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.

skbf, just wanted to pop in to say GOOD LUCK, GOOD LUCK AND GOOD LUCK!!!

i so hope you get a positive result today when you test...i got my fingers crossed for you hun

xx

by the way, if you are going to put your email down on here break the email up in bits because otherwise you will have sooo much junk mail

eg

evans1.....at.....ya hoo

or you could put up a temporary email address and put that down then once you receive the info you want, get rid of the email address

Well I am in shock. Bought test half heartedly at office and tested and very quickly it turned positive. This was not what I was expecting at all so had to check the packet (Clear Blue) to check that it did read pregnant. So started shaking and grinning from ear to ear got my cyclogest out in a flash and up it went. Rang clinic on way to office to ask about blood testing for fsh levels and remind me which day, etc and then called two hours later to say pos preg test. They asked me to go for hcg test today but would have been too much of a rush so going on mOnday and will have results Monday at 5/6pm. Really can't believe it but feel good that I didn't have to wait for the colouring of the positive sign, it darkened instantly which indicates healthy hcg levels. So not too excited, just waiting for test now and after than cvs. Clinci have prescribed another week of cyclogest. Must dash, dh calling.

Chin up evans, I have been trying for 2.5yrs.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! (had a feelingyou might have been as usually af appears a day or so before the big day) so let me be the first to congratulate you and say well done for not giving up

im so chuffed, im smiling from ear to ear!! weird next friday will be exactly a year since i found out i was pg!!

congratulations hun

Thank you bubbly. I can't quite believe it! For this cycle, the different factors were: Menopur injections and gave up caffeine completely and alcohol until a couple of days ago when I had one small glass of wine but felt flushed and in the morning hot and bothered so decided not even to have the odd glass! How old is your baby now Bubbly?

woke up this morning and thought 'awww shouldknowbyfriday is pregnent '

im chuffed for you, even though ihavent met you i am so happy that your pg

my little one is now 15 weeks today, and a bouncer, am i right in thinking your due date will be beginning of june?

congratulations.i hope everything goes really well for you.

Thank you both very bubbly and mumandloving it for your good wishes. I am due 2 June all being well. I have this dull ache though so I am worried that I have a blighted ovum as this is what I had last time. I do have the stabbing cramps but also this dull ache on and off. I am taking the cyclogest so don't know if that can have other effects than the trots (which I have). Bubbly did you take the cyclogest and if so were there any side effects? I have had this dull ache since just after ov so can't really understand it. I took another preg test before I went out today at 2pm because I was concerned and it went positive very quickly. My last 2 pregs which I miscarried were faint but never the less did show a line. This was a quick and strong line, in fact darker than the horizontal line. When I had my two children (without fertility assistance) I ov'd late so didn't show positive until day 35. Anyway, I am going on and on. Just need to go for blood test on MOnday and get the results. They will either be happy with results and then book me in for a scan at 6wks or retest if results are low.

skbf, yes i took the cyclogest until i was 3mths, and they did make me have the runs on and off

i didnt have a dull ache or anything, but then we are all different, with my ds1 i never bled, with ds2 i bled and at one point it was such a strong bleed i thought i was miscarrying, so both those pg's were different

like you i wasnt satisfied until i had my hcg levels tested to make sure they were good,and rising well, so perhaps if it makes you feel better on monday re-book for another appt to make sure your levels are rising, im sure once thats done you will be at ease

when i miscarried the first time my levels were low but with both my boys the levels were good so im assuming with the line getting dark very quickly your levels arent low so thats a good start...roll on monday huh

let us know how you get on, im sure all will be fine xx

Golly Bubbly, you took the cyclogest for 3mths? I woke up this morning and the dull ache is still there. I feel very disheartened but only the blood test will determine whether everything is okay at this early stage. My breasts are v tender and also I have gone off of coffee although it was only decaf this month. Will post tomorrow when I know the results. Thank you for your kind wishes.

SKBF - many congratulations. I've just written a mega post but it failed to post so I'll try again. I'm sure this pregnancy will be fine but you won't be bale to put your mind at rest until you seen a heartbeat on the first scan.

I'm afraid I have been putting myself through self-inflicted turmoil. Last Wednesday I was down because I felt no symptoms, by Friday night I had everything - still bloated, those weird stabbing pains, severe acne, big boobs and my areolas were standing out. For the first time ever I was gagging over the taste of coffee. I was on a real high believing I was pregnant. On Saturday did an early test which should a very faint blue line. Tested again today and the line was even fainter. All my symptoms are going and coffee tastes OK today. In my heart of hearts I know that I had fertilised egg(s) that failed to implant. I won't do any more tests and wait to see if AF appears on Wednesday. In June I was convinced I had a chemical pregnancy, I'm sure my 'old' eggs are too tough to implant.
Next step is to do one and final treatment which will be the full Monty, ICSI plus hatching probably in November. I've just ordered the Stork Club book and the Toni W books. By November I was to be back to my normal size, feling fit and healthy before I give it my last go. If it fails we will probably gone down the donor egg route.

