Today was my first follie check and I was eager to get in because I haven't been feeling much going on in my ovaries. Usually, I feel twinges, fullness, tenderness, and bloating, All signs that something is cooking in there. This cycle, none of that despite the increase to 100mg of clomid and 3 shots of bravelle. So I was really anxious to see what I had going on.
Well I can say that I am already extremely discouraged with the cycle and I haven't even had my IUI yet. I just want my last cycle to be PERFECT and in my mind that is 3-4 nice 18mm-20mm follies and a nice thick lining and ready to go on CD 11.
Today I had a 25mm (too big?) and a 15mm on the left, and a 19mm on the right. Lining was 7. They like it to be between 7-11, so it is within that range although the lowest. I usually have a lining of at least 9.
I don't know. I just already feel like this is going to fail. I think the biggest follie is too big and really a cyst- even though the nurse insisted it wasn't. I think that the 15 can go either way, so I cant totally count that. Although it should be closer to mature by Monday. I just a wanted a few more nice targets since we are using such bad sperm. IDK, I just wanted more ideal scenario given our circumstances....
Also, the sperm guy suggested we only defrost 4 vials. He said that he didn't see the benefit of using more than that. I wasn't expecting that either. I've always thought that we would use the rest of the 9 vials with this last shot, but according to him it wouldn't increase my chances to use more than 4. Another IDK...
So I will trigger tonight at 10:30pm. We will use 4 vials per his recommendations for our IUI on Monday morning, which leaves me with 5 vials left. Good I guess because that means if this doesn't work I have 1 more attempt. A bonus since I was not expecting that but I really don't understand his logic.
I really am not feeling good about this. I know I should try and be more positive, but so much is riding on this that I just wanted it to be perfect. I would feel SO much better if it were a better looking cycle in my mind. I am just feeling so discouraged :( I hate this.
Showing posts with label Clomid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clomid. Show all posts
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Holy Headache
WOW. I don't remember having headaches like these the last time I was taking clomid. Last cycle on the 50 mg, about 2 days in I got a headache for 3 days straight. This time, only one dose in on the 100mg and yesterday afternoon it hit me. A RAGING headache! And no matter what I take, I cant get rid of it. It was so bad last night that I thought about calling the RE's office to see if I could just stop taking it. I do not get headaches, so this is out of the ordinary for me. If this wasn't my last cycle, I would never take this drug again! It's evil!! But I am going to suck it up and keep trucking along. All for a good cause. I start my bravelle shots tonight!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Back on The Wagon
The fertility treatment wagon that is! Today is CD 2 and I will start meds tomorrow for our very last cycle. My RE changed my protocol a little this cycle as as result of what happened last cycle.
CD 3-7 100 mg Clomid
CD 5 & 8 a 75 unit shot of Bravelle
Start OPK's on CD 8
First monitoring appointment on CD 11- which is Saturday July 2 and we'll go from there.
If you remember last cycle I started out great, but then things started getting weird and I stalled out mid cycle, Because of this my RE said that he decided to up my clomid. He said it can help the follicles mature later in the cycle, and that's when I started having problems last cycle. He also switched my injection days, to only 5 & 8, not sure why but my RE is very conservative and I think he is scared that I will over produce.
Here's another thing, my actual RE will be out of town while I am cycling this time. I am very nervous about this. He knows my situation and we have very open communication with one another, so if things go array again we will be consulting with another Dr. in the practice. I mean, that's fine but this cycle is critical. It is our LAST SHOT and I just really wish my Dr was there. The nurse said she was going to ask if he will be available by phone in case we need him, and hopefully he will be. It makes me a little nervous, but I know I am still in good hands with the other RE's. One of them I've seen a couple times, he actually did both my HSG's.
You may also notice that I switched from follistim to bravelle. Well that's because the follistim I was using was left over from when I was cycling with M. I've used that up, and because I am all OOP and these meds are very expensive a sweet sweet IF friend of mine donated her left over boxes of bravelle! So a huge THANK YOU to her!! At least I don't have to worry about that expense.
Picking up my meds today and will start popping pills tomorrow night! Bring it on!
CD 3-7 100 mg Clomid
CD 5 & 8 a 75 unit shot of Bravelle
Start OPK's on CD 8
First monitoring appointment on CD 11- which is Saturday July 2 and we'll go from there.
If you remember last cycle I started out great, but then things started getting weird and I stalled out mid cycle, Because of this my RE said that he decided to up my clomid. He said it can help the follicles mature later in the cycle, and that's when I started having problems last cycle. He also switched my injection days, to only 5 & 8, not sure why but my RE is very conservative and I think he is scared that I will over produce.
Here's another thing, my actual RE will be out of town while I am cycling this time. I am very nervous about this. He knows my situation and we have very open communication with one another, so if things go array again we will be consulting with another Dr. in the practice. I mean, that's fine but this cycle is critical. It is our LAST SHOT and I just really wish my Dr was there. The nurse said she was going to ask if he will be available by phone in case we need him, and hopefully he will be. It makes me a little nervous, but I know I am still in good hands with the other RE's. One of them I've seen a couple times, he actually did both my HSG's.
