Another Reason to Move to Chicago

For the past few days, I've continued on the doses of 75 Gonal-F, one ampule of menopur, and 5 units of lupron, along with dexamethasone, folgard and prenatal vitamin. I am starting to feel nauseated and uncomfortable. The good news is that when the nurse called this afternoon, she said I did not have to give myself any stimulation shots tonight or tomorrow morning.

This morning, when I went in for my ultrasound, there was a new tech, and she gave me the option of guiding the transvaginal wand myself. Now, if you having done a few rounds of fertility treatments, as I have, you may be tired of having people poke things in your vagina. It is actually nice to be given the choice to do it yourself.

The tech told me that she can always tell the patients who have traveled from Chicago, because they always reach for the want themselves. Apparently, this is standard practice at a few major clinics in that fair city.

Tomorrow:
9 a.m. IVF physical
9:30 Ultrasound, bloodwork, and meet with nurse
10 massage (!)
11 genetic consult

High Anxiety

Earlier today, I was looking for some instructions on how to mix Menopur, when I stumbled on this preface to the requisite document:

At Ferring, we understand that having to mix and administer your own medication may seem overwhelming, and increased stress and anxiety levels can potentially hinder your treatment. We want to make it as easy and stress-free as possible.

In a survey among members of RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association, patients who were prescribed multiple injection methods (needle and syringe plus pen) experienced higher levels of anxiety when handling, preparing, and injecting their medications.

And in fact tonight, as I prepared for shots #2 and 3, I did feel stress and anxiety.

Shot #2 was 300 of Gonal-F. It's a pre-loaded pen, so it does not require any mixing. But I found it difficult to push the button that administers the medication, and once I did push it, the result was more painful, in a stinging way, than any of the other meds I am taking this cycle. I have a vague memory of repronex also being painful in this way.

Shot #3 was Lupron, down to 5 units.

So for the day:

a.m.

One Folgard pill

Two vials of Menopur, injected

p.m.

One Folgard pill

One prenatal vitamin

One baby aspirin

One dexamethasone

5 units Lupron, injected

300 Gonal-F, injected.

3 squares Green and Black Organic chocolate