Oh evans, I am sorry to read you had a pos which has now got lighter. I really am sorry. Did you test today with your early morning urine? Have you spoken to your clinic and is it worth going for a blood test to check for the hcg levels? I really am sorry if you are right in thinking you have had well you call it a chemical pregnancy, I thought it was called an early miscarriage. Maybe see your doctor at your clinic?

The moment I woke up this morning I felt that dull ache. I bought another test which showed pos still and still dark but I feel the pain is not a good sign. And the cyclogest will I suppose maintain a pregnancy even if it is not viable. I got another 2 wks supply of the pessaries yesterday. So this dull ache first thing put me in a foul mood and it was on and off all day. I have a busy day tomorrow and wish I could go for the blood test first thing but too much to cram in. Will post tomorrow night.

Take care of yourself.

CONGRATULATIONS SKBF!!!!

Hi SKBF - my clinic are not that proactive and there was no mention of having an hCG test, they expect you to do a home test and let them know the result. When I told the consultant of my experience in June she was a bit dismissive. I know deep down that I have had another chemical pregnancy and can't be bothered trying to persuade someone to test me.

I was looking into where to do the ICSI/hatching procedure and I'm seriously thinking of going to Dr Malpani in Mumbai, India. The cost of the treatment is half the price than the UK and he will put back all the embryos you produce, no 3 embryo limit. Maybe we could also have a honeymoon in the process.

Try and keep postive about the pains. Most women say they still get period type cramps in early pregnancy. I guess if you haven't had them in your other pregnancies it must be quite disconcerting. Hopefully you hCG level will reassure you, also having a coffee aversion is a good sign.

Thank you feedmenow!

Evans, I am intrigued that you are thinking of going to Mumbai for treatment!! Does he have a super reputation or do you know somebody who has had success with him? A honeymoon in India in the same trip would be brilliant. Would you consider the ACU in London if you were to pursue treatment in the UK?

SKBF - quite a few times when I have done searches on the web for IVF his site domes up. www.drmalpani.com. His site contains lots of information and what I like is that he appears to choose a treatment that is suitable to the individual. India do not have the HEFA so don't have rules on numbers of embryos to return. That is my biggest bug bear. I know at nearly 44 my IVF/ICSI success rate is around 8%, to improve the success rate you need to implant all embryos. At least with my treatment so far I have an idea of what to expect and the capacity of my ovaries. In the UK to do ICSI with hatching it will cost us £5,200 - all our savings. If we go to India I can get the same treatment, have all my embryos returned and have a 3 week holiday for £4,000. I know India is not always considered to be a good holiday as the poverty is very depressing but it would combine a life experience with the last chance for 'our' baby before we go down the donor egg route.

evans, i know of drmalpani, someone in the family is going to india to have treatment done in november, icsi

i think they emailed dr malpani and have been in touch with him but from what i gather they are going to a different dr in india as its nearer to where they are staying

a lot of people go there for treatment, and yes your right its half the price there than it is here

if you wanted his email address let me know and i will ask my family

skbf good luck today and i hope the results are high xx

That's very interesting evans, I hope this is going to be the solution for you. While these clinics need to be governed by an ethical body, it does create a lot of red tape and they lay down the law for all concerned so being out of the HEFA's jurisdiction may be a good thing for you. Interesting that you say he implants 3. When I posted on Friday about catting you and having to sign up, I didn't object to the cost it was just the fact that I had to do some filing in of details and I couldn't do it as I was on my way to the office. I can still send The Stork Club to you if you wish.

Thanks Bubbly for your message. I took a test yesterday as in a panic (and tense foul mood) but managed to hide all these feelings and the test was dark. Did the same this morning as I just need to know but still dark. Leaving shortly for clinic and will post when I get results at 5.30/6pm. Had my acupuncture at 10.30 this morning and she did the points to relax and lift the uterus, improve the lining and feed the liver. God knows if it makes a difference but just need to help it along. If hcg levels are good then will ring ob to see if I should take baby asprin as he advised with other pregs.

Okay, got results 30mins ago, have just picked myself up from the floor as the results are very good. They are 2521 which could mean a multiple pregnancy - gulp! It could also mean it is a single pregnancy as well but I am at the upper end of the possible readings. If it is a multiple, I would prefer twins of course not more. Have booked scan for next Thursday and they will also do swab for strep b and condition of vagina in case any micro organisms and if so they will prescribe antibiotics.

So I am very sorry evansg that this month didn't work for you but that doesn't mean that that's it. You just have to keep on trying which I know you will like I have been doing on these bloody drugs since February. Just keep going and don't give up although I know that you are deeply disappointed and I do understand. I was in your position in March when I miscarried. It is such a roller coaster and as the Head Consultant said to me 'It's a waiting game' and that's exactly what it is and please remember that when you have disappointment on one cycle and you are psyching yourself up for the next.

