Confirmation

Another blood test today and the confirmation came this evening that the hormone level has plummeted, it is now 52.

I wasn't pleased with the way the news was delivered. It was very matter of fact and as if she was just informing me of the next steps in the process. I was told "Your hCG is low, so what we want you to do is stop the drugs"  Did she realise the news she was delivering to me?!

It wasn't a surprise. I put the phone down, took a deep breath, told Hubby who gave me a hug, and then I just got on with what I was doing. The bitter disappointment I feel is hard to describe. It's not just the loss, but how much time, emotion and effort that went into it.

132 Injections, 260 Pills, 63 Pessaries, 24 blood tests, 17 internal scans !

I won't ever regret trying, but it is a lot to put in to get nothing at the end.

Heartbreaking news

My bleeding continued, it was fairly light, but more than spotting. I rushed off to the clinic, another blood test and wait for the results. I got a call about 6pm. My hormone level hCG) has dropped to 178.

It's all over.

They will do another test on Monday to confirm, so I am not to stop the drugs just yet.

I know in my heart this is the end. The strange exhaustion I felt mid week is completely gone. It's so sad to think we came so close and beat all the odds that were against us. To get this far and then lose it. We have no embryos 'spare,' none frozen.

13 embryos, 5 without TCS, 2 survived to implantation day (day 7), one positive pregnancy test, 0 babies :-(

Scared

I've had some bleeding today, I know spotting is a sign of early pregnancy, but I don't feel this is 'spotting' it seems more than that. I called the clinic this evening and they have told me to keep an eye on it. I can come in for another beta next week, perhaps Wednesday.

Another dip in this rollercoaster ...

Beta #2 Test Day

Another blood test and another excruciating wait.

I finally got the call to say that the hormone level has more than doubled. It has gone from 99 to 220! The clinic are happy with this and do not need to see me again until my 7 week scan.  Tears of relief!!! Still a long way to go, but it seems this scare is over.

Beta test day

Went to the clinic to have my blood test. The home pregnancy tests detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone.  The beta blood test measures the amount  I've been given more of the same drugs to continue with, including the horrid intramuscular jab, ugh! And was told I would get a call later.

What a nerve wracking wait. My blood test was 11:30, so by the time 6 pm came around and still no call I was worried I'd been missed. I finally spoke to a doctor about 6:30, and did not get the reassurance I was hoping for. My beta level is 99, they like it to be much higher. They want me to come in to test again in 2 days. The level needs to have doubled by then, or something is wrong.

I think if the level is low because it's just a little bit behind, then all might be OK, but of course we don't know if the level is low because it is decreasing. Only the second test will reveal this.  if it isn't going up, then it's all over. 

Obviously I am very concerned. But I remain hopeful and have to stay positive. Its out of my control, which isn't a nice feeling, and I feel like 3 days have been added to my 2 week wait! 

Appointment 11:30 Wednesday.

  

Home Testing day

Words just can't describe how I feel. I won't even try.

The photo says it all .....

The 2ww is over

Finally, it's Saturday evening and my Two Week Wait ends tomorrow. Many women say this is the hardest part. I wasn't surprised to hear that, and now I have experienced it I can see why. It's a very emotional time and you feel so helpless just 'waiting' for your miracle to happen. The not knowing really challenges your sanity!

The Progesterone jabs in to the muscle didn't help, the sore muscle sensation lasts for days, and of course you have another shot before it has stopped hurting. This didn't help with the sleeping, because as soon as I roll over in bed, it hurts and wakes me up!

Overall I think I've done pretty well. Thursday was difficult, I felt a bit lonely. Hubby worked from home on the Friday so having someone around again made things easier. I'm not working at the moment, which physically is probably a really good thing, I must admit I have felt a bit exhausted at certain times of the day. It is a weird energy less fatigued feeling. Emotionally it would have been good to be working as I'd have to focus on something else and would have been around people more.

I have listened to a relaxing CD as I go to sleep and as I wake up, I've tried to stay as calm and relaxed as possible. I've already cut out alcohol completely and switched to decaff tea and coffee. I have eaten as I normally would, but tried to eat more fruit and never skip breakfast or lunch.

Most importantly I have tried to stay positive and believe that this can happen for me, and we can beat the odds. I have told myself I am pregnant, and hubby has given me three kisses instead of one every single time he has kissed me since we had the embryos implanted.

I have had no symptoms apart from a very slight sensation as if my period is due. That could just be because my uterus wall is really thick and full. I had a very slight queasy feeling whilst eating Friday night and then again at lunchtime today. I know the various drugs can have side effects, but seems a bit late for them to start now. As soon as I felt that slight queasiness I felt so happy as it helped my belief that this might just have worked. Overall though I feel very normal.

