Hi Sweet Pea...Has your RE given you the stats and made a reccomendation as to how many IUIs they're willing to do before advising IVF? Are/have you considered this costly venture?
I ask because I'm following in your footsteps it seems...I've had 5 failed IUIs and my doc called me in the other day and basically gave me the option of continuing IUIs or moving to IVF. It totally blew my mind and pulled the rug out from beneath me. Especially because ALL of my tests have turned out perfectly normal. How in the worl am I supposed to make this mental leap?
I'm really struggling (for so many obvious reasons you all know) about how to make this choice. I just cannot believe the IUIs aren't working and I just don't know how many more to try. I'm already really depressed and starting to get discouraged after 5 so I can only imagine where your head is at after 7.
How have all of your tests looked? My doc tells me that 60-70% of all people in my age group with similar medical test results (all perfectly within the norm) should get a positive with IUI within 4-6 attempts. Then there are "those other patients" who, for some reason, don't have success with IUI and they don't know why because all of their tests show they should....I'm starting to fall into that category and my RE is telling me to strongly consider IVF because most of those patients get results when they make the jump.
So, I just wanted to see where your head is at, I understand how distraught you might be feeling right now. I'm with you girl and you're not alone!!
MandC - I'm trying not to worry about it. I have random thoughts about "what if this one doesn't work", but I do something to distract myself when that happens. I came across your bbt chart that you posted. Would you mind sharing what day you had your IUI compared to when the chart says you ovulated? I'm curious since we had such similar timing with the surge and the IUI the next day.
Catchavez - I actually had my 8th IUI on 8-6. I already had an appt scheduled with the doctor that day to discuss what's next if this one doesn't work. None of my tests have shown anything that would stop the IUI's from working. The last 3 have been with clomid 50 mg and the last two have also been with a new donor. I'm trying everything possible right now. I'm on prometrium this cycle. The doctor said it wouldn't hurt. My doctor is willing to do 6 cycles on clomid, but after that she doesn't want to continue with it. She said I had a good response to the clomid. I know the first cycle with it, I had one good sized follicle. I'm not sure about the last two cycles because I didn't have the ultrasounds. She said the next step would be injectibles, then IVF. Since I don't have insurance coverage for anything, I'm not sure what I'll do. She said that on a cycle with injectibles, the meds could cost around $1000 with another $1000 on ultrasounds. But with the costs of multiple IUI's adding up, injectibles may be cheaper. Hopefully this cycle will work, then I won't have to think about it!
As for symptoms, who knows. This is the first time I've take Prometrium, so I don't know what is from that. So far, I've been a little nauseated the last few days, but it's a little early for that, so it's probably the pills.
Hello Ladies!!! I just wanted to let you know that I am in the same boat. I will do my 7th IUI in August and I too have been told that everything looks great and that I should be able to get pregnant. I think I am almost at the end of my journey with IUI's we are going to use the last 3 vials and then look at other options. I just came to the realization that I am mad at God and that is okay. I need to be able to be mad at someone and he is more likely to forgive me than anyone. Well keep me posted on how you are doing. Kelly
Sweet Pea darlin' good luck to you on this one, don't know how the heck I missed that it was #8!
In a twisted way I'm so glad to have you ladies that are on a prolonged IUI journey. Not glad of course that its not working sooner for all of us, but I was beginning to feel so alone. This process has been wreaking havoc on my mental state and only because all my tests showed normal I expect/expected IUIs to work. So sweet pea my doc gave me the option of injectibles and an IUI before moving to IVF but she said it is an investement of at least $1000 for the meds (and yes, more u/s) and could be more depending on the pharmacy etc and that its really my choice about where to allocate the money.
DP and I are back and forth on wether we want to go ahead with IUI #6 or move straight into IVF. Making this decision was equally as difficult as selecting our donor.
Kelly, hello, thanks for sharing, it helps me stay emotionally more upbeat to know I'm not the only one with these fantastic test results and no success with IUI.
The curveballs are many. I would take a road riddled with thorns if I just knew that was the right road ya know? I think the "unknowns" are the worst part for me.
Sweet pea I am pulling some major dust energy out of the universe for you sunshine. Stay positive, take care of you and know that there are people in this world you'll probably never meet that are pulling for your success. This is what helps keep me going.
