***GKU IF WEEKLY CHECK IN*** 1/4

[Rama]

Cat, when you get a chance, can you move me to benched? We'll be there until the ectopic resolves, plus maybe some time after. :)

I'm so heartbroken for you, Pease. Please take care of yourself and pass the same along to your husband.

Congrats Millie!

[Cythe]

Jan 4, 2016 15:17:34 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

Anyone willing to give me an idea of what the first cycle was like for IVF?

As others will tell you, I had all the starter IF testing done as well as a SIS (and for me a polyp removal/endo scratch). It took a few months from IVF consult to actually starting stims for me, but that's not the case for everyone.

Since we were unexplained, all testing came back normal (minus a slightly elevated TSH) so I was started on a fairly conservative protocol. On my CD1 I was instructed to start BCPs and remained on them until they told me to stop, I think it was 17 days. 3 days after stopping BCPs I went in for a suppression check to ensure that my ovaries were nice and quiet.

I was not on a lupron protocol so I went right from BCPs to stims. 375 Gonal-F, 75 Menopur for 9 days with monitoring appts every other day starting on day 3 of stims.

Once my ovaries looked good, they ordered me to trigger and my ER was set for 30 some odd hours after trigger. ER was easy. I went in at 8 am, was out by 11 (after a lot of waiting to be seen). I never made it to transfer, as you can see in my siggy so I can't walk you through that.

Best of luck moving forward.

[peaseblossom55]

Jan 4, 2016 19:56:59 GMT -5 Cythe said:

Jan 4, 2016 15:17:34 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

Anyone willing to give me an idea of what the first cycle was like for IVF?

As others will tell you, I had all the starter IF testing done as well as a SIS (and for me a polyp removal/endo scratch). It took a few months from IVF consult to actually starting stims for me, but that's not the case for everyone.

Since we were unexplained, all testing came back normal (minus a slightly elevated TSH) so I was started on a fairly conservative protocol. On my CD1 I was instructed to start BCPs and remained on them until they told me to stop, I think it was 17 days. 3 days after stopping BCPs I went in for a suppression check to ensure that my ovaries were nice and quiet.

I was not on a lupron protocol so I went right from BCPs to stims. 375 Gonal-F, 75 Menopur for 9 days with monitoring appts every other day starting on day 3 of stims.

Once my ovaries looked good, they ordered me to trigger and my ER was set for 30 some odd hours after trigger. ER was easy. I went in at 8 am, was out by 11 (after a lot of waiting to be seen). I never made it to transfer, as you can see in my siggy so I can't walk you through that.

Best of luck moving forward.

Thank you so much.  Good luck to you!

[kawaiikitsune]

teachermomtobe - Glad to hear your principal was understanding. GL on Wednesday with IUI #2!
meerkatmillie - YAY, so many congrats! Hope you have the most uneventful and boring 9 months!
Rama - That's poop, sorry to hear you've been benched.

[Evelyn3]

meerkatmillie! congratulations!! So happy for you! Thanks for that detailed explanation, I appreciate it as well, seeing as we are heading there shortly. Happy and healthy 9 months!

[peaseblossom55]

Jan 4, 2016 21:36:13 GMT -5 pippacricket said:

Jan 4, 2016 15:17:34 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

Anyone willing to give me an idea of what the first cycle was like for IVF?

Everyone responds differently, as I'm sure you can see based on meerkat and cythe's responses. Different clinic will do different protocols. I'll throw mine out there too just in case you want to be even more overwhelmed Pretty much just be prepared for constant visits for bloodwork and ultrasounds. Since it's all done on a case by case basis, there's really no knowing when you'll have to go in which I found the hardest to deal with.

Since I was already in the middle of a cycle when we decided to do IVF, my RE didn't see the point in putting me on BCPs. She just told me to call on cd1.

