January IUI Cycle Buddies Jan 15th-Jan 28th

[SC-Impatient_in_VA]

waiting4babies Can you stand caffeine free dr pepper, or is the caffeine your body needs? Try the caffeine free and see if you're ok with just the flavor of it.

bump Great news on your follicles!

frewty Daddy is doing very well -- mostly taking care of himself at this point Also, the chicken rolling went very well, but it turns out that I think honey mustard on cordon blue tastes kind of disgusting. Win some, lose some!

[Faithlove687]

Hi ladies... First of all I wanted to thank everyone for their advice, suggestions, support, and responses to some of my previous posts. I truly respect everyone's input. I was feeling somewhat paranoid; probably due to my mounting stress over my appointment with my RE. After meeting with her today, I feel better. I have decided to stick with her at least for the next 3 cycles. I was so relieved that she came in with a plan and for once she didn't act nonchalant about my concerns. In past consults I got the vibe that I was "unimportant" to her or not a top priority, but she had a completely different demeanor today. I truly believed her responses to my concerns were genuine. She even commented that I had come in quite prepared. I was armed with lots of knowledge that I previously didn't have thanks to some of you

So we decided to move on to injectibles and continue with IUI w/donor for 3 more cycles. Honestly, I had went in completely prepared to accept that it was time to move on to IVF. I was relieved when she said it was time to try injectibles. She said she reviewed my ultrasounds and bloodwork over the past year. She said everything looked "perfect" except for my lining the past 2 cycles. So I was hoping you all could help me decide which meds to use. They gave me a list of choices. I had to call my prescription plan and find out my coverage and the cost of each. I have to pay for them until my deductible is met. So this all seems foreign to me right now. Thanks in advance for you help.
FSH Injection: Gonal-F 75 IU $695 or Follistim AQ $206.10 per 5 ml. I may have completely misunderstood the pricing and the doseing. After the call I pondered why the Follistim was so much cheaper. Is the cost of the med enough to get you through 1 cycle?
Trigger: Ovidrel $93, Pregnyl $62.47, or Novarel $157.33
This may be a dumb question, but will I still have to use OPK's if I am using a trigger? So apparently I have to choose a specialty pharmacy. My insurance gave me the name of the specialty pharmacy I am to use. Does this sound right? I am also a little concerned about the shipping. I live in an apartment and I doubt they will just leave the meds outside. Does anyone else have this problem? Do you think I could get them shipped to my work? Sorry, I am probably going to question you ladies to death, but what do I need to do to prepare for this? What are the side effects I should be prepared for?

Thank you for your help. P.S. Stine- It made me feel good to read that you were thinking about me today. It's neat how we can form compassion towards complete strangers. I often find myself thinking about all of you as well.

[Faithlove687]

Check this out: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php...81862991863837
Please take a minute to contact your senator and representative.

[BC-frewtygal]

tnbaby: Np!! They're for my BFF's birthday that just passed on Sunday As for your U/S results for cd6 - you look right on track for having follies over 20mmby cd10 and beyond. You've got time and follies usually grow up to 2mm/day Your lining looks good too - no worries

stine: I think I spoke too soon, about being lucky to have uninterrupted sleep, for the last couple of days. Last night I got up to pee 2-3 times...looks like I'm back to normal!! I remember those crazy dreams/nightmares - SO vivid right? Haven't gotten a chance to give my BFF her cupcakes yet, as it seems she's coming down with a cold now, and didn't want to pass it along. So, not sure when we'll be seeing them. Glad you got a lot of your grading done on Monday!! Gotta love being productive Hopefully Thursday's U/S will show you lots of plump follies for your IUI this cycle, and that one of them will bring you a BFP at the end of it!!

