LT TTC & Assisted Conception Jan-Feb 2010

[juniper76]

have you done the same protocol every time e.g Antagonist or Down reg or have you tried both?
what is this??? but i have written it down to ask my FS today , and BIG THANKYOU all for your kind words, fingers are crossed for all of you girls too!!!!

Have you used the same drugs in the same way each time?

For the long down reg protocol you start Synarel or Lucrin at 7dpo (or CD21) in the cycle before your IVF cycle and continue it until EPU (egg pickup). You may or may not have used BCP earlier that cycle. You start FSH (puregon or gonal-f) injections early in the IVF cycle and continue that until EPU too.

For an antagonist protocol, you don't start any drugs in the cycle before the IVF cycle. When your IVF cycle starts (with AF) you start FSH injections around CD1-4 and when the follicles reach a certain size you start the antagonist (eg Orgalutran) to prevent you ovulating before EPU.

In both cases you'd have a trigger (hcg - eg Ovidrel or Pregnyl) shot ~36 hours before EPU, then EPU, then transfer and then start progesterone (you might start progesterone between EPU and transfer for some clinics). You may also have hcg booster shots during the 2ww.

There's also another protocol (flare protocol) which has you starting Lucrin at the same time you start FSH injections.

So, essentially, the difference between all the protocols is the method of suppression (Synarel vs Lucrin vs Orgalutran) to prevent you ovulating before your EPU.

Lairdoz, I've done pregnyl booster shots (lower dose than for trigger) during the 2ww for two of my IVF cycles. My understanding is that our bodies metabolise hcg to produce progesterone and so it helps that way. I think there might also be a theory that it makes the body more receptive to an implanting embryo by making it think it's already pg (affects the uterine lining somehow). It's fairly common, I just don't understand why they do it that well.

[trubabe]

hi ladies, i would like your advice.when i see gynae on monday to try organizing laparoscopy i was going to see if there were any other tests that could be run since the twenty or so that have already been done have all been normal.so was wondering what other tests i could ask to be run? (probably not so common tests since they have all been done) i was thinking of asking for NK cell test/antibody test but thats all i've thought of.

Oh and heres a laugh. saw my mum last week and took up her -mp3 player, perand toiletries for hospital (though most were ordered before we found out about her cancer) any way talking to her yesterday she pointed out that one thing i took up she wont need in hospital-a really pretty smelling 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner.she started losing her hair last thursday.talk about blonde, i didnt even register the fact it was shampoo and mum would have no hair when i gave it to her.so been getting teased by mum and my DP since then lol

[*beannaithe*]

Emerald Star - woohoo for your little embies, awesome news!! And yay for being a RAK recipient, that is so neat!!
Trubabe - hoping that your mum is doing ok. Having watched my own Dad go through cancer, I really feel for you, its a horrible time for you mum and all of you too so a huge hug to you. Sorry, I am still a bit ignorant as to what testing should be done so can't help with that question but hope you can get a few answers
Miss K/Loops - hoping your scans went well today and there are lots of nice juicy follicles doing their thing
Littlegem - welcome and heres hoping that this upcoming round is much more successful for you
Danyelle - Buserelin is the NZ equivalent of Lucrin or Synarel, think that is what you Oz girls use? The worst part I found for the buserilin was the hot flushes and so so so tired. I'm only having half the dose now so starting to feel a bit more human
Me - well I had my scan today and had no idea what to expect. Well. I sure as heck didn't expect the 20 follicles that were there. Luckily my E2 is still relatively low but we go for another BT and scan on Sunday as the clinic is talking about the possibility of cancellation which I would be absolutely gutted about. Quick question, I know that it will be different for everyone but how much does E2 tend to rise right before trigger? I REALLY don't want this cycle cancelled and have been having wee stresses about it. At least I know I wasn't being completely sooky about my sore wee tum

[Loops12]

Hi ladies
Another quick one as I wanna go and relax on the couch.

