In my quest for baby #2, I've now completed my diagnostic hysteroscopy and an MRI (with and without contrast). The last time I had an exam with contrast (dye) was a HSG (hysterosaligram or something like that) and I shoved my legs in stirrups and they shot it in. That's what I was expecting again today. But nope - yet another IV had to be started into my tiny, barely there veins. Luckily they did the IV in the crook of my arm rather than in my hand, since my hand is still bruised from last week's IV.
An MRI is LOUD! I had earplugs and headphones on and it still sounded like an alternating machine gun and fire alarm going off. The exam itself wasn't too bad. Although I'm not sure I could have mentally handled being in the machine any further. I was just able to roll my eyes back and see the ceiling which helped me to stave off any feelings of claustrophobia. The radiologist wouldn't tell me anything. Hopefully I'll get some type of results on Monday.
In the meantime, the UK is still short on Bravelle, but think they will have shipment on Monday to send out. The cost savings from ordering in the UK vs the US is still worth waiting a few extra days. I already have to wait for the MRI results so maybe the timing will work out.
Fingers crossed that the MRI results don't show scar tissue requiring the laporascopy (another surgery where they would scrape the inside of my uterus - what fun).
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Hysteroscopy today
Well, I had my hysteroscopy today and it wasn't the result I was looking for. Sounds like the right fallopian tube is clear. The left fallopian tube is either blocked, or embedded in so much scar tissue that the doc couldn't see the end of it. It might also be the reason why the doc said my uterus looked smaller than he would expect, too much scar tissue. So now I need to have an MRI to help figure out what's going on. Good news of course is that since we know we're doing IVF, my fallopian tubes aren't really needed anyway. Although this also pretty much rules out any "surprise pregnancies". Bad news, too much scar tissue, nowhere for a baby to grow. More to come.
I am wiped out. Normally I do pretty well after surgery and anesthesia (I had 6 surgeries to have DS, so I know what I'm talking about). I always get the post-anesthesia chills and I go to the hospital with a sweater and a blanket to use in the car. Today I got home, finally ate food for the first time at 1pm, then proceeded to sleep for 3 hours and I still feel groggy. I wonder if it's my old age....
Updates from my previous post. My prolactin level looks great. It's supposed to be between 3-30 and mine is at 4. I ordered the most expensive drugs from the UK and my Ganirelix and Menopur have arrived. However there is a shortage of Bravelle and they are waiting to get another shipment. I'm going to have to play the time game to either hunt some down in the US, or keep taking birth control until it arrives. Considering I now have to have an MRI and see what those results are, the Bravelle might get here in time.
Any my favorite, I've already gained 2 lbs after being on birth control for 2 weeks. Lovely.
I am wiped out. Normally I do pretty well after surgery and anesthesia (I had 6 surgeries to have DS, so I know what I'm talking about). I always get the post-anesthesia chills and I go to the hospital with a sweater and a blanket to use in the car. Today I got home, finally ate food for the first time at 1pm, then proceeded to sleep for 3 hours and I still feel groggy. I wonder if it's my old age....
Updates from my previous post. My prolactin level looks great. It's supposed to be between 3-30 and mine is at 4. I ordered the most expensive drugs from the UK and my Ganirelix and Menopur have arrived. However there is a shortage of Bravelle and they are waiting to get another shipment. I'm going to have to play the time game to either hunt some down in the US, or keep taking birth control until it arrives. Considering I now have to have an MRI and see what those results are, the Bravelle might get here in time.
Any my favorite, I've already gained 2 lbs after being on birth control for 2 weeks. Lovely.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Familiar Routine
I realized I had some spotting the other day and nothing much else has happened. Hmm, wonder if that was yet again another "blink and you'll miss it" period. I called the doc this morning to say I think I'm on day 3 so I went in for testing. Most of the staff has changed, but it was comforting to go back to the same nurse that told me I was pregnant about 22 months ago.
