Stim Cycle??? What the!??

[Veruca Salt]

Ok I have more questions...

When you guys refer to a Stim cycle are you referring to taking drugs to regulate your ovulation like Clomid?

I have just asked my FS what a Stim Cycle is and I kid you not he said he didn't know. I asked him was it taking Clomid to stimulate ovulation and he said that's probably what it is.

So now I'm asking the experts (really ladies you should be charging for a service like this! :yes: ).

OK, I have a blocked fallopian tube but other than that everything seems alright BUT the FS doesn't know if I'm ovulating or not.

I have requested (has anyone else had to push their way through this process or am I just particularly pushy??) a script for Clomid to try for a cycle.

Do you think it would be worth a try?

[kali]

Hi Veruca
well, among IVF ladies, Stim Cycle is used to refer to the cycle where you are fully stimulated by drugs to produce lots of follicles for egg pick up, followed by (hopefully) transfer of 'fresh' embryos.

Stim cycle is used in this context to differentiate from 'Frozen Cycle' where the embryos left over from a 'full stim cycle' were frozen for later use. In a frozen cycle, you don't use the FSH (follicle stimulating hormone injections).

Hope that helps!

[tally]

OK, I have a blocked fallopian tube but other than that everything seems alright BUT the FS doesn't know if I'm ovulating or not.


Without being rude.. if your FS doesnt know if you're ovulating I would be looking for a new one.. Theres blood tests to work this out and generally is one of the first things thats done when you're having trouble conceiving.

Also has he done a lap to find out why your tube is blocked and see if theres anything that can be done about it.

Its not much point using Clomid unless you have some idea if you are ovulating or not so you really need to find that out first.

All the best...

xx

[Veruca Salt]

Thank you so much Kali I'm only just learning the new and wonderful world of fertility acronyms and catch phrases, sometimes I can figure it out but there's still a lot I'm working on.

Congratulations on the IVF success, good luck for August!

V xx

[Veruca Salt]

Without being rude.. if your FS doesnt know if you're ovulating I would be looking for a new one..

Oh no, not rude at all!! In fact you've read my mind, I can't figure out why they're not interested in figuring this out also. There seems to be a few tests they're just not interested in and that's why I'm confused that IVF is the first option they've given me.

I had a laparoscopy last month but only because I told them I had previously been diagnosed with endo, and even then the FS was looking at me as though she was waiting for me to tell HER what to do next. She says "We could do a laparscopy and check that the endo is all gone". I'm expecting her to advise me the best course of action and she's just staring at me and so I asked her "What is it my choice is it??" and the answer was "Yes".

Then post lap, she advises me the endo is gone but fallopian tube is blocked. Then she says we should do IVF.

So, I have had blood test but they haven't been able to confirm I'm ovulating because my cycles are anywhere from 27 to 37 days long and like me they missed the window. FS says I'm getting a period every months so most probably AM ovulating.

I still haven't had a ultrasound yet as I'm waiting for AF.

That's why today I spoke to a different FS from the same clinic, because I'm very confused, but now I'm still confused!

:gloomy:

[KatiesMum]

if your tubes are totally blocked then IVF is your only option ..... your FS is right there.

AS for whether or not you are ovulating .... clomid will help you ovulate - but is no good if your tubes are blocked. You will need full follicle stimulating hormones as they want to extract more than 1 egg.

personally - if you feel like your FS needs prompting, isnt fully aware of what is going on with you, doesnt know what to do next or simply doesnt provide the imformation to you - I would be finding a new FS.

good luck :flowerz: :flowerz:

[Veruca Salt]

if your tubes are totally blocked then IVF is your only option ..... your FS is right there.


Only one tube is blocked, the FS said we could fall pregnant naturally if we wanted to keep trying.

So how do I go from "If you try longer you might fall pregnant".....to....."IVF is your only option" without trying anything else in between??

I did say this to the FS today and he just told me nothing else will give me the same chance.

I'm feeling pressured, did anyone else feel like this when they started investigating their infertility?

[kel262]

I just wanted to say Hi Veruca Salt:wave:,
I've just read this thread and I tend to agree with the other ladies, I would be looking for a new FS. They should be very clear with giving you your options and then explaining the why to you. It sounds like even when you ask Q's you dont get real answers. :confused:
When I was diagnosed with Endo and my gyno 1st started me on clomid, didnt give me clear picture or plan, this is when I went back to my GP for a FS referal. I didnt want to wait around and have to deal with someone with no communication skills!! My FS now is great and will answer all Q's clearly and spend as much time as you need with you.
Good luck with whatever you decide!!:flowerz:
Kel