Emerald ~ yep my scan today was my 1st and final one for this cycle. Just heard from the nurse about 5mins ago and EPU will be on Tuesday (luckily not my 30th bday which is Sun lol). Your little embies sound great - GL for the transfer.

Trubabe ~ Glad you were able to have a smile and share a laugh with your mum. The best way to be. Big hugs hun and thinking of you.

Melissal ~ glad you're scan was ok and I will have everything crossed for you that your EPU doesn't get cancelled.

Littlegem ~ Sorry the IVF road has been a difficult one for you. My dosages have been increased as I didnt get many eggs last time and none to freeze but going by my scan today doesnt look like the increase has helped that much.

Hi all - hope you're going well, Im looking forward to some BFP's very soon. xo

AFM - Ultrasound was today. There were 11 follies in total but only got sizes for 9 of them - so obviously the others might not get big enough. The nurse said 7 were growing so not sure exactly what all that means but I think there might be a maybe 1 or 2 more than last time - hopefully anyway.
EPU will be Tuesday, FX I get plenty so that this time I might get some to freeze as well as 1 to transfer.

[sunshine 11]

wishingbaby/juniper76 - Thanks for the info on Pregnyl, just didn't know if it was a trigger shot why you would take after transfer but that makes sense. Thanks also Juniper76 for the info on the different IVF cycles - when I had mine I was surprised I could start so quickly as I thought everyone had 6-8 week cycles in IVF.

Trubabe - I had a friend who went through chemo and she still washed her head - she says it smelt nice with the shampoo so it won't go to waste! Can't help with the tests info, I think if I were in your position I would be asking the FS if there are any other tests and put the onus on him/her.

Emerald Star - Hope your embies are still doing well

Loops12 - great news on your follies - it's hard to interpret some of what the medical staff say sometimes, little do they know we are hanging off every word to hear some good news!

MelissaI - I hope all goes well for Sunday, can you still do an EPU even if you can't transfer this month? I know that cancellation is worse sometimes that a BFN so I'll have my fingers crossed for you

Hi to everyone else

AFM - Just caught up with one of my best friends for lunch and guess what - she's pregnant! That makes three people in total close to me now pregnant, each one telling me just before my transfer or BT dates for the last three cycles. Surely I deserve to have an IVF cycle where I don't have to get excited for someone else getting pregnant by seemingly only having to high-five their partner!

[Loops12]

Lairdoz ~ thanks you!! You are so right lol they just dont understand.
Thats hard when people all around are getting pregnant - Im in the same boat.
All the best on Tuesday for your transfer!! GL and FX

[Emerald Star]

Loops12 - GL with EPU on Tuesday!! Hope you get lots of eggs and plenty of embies to freeze. I am always in the same boat too...i never have any to freeze!!

AFM - ET tomorrow..yay!!.. we are transferring 2 A grade blasts.. and the other 2, they will let me know tomorrow what will happen with those...i'll keep you all posted!

[bj*81]

trubabe - So nice to hear that your mum is keeping positive and you can still all have a laugh during this tough time. My thoughts are with you all. Sorry I can't help with the tests either but I agree with Lairdoz, tell your FS that you want it all!

Melissal - I always have problems with my E2 as well. In my experience I had 4 days between my test and EPU and it obviously didn't rise much at all seeing as E2 level suggested 1 egg and that's all I got, even though I had 17 follicles about 10 of which were good size. I know that its hard but you don't want to get to EPU and end up with nothing which happened to me on my 1st ever cycle. Looking back I wish that they had canceled that cycle, that way I would have avoided all that pain and not lost that money. But I do hope that it decides to rise up for you and everything can go ahead.

Loops - for Tues and have a great day on Sunday. See you in the 2ww for a day at least!

