Tag: ivf meds

Co-No you didn’t
Infertility · IVF · IVF round 2 · TTC

Co-No you didn’t

Toni Gabry3 Comments

It’s crazy to read my last post and think of everything that has unfolded since March. 2020 has been a legit shit show. Let’s review what has happened since then…

We didn’t go to Disneyland 😭

Covid-19 has led to a global pandemic leaving our country in a state of economical depression, record unemployment, a toilet paper shortage (yeah, still way confused over that one), and an overall state of panic across the world. We contemplated even going through with our IVF cycle in March given the current status of the world. It didn’t matter what we wanted to do because on March 17th hospitals were told to delay elective surgeries. Even if we wanted to go to through to with it, we couldn’t.

So we waited in uncertainty. Unsure when we’d be able to start, unsure if we’d even want to start given everything that was going on.

We received an email from our physician on May 11th stating that they were going to (safely and with precautions) restart IVF treatment for all patients. I was excited to hear the news knowing we weren’t in a state of limbo anymore but there was one precaution that they put in place that put us at a screeching hault.

They were not allowing spouses in for anything meaning I’d be alone at my egg retrieval, the embryo transfer, and any ultrasounds if I get pregnant 💔. I was devastated to hear this. I remember being an emotional wreck at my egg retrieval and the thought of Brandon not being there with me scared me. It also broke my heart to think he couldn’t be there to see the first ultrasound of our baby. So at this point we decided to wait. We were hoping the world was going to get back to normal by the end of the summer 🤣.

We all know that didn’t happen. I think it actually got worse 😫. We came to the decision that no matter what, policy change or not, we were going to start in September.

So as I write this today (September 28th) let me update you where we are.

I started birth control on August 29th. As I’ve mentioned before, this is the first step in my protocol to begin IVF. On September 12th I began Lupron which is the “down regulation” shots that prevents my body from prematurely ovulating during the ovarian stimulation process.

On September 21st I went in for baseline ultrasound and blood work to get the green light to start stims. Everything looked good so I was started on 375 units of Follistim and continued on the Lupron. I was instructed to take these injections for 4 nights and then return back on September 25th for a monitoring scan and blood work. The nurse called later in the day to report that they saw 4 follicles growing on the left and 1 on the right. My stomach dropped. I was hoping they were going to see more. I asked the nurse if those were good numbers and she assured me they were, we still had time for new follicles to emerge. I was instructed to start another injection called Menopur at 150 units. This one stimulates follicle production. I was to decrease the Follistim to 225 units since we added on the Menopur. Again, still continuing with the Lupron. I got off the phone and cried. I think I was just reminded that this is all so real and we’re actually going through with it. Everything happened so perfectly the first time around and I think I was going into it this time thinking it will be the same but it might not be. So I had my moment of panic and moved on. It is what it is. I was told to return Sunday the 27th for another scan. We had to go to their River North location since it fell on a weekend.

We went out the night prior to an Oktoberfest that was held at a local brewery. I decided I was actually going to drink and have a good time. The first time I did IVF I didn’t have a sip of alcohol during the whole process but this time around I’m going easy on myself. I didn’t overindulge by any means – I had a responsibly good time 😊. I had to bring my 3 shots with me and shoot up in the bathroom. I lifted up my dirndl and injected myself 3 times in the belly and returned to my friends and family to continue with the Oktoberfest celebrations.

We woke up Sunday morning and drove to Chicago for our 8:45 appointment. Everyone at that location was so sweet and helpful. The woman doing my ultrasound stated thing were growing “oh so good” and the woman that drew my blood told me a nurse would be calling later with my report.

The nurse called and reported they were now seeing 5 follicles on the left and 8 on the right 😲 13 total!! I almost asked her if she was sure she was talking about the right patient. I couldn’t believe it!! 13!? Helllll yeah!! No wonder I’ve been feeling awfully bloated and crampy.

So that’s up to date on where we stand now. I go in tomorrow morning for another scan. I’m guessing my egg retrieval will fall later in the week. Please cross your fingers and your toes for us!!

IVF

Doin shots

Toni Gabry2 Comments

The past week or so hasn’t been too exciting with news to share.  I guess the fact that we got to start the shots is pretty exciting in itself tho.  I started the Lupron February 16th at 10 units every night.  They aren’t too bad but for some reason it takes some extra effort to actually get the needle to pierce through my skin.  The first night I did it I was standing there trying to push it through my skin and the needle wasn’t budging.  Brandon was watching me yelling “push it in already!” to which I replied with a loud “I AM!!”  What’d ya think I liked standing there with a needle poking me but not actually going through my skin?? Uhh no thank you!

So I continued with the Lupron injections everyday until they told me to come in again (which would be today, February 24th).  I didn’t experience too many side effects just overall moodiness and I’ve been very bloated but this could be related to my period occurring at the same time.  I’m sure it was probably the combination of the two.  I’ve been making it a point to make my gym time longer during this past week because I know I can’t run anymore once the stimulation shots start.  This bums me out cuz I feel like my exercise routine is the one thing I can actually have some control over. Does anyone have any suggestions on safe work-outs while going through IVF? I’d love to hear them!