You may also notice that I switched from follistim to bravelle. Well that's because the follistim I was using was left over from when I was cycling with M. I've used that up, and because I am all OOP and these meds are very expensive a sweet sweet IF friend of mine donated her left over boxes of bravelle! So a huge THANK YOU to her!! At least I don't have to worry about that expense.
Picking up my meds today and will start popping pills tomorrow night! Bring it on!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
CD 15
I have to start out by saying that I truly love my RE's office and the staff there. It is all the same staff from the last time I cycled, so I have gotten a chance to really "know" a lot of them and vise vera through the years. My Dr. is amazing and really trying his best to accommodate my OOPness, and they are all just rooting for me. Today they gave me a bag of 8 boxes of Crinone to try and save me a little money and 2 of the nurses were fighting for which one was going to get to do my IUI. I just love all of them! And in case you were wondering about the IUI...well this thing is just dragging on and on...but I've spent so much time and money already that there is no point in stopping now.
Today's daily vag cam visit showed 3 on the left still at 18, 17, and 15 with a few smaller ones. Still nothing considerable on the right. And my OPK was still negative today. So they did grow. A little. I knew I should have done a 75 shot yesterday instead of a 50. Me and the Dr went back and forth a little bit about it, but he was still worried because of my age and the fact that I could potentially have too many, so 50 it was even though I was pushing for 75. Well I was right. And I made sure to tell him that today ; )
And just because things cant possibly go the way expected to now (we all thought I would defiantly trigger today), I'm not. Instead I did another shot of Bravelle. 75 units this time. Because sometimes a woman just knows best!
BUT
I can at least say that I am on the books now! I will trigger tomorrow night at 10:30 pm and am scheduled for an IUI on Saturday morning at 8:30 am. There is no reason for me to come in again tomorrow, because even if they don't grow at all (which shouldn't be the case, they should at least grow another 1mm) that 18, 17 and maybe even the 15 should each have a viable mature egg. We are just pushing for a little closer to the "ideal" 20mm.
Me and the RE also had a pretty heart to heart conversation about what he would do if he were in this position, and he thinks because this cycle has gone so array that we should only thaw a MAXIMUM of 3 vials, no matter what the counts and save the rest for a more textbook cycle. I agree, although don't get me wrong this could still result in a pregnancy and he made me very aware of that! I should have 2-3 mature eggs, and although they are all on one side, it is still very possible! I don't have too much hope and would feel better if there were targets on each side, but it is what it is at this point and it is completely out of my hands and into gods.
So now I just PRAY that I don't get a + OPK tomorrow, because if I do my IUI will be pushed to Friday. The 13th. I would just much rather have immaculate timing than surge on my own.
Today's daily vag cam visit showed 3 on the left still at 18, 17, and 15 with a few smaller ones. Still nothing considerable on the right. And my OPK was still negative today. So they did grow. A little. I knew I should have done a 75 shot yesterday instead of a 50. Me and the Dr went back and forth a little bit about it, but he was still worried because of my age and the fact that I could potentially have too many, so 50 it was even though I was pushing for 75. Well I was right. And I made sure to tell him that today ; )
And just because things cant possibly go the way expected to now (we all thought I would defiantly trigger today), I'm not. Instead I did another shot of Bravelle. 75 units this time. Because sometimes a woman just knows best!
BUT
I can at least say that I am on the books now! I will trigger tomorrow night at 10:30 pm and am scheduled for an IUI on Saturday morning at 8:30 am. There is no reason for me to come in again tomorrow, because even if they don't grow at all (which shouldn't be the case, they should at least grow another 1mm) that 18, 17 and maybe even the 15 should each have a viable mature egg. We are just pushing for a little closer to the "ideal" 20mm.
Me and the RE also had a pretty heart to heart conversation about what he would do if he were in this position, and he thinks because this cycle has gone so array that we should only thaw a MAXIMUM of 3 vials, no matter what the counts and save the rest for a more textbook cycle. I agree, although don't get me wrong this could still result in a pregnancy and he made me very aware of that! I should have 2-3 mature eggs, and although they are all on one side, it is still very possible! I don't have too much hope and would feel better if there were targets on each side, but it is what it is at this point and it is completely out of my hands and into gods.
So now I just PRAY that I don't get a + OPK tomorrow, because if I do my IUI will be pushed to Friday. The 13th. I would just much rather have immaculate timing than surge on my own.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
CD 14
Annnnnd the saga continues folks. I keep hoping that every time I post an update here that I will have a definite answer of what is going with my cycle, but once again my body has its own ideas. Even my Dr. thinks this whole thing is pretty bizarre! I went in today and low and behold my ovaries look EXACTLY like they did on Sunday! I have a 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, and an 11 on the left side. And only 2 other little guys on the right (10 and 13). Is that bad to have all of them on one side?? That's pretty much how things were looking on Sunday, then I apparently stalled out a little for the last 2 days and now back to where they were. Freaky Freaky! So the extra little shot yesterday must have given them the memo that this isn't over yet.
