Went to my appointment this morning. Everything is going along as it should. The follicles growing on my right ovary are not big enough for the trigger shot yet. The follicles on the left ovary are much smaller. Let me just say that I dont like it when they look at that ovary because it hides behind my uterus and the pressure they have to use with the wand is not fun!
Anyways, I have another appointment in the morning for another ultrasound and bloodwork. We're hoping the largest follicle will be big enough for the trigger shot and insemination on Saturday or Sunday!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Day 8
I had another appointment this morning where they drew blood and looked at my ovaries. I listened while the doctor talked to the nurse and measured what need to be measured on the ultrasound. Of course I have no idea what any of it meant and honestly dont really remember most of it. I do know he measured two follicles on the right ovary and none on the left. I also know that I have another appointment bright and early Thursday morning. He also said that I might be ready then. I really dont know if I'm ready for that....I really dont want to do an IM shot and really dont want Shawn to do it either! I wonder if I can convince one of my nurse friends to give it to me! Any takers out there? I will also try to be more attentive to what the doctor is saying this next time and maybe try to learn a few things before the appointment.
I was really surprised that my appointment went as smoothly as it did since I had to work. Of course it was sprinkling/raining during my 10 minute walk to and from the building the clinic was in. I got report on all my kids, assessed them, went to the appointment and got back on the floor all before 8am!
I havent really said much about the medicine I am taking. Menopur is gonadotropins (FSH and LH) extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women. Gross to think about, so I just ignore that fact! But since it is natural hormones and not man-made like other medications, it has the least amount of side effects. So there is a positive. One side effect I'm not sure about is having multiple. Twins would be ok but I dont want any more than two at once!
Oh! I almost forgot. I am getting better at the shots. Last night was the best yet!
I was really surprised that my appointment went as smoothly as it did since I had to work. Of course it was sprinkling/raining during my 10 minute walk to and from the building the clinic was in. I got report on all my kids, assessed them, went to the appointment and got back on the floor all before 8am!
I havent really said much about the medicine I am taking. Menopur is gonadotropins (FSH and LH) extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women. Gross to think about, so I just ignore that fact! But since it is natural hormones and not man-made like other medications, it has the least amount of side effects. So there is a positive. One side effect I'm not sure about is having multiple. Twins would be ok but I dont want any more than two at once!
Oh! I almost forgot. I am getting better at the shots. Last night was the best yet!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Will it ever get easier?
I would like to say the shot was easier today but I dont know if that would be the truth. I know I didnt stare at it for as long before poking myself and it definitely burned like crazy going in! Plus this time it bled a little. I have never liked shots and my mom would always take me to Sonic after I got my shots. I think I will deserve a lot of Sonic after this experience!
I guess I should explain the study a little more and the other options I could have been selected to receive. From what I understand this study is trying to find the best med that will result in pregnancy with the least amount of multiples and also the effectiveness of these meds. I'm not the best of deciphering research lingo, so this is my most educated guess from what I looked at on clinicaltrials.gov. The meds in this study are typically used to induce ovulation in women who regularly ovulate but have had problems conceiving.
The three meds in the study are Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid), Letrozole (Femara), and Gonadotropin (Menopur). The first two are the oral meds and the last one is the injectable med. Also, the Clomid and Menopur are FDA for infertility treatments, where as the Femara is not FDA approved for infertility and is "investigational". The study will last four cycles unless I get pregnant before then.
When I become pregnant I will occasionally be seen at this clinic, for them the monitor my pregnancy along with visits with my regular doctor. Guess we'll figure this out when we get there. I also consented to have them follow my child for the first three years, but it should be just phone surveys. Something else to figure out when when we get to that point.
All I have to say is that I am thankful for this opportunity, even though I have to poke myself nightly. But I must say I am secretly glad to be chosen for the shot because as least I know what med I am getting. If I was selected for one of the pills I would not know what I had received until the study concluded next year.
I guess I should explain the study a little more and the other options I could have been selected to receive. From what I understand this study is trying to find the best med that will result in pregnancy with the least amount of multiples and also the effectiveness of these meds. I'm not the best of deciphering research lingo, so this is my most educated guess from what I looked at on clinicaltrials.gov. The meds in this study are typically used to induce ovulation in women who regularly ovulate but have had problems conceiving.
The three meds in the study are Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid), Letrozole (Femara), and Gonadotropin (Menopur). The first two are the oral meds and the last one is the injectable med. Also, the Clomid and Menopur are FDA for infertility treatments, where as the Femara is not FDA approved for infertility and is "investigational". The study will last four cycles unless I get pregnant before then.
When I become pregnant I will occasionally be seen at this clinic, for them the monitor my pregnancy along with visits with my regular doctor. Guess we'll figure this out when we get there. I also consented to have them follow my child for the first three years, but it should be just phone surveys. Something else to figure out when when we get to that point.
All I have to say is that I am thankful for this opportunity, even though I have to poke myself nightly. But I must say I am secretly glad to be chosen for the shot because as least I know what med I am getting. If I was selected for one of the pills I would not know what I had received until the study concluded next year.
