Yep, smug old me gets to say, “I told you so” yet again – CD2 folks.
We’re doing ok. Despite some truly spectacular snot-dribbling, shhh you’re scaring the dog crying jags, we actually had a pretty good weekend. Jay did not allow either of us to hide under the duvet and got us out and about in the pouring rain on Saturday, to buy the last of our Christmas presents and on Sunday it actually stopped raining for the first in weeks and we did a comprehensive garden tidy-up, which was very satisfying. We’ve wrapped presents, decorated the tree, scoffed take-away, been to the pub, vegged out in front of the telly and talked. Keeping busy does help, doesn’t it?
We’re both kind of relieved in a way to be taking this cycle off. Not that we had a choice – my next ovulation looks likely to fall over the Christmas break and the clinic is shut, but regardless, I feel glad that I can enjoy the festive season with gay abandon and not think too much about this shit for a while.
Starrhillgirl asked a while back if and when folks started taking the label “infertile”. I think maybe I’m nearing that place. Two years and 14 tries down the road and I look back and wonder how I got here. Or maybe that should be – why the hell am I still here? “Subfertile”; “unexplained infertility” – if the cap fits…
Always looking for the positive spin though, here’s a list of good things about being where we now find ourselves:
- I can get drunk and eat what I like over Christmas and New Year.
- Jay can get drunk and eat what she likes over Christmas and New Year without me moaning at her that it’s not fair!
- Jay doesn’t have to do ALL the litter tray duties and I don’t have to feel guilty at seeing her gagging face!
- We can honestly say that our relationship is rock-solid – if we can keep doing this without having turned to drink, drugs and spouse-beating, I think we’re doing ok.
- I’m a stronger person than I ever knew (though I do not wish to test this further, thank-you!)
and finally….
- Next time, we get the key to the Magic Fertility Drugs Cabinet
And on that note, people, we need some IVP knowledge, if you please. Am I right in thinking that Clomid (or similar) need to be taken early on in the cycle? Which days? We have an appointment booked on January 9th to see Dr Talks-Too-Fast, but that’s likely to be around CD5 or 6 for me – that’s going to be too late, right? Also, are they likely to give me a trigger shot, or just Clomid, given that I seem to ovulate on my own anyway?
Also, I’ve just totally freaked myself out by g00gling “unruptured follicle” and am now convinced I have lutenizing unruptured follicle syndrome – looks like ovulation, feels like ovulation, smells like ovulation, sounds like ovulation, ISN’T OVULATION! Does anyone know more about this? Is it common to be monitored after a stimulated cycle, with or without ovulation induction, to check that ovulation actually occurred?
Ok, that’s more than enough questions from me – I’m off to do some more research. Thanks for all your lovely love and swear words – we couldn’t do it without you all and that’s the truth.
vee
xxx
21 responses so far ↓
Chicory // December 10, 2007 at 8:30 pm |
hmmm, I’ve never purposely had a scan to confirm ovulation — but I’ve had a few scans that showed that I had ALREADY ovulated. But it looks like a trigger shot of at least 5000 IU HCG can force one of those unruptured follicles to rupture, so if that’s what your doctor gives you (that’s what my doctor gives me) then you should be fine.
I never got a trigger with my clomid cycles. And yes, you take clomid early. I once took it as late as cd5. So if you’re in on cd5 you should be ok. But any later than that and it might be too late…
Good luck! I’ll be in the 2ww (sometimes it pays to have supershort cycles) over Christmas but if I’m not successful then I’ll be free to drink myself to oblivion over New Years.
Co // December 10, 2007 at 8:56 pm |
It sucks that you didn’t get to put up that “guess what? I was wrong” post. I am sorry.
Clomid is given over a 5-day period. The most common days are CD3-7 or CD5-9. Either works. My R.E. once started me as early as CD2. I don’t think it matters too much, but if I were you, I’d try to make sure you start no later than CD5 if possible.