However, I am still not ready. My RE thought that I should do another shot today and *hopefully* I'll be ready for trigger tomorrow for an IUI on Friday. But because I had already used all of my 300 unit cartridge with this cycle already and he didn't want me busting into a whole new one, he called in a 75 unit vial of Bravelle upstairs to the pharmacy. So I ran upstairs, paid the 55.00 bucks, came back down stairs, mixed the meds and gave myself a shot right there on the spot. Done and Done.
He said I didn't have to come back tomorrow, remember I am all OOP and paying $290 a pop here so he is trying to be mindful of that, which I do appreciate. He said that I could just go ahead and trigger tomorrow night. We discussed this and I told him that I wasn't so sure about how I felt about that. What I have learned over the last 6 days is that I can no longer trust my body to do what it should do. Theoretically, they should have continued to grow over these last couple days. Not stop. And yes, they should grow and be ready tomorrow but after all this, I am not sure that's what will happen. I am just not willing to take ANY chances here and would rather shell out the extra $$ than waste my only shot at ever having another baby. I just cant.
So I'll be shelping my ass back to the RE's office tomorrow once again, for the 4th day in a row and my 5th so far this cycle for another u/s. I really don't mind it, except the money part. Either way, we decided that since this has gotten so crazy that if for any reason I am not ready tomorrow- we are just going to cancel, scrap this cycle, and start over. So much has happened already, that if I am not ready tomorrow I am not prepared to continue on under these weirdo circumstance.
Also, before I forget we all had a suedo meeting while I was there. Myself, my RE, and the sperm guy. I feel bad calling him that, but I don't know what his official job title is. I just wanted to make sure that we were all on the same page as to what we are dealing with and what exactly will go down Friday, if that is IUI day. Sperm guy says he will start with defrosting 2 vials first, then add a 3rd and so on until we hit 5 mil. or above. What he told me next had me spinning into a full blown panic attack. He said that the sperm has not been washed or prepped! WHATS THAT YOU SAY SPERM GUY??!! My jaw literally hit the floor and stayed there for at least 30 seconds. That means there will be even less in each vial after they spin/wash it. I was under the impression that this was all done at collection time and these numbers were post wash, etc.
I don't know guys, I just really beaten up here about this whole thing. I sure hope all this isn't a sign...
However, I am still not ready. My RE thought that I should do another shot today and *hopefully* I'll be ready for trigger tomorrow for an IUI on Friday. But because I had already used all of my 300 unit cartridge with this cycle already and he didn't want me busting into a whole new one, he called in a 75 unit vial of Bravelle upstairs to the pharmacy. So I ran upstairs, paid the 55.00 bucks, came back down stairs, mixed the meds and gave myself a shot right there on the spot. Done and Done.
He said I didn't have to come back tomorrow, remember I am all OOP and paying $290 a pop here so he is trying to be mindful of that, which I do appreciate. He said that I could just go ahead and trigger tomorrow night. We discussed this and I told him that I wasn't so sure about how I felt about that. What I have learned over the last 6 days is that I can no longer trust my body to do what it should do. Theoretically, they should have continued to grow over these last couple days. Not stop. And yes, they should grow and be ready tomorrow but after all this, I am not sure that's what will happen. I am just not willing to take ANY chances here and would rather shell out the extra $$ than waste my only shot at ever having another baby. I just cant.
So I'll be shelping my ass back to the RE's office tomorrow once again, for the 4th day in a row and my 5th so far this cycle for another u/s. I really don't mind it, except the money part. Either way, we decided that since this has gotten so crazy that if for any reason I am not ready tomorrow- we are just going to cancel, scrap this cycle, and start over. So much has happened already, that if I am not ready tomorrow I am not prepared to continue on under these weirdo circumstance.
Also, before I forget we all had a suedo meeting while I was there. Myself, my RE, and the sperm guy. I feel bad calling him that, but I don't know what his official job title is. I just wanted to make sure that we were all on the same page as to what we are dealing with and what exactly will go down Friday, if that is IUI day. Sperm guy says he will start with defrosting 2 vials first, then add a 3rd and so on until we hit 5 mil. or above. What he told me next had me spinning into a full blown panic attack. He said that the sperm has not been washed or prepped! WHATS THAT YOU SAY SPERM GUY??!! My jaw literally hit the floor and stayed there for at least 30 seconds. That means there will be even less in each vial after they spin/wash it. I was under the impression that this was all done at collection time and these numbers were post wash, etc.
I don't know guys, I just really beaten up here about this whole thing. I sure hope all this isn't a sign...
Monday, May 9, 2011
CD 13
Just when I thought things couldn't get ANY weirder with this cycle and my body, they did. Once again, I walked in to meet my fate with the vag cam expecting answers and a conclusion to this mess and walked out with even more questions and even more confused than ever.
