Skip to content
Welcome to our new forum! All existing NW Cryobank forum users will need to reset their passwords. Click forgot password and enter your email address to receive the link. Email us at info@nwcryobank.com with any questions.
NW Cryobank community boards and sibling connect groups will no longer be available after December 20th, 2023.

April IVF/FET Buddies

Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
edited November -1 in Trying to Conceive
Anyone else doing IVF or FET in April? I received my meds yesterday. So many needles.... this is going to be great with my needle phobia! :D
183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
Tagged:
«1

Comments

  • merryshannonmerryshannon Posts: 503
    edited March 2015
    We are - I'm headed back to Greece in April for another try with donor embryos :) I have a needle phobia too, and since I have to travel alone this round it's even worse because somehow I have to give myself some of the injections while I'm there. *shudder* Just keep having to ask myself "how badly do I want this??"
    2ekr8s1.jpg
    Early ovarian failure. 4 failed ICIs, 6 failed IUIs. Donor Egg IVF in Greece: IVF#1 12/2014 - BFP, miscarried at 6WK3D. IVF #2 4/2015 - BFN. IVF#3 7/2015 - BFP. Baby boy Searc born 4/8/16 - 9lbs, 2 oz <3

    TTC Blog
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    Cycle buddies! How do you plan your trip? When do you buy your plane tickets?

    I am so sorry you have to give yourself the shots! I'm hoping I won't have to do that. I was unable to give DW her trigger shot back in the day. I saw a little bit of blood and got queasy.

    I will be traveling alone too. What are you planning on doing with your free time?
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • WannabeasinglemamaWannabeasinglemama Posts: 969
    edited November -1
    Me! Just talked to RE today. He's switching me to a microflare Lupron protocol. I'm already on CD13 of BCP, so nurse will call me tomorrow to let me know when shots begin!
    Nicole-SMBC-39y/o-TTC since Jan. 2013
    IUI~BFP (BORN STILL) AT 16w5d 4/3/14
    Chemicals~IUI 7/24/14;8/21;BFNs~9/25;10/19;IVF#1-2/21/15~No embies made to blast.
    IVF#2-BFP~4/16 trans. 2 embies
    MIdqadD.jpgMIdqm5.png
    mf0Km4.png
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    Yay! What is a microflare lupron protocol?
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • aplusaaplusa Posts: 1,919
    edited November -1
    Jen- I saw this mentioned somewhere else that you were looking to travel for IVF. Better deal than our mutual shared clinic? (I wouldn't be surprised. They were not cheap.)

    Hope it goes well!!
    7NZpm4.png
    Lucky Cycle 14: IVF!! Antagonist Cycle with Lupron Trigger
  • merilungmerilung Posts: 1,177
    edited November -1
    I'm so excited for all of you ladies!!
    TTC since September 2007 - 8 donor insems in 2012, all BFN. DH had varicocele repair #2 1/3/14.
    It worked! Two clomid cycles and two IUI's with injectables all BFN, on to IVF! 3dt of 2 perfect embryos on 12/15/14, BFP 7dp3dt! Frederick Lars born at 37 weeks on 8/15/15!! FET for #2 on 9/29/16 - BFP 5dp5dt!! Bertram Wilder and Mabel Moon born at 28.4 weeks on 3/29/17!
  • merryshannonmerryshannon Posts: 503
    edited November -1
    Jen - I'm hoping to spend as little time as possible in Greece this round. It's still likely to be a two-day plane trip on the way there, since due to the time difference I leave on, say, Tuesday, but don't arrive until Wednesday... then spend 2-3 days there, then another loooong day flying back. I'll probably need at least one extra day off of work when I get back to recover from jet lag, because as we discovered from the last trip it's pretty jarring :P

    Since we did all our tourism stuff on the first trip, and I'm not comfortable wandering the streets of Athens by myself, it's most likely that I'll be spending free time in the hotel room resting. I'm planning on bringing a ton of books on my e-reader, and my laptop so I can write - probably going to just hole up and veg until it's time to head back to the airport.

