I had my HSG Monday. I tried blogging about it on Tuesday and something happened and the post disappeared into the mist of the blogosphere. Then I had to work. Then Wednesday was my 3 year anniversary with The Bear where I stuffed myself with edamame and sushi. Thursday I was back to work and then I slept for most of the day today because I do need some sleep.
Anywhoodle, since this is an infertility blog (or at least a blog about difficulty conceiving), I will talk about the HSG. I had been taking the prophylactic antibiotics as prescribed and then the morning of the test I had 600 mg of Ibuprofen. Well...I threw in an extra 200 just for shits and giggles to make a grand total of 800 mg.
I was pretty nervous but that did not prevent me from falling asleep on the couch for 1 hour after work before the test. Good thing The Bear had strict instructions to pick me up and deposit me in Radiology. He was so sweet and waited for me in the little holding area. Which was comforting because I felt really awkward in there wearing my t-shirt, a gown, robe, no undies, my socks and running shoes. Thank goodness I didn't have my snow boots on.
Then the tech called me in back and spent some time really explaining the procedure to me. She was very sweet and very thorough. She took my vital signs, which were normal, but actually high for me--I was freakin' nervous! Then I sat by myself waiting for Dr. C. I really wish The Bear would have been let in the back room so I could have had some company. Instead, I sat back there trying not to cry.
The worst part was definitely having the catheter threaded through my cervix. That was like a combination of the world's worst pap smear and cramps from hell. At that point, I thought I wasn't going to be able to handle the dye being put through (what I was told was the worst part). The Radiologist came in, he had me swivel my hips left, then right, then center. Then everyone was like, "All done! Yay!" And I replied, "Did you even inject the dye? You didn't tell me you were going to inject the dye yet?!" Then everyone was giggling and telling me that I was a champ and what an awesome job I did.
Dr. C came up and stood next to me and spoke with me about the test and what she saw. She showed me the monitor, and sure as shit, there were my patent fallopian tubes. Dr. C kept saying congratulations and how well I did. She already knew that we had our gameplan appointment set up for next week. All in all, I was pretty pleased with her bedside manner and she was pretty awesome throughout the whole thing. She kept me comfortable and about as relaxed as I could be. Each time I meet her, I feel like we're moving in the right direction. A good thing, I know.
After the test, I was of course relieved, and what happened to my HR and BP? They went back to their "normal" values, which made the tech a little nervous. So I had to lay back on the table (still with my running shoes on, mind you) and wait. Then I started freaking out in my head that I was having a reaction to the dye and that I was going to brady down, go PEA and then they were going to have to code me in Radiology. With my running shoes on. And no UNDERPANTS. That is like my nightmare. Alas, I was fine, I was let go, and returned to The Bear.
After the test, on the way home, my conversation with The Bear went a little something like this:
THE BEAR: I just had a morbid thought...
ME: What's that? (I was thinking he had some sort of crazy revelation about parenthood or infertility).
THE BEAR: Most of those people in that waiting room are, like, on death's doorstep...
ME: What do you mean by that?
THE BEAR: Well, there were a lot of old people in there...
ME: BWAHHHHAHHHAHA!
As someone who sees people on death's doorstep on a regular basis, I assure you, while there were a lot of old people present, no one in that waiting room looked like they were actively dying. I mean, one person had oxygen on, but I think she was ok.
The rest of the week was met with some spotting that has had me question (on a number of occassions) if I should call the doctor. I had no other signs and symptoms of an infection or anything else wrong, so I just tried to take it easy. Except for working the 12 hour shifts of crazy patients.
So now we wait until our appointment next week!
I don't know why the date for this is 1.26.10 I finished writing it today 1.29.10. Oh well, who cares?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Getting Started
I ended up getting my period on Saturday so Monday morning I ran around trying to get all of my diagnostics scheduled. Holy crap! What a pain in the ass to schedule all of this stuff. The majority of my tests get scheduled through the fertility clinic but the HSG has to be scheduled with the hospital and the fertility nurse does this for me.
ME: Wow, this seems like a scheduling nightmare for you guys!
FERTILITY NURSE: Oh yeah, we're pretty much at the mercy of everybody's ovaries.
