Trying to Conceive with IUI #3

[bella55]

Hi DLT - No they cancelled my cycle

I have a FS appt on Wed - but the follicels grew and looked good two big ones left 12mm and 15mm and 2 12mm ones on the right but my estrogen level didn't rise infact it went down and was "too low" So i have had a rough few days i found out Wed last week. So i think we are going to take a break, it is taking it's toll on me and DH. We will see FS on Wed and see what he says and i have also made an appt to go and see Kate Stern at MIVF for a second opinion.
So hard for you for Wed - i can't wait to hear!

xxBella

[DLT]

Hi Bella, I'm so sorry to hear they cancelled your cycle. It's really tough with this emotional rollercoaster, so just sending you and DH lots of strength in moving forward onto the next cycle.

AF is due today but hasn't arrived yet. I've had all the symptoms and signs that she's coming. Been moody for the past few days and been eating way too much. So, I don't have high expectations for making it to Wednesday, but we'll see. I'll update you.

[DLT]

Ok, I'm out. AF just arrived. So now it's onto IVF. It's quite daunting but we'll go to the doc and learn more about it. The one thing that is positive, is that the success rates are so much higher, so feeling good about that.

Good luck with your cycle!

[megsmum]

DLT - I'm sorry to hear that AF has showed but good luck with your IVF cycle. Are you starting straight away? We did and I'm now just about to start my second week on the pill, and then I start Synarel at the end of next week. Nothing else really exciting is happening though yet LOL

Bella - I'm so very sorry that your cycle was cancelled It's just horrible to not even get to first base so to speak. My last cycle got cancelled too when my prog levels started to rise, and when that happened it basically sent us straight to IVF, which was a huge blow to both me and DH. We are OK with it now (got no choice really!) but things were not good for a while there Anyway, I hope the break helps a little and that you get some answers on Wed. A second opinion sounds like a good plan to me too, all the best.

[DLT]

Hi Megsmum, yes, I think we'll start straight away. We have an appointment with RE next Friday to discuss our options of IVF etc, and we would like to start immediately.

Have you joined a forum for IVF? If so, which one as I'd like to read about people's experiences with it so far.

Good luck and hope your first round of IVF is all that it takes!

[megsmum]

Hi DLT,

Good luck with your appt next Fri. No point in mucking around I guess, well that's what we thought anyway!

No, I haven't joined a forum yet. I will probably just join the thread here for LTTTC and AC I think. Although I must admit I haven't yet, I'm a bit worried about things going wrong in this first cycle like getting OHSS and being cancelled, or not getting any embies. And after my m/c last year as well, I'm getting a bit depressed about having to post with bad news all the time KWIM? I don't know, I really can't make up my mind about joining the other thread! I change my mind all the time LOL But I'd say that I will at some stage

[DLT]

Hi,

Yip, I know exactly what you mean. I stopped posting during my 2nd IUI 2WW so that I didn't get caught up in it all.

Anyway, best of luck to you, and if you want a chat, I'll be here.

Thanks for the GL wishes. I'm praying hard that IVF #1 is it for both of us!

[OriginalP]

Hi DLT,

Well August is over and we just completed our second IUI cycle. We're doing a "natural"one this month - that is, no FSH. But we get all the other bells and whistles (like Pregnyl :-( ).

Someone was mentioning earlier about progesterone boosting supplements. I'm not convinced they make a difference - it's the fertilised egg that produces the gestational level of progesterone it needs for implantation and to feed itself. Yes, support yourself with supplements - God knows the medical fraternity will poo-poo it the whole way. But don't forget, your egg knows what it needs, and if its a good egg, it will get itself across the line.

:-)
OP.

[shelbee]

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post so I apologise in advance if I seem clueless......

Husband and I had our 2nd IUI Saturday 30th August. We are now in the 2WW which really does not phase me...... until the dreaded blood test! I almost had a nervous breakdown the day I was waiting for the results of my first IUI. I am saying my prayers that this time is the charm and trying not to think about "D" day.

