I just read my post from last night about putting my eggs to sleep. I meant that they should be put in a bed and go get some rest. The other meaning would be gruesome and defeat the purpose of all this work I am doing.
I am going to shoot up tonight a bit earlier than usual as I want to get into NYU at 7. Since I will be coming from Brooklyn again, I have to leave and drive in by 615 AM :( I will need my sleep.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Antagon.
I have to rewrite since the original never posted. The joys of blogging. I called to confirm that I will need to bring my Antagon in to the center tomorrow. I don't know why they want me to but I will. I also have to refill my Gonal F prescription. I had the scrip transferred to the downtown Metro Drugs so I won't have to go all the way uptown again. Metro Drugs is awesome in that they have everything you need and do not have to order it. The pharmacist in the uptown location was super nice as well.
I wonder how people without insurance pay for all these drugs. The Gonal 5 450 IU is $950 a box. My insurance co-pay for 5 boxes of Gonal F 450 IU is $25. Instead of paying $950 x 10, I will be paying $50. Amazing. I have such a love/hate relationship with my insurance carrier. Usually, I want to strangle every person who works at Oxford. Today, I could kiss them all (maybe not on the lips, well, maybe if there is a cute guy that is cute).
I wonder how people without insurance pay for all these drugs. The Gonal 5 450 IU is $950 a box. My insurance co-pay for 5 boxes of Gonal F 450 IU is $25. Instead of paying $950 x 10, I will be paying $50. Amazing. I have such a love/hate relationship with my insurance carrier. Usually, I want to strangle every person who works at Oxford. Today, I could kiss them all (maybe not on the lips, well, maybe if there is a cute guy that is cute).
Another 450...
....one to go. Nothing much to say. I shot up at about 11 and tried to sleep but couldn't. Kind of anxious but feel fine. No headaches like I had the first time I shot up 450. I should probably put the eggs to sleep.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Maybe this will help me feel better...
...I found this and someone on Craigs List also sent this to me.....
Estradiol (E2) Day 3 25-75 pg/ml Levels on the lower end tend to be better for stimulating. Abnormally high levels on day 3 may indicate existence of a functional cyst or diminished ovarian reserve.
Estradiol (E2) Day 4-5 of meds 100+ pg/ml or 2x Day 3 There are no charts showing E2 levels during stimulation since there is a wide variation depending on how many follicles are being produced and their size. Most doctors will consider any increase in E2 a positive sign, but others use a formula of either 100 pg/ml after 4 days of stims, or a doubling in E2 from the level taken on cycle day 3.
My Day 2/3 Estradiol Level with no meds was 41 in June. My 'number' this morning, if it is estradiol, was 185 and it is on meds. Therefore, that would be good.
What I learned today: 1) I will have to ask much more questions of the nurse next time. 2) I will always carry a pen and paper and my questions with me at all times when I am expecting the nurse to call.
Estradiol (E2) Day 3 25-75 pg/ml Levels on the lower end tend to be better for stimulating. Abnormally high levels on day 3 may indicate existence of a functional cyst or diminished ovarian reserve.
Estradiol (E2) Day 4-5 of meds 100+ pg/ml or 2x Day 3 There are no charts showing E2 levels during stimulation since there is a wide variation depending on how many follicles are being produced and their size. Most doctors will consider any increase in E2 a positive sign, but others use a formula of either 100 pg/ml after 4 days of stims, or a doubling in E2 from the level taken on cycle day 3.
My Day 2/3 Estradiol Level with no meds was 41 in June. My 'number' this morning, if it is estradiol, was 185 and it is on meds. Therefore, that would be good.
What I learned today: 1) I will have to ask much more questions of the nurse next time. 2) I will always carry a pen and paper and my questions with me at all times when I am expecting the nurse to call.
185?
I was at the Center at 715 AM and had only a blood test. What a let down! I was hoping to see the beginnings of my future clan! I was out of there in 15 minutes feeling kind of empty.