We have bought two home pregnancy tests. Hubby has hidden them so I don't have to struggle to fight temptation to test before tomorrow. I now feel very nervous ......

Progesterone Check

After a very chilled day at home yesterday doing very little. Trying to be relaxed and calm (it's going to be a very long 2 weeks!), I went back to the clinic yesterday for a blood test to check Progesterone levels. Waited 1 hour 15 minutes after my appointment time before I was seen, and was in and out in about 2 minutes. Back home again straight after as I'm supposed to be taking it easy after ET.

I got a call from the hospital saying my progesterone levels were a little below 75. They would like it to be 100 (Although 75 would be the level for a normal pregnancy at this stage). I had to go back in today to collect more medication.

They have added a Progesterone tablet three times a day and another injection every other day. This one has to go into the muscle. The injection itself isn't so bad, but the ache a few hours afterwards is quite unpleasant. Feels like I have cramp! Poor husband is going to have to do this for me as injecting in the upper bum muscle is kinda hard to reach yourself!

Long needles, and yes it has to go all the way in!

I have to confess to a wobble today. It was late, I was tired, my bum was very sore, and I was struggling to get the clexane injection needle in. (They are wider, and it seems harder and more painful to penetrate the skin). There were tears. I'd had enough. A cup of tea from Hubby, and straight to bed soon sorted that. I've told myself off, and I will not do it again!

My drug regime now:

ET Day - Attempt 2

This really is it! Arrived in plenty of time for my appointment and a full bladder, and was taken straight down to the ward. Back in the same bay as my third Egg Collection, changed into the attractive gown and waited, fighting the urge to run to the toilet ;)

A nurse called me for a quick scan, just to check my bladder was full. The reason they want a full bladder is because it presses down on the uterus and flattens it, making the direction much easier for inserting the tube.

Soon after we were visited by the chief embryologist, the same guy we saw yesterday. He said that waiting was definitely the right thing to do, because 3 embryos have stopped developing. My heart sank, rapidly. I wasn't prepared for that news.

So ... this is our only shot. The remaining two will be transferred, and all our hopes are pinned on them. As our chances are quite low, the risk of twins is extremely low, so using two is not an issue and will give us the best chances. The two being transferred are both frozen ones from our first cycle.

Having had the dummy transfer already, everything was as I expected, just a little slower as they were dealing with the embryos this time, so were extremely careful. We got to watch on the screen as the tube entered my uterus. Although the embryos are too small to see, they put an air bubble in the tube behind them so they can see where they are.

In the attached scan you can see the air bubbles.

And then it was all over, I got a bit emotional, and was wheeled back to the ward and told to lay down for a further 20 mins. I then made a dash to the toilet once the 20 minutes were up and had a cup of tea before getting ready to take 'Squirt' and 'Squidge' home.

One of the embryologist showed us the sticks that the embryos were frozen on. they are literally placed on the end of the green sticks in this picture:

Now I enter the dreaded 2ww (Two week wait) I need to do a home pregnancy test on Sunday October 14th and go to the clinic for a blood test Monday 15th if it is positive. This will test the hCG levels (Human chorionic gonadotropin).

Apart from a blood test (8 days after Egg Collection) on Tuesday, there's nothing left for me to do apart from take drugs and wait!

ET DAY!

I'll keep this post short as it was a very non-eventful day in the end. We got to the clinic at 10:15, and we were basically sent home again.

They feel that tomorrow they will have a better idea of which embryo(s) to transfer. They'd like to see them develop a little further to be able to make a better decision.

Reading between the lines I think the embryos have not developed as hoped. Trying not to worry .....

Back tomorrow at 10:30

Friday 28th - Big news

I phoned and spoke to a nurse today, I seem to be reacting badly to the Crinone Gel. I've probably put up with the discomfort longer than I should have done. Looks like it's a side effect rather than something that is expected. The clinic faxed a prescription of an alternative Progesterone drug (Cyclogest) to my local pharmacy which I picked up to start using this evening. I hope the soreness wears off quickly. Very unpleasant!!

As we drove away from the pharmacy we then got the all important phonecall....

We have FIVE Embryos from our 13 which do not have Treacher Collins Syndrome. Hmmm so much for 50-50 odds, but hey, what a result! I was so scared the call would tell us they all had it. There were tears of joy, but got myself under control very quickly after Hubby reminded me there's still a heck of a hill to climb yet!

We have a chance!! ET tomorrow 10:30

Biopsy Day

We got a call yesterday to say we had 4 top quality and 3 good quality!

Today we had some good news, given that we are against the odds because we can lose embryos at each stage, we had our 7 'frosties' thawed, and only 1 has not survived. So add this to our 7 fresh ones, we have 13 to be biopsied.