I don't know anyone else who has had an IUI so I guess I wanted to talk to some people who can relate to me. I also wanted to know if anyone else was advised to undergo IUI's even if Endo had not been eliminated. I have had every test under the sun EXCEPT a laparoscopy and I am confused...... I just don't understand why the doc would advise IUI's if Endo has not been ruled out. I have been told I have some symptoms which indicate Endo. I have also been told by my FS that if I do have endo, the IUI's are basically a waste of time.

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone else who has also had IUIs without eliminating Endo first. Also, has anyone had a successful IUI with Endo??

[OriginalP]

No you're not the only one - I'm also in here and also doing IUI. We're in the two weeks waiting period of our third round. I can't see how it's worked though. There are absolutely no symptoms of any kind, including swollen boobs being totally absent.

But as with every cycle, we learned something new this month: I've always know I have an iron deficiency (something to do with a whacky form of arthritis I have). So I got back onto an iron supplement this month, and added a B6 supplement into my vitamin regime too. Instead of registering a crappy 6.9 endometrium on ovulation day, I had a lovely 8.1. And instead of a 24 progestoerone reading on day 21, I had 32!

I can only attribute these changes to the extra iron, folate and B6 I've taken in the past month. I recommend both these vitamins highly to anyone who'd like to try. But as with anything - do your own research first. You need all the facts to decide what's best for you.
:-)
P.

[sunnycoastgirl!]

Hello!
This is my first time on this site, and reading through some of the stories I'd thought I could share mine.
At this present moment in time, my husband and I are waiting to take a pregnancy test next week. We have been ttc for approx 4yrs now, and only in the last 18mths have looked into why it wasn't happening. I have suffered from irregular periods since I was 16, and never looked into it. Until about a year ago when I was diagnosed with PCOS. And also not to help things, my husband's sperm count was quite low and of those that were there, they were a mixture of good, slow and abnormal... talk about a good match up!!! Anyway, I was put on Metformin to try and assist things, but the FS I was seeing then, had me straight on the maximum dose. I ended up 'overdosing' on it and ended up with a severe side effect known as Lactic Acidosis. I knew something was wrong, but the FS didn't believe me, so along with a wonderful invention called "Google" and with help from my GP, we worked out that I had Lactic Acidosis. So forward to December last year we saw a new FS and she is absolutely wonderful. Very caring and understanding. She didn't want to put me on Metformin so I went to Clomid. 5 rounds of this and no increase or result anywhere - except in June this year I ended up in hospital with a Left Ovary torsion - or 'twisted ovary' - 7 times twisted. I was extremely lucky to not loose the left ovary and fallopian tube - thanks to some quick thinking from my husband and an awesome team at the hospital. After a 3mth break to let my body recover, my FS directed us to her Fertility Clinic, where we were to start an IUI round. This required me to do daily FSH injections - Purgeon. The first 2 days I couldn't inject' myself, so I had hubby do this, but quickly learnt to do myself as the 2nd day he moved the needle on the way out and it hurt like hell!!! I was monitered with a couple of scan to check how many folicles I was producing and in the end I had 1 rather large folicle. I was given a 'trigger' to make sure I ovulated and I was inseminated. That was 9 days ago now. I had a progesterone level blood test done yesterday and it came back at 52? Our nurse said that with this type of treatment they like to see over 20.... But I'm now thinking....waiting....thinking more..... Does this mean with such a high level I may be pregnant? Or is it just a good result to the treatment and I'm not pregnant.... oh I don't know. I have to have a preg test next week but the waiting is killing me!!!!! But like my hubby keeps kindly reminding me... 'good things always come to those who wait!".
I hope this may have helped someone else going through the same thing! To everyone out there ttc - I wish you all the very best - keeping everything crossed for you!!!!

[diamond]

Hi sunnycoastgirl,

I have followed this thread for a bit but did not post cause it looked like no one was in the IUI boat anymore. But Im glad you are here - and have given me the strength to join.

Hubby and I have been ttc for 2.5 years now, and also on our first IUI cycle. Went through the daily injections also, hubbys job though I couldnt do it myself. Developed 2 identical follicals, and had the trigger shot after so much abdominal pain. Had the IUI, about 11 days ago now, followed up with the hcg injections every 3 days. And now, due for pregnancy test tomorrow....! I am soo nervous - I cant think of anything else!! I dont feel overly positive about it, and the hcg injections have supposed to be making me feel pregnant so any sympton I get I have to right it off.

