Long Term TTC & Assisted Conception - August/September 09

Thanks everyone, talk to you when I return.

Oh and trust - AF arrived yesterday the day of Nae Nae's baby shower - would'nt you just know it. It was a great baby shower though and awesome to see some Belly Belly ladies there and their bubs. It was pretty funny - all the babies were girls including Nae's on the way.

GL everyone!! xoxo

Hello Ladies.

It's been a while since my last post. I have been reading with interest every few days just to see how everyone is going. Now let's hope I have these personals right - apologies if I make a mistake or two..

Loops: Make the most of your break and we look forward to your return soon.

Persphone & Tantee: GL with the TWW - :bluedust: :stickyvibesboy: to both of you!!

krikkit & Cass180: Congrats on the BFP! Hoping you both have a happy and healthy 9 months! As I am just starting out on this IVF journey, it's great to hear about your wonderful news and it gives me some hope about AC. I say keep the BFP's coming!

Welcome to all the newbies: allyg, colour56 & emstar!

Lise: Hope AF shows up quickly so you can start your next cycle!

Coral73: GL with the lucrin starting Friday - I hear it's better than taking the synarel - less side effects!

Emerald star: Nope not with IVF Australia - I think I am the only one here from City Fertility in Melbourne. I am paying $6500 for IVF treatment and this does not include FS fee.

mummawannabe: Wish I could answer your question but I am so new to this IVF process that I have a million questions myself. Hope your FS helped you out here!

Sonjalouise: Like you I also google everything! The internet is such a wealth of information. I almost bought a book about IVF from the bookstore, only to return it to the shelf because I thought I could get the same information from the internet.
It's interesting how our cycles are so different now given we started the pill at the same time. GL with your US on the 23rd of Sept...mine is not until the 1st of Oct.

Nix: Hope you are well!

Airline, mitf, Onja: GL with your cycles!

and a big hello to everyone else who I have missed!

AFM: Not really too much to report at this stage. Started synarel last Friday and still taking the pill. I am so loving the taste of synarel as it trickles down my throat. I have my first US on the 1st of Oct which I am guessing will kick off the FSH. The nurse has set my dosage at 100. Seems really low? I guess it might be just a precautionary dosage to see what effect it has on my body. So far no major side effects from the synarel - except for the occassional mood swing. I had to have a blood test a week ago and would you believe I finally found out my blood type after 35 years!

I enjoy reading everyone's posts. It is comforting to read similar stories and experiences to my own - like marking off the calender to bring you one day closer to that next milestone. I have two calenders which I mark off hoping that time goes quicker!!

Anyway enough already - my DH is making fun of my "essay"!

Mel
x

ME 35 :kiss: DH 32 & 1 cheeky furbaby
TTC #1 Since Nov 07
IVF#1 - Sept/Oct - Started synarel on 18th Sept - early days for me!

Morning all,

sonyalouise - looks like we'll be starting injections on the same day :) I did them in the evening last time but am thinking about morning this time round - what do most people do? Has anyone found it makes a difference?

coral - thanks for the yoga tips. I do go to the gym several times a week but i'm really starting to stress out about all sorts of things and I'd like to find something to keep me a bit more zen. I'm definitely going to look into it. And yay for you for starting Lucrin on Friday - I know I certainly prefer it when i'm actively doing injections or something rather than just waiting. Feels like i'm doing something!

mel - welcome back! :goodluck: with this cycle and bring on 1 October!

just a quick update - AF arrived yesterday and boy is she making her presence known...!! Anyway, I start Gonal-F again tomorrow and first US and BT scheduled for Monday morning.

