The countdown to IVF continues- last night I officially completed phase one of my drug protocol and took what I hope will be my last ever birth control pill. I remember from my earlier birth control days that AF usually comes a few days after I take my last pill so now I just need to wait for her to arrive and then call the RE to let them know. It is so wonderfully stress-free to know for a fact that AF is coming and not have to wonder or worry. This past month has been a such great mental vacation. I wouldn't have even realized where I was in this cycle if not for that last pill in the pack.
I am also almost a week into phase two of my drug protocol and have been receiving nightly injections of Lupron along with a dex tablet. The Lupron is used to turn off my pituitary gland, preventing early ovulation and induces menopause, while the dex is a steroid and anti-inflammatory that has been known to improve egg quality. The injections really haven't been too bad. The needle is pretty tiny and Chad has done a (mostly) good job of playing nurse (he did have one unfortunate incident when the needle "bounced" out and that did hurt a bit). My biggest complaint at this point is with the menopausal side effects of the Lupron. I have known various women of mature age throughout my life who seemed to start their days at obscenely early hours and now thanks to the Lupron I know why- I can't sleep in to save my life! After 6 hours that's it, my body wants to be awake and lately it's been getting it's way. I am not a fan of waking up at 5am on a Saturday morning. I have also enjoyed lovely hot flashes each night as I try to fall asleep, so sleep deprivation is definitely the biggest trouble I have dealt with these drugs, but other than that the side effects have been pretty minimal and I have been in very good spirits.
I am just so amazed that these first 21 days have gone by so quickly and I am getting closer and closer to "the real deal". With each new landmark in this process I feel more and more at peace with it and more and more excited by the possibilities but I am also nervous about each step as it comes. Right now my stomach gets into knots when I think about what's to come with the stimulation phase. I have been hearing so much chatter around the blog world and twitterverse lately about the insane effects of "balloon stomach" caused by the stim meds and I am not thrilled with the idea of not being able to fit into my clothes without there being a baby in my belly. I will be on Bravelle and Menopur to stimulate multiple eggs instead of the typical one or two and I am hoping that my good spirits can survive their notoriously mood altering side effects.
I still can't get over the insane amount of drugs I will be on throughout this process. I have my very own Sharps container in my bathroom! The whole thing is very surreal but also strangely normal feeling. Each time Chad kisses me before sticking that teeny needle into my thigh, I think of our future child and how worth it all of this is, maybe that's the real reason it doesn't hurt so bad.
17 comments:
Ohhh, I did Lupron for endometriosis....the menopause symptoms are wild! I had mood swings SO bad, and hot flashes. Crazy thing to try to explain to my fellow college students. lol
21 Days already? Time seems to be flying! And with "balloon stomach", think of it as practice.. and he can use it to play pictionary on :) GOOD GOOD GOOD luck with all of this!!
Oh yah! And the title reference: Weezer :)
So excited for you!! :)
Yay!! Don't let what I said about my balloon belly scare you. It sounds like u are going to be on different meds than I am right now. Good luck!!:)
Wow I should have totally gotten the title reference, but I didn't guess it.
I'm excited for you! :)
I'm really excited for you ( not for the balloon stomach part!) but for all the other stuff... This will be it! :D And I know what you mean about not being able to sleep/ hot flashes. I'm not on Lupron, but seem to have those symptoms anyways :( Oh well, at least I'll be prepared for when I have to go "high tech" (if the Clomid doesn't wind up working)... Keeping FX and prayers flowing for you! :D
I am hoping the best for you and am a big believer in positive thoughts!!!!! Good luck!
It is amazing how many medications we take during this process. I try not to think about it too much! haha! Lupron didn't give me hot flashes...but the progesterone injection I am on now are most certainly doing the trick. I am really excited for this cycle for you and am looking forward to your good news!!!
Good luck with the IVF! My DH and I were never able to go that rought due to cost, but really wish we could have. It's a lot of drugs, a lot of pain, and a lot of waiting - but if it works in the end it is worth it!!
Yay, things are moving right along! I'm so excited for you!
I loved your last paragraphy about your future child being worth it all. :)
I hope this is the month for you. Will be thinking about you!
I hope everything goes well for you! They are so worth it! Best wishes.
It's been 24 days already?! I wish you all the luck with IVF, and I think the focusing on the end result makes all the pain worth it. Do keep us updated, I know personally I want all the details of your journey!
Its a Weezer song from their Make Believe Album. Great song!
::started humming the song as soon I saw the title::
Wow! I am so excited for you! It is surreal isn't it? Hope you get some sleep soon! Good luck with the next phase!
We are just touching the surface with what I think will be infertility issues. This is my first time reading/learning about doing injections. I pray that little comes to you very soon.
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