Questions regarding your treatment

Thank you for the advice!! I've got a bit more information now, but I guess I'll wait until I see the FS and see what she says (which is what these appointments are for, right? :redface:)
If this IUI doesn't work, a break will be nice, so I'll just wait until our appointment, and I'm sure work will be fine if I change my holidays at the last minute. They know what I'm doing, so they know to expect days off etc at short notice.
Briggsy'sgirl - Thanks heaps, I'm hoping I won't need to think about IVF either, but I hate not knowing what could happen, and not being able to plan ahead.

Hi Alloy
Just wondering what clinic your at. im at fertility north and i know they generally will try 3 to 4 IUI cycles before moving to IVF unless they find something wrong with you or DH, also they prefer to do a laproscopy after a few failed IUI's to see if there is anything to explain your situation. Have you had one of those and an HSG, id want those tests done before you move to IVF which is alot more full on and evasive. It sounds awful but i found my 3 IUI cycles very good preparation for IVF, or i think i would not be handling it so well. Good luck!

Hi Scooby,

I'm at Fertility North too (we've most likely sat in the waiting room together :)), through Dr Norman.
We tried 2 cycles of Clomid/Pregnyl, and then moved on to IUI. Dr Norman gave us authority to try for 2 cycles, and then we have to go back to see her, so I've just assumed that IVF will be the next cycle. Maybe she'll send us back for a few more IUI's, I'll have to wait and see I guess.
They haven't found anything wrong with DH or I (unexplained) and I had a HSG back in August when we started seeing Dr Norman. She hasn't mentioned a Laproscopy, whats that? Maybe that's what will be the next step from this next appointment.

Hi Alloy
Im with Jay Natalwala, and yes we probably have :D. Laproscopy is a day surgery were they use keyhole techniques, so they go in just below your belly button and just above your bikini line and have a look around and if there is anything there sometimes they can take it away. It is good for diagnosing endometriosis, fibroids etc. I believe Margot is lovely i have heard great things about her so im sure she will do the right thing by you. My SIL had one IUI cycle then a laproscopy to have some endo taken away and fell pregnant with the very next IUI so it can be very successful. Good Luck

Margo is lovely!
It looks like we'll be going to our appointment on 10/6, I've started spotting today at 13dpo which is the same as my past 3 medicated cycles. AF will show up Sunday night most likely.

Thanks for the info Scooby, I now know what to ask Margo about at our appt, so that's been really helpful.

I have a queation re. pregnyl. I has first FS appt this week and he had suggested IVF/ICSI, in the meantime he thinks we should keep TTC using the clomid but he has added in pregnyl in the LP (as it is short and I have low progesterone). He said I could just write my own script for it (I am a doctor) and I am sure he told me it was SC. The next day I saw my O+G for a clomid scan and he wrote the script for me. He has written IM !. The medical literature seems to say it can be given either way and the bioavailability is the same. How have other people used it ? Thanks

Most IVF clinics administer pregnyl as SC. IM is far more painful, and I think a bit more difficult to do. SC is completely fine.

BW

Thank you so much BW. Thats what I thought was the case but was hesitant. Am much happier with that as I think I can manage to do my own sc injections but not sure how i would go with IM and my partner would probably freak!

How long after last pregnyl injection is it safe to do HPT? My last pregnyl injection (1500 IU) will be on sat and FF says to test on mon but I am worried the pregnyl will give a false positive.

Hi DrGirl,

I was told by my clinic that a HPT shouldn't be done after a pregnyl injection as it could give a false positive. I was told a blood test was the only way to confirm a pg after using pregnyl in that cycle. Good luck!

Hi DrGirl,

I was told by my FS that it takes around 7 days for 1500iu to be out of your system.

Hope that helps.

Janie

Thanks, guess i will have to learn more patience then!

hey everyone, i posted in my blog but thought i'd ask the question here as this is actually the place for questions???
anyway after a failed cycle /early mc i will be doing a froz transfer in july. anyway i've heard that acupuncture can help with implantation and hel bub to stick as well. also huge stress release which is always good for bub too.
anyway i don't know anything about acupuncture, where to go, or anything . i had look in yellow pages and sent email to local guy who says acupuncture for fertility, waiting to hear back from him.
i want to do everything i can to get that BFP and keep it!
does anyone know much about acupuncture?

janet

I don't know a great deal about acupuncture itself, but I have been having acupuncture treatments for about two years now to assist with fertility treatment. It has helped amazingly with stress, and I do believe it has helped with getting embryos to implant (staying implanted is another thing, though!) - from 5 transfers I've had 4 pregnancies, two very early miscarriages, one later and hopefully one VERY sticky pregnancy now...

