attn lurkers!

[sandyhandz]

Hello -

I've been loggin on to diabeticmommies.com and find it helpful, but seems there are more experts on this site. People there seem to be mainly gestational. And it's all women! No offense to my female compadres, but a lot of the posts are trivial.

So! I thought I would sit in this lonely section, hoping another pregnant female lurker might one day start to converse with me.

I am currently about 9w pregnant. We're very high risk. We had IVF with ICSI. Worked first time! But I had gone through about 2years of other treatment first. I'm suspecting that the years of stimulation meds pushed my endocrine system into overload.

I was dx type II back in 2003, but never really took any medications. I had some mixed endocrine issues back then (thyroid/DM) but they both resolved together without need for any meds until a couple of months ago.

Anyways! I'm currently on leave from work because of my advanced age, the new IDDM and recent diagnosis of hashimoto's thyroiditis. I feel like I spend my time between dr's appts and arguing with my insurance company about covered benefits. And, of course, logging on to some of these sites to find friends in common.

I really hate going to the dr every week. Yesterday I had an appt with the genetic counselor at 6:30 and then with the OB afterwards. I was there until 9:45! Because my OB is hi risk, they tell us it is not uncommon for him to be 3-4 hours late because of emergencies.

In the meantime, my endocrinologist is in downtown Santa Monica. I had an appt with the dietitian at 2:30 and the endo afterwards. I got there early at 2pm but didn't get out of there until 5:30pm. Anyone traveling down Wilshire Blvd from the Avenues at rush hour can tell you about typical LA traffic. It took me 45 minutes just to get to the 405 entrance!

Sorry, I'm trying to encourage people to chat with me. Probably with the complaining, I'm discouraging visitors.

Anyways, I'll post random thoughts here r/t pregnancy and hopefully if you're lurking, you'll join in sometime. I could sure use some company.

[liz32]

Hi, I just wanted to say that I comiserate with you. My first pregnancy was very complicated and my daughter was born 12 weeks early wieghing 1 pound 11 ounces, so when I finally got pregnant the second time all I did was see doctors. It's very frustrating and very tiring but the end result was worth it. They couldn't understand why, with diabetes, I wouldn't mind having a huge baby....after my daughter I could do huge! My son was born a healthy 9 pounds 4 ounces.
Just remember, it does seem like a long time now, but these next months will fly by. Know yourself and know when to send yet another specialist on his/her way. I know I got to the point where I wasn't going to see anyone else (professionally) and just politely told them that I didn't need their services. Take care and keep your spirits up.....just think of the reward at the end....a healthy little bundle......congratulations!
Liz

[sandyhandz]

Thank you Liz. We are happy every single day about the pregnancy. When you wish for something your whole and continue to fail at it, you sure turn into a grateful person when you finally get it. Well, we're only 2/9ths of the way there so far. This is a critical period because it's about the time I miscarried with my first pregnancy.

It does seem rather pointless to see so many doctors. My OB was going to handle both the pregnancy and my diabetes, but I didn't like their approach. So I decided to let the endo handle it instead. I tried to get out of weekly appts with my OB, but he's worried about the baby's heart, so I get an ultrasound weekly and still have to see him.

I just thank goodness I'm unable to be off work for this. Although I'm not getting paid! Which is another thread I should start. My supplemental disability insurance is refusing coverage for my absence because they say "IVF is an elective procedure." I tell them, yes, but a lot of pregnancies are planned and therefore elective. It shouldn't matter HOW I got pregnant...

I'm having a time with insurance companies. Just like when we were in our car accident a few years ago, they refused to pay for things their policy states they should. We had to pay out of pocket and then they settled right before we took them to court. I guess the only way the insurance companies make money is to not pay it out for claims. They probably hope most people won't pay the things out of pocket and won't chase them for reimbursement.

Oh well.

I promise, I'll try to post much more positive things. Thank you for sharing your experiences and for giving me encouragement. I am always happy and relieved after I see the baby's heartbeat.

[liz32]

I understand your stress but try not to get stressed...not good for either of you. Try and relax and just take it one day at a time. My sympathies for having to try and deal with insurance companies. At least being in Canada it's one less thing to deal with. Take care and continue to let us know how things are progressing. Enjoy seeing that precious heart beat. Take care of yourself.
Liz