Friday, June 24, 2011
What have I gotten myself into???
So I just gave myself my first shot! Eek!!! What have I gotten myself into? It took me about 10 minutes to convince myself that I can do this. As a friend just told me, I can now tell my Diabetic and Lovenox receiving patients I know how you feel! Lets see how long it takes me tomorrow. I hope I have a great day at work and will be at home when I have to poke myself again!
And the madness begins....
If you know me, you may know that Shawn and I have been trying to get pregnant for a while. Two years to be exact. Last summer my doctor ran a couple tests on me, we find out that my uterus is tilted and that my tubes are clear. Once I checked out we were sent on to the Bennett Fertility Institute at Baptist. At Bennett, we had an appt that lasted no longer than 30 minutes and were told to keep trying and we'd be pregnant by the next year. No exam done, just vitals and a visit with the doctor. Shawn was also referred to a Urologist at this time, who told him everything checked out ok after three abnormal semen analysis. Needless to say we were not happy with our care.
In March, I called Bennett to make an appt, left a message and never heard a word back from them. It was time to make a change. I called up the Reproductive Medicine clinic at OU Physicians and made an appt for the middle of June.
June finally arrives and it's time for my appt! I am amazed at how involved this appt is. I get my vitals checked, visit with the doctor, have an exam, bloodwork, and ultrasound done. We see that my uterus is tilted (I already knew that) and that my ovaries are just fine. We are also told about a study that we may be elgible for, the requirements are that I must have one open tube, ovulate, and Shawn's count needs to be above 5 million. I have one tube open, bloodwork showed I ovulate, and I really think Shawn's count is high enough. We are praying we qualify because it would be amazing to get four IUI's at no cost to us. The study involves three meds, two oral meds and one injection med. At the end of our appt I was told to call on my next Day 1.
Four days later it's Day 1, so I call to let the office know. Later that afternoon the office calls back and we qualify and can get everything started this cycle. I just need to come in on Day 3 for bloodwork, another exam for the study, and to turn in consent forms.
Day 3 arrives and the appt goes great and I am sent on my way with more paperwork. I get home and a couple hours later I get the call that we no longer qualify because Shawn's counts are too low but we can go in and collect another sample. I am beyond upset but we go back to the office and collect another sample. I am certian that we will not qualify and thinking of an alternative plan. Later that afternoon I get another call and we qualify and I can pick up my meds in the morning!
Day 4. I pick up my meds and find out that I was selected for the injections, the most aggressive treatment. I wanted the injections but didnt want them at the same time. If I got the injections I would know what med I am getting but then I have to poke myself everyday. With the two pills you wouldnt know which one you were taking. I am sent on my way with my meds, more paperwork, and an appt on Tuesday morning. Now I'm just waiting till I give myself my first shot this evening. I hope it goes well!
Needless to say (if you are still reading) this is all so very overwhelming and crazy! At my appt last Friday I had thought I would have time to let things digest and and time to process our options. One week later I am starting treatment and having to give myself shots.
In March, I called Bennett to make an appt, left a message and never heard a word back from them. It was time to make a change. I called up the Reproductive Medicine clinic at OU Physicians and made an appt for the middle of June.
June finally arrives and it's time for my appt! I am amazed at how involved this appt is. I get my vitals checked, visit with the doctor, have an exam, bloodwork, and ultrasound done. We see that my uterus is tilted (I already knew that) and that my ovaries are just fine. We are also told about a study that we may be elgible for, the requirements are that I must have one open tube, ovulate, and Shawn's count needs to be above 5 million. I have one tube open, bloodwork showed I ovulate, and I really think Shawn's count is high enough. We are praying we qualify because it would be amazing to get four IUI's at no cost to us. The study involves three meds, two oral meds and one injection med. At the end of our appt I was told to call on my next Day 1.
Four days later it's Day 1, so I call to let the office know. Later that afternoon the office calls back and we qualify and can get everything started this cycle. I just need to come in on Day 3 for bloodwork, another exam for the study, and to turn in consent forms.
Day 3 arrives and the appt goes great and I am sent on my way with more paperwork. I get home and a couple hours later I get the call that we no longer qualify because Shawn's counts are too low but we can go in and collect another sample. I am beyond upset but we go back to the office and collect another sample. I am certian that we will not qualify and thinking of an alternative plan. Later that afternoon I get another call and we qualify and I can pick up my meds in the morning!
Day 4. I pick up my meds and find out that I was selected for the injections, the most aggressive treatment. I wanted the injections but didnt want them at the same time. If I got the injections I would know what med I am getting but then I have to poke myself everyday. With the two pills you wouldnt know which one you were taking. I am sent on my way with my meds, more paperwork, and an appt on Tuesday morning. Now I'm just waiting till I give myself my first shot this evening. I hope it goes well!
Needless to say (if you are still reading) this is all so very overwhelming and crazy! At my appt last Friday I had thought I would have time to let things digest and and time to process our options. One week later I am starting treatment and having to give myself shots.
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