Clomid Blog

[RSC]

Max, I'm so sorry you are having such a rough day. I don't know much about the technical end of this, since I am so new to IVF, but I do know how the days of waiting and analyzing can consume you. It does seem much too early to POAS; it also seems too early to be able to know anything by looking at symptoms--I know pg symptoms can come and go from day to day and hour to hour. All I can say is that I'm sorry this is so hard for you, and I hope you can make it through the next few days without going crazy. You know we are all here to support you.

[burbank66]

Malf, I hope all went well and you're feeling ok.

ICURN, you are just an inspiration...I'm SOOO happy for you.

RSC, you're doing great! Your numbers are actually really good so stop worrying. I only had 7 follicles going in one ovary. After 40 those follicles are scarce. Isn't it sad that before I started this whole journey I didn't even know there were follicles...and I have a 21 year old son! Oh well I blame my family for never really having had "the talk" with me as a kid.

Max, My heart truly goes out to you because I go through the same feelings that you're struggling with just about everyday. I start the day feeling pregnant, by afternoon I'm falling asleep on my desk with a bottle of Tums next to me like a bottle of scotch (I have killer heartburn) and by evening I feel nothing and am convinced my uterus has betrayed me yet again. You're not alone and we're all here for you so hang in there and be good to yourself today.

[malf]

Icurn, that is FAN-FRIGGING-TASTIC!!!

RSC, that's a great number. I had a total of 10 on CD3 and I'm 34yo, just by way of context. Have you started stims? So exciting! It will fly now!!!

Max, I'm so sorry, sweetie. This stuff messes with mind and body. Praying that you're just one of those lucky, symtom-less pg women!

burbank, continued prayers for a BFP on Monday. I'll be stalking for it!

Thanks to all for the well wishes today. We're home, along with one, 6 day grade 1AA blast. Yep, I needed the tissues the nurse offered while we watched it all happen. Next big step is learning whether our other three will make it to cryo tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

[ICURN]

RSC~looking good!

Max~I am so sorry your having a bad day. I know how that is. No matter how supportive DH is~sometimes it just isn't enough. I had one of those days myself~so maybe it is a good sign!

Malf~glad things went so well. Hopefully those others do continue to grow~but hopefully you won't need them!

Best of luck!

[burbank66]

Ok, so I'm a baaaad girl. After a trip to the mall with my DH and a stabbing cramp that almost dropped me to the floor I POAS. Drum roll please....BFP!!!!!! I'm elated and frightened all at once.

I've been down this road before so I'm still weary and now worrying about the beta number. I pray that it's strong because I don't know how I'll survive another MC or Chemical Pregnancy. Oh how I wish that I'd waited until Monday. That **** cramp made me think my uterus was falling out in the middle of Macy's.

[malf]

One day at a time, burbank. (I'm ducking, b/c I know that is waaaaaaaaaaay easier said than done.) Enjoy it this weekend, and know that you're receiving all sorts of vibes and prayers and thoughts for a great beta tomorrow!!!!

[ICURN]

Yeah!!! I am praying for a big fat beta for you!!!!

[RSC]

I'm sending good beta thoughts your way! C'mon, stick!!!!

[malf]

Thinking of you today, burbank. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig beta vibes!!!

[Miabella]

Hi Girls! Just wanted to check in and wish everyone the best!
I've been off the radar for a while, but hoping to gear up for a cycle in August (that's all going to depend on my body's willingness to comply- oh, where are you, AF???? I think she took a sabbatical.... )

I went in for a hysteroscopy on Wednesday and turns out they found a uterine septum.
(if you're interested, see http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/uterine-septum.html -- it's actually quite interesting)

Anywho, they removed the septum and we're hoping that it was the cause of the miscarriages. I guess septums (septi??? ) are not vascular, so embryos that implant there don't survive for long. Dr. still thinks we have embryo quality issues (ie- "monster sperm" ) but I'm hopeful that this will make the difference in the next cycle.

I'm a bit overloaded trying to catch up on posts, but I'll get there soon and wish congrats to any lucky suckers that I've missed and all the luck in the world to those who are in queue for that beautiful BFP!

[Mad Max]

Bad news ladies AF arrived early, I still have to follow the protocol and have a beta test Wednesday then a consult with my RE.

