Stomach had to be drained again today

[julie]

Hey everyone, just keeping you posted...

I had to go back into my doctors office today and they drained my abdomen again. On monday when they did this, they got about 950cc's of fluid from my stomach. Today they got a little over 1300cc's of fluid. Last night after I ate dinner, I felt like my somach was literally going to separate down the middle. I told Mark to try and grab some skin on my stomach, he couldn't. He was even a bit concerned as I looked a lot bigger than before-I've updated some more journaling and pictures on our website <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosismaleinfertility.com/Mark_and_Julies_IVFBegins.html">http://www.cysticfibrosismaleinfertility.com/Mark_and_Julies_IVFBegins.html</a>.

I am on bedrest today and tomorrow and modified bedrest on Friday. Luckly I have this week off already so I am just going to lay in bed and watch TV. On the upside, it could be much worse. It's just really uncomfortable and I didn't sleep for more than about 30 minutes at a time last night.

Ever been kicked in the gut? That's what the dull, achy, heaviness in my UPPER abdomen reminds me of. The lower part is just like a sour stomach, I'm a little nauseated (which is common with OHSS). And then on top of it I am (maybe this is TMI) constipated and have piercing gas pain. Mark says, "oh, I have that all the time". I ADMIRE all you guys who put up with this bloating and gas pains all the time, it sure is uncomfortable.

I am feeling much better after the drainage today, the results are staying longer than Monday's drainage.

My pregnancy test is acutally on Friday (can't remember if I already mentioned that) so I'll let everyone know. Sorry it's so long....

 

[julie]

Hey everyone, just keeping you posted...

I had to go back into my doctors office today and they drained my abdomen again. On monday when they did this, they got about 950cc's of fluid from my stomach. Today they got a little over 1300cc's of fluid. Last night after I ate dinner, I felt like my somach was literally going to separate down the middle. I told Mark to try and grab some skin on my stomach, he couldn't. He was even a bit concerned as I looked a lot bigger than before-I've updated some more journaling and pictures on our website <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosismaleinfertility.com/Mark_and_Julies_IVFBegins.html">http://www.cysticfibrosismaleinfertility.com/Mark_and_Julies_IVFBegins.html</a>.

I am on bedrest today and tomorrow and modified bedrest on Friday. Luckly I have this week off already so I am just going to lay in bed and watch TV. On the upside, it could be much worse. It's just really uncomfortable and I didn't sleep for more than about 30 minutes at a time last night.

Ever been kicked in the gut? That's what the dull, achy, heaviness in my UPPER abdomen reminds me of. The lower part is just like a sour stomach, I'm a little nauseated (which is common with OHSS). And then on top of it I am (maybe this is TMI) constipated and have piercing gas pain. Mark says, "oh, I have that all the time". I ADMIRE all you guys who put up with this bloating and gas pains all the time, it sure is uncomfortable.

I am feeling much better after the drainage today, the results are staying longer than Monday's drainage.

My pregnancy test is acutally on Friday (can't remember if I already mentioned that) so I'll let everyone know. Sorry it's so long....

 

[reillybug]

I was wondering how you are doing. Hopefully you will start to feel better soon, and get GREAT results tomorrow! <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[reillybug]

I was wondering how you are doing. Hopefully you will start to feel better soon, and get GREAT results tomorrow! <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">

 

[Landy]

Julie
I'm sorry you've had all of this fluid retention. I assume this is normal with IVF?? If it is normal, is this something you'll have to endure the whole pregnancy? I certainly hope it gets better for you.
I'm sure you will, but let us know how the test comes out tomorrow!!!!!
***sending vibes & prayers your way***

 

[Landy]

Julie
I'm sorry you've had all of this fluid retention. I assume this is normal with IVF?? If it is normal, is this something you'll have to endure the whole pregnancy? I certainly hope it gets better for you.
I'm sure you will, but let us know how the test comes out tomorrow!!!!!
***sending vibes & prayers your way***

 

[anonymous]

You may be nauseated because you are pregnant too.

 

[anonymous]

You may be nauseated because you are pregnant too.

 

[JazzysMom]

Hey I never thought of that...duh...the whole purpose she is going thru this could be the cause of a lot of it! LoL!

 

[JazzysMom]

Hey I never thought of that...duh...the whole purpose she is going thru this could be the cause of a lot of it! LoL!

 

[lflatford]

I am really hoping for the best results for you tomorrow!!! Unfortunately I will be away from the internet until Tuesday...I am not sure I can wait that long to get the news...I will just have to get myself to a computer somewhere I guess!!