My Doc placed the vag cam in, and started with the left first (my rock star side). Well you know how yesterday there was 17 and a 16's and some 14's on that side? Well now there is NO 17, but a 16, a few 15's, and then a few more trailing along at 13. U/S showed NO growth. WTF?!! I am completely and utterly clueless as to what is going on here. At first he thought well maybe I ovulated on my own already? But I have not gotten a + OPK as of yet. Although I did have to take it earlier yesterday and today because of my appointments.
He moved over to the right side and I have a few on that side still, but they are all SMALL (like 10-12)!!!! He thinks that maybe we need to "keep feeding them" for them to continue to grow?? So I am instructed to give myself a 50 unit shot and come back tomorrow. I really don't know what to think at this point. We are both kind of at a loss to what is going on. But I guess the body works in mysterious way and this is showing us just how unpredictable it and infertility can be.
I decided that from now on I am leaving my expectations of whats going to happen with this cycle at the door, because here I went from on the verge of being cancelled for having TOO many to basically flat lining in the last couple days.
The only thing I can do now is trust my Dr. and hope that my body is just keeping us on our toes a little. Because like Thomas Jefferson said anything worth having is worth fighting for......
My Doc placed the vag cam in, and started with the left first (my rock star side). Well you know how yesterday there was 17 and a 16's and some 14's on that side? Well now there is NO 17, but a 16, a few 15's, and then a few more trailing along at 13. U/S showed NO growth. WTF?!! I am completely and utterly clueless as to what is going on here. At first he thought well maybe I ovulated on my own already? But I have not gotten a + OPK as of yet. Although I did have to take it earlier yesterday and today because of my appointments.
He moved over to the right side and I have a few on that side still, but they are all SMALL (like 10-12)!!!! He thinks that maybe we need to "keep feeding them" for them to continue to grow?? So I am instructed to give myself a 50 unit shot and come back tomorrow. I really don't know what to think at this point. We are both kind of at a loss to what is going on. But I guess the body works in mysterious way and this is showing us just how unpredictable it and infertility can be.
I decided that from now on I am leaving my expectations of whats going to happen with this cycle at the door, because here I went from on the verge of being cancelled for having TOO many to basically flat lining in the last couple days.
The only thing I can do now is trust my Dr. and hope that my body is just keeping us on our toes a little. Because like Thomas Jefferson said anything worth having is worth fighting for......
Friday, May 6, 2011
CD 10
I walked into my first monitoring appointment this morning all bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to see what was cooking in my ovaries this go round. I knew something was going on on the left side because starting yesterday I've been getting twinges and fullness on that side..but I was totally not expecting to get the news I did...
The nurse scanned my right ovary first. I have (2) 15mm follies and a few more tiny ones on that side. Then she moved on to the left...I have SIX yes SIX follies on that side ranging from 11-15mm. I was in complete and utter shock that I respond the way that I did this time. I have always had 1-3 follies and have been on this protocol before, so I was completely stunned. So as it stands right now, I have a 50% chance that this cycle will be cancelled for over stimulating. We are hoping and praying that the smaller ones stay small, and that the bigger ones stay dominate and continue to grow.
I go back on Sunday for another scan to see where they are at. If I have more than 3-4 mature follicles Sunday we will be cancelled. I really really hope that isn't the case because that means all the money we've spent so far, all the meds, etc. was a complete waste. But the risks of having multiples (heck even twins scare the shit outta me!!) would be far too great to proceed and one that I or my Dr. would not be willing to take. We'll see what happens on Sunday. FINGERS CROSSED!
So please if you can spare a few extra prayers for me and my ovaries it would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank You!!
The nurse scanned my right ovary first. I have (2) 15mm follies and a few more tiny ones on that side. Then she moved on to the left...I have SIX yes SIX follies on that side ranging from 11-15mm. I was in complete and utter shock that I respond the way that I did this time. I have always had 1-3 follies and have been on this protocol before, so I was completely stunned. So as it stands right now, I have a 50% chance that this cycle will be cancelled for over stimulating. We are hoping and praying that the smaller ones stay small, and that the bigger ones stay dominate and continue to grow.
I go back on Sunday for another scan to see where they are at. If I have more than 3-4 mature follicles Sunday we will be cancelled. I really really hope that isn't the case because that means all the money we've spent so far, all the meds, etc. was a complete waste. But the risks of having multiples (heck even twins scare the shit outta me!!) would be far too great to proceed and one that I or my Dr. would not be willing to take. We'll see what happens on Sunday. FINGERS CROSSED!
So please if you can spare a few extra prayers for me and my ovaries it would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank You!!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
CD 8
I started my daily OPK's this morning (today's was negative), took my last clomid pill last night (good rid dins!) and my last follistim shot just a few minutes ago! Thankfully nothing crazy happened this time. I have been doing the shots myself and I am pretty proud of myself! But lets face it, its either that or get stabbed again. So I think I'll just suck it up and do it.
I haven't started feeling anything in my ovaries yet, no dull aches or fullness so I am curious to see how well I respond this time. It is only CD 8 so maybe in the next few days I'll start feeling something. Next up- my ultra sound/follie check on Friday!