This morning I went in for my ultrasound and bloodwork (CD4). I was at the clinic for no longer than 15 minutes. It was virtually painless...unless you count that I had to be stuck TWICE for my labs. Come on, my veins ROCK. Oh well. What was also nice was that Dr. C herself was there to actually do my ultrasound. And she confirmed that we were all set up for my HSG next week AND she suggested that The Bear and I go ahead and make our follow up appointment right away so we wouldn't get caught up in any sort of scheduling snafu.
The ultrasound didn't show too much of anything I didn't already know: A bunch of little follicles. I figure she'll really discuss everything with us when we have all of the results.
On another note, I've been experiencing some crazy ass cramps. I haven't had cramps this bad in, like, eight years. For reals. I actually had to load up with Ibuprofen yesterday. I felt like a junkie.
Stay tuned for my account of my HSG in interventional radiology next week...
ME: Wow, this seems like a scheduling nightmare for you guys!
FERTILITY NURSE: Oh yeah, we're pretty much at the mercy of everybody's ovaries.
This morning I went in for my ultrasound and bloodwork (CD4). I was at the clinic for no longer than 15 minutes. It was virtually painless...unless you count that I had to be stuck TWICE for my labs. Come on, my veins ROCK. Oh well. What was also nice was that Dr. C herself was there to actually do my ultrasound. And she confirmed that we were all set up for my HSG next week AND she suggested that The Bear and I go ahead and make our follow up appointment right away so we wouldn't get caught up in any sort of scheduling snafu.
The ultrasound didn't show too much of anything I didn't already know: A bunch of little follicles. I figure she'll really discuss everything with us when we have all of the results.
On another note, I've been experiencing some crazy ass cramps. I haven't had cramps this bad in, like, eight years. For reals. I actually had to load up with Ibuprofen yesterday. I felt like a junkie.
Stay tuned for my account of my HSG in interventional radiology next week...
Monday, January 4, 2010
Here We Go Again...
Provera time! After much consideration, I determined that I was going to take Provera now and then hopefully be ready for all of my tests the week after we get back from Punta Cana. Part of me REALLY debated long and hard about not doing anything and just enjoying the trip. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that if I wasn't doing something (towards the baby making effort) during this trip that I would be going insane.
So I called Dr. C's office today and a very nice nurse called me back and had a couple of questions for me:
NURSE: What cycle day are you at?
ME: Ummm, 41.
NURSE: Oh my, yes I'd say that you're ready. Did you have a negative home pregnancy test?
ME: Only about a billion.
NURSE: Ok, we'll call in that script for you!
So...here we go! Ten days of Provera...CD3 labwork and u/s, a little HSG action and a Semen Analysis and we'll have a new gameplan! I'm figuring we'll start some sort of treatment in February. In the meantime, I will enjoy the warm sun of Punta Cana, some fruity drinks with umbrellas, room service and all you can eat buffets.
I am trying to remain positive (a 2010 resolution!). I have been repeating to myself that The Bear and I will be parents one day, it just may be a difficult path...or a path I hadn't even imagined taking. When I really examine my life, I remember that I have so much to be thankful for. Hopefully 2010 will be the year that The Bear and I will be parents!
So I called Dr. C's office today and a very nice nurse called me back and had a couple of questions for me:
NURSE: What cycle day are you at?
ME: Ummm, 41.
NURSE: Oh my, yes I'd say that you're ready. Did you have a negative home pregnancy test?
ME: Only about a billion.
NURSE: Ok, we'll call in that script for you!
So...here we go! Ten days of Provera...CD3 labwork and u/s, a little HSG action and a Semen Analysis and we'll have a new gameplan! I'm figuring we'll start some sort of treatment in February. In the meantime, I will enjoy the warm sun of Punta Cana, some fruity drinks with umbrellas, room service and all you can eat buffets.
I am trying to remain positive (a 2010 resolution!). I have been repeating to myself that The Bear and I will be parents one day, it just may be a difficult path...or a path I hadn't even imagined taking. When I really examine my life, I remember that I have so much to be thankful for. Hopefully 2010 will be the year that The Bear and I will be parents!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Dr. C
December 23rd came and went. I am happy that I had my new consult appointment with Dr. C but I am disappointed that we still have a lot of work ahead of us before I can really start any treatment. These are things that I all knew were going to have to happen, I just wish that I could speed it up. Many of these test are really cycle day dependant, though. Again, this whole process is a huge test in patience.
