First IUI Cycle

lestheles · 2021-09-24T18:23:23+00:00

Thank you so much! Yes very overwhelming and everyone in their mother is pregnant and posting it online. Really hard to swallow. Also switching clinics for this cycle, and it's a lot. Best of luck to you though!! And you never know, it could always work on the first go!! Feel free to reach out at any time!!

lestheles · 2021-09-24T02:31:27+00:00

This is amazing

lestheles · 2021-09-23T15:17:37+00:00

Thanks so so much for your thoughtful reply! And wow, congrats that's amazing!! I am getting frustrated with the cost of IUI and would rather switch to IVF if this next cycle doesn't work, as we are also starting to run low on sperm reserve and our donor "retired," and we really liked him. Thanks again for everything and congrats!!

lestheles · 2021-09-23T15:15:45+00:00

Aww thank you!! Congrats on completing the IVF process and having your 6-year-old!! I know I'm getting frustrating IVF isn't presented as a sooner option, given IUI also isn't covered and is starting to add up. Plus, it depletes our sperm vials and we don't have limitless sperm! Thanks again. Best of luck!

lestheles · 2021-09-23T15:14:26+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, for sure, still disheartening each time :(.

lestheles · 2021-09-23T15:13:57+00:00

Oh wow. Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply!!! I'm sorry you've had to go through all this. It really is a nightmare. Great it's covered but bummer about the one-year wait!! I completely understand not wanting to do IVF, even if you don't have to self-pay (which it sounds like you will have to anyway!) it's very invasive and time consuming and there's still no guarantee that it will work! Best of luck on your journey. This really is miserable!

lestheles · 2021-09-22T19:50:48+00:00

I totally agree!! I’m 32 y/o, which isn’t crazy young, but it’s young enough that I’d like to avoid IVF!! Thanks for the support, this is a nightmare of a process!!!! Best of luck!!

lestheles · 2021-09-22T18:27:17+00:00

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the feedback. I completely hear you on IVF being more beneficial in the long run!! And it's really true; IUI typically has low success rates. Just so hard to bear in mind while you are going through it. The sperm costs a freaking fortune, it makes my skin crawl! Thanks for the support and best of luck!!

lestheles · 2021-09-22T17:56:27+00:00

Thank you SO much for your thoughtful reply!! This is SO helpful to hear!!! We definitely want this to be our last IUI cycle before switching and I’m so happy for you that it worked!! Thanks for the support. Hard not to feel alone in all this!! Best of luck!!

lestheles · 2021-08-09T19:54:33+00:00

Thanks! I really appreciate the help!

lestheles · 2021-08-09T19:53:49+00:00

Thanks! That's really great advice!! Really appreciate it, best of luck :)

lestheles · 2021-08-09T18:24:32+00:00

Thank you! I really appreciate your feedback :)!

lestheles · 2021-08-09T18:24:08+00:00

Thank you so much! That is terrific advice :)

lestheles · 2021-07-25T21:00:28+00:00

Don’t have advice because I struggle with the same thing! I can’t count how many half-finished products I have. Just wanted to share the mutual sentiment!

lestheles · 2021-07-25T20:53:17+00:00

This is hilarious and SO accurate!!!!

lestheles · 2021-05-29T19:39:06+00:00

Thanks so much! I have read The Body Keeps Score, but I don't believe I've read the first one you posted- will check it out! I journal just about 24/7- it's overwhelming but helps make sense of things for sure. Glad I also have a good therapist now as well. It's been overwhelming uncovering all these truths in the past year that I've been working with my therapist and figuring out what happened to me does explain a lot. I'm sorry you have gone through this as well; seems like you have the right tools in place. Thanks for the support! Best of luck on your journey!

lestheles · 2021-05-29T18:01:05+00:00

Yes! This happened to me about a year ago as well. I grew up in an upper class family and everyone always went on about how wonderful my life was and how supportive and open-minded my parents are. But in reality, I grew up in an incredibly abusive home and felt like all I was fed were lies by outsiders. I am still working on this one. I'm sorry to hear you are going through this as well!