Lairdoz - It's so hard isn't it....trying to put that high I'm so happy for you voice on when you just want to scream! But time to focus on you now....GL & FX for tuesday

Emerald - All the best for tomorrow, you tell those little embies to stick and stick good!! See you in the 2ww.

littlegem - I'm sorry that you have had such a rough trot honey. I respond unpredictably as well, they switched me from Puregon 100IU to Gonal F 112.5IU (wanting to up my dosage but not too much) and I got a much worse result. I thought they were meant to be the same but I obviously responded to Puregon better. It sounds like the more they upped your dose they better the results have been though so just make sure you ask your FS everything and get ALL the options. All the best. I hope that you get some answers and some great results soon. I'll be watching out for you xxx

Hi to everyone I've missed. I think I've rattled on enough Trying to keep myself busy....5 days to go! But I just wanted to ask a question....has anyone had AF delayed by Crinone? I had it on my 1st cycle but only 1 a day and AF came before BT. This time I am on 2 a day plus it has been a shorter cycle?? Would love to know what you think. Stay strong girls xxx

[murraycod]

Bj, Crinone perraries held off my AF I had 1 pessary per night. It didn't hold the AF cramping off though!! Took 3 days for AF to show after ny last dose.
Dunno what I would prefer, prob AF before my BT!! You are past the half way mark honey!! Stay strong and positive X

Emerald star good luck tomorrow I will be thinking of you!! 2 balsties WoW!!! Will be sending StickyVibes your way XX Have a lovely day!
Congrats on your RAK!

Loops good luck for the upcomming EPU!!

Lairdos IKWYM XXX Are your FET blasties?? Just wondering, I have a thaw comming up in March and am a little nervouse about the whole 50/50 survival rate with the thaw process.
Wow reading your sig you have had a hard long road, you are such a strong woman to get where you are now

Melissal your poor tummy X I hope that all works out for the very best and you have a successfull EPU XX

Trubabe am glad to read that your mum has been in good spirits!! I'm not sure about other tests that can be suggested for you, but I hope you get some answers as to what is happening. It is frustrating always getting a 'normal' result with tests, atleast if we know whats wrong we can attempt to fix it!
I asked my FS on Wed about implantation problems and he said that he would not think of testing for that untill I had gone through atleast 3 unsuccessful IVF cycles, I hope it doesnt have to get to that though. He did say it was jut a small biopsy of the endometriun lining that they can do at ET stage and it can be done 'in the chair' so to say, no operations or general anasthetics.

littlegem I do hope you have more luck this time, i'm still only new to IVF im not very much in the 'know' yet about different cycles and meds. But good luck and keep us posted on how you go. Is great you decided to join in, there are so many supportive friendly girls here that will make you feel very welcome. Nice to meet you XX

Wishingbaby 1 week down!! Sending you babydust and loads of sticky vibes darling XXXXX I hope the days leading up to the 16th go quickly for you!! Good Luck X

Moonflower if you are lurking away, I hope your time away with DH was refreshing and full of happy moments XXX

Sharee, Danyelle, juniper, Tammara, MissK, Terry and Ric, Huggs to you all XXXXX

Sorry I have beed MIA for a week, am in a much better head space now after the stress of last month!!! The hardest part of the whole cycle, was going back to work after 3wks off, and not being PG. But after a couple of days I got back into a normal routine and am looking forward untill March. Have enjoyed a few wines and late nights, let my hair down and still getting spoilt by DH!!!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, take care, and good luck to everyone having EPU's, ET's and BT's!!!!!!

[littlegem_98]

Good morning ladies...
Well we went to our FS yesterday armed with half a sheet of questions for this poor Dr, and id love to share the out come with you all , so here goes...
im doing the same treatment as last time , which the my Dr referred as a " short cycle "
i will be on 300 uls of Gonal F at the same time taking 10uls of Lurcin this will be over a course of 15 or so days then EP .i found out all about Antagonist, and was told that we probably wouldn't benefit from it as the last cycle went really well , He said that isn't really anything to help increase egg amounts, because of my age, but the last egg was very healthy ( thats something! at least ). i did ask that if were lucky enough to get 3 little eggies and fertized would he transfer all 3 back... We got a defiant NO lol , thought id try our luck any way... I will also be taking Cordiospirin 100mg aspirin from EPU,so in the meantime , hopefully Af will arrive when she's due within two weeks and that we get a place in WFC.