Basically, my RE appointment consisted of a huge health history with the Endocrinology Nurse. Then a review of this history with Dr. C and then an appointment with the Financial Planner.
Dr. C would like to order some more labs, as well as labs that I have had previously drawn but would like them run on more cycle specific days (i.e. CD3). I will have another ultrasound and an HSG (Hysterosalpingogram). Ahhh, the dreaded HSG, where I will have radiographic dye injected through my cervix and into my abdominal cavity in order to assess the patency of my fallopian tubes.
We did go over some of my previous labs and I did feel like I was being assessed for my personal knowledge of the whole situation. I do know many of my lab values and I have made a point of insisting on knowing my results. I was told that from my first u/s that my ovaries did have polycystic qualities, specifically the string of pearls appearance. I was told that everything was normal with my uterus. You can imagine my shock and dismay when Dr. C shrieked, "Your lining was only 5 and this ultrasound was done on Cycle Day 54!" So now I have ANOTHER thing to worry about: My lackluster uterine lining.
Dr. C also had a nice little chat with me regarding lifestyle choices. Specifically the fact that I have not technically quit smoking if I indulge in even one cigarette. I know I needed her to yell at me, but I did feel like I was being verbally whipped for having 4 cigarettes this past month. I know any smoking is still smoking, but prior to this past month, my cigarette indulgences have been few and far in between. Usually while inebriated. But smoking is still smoking. Her words are still ringing in my ears...particularly the phrase, "You may have already damaged your eggs permanently." Yay.
I am also no longer allowed to run. She said that I cannot run and ABSOLUTELY no long distance running. She may or may not have pointed a finger at me at this point. Apparently I will not respond to her treatments if I put myself through that sort of exertion. So the half marathon that I was planning on doing in April is a no go. Yoga and Pilates it is!
I'm not so sure what my feelings are for Dr. C. On one hand, I can certainly get on board with the tough love approach if she gets me knocked up. On the other, if her abilities are sub par, I might find her attitude annoying and a waste of my time and money. I have a strong philosophy regarding physicians: I don't care how bat shit crazy, mean, or smelly you are; but you better be effin BRILLIANT. Now, if you're going to be a mediocre practitioner, then let's drop the God complex and treat your patients like actual people. I have yet to determine which category Dr. C falls in to. I hope she at least has an ounce of some sort of bedside manner during my HSG.
My meeting with the financial counselor was brief but a pleasant surprise. Apparently our insurance does cover 80% of diagnostics once our $2000 deductible is met. The HSG alone is $1998. I hope the ultrasounds are included in this "diagnostic" category. At $500 a pop and with at least 2 or 3 during a cycle, those babies will add up. Our insurance will not cover any procedure to actually get me pregnant, though. I guess I don't really care, the fact that diagnostics are somewhat covered was good news in this crappy situation.
The waiting game commences while I wait for my period to either show or be induced so we can get all of these tests done. Don't forget, The Bear has to have a repeat SA done, this time at the lab. The clinic is very nice, a little cold and sterile, but very private. It's not in The Palace, but in the hospital right next door. This would have been useful information to know before I started wandering around The Palace after working a night shift. After I wound up in the NICU, I admitted to myself that I was lost and enlisted the help of the sweetest elderly male volunteer (complete with burgundy blazer!) and he gladly escorted me there. What a gent.
In non-IF news, The Bear and I are headed off to Punta Cana in about 10 days for a destination wedding. This is a vacation that we both really need right now. When we get back, Trying to Conceive 2010 will begin!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone in the blogosphere!
Basically, my RE appointment consisted of a huge health history with the Endocrinology Nurse. Then a review of this history with Dr. C and then an appointment with the Financial Planner.
Dr. C would like to order some more labs, as well as labs that I have had previously drawn but would like them run on more cycle specific days (i.e. CD3). I will have another ultrasound and an HSG (Hysterosalpingogram). Ahhh, the dreaded HSG, where I will have radiographic dye injected through my cervix and into my abdominal cavity in order to assess the patency of my fallopian tubes.
