**Informal GKU IF Check-in** 9/21

[Cythe]

Good afternoon ladies! I hope cateyes doesn't mind me starting this. She does so much for us each week, maybe we can drop some love and hugs for her today?


GKU IF WEEKLY CHECK IN

This check in is meant for anyone on GKU who has hit the 1 year mark of TTC (6 months if you’re over 35), has an infertility diagnosis, or are going through IF testing/treatment. It is meant to be a place for people to share and ask any questions who might not participate on 3T or IF who would like the company of others going through the same experiences.


Shit, I have to think of a QOTW. Ummm.

QOTW: Three adjectives that describe me are...

[Cythe]

First and foremost, I just wanna throw this down here for Cat. Love you, lady.



AFM (copied from the IVF checkin, yeah sorry): After taking some time to think about this stupid polyp, I emailed my doc this morning and told her I wanted to proceed with Oct IVF without removing the polyp because of the cycle delay. MH will be home for exactly 33 days and not again for 7 months so I want to do this with him.

She said she would honor my wish, but she wouldn't really be happy about it. After asking about our deployment schedule she admitted that we need to get aggressive with this IVF thing (thank you sweet baby Jesus) so she said I could have the polyp removed while on BC and then bleed and stim!

Forgot my own QOTW: Honest, Dorky and probably Lazy

[Andrea]

Thanks for starting Cythe! Glad that the doctor was willing to work with you while YH is home!!

I am just hanging out in the TWW. If this cycle is a bust, I need to schedule an appointment with the RE to come up with a new game plan. I am currently on 5 mg of letrozole. I wonder if she is going to bump me up to 7.5, or bump me up and add a trigger? We shall see.

[emilie]

Thanks for starting Cythe! Glad you guys worked out a plan. And lots of love cateyes!

AFM, I'm annoyed because I was supposed to go in for an SHG today but OF COURSE this is the month where my body decides to O early - I got an OPK+ last night and had to cancel. It's CD11 for me and I usually O around CD 14-15 so I knew this was a possibility but still, annoying. My schedule is more chill next month so I'll be able to get in for it earlier. In the meantime, I'm going to start acupuncture and am so excited! I've never tried it before.

QOTW: three adjectives for me: determined, adventurous, open-minded

[madamewaffles]

So happy you get to stay a Fox, Cythe!! Wheee!

Andrea, hoping the best for you during the TWW!

AFM, chugging along on Lupron. It really, really sucks. I never got my period after stopping the pill so I have to go do bloodwork to make sure the Lupron is doing its thing and then I can reduce my dose and start Estrace tomorrow in anticipation for FET #2 on 10/13.

QOTW: I can only think of one thing right now. Hangry.

[youdontsay]

Cythe,thanks for starting, I'm glad your RE is working with you!

Andrea, FX for you!

emilie, sorry for the delay!

AFM: I started CD1 on 9/16, had my baseline appointment on 9/17 which was almost delayed due to the fact there was a cyst on my right ovary, the BW came back fine and I went on 200iu of Follistim, I was so scared to inject myself and now I'm a pro. Yesterday, more BW and got a call to up my dosage to 225iu of Follistim last night and tonight. I'm feeling it now, I'm really bloated. Like, wanting to unbutton my pants bloating.

Tomorrow more BW and U/S.

QUTW (if it's just for today): annoyed, frustrated, bloated. Mondays SUCK at my job. I was supposed to be out of work 20 minutes ago....

[requiressnacks]

Hi Ladies - I am going to check in here for the first time, if that's OK.

Cythe - glad your dr. is listening to you and dang your H is gone for a long time!
FX for you, Andrea. and sorry about the early O, emilie.

About me: I've been TTC full-force since Oct.'14, with a little uncharted NTNP before that. I started IF testing around the one year mark in late August/Early Sept. and this cycle is my first medicated cycle (50 mg Clomid, monitored). Actual diagnosis is unexplained because all testing came back normal and I ovulate naturally on my own. If this cycle is a bust, we will be moving on to medicated IUI.

One thing that I'm really struggling with is that we are 100% OOP for everything RE/IF related. The testing alone (bloodwork, HSG, SA) and the clomid monitoring ultrasounds have already put us well into the multiple thousands OOP. And now that we're discussing moving onto IUI, the financial burden seems daunting. Life isn't fair.

QOTW: three adjectives for me: funny, loud, smart

[goldenlove3]

Hi ladies. Last cycle was a bust. I had baselines this morning and got the all clear to start clomid again tonight. They upped my dose so hopefully I respond better this time. I'm just scared of the hot flashes.

[Evelyn3]

cateyes much hugs!
Cythe glad you are still able to move forward! Thanks for starting
Andrea FX for you!
emilie hope you enjoy acupuncture! I don't think I could ever do that, scares me.
madamewaffles hoping bloodwork results are good tomorrow!
youdontsay sorry for the job situation, Monday's my worst day too

AFM IUI 1 was this morning, a little awkward, a little painful, but hoping for the best. I find it a little hard to get optimistic but feel like I should try to stay positive.
I think this is going to be the longest 2WW I have ever had to deal with

QOTW : hungry, tall, honest.

