So DH and I discussed the options the doc gave me today and decided to do our 3rd run of the same IUI as the last 2 months. We won't add the injectables and will hope for the best. If it doesn't work, then we'll take at least the holidays off, if not a couple months into 2010 and then go again when we are ready with the injectables then. Gives us some time to save up money, de-stress and relax a bit.
Thanks for all the support and will talk to you all again soon! I'll keep blogging I swear, just may not be as much.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Big Decision Time
So I was able to talk to Dr. H today about where we go from here. He had some great insight and was very patient in answering all of my questions.
Q1: How can we up our chances this month? Injectibles? Drugs/supplements/vitamins for DH? Drugs/supplements/vitamins for me?
A1: Injectibles would take chances from about 15% to as high as 25%, but add about $600 to cost of cycle and higher risk of twins, as well as introducing the risk of triplets. As far as drugs or supplements for either of us, he just said eating vegetables and exercising is the important thing. He called in the prescription for the Femara. And we need to figure out if we are doing the injectibles by tomorrow, so they can do an ultrasound before we start them and show me how to do them because the injectibles would start on day 6!
Q2: How much should we do the IUI before deeming it doesn't work? What is the average amount of times that patients do IUI before success?
A2: 2-3 times with each given method. So if we just did the fertility drugs for another round, then after that we could switch it up and add injectibles and try for another 3 times. But if it hasn't worked after 3 times per method, we need to change something or do IVF.
Q3: Should I get a flu shot or H1N1 shot?
A3: My Acu said NO! My RE said absolutely because I am 6x more likely to die if I get pregnant and have the flu or HIN1. (I have never had a flu shot in my life...is this the time to start?!)
Q4: What about the symptoms I was having last week, nausea and increased sense of smell?
A4: It could have been an early biochemical pregnancy which wouldn't show up on a pee stick because it wasn't stable enough to stick around.
Q5: If we take November and December off, no drugs AT ALL will that hurt us?
A5: No, it would be good to relax a bit and wouldn't affect any further procedures. Might even get pregnant on our own.
Q6: What effects do stress have on IUI? How to relieve?
A6: Stress is always bad. RE said that acu and exercising are good ways to relieve it, while Acu said deep belly breathing will help me. She gave me homework to do it 6 times a day!
Q7: What do you tell patients to think during this process?
A7: Acu said to think about preparing my body for a baby, whenever he/she decides to join us. RE said to be cautiously optimistic - whatever that means!
Q8: Should we do more testing on DH or me since my last was when we first started this and DH was a while ago?
A8: No, on both counts. RE said he tests DH's sample every time we do an IUI and if they saw significant changes, they would tell us and we would consult about it then. As for me, it isn't necessary until we decided to move onto IVF.
Q9: Should I continue with the Acu?
A9: Yes! He said he would gladly talk to my Acu about Chinese herbs that we could do in Nov & Dec if the transfer didn't work in October.
Q10: Should we look into the possible Endo again? Laproscopy?
A10: Not at this time because I am not having symptoms and it wouldn't increase our chances of pregnancy now.
Q11: What about surrogacy for us? How does that work?
A11: RE thinks my uterus works just fine so he would say at this point we shouldn't do this. Basically it would be IVF on our surrogate, instead of me.
So, where do we go from here? I need to talk to DH and see what he thinks. I'm thinking we go with the injectibles because it ups our chances, without killing us at the bank like IVF would and then if it doesn't work, we know we have given it all we have this year and then I think take a break in November and December. With the holidays and my 30th birthday party, it just seems to make sense. Will have to have a big discussion with DH tonight so we can determine if we are going in for u/s on Friday. RE did say that if we decide not to do the injectibles, he didn't feel he needed to see us for an ultrasound on Day 12 because my cycles are so precise and at this point they could just guess. So need to see what DH says. Who knew getting pregnant could be so involved, or so expensive?! I thought babies were expensive, not MAKING them!
Q1: How can we up our chances this month? Injectibles? Drugs/supplements/vitamins for DH? Drugs/supplements/vitamins for me?
A1: Injectibles would take chances from about 15% to as high as 25%, but add about $600 to cost of cycle and higher risk of twins, as well as introducing the risk of triplets. As far as drugs or supplements for either of us, he just said eating vegetables and exercising is the important thing. He called in the prescription for the Femara. And we need to figure out if we are doing the injectibles by tomorrow, so they can do an ultrasound before we start them and show me how to do them because the injectibles would start on day 6!
