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Lyly -

Wish I could help but like you, I am just starting my first IVF as well. Already had 3 months of clomid and then 3 failed IUI's. Maybe we can chat on how we are doing with IVF, how it makes us feel, etc..

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Hi Jules- Thats ok that you don't know what to expect either, having someone to go through it with is just as good. :) It's nice to have someone to talk to that is going through the same process. I see on the other board that you posted on you are already on the lupron. Sorry to hear it is making you sick. :( How long have you been on it? and what dose are you on? I have only had 3 shots of 10 units so far. I take my last bcp tonight and go in for my first scan on sat. I think I start fsh stimulation on the 26th or 27th. Where are you in the cycle? and what kind of protocol are you on. I am on the long protocol.

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Lyly,

I was on 10 units of lupron since last Saturday. It made my period 4 days late. I just started the Gonal yesterday and both hubby and I have to take zithromax.

How are you hanging in with the lupron? How are you feeling? Feel free to e-mail me directly at jasl614@aol.com and put IVF in subjct if it is easier to chat that way.

Julie

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Julie- You are exactly one week ahead of me. So far so good on the lupron but it has only been 3 days and I am still on the birth control pills (tonight is the last bcp). Where you on anything before you started the lupron? Can it cause your period to be late? I am expecting to get mine within a few days after I stop the bcp. That usually brings it on, so i am thinking by friday or sat. What day of your period did you start the gonal? I will be taking gonal and repronex with the ovidrel trigger shot. Dh and I weren't given any antibiotics. I have doxycylin for after the ER, and medrol around the transfer. I am ok with all the shots and meds but I am worried about the progesterone shots. I have heard they are difficult to give and dh is not a fan of needles so he wont give them to me.

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Lyly,

I was never on any bcp because my periods were regular to begin with. My doc said they put you on bcp when you have irregular periods. Attached is what my schedule is this week.

Monday 11/19
10 Units Lupron (morning)
225 Units Gonal Pen (Night)
2 zithromax tablets 2 for Greg 2 for me (tonight)

Tuesday 11/20
5 Units Lupron (morning) - NOTICE CHANGE
225 Units Gonal Pen (Night)
2 zithromax tablets 2 for Greg 2 for me (tonight)

Wednesday 11/21
5 Units Lupron (morning)
225 Units Gonal Pen (Night)

Thursday 11/22
5 Units Lupron (morning)
150 Units Gonal Pen (Night) - NOTICE CHANGE
NEW INJECTION
Inject Repronex - draw .5 CC's/and or half millileter sterile water - inject into powdered vile - once med dissolves draw back in .5 cc's - Inject into self one vile which is 75 units.

Friday 11/23
5 Units Lupron (morning)
Return to Lab for blood only


The Lupron can cause your period to be late. It looks like we are on the same meds.

Like you I am FREAKED out about the progesterone shots. I have not slept in worrry. Not sure hubby will be able to do it. How is your hubby feeling about it?

Julie

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Hie girls
i ve started my first medication for ivf on the 9th of nov and had my first bleeding on16th i have a scan on the 4th of deceember lets see how it goes i have had 3 faild iuis, the medication is syndarella nose spray which i similoar too shots but in a diferent form works the same
please keep me updated for nany thing new where do i stand in the circul with u all lett me know
good luck

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my medication times so u all know what were doing

t 2 nose sprays in the moring in each nostral and then in the eavening, till 4 dec

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Nose spray in place of what? Progesterone?

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Julie- the nasal spray is in place of the lupron. My periods are very regular -like clockwork. My Re put me on the bcp because I didn't want to test for ovulation and he needed to control my cycle and hold off my period. I was due the 15th, but the timing was not good. So I have been on active bcp for 4 weeks now. I had to skip the last week in my first pack (blanks) and start a new one right away to keep me from getting my period. Dh will not even entertain the thought of giving the injection, he gets sick just watching me give myself the lupron. He is really stressed out by the whole process.