[Cythe]

Sept 21, 2015 15:28:27 GMT -5 goldenlove3 said:

Hi ladies. Last cycle was a bust. I had baselines this morning and got the all clear to start clomid again tonight. They upped my dose so hopefully I respond better this time. I'm just scared of the hot flashes.

FX for no hot flashes! Of course, depending on where you live, they may be a blessing if its already cold out : )

[RaeLynn28]

I've been looking for this all day bc I've been so bad at checking in the last couple of weeks. Thanks for starting Cythe!
Cythe Glad you get to move forward with the IVF and your RE is on board!
Andrea Good luck this TWW!
emilie Ugh! That sucks about the SHG. I'm so sorry your body didn't cooperate. Good luck with the acupuncture.
madamewaffles I'm sorry the lupron is a pain. Hopefully everything will look good with the blood work so you can move forward.

AFM, It's been a while since I've checked in. The last time I wrote, I was worried about the Clomid dosage being too low. My RE decreased it to 25mg for 3 days. We base the timing off of OPKs for the IUI. I didn't get a positive on Day 14 so I called and scheduled my monitoring appointment for Day 15. The morning of Day 15 I got a positive OPK, so I brought MH with me just in case. I had blood work and ultrasound done and the RE said we should do the iui that day. So MH was quickly taken away to give his sample. It was actually nice because we got to spend a couple hours together before I had to go back in. I had only 1 follicle this time, but that was the goal. It was 20mm and MH's count was 63 Mil...higher than last month. A part of me thinks that the iui was done too early but we'll see. I questioned the RE and he said better to be early than late. So, I'm 10dpiui and trying to keep busy!
Sorry for the long post!

QOTW: Loyal, protective, understanding

[goldenlove3]

Sept 21, 2015 15:30:19 GMT -5 Cythe said:

Sept 21, 2015 15:28:27 GMT -5 goldenlove3 said:

Hi ladies. Last cycle was a bust. I had baselines this morning and got the all clear to start clomid again tonight. They upped my dose so hopefully I respond better this time. I'm just scared of the hot flashes.

FX for no hot flashes! Of course, depending on where you live, they may be a blessing if its already cold out : )

It's going to be a gorgeous week. Low 70s and sunny!

[getzystark]

All the gianty hugs to you cateyes

Thanks for starting Cythe. Squeeeee we could be IVF partners!!!

emilie, yay for acupuncture. I luuurve it. My advice is make sure you find someone you LOVE. My first acupuncturist said she knew how to do fertility stuff but I could tell that wasn't her forte and she wasn't super comfortable with it. When I switched, it was magical.

Andrea,Fx this is it!!

madamewaffles, I'm sorry Lupron sucks the big one.

youdontsay, I'm glad the injections are going better!

requiressnacks, I'm in the same boat. No IF coverage suuuuucks.

Evelyn3, Fx for IUI #1

goldenlove3, Hugs. Sorry this one was a bust.

AFM, Just WTO on this natural cycle and waiting to hear back about when I can go sign consents for the IVF study. Just in limbo. Lame.

GTKY: kind, driven, aggressive

[Cythe]

Andrea FX for you this cycle! Are you doing IUI or TI, forgive me I forget!

emilie damn it! CD11? How shit is that? I'm sorry that you missed it, fx for a better shot next month.

madamewaffles im so excited for your transfer! Is it Oct yet?!

[dke2010]

I'm at 4 dpo of my first medicated TI cycle. I triggered on Tuesday and had major bloat on Saturday. My body seems like it's back to normal except for some cramping. It seems like everyone around me is pregnant right now, which is really difficult but I'm trying to hold out hope.
QOTW: quiet, crampy, hopeful

[Cythe]

I'm failing at the internet today, I hit send too soon and I'm mobile so tagging is extra lame.
Take 2

youdontsay uh, bloating. Fx that it gets over soon!

requiressnacks welcome! I will do my best to add you/get your info to the people who need it. Life is absolutely not fair and I'm so sorry youre OOP and looking at more expensive options.

goldenlove3 so sorry for the bust IUI!

Evelyn3 yay for IUI 1! Fx for you!!

RaeLynn28 welcome back ; ) are you beta or bust? Or planning on testing?

getzystark CYCLE BUDDIEEEES! I hope your ute isn't an asshole this month!

[juliayadda]

cateyes ILY

Cythe. Everything crossed for October

emilie, dang at your early O

Andrea,Fx soooo much

madamewaffles, fx for you as well

youdontsay sorry about the injects

requiressnacks, I also had everything come back normal. Fack

Evelyn3, Fx for IUI #1

goldenlove3, Hugs.

AFM,

My tests from the RE all came back normal. We are just unlucky it seems.

