Long Term TTC & Assisted Conception - June/July 2008

Hi everyone!

Just popping in to say 'hello' - not stopping long.

It looks like there have been some interesting conversations on acupuncture - I'm starting next week (just before I hope to have my eggies collected - I still picture a tiny farmer going in there with an egg basket! :p).

Bel - hope you're feeling much better today - I felt the same about the baby in the paper today. I know I don't know what happened, but I can't help thinking why did she get the chance to have one and I haven't - it just doesn't make sense. It's a real up and down journey this one we are on.

Well - now I'm all set for the first cycle my naughty monthly visitor is a couple of days overdue (and no I'm not pregnant - I did hope!) it's just being naughty. I'd psyched myself up for the first jab tonight or tomorrow night - but maybe Thursday??

Ahh the joys!

See you all later!

Evening Lovely Ladies

TL- The travelling DH's...very hard isn't it. Just had my DH home for 2 days now he's away again for the next 5. You do learn to cope but the missing them never stops.

JBM- yeah I would never want to miss being pg...too true. I'll be so excited and can't wait to show off a bump to the world!

Kate- Don't you just love that AF witch. When you don't want her she always shows up and then other times you are begging her to show. I went one cycle for over 60 days without AF and was desperate for her to turn up. I went to an acupunture guru for the first time on day 60+ who I see all the time now, and told him what was happening. No joke within 45 mins of my 1st appointment AF had arrived. Still amazes me now when I recall it. I was converted after that 1st appointment. I hope she shows up soon for you..I know how you feel just wanting to get everything started.

I am feeling a bit better today. Each day I know I am healing a little more. Emotionally starting to feel better too. We can't all have good days all the time..I know that.

Night All

Hugs Bel

bel: glad you feeling better!!
hi everyone else.
so slack today no personals
janet

Hey Ladies,
Just another quick one I am still in hospital I will prob be in till the weekend I am hoping and :pray: that I get home on the weekend .. They put a drain in me and drained 2 litres from my tummy yesterday i have put on 20kg's in 2 days from the OHSS as it fills your tummy with fluid I don't have to rely on oxygen today which is good I have drips the whole lot :(

As for HCG levels

Fri - 22
Sunday - 66
monday - 104

He said he was concerned that it didn't go up much on monday so hopefully the little monkey sticks and stays strong

Sorry no personals ladies I am just soo buggered atm

Much Love xx

missK: i hope you are able to come home on weekend too, but if you're unwell hospital is better place to be. wow lots of fluid.don't you mean Monkeys please stick because there is more than one?
good luck

Miss K...... I m actually at a loss for words.... What we do to ourselves.... I hope and pray that you are better soon and hope and pray that your levels increase and 'monkey/s' hold on :stickyvibesboy: :stickyvibesgirl: :stickyvibesboy: :stickyvibesgirl:

Miss K sweetie :hug: little bubba stick for mum please she is trying very heard for you :stickyvibesboy:

Well Dr Das saw 10 Follies today most at 18mm so we trigger tonight :cheer: Epu friday and day 3 transfer Monday

tiggerlinda... thrilled for you.... congrats.... smothering you with sticky vibes and baby dust

:stickyvibesgirl: :stickyvibesboy: :pink-babydust: :stickyvibesgirl: :stickyvibesboy: :pink-babydust: :stickyvibesboy: :stickyvibesgirl:

Miss K- I really hope you can come home from hospital soon and feel much better quickly...I hope the little one in there sticks there! :hug:

tiggerlinda- congrats! exciting, and good luck for EPU

bel- glad you are starting to feel better

janie...hope ET went well!

as for me...just had good news...one of our remaining two embryos has been frozen! yay. One little bubsicle waiting for us for down the track (praying we won't need it just yet, because the little one in me is going to stay there!)

Congrats Possums... thats great news... maybe bubsicle will be bubs little brother or sister :dance:

Possums great news about you bubsicle :cheer:

HI Everyone,

TL - That is great news :clap::dance: We will be in TWW together.