I was so pleased when they told me that they were able to biopsy all 13 embryos, and all had survived. So tomorrow is the big day for PGD testing. Should hear Saturday, there's a small chance we might hear late in the day Friday.

Tomorrow is going to be tough!!!

Hubby knew I was feeling a bit 'lost' yesterday. Its a weird feeling, waiting for phonecalls with such important news and knowing the fate of your little embryos are in the hands of others. He arrived home with a lovely bunch of roses. :)

Cycle 3 - Fertilisation results

Of my 12 eggs:

1 wasn't fully developed
1 didn't not survive the ICSI injection
7 fertilised !!
3 have not fertilised

We will get a call tomorrow to tell us the quality, the biopsies will be done on Thursday along with our frozen ones (depending how how survive thawing, there will be up to 7 of those)

The PGD test will be done Friday, we are likely to find out the results on Saturday.

I'm so pleased we have a good number this cycle, as it helps our odds, and also as there is a risk that 3 day old embryos will not survive thawing (15%) it's better to have out larger number in this last fresh cycle.

Today I started the tablets (Progynova) and Clexane injections. Oh well at least my poor tummy had a break for 2 days !!

Egg Collection 24th Sept

I'm gobsmacked! They collected 12 eggs! Turned out there were 12 follicles, and all of them contained an egg. This good number has to improve our odds, so I'm really pleased. Of course we now need to see how many fertilise. Last time it was 50%. Hoping better this time. But at least of it is 50%, then we'll still have the 10 we need.

This Egg collection was fine, like the second one. Went to theatre a little early. Was back in ward about 30 mins later, and walking out just over an hour after that after a much welcomed cuppa and custard creme biscuits !!

Another drug regime now starts ....

• Crinone Gel (progesterone) morning and night (vaginally - lovely!)
• Progynova (oestrogen) tablet three times a day,
• 75mg Asprin in the evening
• Clexane (blood thinning) injection in the evening.

Waiting for that all important phonecall ...

Cycle 3 - Last scan

We went for our scan and blood test yesterday, and have gained a follicle. We now have 10! I think the sizes are getting close to what they need to do Egg Collection, so they called us in for another scan today. They weren't quite big enough so they've asked us to go in again tomorrow!

I think they then felt sorry for me, and phoned me later saying don't worry about a scan tomorrow, Egg Collection will be Monday regardless. Do Trigger shot 9 PM tomorrow (Saturday) then come in at 9am Monday 24th for Egg Collection.

Pleased with that :)

Sick!

Felt very nauseous again this morning, and was actually sick twice :-(. Felt fine for the rest of the day though. I am on a different drug this time, but would not have thought it would be that different. No such side effects in previous cycles.

Better news

Scan today showed 9 follicles. Seems the 'Dinky' ones caught up. The doc remembered the word! :-) Very pleased about this. We really need as many as possible. Looking back at last cycle we had 8 collected, only 4 fertilised.

I laid out my drugs ready to do. This lot is just for ONE evening!!

Cycle 3 - First Scan

First scan today since baseline scan. I felt extremely nauseous this morning, about 15 minutes before we were due to leave. Luckily it eased off else I'd not have been able to leave on time!

Scan showed 5 follicles. 3 on left, 2 on right. I was disappointed, really hoped for more, especially as often the number of eggs retrieved is lower then the follicle count. We need as many as possible!!

Hubby taught the doctor a new word ... "Dinky"! She thought it was great and hadn't heard of it before :)

Still, think positive, early days yet!

Cycle 3 begins

As I predicted, AF arrived yesterday so I had my baseline scan today. All is ok, and I start the drugs tonight. Protocol slightly different this time. Merional instead of Menopur, and instead of 225 & 225 split, I'll be taking 300 Merional and 150 Gonal F

Cetrotide will start later, at least after Cycle Day 7 and Zomacton growth hormone starts tonight and then alternate days.

The Strange thing about Merional is it comes as a powder vial and solution (just like menopur) but rather than mix up a batch and use it over 2-3 days, I need to mix 4 just to get enough to make up my 300 because it comes in such small quantities.

And we're off ...!

Dummy transfer and 3D SIS

This was one appointment I wasn't looking forward to. Supposed to be the most invasive, "uncomfortable" procedure in IVF.

3D SIS:

3D saline infusion sonography (SIS) is done in the CRGH and involves an ultrasound scan whilst a small amount of saline is injected into the womb. Using the scan machine, the outline of the womb can be determined. A hysteroscopy involves putting a small scope into the womb to see if it is normal.

