Ganirelix, Old Friend

Tonight I introduced Ganirelix, which I had used in my previous IVF. Except unlike last time this nurse instructed me to do the injections within 24 hours or less of the previous injection.  That the Ganirelix only stays in the system for 24 hours & it's like a gate that starts to swing shut.  It's important to keep that gate wide open, thus Ganirelix must be taken within 24 hours or less of the prior dose.  WHY DIDN'T MY PREVIOUS RE TELL ME THIS?  I will never understand why every doctor can't give the same information to all patients.  All the resources & emotional investment that we put into IVF/IUI/ICI & you would think that there would be a level of consistency & information that can yield the best outcomes. Ugh!

Done with the vent, moving on, getting back on the sunny side of the street... Ganirelix's needle is rather broad but I finally got it in.

My dosages were also decreased on Monday after labs: Follistim down to 300 IU in the a.m., Menopur down to 75 IU in the p.m.  Along with the addition of Ganirelix I'm still continuing with the Viagra.

I love my RE.  Her spirit is that she's rooting for you & will use whatever resources she has to help achieve & keep a pregnancy.  Total opposite from the RE from last fall but you live & learn.  God bless her.

Everything's progressing, I go back to the doctor tomorrow.  I'm just feeling especially tired today so I'm once again making it an early night.

Big, warm hug goes to sister SMC'er Candlelight & Pacifiers... it's always darkest before the dawn :-)

Onto the Ganirelix

Things are progressing! I was initially concerned that the follicular development wouldn't be where they ought to be at the 8 day mark. I was just glad to hear what seemed like good news. I wish I could report what was seen on the ultrasound but as quickly as he mentioned the number on the right and left was how quickly it flew out my brain. But my doctor was pleased with the progress and I was able to start Ganirelix yesterday. Weird little pre-filled syringe and that needle's a mess -- it's slightly thicker and a bit duller. Damn near had to stab myself to get the needle in; did I mention how proud I am to be able to do these shots myself?

I was going to write an update yesterday but I still haven't been able to shake the constant fatigue. And whereas in the last week I've been eating like a baby bear, today I had zero appetite.

Even writing this I feel my eyes closing shut... so I'm going to oblige them. Good night, sweet dreams.

START SIDENOTE
And to Khaddafy, you smarmy, wicked bastard: Kick rocks.
And take that murderous f*cker in Syria with you.
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Google Fast

The countdown to shooting myself back up begins!  I had another ultrasound today, and I also had a baseline blood draw.  Now that I am off BCP (again) as of yesterday I just await AF, which should come by Saturday.  Then I can start with injections of Bravelle and Menopur.  Since I haven't been taking Lupron I was instead put on Ganirelix.  Antagonist protocol.  I didn't even know what that protocol meant so of course I've been on the internet tonight playing med school resident.

Which brings me to the downside.  I could have asked my doctor more questions like what are the rates of success with this protocol vs. any other but it's like I didn't want to hear any bad news / low odds / longshot, etc.  Not the smartest way to go about this but maybe I start injections and see how they work (and hopefully how well they work)... so like a fool I'm searching 'antagonist success IVF' reading how it may result in lower pregnancy rates vs. long lupron protocol.  Wow, great.  Got the bad news I was trying to avoid from the damn doctor.  But it also may be better with poor responders, and since this is my first cycle I have no idea in what category I may reside.  Plus who knows how I'll respond given my high FSH/low AMH.  And I'm not even going to touch the great time I had reading about egg quality and egg quantity and cancelled cycles.  The internet is the devil.

I have been realistic about the odds since embarking on TTC as an SMBC and have tried to not let some of the worries deter me from doing this on my own.  I'm grateful I'm a praying optimist or else I'd get my Ciroc and call it a night.  And please let this mercury retrograde wrap itself up right quick!  Alas, what else can I do but begin, back up off Google, and give it to God.