Lucky- You had started your period on the 16th and you don't go in for a scan or start any other meds until the 4th of december? That seems like such a long time, when do you start the meds to stimulate the follicles to grow? Aren't you suppossed to start those within a few days of your period? Where are you located? Your protocol seems very different from those that I have heard about or read. Sorry for all the questions just confused about the protocol your dr. is using for you.

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Lyly -

How are you going to do the projesterone shits if your hubby won't help you. There is no way in hell I would be able to do those myself. I am sick just thinking about doing those shots. I keep having nightmares about them hurting and then I can't go back to sleep.

I started my gonel last night - I start the repronex this Thursday. I am guessing my egg retrieval will be around Dec 1st - 3rd give or take and then they will put the eggs back in around the 5th or so.. who knows though...

I am in massachusetts. where are you? I am also VERY stressed out.

Julie

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I think I wrote shits instead of shots - my bad!

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Julie- I think shits is more fitting. LOL! I have been trying not to think about those too much, but I am concerned. I am going to find out if there is another spot that I might be able to do on my own, otherwise I might have to have my mom do them. Are you doing the lupron and gonal shots yourself? I live in New York . If you don't mind me asking, What brings you to IVF? Do you have a specific cause for you difficulty getting pregnant. If you are not comfortable discussing it I understand.

Almost forgot. I see you do the lupron in the morning and stims in the night. Did you start with the lupron in the am or did you switch when you started the gonal? My RE has me doing the lupron in the evening.

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Funny you ask - some docs let you do certain shots at night while others make you do them in the morning. In my other chat, someone else can do thier progesterone shots in the morning - I only have the choice to do tehm at night which sucks because you are better off moving around once you have them done.

Yes, you have to do the projesterone hots in your butt. My hubby is freaked out to. I keep bugging him to go online to watch how they are done.


Maybe this will help you and your hubby..

To see presentation go to:

http://www.fertilitycenter.com/

In the middle left hand side you will see a yellow/blue box titled "Click here for injection training forum"

Under select a video below - Choose HCG (this will be the most important one to get right)

Once you finish that check out Progesterone in Oil Injection

Pretty scary stuff, huh?

I am doing IVF because I have unexplained infertility. We have tried for 3 yrs. I did the clomid and got cysts. Then I failed 3 IUI's - I took 6 months off from depression and am now doing IVF - My sister is pregnant with twins -

What is your story?

Julie

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Hey guys,

I can't help but post...I was TERRIFIED of the shots before i started...like i literally almost cried when hubby and i went to the training and i had to stick myself...funny thing is, I am trained to draw blood.

Anyway, I have successfully given myself shots and it totally does not hurt! i was soo grossed out by the whole follistim pen thing...the whole clicking thing used to GROSS me out but i did it, and it was totally fine!!!

Hubby will be stressed out but you have to be strong for him, cos if you show signs of stress, he's going to freak out too. Make it a game, make it fun...it'll prove to be worth it.

and those shots you give yourself will become a piece of cake soon...TRUST me! the needles are especially so small, it doesn't even hurt. Just find a spot that works. I found that underneath my belly button or anywhere near there does not hurt at all...i literally don't feel the needle go in and I HAD NIGHTMARES BEFORE ALL THIS so...miracles do happen!

you will realize how strong you are!!! check out some of these videos for inspiration

http://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=lewambn5zGo&feature=relate
d

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Mo - thanks for the advice. I admit the stomach shots are a piece of cake. I know you draw blood but did you actually do the IVF as well? What do the butt shots feel like?

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Hi Jules,
We never got to the progesterone (lower back) shots for my cycle, but we practiced, and my hubby stuck me while training w. the RN. I totally trust him. I was scared shit less b'cos of the size of the needles but once i turned and gave my ass up to him, i was like...do your thing...LOL

There are spots that don't hurt, in your lower back, like where your panty band is. the needle goes in, he injects, then out. One of the RNs should have gone through that with you in training. If not, as them...they should. I am still nervous though, i must say so i totally understand. But the pinching and hitting the spot help totally!

Good luck all and i know we'll be sharing some fun stories!!