    I won't know when to buy plane ticket until probably just a few days before I need to leave... the shorter the stay in Athens, the shorter the notice is because of the uncertain timing of the egg donor's retrieval. Right now all they can tell me is that it will be sometime after 4/16. Until then I keep taking Lupron, and they'll start me on estrogen too in about a week or so, I think.

    SIGH. So many mixed emotions about this attempt!! It's hard to feel hopeful, and it's just as hard to try not to get our hopes up. :P

    How are meds going for you thus far? My poor DP has to deal with a nightly ritual of asking me to lay out on the couch, waiting for me to finish freaking out/hyperventilating/crying, then dealing with my goofy breathing exercises to calm myself down before she can stick me. She's so patient and nice about it - she has a spider phobia herself, so at least she understands how terrifying an irrational fear can be. <3 Starting next week, though, I have to begin trying exercises to work myself up to giving myself the injection. I'm thinking I'll practice sticking one of our used needles into an old dog toy held against my stomach - that way I can get the hand positioning and stuff right. *shudder*
    2ekr8s1.jpg
    Early ovarian failure. 4 failed ICIs, 6 failed IUIs. Donor Egg IVF in Greece: IVF#1 12/2014 - BFP, miscarried at 6WK3D. IVF #2 4/2015 - BFN. IVF#3 7/2015 - BFP. Baby boy Searc born 4/8/16 - 9lbs, 2 oz <3

    TTC Blog
  • merryshannonmerryshannon Posts: 503
    edited November -1
    Jen - I'm hoping to spend as little time as possible in Greece this round. It's still likely to be a two-day plane trip on the way there, since due to the time difference I leave on, say, Tuesday, but don't arrive until Wednesday... then spend 2-3 days there, then another loooong day flying back. I'll probably need at least one extra day off of work when I get back to recover from jet lag, because as we discovered from the last trip it's pretty jarring :P

    Since we did all our tourism stuff on the first trip, and I'm not comfortable wandering the streets of Athens by myself, it's most likely that I'll be spending free time in the hotel room resting. I'm planning on bringing a ton of books on my e-reader, and my laptop so I can write - probably going to just hole up and veg until it's time to head back to the airport.

    I won't know when to buy plane ticket until probably just a few days before I need to leave... the shorter the stay in Athens, the shorter the notice is because of the uncertain timing of the egg donor's retrieval. Right now all they can tell me is that it will be sometime after 4/16. Until then I keep taking Lupron, and they'll start me on estrogen too in about a week or so, I think.

    SIGH. So many mixed emotions about this attempt!! It's hard to feel hopeful, and it's just as hard to try not to get our hopes up. :P

    How are meds going for you thus far? My poor DP has to deal with a nightly ritual of asking me to lay out on the couch, waiting for me to finish freaking out/hyperventilating/crying, then dealing with my goofy breathing exercises to calm myself down before she can stick me. She's so patient and nice about it - she has a spider phobia herself, so at least she understands how terrifying an irrational fear can be. <3 Starting next week, though, I have to begin trying exercises to work myself up to giving myself the injection. I'm thinking I'll practice sticking one of our used needles into an old dog toy held against my stomach - that way I can get the hand positioning and stuff right. *shudder*
    2ekr8s1.jpg
    Early ovarian failure. 4 failed ICIs, 6 failed IUIs. Donor Egg IVF in Greece: IVF#1 12/2014 - BFP, miscarried at 6WK3D. IVF #2 4/2015 - BFN. IVF#3 7/2015 - BFP. Baby boy Searc born 4/8/16 - 9lbs, 2 oz <3

    TTC Blog
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    aplusa wrote:
    Jen- I saw this mentioned somewhere else that you were looking to travel for IVF. Better deal than our mutual shared clinic? (I wouldn't be surprised. They were not cheap.)

    Hope it goes well!!

    Yes... They might be the most expensive! They will be doing my monitoring. I'm now stressed about all the blood work that has been requested, because I know how expensive it is at our clinic!!

