :dance:!

Also CP - love your hair and thinking of you! You are doing so well.

Goodluck and :stickyvibesboy::stickyvibesgirl: for everyone!

Rach xx

Hi girls,

Went for a morning walk this morning, while it was drizzling a bit it was still wonderful relaxing to walk along the water. My pilates class is starting again tonight, really missed it over summer.

WTH: Hope OHSS is not bothering you to much, please keep us up-to-date.

Buliej: hope you BT went well today.

Meredith: Hope AF is staying away

CP: I didn't realise with the hair colour - hmmm maybe I should become blond next time... hope work is still busy and distracting you from TWW.

Kel: Great that you can already start again, will hopefully join you soon.

:hello: BW

Sara

Quick reply - scan was fine - looks like I'll have 3 eggs, that's typical for me and my blood test was fine - no surge, thus I start with the Orgalutran tonight and have a 2nd scan on Thurs. My pickup will be Fri or Mon depending on scan results. I'm not thrilled with the low # of follicles as I was hoping the change from the flare cycle to antagonist would result in more...but I'm trying to remember it's about quality.

Hope everyone else is doing well - it's hard to be upbeat when there's such horrible news, but the BFPs help!

I did my first Orgalutran shot a few minutes ago...I found it so different than the gonalF. I have no problems with the gonalF pen - I find it easy to use - this was so hard - I had to get my DH to push in the plunger...and it BURNED - in fact, it's still stinging 20 minutes later. Has this happened to anyone else. Also, I didn't release my tummy pinch when I pulled it out so a few drops leaked...is this worth worrying about?

Hi Buliej. The orgalutran needles are BLUNT. That's all that can be said. And they do hurt. I found that with the lucrin, puregon and pregnyl I could get the needle in with a quick jab. The orgalutran was a slow, hard shove just to get it into my skin. I don't recall much about having the drug being harder to push in, but I would take them all quite slow to avoid the stinging/burning that can happen. I did find that they hurt for longer afterwards (hell, the others didn't really hurt at all!) simply because the needle was harder to get in. I don't think a few drops coming back out are going to make a huge difference, either. But if you're really worried, talk to your clinic.

BW

Buliej - I had similar probs with orgalutron. Sometimes the plunger would get stuck and I did lose a very small amount. I checked with the clinic and things were OK. They can tell by your LH levels (which is what the Orgalutron is suppressing). I found it quite painful upon injection for maybe 5 mins after. Like BW, I would push it in very slowly. I alternated sides each night. I actually got bruises (I bruise easily). I found the Pregnyl injection stiffer, though. My BB friend MegsMum got just one eggie and is now 14 or 15 weeks. It is definitely about quality :D

Sara - you are such a healthy girl and really put me to shame ;) I was doing a pilates DVD during the my cycle (before EPU) and SUFFERED. That "one hundred" is gut-wrenching! I used to do a little yoga and bought DH a couples Yoga DVD for Valentine's Day, though I am not sure if it would be safe for me to do it ATM.

Rach - thanks. Nice to have you drop in ;)

Kel - that is BRILLIANT that you are doing better. So happy to hear your lungs have settled down. Interesting the pill gives you that reaction. A former work colleague of mine was put on the pill to help her problematic acne. It is amazing how these hormones affect us all differently.

Meredith - how are you doing?????????????????????????? Is tomorrow test day? :noaf: Thinking of you and hope AF is keeping its distance.

AFM - OHSS is at bay, now. I am just bloated. Really feeling the effects of the high progesterone level (which was caused by the Pregnyl). Dizzy dizzy.

Thanks for the advice. I will probably call the clinic later about the small lose of the dosage. I'll also tell DH to take it easy when pressing the plunger!

I hope that everyone is feeling good (and better for those of you who weren't feeling well). Back to work for me as it's been incredibly busy these last few weeks.

Hi everyone, feeling a bit tired and down at the moment....but just want to check how Meredith is, I thoughts today is the b/t day? I hope its a good result hun....

