I am so nervous!  my period started and I am calling my doctor to start the process for the IUI... Intrauterine insemination..

I am actually excited but kind of scared and nervous of the unknown..

I am so nervous!!  

STARTING THE BABY TRACK

I have about a good week and a 1/2 before my period starts. This is when I have to start clomid.. I have a friend that is already using it.. I was looking at the information
regarding clomid... looking at the bottom info... I dont want mood swings, headaches...hot flashes..... Gosh.. I will be 37 in about two months...(sept)..


 

Clomid or Sereophene, both brand names for clomiphene citrate, are commonly prescribed oral medications to enhance your chances of getting pregnant. This fertility medication can be prescribed for certain women who are having difficulty with getting pregnant, usually because of ovulation issues, such as infrequent or poor ovulation. After a proper medical screening to ensure that you are a candidate, your regular OB/GYN, reproductive endocrinologist and sometimes nurse midwife or nurse practitioner can prescribe this medication for you. It is usually taken for five (5) days during your menstrual cycle, starting at the dose of 50 mg. This dosage can be increased, if a need is found. As with any fertility treatments, side effects associated with the use of Clomid/Serophene include: Mood Issues Fertility medications and hormones in general are often blamed for the foul mood of any woman of childbearing age.

 

That said, increasing hormones can be a recipe for altered moods or mood swings. Most women find these to be temporary, usually lasting just during the actual days that you take the medication or a day or two later. Headaches Headaches are a problem also associated with hormones. Consult your doctor if you experience severe headaches or if you have any complications like visual disturbances with your headaches. If you are prone to headaches, try to talk to your doctor beforehand about the most appropriate treatment. Multiple Pregnancy (Twins, Triplets, etc.) The multiple pregnancy rate associated with the use of Clomid and its companions is about 10 percent. Talk to your practitioner to find out your personal risks because these may not all be related to the medication. Hot Flashes Hot flashes are annoying, but also a part of the hormone game. You may experience them anytime during therapy but many women find they strike often at night. Cool showers, fans and sleeping in the nude (also good for getting pregnant) can all help you maintain a sense of calm during this period. Ovarian Enlargement Ovarian enlargement or hyperstimulation is possible with this medication. This is why your doctor will follow you and watch you for signs of hyperstimulation. It is fairly uncommon but one of the main reasons that good follow up and screening are needed when using medication to induce or increase ovarian function. Hostile Mucous Hostile cervical mucous can prevent pregnancy. Your doctor may screen you or ask that you watch your signs of ovulation via your cervical mucous. Some physicians may prescribe aids for issues with cervical mucous, but you should not self-medicate. While many people think that Clomid is the answer to fertility problems, it is not the magic fertility pill many people assume. Only your doctor or other health-care professional can help you decide if Clomid therapy is right for your type of infertility. HERE is information regarding - Hyperstimulation   Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a complication from some forms of fertility medication. Most cases are mild, but a small proportion is severe  Symptoms Symptoms are set into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. Mild symptoms include abdominal bloating and feeling of fullness, nausea, diarrhea, and slight weight gain. Moderate symptoms include excessive weight gain (weight gain of greater than 2 pounds per day), increased abdominal girth, vomiting, diarrhea, urination darker and less in amount, excessive thirst, and skin and/or hair feeling dry (in addition to mild symptoms). Severe symptoms are fullness/bloating above the waist, shortness of breath, urination significantly darker or has ceased, calf and chest pains, marked abdominal bloating or distention, and lower abdominal pains (in addition to mild and moderate symptoms). Classification In mild forms of OHSS the ovaries are enlarged, in moderate forms there is additional accumulation of ascites with mild abdominal distension, while in severe forms of OHSS there may be hemoconcentration, thrombosis, abdominal pain and distension, oliguria (decreased urine production), pleural effusion, and respiratory distress. Early OHSS develops before pregnancy testing, and late OHSS is seen in early pregnancy. Complications OHSS may be complicated with ovarian torsion, ovarian rupture, thrombophlebitis and renal insufficiency. Symptoms generally resolve in 1 to 2 weeks, but will be more severe and persist longer if pregnancy is successful. This is likely due to the role of the corpus luteum in the ovaries in sustaining the pregnancy before the placenta has fully developed. Typically, even in severe OHSS with a developing pregnancy, the duration does not exceed the first trimester.  Pathophysiology OHSS is characterized by the presence of multiple luteinized cysts within the ovaries leading to ovarian enlargement and secondary complications. As the ovary undergoes a process of extensive luteinization, large amounts of estrogens, progesterone, and local cytokines are released. It is held that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key substance that induces OHSS by making local capillaries "leaky", leading to a shift of fluids from the intravascular system to the adbominal and pleural cavity. Thus, while the patient accumulates fluid in the third space, primarily in the form of ascites, she actually becomes hypovolemic and is at risk for respiratory, circulatory, and renal problems. Patients who are pregnant sustain the ovarian luteinization process by the production of hCG. Epidemiology Sporadic OHSS is very rare, and may have a genetic component. Clomifene citrate therapy can occasionally lead to OHSS, but the vast majority of cases develop after use of gonadotropin therapy (with administration of FSH), such as Pergonal, and administration of hCG to trigger ovulation, often in conjunction with IVF. The frequency varies and depends on patient factors, management, and methods of surveillance. About 5% of treated patients may encounter moderate to severe OHSS. Mortality is low, but several fatal cases have been reported.  (that makes me feel ok... I think it is important to get as much info as possible) Treatment Physicians can reduce the risk of OHSS by monitoring of FSH therapy to use this medication judiciously, and by withholding hCG medication. Once OHSS develops, reduction in physical activity, closely monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance, and aspiration of accumulated fluid (ascites) from the abdominal/pleural cavity may be necessary, as well as opioids for the pain. If the OHSS develops within an IVF protocol, it can be prudent to postpone transfer of the pre-embryos since establishment of pregnancy can lengthen the recovery time or contribute to a more severe course. Over time, if carefully monitored, the condition will naturally reverse to normal - so treatment is typically supportive, although patient may need to be treated or hospitalized for pain, paracentesis, and/or intravenous hydration. References Delvigne A, Rozenberg S (2002). "Epidemiology and prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): a review." (PDF). Hum Reprod Update 8 (6): 559-77. PMID 12498425.  Delvigne A, Rozenberg S (2003). "Review of clinical course and treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)." (PDF). Hum Reprod Update 9 (1): 77-96. PMID 12638783.