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Julie- My story is a long one. I have one dd who will be 9 from a previous relationship. Over the past 3 1/2 yrs with dh we have had 3 pregnancies. The last one made it to 11 weeks then the heartbeat stopped and I needed a d & c. That was in March of 2006. We haven't been able to get pregnant since. I decided to see the RE because of the m/c's. I have risk factors for m/c. but everything else seems to be ok. On the 5th cycle of trying with meds they finally checked dh's sperm. He turned out to have a pretty bad analysis. Funny how i never had a problem getting pg before with him. They didn't even bother to check him originally because they said with 3 pregnancies he was probably fine. After the bad analysis the RE recommended IUI but I didn't want to waste time and we decided to do IVF with ICSI to bypass any sperm problems. I am hoping that will do the trick.

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I didn't realize you could bypass the IUI's. Withh my insurance you have to have 3 failed IUI's before you start the IVF. Funny how each insurance is different. My hubby had a vericose vein. We tried for 4 yrs - they realized the vein problem and lazored it. Said I would get pregnant for 6 months - i got pregnant 2 months later. So, I figured with the second pregnancy it would be easy since we fixed the problem - WRONG! So 3 yrs it has been and I can't get pregnant - Now I am just realizing I think i was doing my Lupron shots wrong... crap, now I hope I didn't screw up the process...

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Julie- My insurance gave me a hard time initially. They even went so far to say that because i have been pregnant in the past that I didn't have a problem with infertility. I was so mad. I said "Did you ever hear of secondary infertility?" Duh! I hate insensitive people. I told them I had been trying for over a year and a half with the last 5 cycles with medical intervention. That doesn't sound like a fertility problem? I finally asked to speak to her supervisor and her attitude changed. She submitted the request and it took weeks. But luckily I have great insurance and my RE was able to back up the need. I work for the school district so we have the government employee insurance.

How were you doing the Lupron shots wrong? Hope it turns out ok.

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My insurance was great about the IVF and IUI's - my fertility clinic submits the paperwork to have me approved so there isn't much I have to do. Unfortunately, my insurance is changing January 1st - I will worry if the first IVF doesn't work.


So, I went to start my new Lupron Units - I realized I was reading the needle wrong (this is why i am not in pre-med) was going by the top line instead of the bottom - so in reality I was giving myself 5 units when i should have been giving myself 10. So when I was dropping down to 5 units 0 I was really at 0 and couldn't understand why? I called the nurse crying afraid that they were going to have to stop my cycle. She said she had to consult the doctor. I couldn't stop crying. To add to the matter, I then received an e-mail from my sister announcing to all our friends and family her pregnancy. I admit I am so jealous of everything she has. She has the half million dollar house, the great job, and now twins on the way and here I am in the possibility of ending my 10 days worth of work I have done.. I was crying my eyes out to my mother in law..My head is pounding etc.. The nurse called me back and said she spoke to the doctor - I was still crying at this moment... she told me that my blood tests showed the Lupron was doing what it was supposed to be doing and that I could continue. She said he wouldn't have had me continue if he had felt I jeopardized the possibility of this working..

Talk about a stressful day!

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Julie- I am sorry to hear that you had such a stressful day, but am glad it all turned out good. I am so sad myself today. I attended a wake for an 8 yr old girl today. She was the daughter of a co-worker of mine. It was so sad. They had so many beautiful pictures of her around, I couldn't stop crying. It is amazing how precious life is. It is such a shame that some people take it for granted! I can totally relate to getting jealous. It happens to me when I hear someone announce they are pregnant or just had a baby. I guess it's just all part of the process for those of us who struggle.

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Lyly,

How did the 8 yr old die? That is so sad. Things ar OK with me. i thought about the butt shot today after taking my morning lupron and can't go back to sleep. Th anxiety kills me. Once again, I have had about 4 hours of sleep. I wish I could just relax. I am off to my folks today for Thanksgiving. I hope you have a good Thanksgiving. We should both try to smile and be greatful for what we have.

