Post your high fsh/premature ovarian failure success story here

[tshumaker]

micivf,
Well, we got the good news today. We are going for our retreival on Saturday. I have two good looking follicles and some smaller ones. I am fortunate that I am at a center that will proceed with IVf with less than 4 embryos. I was just looking at their website (www.ivf-et.com) and they have a great success rate. I know that is true with us being blessed the first time. I am just trying to stay positive and I guess I'm just looking at the website to reassure myself.
I know whatever happens will be God's will and He will help us through this.
One other different thing this time, when I start the progesterone, we did pills last time and this time it is an IM shot....lucky me but I was told that they have seen better results with this.... I know I'm rambling. I'm just excited about getting the go ahead.
Please keep me up with your progress. Have they told you when your retrieval could possibly be?
Well, I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I can't wait to hear more good new from you.
tshumaker

[michivf]

Tshmaker -

Awesome news! I am so excited for you. I wish you great follies on Saturday. Good luck with the retrieval! I am sending you many prayers and positive vibes!

I too will take the Progesterone IM shots. I heard they are not fun but you can try to get some EMLA cream from the pharmacy. (It is by prescription) It basically numbs you in the area of the shot. I also heard you should try to numb the area with ice as well. Some girls on this site have also suggested a heating pad for after the shot. I know most girls say they are pretty painful especially after they have been given for several days. I hope this info helps. I just used the EMLA cream for the IM for the ovualution shot. Last time when I was converted to an IUI, they switched me from the IM prog shots to the pills because the RE said they were just too painful to subject patients to that weren't going thru the expense and stress of IVF. Good luck with them. I am sure we'll be fine! Let me know how it goes because I will probably be right behind you in ret. and ET.

The RE said I will probably have ER next week but who knows? I go in tomorrow morning and they will tell me more.

When do you take your ovualtion shot?

Please, ramble away!!!!! I enjoy hearing other peoples experiences and relating mine. I really gain support from talking to others who have been through this process before or are going thru it now. I really helps to foster communications with others. Thanks for being my cycle buddy!

Again, many prayers and positive thoughts coming your way,
Megan

[tshumaker]

micivf,
well, I got great news today. We achieved feritilization with both eggs. We are so happy. I go back on Tuesday for the implantation. MY RE said the eggs looked great. I can't wait to go back on Tuesday and see what cell division they are at. My DS was only a four and it worked. I hope we are as blessed this time as last time.
One funny thing is they changed the drugs that they give you for the retrieval. Me being a nurse, I knew what the drugs were. What I didn't know was that basically I lost the whole day! I remember feeling pain during the procedure with one of the eggs being removed and that was because it was on the back side of my ovary. My husband and I laughed so hard today about it.
Please keep me posted to how it's going for you. Do you go for an ultrasound tomorrow? I am sending you positive vibes and blessing. I know we both are going to be fortunate this time and have christmas miracles.
God bless my friend. You are in my prayers
tshumaker

[michivf]

Tshumaker - That is awesome news!!!! I am so excited for you!

Wow, you actually felt the egg retreival. I kind of worry about that. I hope you are feeling better. I wanted you to know I have been thinking about you and how things went on Saturday. I am so happy that things seem to be moving in the right direction for you! Does the lab contact you today and tell you any news?

As for me, I currently have 3 eggs that seem like they might reach maturity. Last cycle the RE told me that they have to get at least 4 to go to retrieval. Now they told me yesterday that my DH and I could decide if we wanted to proceed with only 3. We both agree that we should proceed. I had an u/s and b/w this morning and the RE is getting back to me this afternoon to give us more info. Things are moving so slowly for me. The RE assured me that it is because of the protocal I am on. The follies tend to grow slower on this protocal. Do you know anything about the estraidal they check? Yesterday it was at 750 which they said was good but the u/s only showed 3 follies large enough to make it. I guess my biggest follicle is 15.5 the next 15 and the one after that 14. The other 3 follies are around 12. . . and they said those wouldn't catch up? I am so confused about the information. I am so hoping that these 3 follies grow even bigger and I can make it to a retrieval!

