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 :-)

Viagra, the Little White Suppository

Never in my life did I think I'd be taking Viagra.  Alas, never say never!  Tonight's the first night with Viagra (or the generic sildenafil) in the form of a suppository that I have to insert vaginally.  Viagra taken this way in an IVF cycle is supposed to improve the uterine lining to increase the odds of an embryo attaching.  It just came in an unceremonious little white cardboard box & the suppositories weren't even encased in foil.  Practically all white with just a dash of blue.

A total of 10 were prescribed & I was given the ok to start it tonight.  Today's also Day 4 of my period.  Thank God my period's practically nonexistent or else it would have grossed me out to no end to get it up there... middle finger was up to my knuckle because it doesn't come with an applicator.  I was warned not to wear my nice panties while on these as discharge can result as it melts away inside.  Nothing compares to to the nastiness of Endometrin inserts (3 times a day forever, coming out in gushy chunks, treasure box felt gross all day long) so this will be a cakewalk.

Additionally, I began Follistim & Menopur two days ago.  I love the Follistim pen!  Easiest thing in the world to use.  I was shown how to use by a nurse but forgot since that was over a month ago; found this video on Youtube that served as a great refresher.  Menopur's already an old friend since I used it last time.  450 IUs of Follistim in the morning, 150 IUs Menopur at night.

Viagra, large doses, little bit of hope, lotta prayer, all for me... onward!

So Many Vials...

Per doctor instructions now that I'm off BCP I had to wait for AF to arrive before I could start the Bravelle and Menopur injections, and she came first thing this morning.  Thank God because I'm ready to get this started!

I had my injectibles set up from the night before so I'd be ready to go. I reviewed the injection guide over and over but still had it on hand in case I needed to refer to it. I also saw videos on Youtube to help me visualize all the mixing and switching of syringe needles. So many thank you's to those women for so sharing so openly. I was prescribed 225 units (3 vials) of Bravelle and 75 units (1 vial) of Menopur. So I had to make certain I had the proper vials on hand including the sodium chloride (water), even got a little OCD by reading/re-reading/re-re-reading vial labels before I got the show on the road.

Wiped the top of the vials with alcohol, withdrew 1 mL of water, got vials and injected/withdrew the solution, screwed off the Q-Cap and put on a 27G needle, cleaned skin with alcohol, put in needle at a 90 degree angle, injected, held for 5 seconds, withdrew needle, discarded needle -- piece of cake!

This whole process took much longer than the wretched Lupron injections, about 10 minutes, but I think I'll get the hang of it quickly. And the solution did burn a little under the skin. I have to do this morning and night, and I have a follow-up ultrasound later this week to see how I'm doing on this dosage. Then the Ganirelix!

Ooh I'm praying these injections are successful, that (Lupron hiccup aside) there are healthy, quality eggs to retrieve. God willing: IVF, next stop!