At 2 PM, I received a call from the nurse with my instructions for the next 2 days. Tuesday PM, take 450 IU of Gonal F. Wednesday PM, take 450 IU of the Gonal F. On Thursday morning, I am to report back to the Center for a blood test and sonogram. I also was told to take medication with me to the Center. I think she said to take the Gonadatropin. But, now I realize the Gonadatropin (I call it Gonal F) will be all gone by that morning. Why am I taking it with me anyway? I have to call tomorrow to confirm what I am doing. I was online at Katz's Deli when the nurse called and was all a flutter in knishes, fries, corned beef, kraut, cream soda and hot dogs. No, it wasn't all for me and yes, I do have heartburn now.
I did ask one question that was sort of silly...I asked if my numbers in the morning blood test were good. OK, maybe it isn't a silly question but WTF do I know what is good or not? What numbers was I talking about? The nurse said, yes, they were good. 185. 185? What's that? I said, oh, ok. I will see you Thursday and hung up. WTF?
OK, so I get home and try and google 185, fertility, gonal f, etc. I don't find a thing. I am guessing it has something to do with estradiol but I am not sure. I went on craigs list and posted a question in trying to conceive. no response back yet. I am rechecking there constantly. I wish someone would answer.
OK, time to shoot up.
At 2 PM, I received a call from the nurse with my instructions for the next 2 days. Tuesday PM, take 450 IU of Gonal F. Wednesday PM, take 450 IU of the Gonal F. On Thursday morning, I am to report back to the Center for a blood test and sonogram. I also was told to take medication with me to the Center. I think she said to take the Gonadatropin. But, now I realize the Gonadatropin (I call it Gonal F) will be all gone by that morning. Why am I taking it with me anyway? I have to call tomorrow to confirm what I am doing. I was online at Katz's Deli when the nurse called and was all a flutter in knishes, fries, corned beef, kraut, cream soda and hot dogs. No, it wasn't all for me and yes, I do have heartburn now.
I did ask one question that was sort of silly...I asked if my numbers in the morning blood test were good. OK, maybe it isn't a silly question but WTF do I know what is good or not? What numbers was I talking about? The nurse said, yes, they were good. 185. 185? What's that? I said, oh, ok. I will see you Thursday and hung up. WTF?
OK, so I get home and try and google 185, fertility, gonal f, etc. I don't find a thing. I am guessing it has something to do with estradiol but I am not sure. I went on craigs list and posted a question in trying to conceive. no response back yet. I am rechecking there constantly. I wish someone would answer.
OK, time to shoot up.
Waiting...
....not much to report. I was at the Center at 715AM and only needed a blood test. My FSH levels from my test Saturday (day 2) were 10.8. I have never had a FSH level reading that high. Each of my tests from the last year have gone up. One year ago, they were at 6.5 I think. Then they hit8 or 9. I am gald I am doing this egg freezing if the levels are rising so rapidly.
The nurse calls later to let me know what my AM and PM doses of Gonal F are. I will post again then.
The nurse calls later to let me know what my AM and PM doses of Gonal F are. I will post again then.
CD 5 Let's hope for several 3mms!
Today is a huge day. I will find out if anything is growing.
Last night, I took my PM dose of 225 IU of Gonal F. No problemo. No headaches. I am awake though at 150 AM when I need to be up at 6 and out the door at 630! No too smart.
The Center said I should be growing follicles at a rate of 1mm a day so since I started on Saturday, I am hoping to hear that some follicles are at 3mm.
I will find out soon! I am also asking for my blood test results and photos of the sonogram to post (not sure if they will give me the info but i don't see why not).
Last night, I took my PM dose of 225 IU of Gonal F. No problemo. No headaches. I am awake though at 150 AM when I need to be up at 6 and out the door at 630! No too smart.
The Center said I should be growing follicles at a rate of 1mm a day so since I started on Saturday, I am hoping to hear that some follicles are at 3mm.
