Can You OD on Gatorade? February 1, 2006
When I had my pre transfer talk with my RE on Sunday, I asked her when the risk of developing OHSS would drop. She said two weeks. I don’t know if she meant two weeks past trigger, two weeks past retrieval, or two weeks past transfer because I was too focused on the embryo stuff to ask her to which two weeks she meant, but obviously it means that I’m not out of the woods yet.
I did some googling on the subject and discovered that there are actually two types of OHSS: early onset and late onset. I hadn’t realized that. I guess most of the time you hear about people developing symptoms fairly early on. It appears that’s not always the case.
Early onset OHSS usually starts 3-7 days after trigger while the late onset form starts 12-17 days after trigger. Most of the time the late onset form occurs in response to rising HCG levels resulting from pregnancy. The late onset form of OHSS tends to be more severe than the early form.
Interesting. I guess technically speaking I’m past the risk of developing the early form, and it looks like the chances of getting the late form are only worth worrying about if I somehow manage to get pregnant this cycle.
I’m still drinking my Gatorade like a good girl just in case. I like that stuff as much as the next guy, but even I’m starting to get sick of it. I’ve been throwing some Propel into the mix for variety’s sake.
I’m still trying to keep the protein intake up there, too. I found a way to make those yucky premade protein shakes palatable. Take a heaping scoop of chocolate ice cream, add half a chocolate protein shake, and mix together in a blender. Much better.
I’ve been keeping an eye on my body, too. (Ok, it’s not just because of the OHSS risk. We all know that it’s impossible not to analyze our bodies for “symptoms” during the 2ww.) I’ve managed to gain back a pound from the weight I lost after ER. Not really surprising given how freaking snacky the PIO is making me. Obviously a pound up or down is not something to be concerned over.
The thing that is a tad concerning is the fact that I’ve been experiencing some persistent nausea the past few days. Nausea is a OHSS symptom, but it’s not severe so I think I’m ok as of right now. I can still eat and drink and all that good stuff plus vomiting or anything of the sort has yet to come into play, so I’m not freaking out about it. It sure is a pain, though. Like the extreme tiredness from the PIO isn’t enough to make me feel like crap.
I do remember that when I was popping Estradiol like candy during one of my stubborn lining FETs that I got nauseated from all of the estrogen. I guess this nausea could be as a result of high E2 levels and not necessarily OHSS. Still something to keep an eye on, I guess.
I guess only time will tell if I’m spared the wrath of OHSS. You would think with an E2 of 7542 at trigger that my chances would be fairly good, but I guess you never really know. I have to admit that if my choices are no OHSS and no pregnancy or getting OHSS and actually getting pregnant, that I’d have to choose the latter. We all know these things aren’t up to those of us going through them, though. We never get to call the shots.
- Posted in : IVF Part 6: IVF #4
- Author : amanda
Comments»
I’m doing the traditional stay away ohss, bring on the pg dance right here at my desk (while simultaneously drinking hot decaf… how’s that for multitalented?) Good luck!!
It sounds to me like you are out of the woods, but of course I am not an expert! I was always told to drink the fluids (gatorade or just water/juice) but not to go hog wild and overdo it, either.
I did get mild OHSS, but it was early early, like the day or two after retrieval. It peaked right before transfer and slowly started to go down after that. In my experience and from stories I’ve heard, its more the bloating and feelings of a hard, tight, swollen abdomen that you feel first, then maybe some nausea & breathing issues later as a result of that? I never had nausea, myself, and though I was horribly uncomfortable, it was never more than a mild case and my Drs were not very concerned.
I also thought that the secondary OHSS was really more of a return of earlier symptoms, ie, if you had OHSS early, then got pregnant, it may reoccur and get worse, but if you had no symptoms early (like you) than you were likely not to get any at all, even with pregnancy. Of course I could be wrong, this is just what I understood after lots of websearching myself when I was obsessing over it.
Hang in there, in any case, you are doing great!
I’m glad you’re still doing ok as far as no OHSS symptoms. I think the nausea could definitely be the high E2 levels plus maybe some HCG thrown in there. Having to analyze every little thing in regard to OHSS on top of the usual anlyzing possible pg symptoms has got to be enough to drive one crazy!
Based on everything I read about OHSS (and, as you might imagine I’ve read a lot over the last week), it seems like people are either prone to developing it or not. I mean there are some women out there getting it with E2’s of only in the 2000’s. I think that, just the fact that you never got it on past cycles is a good indicator that you’ll be ok. I mean I know that your E2 has never been this high but I seem to recall it at least being up in the danger zone at least one other time?
I mean keep drinking the Gatorade and being diligent about watching out for it, of course. I totally understand what you’re saying about being willing to confront OHSS if that meant getting pregnant but let’s just think positive and assume the 2 are not going to go hand in hand and you’ll get the positive outcome without the dreaded OHSS!
Kristin- You can actually get late onset OHSS without any earlier symptoms. I hadn’t realized that before googling away. I’ve even read of people not having symptoms pop up until after a positive beta.
Staci- Yeah, my E2 was 4452 at trigger my first cycle. I’m hoping to escape it this time, too.
Chanting to the heavens (or whatever powers that be) in your name…go gatorade, no OHSS, go BFP, no BFN!! Lather, rinse, repeat…. :-)
I am hoping for no OHSS and + results! You are in my thoughts.
No OHSS, no OHSS — just let me know when I can stop chanting!
Please please please make this work! Please let there be two fat pink lines soon!
I hope you keep feeling well. All the bad cases I’ve read about (blogs not science) are when ppl get pregnant – eg caroline @ the unachievable double lines, and heleen @ one way or another. I hope that you don’t get it at all, but that if you do it’s a good sign.
hey, amanda, sorry about the nausea. at least you’re not hurling. I hope it doesn’t get that bad. I always had that after each ER, even when my estrogen wasn’t astronomically high. the gatorade always helped me.
sorry the PIO is making you snacky. (I like that word. good word.)
Hope the nausea abates and OHSS stays away. I have my fingers crossed for you.
Hoping the OHSS stays away, and you still get a positive. Good girl keeping your gatrorade up. Propel is good! I like the grape.
Thinking of you!
Hi Manana Banana, I’ve come across your post and would like to ask you a question. Please delete this comment as it is not related to your topic, as it is months later.
Today is day 6 after ET (I had day 3 ET) and have started feeling a bit distended aroud the belly button.(My belly looks like a semi ball). According to what’s written on your board:”Early onset OHSS usually starts 3-7 days after trigger while the late onset form starts 12-17 days after trigger”, I am on day 11 after HSG. Could it be possible to mean that I am developping a OHSS? (IN fact I would love to have it as it might indicate pregnancy):) Silly me.
I am looking forward to your responce. Thank you.Kind regards
Teo
нда удивил …
I had no idea how to approach this bferoe-now I’m locked and loaded.