Cycle buddy... Feb/Mar.

[mailove4you]

Anyone out there that has started their ivf meds and injections? Give me a shout out, please

Could use some support and someone to go thru the experience.

I am on my 3rd day of injections, not bad so far.

Well wishes to everyone

[saritabita]

Hey mailove4you!

I am starting tomorrow! So excited! Estimated day of retrieval is 3/7 but I usually go a few days longer. Looking forward to trying again after a long break.

[mailove4you]

Oooh... Very exciting indeed! My estimated retrieval is 3/1 only is everything is going accordingly I don't understand what you mean by trying again after a long break...? Is this your first time doing ivf and are you also doing with icsi?

[saritabita]

No, I have been around the block a few times. We miscarried once and so we took some time off after our last failed IVF cycle. We are in it for the long haul but it is important to take a break and keep living. We are doing ICSI. My husbands sperm count and motility were mildly low and since we have had several failed attempts, we do it to increase our odds.

Is this your first cycle?

[mailove4you]

I'm sorry for all your difficult times. Yes, it will be both our first. I have a son from a previous relationship and he is almost 15yrs old next month. My dh is low with everything and I somehow developed blocked tubes. Did you do icsi with your other ifv?

[mailove4you]

Also... what is your protocol? I am doing the 10 day Lupron, Doxycline, Menphor, Follistim, Aspirin, Prenatal, Dexamethsone. Did you have any side effects from your previous ivf? Did you do acupuncture? I'm sorry if I am asking so much questions

[saritabita]

No, problem that is the great part about this site, you get to ask questions. I don't mind at all. No point in keeping all of my experience to myself right? A 15 year old! That is great!

We did do ICSI with the others and it has been very successful for us. I usually make a good number of eggs due to my polycystic ovaries and a good number usually fertilize with ICSI. I am on a Lupron trigger protocol with Gonal F, Menopur and Cetrotide to stimulate and of course prenatal vitamins and extra folic acid. I have done aspirin in the past but my doctor has taken it out because she said they haven't found any great evidence that it helps. I will say, however, that the cycle I got pregnant on was an aspirin cycle. She thinks as long as my blood isn't extra thick and I eat lots of leafy greens, I am good to go. Because we have been through this a number of times, I have used a number of different protocols and little by little we have learned what works for me. I have a tendency to over stimulate and my cystic ovaries get very very large and it is very painful. This protocol has worked the best and been a huge improvement in maintaining my comfort, with the least number of side effects.

You didn't mention Endometrum or Progesterone in oil. Did your doctor order either of those? These usually come at the end of your cycle to help maintain a pregnancy if it occurs. This to me is the worst part of the cycle because the Endometrum is messy (vaginal suppositories 3 times a day for 12 weeks if you are pregnant or 2 if you aren't) and the progesterone in oil can hurt if you don't have a lot of subcutaneous fat around your hips. But of course it is all worth it in the end so... what's a little mess or pain right?

Sorry that was so long but I am glad to have found a cycle buddy. Don't hesitate to ask questions around here. It's nerve racking enough without wondering if you are doing something right or not.

[mailove4you]

Omgosh... I am so happy you are so open to telling me all kinds of info to all my questions. I don't mind the lengthy answers or stories you may want to share... I love it.

Yes, I do have the hgc, progesterone, medrol, vivelle patches, vaginal suppositories~ not looking forward to those. These are all after the retrieval. I have read that the progesterone is the most unpleasant part and it may hurt for me since you mentioned, it's best to have fat there, which I do not have much of a bottom as is, now I'm kind of nervous for that part.

I don't really have much side effects that I can tell right now, maybe another day or two. I do have an ultrasound and bloodwork tmrw to make sure body is responding well with the meds and injections. You know all this already. Please don't mind all my typos

I do have a another question... As I was giving myself the follistim shot, I started to bleed a lil after I took the needle out, is that normal and all the bruises from the other shots normal...?

Thank you so much for taking the time for and with me

[saritabita]

Yes, this has happened to me and it is okay. It just means that you hit a blood vessel and in the fatty tissue it is harmless. When you do the IM (intramuscular) shots, they will instruct you to pull out and try again if you see any blood in the vial. That has not happened to me but you really can't prevent it because you can't see them until you hit. The bruising does happen if you are a bruiser. I am not a particularly easy bruiser but I have had a few especially with all of the blood withdrawals. Luckily it is still cold and we can cover them up.

[saritabita]

Hey Mailove4you! How is everything? Are you retrieving today? I hope all goes well for you.