I did receive my full results from my last b/w and u/s my follies were rs 18.5mm, 17.4mm, 16.3mm, 14mm, 12.5mm and a few 12mm, ls 17.4mm, 16.5mm 13.5mm, 12.5mm and remaining 12mm - at e/r we recovered 12 follies of which a total of 6 fertilized, one over fertilised and could not be used, one failed to mature, 2 were overly fragmented and not used for implant & two perefect 8 cell & 4 cells were implanted but as we know haven't developed.
My lining thickness at my last u/s was 8.66mm and my E2 on that day was 1017.
So the general concensus as an excellent cycle.

My protocol was 450 of follistim everyday with ganirelex used for the last day before the trigger, my trigger was ovidrel. My first cycle was the same with 3 embies at e/t and my second cycle was the same but with lupron added as a suppressant in lieu of the ganirelex, it over suppressed me on that cycle & we never did an e/t

Compared to a lot of you ladies, I am lucky and my insurance company covers all of my treatments. I looking at all you ladies to help me make a decision, if i get approval, to try a 4th cycle( due to being 42 they may reject it this time). Should I try again. My 3day E2 was I believe 38 and my 3day FSH was 5.8 and day 10 FSH I think was 9.8 so everything is working that side, just need to find the one golden egg. I do have a blocked left tube & this has never been investigated, this I plan and asking to be investigated as if I am rejected I will have a better chance although small to succeed naturally.
Has anyone out there had similar cycles and success? I think I'm looking for some hope., I'm not sure at this time if I can go through all this again.

Good luck to all you other ladies.

[malf]

Mia, it's good to see you back, girl!!! So, while I'm kind of cracking up at the (you know I'm inappropriate like that!) just wanted to share a septum-related tidbit. I also had one - removed in August 2007. At that point, we'd been trying for almost two years and never gotten pg, so we asked the RE for some odds. He was noncommital on whether the septum was preventing pg, but he was pretty confident on the m/c risk - 80%. That's the odds he gave us on m/c with that septum. 80%. Sweetie, I so hope that was the issue for you and that your Aug cycle brings you a sticky BFP and a May baby!!!


burbank, I'm guessing you're on the west coast with your screen name, but come on!!! We're dying here!!!


Max, BIG HUGS, honey. I am so sorry this cycle doesn't seem to be the one, but it sounds like you're getting a little closer with each protocol! I hope this next one is easily approved, quickly upon you and successful beyond your wildest dreams!!!


To those who made it w/o POASing: Seriously. I may lose whatever brains I've got left wondering over every symptom - real and imagined. One day down, 11 to go... On the upside, I just got the report from the lab - I have two snow babies!

[lsolt]

Mal...Yeah!! on the snow babies and the time does fly...you will be getting a ++ Beta very soon

Burbank...can't wait to hear the results.

Max...so sorry...I feel your pain. We are kind of up in the air right now as well about where to go. I just had a consult with a new RE and he wanted to go directly back to IVF. i talked him into 2 rounds of IUIs with stims and trigger...so we will see.

Dana...I am glad they removed the septum and I am hoping that may have been the issue and not the .

Best of luck to all the betas and E/Rers!!

[Miabella]

Mal, I'm so psyched about your snowbabies! They'll make great siblings cause you won't need 'em this round! Thanks for sharing 'bout the septum. I'm really hoping that this is the hurdle we needed to get past. Pleeeeeeeeeeease! (glad you liked the monster spermie graphic...supposed to be a bratty child, but in my mind that's how these poor little buggers must swim! Crack up all you want...I've a sick sense of humor sometimes!)

Max, I know the pain of a failed cycle. I had the same thing happen to me in late May/Early June. AF arrived on 5/31 and I had a 6/2 beta. I'm still not sure what happened that cycle (I had low, rising hcg at beta). I googled it all to death and did find some women who had a positive beta even after what they thought was AF (I guess IVFers tend to bleed), so I will pray for that glimmer for you.

Congrats Burbank!

Lee Ann...how's the new RE? I'm hoping that's the ticket! (and being fairly settled now)

[burbank66]

Ladies, I'm so sorry! Busy at work today and my doctors office didn't call me until and hour ago but we have a 196! I'm going in on Wednesday for beta #2and won't get excited until that number doubles. It's so hard because I want to do cart wheels with my pregnant 42 year old behind but having been through this before and having that number go in reverse is just such a scary thought right now. I'm sure I'll feel better on Wednesday and all will be well. I feel EXTREMELY PREGNANT...very full in there like I've spawned a T-Rex. Lot's of love to you all!

