Long Term TTC & Assisted Conception - Feb 2008 #1

Good luck for your BT tomorrow Salt :)

I'm also getting a BT tomorrow lucky me. I spoke to the clinic this afternoon about our decision to do IVM next month, but we realised that Easter is exactly where EPU would be. Damn! So depending on what my baseline levels are tomorrow, they might put me on the pill to control my cycle a bit. Having never been on the pill before, I'm a little nervous about that option! I guess with all the other hormones in my system, that will hardly make a dent lol :P

I am trying to get all my paperwork in order so that I don't do my usual freak out at tax time when I cant find any of my receipts! So I have started a table with all of our medical receipts, and I nearly have heart failure. In the past seven months, we are $5150 out of pocket which includes IVF, dr's visits and misc medical costs. And after next month it will be up to $8300. Aaarrrrrrrggggghhhhh!!!!!!!!

MissC - hope all is ok and that HCG levels have dropped enough to allow you to go ahead this cycle. I have had similar experience once after a m/c - took 9weeks for HCG to drop enough to allow us to go into another medicated cycle!!! felt just bizzare wishing HCG away.

BecD - Good on you, you brave,brave woman for getting straight back into it. Crossing everything that this next cycle is THE one.

Kell - hoping those follies are growing well in there

peta - After my first cycle in Nov last yr wher my E2 never got over 185 (despite lots of follies),my FS put me onto pregnyl 100units every second day. It acts like LH to stimulate the oestrogen producing cells in the follies. Certainly helped last cycle but this time around not doing nearly so well.
Can't see why your FS wouldn't consider this for you as possible help with E2 levels?

Better news today. My scan showed 11mm,12mm and 9mm follies (good for an IUI cycle) and my E2 was up a bit at 331, at least consistent with the follie size. So hoping its just a really slow start and things might kick along in the next few days. Back on friday for another scan/BT. Was hoping we would have had IUI by then but at least better than a cancellation. Crossing everything for slow but good eggies!!

Bec - so sorry to hear about the clinic mucking things up in not telling you both sooner :hug:. Hope the timing works out for your next stim cycle :crossfingers: I know what you mean about all those bills/statements - I got in such a muddle, I did a table too, but it's frightening seeing all that money spent, on the screen. So worth it in the end though - I'm really :pray: you get there soon!

Kell - sorry about your disappointing scan result, I'm :crossfingers: things are looking better for Friday. My clinic still went ahead with EPU with only 2 mature follicles but maybe it depends on actual sizes and hormone levels, I so hope you get there, what a rollercoaster (and not a fun one) :hug:

Meredith, things sound good with the latest scan results, hope your follies behave and reach the target soon :goodluck:

:hello: everyone else ! I'm just plodding along..

But... OK, VENT WARNING... I'm VERY annoyed at the moment about pessaries and need to talk to the doctor about it. In my natural cycle they didn't say I had low progesterone levels; and in my first IUI I just had pregnyl. In my second IUI, a different doctor did it, and he put me on single progesterone pesseries, and the end BT I was told that although BFN, I had good progesterone levels so I was absorbing well. But for my IVF cycle, a different FS yet again (they do it on roster), at the time of EPU put me on TWO pessaries a day - where is the clinical justification, I ask you???? (I should have asked HIM, but I was too distracted by the epu, and also conscious that he is THE bigwig doctor director of the clinic, who many of the clinic patients hold in awe) And in the meantime, I get a bill for $98 (not claimable) - and they only gave me 14 pessaries, that's 7 day's worth. Does that mean that if I get pregnant this cycle, I'll have to pay $98 per week for the next 3 months??? that just doesn't seem right, does it? I need to ask when I'm next at the clinic on Friday. I'm annoyed I didn't question them about the pessaries at the time...

deni - you can shop around a little for pessaries - i think the cheapest place i've found was $85 for 34 pessaries (so 17 days) - most expensive was $208 for the same number of pessaries - so there is HUGE variance! i think it's pretty standard to require additional progesterone support with IVF over IUI - not that i'm sure, but i think it's something to do with how high your levels are pushed to get the follies, so there is much more chance of it dropping too low and resulting in AF or loss... i'm not sure, but that is the impression i get...

