I am feeling slightly better after my scan today. We travelled down for another scan (meant to be my last) and were met with a total of 13 follies. Each one had improved a couple of mm's on the scan on Monday. The middle group we are aiming to get decent eggs from are still a little on the small side though (With the largest at 17mm).
The FS advised that we would not usually go ahead with an EPU unless there were at least 3 eggs measuring at least 18mm. Not counting the two troublemakers that well and truly exceed that figure, i am still coming up short!
After what seemed like a long moment the FS decided to go another three doses of Gonal F @ the same level 112.5 taking me through to Friday morning as my last injection (hopefully). My lining measure at 11.7mm which he seemed happy enough with too.
He advised that if we were to go ahead with EPU on Friday we would be looking at possibly 3 follies at the right size, whereas if we try and hold out for an EPU on Monday, fingers crossed I will have more like 6 viable eggs.
I checked whether or not the extra injections had any impact on on the likelihood of OHSS, which he advised no, and that the only problem with extending this phase was that the uterus lining may get too thick and hence may not be suitable for a fresh transfer.
He still wants me to be prepared for the onset of OHSS, however is not as concerned about me getting it as he was with the last scan, as no new follies have made an appearance. I am continuing on the reduced dose of only one puff of Syneral twice a day to stop the likelihood of new ones popping up.
So overall I am feeling a little more confident that this cycle will not be a total waste of my time, emotions, health and money. Although I am still thinking it will end in OHSS.
Will keep you posted!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Feeling like crap
Yesterday was my third scan for my third IVF stim cycle and it was far from good. We had to see my normal FS 's colleague as he is overseas for the next month..... The new FS was fine, however my ovaries were not! I had plenty of eggs - forgot to count them actually as my focus was drawn to the size of them which was the problem. I had the two big trouble makers at 27 and 20 mm and then a range of others around the 12-15mm mark and then some stragglers up the rear at around 8-10mm. I also had some free fluid in the area, which I was advised straight away is a marker of OHSS.......joy!
So I had plenty of eggs, probably too many for my PCO's like ovaries to handle, none of which were growing at the right rate and all doing their own thing.
Whilst doing the scan my FS's thoughts were that the cycle would have to be cancelled, as the two trouble makers probably grew so fast that they may not have even contained an egg; the ones in the middle range should have been bigger; and the smaller ones pose a problem too, which I googled about - they can contribute to OHSS as the estrogen they hold creates a drama.
After having a bit of a think he decided to go with 112.5 units of Gonal F again for another two days to try and give the 6 follies in the middle range enough of a boost to be viable for an EPU.
I am devastated that I am turning out to be such a poor responder at IVF. I thought when I started this journey that it could possibly be a long one, but I never really considered the possibility I would be a poor responder......I'm really scared that I'll be told that IVF is a waste of time for us....I'm not ready for that.
So tomorrow is my final scan. The FS will make a decision whether or not to go ahead with an EPU and I'll get another update on how I'm looking on the OHSS front.
I'm curious as to what will happen if the cycle gets cancelled. Do the follies eventually release the eggs on their own and I ovulate and then get OHSS anyway? Or will the clinic still get me to trigger to cause maturation and ovulation and we can try naturally? Although because I'm at high risk of OHSS will we probably be advised not to try naturally as the OHSS symptoms are much much worse if you do in fact fall pregnant?
If I still get to go to EPU - which I only want to do if the FS really thinks I have at least more than 3 viable eggs, I so won't be getting a fresh transfer due to the OHSS which sucks as well.
Words cannot describe how much I am dreading the OHSS. I recall last time I felt super uncomfortable for over a week. I was in so much pain, one night in particular it was the worst pain I have ever experienced.
I simply cannot understand what the FS can try for cycle number four? They have tried a moderate dose of Puregon and it resulted in OHSS, a slightly lower dose of Puregon which gave me 3 crappy eggs and then a dose of Gonal F in the middle which is looking like the worst cycle so far!
So I had plenty of eggs, probably too many for my PCO's like ovaries to handle, none of which were growing at the right rate and all doing their own thing.
Whilst doing the scan my FS's thoughts were that the cycle would have to be cancelled, as the two trouble makers probably grew so fast that they may not have even contained an egg; the ones in the middle range should have been bigger; and the smaller ones pose a problem too, which I googled about - they can contribute to OHSS as the estrogen they hold creates a drama.
After having a bit of a think he decided to go with 112.5 units of Gonal F again for another two days to try and give the 6 follies in the middle range enough of a boost to be viable for an EPU.