I know this is probably going to sound crazy, but during the midst of all this I am still trying to lose 5 pounds. Ambitious I know given that I am being pumped full of hormone this month but I AM DETERMINED. Of course, if I get pregnant I will ease up but until I see 2 lines it's full steam ahead. We are going on a 7 day eastern Caribbean cruise at the beginning of June!! That means I'll be in a bathing suit for 7 days straight. If that's not motivation, I don't know what is!
I've been doing really well eating good and maintaining my exercise routine, and plan to continue to do so except the 2 days following my IUI. After that I might ease up a little on the intensity of my workouts during the 2ww until I test. Eeekkk! I'm scared already!
Would it be too much to ask for to lose 5 lbs AND get pregnant? : )
I haven't started feeling anything in my ovaries yet, no dull aches or fullness so I am curious to see how well I respond this time. It is only CD 8 so maybe in the next few days I'll start feeling something. Next up- my ultra sound/follie check on Friday!
I know this is probably going to sound crazy, but during the midst of all this I am still trying to lose 5 pounds. Ambitious I know given that I am being pumped full of hormone this month but I AM DETERMINED. Of course, if I get pregnant I will ease up but until I see 2 lines it's full steam ahead. We are going on a 7 day eastern Caribbean cruise at the beginning of June!! That means I'll be in a bathing suit for 7 days straight. If that's not motivation, I don't know what is!
I've been doing really well eating good and maintaining my exercise routine, and plan to continue to do so except the 2 days following my IUI. After that I might ease up a little on the intensity of my workouts during the 2ww until I test. Eeekkk! I'm scared already!
Would it be too much to ask for to lose 5 lbs AND get pregnant? : )
Monday, May 2, 2011
CD 6
Well here I am on CD 6 and you'll never believe what happened. Did you read my post on CD 4? If not, read that first for some insight.
Tonight my husband went to give me my second shot. I prepped myself, got everything ready and figured out a better way to grab something to inject into. So I pulled my pants down, scrunched my belly down, and grabbed (again) what I could. I held on as my husband pelted the needle toward my abdomen, and then you'll never believe what happened next. Never in a million years.
The needle went in and then THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE AND INTO MY FINGER!!!!!
At first I wasn't sure if he just nipped my finger, so I told him to go ahead and inject. Then I felt this cool liquid dripping down my stomach. WHAT KINDA FREAKY SHIT IS THIS?!
He pulled it out and it defiantly didn't go in. The clear medicine was all over my stomach and my finger was bleeding where the needle hit me. At first we were both so stunned as to what just happened. Neither of us could believe it. I mean, REALLY have you ever heard of such a crazy ass thing?! EVER?
After I settled down, we figured that I didn't grab enough or was pinching too hard and he went in at a bad angle. Combine that with having no fat layer to inject into caused it to go through both sides of my skin and into my finger. Very strange. Anyways, I decided that it was best that I inject myself this time. So again, I sat down (now even more nervous), took a deep breath and just did it. But now I am wondering if any of the first shot made it in? If so, it couldn't have been much. I hope because otherwise I doubled up on my meds tonight. I'm trying to have 1 baby here. Not 6.
I hope this isn't a sign of whats to come.
I have one dose left of clomid- thank god. I have had the worst headaches and dizzy spells (both major side effects from the drug). So I will be glad when that's over!
Tonight my husband went to give me my second shot. I prepped myself, got everything ready and figured out a better way to grab something to inject into. So I pulled my pants down, scrunched my belly down, and grabbed (again) what I could. I held on as my husband pelted the needle toward my abdomen, and then you'll never believe what happened next. Never in a million years.
The needle went in and then THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE AND INTO MY FINGER!!!!!
At first I wasn't sure if he just nipped my finger, so I told him to go ahead and inject. Then I felt this cool liquid dripping down my stomach. WHAT KINDA FREAKY SHIT IS THIS?!
He pulled it out and it defiantly didn't go in. The clear medicine was all over my stomach and my finger was bleeding where the needle hit me. At first we were both so stunned as to what just happened. Neither of us could believe it. I mean, REALLY have you ever heard of such a crazy ass thing?! EVER?
After I settled down, we figured that I didn't grab enough or was pinching too hard and he went in at a bad angle. Combine that with having no fat layer to inject into caused it to go through both sides of my skin and into my finger. Very strange. Anyways, I decided that it was best that I inject myself this time. So again, I sat down (now even more nervous), took a deep breath and just did it. But now I am wondering if any of the first shot made it in? If so, it couldn't have been much. I hope because otherwise I doubled up on my meds tonight. I'm trying to have 1 baby here. Not 6.
I hope this isn't a sign of whats to come.
