My first IVF/ICSI Cycle...

Christine...yay!!! I finally started my Lupron shots on the 25th and finished my bcp on the 28th. I think I am starting Follistim on 11/7 at 100 units and menopur on 4th stim day at 75 units...I think...My egg retrieval is tentatively scheduled for 11/17th. We will see how all pans out...

keep me posted...we should most definitely share notes...

I think that will make this process so much easier!

Hi Angie - Let's be IVF partners!

You're ahead of my schedule, but close enough that we can follow each other. Looks like you're also on a lowish dose like me: I'm on 75 iu of Gonal-F and Follistim. I asked my doctor to be conservative with the meds because this is my first time taking any of them, so I don't know how I'll react, and also because I'm afraid of getting OHSS. I'm hoping that with such a low dose (and I'm not a small person), I should be fine.

How do the Lupron shots make you feel? Did you have any wierd side effects?

Also, if you don't mind my asking -- why are you doing IVF? We're doing it because of male factor: My husband's sperm is off across the board, count, motility, and morph. Our RE has given us about a 45% chance of success. You?

Hey Christine. I am not ahead you that much so we can most certainly be IVF buddies!! :-)

You are on lower dosage than me...which I guess is good since less meds mean less side effects, right? I have never taken these injections before either so we can help each other along the way.

We will also be closely monitored while on these medications so I wouldn't worry too much about OHSS.

I started 10 units of Lupron initially and the doc increased it 20 units. When he said when he reviewed the ultrasounds more closely, I had a lot of eggs in reserve. He wanted to make sure that I don't overstimulate during Follistim and Menopur.

I was also told to take baby aspirin as it is an advocate to implanation success during embryo transfer so I started when I started Lupron.

I have been doing pretty well on Lupron...I have been feeling this dull heachaches throughout the day and hot flashes. Oh and I also am feeling a bit of mood swings but nothing to tramatic yet. I think the baby aspirin is helping with the headache a bit too. so who knows. I think you will be fine. Lupron shots itself is NOT bad AT ALL! I will be honest, I am deathly scared of needles. My hubby gave me the shots for the 1st three days and he literally forced me to watch him. so for the past 2 nights I was able to stab myself and give myself the injection. Needle is so small that you hardly can feel it. hahaha I am such a woose! :-)

I am doing IVF because we both have issues...I was on clomid for 4 months and did IUI for 3 months. Without success, my RE suggested that we do IVF so here we are....MMy hubby's last SA came out 1.2MM, 40% mortility, 20% morph so that was not so good either so my doc highly suggested ICSI...

I also have PCOS pretty badly so I don't ovulate on my own.

My doc gave me 55% success rate which I thought was pretty decent.

So have you done all the blood tests yet? STD screening, genetic testing, test for chicken pox antibodies...etc...I still have to go get my glucose tolerance test before my egg retrieval...i scheduled it for 11/4/08. My hubby still needs to go see a urologist 11/12. so much to do...so little time...

Don't be so nervous, Christine...once you get started with all of this...you will be a pro before you know it!

Let me know how things are going...

Thanks, Angie. Wow, a 55% success rate is great! I'm hoping that the fact that I don't have any issues helps us make this a successful cycle. We've done the genetic tests, STD stuff, etc. so we're good there.

I'm so glad to hear the shots aren't a big deal. So, you did them at night? Does it matter when you do the shots? Can I do them any time during the day, or does your doctor recommend a specific time?

I'm feeling much better after reading your post. Thanks, Angie. I tend to be a nervous person, generally, so please don't laugh if I ask you lots of dumb questions. It means that I'm trying to make myself more relaxed about this whole process.

Great meeting you! :)

Christine! There is no such thing as dumb questions...it is just dumb if you don't ask them...

I was told to take them around the same time everyday. I have been taking them around 7PM every night that way I can sleep through most of the side effects.

Trust me, Between my husband and I, we are just a ball of nerves!

We just have to try our best to stay as positive as we possibly can through this ordeal! I know that is going to so much easier said than done but we have to try.

I figured if we can vent to each other about all the cr@p then maybe we will feel better!

I am really excited to actually have a buddy to go through this with..My parents and my in laws are soooo supportive and I love them dearly but at the same time, i know deep down it is really hard for them to understand exactly what we are going through. It is so awesome knowing that we can talk to each other (you and me) and know exactly what each other is going through. That in itself is very comforting....

It is awesome meeting you too, Christine!

Talk to you soon!!!

Angie

Hey Angie -- I wonder what kind of side effects we might have with the injections? Do you think they'll be mild given our low doses? I'm on Day 2 of BCPs and I'm experiencing mild stomach issues/diarrhea. Hopefully, not a big deal.

With the injection...let's see...Lupron have side effects of headaches, moodswings, and some hot flashes...with Follistim I hear you will be come really bloated depending on how many follicles you produce. I heard cramping is commone.

Since you have never taken BCPs before, you maybe more sensitive to the meds. You may even have breakthrough bleeding...hang in there girl! It shouldn't be a big deal!

BCP is the easy part!

I know -- I feel like such a baby. :(

I get so anxious about symptoms and meds. I hope follistim won't make me me awful...

Christine...this whole thing is very overwhelming. It is completely understandable. Just keep thinking the end result...we will have a baby! It will be well worth it once this is all over.

Focus on something good and not so much on the side effects. That is helping me along...

That's easier said than done but you have to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Hang in there...