The trigger shot isn’t only given to women who don’t ovulate on their own. I always ovulate on my own and I used the trigger shot for all of my IUIs… as soon as an u/s confirmed that my follies were 18 mm or larger. It’s more about making sure that you have a well-timed IUI than about making sure you ovulate, because those geriatric frozen swimmers only live about 12 hours after being inserted during an IUI and you want to try to make sure that the IUI happens 8 hours on either side of ovulation if possible. (Some people say they can live up to 24 hours.) I have to say… the trigger shot is the one fertility med I truly, truly would not have wanted to do an IUI without. It is such a relief knowing that a well-timed IUI is almost guaranteed. I hope they give it to you.
I was never monitored to make sure I ovulated, but if you do a trigger shot, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you will. If you don’t do a trigger shot, you can have your progesterone levels checked after your IUI to confirm ovulation. I never had an u/s to confirm ovulation.
Enjoy the holidays and drink up. I hope that in the new year, you will have to give up the ol’ alcohol.
ohchicken // December 10, 2007 at 9:00 pm |
i always took clomid cd3-7. but i’ve seen other fertility charts where women have done it 5-9 or 6-10. so i dunno!
please have a strong drink for me.
and i’m so sorry that this wasn’t your month. grrrrr.
Melody // December 10, 2007 at 9:31 pm |
As it’s been described to me, taking Clomid starting CD3 means you’re taking over the cycle early on and trying to recruit an extra follicle or two. Taking it starting as late as CD5 means you’re allowing your body to choose its own follicle and just helping that follicle develop so that it’s healthier by the time you ovulate.
I’ve never been monitored after a stimmed cycle, though I have had “fluid in the cul de sac”, ie. a ruptured follicle on a u/s in advance of insemination. If in doubt, a shot of HCG can’t hurt and should force your body to release the egg.
Sara // December 10, 2007 at 10:04 pm |
I always did clomiphene (generic) between CD 3 and 5, but the months I started on CD 5 worked much better for me in terms of getting ovulation signs. As far as monitoring goes, it seems to vary quite a bit in the U.S. and I’m not sure how it’d work in the U.K., but we had ultrasounds right around the time of ovulation as well as blood draws to check E2 (estradiol/estrogen levels). I once had a progesterone check as well to see if ovulation had occured (which I was irritated about b/c I knew it hadn’t anyways and I wasn’t sure why I should have to pay for that bloodwork, but…) so, there are definitely monitoring things you can do, at least in theory.
I know it’s a forced break, but I’m glad you can see the good of it- I know that E and I really benefited from some of our breaks by having the very same attitude you do, and we were much better off for it!
Finally, I want to commend your personal (both of you) strengths as well as your relationship strength. It is hard work to keep going at something for so long and keep loving and respecting each other. E and I speak of you often and how much we want this for you; one prominant reason: b/c your relationship is obviously the kind that every child deserves to be born into.
Enjoy your holidays and cater to your every whim. 2008 w/ a few fertility drugs sounds VERY promising!
Erin // December 10, 2007 at 10:43 pm |
Damn. I’m sorry. I echo what Sara said. I’m putting all my fertility energy toward you guys in 08.
Melissa // December 10, 2007 at 11:33 pm |
I’m sorry about another bust cycle. I’m in the same boat as you this holiday season and I’m really enjoying this month off not worrying about TTC and having fun out eating and drinking with family and friends. As for your clomid question, I take it CD5-9.
aspiring baker // December 10, 2007 at 11:34 pm |
I am so sorry you guys aren’t pregnant. I have been there and really understand the frustration and disappointment.
I’ve taken Clomid days 3-7 and days 5-9. Don’t really know what the difference is. I did need a trigger shot with Clomid, even though I normally ovulate on my own. Something about all of those extra follicles freaked my body out.
One thing about Clomid: it can thin your uterine lining, which is a pretty inconvenient side effect. Your clinic should monitor your lining and supplement it if it’s 8 or 9 mm or thinner. No use wasting that money on inseminating if any resulting embryo won’t have a comfy place to implant.