I have one dose left of clomid- thank god. I have had the worst headaches and dizzy spells (both major side effects from the drug). So I will be glad when that's over!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
CD 4
Well I'm 2 clomid pills and one shot deep today! I took my first clomid pill last night, and another tonight along with my first shot of follistim. I had to wipe the dust off myFollistim pen (literally, it had dust on the case) and made my husband shoot me. I know this is going to sound like such a bad problem to have, but I don't have much fat on my stomach so I was really nervous that it was going to puncture my abdominal muscles and then I would be laying there screaming. Dramatic? I know. And it's a little needle too, but I literally have no fat layer there. None. Not an inch. Just skin and then muscle where I am supposed to inject.
My husband didn't believe me, and said " Okay sure, whatever. Just get get over here and lay down." Then he felt my stomach and was like "wow!" "Your right, you don't have any fat there just loose skin...hahaha!" Trust me, I have lots of fat in other regions but for some reason after baby # 2 my body fat distributed differently and I just don't have any fat there! I didn't know what to do. So I just sat on the edge of the bed and scrunched my belly skin as much as possible, grabbed what I could and looked the other direction while he jabbed me. Nice huh?
Not to worry, its was PAINLESS! Perfectly fine! The first one is always a little scary. We're on our way.....
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
CD 1
Well AF arrived last night! I called my RE's office this morning to get the ball rolling. We needed to go over my protocol, etc. and I had questions this time since its been a while! I needed a little refresher. Here is what's going down.
CD 3-7: 50mg Clomid
CD 4, 6, 8: 75unit shot of Follistim
CD 8: Start daily OPK's with second or third morning urine
CD 10: First monitoring ultra sound to see whats cooking and when to trigger!
My last cycle (the one where I conceived baby M!) I went in on CD 11 and had (2) 22mm, (1) 15mm and a (1) 12mm follie. I triggered that night and had my IUI 36 hours later. Since I was ready on CD 11 last time, I thought it might be a little safer to bring me in 1 day earlier on CD 10 this time. I just don't want to risk ANYTHING, so its better to be safe than sorry. I would hate to ovulate or start surging on my own before trigger. I just need everything to go as smoothly as possible with this hail mary cycle!
I pick up my meds tomorrow and will start them on Friday!
CD 3-7: 50mg Clomid
CD 4, 6, 8: 75unit shot of Follistim
CD 8: Start daily OPK's with second or third morning urine
CD 10: First monitoring ultra sound to see whats cooking and when to trigger!
My last cycle (the one where I conceived baby M!) I went in on CD 11 and had (2) 22mm, (1) 15mm and a (1) 12mm follie. I triggered that night and had my IUI 36 hours later. Since I was ready on CD 11 last time, I thought it might be a little safer to bring me in 1 day earlier on CD 10 this time. I just don't want to risk ANYTHING, so its better to be safe than sorry. I would hate to ovulate or start surging on my own before trigger. I just need everything to go as smoothly as possible with this hail mary cycle!
I pick up my meds tomorrow and will start them on Friday!
Friday, April 17, 2009
I DID IT!
I gave MYSELF my trigger shot last night!!! YAY!!
First time ever I have actually followed through and given myself the shot. I feel so proud of myself, like I deserve a IF badge or something. Well last night my DH was not feeling too well, I am didn't think it was very nice to wake him at 1 am to give me a shot, so before we went to bed I practiced. On a lemon : ) My main issue with not being able to shoot myself was always being unsure of how hard and fast to push the needle in. What if I go too fast and it hurts? What if I go to slow and don't get it in all the way? What if I have to pull it out and start over? So I practiced! I even held the lemon like my fat roll and jabbed the needle in just like it was my own skin. I even took a deep breath before the shot...lol. And I did it a few times until I felt comfortable.
As we went to bed, I told DH I will do my very best not to wake you. I woke up at 12:45 (well not really woke up, because I couldn't sleep last night...there is just something about knowing you have to get up in 2 hours and get a shot that makes it hard to sleep) to mix and prepare my meds. Now I don't know if its because I am just so sick of this shit, or if it was because I was tired and just wanted to get it over with, or simply because I knew I shouldn't wake up DH, but I sat down in the chair and just did it. And didn't think twice (like I usually do)!
Afterwards, I felt so proud and wondered to myself what was I so afraid of? It was NOTHING! Those needles are so sharp they just go right in pretty effortlessly.
So now I am all triggered! I go in in the morning for my IUI, hope and pray that DH's numbers are good! Oh and tomorrow is Kay's 5th birthday party!! (Oh and why do my IUI's always fall on a day where I have something major going on?) WOW- I cant believe she's 5, but that's a whole other post in itself...
Hopefully the third times the charm!!
First time ever I have actually followed through and given myself the shot. I feel so proud of myself, like I deserve a IF badge or something. Well last night my DH was not feeling too well, I am didn't think it was very nice to wake him at 1 am to give me a shot, so before we went to bed I practiced. On a lemon : ) My main issue with not being able to shoot myself was always being unsure of how hard and fast to push the needle in. What if I go too fast and it hurts? What if I go to slow and don't get it in all the way? What if I have to pull it out and start over? So I practiced! I even held the lemon like my fat roll and jabbed the needle in just like it was my own skin. I even took a deep breath before the shot...lol. And I did it a few times until I felt comfortable.
