Down-regulated

On the 22nd of January, in accordance with my treatment plan I started injecting myself with Buserelin. This, together with the Levlen ED pills I was taking, 'switches off' or down-regulates my ovaries by stopping the production of lutenising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). These injections are self-administered into my stomach across a line in the area below my bellybutton, and must be done at the same time every evening. The needles are so small (29G, 12.7mm long) and the volume injected so small (0.4ml) that most of the time, I don't even feel it penetrate my skin, or the liquid inject. A few seconds after injection, the site does start to tingle, and it raises and looks and feels like a tiny insect bite for a few minutes before abating again. Sometimes there is a small pinprick mark or bruise visible the following day, but not always. On one occasion I must have accidentally nicked a tiny blood vessel, as a tiny drop of blood was visible when I took the needle out, and I had a larger bruise there for a about a week. I alternate between injecting on my left and right side to avoid accidentally using the same site two days in a row. Following my plan, I stopped taking Levlen on the 29th of January. With the exception of spotting and mild stomach cramps a couple of times a day the whole time I was taking Levlen, I thankfully have not experienced any of the more severe side effects from the Buserelin such as mood swings, and have felt and acted like myself the whole time.

Thankfully, the daily injections haven't been an issue for me so far.

On the 4th of February I had a blood test as scheduled, where they check if I have down-regulated by testing my levels of LH, Oestradiol, and Progesterone. As instructed I called Fertility Associates later that afternoon to obtain my results and further instructions. I spoke to a nurse who read my results from my file, and advised that my blood test indicated that I have down-regulated. For logistical reasons, the plan now showed that I am to start my Puregon (FSH) injections and lower my Buserelin dose from 40 to 20 units on Friday 7th February instead of Wednesday 5th as orginially planned. Dave and I are also both to take our doses of Azithromycin on Friday. This is a prophylactic antiobiotic against Ureaplasma, a bacteria known to increase the chance of miscarriage during IVF using ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). See https://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/media/1712/updated-fertility-facts-ureaplasma-and-azithromycin-for-ivf.pdf for more information on Ureaplasma.

Following on from my updated plan, I am to take my next blood test on Wednesday 12th instead of Tuesday 11th February. They said it is likely that I will have a scan in Nelson on Thursday or Friday next week (to be confirmed following the blood test) followed by a second scan in Christchurch possibly the following Monday, but also still to be confirmed. From here they will give my Ovidrel (trigger injection) and advise me on when to administer it. I will travel to Christchurch again 36 hours after using the trigger injection for my egg collection procedure.