I've also made an appointment with one of the MIVF counsellors (though can't get in till next week!!). I've got heaps going on at work - my organisation merged with another and my job ceases to exist as of February so I need to find another one. DH and I are living in Melbourne ATM but we came from Canberra and crazy as it sounds, we want to go back. So DH is looking for jobs now but I'm trying to focus on IVF, and I don't know what I want to apply for and am having a huge meltdown about what i'm qualified for and how we're going to get back and what i'm going to do, and so on and so on. I honestly don't know how you lovely ladies manage to sound so sane, especially those of you who have been on the IVF roller coaster for some time. I'm just starting my second cycle and am falling apart!

Anyway, enough blabbing. I've got an appointment with my GP this morning and i'm going to ask for some 'stress leave', plus talk to my work about reduced hours. Getting a BFP is definitely my priority and I want to ensure i'm doing everything possible to ensure that happens, including staying as stress free as possible.

Thanks ladies for listening to my outpour. As much as I love DH, and he has been brilliant throughout all of this, sometimes a male just can't quite understand.

:grouphug: to all, and have a happy Tuesday.

lise xx

Hi Ladies,
Just me wanting to vent....Had my first BT and U/S Yesterday and only had six follicles
1x 8mm 1x 10mm 3x 15mm 1x 17mm. I am so disappointed as i thought i would respond better to the Puregon (higher dose as well) than i did with Gonal F...personally i have better results with the Gonal F with both iui's and first IVF...I know you only need one beauty but the odds with just six follicles containing a viable egg and getting at least 1 to blast is a bit daunting....anyway will have to wait and see what the U/S shows in tomorrows appointment. My EPU should be around Friday or Saturday..(if its not cancelled)..at times like this i really need to hear some miracle stories to pep me up.
Keep you ladies posted. Sorry about the no personals!

Lise - I've always done my injections in the morning (just before I leave for work) as I find it fits in well with my morning routine.

I have to agree with you on that it does feel heaps better when you are actively doing something for the cycle. I have felt so frustrated for the past 4 weeks so am looking forward to Friday :dance:!

The other thing that I have done for stress levels is acupuncture.... I've found it helps heaps and they actually leave small pins in my ears which reduce anxiety and help me sleep :asleep:.

Please know that you are not alone in feeling like you are falling apart as I have also started seeing the counsellor at GC Fertility to help me cope. I've seen her for the last three weeks and find that it's helping me with my infertility issues and as a bonus I am finding out allot about myself along the way :D. This is definitely the hardest thing that I've ever had to face and when you combine it with other stresses in life such as work, it is definitely enough to drive you crazy!

I'm so sorry to hear about you work situation, that is the absolute last thing you should have to be worrying about! I hope that it all sorts itself out as quickly as possible for you :hug:.


Emerald Star - I'm sorry you are feeling down about your results and big hugs to you :hug:. I don't have any direct miracle stories for you but have definitely realised after googling many posts that BFP's can come when least expected and under circumstances that would otherwise make you think that you wouldn't get there! Good Luck with U/S and I hope :pray: that those follicles grow like crazy overnight!

melttc - Thanks for the well wishes and same back to you! I'm not sure about the FSH at 100... I know my last cycle was at 150 (puregon).

Coral73 and anyone else who wants to listen - Thankyou for your positive input. :hug: Worst thing is at my age things are only going to keep going south...face, boobs, butt etc...even my ovarian reserve!! I really really don't wannna be negative, but i am getting so impatient with everything and i just don't have any ooomph in me to keep me somewhat positive....I always get really excited starting a new cycle thinking this one is going to be better..or the one, then you get results like this and you think.."thankyou..thankyou..another challenge, just what i needed!!!" Whenever i read that soemone gets a BFP, i get sooooo excited for them because i know that they don't have to deal with this mental and physical crap anymore and that has to be just as exciting as getting a BFP.
Anyways i think i've talked everyones ear off and i'll go back to dreaming about the day it does happen for me, what will he/ she look like, how should i decorate the nursery...will i enrol her in dance classes or him in soccer? Oh, the joys a baby could bring us!! :D Hopefully the daydreaming well inspire positive thinking and follicle growth!!

