Taking The Long Way

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?

Something That Could Have Been Brought To My Attention YESTERDAY

Or two fucking years ago, before we spent six months and thousands of dollars on DIUI's that were NEVER GOING TO FUCKING WORK.

I have Ovulatory Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Different than "Classic" PCOS.

(Thank you Meg, for the link.)

Yeah, I've never heard of it either.

Maybe I would have, had I been diagnosed TWO FUCKING YEARS AGO. Because then I would have known that one of the symptoms of OPCOS is an elevated blood sugar level which can hinder implantation - KIND OF A BIG FUCKING FACTOR don'tcha think?!?!

So yesterday I had my CD3 Antra Follicle count. Our new RE (I need to come up with a name for him) wanted to see my ovaries in an "unchallenged state", meaning before there was a dominant follicle present. He quickly counted eight resting follicles on my left, and 12 on my right. FYI, the average for most women is about 10-12 total between the two ovaries. I have 20.

He mentioned something about this on the phone consult Saturday, but honestly I didn't have any idea what he was talking about, because I knew I didn't have any of the "Classic" Polycystic symptoms. But evidently he saw it coming because I have a 30 day cycle, which is a indicative of women with OPCOS. The only good thing about this is that it means I am likely to yield a higher reserve of follicles on a low dose of stims.

He wants me to start on Metformin asap. He says it will essentially make me "more fertile". And thanks to the link Meg sent me, I now know that is because the Metformin will regulate my insulin levels therefore bypass any implantation problems. He also said he will keep me on it until I am 12 weeks along, because it can also decrease the risk of miscarriage for someone like me.

I know I should be happy about the fact that it's finally been diagnosed, and our RE just kept reassuring me that it's actually a good thing because it means I'll be a better than average responder. But just having found out - I'm pretty hung up on the fact that this wasn't caught sooner. It kills me to think about how much time and money was wasted, but most importantly how the failed cycles caused such an epic amount of unnecessary heartache. Really the time and money was one thing, but the depression that followed not only comprimised my marriage but has forever changed who I am as a person.

Oh and now I have to sit with what else could come back from the rest of my blood tests. And all TWENTY-FOUR vials that they took!!!! It was twenty three, but the lab called later yesterday afternoon to tell me they had forgotten one. GAH. And fuck, what if the insurance deception doesn't work?!?!

Commence Meltdown.
(Number One)