BW

It would be great if someone can share a good contact for aucpuncture in Sydney area. I know one in Surry Hills (Lily Liu) but its just too hard for me to get to...almost impossible to do it everyday...but hear a lot of good things about how it can help with fertilitye esp during o time or before and after transfer...

So if anyone know some good contacts, I'd love to get into this...I plan to do my FET in August...:D

Is Rozelle/Balmain any better, BeiBei?

BW

Yes, I am in Gladesville, so Rozelle or Balmain will be terrific, only a suburb away...let me know, thanks hun...(quietly following your every step along the way, so happy for you..)

thanks guys for all your info on acupuncture, now i just need to book in.
thanks again
janet

BeiBei, sent you a PM yesterday... but my computer errored when I hit send. It's sitting in my sent mail folder, but I just want to be sure that it did actually send...

BW

Yes, you did sent, I actually PMed you back, by the sound of it, your computer ate that too...

1st consultation is booked in 20th June :dance: and I am surprised I had a bit luck to get in so early....so thank you BW...let's see what this brings me...I am kind of excited about it, I tried it a year ago, always love the feeling after acupuncture, the body is so relaxed, equally exciting as facial for me...:)

Hi ladies, didn't know if this is where I should ask but here goes.
I'm currently in the early stages of my first IVF Short Cycle.
Today is day 7, however day 6 of Peregon Injections.
I started the orgalutran last night, and this afternoon I have passed some clear CM and don't know if that is bad.
I tried to ring the clinic however they close at lunch time. Will try them again in the morning...
Oh yeah also had my first bloods yestersday which was at 1559, which they said was good and have another blood test and Scan on Monday.
If any of you ladies pop in did any of you experience this during your IVF cycle..thanks in advance :hug:

Nicole, it sounds like you passed some EWCM - which is just a sign of the increased estrogen levels, which means your body is doing what it's meant to. Your first E2 levels are great, everything is going fine.

BW

Hi Nicole
I freaked out too and was asking the same questions as i had EWCM and was so scared theyd miss ovulation. But it is a response to high estrogen levels like BW said so its a good sign!!! Good luck with your cycle.

Thanks BW & Scooby :hug:
I asked the nurse this morning and they confirmed what you both had mentioned.
My E2 has reached 4807, more than double the one I had on Friday!!

Thanks for all your best wishes, sending them right back to you both...

Hi,


:DI am new here and new to ART. Hope this is the right place to write.

Had been trying to conceive the old fashioned way (for the first time) for twelve months with no success. We went to the GP who seemed to give us every possible test.

Waited the long wait for specialist appointment and discoed problems with thyroid. We went back this week expecting to go on Serophene however we were told thyroid was not as bad as expected. It was not a good enough reason to explain why we hadn't got pregnant yet (not sure weather to laugh or cry at this point.:cryinglaugh:) Serophene is apparently usual used only if you don't ovulate and I did when test was done.

The upshot is I am going in for a Laparoscopy/Hysteroscopy next week.
I am a bit freaked by this for several reasons
-It is such a sudden turn around and my head is spinning
-wondering if we will ever finish the investigations and get to the getting pregnant part! (we have not been allowed to even try to get pregnant for the last 3 months while waiting for the thyroid medication to kick in due to risks of having a baby with brain damage)
-I keep thinking of the worst possible outcomes i.e. they discover I have no uterus and tell me to give up.
-whenever I think of this possibility I start crying which is not a good look at work or on the train etc

So I was just wondering (and sorry for taking so long to get to the point) is all this usual and am I insane?

Thanks to all who posted so glad to find this place.
dea

DEA - if you're insane - so is everyone else on this horrid journey!!!!

it sounds pretty normal for all these tests to happen before the specialist will undertake any further TTC efforts - as it's easier to know what is causing your fertility issues...

i think i've had all of the above and then some, test wise - the waiting is a PITA, but it will be worth it eventually

Hi there everyone,

I'm looking for any info I can find regarding the success rate of making you ovulate for FSH injections versus Clomid. Basically my story is this: I have just done 2 cycles of Clomid + IUI. The first cycle went great but no BFP, the second cycle was mental. My LH surged naturally when my E2 levels were 700 - less than half of what they were in the first cycle, and my prog was only 21 7 days post IUI despite using 2 prog pessaries a day for LP support.

