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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Update on me...
So I got my period today which of course was disappointing (but expected given the 12 bfns during the tww) given I had three large follicles on Clomid.
I decided to meet with Dr. Brenner and discuss my options. He really is great! I highly recommend him. Anyway, we discussed my options. I have done one IUI without Clomid and one IUI with Clomid. We decided to move onto IVF.
We discussed the benefits and disadvantages of moving forward with IVF. One of the selling points for me is that I will have frozen embyros for later so that I will never have to worry about my age and later pregnancies.
I am going to do Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) to minimize the chances of any bad eggs being put back. Brenner didn't think it was at all necessary or a good use of my money (insurance doesn't cover the $7,000 cost), but my husband and I would feel more comfortable doing it.
I also called my insurance today and they told me I have no fertility maximum and I am entitled to 3 IUIs and 3 IVFs per year. I am totally covered.
So all in all, it was a really great day despite Aunt Flo trying to ruin it.
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Posted 1/7/09 9:49 PM  |
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LisaW
Time for me to FLY!
Member since 5/05 13199 total posts
Name:
Did I ever tell you that I hate people?
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Re: Update on me...
Posted by SecretTTCer
We discussed the benefits and disadvantages of moving forward with IVF. One of the selling points for me is that I will have frozen embyros for later so that I will never have to worry about my age and later pregnancies.
good luck, but I hope you realize that there is certainly no guarantee of frozens...I've done 11 cycles and never had one that made it to freeze
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| Posted 1/7/09 9:58 PM |
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Re: Update on me...
Wow, who's your ins through!! That's great coverage!! Good luck with moving forward hope you are on the way to the end of your journey!!
Shawnna
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| Posted 1/7/09 9:58 PM |
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rose825
Best Friends
Member since 6/05 10228 total posts
Name:
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Re: Update on me...
Posted by LisaW
Posted by SecretTTCer
We discussed the benefits and disadvantages of moving forward with IVF. One of the selling points for me is that I will have frozen embyros for later so that I will never have to worry about my age and later pregnancies.
good luck, but I hope you realize that there is certainly no guarantee of frozens...I've done 11 cycles and never had one that made it to freeze
I agree, and with PGD, you often lose some in the process.
You are very lucky though that it seems money/insurance is not a factor for you. Good luck.
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| Posted 1/7/09 10:05 PM |
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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Re: Update on me...
I totally understand there are no guarantees. But assuming I have some to freeze, I can have a baby after 35 or 40 without any worries. This is ideal for me given that I am a professional and own my own business.
And yes, 30 percent of embryos are "weeded out" with PGD. I am not too concern though given that I have good ovaries for induction. So as long as they fertilize, I should be in good shape.
I have Empire BCBS, but there are a zillion plans within Empire. My specific benefits are probably negotiated by my employer.
 
Message edited 1/7/2009 10:23:37 PM.
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| Posted 1/7/09 10:22 PM |
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LisaW
Time for me to FLY!
Member since 5/05 13199 total posts
Name:
Did I ever tell you that I hate people?
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Re: Update on me...
Posted by SecretTTCer
I totally understand there are no guarantees. But assuming I have some to freeze, I can have a baby after 35 or 40 without any worries. This is ideal for me given that I am a professional and own my own business.
And yes, 30 percent of embryos are "weeded out" with PGD. I am not too concern though given that I have good ovaries for induction. So as long as they fertilize, I should be in good shape.
I have Empire BCBS, but there are a zillion plans within Empire. My specific benefits are probably negotiated by my employer.
wow, lucky you...wait, you are self employed and have an employer too?
I guess you have 2 jobs?
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| Posted 1/7/09 10:39 PM |
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maybeamommy
Blessed beyond belief
Member since 10/07 17048 total posts
Name:
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Re: Update on me...
Have you considered giving 1 round of IUI with injectables a chance? It might be nice to see how your body responds to the meds. What is your diagnosis?
