Hi,

So those of you who haven't read my posts here is a quick update on what I have done so far. My DH are in the beginning of fertility treatments and we have a major dilemma.

I have been on femara for 4 months to regulate and induce ovulation. Month 1 I didn't ovulate. Month 2 I ovulated and we tried on our own. Months 3 and 4 we have done ovulation with femara only. Never been pregnant.

My dilemma is this. We have 100% fertility coverage until August 1st and I do not want to do one more month of IUI with only taking femara. I don't feel like I am going to get PG this way b/c I feel like it's hit or miss and not that accurate. Since we have only gone through 2 IUIs I am not sure in my RE will allow us to jump to superovulation with IUI. ( they like to do everything in 3's). I would like to do it now so we can save a few thousand dollars and I feel we will have better odds doing superovulation with IUI.

My question is what do you guys think about this or should I just go the normal 3 month road. Should I push to move on with the injections and everthing? Ideally it would be great to do an IVF right now since it would be covered but I don't think that would happen.

Anyway, I would really appreciate some input from those of you who have been down this road. I just feel lost in this whole thing. Maybe my attitude is negative but I just don't think IUI with only femara is going to work.

p.s. I have luteal phase defect and my husbands SA was fine.

thanks so much for reading this!

baby dust!

Kouka

Typo...months 3 and 4 we did femara only with IUI

thanks
Koukla

I can understand your frustration, and I know you're feeling IUI #2 didn't work. In another thread you said you called the doc office. I think explaining to them your insurance situation as well as your desire to go more aggressive in your treatment should be heard by them. The doc will let you know he/she feels is in your best medical interest. Our RE listened very carefully to our wishes. With the SA normal though (my dh was, too), our RE did NOT suggest IVF - and that IUI is our best bet.

Let us know what the doc says!!

~A~

If you can, I would maybe go right for IVF. Especially if your insurance will cover it. I did 6 IUI's and none of them worked. And they never found anything wrong with me or my husband. My close friend too, also did up to 4 and nothing. I feel like IUI's are sometimes just a waste of time and emotionally draining. Not that IVF isnt, but at least you have much more of a chance and your doctor has more control of the situation. But definitely ask you doctor their opinion!! Goodluck!!

Well my DH and I talk to our insurance company and we can get the same insurance if we pay for it up to 18 months (100% coverage for fertility with 2 IVF treatments with 2 embryo transfers each time...don't know what that means really though). It is $500 a month, so for one year it is $6,000 and we can drop it at anytime and pick up the new insurance at the new hospital he is working at. We decided that we are probably going to do that b/c it will save us $$$$$$ in the long run especially if we are going to get to the IVF stage.

I am not sure if they are going to allow me to do the superovulation this month b/c AF should arrive on saturday and there might not be enough time for me to go to the injections class especially b/c it is a holiday weekend. However, they said that I can always go for the class and get my meds before the insurance runs out if we decide to not pay for it. So either way we will be saving some money in the long run.

I don't know if I am pushing this or not. I have no idea what I am getting into with the superovulating and the medications. I am scared to death that I am going to gain a ton of weight and they told me that I can't work out which is how I cope with all of this. Not that the weight gain matters it's just Ive already put on a couple lbs and Im starting to feel bad about myself as well.

Anyway, I am just babbling on and on. If anyone can shed some light on the injections/medications and the side effects...I am so on edge and don't know what to do.

thanks and sorry for the long elaborate post.

koukla

Koukla,
sounds to me like you REALLY want a baby. The injectibles are typically derived from natural hormones. Tho the needles were not pleasant, it has fewer side effects than clomid (I had hot flashes on that) other than a sore ovary from hyperstim. If nothing else has worked, then hyperstim. will give you a better shot (no pun intended) for at least one egg to get fertilized and implant. They are VERY expensive. If you can order them before insurance runs out, I would do it. Hang on to them until your doc is ready to start you.

And you said you can cancel the current plan anytime you want. Personally, I think you've made a wise choice to spend the $500/mo to keep it for now. More aggressive treatments (even if IUI and not IVF) are expensive. I would have seen an RE earlier if I had had coverage.