CD2 - went in for baseline bloodwork and ultrasound. Started Follistim 125IU for 3 nights and follow up on cd5.
CD5 - estradiol levels at 589. Was told to stop Follistim and start Menopur 75IU.
CD6 - estradiol levels at 1063 and largest follicle was 12mm. Continue menopur and add Cetrotide.
CD7 - estradiol levels at 1508 and largest follicle was 14.5 mm. Continue menopur and Cetrotide for 2 more nights and follow up on CD9. Also cue me freaking out because I had to go in everyday and my levels kept rising so I thought I was dying and they just weren't telling me...Also this was around the time my ovaries started to hurt when sitting down or in any angled position.
CD9 - levels at 2809 and largest follicle 18.5mm. Instructed to stop stims and trigger that evening. Also instructed to start taking Cabergoline tablets in the evening to reduce symptoms of OHSS. Ovaries now hurt no matter what position I'm in.
CD11 - Egg retrieval day. 16 eggs were retrieved.

Because of how high my levels were, my RE decided to freeze any embryos that made it to day 5 (3 made it). I was bummed at first but after dealing with mild OHSS symptoms for 2 weeks, I'm glad she made that call. I don't even want to imagine how much worse the symptoms could have been.

As far as injections go, it's a little nerve wracking at first but it gets easier the more you do it. I actually don't mind the subcutaneous injections. Except the menopur. Menopur burns and I hate it. I'll pray you don't have to use menopur.

ETA: I forgot to mention that I have no advice on the transfer yet since I haven't done it yet! Sorry. I'm in the middle of a FET cycle now so I'll hopefully have some advice in a few weeks!

I love hearing what you have done so far. I really hope this works out for you and thank you.

[rooskie]

So I talked to my boss today. I told him I had to go to Louisville to get a second opinion with a specialist and he asked if everything was ok. I told him I had already gotten the bad news (nothing specific) and this is basically to see which of two treatments needed to be done and he was cool with me just taking the day off. I’ll let him in the know if/when we do have to go through IVF.

SPOILER: Click to show

kaliRN & longhornwino0907 – I’m so excited for the both of you!
@underdog25 – good luck at counseling this week.
mrsjene – good luck with ET Wednesday! FX your sick goes away!
daisy818 – It sounds like your RE has a pretty good plan to assess your situation
Evelyn3 & wannabmama – sorry you are moving on to IVF
goldenlove3 – good luck this week starting stims.
piccyami – I saw all the pics of everyone’s meds over on TTTC over the weekend and showed H. His jaw dropped.
butlerfan – Sorry your ute is being a jerk. Can I TP your inlaws?
ceejay – how long has your H been on Clomid before they are testing again?
peaseblossom55 – All the hugs. So sorry for your loss.
dke2010 – FX you don’t have to move on to injectables.
kawaiikitsune – Hope you don’t have to wait too long for a RE appointment.
teachermomtobe – Sounds like the talk went better than expected. I would still get everything on record with HR just as a CYA measure.
meerkatmillie – congrats!
pippacricket – Good Luck Wednesday!

[Evelyn3]

*snip*
@evelyn3 - Your RE closed permanently?? Or just for the holidays?


AFM, I'm still taking Estrace tablets and feeling much better on them. The vertigo only lasted a few days before it eased up. I have bloodwork and an ultrasound to check my lining on Wednesday (I feel like a lot of have appointments on Wednesday this week!!) so hopefully I'll have something interesting to report for the next check in!

QOTW: Finish installing crown moulding around the house!

Just for the holidays, thank goodness, I would be so stressed if they closed permanently! Lol

Did the Estrace cause the vertigo? I'm prone to it, since childhood, and I hatttttte that feeling.
Good luck on Wednesday!

[snakefisherbub]

Jan 4, 2016 18:03:55 GMT -5 meerkatmillie said:

cateyes You can remove me from this check-in

SPOILER: Click to show

First beta at 9dp5dt was 153 and second beta at 11dp5dt came back at 356! Our one and only remaining blastocyst from our IVF cycle (a 2BB) seems to have stuck! EDD 9.6.2016

Congrats!

[snakefisherbub]

Jan 4, 2016 19:19:16 GMT -5 Rama said:

Cat, when you get a chance, can you move me to benched? We'll be there until the ectopic resolves, plus maybe some time after.