[Emerald Star]

Littlegem_98 - I have done 3x Antagonist cycles and my current one was a Down Reg cycle...Juniper76, summed it up pretty nicely, and prepared you well for Q's with your FS! GL with everything.

Melissal - Thanks for your kind words...but i have no idea about E2 levels or most of anything else really..as i just take everything they say on face value and i don't really ask lots of questions until i hear about something on BB....keep positive as my nurses were asking me if i wanted to cancel this cycle as it didn't look like i had any decent follicles and the two that were there could possibly have been tooo mature and that at EPU i could possibly have had nothing to pick up...but i went anyway and we got 7 and today i had ET with two A grade blasts!! so you never know!

Bj*81 - i"ve always been on 2 a day with the crinone and it has only delayed AF for me twice....once with the chemical pregnancy and the 2nd cycle it was 4 days late third cycle AF came spot on...maybe its different with everyone. ALSO...have you POAS'd YET!!

murrycod - nice to see you back! (not under these circumstances, but you know what i mean) sometimes you just need that time away from everything TTC...even though the support here is phenomenal it can still sometimes send you in a spin...good for you for taking time out and gathering your mental strength...

To all you girls that i have missed...GL with wherever you are in your cycles...

AFM - Transferred 2x beautiful blasts and NOW we wait.. as you know i am a serial POASer and i will have my first peek Next THURSDAY...hope its not tooo early!!


2WW'ers AWAITING BT RESULTS
bj*81 - 10th February
sharee - 11th February
danyelle - 15th February
wishingbaby - 15th February
emerald star - 16th February
lairdoz - 20th February

The Hall Of Fame for 2010:
January - NIL
February - ???

[Emerald Star]

murrycod - just noticed that you got RAK'd tooo!!!....Congrats Babe!!!

[bj*81]

Emerald - no I haven't POAS yet! I'm terrified! I so want to but it has always been a jinx for me....guarantee I POAS and AF will come. Do u think it's too soon for a BFP?

[Emerald Star]

Bj*81 - you are asking the wrong person I did mention that i am a serial POASer so it is never tooo early to start ....did you do a 2 / 3 day transfer or day 5?? Either way there is only 5 days left until BT and some pregnancy tests say you can test up to 7 days before your missed period! I think some girls are gonna be mad at me for coaxing you into POASING!! Let me know what you decide!!

[Loops12]

Bj ~ Thanks! Hopefully chat to you for a day maybe in TWW then - but I hope you get a BFP! So I truly hope I will be congratulating you on that day. All the best, FX!
Oops just realised your BT is the 10th, that is day after my EPU not Transfer, so we wont actually be in TWW together but I will chat to you somewhere anyway, GL hun.

Emerald ~ thanks hun and all the best in TWW, hope you dont go too crazy. Will have FX and TX that you get twins or at least 1, I have a good feeling about this go!! xoxo

Murraycod ~ thanks heaps! Im glad you have been able to let your hair down a bit with some wines etc. March will come around pretty quick - look how fast the yr has gone already. xo

Hi all hope you're all hanging in there. FX for some BFP's real soon. Hugs

[Emerald Star]

Loops12 - hon!! from your lips to Gods ears!! Thankyou for your bestest wishes for me.
GL again for your EPU Tuesday..Hope this is our month!!

[JBM]

just sending you ladies some good luck..
for egg collections, embie tfers, etc, etc.

good luck to those women suffering during the TWW. the dreaded POAS cycles we go thru, testing like crazy.

we all need some good luck sometimes.

[juniper76]

BJ, when I used 2xcrinone/day AF showed up before the beta, when I used 2xcrinone/day + 2xpregnyl booster shots I had spotting even earlier but AF didn't show up until beta day (due to 2nd booster shot if you ask me), when I used 3xcrinone/day + 3xpregnyl booster shots I didn't get AF until a couple of days after stopping. Does that help? Everyone seems to respond differently.

littlegem, that sounds like the flare protocol to me. I want to try that one next!