I also just wanted to say that even if you do have some to freeze, that doesn't mean they will all make the thaw - and there are costs associated with freezing and storing (although money did not seem to be a problem for you).
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| Posted 1/7/09 10:41 PM |
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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Re: Update on me...
Posted by LisaW
Posted by SecretTTCer
I totally understand there are no guarantees. But assuming I have some to freeze, I can have a baby after 35 or 40 without any worries. This is ideal for me given that I am a professional and own my own business.
And yes, 30 percent of embryos are "weeded out" with PGD. I am not too concern though given that I have good ovaries for induction. So as long as they fertilize, I should be in good shape.
I have Empire BCBS, but there are a zillion plans within Empire. My specific benefits are probably negotiated by my employer.
wow, lucky you...wait, you are self employed and have an employer too?
I guess you have 2 jobs?
Yes.
Message edited 1/7/2009 10:53:17 PM.
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| Posted 1/7/09 10:49 PM |
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SecretTTCer
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 2284 total posts
Name:
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Re: Update on me...
Posted by hayleyandsteve
Have you considered giving 1 round of IUI with injectables a chance? It might be nice to see how your body responds to the meds. What is your diagnosis?
I also just wanted to say that even if you do have some to freeze, that doesn't mean they will all make the thaw - and there are costs associated with freezing and storing (although money did not seem to be a problem for you).
Brenner didn't think injectibles make sense since I responded well to the clomid. I understand about the thawing. There is no crying in baseball and no guarantees with infertility!
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| Posted 1/7/09 10:51 PM |
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CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
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Re: Update on me...
Wishing you the best of luck 
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| Posted 1/7/09 11:15 PM |
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CarlieJLD7
I love my daughter!
Member since 7/07 3061 total posts
Name:
Carlie
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Re: Update on me...
Good Luck!!! and hope your stay is short over here on IF board!
Just an FYI.. I don't believe PGD is covered by insurance... neither is the freezing and storage of the embryos... Most plans do not cover that.
Also, many people do regular IVF without doing PGD and know that they are putting back good embryos, by determining the blast stage etc...
When doing PGD, I believe (I am not positive) but I believe that you need to be testing for a specific thing... you cannot just test for EVERYTHING and know that it is a perfect baby.
We did PGD, and they only test for the 2 things they needed, I asked if they would test for additional things like downs etc.. but they don't do it unless its actually a factor. So there is still no guarantee....
But as you said... there is no guarantee in IF! So true....
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| Posted 1/8/09 6:41 AM |
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CAH127
LIF Adult
Member since 7/07 1694 total posts
Name:
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Re: Update on me...
Good luck. I have the same plan with BCBS, 3 IVFs per year. It is pretty good. I was told too that PGD was not covered and I submitted it anyway to the insurance and got a full refund, the 80% out of network, since the lab was out of network. I was shocked.
Message edited 1/8/2009 7:41:01 AM.
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| Posted 1/8/09 7:21 AM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: Update on me...
Posted by SecretTTCer
I totally understand there are no guarantees. But assuming I have some to freeze, I can have a baby after 35 or 40 without any worries. This is ideal for me given that I am a professional and own my own business.
And yes, 30 percent of embryos are "weeded out" with PGD. I am not too concern though given that I have good ovaries for induction. So as long as they fertilize, I should be in good shape.
I have Empire BCBS, but there are a zillion plans within Empire. My specific benefits are probably negotiated by my employer.
Actually, more than 30% can be weeded out depending on many issues. I know of people who have had 12-15 eggs retrieved and ended up with one good one for transfer....
Just want you to be aware of the full picture. It also might be why Dr. B is not all for the PGD when there is no real reason for it. Honestly, if you are young enough, have no real genetic issues and have the funds to store embryos for an extended period of time, you might want to skip the PGD.
Good luck....
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| Posted 1/8/09 7:27 AM |
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rose825
Best Friends
Member since 6/05 10228 total posts
Name:
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Re: Update on me...