I am devastated that I am turning out to be such a poor responder at IVF. I thought when I started this journey that it could possibly be a long one, but I never really considered the possibility I would be a poor responder......I'm really scared that I'll be told that IVF is a waste of time for us....I'm not ready for that.
So tomorrow is my final scan. The FS will make a decision whether or not to go ahead with an EPU and I'll get another update on how I'm looking on the OHSS front.
I'm curious as to what will happen if the cycle gets cancelled. Do the follies eventually release the eggs on their own and I ovulate and then get OHSS anyway? Or will the clinic still get me to trigger to cause maturation and ovulation and we can try naturally? Although because I'm at high risk of OHSS will we probably be advised not to try naturally as the OHSS symptoms are much much worse if you do in fact fall pregnant?
If I still get to go to EPU - which I only want to do if the FS really thinks I have at least more than 3 viable eggs, I so won't be getting a fresh transfer due to the OHSS which sucks as well.
Words cannot describe how much I am dreading the OHSS. I recall last time I felt super uncomfortable for over a week. I was in so much pain, one night in particular it was the worst pain I have ever experienced.
I simply cannot understand what the FS can try for cycle number four? They have tried a moderate dose of Puregon and it resulted in OHSS, a slightly lower dose of Puregon which gave me 3 crappy eggs and then a dose of Gonal F in the middle which is looking like the worst cycle so far!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Stim Cycle 3, Day 10
Ok so since my last post yesterday morning I have been super busy both at work and outside of work, and haven't had too much time to really think about and over-analyse how I'm feeling physically atm.
Yesterday at work I felt really good, by mid morning I didn't feel too bloated and the rest of the day I didn't really have any complaints! Nice! (I think!)
Today I have been going all day and haven't felt like my lower abdomen was going to explode at all. My jeans were a comfy fit and my only complaint was a low dull pain on and off in the afternoon.
So I whinge when I feel bloated and what not, and when I feel good, I worry that I feel too good and I should feel worse, and maybe my body isn't cooperating and my follies are misbehaving down there and not growing much at all!
Only two more sleeps until my final scan before egg pick up, and hopefully everything is even, the right size and there's more than 3 but less than 18.
Yesterday at work I felt really good, by mid morning I didn't feel too bloated and the rest of the day I didn't really have any complaints! Nice! (I think!)
Today I have been going all day and haven't felt like my lower abdomen was going to explode at all. My jeans were a comfy fit and my only complaint was a low dull pain on and off in the afternoon.
So I whinge when I feel bloated and what not, and when I feel good, I worry that I feel too good and I should feel worse, and maybe my body isn't cooperating and my follies are misbehaving down there and not growing much at all!
Only two more sleeps until my final scan before egg pick up, and hopefully everything is even, the right size and there's more than 3 but less than 18.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Lil Whinge
Today I am not feeling off to the best start. For one my pants feel super tight around my waist/hip area, and secondly I woke up feeling tired even though I had a good nights sleep. I have a long day at work today and want to make it the whole day through without feeling like I need a nana nap or a lie down.....I'm such a sook!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Two whopping big follies...
Today my husband and I travelled down to the FS for our 2nd scan - day 8. It revealed plenty of follies on each ovary mostly normal sized ones for this time of the process, however it also showed two whopping big follies one at 18mm and the other at 14mm. (No wonder I'm starting to look like I have a baby belly).
Anywho the FS didn't seem overly concerned, however did mention that hopefully they wouldn't interfere and he kept me on the same dose of Gonal F for the next 4 days.
When I mentioned to the nurses at the clinic just afterwards about my two massive follies, I got more of an information. The nurse advised that sometimes when one or two follies are growing at a quicker rate than the majority they can cause issues with my hormones. I'm not sure exactly what this means and what it could mean for the overall outcome of my stim cycle, but it was clear its not a good thing, and that we want the follies to all be growing at roughly the same rate.
So today I have been feeling a little down, worried as to what the worse case scenario could be and how I will handle it. Might have to google the differences in growth rate of follies???
Wish I had someone to talk to who has experience with all of this.....
Anywho the FS didn't seem overly concerned, however did mention that hopefully they wouldn't interfere and he kept me on the same dose of Gonal F for the next 4 days.
When I mentioned to the nurses at the clinic just afterwards about my two massive follies, I got more of an information. The nurse advised that sometimes when one or two follies are growing at a quicker rate than the majority they can cause issues with my hormones. I'm not sure exactly what this means and what it could mean for the overall outcome of my stim cycle, but it was clear its not a good thing, and that we want the follies to all be growing at roughly the same rate.
