Thin Cysters TTC Part 19 - Page 14

doolin · 04-29-2008, 02:39 PM

Whitney - yay yay yay! That's great!!

springtime · 04-29-2008, 02:43 PM

TSCH-CONGRATS! WOW!!!

Relka-You are tough by holding out!

Deb-How's it going? Trying to see if I Od or temping has always driven me crzy and the FF never worked for me.

Kdwg-Just to O on your own is fabulous!!!! I am so happy for you.

Keo and Ry-You also have to take about 1-3 tablets a day. They have it at Whole Foods.

Txan-Thinking of you ((hugs))

Tummy-I am so sorry that you have to wait so long. What a pain!

Heartcore-The study has you do Lupron, Bravelle, and Menopur (sp?). What a great savings for you!!! I also got a big discount on meds.

Stef-AAGHHHH!!! OPKs are the worst.

Laura-How are you? How's the bloating?

Doolin-WOW! I really hope you qualify!!! Also, your sense of humor kills me. I think the data collecting is kind of an addiction...giving a sense of control over things. By the way, this study is for you if you like to collect data. They give you a little booklet so you can track the meds, health issues, etc. I carry it with me.

So, I started the Lupron yesterday and didn't have any s/e, thank goodness. DH had to leave the room. The Lupron is easy to give. I go back on 5/8 to start the stims and those are the ones I have to mix. We then filled out tons more paper last night about the risks of IVF and stuff. DH actually wants to freeze the extra, just in case. What a change of heart!!

I think I know why DH came around. We took DS to a bday party for a year-old girl and he kept hugging and kissing her. He even spent 15 minutes feeding her with a spoon. That night, DH said that he sees that it is important for him to have a sibling.

Have great day ladies!!! Hello to anyone I missed.

springtime · 04-29-2008, 02:44 PM

TUMMY-OMG!!!! I just saw your post. CONGRATS!!!! YAY!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!

sheepiegirl · 04-29-2008, 02:50 PM

Whitney--that's awesome! I'm thinking good thoughts for you...

TXan · 04-29-2008, 03:02 PM

Thanks everyone for the words of support. After testing at home I was mentally prepared for the official result, but of course it is very disappointing. I have to keep the negative thoughts out of my head, since part of me is convinced it's not meant to be. I will have to see how the follow up appointments go, and how the next round goes (when I eventually start again - probably in a month or so). I know it's relatively early, since I have not been in treatment yet for one year, so we'll see. I have some IVF coverage, but it'll probably be maxed out the next cycle. My meds are already maxed out, so I know that will be about $3k right there!

I am in the process of getting second opinions on my treatment. The one doctor that people rave about does not take insurance. He also doesn't do invasive procedures anymore (e.g. IVF), but I thought it would be worthwhile to go for a consult, even though that'll cost me a pretty penny. He's had over 30 years experience, so my thought is that he's probalby seen it all. I can always go to another Dr. (or if I stay with my own) to see if they would act/their thoughts on his recommendations, etc. I know one of my potential "issues" is that I had thin endometrial lining, but it was pretty much the same thickness last time. We shall see if any new insights come up, or if it really is a healthy embryo "numbers game."

Speaking of suggestions, my current Dr. did suggest accupuncture, since that could help with blood flow to the uterus. Anyone else get that advise, or try it? I think they would prefer 2 sessions/week but I can only take off so much time for Drs and not feel like a complete waste at work, and I do know someone who offers Sat sessions. Once a week is better than nothing, I guess.

Tummy - I'm glad you're getting good news. May 9 will be here before you know it!!! I did call your clinic and my age group is filled up for the IVF study. There supposedly will be another one later this year, so hopefully they'll keep me posted. The Bedford location is not convenient for me, but if most of my appts are at Frisco, it could be do-able. Not sure if I'm ready for the treck out for the consult though. On their website it seems they have a new Dr. in Frisco who specializes in PCOS. Very young, so I wonder how much clinical experience with folks like ourselves!

Laura32 · 04-29-2008, 03:26 PM

Tummy, that is good news!