Possums, fantastic result about getting a frostie!

MissK :pray: for you and your little one. Hope you feel better soon.

AFM - We had a beautiful 6 cell embie transferred this morning :stickyvibesgirl::stickyvibesboy: Unfortunately we lost one embie in the thaw process, but this one transferred was only 4 cells when frozen and once thawed has continued to grow.

I have been beautifully taken care of today by my acupuncturist with both a pre-transfer and a post-transfer session. I am so pleased that I decided to take a day off this time. I really felt rushed the last time and did not want to feel like that again.

:stickyvibesgirl::pink-babydust: to everyone. Sorry if I have missed anyone, but feeling very tired... might go sleep now.

Janie xxx

Kate B i love your tiny farmer and his basket theory - very cute!

MissK you poor thing. 20kg and 2 ltrs... wow. OHSS is very scary. Hope you get better real soon and home by the weekend. I hope too that your little monkey holds on tight.

tiggerlinda 10 follies at 18mm is fantastic. I bet Friday cant come around quick enough for you?!

Possums thats great news that you get to freeze your embie. It will make it much easier for later on down the track when your trying for bub #2 ;)

I booked myself in for an initial consult with my local acupuncture place for 5.30pm tomorrow night. They have a whole lot of info on their site about how it helps IVF and PCOS, so im sure they have dealt with this all before. Cant wait to hear what they have to say.

Janie i just saw your post. Well done!! 6 cell embie thats fantastic! I hope it continues to grow lots and lots more and it sticks. Best of luck in your TWW :hug:

Janie :cheer: on embie on board hope all goes well our little bump will be growing soon I hope too with you in the TWW

Paula - AP is so so good I cannot say enough about it rest and relax and enjoy

HI All,
I am new to this thread so I'll give you all the rundown. Hubby & I tried the natural way for about 6 months but i never got a period at all in that time so seen doc who did what seems like thousands of tests, who then sent me to OB/GYN cause she couldnt find anything. OB/GYN put me on Provera for five days to induce period, then clomid 50mg (days 3-7) and then progesterone test at day 21. He was expecting a to see 25-30 on the results... Mine was 2.9. I didnt Ovulate at all.
Next round, same deal but 100mg of Clomid. Progesterone result 2.7....
So this round Im on 100mg clomid plus a day 12 injection of pregnol with a scan. Am on day 4 now so not long till the injection which Im a bit worried about.
Anyway, If anyone has advise for me that would be great, or even to see if anyone else has been through somthing similar. Its hard when you are new to this and dont really know if its going to work!
ICU21.

:welcome: ICU21 it is tough when it is all new but if you have any questions please just ask away

HI ladies, struggling to keep up with everyone but will do my best!

Possums - praying that little embie of yours is well snuggling in deep for the long haul. Little bubsicle will have to wait awhile!!

Bel - sending big hugs to you as I totally understand all that you are going through, I am constantly angry/frustrated at those who pop babies out like rabbits, yet cannot care for them or don't care enough to do so. Hoping you get your own baby to cherish and smother with love very soon

MissK - you poor darl. Hope things are on the improve soon and you get out of hosp. Stick, little bubba, stick!!

Paula - Hope you haven't got to many days of jabbing to go. I've got a nice little patchwork going from all the bruising/needle marks!

janie - great news re your embie transfer. sounds like its a good little one

Tiggerlinda - yipee at such great follie numbers. hope the next few days go quickly and smoothly

Angelbabies - hugs to you at this tough time. EDDs are so hard especially when you are not pg again. Praying this is your lucky cycle

ICU21 - welcome and hoping you are not in here long! I have similar issues with ovulation. Just never got preiod after coming off pill. I did a few rounds of clomid plus a monitored clomid/pregnyl cycle a few yrs ago. I did fall pg with the monitored cycle but sadly m/c that angel at 7 weeks. MOved to puregon/IUI after this as there was some concern re clomid's effect on my lining.
Anyway, don't be to worried re the pregnyl trigger. yes it hurts a little but it is all worth it if you get a bubba. The u/s monitoring is far better than doing it "blind" as at least you will know if you are developing follies on the clomid. If not, then no point in continuing on it. I must admit, although more expensive, I much prefer the puregon cycles - seems to be better response for me. But, plenty of people get great success with clomid so hoping you are one of them

