Here are some thoughts after my first week of IVF.
Stims
My first day of stims was last Tuesday. I was so glad my husband said he would do all my injections. I was very nervous and almost in tears. I completely blanked on how to prepare any of it when we opened it up. But he handled it like a pro. In fact, I think he enjoyed injecting me! Since, then it’s become routine and we get it done pretty easily and quickly. I only have a few tiny bruises; nothing too impressive.
The Follistim pen is easy; I barely feel it. The Menopur stings and bleeds a bit. A Twitter friend suggested I ice my stomach for a few minutes before using the Menopur and that definitely helps.
My protocol this week was Follistim (375iu, then down to 300iu), Menopur (150iu then down to 75iu), 81mcg apsirin, and 16mcg Medrol.
Labs
I had two early-morning blood draws this week. I thought I would hate them, but I actually enjoy the half-hour of extra reading time I have before work. My RE doesn’t volunteer the numbers from the results, and I never ask, but he says everything looks good.
Nutrition
I’ve been successful at keeping gluten-free and caffeine-free! The gluten-free is not as hard as I thought it would be. I will say that it was a lot easier to eat healthier during the week than it was on the weekend. Eating out was a bit of a challenge, and I kind of overdid it on the tater tots Saturday night. Oh well, it’s still an overall improvement for me.
If you’re interested in seeing my food diary for the week, you can view it at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/urbancalgirl
Side Effects
I haven’t been sleeping very well since I started the stims, but I’m not sure if that’s from the stims or the fact that my cat has suddenly started insisting on sleeping right next to my head. I’ve also been having very vivid dreams each night, and had hot flashes the first three nights. Luckily, the hot flashes have seemed to stopped since I reduced my Follistim and Menopur dosages on Friday night.
I have had a dull headache since the first night, but that might also be from the lack of caffeine. I felt some fatigue and slightly weepy yesterday, but nothing I can’t handle.
Also, I think the prescription-strength pre-natal vitamins I’m on have done wonders for my nails! They’re the longest and strongest they’ve ever been! Yay for good side effects!
*** Looking for tips on surviving IVF? Check out my post, 10 Practical Ways to Prepare for IVF ***
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Yay! Retrieval soon? I do gluten free also! It gets easier as time goes by. Good luck!
Retrieval hopefully this weekend!
Wow! You are on quite a journey. Praying for endurance, peace, and grace for you and your husband as you trust expectantly. Thank for visiting inking the heart. Blessings! love, Rachael
Thanks for the prayers, Rachael.
It sounds like things are going pretty well! Getting close to retrieval! Praying for you!
Thanks, Kasey! I’m praying for you, too!
Sounds about right! I had some hot flashes in the middle of the night too. Woke up all sweaty. Best wishes for the rest of your stims and upcoming retrieval.
Jealous of the nails! Prenatals never helped mine, they are hopeless, though they were a little stronger while I was pregnant! Glad you’re getting through it! I’m excited and hopeful for you!