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Post by akcheryl on Jan 28, 2007 15:31:11 GMT -5
My husband and I are about to start IVF. I was just put on Femcon Fe (birth control) for a month to get me on the right cycle and hopefully get rid of a large functional cyst. Once the month of bc is done and I start my period, I'm going in for blood work and another US, and we'll start injections!
I'm just wondering who else has done IVF or is doing IVF, what stage endo you have, and what your experiences/outcome with IVF has been.
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Post by denna on Jan 28, 2007 23:27:20 GMT -5
all the best..hope you'll get your baby. i'm still on IUI. hope you don't mind sharing your experiences here...i sure will consider ivf is my IUI fail again..( done twice)
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Post by scarlett on Jan 29, 2007 15:39:09 GMT -5
Hi, I'm doing IVF (I think) as you know. I won't repeat the whole story but for others reference it's after 2 laps and stage 4 endo -too much to remove easily. I'm seeing my gynae dr tomorrow with my husband to talk about IVF for the first time. I'll let you know how it goes. Fingers crossed it isn't all too depressing. I've gotten used to that with dr's recently.
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Post by Elaine on Jan 29, 2007 17:09:49 GMT -5
Hi Girls!
I had lap. last fall and have been fighting a post surgical infection ever since. Nightmare! Am waiting for everything to clear up so that we can start IVF- have been told that it is the only way that we will get prego. It is so heartbreaking.....
Looking forward to reading your stories as you go through the process....good luck!
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Post by akcheryl on Jan 29, 2007 17:21:35 GMT -5
I'm having a sono hysterography done sometime soon to check the inside of my uterus. My husband just spoke to a nurse at the fertility clinic, and she's going to speak to my rep. endocrinologist and they're putting a calendar together for me. We're supposed to get a call back tomorrow with my calendar, including scheduling my sono hysterogram, and some additional blood tests (I already had HIV, rubella, hep c, etc., but may need RBR (syphillis) testing, since they just check to make sure everything is okay). We also requested my medical records from all the hospitals/clinics I've been to in the past year or so (since I already had the HIV testing, etc. done a month ago, I can probably just show these records to the fertlity clinic and not have to pay for redundant testing).
I hope that relaying my experiences helps anyone else doing/considering IVF. I've read a lot about IVF, bought books, researched, etc., but I still find myself wondering about certain aspects.
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Post by scarlett on Jan 30, 2007 8:44:13 GMT -5
I just had my appointment with my gynae dr about IVF following my 2 laps and diagnosis with stage 4 endo. She said that given my age (31) and time we've been ttc (9 months) she would recommend that we wait until we've been ttc about 18 months before we go for IVF. She said this is because the 2 laps both showed that my tubes are fine and just 1 ovary was effected and they were able to help that with the surgery. So she says that we still have some chance of conceiving naturally and should give it a bit more of a shot before coming back to her towards the end of 07 to start IVF. To be honest I feel relieved. I was very nervous before going into the appointment and I kind of feel like I've been given a new lease of life. I think this is because I don't have any energy left ofr more invasive procedures right now plus the emotional energy it takes to go through IVF. Part of me is still nervous about waiting any length of time as I would really like children asap but I think she is probably right that we need to take some more time and keep trying naturally. It is in contrast to what the last surgeon who did my lap said though, which was that we had only a low chance of conceiving without assistance. He was of the opinion that if you don't remove all the endo (as they couldn't with me because it was too close to the bowel) then your chances don't really increase so we should just go straight to IVF. The dr we saw today however (who performed my 1st, diagnostic lap) said that as long as tubes and ovaries aren't effected, then endo near the bowel may not have such a severe effect on fertility. I asked her about the whole 'chemical'/prostagladins issues, and she said there just wasn't enough hard evidence to know one way or the other. So I guess we'll just go with our gut feeling and have some time off (although still ttc naturally ) and then go back to her later this year. I do feel that our first year of marriage (got married 6th May 06) was somewhat hijacked by endo and inferility issues, so I'm looking forward to just trying to live a bit more of a normal life. At least that's how I feel now - we'll see how it goes. About the actual IVF - She said that we could get 1 'free' cycle of IVF on the NHS, but there is about an 18 month waiting list in our area. But she said she could put us on the list and then we could take that option when it came up either as our 1st or subsequent attempts. So we could do a private cycle which we pay for and then an NHS cycle and then another private cycle or whatever if we needed to. That was good to know. I thought maybe you had to have your NHS go first before going private. Apparently not. She said given my age, etc we had about a 25-30% chance on each IVF cycle. She said once you get through the hurdles of ovary stimulation and fertilization then they can give you a better estimate or your actual chances of getting pregnant that cycle. I asked if endo effected the chances and she said it was hard to say. She said it is known to effect egg quality, but there is no hard evidence to say it effects implantation. So if they manage to get your eggs and they are ok, I guess you have as good a chance as anyone. I'll post more later if I think of anything else she said. Feeling quite positive, although I had thought I'd be keen to get going on IVF straight away, I know see that a wee break might be a good thing for us.