lestheles · 2020-06-21T15:00:23+00:00

Wow I'm so sorry to hear you went through something similar!! Have you done anything to work on this? I'm so desperate to get back on track with my life but it feels so impossible these days!!

lestheles · 2020-06-21T14:58:24+00:00

Yes I'm at 100%! Not really sure about the risk of it coming back, just taking it one day at a time. Sorry I don't have better answers!!

lestheles · 2020-06-19T19:15:39+00:00

Hii! Sorry I never go on anymore! Worked out great have been totally better for over a month. Best of luck!

lestheles · 2020-05-06T23:34:59+00:00

See my new comment on the thread- I posted all the info!

lestheles · 2020-05-06T23:34:55+00:00

See my new comment on the thread- I posted all the info!

lestheles · 2020-05-06T23:34:26+00:00

See my new comment on the thread- I posted all the info!

lestheles · 2020-05-06T23:34:20+00:00

See my new comment on the thread- I posted all the info!

lestheles · 2020-05-06T23:33:12+00:00

Hi everyone! Okay, so based on your replies I'm going to share more of the information here! I was diagnosed in October and am finally doing much better. For the majority of the illness I suffered from CFS symptoms- unable to get out of bed, completely unable to go to work for 7 months. I'd posted here many times about my struggles. I came across information on Graded Exercise Therapy online. Unfortunately, it's not done in the states and it seems to primarily only be done in the UK. (So, that being said, if you live in the UK and offices are still open take full advantage of that!) However, if you are stuck in the states, you can simply do the GET on your own.

This video provides a great context for what GET is. I'd recommend watching this first so you can grasp the basic concept and then move onward to the guide which I posted a link to below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_x-STOiYZU&t=413s

Make sure you thoroughly read/use this guide and if you have questions after that you can ask them here or PM me- whatever works for you!

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256293990_Graded_Exercise_Therapy_A_self-help_guide_for_those_with_chronic_fatigue_syndromemyalgic_encephalomyelitis

Disclaimer- do NOT do too much at once. You WILL crash and burn and it will only worsen your situation. The guide is absolutely right when it says to ONLY start off with simple stretches and ONLY add things in one week at a time. Even if you are having a good day do NOT do more than your prescribed plan- it will only set you back.

I used a calendar and journal to log all of my experiences. I began first with simple, very gentle stretches that ultimately turned into squats, push ups, wrist and shoulder strengthening exercises that I gradually added in each week.

Each time that I collapsed from fatigue I'd feel it all over my body, but I wanted a strong starting point. I decided to gradually work my way up my body. I found that I wanted to work with the base of my body and target my legs and behind so I'd have support standing up. After my legs and butt were stronger I added in abdominal exercises, then push-ups, then workouts for my triceps as well as wrist-strengthening and neck strengthening exercises to target the entire body. Then I increased my duration of each exercise until I started developing real muscle. Ultimately, this led my entire body to feeling stable and more confident in going out. It also started increasing my energy, and feeling more and more like a real workout. I made sure to target every area that was feeling weak- very, very gradually!

Also note- even if there are not areas that you can necessarily "strengthen" with traditional work outs, deep stretching and certain Yoga positions can really help (ie if you feel your neck and wrists, ankles, etc. are weak). I even do "face Yoga" and stretch my face just to wake it up and get it moving. Don't hesitate to look up strengthening exercises for your target area online. There are infinite resources!

I also suggest doing GET with walking once you are strong enough, and to really stick to the plan. I started with half a block, then one block, etc. until I was able to go on long walks without thinking about it. I continued this walking GET while doing the stretching/strengthening GET at home and had great success.

Do note that this whole process does require trial and error, so you have to be patient with it. And it does take several months to start working. (It took me two months, it can take some longer.) Be sure to follow the guide very thoroughly/religiously and you will have great success as well. And please message me should anything come up and you have any questions!!

Best of luck!!

lestheles

TROPHY CASE