Its been a while since I dropped in. Got a bit lazy after my BFP in early December.
Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and New Year and that you could let your hair down for a couple of days and forget about TTC - just for a little while
Jo - I was so sad to read your news. I hope that you are coping through the heartbreak and my thoughts are with you and especially your aunt & uncle. I too have been through this, losing my beloved brother (age 28) on Dec 12 '97, he was buried a week before Christmas. Not a day goes by where he's not in our hearts and belive me your time helps you cope with the loss, never be scared to take a moment to have a cry - its like paying repsect to their soul. Big hugs for you.
On a positive note - I am starting my next IVF cycle tomorrow. FS has had me on the contraceptive pill since just after my last IVF cycle - I think to give my body a rest. I have had a bit of spotting every few days which I'm sure is not supposed to happen - I assume the CP isnt strong enough. Anyway I am pretty sure that once I start the down Regulation that it will all stop. Cant check with the FS as he is on leave until the 22nd and the clinic wont interefere with his planned protocol.
Willow - Good luck on your 1st cycle. Hope you get a BFP 1st time. Fingers crossed for you.
Lara - Good luck with the PGD. AS much as it must be frustrating, you know in your heart its the right thing to do. I am very sorry to hear about Alana having CF. I watched a TV program last week that had a guest with CF, he was about 12 and the most vibrant, amazing and talented boy, so full of life. I am pretty sure that CF wont take him at 35 he was so determined. I wish the best for your lovely little DD.
Rainbow Girl - No doubt IVF can be a hard road and certainly draining. However, I remember being so excited once I was told I should be trying IVF, I felt at last that I was taking a positive step toward starting my family. Before that I felt truly useless and I knew that it just wasnt going to happen without help, I was just going through the motions.
Holly - Just wanted to wish you good luck. I thought it may be worth asking if you have registered for the Medicare safety net? you get a lot more back from Medicare after youve paid $1200 Out of pocket. It makes a big difference to your total Out of pocket, particularly if you have to have subsequent cycles in the same year. Maybe youve already done it but worth asking anyway.
Hello ladies
It looks like you have yet another new comer to this thread.
I am starting my provera tablets this week and will go on to the 3rd cycle of Pregnyl injection ( my ovaries refused to give in to Chlomid). We were considering IVF if this cycle is unsuccessful. I have been advised by my nurse at Monash that there will be some counselling involved prior to starting IVF. What does this involve?
I have also not menstruated for about 4 years now as I do not ovulate, yet I have been advised that I do not have PCOS, can they easily miss this on examinations
Just thought I would pop in and see how everyone is doing!
So, I had my surgery on Monday and everything went well!
I ended up having a lap, a d&c, a hysteroscopy, removal of adhesions and scar tissue, and a hsg!!!
Needless to say I'm a little tender, but all is good!!!
After 8 years of having blocked tubes where every other specialist has told me they were un fixable, he has managed to unblock my right side!!!
He said that its still quite damaged, but for now its unblocked and clear, so this may be my first chance since having Luke 8 yrs ago of conceiving without ART!!!!!!
He has told me not to get too excited though, as the tube is still really damaged, but a breath of hope is enough for me to have a little faith!!!
He has told us to see how we go for a little while (along with the help of my acupuncture and chinese herbs), but still wants me to have the consultation with the new IVF clinic to get their opinion as well.
The best news is that he was a little concerned there may have been damage to my uterus (because of our failure with implantation on all of our IVF cycles) but after looking he said that my uterus is in fantastic condition.... this is such a relief!!!
So, we'll just see where we go from here!
We have the consult for the new clinic on 25th of this month, so in the mean time I will just get better, take my herbs , have my acupuncture and enjoy bdancing for a little while!!!
I have to thank you all so much for thinking of me, this is such a great gift to have this thread full of supportive and understanding women!
I couldn't wait to get back on here and let everyone know how it went!!!
Welcome to all of you new ladies... it will feel like home for all of you in no time!
PS Just wanted to say thanks to Shaz for mentioning the medicare safetynet... thanks for thinking of me!
Yes, we have been registed since it began... we would have been stuck with out it!!
Thanks for mentioning it, though!!
Holly xxx
Loula, thanks so much for your reply. We've had two FET cycles cancelled now, so looks like it will be HRT for me. Did you find it made you put on weight at all? I know this sounds like a very superficial and shallow question, but I put on 4 KG in my first IVF cycle and that made the BFN news much harder to deal with!
