I do realize that an endometrial lining of 7 mm is "acceptable" for many doctors out there (especially if the lining is trilaminar in appearance) and that technically I am just over the cut-off point. However, if my lining had been .5 mm less they would have told me to wait another full week to re-assess the lining before moving forward with the embryo transfer. Have you ever looked at 1/2 mm on a ruler? Actually, I think it's so tiny it doesn't even appear on a ruler!
After discussing with hubby, we decided that 1/2 of a millimeter is not enough of a cushion to satisfy the nagging voices in my head that will surely remain if we moved forward with a 7.4. Being that my stubborn lining has been an ongoing issue since the beginning of time, I had already adjusted about half of the estradiol doses to be taken vaginally (instead of orally) this cycle in order to hopefully thicken it up a bit more. Clearly it wasn't enough, even with weekly acupuncture in the mix. Seriously, what's a girl gotta do for a decent lining?!
We were given the option to give it another week for the lining to possibly grow, and we've decided to go that route, even though it requires more waiting. There is a very small 5% chance of cycle cancellation (if I somehow ovulate on my own in the meantime), but it is highly unlikely that will happen. So, wait we will. I'm switching ALL doses of estradiol to be taken vaginally and beginning to do warm castor oil compresses daily leading up the the next lining check. I will of course continue acupuncture as well.
It's times like these I'm thankful I don't have a job, because I'll need to lay down for each of the above mentioned things. Praise God for the fact that I have the flexibility for all the appointments and to spend half of my life horizontally! For that I am truly grateful.
I did ask my RE about other meds to help thicken the lining, such as delestrogen shots, Vivelle dot patches and Viagra. I happen to know these are meds used by other doctors to help thicken the lining. My guy, Dr. Vaughn, contends that Viagra has given them lackluster results in the past and that the delestrogen and Vivelle should have no advantage over taking estradiol vaginally 3 times per day. Alright then, if you say so. Let's hope you are right.
Even if my lining doesn't thicken one iota from this week to next, I will have the peace of mind that I've done EVERYTHING to try to get it there.
I've updated our FET Calendar, and here we go again for the next week...
-estradiol vaginally 3 x's/day
-warm castor oil compress daily
-acupuncture weekly
Next lining check is 8/28. It sure would be nice if we could reach 9 mm+ like we did during our fresh cycle. It's happened before, so I know it's possible! It looks like our transfer will now be pushed back to the first week of September. Until then, I'll be sporting these...
cute panties! I used oral estrogen for my first cycle, and my lining was 6.2. Then I used estrogen injectinos and pills for my second and my lining was 7.2. So this time I am doing vaginal, oral, and injections! Hoping for an 8.2! Good luck! Thinking thick thoughts for you!
ReplyDeleteUsuallly the vaginal stuff does help a lot. No clue what's going on this cycle with me. I bet you see a difference with your triple threat approach?
Deletei think all of us going thru IVF need those panties! LOL crossing my fingers that your lining thickens up!
ReplyDeleteI think I need to order those panties in bulk. Praying your lining grows for you guys!
ReplyDeletePraying that your lining grows exactly as needed Emily :)
ReplyDeleteHa. I need to buy those little britches in bulk!! As a fellow lining issue gal, I completely understand your frustration. Hopefully this extra week will give it that little bit of cushion you need. CCRM has requested that I have my acupuncturist start doing electroacupuncture on me because the doppler ultrasound showed that I did have less than stellar blood flow. Something to consider maybe?! (hopefully, you won't have to though!) xo
ReplyDeleteYep, that's what we've been doing...electroacupuncture. Every. Single. Week. It's supposed to be THE treatment to increase blood flow. What gives? Hopefully next week will bring more exciting results.
DeleteWell poop. I'm all outta ideas!! Extra week it is!! :)
DeleteI know right! There is nothing left to try. I'm not allowed to do herbs, so that's out. I am a big believer in warm castor oil packs though, so hopefully adding those and time and extra green pills in my vag all day long will help. ha!
DeleteSo frustrating Emily! I'm really sorry about the lining issue, but I would also have pushed for one more week. Hoping your body doesn't O and that when you go in on the 28th you have this great, nice, plush lining all ready for your baby to snuggle and grow. I'm glad for the update because I've been thinking about you all this month. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteUgh, hate the waiting game, the "patience panties." But good for you! I have hope that your patience will give you that cushy lining in a week's time!!!
ReplyDeletePraying for a nice thick 9mm lining for you!! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to see an update from you!!! Been thinking about you and praying for you!! Come on lining - let's do this!
ReplyDeleteI hear soaking feet in hot water 2 times a day foe 30 mins will help with lining as well! Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteI so need to add the soaking in hot water! I am pretty good about keeping my feet warm, but increasing circulation and blood flow through the feet can only help. Thanks for the reminder about that one Megz. I will go buy one of those cheapie Dr. Scholls foot baths and make a daily habit of it!