Good Luck!

 

[lflatford]

I am really hoping for the best results for you tomorrow!!! Unfortunately I will be away from the internet until Tuesday...I am not sure I can wait that long to get the news...I will just have to get myself to a computer somewhere I guess!!

Good Luck!

 

[LouLou]

Thank God you don't have CF. I'm sure it is making you breath shallowly. I'll pray for you Jules. Think happy thoughts - mind over matter. Visualize a happy baby having a hayday in your tummy - bouncin' around. (I know they don't move this early but definitely a pretty thought).

 

[LouLou]

Thank God you don't have CF. I'm sure it is making you breath shallowly. I'll pray for you Jules. Think happy thoughts - mind over matter. Visualize a happy baby having a hayday in your tummy - bouncin' around. (I know they don't move this early but definitely a pretty thought).

 

[julie]

being nauseated this early is related to OHSS if I have it, not pregnancy. But thanks anywyas.

THe doctor explained the fluid retention like this. Women get bloated around the time of their period every month and there is a "mechanism" that allows this fluid to flow in to the pelvic area with the increase of hormones, and then flow out of it (it is all related to hormone levels increasing and decreasing around the time of menstruation) once the hormone levels decrease. When a woman is on fertility medications and has OHSS as a side effect (which happens in only 2% of women who take the injectible fertility meds, and younger women seem to be more suseptible to it) this "mechanism" continues to allow fluid to flow into the pelvic area but the same "mechanism" to allow it to flow out (even after my hormone levels decrease) doesn't work immediately. Usually it kicks in 2-3 weeks later, sometimes a month or two later. So that's the boat I am sitting in now. It can be dangerous if not monitored and treated when necessary. In my case, it's not dangerous, just extremely comfortable and the higher the fluid builds up, the harder it becomes to breathe. I startd getting a little anxiety about my breathing yesterday, which of course, just made things worse.

Lynda, it's not "normal" perse, but for those who get OHSS as a fertility drug side effect the fluid retention is the norm. And only about 2% of women get OHSS, and only about 1% of those women need to be drained as I needed. So I figure I really hit the jackpot!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

The positive of this whole thing is that two of the doctors I see and one of the nurses have told me, "we only see OHSS last this long when the outcome is a pregnancy. Even more so, that your OHSS symptoms subsided last friday and then reappeared on Monday leads us to believe that implantation occured right around that time and when the hormone levels changed again, the OHSS came back". They are pretty confident that I am pregnant. I am trying not to get my hopes up to much, just in case it is negative. But I can't wait until I get the results!!!!!!

Thanks for the well wishes everyone, I appreciate it!!!

 

[julie]

being nauseated this early is related to OHSS if I have it, not pregnancy. But thanks anywyas.

THe doctor explained the fluid retention like this. Women get bloated around the time of their period every month and there is a "mechanism" that allows this fluid to flow in to the pelvic area with the increase of hormones, and then flow out of it (it is all related to hormone levels increasing and decreasing around the time of menstruation) once the hormone levels decrease. When a woman is on fertility medications and has OHSS as a side effect (which happens in only 2% of women who take the injectible fertility meds, and younger women seem to be more suseptible to it) this "mechanism" continues to allow fluid to flow into the pelvic area but the same "mechanism" to allow it to flow out (even after my hormone levels decrease) doesn't work immediately. Usually it kicks in 2-3 weeks later, sometimes a month or two later. So that's the boat I am sitting in now. It can be dangerous if not monitored and treated when necessary. In my case, it's not dangerous, just extremely comfortable and the higher the fluid builds up, the harder it becomes to breathe. I startd getting a little anxiety about my breathing yesterday, which of course, just made things worse.

Lynda, it's not "normal" perse, but for those who get OHSS as a fertility drug side effect the fluid retention is the norm. And only about 2% of women get OHSS, and only about 1% of those women need to be drained as I needed. So I figure I really hit the jackpot!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

The positive of this whole thing is that two of the doctors I see and one of the nurses have told me, "we only see OHSS last this long when the outcome is a pregnancy. Even more so, that your OHSS symptoms subsided last friday and then reappeared on Monday leads us to believe that implantation occured right around that time and when the hormone levels changed again, the OHSS came back". They are pretty confident that I am pregnant. I am trying not to get my hopes up to much, just in case it is negative. But I can't wait until I get the results!!!!!!

Thanks for the well wishes everyone, I appreciate it!!!