The Stim Process

We have officially started the Stim process of our second (our first being canceled due to a cyst) IVF cycle.  We went in Friday morning for an ultrasound, blood work, and to pick up our meds.  Our doctor and nurses took us step by step through the stim process and meds distribution. They were incredible with their explanations and actually had a fake tummy to practice shots on.  The nurse explained she would call us later that day and based on our results tell us when to start the shots.  I received a call Friday night and the nurse said to take the shots that evening and also that my estrodial levels came back a bit off, so the doctor wanted to me to come back in on Saturday morning for more blood work. Team Mr. C and Mama Nurse gave me my first set of shots on Friday evening.  Not to bad. I went in on Saturday morning and got a prick and waited for the doctor to call to tell me that we would either cancel this cycle, up my dose, or lower my dose.  Saturday evening our Doctor called and said to keep the dose going but reduce it from 5/1 to 4/1.  The stim process will last about 10 days depending on how the follies progress.

I am taking the following meds (Two shots a day and predisone):
Lupron
Bravelle
Menopur
Predisone
& of course Prenatal & folic Acid
I was also given two more prescriptions and was told not to fill them yet so I haven't even looked at them.


The Process:
Two shots are given every night about an inch below my belly button and spread out in different spots to help with the tenderness.  The lupron is a very simple, quick, small-needled shot that I can barely feel.  The Bravelle and Menopur are in powered form and have to be mixed with water using a syringe.  This shot has a slightly bigger needle and a bit of a sting but really a lot easier than I thought.  I watched Mr. C become a chemist overnight and it was really awesome that he participated in the whole thing. I would highly recommend to anyone going through the stim process to ask your hubby to be involved. Thankfully, we also had mama nurse standing by to teach us both and help when needed. I am hoping to have a video post by tonight to share what the shots are actually like.

The Side Affects:
Friday and Saturday were great and I have no side affects to mention. Early Sunday morning the side-affects kicked in.  I woke up at 3am hot and sweaty, sick to my stomach, a headache, and wide-eyed AWAKE! I was told that the Predisone might keep me up and I am pretty sure that is were the headache came from too.  I also had a few small, what the doctor named, "crying spells" - embarrassingly happy spells from watching What Not To Wear as well as hugging my mom.  I feel asleep about 7am and got another hour of welcomed rest.  Other than that, my stomach is starting to get a little tender from the 4 shots thus far but nothing unbearable. 

The Feelings:
It was and is my first reaction to insert a big :) after every sentence in this post because I'm excited, but I'm also nervous. I have been down the high-hopes road and have learned to step back and take this process one appointment at a time. But I'll admit it; I'm excited and nervous, but thankfully a bit calmer and settled then ever before which I attribute to a bit of a numbness and my previous rides on this roller coaster: in other words experience.