I will find out soon! I am also asking for my blood test results and photos of the sonogram to post (not sure if they will give me the info but i don't see why not).
Sunday, November 16, 2008
UGH...My Head is Killin' Me!
I just took my 225 IU Gonal F shot tonight and I cannot bear to post much. My head is killing me. I got a little headache reprieve towards the late late afternoon but after just taking my PM shop, it started up. I also feel a tad vomity but that could be the small amount of ice cream I just ate. I am going to bed.
My Eggs are Making my Head Hurt....
I took my AM dose of 225 IU of Gonal F this morning and my head was killing me all day. Why is it when there is a side effect to a medication, in this case 22% of Gonal F users get headaches, that I get the side effect? I know I cannot take Ibuprofen or aspirin so I have to wait until tomorrow, 2 more doses later, to see if I can take anything. :(
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I Shot Up!
OK, a tad rocky start but day one is complete. I shot up!
With the Gonal F pen, which is what I use, you are supposed to prime the pen to make sure the pen is ready for use and see if the liquid comes out of the needle. I, of course in my haste, primed it but never took the cap off to see if the medication was coming out. I wasted a bit doing this but there is an extra 100 IU in each pen so I was ok.
I watched a video of the shooting up process here http://www.fertilitylifelines.com/serono/products/gonalf/pen/instructions.jsp and then rewatched it as I went along and did the injection. No problemo. Only suggestion is to get a dispository (red box) for the needles from the pharmacy. Mine are now in a Poland Springs Water Bottle. Not too sanitary.
Just for the uninformed, the Gonal F medication is supposed to make your body produce more than the one or two follicles that it normally produces during a cycle. It's supposed to be like a super cycle. That is why tomorrow my dose will gradually increase and on Tuesday, they can see via the sonogram how many are starting to grow and if the dose should be lowered or increased. Pretty much 450 then 225/225/225/225 is the baseline beginning.
More updates tomorrow in the AM after I shoot up.
With the Gonal F pen, which is what I use, you are supposed to prime the pen to make sure the pen is ready for use and see if the liquid comes out of the needle. I, of course in my haste, primed it but never took the cap off to see if the medication was coming out. I wasted a bit doing this but there is an extra 100 IU in each pen so I was ok.
I watched a video of the shooting up process here http://www.fertilitylifelines.com/serono/products/gonalf/pen/instructions.jsp and then rewatched it as I went along and did the injection. No problemo. Only suggestion is to get a dispository (red box) for the needles from the pharmacy. Mine are now in a Poland Springs Water Bottle. Not too sanitary.
Just for the uninformed, the Gonal F medication is supposed to make your body produce more than the one or two follicles that it normally produces during a cycle. It's supposed to be like a super cycle. That is why tomorrow my dose will gradually increase and on Tuesday, they can see via the sonogram how many are starting to grow and if the dose should be lowered or increased. Pretty much 450 then 225/225/225/225 is the baseline beginning.
More updates tomorrow in the AM after I shoot up.
CD 2 Time to Take the Meds
I went in to NYU's Fertility Center at about 815 AM and the Center was packed. There had to be about 30 women there taking blood tests, paying, waiting for a sonogram, etc. I was shocked.
Today was also harmless. I was in and out in 30 minutes. It could have been faster but the line to pay was long. Basically, the first time you go to start the process, you get a blood test, take the paperwork to billing, pay and then wait for the sonogram. I got held up in billing. Others had the problems, not me, so the line was long. Everything else was a breeze. The blood test actually took as long as the vaginal sonogram.
At about 1230 PM, I received a call from a nurse at NYU with my instructions for the rest of the day as well as the next 3 days. She told me to take (ok, shoot up actually) 450 IU of Gonal F tthis evening, then 225 IU of Gonal F in the morning. Then later that day, between 8 and 12 hours later, I will take another 225 IU of Gonal F. The following day, I will again take 225 IU in the AM and 225 IU of Gonal F in the PM. Then, Tuesday, I will take no Gonal F. I just show up at NYU between 7 and 9 AM for a new blood test and another sonogram. Easy cheesy.
