LT Trying to Conceive with IUI #4

[diamond]

Howdy Girls,

Happy New Year guys!!! I am back from my break and of course straight back into ttc. Im sorry for not being around too much, I didnt think I belonged here in the IUI thread anymore (and not yet and IVF thread so didnt feel I had a home anywhere. But after your comments OP I agree, I am confortable and happy in this thread and hope no one else minds.

Firstly, OP my deepest condolances re: your doggie. I have 2 furbabies who are my world and feel your heartbreak. I hope that time is healing your wounds. Congrats on reaching the 9 wks also!! You guys must be so excited. How is the morning sickness going?

Toby - welcome and good luck. I also have had to juggle who to tell etc, and basically kept it strictly to those who we needed support from, such as close friends and work collegues.

Hi WannbeaMum - congrats on the Bridesmaid job - I like your positive thinking also it is the best way to deal with all of this.

AFM - well I feel like I am in limboland. I posted a thread a few days ago, I have been on syranel since day 23 (starting IVF cycle), however I am currently Day 33, AF is 4-5 days late. I called my clinic who assured me that the syranel will NOT delay AF, in fact, bring it on. But they also assured me that I will definately get AF, it is probably delayed cause of stress at the impending IVF cycle. Well honestly, I am not and have not been stressed. Quite the opposite. Can anyone offer any weight to this argument?

[OriginalP]

Diamond,

It could just be that you had a late ovulation, which does happen when you come off FSH injections. You were doing back to back cycles with no break, so I think your body would be breathing a sigh of relief. So lets say you ovulated Day 20 of your cycle, AF will be due on day 34 - exactly 14 days after ovulation. Over the past six months of IUI treatment, the months where I didn't do FSH injections, I ovulated between day 18-20 (and conceived on Day 20!) so I think this is a pretty viable explaination.

AFM: I have not vomitted once. I've gagged a couple times though, which is pretty of putting. The metallic taste in my mouth has returned with a vengence, esp in the afternoons. I can't seem to get enough food to eat! I'm HUNGRY all the time and if I let it go on too long I get really nasty, then what I do eat doesn't touch the sides. Protein and complex carbs like mashed potatoes seem to be the only things that fill me up. I'm terrified of turning into an elephant, but there's nothing I can do - this baby wants me to eat.

Diamond I'm glad you're sticking around. We all want the pleasure of supporting you through to BFP! Me especially!

:-)
OP.

[WannabeMum]

Yeah I like OP's explaination too diamond. Delayed ovulation would explain late AF - do you know when you ovulated during this cycle? And welcome back! Hope you had a good break and are de-stressed.

Just wanted to pop in, but should go do some work

[diamond]

Hi Guys,

Yes - I have pondered that late O theory, and I believe I o'ed no later that day 17. This is late for me, I usually O between day 12-14. However that being said, I am only 2-3 days late now so not much to worry about. I am just so frustrated, I should have started the injections by now. I have my blood test at the clinic on Monday so i will hold out until then.

OP - sounds like a you are doing well, no spewies yet!! Try not to worry about putting on weight, just listen to your body and give you bub what he/she needs...

[Bengal]

OP ... It is the most amazing feeling how hungry such a little bub can make you feel. DH was only saying when I had a swimsuit on and I was complaining about my weight gain, I gained it from my first preg last year, when I ate, ate and ate some more during those wonderful days.... you just cant stop, I gained 10 kilo's ... so enjoy but be cautious about the weight gain, its sooo hard to get off...

I am suffering with an annoying headache - I can already feel the hormones slowly creeping in my system, I have to be carefull, they make me a bit cranky ...

OP - I read somewhere that a flare cycle straight after a natural cycle, runs the risk of a prog rise, which may affect implantation, ... does that meen anything ?

Hi to everyone - sorry for the lack of persies

[OriginalP]

WLAB - high progs are good because they thicken up the endometrium for a juicy implantation. So I would think that's good. You just need the hCG levels to go along with the prog.

:-)
OP.

PS - had only gained 1.7kgs by Dec 22, and hubby doesn't think I've gained any more yet. Not sure I share his opinion!

[Loula]

AFM - well I feel like I am in limboland. I posted a thread a few days ago, I have been on syranel since day 23 (starting IVF cycle), however I am currently Day 33, AF is 4-5 days late. I called my clinic who assured me that the syranel will NOT delay AF, in fact, bring it on. But they also assured me that I will definately get AF, it is probably delayed cause of stress at the impending IVF cycle. Well honestly, I am not and have not been stressed. Quite the opposite. Can anyone offer any weight to this argument?

sorry to crash your thread!

