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12-26-2012 at 12:12 AM
ANDOPANO6
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ANDOPANO6 is online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 9:34 PMNewbie

Mentally Preparing for IVF-Like to hear from others

Hello, I'm finally starting to consider IVF as an option even though it;s kinda my last resort.

I would really like to hear from you ladies that have been through IVF cycles...the good/bad/ugly.

I am 100% OOPE so I want to know the risks associated with blowing my life savings. lol

Is it really that bad? My main concerns other than it not working, are the invasive nature of the injects/retreivals, time have to leave from work during the day, complications that may arise as a result of IVF.

I would love to hear your personal stories and opinions. Thanks!!
TTC Since 6/12 regular periods ME-33, unexplained IF DH-34, healthy 10/12 50mg of clomid-no response-BFN 11/12 100mg of clomid-1 mature follicle-IUI #1=BFN 12/8/12 clear HSG 12/12 100mg of clomid-2 mature follicles-IUI #2=BFN 1/13 5mg femara un-monitored TI, BFN 2/13 7.5mg femara 2 mature follicles, IUI#3 BFN 3/13 7.5MG femara TI=BFN 3/29 Hysteroscopy-looked perfect 4/1 Started Acupuncture for my IVF cycle 4/13 IVF #1 .75 Menopur & 150 Gonal-F 4/24 ER 10 eggs retrieved, 7 Fertilized. 4/29 ET 6 Blasts, Put 2 back in and froze 4. 5/7 BFP!!! 5/17 1 gestational sac! I'm cautiously optimistic!  
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12-26-2012 at 6:19 AM
ball.and.c...
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ball.and.chain is online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 9:40 PMSilver

The good: I got pregnant (later I had a m/c, but that could have happened regardless of how I got pregnant).  In 16 months and 9 IUIs, that had never happened and I was starting to think it couldn't.  I didn't have very bad side effects from the meds (none of the mood swings, ongoing headaches, etc that a lot of women have), I didn't develop OHSS, and I didn't think actually taking the injections (even IM progesterone) was too bad.  My overall IVF cycle went well: they retrieved 22 eggs of which 17 fertilized, we transferred 1 and 5 were frozen.  I was nervous leading up to retrieval, but everyone took great care of me and once I woke up, it seemed like it had been no big deal.

The bad: I gained a fair amount of weight, between the birth control pills, the bloat, the huge amounts of Gatorade and protein I ate between retrieval and transfer to ward of OHSS, the inability to exercise from stimming until -- well, I'm still not allowed to exercise since as of two weeks ago my ovaries were still enlarged -- and the fact that a high level of progesterone apparently makes me insanely hungry.  I was pretty uncomfortable leading up to egg retrieval from the large number of enlarged follicles; I was uncomfortable or in pain for the entire five days between retrieval and transfer.  And sadly, having a great IVF cycle and transferring a "perfect" blastocyst does not exempt you from miscarrying said blastocyst.

The bottom line: I have 5 frosties, which means I get several tries out of one cycle.  That in itself is worth a lot to me.  I am very glad I did IVF, and would do another fresh cycle if I used up all the frosties without a live birth, or possibly to conceive a sibling if I used up all frosties to conceive #1.

Good luck!
Married my wife 8/2007 *** TTC #1 since 7/2011
4 IUIs w/ midwives = 4 BFNs
5 IUIs w/ an RE = 5 BFNs
IVF October/November 2012
ER 11/1: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized!
ET 11/6: 1 blast transferred, 5 frozen
BFP 11/15! Beta #1: 104 Beta #2: 613 Beta #3: 3415
Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E 12/13
FET 1 cancelled
FET 1.1: ET 4/30: 1 blast transferred
BFP 5/7! Beta #1: 142 Beta #2: 730 Beta #3: 3184
U/S on 5/29 shows 1 bean with a hb!
6/18: No hb at 9w5d. Baby measures 7w5d.
*Everyone welcome*
 
