Miracle Drug

I lost my voice, so I broke down and went to the doctor. When I got weighed, I found out that I've lost 20 pounds in the past two months. Hell yes!

This is all due to my Metformin. Metformin helps my blood process insulin more effectively. When my body processes insulin correctly, I can actually burn fat.

A w e s o m e.

If only it didn't level off once my body is regulated.

The IUI is Scheduled

I didn't post after Friday's scan, because there wasn't anything good to say. I had one follicle developing and it was at 10 -- which means that it will be "ripe" when I'm out of town Wed & Thurs.

After today's scan, I now have two additional follicles that were at 10 today -- which means that they will most likely be "ripe" on Friday...so we're scheduled for an IUI on Friday morning (10/3).

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Today when I was having my ultrasound two thoughts came to my mind.

1. I bet most people would find it weird how comfortable one gets with having invasive ultrasounds done on a bi-daily basis. I timed myself today. I can get my clothes off and into the stirrups within 18 seconds.

2. October is "medical ultrasound month." There's a flier in my doctor's office. Uh, does that mean I'll be getting a discount on one of the 10 - 15 ultrasounds I'll potentially have in October? Yeah, didn't think so.

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Tomorrow I'm going out of town. This will be my first trip (this time) with fertility meds. I keep forgetting that I need to pack a little cooler to go with me on my trip. Having needles is a good way to get through security fast. Seriously. If you're forthcoming with the info, the security people always wave you through quickly. I guess they assume that if you have to give yourself shots, you're not worth hassling.

True that.

Headache & Low Estrogen

In the hopes of becoming prego sometime in the near future, I've started to cut down on my caffeine intake. I remembered this sucking when I was trying to get prego with V. It seems worse this time. I need caffeine.

Less caffeine + hormones + fertility meds = super bitchy Bethany

People need to stop messing with me.

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My nurse called and my blood work showed that my estrogen level is not increasing as quickly as it needs to, so I get to bump up my injectable. I'm now at 150 cc's of Follistim each night.

Next ultrasound is Friday.

No Stimulation -- Yet

So far my meds haven't kicked my follicles into gear. Nothing to be alarmed about yet.

So, RD is the winner, with a guess of 21...because I'm still technically at 42.

Today I had an ultrasound and bloodwork. I'll have an injection this evening and I will wash the day down with seven of my closest friends (pills).

Taking Bets

I'd like to start a little contest. Whoever guesses closest without going over wins. No actual prize...well, maybe I'll name one of my follicles after you.

Last scan I had 42 follicles with the potential to grow. How many will I have after tomorrow's scan? It's not science -- at this point, it's a total crap shoot. The number will be between 0 - 42.

I am going with 17. Although, I'm hoping for 8.

G R U M P Y

The meds are making me super bitchy this time around -- bitchier than normal. They're also making me a bit frantic. This could also be related to last week's natural disaster.

Poor Dave/planet Earth.

I'm also crying. A lot. Human emotions stink.

Pinch - Dart - Push - Release - Pull Out

I started injections yesterday. It was far less traumatic than I expected it to be. Everything is still second nature.

Put the shot together. Stick shot in stomach. Pull shot out...or, as they teach you at the doctor's office: Pinch (your skin), Dart (the injection in -- I still cannot dart -- I'm all for the slow entry), Push (the meds in), Release (your skin), Pull Out (the needle).

Easy.

Round 1: Day Two (Baseline Scan, Blood Test)

We’re currently on day two of the cycle. Day two means that I go in for a base-line scan to make sure my uterine lining is shedding correctly and to count the number of follicles that have the potential to release eggs. On this day I typically also have blood work done. Because I had blood work done so recently (two weeks ago), I got to skip this goodness today. Awesome.

I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS patients typically either produce very low (or no) egg counts or very high egg counts – this is why they’re very strict on the amount of medication I take.

As of now, I have 42 follicles with the potential of growing to release eggs. To put this into perspective, on the cycle that worked with Violet, I had 38 follicles with potential.

Today I was also reminded of how dramatically fertility meds can effect my emotions. While driving to the doctor I saw a convoy of work vans from Phoenix. I started thinking about how nice it is that these people were willing to come to Houston to help our city get back on schedule post-Hurricane Ike. Then I started thinking about their families. Next thing I know, my face is a waterfall...

It was a long day. Me and my 42 follicles are going to sleep. Shots start tomorrow.

