TFAS 10/8

[westiemom]

How are things?

mnj05
scrang
baymare
grover
moto
DrHooch
crazycatlady6
tiresiastheblond
twohopes

[westiemom]

Well, AF showed so I’m on CD 2. Starting another Femara round tomorrow. I went ahead and made a RE appt for January. Just not feeling super hopeful.

[twohopes]

Oct 8, 2017 12:11:51 GMT -6 westiemom said:

Well, AF showed so I’m on CD 2. Starting another Femara round tomorrow. I went ahead and made a RE appt for January. Just not feeling super hopeful.

I am sorry this cycle was not successful. CD1 and 2 are the worst emotionally for me, and then I regain hope and optimism. I hope this cycle works and you never get to use your January appointment.

I completed CD3 testing, and my bleeding has stopped. I am waiting to ovulate now and still trying to decide whether we should try naturally or not this month, as well as the next one, until I lose the weight required to be below the BMI cutoff for IVF. I am making great progress: only 15 lbs left, 8 down! If we do conceive this month around the time of my predicted ovulation near CD 17 or 18, my due date would be my 38th birthday. That would actually be kind of cool... TW (death): My dear first cousin who shared my birthday died exactly 3 years ago today, at age 38, in a car accident through no fault of his own at all. So, my birthdays have not been the same since; and I am especially dreading the 38th one, because that was his age when he died and he was supposed to be turning exactly 4 years older than me as he always had been, not having me "catch up" in age.

[westiemom]

Oct 8, 2017 12:44:12 GMT -6 twohopes said:

Oct 8, 2017 12:11:51 GMT -6 westiemom said:

Well, AF showed so I’m on CD 2. Starting another Femara round tomorrow. I went ahead and made a RE appt for January. Just not feeling super hopeful.

I am sorry this cycle was not successful. CD1 and 2 are the worst emotionally for me, and then I regain hope and optimism. I hope this cycle works and you never get to use your January appointment.

I completed CD3 testing, and my bleeding has stopped. I am waiting to ovulate now and still trying to decide whether we should try naturally or not this month, as well as the next one, until I lose the weight required to be below the BMI cutoff for IVF. I am making great progress: only 15 lbs left, 8 down! If we do conceive this month around the time of my predicted ovulation near CD 17 or 18, my due date would be my 38th birthday. That would actually be kind of cool... TW (death): My dear first cousin who shared my birthday died exactly 3 years ago today, at age 38, in a car accident through no fault of his own at all. So, my birthdays have not been the same since; and I am especially dreading the 38th one, because that was his age when he died and he was supposed to be turning exactly 4 years older than me as he always had been, not having me "catch up" in age.

You are doing great losing weight! Awesome job! I hunk you should try this month. Huge hugs for the loss of your cousin.

[scrang]

Oct 8, 2017 12:11:51 GMT -6 westiemom said:

Well, AF showed so I’m on CD 2. Starting another Femara round tomorrow. I went ahead and made a RE appt for January. Just not feeling super hopeful.

Sorry it didn't work out last cycle...it sucks losing the hopefulness but fingers crossed for this cycle. And having the RE appt is good to have in your back pocket.

[scrang]

Oct 8, 2017 12:44:12 GMT -6 twohopes said:

Oct 8, 2017 12:11:51 GMT -6 westiemom said:

Well, AF showed so I’m on CD 2. Starting another Femara round tomorrow. I went ahead and made a RE appt for January. Just not feeling super hopeful.

I am sorry this cycle was not successful. CD1 and 2 are the worst emotionally for me, and then I regain hope and optimism. I hope this cycle works and you never get to use your January appointment.

I completed CD3 testing, and my bleeding has stopped. I am waiting to ovulate now and still trying to decide whether we should try naturally or not this month, as well as the next one, until I lose the weight required to be below the BMI cutoff for IVF. I am making great progress: only 15 lbs left, 8 down! If we do conceive this month around the time of my predicted ovulation near CD 17 or 18, my due date would be my 38th birthday. That would actually be kind of cool... TW (death): My dear first cousin who shared my birthday died exactly 3 years ago today, at age 38, in a car accident through no fault of his own at all. So, my birthdays have not been the same since; and I am especially dreading the 38th one, because that was his age when he died and he was supposed to be turning exactly 4 years older than me as he always had been, not having me "catch up" in age.