I was pleased that we were seen fairly close to our appointment time and not left to get anxious. I was told to turn up with a full bladder. I'd had a tea at home, some water, a coffee at the station, a glass of water with lunch, and a glass of water in the waiting room. I'd not been to the toilet since 10am. A quick scan revealed that my bladder "wasn't very full". Blimey, how much more should I have had!? It was good enough and they went ahead with the dummy embryo transfer. This was ok, a little uncomfortable, but only because they use a speculum. So it's no worse than a smear test.

I was then told to go to the toilet, and was back for the second part: 3D SIS. The doctor warned me I will probably experience some pain. I did! It was like bad period pain, but was over quite quickly. The pain only occurred at the end as the jelly like saline was pumped in. The pain is caused by the pressure. The scan revealed everything was ok. No issues or concerns. <relief>

I was given some antibiotics and told not to bath or swim, I was also given Norethisterone ready to take on 23rd August and told all the other drugs would be sent by Healthcare at Home as usual.

Early AF!

AF arrived today ! 5 days early. I now have my dummy Transfer and 3D SIS booked for next Wednesday 15th August.

Primolut tablets will start 23rd August.

I've worked out when I think everything else will be happening too. Does that mean I'm a control freak :-/

PGD Workup completed!!

An important phonecall today!

Found out our PGD TEST is now completed ! This is a major milestone. Total time from our blood being taken (Tuesday 12th Dec 2011) and this news is 7 1/2 months. Am pleased with that :)

The next step is to have my dummy embryo transfer and 3D SIS. this needs to be between day 6-14 of my next cycle. (Next cycle is due 15th August)

All being well I would then start Primolut again on CD14, and injections on the following cycle. We need to get another three embryos! This would be done as a fresh cycle, not freezing like the last two. Our 7 frosties will be thawed and tested along with any that we get in cycle three.

We still have a long way to go, but I now feel like we are at least at the startline....

Third set of Blood Samples

Took more blood samples in today. This is the third lot. Hubby went last time. It was nice for me to go to the lab and personally say thank you :)

Next stage of PGD testing

I have received some tubes for some more blood samples. The hospital is ready to move on to the next stage of the PGD test which is to test on single cells. They need the blood to be fresh to do this and have asked to receive the blood on 24th April. We can get the blood taken locally and post it.

We will hand deliver, rather than rely on the postal service! This is great news as it looks like things are moving forward! I'm not sure how long this stage takes, but I think it is less than what has been done so far.

Quality!

I just had a call from the clinic, once again all the fertilised eggs are top quality. All surviving, and the embryologist said "They couldn't be doing any better at this stage".

So pleased!

Below are the two IVF protocols together:  33 injections this cycle!

Round Two!

It has been a while since my last update, not down to lack of activity! I have just completed another IVF cycle. I don't want this blog to be cumbersome for anyone to read from the beginning, so I don't plan to repeat things I've already experienced and blogged before.

I had my egg collection yesterday. The main difference with my protocol on this cycle was taking the growth hormone from the start. I was also switched to a higher dose of Menopur and lower dose of Gonal F a couple of days earlier. My trigger drug was Pregnyl last time, but Ovitrelle this time. I preferred it because it was in a prefilled pen!

There was a slight concern again that the follicles were small. Perhaps mine just like to put on a spurt at the end! My last scan on Sunday showed 5 follicles on LHS (one was too small) and 2 very small follicles, maybe 3 on RHS.

Egg Collection was a breeze this time. I felt completely fine. I'm a little bloated/swollen, but no pain at all. We got 8 eggs collected, which was a wonderful surprise. I was hoping for more embryos this time. 4 have fertilised (last cycle was 3). We'll find out the quality tomorrow and they will be frozen Friday. Fingers crossed for 100% survival rate !

Until tomorrow ...

Onwards and upwards

Our three embryos are frozen. There's no more to do now except wait until I can do another cycle.

I'm feeling much better today. Period-like pains gone, and stomach muscles have eased up. I tried to put my suit on for a job interview and there was no way I could do the trousers up!! I have been monitoring my weight. It has come back down again:

Snow Babies

A call at lunchtime today told us that our three embryos have been frozen.

All three survived, and are now 8 cells. They also said they were all top quality! Given the highest grading :) This means they have the best chance of surviving and resulting in a pregnancy.

So, we have a low number of embryos, but hey quality not quantity!!

Three embryos going strong!

News today from the clinic is that all three embryos have survived so far and are developing. They are currently 4 cells each. Hoping they develop to 7-8 cells tomorrow and can be frozen.

Three Embryos!

I'm uncomfortable, I feel like I have period pains, along with the after effects of a stomach bug/food poisoning. You know that feeling when your stomach muscles ache because you have been throwing up so much ?!

