Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE 9/6

I decided to journal this cycle because its not a typical medicated cycle. Others' journals have helped me in the past, so hopefully this will help someone one day.

Me: 31
My Dx: PCOS with crazy high LH levels, elevated cytokines & NK cells, & something else that I can't remember! Somewhat related, I have the highest AMH levels the doc has ever seen. I also have a bunch of stomach issues and fibromyalgia which could be related to the cytokines (though somewhat controversial).

DH: 31
DH's Dx: all clear (thank goodness, since I have enough wrong with me for the both of us!)

History:
Got off BCP after 8 years in July, didnt get AF. Went to GYN in October, she discovered PCOS. We werent ready to TTC yet, but I knew that when we were ready, we wanted to hit the ground running. I started looking for an RE. Saw three of them before I settled on one.

October: took Provera, didnt get AF till 3 weeks later. RE suggested I go back on BCP until I'm ready to start TTC since it can help prepare my body (I forget why).

March: Start Metformin, 750 twice a day. It messes with my stomach royally, so in May, go down to 500mg twice a day.

May: First medicated cycle!
We start with Femara to see how I respond. After a week, there is no progress at all, so doc orders Follistim. I start 150 mg every other day and go back a week later. Doc finds a corpus luteum and suspects I ovulated that week. Blood work confirms it. We basically missed this month since the injects gave me crazy cramps and we didnt that week.
Onto next month

June: Metformin, dexsamethasone
Go right into injectibles-
Femara
Follistim 150mg every other day
Ovidrel trigger
Back to back IUIs

I start testing with Wondfos at 9DPO. I saw a line on 9DPO, no line on 10 DPO, and another line on 11 DPO. I didnt know that I should've told the doctor right away, and finally go for a beta 13 dpo.

Beta is negative-BFN

The doc doesnt rule out the possibility of a chemical or the trigger, but is leaning towards chemical. He says anything is possible but says it was highly unlikely to be the trigger. I dont think the Wondfos were faulty because I took at least 3 tests each day and they were all consistent with each other. I hate not knowing for sure but whatever. Onto next month...

July: Metformin, dexsamethasone
Left over corpus luteum again We can't start injectibles, so we do Femara. A week later the CLs disappeard and shocker of shockers, I didnt respond to the Femara. We begin Follistim. I get one follie, around 21 mm.
Ovidrel trigger
B2B IUIs
BFN

During the course of July's bloodwork, the doc discovers high LH and immune disorders. We discuss August's protocol which will include a host of new drugs. I thank my lucky stars for health insurance every minute of the day.

August:
8/1: CD4 monitoring appointment
-Metformin 500 mg twice a day
-Follistim: 150 every other day
-Ganirelix to shut off the LH, 25 units every morning
-Prednisone 10 mg once a day

Next monitoring appointment 8/8
Drugs to come:
-Increase the prednisone
-Intralipids (holy crap! my insurance covers this! I never thought I'd be so excited to get fat injected into my veins!) I will do one injection before implantation, and probably one after a BFP.
-If the Ganirelix shuts off my LH completely, we will add in some Menopur.
-Ovidrel Trigger
-Lovenox for that thing that I can't remember I have!

Now we wait and pray. Grow follies, grow!!



**********UPDATE 8/8/11************
So this science experiment worked really well. TOO well- I have 5 mature follies after 1 week of stims! I've never had that many, so it seems very apparent that my LH has been a factor that affects my eggs. The Ganirelix did the trick.

So now we had to make a decision- since we have 5 mature, the doc said there's a 10% chance of having multiples and if we are against selective reduction, we could skip the cycle. All I can think is that here we are trying so hard to get pregnant and might have a chance of having more than one?! I welcome that!!! Of course, triplets, quads or quints is incredibly scary and risky to mom and baby. I really couldnt make a decision about that until I was put in it in real life. But since I have no religious, moral or ethical objections (no flames please- I actually have NO opinion on it) we decided to go forward with the IUIs.

Back to back IUIs start today, scheduing the intralipids for this week and I'm upping the Prednisone to 10 mg twice a day.