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12-26-2012 at 8:22 AM
J&D2007
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J&D2007 is not online. Last active: 06-14-2013, 2:12 PMBronze
It isn't that bad physically I didn't think. It is time consuming. You will be in the office almost every single day for a week or so, not including the many trips before for testing. The money part sucks. I think the most difficult part is the anxiety of waiting for phone calls, wondering if your follicles are growing big enough, if you have enough eggs, what your hormone levels are, how many eggs fertilized, etc, etc... I hate waiting and I tend to over think so that's hardest for me. As far as side effects, I don't think it's bad. I did have a low grade headache from lupron for almost 3 weeks. Other than that I wasn't uncomfortable at all. The other part that I dislike is that I can't exercise much. It's my stress reliever and I feel fat and icky. 

Me: 35, DH: 36, ttc: 3+ years, dx: unknown
10/11: after 2 years, saw a RE, FSH 5.4
11/11: BFP! (surprise after thyroid med & normal hsg),
12/11: missed m/c after 7 week u/s,
1/12: D&C,
6/12 IUI #1: clomid, 5 mature follicles, excellent sperm,= BFN,
7/12: IUI #2: clomid, 3 mature follicles, excellent sperm= BFN,
8/12: IUi #3: clomid, 5 follicles, = BFP!, C/P
10/12 IVF #1: FSH 5.4, estradiol AFC: 14, long Lupron 150/bravelle75,5R/5M/4F, all 4 made it to 5dt, 1 blast and 1 8 cell transferred. No frosties. BFN
IVF #2: AFC 21, MD lupron 12/25, 225bravelle/150men, 4R/4M/3F, 5dt of 1 blast BFN
IVF #3: natural start antagon, starting 3/30, ER 4/11, 12R,11M,10F
.
[IMG]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg174/pixydust3084/April_V2.jpg%5B/IMG] 
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12-26-2012 at 8:44 AM
ARS0805
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ARS0805 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 7:17 PMBronze

I hope its okay if I post.  ::::siggy warning::::

 

I think the whole IVF process is as bad as you make it.  Sure, there are things out of your control, but I tried to have a positive outlook for the entire thing.  

I knew weight gain could be an issue.  So, three months before IVF I started making healthier choices in my diet and lost nearly 10lbs.   

I had done injects for three IUIs, so I was pretty prepared for those.  I used Lupron, follistim, and Menopur.  Lupron gave me a dull headache and a metallic taste in my mouth.  Menopur stings.  Three injects each night for 10 days isn't exactly my idea of "fun", but it's just a stepping stone to get to the end.

My clinic is quite a ways away. I was there four times the week of my egg retrieval (Sun, Mon, Tues, Thurs). Lots of clinics do early morning monitoring, so that may be an option for you.  

 I did not develop OHSS.  I did have extreme constipation after ER which lasted for at least a week.  I was uncomfortable from ER because of the nature of the procedure.  Add the constipation to that and I was quite miserable.

 We transferred two and have two frosties.  I would definitely go through all of this again in order to have a baby (or a sibling).

 

Good luck in your journey! 
Me: 28; DH: 35 1/2008 -- Started TTC
3/2009 -- FD discovered at 17 weeks
1/2011 -- Lap and HSG reveal Stage IV Endo and both tubes blocked.
4/2012 -- Consult with RE for IVF#1 -- All bloodwork and SA are normal -- Repeat HSG - SURPRISE! Both tubes are open.
May, June, August 2012 -- IUI#1-3 -- Letrozole + Bravelle + Ovidrel trigger = BFN
9/2012 -- Lap#2 to remove endo and Hysteroscopy

IVF#1 (Long Lupron) -- 12/6 ER - 20R 11F * 12/11 ET - Transferred 2 excellent blasts *
Beta #1 79.7 * Beta #2 240 * It's a GIRL!!