I'm so heartbroken for you, Pease. Please take care of yourself and pass the same along to your husband.

Congrats Millie!

Extra squishy hugs for you rama. ♡

[snakefisherbub]

I'm around. Lurking a bit more. Nothing new here. Saturday is a whole year since I found out I was pregnant. So that's cool, a whole year.

[kleigh]

meerkatmillie CONGRATS!!! Best wishes for a happy, healthy and uneventful nine months!

pippacricket oh yeah, whole house reno is def a thing. We had a small cape style home that we were just adding a 2nd floor dormer to (so the upstairs bedrooms didn't have a sloped ceiling). Well my husband's family is helping us (as they're carpenters) and we came home from work one day to the entire house demolitioned except for two lonely walls. Are you guys doing crown moulding all over the house, I know some people only do certain rooms.

Edited: is it demolished, or demolitioned. Decaf is hittin me hard.

[cateyes]

Jan 4, 2016 19:19:16 GMT -5 Rama said:

Cat, when you get a chance, can you move me to benched? We'll be there until the ectopic resolves, plus maybe some time after.

I'm so heartbroken for you, Pease. Please take care of yourself and pass the same along to your husband.

Congrats Millie!

So many hugs for you. I am so very sorry. Take care of yourself and let yourself heal physically and emotionally.

[cateyes]

Jan 4, 2016 18:03:55 GMT -5 meerkatmillie said:

cateyes You can remove me from this check-in

SPOILER: Click to show

First beta at 9dp5dt was 153 and second beta at 11dp5dt came back at 356! Our one and only remaining blastocyst from our IVF cycle (a 2BB) seems to have stuck! EDD 9.6.2016

EEEK!!! So exciting!!

[peaseblossom55]

Hugs to you Rama and snakefisherbub,

kaliRN longhornwino0907 So close. I'm so excited for you
wannabmama Sorry your heading down the IVF journey
dke2010 Good luck on iui#3
teachermomtobe I hope this iui works for you I have my fingers crossed

So today is definitely CD1. I go in for blood work on Thursday sonohysterogram on Monday and my IVF consult is on Wednesday 1/20. I wish it wasn't so far away. It's making me feel kind of anxious, but oh well.

[nerdykitten]

Jan 4, 2016 15:17:34 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

Anyone willing to give me an idea of what the first cycle was like for IVF?

Everyone's RE is different on what type of cycle they start you with, but all the initial testing is the same.

My RE had me do basically the full active amount of days in a birth control pack followed by an ultrasound to check on suppression and progesterone blood test. Four days later I started Gonal-F and Menopur injections (sorry I don't have the paper that had the amounts with me). After five days I had to add in a Ganirelix injection and continued with all three for another five days. Of course this is with monitoring every three days. I triggered with a Lupron shot due to OHSS risk which is why I didn't have any Lupron protocol in the beginning of my cycle. That meant I had to take two Lupron shots at exactly 12 hours apart with the first being about 34-36 hours prior to egg retrieval. If I remember correctly we retrieved 15, 12 or 13 were mature, and 11 fertilized. We ended up with six embryos on day five. We did a freeze all cycle since once again they felt like I could have been a really high OHSS risk and we also opted to do the PGS testing.   If you think you might end up with a freeze all cycle, which if you are doing embryo testing this will be the case, I can tell you what that portion of the cycle is like if you want as well.

[ceejay]

Jan 4, 2016 23:27:13 GMT -5 rooskie said:

So I talked to my boss today. I told him I had to go to Louisville to get a second opinion with a specialist and he asked if everything was ok. I told him I had already gotten the bad news (nothing specific) and this is basically to see which of two treatments needed to be done and he was cool with me just taking the day off. I’ll let him in the know if/when we do have to go through IVF.


ceejay – how long has your H been on Clomid before they are testing again?