Hi girls,

Emerald- I am sorry that you are not feeling the best. I don't pretend to understand what you feel as I have only just started and have no ivf results to compare. A friend of mine only had 6 eggs at EPU, 4 that fertilsed, 2 that were viable. She had one transferred and froze the other. She got a BFP with the first transfer and has a beautiful little boy as a result. As they say it only takes one. I read a story where a lady had 60 eggs! and none were viable. I guess all this reinforces is that we are all individual and that it is quality not quantity.

I pray that your follies will grow over the next few days:pray::bluedust::pink-babydust:

Coral73- Friday will be here before you know it!

Meltcc- Not long to go now, I am glad to hear that you are not getting to many side effects from the synarel.

Lise- I certainly hope we will be injection buddies, I will find out tomorrow. I wiil inject in the evening because they told me if I have a scan in the morning and the dose needs to change then I can do it that night.

What a nightmare work is for you. Good luck with the stress leave. I know I have decided only work four days a week next year if I dont get a BFP by December.

AFM I had a slight bleed yesterday which put my mind at ease, so now I know my body is reacting the way it should. Tomorrow is the scan :crossfingers: hope all is ok and injections start tomorow. Aghh the waiting and the googling. I almost wish I was back at work so it could distract me.

Afternoon Ladies,

Just a quick one. Just wanted to pop my head in. Im quite excited as were on our way to stimulated cycle number 2. This cycle is back to back with number 1 which was cancelled due to very poor performance (only got 2 follicles) and poor performance unfortunately doesnt help fate with our IVF journey because not only are we doing normal IVF but also ICSI and PGD too.

So, AF arrived on Sunday after I gave myself the trigger injection, ending cycle number 1 2wks ago. Dates are all set Yay so I too will now join in the crossing off the days :). Start Lucrin injections 10 units on the 8/10/09 and then stop pill on the 10/10/09 and then first BT on the 15/10/09. Im feeling so excited. I really hope things go well this time around. Have started accupuncture and I really feel that its working. Am feeling a little more calm about all things happening in our life.

So, not too sure on whether this time I will do injections in the morning or night?????? I dont have a problem with nights for the exception that I have my cousins wedding on the 16/10 and of course, its a formal ocassion and its from 2.30pm in the afternoon. PGD nurse did say last cycle I can take my little freezer pack if i ever needed to go out but this one might be hard to work around :(. Oh well not to worry at the moment. Im thinking that I might just have to for that one and one only, do the injection just before we go!!!! Will ask them when the time comes.

Best be off, DH and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary today:D:D:D. Heres hoping next year we can celebrate with a little bubba.

CIao for now.

OOh this thread's busy, I'm thinking of you all, and try and keep up to date, but it gets a bit crazy, esp. if you're following more than one thread;)

Loops...I'm sorry AF arrived...the day of a baby shower, I tell ya, Mother Nature has a lot
to answer for!

Motherhood..looks like I'm just a little ahead of you and I'm doing a crossover too. My Synarol starts on 26th and pill finishes on 29th Sep. Re. the injections, I preferred the mornings as I work nights, so easier, but I know it's been discussed on here previously. I don't think it makes any difference personally. fingers crossed for us both and:happyforyou: happy anniversary!!

Sonyalouise, ..good luck with your scan....I'm very focused and quiet on my scan days, even though I'm onto my 3rd stim cycle, I almost hold my breath when I first look at the screen, praying to see whatever is supposed to be on there :rolleyes:

Emerald Star...dream away girl, I never used to allow myself to do that - but I feel that slowly...friggin' slowly, I'm getting closer to my dream and sometimes I allow a wee daydream - think it's good for the soul if nothing else :) ooh almost forgot, I only got 5 eggs from both cycles - 150 gonal f and 185 gonal f - and was disappointed, and although the clinic's agreed to put me up to 225, had an interesting chat with the nurse who advised a lot of clinics are putting a lot more emphasis on the quality not quantity of eggs, which often means a lesser dosage of drugs. They seem to be getting better results. Food for thought.

lise ... sounds like you have a plan sister!! I love a good plan and it's what gets me through this crap. I also need things to look forward to. Don't know if it's feasable for you but I've tried to schedule a couple days break away in the 2ww at some point. It takes you away from your usual environment and responsibilities, and in my case, takes both of us away from all chores, so that I don't feel guilty that DH is doing most of the chores that I do plus his own!! We still talk about what's going on, but gee wee chill out so much more.

mummuawannabe...how you travelling??