We did go over some of my previous labs and I did feel like I was being assessed for my personal knowledge of the whole situation. I do know many of my lab values and I have made a point of insisting on knowing my results. I was told that from my first u/s that my ovaries did have polycystic qualities, specifically the string of pearls appearance. I was told that everything was normal with my uterus. You can imagine my shock and dismay when Dr. C shrieked, "Your lining was only 5 and this ultrasound was done on Cycle Day 54!" So now I have ANOTHER thing to worry about: My lackluster uterine lining.
Dr. C also had a nice little chat with me regarding lifestyle choices. Specifically the fact that I have not technically quit smoking if I indulge in even one cigarette. I know I needed her to yell at me, but I did feel like I was being verbally whipped for having 4 cigarettes this past month. I know any smoking is still smoking, but prior to this past month, my cigarette indulgences have been few and far in between. Usually while inebriated. But smoking is still smoking. Her words are still ringing in my ears...particularly the phrase, "You may have already damaged your eggs permanently." Yay.
I am also no longer allowed to run. She said that I cannot run and ABSOLUTELY no long distance running. She may or may not have pointed a finger at me at this point. Apparently I will not respond to her treatments if I put myself through that sort of exertion. So the half marathon that I was planning on doing in April is a no go. Yoga and Pilates it is!
I'm not so sure what my feelings are for Dr. C. On one hand, I can certainly get on board with the tough love approach if she gets me knocked up. On the other, if her abilities are sub par, I might find her attitude annoying and a waste of my time and money. I have a strong philosophy regarding physicians: I don't care how bat shit crazy, mean, or smelly you are; but you better be effin BRILLIANT. Now, if you're going to be a mediocre practitioner, then let's drop the God complex and treat your patients like actual people. I have yet to determine which category Dr. C falls in to. I hope she at least has an ounce of some sort of bedside manner during my HSG.
My meeting with the financial counselor was brief but a pleasant surprise. Apparently our insurance does cover 80% of diagnostics once our $2000 deductible is met. The HSG alone is $1998. I hope the ultrasounds are included in this "diagnostic" category. At $500 a pop and with at least 2 or 3 during a cycle, those babies will add up. Our insurance will not cover any procedure to actually get me pregnant, though. I guess I don't really care, the fact that diagnostics are somewhat covered was good news in this crappy situation.
The waiting game commences while I wait for my period to either show or be induced so we can get all of these tests done. Don't forget, The Bear has to have a repeat SA done, this time at the lab. The clinic is very nice, a little cold and sterile, but very private. It's not in The Palace, but in the hospital right next door. This would have been useful information to know before I started wandering around The Palace after working a night shift. After I wound up in the NICU, I admitted to myself that I was lost and enlisted the help of the sweetest elderly male volunteer (complete with burgundy blazer!) and he gladly escorted me there. What a gent.
In non-IF news, The Bear and I are headed off to Punta Cana in about 10 days for a destination wedding. This is a vacation that we both really need right now. When we get back, Trying to Conceive 2010 will begin!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone in the blogosphere!
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Waiting Game...
Is killing me!!! I am typically a very impatient individual and all of this waiting around is killing me. I'm just so ready to go for my first RE appointment with Dr. C and here what she has to say. That being said...after the initial appointment, we won't be able to do anything for awhile. Unfortunately, we won't even be able to start anything until after the 2nd or 3rd week of January BECAUSE The Bear and I are going on vacation right after the New Year--Punta Cana! Provided I started Provera right after my 1st appointment with my new RE, my period would be set to arrive right before we leave and then I would be taking Clomid during the vacation. I absolutely refuse to do that. Also, there would be no way that I would be able to have lab work and be properly monitored in the Dominican Republic. No thanks.
This vacation has been in the works for years. We'll be spending time with my in laws at a destination wedding. This resort is also where The Bear and I honeymooned in 2008. I'm really looking forward to the weather, good company, good food and RELAXATION. Since I'm going to be in a swimsuit in the near future, I should probably take my bloated ass to the gym!