DeleteSo sorry :(. I took oral estrogen 4x a day and vaginal 1x a day. My estrogen level was ridiculous! Are you taking any baby aspirin or anything like that? I will be thinking and praying for you this week that your lining keeps plumping up in anticipation of carrying your sweet baby to term!
ReplyDeleteYep, already taking baby aspirin daily. I'll be starting Lovenox beginning at transfer time too. Thanks E!
DeleteEven though my OBGYN has not prescribed it, I plan to take estradiol (that a friend gave me) vaginally 3x/day because my lining has NEVER been above 7.5 and I really feel like this could be part of the problem! How do you do the castor oil packs? Maybe I could try that too...
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you! I think if I were in your shoes, I would have chosen to go the extra week as well. I am going to be cheering you on and sending you lots of sticky vibes :)
This is the best how-to video I have found... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAqcafQV9t4
DeleteI will be taking my estradiol vaginally, lying down to do a warm castor oil pack immediately after, and meditating all at the same time to kill three birds with one stone. It feels pretty therapeutic to do these in conjunction with meditation/soft music. Love them!
Sorry for the delay but hopefully your body just needs a little more time and things will be perfect next week. My doctor talked about an option for FET based on my natural cycle...as in, they wait until I O on my own and then do the transfer at 5dpo...is that an option for you? Hopefully switching to all vaginal doses will do the trick though. I'm KMFX for you and your lining. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell not really. In general my RE likes to have control of the cycle and leave no room for human error. In natural FET cycles, even though you are monitored via ultrasound, the patient has to track ovulation with OPK's (I can do without that stress due to my inconsistent ovulating). In addition, my lining will only be thinner on a natural cycle since there is no estrogen supplementation during the follicular phase. My estrogen is low as it is. Natural cycles have not proven to benefit my lining in any way, shape, or form in the past unfortunately.
DeleteI need the estrogen for my lining, but there is always a catch. Taking estrogen can increase blood clotting. So while I need the extra estrogen for my lining, I don't exactly need any reduced blood flow (Ironically, hormones can intrinsically also reduce blood flow and thus lining indirectly sometimes), which is why I'm trying to combat decreased blood flow any way I can holistically on the side. Fun stuff I know! I can't win for losing sometimes it seems!
Well that makes sense. I have low estrogen too, so it's interesting to learn about what the options are since we will do a FET eventually. Hopefully you have the right combination for this cycle!
DeleteHope that lining gets where you need it to be, lady. I'm wearing my patience panties too. They suck...I want to rip them off and shred them. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow thin lining girl, I feel your pain! My RE also said that there isn't a difference between the delestrogen injections and the estridol vaginally. I just chose the delestrogen because I could get it cheaper. I also feel your pain about stressing about a 1/2 of a mm. When our lining is already so thin, it seems every little speck counts.... but we can't sweat the small stuff that our REs don't seem concerned about, right????
ReplyDeleteI really, REALLY hope that this extra week and estridol vaginally helps that lining become a little more cushy.
Patience is a virtue, my friend ;)
The waiting game is always fun. NOT!! I am not the biggest fan of that lil game. I really hope this extra week helps ur lining out. (:
ReplyDeleteI always feel like I have to be more patient, so I relate! Hoping your lining thickens!
ReplyDeleteI too had thin lining problems, it's frustrating, I never did the castor oil, hope it works! The good thing is that I've seen many women get pregnant with thin linings, very thin linings. My good friend Christina just gave birth on Friday to her beautiful baby boy. Her lining got stuck at 5.5, little by little and with tons of patience and estrogen of course, they got it just under 7, they transferred 1 and it took. She was sure it was going to be a bust.
ReplyDeleteAlways rooting for you!
I'm also on the thin lining team. It's SO frustrating. My RE has said she's seen many women get pregnant with linings like mine....but just not me. My best lining was the month following an endometrial biopsy.
ReplyDeleteKeep us updated. I hope this combination is perfect for you guys!
Thank you ladies for the encouragement. It's nice to know I"m not alone in struggling with this...even though I don't wish it on any of you either of course! My RE is also quick to tell stories of women who have had 4.5 mm lining and still have a successful pregnancy, but as we all know, that is definitely the exception and not the rule. So many moving pieces in the puzzle, and the lining is just one of them. Would sure be nice to have it a little further over the 7 mm cut-off ....just one less thing to wonder about in the equation.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, it's going to be in God's hands. It's either going to work or it's not. However, if there is something the doctor can do to improve the circumstances going into the transfer (in this case hopefully giving it more time) then I'm all about utilizing the option!
I'm sorry things are not going quite as planned this cycle, and that you have to deal with the "fun" of waiting. I think you made a great decision to wait for it to thicken up a little, and I will be praying that it works out perfectly! Big hugs and prayers sent your way!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you are having to wait more, that's one of the worst parts about this journey. Hopefully this week flew by and you get a great report tomorrow. I'm praying for you and sending *thick* thoughts your way!
ReplyDelete