FAO - ShouldknowbyFriday

[evansg01]

Hiya

Sorry I have not replied sooner ut work has been a bit hectic.

I'm doing the long superovualtion protocol. This cycle I start Norethesterone on day 19 for 7 days. On day 21 I start the puffer, buselin (spelling!) for 3 weeks. 3 days after stopping Noreth. I get my period and for approx 8-12 days from my period starting I'll be taking the FSH injections. I'm scanned on day 8 of the injections to see how the follicles are doing. You can't ovulate until they give you an injection of HCG. The puffer makes you stop producing your own LH surge.
I did a couple of microbiology degress but my career has been in Pharmaceutical companies working on various stages of clinical trials on new drugs.
Good to hear your SIL got pregnant at 43. We have no children and can't get hoping that it will happen naturally so have gone for a more aggressive approach. I can't quite believe your husband does not know what you are up to.

A couple of questions for you:

• has you clinic given you a limit on how many eggs you need to produce. Will they cancel if you produce more than 4. Are they happy for you to do timed intercourse
• in one of your earlier posting you mentioned a friend got pregnant through a dono egg, do you know which clinic they used? Thanks G

Thank you evans for the info, now I understand what you mean about 10 follicles, etc as you will either undergo IUI or IVF depending on result of injectibles. When you say you start the super ovulation on 12 Aug and injectibles on 30th, what does that mean? I was told the injectibles start between day 2-5 of cycle so maybe you are talking about the hormone treatment assoc with IVF? I did have my FSH levels checked in January and it was 7.2 which the dr was pleased with. My follicles were counted and there were 2 on each but I don't know if they were the resting follicles. 2 actually sounds dire! I did get preg on first clomid cycle but miscarried on day 42 while I did respond well to clomid the subsequent 3 cycles were unsuccessful. It is interesting that you say that your next cycle started 3 days after the last tablet as that is what the clinic has advised me. If that is the case with me, my fertile time will fall aroudn the time when DH is away so will wait until Oct. Did the clinic advise you that the injectibles can bring on an earlier ovulation I wonder. Re: doctors, I am not one of those that just takes their word on whatever they say, I have had a lot of experience with them also in a work situ and I know that alot of them are just 'practising' ie, still learning and gaining knowledge and that it is important to make your own decision on their diagnosis/prognosis. Can I ask you which field you research?
My sil got preg naturally after 4mths ttc at age 43 so it can be done. She didn't have any scans etc as I think she was actually dreading having another as her dd was 4yo and easier so I think she was secretly hoping that the over 40 theory would apply to her. Not the case so age 43 is not impossible.

The very best of luck and do keep posting with your progress! I think we are now moving over to the new thread.

Hi Evans, I too have been busy with my work and haven't really had the time to surf. Thanks for all the details of your treatment, I understand a bit more now. I think at 43 it is best to adopt an agressive approach to increase your chances.

I will check with friend on Monday/Tuesday which clinic she went to. She is a twin and her sister had IVF in her early thirties with Proff Winston and got preg on first cycle. So it is amazing that they both succeeded on their first cycles whether it was IVF or from a donor egg. I know that the clinic was in London but will find out which one.

I rang the clinic this week to ask if it was possible to extend the drugs that I am taking so as to delay my next cycle or to have a scan this week so that if the cyst has gone (hopefully) then I can stop the drugs sooner and start my next cycle sooner and therefore DH will be around at the crucial time. The Dr rang me back and after a discussion told me it would be a good idea for me to be scanned on Thursday to see how the cyst is doing and from that we can decide what to do next. I explained that I (and my eggs!) are 42 next month so I am aware that speed is of the essence. On that note, how did Cherie Blair do it at 45?

I haven't been advised the number of follicles they would like to see as I was going to grill them on the day of the blood tests only to be told about the cyst, etc. However, my Ob friend who referred me (who also gives me lots of advice as and when I need it) said 4 would be a good number for a woman of my age rather than 2 or 3. Any more than 4 would not be a good idea although again at my age it is highly unlikely that I could fertlise all of them whereas if they saw 4 on a 28 year old, they would cancel the treatment as they would be aiming for 2 follicles for somebody of that age.

