hafida on "First/Only Timer at 41"

Hi all,

I'm going to get a chance to try ONE IVF cycle next month at age 41. At this point, my FSH and Estradiol are not at alarming levels, and the doc expects a good response for retrieval. I know that having the money for only one cycle is not ideal—at my clinic, the live birth rates are the highest in the area at 25%, but still, that's only a 1 in 4 chance. But we're feeling lucky even to have the opportunity to try.

My details: I just met my fiancé when I was almost 39, and he had a vasectomy reversal in January 2008. We have done 6 cycles of IUI (2 injections each cycle—we do them at home), 5 with Clomid, and we haven't even gotten pregnant together once, which is worrisome. I have a saline sonogram coming up to check uterus, but I'm skipping the HSG as we are going to IVF.

It has been a lonely trip, getting to here, and so now I am looking for some sisterhood, I guess. I'm not telling anyone but 2 friends, because I don't want anybody else's opinion about IVF, nor do I want to have to educate every person on how it REALLY works. I'm sure you all know what I mean. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. So I'd love to talk to any of you that have been through a cycle, or are about to undertake one.

I am so glad there are groups on here for different ages, because when I was younger I had no sympathy for women in my current position—proving that you never know where you'll end up and how you'll feel in the future. I've grown up a lot in the last few years, learned a lot about myself, learned some patience and acceptance, all of which I feel will serve me well as a parent. Our current thought about how we will become parents if the IVF is unsuccessful is through embryo donation, so I'd love to hear any thoughts you have about that too.

I'm curious about the drugs I'll be on and the side effects. It looks like I'll be on Lupron, Follistim, Menopur. What can I expect, esp. in terms of my mood? My fiancé is a little worried. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

All the best to everyone! Thank you for being here,
Janet