After 'the call', I gobbled down my yummy brunch (may I recommend Park Ave Autumn at 100 East 63 Street in Manhattan for brunch?) and went to the pharmacy recommended by NYU for the meds. Note that many pharmacies do not have these meds on hand and won't even know what they are. One pharmacy said they would order them for me but I did not want to rely on them being there so I went straight to the recommended NYU Pharmacy, Metro Drugs on Lex and about 68th Street.
Luckily, my meds are covered by my insurance because they cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Why my carrier covers the meds and not the procedure makes no sense but I am happy something is covered.
The Gonal F needs to be refrigerated so I drove straight home and put the boxes (5 in all) in the refrigerator. The rest of the meds (Antagon, HCG trigger meds and the antibiotics) do not need refrigeration. I don't need those until later anyway.
I am off now to actually watch the video that NYU claims is online showing someone shooting up the Gonal F. More on the shooting up after I shoot it up.
I totally forgot to ask the nurse what my FSH and estradiol levels were. Obviously they were good enough to proceed but I still wanted to know. In all my excitement, I forgot to ask. I will defintely remember to ask Tuesday.
Today was also harmless. I was in and out in 30 minutes. It could have been faster but the line to pay was long. Basically, the first time you go to start the process, you get a blood test, take the paperwork to billing, pay and then wait for the sonogram. I got held up in billing. Others had the problems, not me, so the line was long. Everything else was a breeze. The blood test actually took as long as the vaginal sonogram.
At about 1230 PM, I received a call from a nurse at NYU with my instructions for the rest of the day as well as the next 3 days. She told me to take (ok, shoot up actually) 450 IU of Gonal F tthis evening, then 225 IU of Gonal F in the morning. Then later that day, between 8 and 12 hours later, I will take another 225 IU of Gonal F. The following day, I will again take 225 IU in the AM and 225 IU of Gonal F in the PM. Then, Tuesday, I will take no Gonal F. I just show up at NYU between 7 and 9 AM for a new blood test and another sonogram. Easy cheesy.
After 'the call', I gobbled down my yummy brunch (may I recommend Park Ave Autumn at 100 East 63 Street in Manhattan for brunch?) and went to the pharmacy recommended by NYU for the meds. Note that many pharmacies do not have these meds on hand and won't even know what they are. One pharmacy said they would order them for me but I did not want to rely on them being there so I went straight to the recommended NYU Pharmacy, Metro Drugs on Lex and about 68th Street.
Luckily, my meds are covered by my insurance because they cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Why my carrier covers the meds and not the procedure makes no sense but I am happy something is covered.
The Gonal F needs to be refrigerated so I drove straight home and put the boxes (5 in all) in the refrigerator. The rest of the meds (Antagon, HCG trigger meds and the antibiotics) do not need refrigeration. I don't need those until later anyway.
I am off now to actually watch the video that NYU claims is online showing someone shooting up the Gonal F. More on the shooting up after I shoot it up.
I totally forgot to ask the nurse what my FSH and estradiol levels were. Obviously they were good enough to proceed but I still wanted to know. In all my excitement, I forgot to ask. I will defintely remember to ask Tuesday.
CD 1 The Night Before the Eggs Start Cooking
Not many women can or will say this (well, unless they are 14 and in HS) but hooray, I got my period. Tomorrow, or actually today starts the first day that I start cooking my eggs.
I will digress only slightly because I am blogging this ONLY because when I went searching for information about egg freezing, I found virtually NO first-hand accounts of what it felt like and what happened during the process. Oh, I am freezing my eggs. I am not freezing embryos...I am freezing my eggs. Unfertilized. You know, the kind you get in the supermarket. This won't cost 2.19 though. Also, I hope to get more than a dozen but 12 will be ok.
