On September 16th I had an appt with my RE. It was a dual appt. My annual pap and to discuss what to expect during a medicated cycle. As far as they saw I had a normal pap. So with that aside, it was learning about the injectible fertility meds and what to expect as far as all the appts during the cycle. They prescribed the medication, Menopur, for me to take during the beginning of my next cycle. This drug induces the development of multiple eggs giving a better chance at pregnancy. People have asked me what are my chances of pregnancy with this drug. There aren't any statistics per se, but it's got to be a bigger chance then I have now. So any step forward of any kind is alright with me. They also prescribed one shot of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), aka the trigger shot. This is given to induce the release of the egg (ovulation). By taking that shot, we are in control of when I ovulate giving us a better chance at timing it right.
Since my last update we have decided that we are trying the meds effective next cycle, which will be early October (roughly in a week) as opposed to later in the year. This is JUST the meds and timed intercourse, NOT meds and IUI. If this cycle doesn't work, then we will plan an IUI before the end of the year. Reason is that John found out about Ford's benefit increase to the employees, so we may decide that it's better for me to hold the insurance for the family. So we want to get all that we can get out of our current insurance which consists of 3 months of fertility meds and 1 IUI covered.
I had a little run in with trying to get my meds. They called the script into my local CVS Pharmacy. They typically have to order them as they do not have those on hand. But I was told the pharmacy had a rejection notice from my insurance. Come to find out that my insurance has a say on what pharmacy fills these prescriptions. My RE office got it all worked out and now was approved through Pharmacy Advantage. They get shipped to me. I called today to follow up on the status of the scripts and our insurance approved the meds this morning. I called the pharmacy and they said I can have them as early as tomorrow! YAY! I really can't believe this is all happening...so many emotions involved in the process. Who knew I would be so excited to know my meds are on the way. One might think that this would suck that I have to do all this, but like I said earlier, any step closer to having a baby, big or small, is alright with me.
To give a synopsis of my life for the next month (and every month after if this doesn't work):
1.) Call the RE on my first day of menstruation (sometime early October) to set up an appt within the following 2 days to have a baseline ultrasound and bloodwork. The u/s shows them that my ovaries are good and healthy and are clear from any ovarian cysts. If there are cysts, they typically do not go forward with the fertility meds as they could really over stimulate and cause damage to the ovaries. The bloodwork is to check estrogen levels and check for pregnancy..just in case ;-). At this appt, they will run down, again, what to expect for this cycle and set up a schedule of appts for that month. They will show me how to mix/prepare and administer the meds.
2.) I start the injectibles on cycle day 3 or 4 and they are very adament that I be sure to plan on having the injections between 6-7 pm. And I will take injections for aproximately 9 days.
3.) I go back to the RE several times throughout the cycle for bloodwork for appropriate monitoring of the medication.
4.) Cycle day 12-15 I will have another ultrasound to determine how well I am responding to the meds. How many folicles I have. At this point they will tell me when to take the trigger shot to induce the release of egg(s).
5.) Return on cycle day 21 for bloodwork to confirm ovulation and determine the quality of egg(s) that were released. (btw, I find it INCREDIBLY amazing that so much can be told through blood).
6.) If I'm pregnant, I go back to get another blood draw to confirm pregnancy. If I am not pregnant, then I call them on my first day of menstruation and it starts all over again.
So many painful pokes ahead of me. One day, it will all be worth it. In the meantime, please pray hard for us! Thanks again for the overwhelming support! It means so much. I am super open to talk about this process, so if you have questions, just ask. I am happy to share with you.
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