The Dr also said on the phone that if they prescribe a week more of the primulut that they would then hope to delay the next cycle but it may be that when I have a scan the follicles have already started to grow so then we shall have to give up on the cycle but he said there is no harm trying.

Good luck anyway and do keep posting with your progress.Which day are you on now and have you started the injections? Are you planning to do them yourself?

Hi SKBF

Good to hear from you. I've just finished my contraceptive and have done nearly a week of six puffs of Buserelin a day. I have to say I have not noticed any side effects. I'm waiting for my AF to start and I don't start my FSH until the 30th of Aug. I keep seeing posts about fat affecting the absorption of the FSH so I'm going to inject it into my upper thigh which has less fat than my waist! DH is working away at the moment so I'll be doing my own injections.

I'm really glad I got the doctor to change it to the max of 300 units. I also chose to use Gonal F which is the synthetic FSH, it apparently produces more follicles. So I know if I don't produce many folicles it won't be becase I did not have high enough doses of FS.

I hope you manage to get your timings sorted and it is good to chat to someone who is going through the same 'process'.

Hi evansg, your treatment which starts on 30th August is not far off. You said you haven't had any side effects so far from the Buserelin, I wonder if that is still the case? What are the possible side effects, do you know?

I went for my scan to check cyst on Thursday morning and it's thankfully gone! So got the all clear for the next cycle. My last Primulut tablet was taken on Wednesday evening and I didn't take one on Thursday morning with the plan that if the cyst hadn't gone I could take it after the appointment. Anyway, it has gone so I expected my cycle to start today which it has so going to clinic tomorrow at 10am for blood tests. Will get results on Bank Holiday Monday and may start injections on Monday or Tuesday. By my cycle starting earlier that means I won't miss September as DH won't have left around crucial time. I am so relieved.

Last question, I have been feeling ever so low lately and wonder if it is from the Primulut? It may also be from the fact that I have been ttcing for 2.5yrs and at my age I feel that I have wasted a lot of time by not going to a fertility clinc earlier. I am usually optimistic about everything.

I have left a message for my friend re: clinic where she was treated with donor egg but I think she is away. Will chase her for info when she is back and post.

Hi evansg, had my day 2 blood tests on Sunday and went back for results and day 3 scan on Bank Holiday Monday. Started the Menopur (5 phials) on MOnday and the nurse showed me how to do it myself and then went back today and again was shown how to do it myself and I did it! The most difficult part is all the mixing of the powder so by the time I had the needle ready with the Menopur all ready to go, I just wanted to get on with it which I did. I was told they like to see 3 good sized follicles for someone of my age and if they test my blood each follicle should measure 1000 each. If there were 4 or 5 follicles then they would take a blood test and as long as the results came back 3,000 and under then they would continue the treatment for that cycle. I am going back on Friday for a scan to see how I am responding to the Menopur and I can do my injection under the supervision of a nurse if I wish. I have another injection on Sunday which I shall do myself at home and then back to clinic on Monday or Tuesday and timed intercourse is expected to be on Tuesday. That will be day 11 which is really early for me.

How are you getting on with your injections?

Hiya
You are now ahead of me! I've only had minor hot flushes on the Buserelin. I have been quite tired but I think that is due to over work. Last night I need my first Gonal F injection and it was soooo easy. The needle is really fine and it was pain free. The Gonal F comes premixed so the injection process is mucher easier. My first scan is next Wednesday. The Bristol clinic no longer does the blood testing, I think they just rely on the scans to see if the follicles are ready. The clinic has agreed that we can try IUI regardless of the number of follicles I have. I'm reluctant to pay for IVF when the chance of success is very low. I still have in the back of my mind that will end up needing a donor egg. Thanks for trying to find out about your friend and the clinic they used.