FYI, injectible cycles cost me around $4,200 each cycle. The meds themselves (probably depends where you get them)cost me around $1,800. I had bloodwork and ultrasounds done almost every other day, at $385 per u/s (getting up to 4 or 5), plus the cost of shipping the vials, and also the cost of the insemination. It all adds up very quickly!
Keep this in mind as you make your decision, and good luck this cycle! I'm a day ahead of you, i had my 6th IUI on 8-5.
BTW Kelly.....I'm mad too....just not sure at what...but I feel ya. I'm trying so hard to not get swept up in the negative emotions. But it is almost impossible some days. These ladies on these boards amaze me, they always seem so positive and I strive to be more that way when faced with the same difficulties they're facing. hang in there. I'm pulling for you too :)
I just started tracking BBT this cycle. I'm not sure why I never did before...
I got my surge on CD16 at noon and did the IUI on CD17 at 9am. My doctor said I would probably ovulate sometime on the evening of CD17, so the sperm would be there waiting. My chart says I ovulated on CD18. My temps showed a big jump on CD19, but I also started taking the prometrium on CD18. I just got nervous that the IUI was too early based on my BBT chart, but according to my Dr, she thought it was just right. Although, she has said every other cycle seemed great, and look where I'm at now.
Kelly and Catchavez - I'm mad, too. Actually, really incredibly mad. I'm not sure who I'm mad at yet, either. I think I'm mad at myself that my body isn't "working" the way I want it to. I'm mad at the doctor because she keeps saying "everything looks great this cycle". I also get mad when I see people I don't even know that have kids/babies when it seems like they can't afford clothes and food.
I'm trying to stay positive, but I'm really struggling. I know right now it's too early to test, but when it comes time, I'm scared to do it because I don't want to see another BFN.
Sweet Pea...I still think your timing was okay...my doctor mentioned having the sperm there awaiting the egg too...so it doesn't sound odd to me. Try to relax and eliminate stress...surround yourself by happy thoughts.
So, I had my 8th IUI 2 weeks ago today. I've been taking Prometrium now for 14 days (after the last one tonight). I was told to call the office if there is no AF after the 14 days on Prometrium. I've taken a few HPT's, and all have been negative, including this morning. My temps are still high, but I think that can be caused by the drugs, so I'm not reading much into that. I now have little hope again this cycle. My guess is that they will tell me to stop the Prometrium, and wait for AF.
I'm really not sure how much more of this I can take.
Come and talk to us... we're here... don't give up... have you had a blood test? I'm currently in TWW but hear that even when the HPT's say no, it sometimes says yes...
No, I haven't had a blood test yet. Probably tomorrow, but I'm waiting for the dr's office to call back. I know there's still a chance, I've actually been trying to tell myself that all week, but I'm becoming less and less convincing to myself.
Sweet Pea...Im sorry to hear! Have you tried FSP? Its a form of IUI however much more successful. We got pregnant on our second try. Good luck to you!!!
Thanks for the positive comments. Unfortunately, I had my blood test today, and the results were consistent with the tests I've taken - BFN. I'm supposed to stop the Prometrium now and wait for AF to come.
I don't know what to do next. I'm so frustrated and depressed right now. Maybe it's just not ment to be.
Kandafisher - I've never heard of FSP. I'll have to do some research to see what it is. Maybe that would be an option.
Sweet Pea...I'm so sorry...I can only imagine the heartache that you are dealing with. I hope you don't give up...I'd check into the FSP that kandafisher is talking about. :)
Well, CD1 was yesterday. I'll start taking the clomid again tomorrow (if they'd ever call it in). I made a trip to Target yesterday (half an hour away) to pick up what was called in, but it was never called in.
I also asked about a trigger shot, just to make me feel better about the timing. My usual coordinator is on vacation, so I've talked to a few people. The first nurse thought it was a good idea. Then another coordinator called to talk to me. She said if I'm getting a positive on my kit, then that means I'm ovulating. That's what the trigger shot would do, make me ovulate. That's not why the IUI's are not working, it's just not working. I usually try to be nice, so I kept my comments to myself this time. Like I haven't yet noticed it's not working? I'm not a doctor/nurse, but even I've figured out it's not working. The HPT's tell me that every month!