As we went to bed, I told DH I will do my very best not to wake you. I woke up at 12:45 (well not really woke up, because I couldn't sleep last night...there is just something about knowing you have to get up in 2 hours and get a shot that makes it hard to sleep) to mix and prepare my meds. Now I don't know if its because I am just so sick of this shit, or if it was because I was tired and just wanted to get it over with, or simply because I knew I shouldn't wake up DH, but I sat down in the chair and just did it. And didn't think twice (like I usually do)!
Afterwards, I felt so proud and wondered to myself what was I so afraid of? It was NOTHING! Those needles are so sharp they just go right in pretty effortlessly.
So now I am all triggered! I go in in the morning for my IUI, hope and pray that DH's numbers are good! Oh and tomorrow is Kay's 5th birthday party!! (Oh and why do my IUI's always fall on a day where I have something major going on?) WOW- I cant believe she's 5, but that's a whole other post in itself...
Hopefully the third times the charm!!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Back From My Date With The Dildo Cam
Let me start off by saying how much I LOVE follistim! The combo cycle worked perfectly this go round, and I am very happy about my response! I am on CD 11 and at my follie check u/s this morning I have a 23, 22, 17, 15, a 12, and a few smaller ones. My lining looked great and measured at 11. So I am triggering tonight at 1:00 am! Gotta love those middle of the night shots. My IUI will be sat. morning at 11:00am. I should have 2, possibly 3 follies at IUI time. They don't think that the 15 will catch up, but there is a small chance it could, in that case I would have 4 follies. I have never in my life O'ed so early, well I usually don't O at all on my own, but with the clomid the last two cycles my IUI's were on day 17 & 18, this cycle it will be on CD 13!
I am SO getting knocked up this cycle...I can feel it : ) WooooHoooooo!
I am SO getting knocked up this cycle...I can feel it : ) WooooHoooooo!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
An Update: CD 10
I am now on CD 10. Stopped the clomid a few days ago, and took my last shot of Follistim on Monday night. I go in tomorrow for my follie check, but I am not expecting too much at this point. No achy ovaries yet...so I cant have that much going on, but we shall see. I am on my third day of OPK's (of course all negative so far) and that's pretty much it. I will have more to report after my date with the dildo cam tomorrow!
I do want to say that I usually get a bruise and am very sore at the injection site after every.single.shot in the past and this time NOTHING. No bruise, no soreness, nadda! I couldn't believe it and even made sure my DH was actually shooting me up. Of course he was, but that got me wondering and I think I have figured it out.
When I was on follistim before I was also on baby aspirin and a shot of low dose hcg everyday, so it was wither the baby aspirin that was causing it or the other shot. Either way, these have been a breeze!! YIPPIE!
I do want to say that I usually get a bruise and am very sore at the injection site after every.single.shot in the past and this time NOTHING. No bruise, no soreness, nadda! I couldn't believe it and even made sure my DH was actually shooting me up. Of course he was, but that got me wondering and I think I have figured it out.
When I was on follistim before I was also on baby aspirin and a shot of low dose hcg everyday, so it was wither the baby aspirin that was causing it or the other shot. Either way, these have been a breeze!! YIPPIE!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Hello Follistim Pen!
I have a love/hate relationship with this thing. I love it because it really is so easy to use and doesn't hurt one bit and I hate it because no matter how many of these I have done before I still cant manage to do the shot myself. And no one likes getting shots...I mean only a sadistic person or a junkie would, well that and maybe a person desperate for a baby! Anyways, I always chicken out at the last minute and have my DH do it. We all remember these photos from my first experience, and although it looks like I was doing the shot myself, I didn't...I backed out. Maybe one day I will finally give my own shot, until then its my DH's job! He joked tonight that Kaylee is going to think this is how babies are made...mommy and daddy give themselves shots and then comes a baby! We had to lock ourselves in the bathroom as she pounded on the door wondering what we were doing in there as I stood in front of the toilet as my husband sat there and stabbed (with a dart like motion!) a needle into my stomach. So not my idea of baby making.
Anyways, today is CD 4 and 2 doses of clomid and 1 shot down so far! And I am happy to report no hot flashes yet...although I don't usually get them until around 3 days after taking the first pill so we'll see if they start tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Changing It Up For IUI #3
I got the call back from my clinic about my protocol for this cycle and I will be doing a combined stimulation protocol. What does this mean? Well I will tell you my friends, it means I will do:
CD 3-7 50 mg of clomid
CD 4, 6, & 8 75 units of follistim
I still have to take the evil clomid! Damn, damn, damn. It makes me hot and fat and I hate it. I start OPK's on CD 8, and go in on CD 11 for my follie check. I really hope I get a good response with this combined stimulation, I am nervous that 75 units is not going to be enough, but I at the same time I worry about over stimming on a higher dose. I guess we'll just have to see how my body reacts. Until then, I'll be wondering and waiting.
If any of you have done clomid AND follistim leave me a comment and let me know how you responded! Thanks!