SKBF - excellent news and I'm sure you can't wait for the scan. How has DH taken the news? Thanks for the offer of the book but I have already ordered a copy. In my email I mentioned I prefer to buy books as I always feel guilty having a borrowed book and remembering to give it back. I've been incredibly low today and in constant tears. People say that there is still hope and wait till Wednesday but I know I'm not pregnant. Thanks for your kind words and we sound very similar. I know that I'll perk up when my next action plan is put in place. I'm not sure if we will go to India but need to talk to my consultant to see what they suggest. Your clinic does sound very good, please remind me again which one your are attending.

Bubbly - I would be very interested in finding out about other people who are considering India. If I do have a second treatment it will be in November

skbf, that is fantastic!!! so so pleased for you!!!

evans, the tricky thing about going to india for this treatment is that you need to spend quite some time there, so if you and your family are willing to do that then it can work out cheap in the long run should one cycle fail...whether they are any more successful than in this country i dont know, but in the indian community if couples dont have any joy here they are seem to go up there, and bobs your uncle!

ps..good luck and with you being so teary im hoping thats your hormones playing away with you cos your pg...i hope you are..would be a perfect thread if both of you were at the same time!! so good luck again fingers crossed and will be thinking of you sending positive vibes
xx

Thanks Bubbly - tonight I have been thinking about the best use of my time. If I got 3 weeks off work should I go to India or fork out a fortune in the UK and then chill on the 2ww. I would probably prefer spend time after the treatment with my mum and dad in Scotland than twiddle my thumbs alone in India. I think I need to find out which clinic in the UK has the best success rates with ICSI and hatching with the older woman

Hi Evans and Bubbly. Evans, your indian option is very exciting and if you are in a positive state of mind, I think that helps. I hope you are still off of the caffeine and alcohol to really help things along too. I understand how incredibly low you feel because I felt this too even this month. On my birthday (2nd day post ov and taking cyclogest) I felt that niggly pain and I thought 'another month where it hasn't worked, not only am I not preg, I feel fat and I am now 42 and so are my eggs and what are my chances now?' I also cried over this weekend that DH was working so I was alone with the children and did my hardest to make their weekend fun and entertaining. I felt soooo heavy hearted but felt I should pull myself together and concentrate on my children who are alive than the one(s) who aren't. I was soooo p*ed off and was at the stage of looking at preg women and wondering how they managed to get preg given that they looked oder than me (or so I thought). Even this Sunday I felt low as I had this ache and again I cried feeling so desolate, however, I now have assurance that the signs are v good so I have an optimistic but cautious outlook. I know that your situation didn't turn round as it did for me but that doesn't mean it won't. Going for ICSI is brilliant, you are really increasing your chances and you have a willing DH who hopefully will do whatever it takes too. Can he reduce/cut out his caffeine/alcohol and also take multivits and zinc? I would read up on this to really help your chances. Also, I forgot to tell you, I have been taking milk thistle to detox the liver. If you are thinking of doing timed intercourse on your next cycle, do you have good quality cm? If not eve prim oil 3 x 500mg a day will drastically improve it. In 2003 I didn't know if I was ovulating and had long cycles 42-50 days. I started taking eve prim and reduced my cycle to 32 which I used to have and lo and behold got my first ewcm in a long time. Maybe you are doing this but just trying to offer as much info that I decided to utilise.

Re: my DH, well, he doesn't know yet. I am going to wait for the scan and see if there is a heartbeat(s) and if so then tell him. If it isn't a viable pregnancy like the last one in March then I will just wait to miscarry. I knew when I set out with my plan that I would have to be strong. I am apprehensive about twins and would rather we had a singleton each but I don't have those powers. I shall let you know how the scan goes next week. Told my ob's wife and she has reserved a slot for me. Asked her if I should start taking baby asprin like he advised in my last 2 pregs and he will call me today. She said the beta hcg levels could mean a singleton or a multiple preg and not reliable so wait for scan.

I hope you can set about getting positive and improving your health and that of your DH to really increase your chances. My fingers are crossed for you.

Would you consider doing the injectibles with timed intercourse which makes it cheaper than IUI, the thing is though, you need good quality cm for that.

skbf, how weird, you found out your pg and so did i this time last year, and also i also ov'd and 2 days later was my birthday...spooky!!...hmm actually my birthday was 1 day earlier, but still, close enough!!

as regards to high hcg count, i had a really high one with ds1 and they thought it could be twins, but it wasnt

evans, to be honest, i dont 3 weeks will be enough to do the treatment in india, will let you know how long it takes the person i know

bare in mind they may want to see you, do there own test and then treatment....check first though which im sure you will

sometimes going through this and being in a foreign country where you dont understand anyone can be quite a lonesome time, so maybe look into somewhere nearer like spain perhaps?