Yeah, the bloating is a tad painful, like when I try to suck in, it hurts. And I do have more CM, though I can't swear to it's exact nature, just that there's more of it. But the bloating was disheartening. Thank God my dress for the wedding was flowy, with an empire waist. If it had been form fitting, people probably would have thought I was pregnant, it was that bad! Seems to be a little better today though.

pikachu · 04-29-2008, 04:20 PM

Yay Tummy! You've got a little figher in there.

Tschrek - That's great news!

Relka - I don't know how you are holding out... you are so strong. I hope you're having a better day today.

Deb - Those darn OPK's... I didn't even buy one, because I knew that they would drive me nuts. I really hope your O is still coming so you can catch it with some BD'ing!

kdwgr8 - Congrats on the O. It must be such a good feeling to know your body is working like it should!

Txan - That's kind of cool that your Dr suggested accupuncture... I like it when they think outside the box... I usually just get the standard "by the book" responses/treatment. I sometimes wonder if I could treat myself if that's all they do!

deb1211 · 04-29-2008, 06:32 PM

Keo - Clomid never really messed up my cycles before..oh well, guess I'll just have to wait it out. I've never tried vitex, although I have seen some try it around the boards.

Relka - we did BD on CD6.
Doolin - I really doubt I O'd already..maybe my temps are just a mess from the clomid..they didnt do this last cycle though, so I'm just confused.

Whitney - Yay for beta doubling!! There's always the multiple possibility..I know a lot of women who conceived multiples and had bleeding.

Springtime - How exciting for starting the lupron. They were always pretty easy shots to deal with. The stims would sting a bit.

TXan - I have read about other IVF gals doing acupuncture and have seen studies where it does seem to help.

Laura - Glad the bloating is getting better

Pikachu - thanks. I haven't really used too many OPKs yet..but those monitor sticks are just as bad!

doolin · 04-29-2008, 06:47 PM

TXan - I would totally go for the consult with the highly recommended dr; have you looked into out-of-network coverage from your insurance? Maybe you could get a portion of it back? IVF is high stakes and I always think it's best to gather as much info and opinions as possible (but that is also why I am on my 3rd RE).

Springtime - did DH leave the room because of the needle? Enquiring minds want to know. I hope the lupron goes easy on you. It's so exciting that you'll be stimming soon.

Laura32 (aka basketbelly) - You have to love flowy empire waist dresses. As my neighbor's mom told me when I was eight (while sucking on an extra-long cigarette a la Joan Crawford):
"an empire waist hides a multitude of sins"
Of course, at 8, this is confusing and having only attended catholic school at that point, I thought by "sins" she was talking about how I hit my brother. I'm surprised I didn't lobby for an empire waist communion dress... :-)

pikachu · 04-29-2008, 07:09 PM

Deb - Sorry, I'm getting confused between the OPK's and the fertility monitors. Both are used to measure LH right?

Doolin - You are hilarious... I love reading your posts!

relka · 04-29-2008, 08:20 PM

laura32- welcome back from the wedding. i don't know why your stomach is bloated, maybe gas?

tummy- i am so excited for you. i know everything will be okay. our bodies can do crazy things sometimes, but your beta doubling is a great sign. ugh, i am 10dpiui.

springtime- is the lupron intramuscular. that is so cute about DS feeding the little girl. i'm glad it gave Dh a nudge in teh right direction.

txan- yes lots of IVF clinics recommend acupuncture with IVF. the studies do show great benefits. it is worth trying. also have you checked out the IVF success rates on sart.org. that might help you make a decision in terms of clinics, esp. if you're paying out of pocket. hang in there.

pikachi- ugh, i hate those "by the book responses" too. esp. b/c i don't think PCOS is by the book since NO one has figured it out yet.

deb- temping is so hard to figure out, but i think you could have O'd on CD 6 or 8. it really depends on what your true coverline is. keep temping and BD'ing.

doolin- LOL, you crack me up. BTW-i'm on my 4th RE. i'm a maniac about finding the right doctor too. i know from experience with other ailments in my family that it makes ALL the difference.

pikachu- i don't feel strong. i am so nervous about this cycle. i wish my faith were stonger, but i guess the human side of me is preparing for the possible disappointment. so, let's see i'm 10dpiui. still think the earliest i'll test is Friday or Saturday.

hi to everyone else!

