I hope she doesn't mind, but I really enjoyed Heather's comments on the last post, and wanted to post her story as strength and encouragement for us. It's always nice to hear success stories to bring us back up and help us feel like we can do it too!
- Heather -
I normally have nothing to say but get strength from you girls! I have been trying to get pregnant for 3 years and for the last 1.5 years have been on progesterone from day 16 to day 28 -with the test on day 28 and then go off if Negative (lots and lots of negatives). I know all of our stories are a little different - mine was I just wasn't getting pregnant(and we tested EVERYTHING) but had some spotting every month so they thought to put me on progesterone just to see (sounds like California is a little more aggressive that other places). It didn't get me pregnant but I started injectables and iui this year and to my GREAT surprise got pregnant after a few rounds and have been on progesterone for 10 weeks now and still crossing my fingers/toes and anything else I can think of. My dr will take me off it after 13 weeks when the baby starts making its own progesterone. My dr said there really isn't anything harmful to be on it so why not be on the safe side!!
I use the brand name Crinone- which I would highly recommend. I know they do shots which are painful and capsule inserts which melt and are messy. The crinone (sorry to be graphic) is like a little tampon that squirts cream up into you - it gets a little clumpy but it stays and works well. I know you can take it once or twice a day and I take mine every morning. There are a few side effect - I got a little depressed and more tired but didn't have the other side effects, I know others and it is just trying and seeing to how you react - but doable which is good!! It is actually what they put all of the girls on who do injectables or ivf that I have talked to.I know this is a long comment, I hope some of this helps!! And my thoughts are with you!
Sorry, I wanted to add one more clarification - the dr specifically told me to take it 2 days after I saw the lh surge on the pee sticks - which for me was consistently on day 14, so I started taking it on day 16. You don't want to take it before you ovulate so it doesn't mess up your cycle! Also I never bled, do you have a dr you feel comfortable asking? It took me a little bit (actually had a dr that laughed bc he thought at 25 I shouldn't worry about having babies...) but I finally found a dr (RE) that had a way to reach him on an answering machine to ask him questions that didn't need an appointment but brought me a little peace of mind - cause it is so frustrating being on new drugs!!
Thanks so much for sharing Heather!
Ya, I wondered about starting the progesterone on day 14 and how that would effect ovulation. My Dr. wasn't real clear on how it all worked, and I guess I didn't know enough to ask all the questions. I appreciate your experience with progesterone, that really helps a lot!
Well, I spotted for about 5 days, and it has stopped now, but I also stopped taking the progesterone on Saturday because I'm not pregnant. It's now Monday and no period yet. I hope I didn't mess things up. I'm a little concerned. There's a woman in my ward, a good family friend, who works for an OB/GYN with fertility specialty. I plan to talk to her soon and see if I can get in to this Dr. I'm not so confident in my previous Dr.'s infertility knowledge. I know he knows stuff, but he's a family practice Dr., so I didn't feel like I was getting all my needs met. I'm excited to start with a new Dr. and hopefully have some success soon. My mom said this guy is good and he's the one that all the girls go to to help them get pregnant. We'll see :)
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I dont mind you posted at all! I am glad it helped a little bit and good luck with your new dr - it makes all the difference to find someone you trust!
The hardest thing is to keep moving forward and finding hope. I have to admit that the night before my only positive I was bawling my eyes out ALL night and researching IVF stuff, it was not a graceful process:) I have done lots- been on metformin (just in case? I dont have pcos), full allergy screening, lots of blood work, the hsg test, ultrasounds, progesterone and finally injectables/iui. I also worried I was doing something wrong, so I saw a congnitive behavioral specialist (best money spent ever), did yoga, meditation and accupuncture went on lots of vacation, tried "not to try" - although some helped me cope, they did not give me what I truly desired. I heard I should relax alot - but the bottom line is that it is a medical problem most of the time. Stressed people get pregnant all of the time and not stress people don't, it isnt us that is the problem and I was happier when I finally realized that. People that deal with infertility are some of the strongest people I know, with amazing testimonies and love. I wish everyone luck and that we will all get the desires of our hearts.
Sorry, that was more than I planned on writing again:)
In response to the last comment, I really appreciate your comment about stressed people getting pregnant and unstressed people not. It can get frustrating when people just keep saying, "Don't worry about it, stop worrying, don't stress about it, etc." Good to know things are working for you Heather!!!
How were the injections? That is my next step and I'm terrified about them. Would you mind walking me through how they work and how they made you feel? Did your husband have to give them to you? My husband is terrified...as am I.
Hi,
Sorry - small book ahead!! I just wish I had someone who could have explained it to me and I tend to write alot:)! If you want to leave your email I can email you too!
They really arent that bad (well, not great but doable:)! I would make sure you have an appt with your dr to specifically walk through the whole process bc each dr does it a little different. I used Follistim (brand name) that had a shot "pen" that came with it - it was REALLY easy to calculate the dose (you can google the brand). I also made sure to order the drugs a few weeks before I started so I had it waiting and ready to go. I know some you have to mix in water and blend but I would ask for this if you can (dont be afraid to ask for what you want or at least have him explain why he chose something different!). They are tiny vials you put in the pen and then twist to the dosage you need and do the injection. I am not afraid of needles so I might be biased but the needle is seriously TINY. It is a little freaky to jab it in, but if you do it fast it is almost painless! Although there was bruising and some bruise more than others. I found it easier to give it to myself than my husband(he is squeamish) but I know others that had their husbands or moms do it.
I started on day three and then had a shot every night, I had ultrasounds about every other day (he did them in the morning before work which was such a blessing) to monitor the growth of the eggs - which is actually really cool to see and to know something is really working! When they reach the right size they have you take a trigger shot (had to mix, bigger needle but at least it was only one shot and I treated myself to ice cream after:)) I would also ask your dr how many eggs they allow for your age, mine wouldnt go above 4 bc the risks were too high, which I appreciated. 36 hours later they did the IUI. My dr wouldnt do injectables without IUI bc if you are going to do all of that work give it the best shot possible even in there isnt anything wrong with the little swimmers! It isnt super planned bc they dont know how your body will respond -this was super frustrating since I am a complete planner but I just did alot of deep breathing:)
I did have some side effects - serious bloating, blah feeling, tired and more emotional and everyone is different. I made sure I didnt have alot planned and going on that month. Eating protein(bars and egg whites) and fiber helped with the side effects. I would also make sure to check with insurance, mine covered the drugs and ultrasounds but not the actual procedure - it is just good to be prepared. One more thing to be aware of is that the chances of getting preg the first time compared to the 6th time are the same, even though it seems like it cant fail the first time doesnt mean it wont work later (found this out after my major meltdown when the first round didnt work). You can TOTALLY DO THIS!! It is hard and even more frustrating when you dont know if it will even work ever but you keep going! Just make sure to plan some pedicures for yourself and load up on icecream:)
I have a good friend in Provo who is dealing with infertility and is looking for Doctor recommendations. Would you mind passing along names of the Doctor(s) you liked? A good dr. is worth their weight in gold. Thanks!
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