[malf]

That's a nice looking number, burbank!!! Sending doubling vibes to you and Jurassic for Wednesday!

[ICURN]

Burbank~~~~~ Yeah for you! How exciting! Here are to doubling vibes for you!!!!!!!

Malf~~~~Yeah on the snow babies!!!!!!

Max~~~~So sorry AF came~B*tch!!!!

Best of luck to the rest of you ladies!
Things are still going well here!

[RSC]

Max--I'm so, so sorry. Still crossing my fingers that it's a false alarm.

Burbank--yeehaw! Extra sticky vibes for Wednesday

Malf--another yeehaw for snow babies, and good luck holding off on POAS!!

I got my 3day results back today; all the numbers were where they are supposed to be. I accidentally left them at work, but I know the Estrogen level was under 50 (37 maybe?) the FSH was under 10, and the one that was supposed to be less than FSH was indeed lower. Clear as mud, I know--I'll try to remember the numbers tomorrow.

So next up for me is the hysteroscopy on Wednesday. Hopefully Malf and Burbank will be getting positive and increasing betas by then!! Then, when I am walking around as a human pincushion in a month, you can be smiling fondly, rubbing your bellies, and saying "ahhh...I remember those needles!"

Miabella--sounds like we will be cycle buddies???

[RSC]

OOPS--Malf, I was wrong--thought you were testing on Wednesday, but realize it's not til the 24th. Sorry! But congrats on the snow babies!

[burbank66]

Honestly, I don't think you all know how much your support means to me. You've prayed for me, you've made me laugh when I wanted to breakdown and I will forever be grateful to each and every one of you.

Max, my heart breaks for you. I've been there with failed cycles and needed a moment to regroup but please don't give up because your blessing might be just around the corner. The thing that makes me cry about my BFP is how close my hubby and I came to just stopping the whole process and giving up. Our insurance only pays for one shot at IVF and only 50% up to $11,000.00 lifetime so this was our only shot at it. With only one shot at it my DH was convinced that it wouldn't work and we'd be in debt forever paying for our maybe baby. I still have a long way to go but I thank God we didn't stop trying.

ICURN, hope all is well with you and you're feeling good.

RSC, I get to be a pin cushion for 5 more weeks...YEEHAW! I'll be right there with ya every night wishing I didn't have to do it but glad that I am.

Be well.:celebrate:

[Anita77]

Burbank-the best of luck to you on Wednesday. I go for my first beta tomorrow after our second attempt at IVF. If this one doesnt work, insurance will still cover a few more-so I have not lost any hope. You all are very encouraging.

[Sasparilla26]

Surviving on a faint hope here, after years of trying. Being poked my needles and taking metformin and clomid for PCOS. I keep hoping God will decide to heal me one day, and just make it happen, because... I can't afford IVF. I want so badly to be pregnant. To have that feeling of having life grow inside you. I WANT family members to come touch my belly and feel how big its gotten... not how fat i'm getting lol. I know that sounds funny, but tis true. I'm over weight and with my form of PCOS I have an incredibly hard time loosing wieght. I can be happy adopting, I guess, but I'd much rather see the face of my baby and see myself and my husband in him/her. My sister has 3 kids, and my brother has 2. When taking clomid, my lvls were .8. Almost impossible... how can I even dreaming of Oing.

[Miabella]

RSC- I'll keep an eye out for you! C'mon May babies! No Whammies!

[hollyn]

Me 22 Dh 23

We started trying as soon as we got married. As a teenager I had several problems with my ovary which produced large basketball size cysts. Eventually I had a couple of surgeries and had my right ovary removed and found that my right tube was destroyed only thing left working was my left side. After trying all summer and fall of 05 and being monitored they found that my left ovary was producing cyst that were a little bigger than they norm and they were bursting causing me pain. So I kept pushing my doctor for a exploratory lap to see what was going on in there we really wanted a baby. So in Nov I had a exploratory lap that showed tons of scar tissue, adhesions, and endometriosis on my remaining left ovary and tube and my uterus was adheside to my adominal wall and some organs my remaining tube was also found to be blocked. They cleaned everything up and moved on to a specialist. Specialist told me that with dh's s/a because of a hernia repair tubal recannulation and IUI would not be a option for us we needed to move right on to IVF. So we were again refered to the local IVF clinic.