So today I have been feeling a little down, worried as to what the worse case scenario could be and how I will handle it. Might have to google the differences in growth rate of follies???
Wish I had someone to talk to who has experience with all of this.....
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
A bit of history
So my husband and i were married close to our 5th year together in November 2005. We started TTC in March 2007 and did the whole 12mths on our own. With no success there, we went to our GP who did the standard tests with both of us, and we discovered that I had high TSH readings which indicates Hypothyroidism - a sluggish thyroid.
I was referred to a FS whom put me on Oroxine to treat the hypothyroidism and also our primary infertility. No other issues arose from various blood tests, ultrasounds and a HSG. So we started on the track of ovulation induction, where I would take Letrozole to induce and pretty much force by body to ovulate.
At the start of our 3rd cycle of Letrozole I started seeing a Chinese Herbalist/Acupuncturist whom put me on a series of chinese herbs, did weekly acupuncture and altered my diet, excluding things like dairy, oranges, soft drink and spicy foods. This cycle we fell pregnant, however this was very short lived and within 6 weeks I was bleeding and an ultrasound revealed an empty uterus.
We did another 3 cycles of ovulation induction before we were advised to then consider either IUI's or IVF. We decided to go with the IUI's first as IVF seemed way to scary and extreme!
Meanwhile since I had been diagnosed with Hypothryoidism, I was having regular checks on my TSH levels to determine how it was doing. It wasn't doing that well. My own research indicated that I should have a TSH between 1-2 if I was wanting to concieve and my FS was telling me between 1-5 was fine. I eventually decided to ask for a 2nd opinion and travelled to see a Endocrinologist. He confirmed that my research was right and that the FS had not been medicating me at the right levels! I was absolutely fuming that so many months had gone by and that my high TSH levels could have been contributing to my infertility !
To say that I had lost all confidence in that FS is an understatement and after doing 2 IUI's with him we decided to get a second opinion with the aim of switching clinics.
I made an appointment with an FS in our nearest capital city which is about 2 hours drive and we travelled down to meet the FS who had the earliest appointment. This FS, clinic and hospital was a major step up from our previous one! After reveiwing my medical history and that of my family, he was willing to do a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy which revealled mild endometriosis which he lazered off at the time of the procedure.
We then did a stim cycle which resulted in 15 eggs retrieved, OHSS, and only 2 day 5 blasties to be frozen due to the OHSS. The OHSS was a total nightmare for a good 5 days. It is the absolute worst that I have ever felt with the pain so bad one night, my husband had to take me to the emergency room. I never want to experience it ever again!
Our first FET went disasterously with a bleed occurring only 2 days after the FET. Our second one went awesomely, as we got a BFP! However this one was also short lived as the very next day after the positive test I started to spot and miscarrried for the next 2 months! My ultrasound at 7.5 weeks revealled a embryo with no heartbeat, with its size making it about 6.5 weeks. That was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen or experienced and to have the miscarriage process drag out over 2 months was really depressing.
After a short break we started our 2nd stim cycle which was a sucker! My meds were lowered in the hope that I would get less eggs of better quality and no OHSS. Well I didn't get OHSS, but that would be a little hard considering by my final ultrasound before the egg retrieval, I only had 3 eggs to collect! With my track record from last time, I knew that my chances of getting a day 5 blastie were extremely unlikely.
Well all 3 eggs were hopeless quality and they decided to whack the best of the 3 back in on day 3 in the hope that it might do better in a natural environment than in the lab. Needless to say it didn't work out which brings us to where we are today with stim cycle no.3.
My wishlist for this cycle is at least 10 eggs of which at least one makes to be a day 5 blastie + no OHSS..........fingers crossed anyway.
I was referred to a FS whom put me on Oroxine to treat the hypothyroidism and also our primary infertility. No other issues arose from various blood tests, ultrasounds and a HSG. So we started on the track of ovulation induction, where I would take Letrozole to induce and pretty much force by body to ovulate.
At the start of our 3rd cycle of Letrozole I started seeing a Chinese Herbalist/Acupuncturist whom put me on a series of chinese herbs, did weekly acupuncture and altered my diet, excluding things like dairy, oranges, soft drink and spicy foods. This cycle we fell pregnant, however this was very short lived and within 6 weeks I was bleeding and an ultrasound revealed an empty uterus.
We did another 3 cycles of ovulation induction before we were advised to then consider either IUI's or IVF. We decided to go with the IUI's first as IVF seemed way to scary and extreme!