Q2: How much should we do the IUI before deeming it doesn't work? What is the average amount of times that patients do IUI before success?
A2: 2-3 times with each given method. So if we just did the fertility drugs for another round, then after that we could switch it up and add injectibles and try for another 3 times. But if it hasn't worked after 3 times per method, we need to change something or do IVF.
Q3: Should I get a flu shot or H1N1 shot?
A3: My Acu said NO! My RE said absolutely because I am 6x more likely to die if I get pregnant and have the flu or HIN1. (I have never had a flu shot in my life...is this the time to start?!)
Q4: What about the symptoms I was having last week, nausea and increased sense of smell?
A4: It could have been an early biochemical pregnancy which wouldn't show up on a pee stick because it wasn't stable enough to stick around.
Q5: If we take November and December off, no drugs AT ALL will that hurt us?
A5: No, it would be good to relax a bit and wouldn't affect any further procedures. Might even get pregnant on our own.
Q6: What effects do stress have on IUI? How to relieve?
A6: Stress is always bad. RE said that acu and exercising are good ways to relieve it, while Acu said deep belly breathing will help me. She gave me homework to do it 6 times a day!
Q7: What do you tell patients to think during this process?
A7: Acu said to think about preparing my body for a baby, whenever he/she decides to join us. RE said to be cautiously optimistic - whatever that means!
Q8: Should we do more testing on DH or me since my last was when we first started this and DH was a while ago?
A8: No, on both counts. RE said he tests DH's sample every time we do an IUI and if they saw significant changes, they would tell us and we would consult about it then. As for me, it isn't necessary until we decided to move onto IVF.
Q9: Should I continue with the Acu?
A9: Yes! He said he would gladly talk to my Acu about Chinese herbs that we could do in Nov & Dec if the transfer didn't work in October.
Q10: Should we look into the possible Endo again? Laproscopy?
A10: Not at this time because I am not having symptoms and it wouldn't increase our chances of pregnancy now.
Q11: What about surrogacy for us? How does that work?
A11: RE thinks my uterus works just fine so he would say at this point we shouldn't do this. Basically it would be IVF on our surrogate, instead of me.
So, where do we go from here? I need to talk to DH and see what he thinks. I'm thinking we go with the injectibles because it ups our chances, without killing us at the bank like IVF would and then if it doesn't work, we know we have given it all we have this year and then I think take a break in November and December. With the holidays and my 30th birthday party, it just seems to make sense. Will have to have a big discussion with DH tonight so we can determine if we are going in for u/s on Friday. RE did say that if we decide not to do the injectibles, he didn't feel he needed to see us for an ultrasound on Day 12 because my cycles are so precise and at this point they could just guess. So need to see what DH says. Who knew getting pregnant could be so involved, or so expensive?! I thought babies were expensive, not MAKING them!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Cycle Day #28 - IUI Cycle #2 - Test day
And the answer remains to be no. This cycle didn't work either. I remain not pregnant.
I know that I don't believe the pee sticks sometimes, and tomorrow I will probably do it again just to be sure, but they have been right thus far so what is to say they aren't anymore?
This is getting ridiculous. I mean really...come on. Just let it work. I'm drinking my whole milk, despite WW! I'm not drinking my tea or my stevia. I'm not drinking any alcohol after I start my drugs, so only cycle days 1 and 2, if that. I'm mostly eating right. I'm working out. I'm on the drugs the doc gives me and makes me inject myself with. What else can we do? I will call the doc on Monday and tell them, and I was considering going over there for a blood test. Which will discuss with Jason.
But now need to talk to the doc about what we can do to up our chances of getting pregnant. This cycle of death is very tiring and depressing. I don't know what is wrong with me that I cannot get pregnant! DAMN IT!
We're supposed to go look at a place to have my birthday party today and I am thinking I will now have a drink there to "try them out" and because apparently it is safe. But I am always worried I will mess something up too. Why is this so damn difficult?!
I know that I don't believe the pee sticks sometimes, and tomorrow I will probably do it again just to be sure, but they have been right thus far so what is to say they aren't anymore?
This is getting ridiculous. I mean really...come on. Just let it work. I'm drinking my whole milk, despite WW! I'm not drinking my tea or my stevia. I'm not drinking any alcohol after I start my drugs, so only cycle days 1 and 2, if that. I'm mostly eating right. I'm working out. I'm on the drugs the doc gives me and makes me inject myself with. What else can we do? I will call the doc on Monday and tell them, and I was considering going over there for a blood test. Which will discuss with Jason.