Best wishes, sweetie!

~A~

JustA

thanks for the replies! What testing did you have before you started hyperstim. I have had an HSG some blood tests, Prolactin, tested for PCOS, make sure my antibodies are still present for Hepatitis and Measles etc. DH had a SA done. Is there anything else we should do before going on to the next step. I am very nervous about hyperstim. My sisters friend went through this and her ovary ruptured, she ended up passing out at work and the next thing she knew she was in the hospital. I am so nervous about side effects and damage that can be caused. I have my teaching class for the injections on Monday morning and they will be doing some lab work and an ultrasound...not really sure what the ultrasound is looking for or what blood work they will be doing. They told me as long as we start the injections before Day 5 we can go ahead. AF is on her way...spotting is increasing I expect her tomorrow.

DH is getting on my nerves...he just keeps saying he doesn't care about anything and that he just wants a baby meaning the side effects/risks. I said that is easy for him to say b/c he isn't the one shooting himself and experiencing the side effects. He told me that I am vain b/c I am worrying about gaining weight and not being able to work out! I told him it is more than that and I don't want something bad to happen to me like my sisters friend. OK...I am going on and on again! Have a great holiday weekend! Thanks for listening!



Koukla

koukla,

OHSS is SERIOUS, and my RE monitored me carefully. They need to "hyperstimulate" but not "over stimulate." Although I had some discomfort from the sore ovaries, I otherwise had no side effects. the ones you listed on the other thread never occurred to me. Clomid was much worse, from my experience.

You have to decide what you're ready to do. I'm 37. Been off BCP since 1996 with only one (unexpected) pg that whole time. I was ready to do whatever it takes (short of IVF cuz I could never afford it). For me, the risks (inlcuding risk of multiples) outweighed the serious likelihood that I would never conceive again with assistance. I was completely "over" conceiving "au naturelle." But, of course, that doesn't mean my situation applies to you.

Just weigh it out. Lots of women on this forum have undergone stims over and over. You just need to trust your doc. Okay? Does that help?

hugs,
~A~

JustA :wave:

Yes that helps a lot!!!! I am definately ready for this and want to move forward with getting PG but I guess I am just scared and nervous. I will pay attention to my body and side effects to make sure nothing goes wrong. I was like this before I went on femara and then realized that I over reacted for no reason. My DH and I are going to sit down and write a list of questions to take to the appointment on Monday. Thank you so much for being there for me...you all really make this so much easier. I really don't know what I would do if I didn't have all of you to turn to!

How have you been feeling lately? How far along are you now. I read all of your posts and was sooo excited for you! :D :D I hope your doing well...keep me posted.

P.S. I think it is wonderful that you have a BFP but still come on here and support all of us still ttc! You are truly an inspiration to all of us!!!! :angel:

thanks again,

Koukla :)

Thanks, koukla! I can still hardly believe I'm pg.

I forgot to respond to the "what tests" question. I had some tests done back in '97 or '98 when we first faced IF. This time around, we went in Feb. of this year to an RE in New Orleans. The u/s indicated possible endo on the left ovary so she suggested we r/o possible causes of IF FIRST before we spend our hard-saved $$ on treatments (this was to be out of pocket - except the lap cuz endo is covered).

So, she did a lap and found some mild endo, "obliterated it," she said; and did an hsg while I was 'under.' Everything looked healthy, she said. I felt so much better knowing there was nothing wrong with me. DH's SA was fine.

She had me go thru 2 AF cycles before stim's. Since clomid didn't work for me back in '97, and given my age, she suggested the injectibles. Then she asked if we wanted to ttc on our own that cycle!! After spending like $1500 on meds, we requested to go ahead and spend another $400 on the IUI. holy moly!! you know? I'm not spending that $$ for NOTHING. LOL! AFter 10 yrs and one pg, as I mentioned, I'm OVER the 'usual way!' ;)

I've rambled enough. We're fortunate to be healthy. I guess time will tell if anything else precludes us from carrying this lil one.

You're in my prayers, sweeti!
~A~