IUI is more like a "natural" cycle in that all they're doing is forcing ovulation - where your body is treated differently for IVF...

and yes, the paperwork i have for my clinic states i'll have to have the pessaries twice daily for 10-12 weeks if i get a bfp - fun (NOT!!!)

Ahh ok thanks BG that kinda makes sense.... I'll quiz the nurse about it tomorrow tho and I need to find out if they've charged me correctly, maybe they think they gave me 2 weeks' worth. Interesting about the shopping around point - where else would I buy them? I thought they'd just be available at the clinic you're registered with?

Just a quick hello I will try and catch up later.

Miss C how are you sweet

Hello all,
Sorry to have been MIA but DH decided to crash his motorbike on the weekend and as a result got a quick helicopter ride to the Alfred Hospital - so things have been a bit crazy. However at least we are now home, having cleared him of any fractures etc of the neck and spine, it is now just minor amnesia and memory probs to deal with...I'm hoping that bad luck does only occur in threes and now we are at the start of a good luck run after a BFN, crap at work and now the accident - I dont think I can mentally put up with any more stress :doh:

saltprincess - good luck with the BT

BecD - cant believe what has happened :hug: and hope that all works out for your BT and going on the pill. Maybe we should just lobby to cancell easter - I know I dont need all the chocolate!

Deni - good luck working everything out and good luck with the cycle. wishing you a BFP.

Miss C - hope that all goes well with the BT and that the results come back good so you can start the FET. Hold in there :)

To everyone else, hello and hope all is well and I'll catch up when my head is in a better space.

FG

Deni - I get you on the pessary deal. I've never been diagnosed with a progesterone problem but was put onto pessaries after 2 m/c's. Don't quite get it myself given that was very unlikely the reason for my m/c's. i think when I was pg with DS, after the first few weeks of good prog levels, i dropped the dose myself (didn't tell Dr) just to make them last longer and cos I wanted to trust my own body a bit.
This time around I am getting my pessaries from a compunding pharmacy in melbourne $66 for 30 so much cheaper than at clinic pharmacy. It was actually my FS and clinic who told me where to get them cheaper. Maybe ask if there is compunding pharmacy that will do it near you.

Farmgirl - how awful re your DH. Like you need that kind of stress atm! Hope he (and you) are doing ok now

Just a quick hello, hope everyone is having a good day.

TL, sorry you couldn't PM me, must be something I haven't set up right, I will email you.

Good luck to everyone with their BT results, hope they are good.

I am just plodding along ready to start Clomid on D2 and hoping to get a date for Endo removal soon.

Shel

Farmgirl - sorry to hear about DH

Farmgirl - how frightening to go through that with your DH. Hope he's doing better by the minute. WOW he's so lucky though to have got away without major trauma!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY GIRLS!I hope you have all been spoilt rotten. I have. Hubby sent me some lovely flowers to work this morning, completely unexpected. What a wonderful man!
Meredith - thanks for the info re pregnyl. I will see if that is part of my program this cycle. Very happy to hear your numbers are improving this cycle.
FG - I am glad to hear your hubby is ok. Mine rides bikes too (road & trail) and I always worry about other drivers more than him.
TL - it is getting close to your next cycle - i bet you are getting excited!
MissC - are you ok? I am anxious about you. Take care of yourself.
sorry, have gone into advanced posting, thus can't do my usual trick & read back as I write, so a big HELLO :D to everyone else.
Take care & I will catch up soon.

Thanks everyone, feel terrified about the scan tomorrow. Just so scared of a cancellation. Trying not to think about it...

All the best to everyone :)

Question - if your pg and your on progesterone pessaries/injections - will that help increase hcg levels? or does hcg levels increase on there own??

Salt - My spreadsheet has the date of treatment, what it was for, the provider, how much it cost, any medicare rebate, and PHI rebate, out of pocket cost, and then also a running total of how much we are out of pocket. I have also numbered each receipt and referenced that in the spreadsheet (Yes I know I am totally anal about this stuff!)

