Unexpected Skin Dryness

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed the skin on my face becoming dry.  I don't know if it's related to the hormones or if it's something external.  It could be from this long winter and not having the sun on my face to boost my vitamin D and my skin moisture, but whatever it is, it's been concerning me.  And, I hope it goes away.

Day 31 - Progresterone

Today I start the progesterone capsules, vaginally, twice a day.  Not very fun.  I don't have any symptoms. The one thing I'll say about the progesterone is that...it gets messy when the capsule dissolves, so I have to wear a panty liner.

Day 30 - Cycle 2 IUI

Today, I went in for my IUI.  The sample was even better than the prior two from the last cycle.  Here is the breakdown:

The vial I got was frozen on 6/5/13

Concentration = 79 (above standard of 20) YAY!

Motility = 45% (above standard of 40%) YAY!!!!

Progression (speed) = 3-4+  (1 is slow, 4 is rapid linear) YAY!!!!

Total Motile Sperm = 16 million YAY!!!!

Wish me luck!

Day 29 - Monitoring #7

Yay!!! My Estradroid and LH levels have surged.  I mean, higher than they've ever been (LH around 47...compared to my normal 5 - 15).  No need for the Ovidrel shot... although I bought it this morning ($80 wasted) and no need for the pre-ovulation insemination ($800 wasted).  Tomorrow when I show up for my IUI, it's one and done!  I wonder if the nurses will miss me...seeing as they see me all the time.  Probably more than any other patient! 

Day 28 - Monitoring #6

Things are looking better.  While my levels haven't yet surged, my left ovary follicle is growing and now at 18mm.  So, I have to go back tomorrow to see what's what.  I guess having phone sex with my friend worked to wake those ovaries up.  I'm going to try it again tonight to see if that pushes me over the top.

Day 26 - Monitoring #5

Today's outcome...a little bit better than before.  Seems as though there's a follicle about 14mm in the left ovary and all the others in the left and right ate under 10mm, so too small.  So, I have to go back in 2 days.  My Estradroid and LH levels are still pretty low. I think I need to figure out a way to bring on ovulation since I'm not actively having sex which they say works.

Day 23 - Monitoring #4

This is my first monitoring appointment since the second round of Clomid.  My ultrasound showed a lot of small follicles. None mature.  All around the same size, something less than 10mm. So, I have to go back in another 3 days.  Good thing is, I don't have to go in over the weekend (not like that will stop me from waking up early).  This isn't looking promising for me.  But, I'm going to try to stay positive.  On another note, I'm running out of time for this cycle as I'm going on vacation on March 27th, so, if I am ready for insemination, it will have to be done some time before March 27th or it cannot be done at all.  One nurse said that she was surprised the cycle wasn't cancelled after the first round of Clomid did not take.

Day 17 - Monitoring #3

Lots of small follicles, nothing mature.  The nurse called me and told me that they need me to take another round of Clomid, at 100mg now (I was taking Clomid 50mg) for five days then come back two days after that ends to have my follicles measured.


Nothing good.  Not looking promising for this cycle.

Day 14 - Monitoring #2

I went back in and my Estradroid and LH levels are lower and my follicles are still small.  So, I'm going to have to do another monitoring appointment in 3 days.  Last cycle it took until day 16 for my follicles to become mature, but by day 14, they were much larger than they are now.

Day 12 - Monitoring Appointment #1

This morning, in the midst of a pretty sever snowstorm, I went to my appointment to have my follicles checked. The doctor told me I have a bunch of really small eggs, that are not mature. I think he even said that I wasn't responding (to the Clomid). So, I don't need to go in tomorrow for more monitoring, but I do need to go in on Wednesday. I was originally told to come in on Thursday, but Wednesday is what they told me when my blood work came in. My Estradroid was at 75 and my LH was at 5. So, low, but, at least we'll be able to see if they're on the rise on Wednesday. I'm extremely excited about the possibility of this cycle working, but at the same point, I've also convinced myself to go to Europe this summer for some relaxation. I think I'm going to start going every summer for about 6 weeks. It's so depressing here in Baltimore. Nothing ever happens. Or, shall I say, nothing good ever happens. So, I'm just going to try to make the best of things and leave while I still have the energy and flexibility in my life. If this cycle doesn't work, I'm going to wait until September to try again.