Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Movers and Shakers


That's what my clinic should be re-named: they are on top of it.

It being this next IVF cycle and all the bits and pieces that go along with getting started. I'm not the least bit disappointed, just feeling a bit...overwhelmed? But in a good way-it's just all happening a bit fast-and it's revving up that four letter word: hope.

So without a doubt, cycle day 1 ended up being on Monday. She came in with a force too! My theory is that the spotting may have been due to the not-trying-to-make-a-baby-sex we enjoyed this past month--ooo I know, you are probably blushing: but hey--those are the facts, Jack :0)

We are back from the land of relaxation--and can you hear my sigh of restfulness from here? It was lovely-and great timing too since I was able to get in for day three blood work this morning!

I got my results back before lunch from the Movers and Shakers and here are the results:

FSH: 5.4
LH: 2.15
Prolactin: 6.3
TSH: 0.57

I am well aware that these are good (if not great) results. I have to be honest and say my heart started racing a bit faster when she told me the FSH--because less than a year ago it was 4.9
I immediately asked her if this was bad-to which she said, "Time is the enemy here" So again reinforcing in my mind that while I am grateful for the results I got, I know we need to get on the wagon and get moving.

My LH last year was 3.3, my Prolactin was 13.3 (quite a change here). I don't have my TSH results from last year in front of me--Ill have to look tonight.

Tomorrow Mook goes in for his big round of testing: a repeat semen analysis, the infectious disease panel, repeat hormone tests, karyotyping and I have some other questions for him to ask. I have a little cheat sheet all ready to go-I know he's going to love saying "My wife told me I had to ask all this crap..." So please keep Mook in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow--I know he's a bit anxious.

Even though we have known for quite some time that we are dealing with male factor, I know that it will still be hard for him to get these results back. We will have to wait about two weeks for the karyotype results to come back-and hopefully we will get the other results back in a few days.

In the meantime, I start birth control tonight (always the strangest part for me) and I already know what medicine I will be on--I don't have the protocol yet, but the Movers and Shakers have already analyzed my test results and they are putting a game plan together while we wait for Mook's results.

I will be on slightly different medicine this time: no sniffing the Synarel. I'm happy because this means no taste of hairspray in my mouth and nose for weeks. But that also means I will start shots earlier since I will be on Lupron this time--which I have never used before. Other meds I will be on: Menopur and Bravelle (same as last time) and Ovidrel, which is a new one for me.

And this whole loot of activities will all come down to Mook's test results: we will have some big decisions to make if the karyotyping gives us certain results--or any of the other tests. So I'll stay on BC pills until then, and if all goes according to plan I will start stimming on May 31st.

So here's the part where I look at you all with big puppy dog eyes. I get a bit miffed when someone says they could use help, but don't ask for it-so I'm going to ask for it. All you can do is tell me no, right? Our insurance continues to laugh in our face when we ask for assistance...

Last year the lovely Sarah and Jamie so willingly gave me some left-over meds, and I am forever grateful to them. If anyone has any leftovers that won't expire before the end of June, would you be willing to share? I promise to compensate you in whatever way I can--I'll come clean for you, cook for you (that's not the best choice), give you a back rub, etc.

I'm going to finish up the cheat sheet for Mook, and just continue to hope that we can move forward!


P.S. Old and New Bunchers: Im working on e-mail for you--I've not forgotten you!

42 comments:

  1. I need to send you an email abou the braces bunch!

    I gave all my meds away of you could have totally had my ovidrel/bravelle. Need any quick caps?

    Wishing only good things for mook's results. I can't even begin to imagine how he is taking all of this. Tell him he has lots of supporters! hugs to you both

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  2. Hey girlie, I think I might be able to do somethin' somethin' for you. I'll email you later tonight or tomorrow, I just need to check some dates. It would be my pleasure as the same was done for me -- with out which I would not be so blessed.

    Later!