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I am praying for you as well.
Take care,
Megan

[tshumaker]

megan,
Hang in there. My eggs were 17 and they usually like to see them about 18. However, my RE explained to me that the one med I was on wouldn't allow them to get that big. I think it was the anagon.
I didn't get a call from the lab today which is a good thing. They would only call me now if something happen to the embyos. I'm excited about going in tomorrow and seeing where are cell division is at.
I'm praying for you Megan and I'm telling you and your dear husband, go for it. You have three follicles, which is what I had the first go around. One got lost on retrieval but I still ended up with 2 eggs and a DS! It will work for you. Stay positive. You don't ever want to look back and regret you didn't try. I'm not sure what my last estradiol level was. The second to last blood draw that I had before the retrieval was 350. I don't know if this helps and don't compare. Just keep in mind.... you have three follicles that are going to lead you a precious baby! I think of you often and you and your family are in my prayers. Keep me in formed. Oh by the way, the first IVF retrieval did not hurt. This time like I said, it was because the egg was on the back side of my ovary. So, don't be scared. Take care my friend and God Bless.
Teresa

[michivf]

Teresa - Good luck with the transfer today. I have been thinking about you and praying for sticky vibes!!!!!!

As for me, I still don't know what to think. Yesterday my RE said the 3 eggs look good and to come in today to check again. Well, today at the u/s the eggs weren't that much bigger. Only about .5 -1 mm bigger. I have no idea what that means . . . I now have 2 follies at 16, one at 14.5. I am so worried about it. My RE did give me the donor egg speech last night on the phone because I just haven't responded well to the meds. She was talking to me about my identical twin sister being a perfect donor because she is biologically the same as me. My twin is not going through this premature menopause like me as far as we know. She has 4 children and never had a problem conceiving. I talked to my sister about it but it does not look like she will do it. Her husband is a staunch Catholic, said he is opposed to it and doesn't want her to have a child with my husband. He is pretty stubborn. I feel awful about the whole thing.

This just is so upsetting. I thought maybe I had a ray of hope since the IVF thing isn't working. I did some research on the twin thing and it seems that it is not uncommon for one twin to have diminished ovarian reserve and the other to not because of unequal splitting of the egg when we were just embryos. Anyway, sorry for the long winded email . . . its just that I needed to vent and am crushed by this.

So now I just wait for the RE and hope for the best. I hope my E2 has gone up a ton and then they will say the follies are still growing! I hope and pray they are growing and I will get my 3 to retrieval! This is such an emotional rollercoaster. One day things look good, the next day bad, and next day no one knows. . . .AHHHHHHHH!

Again, I am so anxious to hear how your transfer went and am praying you get a BFP! Take care, friend. God bless you and the embies and your family!
Megan

[tshumaker]

Meg, Oh my dear friend, know that I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. If my arms could reach from NC to Michigan, I would give you a hug. Please stay positive. Don't give up. I know the news sounds dire but so has mine and I haven't given up.
Today when I went for my implantation, I found out that I only had one embryo. The other poor sould fertilized but did not develp past two cells. The RE and embroyologist felt it could have been due to the trauma on getting it out of my ovary. On a positive note, the other one was at a nine cell division. THe like to see them >6. Charlie was only four. I am staying positive though. I know that God knows what I want and if it is His will, I shall have a precious baby. If not, HE will look out for me. Because I got the same speech from my RE ( but it sounds like he is much nicer). He told me we could try again but he didn't recommend it with my poor response to the meds and my FSH level. We then talked about donor eggs. One thing that was disturbing was that they inject the embryo in me and when they were examining the syringe to make sure it wasn't still stuck afterwards, it was. they reassured me this happens because of the stickness of the embryo but of course my mind is racing with "Are we sure it's in now?" But I love my RE so much that I know he wouldn't tell me otherwise.
It must have been fate that lead us to each other because I too have an identical twin sister. Unfortunately, they were never able to conceive on their own. She is fine but my brother-in-law had poor sperm. Their in-vitro attempts never took and they turned to adoption.
So, I know what you feel in a way that I have a sister who could help me out but our problem is, not that she wouldn't do it. I just know how when I was pregnant she told me that it wasn't so much not being pregnant she felt like she missed out on but the fact she would never know what a child of her would look like. So, I don't know if emotiionally she would be able to handle this. Plus, I didn't realize how much more expensive donor egg IVF was than IVF. Financilly, we could afford it but I don't know how bad I would feel if it didn't take knowing there wasn't anything wrong with the embryo. But we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Be strong in your faith and keep your spirits up. You are going to have a miracle. Keep me posted. I find out the 22nd if I'm pregnant or sooner if I start my period. Keep emailing. You are in my prayers and thougts.
tshumaker

