New to Donor Egg Recipient Experience - out of phase on first mock

[hopeinhouston]

Hi, everyone - I just got registered and admitted to the site. I am on my second "mock cycle" getting ready for my donor to synch up - I failed the first mock b/c I was out of phase, and this time I did not even pass the first u/s - lining was only 6mm (it was 9 the 1st time) I am concerned b/c I have already plunked down so much non-refundable $$$ to be the recipient!

Nobody really explained the lining issues (potential) - DH and me passed all tests with flying colors!

I am now on 8 mg of estrace per day and 2 estrogen patches! YIKES!

I am a little concerned about all the scary warnings on the meds - especially about blood clots and cancer>

Any thoughts/reassurance?

[rbutterfly]

Some women have done acupuncture to plump up the lining. I sure hope things work out for you.

[hopeinhouston]

Thank you! The accupuncture clinic that was founded by Randine Lewis is only a few blocks from my house - I am going 2x per week and taking the herbal concoction they prescribed (my RE recommended them so it's OK) - I have been researching all the other things they can potentially do to improve the lining - like injectible estrogen - I am probably already driving my re crazy, but we have time for several more mock cycles to get it right! The donor is just now getting her initial screening, etc. - the agency said they would work with us and not be too strict about their 90-day "must retreive by" rule....fingers and toes crossed!!!!

what gets me is that I am so regular and heavy on my own periods! I don't like this whole Lupron regimen but I guess it's part of the package deal when going through this! Maybe they could reduce my cc's of Lupron? I am on 10 right now but I feel pretty suppressed (ie. vaginal dryness, etc -which I never had on my own - even though I am 45 - DH says he is seeing shades of what fun our post-menopausal life will be like - I dont' think he needed a preview!)

[tab11]

houston,

I know what you mean about the blood clotting warnings being a bit unsettling. Sometimes I worry about it too, but try not to focus on it too much. If you have a healthy history, no clotting, non-smoker, I would try not to worry. As you said, it's part of the regimen we have to go through.

The Lupron also gave me vaginal dryness, but the E2 patches have taken care of that (big time!) Maybe once your E2 kicks in, you'll see a difference.

I hope everything works out with your donor and you can cycle soon.

[sanddollar]

Sending you lots of luck!!!

You know I never really worried about the warnings on the labels cause I was healthy and doing this to help others.

And I have helped 4 couples have a total of 8 children between them.

Now over 4yrs since my last donation I developed a complication that my Dr believes is linked to the stim meds. It has been quiet a blow to me emotionally and physically.

I had knee surgery at the end of July a simple procedure that now has me on blood thinners for the next 2 months (one month down). I developed a DVT blood clot in my calf. Since I was mobile the day after my surgery and I do not have any genetic link to blood clotting disorders (I was tested) the Dr believes the only reason I developed a clot was cause I have OHSS twice. That put me at extreme high risk for blood clots. Now I know blood clots are common in knee surgery but not really for someone who is only 32 yrs old and healthy.

I am not writing this to scare you because Honestly I wouldn't change what I have done for anything! I believe everything happens for a reason and maybe this happening to me has taught me so much more than I imagined.

I was going to do one last donation for a dear friend of mine and now I can NEVER donate again. My own fertility of helping others through egg donation was taken from me. Something I thought was 100% my choice was now decided for me.

Anyways, I still hope to help by being a surrogate one last time but egg donation meant so much to me.

I believe this experience has helped me really empathize with my IMs that I help through my agency.

I also know to better warn my EDs of the risk we know we take but I guess that risk is more real since I am one of the only donors I know to ever have this type of complication. It shows that the chances are slim but that they are there.

I wish you the best of luck. Also I wanted to let you know there is a LARGE Houston group and we always get together...Surrogates, Egg Donors and IPs. I know you would love our group. I think our next gtg is going to be Sept 30th at Red Robins on Katy Frwy if you want more info email me