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  3. Don't worry about the Lupron. It's a walk in the park compared to the Bravelle and Menopur. It stung a bit at the injection site but only for a few minutes. The Ovidrel was hit and miss on the sting factor, but overall had no side effects for me.

    I would send meds, but used every last bit of mine. :-)

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  4. Thought about you this weekend when I was in your neck of the woods (sort of, anyway--Pinehurst). I wish I had meds to share, but alas I used every last $, er, I mean drop. And thanks for dropping by and offering your support. I hope you have the best possible outcome this time!!!!! Will keep my fingers crossed for you.

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  5. Hoping good things come from Mook's workup!! Kuddos on the good b/w yourself there Missy!! Praying this is the cycle that gives you your long awaited blessing!!!

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  6. I wish I could help with more....

    I have extra Follistim (300iu) - but that's different than Bravelle, I know. I also have some post-transfer stuff. I'm cycling right now but I might have more leftover. I won't have any lupron, but I may have menopur. I'll post back in a week or two.

    Hugs to you! I know about not liking the FSH number going up. Bleh. Mine's been great these last few months, but I know all about the "you're only as good as your worst FSH".

    Let us know how Mook's in-depth analysis goes.

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  7. I was on Lupron both times, but that's all used. I think Ovidrel might be one of the ones they prescribed, I bought, and then they changed it at the last minute...I'll have to check. I think it has to be refrigerated though...how do you go about sending a refrigerated med?

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  8. Yeah, exciting stuff!!

    I'll check out my stash tonight and see what leftover goodies I could sent to you. I'm thinking I have at least one unopened progesterone vial but I'll have to double check.

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  9. btw great idea to ask for leftovers. wish i had thought of that!

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  10. I've got ovidrel & the freezer packs. Send me an email with your address & I'll be happy to oblige. May have some lupron too but I need to check expiry date on that.

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  11. Your FSH and everything else is looking good. I hope that this is the start of a fantastic cycle with great results at the end.

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  12. Wow, that seems like a long time on the birth control pills. Then again, I keep forgetting that it's almost the end of April already.

    I agree with teamwinks that the Lupron does not sting at ALL compared to the Menopur and (for me) Follistim. It is really easy to take.

    I don't have any meds as I am still in the middle of things. I hope you get some, though. I'm paying for this stuff out of pocket too, and YIKES!

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  13. I have no meds, but I wanted to say good luck! (I think this might be my first comment here, although I have been reading for a little while.)

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  14. You are so good with the cheat sheet! Wish I would have thought of that! Sorry, no meds but I got a ton of hope for you! Do I still get a back rub? :) hehe

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  15. Are you going to be doing PIO? I have a bunch left that I don't ever plan on using. Strictly suppositories for me going forward. Drop me a comment on my blog if you want me to send it off to you.

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  16. I'm (obviously) not a doctor, but I do have hypothyroidism and your TSH seems like a low number. If mine was that low, I would be having heart palpations and trouble sleeping. But, I would be skinny! :) My doc says that number should be between 1.1 and 2.5. Just thought I would throw that out there in case that info is helpful in any way.

    Hope this time around goes perfectly in every way.

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  17. Yay for your good numbers!

    That rocks that you're getting such a good response to your request. And you're right, you never know until you ask!

    I hope Mook's appointment goes well, I'll keep him in my thoughts.

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  18. I have nothing to offer you except my very best wishes.

    And you have those in spades.

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  19. I have extra Follistim... but I don't think that helps?

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  20. I have some gonalF if you'd like it!! It expires in october or november.

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  21. Your numbers look awesome. I really hope this time is the trick...

    And trust me, I know how hard it is having a husband who blames himself for the reason we are doing IVF. But I try and tell mine, I married him for the good, the bad and the ugly. It's just one crappy hurdle we have to jump...

    Thinking of you!

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  22. Good luck getting started. The BCPs always seem weird. Hope you find some meds as well, there nothing here I can help you with.