Me -Well, back in the TWW for me. Had my IUI yesterday and judging by my aching ovaries, have certainly ovulated. Praying this is my time, not only to get pg again but to have a baby that makes it into the world alive and well. Man, I just can't stand this endless waiting! 2 weeks can be a very long time especially when you just do it over and over again!

Evening my friends,

Paula- I hope your initial acupuncture appointment went well. I hope you get as much out of it as I do.

ICU21- Welcome to our little group of TTC friends. You'll showered with great advice and support from everyone in here. I'm on IVF so can't really give you any specific advice on your treatment but hope I can be of some support to you.

MeredithD- Thanks so much for your kind words and understanding.I so so so hear you about the TWW. I hope for you though that the time flies and with a great outcome at the end and a happy 9 months to follow.

Janet- Hi there..how are you doing??

Miss K- Man what a time you have had. I really hope you are on the mend now and the draining of the fluid has helped your discomfort. I have everything crossed for you that your levels continue to rise beautifully and that this is your time. Look after yourself...sounds like you are in good hands.

TL- Hope your trigger went well....How exciting- EPU Friday. So happy for you having great numbers.

Possums- YAHOO!! Congrats on the frozen embie..You must be so happy with. How's the TWW going for you?? Are you keeping busy?

Janie- Congrats for the little one on board today. I hope your TWW is easy breezy and I too wish I was there with you.

So much happens here when you don't log in til late at night!!!

AFM am so so happy to report I actually got out of the house today. Ok, so it was to go to my GP but I did also manage to get some groceries too. Was just such an achievement for me to be out and about. Am not too comfortable tonight after my adventure but am sure I'll feel much better after a big sleep.

Am off to see my FS for a post op check up on Fri and to see what is happening with my next cycle.It's my 1st cycle with the new FS, have 4 embies frozen and I know he is going to thaw all of them. I just need him to control everything with my body though, as I never have a regular cycle and I need to fit everything in around my job and my time off. AF is 3 days late now but that is nothing unusual for me...she didn't visit for 63 days earlier in the year!!

NIght all and all the best for eveyone moving into the TWW

Hugs Bel

Meridith.... Aching Ovaries....goodness... sometimes it feels like you lot have a microphone or camera near my place..... I ve been walking around all day.... (just DH and I at home)... moaning... going.... OHHH MY OVARIES.... DH finds it highly amuzing like its part of a comedy routine... when in reality.. they been aching all bloody day.

Meredith - Tww Buddy :cheer: BFP and bubba for 9 mth journey just calling the stork for you now :)

Bel - Good luck with Planing

AB - Hopefully the pain is a good sign

Thankyou all for the comments re follie numbers I don't think I have allowed myself to get excited about it just not used to these numbers. Trigger was last night at 9 and tommorrow morn at 8am we will be booking in for EPU

hi all, i am doing fine. got acupuncture again today. should be good . then if af comes on time if nothing changes should be doing bubsicle transfer about 8 th Aug?.
sorry no personals, too much to do.
hi to all and lots of sticky vibes for those doing or done tfers.
good luck

Morning all, hope everyone is having a great day.

Janet - hope your acupuncture is relaxing today and AF arrives on time so that you can get into your FET.

TL - so exciting that you have EPU tomorrow. I will be :pray: tonight that you get lots of eggies that all fertilise.

Bel - good to hear that you are feeling somewhat better. GL with FS appointment tomorrow. My FET cycle was artificial due to my cycles being almost non-existant. Perhaps they could help control timing etc with artificial cycle???

MeredithD welcome back to the TWW. Lots of :stickyvibesgirl: for you.