Hi evans. Went for scan today and had 2 follicles on left ovary measuring 12.8, 10.2 and 2 more which were less than 10 and on the right ovary one measuring 9.2 and 1 less than 8mm. My lining is 8.2 which is good for day 7. So I was told that they are aiming for 3 and I have 3 but we shall see what they are doing on Monday when I go back for the next scan. I am injecting at home tonight after 7pm and on Sunday as well. Agree that the needle is very fine and doesn't hurt, it's just the thought of the whole thing! How are you getting on?

Hi SKBF - nothing new to report. Feeling OK with the injections and I'm sure I can feel my ovaries rumbling away. Good to hear that your follicles are progressing nicely and that you will potentially have 3 eggs available when you get to bd with your dh!

Hi evens,finally got text from friend and she went to a clinic called CRM, Park Lorne, 111 Park Road, London NW*. She said they were wonderful and of course she got preg first go. I did a search on google and there is a branch in the Midlands where she lives and maybe she was referred there. I know that she took Clomid and had no response as the follicles were mere dots and that was then they told her there was no way she was going to achieve a baby using her own eggs and she decided there and then after trying for 3 years to go down the donor route.

Should have been NW8.

Hi SKBF - Many thanks for the info. Good luck with your next scan.

Not good today. One follicle of 17mm and then others measuring 11.4, 9.2 which seems to suggest that as they are not growing as fast as the first one that the follicle could be empty. Going back tomorrow for another scan. Left feeling disheartened as I thought I was going to get my 3 follicles this month. I am only on day 10 of cycle and usually ov on day 17/18 on a normal cycle so the dr said it could be that it is still early in my cycle. We shall see. When is your first scan?

SKBF - my first scan is on Wednesday morning. I'm feeling quite bloated so I hope my ovaries are responding to the 300 units of FSH.

Good luck with your scan. I was excited about my first one, I am sure you are too.Better news today, My left ovary has one follicle of 19mm, 14.4, and then 2 measuring between 12-14, my right has one at 16mm and one at 10. The scanning doctor said that either I can have the HCG jab today to release the 19mm and possibly the 16mm follicle as it may mature enough for the time the HCG takes effect (42 hrs) or that I can come back tomorrow for another scan to see how the others had grown. She had to discuss it with the treating doctor who said I should have the HCG jab today so as not to lose the 19mm foll and to possibly include the 16mm and if I was to wait it could be that the 2 or 12-14mm mature and then I will have too many follicles as their experience tells them that its not one of the small ones that matures but all of them. So had the jab and also a blood test to measure the LH to see if the right level or too high. I was telephoned late afternoon to say that they wanted a reading of 3000 but I have one of 3850 but I can still go ahead with timed intercourse as 3850 at my age (42) means it is unlikely I will have more than one or two healthy follicles. So feeling slightly better today and got BDing planned for Wed and Thur night. Feeling bloated, puffy, my face is puffy and while I admit I am getting stressed by all this, I am not eating anymore and am convinced it is due to all these hormones. Oh, also I have been given 2wks supply of cyclogest which I must start on Friday morning as I was told that because i have now stopped the Menopur, there is then a drop in progesterone which can result in the lining shedding itself and if there is a pregnancy forming then the lining won't be able to hold it. I wonder what the possible side effects are of these?

Do post your scan results, I am dying to hear.

SKBF - we seem to be having similar results. After 7 nights of 300 units of FSH my follicles were:
Right ovary 13, 9 and 9 mm
Left ovary 14 and 12 mm
The nurse thinks that the 9mm follicles won't develop into eggs. I have 2 more nights of FSH then another scan on Friday morning. They are looking for foliclesize between 17-23 mm. Because I have 5 follicles they are happy to continue with IUI which is likely to be on Monday or Tuesday.
Did you get your blood test name wrong, were they looking at your estrogen level? I thought there would be no LH as the buserelin stops that. Did they want a value higher or lower, how does it relate to egg number? I have read conflicting
reports about the need for added progesterone. When the follicle naturally bursts it then starts to produce progesterone for the uterus. With IVF when they do egg collection the follicle is drained of its contents so does not produce high levels of progesterone that is why they add it for IVF. Not great evidence that it leads to success but it does not appear to do any harm either. Seen lots of posting from women about using either entrance and the awful mess it makes.
Even though we are doing IUI I'll be doing lots of additional BD with DH, probably every 6 hours!!! But at the moment I'm feeling bloated and heavy and don't have one sexy thought in my head.