We're off to the FS on Tues next week to make the case for giving FSH injections a go next. I'm keen to do them based on my mixed success with Clomid - I also had an anovulatory cycle when taking it late last year. He is not a fan of FSH injections for OI though because of the risk of multiples, he is not happy that they can cancel a cycle but that still does not stop you going home and DTD anyway and ending up pg with triplets :rolleyes:

Basically any extra info that I can arm myself with would be greatly appreciated. I understand that there are no guarantees with anything, but if I'm more likely to ovulate on FSH injections than Clomid then I think I would rather go down that path than persist with Clomid.

TIA :)

Hey Briggsy?s girl,

Thanks for that I appreciate the support. I guess I just have to cross fingers for Monday that I do actually have all the necessary working bits! As luck would have it I have also come down with a cold! So I am hoping they will go ahead since no one wants to loose a month.:pray:

We are on our first ivf cycle and currently at (fsh) day 10. Our nurse mentioned DW estrogen levels are very high.

We asked for the figure and I think I heard she mentioned 23000. Is a figure this high possible? I am hoping I misheard and it is really 2300. If it was 23000, won't the clinic already cancel our cycle? We will most probably trigger tomorrow night and do the egg collection on tuesday. Is 10units of lucurin the morning of the trigger day normal? We thought the trigger day would be the HCG shot only.

The nurse mentioned that at the egg collection, the doctor will decide whether to freeze or something to that effect. We are not sure what this means. We are looking at about 10 follicals (1.5cm - 2.0cm) from the u/s this morning...

Otherwise DW is feeling fine, slightly bloated, sore nipples and sleepy (from the early bloods & u/s appointments from the last few days).

Sorry for all theses questions...

GBD - unfortunately, levels of 23000 are possible - and can pretty much guarantee a case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. given that they are not reducing or cutting your wifes puregon/gonal-f shot for tonight, i would lean toward thinking that it is 2300, which is still on the high side.

i would play it safe, and act as if your DW has OHSS - keep up fluids (at least 2-3L per day), include powerade/gatorade type drinks if possible. rest up, and be prepared that things may get a lot worse before they get better. the trigger shot includes HCG, and the response of your wife to that injection will be what guides the FS as to whether they freeze all embryo's or not

a freeze all cycle is a LOT better than a cancelled cycle - or a fresh cycle with severe OHSS, as pregnancy can result in the severity of OHSS getting much much worse.

Hey briggsy's girl,

Thanks for the advise. Will make sure DW is keeping up with those fluids.

We are just reviewing our blood reports (symbion) and wondering if the units used was different which is freaking us out as the nurse did not mention anything about ohss.

Our previous results use pmol/L while alot of other references (ie. US sites) use pg/mL.

Conversion: Estradiol pg/mL 3.671 pmol/L

If this is correct, then 23000pmol/L divided 3.671 works out to about 7200pg/mL which is still high but lower than 23000. What is the average range for Estradiol (E2?) should be looking for?

No more puregon shots for DW during this cycle (last one was early this morning).

i think ideally you're looking at somewhere around 1000-2000, anything higher than that MIGHT be a problem - it really depends on the individual. a couple of other girls have ended up with OHSS on around 10000 to 15000. i would assume most AU clinics would use the same measurements. just keep an eye on your wife - maybe get her to weigh herself now, and then daily if she is feeling more bloated. keep up fluids etc...

Have you normally been doing the lucrin/puregon shots in the morning? Is the trigger shot coming in the evening? If that's the case, that could be the reason for the lucrin only shot on the morning of the trigger. Part of the reason my clinic liked us to inject in the evenings is because triggers always happen in the evenings and it means we can just have the trigger that day and not have to worry about extra shots in the morning.

I've had OHSS in varying degrees of severity with all three stim cycles. One had me off work for three weeks, another had me in hospital for a week and off work for a month - both of those had no transfer. The third... we'd finally managed to keep levels low enough to have a fresh transfer, but the OHSS developed mildly with a positive pregnancy test. At 13 weeks I still had quite enlarged ovaries... BG has given you the run down on what to do to reduce the severity of OHSS, if it does develop, do not be afraid to take your wife to hospital, it really is the best place for her. It is important to keep eating protein if OHSS develops, I'm not sure why, but it does help things resolve quicker.

Also, because my levels take off so quickly and get so high, it's normal for me to only have lucrin the day before trigger. My puregon shots are gradually reduced, and I'll have a day or two with lucrin only before triggering. It's a normal thing to have happen in cases of OHSS.

My nasty OHSS cases developed with E2 levels of around 15000, I have PCOS which also makes me more prone to developing it. I've heard of other women with E2 levels much higher who have gone on to have a transfer and not develop any symptoms of OHSS. For me, the trouble is more the PCOS rather than the actual E2 numbers.

BW

Hi, hoping anyone who's already been through ivf can help..

