Thursday, October 22, 2009

5w1d

Yesterday I had my blood drawn to check my estrogen and progesterone levels. Here's my results:

Progesterone: 9.73 (Lowest ever, but still above 6)
Estrogen: 3022 (Huge jump up from 1163, definitely above 300)

I was pretty concerned about my estrogen tripling but my nurse said all is perfect and that it shows my body is kicking out some estrogen production itself in response to being pg.  I'm to remain on all my same meds and go for another level check in a week.  She said it would not be good to drop any meds before seeing a HB.  After we see a HB, I can then either drop the patches or estrace suppositories, it's my choice. I hate it when they do that, I would rather them tell me which would be better. See, the patches are a total of 0.4mg of estrogen and the estrace is 2mg, so they're not equal.

It's clear that my body is not kicking out its own progesterone yet, hopefully soon. Now that I'm pg, my insurance is supposed to be covering my progesterone support. They have denied paying for it even after an appeal from my nurse stating that I need this in order to substain this pg. My insurance covers progesterone support, but not Endometrin specifically because it's indication states that it's for infertility treatments. I could switch to a covered progesterone, but my nurse feels that is risky.  So now I'm stuck supporting a $140/week progesterone bill. Oh fun!

I also had my blood drawn to check for MTHFR. I'll go over this more after my results are in.

I started this post yesterday and was not able to finish it.  I had stated that I still had no symtpoms.  Well scratch that, I now have 2. 

The first is exhaustion. Yesterday, as I was typing this up, I HAD to stop and go take a nap!  I think I slipped into a drooling coma and afterwards was still exhausted.  I felt like someone drugged me.  I guess that's my first obvious symptom. 

The next is pg brain.  At dinner last night, I excused myself to go to the restroom.  I walked in, headed straight to a stall and had to take a double look, why was there a man in the ladies room?  Then I wondered, why did they put a urinal in here?  A moment later, the overly crowded restaurant witnessed me running out of there while yelling Oh Crap!  So I got to the ladies room, peed, flushed and hear a loud crash.  Looked around and didn't see anything. Right as I was about to leave the stall, I noticed my cell phone sitting deep in the bottom of the toilet still fully lit up. Ugh, that was not pleasant having to stick my arm in there to retrieve it. Surprisingly after a night of drying out, it still works!

I've had a few other little minor symptoms here and there, but they have been very sporatic and so mild that if I wasn't paying attention with a magnifying glass, I really would not have noticed them. Most days though, there's been nothing. 

My adopted-step-daughter and I went baby browsing at Target. We didn't miss a single aisle. Half way through, it hit me, OMG, I'm really pg, I can actually buy something for my baby. I'm so used to that only being a dream and only being there to buy a baby shower gift. Amazingly I made it out of there without buying anything.

I'm counting down the days till our first u/s (11 days to be precise). I need to see it for my own eyes that there's really something in there.  Praying, praying, praying to see a beautiful HB.

20 comments:

  1. I was just emailing you and thought, I'll go check the blog again today, and lo and behold, a new post! YEAH!!!! So good to see the report from you. I presume "no news is good news" when there isn't anything new posted there. :0)
    So exciting to actually be looking at things for YOUR baby. What a fun time this is.
    Continuing to pray for you, Kerry and the baby. Can't wait to hear all about your u/s in 11 days!
    Hugs to you!
    The Other Jill

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is getting pretty funny. What a story. Love you babe. Don't worry, I've got your back. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's BS from your insurance company. My company does not cover anything for infertility, but as soon as I was PG, they covered the Endometrin. Keep fighting them on it, because they should be covering it now.

    Also, remember that blood tests show just that - what progesterone is in your blood, not your tissues. It could be that all the Endometrin is going to your uterus, and not your blood, which is a good thing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yay for symptoms--you know what I mean--exhaustion is reassuring! Can't wait for your ultrasound!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are doing so great - great levels and great to hear symptoms! And I just saw your "How to make a baby" sidebar - I love the 52 cents.

    You are such an inspiration for me, I hope I am still following in your footsteps!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I remember the exhaustion! It lasted for a LONG TIME!!! Yay!! That means your HCG is nice and high:-) Now, lets hope you don't get that extra spit thing I had! Sorry to hear about the endometrin...wish I had some tucked away to send to you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful to see that your numbers are looking really great! And I'm so excited that you're beginning to experience your pregnancy symptoms, even if it means having a little PG brain fog! Looking forward to hearing all about your first ultrasound! And thanks for your get-well wishes for my arm. Looking ugly but healing well now!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I wonder if you could add in prometrium suppositories, and in a couple weeks if the P4 has risen with them added, whether you could taper off the endometrin? I've always had good P4 levels on the prometrium, and my corpus luteum on non-IVF cycles was always crap at pumping out much of it at all.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Woohoo! What a great post and some reassuring symptoms.

    I have an unopened box of Endometrin and a couple of unopened PIO bottles. Let me know if you want them:)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yay for you. I know, that endometrin is pricey stuff. I was on it until 10 weeks (you have to stay on it until the placenta takes over progesterone production).

    So excited when I see your posts pop up, and seeing that things are still going well for you. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Jill...
    Glad things are going well... even if you do walk in men's restrooms and drown your cell phone! Now you sound like your Mama!!!
    I love you as big as the sky! I will see you Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Let me tell you, the worrying won't stop for a while. You worry until the next ultrasound, then the next one, then the next one....

    Until then, sleep it up! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh no, the infamous pg brain!? And OMG do I remember the exhaustion.

    What does Dr. suggest for estrogen?Bummer about the insurance! If you are interested I did the prometrium, patches, and estrace for quite a while...prog continued even when released to my OB.

    Can't wait for you too see the beautiful heartbeat too...what a moment...Take care! :)

    Smiles, Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so happy you're having symptoms, Jill! I hope it helps bring it home to you that you are PREGNANT! I'm so excited for you guys!!!! Counting down to your u/s right along with you and praying your baby's HB is healthy and strong!

    Love and Smiles,
    Chala

    ReplyDelete
  15. I was so excited to see a new post. Yay! Just so you know, I didn't have any of the symptoms that other people reported..no metallic taste in my mouth, no sore boobs, no blue veins, none of it. I was tired, like you, and morning sickness hit me a few weeks later, but NONE of the stuff people talk about. So just enjoy! And take lots of naps!
    P.S. I did PIO for some time into the preg due to low progesterone that came out of nowhere. There is now a 2 year old hanging off my leg as I type.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey Sis
    Haven't forgot you this past week. just been crazy and can't blame mine on what you can. LOL So glad everything is going well, and the PG brain is just beginning. OMG :)
    So what kind of coaster do you call this we're on now. Seems like a much smoother ride.

    Love you

    Sis

    ReplyDelete
  17. Really like all the good news coming outof Nashville these days.
    Can't wait for the report on the heart beat, bet you and Kerry can't either. It is something that is hard to put into words the first time you hear it.
    Enjoy the ride all the way.
    Love you bunches,
    Jean and Crew

    ReplyDelete
  18. I can't believe the insurance companies. Gaah. Keep fighting them!

    And I can't wait to hear the results of your u/s!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yippee for exhaustion and baby brain! I keep thinking about you, can't wait until you see that miraculous HB!
    Will you return to Target then?

    Tammy and Rudi

    ReplyDelete
  20. So glad all is going so well, Jill! Symptoms are reassuring!! (-;

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment! Hugs, Kerry and Jill