Kell honey - I will be thinking about you tomorrow xxx

Farmgirl - OMG, I hope your DH is alright - that sounds terribly scary! Take care of yourself hon, sounds like you have gone through an awful lot recently.

As for me, the clinic called this afternoon, my BT showed that my hormones are still baseline which means Im likely to have either an anovulatory cycle or a very long one. I told them that my preference would be for me not to go on the pill if I could, so they will leave it for now, and I will go in for a Day 21 BT to see if my body is cooperating, and if not I will go on the pill so they can control when OPU will be.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

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Question - if your pg and your on progesterone pessaries/injections - will that help increase hcg levels? or does hcg levels increase on there own??

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HJ, pessaries won't affect your HcG, but if you're having injections, and I assume they are pregnyl injections, then yes, your HcG will artifically increase. Pregnancy increases HcG on it's own, but sometimes artificial support is required depending on your circumstances. Whilst pregnyl is sometimes used in the TWW, I'm not sure if it is often used during early pregnancy.

Kell GL today

Bec a spreadsheet for costs is excactly what I need great idea :)

Cycle cancelled. Start again in 2 weeks when AF arrives.

Salt - you made me laugh - I'm sorry cos I know how sensitive and frustrating this would be but ooohhh, you made my day with that one!! Wishing you and all the lovely ladies a great day, good luck where it is needed and hugs to anyone who wants one!!!
All ok with me - just dancing beneath the radar :) have to wait til next cycle to TTC cos naturopathic herbs need time to kick in. But I'm lurking just to see how you're all going.... take care.

:hugs: So terribly sorry Kell...... :hugs:

Oh Kell :( I am so sorry :(
Sending huge (((HUGS))) to you. Hope you are okay xxx

So sorry Kell. What went wrong? Not enough follies??
At least only 2 weeks until you can try again (mind you, 2 weeks can seem like eternity)

Deni - hoping your TWW is going as quick as possible

Kell - I am so sorry your cycle has been cancelled. Hopefully this means you're one step closer to that BFP next time.
I see lots of you keep spreadsheets for your medical expenses. I would not even be able to locate all my receipts, but I am registered with Medicare for thier online services. This has a function which allows you to get a tax statement (therefore telling you what out of pocket amount you can claim on tax) and an Account History (very scary - just looked at mine for last 12mths - total spent $22K less rebates). Just thought this might help you all.
I am just plodding along. Its strange, the longer I have to wait till next cycle, the more I question if this is the thing for me. I am going to do some research into the adoption process (a whole different forum I am guessing) but this will be as an alternative. What do you all think? Has this crossed any of your minds?
Take care girls & I will speak to you soon.

Kell - I'm so sorry, that is so awfully disappointing :cry: :hugs:
Has the doctor spoken to you yet about what the might do differently next time?

Oh Kell I am so sorry hun a cancelled cycle suks :hug: I am here for you if you need me

Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate it, makes me feel better to know I have people who understand. Going from an overstim cycle 1 to an understim has been a bit of a shock. We still only had 2 follicles.

Basically my PCOS is intense and my ovaries are unpredictable. There is no recipe or solution to get the right response. Its just lots of trying and hoping that eventually, they cooperate. So next cycle we try protocol #3 - a clomid/FSH antagonist cycle. The upside is I can start as soon as I get a period, so it is only a delay of 12-14 days. That helps a LOT.

I feel depressed and flat about it all, just hoping I feel better after a good nights sleep.

Kell, good news that the wait isn't too long and that they have a different plan of attack - it always makes me feel a bit better if things are tackled slightly differently based on information they've already gathered from previous cycles.