Meanwhile since I had been diagnosed with Hypothryoidism, I was having regular checks on my TSH levels to determine how it was doing. It wasn't doing that well. My own research indicated that I should have a TSH between 1-2 if I was wanting to concieve and my FS was telling me between 1-5 was fine. I eventually decided to ask for a 2nd opinion and travelled to see a Endocrinologist. He confirmed that my research was right and that the FS had not been medicating me at the right levels! I was absolutely fuming that so many months had gone by and that my high TSH levels could have been contributing to my infertility !
To say that I had lost all confidence in that FS is an understatement and after doing 2 IUI's with him we decided to get a second opinion with the aim of switching clinics.
I made an appointment with an FS in our nearest capital city which is about 2 hours drive and we travelled down to meet the FS who had the earliest appointment. This FS, clinic and hospital was a major step up from our previous one! After reveiwing my medical history and that of my family, he was willing to do a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy which revealled mild endometriosis which he lazered off at the time of the procedure.
We then did a stim cycle which resulted in 15 eggs retrieved, OHSS, and only 2 day 5 blasties to be frozen due to the OHSS. The OHSS was a total nightmare for a good 5 days. It is the absolute worst that I have ever felt with the pain so bad one night, my husband had to take me to the emergency room. I never want to experience it ever again!
Our first FET went disasterously with a bleed occurring only 2 days after the FET. Our second one went awesomely, as we got a BFP! However this one was also short lived as the very next day after the positive test I started to spot and miscarrried for the next 2 months! My ultrasound at 7.5 weeks revealled a embryo with no heartbeat, with its size making it about 6.5 weeks. That was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen or experienced and to have the miscarriage process drag out over 2 months was really depressing.
After a short break we started our 2nd stim cycle which was a sucker! My meds were lowered in the hope that I would get less eggs of better quality and no OHSS. Well I didn't get OHSS, but that would be a little hard considering by my final ultrasound before the egg retrieval, I only had 3 eggs to collect! With my track record from last time, I knew that my chances of getting a day 5 blastie were extremely unlikely.
Well all 3 eggs were hopeless quality and they decided to whack the best of the 3 back in on day 3 in the hope that it might do better in a natural environment than in the lab. Needless to say it didn't work out which brings us to where we are today with stim cycle no.3.
My wishlist for this cycle is at least 10 eggs of which at least one makes to be a day 5 blastie + no OHSS..........fingers crossed anyway.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Stim cycle number 3 in full swing
So my stim cycle number 3 is now in full swing. Im currently on day 6 and have just done my morning drugs: two sniffs of Synarel and one jab of Gonal F. This is my first cycle using Gonal F as opposed to Puregon, so I'm interested to see if its affect on me is any different.
Yesterday we took the 2 hour early morning trip to my FS (Fertility Specialist) for my first ultrasound, which looked good. I had about 8 tiny follicles on each ovary, which my FS seemed happy with. He also advised that he was going to be going away for a month starting this Friday which unfortunately means I will need to see one of his colleagues for most of my treatment this cycle - that totally sucks!
When I have more of a chance I plan on doing a 'How we came to be here' post detailing our journey until now.
Yesterday we took the 2 hour early morning trip to my FS (Fertility Specialist) for my first ultrasound, which looked good. I had about 8 tiny follicles on each ovary, which my FS seemed happy with. He also advised that he was going to be going away for a month starting this Friday which unfortunately means I will need to see one of his colleagues for most of my treatment this cycle - that totally sucks!
When I have more of a chance I plan on doing a 'How we came to be here' post detailing our journey until now.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Just starting out...
So this is my very first blog. Ever.
I wanted to start a blog for a number of reasons:
-to be able to share my journey of trying to conceive with others whom may be in the same boat;
-as (hopefully) a healthy way of keeping track of my journey for myself; and
-as a way to (hopefully) get support from others whom have had the same journey, and in turn be a support for them.
I aim to post each day once I get in the swing of things and will post shortly giving a background on how I came to be here....on this 'trying' jouney of trying to overcome infertility and conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Thanks,
Mummawannabe
I wanted to start a blog for a number of reasons:
-to be able to share my journey of trying to conceive with others whom may be in the same boat;
-as (hopefully) a healthy way of keeping track of my journey for myself; and
-as a way to (hopefully) get support from others whom have had the same journey, and in turn be a support for them.
I aim to post each day once I get in the swing of things and will post shortly giving a background on how I came to be here....on this 'trying' jouney of trying to overcome infertility and conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy.
Thanks,
Mummawannabe
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