GS Farm Musings: Day 3 of Ovarian/Egg stimulation

Today is day 3 of ovarian stimulation. Had been taking subcutaneous injections daily and my belly is already starting to hurt. I'm not complaining at all. I'm so thankful to have an opportunity to get through this treatment. I’m more relaxed the second time but I have headaches and feeling nauseous. As expected these are side-effects of Puregon (to grow multiple eggs) and Menopur (to improve size of eggs). Puregon contains FSH (follicle stimulating hormones) and it helps ripen the follicles in which the egg cells develop. In IVF, it is important to have as many high quality and matured eggs to retrieve. Menopur contains both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs. I’m taking 300 IU of Puregon and 150 IU of Menopur daily.

I’m also taking Saizen (growth hormone to hopefully improve quality of eggs), Elthyroxin (to treat my slight underactive thyroid) and Dexamethaxone (to suppress immune system).

Day 1 was last Sunday, May 28. I’m glad I’m on top of my records (so I thought, I’ll explain later) because my nurse told me my Day 1 was Saturday, May 27. And I had to tell her it’s Sunday based on the original paperwork I was given. I’m not impressed this time the nurses are not careful and told me the wrong start date for taking the medications. At the end of the day, I had to almost be my own advocate.

Anyway, I was so excited to begin my Day 1 medications and I was looking over records, double-checking things, but unfortunately, I took one medication (Saizen) too soon on Day 1. Ooops, my mistake! It’s supposed to start on Day 2. It was very difficult to get a hold of my nurse to ask for advice over the phone. Eventually I managed to talk to her after calling the receptionist so many times. She said not to worry about it and just take the next dosage on Day 4 and to continue taking it every other day as per my protocol. I'm quite relieved.

Tomorrow (day 4), I go back to the clinic for bloodwork and ultrasound to see if any adjustments will be needed in my medications. I hope my eggs are growing fine. During the baseline ultrasound scan 2 days before my day 1, there are 13 follicles visible (8 on my right ovary and 6 on my left). I hope they all contain eggs and will grow big and healthy for retrieval in about 9 days. Ideally, there should be around 20 follicles but given my age, I'm lucky to have 13.

Puregon and Menopur I took today.

This is the saline solution for Menopur. It's in glass because this is the European Packaging I ordered online, unlike what I used before which was in a vial with a rubber seal.