So sorry for your painful loss. Great job on the weight loss! Is that something your RE wanted you to do? I'm overweight but my RE never asked me to lose weight, just curious.

[scrang]

6 days post transfer and I've been having intermittent cramping/tight ute feelings which has been messing with my mind. So I caved this morning! Got a squinter so I'll test again on Wednesday to see what I get. Beta is Friday morning!

[twohopes]

Oct 9, 2017 11:23:19 GMT -6 scrang said:

6 days post transfer and I've been having intermittent cramping/tight ute feelings which has been messing with my mind. So I caved this morning! Got a squinter so I'll test again on Wednesday to see what I get. Beta is Friday morning!

Yay! This ia great!! Congratulations.
About the weight, my BMI is really high, around 42 at the moment and it needs to be below 40 for IVF at the clinic where I go. I am sure yours is way way below that. I am just very fat.

[scrang]

twohopes Ha! No, I'm about 60 lbs over my ideal weight, so not where I want to be either. I did lose 30 right before I started this transfer cycle, but I feel like the hormones made me gain some back, ugh. Good luck keeping up with the diet, it's sooooo hard!

[twohopes]

scrang, how did you lose 30 lbs and how long did it take you? I need all the inspiration in the world! If you are just transfering and there is no general anesthesia, I do not think there is a BMI requirement for that.

[scrang]

twohopes, I started a nutritional program called Isagenix back in April and lost the weight really quickly. By June, 30 lbs and about 30 inches overall. I had to stop while I was doing the doing the mock and real transfer cycles, so I gained some back. But I started back on a modified version of the plan the other day, so hoping I keep the gestational diabetes and big weight gain at bay this pregnancy. I didn't have to lose weight when I did the IVF and I was at my heaviest then (240), weird. As has been said before, all doctors have different procedures!

[westiemom]

scrang congrats on the squinter!!!

[mnj05]

Congratulations scrang!! Hope the beta comes in at a strong number!

[mnj05]

Just hanging out. We close on our houses on Halloween and will have money for another transfer. I may call and set up a December transfer. Last one ever.

[danib]

We aren't TTC yet. And won't be for another year or so (if we do at all). But it's been on my mind a lot and I'm having feels. Would it be appropriate to join in here or should I start a new thread?

[supermorena]

westiemom can you add me please? Thanks!

First cycle back in the saddle. I think I blocked out what a pain in the butt all the appts were. Such a hassle!

[tiresiastheblond]

supermorena, welcome!
danib, welcome as well--ttc again is a tough decision.
mnj05, congrats on the closing and fx for your cycle. This was my very last, too.
twohopes, congratulations on the weight loss. 8 lbs is great!
scrang, woo hoo! Here's to darkening lines!
westiemom, I'm sorry about CD1. The first couple of days are so hard. I hope this cycle is the one.

AFM, I'm pupo for the very last time. It went OK, but I'd forgotten how awful the full bladder thing is. Even after the needles, the meds, the invasive stuff like HSGs...not being able to pee when you need to is its own special torture. Anyway, the odds are slim, but it's done!

[westiemom]

Welcome danib and supermorena! I will add you in next week!

tiresiastheblond FX!!!

[mnj05]

tiresiastheblond FX!! It's odd to think of the last cycle ever, hope yours is successful!

[moto]

westiemom - I'm sorry this cycle didn't work out. Here's hoping you don't need that RE appointment in January.
twohopes - I'm sorry for the loss of your cousin. Here's hoping you get a miracle baby to improve the associations with your birthday.
scrang - congrats!!
mnj05 - good luck with your house closing!
danib - welcome!
supermorena - welcome! are you doing treatment or trying naturally? Sorry if you already mentioned this and I missed it.
tiresiastheblond - yay for being pupo! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[moto]

AFM - so I spent last week freaking out about my thyroid. My PCP did repeat bloodwork and my TSH was 1.49, which is way lower than before and well within the range of normal. So apparently there are just normal flucuations.


Great right? That's what I thought when I saw the lab report online. Then my PCP called... apparently I tested positive for thyroid antibodies. I have no idea what that means, but apparently my PCP thinks it means I need to see an endocrinologist. Does anyone have any idea what that might mean for my upcoming FET??