BabyFruit Ticker
When Not IF Blog
Everyone welcome! 
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12-26-2012 at 1:52 PM
jadwedd
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jadwedd is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 9:24 PMBronze
I am totally out of pocket too so I understand your concerns.  It is not as much fun as making a baby the old fashioned way but it is not so bad that you shouldn't do it.  I had every single side effect and have been nausous for like a month but if it brings me a baby then it is totally worth it.  I have alot of additional problems, my body responded slowly to the meds so I stimmed for 13 days instead of 10 (extra $1200) my ovary is not where it should be - it is hiding behind my uterus so it was more difficult to get the eggs out.  Like fun stuff like that.  But when it came to spending all that money dh told me that he had his whole life to make money and he did not want us to regret not trying when it was too late.  It is not so bad that I would not do it again.  Hopefully I will not have to but I would.
Married 12-12-04
TTC since 07
me-36 PCOS, Tubal Problems, and polyps removed 7-12
DH - 36 extremely handsome and no fertility problems
IUI 8-12 and 9-12 failed
IVF 12-21-2012 - 2 I think perfect no matter what the dr graded them (2B)embryos transferred Beta on 12-31-12 Positve - Beta is 21
Beta 2 1-2-13 - 31
Beta 3 1-4-13 - 53
Beta 4 1/9 - 212!
Ultrasound 1/10 - Nothing completely empty uterus Beta 1/14 - 743; Beta 1/17 - 1704 ultrasound shows nothing. Officially a miscarriage. 1/21 Beta 3900 Dr. says it ectopic. Ultrasound shows a miracle heartbeat right in the uterus where it belongs! Dr. says I can be cautiously optomistic!!! Hang in there baby!

 
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12-27-2012 at 9:46 AM
zazu13
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zazu13 is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 11:04 AMNewbie

I am also 100% OOP. As you can see from my sig, we haven't had success yet, and are trying again. I was so devastated after our c/p about the money spent that yielded no baby. It made me sick with worry and regret that I'd done the wrong thing, but I've since come to a better place of acceptance that this is my life. These are the cards that life has dealt me. I only have a few years of opportunity to make this dream a reality, and no amount of money will make me regret trying in the end. We are fortunate to have stable jobs and a little help from family as well as a very reasonably priced clinic that have put the financial part within reach. Our bank accounts are empty, but our hearts are full of hope.

Like the pp's mentioned, the shots aren't that fun, but bearable. IVF is a huge time commitment and physical sacrifice. I'm still 12 lbs up from my attempts the past year. There may be unexpected expenses and delays that will be discouraging - I had a canceled cycle, needed extra meds, low number or embryos, 3-day transfers when I wanted 5-day, no frosties, etc. These were all very disheartening. I didn't do my homework before starting the process so I thought that when my doctor said "you're a good candidate for IVF" that it just meant that it would go smoothly and it would work. The absolute hardest thing for me has been the emotional aspect. Getting your hopes up that this time might actually give me a baby only to get that call saying "not this time" is harder than I could ever imagine. I have experienced depression and anger I didn't know I was capable of. I needed a therapist for a while. It's put a strain on our marriage, our finances, personal relationships with friends. But I'm not ready to give up and I feel that there is no wasted effort. I want this too badly to not give it another shot. Whatever the end to this journey is, I will be able to look back and know that we tried everything.

 Sorry for the novel. Best of luck in whatever you decide. I hope your baby is waiting just around the corner. 
Age: 35 TTC since 2005, MFI & DOR
IVF #1 Sep '11 canceled
IVF #2 Nov '11 chemical
IVF #3 April '12 M/C
FET #1 Aug 2012 BFN
new RE IVF #4 Jan '13 BFN :( ... IVF #5 July 2013  
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12-27-2012 at 2:36 PM
Gr8te
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Gr8te is not online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 5:34 PMBronze

I experienced my first IVF this December. We have MFI, so we decided not to waste our money on IUI because we were told it was highly unlikely it would work. I'll never forget how overwhelmed I felt when $5000 of meds showed up at my door.

