LUPRON!

Piece of cake.

Ten units down. It occurred to me today, as I was struggling to unwrap the Lupron package, what a LONG and drawn out ordeal this all is.

I feel like I was just taking Lupron for the IVF cycle . . . and now here I am again beginning Lupron for another cycle--this time, FET.

I have so much respect for couples who have done this three, four, five and even six+ times!

I have been through many cycles myself--but it is an entirely different thing when you are dealing with IVF/FET and a table FULL of medications and shots that you run your life around everyday.

I know I can and will do this-- I am just not looking forward to another round of headaches. . . damn Lupron!

Penguin Awareness Day brings on OVULATION!

I HAVE A PLAN!

I think the penguins helped!

On Thursday I finally ovulated on CD 16--really late for me. I'm assuming the lap threw it off a bit.

I called the RE and we set up a plan to begin Lupron (10 units) next Friday, January 28th. SWEET!!!

I feel like the FET is almost underway! FRIDAY it will be for real-- back to the daily shots.

Happy National Penguin Awareness Day!

As the official mascot for IF, I celebrate penguins today with this photo I took at the Milwaukee County Zoo last Sunday.

I like to look for things that are "signs of luckiness" and "good things to come" in our future.

DH and I saw it on the way out. Two penguins with green arm bands (my fave color) with a baby born on the 4th of July-- the due date for the last m/c we had.

For more on penguins and photos click here.

The Meds are here-- Ovulation--not so much.

THE MEDS HAVE ARRIVED!

After waiting going on three months since the last ectopic I can finally begin again!

Here's the inventory and some general information on the meds I am taking for the upcoming FET cycle:

Lupron or "Luprolide Acetate" is a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRH agonist).

Overstimulates the pituitary gland (which controls ovaries) causing LH and FSH to stop being produced--delaying ovulation until time for the FET/IVF or another ART procedure. It controls the time of ovulation so that the FET may be done at a precise time using the HcG trigger.

This is the first drug I will begin 8 days after ovulation--if it ever comes. I will take 10 units subcutaneous every night. (Along with the good 'ol Baby Aspirin). I will take this everyday until right before the FET. This stuff tends to give most people the horrible "Lupron headaches", mood-swings, and general crabbiness.

Estrogen. "Estradiol" Three 0.1mg Patches every three days or pills 2mg. (I haven't decided yet).

Stored at room temperature.

Other than the female parts, Estrogen controls the growth of follicles and uterine lining.

I begin taking the estrogen after the next period's day 3 test results.

I hate the damn patches. But after reading so much about how dangerous the pills can be after an extended period of time I am afraid to take those too. I'm pretty sure I am allergic (or at least very sensitive) to the adhesive on the patches, but a rash may be better than heart disease.

Side effects of the patches: Stickiness.

Progesterone in oil. (Sesame Oil, Cotton seed oil, etc.) "PIO".

Usually produced by the ovaries after ovulation, also produced by the placenta once pregnant.

4-6 days prior to the FET I begin to take PIO-- although I'm not sure how much yet. What I know is that these needles are much bigger than the tiny Lupron needles; stuck right into my ass once a day.

Tetracycline. 250 mg pills. 1 pill 4x/day.

Taken about the same time as PIO, right before the FET.

Antibiotic used to treat any infection before transfer, stopped a day or two before. Commonly used for many infections including acne--in my past. No biggie.

Medrol or "Methylprednisolone" 16 mg pill. 1x/ day before bed.

Begin about the same time as PIO, right before the FET. Last pill is taken the night of the FET.

Said to help with pre-embryo implantation.

HcG or "Pregnyl". 10,000 units. One time.

Does not need to be refrigerated, until opened.

Used to "trigger" ovulation as I would if I needed to use the eggs. It makes the body "release" and simulate the same hormones at a specific time. Not everyone does this for FET's but my RE thinks it is best. It also helps increase the lining of the ute. For FET I take this at the same time I give the first PIO shot. Yes, MANY things begin with the start of PIO. It's a long day of poking.

Prometrium. 200mg capsule.

Progesterone product, used to help relax the uterus before the transfer.

Inserted vaginally--yes, you heard it right. The morning of the FET the capsule is inserted high into the vagina. After insertion lay flat for at least 1/2 an hour.

***********************

Phew!

I hope that was somewhat informative-- and after all of that I am still learning myself.

However, until I ovulate I can't begin ANY of these medications. Good lord.

I really hope that the lap has not effected my ovaries. I am on CD 14 today and still nothing. This is unusual for me. I usually ovulate on days 11-13. On Thursday-- I will begin to panic. Until then, I will try to breathe and relax.

TTFN!

Meds ordered.

Medications have been ordered--again. They arrive Monday.

But this time about 3,500 dollars less. Oh yeah. I like this FET cycle already.

Now I await Ovulation. . . . CD 11 and counting. . . .

MEDS--Again.

Tomorrow I order my next round of meds.

I will get everything from last time except for the Gonal-F. . . I think. I told them I also want the estrogen pills instead of the patches since they make me itchy, rashy, and sticky from the adhesive. BLECH. I seriously rather take PIO than wear those patches every hour of the day. I just hope they work as well.

Anyone heard of any difference between estrogen patches and the pills?

LA Times article about Pill vs. Patch

(BTW: Don't type in "rash" or "estrogen patch rash" into google to find a photo for your blog). . .

UPDATE: Yeah, I've read enough. Pills apparently cause a much higher risk of developing many diseases, heart attacks, and can actually make women with IR and PCOS's symptoms worse since it effects the insulin. Patches and cream have shown no such effects and seem to supply a more steady stream of the hormone.

So screw that shit. I'll deal with the rash.

You owe me, future children. You owe me BIG.

Uh, can we say excitement?

I called the nurse today to say I was interested in finding out when I could get my calendar started for my FET.

Before I could practically finish my sentence-- she's telling me to begin using the OPK on Friday (CD10) and then 8 days later I'm going to start Lupron!

Holy crap-o!

At that pace my estimated FET could land on Valentines Day! :)

Either way, I still need to double check with my RE to make sure that is HIS plan, too. While the surgeon (last night at my post lap apt) and the nurse seem to think it is a "go", I'd like to double check.

Either way, it was way more excitement than I thought I would have today!

In other news, I got my photos from the lap. They're kinda gross if you ask me, but I'm adding tab at the top if you'd like to see them. If not-- well, they're hidden away from view. I thought it might be a little much to post them right on this post! :)

Additionally, DH and I foster for the Humane society and tomorrow get our first foster kitten group of the year! We haven't had one since last Spring since we have been trying to sell our home. But since we've recently taken it off the market and the holidays are over, we're going to try to foster a few more groups before we're up for sale with a new agent. . .Yes, three kittens that are one month old. Control yourselves. Pictures soon to come :)