But now need to talk to the doc about what we can do to up our chances of getting pregnant. This cycle of death is very tiring and depressing. I don't know what is wrong with me that I cannot get pregnant! DAMN IT!
We're supposed to go look at a place to have my birthday party today and I am thinking I will now have a drink there to "try them out" and because apparently it is safe. But I am always worried I will mess something up too. Why is this so damn difficult?!
Friday, October 2, 2009
10/2/2009 - Cycle Day #27 - IUI Cycle #2 - Smells?
So thankfully, this week has been far less stressful than last week. Lots of work to do, just not as much drama! Love that! A couple weird things and then it's back to work.
1. Smells - the last couple days I seem to have a heightened sense of smell. For instance, Wednesday morning and this morning at the gym, I was on the second level of the gym on the treadmill, when they started to brew coffee on the first level and I feel like I smelt it the instant he poured the coffee into the pot to brew. So strong like someone was holding it in front of my nose! Then, later this morning, one of the trainers was eating 3 hard boiled eggs (for about 2 seconds) in front of me and there was a cup of cold coffee sitting there and the smells combined and I almost puked! It was so strong! Then, I fed the dogs this morning and while getting their DRY food out of the bin in the garage, I had to suck in my breath because it felt so strong. Then, on Tuesday while I was downstairs having lunch I started noticing this really odd smell. And I looked around and Blazer (our youngest dog) was licking the new-ish rug. Now I am not sure that constitutes a smell, but I smelt something and when he stopped it went away. It was definitely an industrial smell, not food or body odor. Very odd! None of these things have affected me before, but the last couple days, they have been. I know that this is a sign of pregnancy, and while I am hoping it is the one I want, I'm not banking on it yet. But REALLY REALLY hoping!
2. Nausea - still have a bit. Nothing drastic, just a couple twinges here and there. None as bad as Tuesday (the coffee and eggs was close), but still sometimes just feel eh.
3. Radiating differently? Wednesday, at the gym, one of the trainers who I talk to quite often distinctly came over to me while I was doing the ab roller. I asked if he was going to correct me and he said no, just came to harass. He asked if everything was alright and I said yes. He said I just was acting different or looked different, but he couldn't place what. I couldn't help him because I felt completely the same. I wasn't mad, I wasn't overly happy, I was just working out at the gym. Could he be sensing a change in my body? Let's hope so.
I think that is all for now. Just very different things lately. Hmm...tomorrow is the big day. Hopefully it is really good news!
1. Smells - the last couple days I seem to have a heightened sense of smell. For instance, Wednesday morning and this morning at the gym, I was on the second level of the gym on the treadmill, when they started to brew coffee on the first level and I feel like I smelt it the instant he poured the coffee into the pot to brew. So strong like someone was holding it in front of my nose! Then, later this morning, one of the trainers was eating 3 hard boiled eggs (for about 2 seconds) in front of me and there was a cup of cold coffee sitting there and the smells combined and I almost puked! It was so strong! Then, I fed the dogs this morning and while getting their DRY food out of the bin in the garage, I had to suck in my breath because it felt so strong. Then, on Tuesday while I was downstairs having lunch I started noticing this really odd smell. And I looked around and Blazer (our youngest dog) was licking the new-ish rug. Now I am not sure that constitutes a smell, but I smelt something and when he stopped it went away. It was definitely an industrial smell, not food or body odor. Very odd! None of these things have affected me before, but the last couple days, they have been. I know that this is a sign of pregnancy, and while I am hoping it is the one I want, I'm not banking on it yet. But REALLY REALLY hoping!
2. Nausea - still have a bit. Nothing drastic, just a couple twinges here and there. None as bad as Tuesday (the coffee and eggs was close), but still sometimes just feel eh.
3. Radiating differently? Wednesday, at the gym, one of the trainers who I talk to quite often distinctly came over to me while I was doing the ab roller. I asked if he was going to correct me and he said no, just came to harass. He asked if everything was alright and I said yes. He said I just was acting different or looked different, but he couldn't place what. I couldn't help him because I felt completely the same. I wasn't mad, I wasn't overly happy, I was just working out at the gym. Could he be sensing a change in my body? Let's hope so.
I think that is all for now. Just very different things lately. Hmm...tomorrow is the big day. Hopefully it is really good news!
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