I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now. I'm frustrated with the dr's office over the last few days events. I thought about taking a month off, but I think that would be harder on me than just trying again. But, I don't know how many more times I can do this. Each failure is eating more and more at me. Right now I'm a stressed out mess. I'm trying not to be, because I know that doesn't help.
So, now I'm a little, maybe a lot, confused. The dr's office called back just now and said they are ordering a trigger shot for me that would be shipped to my home address. I should test for my positive LH surge, call my coordinator with the positive, they would tell me when to trigger, then they would schedule the IUI, usually 36 hrs after the trigger. Most of this sounds like what I've heard others with a trigger do, but I'm confused about still testing for the surge. I thought the trigger was based on the follicle size. Can anyone offer any help here?
Actually that's not correct... about you getting a positive on your kit meaning that you're ovulating... that just shows that the LH surge is happening. The only way to know IF you have is your 7dpiui progesterone level check... which is something, curse of reading, that I recently found out and had to demand to have yesterday... if you're on a non-med cycle (like I am) anything above 10 means you did, above 15 on meds means you did... got a 17 for myself.
And I thought the same thing about the trigger shot also... ladies who been though this?? We could use your help here!!
While I don't know what you feel, I can sympathize with you... when I got my first BFN... I felt like giving up... then I started reading... that was back in May and I just had my second IUI on the 17th.
Turns out I had more problems than I knew about... low progesterone levels, fibroids, blocked tubes... and I took that time to get those things that I felt I needed to deal with dealt with... and you wouldn't believe how unstressed I am right now... got that outta the way the last three months.
Perhaps you should take a month off... just to give your body a chance to wind down... while I was forced to sit out the last three months, now that I'm back in the TWW, things are a lot easier... every little thing I feel, I don't get anxious about... been there, done that... waiting for 16dpiui!!
Do what feels right for you, but having said that after 8 BFN's we took 2 months to just relax and force ourselves to think about something else and now we are 26 weeks along with our little Chloe!! Good Luck to you in whatever you decide!!
Wanted to get some news... I've read your thread. I know it's hard. Listen to the ladies.. it is a roller coaster and I felt like you. I did 5 IUI starting Sep. 2008 until Jan. 2008. I thought I would be pregnant after trial 2 or 3. My vials ran out. I waited six months and started all over. I've spent thousands already on the first try.
I'm on my TWW! And started with a new donor. And i've changed my mind set. I was in such a hurry and kept worrying about the money running out. I moved and even changed jobs. I am ready to go through it again, but I feel a lot more at peace now. Did you buy all IUI? or do you have any ICI? I did my first at home insemination and I thought it was so much more personal and less stressful. If that's an option for you, I highly recommend it.
Thanks for sharing. I will be doing my 9th IUI next week sometime. I took clomid and will be doing a trigger shot (Ovidrel) once I detect my surge. This is my second donor, so I'm hoping I don't need to switch again. I only bought IUI vials, and all vials of my donor are now sold out, so ICI isn't an option right now. I think in the beginning I was in a hurry. I really haven't been thinking about it much this cycle. I'll do the IUI when it's time. Usually I'm worried about what day I'll need to go, but I'm trying not to think about it. I've been busy at work, so that's helping. Unfortunately this whole process has become such a routine for me - it's just what I do every month now. I'm a little nervous about the trigger shot, since it will be new this time.
I got my surge on Monday morning and called the dr's office to find out when to do the trigger and to schedule the IUI. They said they'd call back by 10, but I didn't end up hearing from them until after 2. My coordinator said I don't need the trigger since I detected my surge. Isn't that what I asked them in the first place?!? Why am I waiting until I get the surge to do the trigger??? Anyway, she said it wouldn't hurt if I did it, so I did that around 4pm once I got home. I went for my IUI (9th one) yesterday (Tuesday) at 2pm, which is later in the day than usual. Hopefully this will be the month. I'm keeping everything crossed!
we just had our 7th neg pregnancy test. 6 failed with previous donor and 1 with the new one. this is so heart wrenching. the hardest part is being believers in god and christ and praying and praying, then getting that negative. it feels like a double whammy not being pregnant and also feeling as if your prayers are going unheard.
