LI Rascal's IVF Journal-Update *Beta #1 in*

I honestly wasn't going to do an IVF journal, because I didn't feel it was right since my protocol is so mild and simple. However, a friend made me realize over the weekend that even if it helps one person, it's still worth posting. I'm also hoping I can look back on it one day and smile....

I just want to say that this protocol may not be typical for everyone, so please be sure to refer to other journals as well as mine for additional information.

DH: 36
Me: 36

I have multiple sclerosis, diagnosed in 2006. Was told to stay on my meds and use birth control until I was "cleared for ttc". In Sept. of 2008 I was ready to start- and was told "no". Finally, in November of 2009, I was given the go-ahead! I had to wait 3 months before TTC,

TTC 1 yr before seeking treatment. We hardly ever used artificial birth control before but were 'careful". I just thought we were good at it.

Dx: nothing. Unexplained IF DH's Dx: nothing. Sperm counts like a rock star.

From our 1st RE appointment to our first iui, there were 4 months' gap. DH wanted to continue trying naturally since Dx said nothing was wrong. Went to 2 other doctors (RE and RI) for opinions- stayed w/RE #1.
Conceived in April- Chemical That's when I came here. Everyone helped me through it, and we moved on.

Labor Day: 1st iui. BFN
Rosh Hashana: 2nd iui. BFN
Halloween: 3rd iui. BFN
Thanksgiving day: 4th iui. BFN
um, notice a pattern?
I officially quit iui and personally felt it was the BIGGEST waste of time in my life. RE explained that since nothing was wrong they felt chances were good.
2 months off to de-stress and enjoy Christmas, then onward and upward!

1/26/12 AF came, on time.

2/3: water sonogram- 100% normal.

2/6: mock xfer, and DH had another SA, pap smear, gyno exam and monitoring.
Sample was frozen as a backup for ivf.

2/15: sonogram and bloodwork to ensure I ovulated (yes), and instruction on how to do the Lupron shot.

2/16-2/29, 10 cc Lupron in the AM

AF came on 2/25 after being delayed by lupron about 4 days.

3/1: CD 5: Baseline sono and bloodwork are normal! 5 cc Lupron after bloodwork was done.

3/2 CD6: Day 1 of stims!
AM: 5 cc Lupron
PM: .75 cc x2 Menopur
.75 cc x2 Bravelle

3/3 CD7: AM: 5cc Lupron
PM: .75 cc x2 Menopur
.75 cc x2 Bravelle

3/4 CD8: Bloodwork and sono in the early AM - ** both revealed that I am responding too well. Bravelle reduced to .75 cc only. Menopur stays the same.
AM: 5cc Lupron
PM: .75cc x2 Menopur
.75cc Bravelle

3/5 CD9: AM: 5cc Lupron
PM .75cc x2 Menopur
.75cc Bravelle

3/6 CD10: Bloodwork and sono in the early AM. Both showed I am responding too well, and they reduced my Menopur, too.
11AM: 5cc Lupron
PM: .75cc Menopur
.75cc Bravelle

3/7 CD11: Bloodwork an sono, early AM
Sono showed about 18 follicles, progressing rapidly. Meds reduced again~
11AM: 5cc Lupron
PM: .75cc Menopur only

3/8 CD12: Bloodwork an sono, early AM
Sono showed about 20 follicles, 9 of which measure between 13mm-20mm.
They held me back a little too much, so they put me back on half a dose of Bravelle
11AM: 5cc Lupron
PM: .75cc Menopur
1/2 .75cc Bravelle

3/9 CD13: Bloodwork an sono, early AM
Bloodwork showed that my 20 follies are maturing at different rates, and that I am stimulated enough. No Bravelle today
11AM: 5cc Lupron
PM: .75cc Menopur only

3/10 CD14: Bloodwork/sono, early AM
Follies are maturing and 11 of them are great size. Estrogen is waaaay high, so no meds tonight!
9AM: 5cc Lupron
PM: No stims!!!!!

3/11 CD15: Bloodwork/sono early AM
Follies were called "lovely" by the RE. Thank you My Estrogen level was high and they wanted to make sure that I wasn't being hyperstimulated.
11AM: 5cc Lupron

3/12 CD 16: Now I am freaking out.
Bloodwork and sono in the early AM revealed that My estrogen is still high. ER won't be tuesday or wednesday- Thursday at the earliest. They call it "coasting"
No meds today

3/13 CD17; Bloodwork/sono early AM
My bloodwork came back and.... E2 is 4400!!!!!
11AM: 5cc Lupron
Triggered with Novarel HCG at 10PM.
ER set for Thursday!!!

3/14 CD18: Bloodwork and sono, early AM. Signed all my paperwork- ER is tomorrow! No meds, nothing after midnight.

3/15 ER- All went smoothly, of course I'm cracking jokes and no, I didn't puke!
All 23 follies were retrieved, but out of all of them, only 10 were eggs. They tried flushing the others out, and they didn't release from the follies.

3/16 Fert Report is in! Out of the 10, 8 fertilized! I am more than happy with that number, especially because the non-ICSI took, too!

3/19 Transfer time set for 11:00AM Tuesday
6 embies made it to blast, 2 will be xferred in!

3/20 ET I got to the RE and they made me wait almost a whole hour I had to pee so bad. They allowed me to go and I had an extra bottle of water with me, so I drank it before I went in- perfect! I undressed from the waist down and kept the gown on... they wheel me in, and just like an iui, put the catheter in. The embryologist held up the petri dish with my name and DOB on it and made me read it out loud. Then the nurse held the wand for the external sono on my belly while I watched the whole thing on the screen!! I saw my embies go in and they rested in their cushiony fluffy lining! And like that, our joyful wait begins!

4/2= 18dpo Beta #1 = 1249!
4/9= 26dpo Beta #2 = 14,934!

Message edited 4/9/2012 11:50:32 PM.

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Good luck!!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Good luck!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

next time i see you i am going to break out madonna's holiday

best of luck to you mama! i am rooting for you!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Gina, I'm gonna bust out some Bon Jovi, you know!
Do you realize that if I have , their names should be.................

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Lots of luck this cycle!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

good luck!!!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

good luck to you!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

GOOD LUCK MY DEAR

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

I hope this has a happy ending!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Posted by PennyCat

I hope this has a happy ending!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Posted by LIRascal

Posted by PennyCat

I hope this has a happy ending!!!

Thank you so much! Me too... or I'll be destroyed

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Posted by LIRascal

Posted by PennyCat

I hope this has a happy ending!!!

Thank you so much! Me too... or I'll be destroyed

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Good luck!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Update for stims...... and I couldn't find my freakin journal, LOL

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Finally moving right along! Good luck!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

yay!!!!!!!!!!!! good luck!!!!!!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

It's gotta be a sign: I started stims on Jon Bon Jovi's 50th Birthday!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

The nurse who called to follow up on my bloodwork left a msg. I was in church. I didn't get a chance to ask her about what my bloodwork revealed. Grrr.....


Question: has this ever happened to any of you?
When my RE saw me this morning, she said she was thrilled to see how well I responded to the meds so far, and after she analyzes my bloodwork, she'd prob reduce my meds a bit.
So when the nurse called me, I wasn't surprised that she told me to take only 1 .75cc vial of Bravelle. But why? I have no idea Not that it's bad- I'd rather be on fewer drugs!

Message edited 3/4/2012 4:03:29 PM.

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

has anyone else had a wicked headache while on stims? Mine hasn't gone away since my first day on Lupron...

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

Bumpdate for follies!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

those r some good follies girlie!!!!!!!

Re: LI Rascal's IVF Journal

So far so good!!