While I was at the RE’s today, I met with the finance lady.
Last consultation I had with the doctor, when we were discussing next steps, he suggested moving straight to IVF as people with PCOS over-respond to injectibles. And IVF gives him more control over multiples. We drew up a IVF protocol as well as one for Injectibles.
Husband and I decided we weren’t ready for IVF, in that we wanted to do more research and as we didn’t want to miss treatment this month, we proceeded with the Gonal F.
I met with the Finance lady today to get an idea of how much IVF at this clinic costs. The cost for IUIs and other treatment here have been more expensive than estimates I see online, so I was worried. She said a cycle would run me 12,000 plus medication. We are fortunate that we have a lifetime limit on our insurance but that it covers up to 24,000$. I’ve been relieved to see that none of the treatment so far, other than the 4 IUIs have been applied to this 24K. After 2 more IUIs this month, that will bring me to about a 3000 expense against the 24,000. Which leaves us with enough for about 2 IVF cycles. This was really a relief to hear.
I realize many people don’t have any coverage, but when you’re paying through the roof for a really comprehensive insurance plan and on top of that the medical bills are piling up, it still feels like a lot.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Gonal F monitoring visit
So went to the doctor’s today for my scheduled monitoring visit, a little worried as I was still having stomach pain, and concerned about hyper-stimulation.
I have 6 follicles above 12! They were 21, 20, 17.5, 17, 15, 14 and a lining of 9.9 which is the best I’ve ever had. On Clomid cycles I only ever had one large follicle so this is a great response the Doc said. Esp given I did a low dose of Gonal F (75 for 3 days, 37.5 for 3 days).
Tonight I’ll trigger with Ovidrel and then have an IUI scheduled for tomorrow morning, and the morning after.
Fingers crossed!!
I walked out of there finally with a smile.
I have 6 follicles above 12! They were 21, 20, 17.5, 17, 15, 14 and a lining of 9.9 which is the best I’ve ever had. On Clomid cycles I only ever had one large follicle so this is a great response the Doc said. Esp given I did a low dose of Gonal F (75 for 3 days, 37.5 for 3 days).
Tonight I’ll trigger with Ovidrel and then have an IUI scheduled for tomorrow morning, and the morning after.
Fingers crossed!!
I walked out of there finally with a smile.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Pity Party, table for one
Last night I lost it. Might be all the medicines running through my system or a long day at work, but I just blew up at dear husb for no reason and then ended in a pile of tears. Feeling sorry for myself pre-injection.
This IF/PCOS deal has turned my world around, and robbed me of most of my pleasures.
-I'm a major foodie and the Insulin Resistance means I'm now having to really watch what I eat. And mostly cutting out sugar/carbs.
-I love socialising, but I now haven't really had a drink in about 8 months. A glass of wine every few weeks and that's about it. It's meant drastically changing my social life as you don't want people to start thinking you're preggers...
So these two factors has meant I am spending lots of my time alone. Trying to schedule brunch/coffee dates with friends as that can avoid the alcohol situation, but NY is NY what young people do here is drink and eat.
I at one point declared that there was nothing good left in my life. I then looked up and saw the saddest expression cross my husband's face. And that ended the pity party- this man continues to be the most amazing thing in my life. He got me a rare small bowl of ice-cream, and I for the time being wiped away my tears and soldier on.
This IF/PCOS deal has turned my world around, and robbed me of most of my pleasures.
-I'm a major foodie and the Insulin Resistance means I'm now having to really watch what I eat. And mostly cutting out sugar/carbs.
-I love socialising, but I now haven't really had a drink in about 8 months. A glass of wine every few weeks and that's about it. It's meant drastically changing my social life as you don't want people to start thinking you're preggers...
So these two factors has meant I am spending lots of my time alone. Trying to schedule brunch/coffee dates with friends as that can avoid the alcohol situation, but NY is NY what young people do here is drink and eat.
I at one point declared that there was nothing good left in my life. I then looked up and saw the saddest expression cross my husband's face. And that ended the pity party- this man continues to be the most amazing thing in my life. He got me a rare small bowl of ice-cream, and I for the time being wiped away my tears and soldier on.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Gonal F journey
I went in this morning for a sono and bloodwork, to monitor the Gonal F injections I'm doing this month.
I had 4 follicles that were above 10 (though they were all less than 13.5). I'm on CD 12 of my cycle. I was taking 75 iu of the Gonal F but the nurse just called to say they'd gotten the bloodwork results from this morning and I needed to reduce my dosage to 37.5...