So, basically, I am 37 1/2 (birthday was in July) and single. I want kids but I don't think I want to do the kids thing on my own so I thought, well, how can I stop my aging eggs? Bank 'em is the only answer.
At about 7 AM this morning, I will be heading into NYU's Fertility Center and get my Day Two of Period Blood Tests and Sonogram (or is it an ultrasound???). Yes, you get a VAGINAL sono/ultrasound on day 2 of your period. I gather it might be messy but whatever. Not my problemo. So, later in the day, someone from NYU will call me and say, "...we are a go, start taking Gonal F" and provide me with the Day 2 dosage. They could say, we need another month but it's doubtful since I had tons of tests before this point to see if my FSH levels and estradiol levels were good to proceed with egg freezing.
Anyway, so I am heading off to bed because I have to be at NYU in a couple of hours. Then I have to wait for the call. Then, I have to go place an order for the medication (Gonal F Pen, Antagon, HCG trigger shot and an antibiotic) and wait for it to be ready. Then I actually have to start the Gonal F injection that night.
So I don't forget tomorrow to explain this (as I might be all flustered tomorrow), Gonal F is a injection. I will have to self-inject myself (it's cubcutaneous) daily for 2 weeks. More on that later.
Although it is an injection and I hate needles, I am more worried about 1) the pharmacy claiming they couldn't get the meds I need (even though I called and ordered them today) requiring me to scurry around somewhere else to get them and/or 2) the pharmacy claiming I have to pay for the meds; they are about $6,500 without insurance (my insurance is covering the meds but not the procedure (which is $9,000).
Luckily, I have a letter from the insurance carrier so I will bring this with me to the pharmacy.
OK, time for the eggs to get to sleep before they start partying tomorrow.
I will digress only slightly because I am blogging this ONLY because when I went searching for information about egg freezing, I found virtually NO first-hand accounts of what it felt like and what happened during the process. Oh, I am freezing my eggs. I am not freezing embryos...I am freezing my eggs. Unfertilized. You know, the kind you get in the supermarket. This won't cost 2.19 though. Also, I hope to get more than a dozen but 12 will be ok.
So, basically, I am 37 1/2 (birthday was in July) and single. I want kids but I don't think I want to do the kids thing on my own so I thought, well, how can I stop my aging eggs? Bank 'em is the only answer.
At about 7 AM this morning, I will be heading into NYU's Fertility Center and get my Day Two of Period Blood Tests and Sonogram (or is it an ultrasound???). Yes, you get a VAGINAL sono/ultrasound on day 2 of your period. I gather it might be messy but whatever. Not my problemo. So, later in the day, someone from NYU will call me and say, "...we are a go, start taking Gonal F" and provide me with the Day 2 dosage. They could say, we need another month but it's doubtful since I had tons of tests before this point to see if my FSH levels and estradiol levels were good to proceed with egg freezing.
Anyway, so I am heading off to bed because I have to be at NYU in a couple of hours. Then I have to wait for the call. Then, I have to go place an order for the medication (Gonal F Pen, Antagon, HCG trigger shot and an antibiotic) and wait for it to be ready. Then I actually have to start the Gonal F injection that night.
So I don't forget tomorrow to explain this (as I might be all flustered tomorrow), Gonal F is a injection. I will have to self-inject myself (it's cubcutaneous) daily for 2 weeks. More on that later.
Although it is an injection and I hate needles, I am more worried about 1) the pharmacy claiming they couldn't get the meds I need (even though I called and ordered them today) requiring me to scurry around somewhere else to get them and/or 2) the pharmacy claiming I have to pay for the meds; they are about $6,500 without insurance (my insurance is covering the meds but not the procedure (which is $9,000).
Luckily, I have a letter from the insurance carrier so I will bring this with me to the pharmacy.
OK, time for the eggs to get to sleep before they start partying tomorrow.
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