Cycle4, IVF1, CD16 - Egg Retrieval story

05/15/12 - CD14:
Morning - No meds (in preparation for ER)
Noon -  No meds
Evening - No meds
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Doxycycline, Cabergoline, Chlor-trimeton

We went to the lab at around 8:15am and they took us back around 8:45am. The doctor answered our last minute questions and then I was taken inside. DH had to go for sperm collection. Once inside I was given the sedative through my IV and I was in my happy place (as the doctor called it) in seconds. I remember waking up in the recovery room and the nurse told me that they got 31 eggs. The whole procedure only lasted 20minutes. That was a really good number and the doctor was able to get to my right ovary too. I came by really fast and was able to keep down water and crackers, so they kept me in recovery for about 20min and then let me go home. I was asleep for most of the way and came home and dozed on & off till about 6pm. I think because of the pain medication I was totally fine till then. At 6 I started having pain, bloating and uncomfortable feeling in the tummy. I took tylenol for it and took it easy for the rest of the day. Sleeping was hard and I kept tossing and turning. They also told me that I am at high risk for hyperstimulation and so have been watching my weight since then. The cabergoline and chlor-trimeton was added to help prevent this.

05/16/12 - CD15:
Morning - Baby aspirin, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Doxycycline
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Doxycycline, Cabergoline, Chlor-trimeton

The nurse called me with the fertilization report. Out of 31 retrieved only 15 were mature (this was quite shocking to us) and out of 15 mature eggs 11 fertilized with ICSI. We were a little down for the rest of the day as we were expecting a bigger number and the nurse re-assured us that PCOS does produce a lot of eggs but many immature ones. The symptoms were the same with pain and bloating in the tummy and looking 5 months pregnant. Still no weight gain or breathlessness.

05/17/12 - CD16:
Morning - Baby aspirin, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Doxycycline, Endometrin
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals, Medrol, Endometrin
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Doxycycline, Cabergoline, Chlor-trimeton, Endometrin

The nurse called me with the embryo status this morning. Out of 11 fertilized embryos 10 were still growing. We have 4 at grade 1 (excellent), 4 at grade 2 (good), 1 at grade 3 (ok) and 1 at grade 4 (not ok). She said that it was a great report and most likely I will be having a 5dt. I am still waiting for her confirmation call after checking with the doctor. Today's news has been more promising and we hope and that we have atleast a couple grade 1's to pick from for our transfer. I will be nice to have some frozen ones too. We are sure that we want to put back only one grade 1 embryo if possible.

 

Cycle4, IVF1, CD13

05/08/12 - CD7:
Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 300IU
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur 150IU

05/09/12 - CD8:
Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 300IU
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur 150IU

05/10/12 - CD9:
Ultrasound - Lining 13mm, Left ovary - 12 follicles, Right ovary - 12 follicles
Estradiol - 1339
Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 300IU
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur 150IU

05/11/12 - CD10:
Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 150IU
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur 150IU

05/12/12 - CD11:
Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 150IU
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur 150IU

05/13/12 - CD12:
Ultrasound - Lining 8.3mm, Left ovary - 10 follicles, Right ovary - 10 follicles
Estradiol -4298
Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 150IU
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur 150IU, Ovidrel trigger shot

05/14/12 - CD13:
Morning - Baby aspirin, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Doxycycline
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Doxycycline

Because of the number of follicles and high Estradiol values I am at a high risk for hyperstimulation. ER is scheduled for tomorrow morning and I will start additional oral tablets to prevent OHSS along with progesterone suppositories and estrogen patches. The whole process seems so much out of control and I am in a daze. I have lots of abdominal bloating and discomfort and have already gained around 2 pounds in 2 days. Hopefully I will only see the milder side effects and be OK for a fresh transfer.

Cycle4, IVF1, CD6

The second month on bcp's was pretty much the same. Headaches, nausea, tiredness and mood swings. I started Lupron 10units on 04/25/12. The shots were easy to administer and apart from some itching (for about 2min) I do not have any other side effects. I started my IVF cycle almost a week ago and it has been really hard keeping track of all the medicines and shots that I need to take everyday.

05/02/12 - CD1:
Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium
Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units

05/03/12 - CD2:
Ultrasound - Lining 6.5mm and no cysts
Estradiol - 9
Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium

Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units

The nurse said that the lining was a little too thick and it would nice to have a bleed. Somehow my body listened and I started bleeding that night. I had full flow bleeding for 2 days and then it was just spotting. Also there was a confusion about my medication. Their charts indicated that I was supposed to start Gonal-F whereas I got Follistim from the pharmacy. Finally they told me that either one is fine.

05/04/12 - CD3:

Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 300IU

Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur 150IU

I am doing the Follistim and Menopur on my tummy and the Lupron on my thigh. Got my first bruise from the menopur two days ago.

05/05/12 - CD4:

Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 300IU

Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur 150IU

05/06/12 - CD5:

Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 300IU

Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur 150IU

05/07/12 - CD6:
Mock Embryo Transfer 2:
         Today we tried the mock embryo transfer again. I still have some spotting but still they were able to go ahead with the transfer trial. I went with a full bladder and was extremely uncomfortable by the time the doctor came to check me. He finally decided that my uterus is not visible with a full bladder and had me empty it. Then they were able to get the catheter in with a little difficulty and with some prodding and probing the were able to see it on the screen. The doctor was happy and has made lots of notes on my chart as my transfer is going to be quite unique.

Ultrasound - Lining 10.5mm, Left ovary - 5 follicles, Right ovary - 3 follicles
(I am a little concerned about their lining measurement as it was 6.5mm 4 days ago and I have had some significant bleeding since then and was expecting it to be either less or the same).
Estradiol - 252

Morning - Baby aspirin, Dexamethasone, Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Follistim 300IU

Noon -  Cinnamon+Chromium, Iron, Prenatals
Evening - Cinnamon+Chromium, VitD
Night -  Metformin, Inositol, Cinnamon+Chromium, Lupron 5units, Menopur150IU

I am developing a mild headache in the nights ever since I started the stimulation. Also last night I was really light headed for a while. I also have my share of the usual tiredness, nausea and hotflashes that comes with going through IVF. So far it's all manageable and I am hoping it stays this way.

Based on today's results I continue the same protocol for 3 more days and go back for bloodwork and ultrasound on 05/10/12.