Peta - yes, adoption has definately crossed my mind. I asked DH last week if I should contact DCD for an information pack - but he says it's jumping the gun.. so we decided I'd find out if we haven't had success at the end of this year. I overheard two girls talking at my ultrasound place who are doing IVF, and one girl said she's been on the waiting list for assessment with Australian authorities (required even if doing an adoption for an overseas child), for 2 years now, and she's currently #9 on the list. So the wait is looooong. I'm not sure how long the wait is for the second phase (once you've been assessed), but I imagine it would be much shorter as there are so many children in need. I'm itching to find out more but I don't want to upset DH. He's open to the idea but probably won't be convinced to attend any information sessions for a while yet. His cousin adopted, as a single mum actually, baby from China. She's 6 now and was our flowergirl for our wedding 18 months ago.
Peta there is sure to be heaps of info on the adoption thread - maybe take a look there?

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Kell hon, am glad that you don't have to wait too long to try again.
Hopefully your ovaries come to the party this time.
Please don't beat yourself up okay. We are all here for you xxx

Peta - I have thought about adoption a bit, but as I am so young we can't do anything until I am 25 anyway so I haven't given it too much thought.

Hello all,
Kell - sorry to read that your cycle was canceled - hope that the next opportunity comes around quickly and that it all goes to plan - after being both sides surely the next has to hit the middle mark! Hope that you can start on the next cycle soon.

Peta - my dh was keen to think about adoption, but I was recently reading an article (glossy mag so take with a grain of salt) that said that in Vic the ave wait for an OS adoption was 6 yrs, and cost about $40k, and I think you have to be off fertility treatment for 6months before you can even to to an info night...so we kind of shelved that option on the 'too hard' shelf for a while - thinking that if we struggle with the stress of IVF, how would we go with that. I think that there is some Aust celeb trying to run a campaign to make OS adoption easier.

saltprincess - LOL about your phone call, reminds me of the 'quick walk' I have to do from my desk to the tea room (hopefully empty) whenever I get a call. In hindsight I think less people would be suspicious if I talked at my desk vs the sprint I do to the tea room! I'm sure no one heard your call, and if they did, fingers crossed they are too polite to ever say something :)

Not much news here. DH is on the mend and is now getting sick of being stuck at home (he cant drive and we are 6km from town). I'm just waiting for my cycle to get back to normal after the stim cycle, but things are going slowly and I have no signs of 'o' being near even though I'm at day 18 (my normal 'o' date). I just want things to happen so AF comes and we can do a FET. Oh well.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend and finding a little time to spoil themselves.

FG

I recently finished a cycle in Brisbane and went through trying to work out where to go and who to see. You are welcome to contact me and I can speak to your via messanger or something.

Hi ladies - just thought I'd pop in and say hi.

Re adoption - can't say I have thought about it (yet!) and don't know many people who have and that I'm close enough to to know their adoption journey - sorry, not much help!

Re expenses - I'm reading some of ur posts and my mind is spinning at some of the outlay. Makes me think I need to be thinking of that sort of stuff if things take too long TTC.

As for me, on CD7 now and needing to wait this cycle so that the herbs can kick in. I hate waiting and doing nothing - what a waste of time. I've been trying too many months to make a mockery of yet another month by not trying. Still, I don't think I could cope with another m/c if the bods not up to it. Sigh!!! See what the gyno says on Tuesday. Don't really know what I want him to say anyway...

Pcl - Hope the herbs kick in soon have you read the book spririt babies I find this and his podcasts really helpful

Thanks TL hun! Would you believe I just ordered the book online?! I looked it up and it sounded so interesting. Saw the info re podcasts and thought may stick to the book for now. Thanks so much. I'm feeling really good about myself and this month and wonder whether I should just relax and give it a go anyway.

Hi Girls!:D
Thanks for all of your comments on adoption. Have looked into it a bit more & there is an information night in brisbane in March, so may attend that. I have 2 lots of cousins (from opposite sides of the family) who were adopted, so it is a known identity in our family. The statistics are not too encouraging though, there are a total of approx. 13 children up to 2years placed in Qld each financial year. Geez, you would have to lucky! Think we'll stick to the IVF track for a little while longer.
Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Mine was great - I am just so sick of this rain. Can't do anything. My motorbike lesson (yes I am going for my license soon) was cancelled, so will have one this sunday instead. As it turns out we have bright sunshine here today, typical for a work day!
9 sleeps till my next scan. At least it is in the near future now. Hopefully all will be well to jump into the next cycle!
Take care girls & I'll speak to you all soon.