Comments
I ask because I'm following in your footsteps it seems...I've had 5 failed IUIs and my doc called me in the other day and basically gave me the option of continuing IUIs or moving to IVF. It totally blew my mind and pulled the rug out from beneath me. Especially because ALL of my tests have turned out perfectly normal. How in the worl am I supposed to make this mental leap?
I'm really struggling (for so many obvious reasons you all know) about how to make this choice. I just cannot believe the IUIs aren't working and I just don't know how many more to try. I'm already really depressed and starting to get discouraged after 5 so I can only imagine where your head is at after 7.
How have all of your tests looked? My doc tells me that 60-70% of all people in my age group with similar medical test results (all perfectly within the norm) should get a positive with IUI within 4-6 attempts. Then there are "those other patients" who, for some reason, don't have success with IUI and they don't know why because all of their tests show they should....I'm starting to fall into that category and my RE is telling me to strongly consider IVF because most of those patients get results when they make the jump.
So, I just wanted to see where your head is at, I understand how distraught you might be feeling right now. I'm with you girl and you're not alone!!
Catchavez - I actually had my 8th IUI on 8-6. I already had an appt scheduled with the doctor that day to discuss what's next if this one doesn't work. None of my tests have shown anything that would stop the IUI's from working. The last 3 have been with clomid 50 mg and the last two have also been with a new donor. I'm trying everything possible right now. I'm on prometrium this cycle. The doctor said it wouldn't hurt. My doctor is willing to do 6 cycles on clomid, but after that she doesn't want to continue with it. She said I had a good response to the clomid. I know the first cycle with it, I had one good sized follicle. I'm not sure about the last two cycles because I didn't have the ultrasounds. She said the next step would be injectibles, then IVF. Since I don't have insurance coverage for anything, I'm not sure what I'll do. She said that on a cycle with injectibles, the meds could cost around $1000 with another $1000 on ultrasounds. But with the costs of multiple IUI's adding up, injectibles may be cheaper. Hopefully this cycle will work, then I won't have to think about it!
As for symptoms, who knows. This is the first time I've take Prometrium, so I don't know what is from that. So far, I've been a little nauseated the last few days, but it's a little early for that, so it's probably the pills.
I just wanted to let you know that I am in the same boat. I will do my 7th IUI in August and I too have been told that everything looks great and that I should be able to get pregnant. I think I am almost at the end of my journey with IUI's we are going to use the last 3 vials and then look at other options. I just came to the realization that I am mad at God and that is okay. I need to be able to be mad at someone and he is more likely to forgive me than anyone. Well keep me posted on how you are doing. Kelly
In a twisted way I'm so glad to have you ladies that are on a prolonged IUI journey. Not glad of course that its not working sooner for all of us, but I was beginning to feel so alone. This process has been wreaking havoc on my mental state and only because all my tests showed normal I expect/expected IUIs to work. So sweet pea my doc gave me the option of injectibles and an IUI before moving to IVF but she said it is an investement of at least $1000 for the meds (and yes, more u/s) and could be more depending on the pharmacy etc and that its really my choice about where to allocate the money.
DP and I are back and forth on wether we want to go ahead with IUI #6 or move straight into IVF. Making this decision was equally as difficult as selecting our donor.
Kelly, hello, thanks for sharing, it helps me stay emotionally more upbeat to know I'm not the only one with these fantastic test results and no success with IUI.
The curveballs are many. I would take a road riddled with thorns if I just knew that was the right road ya know? I think the "unknowns" are the worst part for me.
Sweet pea I am pulling some major dust energy out of the universe for you sunshine. Stay positive, take care of you and know that there are people in this world you'll probably never meet that are pulling for your success. This is what helps keep me going.
Keep us posted!!
FYI, injectible cycles cost me around $4,200 each cycle. The meds themselves (probably depends where you get them)cost me around $1,800. I had bloodwork and ultrasounds done almost every other day, at $385 per u/s (getting up to 4 or 5), plus the cost of shipping the vials, and also the cost of the insemination. It all adds up very quickly!