I'm starting my first cycle of ivf and had to ring the clinic on day 1 - which was Saturday. The nurse has told me to start on the pill that night. I was told to start on the "Saturday yellow pill" which is the start of the yellow hormone pills, not white sugar ones.

I am confused because I was initially told by the fs that the pill ensures a 28 day cycle so that theatre can be booked well in advance for egg collection. By starting on the yellow pills on day 1 - doesn't that... 1). make this period super short and, 2). make my next period start when I get back to the white sugar pills which will be day 22? How does that work? :confused:

Hoping someone can help...

Kaydee, it's entirely possible that being on the pill will change AF. It may make things super short, it may make things lighter but dribble on longer. It's really hard to say. Either way, it won't really worry your clinic even though it will be freaking you out!

As for the 28 day cycle or the 21 day cycle - your clinic may keep you on the active pills for longer than just one strip in the pack. You'll get instructions as to when to stop taking the active pills (if you don't, make sure you get them!).

For my first cycle, my clinic kept me on the active pills for over 4 weeks. When we discovered that being on the pill causes me to bleed constantly even while on the active pills, things were done differently for later cycles and I never had more than a week on the active pills before starting the down regulation drugs.

Don't be afraid to ask your clinic if you are unclear on something. Chances are you won't come up with a question they haven't heard before, and it's best to ask and be sure than to do what you think is right and end up doing the wrong thing and messing up the cycle.

BW

Hi Ladies I hope someone can shed some light as I am about to embark on my second IVF Short cycle.
Last Night my FS rang to discuss our options. He is happy to maintain the current Protocol of 125 Peregon and using Orgalutran however the only thing he would do differently is to slow down the egg pick up.
Meaning that he would like me to be put under (last time I was awake just twilight sedation)and when they draw up the fluid in the follie he then wants to wash the follie to check that no little eggies were left in there?!?!? Have any of you heard about this??
His main concern that with my levels (E2 14, 000 2 days prior to pick up)and the amount of follies I had prior to pick up (I think 13+) he would have thought that there would be more eggs.
Thanks in Advance

:

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Have you normally been doing the lucrin/puregon shots in the morning? Is the trigger shot coming in the evening? If that's the case, that could be the reason for the lucrin only shot on the morning of the trigger.

---

Hi BW,

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

We have been doing the shots in the morning. Just had egg pickup this morning (~20). Will get our initial fertilization report tomorrow... I have asked DW to keep drinking water and just relax on the sofa for the next couple of days. DW is scheduled for some bloods on the Sat to check hormone levels. She has done well today but I am ending up being the nervous wreak!

I hope DW does not get OHSS but we will take it a day at a time, keeping the fluids up, try a higher protein diet, fingers crossed and praying...

regards,
gbd

Hi Kaydee

Glad to hear that AF finally arrived and you are starting your 1st IVF cycle now.
As you know this is my first one also, so all I can tell you is what I know.

I was told to start the pill on the 5th day not the 1st like yourself, but I dont think that matters b/c they keep you on the pill until they are ready for you. Nurse said that they cant have everyone starting injections at the same time, so depending on how many people are starting a cycle you may be on the pill from 2-4 weeks.

I am supposed to take active pills until I receieve a letter from the clinic telling me when to stop them, an when to start with the syneral and when to book my U/S with the FS.
As far as I know, you should not be taking any sugar pills, you only take the active pills and stop when instructed. You better call up the clinic and get it all confirmed. I have already called then many times on various issues :), I am sure they are sick of me already but I desperateley want this to work and am paranoid of doing the wrong thing.


Good luck with it all - its so confusing, esp for 1st timers like ourselfves!

BW and Luckystrike,

Thank you for your replies... I really appreciate the time you took to respond. I ended up ringing the clinic because it was starting to do my head in. They clarified what I should be taking and the date of my next nurse visit which would be when the synarel starts. I then received a paper copy outlining the whole cycle and expected dates of when things should happen. It's put my mind at ease. I guess I was just so worried about doing the wrong thing and mucking up the cycle.

Thanks again. Best wishes Luckystrike for your first cycle. Looking forward to chatting with you in the other AC thread soon.

this time on my FET i am using pregnyl, first of all OUCH !!!!!. anyway it is 1500 ?.i had one on day of tfer. wed 10th dec. one on sat the 13th and another one due on tue 16th.:dunno:
my question is, " how early can i do a preg test " while on pregnyl ? day 28 is on sat the 20th and this is my usuall cycle length.
but i am not getting my periods for 9 months. POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING:pregnant:

anyone know the answer that'd be great. although i think that at least if i can't test early maybe i won't go insane this month. so a positive there.