More about my jab meds

I had an earlier posted about some of the meds and jabs that I had, after the IVF, I was still on Proluton jab every 2 days, twice a day Cyclogest and Progynova during my 2-week wait.

Basically Proluton the injectable progesterone which works the same way at Cyclobest. This oily solution is injected intramuscular that hurts your bum for HOURS! I still have one of this in my fridge - doctor gave me in case of emergency if any bleeding occurs and I should go to any clinic and have the injection immediately.

Then this Cyclogest is progesterone pessaries that I had to insert *ahem* in my vee-jay-jay twice a day - 11am & 11pm. Progesterone is normally produced by the ovaries in the second half of the menstrual cycle and also during early pregnancy. This is to ensure the lining of the uterus is optimal for implantation of an embryo. Tips for those using Cyclogest: remember to wear a pantyliner after insertion, as some of the residue could melt and eventually giving you white waxing discharge. So don't freak out if there is any on your panty!

And lastly Progynova a synthetic hormone replacement for oestrogen. Like Cyclogest, this is used to build up the lining of the uterus by thickening of the vagina wall. Like Cyclogest, this will help the implantation of an embryo - i.e. so that baby will stick properly on where it is suppose to be.

I didn't have the Progynova during my failed IVF attempt and was given during this current successful cycle. I probably have really low ability to "stick" so doc gave me so many meds to help building of the lining of my uterus.

I told Dr F, I don't mind ALL the jabs, but the Cyclogest... hmmm... it's something that I wish I don't need to have. I was on twice a day, and reduced to once a day after Week 9. I'm still on my Progynova which is fine - it's so tiny that I can actually swallow it!

Oh it's only a week

How I wish today is the day when I go back to the clinic for blood test.

So far I have been experiencing so many my-so-called symptoms and I don't even know if any of them is tell-tale sign:

- Constipation: I had this the last time. I used to do my business every morning but since the transfer day, it has be sporadically once in a few days. But as of last weekend, I think I'm back to once a day! Yippee!

- Bloated: I remember vaguely that during the last cycle my tummy was bloated because Dr F said my ovaries were still swollen and I had mild cramps. This time, I feel less bloated than before even from the beginning, much lesser now that it was been a week. It's weird that I felt less
bloated and I produced more fertilised egg than before. I read other bloga that people look like 4-months at this time of waiting but I don't. Since my daily motion is back to normal, I felt the tummy is smaller and no bloating at all. I seriously wonder if the Four are still with me, I'm worried to bits!!

- Fatigue: I have been feeling fine last week and I didn't need afternoon nap. But this week, I had to nap. I'm so tired! I used to wake up in the middle of the night for midnight wee and couldn't go back to sleep. But this week, either no midnight pee or even waking up to pee, I could go back to sleep in a flash! (I wonder midnight pee is one of the symptoms :D)

- Cramps: During last cycle at this time, I had bad cramps until I had to go see Dr F (could be due to still enlarge ovaries). But this time, no so beside last Sunday where I felt tiny cramps here there but nothing alarming like before.

Well, I could be feeling different from last cycle because I am having Progynova- twice a day. I didn't have them before. The meds basically helps produce Estradiol - a sex hormone. And it's introduced to assist in thickening of lining of my uterus. (As told by the nurse) I actually have no idea why must the lining be thicker!! Gotta ask Dr F when I see him next week.

One more week to go!

Last shot before the pick-up

Alright. Finally it's time for the last jab. The nurse reminded me over and over again this morning to remember to jab at 11pm SHARP! Making sure I don't miss the window!

Basically this last jab is to make me ovulate in the next 36hours. That is why is it timed as such at by Monday 11am, the timing is perfect for the egg pick up. So here goes!!

Microgynon 30

Just a little bit a day about the medications that I consume daily - oral or intravenous.

The month before all the injections start, Dr F gave me Microgynon to consume orally. I've had Microgynon on my IUI, previous IVF and now prior to the current treatment. Microgynon is commonly known as "the pill." It is a hormonal contraceptive pill containing synthetic versions of female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. Thus taking the pill kinda trick your body to over-riding your normal menstrual cycle. Microgynon comes in a strip of 30, and one for each day.

The pill works it's wonders by tricking your body that ovulation has already happened and this prevents an egg from ripening and being released. So however many times of "activity" you had while on the pills, nothing is gonna happen.

Having the pills prior to the IVF treatment ensures that when you starts all those hormonal treatment, you are not pregnant.

Understanding my jab meds

As mentioned in earlier posting, I have 3 types of jab meds daily. In the morning, I have Suprefact Buserelin, Gonal-f and Menopur. Then in the afternoon, I have my Buserelin again.

My dosage for Suprefact Buserelin is 0.02ml each time. The active ingredient of Buserelin, which is a type of medicine known as a gonadorelin (LHRH) analogue. It reacts to the pituitary gland in the brain - where it stores various hormones, including the LH (Luteinising Hormone - surges when the follicles mature and subsequently contributes to the release of the egg from the ovary) & FSH. In this case, the LHRH is used to control the release of both LH & FSH hormones.

My dosage of Gonal-f starts at 300IU/0.5ml for the first 4 days, and now increased to 375IU, which is 0.625ml for the next 3 days. The Gonal-f contains pure FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone - used in the development of follicles).

And lastly the Menopur. This is slightly complicated... I need to inject 2 bottles of Menopur everyday. Each contains 75IU of FSH and 75IU of LH, and since it comes in powder form, it requires insulin to dilute. I normally inject 0.30ml into each Menopur container, and I'll get about 0.55ml of liquified Menopur.

The amount or dosage of hormone injection varies from person to person. My first cycle was underestimated, and the dosage was already different. So, this is NOT a guide to anyone as a dosage intake but rather the understanding of what I am injecting myself with.