[twohopes]

Hi moto, unfortunately, I have extensive first hand experience with Hashimoto's, and I too have normal TSH (between 1 and 2 every time I test), however, I have really high antibodies. This is called euthyroid Hashimoto's: you have relatively preserved Thyroid function, but antibodies which can never be removed. As to fertility, some studies show an association between the condition and miscarriage, therefore, a suggestion has been made to take a low dose of Synthroid throughtout pregnancy. I did that and all was fine with my TSH and with my daughter. I hope this helps a bit to guide you in the right direction. You do need a really, really good endocrinologist; I finally found one who listens and takes me seriously.

[supermorena]

moto I didn't mention. I was waiting at the RE and just made a quick post. I'm doing menopur and iui since that's what worked last time. Just upped my dose cuz I'm not responding great though, so we'll see what happens! On the plus side I didn't realize my insurance had changed and has WAY better fertility coverage now so I'm pretty stoked about that!

[moto]

twohopes - Thanks for the reply! I have some questions if you don't mind!

-Do you have symptoms? I feel like I don't have any of the symptoms I see online that are supposed to be indicative of a thyroid problem.
-Have my antibodies always been there? Or did I somehow develop them after my last pregnancy? (in other words, can I comfort myself that I got pregnant before despite having this issue?)
-Did you start the Synthroid before you got pregnant or after? Both my PCP and my RE were against me taking any medication. I will call around for an endocrinologist, but I doubt I can find one before the FET.
-Does it matter how high the antibodies are? my paperwork said the normal range is 0.0-35.0 and my result was >1000. That seems REALLY high to me.

I could consider delaying the FET in order to talk to an endocrinologist first, but my RE is not concerned and my husband thinks I'm overreacting. ("stop googling and just trust your doctor, moto")

I'm so stressed out

[twohopes]

Hi moto. Actually anxiety is both a symptom and a cause of Hashimoto's, so yes, please stop googling. I too am largely asymptomatic, but have some of the things described in the literature. I have no idea how long I have had antibodies for. We discovered mine at around 6 weeks of my successful pregnancy and I started taking the lowest dose of Synthroid then. So, they did not prevent me from getting pregnant (although I only have 1 child, I have been pregnant naturally 4 times). Just try to find a good endo, but in the meantime try to relax about it. Many, many, many women have had healthy babies with this condition.

[moto]

twohopes - thanks for the insights! I'll try to relax. I think my main stress right now is I technically have control over the timing - I don't have to put this embryo in next week if there is something I should treat first. Normally with fertility issues I try really hard to tell myself that whatever is meant to be, will be... but that's after I do my best to optimize everything I can actually influence.

[scrang]

tiresiastheblond, Congrats on being PUPO!

[baymare]

westiemom - sorry last cycle was not successful. GL for this one, and good to have the appointment booked just in case.
twohopes - you should try this cycle! That would be a good way to turn around the date a little. GL with the weight loss, I know how frustrating that situation is with RE's. I too have to lose about 15 pounds to get under the BMI limit. Before my first cycle (almost 4 years ago) I lost about 40 pounds to get under the limit. Somehow seems like it was easier then.
scrang - did you test again? Congrats!
mnj05 - house closing is exciting! And December is closer than it sounds. Though it has to be a bit bittersweet thinking about last transfer ever.
danib - welcome! There are definitely a lot of feels going into TFAS. I know for sure we want a second, but sometimes the thought of it is pretty scary.
supermorena - welcome! The appointments are definitely a pain in the butt!
tiresiastheblond - FX for you!
moto - how frustrating. I can definitely understand being concerned about how to move forward with your precious embryo. I wonder if you could get a quicker appointment or even a review by an endocrinologist by explaining what the stakes were.

[baymare]

AFM - sorry I've been MIA for a few weeks. My phone died and it took awhile to get a replacement. We were waiting to see if my employer would approve my request for a loan from my retirement account to pay for an IVF cycle ... And finally they did! So now the decision is when to cycle. My clinic wants my BMI to be below 35 and I am about 15 pounds above that at the moment. So we could try for a retrieval in late November which would only give me about 6 weeks to lose the weight .... Or late December which would give more time but puts us transferring close to Christmas ... Or put things off til spring. (The clinic is a 4.5 hour drive away and I don't want to risk having to drive in a blizzard that far with such tight timelines). My AMH is super low so I worry about waiting 6 months. If that weren't a consideration waiting til spring would be the best option. Ugh, decisions decisions.

[supermorena]

baymare yay for approval! Sorry you're stuck with such a tough decision. Good luck with the weight loss!