08 « January « 2008 « champuru.net

Upping the Dose

My daily fix: progesterone ~~2 ml~~ 3 ml

The morning started early with another needle poke, this time by a phlebotomist at the friendly neighborhood Diagnostic Labs. Today’s blood test measured my progesterone levels. I almost made it through the day without a phone call from the doctor’s office and I was optimistic, thinking “no news is good news.” However, at 4:30, my favorite nurse Nona called and gave me the news: my progesterone levels are low. She was quick to assure me that progesterone levels alone are not indicative of anything in relation to the success of the embryo transfer. For now, it just means that they are upping my dose from 2 ml to 3.

3 ml is the entire syringe!

Although Nona said that the progesterone levels don’t mean anything at this point, I still couldn’t help feeling my heart sinking at the prospect of the possibility of a failed transfer. I found myself tearing up at various times throughout the night just pondering all the what-ifs. The 10-12 day wait between the embryo transfer and the pregnancy tests will be the longest of my life.

I took the 3 ml shot tonight and it hurt like a ninny. I couldn’t help but to think: for goodness sakes, all of this better be for something.

Oh, and did I mention that it appears that I’m coming down with a rash on my lower back and the outside of my right leg has gone slightly numb?

Come on, snowflakes, you can do it. I know you can! I’ll gladly take a million shots in the butt for your sakes, but don’t let it be for nothing. Please.

[tags]in vitro fertilization, IVF, frozen embryo transfer, FET, infertility, fertility, progesterone, estrogen, climara patches, hormones, conception[/tags]

Of fame and nose bidets

Hubby was reading a NY Times article about the neti pot (or “nose bidet”), an ancient Ayuvedic remedy that is used for nasal irrigation and relief from common sinus infections and allergies. Since its television debut on Oprah, the neti pot had been catapulted from mysterious yogi practice to mainstream whitebread America, even sold in stores such as Walgreens and Wal-mart. (I’ve come to the conclusion that anything or anyone featured on Oprah is an instant favorite of millions of Americans, just because. If it has Oprah’s stamp of approval on it, it must be good. Right?)

Of course, as a big proponent of natural remedies, I was interested. Except for the part about liquid flowing in one nostril and out the other. That doesn’t sound pleasant at all. But, if it would solve my allergies and sinus woes without drugs, it would be worth a try. If I come across a neti pot on my next jaunt to Wal-mart, it just might make its way into my cart.

But, perhaps the most amusing thing about the article was the reference to the dozens of videos that have popped up on YouTube demonstrating the use of the neti pot. One such video has gone viral with over 240,000 views, by a cartoonist named Drew who not only demonstrates the proper use of the neti pot, but also some unorthodox methods that you probably don’t want to try if you value your sense of smell. This includes irrigating his nasal passages with coffee, and later, a spot of Kentucky bourbon. Get the kids out of the room before the end of the video, however, since the bourbon flush elicits an explosive expletive in response. And, understandably so. That’s gotta burn.

For your viewing pleasure, here’s the video. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The video got us thinking about the phenomena of Internet fame. All you have to do is be willing to do something sensational/gross/dangerous/stupid and put it on YouTube and (wham!) you’re famous!

Hubby: “Jeremy would be famous if we filmed him snorting that line of chili powder and put it on YouTube.”

Me: “Yeah, he could be an Internet star!”

Hubby: “Do you want to film me shooting you up with your drugs so you can put it on YouTube?”

Me: “Okay.”

Hubby: “Are you that hard-up to be famous? Dang, woman!”

Me: “Maybe.”

[tags]nose bidet, neti pot, nasal irrigation, homeopathic, allergies, natural remedy, health[/tags]