Keep this in mind as you make your decision, and good luck this cycle! I'm a day ahead of you, i had my 6th IUI on 8-5.
KUP!
I got my surge on CD16 at noon and did the IUI on CD17 at 9am. My doctor said I would probably ovulate sometime on the evening of CD17, so the sperm would be there waiting. My chart says I ovulated on CD18. My temps showed a big jump on CD19, but I also started taking the prometrium on CD18. I just got nervous that the IUI was too early based on my BBT chart, but according to my Dr, she thought it was just right. Although, she has said every other cycle seemed great, and look where I'm at now.
Kelly and Catchavez - I'm mad, too. Actually, really incredibly mad. I'm not sure who I'm mad at yet, either. I think I'm mad at myself that my body isn't "working" the way I want it to. I'm mad at the doctor because she keeps saying "everything looks great this cycle". I also get mad when I see people I don't even know that have kids/babies when it seems like they can't afford clothes and food.
I'm trying to stay positive, but I'm really struggling. I know right now it's too early to test, but when it comes time, I'm scared to do it because I don't want to see another BFN.
:)
I'm really not sure how much more of this I can take.
KUP
Stay positive!!!
I don't know what to do next. I'm so frustrated and depressed right now. Maybe it's just not ment to be.
Kandafisher - I've never heard of FSP. I'll have to do some research to see what it is. Maybe that would be an option.
I also asked about a trigger shot, just to make me feel better about the timing. My usual coordinator is on vacation, so I've talked to a few people. The first nurse thought it was a good idea. Then another coordinator called to talk to me. She said if I'm getting a positive on my kit, then that means I'm ovulating. That's what the trigger shot would do, make me ovulate. That's not why the IUI's are not working, it's just not working. I usually try to be nice, so I kept my comments to myself this time. Like I haven't yet noticed it's not working? I'm not a doctor/nurse, but even I've figured out it's not working. The HPT's tell me that every month!
I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now. I'm frustrated with the dr's office over the last few days events. I thought about taking a month off, but I think that would be harder on me than just trying again. But, I don't know how many more times I can do this. Each failure is eating more and more at me. Right now I'm a stressed out mess. I'm trying not to be, because I know that doesn't help.
And I thought the same thing about the trigger shot also... ladies who been though this?? We could use your help here!!
Turns out I had more problems than I knew about... low progesterone levels, fibroids, blocked tubes... and I took that time to get those things that I felt I needed to deal with dealt with... and you wouldn't believe how unstressed I am right now... got that outta the way the last three months.
Perhaps you should take a month off... just to give your body a chance to wind down... while I was forced to sit out the last three months, now that I'm back in the TWW, things are a lot easier... every little thing I feel, I don't get anxious about... been there, done that... waiting for 16dpiui!!
Wanted to get some news... I've read your thread. I know it's hard. Listen to the ladies.. it is a roller coaster and I felt like you. I did 5 IUI starting Sep. 2008 until Jan. 2008. I thought I would be pregnant after trial 2 or 3. My vials ran out. I waited six months and started all over. I've spent thousands already on the first try.
I'm on my TWW! And started with a new donor. And i've changed my mind set. I was in such a hurry and kept worrying about the money running out. I moved and even changed jobs. I am ready to go through it again, but I feel a lot more at peace now. Did you buy all IUI? or do you have any ICI? I did my first at home insemination and I thought it was so much more personal and less stressful. If that's an option for you, I highly recommend it.
Hope all is well... pass us a note.
take care,
missdayene
Thanks for sharing. I will be doing my 9th IUI next week sometime. I took clomid and will be doing a trigger shot (Ovidrel) once I detect my surge. This is my second donor, so I'm hoping I don't need to switch again. I only bought IUI vials, and all vials of my donor are now sold out, so ICI isn't an option right now. I think in the beginning I was in a hurry. I really haven't been thinking about it much this cycle. I'll do the IUI when it's time. Usually I'm worried about what day I'll need to go, but I'm trying not to think about it. I've been busy at work, so that's helping. Unfortunately this whole process has become such a routine for me - it's just what I do every month now. I'm a little nervous about the trigger shot, since it will be new this time.
I'll post once I know when I'll be doing my IUI.