This Gonal F thing had been a pain. It doesn't hurt at all per se but the injecting myself thing psychologically is still hard. Not to mention all the dots all over my belly looking weird. I wish I could just do 75 every other day or something...
Hmphh.
I had 4 follicles that were above 10 (though they were all less than 13.5). I'm on CD 12 of my cycle. I was taking 75 iu of the Gonal F but the nurse just called to say they'd gotten the bloodwork results from this morning and I needed to reduce my dosage to 37.5...
This Gonal F thing had been a pain. It doesn't hurt at all per se but the injecting myself thing psychologically is still hard. Not to mention all the dots all over my belly looking weird. I wish I could just do 75 every other day or something...
Hmphh.
my sister is having a little girl in January, making me an aunt for the first time.
As happy as I am for them, it's also really hard. They've been married 2 years to our 5.5 years and it's frustrating feeling the "why me?" all over again.
I was out shopping yesterday and looking at all the baby stuff was odd- on the one hand it's euphoric because it's so damn cute. On the other hand it hits home that you can't yet go through the same. No matter how ready you feel.
On days like that, you need a lot of good courage.
As happy as I am for them, it's also really hard. They've been married 2 years to our 5.5 years and it's frustrating feeling the "why me?" all over again.
I was out shopping yesterday and looking at all the baby stuff was odd- on the one hand it's euphoric because it's so damn cute. On the other hand it hits home that you can't yet go through the same. No matter how ready you feel.
On days like that, you need a lot of good courage.
Friday, December 4, 2009
London... Clomid... Starting Gonal F, first time
Hi I'm back :)
Right before I left for London, I came down with a horrid cold that wouldn't go away and finally I acquiesced and went to the doctor's not wanting to worry while I was treaveling. He put me on antibiotics. This was on top of the daily metformin, and the 200 dosage of clomid this month. I surely felt like I had too much crap floating in my system.
Clomid has been a strange friend to me. I've had no side effects, even on the 200. Well a little constipation (sorry TMI) but that's it.
Finally, late late last night, I got back into town. I took Clomid last Saterday-Wednesday, and went in this morning (Friday) for a sono. One over 10, and many on both sides under 10. Hm, doesn't seem any better a response than at 150. The doctor told me to go ahead and start the Gonal F today, at 75. And come back Monday for bloodwork and another sono.
We'll see.
London was a nice reprieve - I had a very busy few days of meetings and really no time to think of anything else. I hope that the time difference doesn't confuse my body too much.
Signs are everywhere lately of how many of us suffer through IF. It makes me feel less lonely... I'm reading "American Wife" and it details the main protagonists battle with wanting a second child and touches upon it throughout the book. And then was watching Julia and Julie on the plane and the parts with Julia Child's and her husband's longing for a child had me sobbing.
I'm happy it's Friday and I have two days to get back into this time zone and relax before the next work week. A little anxious about the gonal F injection today but I hear it's as easy as Ovidrel, so I feel slightly less nervous.
Right before I left for London, I came down with a horrid cold that wouldn't go away and finally I acquiesced and went to the doctor's not wanting to worry while I was treaveling. He put me on antibiotics. This was on top of the daily metformin, and the 200 dosage of clomid this month. I surely felt like I had too much crap floating in my system.
Clomid has been a strange friend to me. I've had no side effects, even on the 200. Well a little constipation (sorry TMI) but that's it.
Finally, late late last night, I got back into town. I took Clomid last Saterday-Wednesday, and went in this morning (Friday) for a sono. One over 10, and many on both sides under 10. Hm, doesn't seem any better a response than at 150. The doctor told me to go ahead and start the Gonal F today, at 75. And come back Monday for bloodwork and another sono.
We'll see.
London was a nice reprieve - I had a very busy few days of meetings and really no time to think of anything else. I hope that the time difference doesn't confuse my body too much.
Signs are everywhere lately of how many of us suffer through IF. It makes me feel less lonely... I'm reading "American Wife" and it details the main protagonists battle with wanting a second child and touches upon it throughout the book. And then was watching Julia and Julie on the plane and the parts with Julia Child's and her husband's longing for a child had me sobbing.
I'm happy it's Friday and I have two days to get back into this time zone and relax before the next work week. A little anxious about the gonal F injection today but I hear it's as easy as Ovidrel, so I feel slightly less nervous.
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