Navigating complications ahead of a frozen embryo transfer

I’ve been open about my experience going through in vitro fertilization. I have Cushing’s disease and polycystic ovary syndrome, and they each come with their own brand of fertility issues. My husband and I did an egg retrieval procedure last year, and we hope to do a frozen embryo transfer this month if all goes well. But unsurprisingly, complications may require us to wait a little longer.

My husband is switching jobs and we’re preparing to move out of state, so we only have until the end of the month to do the transfer under our current insurance here in New York. However, my body just doesn’t seem to want to cooperate. We’re doing a natural cycle, which means we’re trying to line up the procedure with my body’s natural ovulation process, as opposed to a medically induced cycle. My doctors believe we’ll have a better chance of success with the former.

One of the main things we’ve been waiting for is my progesterone level to come down. It needs to be less than 1 ng/mL to do the transfer, and mine has been floating between 1 and 2.6 ng/mL. Since we couldn’t tell if I was nearing ovulation or not, we decided to induce it. I took the shot two weeks ago and then ovulated last week, so that’s a step forward.

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Timing

The transfer process will start on the first day of my period, two weeks before ovulation. I’ll need to take estrogen for 10 days and progesterone for five days leading up to ovulation, and then the procedure will be scheduled for a few days after I’ve ovulated.

However, because our insurance switches on June 1, I’m not sure we’ll have enough time for all of this. I went back to the doctor on May 12 for more blood work, so hopefully we’ll have a clear timeline soon.

In the meantime, I’ve gone off ketoconazole, my Cushing’s treatment, because my fertility doctor believes it could be affecting my progesterone levels. Ketoconazole has been lowering my cortisol and keeping me stable — so stopping it is perfect timing (not), given that I’m in the middle of a stressful move! The only pills I’m currently taking are my prenatal vitamins, folic acid, Synthroid (levothyroxine), vitamin D, and iron.

That’s led to many sleepless nights because not only am I overwhelmed, but my insomnia is back. None of this is good for preparing for a fetus, so I’m spending my lunch hours sleeping instead of eating, and trying to limit my social life.

Of course, a few things have fallen by the wayside. I’m not able to do as much yoga, and because I’m off my Cushing’s meds, I’ve gained some weight. It’s just one of those times when I can’t do as much for my body as I’d like. I’m breaking out, swollen, and fatigued, and I just have to live with it.

But all of it will be worth it when I’m writing to you from my new porch in Michigan, hopefully pregnant despite everything we’ve been through. I hope I’ll have good news to share with you soon.

You can also follow my journey on TikTok and YouTube.

Note: Cushing’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cushing’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Cushing’s.