Sunday, October 28, 2007

Bravelle, Menopur and Ganirelix Oh My!

What is that you ask? The names of the drugs that have taken over my body this past week. Bravelle is a highly purified preparation of human follicle stimulating hormone (hFSH). Menopur is a highly purified preparation of naturally derived gonadotropins, called hMG. It contains equal amounts of 2 kinds of hormonal activity: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which helps stimulate egg production; and luteinizing hormone (LH), which helps the eggs mature and release (ovulate). And finally, Ganirelix is used to suppress premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges. This prevents eggs from being released prematurely.

This is a picture of how we prepared every morning and evening for the drugs.













Here is a picture of all those drugs that we have used.













The good news is that our egg retrieval (click on egg retrieval for a description of procedure) is scheduled for tomorrow morning. This means I have responded well to all the drugs. I'm nervous and excited. I would really like to see 8-10 eggs. They also need to be mature and of high quality. Hopefully we'll get a great fertilization report. The embryo transplant will take place 3-5 days after the egg retrieval. During this time I will need to start taking progesterone, by injection, which a hormone that is naturally produced in the ovaries It will help to prepare and thicken the lining of the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg. Progesterone is necessary to support and maintain a pregnancy should conception occur. The injections goes in my butt, the needle is 1 1/2 inches long. And the entire needle must go into my muscle. People, I don't do needles. This has been hard enough. Do you know how big that needle is?














That is big! I'm really freaked by that injection, and there is more than one. Trying so hard to stay positive. I'll update you when I find out how many eggs we get. Thank you for all your support, comments, prayers and for reading!

15 comments:

Jess P said...

I guess the bright side of that needle is that it goes into your butt so you can't see it going in. I've had some shots in my bottom and they are much less uncomfortable than a shot in the arm. That probably doesn't make you feel any better, though.

Good luck with this next step of your journey. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you the next few days.

Just a Girl said...

I am so hoping that you are pregnant with twins by Thanksgiving.
Here is praying that you have a bunch of eggs ready and able to be fertilized.
Team Baby Tracey

Unknown said...

Good luck! Can't wait to hear about your ER.... How exciting! I am still on just the lupron... haven't made it to the stim medication yet. That will be here in a few days!

Anonymous said...

Hi. Came accross your blog and have been reading it periodically. Good luck with everything. Thanks for sharing your story.

Sarah said...

Good luck! This all seems so scary.

Oh, and "gonadotropins" made me chuckle for some reason. It sounds like a word a 12 year old boy would make up.

ptg said...

You are so brave! And I do agree that at least you don't have to watch the needle going in...not that it makes it any better!!

I will keep you and your fam in my prayers that this is it and children are on the way for you!

Elbee said...

Can't wait to hear about how well your ER goes! :-)

Good luck with the shots, they will all be worth it in the end! :-)

Gandksmom said...

Yep, it's a big needle, and yep it hurts going in, but in the end, when you hold that baby in your arms, it's totally all worth it! And if you are lucky like I was, your body will take over and make it's own progesterone and you won't have to keep taking the shots!
Wendy

Britta said...

That needle made me cringe! Jess has a good point - at least you can't see it going in! Good luck and I'm praying for you.

I think I'm dying. said...

I'm glad to hear your egg retrieval went well today- 6 is a lot! Good luck with the butt shots too- ouch. But it will be worth it!

Anonymous said...

Hey Tracey! Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and hoping the egg retrieval was successful! Keep us posted!

Anonymous said...

Tracey you are such a strong, brave woman. You're in my prayers!

Joe said...

Thank you for sharing. As a person who is going through the same things as you are, but not at IVF yet, it was good to read. This struggle is very hard for those of us who know infertility and I find your openess helpful.

Lisa said...

Thanks for sharing. I have been on Lupron for 10 days now. All is going well. Although I'm not afraid of needles, the butt needles look scary LOL.

Were you on these drugs when you got pregnant with your twins? Curious.

Anyway, I hope you're doing well and all was a great success. I'd love to hear how many eggs were implanted and if you're having multiples.

Anonymous said...

Hang in there - I'm in the middle of my first IVF cycle and I know exactly what you mean. This has been a blur of injections, ultrasounds, getting blood drawn and pills. No matter what - it's worth it!