Impatient: So glad to hear your Dad's doing well and mostly taking care of himself these days YAY for the chicken rolling going as expected, but too bad ya don't like honey mustard in the recipe - definitely live and learn with that one

Faith: I'm so happy for you, that your RE has changed her tune, and makes you feel like you're finally important - as a patient. It's funny, as my RE seemed standoffish to me and so pushy, bringing up IVF as soon as our 3rd failed cycle. But then, like yours, one day it seemed he got a lobotomy and started making us feel like he cared about our issues. Anyway!! I'm so glad that you're moving on to injectibles - I have a good feeling this is what you need for a BFP I'm not sure how to read what you posted, so I'll tell you what I used while on them. I used an injectible called Puregon which is just like Follistim and we'd buy a 900IU vial. That vial would last us anywhere from a cycle to a cycle and a bit into the next cycle. Sometimes I'd only need 600IUs before trigger and once I used the entire vial before trigger. I know at my clinic, when you're on injectibles they monitor you more frequently, so that you don't get OHSS - since injectibles could spike your hormones if not mornitored closely. I would guess that your RE would want you to come in, for more U/S while on it, and not have you use OPKs since you'll be triggering. You don't have to do much to prepare for this. If you're ok with injecting yourself with a pen-style needle (Follistim) every day, then you're basically golden!! Side effects? I remember having hot flashes, but nothing too crazy like Clomid would do. Most of my side effects would actually come from the trigger shot. Sore bbs, more hot flashes, some ovarian activity and vivid dreams. I'm sure the other more knowledgeable ladies will have more info for you, but hopefully this helps to get your started

[Faithlove687]

Thanks Frewty- yes, I will be going in more frequently. I will go in on CD3 for ultrasound to make sure there are no cysts and if all clear, I will start the injections that night and do so for 5 nights. On the 6th day I will go back in for u/s. Based on that they will decide how many more days to stim and then back in for u/s. I guess this goes on until they decide the follicles are mature enough and then I will trigger at 8:00 pm and then go in 36 hrs later for IUI. . As of now, I think I will be okay with the injections. I may change my tune when it comes time.

[BC-frewtygal]

Thanks Frewty- yes, I will be going in more frequently. I will go in on CD3 for ultrasound to make sure there are no cysts and if all clear, I will start the injections that night and do so for 5 nights. On the 6th day I will go back in for u/s. Based on that they will decide how many more days to stim and then back in for u/s. I guess this goes on until they decide the follicles are mature enough and then I will trigger at 8:00 pm and then go in 36 hrs later for IUI. . As of now, I think I will be okay with the injections. I may change my tune when it comes time.

That U/S schedule sounds like mine was - as soon as my follies were ready they had me come in for trigger and then we had IUI #1 the next day. I'm not saying you WON'T be ok with injecting yourself, I thought the exact same thing. But, when the day came that I was to start, it took me 15mins to get up the courage to inject it into my belly LOL I couldn't believe what a chicken I was at first, but I guess it's a mind over matter thing, because as soon as I did it - I had no problems the rest of the time LOL I'm sure you'll be fine though!! One word of advice, every day you are to inject yourself pick a different spot around your belly to do it - that way you won't get scar tissue. I used a zig zag pattern myself - which my friend who's diabetic, on insulin, suggested. Can't wait to hear how this cycle works out for you, and that you finally get a BFP

[bumpenvy]

Impatient- Your menu does sound amazing! Glad the chicken cordon bleu was good. Maybe next time you will just have to experiment with a new sauce☺ I try to make a menu for the week but find it hard to actually follow through and get each meal made. By the time I get home from work around 7:30-8:00 I am way to tired to start making something. I need to learn how to make more things ahead of time! Do you have any recipes for good make ahead casseroles?? Did your black bean stew turn out tonight?

Waiting4babies- great work with the personals the other day! I agree it is such a challenge to keep up! I don’t how all of you do it so regularly!

Stine- I am jealous of your snow day! I don’t live quite far enough north to get very many if any snow days. I am originally from Iowa so I am used to more snow than they get here in KY but it isn’t all bad. And to answer your question I did do clomid before moving onto Gonal-F. I did around 4 cycles with clomid and timed BDing. My response was o.k. about 50% of the time but no BFP. I then moved on to Famera for two cycles, one with timed BDing and the last with a single IUI and still no success. I usually produced 1-2 good follicles on famera. It was after that that my new RE recommended switching to injectables. My last cycle was with the injectable HMG (intramuscular injection that is very painful) and my current cycle I used Gonal-F which is an FSH injectable. I just finished 10 days of stimming with that and ended up with 7-8 really good sized follies☺ Hoping for the best! Good luck with your u/s on Thursday! I will be thinking of you!

Baby2012- so sorry to hear about AF, what a witch!! I hear you on just wanting to focus on the next cycle! It is what keeps us going! Keep that positive attitude, you will get that BFP next time!! Good luck on your u/s tomorrow!!