He will have been taking Clomid for almost 4 weeks at the time of this appointment, and I'm kind of confused why they are checking him so soon. I asked H why the urologist wanted him to come in in January and he wasn't sure. So H said he would call today and find out why he needed to come in. If he needs to be monitored already that's fine, but I don't want to pay the copay and coinsurance for the urologist to just ask how H is feeling and H says fine and then leaves. You know?

[rooskie]

Jan 5, 2016 10:31:11 GMT -5 ceejay said:

Jan 4, 2016 23:27:13 GMT -5 rooskie said:

So I talked to my boss today. I told him I had to go to Louisville to get a second opinion with a specialist and he asked if everything was ok. I told him I had already gotten the bad news (nothing specific) and this is basically to see which of two treatments needed to be done and he was cool with me just taking the day off. I’ll let him in the know if/when we do have to go through IVF.


ceejay – how long has your H been on Clomid before they are testing again?

He will have been taking Clomid for almost 4 weeks at the time of this appointment, and I'm kind of confused why they are checking him so soon. I asked H why the urologist wanted him to come in in January and he wasn't sure. So H said he would call today and find out why he needed to come in. If he needs to be monitored already that's fine, but I don't want to pay the copay and coinsurance for the urologist to just ask how H is feeling and H says fine and then leaves. You know?

That's what I was wondering. We have a follow up with our RE 2 weeks after we go to the urologist next week but I was thinking we would wait until 3 months-ish to redo testing (if he gets put on Clomid). We are completely OOP so I'm all for waiting 6 months or so to let it do its work before we go to IVF with hopes his numbers make it to where we can do IUI instead.

[Daikoku]

I'm late as always...


AFM: I haven't checked in for a while...

Met with the RE a few weeks ago since it had been about 10 months since our last consult and we were getting to the end of the plan we had set at that time. The new plan is to try to get me more than one mature follicle to give H's swimmers more of a fighting chance. First with 7.5 mg of Femara (I haven't had success with lower doses) then on to a full injectable cycle if that doesn't work. Either way, by April we will be moving to IVF.

The good news is that this cycle my body responded to 7.5mg of Femara and I finally have 2!!! IUI #5 was this past Sunday and everything seemed to go well. H's numbers were good and my body was finally cooperating. In general, I'm feeling pretty good about this cycle, but starting to prepare myself mentally for moving on to IVF. We will do 7.5 mg of Femara + trigger again next cycle if this one turns out to be our 36th failed cycle.

QOTW: I hope to move smoothly into my new "career" and that it will create the work-life balance that I'm seeking. I gave my boss (principal) a letter telling her I won't be returning to full time teaching, and I have a meeting with her today. I'm nervous about how it will go. But, this move is what I think will be best for me and my family.

SPOILER: Click to show

kaliRN and longhornwino0907, so excited for your trip to CR!
daisy818, good luck with all this testing. It sounds like a lot, but I really hope it will start to shed some light on things. Good luck!
butlerfan, 60+ cycle? That sounds so frustrating! I hope it ends soon... one way or another.
ceejay, I really hope the Clomid is working for your husband. It took mine a little over 3 months to start showing improvement. It seemed like a really long wait.
peaseblossom55, I'm really sad to hear about your loss. Hug
meerkatmillie, Congratulations!
Rama and snakefisherbub, big hugs for you both!

[ceejay]

Hugs peaseblossom55 . I'm so sorry for your loss. Best of luck moving forward with IVF.

kawaiikitsune - hope you're able to get in quickly at the RE and don't have to wait long for an appointment.

teachermomtobe - good luck with IUI #2!!!

meerkatmillie - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

pippacricket - glad to hear the vertigo is gone. Good luck at your appointments this week!

rooskie - I'm glad everything went ok with talking to your boss and that you'll be able to take the day off for your appointment.

Huge hugs, snakefisherbub .

Daikoku - good luck this cycle and yay for 2 follicles!

[peaseblossom55]

Jan 5, 2016 10:05:25 GMT -5 nerdykitten said:

Jan 4, 2016 15:17:34 GMT -5 peaseblossom55 said:

Anyone willing to give me an idea of what the first cycle was like for IVF?