Buliej - prying those 3 eggies are great ones. There is a girl in another thread who had her IVF cycle converted to IUI do to only producing 1 follie..... she is now pg so yes, it does only take one!
Hoping you don't have to many days on the orgalutran, its not that nice. Mind you, my belly is a war zone given i am on clexane daily.... very similar needle and VERY ouchy. Leaves massive bruises

CP - how are you hanging in there girl? Into the last week count down.

Kel - so glad you are feeling better and getting back on track for another shot. There IS going to be a good eggie in there somewhere

WTH - enjoy those yukky symptoms as best you can... at least you know things are going on in there!
The 2 week holiday sounds like a great distraction until 7w scan. Now you just have to plan something to keep you going beyond to 12weeks!

Well, I am still here!!! NO AF, cramps have eased and feeling bit blugh. BT tomorrow so will let you all know when I can.
Must admit, my mind has not been totally on baby mode past few days. Worried about my GF who was caught in the bushfires. Eventually spoke to her last night and she is doing ok considering. The story she told of that day was just horrific and it is a true miracle that she, he hubby and the neighbours who sheltered with them, are alive. Her DH and neighbour fought the fires at their doorstep for hrs and is now suffering with chest issues and burns to his corneas (very painful!) but he will be fine and they will be able to rebuild their lives. Amazingly, she saved her IVF meds and continued to take them in the aftermath so may have a chance at a miracle through all this. Monash IVF has also refunded their entire cycle cost ... very nice gift!

Sorry CP - posted at same time. Sorry you are feeling so down. Hang in there girl

Hi girls,

Dreadfully busy at work atm so wasn't able to get online.

Meredith :hug: keeping everything crossed for your BT today. The reports from Victoria are really terrible, feel for your GF - and going through IVF at the same time is pretty amazing. Hope a miracle happens for her.

WTH: have a wonderful holiday - say hello to the Koalas from me. Really :pray: that this one will stick, you have the best chances so hopefully you can enjoy the holiday without worrying.

Buliej: Had the same drama with the Orgalutran, one time I though that I had to get the airbubbles out and lost nearly half the dosage but everything was fine anyway - good luck for your scan today.

CP: Yes read your blog, sounds dreadful - don't worry about the way you're dealing with it, you have a lot on your plate so you just need to go with it as good as you can. Hope the situation at work will get better soon. Thinking of you and sending you good vibes.

Kel: Hope you're fine, the waiting game is just really hard but at least you've already started. Hope you don't have too much side effect from the pill - probably not useful at the moment but there are a number of different pills, the one I used to take is called Yasmin and is supposed to have less side effects and I had no problems with it.

AFM - Waiting for AF which will come some time next week. They have send me a new consent form this time asking if they can use the stemcells from affected embryos - in principle I think it is a good idea especially if it can ultimately help people with a similar condition. Unfortunately the form is really poorly written adn unclear in places so DP and I have decided not to sign it this time. Have talked to a counsellor and asked her to give this feedback on.

Sara

Hey good luck for b/t today Meredith...How generous was Monash IVF, glad to hear these compassionate stories.

Not super confident about this cycle, my temp dropped this morning which is not a good sign. FS said that I have one fiborid (although small) is on the lining, so if this cycle doesn't work it out, he is going to sort that out before another cycle. So trying to make some appointment today but remembered that I need to have some gap between the consultation and this cycle. Sara, is that 14 days or 28 days need to be in between in order to medicare rebate? let me know hun...

WTH, hope you enjoy your holiday and 7 wk scan will be here in no time.

CP: I think you don't have to worry about the gap since this is not related to an IVF cycle but a fibroid, just make sure that they write that on the receipt and ask them when you make the appointment.

:hug: I am really sorry that you're not feeling confident about your cycle at the moment but hoping you may feel that way because of the work issues and that things will still work out for you so that you don't actually ahave to worry about these appointments.

Sara

Cuddlepie - I'm hoping things work out this cycle, but if they don't at least you know your next steps

Sara - think it's great you are providing feedback - so many forms don't make sense and this is stressful enough without trying to figure out what exactly you are agreeing to

Meredith - good news is coming...fingers crossed

WTH - hope you are feeling better

hello to everyone else...

AFM - had 2nd scan today - all looking good with the 3 eggs (no more, but FS was happy with the looks of the 3) - retrieval should be Monday - will know for sure tomorrow. I never mentioned the loss of a bit of the injection - but it seems not to have mattered as I haven't ovulated.