Other than that I'm fine. No bleeding, and have taken no painkillers since leaving the clinic.

I had a call today from one of the embryologists. Three of the four eggs have fertilised! He said this was a good rate. I'm slight disappointed about the one that didn't, but so pleased to get three. I'm not sure what the chances of them surviving to Thursday when they freeze.

I also spoke to my PGD nurse, Karen Fordham this evening. It's so nice talking to her about doing this, as opposed to the years of conversations about why we still don't have funding !

I said I realised the number of embryos was low, and she said it wasn't a surprise and it was the reason for doing the IVF now, rather than waiting for the PGD workup to be complete. . She agreed we needed more and also agreed I can do another cycle straight away. I need to have a period first, and then can start again on the one after that (March).

Hubby asked me if I really want to go through it all again. I don't see not doing another cycle as an option! If I don't, it kinda puts to waste what I've done so far. I have heard the odds for PGD are 1 in 10. Meaning we need 10 embryos to get one, good quality, free from TCS embryo. (and this doesn't take freezing/thawing into account).

I will do it again, who knows, might get more embies next time!

EC all done !

I arrived at the clinic just after 10am and was shown immediately to a small ward. Not proper beds, but trolleys. I had wrapped up warm, but after the walk from Kings Cross station, I arrived very cold. I wasn't too pleased about having to get undressed and put a theatre gown on.

The staff today were all so nice. The doctor came to see me while Hubby was away doing his bit ;) He asked if I had any questions, I didn't really have any so he just told me I'd be asleep, the anesthetist would come and see me soon, and he said he would do his best for me. Nice Doctor, didn't catch his name.

The Anesthetist came and asked me standard health and medication questions. I was told I'd be going to theatre soon.

Hubby came back, all done. He had a form to fill in for his sperm production, he shown joke concern when there was a space for a name by the word 'Witness' haha.

I walked to theatre about 11:30. The next 5 minutes happened so quickly I can hardly remember it. I laid on the trolloey/bed, there seemed to be lots of people in the room, all going about their business like a carefully rehearsed procedure. I guess they do it everyday. A slick operation! The anesthetist took my left hand, slapped it, stuck a needle in it and I was told I would have a nice sleep. My left hand started to get quite painful. I mentioned it in case something wasn't quite right, I was told not to worry and then .......

I woke up! I was shivering, quite violently. Back on my own trolley, in the ward, a nurse, two doctors, anethetist and Hubby all around me. I was aware I was in pain, but didn't feel quite with it. I was told the shaking could be cold or anxiety. I was told to breath slowly and calm down. I actually felt perfectly calm, just couldn't stop the shivering. I said I was in pain, and the anesthetist soon put some drugs into what I assume was a saline drip. The pain started to ease and the shivering stopped. I was very grateful of the cup of tea that appeared. Biscuits too! I was told we got 4 eggs. The 5th follicle was empty :( Apart from the pain when I woke up, which now feels like bad period pains, it was all ok and I am glad it is over.I left about 2pm, and had to have a quick external scan, through the tummy, to check everything was ok.

I was very impressed at all the staff, especially the main doctor His name began like Solo .. but I didn't get the rest. He had the balance just right, kind and sympathetic enough, without being at all patronising.

The only other effect I had later that evening, was my shoulders and muscles higher up in my stomach and chest ached. I am probably using different muscles compensating for my lower tummy being sore. Hubby has been brilliant. He cooked dinner, we watched a film and then he washed and wiped up, sending me to bed to wait for a cuppa and a hot water bottle. It was just what I needed :)

We will get a call tomorrow to let us know how many fertilised.

One more jab ....

It's Sunday, CD14, and the day before EC (Egg Collection) Are ya keeping up with the acronyms? I still see lots of them on twitter I don't know yet!

Pregnyl jab done 1 am this morning. My tummy is quite sore, feels a bit bruised. But other than that I'm feeling fine. I have been weighing myself nearly everyday, and my weight this morning was 1.7kg more than yesterday morning. I noticed last night when I put tights on getting ready to go out that my legs seemed larger. Wonder if there's a little water retention going on?

One more injection of Cetrotide tonight, and nil by mouth from midnight.

I have worked out that at the end of today I will have had 31 injections and 6 blood tests in 13 days!

Wish me luck!!

Some good news and some bad news

The good news is that my LH is back within the safe limits. The bad news is one follicle is out of the picture. It is still 10mm which means, I think, that it is empty. Either way it isn't counted, so we are left with five.

The largest is 17.5mm and I think the smallest two are 14.5mm. The doctor, Malini this time (yes, it does sound a bit like Melanie, we didn't hear wrong) told me they measure two ways, and take the average to give the overall size. Hubby took a picture of the screen while she was doing the measurements and you can see the measuring lines across the follicle.