AFM...I'm still crossing off the days on the calender. I'm lucky to have no bad side effects due to pill (someone on here said they got nauseuos), but my skin's breaking out again :o Doing lots of practical, physical things around house and garden like painting, repotting, pruning, etc while I can, cos this time....after transfer, I'm gonna be horizontal - and I don't mean DH is gonna have a smile on his face!!!:redface:

good luck to all and hugs to anyone having a bad day..ps please feel free to introduce your furbabies on the furbaby thread I started....I think they all help us get through these times we face

Hi all

I hope that I am in the right spot :redface:

Good luck to everyone here. I am sorry for not posting any personals but will next time once I know I am in the right spot.

ASM - We have been trying to concieve for what seems ages now. Have just started down the fs track. But being 44 our chances are soooooo low :wall: Luckily we have a DD who is 3 (conceived naturally) but would dearly love a sibling for her.

As we have had no luck Well we were hoping to start iui this month and was started on 75 gonal- then after a bt put on 150 ui but it did not work with only one follicle and very small one at that. :doh:

They are calling this an non-ovalatory month.

Last month when we did tracking my FSH on day 3 was 4 and this month it was 14. Does this mean it will allways be high.

I have so many questions as am very disappointed not to have had the chance to at least try IUI.

Will my FS change my dosage of gonal-f or change drugs or have we missed the boat.

I am :pray:ing for you all and hope there is good news if you are waiting.

Thanks for listening and any advise would be warmly recieved. :D

Hey there ladies,

I haven't posted for a while but like Melttc I stick my head in every few days to see how things are and try to keep up! Mel thanks for your wishes - I am doing really well - I'll post more later in the AFM bit. Good luck with your cycle at least something is happengin now so you feel like you are in progress. Don't you just love synarel - ugghhhh! :spit: 100 does seem low on the gonal - but if it is the first IVF cycle then I get the feel they like to start cautiously.

Loops - sorry to hear about AF. Bugger I hope you enjoy your time away from the house and a change of scenery.

Lise - I found doing my injections in night better for me - I think I woudl be too rushed in the mornings. However if you have things on at night from time to time then mornings woudl be far better. I was lucky we did not have much on and it was only 1 night where we had to do it in the car (sounds good huh!!) My DP did my injections - I can't do them myself!! I doubt very much it makes any difference to any luck with your cycle - so just go with what you think will practically work best for you! Glad tohear you were able to get straight back into another cycle.

Sorry no more personals ladies - I'm quickly posting before I leave work. A big fat :hello: to you all tho and hope you are all doing well staying as sane as you can! :dance:

AFM - I am waiting for scan on Thursday to see how the lining is going and try figure out how far from Ov we are - think it will be a bit early days yet tho. I am actually enjoying not having to think about it all tho - I can now see why some say it is nice to have the break. When I do think about it I just get frustrated that it is all this waiting and why can't it just happen. But I've been in good spirits for the since I got over the BFN a week or so ago. I think as time gets closer I will just be nervous as anything about the thaw and worried that our 2 bubsicles are not going to make it & it will be a cycle once again. the only thing with that is that surely I could get back into a stim straight away as i've really had the month off effectively. Anyway - there I go thinking too much lets just get through this FET.

jilly welcome here too :dance:

melttc...sorry meant to say good luck, I'm also on a crossover cycle...start my synarol on saturday....can't wait..apart from the odd taste sensation!! i also love the idea of your 2 calenders!!! we'll get there...eventually ;)

Hi Ladies,

Have been lurking but haven't really had any news to post. Still waiting for AF so we can get going on our FET. As expected the stim cycle has delayed things and at this stage AF is 4 days late. This is one of those few times in life I actually want her to come and she won't..... keen to get going and sick of the waiting game! A lot has happened in here over the last week but I will attempt some personals.

