Have Meds? Need Stimulation.

Today is Part 2 on my egg retrieval journey.  If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, you can check it out here.

Let’s talk meds.  Meds are what cause the ovaries to “plump up” and grow all of those beautiful looking eggs (more on both of these later in the series).

There are a couple of different types of protocols.

My doctor prescribed what’s known as an antagonist protocol, which involves using GnRH antagonist medications. In any protocol there are usually 3 types of drugs. First, a medication to suppress the LH surge and ovulation until the developing eggs are ready to be retrieved. The medication I’m taking for this is Cetrotide.  This medication usually starts a couple of days into the cycle, after your follicles (containing the eggs) start to plump up. The second type of medication is a follicle stimulating hormone to stimulate development of multiple eggs.  For this, I’m taking both Gonal-F and Menopur.  The last type of medication is what’s known as the “trigger” shot, this causes the final maturation of the eggs.  My medication for this is Lupron and HCG.

But enough with all of the medical mumbo jumbo.  What do you really want to know?  For starters, these meds are given via injections, and in most cases, you are going to have to mix the medications yourself.  Yes, they are going to ask you to give yourself lots and lots and lots of injections.

There are quite a few side effects to be aware of:

• Bruising in the stomach area – I was lucky, I only gave myself one bad injection that caused some bruising.  Other people seem to have a big issue with this.
• Bloating – Be forewarn…your clothes are going to start fitting tighter during your cycle.  Do yourself a favor and wear loose clothing.
• Headaches – Get ready to wake up feeling like you have a slight hangover for the first couple of days.
• Night sweats – I woke up completely soaked for the first couple of nights.  Like I took a shower with my clothes on soaked.  Do yourself a favor – turn down the AC and sleep naked.

In addition to side effects, there are some restrictions as well. The most important one is limited activity / no exercising.  You’ll be putting your body through quite a bit so use this as an excuse to take it easy!  There are also some discrepancies on whether its OK to have caffeine or alcohol during the cycle.  My doctor never mentioned anything…and it so happened that my cycle fell during my birthday week.  Celebrate the birthday sans wine?  No way.

I’m also a caffeine addict so wasn’t about giving that up either.

So I rationalized that small amount of coffee and wine during my cycle wasn’t going to affect things.  If a pregnant woman can safely have a coffee or glass of wine during her pregnancy…why couldn’t I?

And there you have it…all the info I have on meds.  Join me again when we talk about shots (yeah, no, not the fun kind, the inject yourself kind).