Frewty- Your cupcakes look amazing! I wish I could have one☺ Sorry you didn’t get to visit your friend today and that she may be coming down with something. But glad you are not sick again and feeling better!

Aeon- Hope the 2WW is going smoothly! Glad to hear that your iui’s went so well. Hope that this cycle gets you your BFP! I will be joining you in the 2WW tomorrow!

Madie- Hang in there, your 2WW is almost over. Hoping for the best for you on Friday! I will keep you in my thoughts!

tnbaby- your follies look great! They will only continue to grow like everyone keeps saying and it seems you have a great response to the meds you are on. Wishing you luck with the rest of your injections! I just finished mine and I know how you feel to just want to be done with them! Hang in there☺

Faith- so glad to hear your appointment went so well! It is so important to have an RE that cares about you and understands where you want to go with your treatment! After all they are working for you and their goal should be to make you feel comfortable and included in your treatment plan! I think injectables are going to just what you need. I am doing them right now and they are my favorite protocol so far! I have also had my best response using them. I just finished using Gonal-F as I was telling Stine and I loved it. I am pretty lucky as I do not usually have any side affects to most of the medications I have taken so far and giving the subcutaneous injections aren’t bad at all. My RE doesn’t have me use OPK’s because of the trigger shot. I did end up using one this cycle just out of curiosity and it ended up stressing me out for nothing so I don’t recommend it. I ordered my medications from overseas and had the same problem as you about having it delivered to my house. I had to sign for the package and I was worried it would come to my house when I was at work so I did have my meds shipped to my work address. There was always someone there that could sign for it and I didn’t have to worry about it sitting somewhere when it needed to be in the refrigerator. The people I work with know that I am doing fertility treatments so it wasn’t a big concern if they knew what the package was but if your co-workers don’t know it might be tricky. Good luck and don’t worry about asking too many questions! That is why we are here, to support you in any way we can!!

AFM- I had my first of two IUI’s today and it was the smoothest one yet! DH numbers were good so I am counting on a baby this cycle☺ I did have a little cramping which I know is normal but it was a little bit more noticeable that it was for my last cycle. All of my follies are on one side so I expect that in the next day or so I should feel them all ovulating☹ I will have my second IUI tomorrow and then the 2WW begins. I had to have my IUI done over my lunch hour today which was a bit strange, but all of the girls I work with know what I am going through and they are so great about supporting me! I am so lucky to be able to share this with them. They are always asking how things are going and when my next appointment is. We joke that when I finally get my BFP that that baby is going to have so many “aunts” to dote on him/her. I think since my last IUI worked initially that I will have my expectations set a little too high for this cycle, but I just can’t help it! DH and I have debated what we will do next if this cycle doesn’t work. I am pretty sure that IVF will be the next step. It is a bit soon but he likes the lower odds of multiples and higher chances for a BFP. I guess we will just have to see what happens this cycle before worrying about that. I have the next two days off so I am hoping to get my haircut and do some relaxing.

[BC-frewtygal]

Frewty- Your cupcakes look amazing! I wish I could have one☺ Sorry you didn’t get to visit your friend today and that she may be coming down with something. But glad you are not sick again and feeling better!

AFM- I had my first of two IUI’s today and it was the smoothest one yet! DH numbers were good so I am counting on a baby this cycle☺ I did have a little cramping which I know is normal but it was a little bit more noticeable that it was for my last cycle. All of my follies are on one side so I expect that in the next day or so I should feel them all ovulating☹ I will have my second IUI tomorrow and then the 2WW begins. I had to have my IUI done over my lunch hour today which was a bit strange, but all of the girls I work with know what I am going through and they are so great about supporting me! I am so lucky to be able to share this with them. They are always asking how things are going and when my next appointment is. We joke that when I finally get my BFP that that baby is going to have so many “aunts” to dote on him/her. I think since my last IUI worked initially that I will have my expectations set a little too high for this cycle, but I just can’t help it! DH and I have debated what we will do next if this cycle doesn’t work. I am pretty sure that IVF will be the next step. It is a bit soon but he likes the lower odds of multiples and higher chances for a BFP. I guess we will just have to see what happens this cycle before worrying about that. I have the next two days off so I am hoping to get my haircut and do some relaxing.