I once knew someone on here posted that they were about to start injections after af after syneral and af was late so did a HPT and got a BFP! might be worth giving it a go?

[diamond]

Hi Loula,

Thanks for your positive vibes

I know the obvious thing to do now would be to take a hpt - but after 3 years of bad experiences with them I have a deep aversion to them. I have a blood test on Monday so I will wait it out until then. Still no AF nor any sign of her showing up.....

[OriginalP]

OMG Diamond! How do you feel? Any cramping? Tired? You wouldn't be the first person to show up to their IVF cycle BFP. How brilliant would that be???

AFM - went to the naturopath yesterday and got a big talking to about food. She wasn't really happy about my low progesterone, so she's put me on herbs for a month to keep the progs up. Is anybody else here taking Vitex? She wants me on that too, but didn't give me any, and I'm wondering whether it's a liquid thing that might have gone into the herbs tonic?

She also gave me a bach flower remedy for grief over my darling doggie, so I'm really happy about that. I've worked hard to move on but every now and then I break down and cry. I just miss him so much. I guess all those overnight stays he had at boarding last year has trained us to get used to being without him.

Love to hear your feedback on Vitex if anyone's taking it.

Cheers,
OP.

[Bengal]

Diamond: Your a strong lady staying clear of the dredded poas's ...I hope you get some wonderful news on Monday....!!! How are you going with the Synarel, are you still sniffing? How do you do it for so long, I vomited last night when it ran down my throat, and I can't stop sneezing, I just rang FS to see if I can have a test to make sure its working, if not, I will have to waste the $100.00 and ask for the injections instead....

Babysteps: CD12 - how are you feeling ?

OP: Cant help with the Vitex my friend, open a thread, and you will get some good responses that way ??

Bella: How did your natro appt go ?

WBM: You heard any results on your GP's B/t ?

Toby: How did yout BT go on Monday

Shades: How r u goin ... waiting it out till Feb

[OriginalP]

I just read on a sticky that Vitex is linked to MC.

I put a call in to my naturopath and she said everything is contraindicated in Pregnancy, which we all know is true. However, she said she has treated thousands of patients with vitex, and specifically hundreds with low progesterone during pregnancy, and has definitely averted miscarriage, not caused it. She said the reason why it's so good is because it has an almost immediate impact on hormone production (danged if I can understand why the IVF doctors don't recognise this and use it in treatment) in women who are deficient.

She also said it is in liquid form in my herbal tonic. So there you go - my advice to anyone else using Vitex is use it strictly under supervision, as it seems to be a pretty powerful herbal remedy, and not to be messed with.

OP.

[WannabeMum]

Hey all, I found this info regarding vitex/chaste tree online:

YourHealth Australia - Integrative Medicine - Conventional, Natural, Alternative
Vitex does not contain hormones itself, however it has a unique ability to affect the regulation of human hormones via actions upon the pituitary gland. It has been shown to regulate the production and release of luteinizing hormone and prolactin in particular, which in turn affects ovarian follicle function and increases progesterone production. Vitex is perhaps the most widely used herb for female reproductive problems.
Conditions Commonly Used For
PMS
Irregular menstrual cycles, amenorrhoea
Acne
Heavy periods
Fibrocystic breast disease, lumpy breasts
Infertility
Progesterone deficiency
Peri-menopause
Elevated prolactin levels
Numerous female reproductive complaints, according to diagnosis

Side effects of using vitex are rare. Minor gastrointestinal upset and a mild skin rash with itching have been reported in less than 2% of the women monitored while taking vitex.
Vitex is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding and should not be used at the same time as hormone therapy (eg. HRT, Oral Contraceptive Pill)

[WannabeMum]

After posting all that - I am on chaste tree (vitex) in capsular form. It's one of the things the naturopath put me on and it's really helped me out. Considering I was 3 months without a period, it's helped me normalise my cycle. She did say it was safe for use in pregnancy (so if I get pregnant and we don't know for a few weeks it's ok) but I think I was coming off it when I knew I was pregnant. There's one thing I'm on that she wanted me to stay on for the first 12 weeks but I'm not sure which one it was!

I would have thought that if it acts on ovarian follicular function to increase progesterone levels then that's not necessarily something you would want to do during pregnancy. In a quick google search every reference except a message board on natural pregnancy.com said to come off it in pregnancy.