Ltl Panda - I guess the counselling probably differs from clinic to clinic (we are at Sydney IVF). DH and I spent about 1.5 hours with the counsellor on our first visit to the clinic. The counsellor was really trying to make sure we understood that IVF can take a very long time, and also that we didn't have our hopes up too much for success on our first go. We failed on both counts, I think the counsellor thought we were incredibly naive (which we were!!). Other than that I didn't hear from her again until I got my BFN, then it was great to have a chat to her and know that the counselling service is there if needed.
Good luck! And thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome here. I wish I had found this site 6 months ago!
Hope you all had a great xmas and New Year - Darwin was great, had a great time except on the way back into Adelaide our plane got hit by lightening which was pretty scary! I've had some kind of virus thing since i've been back but i'm feeling alot better today and am now back at work. Not much happening here, waiting for our next FS appointment (3 weeks) to find out when our first IVF cycle will be, in the mean time continuing with acupuncture etc and just going with the flow!
Looks like there a few newbies joining us (and a few familiar faces) - welcome guys hope your stay here is a short one.
Must get back and do some work, will be back later for personals.
Thanks so much for the warm welcome and the support! I really do appreciate it! It makes this whole transition a *lot* less scary.
I've been having acupuncture for a while now - I've just returned from an appointment now, in fact, and I feel immensely better for it. She didn't even need to hit the spots she normally uses to calm me down (which always seem to hurt like hell!), but we did spend half an hour just talking over everything that was said yesterday. The fact that the acupuncturist I've grown to know and love and rely on heavily in all this agrees with the FS on all things except for the varicocele repair is comforting and makes getting my head around the whole thing much easier. We're taking a slightly longer term view with the varicocele repair... use the IVF+ICSI to get somewhere now, but long term the aim is for me to continue to work on the PCOS and insulin issues so that I will continue to become healthier not only through the IVF process and pregnancy, but we've got to look at this as a lifestyle change for the rest of my life... the hope is that with the varicocele fixed and me getting everything sorted out, that in the future we'll be in a better state to attempt natural conception once again.
Hollybolly, thanks so much for all that information - it does make me feel a whole lot better about my ability to cope with it all while working.
Dreambub, as much as the logical, sensible side of my brain could see the reasoning behind going back on the pill for a bit, the more emotive side of things was just screaming about it! This is the same one that I was taking before (I took a slightly higher dose for most of my 13 years on the pill, but the last few were on this lower dose one), and I did notice that once I went off it, my weight was so much harder to control, so I can certainly see the advantages of being on it during this time when we're trying to get everything sorted out to start. It's also a bit of a relief to give up the temping for a bit - it's second nature to me now to reach for the thermometer as soon as I wake up, so I will have to put it somewhere else so I actually stop... but I'm looking forward to just ignoring it for a while.
Boo... matey. I'm glad there's some familiarity here at least!
Looks like there are quite a few new girls in here which is good, we can all start out together.
Just thought I'd pop in to tell you i just did my first injection Was so easy and didn't hurt at all. I'm feeling a bit proud right now!
I've realised this week that having so many friends who've done IVF definately has it's down side. The things I've done this week to keep my big secret include:
* Wearing a cardigan in 40 degree Sydney heat to cover a massive bruise on my arm from my last bt so the girls wouldn't see it
* Lying to my friends (and MIL) about why I had to catch an earlier train to work
* Lying to my friends about missing the train because I had to smuggle home my big blue cooler bag containing my injections
* Trying to come up with a viable excuse to miss a dear friend's kitchen tea because I think that's the day of our transfer
So all in all, feeling like a bit of a scoundrel I know I am doing the right thing for me though. I don't need the whole world sitting around waiting for the outcome.
Holly - I'm glad your surgery went well. I had a very similar surgery in November - same problem (stoopid adhesions). My right side is all clear (FS reckons 5% chance per cycle of natural conception) but left side is NOT good. Damaged tube and ovary (had a large cyst removed from my left side in May 06 which is what has caused all the damage).
BW and I are old friends, we've been hanging out together in the clomid/met thread for a while (for too long really!) but now we're here and giving ourselves the best possible chance BW. Glad to have you along for the ride!
I'm sorry for not doing more personals, I think I need a bit more time to get to know everyone first.