    Thanks!
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    merryshannon - I just started injections tonight... it was not easy! I got light headed, but I'm hoping it will get better. I can't imagine having to give the shot to myself. I'm so sorry you have to do it from one needle phob to the next. How are you doing?
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    merilung - I recall you mentioning to someone that E2 levels on an antagonist protocol are lower than average. Do you know what the norm is for this protocol?

    Update: I've been having u/s and b/w done. After 6 days of injections, I have 8 measurable follicles, but only 4 look like they will reach maturity. Retrieval is looking like it will be done this coming Saturday. I'm holding on to the fact it only takes one!
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • merilungmerilung Posts: 1,177
    edited November -1
    Jen727BF wrote:
    merilung - I recall you mentioning to someone that E2 levels on an antagonist protocol are lower than average. Do you know what the norm is for this protocol?

    Update: I've been having u/s and b/w done. After 6 days of injections, I have 8 measurable follicles, but only 4 look like they will reach maturity. Retrieval is looking like it will be done this coming Saturday. I'm holding on to the fact it only takes one!

    Yes! I don't know what the norm is, but they only wanted my E2 levels over 1,000 to trigger me and mine were barely over that at trigger, which sounds REALLY low if you compare it to agonist cycles where they want to see an E2 level of around 200 per follicle. I was super worried about how low my levels were but I had 21 eggs and 16 were mature, so it definitely didn't follow the 200 per follicle formula! I would honestly try to ignore your E2 levels on an antagonist cycle and just trust that your doctor knows when to trigger you :)

    It absolutely only takes one! My clinic really emphasized that it's quality over quantity. I've met lots of women online who had 3-4 mature eggs at retrieval and had a frostie or two left over after transfer!
    TTC since September 2007 - 8 donor insems in 2012, all BFN. DH had varicocele repair #2 1/3/14.
    It worked! Two clomid cycles and two IUI's with injectables all BFN, on to IVF! 3dt of 2 perfect embryos on 12/15/14, BFP 7dp3dt! Frederick Lars born at 37 weeks on 8/15/15!! FET for #2 on 9/29/16 - BFP 5dp5dt!! Bertram Wilder and Mabel Moon born at 28.4 weeks on 3/29/17!
  • ForeverakidForeverakid Posts: 312
    edited November -1
    So excited for you Jen!
    Four beautiful, healthy eggs is even more than you'll need. :)

    Thinking of all of you each day and excited to hear how all of this unfolds!
    Please keep us posted!
    SMBC
    Lucky IUI #6!!!
    Expected Arrival Date is January 19, 2016

    tt1c5b4c.aspx
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    I feel devasted right now and shocked. My cycle has been cancelled -- I ovulated.
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • ForeverakidForeverakid Posts: 312
    edited November -1
    Ah Jen! I am so, so sorry! How awful, especially with the planned travel!
    Let me know if you want to chat and take EXTRA good care of yourself right now.
    SMBC
    Lucky IUI #6!!!
    Expected Arrival Date is January 19, 2016

    tt1c5b4c.aspx
  • merilungmerilung Posts: 1,177
    edited November -1
    Oh no, Jen! I don't even know what to say - that's awful :(. Are you meeting with your RE (or maybe over the phone, since it's a travel cycle?) to get some answers? I am so, so sorry this happened.
    TTC since September 2007 - 8 donor insems in 2012, all BFN. DH had varicocele repair #2 1/3/14.
    It worked! Two clomid cycles and two IUI's with injectables all BFN, on to IVF! 3dt of 2 perfect embryos on 12/15/14, BFP 7dp3dt! Frederick Lars born at 37 weeks on 8/15/15!! FET for #2 on 9/29/16 - BFP 5dp5dt!! Bertram Wilder and Mabel Moon born at 28.4 weeks on 3/29/17!
  • WannabeasinglemamaWannabeasinglemama Posts: 969
    edited November -1
    Jen727BF wrote:
    I feel devasted right now and shocked. My cycle has been cancelled -- I ovulated.

    Oh no!!! So sorry! Did you add Ganirelex to your protocol? I'm also paranoid about ovulating. Yesterday I started EWCM. But I'm still stimming.