In regards to your progesterone question - I had the same thought myself as the nurse told me 'my results were very high'. I hope it does mean we are in with a better chance - we can only be positive though as your husband is - it is very good advice.

Good luck for next week, make sure you keep me posted. Are you also on the hcg injections? Do you have any symptons?

[OriginalP]

We've had our fourth IUI today. We have our fingers and toes crossed for this one. We had two fabulous fat folicles - one either side, so we're hoping at least one of them takes off. Back to the Pregnyl shots. Snore!

:-)
OP.

[diamond]

Yay - good luck originalP. I hope this one is it for you!!!

I have just started my second IUI cycle, on my 3rd day of the FSH shots. I am finding things a bit harded 2nd time round. I feel like the first cycle I have years to prepare for (2.5 yrs of trying!!) and this cycle only a couple of days. I feel really run down, pysichally and emotionally tired - did you experience this with the FSH shots? Do you have any tips on how to cope a little better.

I have my fingers crossed for you that this IUI is the one for you

[OriginalP]

I think the whole process is very draining. My naturopath put it very succinctly : it's a frightening and lonely process. Especially if you're going through treatments back to back. We do one month on and one month off with the Fertility Dept of RHW - they will work with us for a year, so if we have to use the whole year I suspect I will need a whopper of a holiday at the end of it.

I found the month with no FSH injections was AWFUL. I was very depressed and very flat. It was really hard to find joy in anything - and I pretty much didn't. We still did the Pregnyl injections, and I asked to come off them early when it was clear there'd been no fertilisation. I just needed a chance to straighten up. I'm glad I did that because I was back on track in no time.

That being said, I also take a supplement called Neuro Calm by Metagenics. It helps with seratonin production, which is the chemical that makes you feel good. If you can get your hands on some, I recommend it as a good support.

Other than that - be extra kind to yourself. Eat well, take your vitamins, and get at least 9hrs sleep a night. You don't need life to run you down while you go through this.

Take good care.
:-)
OriginalP.

[diamond]

Thanks originalP - it helps to know that someone understands...

Draining is the best way to describe it - i feel totally run down to the ground and also very alone. I am thinking one month on then one month off is the better way to do this, but I keep hoping that every month is my last.... And after trying for so long, I feel one month off is wasting time (patience is not my virtue).

Thanks for your tips - I will look into Neuro Calm as suggested. This will not affect any other medications such as the fsh or the pregnl? Is it herbal like St Johns Wart?? You mentioned that you stop the pregnl when you are sure implanation has not occured - how can you be sure? Does you clinic have a way of testing this before your pregnancy test is due?

How are you going sunnycoastgirl? Im sorry if you have updated in another section and am making you repeat yourself....Im finding it hard to keep up with the other ttc thread with so much activity!!

[OriginalP]

It takes five days to establish a pregnancy, so if you're fretting from days 14 to 21, just let yourself off the hook. Nothing detectable will be happening before then. On day 21 you do a progesterone test, and this is when you start to get an idea of what's happening. Under 40 - you can assume there's been no fertilisation.

There's two hormones you need an abundance of to confirm a pregnancy: one is progesterone and the other is HCG. The gestational range for pregesterone is 37-205 (or thereabouts). At the same time you need an HCG level of about 400. If you don't have either of those, there is no pregancy. I view the progesterone reading as the key: an egg needs loads of progesterone to feed itself and to thicken the endometrium. A good egg will do all this for itself, and that's when you're more likely to get across the line.

With both progesterone and HCG, they need to increase exponentially on a daily basis during the first trimester. They both go up to the 1000s! So reading like P-32 and HCG-52 are pretty much a no-go.

Hope that helps - and BTW - when I said one month on/one month off, I meant with the FSH injections. Our clinic gives us a break from FSH every second month, as they don't think it's good for you. Me neither - two lead folicles and six minor ones were very sore after trigger!

:-)
OP.

[diamond]

thanks OP - you are certainly a wealth of knowledge!! I have learnt so much.

When do you go for day 21 blood test? I am off for 1st scan of the this cycle tomorrow to see how the fsh shots are helping things along.