Thanks!! Not sure why I was afraid to make them, probably because I wasn't sure I could frost them good enough. It ended up being pretty easy though Glad to hear your first IUI went well today!! Hopefully tomorrow's will go just as well, and your 2WW flies by, with a BFP at the end of it - then you won't have to worry about IVF after all

[MommaA]

Impatient I STILL have not heard from my OB. And now I'm on a new cycle so its been a month. I have emailed and left messages with the office. I have decided that I'm going to give her until Friday and then I'm going into the office. And your dinner menu post made me STARVING hungry! I'm at work and thinking its nomnomnom time!

Faith We all have our paranoid days. Even on a break cycle I feel guilty drinking a beer or glass of wine out of paranoia. I'm sure a heating pad is fine. I have a friend of a friend who had success with IUI and DS. I'm glad your RE listened to you and you have a new plan! Congrats! I can't wait to be there myself!

Baby2012 I love the icons too! Especially the ones that move and are animated! I'm sorry to hear that AF arrived. That is always the worst feeling (next to seeing the BFN on the stick). Here is what I know about Femara vs. Clomid. Femara is more expensive, but has less symtpoms. The lining doesn't thin, the CM improves and none of the hotflashes, mood swings, etc. I've also been told that with Femara, you usually only have 1 maybe 2 follies. Clomid remains the drug of choice, still at this time. Its worth talking to your RE about. Good luck!!

aeon Good luck with your 2WW! I hope its relaxing and breezes by to a BFP! Sounds like a natural IUI is worth a try. I hated being on the meds and all the symptoms, and have enjoyed this month without. Plus, I also O naturally so I was only taking the meds to "boost our chances". Yuck! By the way I love your pic!

Waiting for your test on Friday! I will be thinking of you and sending lots of your way! As for the progesterone. It might be a difference in lab or something, but my doctor wants greater than 10 to show Ovulation. Either way it sounds like the supps are working!

tnbaby I'm no IVF expert, but want to say YAY for follies! I hope this is it for you and those follies do exactly what they should!!!

bumpenvy Yay for good swimmers! I hope you can stay nice and relaxed during your 2WW and for your IUI x2 tomorrow! Sending lots of your way!

AFM Frustrated with being a break again. At first I felt ok with it. After having such a relaxing break last month, but now I'm just bumbed. With more and more pregnancy announcements around me and now people sharing the sex of their babies, I'm just so angry with it all. I guess I'm feeling the self pity mode a little right now, but ****. I can't even attempt to "try" because my doctors wont even call me back. I don't have a referral to a RE and my OB is completely ignoring me and I'm just stuck. Stuck baby-less and on a break cycle... again. Maybe I'm being dramatic. I don't know, but I went from OK to just wanting to cry all the time again. April will be 2 years, and I know some of you have tried SO much longer, and I shouldn't be so selfish, but I'm just so mad right now. Two freaking years! People are lapping me! Hmmm. Not much I can do about it right now, so I'm just going to do what I planned. No watching my cycle, counting days or POAS. I will be doing the BD as much as I can, and getting in some TI, just in case though. Anyways! I'm thinking of all of you and sending lots of positive thoughts your way! WE NEED A BFP ON THIS PAGE!!

[waiting4babies]

Good Morning Ladies!! I hope you all are doing well today! Thanks for the input on the caffeine issue. My dr also said one cup of coffee a day wont hurt. That wont be the problem, it will be the weekends when I'm usually having my soda/pop. I do like the flavor of caffeine free dr pepper but it doesn't seem to do the trick...i get caffeine withdrawal headaches. I'll have to tighten up and get over I guess!!

******POSSIBLE PREGNANCY MENTION*****
So Tuesday was cd25 for me which was when AF showed up last month. I'm heading out of town today for an overnight conference so I took a HPT yesterday and today and both showed POSITIVE!! I'm very excited and nervous all at the same time. I go to the dr Thursday for my official test. Is it Thursday yet??? Keeping my fingers crossed that I can happily report a BFP on Friday. I know the group would love to celebrate the first one of 2012!
******END PREGNANCY MENTION*********

I do have a question though....what is a chemical pregnancy? And what are the chances of false positives with HPTs? Any info is appreciated!

for all in their 2ww. to everyone!