    Ps. You asked about the microsdose Lupron- they use that in conjunction with the Bravelle and Menopur for "poor responders."
    Nicole-SMBC-39y/o-TTC since Jan. 2013
    IUI~BFP (BORN STILL) AT 16w5d 4/3/14
    Chemicals~IUI 7/24/14;8/21;BFNs~9/25;10/19;IVF#1-2/21/15~No embies made to blast.
    IVF#2-BFP~4/16 trans. 2 embies
    MIdqadD.jpgMIdqm5.png
    mf0Km4.png
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    They didn't offer for me to talk with the RE, but I've since called back and asked for an appointment. I was on cetrotide which was either started too late or they didn't give me the right dose. We are now out $5K between meds and monitoring appointments. This is worst case scenario and I don't know what is our next step. Meaning I don't know that I can keep spending money on this. I'm so conflicted and disappointed.

    The irony is someone asked me about ovulating on an IVF cycle and I told them it was rare and cetrotide would prevent it.
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • WannabeasinglemamaWannabeasinglemama Posts: 969
    edited November -1
    IVF update: 13 follies this time, and 10 look mature (as opposed to 7 follies, and 4 mature last round). Retrieval is Monday.
    Nicole-SMBC-39y/o-TTC since Jan. 2013
    IUI~BFP (BORN STILL) AT 16w5d 4/3/14
    Chemicals~IUI 7/24/14;8/21;BFNs~9/25;10/19;IVF#1-2/21/15~No embies made to blast.
    IVF#2-BFP~4/16 trans. 2 embies
    MIdqadD.jpgMIdqm5.png
    mf0Km4.png
  • merilungmerilung Posts: 1,177
    edited November -1
    Jen - I'm so sorry that this happened - I really hope the RE can give you some answers when you have your appointment. Ovulating on an IVF cycle is rare, but it doesn't mean much when you're the one it happens to :(. Sending you big hugs, please keep us updated.

    Wannabeasinglemama - Those are great numbers! FX for an easy retrieval on Monday.
    TTC since September 2007 - 8 donor insems in 2012, all BFN. DH had varicocele repair #2 1/3/14.
    It worked! Two clomid cycles and two IUI's with injectables all BFN, on to IVF! 3dt of 2 perfect embryos on 12/15/14, BFP 7dp3dt! Frederick Lars born at 37 weeks on 8/15/15!! FET for #2 on 9/29/16 - BFP 5dp5dt!! Bertram Wilder and Mabel Moon born at 28.4 weeks on 3/29/17!
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    Thanks merilung!

    Wanna - sounds good! Good luck to you and let us know how ER goes.
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • WannabeasinglemamaWannabeasinglemama Posts: 969
    edited November -1
    Thanks, Ladies!!!
    Nicole-SMBC-39y/o-TTC since Jan. 2013
    IUI~BFP (BORN STILL) AT 16w5d 4/3/14
    Chemicals~IUI 7/24/14;8/21;BFNs~9/25;10/19;IVF#1-2/21/15~No embies made to blast.
    IVF#2-BFP~4/16 trans. 2 embies
    MIdqadD.jpgMIdqm5.png
    mf0Km4.png
  • WannabeasinglemamaWannabeasinglemama Posts: 969
    edited November -1
    ER complete!! 13 eggs retrieved (as opposed to 7 last cycle). Hope they are all mature and fertilize. :D

    Now the dilemma...do I go for a 3 or 5 day transfer!? Doc likes to do day 5. I'm afraid my embies won't survive again. He said we'll wait until tomorrow to see how many actually fertilized.
    Nicole-SMBC-39y/o-TTC since Jan. 2013
    IUI~BFP (BORN STILL) AT 16w5d 4/3/14
    Chemicals~IUI 7/24/14;8/21;BFNs~9/25;10/19;IVF#1-2/21/15~No embies made to blast.
    IVF#2-BFP~4/16 trans. 2 embies
    MIdqadD.jpgMIdqm5.png
    mf0Km4.png
  • merilungmerilung Posts: 1,177
    edited November -1
    Woohoo! Can't wait to hear an update tomorrow :)