P.S. If anyone comments that good things come to those who wait or anything about patience, don't be alarmed if I show up at your house and kick you in the shins. Consider yourself warned :)
This vacation has been in the works for years. We'll be spending time with my in laws at a destination wedding. This resort is also where The Bear and I honeymooned in 2008. I'm really looking forward to the weather, good company, good food and RELAXATION. Since I'm going to be in a swimsuit in the near future, I should probably take my bloated ass to the gym!
P.S. If anyone comments that good things come to those who wait or anything about patience, don't be alarmed if I show up at your house and kick you in the shins. Consider yourself warned :)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Getting Knocked Up
There are a variety of different ways to figure out when you might be fertile. If you're pretty regular you can figure out when you ovulate by counting back 14 days from the beginning of your period. You can use Basal Body Temperature charting, check your cervical mucus, or ovulation predictor kits. Or I love this one, you can "listen to your body." I'm trying to listen to my body, but it's sending me mixed signals.
BBT consists of using a special thermometer and taking your temperature at the same time each morning (before you even move) and you chart it. Based on what your chart looks like (and combined with other methods of charting) you can figure out when you're ovulating. I tried this for one month. A typical BBT chart looks like this:
BBT consists of using a special thermometer and taking your temperature at the same time each morning (before you even move) and you chart it. Based on what your chart looks like (and combined with other methods of charting) you can figure out when you're ovulating. I tried this for one month. A typical BBT chart looks like this:
My chart looked nothing like that. My temperatures were very erratic and I could make no sense of them what so ever. At that time I chalked it up to my rotating schedule and that I wasn't really sleeping longer than 3 hours at a crack.
Ovulation predictor kits are supposed to be easier to use. Just pee on a stick at the same time each day (or even a couple each day) in order to figure out when your LH surge occurs. Throughout your cycle estrogen and LH gradually increase causing an egg to ripen and mature. Right before ovulation, a LH surge can be detected. The thing that is tricky is that even if a LH surge is detected, it does not guarantee that an egg was actually released.
I am not even going to discuss CM (I can't even type it out fully!) because a variety of males (ones I'm related to!) read this blog and I want to be able to look them in the eyes in the future. Tell you what, if you're really interested, go Google it yourself.
Last, some women say that they feel really crampy and bloated when they're ovulating. Lovingly dubbed "mittelschmerz" (middle pain) by our German friends. Hmmm, this is how I feel on almost every given day due to the fact that I'm usually stuffing my face with cheesy, processed foods.
That's just on the female's end. If you're a dude, you've got to have working swimmers. You only need one, though. One working one that is able to find one, tiny little egg in an organ the size of a pear. Then it has to be able to successfully fertilize that egg.
So there you have it folks, how to make a baby. You know, with all of the technicalities and little ways this process can get screwed up, it's a wonder this world is overpopulated.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
CD10
So far all that is back is my FSH, which is lower than the CD3 number but is still well within normal limits. I haven't officially heard from Dr. B but I've done enough Googling to know that this should be just fine. Who knows what else they'll take a look at.
The results of my OB panel from CD3 are also in and I was able to totally peruse my lab values from my CBC. My H/H was 13.2/40! Holy cats I'm not even anemic! As an ICU nurse I've become accustomed to being happy over a H/H of 8/28. I've even seen as low as 5/10. My H/H value totally tickles me.
I worked an extra shift last night. I figure it's time to start saving up for IF treatments. My plan is to open a second bank account on Monday. The Bear and I will designate a little cash each week to save up for who knows what. I have a huge Carlo Rossi wine jug that I've been filling with change since I was about 19 and the jug is almost full. I'm very curious to find out how much is in there...
The results of my OB panel from CD3 are also in and I was able to totally peruse my lab values from my CBC. My H/H was 13.2/40! Holy cats I'm not even anemic! As an ICU nurse I've become accustomed to being happy over a H/H of 8/28. I've even seen as low as 5/10. My H/H value totally tickles me.
I worked an extra shift last night. I figure it's time to start saving up for IF treatments. My plan is to open a second bank account on Monday. The Bear and I will designate a little cash each week to save up for who knows what. I have a huge Carlo Rossi wine jug that I've been filling with change since I was about 19 and the jug is almost full. I'm very curious to find out how much is in there...
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