IVF Cycle 1 - issues!

[user1464093566]

Hi there,
I am currently on day 10 of stimms for my first cycle of IVF - short protocol. Reason for IVF is low ovarian reserve. I've been for 2 scans during this time and have one later today. The first they said I was responding as well as they'd like so they upped my Gonal F from 200-275. 2 days later when back for a scan and said I had responded but still not to optimal level so upped it again to 350. I'll go in today to see how I'm doing. However during the second scan there were 2 other issues. The first, one of my ovaries is high so they don't think they'll be able to collect eggs from it vaginally and will have to go through abdomen. Apparently also risk here is they might not be able to collect them all/any as its quiet tricky this way. The second is I have fluid in my uterus. I had it before once and it went away with AF. The doc reckons it's when my estrogen level increases this happens. This means implantation wouldn't be successful so they are going to try drain it at egg collection and see. Hearing all this bad news is so hard!! I remember before i started IVF hearing how difficult it was but I had no idea it would be SO hard. Feel like this week has been the worst week of my life! Just wondered if anyone else has had any of these issues and overcome them to get a successful cycle? Thanks ladies xx

[lotsoffreckles]

Hi OP first all sending you hugs and

I find out tomorrow if my 3rd attempt has worked, it's bloody horrible this process ah!

I have very different circumstances to you but have overcome issues to get here today! I have no tubes, taken out due to them being twisted (years of pain as a teenager) I went into my 1st IVF very green, I was only 28 and as it was only my A-B that was missing I was going to be ok! How wrong I was. I over stimulated leading to a 5 day hospital stay and IVF halted. It broke me, not only was I very ill my confidence went. 2.5 years later Im back but still can't say I felt prepared for the journey, it's so tough!

Crossing everything for you're scan today xx

[user1464093566]

Wow what a journey you've had! Glad you seem to be feeling more positive or at least positive enough to get back to it. The things we put ourselves through!! Fingers crossed all goes well for you. On my way there now....lets see. xx

[lotsoffreckles]

One thing I can say for sure is its changed me, I don't take what I have for granted anymore!

Keep us updated xx

[tigerdog]

I have had some experience of the high ovary issue. The doctors made me really nervous about this on my first cycle, but actually they were able to collect the eggs without going through the abdomen. If you are sedated or under general then they can have a good old push down to move it around. My right ovary requires pressure on a certain spot and then it pops into view. Fingers crossed that yours becomes more visible as the stims take effect.

Whilst it is amazing that some people get pregnant on their first cycles, it is also sensible to think of IVF as a course of treatment, and that the first cycle is as much diagnostic (tells them how you respond etc, any issues uncovered) as it is therapeutic, and can then inform further treatment.

Wishing you lots of luck with your cycle.

[user1464093566]

Hi both! Back from scan and then had to wait while the doctors confired about me. So I've responded better and reckon there's 5 follicles in the running for big ones. Still got the high one so there's still that to think about. They've upped my dose again and I'm going back for another scan on Monday. They're also going to drain the fluid on Monday (hoping it then doesn't return). I've got tablets to help thicken my lining as well. They reckon egg collection likely on Weds/Thurs. I just want this fluid to go away and not return!! xx

[tigerdog]

Sounds promising! Good luck for Monday.

[user1464093566]

Not sure....worried the fluid will come back and won't be able to go to transfer. Then also worried if the fluid doesn't come back and we do go to transfer the environment won't be great. So much to think and worry about!!

[lotsoffreckles]

Sounds promising OP, as hard as it is try not to worry you're body needs you as calm as possible. Good luck for tomorrow xxxx

[user1464093566]

So the latest! The fluid has drained a lot! Apparently only a little bit left now so they didn't drain at today's scan. If it hasn't disappears by egg collection they'll drain what's there then. Triggering tonight and EC is Weds! Waiting for clinic to call and tell me what time to trigger. Nervous!! I don't have many follicles and one of my ovaries is still high. Hoping and praying this part now goes smoothly and it works!!!
Hope you ladies are all well. xx

[tigerdog]

Everything crossed for you OP. Glad the fluid has drained and I really hope you get some good eggs. Don't worry too much about numbers, I know people who only got a few eggs and were successful and others (like me) who had perfect cycles and still don't get pregnant.

I'm just waiting for appointments to get my frozen transfer underway.

[user1464093566]

When's that going to be tiger? Was it your first cycle? I know I shouldn't get my hopes up as there's a lot against me but they've kind of hinted they're not sure how I'd respond on another cycle so really hoping this one works!
I'm not expecting high numbers at all so keep thinking "it only takes one". Triggering at 2.30am. Eeekkk!!

[lotsoffreckles]

Wow OP my trigger was 11pm and I struggled to stay awake for that, I'd be putting matchsticks in my eyes as knowing mine and DP luck we would have slept through an alarm

Good luck for egg collection, make sure you look after yourself for the next couple of days.

I got a BFP on Sat morning, still floating around trying to stay calm

[tigerdog]

Ooh freckles that's great news. Fingers crossed for you! I am hoping third time lucky might work for me. I had one short lived bfp after cycle 1 and a bfn after cycke two, but have two embryos to put back in September.

2.30am! I would be setting a million alarms as I wouldn't be able to stay up that late! Good luck!

[drinkyourmilk]

OP, I have a high ovary- in fact they couldn't actually find it for my progress scans! I had 6 eggs collected on the day, all fertilised, by day 5 one was transferred, 1 frozen and one they wanted to see progress (didn't make it). Got my bfp this morning. Plese don't give up hope.

[drinkyourmilk]

BTW they did get my hidden ovary during collection. They got 1 egg, and I like to think that's the one that's implanted.

[user1464093566]

Freckles congratulations!! Love hearing all the BFPs!!
Tiger third time lucky I am sure! We'll be going to sleep but setting a few alarms!
Drink your milk, your story has made me feel hopeful. The ovary that's responded the most is the high one - typical! The doc said ideally they'd freeze everything (they're worried about fluid) but if my fluid is gone then I really want to transfer something! If the fluids gone and I've got some good embryos I want to put 2 back! They said I'd have a good case but just hoping for good eggs at this stage! Went for an hour walk to acupuncture today hoping to get that bit of fluid out!!!

[user1464093566]

Hi Ladies, going in for EC today. Feeling nervous about numbers and fluid and everything!! Hoping and praying I will have a good news day today.
How are you all doing? xxx

[drinkyourmilk]

Will be thinking of your user. I've got everything crossed for you xx

[tigerdog]

Good luck!! Hope it goes well! x

[lotsoffreckles]

Everything crossed for you OP, look after you're self.

I'm good, feeling a little tired but other than that no real difference at the minute but it's very very early days x

[tigerdog]

How did you get on OP? x

[user1464093566]

Hey, not long been home. It went better than I could have hoped and dreamed. The fluid was there but only a little and they didn't drain it. The high ovary once they'd collected from the normal one dropped down so they could collect from both ok! I got 10 eggs!! Of course I don't know how many are good but that was my number. They'll call us tomorrow and let us know how many have fertilised. Feeling so happy but also nervous about the next few days! xx

[drinkyourmilk]

10 is great! Rest today and tomorrow, you will benefit I promise!

[lotsoffreckles]

10 is fab, come on egg babies!!

Rest tonight and tomorrow and drink plenty of water! Xxx

[user1464093566]

Thanks ladies. Feeling really sore and queasy. Just having something to eat and going to get an early night. Rest day tomorrow and then having acupuncture tomorrow night. Will keep you posted!! Hope you're alright xxx