I went yesterday for my CD12 bloodwork and ultrasound. Ultrasound showed my lining at 5mm (boo!) but the grade was IE/TL - and I think TL is the optimal grade for when you are doing IUI. Also, my follicles grew to 19mm and 14.3mm. I had to do 1 last Menopur shot in the afternoon, and then I triggered last night at 7pm. The awesome part is that we were at a bar, so I brought my trigger shot with me, and my friend injected me in the bathroom of the bar, lol.
Overall, besides some bloating and cramping - no side effects with the Menopur. One thing I noted is that between ultrasounds, my follicles didn't grow as much as I thought they would. I definitely thought I'd see more of a "boost", but besides adding an additional follicle to the mix (which I'm hoping grows a bit more so it releases tomorrow, as well), it seems to have kind of stunted the growth of the original follicle. Plus, I'm not seeing the huge improvement in my lining that I'd hope I'd see.
Something I've learned, as sort of a defense mechanism I guess, is not to get my hopes up. I go into each ultrasound not having high hopes for my lining. I go into each IUI not really thinking it will work. Of course, there is always that devastation when it doesn't work - but it has helped my mental health a bit. I remember how sad I was when that first Clomid/IUI cycle didn't work. I was utterly devastated - I thought for sure it would be IT. And since then, each failing cycle has almost hurt a little less. I hate the idea of having lost hope, but I think I'm kind of at that point. I go through all of the motions and I'll do whatever the doctor and nurses say, but I never really think we'll be successful.
Showing posts with label trigger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trigger. Show all posts
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
On Cycle #11: CD11 Ultrasound & Bloodwork
I had my bloodwork and follicle scan at the RE's yesterday. I have a 19.6mm follie on my right and my lining is 6mm - which is the thickest it's ever been!!! My E2 was also great at 221!
So, I triggered last night at 7:30pm with 10000 units HCG and I'll IUI Monday at 11am (after bloodwork and ultrasound). I'm so excited. This is the earliest my body has ever produced a mature follicle and the thickest my lining has ever been and it was without meds! So excited!
The only bad thing is that I had another post coital test and again, it showed no spermies. So either my mucus is still too thick (even with the 2400mg Mucinex daily) or it's too acidic and it's killing DH's boys. Basically, the best solution is to do IUI to bypass the CM.
On the weight loss front, I weighed in on Thursday (because I knew Thanksgiving would be detrimental to my Friday morning weigh-in) and I weighed... the exact same as last week. BUT, I did go to the gym Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Edited to add: I just logged my weight in the WW system, and actually, I lost 0.3lbs, lol.
I've been totally slacking off of tracking my food since Thanksgiving, which is bad, but I'm getting back on track tomorrow. Today is going to be spent in bed because I'm sick - sinusy, sore throat, muscle aches, just feeling crappy. I'm sad I had to miss my workout, which I desperately needed, but my body needs to rest. I won't be able to hit the gym again until Wednesday after work, so I'll only get 1 workout in before my weigh-in this week. :(
So, I triggered last night at 7:30pm with 10000 units HCG and I'll IUI Monday at 11am (after bloodwork and ultrasound). I'm so excited. This is the earliest my body has ever produced a mature follicle and the thickest my lining has ever been and it was without meds! So excited!
The only bad thing is that I had another post coital test and again, it showed no spermies. So either my mucus is still too thick (even with the 2400mg Mucinex daily) or it's too acidic and it's killing DH's boys. Basically, the best solution is to do IUI to bypass the CM.
On the weight loss front, I weighed in on Thursday (because I knew Thanksgiving would be detrimental to my Friday morning weigh-in) and I weighed... the exact same as last week. BUT, I did go to the gym Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Edited to add: I just logged my weight in the WW system, and actually, I lost 0.3lbs, lol.
I've been totally slacking off of tracking my food since Thanksgiving, which is bad, but I'm getting back on track tomorrow. Today is going to be spent in bed because I'm sick - sinusy, sore throat, muscle aches, just feeling crappy. I'm sad I had to miss my workout, which I desperately needed, but my body needs to rest. I won't be able to hit the gym again until Wednesday after work, so I'll only get 1 workout in before my weigh-in this week. :(
Thursday, October 18, 2012
On My 2nd Medicated Cycle - Tamoxifen/Ovidrel/IUI/Progesterone
My 2nd Medicated Cycle was to be 20mg Tamoxifen CD3-CD7, an ultrasound and bloodwork on CD12, and an Ovidrel trigger to spur ovulation 36 hours prior to IUI, and then IUI.
Tamoxifen, compared to Clomid, was a breeze. I still felt a little moody, but not nearly as bad as when I was on the Clomid.
When I went for my CD12 ultrasound and bloodwork, Dr. VD saw 4mm lining, and a 20mm follice on right. Not exactly a stellar response, and the thin lining was still an issue. He mentioned that next cycle, I should take estrogen after the Tamoxifen to try to thicken up my lining, but again, didn't seem very concerned. I mentioned that I may want to switch to injects if this doesn't work, and he suggested I set up another consult appointment for it.
I got a call from the RE's office later that day stating that my bloodwork showed I was surging on my own, so I needed to do my trigger shot ASAP and come in for IUI the following day. This "shake up" of events really startled me. I was very concerned about timing and about my lining and the follicle size. Neither my lining nor the follicle would have any time to grow before IUI. We went ahead with it, but I did not feel confident at all. However, in looking at my chart after IUI, I thought I was for sure pregnant. Of course, I wasn't.