I'd better go before I melt. Our PC is in the hottest room of the house and it's a scorcher here tonight.
Take care everyone.
Last edited by Willow; January 12th, 2007 at 06:53 PM.
: I blame the drugs...
More friendly faces! Willow, I'm glad the injections aren't as painful as I was imagining! I think it's still going to be a while before we start for real, though... I'm so sick of feeling hot, and feeling sick, I'm just glad there's a bit of a change expected through tonight. I think I want to go back to the strangely cool summer weather we were having.
Hi Ladies sorry its been a while - finally took a break from TTC and went on our holiday to Noosa!!YAY it was great and ive now come to realize that i can no longer put off any holiday just because we are ttc and i 'might' be pg and dont want to fly during this period, so Dh and I are planning our next trip we had wanted to go to NZ (always wanted to!) but i feel it is the right thing to do to go and see my family in uk as its been two years and im very close to my grandparents, and i havent seen them since they came over for our wedding which was lovely but i know it must have been a strane on them.
Any way enough of me going on. WELCOME to all our new guests and i say that because i hope yopu stay is short in here.
There are many emotions that i am feeling at the mo while i wait for my next cycle to begin. some days are really good and positive and others are no so, but i guess thats how its always been.
Rainbow girl - i too wanted to do a 'natural' cycle this time and was hoping that my cycle would be less than 30 days to do this but unfortunally this has not been and i am still waiting for af to arrive, so it looks like another dose of HRT for me, i really dont find it too bad and its only a month or so that im on it but i hope you have more luck than me.
Lara - i understand the need for you to be going through IVF and i know how hard it can be to care for a child with additional needs (i work in childcare and have a wide knoweldge and experience in this field)this yr alone i will be caring for two children under the age of 1 both with aditional needs and 1 still feed via tube, both beautiful children but i know the hard work envolved.
Willow - im sorry for the pain that you have been through already. i hope IVF can answer your dreams. b4 i found BB i wished i had one friend that i could talk to about IVF that could really understand(of course i didnt really want anyone i know to go through this though) so you are lucky to have your friends to bounce off of and that will understand your emotions and what you do want/not to hear.
Summer - its funny how time really does fly - ive been on IVF now for nearly four years, and i cant quite see where the time has gone!!i hope it is not much longer for all of us.xx
Megan - how are you honey what are you up too, can we be doing another cycle together?
Shaz how are you too honey, good luck with your cycle i hope im not too far behind you.
To all others warmest wishes to all and will chat again soon(although back at work friday)
Holly - just wanted to pop in and congrats you with your surgery. i too have a lot of surgery and my fs did not remove it as it was not in my uterus and that i would need a bowel prep as its all stuck together, but im hoping it will be the last surgery that i will need. very exciting that one of your tubes is giving you a glimmer of hope. good luck honey.xx
RG - I didnt put on much weight at all with the HRT but like you with my first IVF stim cycle i stacked it on and i believe this was due to my PCOS but i have been on Metformin on and off since i was 13yrs old!!and at the time of our first cycle i was off it, but since ive been taking it i have managed to keep my weight down i know its naughty but its my magic diet pill!!my PCOs is only low level but i still suffer with some of the effects of it.
Ltl Panda - sorry i missed your post!!i was very nervous for the councelling that we had but it was nothing to worry about although when we changed clinics we had to go through it again and i made good use of it and proberly didnt do the right thing but went full out and told DH what i was really feeling about a few things.lol he then did the same in return. i think the counceller was a little shocked we didnt hold back but she did help us work out a few stratiges to put into place, like getting a cleaner while doing treatment but a)we cant afford it and b)im too embarrased to let someone see the mess its already in.lol
Thanks Shaz! DH and I have discussed our decision long and hard and we know its the right thing to do. We were definitely convinced over christmas as Alana has been affected by the smoke from the fires and we ended up taking her to emergency christmas eve for a bad cough. I can tell you that CF is not taking my child at 35.
RG I am also amazed at what the can test for. All I can say is thank goodness they can test for it. Good luck with your next cycle.
Good Luck to everyone else. I hope that there are many BFP's in here for 2007!!
All I have to say is that you ladies really inspirational, each and every one of you is going through some tough things and you seem to stay pretty positive. The more I read on everyone’s post I get so motivated and look at things from a different perspective.
Iris – you are one tough mama.
