Hey kids, sorry for all the drama on my last post. I sort of forgot what it was like to have no control over my life whatsoever. Ahhh infertility, you haphazard bastard- I kind of missed you.
Okay, not really...
So my appointment wasn't all bad. Except for the part after I'd gotten home and realized that I had shaved one leg twice, and the other not at all. That must have given Dr.3 a great impression. ("She'll probably Follistim her eye out", I'm picturing him telling the nurse) And I know I did one leg twice, because I switched razor blades on the second round... In case the first explanation didn't quantify my incompetence enough for you.
I digress.
The ultrasound. Right. So I made Brian go with me. To a baseline ultrasound. At first I wasn't going to ask him to come, but then I realized that this was the first appointment meeting our new RE (whom I've named Dr.3) and I really wanted him there. And truthfully having him with me gives me a sense of calm. It's like having someone to sit with on the first day of school, ya know? Anyway, the ultrasound was pretty standard, he pointed out my uterus and the lining, my femoral (right?) artery pulsing, then went on to each ovary and the follicle counts. It was at this point that he casually mentioned the OPCOS, in the same demeanor I'd imagine he'd have if he was telling me I had green eyes. I realize that this is common place for him, and essentially good news, but all I could think about is how TWO other RE's who'd seen my charts and gave me ultrasounds had never seen this, but Dr.3 nailed it over the phone. Meanwhile the vein in my forehead began pulsing and I could barely construct a sentence. He finished up, and told me about the Metformin, while I nodded likely with my mouth open, and he sent us on our way.
I will say that I have not thus far, noticed any side effects from the Metformin. I've heard from two IRL friends that it can be pretty nasty so I was a bit apprehensive about starting it, but I'm grateful to say it's been fine. Except that I can't really drink alcohol with it. Not that I was a big drinker before, but Dr. Google says the use of alcohol with this medication can disrupt the normal functions of my kidney and liver... Not quite the same as putting up with the runs.
Having now had a few days to cool down, I am a little more grateful for the diagnosis and the fact that it's potentially a good thing. Dr. 3 wants to put me on a Long Lupron Protocol, though I'm very familiar with most aspects of IVF, the medication protocol is my weak spot. Have any of you done the Long Lupron protocol? So far I've read it's typically very successful for first timers but of course I've come across a few horror stories about over suppression. What say you veterans?
11 comments:
Long lupron is usually the first protocol chosen for first time IVFers. Especially if there is not concern about low AFC. I did it twice (my first 2 IVFs) and my response differed each time. I don't think it was the protocol's fault why they were unsuccessful either. IVF is a bit of trial and error, and long lupron is a good place to start.
Good luck to you!!!
I did it my first time and it bombed. We did learn a lot from that cycle though.
Everyone is different and most people have great success with this protocol.
I can so relate to you wanting Brian at the scan with you - my hubby missed one scan in the last cycle and I was a mess the whole time. They really do help to keep us sane don't they.
Sorry I have no advice on the protocol, but really hoping you have the very best results with it and that I am reading news of your pregnancy here very soon.
Firstly I drank buckets on Met and seemed fine. Met gave me no side-effects and I was on a high dose.
Our trips are from a long lupron (lucrin here) cycle. It works best for me. Thats the problem you have to find out what works best for you sometimes at the expense of a cycle. Learnt that the hard way too.
I am so glad you had company for today's appt. I am now making my husband come to all appts with me, no reason to go through all of this alone right?
I am so glad that this new RE has it together and hope this means that you are getting the care that you need. I have never been on met before so I can not offer anything. I have done ivf 4 times, 2 with lupron 2 without. Lupron is not as bad as people say it is. I did get some headaches on it and fatigue, but nothing too bad. I think in both cases I was in for about 3-4 weeks. I was not overly supressed and we were able to get a reasonable number of eggs.
Let me know if you have any questions about it, happy to help if I can.
Good luck!!
Glad the appt went well, ultimately.
I know nothing about LLP, but hopefully since this doc picked up on the opcos pretty quickly he knows what he's talking about.
hey--at least you remembered to shave at all! I'm no help regarding the LLP, but way to go on having your hubby with you. I still trying to figure out how I'm going to talk my guy into missing work on a semi regular to drive the hour to my RE...
I wouldn't call myself an expert on the long lupron protocol, but that's what we did for our IVF. I stimmed very well (17 eggs retrieved), but have no idea if that's thanks to the lupron or not. I did have all the side effects that are listed for it, but only mildly so it wasn't so bad. The worst was headaches and insomnia. I think long lupron is a pretty standard protocol, so I bet you'll do fine on it!
Long lupron is pretty standard. I did it twice with my first RE and then did antagonist (awful for me) and microdose lupron from the geniuses at CCRM (HORRIBLE FOR ME) and then went back to long lupron with much begging. In the end, it was the best protocol for me (as I well knew) even though it didn't work ultimately. But hey, don't ever look at me as the IVF poster child :)
I did the LLP for my 1st IVF and had 38 eggs!! I am doing it again for my 2nd IVF.
I didn't have any side effects so for me it worked great except for getting that baby I was hoping for!!!
I had it on my first IVF. Email me if you have any questions. Anything I can do for you, you let me know, ok?
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