The ususal chat with reception, bloodwork (with a better nurse than the normal one who unfortunately still works there but was on vacation this week) and then an ultrasound (u/s). My antral follicle count looks promising with about 10 on the right and 3 on the left - if only the left side of my body would kick it into gear. E2, P4, FSH and LH all look good. I'm still waiting on the prolactin level since they don't check that one in the office. But other than that, we're moving ahead. I picked up my BCP today and I'll start it tomorrow. I should be scheduling the hysteroscopy in the next week or two. Hopefully nothing shows up during that surgery requiring additional recovery time or medication.
We talked through the list of drugs they use for IVF. Many of the protocols have changed but the doc and I agreed to do exactly what we did last time. I got my Rx and have started looking at costs from the various IVF drug pharmacies. I think going to Europe is still cheaper, so I need to figure out dosages and put in an order so it can get shipped out. For just one drug for 12 days, I'm already at $1,080. I still have many more drugs to add to that list. I forget the staggering price of medication.
Here's hoping the prolactin level comes back low and my hysteroscopy doesn't turn up anything bad. Oh, and for scheduling surgery, timing would have it fall right on my DSs bday. Considering my horrible delivery and near death experience (botched c-section with 7 blood transfusions and 3 days in ICU), if I were superstitous I would probably avoid scheduling another surgery on the same day.
The ususal chat with reception, bloodwork (with a better nurse than the normal one who unfortunately still works there but was on vacation this week) and then an ultrasound (u/s). My antral follicle count looks promising with about 10 on the right and 3 on the left - if only the left side of my body would kick it into gear. E2, P4, FSH and LH all look good. I'm still waiting on the prolactin level since they don't check that one in the office. But other than that, we're moving ahead. I picked up my BCP today and I'll start it tomorrow. I should be scheduling the hysteroscopy in the next week or two. Hopefully nothing shows up during that surgery requiring additional recovery time or medication.
We talked through the list of drugs they use for IVF. Many of the protocols have changed but the doc and I agreed to do exactly what we did last time. I got my Rx and have started looking at costs from the various IVF drug pharmacies. I think going to Europe is still cheaper, so I need to figure out dosages and put in an order so it can get shipped out. For just one drug for 12 days, I'm already at $1,080. I still have many more drugs to add to that list. I forget the staggering price of medication.
Here's hoping the prolactin level comes back low and my hysteroscopy doesn't turn up anything bad. Oh, and for scheduling surgery, timing would have it fall right on my DSs bday. Considering my horrible delivery and near death experience (botched c-section with 7 blood transfusions and 3 days in ICU), if I were superstitous I would probably avoid scheduling another surgery on the same day.
Friday, July 2, 2010
I'm Dreading the Return of IF Stress
The countdown is here. AF should be coming soon which means I'll need to call the RE, start bloodwork and BCP. Call pharmacys to check the going rate of all my drugs (although I'm pretty sure I'll order from Europe again), track every day of my cycle and have my hysteroscopy. No magical cure happened to my body after being pregnant. I'm not one of those people who gets a surprise BFP. I'm one of those people that goes through massive amounts of fertility drugs to get 2 eggs and have nothing to freeze.
I'm currently about 5lbs below my pre-prego weight. I'm betting I'll gain a few lbs while on BCP. Then when I start up steriods I'll balloon up another 5lbs, and that's not even including when I start the other hormones (stim-fat, as we like to call it).
Although I'm dreading it, mentally I'm ready to start again. I just want to get this over with and be done building our family. I'm trying to prepare myself that it's not going to happen in the first IVF and will probably take a few rounds just like last time, but I know I'll be absolutely devastated with a BFN.
I'm currently about 5lbs below my pre-prego weight. I'm betting I'll gain a few lbs while on BCP. Then when I start up steriods I'll balloon up another 5lbs, and that's not even including when I start the other hormones (stim-fat, as we like to call it).
Although I'm dreading it, mentally I'm ready to start again. I just want to get this over with and be done building our family. I'm trying to prepare myself that it's not going to happen in the first IVF and will probably take a few rounds just like last time, but I know I'll be absolutely devastated with a BFN.
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