In terms of weight gain, I have gained an approx 5kg while on the provera and Gonal f injections. I think most is due to water retentions as I can fluctuate a whole kg in one day.
What do they look for when they test you for POC’s ? I have been given the all clear, but why do I not ovulate, no one has an answer…..Im so frustrated
Thanks Ltl Panda! I have always tried to look at the positive side of things and not to dwell to long on the negatives, otherwise you can do your head in. Having a child with a serious illness can really put things into perpective.
Have they tested you for other things apart from PCO?
My sister in law (my brother's wife) has PCOS and they had been trying for a baby for about 7 years. She did the whole chlomid thing etc etc and then started IVF. It wasn't full stim cycle, but she still injected, not sure exactly. On their sixth try they got a BFP. They are now 13 weeks with twins! They had a scan today and they are doing great. Just thought you all would like to hear a positive story.
I guess im already feeling like I dont belong in here, you have all gone through so much and Im just starting out with all these tests.
Well we had our appointment and the GP was lovely. She gave us some options she could start some testing or give us a referral but there is a long waiting list for the FS. She did also tell us any tests she does will be repeated by the FS as thats their protocol. Decided on the spot to get something done now as she did point out that it could be just that small (I hope so). So yesterday she gave me an internal, found my cervix & prodded around! I had a swab & pap smear. Bloods to be done this week and an internal U/S next week. She wrote in the sheet- primary infertility, with "? polycystic ovaries" Also it got DH butt into gear and his results have all come. back fine.
Lt Panda - Good luck as you start on this crazy journey. Hope its a short stay.
Loula - Happy to hear from you again. Glad to hear youve taken a break and plan more. DH & I are big travellers and have managed to still take 6 OS trips whilst we have been on IVF (3ish yrs). Every time we plan a trip I think to myself "if I fall prganant and cant go - who cares! AT least I will have achieved my other dream of falling pregnant." (Just make sure your travel insurance covers it so you dont lost your money.)
Holly - Great to hear you got such positive outcome from your sugery. I hope that you have great success. I am also using herbs & acupuncture. Are you taking that relaly foul smelling medicine. It smells like someone mixed cigarette butts with fertiliser!! But I know its doing me good, in fact I always feel a bit heady (like I am tipsy) just after I take it. Also no worries on the Safety net - please to hear you were already under control.
Summer - Please dont feel out of place, you are most welcome here - and clearly you have a reason to be here in the first place, although I wish this wasnt the case - for all of us
On the weight gain thing - I am normally quite slim around 58 kg/172 cm, but I gain up to 5 kg every cycle, & its really obvious. In fact I am sure most people think I am already preg and just not saying. It usually falls off again when AF arrives, but perhaps not all of it. Of course like said from others its mostly fluid.
I am only day 2 of Lucrin (I cant use Synarel) and cant wait to get to the FSH injections, bringing me one step closer to my dream. Bring it on....
We've been TTC for just over a year, but only three months in we discovered that I have PCOS, and then a few months after that we discovered that my DH has his own share of problems with his SA showing a triple defect, which all stems from a varicocele. We saw a FS for the first time in December, and just had our second appointment today, and the news was not good. I had spectacularly bad results from the glucose tolerance test, and the hormone tests that were done are much worse than what showed originally in March. We'll be commencing IVF with ICSI shortly. Meanwhile, I have to go back on the pill (it was that or provera, which did not agree with me last time), and I just can't get my head to adjust to going back on the pill as the first step here - it seems really, really strange to be taking the pill when you want nothing more than to fall pregnant at last.
Iris, to answer your question, they did test me for PCO's. I had to do a blood test and ultrasound.
I have the same symptoms as someone with PCO but it has not been confirmed, can they miss this on tests.
butterfly_warrior - I too had a glucose test and my sugar level dropped really low, I also do not ovulate, are these the reasons that you were told you have PCO.
I also find that when I do the gonalF injections, I am able to control my weight better. I guess the hormones help.
Anyways, we all seem to be on the same road, I just hope it will be ashort one.
matey. I'm glad there's some familiarity here at least!
Was so easy and didn't hurt at all. I'm feeling a bit proud right now!
I know I am doing the right thing for me though. I don't need the whole world sitting around waiting for the outcome. 
Also no worries on the Safety net - please to hear you were already under control. 
I guess I finally need to join in here.
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