Everyone's RE is different on what type of cycle they start you with, but all the initial testing is the same.

My RE had me do basically the full active amount of days in a birth control pack followed by an ultrasound to check on suppression and progesterone blood test. Four days later I started Gonal-F and Menopur injections (sorry I don't have the paper that had the amounts with me). After five days I had to add in a Ganirelix injection and continued with all three for another five days. Of course this is with monitoring every three days. I triggered with a Lupron shot due to OHSS risk which is why I didn't have any Lupron protocol in the beginning of my cycle. That meant I had to take two Lupron shots at exactly 12 hours apart with the first being about 34-36 hours prior to egg retrieval. If I remember correctly we retrieved 15, 12 or 13 were mature, and 11 fertilized. We ended up with six embryos on day five. We did a freeze all cycle since once again they felt like I could have been a really high OHSS risk and we also opted to do the PGS testing.   If you think you might end up with a freeze all cycle, which if you are doing embryo testing this will be the case, I can tell you what that portion of the cycle is like if you want as well.

Thank you so much. If you have time I would love to hear that as well.

[nerdykitten]

It is no problem peaseblossom55. This is actually the easy portion cause I can just cut and paste the protocol since numbers don't change too much with this one, but it is long so I am going to put it in a spoiler.

SPOILER: Click to show

Phase I
7/20/15 Menstrual period
Start or continue a daily prenatal vitamin.
7/21/15 Start oral contraceptive pills. Take home pregnancy test prior to starting oral contraceptive pills.
8/5/15 Begin leuprolide acetate (Lupron) 0.1 ml (10 units) injections each evening and start low dose aspirin, 81 mg daily.
8/9/15 Last day to take oral contraceptive pills.
8/12/15 Report to lab between 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. for blood draw.
Serum hormone levels should confirm suppression. Be available by phone or email that afternoon for results.

Once suppression is confirmed, remain on prenatal vitamin, 1 tablet aspirin (81 mg uncoated or coated) daily, and decrease Lupron to 5 units daily.
There may be a chance that your transfer may be delayed by a few days to a week if you are not suppressed or even a chance of cancellation. Please do not plan on traveling out of town the week after your tentative transfer date just in case your transfer is delayed.
Payment required.


Phase II Continue Daily Prenatal Vitamins and Aspirin (81mg)


Day 1 8/14/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 1 patch in a.m.


Day 2 8/15/15 Lupron 5 units

Day 3 8/16/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 1 patch

Day 4 8/17/15 Lupron 5 units

Day 5 8/18/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 1 patch

Day 6 8/19/15 Lupron 5 units

Day 7 8/20/15 Lupron 5 units
Increase Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Begin estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime, on a daily basis from this point forward. You will remain on this dose for at least the first 9 weeks of pregnancy.

Day 8 8/21/15 Lupron 5 units
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 9 8/22/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime


Day 10 8/23/15 Lupron 5 units
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 11 8/24/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 12 8/25/15 Lupron 5 units
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime
Blood draw and ultrasound appointment to measure thickness of the uterine lining. You will be called with results and further instructions. Vivelle dot patches may increase to 4 every other day pending the results of the estradiol. Progesterone start and date of thaw may change based on today's results.

Day 13 8/26/15 Lupron 5 units (THIS IS THE LAST LUPRON DOSE)
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
]Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 14 8/27/15 STOP – Check to make sure you have been directed to start your progesterone today, pending the results from day 12 blood draw (estradiol level).
NO LUPRON - LAST DOSE WAS DAY 13
PROGESTERONE STARTS TODAY IF TOLD TO PROCEED
Progesterone in oil 25mg IM (0.5cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily am and pm
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 15 8/28/15 Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Progesterone in oil 25mg IM (0.5cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 16 8/29/15

INCREASE progesterone in oil to 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime


Day 17 8/30/15 Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Begin Medrol 4 - 4mg tablets daily (total of 16mg taken daily)
Begin Z-Pak two tablets today
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 18 8/31/15 Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Medrol 4 - 4mg tablets daily (total of 16mg taken daily)
Z-Pak one tablet
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 19 9/1/15 TENTATIVE EMBRYO THAW/TRANSFER TODAY
• You will be notified of thaw results usually by 10:30 a.m.
If you do not hear from us by 10:30 am, please call the office. Please be at home or local for this call. You will be told when to take your tablet of diazepam (Valium).
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
AFTER TRANSFER PROCEDURE, insert AM progesterone vaginal suppository when you return back home. However, if your drive is 3 or more hours, then it is recommended that you insert the vaginal suppository after the transfer and prior to your drive home. Evening suppository is taken as usual.
Medrol 4 - 4mg tablets daily (total of 16mg taken daily)
Z-Pak one tablet
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 20 9/2/15 Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Medrol 4 - 4mg tablets daily (total of 16mg taken daily)
Z-Pak one tablet
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 21 9/3/15 Continue Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches every other day
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Last day for Z-Pak, one tablet
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 22 9/4/15 Continue Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches every other day
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Continue medications as you currently are until the results of the pregnancy test.


Phase III
Pregnancy Test on 9/9/15. Please have blood drawn between 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

• If your pregnancy test is positive, you will continue the following medications until instructed to stop.
- Vivelle Dot (0.1 mg) 3 patches - every other day
- Progesterone vaginal suppository 100 mg twice daily
Progesterone in oil 50 mg IM (1 cc in a.m.) daily
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime
- Prenatal vitamin
Daily aspirin 81 mg

[/spoiler]

[/p]

[kawaiikitsune]

pippacricket - Glad to hear the vertigo has cleared up. I had that once during a really bad sinus infection and it was the worst. FX for your appointment on Wednesday!
rooskie - Safe travels and crossing my fingers for good news from the new specialist.
snakefisherbub - So many hugs for you.
peaseblossom55 - FX the time passes quickly. Even more hugs for you.
Daikoku - Yay for a better response and two follies! FX for this cycle!

[ceejay]

Jan 5, 2016 10:36:18 GMT -5 rooskie said:

Jan 5, 2016 10:31:11 GMT -5 ceejay said:

He will have been taking Clomid for almost 4 weeks at the time of this appointment, and I'm kind of confused why they are checking him so soon. I asked H why the urologist wanted him to come in in January and he wasn't sure. So H said he would call today and find out why he needed to come in. If he needs to be monitored already that's fine, but I don't want to pay the copay and coinsurance for the urologist to just ask how H is feeling and H says fine and then leaves. You know?

That's what I was wondering. We have a follow up with our RE 2 weeks after we go to the urologist next week but I was thinking we would wait until 3 months-ish to redo testing (if he gets put on Clomid). We are completely OOP so I'm all for waiting 6 months or so to let it do its work before we go to IVF with hopes his numbers make it to where we can do IUI instead.

H just called and they said the appointment was just a "check-up" to see how he was doing (no bloodwork). So he cancelled the appointment and will reschedule it for sometime in Feb or March. I'm planning to schedule a repeat SA for him at the RE around that time too. Like you said, there isn't much point in checking things until 3 months, as long as H is feeling okay on the meds (which he is).

[peaseblossom55]

Jan 5, 2016 11:14:00 GMT -5 nerdykitten said:

It is no problem peaseblossom55. This is actually the easy portion cause I can just cut and paste the protocol since numbers don't change too much with this one, but it is long so I am going to put it in a spoiler.

SPOILER: Click to show

Phase I
7/20/15 Menstrual period
Start or continue a daily prenatal vitamin.
7/21/15 Start oral contraceptive pills. Take home pregnancy test prior to starting oral contraceptive pills.
8/5/15 Begin leuprolide acetate (Lupron) 0.1 ml (10 units) injections each evening and start low dose aspirin, 81 mg daily.
8/9/15 Last day to take oral contraceptive pills.
8/12/15 Report to lab between 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. for blood draw.
Serum hormone levels should confirm suppression. Be available by phone or email that afternoon for results.