Hope all goes well on Monday Julie....everything crossed for you!

Thanks Sara, I will think about appt next week....

Meredith - soooooo relieved we have heard from you :) No AF - that is fantastic news! Glad you also feel BLAH!!!! :crossfingers: for your BT result. Will be thinking of you!

Cuddlepie - I too am sorry you are not feeling confident and that work is stressful. I have never temped during an IVF cycle as the meds mess things up. Hope you are COMPLETELY wrong and COMPLETELY UTD. Sending many, many :stickyvibesgirl: :stickyvibesboy: your way.

Buliej - sounds like your eggies are great quality :D GL with your prospective EPU on Monday.

Sara - Hooray. You're nearly there. C'mon AF (just for you). Mean't to ask you if you got back your DHEA results?

Kel - Glad you are on your way. Sending bucket-loads of :bluedust: :pink-babydust: for a better outcome this cycle.

AFM - I'm fine. I think the massive level of progesterone is easing as I am not so dizzy today, just tired. Have BT late this afternoon. It will be my last one before the 7 week scan so I am :pray: for lots of symptoms to keep my mind at ease over the next couple of weeks.

Meredith sending you a :hug: worried that we haven't heard from you but hoping it means good news. Thinking of you.

WTH: The DHEA BT result takes three weeks :wall: Anyway, it will probably be more relevant for me if my next cycle does not work and by that time I'll at least have the result - did you take DHEA during your cycle as well or only in between? Good tha tyou're feeling better - feeling tired is actually a great sign. Hoping your BT today has a good result and you have lots of symptoms during your holiday. Sending lots of sticky vibes.

Buliej: good luck with yoru scan tomorrow.

:hello: CP & Kel

Sara

Meredith: Hon, you are absolutely keeping us all in suspense. I hope that you're alright. :comfort:

WTH: How are you feeling? You hanging in there okay? Are you going to have another beta done? Thank you very much for all the babydust, we need all that we can get! :)

Sara: Will you be starting again when AF arrives or do you have to wait another cycle out? I'm going to be down regulating for about four weeks before I see FS again, and only then will I know when I start supressing and stimming again. As for the OCP, because I'm oestrogen dominant (because of the PCOS) and FS has me on an oestrogen dominant pill, my poor face tends to wear the brunt of it. The bonus is that my lining is fantastic because of all the acne-causing oestrogen. Next time I'll ask about an alternative Pill.

CP: I'm sorry you're feeling down. :comfort: I hope you feel better soon.

Julie: Good luck for Monday! It really is about quality, hon, not that that's probably making you feel any better. I hope you're feeling more positive soon. :comfort:

BW: :hello:

I hope I haven't missed anyone...

AFM, still on the OCP (fun :rolleyes: ), still waiting for my appointment in March, still trying to figure out exactly how patience works, and still praying for a miracle next time around. I have been so calm throughout the whole thing, I haven't even lost it and had a good long cry yet, but now I'm even more fearful that we just won't ever create that one good embryo. Stinkin' *&^%$#@ translocation. :angry: That being said, DH and I are so much closer and more open for the whole experience. He's not much of a talker, but he's tried so hard since the EPU, and especially since I went into hospital. I guess some blessings are wearing better disguises than others. :)

Sorry girls, this has to be be brief. Will try and do persies latter

By some miracle, after all the lining dramas etc, we got a BFP!
HCG 523, prog 880 ( really feeling this!)
Amazed and obviously happy but also now petrified as BFP defnitely does not = baby for me.
And although HCG sounds well within "normal", for me personally, its one of the lowest levels I've ever had ( even with singleton pg) so makes me quite anxious.
Just gotta cross my fingers and pray. Not much more i can do.

Meredith - quietly cheering for you with everything crossed :hug:

Hi Girls,

Meredith: thats really great. keeping fingers crossed.

Kel: You know I feel exactly the same, patience is not an easy thing and like you I am afreaid I'll never have a good embryo to transfer or even worse that I next time may not even have a blastocyst to test. I will start straight away with an antagonist cylce when AF comes end of next week as long as FSH BT is okay.