Today I went in for another ultrasound/blood work appointment.  My nurse just called and gave the exciting news that we can start the stimulation shots!! WOOOOHOOO!!!! Let’s start growing those eggs!!  This is a huge step!  The plan is to decrease the Lupron to 5 units and start the Gonal F at 225 units for the next 4 nights until I go in again for ultrasound and bloodwork on February 28th.

If I thought I was bloated before I wonder how I’ll feel once my body starts growing all these precious eggs.

But hey, it will all be worth it! Right?

IVF

Textbook Uterus

Toni Gabry4 Comments

So a lot has happened this week in our little infertile world.  Brandon went to Chicago on Tuesday to freeze a sample.  He explained it to be as awkward as I imagined it would be and then some (leather couch, TV on the wall, doorbell to ring when your “finished”).  I was dying when he was describing everything from the uber drive there to the nurse coming to collect his sample fully gowned up.  Finally, he’s the one going through a horrifying experience! Poor guy but he’s such a sport through it all.

You know how much it cost to freeze sperm? 500 dolla! Can’t we just put them in an ice cube tray in our freezer for free?? On a serious note I’m happy we decided to freeze a back-up.  I’m reading a book about a a couple who went through IVF and the guy couldn’t produce a sample the day of his wife’s egg retrieval. images So as hours and hours passed his wife’s poor eggs were dying.  She went through a month of IVF hell and then her dang husband couldn’t even keep up his end of the bargain. I think it’d take everything in me to not kill Brandon if that happened.  Hence, the freezing of the sperm.  I don’t wanna have to kill him that’d just be inconvenient for everyone.  We decided at our consultation that we were going to freeze some spermies and reading this chapter just solidified the decision.  500 dollars didn’t sound so bad after all.  A fresh sample is the best and we’ll still shoot for one the day of my egg retrieval (no pun intended) but in cases like these you gotta have a back-up.  It’s just not worth it to take that risk.

Also, I really would recommend this book to anyone about to go through IVF or going through it now.  It gives a really cool perspective from both the man and woman’s side.

The next big thing is my meds came yesterday! I kept saying I wasn’t going to believe our insurance was covering them until I had them in my hand.
Well our bank account isn’t cleared out and the medications are sitting on our table (some are also in the fridge next to some beer and cheese).  We spent a little over $200 on thousands and thousands of dollars of medications.  I think this is a good time to mention how thankful I am.  When it comes to insurance coverage, I realize how fortunate we are.  I am not taking any of it for granted.  Yes we were dealt a shitty hand when we became an IVF couple in our 20’s but we were also dealt a really good hand with our insurance.  I know there are plenty of couples out there who have little to no coverage for any of this so believe me I know how lucky we are.

Did I mention how big the box was and how many meds were in it? Talk about putting things into perspective.

As scary as all those medications look I cannot wait to get started.  Like I said before, each medication is just another check off our list to getting closer to our ultimate goal.  I’m ready to break open these boxes.  I’m ready for the pokes and bruises.  I’m at a really good place with all of this.  I hope I can keep up this positive attitude once all the hormones start getting injected into me!

The final thing to talk about this week was my mock embryo transfer/saline sonohysterogram.  I was not looking forward to this cuz I was assuming it would be like the HSG procedure I had done back in September which wasn’t THAT bad but also wasn’t that good.  I was ready for it to be uncomfortable and painful.  I stopped at Walgreen’s on the way there to get some Ibuprofen.  I took 3 in preparation.  When the nurse took me in the room she asked me if I ever had this procedure done or if I knew anything about it.  I told her I had an HSG and she responded with “this is nothing like that.”  Well that was reassuring.  She told me I may experience some slight discomfort but it won’t last long.  The doctor and nurse performed it together – my doc passed the catheter through my cervix and into my uterus and the nurse was in charge of the vaginal probe.  I fixated my eyes on the ceiling and let my body relax and then after what felt like a minute it was over.  I couldn’t believe it.  “That’s it?” I asked the doctor. It was in fact over and I didn’t feel a thing.  I let out a big sigh and told them that the HSG was way worse! My doctor responded with a “told ya so!”

I looked over at the ultrasound machine to see the pictures they took not really knowing what I was looking at.  I asked if that was my uterus on the screen.  Doc responded – yep you got a textbook uterus, things look great.

Awww yeah, did ya hear that – a textbook uterus. 20170210_211945

He assured me that things should go smoothly the day of the embryo transfer!

My nurse called later in the day to check how everything went and tell me the next step is blood work and ultrasound on February 16th to see if we can start the Lupron injections.  We also have to sign some paperwork saying we haven’t and won’t be traveling to any Zika areas in the coming months.  They will not treat us if we do.

Fine with us.  We have no plans to do so.

Anyways, did I mention I have a perfect uterus?