This is what I recently found

You're not alone. The following organizations provide support and patient advocacy.

American Fertility Association (AFA)

666 Fifth Avenue
Suite 278
New York, NY 10103
888–917–3777(Helpline)
www.theafa.org

The American Fertility Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about reproductive disease, and supports families during struggles with infertility and adoption. The AFA provides a broad range of services designed to help people gather information about medical treatments, options, coping techniques, legal and insurance issues, and other concerns. The AFA services focus on increasing awareness of the medical and social issues around reproductive health and infertility, as well as prevention efforts that target young people to help them make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive lives.

Fertile Hope

P.O. Box 624
New York, New York 10014
888–994–HOPE
www.fertilehope.org

Fertile Hope is a national non–profit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support, and hope to cancer patients whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility. The organization is striving to advance fertility research, help advance the understanding of fertility risks and preservation options, allow and encourage personal educated decisions, make preservation treatments available regardless of economic status and help patients cope with important planning issues.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

7910 Woodmont Ave, STE 1350
Bethesda, MD 20814
888-623-0744 (Helpline)
301-652-9375 (Fax)
www.resolve.org

RESOLVE is a non-profit organization mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other reproductive disorders, and to provide support services and physician referral and education. The mission of RESOLVE is to provide timely, compassionate support and information to people who are experiencing infertility and to increase awareness of infertility issues through public education and advocacy.

GROWING FRUSTRATION

I AM TOTALLY FRUSTRATED.

I am going to do the insemination in july and I am I was thinking about doing it in Atlanta because I am trying to switch jobs, but my two (YES TWO!!!!) medical coverages, definity health and blue cross blue shield will not cover anything!  No labs, ultrasound, medications... I know that it didn't cover inseminations but everthing is going to be paid out of my pocket. What also upset me is the FACT THAT VIAGRA IS COVERED UNDER MEDICAL INSURANCE.  WHY???????????????  That is not a medicine that is needed for your health.. pitiful.

I am going to start or join a fertility rights advocacy group and hopefully get some thing changed.

 Fertility and Adoption benefits need to be a normal part of medical coverage. PERIOD!!  I am not rich.. Thank God my doctor is "working" with us through a payment plan.  
I will have to pay 325.00 to start and then I have to leave with them two checks for 325.00 that will be deposited every thirty days.  Hopefully it will work the 1st time.. If I doesn't .. (the doc said that he wants to do 3 iui's and then start ivf - GOOD GOD.. I truly hope it doesn't get to that..) if not...this is how it is going to go..

July - 1st IUI  325.00
aug   325.00
sept 325.00
if doesn't work
 
october 325.00
nov  325.00
dec   325.00
if it doesn't work

jan  325
feb  325
march  325
if that doesn't work....

ivf.....  - $12,000.00

We'll I made my first appointment - I guess I won't be pregnant by the end of July.. I seems like the I need to bet on August. But that is ok, at least I feel like I am getting something done...instead of just sitting and waiting.  Today is june 22 and the first appointment that I can get it July 30th. The doc just wants to meet me and see my records. Then I guess there begin the succession of doctor appointments. I have to focus, relax and stay positive. Right now I am working a part-time job and the manager is not working with me, when it comes to days off. I have not asked for any since working but last night I brought it up to him and he was not helpful at all.. So........

My strategy - work as much as possible to save for these procedures and then when I start having to go to appointments at the end of next month quit.

Second JOB

I recently picked up a second job so that I can save for the fertility treatment. I think that I am going to get it done in Atlanta because as I showed in the previous post, the pricing is much different.
Anyway, I am working nights and saving all my money in a separate bank account.

While I was working a man and woman came through my line (I work at a clothing store as a cashier at night - almost 80 hours a week..I thought it was going to almost kill me but it is actually ok.
I am lucky to be able to handle the additional work). They had a big cart with baby clothing in it and I was helping them, the woman was pregnant and I remarked how lucky the baby would be.
She told me that they had fertility treatments to have this child and it took 8 TIMES!!! along the way they also had three miscarriages. He husband said that it is the most difficult part
to lose a baby because it makes it very difficult to keep the treatment going to the next month. But it finally worked and they had this thing called a baby fund. I have plans to do that too.
I think that is smart thinking.   It did make me think about how difficult this journey is and also how much perserverence you both have to have.

Listening to them made me a little more focused and stronger. I am not the only one....I am not the only one.

I just have to remember that.




I will tell you about my plans for the baby fund soon..

I think it is a great idea.