CD 3-7 50 mg of clomid
CD 4, 6, & 8 75 units of follistim
I still have to take the evil clomid! Damn, damn, damn. It makes me hot and fat and I hate it. I start OPK's on CD 8, and go in on CD 11 for my follie check. I really hope I get a good response with this combined stimulation, I am nervous that 75 units is not going to be enough, but I at the same time I worry about over stimming on a higher dose. I guess we'll just have to see how my body reacts. Until then, I'll be wondering and waiting.
If any of you have done clomid AND follistim leave me a comment and let me know how you responded! Thanks!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Somethin's Cookin in There
I was waiting for the achy dull ovary pain to start...actually I look forward to it! It lets me know in some way that the meds are working. Last month I KNEW I would have a follie on the left ovary because that's where I was aching...and I was right. I had one 18mm at my CD 14 monitoring appointment. Well this month (starting this morning) I am achy on both sides. YAY!! I am hoping I have a nice big follie on each side at my appointment with the vag cam on Friday.
We shall see : )
Oh and I started charting again this cycle, you can click here to stalk my chart if you'd like! Still no positive opk's and that's where I want to stay until trigger time!
We shall see : )
Oh and I started charting again this cycle, you can click here to stalk my chart if you'd like! Still no positive opk's and that's where I want to stay until trigger time!
Oh and for those of you who are not dealing with IF, the picture above is what your ovary looks like (or at least my PCOSish ovaries) on the vag cam u/s. Those round black spots are follicles, which each hold a egg. Although the ones pictured are not mature follicles, when they are mature they are much bigger than the ones pictured. There's your daily IF lesson by Lisa : )
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Let The Games Begin-CD 11
Thank god the clomid crazies are over and now it time we move onto the second half of the show which is daily OPK's starting today, CD 11. I go in on Friday morning for my follie check u/s to see what I've got cookin. Unitl then its sex and opk's BUT you gotta have at least 2-3 days abstinence before the big IUI, nothing like trying to schedule for something you have no control over.
I have a confession.
Last night I spent $82.74 at Walgreen's on opk's and pg tests. That's a lot of money! I was the crazy pg test lady in line. The best part is that when I got to the register the guy obviously knowing what I was buying said to me "so your trying for that boy huh?" with a smile on his face my reply "I'll take anything at this point" There is no shame in my game, and I surely didn't care to hide my IF from the Walgreen's guy.
The reason for my extravagant purchase? My clinic wants me to use the Walgreen's brand opk's, but since they are so hard for me to read the lines and everything I also bought the digitals (thanks for the idea Mrs. Nolan!). So if it looks like it could be positive then I will take a digital to confirm. Well then the pg tests were on sale, and a girl going through fertility treatments can never have too many of those!
I have a confession.
Last night I spent $82.74 at Walgreen's on opk's and pg tests. That's a lot of money! I was the crazy pg test lady in line. The best part is that when I got to the register the guy obviously knowing what I was buying said to me "so your trying for that boy huh?" with a smile on his face my reply "I'll take anything at this point" There is no shame in my game, and I surely didn't care to hide my IF from the Walgreen's guy.
The reason for my extravagant purchase? My clinic wants me to use the Walgreen's brand opk's, but since they are so hard for me to read the lines and everything I also bought the digitals (thanks for the idea Mrs. Nolan!). So if it looks like it could be positive then I will take a digital to confirm. Well then the pg tests were on sale, and a girl going through fertility treatments can never have too many of those!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Clomid Crazies
They call the s/e from clomid the "clomid crazies" for a reason! It makes me feel like the lady pictured...like a crazy person! I have snapped at my DH at least a couple times a day followed by the sudden hot flashes! Gotta love the hot flashes, which now makes me totally sympathetic towards menopausal women. I cant imagine having them all the time. To top it off, just by nature, when I get hot I get extremely bitchy.
Please pray for those that have to live with me, only 2 more doses left.....
Friday, February 27, 2009
Our Plan for Next Cycle
I emailed my RE this morning about doing an all injectable IUI next cycle because I have 2 boxes of Follistim just sitting in my fridge, and thought I might as well use them right? I only produced 1 follie on the 50mg of clomid so I figured I would see what he thought before I have to go in for my CD 3 stuff again.
He just called and thinks we should try to up the clomid to 100mg (great more hot flashes!) this cycle and then if that doesnt work, use the Follistim the next cycle. So thats the plan and I am okay with that. I just hope that the 100mg will produce more than 1 follie and hopefully not increase the HOT FLASHES anymore than on the 50mg.
Bring on the clomid crazies...like I'm not crazy enough already?!
He just called and thinks we should try to up the clomid to 100mg (great more hot flashes!) this cycle and then if that doesnt work, use the Follistim the next cycle. So thats the plan and I am okay with that. I just hope that the 100mg will produce more than 1 follie and hopefully not increase the HOT FLASHES anymore than on the 50mg.
Bring on the clomid crazies...like I'm not crazy enough already?!
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