When we then saw the nurse (Kiwi Kate today), we were told I needed to have an extra Menopur 375, Gonal F 75 and Zomacton (growth hormone) right away. Talk about pressure! I am used to being able to take my time, but I now had to do it there and then! Another blood test, and we were on our way. We'll get a call later, and it is likely I will be told to take the Pregnyl, and another dose of Cetrotide. The injections I had just done could not be done at the same time as the Pregnyl, hence doing them immediately.

I think there was some question about whether to continue, due to the low number of follicles. I am disappointed, yes, I know you only need one, but of course the lower the number at this stage, the lower the odds are of you having one at the last stage!

Its seems a lot to go through for just 5, but having done this much, I don't want to stop now.

Egg Retrieval likely to be Monday.

I think today is the first day I am feeling anxious. Not sure whether it is because egg retrieval is near ("Fear of the Unknown"), or if it is concern about the low number of follicles, or if it's excitement. Probably a mixture of all the above.

Physically I still feel fine, although my stomach is starting to get sore where I have had so many injections.

I have just had 'the phonecall' as I type this. Another Cetrotide shot today and tomorrow and I need to do the Pregnyl injection tonight (well, tomorrow morning) 1am. Egg Collection will be Monday between midday and 2pm, so I need to arrive at the hospital 10am. I will be 'put to sleep' (isn't that what you do to a sick animal?!). It is a deep drug induced sleep and I wont be aware or feel anything, but is not as deep as a general anaethetic.

Hormone concern

I am now on CD12 (Cycle Day 12)

Today's scan was on time! New (male) doctor who I had not seen before did the scan. He mentioned my hormone levels from the blood test yesterday. My LH is too high. I believe the LH causes ovulation. This would explain why I had to take a Cetrotide this morning as well as last night. I think the risk is if the LH level does not come down ovulation could happen and they don't want it to happen naturally.

Follicles have grown. Two are 16mm, two are 14mm and two are 10mm (let's hope those little ones catch up!) Another blood test, and wait for instructions on drug doses tonight. The original schedule would have been no Menopur and Gonal F tonight, but I think things are going for an extra day. I was asked if I had enough of the drugs for tonight, and I said I had enough to do one more dose. The instructions came via text message at 6:30pm. Gonal F 75 and Menopur 375! My response to the 'do you have enough drugs' was assuming the same dose as usual (225). I only just about have enough Menopur left! The instructions also say 'Take Cetrotide' ... Yes, but when? Just tonight, or should I take in the morning again too? Not clear at all.

My scan is booked for 10am tomorrow. I think I'll opt for not taking Cetrotide in the morning. At least if I should have taken it, I can then take it at 10am when I check. If I take it and shouldn't have, there's no going back. I did call the clinic when the text message arrived, but they were closed.

Human pin cushion

Today's appointment was at 12:45. I took an appointment as late as possible as I was on a course this morning. As it was I had to leave 15 minutes before the end to get there on time. Just made it! Then sat for 50 minutes waiting !! I wonder if I turn up late for appointments will I wait less ? :)

Scan and tests all done. Lynn said I have 6 follicles now (I lost one ?!) and there were two smaller ones, but they were about 10mm. The larger ones were 14mm which is much more what they need to be. Seems the growth hormone is working.

There is a chance egg collection (EC) might be Monday rather than Sunday. I asked whether they try to aim for ER at a certain time of day, and tell you when to take that final Pregnyl shot to aim for that. This is not the case, the timing is based on your cycle and follicles.

Another blood test, I'm getting the hang of this! And a scan booked for 12:15 tomorrow.

Got a phonecall at 5pm. Start Cetrotide this evening and Gonal F and Menopur to stay the same. Second dose of Zomacton to do tonight also. FOUR injections!! That's 5 needles all in one day, who'd have thought I would be choosing to do this ?! :)

I have also been told to do a Cetrotide injection in the morning, and another tomorrow night.

I think this means I am at the stage now where they want to prevent the natural ovulation. I think this is good and things are progressing OK. I am disappointed with the low follicle count, and just hoping they continue to grow.

After finishing the four injections I asked Hubby for a reward, a cup of tea. He replied "I don't think you should drink tea, it might just leak out of all of the holes!!"  :)

Needle sizes

Nothing much to report today. No scans or blood tests until tomorrow, no Cetrotide or Zomacton (growth hormone) Just Gonal F and Menopur, usual 225ui dose.

I compared the needle sizes and was interested to know how long they all were:

The Cetrotide needle is definitely longer, about 18mm. The others are about 12mm:

The Pen is by far the easiest to do.
Lets hope for some good news tomorrow. Grow follicles, grow!!