Once suppression is confirmed, remain on prenatal vitamin, 1 tablet aspirin (81 mg uncoated or coated) daily, and decrease Lupron to 5 units daily.
There may be a chance that your transfer may be delayed by a few days to a week if you are not suppressed or even a chance of cancellation. Please do not plan on traveling out of town the week after your tentative transfer date just in case your transfer is delayed.
Payment required.


Phase II Continue Daily Prenatal Vitamins and Aspirin (81mg)


Day 1 8/14/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 1 patch in a.m.


Day 2 8/15/15 Lupron 5 units

Day 3 8/16/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 1 patch

Day 4 8/17/15 Lupron 5 units

Day 5 8/18/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 1 patch

Day 6 8/19/15 Lupron 5 units

Day 7 8/20/15 Lupron 5 units
Increase Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Begin estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime, on a daily basis from this point forward. You will remain on this dose for at least the first 9 weeks of pregnancy.

Day 8 8/21/15 Lupron 5 units
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 9 8/22/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime


Day 10 8/23/15 Lupron 5 units
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 11 8/24/15 Lupron 5 units
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 12 8/25/15 Lupron 5 units
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime
Blood draw and ultrasound appointment to measure thickness of the uterine lining. You will be called with results and further instructions. Vivelle dot patches may increase to 4 every other day pending the results of the estradiol. Progesterone start and date of thaw may change based on today's results.

Day 13 8/26/15 Lupron 5 units (THIS IS THE LAST LUPRON DOSE)
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
]Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 14 8/27/15 STOP – Check to make sure you have been directed to start your progesterone today, pending the results from day 12 blood draw (estradiol level).
NO LUPRON - LAST DOSE WAS DAY 13
PROGESTERONE STARTS TODAY IF TOLD TO PROCEED
Progesterone in oil 25mg IM (0.5cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily am and pm
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 15 8/28/15 Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Progesterone in oil 25mg IM (0.5cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 16 8/29/15

INCREASE progesterone in oil to 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime


Day 17 8/30/15 Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Begin Medrol 4 - 4mg tablets daily (total of 16mg taken daily)
Begin Z-Pak two tablets today
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 18 8/31/15 Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Medrol 4 - 4mg tablets daily (total of 16mg taken daily)
Z-Pak one tablet
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 19 9/1/15 TENTATIVE EMBRYO THAW/TRANSFER TODAY
• You will be notified of thaw results usually by 10:30 a.m.
If you do not hear from us by 10:30 am, please call the office. Please be at home or local for this call. You will be told when to take your tablet of diazepam (Valium).
Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches
Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
AFTER TRANSFER PROCEDURE, insert AM progesterone vaginal suppository when you return back home. However, if your drive is 3 or more hours, then it is recommended that you insert the vaginal suppository after the transfer and prior to your drive home. Evening suppository is taken as usual.
Medrol 4 - 4mg tablets daily (total of 16mg taken daily)
Z-Pak one tablet
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 20 9/2/15 Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Medrol 4 - 4mg tablets daily (total of 16mg taken daily)
Z-Pak one tablet
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 21 9/3/15 Continue Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches every other day
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Last day for Z-Pak, one tablet
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Day 22 9/4/15 Continue Vivelle Dot (0.1mg) 3 patches every other day
Progesterone vaginal suppository 100mg twice daily
Progesterone in oil 50mg IM (1cc in am)
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime

Continue medications as you currently are until the results of the pregnancy test.


Phase III
Pregnancy Test on 9/9/15. Please have blood drawn between 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

• If your pregnancy test is positive, you will continue the following medications until instructed to stop.
- Vivelle Dot (0.1 mg) 3 patches - every other day
- Progesterone vaginal suppository 100 mg twice daily
Progesterone in oil 50 mg IM (1 cc in a.m.) daily
Estrace 2 mg. tablet, vaginally, at bedtime
- Prenatal vitamin
Daily aspirin 81 mg

wow. This amazing. Thank you!!!!

[nerdykitten]

It was no problem peaseblossom55 . Just keep in mind not all RE's will put you on both forms of estrogen and progesterone like mine does. And since you are already on Metformin I imagine they will keep you on that as well.