Tantee - so glad to hear that your little embie thawed ok and ET went well. All the best for the remainder of your TWW :stickyvibesgirl::stickyvibesboy:. I hope you are managing to keep sane.

Lise - Great news that you can head into another stim cycle so quickly. I hope you have managed to keep your stress levels down and GL with the job hunt. (Also, I don't think you are crazy about wanting to go back to Canberra... I have family there and it's a lovely place to live and deserves more street cred than it gets!)

Mummawannabe - I am also about to embark on my first FET, although mine will be natural with only prog pessaries in the TWW. I am not 100% sure but I believe regardless of the drugs used you should still ovulate. Once this is confirmed via BT your embie will be put back at the appropriate number of days. If you are concerned with the possibility of a multiple pregnancy your clinic will simply request that you abstain from DTD at the appropriate times.

Airline, Melttc, Coral, MotherhoodHIC, EmeraldStar and SonjaLouise - wishing you all the best for your latest stim cycle. I hope that it is your time for some BFP action.

Nix - GL with your scan tomorrow.

Jilly - :welcome: from me also. Did they end up cancelling your cycle? If so I dare say they will put you on a much higher dose next time. FS usually tread carefully the first time to see how you react and avoid OHSS.

Loops - Got to love AF timing. I hope your cycles get's more regular again soon and I hope you have a fantastic break in Melbourne.

Sorry if I have missed anyone and a big hello to those lurking. :bluedust::pink-babydust:

Mitf xo

hello mitf!!! good to see your hanging around...although god help us, one day hopefully none of us will need this forum! You know what I mean!:hug:

Morning all,

Emerald Star - I hope you're feeling a bit better about your ultrasound. How did the second one go? I know it's an awful feeling to go though a cancelled cycle (i've been there) so fingers crossed it all goes well for you. And if it makes you feel any better the other day I spent hours googling prams/strollers... :redface:

sonyalouise - how did your scan go? I started injections again yesterday also. Doing mornings this time as I have house guests all week and I think we'll be out a bit at night which would cause me much stress in thinking I need to be home by a certain time and then not enjoy my family while they're here!! Anyway, hope yours are going well :)

motherhood here i come - hope your anniversary went well :D Glad that you too can be crossing days off and getting closer to your dream.

airline - love your furbabies thread! I don't have any of my own (allergies :cry: ) but I do take great pleasure in my nephew furbabies, and have been reading with interest about everybody elses!!

jilly - :welcome: you'll find lots of great women on here to listen, support and provide amazing inspiration :comfort: Sorry I can't answer your questions, but i'm sure someone will have some answers or point you in the right direction.

Nix - I was thinking you'd been very quiet! Hope your scan goes well today and it won't be too long before you're back injecting...!

mitf - hoping AF arrives soon! It's so frustrating waiting for her to come, and as you said, a totally unusual feeling as usually we're praying she stays away.

Coral - thanks for the advice. I spoke to my fabulous GP who gave me all week off, and when I go back to work next week i'm going to negotiate reduced hours. So i'm getting there. It certainly helps to vent on a thread like this and know that other people understand EXACTLY what you're going through without having to explain every little thing.

AFM - nothing new, just injecting and waiting till Monday for the 1st scan and BT. I haven't had any adverse reactions (touch wood) to the doubled dosage of Gonal-F, so hoping that continues. Though in a way i'd kinda like to feel sick or something so I can feel like something is happening. Never happy...!