:welcome: Icu21 - I started off on Clomid (3 cycles), and it did not work at all for me. Zero ovulation and I also did not feel like myself when I was on it. I then moved to Puergon/Pregnyl and this was successful in the fact that it made me ovulate really nicely, but unfortunately I did not get pregnant. So I am now on IVF/ICSI. You will get used to the injections, but to help with Pregnyl injection, take the vials out of the fridge about 5 minutes before you inject. Also, use a little ice to numb the injection site. GL with it all and ask all the questions that you can as someone in here will almost always have the answer :hug:

Paula my friend :hug: how did the acupuncture go last night? I am a total convert now. I was so well looked after yesterday both before and after my transfer. When is your first scan?

Possums, how are you feeling? Hope the TWW is not doing your head in too much :hug:

Hi AB, Miss K and anyone else I have missed.

AFM, well day after transfer and I feel nothing! It is bizarre doing a FET as you haven't gone through all that stimuation and the EPU etc before hand. When I did my stim cycle, I was still recovering from EPU when I had transfer and the Crinone was giving me all sorts of cramps etc. This time I am still on Progynova and Progeterone Pessaries, but they really aren't having any effect on me so far. I guess I should be thankful that I feel so normal, but I sort of wish that I felt something.

Janie xxx

Hi Janie...hope TWW going OK so far...have left a message for you in the other thread too

JBM - glad acupuncture went well... I love it too. Fingers crossed you can transfer in August

tiggerlinda...good luck for EPU! hope you get lots of nice eggs :)

Angel Babies...hope those ovaries don't ache too much. It can be painful I know, and quite relentless

Bel- good luck with the FS appointment. And thanks for the TWW encouragement...am hanging in there, with my emotions swinging around. Wish the 18th would hurry up!!

Meredith - good luck with the TWW! May there be joy at the end of it for both of us
hope you are feeling OK

icu21- welcome! this is a supportive place to be...good luck to you

Miss K- hope you are doing a bit better. hang in there :)

Hi All,
Thanks so much for all the replies. I feel a bit in the dark. As much support as DH gives, its just not the same as being able to talk to someone who has been through the same thing! Fingers crossed that the pregnol works.

Janie - Thanks, you have given me hope! If I know I can O then for me that seems half the battle accomplished! I have been pretty down lately and stressing about it. DH tells me stressing wont make it any easier, which i know but just cant help it. Fingers crossed for O!

MeridethD - Thanks for telling me that, I appreciate that would be a hard thing to talk about. I hope that the Pregnol also works for me.

Thanks to Possums and Bel for the welcome and Good luck wishes.

ICU21

Hi everyone,

Sorry for no personals but I'm really tired tonight. Went and visited a girlfriend who had her 1st son on Monday. I was so scared that I was going to walk into her hospital room and see him and cry. But I was so proud of myself for holding it together. I even had a big cuddle and he fell asleep in my arms. He was so gorgeous and seeing her and her little baby has given me even more strength to keep going on this TTC journey. Of course I wished it had have been me, but I just pray my turn is next.

I'm off to see my FS tomorrow and get things organised for my next cycle.

Hope everyone had a good day. Will chat tomorrow.

Hugs Bel

Hey Bel,

Well done you! It's really hard when others are having babies...I still love the babies, but I feel a broken heart and wish it was mine.

Well - I just did my first injection tonight - I was nervous and thought I would go to do it, then stop, go to do it, stop etc etc, but somehow I got the injection ready and put it in and away we go. I didn't even feel it. :dance:

I just want to say what a blessing you all are. The support and love shown in this forum is incredible - people can say people don't care for each other anymore, but they are wrong. There is a bond and love in human beings that is beyond words - and it can be seen right here.

Thinking of you all - as always! :pink-babydust:

Kate- You have summed up how I feel about the ladies here so much. I too would be lost without all this support. And well done to you on the needle. Best to just go for it...no hesitations!!