Power and Pharmaceuticals

A hurricane is headed our way. We should be concerned for our safety, but now that we have $1500 medications that require refrigeration in the picture...

My Dad has a cooler that is powered by your car. This is our current backup solution.

Oh and I've only been taking one of my Prometrium pills for the past two days. Last night I realized I should have been taking two. Crap! So many details!

Today's Medications 09/10/08

Here's what I'm ingesting today:

Medication	Purpose	Dosage	Delivery Method	Number
Metformin	Insulin regulation	2000mg	Pill	4
Valtrex	Subdue fever blisters	500mg	Pill	1
Duet DHA	Pre-natal vitamin	(1) vitamin (1) soft gel with DHA	Pill	2
Prometrium	Shed uterine lining	200mg	Pill	1

TOTAL PILLS FOR DAY: 8
TOTAL INJECTIONS FOR DAY: 0

Fingers Crossed

I've worked my travel, so that I should be in town for most of the rest of the month...but I have to be out of town on Oct 1 & 2...which, if my body goes slow enough, could be target insemination days. No way around it.

I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

Health Care Failure

So, after multiple hours on the phone with multiple levels of different components of my health care provider, I found out that every month, we will have to pay $1500 for prescriptions.

So, my coverage was changed so that all fertility treatments are covered -- but none of the prescriptions to enable said treatments are covered.

Really fucking mad is the only statement that comes close to what I'm currently feeling.

As if the whole fertility business is not stressful enough, now I've got the fact that each month's meds are $1500 in my head.

I'm really glad that Viagra is covered by my policy. I hate men.

And So It Begins...

I'm writing this for my own personal sanity, to share with my closest compadres (the ones who had to stick it out with me the first time -- for your cheer leading that I'm eternally grateful for -- I could have never done it the first time without your support) and for future reference.

Today I visited my fertility doctor to begin a new cycle. Meaning, I've already seen my fertility doctor recently and I've taken care of the preliminary steps I (it's individualized) have to go through in order to begin fertility treatment.

Preliminary steps:

1. Take medicine to induce period. Check.


2. Get blood work on second or third day to verify crazy whacked out hormone levels that require aforementioned fertility treatment. Check.


3. Run through the financial check to make sure you're willing and able to fund treatment. Check.


4. Start taking prenatal vitamins. Check.


5. After initial blood test, integrate and sustain Metformin (to regulate high insulin levels).Check.

In today's visit, we discussed my pre-Metformin blood work results -- which were, as expected, crappy. My doctor gave me an awesome backhanded compliment, "Your insulin levels are remarkable." Hooray for me. Other negative: My blood sugar is pre-borderline diabetic.

There were some surprising positives though: My testosterone levels were normal (say what?), my cholesterol is really low (good cholesterol needs to be higher -- as always) and my triglycerides were low.

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PRESCRIPTIONS

1. Follistim AQ -- Ovary ripener. Makes one ovulate.


2. Follistim AQ Pen -- Less threatening way to say, "needle."


3. Endometrin -- Progesterone suppositories (for post insemination). As you may remember from round #1, this was formerly known as "cocoa butter." My thighs are sad that they will not be as well moisturized this time. I'm, however, not sad. Disgusting.


4. Prometrium -- Makes one shed their uterine lining. AKA Get period.


5. Pregnancy tests -- I was supposed to take one of these today before I started taking Prometrium, but GD Rebecca distracted me on the phone. I'm not really worried about it.


6. Ovidrel -- Shot that forces your ovarian follicles to release eggs. Given 24 - 48 hours prior to insemination.

COST OF TODAY'S PRESCRIPTIONS: $1500. I just about fainted when they gave me today's price tag. In the past, my prescriptions have cost about $250 per cycle.

When I got home from the doctor, I called the insurance and (thank GOD) it was a mistake (not the pharmacy's fault -- the insurance company's fault). Now I'm jumping through hoops to get our money back. The lady at the pharmacy is being so incredibly helpful. I'm writing a letter of commendation to Walgreens.

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DOCTOR'S ORDERS

1. Take Prometrium to get period.


2. On third day of period, get baseline scan.


3. I'll detail the additional items after I finish #1 and #2.

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TARGET INSEMINATION DATE: 9/29/08 (exactly two years and one day after we conceived V!)

TARGET PREGNANCY TEST DATE: 10/14/08