Anyhoo, :hello: to everyone reading, injecting, lurking... hope you're doing well in whatever you may be doing.

cheers,
lise xx

Hi girls,

Motherhood- Glad to hear you are positive and calm. I am also doing acupuncture, I love it. It is great to have a plan. Do you know what dose you will be on this time?

Airline-I have finally worked out what furbabies are, I have two. I will have to pop into your thread and have a read. Hope time flies for you.

Jilly- Welcome to the thread, I would say that the iui probably isn?t a preferred option to continue with because there is actually only a 15% chance of it working per cycle and my FS said you should expect to go through 6-12 months of them. I am sorry I can?t answer your question about FSH. Are you planning on an ivf cycle?

Nix76- Hope your scan went well today and that you got the information you wanted

Mitf- hope AF arrives soon

Lise- Good to see you are not having many side effects, enjoy the next week with your family. I also have a scan Monday, so I may see you walking the halls of MIVF. What time are you having your scan?

AFM- Had the scan yesterday and all was well, started injections last night. Unfortunately I woke up with a headache, bloating and am still extremely tired aghhhh. It is only the first day. Off to acupuncture now so hopefully will be feeling better soon.

To all the other ladies who are patiently waiting for things to happen, I wish you a very happy day

Hello ladies

I hope it's ok to jump in like this, without knowing anyone. I am looking for a home and some friends who will understand the nature of this tough journey I am on. I am 41 and heading into my fifth fresh cycle. I am scared and lonely and I would so appreciate some buddies to go through this with me. I was on a forum in Canada but in Canada IVF is so expensive everyone stops after a couple of tries. They either get pg or stop, so I felt strange and freakish going for multiple attempts.

It will take me a little time to get up to speed with everyone, and hopefully that's ok. If you ladies think there is a thread where I would be better suited, please let me know. Like a 'multiple tries' thread. I am still getting used to how this board works!

I wish you all luck on your journeys.

Edie

Afternoon Girls,

Update time. Am still crossing off the calender days one by one. Wish they would go faster but then I stop myself and think that I dont want to be wishing my life away just yet.

Thanks for all the congratulations ladies. DH and I had a fantastic Wedding Anniversary! I was so spoilt. Our anniversary was Tuesday however on Mon night, he surprised me after I came back in from feeding our 3 furbabies with a massive big bunch of beautiful flowers, chocolates and not one but 2 gifts (Who knows where he had been hiding all this). I was totally totally surprised and not expecting anything because I thought we had agreed not to do anything. Its often hard to surprise me but this time, he definately got me good. Was not expecting that. Anyhoo I got a lovely matching Diamond and Emerald pendant and earring set, a new beautiful gold chain and a beautify crucifix with diamonds. See what I mean, definately spoilt thats for sure. I had the day off work on tues and we just spent the day together, doing "normal" things and forgetting all our worries. Was the best day ever.

So back on track. Had accupuncture yesterday and was able to let my guy know that we now have dates for IVF number 2 to commence. He was happy as we have a few weeks to prepare specifically for IVF. So yesterday, we targeted my kidneys to strengthen them, I was told they too are a part of conception, who knew. After that, we moved onto my other points to help me relax and keep/bring the blood pressure down etc, etc.

Sonyalouise - Unfortunately as yet, have no Idea on my dose rates. I know Ill be on 10units of Lucrin starting from the 08/10/09. I still have a small amount at home too from the first cycle lol. I suppose, following my BT on the 15/10/09, I'll then know what dose of Puregon Ill be on. As far as I know I'll be doing that again. I still also have some of that at home too oh and my trigger. See all set just really need to wait for time to fly by!!!!

Well best be off. For anyone thinking about doing accupumcture, I say do it. I have noticed that Im not as stressed and more go with the flow since starting and yesterday was only session number 3. I suppose, proof will be in the pudding when the US's start hey!!!!

Ciao Ladies