The injections aren't that bad. The first couple of days are the worst while you're figuring everything out. Once the cycle is over you'll be a pro. I injected the menopur in my tummy, follistim and cetrotide in my thighs. Intially, I was a big chicken, so I started my injections by icing first. It really didn't help and I think it created more anxiety.

Before ER, I didn't have any side effects from the meds. About three days before retreival I had to stop wearing my skinny jeans because I was sore due to my enlarged ovaries. I did develop moderate OHSS. It was pretty miserable. I had fluid around my lungs, liver, kidneys and pelvis, but it went away as soon as I got my period. Thank God my doctor cancelled my fresh transfer because if you develop OHSS and get pregnant it lasts through the first trimester.

My only disappointment so far...I have no known fertility issues, but my RE made me go though $4000 of testing. My DH who has morph of 1% was only ordered an SA and antibody test. We had 20 mature eggs, 15 fertilized and 4 only made it to blast. RE thinks DH could have DNA fragmented sperm, which would be an explanation for the 11 perfect looking embies/blasts that arrested after day 3. DNA fragmentation can be present even if the SA is normal. I wish we would have been told about the test prior to IVF. We have 4 froze blasts and 2 will be transferred in Feb. I pray to God they'll turn into a normal healthy pregnancy.

 Good luck to you.

~ Everyone Welcome ~
TTC: 05/2011 Me: 32, All Clear DH: 38 Dx: MFI Low Testosterone & 1% Morphology
IVF #1 w/ICSI & IMSI, 12/03/12: ER: 27R, 20M, 15F
4 blasts frozen (3BA 4BA 4BB 5BB) b/c of moderate OHSS
FET #1: 02/08/13 Transferred 3BA & 4BA | HPT 5dp5dt BFP!
10dp5dt Beta #1 - 810 | 12dp5dt Beta #2 - 1843
BabyFetus Ticker 
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12-27-2012 at 8:51 PM
ANDOPANO6
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Joined on 11-15-2011
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ANDOPANO6 is online. Last active: 06-18-2013, 9:34 PMNewbie

Thanks so much for all of your insightful comments.

I really appreciate all of your individual experiences as you continue each of your journey's.

Oh goodness. So much to think about. Some of these side effects seem very risky. I hadn't heard about the fluid building up before, that's the scariest SE I've heard so far.

I will be honest, it's scary to think of the weight gain when at 5ft tall I am average, but already feeling uncomfortable about the amount of weight I have gained recently. I know though, weight gain is a small sacrifice to pay for getting pregnant and I'd gladly sport my pudge if it meant a baby! I guess, I would make sure to go on a good diet plan before in prep.

I have also heard the menopor stings like the dickens! Yes, not losing my job with the amount of time I'll have to leave the office  (which I so obviously NEED with how expensive all this fertility stuff is, lol) is also another concern..

Bottom line, I have multiple times from women in our situation that they wish they would've moved straght to IVF in the beginning before injectables and all other money wasted. 

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses ladies and best of luck in your upcoming cycles. We will all get our babies in the end! I know it!
TTC Since 6/12 regular periods ME-33, unexplained IF DH-34, healthy 10/12 50mg of clomid-no response-BFN 11/12 100mg of clomid-1 mature follicle-IUI #1=BFN 12/8/12 clear HSG 12/12 100mg of clomid-2 mature follicles-IUI #2=BFN 1/13 5mg femara un-monitored TI, BFN 2/13 7.5mg femara 2 mature follicles, IUI#3 BFN 3/13 7.5MG femara TI=BFN 3/29 Hysteroscopy-looked perfect 4/1 Started Acupuncture for my IVF cycle 4/13 IVF #1 .75 Menopur & 150 Gonal-F 4/24 ER 10 eggs retrieved, 7 Fertilized. 4/29 ET 6 Blasts, Put 2 back in and froze 4. 5/7 BFP!!! 5/17 1 gestational sac! I'm cautiously optimistic!  
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