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Post by akcheryl on Jan 30, 2007 9:01:12 GMT -5
Scarlett - I'm so happy for you that you got news you wanted. Hopefully, since you're still young (under 35), you'll get pregnant without IVF. I know it's a hard road to go down, but my husband and I are really excited. We've already been ttc for almost a year and a half Also, my doctors all said that with so much scarring and my immune system problems, there is no chance at all that I could conceive naturally (they don't even think my husband's sperm is getting to my eggs). The nurse at the fertility clinic I'm going to just called... I have my sono hysterogram scheduled for tomorrow morning! She's also going to have my calendar and meds ready for me (to show us how to use them - but I think my husband can handle it)! It's really exciting, I feel like things are actually happening! It feels so good to not be afraid anymore (I am nervous though, but I always am about getting shots and blood taken, etc.), we're just hopeful, and we actually feel like having a baby is a real possibility now (after so many months of heartbreak). I guess one of the things we're most nervous about is how to tell certain people. There are some people in our lives that we're around so often that it will be hard to take daily shots and have raging hormones without telling them what's going on. I know they won't have a huge problem with it, but they're also very religious and I don't know how they view IVF.
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Post by scarlett on Jan 30, 2007 14:57:51 GMT -5
That's so great that things are moving for you akcheryl after your long wait. Please keep us informed of how things go for you. I really think IVF will be the way we go as well so I'd really love to hear how your experience goes. I really hope it is successful for you - fingers crossed it will be!! Just try to visualize your baby - he or she (or both ) could be here before too long!!! I'm a great believer in positive thinking working wonders. I can appreciate how heard it can be when others disapprove of your life choices, especially when religion is involved. My husband and I recently experienced that when we got married. He is one religion and I'm another and that can (still - sigh) be a big deal for some people here in NI. Just take strength from each other and remember that no one has the right to judge you. Hopefully they will realize you need their support and be there for you. I forgot to mention that my dr said they would gather as many eggs as they could and then they would freeze any number more than 7 that were viable. Then they'd try to fertilize the remaining 7 (or any number below that if that's how many got produced). They'd put the best 2 of those back in.
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Post by akcheryl on Jan 30, 2007 16:56:10 GMT -5
My fertility clinic will also freeze any unused embryos. The cost of freezing and storage for the first five years is included with our IVF costs, and then there is a yearly fee after that. I think that if this round of IVF works and there are embryos remaining after we have our first baby (or babies!), we'll try for more (we want 6 kids! But we're hoping for 3 biological and 3 adoptive.)
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Post by akcheryl on Jan 31, 2007 17:30:20 GMT -5
This morning I had my sono hysterogram to check the inside of my uterus. I was excited to get the test done, but unfortunately it was one of the most painful experiences I've ever been through (I'm not sure if my lap was better or worse, but it was definitely worse than breaking bones!). The test was performed much like a transvaginal ultrasound, but before that was done they had to fill my uterus with sterile saline (that was the bad part). A very large speculum was inserted, and then a tube was threaded through my cervix into my uterus to insert the fluid. It was hard for the doctor to insert the tube because I've never had a baby before so my cervix is very small. The procedure hurt so much that I almost passed out (which never happens to me). My hands got all tingly all the way up to my elbows, I got hot and sweaty, nauseous...Afterwards I had to sit with a towel between my legs and let the saline drain. It also caused some of the worst cramps EVER. Luckily, there are no fibroids or anything on the inside of my uterus, so there's nothing to inhibit implantation. Finally, some good news!!! _________________________________________________ I also got my IVF calendar and prescriptions today!!! I still have a large functional cyst on my left ovary, but as long as that goes away in the next few weeks, I'll have my eggs taken out on Feb 27 and probably have my embryo transfer on March 2! The doctor briefly went over the meds I'll take: - 4 vials of Reprinex a day (one shot in the upper behind) for about 10 days;
- Antegon (? I can't read the prescription very well), I think to inhibit ovulation;
- A one-time HCG shot to induce ovulation exactly when they want, probably to be taken on Feb 25. This shot goes in the top of upper thigh; and
- Progesterone in oil to help with implantation. These are daily shots (I don't know how many days I'll take them, but up to every day for 10 weeks!).
I'm really excited!
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Post by denna on Jan 31, 2007 23:12:31 GMT -5
you are excited because of the many shots you have to take?? ( just kidding)..i know what you mean.
i heard that you have to inject yourself almost everyday if not everyday.it doesn't matter as long ad the procedure works and you'll get your baby.
i'm excited reading your story.keep on posting..i might do it too...
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Post by akcheryl on Feb 1, 2007 2:52:43 GMT -5
Ha, yeah sorry, I meant I'm excited that we're actually starting IVF and thus are that much closer to having the baby of our dreams!