In Jan 06 we met with Dr.'s Ke and Kutteh and let them know that we wanted to move forward so I started my meds with my Feb cycle.

For suppresion- BCP for 21 days beginning on Jan 31. Lupron 10 units started on Feb 18 for 25 days. They turned my lupron down to 5 units at some point.

Stimulation- follistim 225 IU for 5 days, 275 IU for 4 days. After 9 days I tooks 10,000 units of Novarel HCG.

Retrieval was 35 hours after my HCG injection. I had 8 eggs, 6 mature and 5 fertilized.

Transfer was a 3 day transfer because all of my embryos were beginning to lapse and didn't look. I was told that this cycle really was pretty much a bust. But it ended in my now 20 month old dd.

We also did a Sept/Oct 07 IVF cycle that followed close to the same protocal they just didn't have me do BCP and uped my follistim from the beginning since my response was a little poor with my other cycle. It actually ended in a few more eggs and embryos that made it to day 5 but that cycle ended in a 7w6d m/c.

I will say that the doctors can be wrong. After all of this we found outin april right before starting IVF #3 that I was pg on my own. My Re almost fell out of his chair I think. The only reason they can give is that my blocked tube that was blocked at the opening to the uterus some how recanulized on it own. After this pg I am going to demand a HCG to see what is going on.

[erinlovesjake2005]

Holly...that is an amazing story! Congrats to you!!

[Mad Max]

Thanks ladies for all you good wishes, I really do appreciate them.
It still does not look good for tomorrow as my AF is full flow.
You are right, the results are getting better but I'm wondering if there is something other than genetically deformed embryos caused by old eggs, is , as my RE keeps saying the only reason. I've had no testing done other than an HSP, I have had a leap procedure & lazer for pre cancer cells about 3years back but my obgyn advised me that it wouldn't cause a problem.
What questiosn should I be asking my RE this time? Does anyone know of any other tests I should be requesting?
I'm of course over analyzing this to the enth degree and I want answers!!!
Anyway to cheer myself up I'm having a go at charting my temps, I'm going to restock on ovulation test sticks and I've promised my DH a wild time of practice over the next few weeks. Hopefully this will just be a month off before my final cycle if I'm approved.
OK I have also decided not to give in!!! Maybe I'm a massachist and just love needles ( not likely), being bloating and hormonal....I know I need a life!

Congratulations Burbank - go betas!!!!
Excellent news Malf - jigsaw puzzles are excellent for passing the time until 7/24 - good luck!
Best wishes to the rest of you crazy ladies who are joining in all this fun!

[scrumpy78]

Taz, i am on a clomid break. I did two months and now having a break til whenever. The doc is ok with it but i have not ovulated this month on my own sob sob. but if you normally ovulate on your own you should be fine. i don;t which is why i prob havent this month. good luck

[keepingfaith]

Hello ladies...
I'm not an IUI girl anymore but I wanted to update you guys anyway! Dh and I were accepted by our adoption agency! Hopefully meetings and a home study will soon follow!!! I'm still checking in on you ladies...I wish you all quick BFP's!

Jess

[burbank66]

Ladies, I'm freaked out right now because I'm having some spotting and while it's dark brown which I know could mean implantation time, I'm feeling nothing down there very suddenly and thinking that there's a repeat from December happening. I want to stay positive but it's really hard when you've been down this road before and it didn't turn out well. I want to cry and curl up in a ball.

[Miabella]

Burbank- spotting could mean anything at this point, hon. I know it's so scary and emotional, but hopefully you'll get some great answers at your beta tomorrow. Your initial beta was SO nice and strong, so hopefully that spotting is your little embie(s?) settling in nice and tight! Hugs, hon.

Max - You've got such a great attitude! After my last IVF cycle (which I think I mentioned, ended very similarly to yours) my doc suggested that we do the hysteroscopy. I had already done an HSG, which came out clear, so I didn't really see a reason for it (we're doing IVF for male factor issues, which affect our embryo quality, so I was fairly certain that we already knew the cause of the m/c's and failed cycles). Well, as it turns out (and I won't repeat entirely, cause I think I posted about this above) I had a septum that needed to be removed, which could very well have been causing the m/c's. I would ask for the hysteroscopy (they also did a biopsy to make sure there was no non-visible inflammation) just to be sure there's nothing else going on. Good luck, hon!