That's really good news, it seems you have potentially 3 follicles which increases your chances of conceiving. I think the LH measures the time of the cycle, ie if it is a certain level then they can judge how close to ovulation you are. It must have been the Estradiol level and they wanted no more than 3000 which when broken down could equate to 3 good follicles as a good follicle should be a measurement of 1000. The fact that it read 3850 is high but the consultant said that due to my age even if there were 3 potentially good follicles it is unlikely that I would fertilise them all so I have potentially 1 or 2. So thats why the cycle wasn't cancelled. This echos what my ob friend said about even having 4 follicles and while a dr would not let a 28 year old go ahead with that number, the picture is very different for a 42 year old.
I am not against taking cyclogest but from what you say its messy. Was told to lie down 15mins after insertion. Re: buserelin, I am not taking this drug, only Menopur.

Tell me which day of your cycle you are on and do keep me posted. It looks really good for you this month. The very best of luck!

Oh! I gave up caffeine and alcohol last week and dairy this week. Feeling bloated as well and also heavier and I am finding it hard to shift the extra pounds.

SKBF - where are you getting your treatment? The protocol I am on keeps you on Buserelin while on FSH so you don't get a natural LH surge. I've read up on follicle size and I think you did the right thing having the injection now and not waiting another day, they will still grow a little while they re waiting to be expelled.
Today I had mixed feeling because I wanted a few more follicles, was a bit deflated when the nurse thought the 9 mm follicles will not grow. I'm hoping all five are still there on Friday and are all bigger.
I've practicaly stopped the white wine and started drinking decaf tea. Good luck with the BD and we can keep each other company on the dreaded 2ww.

Good morning! I am getting my treatment at the ACU in Grays Inn Road which is the private part of UCH. I was told by one patient there who I got talking to this week that she tried a hospital in Cambridge which she hated and chose the ACU as it is in the top 2 in the country. Her 3 yr old DD who was with her was a product of the clinic and she was conceived through ICSI on the first cycle. She had been trying for a 2nd baby and was almost in tears when she told me she was getting older and her husband has poor sperm quality. This was in the waiting room and I wanted to wave a magic wand as she left almost in tears as the nurse called her.
Is the Buserelin given in order to stop your body releasing the egg itself? The Menopur contains LH so I was told not to bother testing my urine as it would be a false reading due to the drugs.
Don't be disappointed with 3 follicles if thats what you have showing in your next scan. I had 2 follicles in my first try of clomid which did get me preg. After that it was 1 really and a small one. I can't quite remember but I know that the first cycle showed better results. So three is good! Has the clinic advised you of the optimum number? And if you do have 5, will they cancel the cycle?
We BD'ed Tue and Wed night and I am hoping to do so tonight if DH can manage it. I was told to do Wed and Thur night but as I got a show of cm on Monday afternoon which means ov within 36 hours, I don't know if that sets the ov time or the hcg injection that I had at 1pm on Tuesday. I mentioned it to the scanning doctor but not to the nurse. Do you know the answer to that one? I felt it was too risky not to BD on Tuesday so made sure we did. It's funny, egg week as I call it is soooo stressful as I have to plan our schedule around DH and his/our social life which can involve lots of late nights and him going away on biz and I really have to be strong and really take control. I also see an acupuncturist and reflexologist who picks up which side is going better (this is confirmed to me on the scan).As long as I feel I have given it my best shot with as much BDing as possible, I then breathe a deep sigh of relief and then wait. I have found that if I am preg I don't get any AF cramps from day 23 generally so I know quite early on. I didn't know with DD as she was a surprise but I knew with DS as I had no PMS symptoms. And I also knew with my last 2 pregs which miscarried that I was preg before I was late. It's funny the signs your body sends you. When I get that first cramp, what ever I am doing, my stomach lurches with disappointment and I think 'f*ing AF is on its way'. From that moment my world falls apart until the next month when it's back on the fertility treadmill.
Looking forward to reading your Friday scan results!