I think I have a daily injection of Repronex (FSH and LH) for ten days, and a daily injection of another drug (I forget the name) to hold-off ovulation for three days (these are taken during the last three days of Repronex; So it's a single injection of Repronex every day for seven days, then two injections (one of Repronex and one of the ovulation-halting meds) every day for three days). Then I'll have a single shot of 10,000u HCG to induce ovulation exactly when we want it to happen; then I start Progesterone in oil injections to help implantation. I'm not sure how long I'll be taking the Progesterone in oil, but it starts (I think) the day of egg retrieval or about then, and ends anywhere from 10 days after embryo transfer to the start of my second trimester (such a long time!!!)
I'll have blood testing every two or three days to make sure my hormone levels are good, and therefore to see if any of my meds need adjusting. I'll also undergo transvaginal ultrasounds every two or three days to check for ovarian cysts, to see if the lining of my uterus is the right thickness, and to check follicle production.
I REALLY don't like shots AT ALL, but getting daily shots (and I've heard the Progesterone shots are especially painful) is much more preferable than never having kids.
I swear, this baby is already a pain in the bum! He or she isn't even conceived yet, and I'm already willing to do anything for him/her - I can't imagine how much I'll love the baby after (s)he is born. It must be an amazing feeling, loving your own child so much. Hopefully I can just remember that feeling in 16 years when (s)he's giving me grief!
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monira
Full Member
Life is always exploring something new.
Posts: 117
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Post by monira on Feb 9, 2007 18:33:28 GMT -5
I can feel ur excitment akcheryl. I dearly hope to hear a good news soon. I might have to go ur way after waiting a certain period...
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Post by denna on Feb 11, 2007 20:43:36 GMT -5
wow that's a lot of shots and are going to the clinic to get shot are are allow to do it yourself? i cna't imagine going to the clinic everyday.i'm quite lucky as hubby do it for me but i really have to scream sometimes and i will have attention from our 2 dogs..
when exactly is your ivf? good luck...sure you will appreciate the baby very much
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Post by akcheryl on Feb 11, 2007 21:45:20 GMT -5
Well, here's how things are going so far:
My husband and I had our injection class last week. It was pretty funny actually - Every woman in the room (there were 9 couples) had a horrified look on her face when her husband was practicing!
I started taking birth control (Femcon Fe) on Jan. 25 (this is the first time I've EVER taken bc!). My last day of bc is Feb. 14, and I'm supposed to start my period sometime soon after that last pill. I was kind of worried for the past few days - I've had pretty bad cramps this whole time, and on Friday night I started bleeding a little bit. Saturday (yesterday) the bleeding got a little heavier - but it's all brown, old blood. This morning my husband and I woke up at 7am and called the clinic - the nurse said that since it's brown blood, and I've never taken bc before, my body is probably just trying to get used to the hormones. I'm supposed to call on the first day of RED blood.
On day 2 of my cycle, I'll go into the clinic for blood tests and an ultrasound. I don't know exactly what blood tests they're going to do, as I already had a lot done at a hospital back home and those records were just received by the fertility clinic.
That same day - day 2 of my cycle - I'll start my Repronex injections. I'm really nervous about these, as I really hate shots, and last time I had a shot in my bum I threw up a LOT. I just keep telling myself that it's all for a good cause, and that (hopefully) the pain will only last a few minutes each day. My husband is also, reportedly, pretty good at giving shots, so that makes me feel a bit better.
One other thing that I'm not looking forward to is apparently women tend to gain weight (like 10-12 lbs.) while on these ovary stimulating meds. The weight goes away right after going off them, but I still am not happy about it.
Also, at the injection class, the head nurse said we can't exercise, bend over, twist, lift anything heavy, etc. while doing IVF because our ovaries get so huge with lots of follicles that they could easily flip over and cut off blood supply. She said we'd definitely know if this happened, because it hurts like all get-out; and the only way to fix it is through surgery.
So, right now we're just waiting for me to take my last bc pill and start my period. On one hand, I feel like we're just playing a waiting game and I want to "get the show on the road," but on the other hand, I'm trying to appreciate these last few days before shots, blood draws, ultrasounds,..., and hopefully it will all work and out lives will be changed forever!
As far as my overall pain from endo, I'm having daily cramps. It still hurts to pee, like a strong pressure, and I have an appointment with a urologist (who specializes in women) tomorrow. I'm also nervous about that appointment, because they might put a camera up my urethra into my bladder! Part of me hopes that he finds something and can explain this pain, and part of me hopes he doesn't find anything so I can just move on with IVF and not have to worry about my bladder. I'm still having pretty bad boughts of nausea. Also, before my lap I only had BMs about once a week, but after the surgery they went to almost daily, but now they're getting a little more infrequent.
I'll let you know how the shots go in a few days!
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