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  23. Sorry I don't have any meds... also that I am located in Australia and we seem to use different ones except Ovidrel so be careful with the transit of that one as it has to remain refrigerated.

    Will continue to drop in!

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  24. I have 4 vials of Bravelle. It's not much, but every little bit helps. Let me know if you want it.

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  25. You know I'd give you my right arm if you wanted it, but alas no meds, I always seem to end up running out each cycle and have to buy more, I am so envious of people who end up with leftovers!

    I'm pleased about the numbers and I have my fingers crossed for Mook's results. I will go on Wii and make him hit a few home runs to hopefully send good vibes his way.

    Looking forward to the FL pics and catching up on IM soon.

    Hugs xx

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  26. I do have some meds at home though not exactly sure what or if they would really help you but I am happy to look and will let you know. Sending good thoughts over for the start of the cycle!

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  27. Wow, your life is moving at warp speed right now, isn't it?
    It all sounds so exciting, I truly hope this is it for you and everything aligns just perfectly!
    I wish I had some extra meds, but alas, I am swimming in the middle of cycling at the moment. I do, however, have plenty of love and prayers to send your way!
    *hugs*

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  28. Would love to give you some meds, but, all i have is superfact, and your on lupron right?
    Yea to starting to cycle!

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  29. I'm so glad that you have the ball rolling again! A little part of me wants to be on birth control already too but we owe it to ourselves to give this natural thing another try.

    I wont be far behind you if all else fails! Good luck on the Lupron, I think it's like Lucrin which is like the devil's liquid in an injection. Just remember to drink plenty of water.

    Sorry chick, don't have any of the stuff you looking for otherwise you know you'd be first on my list!

    Much love to you and Mook, good luck with all the tests, I hope that you are pleasantly surprised!

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  30. I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers! All for the best results for you both this time around!

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  31. I so hope this is the cycle for you! What you're is pretty much my routine for Norah, except I'm as old as the hills just with low FSH, I was lucky that I didn't need to do any PIO either. DH hated doing the semen analysis, it made him anxious. I wish I had meds to give, I just threw away an entire unused box of Bravelle, but it had expired in Oct, and although not mixed no one would want to take a chance on that. Have you looked at FreedomDrug - I found they had the best prices.

    Good luck!

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  32. JJ- I think you made the best decision to stay with your clinic, they sound like are taking care of business!! Good luck

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  33. any progress on the meds front? Let us know what you still need and I'll put the word out to the underground (wink wink).

    & darn it if it didn't take me 3 times to master the word verification oracle. I swear blogger hates me!

    xo

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  34. Oh JJ I wish I could help you with the meds! but I'll he hoping and praying for you okay??? Love you!

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  35. I'll be thinking about you and Mook. Best of luck with this On Top Of It cycle!

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  36. I hope Mook's testing went well today and that you all get back some additional pieces to the puzzle so you know how best to move forward. I'll be anxious to hear about the results!

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  37. What kind of meds do you need? I have Bravelle & Repronex left just sitting on my shelf looking for a home. Just let me know and I'm off to the post office...and I'll through in a Ganirelix syringe for good measure!

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  38. I'm a day late reading this post but I DO Have some Lupron that you can have. No coming clean, no cooking and no back rub required. It's not quite a full vial, and it was actually handed down to me from M, when I was close to being finished my cycle and just needed a little bit. She was already done so she had her hubby hand deliver it.

    I love that we all help each other.

    Let me know if you're interested and I can make arrangements to get it to you!

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  39. *de-lurking*

    No meds here for you, but lots of hope coming your way.

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  40. I'm truly a little teary eyed right now. It's so incredible how this community comes together to rally one another in times of need. It's quite beautiful, really.

    Email me about the book thing when you have time... You still have my email, right?

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  41. JJ, I haven't read your site in a little while and am feeling very hoepful for you with this new ivf. I will be praying and rooting for you that this time it does work!

    I will be cheking in frequently to see your progress!

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