To SKBF - I have info from ACU and they look very good. Well I'm making slow progress and have been asked do to do another 3 days of injections (total of 12 days). My follicles are R = 13, 14 and a small one with L = 16, 12 and small one.
Hopefully I can do the hCG injection on the Monday night with IUI on Wednesday. They expect egg release about 40 hours after the injection. For IVF the eggs are collected at 36 hours. I'm not sure if the dose of hCG is different for IUI versus IVF.
Because I'm continually on Buserelin I am not working to my normal cycle. The Buserelin stops the natural LH surge and I'm on pure FSH which ahs no LH. Some people think the LH in Menopur helps will egg maturation. It has been 17 days since my last period so I'll probably ovulate on day 22, ten days longer than my normal cycle.
I hope you are managing to keep relaxed on the dreaded 2 week wait. Good luck with the count down.

I was wondering how your scan went today so logged on to find out. So great results, your 9mm which the dr said could be an empty follicle has caught up so that is looking really good. YOu say slow progress, at least they are growing and really this is your first month so they don't know how you will respond until you take the drugs. Just keep going and be positive (it sounds like you are) and then its on to your 2 week wait as well!
I am trying not to be alarmed by every little twinge and no headache today from giving up caffeine and really feeling energetic!

Update from me: feel like my 2 ww is over. If I am preg I don't get any cramps and if the egg hasn't been fertilised then the cramps start by day 23. I ovulated at around 1am (according to timing of hcg jab) on Wednesday and was told to start the cyclogest on Friday morning which I did. Friday afternoon I got one cramp, Saturday loads and a few today. I could ignore Fridays but yesterday was constant and I felt so disappointed. So another round of injections if my hormone levels are okay.
Good luck for Tuesday, I think that's when you are doing IUI.

Hi SKBF - it seems a little early to give up. I've seen lots of women question what effect the progesterone has on their body. It has been quite a short time and you must be reaching the implantation stage.
I'm more upbeat, got my third scan and with 12 days on FSH I have the following follicles:
L = 23, 19 and 12 mm
R = 16, 15 and 10 mm plus 2-3 small ones.
So tonight I can take my hCG injection with IUI planned on Wednesday afternoon. My pregnancy testing should start on the 27th of September but I know I'll bepeeing os sticks from about the 20th!
Try and keep positive it is still early days.

Well your results are looking great. Do they expect the 15 and 16 mature to a minimum of 18 so you have 4 follicles? You must be so excited! Good luck for Wednesday, I suppose they will scan you before the IUI?
Re: my cycle, maybe my disappointment is premature but I feel I kmow my body and its signs. I kmow I am taking drugs which I have never taken before and therefore it could be the effects but we shall see. I was told to test on Friday 22 Sept.

Hiya - I don't think the clinic will scan me on Wednesday before the IUI but I'll ask. DH has been informed that it is BD tonight then again 6 hours after the IUI. He didn't look that enthusiastic! Very hard to be romantic when timing is critical.
The 2 week wait for me is going to be the worst part of all this. I'm keeping everything crossed for you.

Tomorrow is the big day so best of luck.
Last night I woke up at 1am feeling so sick and cold which then turned to really hot with a headache and tummy ache. Thought I was going to vomit but didn't. So got up and did some work and went back to bed at 4.30am. Needless to say today I felt shattered. I don't know if it is a bug or the side effects from the cyclogest?