Thursday, May 18, 2017

Gearing up for round 4


It was touch and go whether my uterine biopsy results would arrive in time for me to start our next round of IVF. I provisionally made an appointment for early this week and we had left it that I would call that morning to see if the results had arrived in time and presumably if they hadn't I'd need to postpone treatment for another month or two. Although if they showed that I had an infection (Endometritis) then I'd need antibiotics for several weeks and have to postpone anyway.

Both the GerMann and my sister were thinking it would be good if I had Endometritis since it would mean something to treat and a reason IVF hasn't worked until now. Personally I was hoping I wouldn't have it, as I don't particularly want to find another issue potentially wrong. It's already a hassle having all the immune problems.

Dr. Peppy (my nickname for her) had emailed me a few days before my appointment saying that my results arrived and they were "unauffällig" (unremarkable) so nothing stands in my our way now. She sounded excited in her email which was sweet! I was also happy as initially the clinic had phoned hubby to say the results were there but they wouldn't discuss them on the phone which led me to start worrying that maybe they were bad and the doctor wanted to tell me in person!

Several things happened at my appointment this week.

  • The ultrasound showed a cyst (urgh), so I'll need another ultrasound once my period starts to make sure that's gone before I can begin

  • There was a problem with my health insurance (the eejit at my health insurance office had filled out the form wrong. He also had mistakenly told me I'd be covered for three more IVF cycles when actually I should only be covered for one more). so that's a bit disappointing. It all rests on IVF number 4..

  • My womb lining apparently looked nice and thick

  • Dr. Peppy has decided that instead of me doing the long protocol like we had agreed before, she wants me to do the short protocol again but try a new drug called Elonva. You inject it once and it gradually releases the hormone over several days. She has seen promising results from women in her clinic who have taken it

  • The plan is that first we need to get things sorted with my health insurance. Then once my period arrives I need to get checked either at my local doctor or at the clinic to make sure it's gone then I can start with the injections on the third day of my cycle

  • She would like me to start taking a low dose of Prednisolone before transfer this time. They also only administer one round of Intralipids in the weeks before you start IVF. The next one would be after the egg collection. I was able to get my first Intralipid done while I was there. Of course this all assumes that I'll be able to start next week...

So that's where I'm at. I feel a little overwhelmed about going through it all again. Scared too. The only part I'm actually looking forward to is the transfer. I like my doctor though and trust her. I'll know more in a week whether I'm starting or not.

16 comments:

  1. GOOD LUCK!!! I have everything crossed for you!

    Antibiotics for endometriosis? I didn't realise you could treat endo with antibiotics. Hmm.

    I need to phone the doctor today to make an appointment for next week. Just working up the nerve now. I hate making phone calls auf Deutsch!

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    1. "Antibiotics for endometriosis? I didn't realise you could treat endo with antibiotics." ---> same here.

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    2. oh gosh, sorry for the mix up. I meant "Endometritis". I've corrected the blog post now. Endometritis is an infection you can get that can be treated by antibiotics. It's different from "Endometriosis". I just wrote the wrong one!

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    3. Bev, I also hate making phone calls auf Deutsch! It's much easier in person. Hope you make the appointment and everything goes well at the doctor. Good luck

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  2. Eeek i hope you get your health insurance sorted. Really hope that gets sorted so you can begin, wishing you all the best for the next round! xx

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    1. Things are sorted with the health insurance now, luckily. And just in time too. Thanks for the well wishes! x

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  3. I'm sending you happy thoughts. I really want this to succeed for you. I hope you're able to have a miracle. That's scary about the health insurance.

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    1. Thanks so much. I'm hoping for a miracle this time too! Also hoping for you! Yeah the health insurance thing was stressful but sorted now just in time

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  4. Oh, good luck! I hope the ultrasound shows no more cyst. Your doctor sounds great, and the health insurance aggravating. All good thoughts for you and high hopes...The nerves before can be so awful, I hope you feel better as you swing back into the groove of all the meds and appointments and inch towards your transfer day.

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    1. Thanks Jess. Yeah the nerves have been getting to me. It's hard facing the roller-coaster again. I got another check this morning and cyst has gotten smaller so approved to start!

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  5. This is so exciting, Dubs! I'm praying for you that this cycle leads you and GerMann to take-home baby!

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  6. What is "eejit" and was that photo taken during one of your intralipids IVs?

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    1. Nevermind. I Googled "eejit." I thought it was a term for someone who handles benefits in the HR division. Boy, was I wrong. Ha ha.

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    2. haha! Yeah eejit is what we say in Ireland for someone who does something stupid. I was annoyed that the guy at my health insurance company didn't know how to fill out the form correctly. Luckily it's all been sorted in time. Yea, I took that photo at my intralipid last week! :)

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  7. Ooh...exciting but overwhelming! I was on prednisone before transfer this time and it worked for me. Got everything crossed for you xxx

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    1. Yeah it's a mixture of feeling totally overwhlemed though also excited for the transfer if all goes well! Interesting that you were on prednisolon too. I'm hoping being on it longer this time will help. x

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