Nor Cal Cyclers 2012

[Cybie]

Hello, everyone!

I just thought I would throw this out there! I cycled way back on these boards in 2002 and now I am back getting ready to choose a donor for DE IVF and transfer sometime in March/April. Just wondering if there are any others out there getting ready to cycle...or maybe you can steer me in the right direction to another thread!

Good luck to everyone, and here's to a great New Year!!

cybie

*I forgot to say that I am in Northern California and was just wondering if there are any others out here with me! All are welcome, though!!

[Vegan Princess]

Hi,

I'm in the middle of a cycle with my own eggs. I'm in the one week wait! If it doesn't work, we'll be moving to donor egg. Do you mind me asking which clinic/agency you are using? I'm with Northern California Fertility Medical, outside of Sacramento right now. But I like in the Bay Area. I am considering Reproductive Science Center in San Ramon for donor egg - or traveling out of state.

Cindy

[Cybie]

Hi, Cindy!

First of all, I hope this cycle works out for you!! It's always good to have a backup plan, but I really hope you get that positive beta! When is your first beta??

We did cycles at 3 different clinics. The first was with RSC in San Ramon back in 2002. I did not have a good experience with them as the doctor was a bit of a cold fish, not very pleasant! But I understand he is no longer working there, and I didn't see enough of the other docs to really form an opinion. We did 2 cycles there with my own eggs, both BFN, then we moved on to Pacific Fertility Center in San Francisco. Dr. Givens was such a nice doctor, and we did 3 cycles there with no success. We concluded that my eggs were to blame, and so moved on to DE. We would have stayed with PFC, but our chosen donor was 19, and they would not cycle with a donor under 21, so we moved on to Zouves Fertility Center in Daly City (now in Foster City).

Our first DE IVF was a success, resulting in our DS. That was in 2004. We are still with ZFC, and currently screening another donor for our next cycle, hopefully with transfer in March or April. There is a lot of "hurry up and wait" in this whole DE process, and it can drive you batty! But now that our donor has started her screening process, I feel like we are finally moving forward! You are welcome to PM me if you would like to talk about DE questions! I've been doing the infertility dance for over 15 years! I can try to answer any questions you may have.

So nice to talk with you!! Good luck!!

cybie

[Vegan Princess]

Wow, you've really been through a lot!!! I started with UCSF for my IUIs but NCFMC in Roseviklle reccomended the exact same protocol for my IVF but at $5k cheaper - and their success rates are almost 20% higher! I'm not sure it is exactly the same protocol - just the same stims. Anway, I've been happy with the care there. It's a smaller clinic and more personal. And the drives there sometimes only took an hour and 15. Driving to UCSF from Berkeley can take that long too. I did some of my monitoring at RSC in Orinda.

If we do end up going the donor route, I'm considering RSC bc they do split cycles for only 11k. I happened to look earlier this week and find a donor I like that is a split and has no waiting list! Her 4th retreival will be next month and the first 3 cycles resulted in pregnancies. She would be ready in april, probably. I am first on a donor's list at CNY in NY and I am also considering RBA in Atlanta. They are 16k. I just can't bring myself to pay the $30k that most clinics charge around here. I believe that is what it worked out to at UCSF and Pacific Fertility. Do you mind me asking what you are paying with Zouves?

I'm glad you were able to have your son via DE! My sister has very different fertility issues than me but ended up using a surrogate to have her 3 daughters (using the surrogate's eggs). I see their relationship and how normal it is - so the idea of DE was easy for my to accept. I think my husband struggles with the idea more than me, though he is open to it. He actually did the psych appointment for it with me at UCSF already.

I hate the waiting part of all of this! So frustrating! I'm just ready to have my next baby already!

Cindy

[Cybie]

Hi, Cindy!

We paid ZFC about $11,000 for a single DE cycle, but there were additional nickle-n-dime costs as well, like ICSI, and I had Intralipid transfusions, which cost $700 each. You are young enough that I think you can go for their money back program. I don't know the details, but check out their site goivf.com. I'm sure you can get more info!

It's good that you are willing to travel outside the state to go to a clinic. You can definately save some money that way in the long run! Our schedules are so crazy, extended travel would be very difficult.

Oh, and I'm right there with you! I am SOO ready to get pregnant...like, yesterday!!

cybie

[drsquid]

im doing iui not ivf but.. im in oakland going to alta bates fertility. cd4 of my 2nd cycle. did unmedicated iui last month and doing femara this month

[Cybie]

Hello, DrSquid!

I just wanted to wish you then very best with your IUI cycle!! Hope to see your positive update!!

cybie

[drsquid]

thanks. fingers crossed

[Sanrio]

Hi there! I just stumble on this thread and do you mind if I join? I'm on the Northern Nor Cal, about 1.5 hrs north of Sacramento. I'm not doing any treatment for now but I might be starting at the UCSF in March. The drive to SF will be really bad but since I'll be part of a study, there will be no cost to me. I don't know if I'll be accepted yet but if not I would love to hear about my other options. I have no apparent problems and my OB is pushing for an IUI that he doesn't do

[Cybie]

Welcome, Sanrio!!

I hope that this study will be something that helps you find out what problems, if any, you may have. Is this a medication study? Is it directly related to IF? If your dr is recommending an IUI, he probably thinks that the sperm is just having a problem reaching the egg...a problem bypassed with an IUI, assuming no other problems. I hope this is the answer to your IF issues!

Good luck to you!!

cybie