Em-Glad you are back in your place and getting ready to see Juan. As for the steriods I think aggressive behavior is part of it. Look at all the athletes that use and what happens to them. I'm sorry that its making him act like that. Has anyone talked to him about it? May be your mom needs to talk to his doctor and see if there's anything else that can be done. That's no way to live! My appt was fine. Thanks. I love my OB and she was happy to hear we are still trying and wanted to know what all we've tried. She's very kind. Just sad to be back again and not be going because I'm pg.

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Deanna - Glad to hear you and your dh are okay......sorry about the car

Betsy - You are not a snob.........your real! I'm sorry that you had to deal w/ so much ignorance over ttc........not infuriates me more than people making comments they don't know sh*t about. I see your babydancing siggy is back - don't forget your wedges (wink)

I hope everyone else had a Happy New Year.......and tons of Baby Dust for 2008

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BTW, Em, steroids are freaky, freaky things. They can create crazy responses in the body itself physically, and weird responses in personality.

My goddaughter spent time on and off massive amounts of steroids when she had leukemia (she was 6 at the time of diagnosis)... WEIRD-O some of it. Like food obsession. And I mean literal obsession - like she'd put down her fork from breakfast and ask what was for a snack or something like that. Nasty things with gobs of side effects.

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Heidi, Steph - my mom and I talked about it over lunch one day and she said that she will say something to him. I've been sending her articles today that talk about something called "steroid psychosis", which I had never heard about. The steroids he's on are not the anabolic ones that athletes use, but the inhaler type for asthma. Apparently they can cause you to hallucinate and can trigger bipolar tendencies and psychotic episodes. For example, when we got home on New Year's Eve, my dad was sitting on the couch mumbling to himself "I suck. I suck. SUCK SUCK SUCK SUCK. I suck." over and over again.

It was so sad and bizarre. And he goes into panic mode over everything, and yells at my mom for the dumbest things. He refused to sleep with her one night because she wanted to take a bath before she went to bed. He had a literal tantrum and went to sleep on the couch. It's so hard to see your parents start to fall apart...but my dad is only 53! It's not like this is old age related! I hope it's the steroids, because if it isn't, that's more worrisome.

I would never say I want my mom to leave my dad, but it's really hard to know that she is probably suffering a lot. She puts up with so much. She had to be responsible for so many things...it's really hard to watch.

And it scares me to think that someday I might be like that, and put my DH, or my (hypothetical) children through that.

Thanks girls for letting me vent about this. I'm really concerned for my mom. We have been such a close family for so long, that it was painful for me to hate being around my father, and have felt so guilty for that these last few days. I have always been a daddy's girl, and this has just broken my heart.

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Deanna - I'm so glad your okay! Sucks for the Jeep to be banged up but better than you being banged up!

Heidi - Yeah for getting your hair & nails done, such a good feeling! Your off all week right?

Emily - Sorry your dad was acting that way during your visit. I hope between your mom & his doctor, they can find a way to treat him without those nasty side effects.

Steph - 07 is over and we are on to bigger & better things in 08!

BRRRRRRRR it's cold here!

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Karyn - it was freezing in Minnesota too! I think the high yesterday was 7 or something. It's so hard to just leave the house in the morning!

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Emily ~ He needs to see his doc. ASAP. That doesn't sound good. If this is out-of-nowhere type behavior...bi-polar disorder, even triggered by steroids (don't know much a/b that), can get dangerous. No all people react the same to all medications (as we all know). Once you get into the mental-health realm...man, I know he's a grown man and y'all can't make him to anything, but don't mess around waiting for him to 'get better'. Have her see if she can get him to his doc willingly. That's not normal. He must feel miserable too. Have her make a little journal of any erratic behavior. Sounds like they need some help with this. {{{hugs}}}

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Hi girls! I'm really confused I purchased the VIP thing for fertility friend and noticed that all those symptoms were entered. So I deleted all them cause I didn't remember doing it. Fertility friend changed my O date...which I knew I was a later O'er, but it seems like 4 or 5 DPO I start spotting. Thats how it was last month too. So that means that my LP is not long enough..right? Something else must be off too I was in a good mood all day and now I feel down. This sucks!!!

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Deanna, it does look like you have a really short LP, and the spotting before AF can be an indication of a progesterone deficiency too. Clomid can help that. I would keep charting once you start Clomid and see if your LP doesn't get longer. I can't remember why you were given Clomid - did your doctor ever do a progesterone test?

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Emily- my grandmother was on steroids for medical purposes too and she was really mean and nasty too. So nasty that my mom wouldn't let me see her while she was on them (I was in 8th grade). Once she went off them she returned to her usual kind, sweet self. HTH.

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Thanks girls. It's so strange because my dad is usually very sweet. I actually cried when he left my mother to sleep alone. I was so mad. I think the problem is going to be figuring out what he can use instead. This is the only thing that has helped him breathe better.

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It's an awful thing to have to have to trade quality of life for physical relief. Those steroids...oh the mood swings. I feel bad for all of you. If there is one cure, there is another though. They can't live like that. I know a thing or two a/b 'chemical-crazy' husbands. It's awful and it drains you.

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Hi All~ I went back to work today. It was very busy! It will be a hectic few months with a lot of projects I am coordinating.

Em~ I am so sorry your dad is struggling. I know how hard that can be on your mom. My dad is the same way, but his only excuse is alcohol. When he drinks too much, which is way too often, he is mean and hateful. When he doesnt, he can be so nice. It is hard when you worry about your mom, even though you love your dad. *hugs* YAY to seeing JUAN!!! I am so happy for you!

Deanna~ A progesterone deficiency is a fairly easy fix if that is the problem. Like Em said, Clomid helps that and there are also suppositories or pio that can help.

Karyn~ Yes, I had plenty of wine on NYE. It was GREAT! I may have some more tonight! I am enjoying being off all the ivf meds!

Bets~ OMG... I am so sorry. What a sucky night. I think I would have had to give that woman a piece of my mind too...

Bec~ How are you? How was your New Years? Has school started back?

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Thanks Lauren. You have also just inspired me to get some wine on the way home! I'm so glad you have been able to enjoy being off the meds.

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Thanks for responding girls! I was about to cry as I left work thinking I have more problems wrong with me. A long time ago (can't remember) my old Dr did a progesterone level check on me and that was fine. But knowing now what I didn't then, I bet it was to soon. I knew that clomid could help with the LP but wasn't sure about progesterone. Was thinking of taking baby asprin My dr put me on clomid because DH and I have been trying for over 6 months and I haven't been on b/c for 5 years. We have never used protection..so one would think I should've been pregnant by now. I have to actually go back on the 5th to have my prolactin level checked too. That can throw everything off as well!! I really don't think I started to ovulate until recently, even if I am now. I can say that taking this dexamethasone, the pain I used to have for 2 days before spotting...I don't really have. I want AF to show pronto so I can start clomid darn it!!!! I have never had a cycle longer than 30 days (since i've been paying attention) and it looks like she'll show on Monday. We shall see Thanks for reading my book, I can write a ton!

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I'm crampy.

I gotta tell ya, the thought of AF, or any of this...I'm tired of being female. I'm starting to forget if I use my progesterone cream or not. I can't remember if I applied it this morning or not.

DH is making me pretty miserable. I want a new life, please. Oh, how am I going to make it through...

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Steph - I don't know how but you will make it through. Never give up!

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