Very intrigued by the Spirit Babies thing... can't find his book anywhere handy though. Might try some podcasts first. I had a dream 12 months after we started trying for #2, and 3 years ago now, where a child told me I had to keep trying or she would not exist and that would just be awful and I couldn't let it happen. It was SO powerful. but being that long ago now, I have pretty much lost faith in it. I am not overly religious or spiritual, but this has still tweaked my interest. Thanks for sharing :)

Hey everyone,

Sorry to be MIA for so long and thanks for your posts along the way even though I haven't been here - have had very limited time online since last Wednesday, and was waiting today to post my news, after I received it.

Kell - I'm so sorry to hear about your cancelled cycle, hun. So frustrating that you're body is being stubborn and unpredictable. I admire you so much for dealing with that factor on top of all the other factors we contend with so well. You're very strong to cop all this stuff as it goes and keep moving forward. What a woman! :hugs:

FG - hope DH is recovering well - what a shock for you both. Very glad to hear that he's ok. You must tell him I understand the stuck-at-home factor - when DH takes the car to Melb for work I am stuck at home about 5kms from town too! Arghhhhh!! Hope you're doing ok yourself. Hang in there with the waiting for AF to arrive. Got to will her on this time round, silly isn't it? Hugs.

SP - any news on your follies? I am thinking of you and hoping for the best, sweet :)

Peta - keep hanging in there with the IVF, hun. It makes you want to think about options because it is so frustrating and disappointing at times, doesn't it? I've talked about adoption with DH in a couple of brief conversations here and there, but it doesn't feel like a real possibility for us down the track if needed because of the move o/s and the amount of time it would take to settle there first before I'd be able to qualify... at least that's our thoughts about. But I reckon you've got the right idea going to the info session - really good idea to be well informed about it :)


This morning I had my third BT since getting a beta level of 25 last Monday. I got the results at midday - my levels were finally at zero today. I reckon I can tell, because my face has been breaking out consistently for the last day or so :rolleyes: Always get a breakout on my nose in particular when my hormones shift direction. I had to wait for the nurses to get the all clear once and for all from my FS (which took until about 5pm!) but the good news is I'm allowed to start on my medicated FET today. I start HRT today, and my first scan is next Wednesday... yay!

It feels like today is a proper conclusion to the last cycle - like a BFN that should have been, IYKWIM? I'm glad to be moving forward, but at the same time it gives a bit more of a sense of something that might have been, now that it's over. All good though :)

Hope everyone is well - hugs to all,

Miss C :hug:

Sorry guys - I really need your help.
Would you put TTC on hold for 1 month cos your naturopath (or alternative medicine equivalent) told you to wait for herbs & vitamins to kick in or would you say this month might be my chance to conceive and TTC anyway with or without the risk of m/c. I really need to know what you each would do in that situation.....
I'm going thru a thing....

PLC, I'd definitely keep trying this month. Personally, I'd be somewhat wary of a natropath who tells you that you are at risk of m/c unless you give their treatment time to work. That's just my opinion, but if your only reason for waiting is that advice, I'd say to disregard it.

I am with Slyder. I would keep trying.

MissC I am so glad you can put it behind you and move forward with another FET. Cheering you on, my friend.

PLC - I definitely agree with the others, keep trying, you just never know what might happen. I get most frustrated when my FS makes me wait 6 - 8 weeks between cycles, so if you have the oppotunity, I say grab it with both hands & run!
Miss_C - so glad to hear you're doing ok. I was a bit worried for a while there. Sorry last cycle didn't work out :(. Very pleased to hear that you are going straight onto FET. Thanks for your thoughts on adoption too. It is appreciated. :)
Sylder - how are you & DW going? We don't seem to hear so much from you lately, you must be very busy.
Well girls, have a great night & I will speak to you all tommorrow.