Night all

Hugs Bel

Bel and Kate big :hug: you are so sweet this is a caring place. Bel Good luck today

Me - We are off to egg pick up YAY :cheer::dance:

:goodluck::goodluck2: to TL for your EPU and Bel for your FS visit today. :pray: for both of you lovely ladies. TL we are eagerly awaiting your arrival in the TWW.

KateB - you brought a tear to my eye. I could not have said it any better myself. I truely do not know what I would have done, or how I could have coped with this journey without all my BB friends. I really do thank each and every one of you in my heart every day :hug:

Icu21 - I understand what you mean about just being able to O. For some of us it is just such a battle to be able to do that! I know how excited I was when the FS was able to get me to O. GL, I'll be :pray: that the pregnyl does the trick.

Hi to everyone else... lots of :pink-babydust::stickyvibesgirl: to you all.

Janie xxx

Hi girls

Hope everyone is doing well :)

Is anyone doing a FET at the moment? I am doing a HRT FET and would like to be cycle buddies if anyone else is doing one right now.

Sue xx

Hi Sues,

I am doing a HRT FET at the moment. Had my transfer on Wednesday, so am currently in the TWW. How far into the cycle are you?

Janie x

bel: yes your turn is next, prayers for that

kate: good job with injecting!
tl: hope all goes well for epu. thinking of you.

janie:how r you going?, hope tww is not driving you crazy

hi everyone else.

afm: had 2nd acupuncture yesterday and was great, i feel way more relaxed than usuall.
i really didn't believe all the info on acu and stress relief but i can say it is working for me!!!!
janet

Hi girls
Hope your all keeping well, just wanted to say hi yes i am still checking up on you :p
JBM: so glad your havin acupuncture it is wonderful and i believe it definately adds to the success rate. good luck and hope the boys are well.
TL: ooohhhhh good luck wit EPU today ill be thinkin of you and i hope one of those little eggies is the one Good luck :goodluck2:
Janie: good luck in the TWW i really hope this is the one
Bel: Big giant:hug: it is so hard when friends are having babies around you, i even said to DH the other nite that although i got my BFP i have 2 friends who are preg with their first and they fell so easily and have had no losses etc. and i am sooo jealous of them and their "innocence" to the whole process, hopefully it makes us appreciate them all the more. good luck, that BFP is coming your way soon.
Kate: i couldnt agree more with what you said i really dont think i would have got through it all without all these wonderful ladies.
To everyone else :grouphug: and loads of :bluedust::pink-babydust:

Hello to everyone,

tiggerlinda best of luck with EPU.

Janie, i had my first scan today and the nurses seem to be happy with how quickly and nicely i am progressing. There were 14 follies around the 11-13mm mark. Im a little worried it might be too many but they said until my blood results come in they cant be sure but think its ok. I also had my first acupuncture last night and walked away feeling very positive about it all. She shared lots of success stories of people in my situation and seemed to think that im too young to be doing IVF, she believes that with acupuncture alone she could get my cycles perfect and have me pregnant naturally. I cant say it was relaxing however as i was rather tense, not knowing what to expect but im sure it will be better next time. I am going back on Monday for second session. DH however wasnt too keen on the whole idea. He doesnt believe acupuncture. As far as he is concerned he said that its just needles in your body. He said it looked "dodgy" but im prepared to give it a go. I was also given some herbal meds to take for one week but im not going to. Im really worried it may interfere with my meds etc. Anyway, now im just waiting to hear back from the nurses and be back there on Monday also for another BT and scan. Hopefully ill have EPU next Wednesday or Friday.

Edit: Just had a call from nurses and was told that my E2 levels are at 4000... They said its way higher than they want so my dosage is being dropped to 150 and back on monday for scan. Im going to have to really really focus on my diet and water intake. Im a little scared now :-(

Hang in there Paula. I think they would have caught everything before it goes to overstimulation. 14 follies is a good number, but not excessive at this point. So if they have seen that your levels are too high and reduced your dosage, that will hopefully do the trick. I had 20 follies just prior to my EPU and I didn't overstimulate :hug:

GL for Monday... hey we might be in the TWW again together for a few days at least :clap::dance::cheer: How great is that!