Thanks for asking WLAB, but I'm off to have bloods on Sunday. Should have results Tuesday evening when I see the dr. Not too fussed as am watching all of my cycle signals (CM BBT etc) instead of the bloods this cycle.

So diamond, bloods on Monday then? Hope AF stays away and Loula's thinking is right! fingers crossed for you!

WLAB - no good about your reaction to syneral. Hopefully you can get used to it or there's a better option for you.

I'd better dash again - one day I wont be in a hurry to run off! Away for the weekend after a busy working day today so will be a nice break.

Take care all!

[WannabeMum]

Oops, I forgot - when I go back to IUI I will come off everything the naturopath put me on because they can interact with each other.

[bella55]

Good morning everyone,

Well i had my naturopath appt yest and she was fantastic!!! I to have started on Vitex, a multivitamin, liquid herbs and a glucobalance tab - all to help with my hormonal imbalance and insuline tolerance, also got a strong talking to about my eating and at times with shift work lack of it!.

I have got a FS appt Mon and think we will be moving onto IVF? Well that will be the disscussion anyway. The naturopth believes i will be balanced in about 4 months but agrees that's a long time to put off any IUI or IVF cycles. If i stay with my current FS i will be under monash IVF but if seek a second opinion from recommended person the i will be under MIVF - just wondering and i kow every clinic and cycle is slightly different but how much "out-of-pocket" roughly will we be 1000, 10000???? We have priv health cover but not top and i'm not covered for IVF but prob would be for hospital stay? I know it's hard to answer but any clue would be nice.

Diamond - hope AF stays away and you get a wonderful suprise!!!

Toby - GL for today let us know how you go.

Hello to all my friends sorry for no more personnals i have to get ready for work.

xxBella

[OriginalP]

Bella,

You need about six grand to get in the door for IVF - they charge you for everything up front. Check our old thread - I wrote out a comprehensive list of costs for Diamond last year. They don't give you the proper receipts for Medicare until the first transfer is complete, so you'll be out of pocket for about 4-6 weeks. When you get everything back, you'll still be short about two to three grand. BUT at the end of hte financial year, you get a statement from Medicare showing your total out of pockets, and if it's more than $1500, which it will be, you can claim an additional tax deduction of 20% on any amount above the $1500.

Cheers,
OP.

[diamond]

Your not going to believe this (you probably will OP) but I called my clinic again re: delayed AF on syranel, and the nurse told me that yes, sometimes syranel can delay AF!! This is completely opposite info to what I was told a couple of days ago!!! Grrr.......They couldnt say how long for, but it sounds like this could be whats going on with me. Of course, Im quietly praying for a miracle but dont feel so optimistic right now. They have booked me in for a preg test on Monday so time will tell I guess.

Op - sorry I can not add an info about vitex. In regards to how ive been feeling, slightly crampy/dull pains, a bit off colour in general and indigestion has returned. Of course, this could be nothing though....

WLAB - yes, the syranel is horrible!! Surely there must be a better way to deliver the medication into our system. It also makes me sneeze and want to blow my nose. You poor thing throwing up!!! Maybe try to disguise the taste with a lollipop or something....

Hi to everyone else!!!!

[OriginalP]

Here's a recap of the details on IVF costs I published in our old thread:

If you are considering IVF in the future, corrale your finances now. You need $5,500 just to get in the door. And then you need $1,100 for every transfer after that. You do get up to 80% back from Medicare but it takes time. For example, if your treatment started on Oct 1, you pay $3,800 immediately (inc ICSI). You'd then do your surgery - another $1,500, much of which ISN'T refunded by Medicare, then if all goes well, your first transfer is included (although you pay $100 for day surgery which is a total crock if you ask me because it's no more complicated than a pap smear). IVFA will only give you the final invoice at the END of your cycle (ie approx Oct 28) and then you can go to Medicare. Oh - and surprise blastocyst development will cost a further $600. We had this too. And you also pay something like $250 for 6mths embryo storage.

If, like us, you couldn't do your transfer straight away, you may end up waiting an additional two weeks, plus the two weeks wait - so it would be 8wks before you get a cent back. By then, if you need another round, you need $1,100 to get in the door. Plus, you'll pay $90 to have the specialist tell you the treatment didn't work, and another $32 if your husband sits in the chair next to you!

Cheers,
OP.

PS - Total cost of this baby I'm carrying is approximately $30,000 (three years TTC)