[michivf]

Tshumaker - Thanks for your encouraging words. I too am trying to stay positive and just focus on this cycle. Things looked better last night according to my RE. She said we have 4 good embies (somehow that 4th one caught up to the other unexpectedly). She wanted to keep me one more day on the stim meds and come in this morning. I went in this morning for the u/s and b/w. The tech said they would probably trigger me tonight based upon what the RE said to me last night. As of right now, I have not heard from the RE. I am waiting on pins and needles(literally the needles, ha, ha ) for her to call and let me know how I am doing. It seems like this whole IVF process is a test in patience. I will email you when I hear from the RE but overall I am feeling positive about this cycle. I also wanted to mention that I started acupuncture last Friday. I have only been to 4 appts but it seems to be working. On last week before I started accup. things looked gloomy but now they look better. The acupuncturist I am going to is a sweet older Chinese lady who is a 7th generation accupuncturist. She said and was quite convincing that the accup. helps bring blood flow to the ovaries and uterus and helps develop more and better follicles. My RE said the research out their on the subject was convincing and that it wouldn't hurt to try. After my experience I might give it a try next time . . . if there is one - but right now I don't think either one of us needs to think about a next time as I believe we will get our Christmas miracles!

It truely must be fate that we met thru this site as we seem to have much in common. I can't believe you have a twin! I understand what you are saying about the donor egg thing and I am trying to accept things as they are and like you said "cross that bridge when we come to it." Thanks for the words of advice and encourgement. You are an amazing source of strength to me. I truely admire your approach to this whole infertitity thing.

I am sure your embie is fine and that the transfer went great. Afterall your RE would be honest with you like you said! A nine cell division - that is awesome. . . looks like it is a strong one. I am so happy for you and you are PUPO!

I agree God will watch out for us! We will get our miracles one way or the other. Thank you so much for being there and being my friend. You are amazing and deserve the best!
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
Megan

[tshumaker]

Megan,
I am so very happy for you. See what positive thoughts can do. I cannot wait to hear from you again to hear when you go for the retrieval because I know you are going to get the go ahead. I sat around the house as much as possible today. It's hard to do with an 18 month old. My mother-in-law is so great. she is staying till tomorrw to help me take it easy. If you could see me now, I have a smile from ear to ear for you. Well, my positive vibe buddy, I can't wair to hear your good news. You will always be in my thoughts. God bless.
tshumaker

[michivf]

Tshumaker - I heard from the RE today and they are going to trigger me. I took the injection tonight and will go to retrieval Friday. The RE said "things look really good." I now have 4 follies that are probably mature. I can't believe it. She said they are all at a nice size and is really happy with the outcome. I too am happy with the outcome. Friday is the day! I am a bit nervous as the RE said that the procedure can be "uncomfortable." At this clinic they keep you awake. She said you get narcotics and a sleeping agent (I don't remember the name). She said I would be awake and alert and remember everything and even talk. Anyway, I am a bit nervous as you might expect. Saturday and Sunday the lab calls me to tell me how the embies are doing. Monday is transfer day. I am trying so hard to stay calm and think positive thoughts. Positive, calm thoughts are coming your way too. You have no idea how much I want your embie to become a beautiful baby for you! I am praying for you.

A few questions -

1. were you put under for your retrieval? My RE says some REs do and others don't.
2. How are you doing with the PIO shots? I heard that they are pretty painful. I hope you are not experiencing this!
3. I forgot to ask the RE - Does the lab call you the day of retrieval to tell you how many fertilized or do you hear the next day? for me Sat.
4. How are you feeling? I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and believing your DS will have a sibling!

Thanks for everything. You are a very special person.
Megan