IVF # 1 - SD4 (CD3) Bloodwork and Ultrasound - Still in the Game

I went to the Rockville Shady Grove office yesterday at 11:00 am for my first IVF monitoring follow-up appointment. I must say that everyone's comments regarding the Rockville office staff are spot-on. Each of the staff with whom I interacted was very nice. The office was very busy, but considering it is the only office that is open after 9:00 am on the weekends, that is to be expected.

I was surprised to find that the damn cyst was still there. I really thought that it would have dissipated by now. However, I was pleased to see that I had three small follies on my right ovary! My RE's goal is to get between three to six eggs, so we're on our way. I'm hoping that a follie or two is hiding behind the cyst on my left ovary and that maybe another two or three follies will pop up on my right side. However, even if I only have those three follies, I will try to stay optimistic that they are good ones and contain good eggs. My E2 level was 211, which seemed to be on the high side considering I only have those three tiny follies, but maybe the cyst is producing some of that still. I'm hopeful that maybe it's on the higher side because I have some other follies that we weren't able to see. High hopes, right?!

The RE who reviewed my results (not my RE) wanted me to continue taking the same dosages of my stims and not change a thing. I also view this as a positive sign that my body is responding appropriately. Next check-up - tomorrow morning back at my Annapolis office!

IVF # 1 - Ganirelix Acetate Protocol

I started stimming last night and my shots (Follistim and Menopur) weren't bad at all. I already knew what to expect from the Follistim shot because I had done this for my two previous IUIs, but I was a bit nervous about whether I was going to be able to mix the Menopur properly. I luckily had one of those Q-caps, which seemed to make the mixing pretty easy, so hopefully I did everything right! I have my first "check-up" on Sunday, so we will see how this combination of Follistim and Menopur are working for me. Considering my low or non-existent antral follicle counts and my high FSH, I realize that I will probably be a poor responder; thus, I'm not getting my hopes up regarding seeing any action on Sunday. My research has led me to believe that the Menopur and birth control pills could suppress me even more, so if I have ANY follies on Sunday, I will be thrilled. I will also be ecstatic if I can get five follies to grow by the end of this cycle. My RE said that he would like me to be able to get between three and six follies, so I know that my expectations are realistic.

Here's my protocol for my this first IVF cycle - I'll update this as I move along ("SD" means Stim Day since I have no idea what actual CD it is):

SD1 - Thursday, July 30, 2009
PM: 150 Follistim / 150 Menopur

SD2 - Friday, July 31, 2009
AM: 300 Follistim
PM: 150 Follistim / 150 Menopur

SD3 - Saturday, August 1, 2009
AM: 300 Follistim
PM: 150 Follistim / 150 Menopur

SD4 - Sunday, August 2, 2009
AM: 300 Follistim
PM: 150 Follistim / 150 Menopur
B/W and U/S # 1: E2 - 211; Follicles (R: 3 / L: Cyst); Lining: 6.1

SD5 - Monday, August 3, 2009
AM: 300 Follistim
PM: 150 Follistim / 150 Menopur

SD6 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009
AM: 300 Follistim
PM: 150 Follistim / 150 Menopur
B/W and U/S # 2: E2 - 325; Follicles (R: 3 / L: Cyst, 1)

SD7 - Wednesday, August 5, 2009
AM: 300 Follistim
B/W and U/S # 3: E2 - 417; Follicles (R: 3 / L: Cyst, 1)

CYCLE CANCELLED

Gearing up for IVF # 1!

Well, I decided to take matters into my own hands to check on the insurance status. Good thing I did b/c they hadn't even opened a case number on me yet b/c apparently they didn't have my doctor in the system! And some paperwork fell through the cracks, too! I asked them if they had the clinic's name in the system and lo and behold they found it! Ugh! However, the good news is is that I spoke w/ a wonderful case manager who told me that it would be approved as long as my insurance policy had some rider in it. She went ahead and looked up my informatoin to see if I had the rider and I do, so basically I'm approved!!! Something interesting to note was that they don't even go by that two year wait period anymore! If our policy has the rider for the 3 IVFs, they will approve it! So I could have started w/ IVF a while ago! Hindsight is 20/20.

I will be on the Ganirelix Acetate Protocol. I'm happy that they're going to start me on that. My research shows that this is an Antagonist Protocol that is used for poor responders. I started BCPs on Saturday and will take those (and baby aspirin) for 21 days. I will return to the RE's office on June 27th for a baseline appointment (ultraound, E2, P4 and the required Beta) and then start stims on June 30th. I will have my specific protocol information at that time. If all looks good during my baseline appointment, my tentative ER date will be July 12th! I'm so excited to start this IVF cycle b/c I'd really like to see how my body stims. I'm hoping and praying for 3-6 mature eggs! I know that if we can get that many for me, I will have a good chance of getting pregnant with my own eggs!