Tamoxifen, compared to Clomid, was a breeze. I still felt a little moody, but not nearly as bad as when I was on the Clomid.
When I went for my CD12 ultrasound and bloodwork, Dr. VD saw 4mm lining, and a 20mm follice on right. Not exactly a stellar response, and the thin lining was still an issue. He mentioned that next cycle, I should take estrogen after the Tamoxifen to try to thicken up my lining, but again, didn't seem very concerned. I mentioned that I may want to switch to injects if this doesn't work, and he suggested I set up another consult appointment for it.
I got a call from the RE's office later that day stating that my bloodwork showed I was surging on my own, so I needed to do my trigger shot ASAP and come in for IUI the following day. This "shake up" of events really startled me. I was very concerned about timing and about my lining and the follicle size. Neither my lining nor the follicle would have any time to grow before IUI. We went ahead with it, but I did not feel confident at all. However, in looking at my chart after IUI, I thought I was for sure pregnant. Of course, I wasn't.
On Visiting the RE
I made an appointment with a local practice of Reproductive Endocrinologists (REs) aka fertility specialists.
About 3 years prior to our wedding (and actually before I was even dating R), I had a bout of unexplained lower abdominal pain. I had a colonoscopy done and nothing was found. I had gone to several doctors and no one could figure out what the issue was. I had my yearly appointment with my ob/gyn and she said "well, let's explore this". I ended up having a transvaginal ultrasound done, and during the exam, they noted that I may have a bicornuate uterus. (The reason behind the abdominal pain was never discovered.) My ob/gyn recommended I see a fertility specialist, so I ended up at my RE's office.
I had an appointment with Dr. VD, who I loved from the moment I met him. He explained the issues associated with having a bicornuate or septate uterus, and basically said that there is a procedure done to diagnosis it, and then if I did have it, I could have a surgical procedure done to correct it. He said it was up to me if I wanted to explore it now, explore it once I'm ready to have kids, or explore it if I have recurrent miscarriages. I decided to just wait overall.
About a year out from our wedding, R & I went back to Dr. VD to explore the issues with my uterus. After performing the hysteroscopy, he noted that I did not have a septate or bicornuate uterus, which was of huge relief to me.
So, when I needed to return to the RE to explore my luteal phase issues, I knew I wanted to see Dr. VD. Initially, we met with another doctor in the practice for our consult. I brought in all of my charts from Fertility Friend, and we spent about 20 minutes with the doctor. She explained that my luteal phases were definitely short but that I was definitely ovulating, so she suggested we run through the fertility testing to see what we came up with, and then have another consult.
Through all of the testing of both of us, we were found to both be pretty normal. I had slightly low progesterone after ovulation, but really, that was the only issue they could find. Dr. VD then discussed treatment options with me. He said if we wanted to be really aggressive, I could start Clomid, with a trigger shot, and then if we really wanted to "up our chances" we could do IUI. He felt taking the Clomid would bring my ovulation date up, and naturally lengthen my luteal phase. I agreed that this treatment plan seemed like the best option. Dr. VD assured me that most women in my scenario would get pregnant within 3 cycles of this regimen.
About 3 years prior to our wedding (and actually before I was even dating R), I had a bout of unexplained lower abdominal pain. I had a colonoscopy done and nothing was found. I had gone to several doctors and no one could figure out what the issue was. I had my yearly appointment with my ob/gyn and she said "well, let's explore this". I ended up having a transvaginal ultrasound done, and during the exam, they noted that I may have a bicornuate uterus. (The reason behind the abdominal pain was never discovered.) My ob/gyn recommended I see a fertility specialist, so I ended up at my RE's office.
I had an appointment with Dr. VD, who I loved from the moment I met him. He explained the issues associated with having a bicornuate or septate uterus, and basically said that there is a procedure done to diagnosis it, and then if I did have it, I could have a surgical procedure done to correct it. He said it was up to me if I wanted to explore it now, explore it once I'm ready to have kids, or explore it if I have recurrent miscarriages. I decided to just wait overall.
About a year out from our wedding, R & I went back to Dr. VD to explore the issues with my uterus. After performing the hysteroscopy, he noted that I did not have a septate or bicornuate uterus, which was of huge relief to me.
So, when I needed to return to the RE to explore my luteal phase issues, I knew I wanted to see Dr. VD. Initially, we met with another doctor in the practice for our consult. I brought in all of my charts from Fertility Friend, and we spent about 20 minutes with the doctor. She explained that my luteal phases were definitely short but that I was definitely ovulating, so she suggested we run through the fertility testing to see what we came up with, and then have another consult.
Through all of the testing of both of us, we were found to both be pretty normal. I had slightly low progesterone after ovulation, but really, that was the only issue they could find. Dr. VD then discussed treatment options with me. He said if we wanted to be really aggressive, I could start Clomid, with a trigger shot, and then if we really wanted to "up our chances" we could do IUI. He felt taking the Clomid would bring my ovulation date up, and naturally lengthen my luteal phase. I agreed that this treatment plan seemed like the best option. Dr. VD assured me that most women in my scenario would get pregnant within 3 cycles of this regimen.
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