Ickle Follicles & Frustration

Scan booked for 11 am today. The way the trains worked out, we'd either be 5 mins late or 25 mins early! We opted for early and arrived cold and soaked about 10:40.

Scan happened about 11:15. Follicles are a little small, the doctor, Lynn said some of the measurements, but I can't remember them! She suggested that they give me a growth hormone, a dose today and a dose Thursday, which sometimes helps. My blood test was done while Lynn was getting ready to do the scan, so I thought great, we're out of here quick! Lynn said she would now be seeing me every day, so I needed to book a scan for tomorrow. We had to wait in the waiting room to see the nurse to get the extra drug. We waited an hour and 20 minutes. The nurse was about to do a blood test and I mentioned it had already been done. I am starting to wonder whether things are being written in my notes! They didn't have the drug in stock so we had to go to a pharmacy to collect it. We waited 10 minutes for a prescription to be signed, then headed off to a pharmacy in Warren Street, by now a little frustrated at all the waiting as it was 13:30! We had to pay, and we'll claim it back; £260 for two doses of Zomacton! As I guessed, it's an injection! ...

Scan booked for tomorrow, although they were fully booked so it's a double booking! I got a text later in the day to confirm Menopur and Gonal F doses to remain the same. The text also said next scan Thurs. so it looks like they don't want to see me tomorrow after all. I expect I will have to go in Friday as its getting close to egg collection day, which made me wonder why they didn't book me in for a scan Friday at the time. Three injections done. I was given syringes and needles for the Zomacton and was relieved to see it was a small needle, like the ones I am using for Menopur.

The Zomacton, like Cetrotide and Menopur has to be mixed. The solution comes in a small ampule. The top has to be snapped off, the liquid (at least 1.3ml of it) drawn into the syringe with a mixing needle attached and added to the vial of powder. You then change the needle (given the size of the mixing needle you're not likely to forget this step!)

A text message confirmed my doses at 17:42 .. "The dr has reviewed your bloods and would like you to take 225 Gonal F and 225 Menopur tonight and tomorrow night, and Zomacton on alternate days. Please come for a scan on Thursday. CRGH"

No Cetrotide

Eventually managed to speak to a nurse at 5pm. I told her I was keen to know why I had been told not to take Cetrotide from yesterday and asked if it indicated a problem. Also I mentioned that I had already stated taking it Saturday, and was concerned I had taken a dose when perhaps I shouldn't have.
The nurse said she couldn't tell me, it wasn't in my notes that I had been told not to take it! She would speak to a doctor and call back.
  
She called 15 minutes later and told me it was correct that I should not be taking Cetrotide. She said usually Cetrotide is started on CD6, but only once confirmed with the clinic after blood test and scan. I pointed out that my scan had been booked for CD7 so this would not have been possible! I feel perhaps a mistake has been made here. I was assured it won't have done any harm, and the reason you take Cetrotide is to stop ovulation. They did not feel due to my hormone levels that this was needed yet.

I found out from another (unofficial) source that taking Cetrotide too early could slow growth of the follicles.

I forgot to mention that I have now also started taking the antibiotic tablets. Seems so insignificant compared to the injections that it didn't even occur to me to mention it! Just 1 tablet a day.

Next scan is tomorrow as originally booked.

First progress scan and blood test

We arrived for our 10am appointment, scan was with Melanie, she said everything looked fine. We waited in the waiting room to see a nurse for my blood tests. Apart from having quite a wait for the nurse, it was all straightforward. Hubby handed in a urine sample, for some reason the nurse thought he had already done this.
We then waited for a phonecall to confirm the injection doses to continue with.

The call arrived when we were in the cinema, so the doctor left a voicemail. next scan Tuesday, Menopur and Gonal F to stay the same, but no Cetrotide. Fine with me! One less jab. He didn't say the reason. I'll see if I can find out tomorrow.

Roses from hubby for being brave :-D

Purple!

I have a nice purple bruise where the Menopur jab went in. Lump has almost gone, but something was definitely different about that jab. I will ask the nurse when I have my scan tomorrow.

It's a shame as it has put hubby off giving me the injections, because he is worried about hurting me.

I did tonights injections myself. Felt quite proud of myself really, I could never have imagined doing this. The new Cetrotide one that I had to start on today has a bigger needle!! Ugh. Still, it was fine.