Laura0621 · 04-29-2008, 09:24 PM

Hey Ladies,
I only have a few minutes here so I will throw in my limited experience/knowledge re: Vitex and accupuncture as I have actually tried these things. I was so excited to people ask questions about these things as I actually have some answers for a change rather than asking you guys the constant ?s!!!

Vitex - same as chaste tree berry for those of you who have heard of that. I have been taking it for 5 months now based on advice of my naturopath. She claims that she has had great success with it helping to regulate women's cycles. When you research it, there are varying theories as to why it works and what exactly it does. My naturopath claims in balances the hormones overall so that one does not dominate when it shouldn't be. I have a friend who starting taking it because she had terrible PMS and it fixed that. I ovulated and had a regular period in March after taking it for three months. However, I do not think I ovulated in April so who knows where I am now with things. It certainly can't hurt to try it. I would just make sure your RE knows in case it conflicts with any other meds or treatments.

I just started taking accupuncture. There is evidence that it helps women going through IVF because it increases blood flow to the uterus and therefore increases chances of successful implanation. Most studies that I have read re: helping with ovulation are positive yet I am sure a true scientist would question the size of the sample, whether it was double blind, etc, etc. One I remember reading had 38% of participants start to ovulate regularly after 12 treatments. Of course, these women did not necessarily have PCOS.

On my second treatment last week I also had a terrible flu/cold but didn't want to cancel the appt (stupid not to cancel, I know). One of the needles hurt so badly it brought tears to my eyes. Then I started feeling really pathetic and sorry for myself about this whole ttc thing and the fact that I am actually having a women light incense on me and put needles in my legs to make me pregnant....and then I started actually crying on her table. It was a sad sight, I am sure. I just thought I would throw in that story since I hadn't told anyone and it feels kind of nice to share.

I really have to get going here but ***big hugs*** to everyone. I am thinking of you all (yah whitney, good news! - relka, best wishes for the test!! - Hi to everyone else)

Good night
L

Laura0621 · 04-29-2008, 09:30 PM

From babyhopes.com - positive comments but no real background on the studies.....

Two teams of researchers in Germany and China have found that adding acupuncture to the treatment regimen of women using assisted reproductive techniques to have a child can dramatically improve the woman's chances of getting pregnant by up to 20%. In these women the chosen acupuncture points were those that relax the uterus according to the principles of TCM. This greatly increased the chances of getting pregnant because acupuncture has a great influence on the autonomic nervous system and needling specific points would optimized endometrial receptivity in these women.

Acupuncture and PCOS
Between 5 percent and 30 percent of women have characteristics of a condition called PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome. The extent is so large because PCOS often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because of its variety of symptoms. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal imbalance that leads to weight gain, excessive hair growth, irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty getting pregnant. Such patients are often prescribed hormonal drugs which may have side effects and interfere with getting pregnant. With the use acupuncture, doctors say that such patients may have an option of a drug free treatment.

Acupuncture has shown promising results in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome in regulating their periods. Almost all women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome who subscribed to acupuncture had their periods regulated in a study conducted. It has also helped women lose weight and relive headaches in the long run leading to a calmer and stable mind.

keohanel · 04-29-2008, 09:55 PM

I'm not sure if i can get all the personals in, but here goes!

TXan - I'm so sorry

tummy - i'm so glad!! i hope everything looks great on the 9th!

relka - good luck holding off until friday

laura0621, thank you so much for answering the question about vitex. as tummy pointed out, usually progesterone is used to give us AF, so i wasn't sure either why it was supposed to work.

Springtime - I'm glad you are good so far with the s/e

deb - that is so weird about your cycle!!

my only thing - talking about the box (tm pikachu for this post!) - is i'm nervous to tell my dr that i want to add it to my regiment. the wife of one of my friends specializes in hypnofertility and hypnopregnacy and i am thinking about talking to her. she runs a business in chelsea (for the NY'ers among us) and her partner does acupuncture. i will let you guys know what she says!

keohanel · 04-29-2008, 09:56 PM

and doolin?? i love the rabid dog and i love your wicked sense of humor!!!