Oh and I have to start Lovenox injects this morning. I was up at 6 am sick with anxiety over this. The shots have been hurting me SO badly lately (its due to the fibromyalgia). I know this is going to be the worst one. Plus I have a tummy ache which could be from the trigger. I decided to stay home from work because its too much to deal with! If you pray for me, pray that I get pregnant and don't get fired!!

I HONESTLY can say I think I have a decent shot this month, not like other months where I was a negative nelly. The only problem is that I will be on vacation when its time for my beta, so I wont be able to get one (I'll be in a developing country-no quest labs down the block!) so I plan on stocking up on FRERs!!

I'll update next time after my intralipids to let you know how easy it goes

(i didnt end up updating after the intralipids, but they were a breeze. My arm swelled up for days after but otherwise no other issues.




********UPDATE SEPTEMBER 1***********

I got my first beta results in!!
971 beta
68 progesterone (this is with NO supps!)

If you didnt follow my posts in the past week, I was stuck in the Dominican Republic for an extra 4 hellish days- I got my BFP at the beginning of the vaca, so I couldnt get any betas. I didnt bring enough Lovenox with me to last those extra days, so I was instructed to take Heparin. The pharmacists there didnt give me the right dosage information, and I ended up taking 5 times more than I was supposed to. It was incredibly scary being stuck there with no access to decent medical care, but my doctor was readily available by phone every time I called and was my lifesaver We checked my platelets too and all is normal.

My next hurdle is that I have an ovarian cysts that is 10 mm and filled with blood and causing serious amounts of pain. It seems that the Heparin caused me to bleed into it. I'm sick over what could have happened but so thankful that it won't affect the baby!

I had my first sono yesterday and we saw one sac!! My next sono is this Tuesday!! Cant wait!

*********UPDATE SEPTEMBER 6**********

As long as nothing horrible or super awesome happens, this will be my last entry.

Since hearing about my cysts last week and googling a lot, I decided not to go into work Thu and Fri. I rested the majority of the weekend and ate 5 tomatoes daily

I had my 6ish week sono today. My hemoragic cyst halved in size!! That is the one I believe was really painful and the pain has greatly subsided!! Im doing happy dances all around! Not so great news was the fluid filled one grew but I'm not feeling any pain from that one. I really think the tomatoes are helping! lol

As for the best news, we saw a teeny flicker of a heartbeat today! I'm about 6 weeks and the doc said he'd give me a better idea of timing next week.

Here's the little bambino!!!!! S/he's on the right, the thing on the left is NOT a sac although doc said anything is possible, its unlikely.

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 9/6/2011 8:13:35 PM.

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

Good Luck!!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

Tons of luck!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

great journal! good luck!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

This journal BETTER end with a BFP!!


By the way.. I just realized we will be CLOSE to cycle buddies!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

Good luck!!!!!!!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

great journel! i hope u get ur bfp this month!!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

good luck!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

GREAT JOURNAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

GOOD LUCK!!!! I'll be following along!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

Good luck!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

Posted by PennyCat

This journal BETTER end with a BFP!!


By the way.. I just realized we will be CLOSE to cycle buddies!!

Message edited 8/2/2011 5:20:16 PM.

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

lots of luck to you caitlin!!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

good luck!!!!!!!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

Good luck!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal

Good Luck Cate!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE from 8/8

bump for a follie-filled good time!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE from 8/8

Great update!!

Lots of luck!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE from 8/8

Good luck! I am jealous of all those follies and I would have gone ahead with it too.

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE from 8/8

Posted by Leb

Good luck! I am jealous of all those follies and I would have gone ahead with it too.

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE from 8/8

LOTS OF LUCK CAIT!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE from 8/8

Good luck!!!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE from 8/8

great update!! ganirelix always did the trick for me too!! good luck! the intralipids are nothing to worry about!!

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE from 8/8

LOTS AND LOTS OF

Re: Cateyemm's Science Experiment IUI Journal-UPDATE from 8/8

Good luck to you!