I read through the instructions carefully. Like the Menopur the power in the vial needs to be mixed with solution first. However, each vial is one complete shot. A new vial is mixed and used each day. the instructions for injecting suggested injecting at a 45 degree angle (not 90 as we'd been instructed by the nurse). The extra millimetres in length of the needle convinced me this 45 degree angle was the way to go! there is something more comforting feeling that you are sticking the needle along rather than straight in!! It worked, I took a deep breath and did ... it ... very ... slowly ... ! :)

CD5 checking in

The third and final day of just Gonal F and Menopur. This days jabs didn't seem to go as smoothly. We did the Menopur first as that seems slight more noticable to me so we get it out of the way. This time it did hurt a little. It's only minor, but concerned me. I could feel a lump afterwards too. The Gonal F (Pen) would have been fine, but hubby forgot to pull the end of the pen out, so when he was pushing, he was pushing into me, not pushing the end of the pen in. Once I realised, we took the needle out and did it again.

Despite the slight hiccups, I still survived!  No side effects from the drugs ... Yet! I start on Cetrotide tomorrow.

A day of stimulation !

First day of injections has arrived.
We decided to start with the pen first (Gonal F) as it seemed the easier one
The pen already contains the medication, so we turned the dial on the end to the correct dose (225 in my case), took a needle out of the packaging and fitted it on. A pinch of the skin in the stomach to lift it, needle in at 90 degree angle and pressed the end of then pen. It clicked about 5 times then would not go any further. It was harder to push than expected. Hubby did it for me, and it was fine!

Next the Menopur. The two syringes of liquid had to be added to the vial of powder and mixed. This will now be used for several doses. One new syringe fill it to 225 from the vial, and then inject same as the pen.

Hubby found this easier, as the syringe was easier to hold, the pen seems to slip a little as you dont have anything to grip. I felt the needle slightly more with this one, but again, it was fine. I was relieved to get the first one out of the way. Now we've done it once I know we can do it again. ... Phew  Perhaps I am not such a wuss afterall. It's amazing what your mind can overcome when it is important enough.

On to the next stage

When I called to make our appointment for today I was told scans need to be in the morning. I was disappointed as our injection lesson wasn't until 5pm and it meant hanging around. I mentioned this and they told me to go in for a scan at 12:45 and a nurse would explain how to do the injections. Pleased with that!

I had my scan just before 1pm. It was the same doctor who did my first (unsuccessful) scan on my first appointment. I think her name is Melanie, or similar. she said everything was fine and I could start the stimulation injections tomorrow which would be my cycle day 3 (CD3). I didn't have a blood test today.

We then waited about an hour to see a nurse to tell us our medication timetable and the doses I need to take. She also booked me in for all the scans and blood tests. (Sunday 20th, Tuesday 24th, Thurs 26th)

For now all I need to worry about is doing Gonal F and Menopur injections 225iu each starting tomorrow, after 7pm and add the Cetrotide injections on CD6 (Saturday). My next scan is Sunday and they will also do a blood test to check hormone levels. The doses may or may not be altered, depending on my reaction to the drugs.

One thing I was suprised at was when the nurse showed us the length of the needle :) Even Hubby looked suprised. He confidently reminded me how he did his part in giving our diabetic cat injections for over 2 years.

Wish me luck !!!

Nice timing, thanks AF :)

AF arrived this evening, this means Tuesday will be CD2 (Cycle Day 2) so should be perfect for scan and blood test. I'll be on the phone to CRGH in the morning to make an appointment.

So far, so good ...

Last tablet today, 24 tablets in total over 12 days. I guess that's the easy bit done with! No horrid effects, I don't feel any different. I did wonder about day 6 if they were affecting my moods as I felt very irritable. It didn't last, so I think I was just not having a great day!

Now I just wait for my next cycle to start, then I need to make an appointment for a scan and blood test and hope we get the go ahead to start the injections. I need to go in day 1-3, and I'm hoping that coincides with our injection lesson Tuesday, to save us doing 2 separate trips!

It all starts here

The day is here where I start the process (as opposed to the waiting, although there's still plenty more of that to come!)

First tablet this morning of Norethisterone, and a second this evening. I'll be taking this until Thursday 12th Jan inclusive. Here's hoping for no side effects!

I've looked up Norethisterone and found :

Type of medicine: Man-made form of progesterone
Used for: Problems with your periods
Breast cancer
Also called Primolut N®, Utovlan®
Available as Tablets

Norethisterone contains a hormone which is similar to the hormoneprogestogen that is naturally produced by the body. It is used to treat a number of menstrual cycle disorders. Norethisterone is also used to help treat breast cancer.

It is important for some people to start taking this medicine on a particular day of the menstrual cycle for a specific number of days. This depends on which condition is being treated.

Once you have finished taking a course of Norethisterone, you will usually have a menstrual bleed a few days after taking your last tablet.

I also read it can be used to delay menstruation, or control the timing.