Heartipation.
Yesterday afternoon I had lunch with DD and Jitters. Alas I failed to fit into anything with a waistband, and was forced to meet them looking like a cover model for Caftan Living, but they were very kind about it, and about the fact that, while neither of them finished their meals, I inhaled a heaping vat of pasta and ended the outing by catching a glass soda bottle with my cardigan sleeve and sending it smashing to the floor. It was not my most ladylike luncheon, I am forced to admit. It just so happens that there was a “kids eat free” event at the restaurant later that evening, so my soda bottle mishap may very well have been responsible for shredded infant feet, if the lackluster sweeping job by the dreadlocked waiter was any indication. So if all seventeen of my embryos expire, I know why: karma’s a bitch.
My transfer has been moved to 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, less than 24 hours from now. I am preposterously excited at the prospect of having real, live embryos transfered to my uterus. Still, I am unable to imagine this cycle working—my mind simply goes blank when I try to picture such a thing, and instead starts churning out possible dates for follow-up consults and frozen embryo transfers. It is so lovely to have all of you hoping for me, especially when it feels too risky for me to do so myself.
At the moment I am having a problem with upper abdominal pain. I first noticed it last night—my stomach was puffed out as far as it would go (and you would be surprised how fat far that is), and it hurt to stretch or, well, do anything at all. At Scott’s insistence I called the after-hours nurse, who determined it was unlikely to be OHSS (still peeing, no nausea, etc.) and I trotted gratefully off to bed. I felt somewhat better and less bloated in the morning, but then it came back, a sort of cross between constipation and heartburn—ConstiBurn, if you will—along with a distended abdomen. I did notice it always starts some time after my antibiotic dose, and that this particular side effect, if that indeed is what it is, didn’t appear until I had started the progesterone shots. SO my current theory is some sort of reaction to either the antibiotic or the progesterone or both, some sort of gassy painful bloaty burny reaction that sears through the higher reaches of my stomach and prevents me from standing up straight. Anyone have anything similar? A heating pad helps a bit, but it really is quite painful. However I am loathe to bother the nurse again with what may very well be something as simple as reflux or constipation and have her cancel my transfer in a fit of pique. Still guzzling liquids and peeing up a storm, so I truly don’t think it is OHSS. At times it almost feels as though I have been doing strenuous abdominal exercises, but I think we all know how likely that is. Almost as likely as my “inflation by nefarious jokester with a bicycle pump” theory.
17 Comments
I do hope that pain/tummy situation ends and good luck on your transfer tomorrow!!
First of all, she looked fabulous. One darling lady in a brand spanking new outfit often with designer labels or accessories to match. Classy.
Also, you failed to mention that I ordered 2 items for lunch and ate all of one and most of the other. Note: I also had a fried egg sandwhich with cheese for breakfast, just 3 hours earlier…. I am a pig.
Oh, the bottle incident was quite comical. I think it happened because I spend a good hour internally cursing the new mom who put the infant carrier with the child glaring right at the 3 infertiles next to them. It was as if she knew we were cursing her ability to create her new little wonder. So, the kharma will hit me and not your embryos. Plus, I noticed the lackluster sweeping job and many shards of glass that I did not point out to the waiter and DD kindly did.
We were lucky the “kids eat free” event did not happen while we were there or else I may have accidentally broken many, many bottles. (not for the kids, but rather their hyper-fertile parents.)
Constiburn describes it perfectly. I had exactly what you described. That’s not to say that it’s normal or that you shouldn’t talk to your doctor about it. Just that I had it too and lived to tell the tale. My RE said it was normal, but that was one of his favorite words.
Your abdomen would be sore after the abuse your ovaries received at the hands of those doctors!
Hope the discomfort dissipates soon.
I have NO IDEA what is causing your constiburn but I am SO excited about tomorrow. Am not familiar with process - what’s after that??? Ok, not that I’m jumping the gun. Ahem. Good luck tomorrow!
I am so excited as well. I cannot wait to see what happens. I’ve got a good feeling about it, really, I do!
I don’t know how that happens when you don’t even know someone, but I find it to be true nonetheless.
While you may have finished your penne, I was too full after guzzling back my bottomless glass(es) of wine, a salad and a questionable number of bread slices. Would you believe I was still burping it up by the time I arrived home?
I was going to tell a story how your broke the neck of the bottle in an attempt to protect us from the stogie and tattoo patrons in the alley. Alas.
Good luck tomorrow. I know you are terrible uncomfortable and then another two days of bedrest may seem like overkill, but I hope the movie rentals came through.
And you looked fabulous.
I *love * Caftan Living!
Good luck tomorrow.
xxoo
Good luck! Hope you are more comfortable soon.
Loads of luck for your transfer!
Antibiotics do the same thing to me with the heartburn funk. I have to be sure to take them after a full meal. At the very least, a glass of milk (with some Benefiber mixed in) can do the trick. The antibiotics can mess with the “good” bacteria in your gut and cause constipation. Try some natural yogurt (again, add that dang fiber) to try to get some of the good stuff back. The progesterone can contribute to the constipation as well. My typical two week wait breakfast is a natural yogurt smoothie with lots of fruit, bran buds, and benefiber. I have become my grandfather.
It’s pretty crappy, all in all (or not). This cycle, I’ve been averaging ~3 days between “going”. I am not amused. It does get easier to handle once the ovary bloating subsides somewhat.
Sorry to be a bit gross in my first comment ever, but I wanted to let you know you’re not alone!
Everyone here is very smart about stomachy things (whereas I am a constantly bloated wretch with Irritable Bowel Syndrome), so I will let them advise you on those matters.
I will just say: good luck today, darling!
Good luck today! I know we’re all keeping you in our thoughts.
Just wanted to say good luck, and we’re all thinking of you!
and the gut pain? Not sure. Turns out I have gall stones that were causing my pain. Right in between my ribcage, and also some really aching back pain. But yours doesn’t sound like that, so it’s probably some relation to all the meds and “fun”.
Thinking of you!
I hope that your transfer went well!
I wish you the very best of luck.
I know this is late, but I hope all went well with your transfer today! :)