[peaseblossom55]

Jan 5, 2016 12:51:35 GMT -5 nerdykitten said:

It was no problem peaseblossom55 . Just keep in mind not all RE's will put you on both forms of estrogen and progesterone like mine does. And since you are already on Metformin I imagine they will keep you on that as well.

Thanks! I like hearing what everyone did and seeing the differences. I also look forward to seeing what plan my RE has for us. Thank you again so much!!!

[goldenlove3]

peaseblossom55 My IVF cycle is a estrogen priming and antagonist. I started estrogen on CD19 last cycle after a progesterone test to make sure I ovulated. CD1 is today. I go in for baseline ultrasound and bloodwork on CD3 then start Menopur and Follistim that night. I'll stim for 3 days then go in for BW/US and they may adjust my dose. I also stop estrogen at this time. My instruction sheet says to come in every 1-2 days from then on and will be told when to add Cetrotide (or Ganirelix) to prevent ovulation. Stims are typically 8-10 days. Then when my follicles are mature, I stop stims and take a trigger shot at night. Day after trigger, go in for BW/US in the morning then take an antibacterial and steroid at night. Egg retrieval is the next morning. Then before the ET, I start Endometrin and take that until my beta.

[peaseblossom55]

Jan 5, 2016 13:23:50 GMT -5 goldenlove3 said:

peaseblossom55 My IVF cycle is a estrogen priming and antagonist. I started estrogen on CD19 last cycle after a progesterone test to make sure I ovulated. CD1 is today. I go in for baseline ultrasound and bloodwork on CD3 then start Menopur and Follistim that night. I'll stim for 3 days then go in for BW/US and they may adjust my dose. I also stop estrogen at this time. My instruction sheet says to come in every 1-2 days from then on and will be told when to add Cetrotide (or Ganirelix) to prevent ovulation. Stims are typically 8-10 days. Then when my follicles are mature, I stop stims and take a trigger shot at night. Day after trigger, go in for BW/US in the morning then take an antibacterial and steroid at night. Egg retrieval is the next morning. Then before the ET, I start Endometrin and take that until my beta.

Thanks so much!

[emilie]

Wow, GKU is blowing up! Nice to see the board so active

Happy new year everyone! And thank you IVFers and grads for posting your protocols. Super helpful for those of us considering IVF.

so excited for you both kaliRN and longhornwino0907! can't believe your trip is so soon!
@underdog25 hugs and I'm sorry things are tough right now. I hope it goes well tomorrow.
mrsjene best of luck tomorrow!
rooskie so glad you guys have an appointment. hope you get some answers!
daisy818 yay for a good ultrasound and PCT! I hope the ute spot is something insignificant.
Evelyn3 hugs and I hope this month gives you some much-needed downtime.
goldenlove3 I didn't know you could do that either! so you can do all your IVF meds in one sub-q shot?
kleigh fx!
piccyami glad you found a reliable pharmacy. good luck!
butlerfan sorry for the long cycle.
ceejay sorry for the impending CD1. I hope you see some good results from the supplements!
peaseblossom55 huge hugs again for you. I'm so sorry.
dke2010 good luck on Thursday!
kawaiikitsune I'm sorry the BP meds are rough. hope you can get in to the RE soon.
teachermomtobe good luck tomorrow, and I'm glad it went so well with your principal!
meerkatmillie congrats! and thank you for the details on your IVF cycle!
wannabmama fx for you this cycle.
Rama hugs and thinking of you. I hope things settle down soon.
pippacricket best of luck at your appointment tomorrow!
snakefisherbub ugh. big hugs.
Daikoku yeah for 2 follicles! everything crossed for you!

AFM, just hanging out in a natural cycle. I will go for an ultrasound after O to make sure I'm good to go for estrogen priming for injectable IUI #3. Maybe I will get more than one crappy follicle!

QOTW: I want to find a new job. I've been sticking it out in my current one for 2 years now due to TTC and if I had known things would go the way they have I would have found a new position ages ago.