By the way, if you are trying to determine if you’ve ovulated, your clinic should be able to run some bloodwork to check your progesterone after your theoretical ovulation. If it’s low, that may indicate it didn’t happen.
Good luck! Wishing you the best of luck in the new year.
sara // December 11, 2007 at 12:27 am |
I’m sorry– it looks like I’m out this month too. I really loved your post and it sounds like you have an amazing relationship– I know how important that is. Here’s to 2008!!
Calliope // December 11, 2007 at 12:41 am |
motherfucker!!!!!!!!!!!!! fuck!!!!
so effing sorry for CD2. so so sorry.
Taking a break can be a very good thing. Just giving your girl bits a moment to take a break & maybe get a bit tipsey will be nice.
As far as when to don the “Infertile” cap- I started wearing it around year 1 of trying. But I will have you know that as soon as I get knocked up I will proclaim myself cured. I don’t feel comfortable with the label as it makes me feel defeated, but what can you do.
Now have we had the “why clomid??” talk yet? What is the UK’s stance on femara? Seriously- I tell EVERYONE to talk to their RE about it. Clomid will fuck you up- or at least it fucked me up- in terms of being a crazy lunatic bitch kind of person.
I would ask about femara, trigger shot, progesterone trifecta. It will give you some control and power.
Sending SOOO much love your way & punching a wall on your behalf.
xo
tbean // December 11, 2007 at 1:34 am |
May this be your LAST holiday season as non-parents!
Sarah // December 11, 2007 at 2:40 am |
Oh, I’m sorry to hear this news. I’m glad you have eachother and hope you enjoy the holiday season and some good drinks….
Lo // December 11, 2007 at 2:54 am |
Love and swear words to you.
CD & SP // December 11, 2007 at 4:30 am |
sounds like you were able to comfort each other over the weekend. take care. sorry such crappy news.
oneofhismoms // December 11, 2007 at 4:36 am |
My doctor always made me call on cd1 if I wanted a medicated cycle.
BOOOOOOOOOOOO, AF.
Yay, gay abandon!
Whozat // December 11, 2007 at 4:51 am |
So sorry to hear that, girls. We’re right there with you, more or less.
(Negative beta on Friday, waiting for CD1)
We’re jumping into IVF; I’ll be doing a mock cycle over Christmas, so I plan to enjoy the holiday cheer as much as possible, too.
Btw, I took Clomid days 3 – 7, and 2 -4 FSH injections, and a trigger shot.
I had no ill effects from any of them.
sarasp // December 11, 2007 at 9:43 pm |
I wanted you to be wrong!
I wish you hadn’t mentioned the googling…because now I want to do some too!
You still have each other. I hope you have a nice break through the holidays.
Bri // December 12, 2007 at 12:33 am |
I am sorry, too.
I did Clomid cd5-9. Made me a crazy lunatic who wanted to bust Wes’ nose in. But I got pregnant twice. I’d do it again. But maybe I would go stay in a hotel so as not to be a physical threat to Wes.
I always ovulated on my own but did a trigger (and a booster, of course – the infamous bri protocol) so that the timing would be as perfect as possible. I loved triggers. Totally changed the experience and took away the hell of OPK and all that. I highly recommend it.
Happy holidays to you guys.
mrsbluemont // December 12, 2007 at 12:42 am |
I have no clomid advice darling, but many swear words and love. I’m so so sorry.
Fuck.
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
thechroniclesofconception // December 12, 2007 at 12:52 am |
Sorry hun! I was hoping you were wrong too! I’m glad you guys are keeping busy, and not ignoring the positives in your lives. I’m wishing you a very happy holiday, and a nice break this month from this roller coaster of a journey.
starrhillgirl // December 14, 2007 at 1:07 am |
God. Where have I been? Fuck, y’all. Fuck. *sigh*