The RE wants us to try with OPKs and the cup and syringe method for 6 cycles before moving on. I am okay with this I guess.

Hopefully this cycle is it.

GTKY: funny, smart, empathetic

[joy]

Sept 21, 2015 16:24:28 GMT -5 juliayadda said:

The RE wants us to try with OPKs and the cup and syringe method for 6 cycles before moving on.

What does this mean?  Am I dumb for not getting it?  Is it fancy talk for IUI?

[Cythe]

Sept 21, 2015 16:29:25 GMT -5 joy said:

Sept 21, 2015 16:24:28 GMT -5 juliayadda said:

The RE wants us to try with OPKs and the cup and syringe method for 6 cycles before moving on.

What does this mean?  Am I dumb for not getting it?  Is it fancy talk for IUI?

More like IVI, perhaps? I believe its a home insemination.

[joy]

Sept 21, 2015 16:31:21 GMT -5 Cythe said:

Sept 21, 2015 16:29:25 GMT -5 joy said:

What does this mean?  Am I dumb for not getting it?  Is it fancy talk for IUI?

More like IVI, perhaps? I believe its a home insemination.

Oh.  Hmm.  I've never heard of this as an intervention for unexplained infertility.

::goes to read::

[mrsjene]

I'm mobile, but hoping to be back and tag everyone.

I'm currently on gonal-f, menopur, and ganirellix. The menopur hurts like a bitch. My monitoring appointment this morning revealed nine follicles. It's not a crazy number or anything, but I'm happy about it. My pants aren't fitting really well right now and I'm nauseous and exhausted all the time, but who cares because THIS. IS. HAPPENING.

Tentative date for egg retrieval is Friday!!!

QOTW: loyal, generous, stubborn

[lilsneezy]

Thanks for starting, Cythe! Glad you and your RE were able to get on the same page!

emilie Good luck with acupuncture! Let us know how it goes.

Welcome requiressnacks! I hope your stay here is short!

goldenlove3 Sorry your last cycle was a bust. FX for no hot flashes!

Evelyn3, dke2010 FX for you!

AFM, IUI #3 was officially a bust. MH is doing some traveling in the next couple months so we're just going to try naturally until December or January. I'm bummed, but my body could use a break from all the meds. I'm going to take this time to get healthy and apply some of the advice I got from It Starts With the Egg. At least I'll feel like I'm doing something.

QOTW: Thoughtful, sarcastic, and observant.

[juliayadda]

Sept 21, 2015 16:32:45 GMT -5 joy said:

Sept 21, 2015 16:31:21 GMT -5 Cythe said:

More like IVI, perhaps? I believe its a home insemination.

Oh.  Hmm.  I've never heard of this as an intervention for unexplained infertility.

::goes to read::

It's because my husband has too much performance anxiety so we were only hitting 1 day in the FW window. The RE wants day of +opk and 2 days after for six months before moving on to other intervention.

[RaeLynn28]

Cythe Thanks! I will be testing but not until Saturday. Otherwise, they are making me wait until 17dpiui. If this cycle is a bust, I'd rather move on sooner than later! (I'm on progesterone and have to stop it to get my period)

[cateyes]

Thanks Cythe for getting this going today, I honestly forgot with everything that happened.

I will come back later this week and tag, sending love to you all.

Loss Warning

SPOILER: Click to show

{Click here to see more.}Our bean was not meant to be long in my ute. I had my second betas and they went down to .7. Just waiting now for CD 1. Our RE was a complete ass and said "I am not surprised this happened, with numbers so low I expected you to lose it". He also feels like we cannot do anymore IUIs as they "obviously do not work". I guess an early loss to him is the same as nothing. H and I are going to take a couple of months to just relax, save for IVF and stop "trying".

[goldenlove3]

*HUG* cateyes I'm so sorry for your loss. And sorry your RE was such an ass.

[Rama]

Sept 21, 2015 17:59:51 GMT -5 cateyes said:

Thanks Cythe for getting this going today, I honestly forgot with everything that happened.

I will come back later this week and tag, sending love to you all.

Loss Warning

SPOILER: Click to show

{Click here to see more.}Our bean was not meant to be long in my ute. I had my second betas and they went down to .7. Just waiting now for CD 1. Our RE was a complete ass and said "I am not surprised this happened, with numbers so low I expected you to lose it". He also feels like we cannot do anymore IUIs as they "obviously do not work". I guess an early loss to him is the same as nothing. H and I are going to take a couple of months to just relax, save for IVF and stop "trying".

I've been waiting to hear from you all day. *huge hugs* I'm so, so, so sorry. Take care of yourself and allow yourself to feel however you do. It's all perfectly valid.

[requiressnacks]

So many hugs cateyes. And your RE really needs to work on his words.

[mugster]

cateyes ((hugs))!

[mugster]

I'm moving on to IVF. I start birth control pills tomorrow. I can't believe that this is where we are.