Jules

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jules- The little girl died of cancer, she was a year younger than my daughter. Although I am not giving up my dreams of having another little one in my life with my new dh, I am so greatful that I have her. Sorry to hear the thought of the progesterone shots is making you lose sleep. I don't think they will be so bad, after all the lupron and gonal are a piece of cake. How bad can they be? You just need to put them out of your mind. You should take some time and pamper yourself. Go get a message or something and take your mind off things. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. Ours was nice and quiet, just dh, dd, and myself this year.

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Hey Lili -

Thanksgiving was good. My very best friend who got married June 16th - started trying for a child in September and announces she was 3 months pregnant. Her husband and her tried once and .. well you know the rest. I am really happy for her because her exact words were, I think I was put on this earth to make babies.. she LOVES children and is a teacher. I just can't believe how easy it was for her.. but I am very close with her. She jus bought a house 8 miles from me last week.. She is due 2 days after my sister. So again, EVERYONE around me is pregnant. Hopefully, it will be contageous. More incentives for me to get pregnant.

How was your Thanksgiving? What did you do?

Julie

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Julie- I am glad to hear Thanksgiving was good. I know it is hard to hear when people have it so easy. But I have had a total of 4 pregnancies and 2 of them were one shot deals, where I got pg first try. Only one resulted in a live birth and that one was 9 years ago. Of course I was in my early 20's so I think that makes a big difference. The other one shot deal ended at 11 weeks and we haven't been able to get pg since. Try not to stress too much your time will come. Hopefully this cycle will be your time. My Thanksgiving was nice. I was cooking dinner most of the day. After dinner we just relaxed and watched a movie.

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Lyly -

Thanks for the kind words. Went in for blood work today and am just waiting for my next instrauctions. Hubby is starting to freak out about giving me the shots.. we are both on edge - how does your hubby feel about giving you shots?

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Dh is pretty calm about the whole thing, but that is only because he wont do it. He almost passed out watching me do the Lupron shots!!! There is no way he will do them and I am not so sure I would want him to. If I can't manage myself then my mom will do them. She definitely doesn't mind, she is a retired RN. I am definitely going to try to find a way to do them myself. A friend of mine knows someone who managed to do them herself because her husband was away on business, so there must be a way. A guy I work with did them for his wife. They just had a baby boy in July after about 12 years of trying and multiple failed IVF's. He said they weren't bad except they were slow to inject because the oil was thick. He even told me I would probably be able to find a way to do them myself.

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Well if you find a way to do them yourself - please share the secret. My friend is over now and she is an RN but she works nights and that is when I would have to take the shot so I am sh*t out of luck. I can't wait to fast forward and take the shots - then the anticipation will be over....arghhhh

How are you doing today? Have you taken your daughter to see Enchanted yet?

Julie

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Funny you asked about Enchanted. My dd's birthday is on tuesday. She is having a movie birthday party and that is the movie she picked for her party, so we haven't gone to see it. Her party is Dec 1. so she is really excited to go see it I am going to the RE tomorrow in the morning for bloodwork and baseline u/s. I am going to ask about ways to give that shot. If I find anything out, I'll let you know. I think I am getting AF been cramping and heavier spotting, but the pill made me spot for most of the time I was on it so I am not sure. What day of your period did you start the gonal?

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I started the gonal on day 2 of my period. So far, the shots have not been bad. Thankfully, I am overweight so I have extra fat to pinch. I just hate having cramps and not being able to take meds during that time of month. Hubby just finished giving me my repronex. I think he likes doing that... but he is scared shitless to give me the bum shots.

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I've done one cycle of gonal over the summer, but not with anything other than ovidrel. It really wasn't bad, except I felt so bloated and had a lot of pain after my trigger shot. Last time I started it on day 3. I am not sure what day he plans this time. He has my start date as tues. but I think I got my AF already so I don't know if that date will stay. How's the repronex? That whole mixing process makes me a bit anxious, but it doesn't look too hard. I did some research on the progesterone shots and it looks like you can do them in two different places. One is the hip area right above your behind and the other is the thigh. So I think the thigh is where I am going to do them. I am definitely going to ask my RE tomorrow when I go in if he thinks that would be ok. I'll let you know what he says tomorrow.

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