    We did a day 3 transfer - my clinic almost always does day 3 on a fresh cycle - but all my frosties are day 5 or 6.
    TTC since September 2007 - 8 donor insems in 2012, all BFN. DH had varicocele repair #2 1/3/14.
    It worked! Two clomid cycles and two IUI's with injectables all BFN, on to IVF! 3dt of 2 perfect embryos on 12/15/14, BFP 7dp3dt! Frederick Lars born at 37 weeks on 8/15/15!! FET for #2 on 9/29/16 - BFP 5dp5dt!! Bertram Wilder and Mabel Moon born at 28.4 weeks on 3/29/17!
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    Yay, Wanna! That is great news.
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • WannabeasinglemamaWannabeasinglemama Posts: 969
    edited April 2015
    Thanks Meri and Jen! There are so many different philosophies for doing a day 3 or day 5, I'm going crazy reading! :rolleyes:
    Nicole-SMBC-39y/o-TTC since Jan. 2013
    IUI~BFP (BORN STILL) AT 16w5d 4/3/14
    Chemicals~IUI 7/24/14;8/21;BFNs~9/25;10/19;IVF#1-2/21/15~No embies made to blast.
    IVF#2-BFP~4/16 trans. 2 embies
    MIdqadD.jpgMIdqm5.png
    mf0Km4.png
  • ForeverakidForeverakid Posts: 312
    edited November -1
    Woohoo! What a great number! I'm hopeful you get a bunch of healthy embies and
    I can't wait to hear the news tomorrow!!
    SMBC
    Lucky IUI #6!!!
    Expected Arrival Date is January 19, 2016

    tt1c5b4c.aspx
  • WannabeasinglemamaWannabeasinglemama Posts: 969
    edited November -1
    Well, out of the 13....12 fertilized! Now I'm debating on a day 3 or 5 transfer. I'm leaning towards the 3 day.
    Nicole-SMBC-39y/o-TTC since Jan. 2013
    IUI~BFP (BORN STILL) AT 16w5d 4/3/14
    Chemicals~IUI 7/24/14;8/21;BFNs~9/25;10/19;IVF#1-2/21/15~No embies made to blast.
    IVF#2-BFP~4/16 trans. 2 embies
    MIdqadD.jpgMIdqm5.png
    mf0Km4.png
  • Jen727BFJen727BF Posts: 2,304
    edited November -1
    I had my call with the RE today. Basically, he said there is no way to know how one's body reacts to the meds. I'm not sure how, but he made my wife and I feel better. We still feel like we just flushed a huge wad of cash down the toilet for last month. But, I'm going to order meds overseas this time to save about a $1k and he did remove a few blood tests that they require in order to save us a little bit of money (any savings counts). He is keeping me on the antagonist protocol, but increasing my meds to see if we can get more follicles responding. So depending on when AF arrives, we will be trying another IVF cycle either May or June (we have several events coming up).

    Wanna - that is a GREAT number!!! Grow embies, grow! I'm interested to see what you do regarding transferring date. It is a hard decision.
    183190fb-4512-4f04-a781-76af2d6d42b0_zpsrvzisual.jpg
    TTC No. 2 since Aug. 2014; IVF #1 - Cxld; IVF #2 - BFN
  • merilungmerilung Posts: 1,177
    edited November -1
    Wannabeasinglemama - that is AWESOME. Keep us updated!! I can't wait to see how many frosties you have left after transfer - I'm betting 5 or 6 :)

    Jen727BF - so glad that your RE helped you both to feel a little better and I'm SO excited that you're trying again!
    TTC since September 2007 - 8 donor insems in 2012, all BFN. DH had varicocele repair #2 1/3/14.
    It worked! Two clomid cycles and two IUI's with injectables all BFN, on to IVF! 3dt of 2 perfect embryos on 12/15/14, BFP 7dp3dt! Frederick Lars born at 37 weeks on 8/15/15!! FET for #2 on 9/29/16 - BFP 5dp5dt!! Bertram Wilder and Mabel Moon born at 28.4 weeks on 3/29/17!
Sign In or Register to comment.