WTH: Hope you're having a great holiday

CP: Hope you're feeling a bit better, hang in there hun - when is your BT?

Buliej: good luck for EPU on Monday - not sure if it helps but I had three eggs last tiem as well and had one blastocyst out of those - couldn't transfer as it was affected but that's a different story.

:hello: BW

My FS called yesterday with general BT results. My cholesterol is slightly high (5.6) and my iron levels are low, everything else is okay. DHEA levels will only come in a few weeks. She suggested to take iron supplements plus some medicine against constipation which the iron supplements will cause - I am in general not happy to take too much supplements since I am already taking iron in the normal supplements I have. Also was already badly constipated during the last cycle (sorry for TMI) which caused trouble with the ultrasounds and made me eating lots of dried prunes which helped. Will therefore just try to change my diet further: have more red meat and cut out cream, butter and cheese completely - all a bit difficult as DP is a vegetarian.

Sara

Meredith - that's great - congratulations!

Sara - is 5.6 considered to be high cholesterol. I had mine done recently (and it was higher and I was scolded) - I was told I should be targeting 5.5 and yours sounds just about there. I don't feel like I'm a bad eater - but I do love cheese, which I've cut out - so I'm not sure why mine is so high other than it runs in my family. Good luck with yours as well as the iron. I've been there and know what you mean.

Hi to everyone else.

Hi Buliej,

I think 5.5 is just okay, only once it is over 6.5 it's a real problem. Mine used to be around 3 about two years ago and had on gone up to 5.5 last July, after that I tried to change my diet with cutting out most cheese and butter and changing over to skim milk and skim yoghurt, so I am quite disappointed that this doesn't have seemed to have helped. I'd like to get my cholesterol under control now as high cholesterol runs in my family and I feel if I don't get it under control now I never will. That said I think the general advice is not to worry about cholesterol if you're pregnant.

Sara

Meredith, congratulations! That's a great step forward, I know you are feeling a bit petrified, keep positive and this one will be different given its through IVF although without PGD.

Easy said being positive, I am not one of them. I am feeling particularly worn out by all these this cycle and seriously feeling sick of being hopeful each time only to be disappointed at the end. I feel I've had enough. So I'd better to keep this to myself plus I will be away this weekend, so at least you won't hear any vent from me...

Hi to Sara, Julie, kel and wTH, sorry no personal....have a great weekend guys!

CP: Please feel free to vent, that's what we're here for. Hope your weekend away will be relaxing.

Sara

Meredith - :dance: I AM THRILLED FOR YOU :leap: I know what you mean about already worrying, but that is the highest HCG I have read from a first post-IVF BT. I did exactly what you might have done and looked up my past numbers, then rang the lady who took me through the miscarriage investigation program. She has detailed Australian stats. Just to put your mind at ease, mine was 296 at testing (and 1606 yesterday) and apparently I am on the exact 50th percentile on the graph for both numbers. as a guide. apparently 2000 is average for 5 weeks. You are doing great :happyforyou:

Cuddlepie - sorry you are feeling so drained. I totally get it. I really hope this works for you and that you start feeling really crapola over the next few days. Will be thinking of you on 16th :pray:

Sara - I have just gone back on to Ferrograd c with this PG (my levels have been ok lately). I am a vego too and eat a profound amount of dairy.I find drinking plenty of fruit juice helps to keep my stomach with the iron supps. Also, I think the oil in my ttc supps made me a bit more regular...

Buliej - :crossfingers: for your EPU. Hope your eggies fertilise and divide beautifully.

Kel - by the time I make it back on line you will be ready for your March appointment. I hope everything is okay between now and then, but don't shut it all in. There is nothing like a good "ugly" cry (a term I learned on the TTC after MC thread). Sometimes you just have to let go IYKWIM? Take care:hug:

AFM - BT yesterday afternoon - the last one before my 7 week scan. Went from 296 on Monday morning to 1606 at 3.3 days later. My OB was very happy with the increase, which is more than doubling every two days. It will be great to head off on holidays knowing my numbers were normal when I left. Interestingly, my progesterone has risen even further - from 545.5 to 646.1. Strange, as I am not on any progesterone support. I am feeling quite crabby and tired, so I imagine Meredith is feeling like quite the zombie at 880!

