New To Ivf

[katie9924]

Thanks Christine! Here's hoping that none of us are here next year :-)

[snapple]

Frustrated

New to INCIID. Been trying to conceive for almost two years. Tried to talk with family and husband but no one realy understands. Looking for others in the same boat. Both husband and I have issues - he has very low morphology 1.5% and I have some egg issue (unknown). Trying to stay positive but as with friend and family popping out kids like their candy, depression and frustration are starting to set in so I thought I'd try this out. This chat/bulletin board stuff is all new to me.

[rachelannsauer]

Hi Snapple

Hi Snapple,

I'm at work but just saw your email; just wanted to drop you a quick line. I'll post back tonight or tomorrow night. This board is great and a wonderful place to talk to people who are going through exactly what you are. I've found great peace and encouragement here. Look forward to posting and chatting via the message boards soon!!!!

[Sarah from Chicago]

I'm new to INCIID forums. I just finished my fourth IVF cycle today. I ended up with only one viable follicle and they weren't able to extract it, which is the same thing that happened last time. It's devastating to go through the cost, the shots and letting myself believe that this is "the one", and then to come with with nothing to hope for until the next cycle. Even worse, I have to wait until late January if we want to try IVF again because the doctors office takes off a month around the holidays. I was hoping to give out "future Grandma" gifts to our parents this year. Maybe for Easter...

My advice to women who are interviewing REs is to ask for a calendar to show when the lab shuts down for vacations and holidays. It's hard enough to manage our own cycle, but it's especially frustrating when you also have to work around the vacation and holiday schedule of the medical staff.

I was wondering if other women discuss their IVF treatments with friends/family? We've been keeping it a secret, but it's really starting to wear on me. My husband isn't the most talkative guy, and sometimes I wish my friends could be therefor me. Of course, they just keep asking me when we're going to start trying... As if!

PS: Is there a posting somewhere that explains all the acronyms?

[snapple]

Sarah, Sorry to hear about your treatment. I am heading into my second IVF treatment early December. Last chance before my RE closes for the Holidays. Although the doctors office stays open, the lab shuts down for two weeks over Christmas.

My husband doesn't talk much either. He is supportive but not real emotional so I find myself holding back around him. Try to talk with some family and friends but I find they do not understand. They try to be supportive but always say things like, it will happen, just be patient, everything happens for a reason. These statements just make we want to punch something. That is why I decided to join INCIID and take kickboxing classes!

Did the RE give you any reason as to why you are not responding to the drugs? I may have a similar problem. First IVF we tried I only produced two follicles. Decided not to extract and went with IUI. RE wants to up my protocal but gave me no real reason as to why I am not producing more follicle. (say women typically respond with 10-12). I am hoping the extra dose of drugs will jump start these puppies and give the RE a little more to work with.

Wish you luck!

PSS. I'm with you other than RE I have no idea what the other acronyms mean.

[Sarah from Chicago]

Hi Snapple
Thanks for your quick reply. Yesterday was a tough one and you're right that friends and family just can't understand what it's like.

My problem is a diminished ovarian reserve. I only have one ovary after losing one to a large cyst a few year ago, and there aren't many good eggs left in the good one. I maxed out the meds and still had a poor response. I was doing between 525 and 750 IU of Golan F (FSH) plus Repronex everyother day, Cetrotide, and other "stabilizers". I started with 8 follicles but only had 1 at the end of stimulation. I told the doctor to proceed with extraction knowing my odds would be low. I've never had more than 2 viable follicles, so waiting for another cycle wouldn't produce different results. In the past two cycles, they weren't able to extract an egg from the follicle. I'm not sure if it's a problem with the procedure or a problem with my eggs. At this point, I expect my RE will recommend that I don't do another IVF cycle. We have 3 frozen embryos from my first two cycles so it probably makes sense to attempt to transfer those. If that fails, it's on to a donor program.

Good luck with your December cycle. If I could do it again, I think I would have tried acupuncture in conjunction with IVF. Something to look into for next time...

[rachelannsauer]

Sarah and Snapple and anyone else!

Hi Ladies!!!! I'm so glad to see more people posting.

I've been discussing our issues with my family and a select group of Friends. I'm right there with you guys. They don't understand. They all mean well but nobody understands the hurts, pains, disappointments, and heartache for wanting babies like we do.

I've only been on this board since the start of the month. I try to post at once a week at least because it has helped me feel so much better.





Rachel