Getting This Party Started!

I just got cleared to start my meds...holy cow.

I've been driving myself crazy waiting for this day, but I have to say, I'm a little bit more nervous than I thought I would be.

I was randomized to the Menopur group in the study which I have mixed feelings about. I have talked to a lot of people that are a fan and some that think it's too aggressive to start with...we're going with it. One cycle at a time. One injection at a time. If it ever stops feeling right, we'll stop.

I was most concerned about ovarian hyperstimulation, but the Doctors have reassured me that I will be monitored so frequently that they would catch it very early, before it was a problem. Speaking of the monitoring...wow. I am going to be spending A LOT of time at this RE Clinic! Good thing I have a good selection books on my to-read list! I am only left wishing that it wasn't a 45 minute drive there.

Overall I am feeling excited and lucky to have qualified for the study...I felt especially lucky when I picked up my $1200 worth of menopur today that I didn't have to write a check for :) 

I had a "moment" today during my ultrasound when the RE pointed out the good potential follicles. Not everyone gets to see the beginnings of their baby like we do...one of the perks of infertility? Maybe not quite, but it was kind of fun thinking that one or two of those could soon be growing in my belly into my baby.

Next step: injections!

Shoot me up, Baby!

Today the Hubby and I attended an Injection Workshop to prepare us for our first IUI/Medicated Cycle...starting in just about a week!
I originally assumed that I would give myself injections, and as a Nurse, that really didn't scare me much. I have never been particularly afraid of needles so I didn't think much about that part of IUI at first.
But then I remembered the time I tried to give myself a Brazillian bikini wax. (I know! Not my smartest moment!)
"I never have a problem in the salon, so it should be fine, right?"
Wrong.
I got one strip in, and I could no longer force myself to pull off the wax. Like, I couldn't physically do it. My hands would start and immediately fall lifeless. Despite my tolerance to having it done by someone else and my relatively high tolerance to pain, doing it to myself was a no go.
I had the same vision of me attempting to poke a needle into myself...I don't know if it would go well!

In comes my wonderful and eager Husband. 
I say eager because he is a little too eager to give me these injections.
I feel a little guilty about it considering that he endured many practice IV starts and blood draws when I was in nursing school, but...I'm scared!
I trust him...but I'm still scared.
Watching his big hands jab the needle into the dummy with such conviction...yikes. 
I have a vision of him coming at me with that loaded syringe, jabbing it in like a dart. Ay, ay, ay.

Despite my reservations about my injection "Nurse", I am so excited to get this cycle started and I know he is going to do a great job. I also like the idea of him having an active part in the process.
I finally feel like we are making progress towards the end goal. 
Shoot me up. And hopefully BABY!

And we're in...

I have never been more excited for my period to start, because cycle day one means the start of our first (and hopefully only) IUI cycle with the AMIGOS study!

All labs were within their parameters, so we are scheduled to meet with the study coordinator to receive my medications on February 10th! 

I can't wait!

Any pre-IUI advice?

Hola Amigos

Today was our screening appointment for the IUI study I mentioned we were looking into. We completed the pre-screening process already...it was quite intense! Today I had a metabolic panel drawn, Hubby had some blood sent as well (he doesn't remember what! Boys!), and we went over the study in depth for the second time. Then I had a transvaginal ultrasound done to rule out ovarian cysts and take measurements of my ovaries and check my antral follicle count. Good times, ladies, good times.

Now we wait. 

As long as the labs are normal, we are in and we will start next cycle!

I was concerned (as many of you were) with being randomly assigned to a drug and potentially being assigned to injectable FSH. I still am concerned, but after hearing how stringently I will be monitored and reading the fifty page consent forms (yikes!) I am feeling much more comfortable with the idea. The supremely good news is that I can back out at any time, so if I was to be assigned to the "injectables" group I could still back out then. In the mean time, I am researching, researching, researching and we will also be consulting with the fertility clinic we were scheduled to meet with prior to all of this study business.

It's sinking in that this is our last month to "make it happen" before we move on to bigger (and more expensive and more invasive) things. I'm trying my best to NOT think about it and put pressure on us, because regardless of what happens, there is a plan.

I also can't help but think about how it feels a little like we're about to mess with biology. I know that I'm ready to pursue fertility treatments, but oh how I wish Mother Nature would just make it work instead. Sigh.

In case any of you are interested, check out the AMIGOS Study. 

There are several sites participating throughout the country and the study follows you through four IUI medicated cycles (Letrazol, Clomid, or FSH).

 

Hopefully The Hubby and I will say "hola" to the AMIGOS study next month! 

*If anyone has enrolled in the study, I would LOVE to talk to you!

IUI, meds, and studies...oh my!

All right veterans, this post is for you. I need some advice and seeing as I'm the only infertile I know in my group of friends and family, I am turning to you.

Today we received the news that our insurance has agreed to let us see a reproductive Endocrinologist. Too bad they hardly pay for anything, but whatever. I'll recognize the positives where I can.

Then, because I think the universe likes to confuse me, we were contacted regarding an IUI study that we may qualify for. Low cost IUI=Awesome. But participating in the study would mean we would bypass anything other options the RE may have recommended prior to moving on with IUI.

So...

1. For a woman who ovulates pretty darn regularly with normal labs and a man who has a marginally low sperm count, is IUI usually the first step? Or would meds alone usually come first? I'm just trying to get an idea of what our course would be like if we didn't go straight to IUI.

2. This is a study that involves IUI with ovarian stimulation using either Clomid, Letrazole, or Gonadotropins. Any experience with any of these. It's a random trial, so I don't get to pick the drug I receive. 

3. Any other helpful thoughts? I'm currently making my way through (with my highlighter!) the 39 pages of consent...it's going to be a long night.

Thanks in advance!