Posted by Gertyrae
Posted by SecretTTCer
I totally understand there are no guarantees. But assuming I have some to freeze, I can have a baby after 35 or 40 without any worries. This is ideal for me given that I am a professional and own my own business.
And yes, 30 percent of embryos are "weeded out" with PGD. I am not too concern though given that I have good ovaries for induction. So as long as they fertilize, I should be in good shape.
I have Empire BCBS, but there are a zillion plans within Empire. My specific benefits are probably negotiated by my employer.
Actually, more than 30% can be weeded out depending on many issues. I know of people who have had 12-15 eggs retrieved and ended up with one good one for transfer....
Just want you to be aware of the full picture. It also might be why Dr. B is not all for the PGD when there is no real reason for it. Honestly, if you are young enough, have no real genetic issues and have the funds to store embryos for an extended period of time, you might want to skip the PGD.
Good luck....
or you could skip PGD and just think positively
In hindsight I would have done IUI with injectables before IVF as a test of my response. I responded great to clomid, but not so much on injectables. My first cycle ended with only 2 embies to put back.
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| Posted 1/8/09 7:33 AM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: Update on me...
Posted by rose825
In hindsight I would have done IUI with injectables before IVF as a test of my response. I responded great to clomid, but not so much on injectables. My first cycle ended with only 2 embies to put back.
Funny, I didn't respond to Clomid hardly at all (had to take 150mg to get one follie) and we all know my history with IVF...49 eggs, 54 eggs, 65 eggs.
I had a couple cancelled IUI injectable cycles due to OHSS which is why I moved to IVF.
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| Posted 1/8/09 7:40 AM |
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LisaW
Time for me to FLY!
Member since 5/05 13199 total posts
Name:
Did I ever tell you that I hate people?
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Re: Update on me...
Posted by rose825
Posted by Gertyrae
Posted by SecretTTCer
I totally understand there are no guarantees. But assuming I have some to freeze, I can have a baby after 35 or 40 without any worries. This is ideal for me given that I am a professional and own my own business.
And yes, 30 percent of embryos are "weeded out" with PGD. I am not too concern though given that I have good ovaries for induction. So as long as they fertilize, I should be in good shape.
I have Empire BCBS, but there are a zillion plans within Empire. My specific benefits are probably negotiated by my employer.
Actually, more than 30% can be weeded out depending on many issues. I know of people who have had 12-15 eggs retrieved and ended up with one good one for transfer....
Just want you to be aware of the full picture. It also might be why Dr. B is not all for the PGD when there is no real reason for it. Honestly, if you are young enough, have no real genetic issues and have the funds to store embryos for an extended period of time, you might want to skip the PGD.
Good luck....
or you could skip PGD and just think positively
In hindsight I would have done IUI with injectables before IVF as a test of my response. I responded great to clomid, but not so much on injectables. My first cycle ended with only 2 embies to put back.
I was wondering about the "I have good ovaries for induction" comment also...its really hard to tell from 1 Clomid cycle
I responded well to Clomid also, my FSH was good, but yet I am a poor stimmer with injectibles, so you never know...
not trying to discourage you , but just want to show you how things don't always go according to plan
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| Posted 1/8/09 7:40 AM |
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JennyPenny
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Member since 1/08 12702 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Update on me...
Just wanted to say good luck.
I won't offer advice because I don't have experience with PGD, but I am curious what you diagnoses are?
Also- you are VERY lucky you have such good insurance! I have BCBS to but IVF is not covered at all!
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| Posted 1/8/09 9:24 AM |
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babyfaith
Onward and Upward!
Member since 2/08 3210 total posts
Name:
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Re: Update on me...
I am glad you had a good experience with Dr. Brenner. He was my RE and I am now 24 weeks pregnant after my first IVF. I also had excellent insurance coverage but PGD was not included. My insurance did, however, cover freezing of embryos. Best of luck!
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| Posted 1/8/09 9:40 AM |
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