Take care everyone. Will be back in a 2.5 weeks and hope to see more lovely BFP's
:grouphug:

Thanks girls!

CP - Sending you a huge hug. I totally get feeling like you can't take anymore as I am sure all of us do. Please feel free to vent in here. Thats why its here, so you can say all the things you might not say in the "real world". I am praying that there is still plenty of hope for you this cycle. I had totally given up and look at me. Hope you can have a nice w/e away and Mondays BT brings good news

Sara - Very exciting that you are so close to starting again. There has got to be a good ambie in there somewhere.

Kel - not long to go for you either

Buliej - wishing you all the best for Mon's EPU. I assume you will be doing day 3 ET?

WTH - YOur BT results are going great!! What a nice way to start the holiday.
Thanks for the boost. I know my levels are ok within "average" Just for me given the previous 5 pregnancies, they seem quite low. Will have to see what happens over the next 1-2 weeks
And yep, the progesterone level is doing me in a bit.... REALLY tired, headache and very grumpy!

Hi girls,

Just sending :stickyvibesboy: :stickyvibesgirl: in three directions and wishing all of you a nice weekend.

Sara

Hi girls, hope you all had a good weekend. Just want to come in quickly to say that its an BFN for me so I am going to get my fibriods sorted it out and see how we go...all the best for WTH and Meredith for your pregnancy and all the other girls for your cycles. I might not be posting much in this thread any more given I am not doing PGD but sure will be lurking...sending lots of :hug:s to each of you and hope your journey will be short.

Cuddlepie x

:hug: :hug: :hug:

So sorry Cuddlepie, it's really not fair.

Can understand if you don't feel like posting for a while but will miss you.

Sara

CP - I am so, so sorry. It really isn't fair at all. I hope our surgery brings some new hope. Please don't be a stranger to us. I really want to see your dream fulfilled

Buiej - hoping EPU has/is going well today

CP - so sorry that you got the BFN. I hope the removal of the fibroids helps things in the future.

AFM - returned home around 1pm after my EPU. I'm feeling OK - mild cramps. Only 2 eggs out of this antagonist cycle and who knows how they will fertilize. I'm trying not to get too down.

Also, right before I was put under, my FS said "we will see how things go and maybe we will use ICSI this time" - I had no idea why she said this and I learned that last time (2nd ivf cyle) the eggs failed to fertilize - all along, I thought that they fertilized but then deteriorated. I know I was not told this detail. I'm trying not to get too upset, because the outcome would have been the same - meaning, DH's sperm has been tested and is well within normal ranges so we would not have used ICSI that time (also, we had good fertilization rates with our first batch)...and for this time, we would have opted to use ICSI as FS suggested if we had known there was a fertilization question. But I'm a bit annoyed we didn't know!
We too aren't doing PGD - thought about it which is how I got into this thread and met all you lovelies. But maybe I should go back to Over 35 TTC. I find it hard to post in more than 1 thread at a time and tend to stick with just one.

Buliej,

:hug: that sounds like a really bad experience, I just hate it to find out things like this in passing especially in what must have been a really stressful situation.

Hope your eggies will fertilize, if you've used ICSI this time that should give you much better chances.

I am no longer posting much in the over 35 TTC thread as most girls in there seem to TTC normally (without IVF) which is just not applicable to me. I really like this thread as it's a smaller group compared with the Longterm ttc and assisted and I've always found it really supportive.

Look after yourself and take care.

Sara

Sara - was your last cycle with 3 eggs a flare cycle or antagonist cycle? just curious...it seems I did better with flare than antagonist.

Hi Buliej,

It was an antogonist one, the first one which was cancelled and a complete failure was a downregulated one.

The reason why my FS decided for the antagnist one for me was that she thinks the pill downregulates me too much and she thinks there can be a problem with progesteron levels (?) when starting a flare cycle without the pill.

Did you take the pill before the flare cycle?

I have deicded I'll definitely go for DHEA if the next cycle is not working out. WTH's experience has me convinced.

Sara

No, I did not take the pill before my flare cycles. I may be with you in taking DHEA if this doesn't work!