With the acupuncture, my first session I wasn't as relaxed as my second. I am of the same view as you, I will try anything to get my BFP! Although, I have had past experience with the power of acupuncture. I used to be a professional dancer (not the naughty kind!) and I had chronic achilles tendonitis (swelling and restircted movement of the achilles tendon). I tried everything with physio and massage and nothing worked. As a last resort I tried acupuncture and hey presto... swelling went down and movement came back. It was amazing how effective it was and how quickly it worked. Also, my DH had asthma as a child - his mother took him to acupuncture (much to his dismay - he is needle phobic!) and his asthma went away and has never returned. I don't fully understand how it works, but I believe that it does.

Take care of yourself hun and drink lots of water.

Janie xxx

Hi Janie.........I'm starting progynova tomorrow, 3 times a day and for 2 and a bit weeks and transfer on the 29th. Oh wow, you've already had your transfer. :goodluck: and I'll :crossfingers: for you :) i'll be keeping an eye on your posts, are you on crinone or pressaries? and are you still taking estrogen tabs? sorry about the questions

Hi Sues, no probs about the questions - ask away!

I started on Progynova 2 tablets a day (4mg total) for 7 days. I had a scan which confirmed the Progynova had done nothing. So I then was on 3 tablets a day (6mg total) for another 5 days. Again a scan showed that it had very little effect on my lining. So dose was upped to 4 tablets a day (8 mg total) which I was on for 6 days before a scan showed that finally my lining was getting somewhere. That was on Monday. My FET was then booked for Wednesday. From the Monday night I started on 400mg of Progesterone Pessaries (no Crinone) and continued on the Progynova. So my current drug intake is 4 tablets of Progynova a day (total of 8 mg) and morning and night 400mg of Progeterone (total of 800mg).

You have to stay on both of these until you either get a negative BT result or a 12 weeks pregnant! So it is for the long haul.

Keep me up to date with how you are progressing. :pray: this is the one for you.

Janie xxx

Thanks Janie. I hope that they have got it in time and that by Monday it will be ok. I have drunk 2.5L of water so far and hoping to drink over 3L by the time i go to bed. Im staying in tonight as i have been going to the toilet soooo frequently its crazy! I also told DH to remind me and to make sure he sees me drinking lots and lots of water over the weekend. As for the acupuncture, i have heard lots and lots of stories too so thats why im prepared to give it a go. I have also decided that once i have my baby, i will be going there more frequently to help with my PCOS. They were so confident they can fix it which would be fantastic! And yes it would be wonderful to be in the TWW with you again :dance:. I hope you have a wonderful weekend :hug: and sending you lots and lots and lots of :pink-babydust: and :stickyvibesgirl:

Hey everyone!

Paula - don't worry about people saying that you're too young or too this or that for IVF - you need to trust your instincts and do what you think is right. Perhaps acupuncture would help you to get pregnant on it's own, but it might not too. I was told the same thing, but I decided that IVF was the way to go with acupuncture as a complementary to it.

One thing I've really found bizarre is how much more sure of my own thoughts/beliefs I have become. I struggled initially with views that IVF is unethical or against God's will etc - but it really made me think about my own view and I feel strong on that now. I don't feel I need to defend myself anymore. If challenged I can stand my ground firmly but without getting upset. I never used to be like that..!

Well sweeties - I'd better dash. My Mum-in-Law is in hospital with a knee reconstruction and my Dad-in-Law is staying with us and getting hungry! :)

Take care everyone,

Paula - Age has nothing to do with IVF sweet and I think they have got everything in time sweet :hug: I used to get you are young and all is ok comments but I changed FS and he is wonderful :)

Janie - Hope the TWW is going well sending you :stickyvibesboy:

Sues - :goodluck2: with your cycle

:hello: to everyone I am sure I have missed some one :lol:

We got 6 eggs today so hoping for excellent fertilisation rates and transfer is booked for Monday