IVF Lurker, finally talking!

[glasshalfsomething]

Hi all,
I've been reading these boards for weeks, and finally signed up to comment/share/talk as I really think it's time to contribute

33, TTC for 4 years, in first round of IVF having successfully down-regged and started on my gonal-f injections this morning.

Would love to hear others experiences and wondering if there's anyone out there at the same stage?

Also, having read the comments that this is the stage where the side effects really kick in, curious about how those in high stress jobs cope?

[kezmarie]

Hi glass
I'm in the same boat.
26 and TTC for 3.5 years.
No down regging for me as I don't ovulate (therefore no TOTM). I'm booked in for my baseline scan & first dose of menopur 2 weeks today! (25th October)

Haven't even thought about how I'm going to be at work at the moment, more nervous about the jabs to be honest!!

When's your estimated egg collection?

[glasshalfsomething]

hopefully in the next 10 days or so, dependable on what scan shows next week.

The jabs aren't too bad at all - I stressed about it, but after morning 1 it became routine. Takes two min now, just do it standing in the kitchen!

Had a proper wobble at work today - not a crier, but felt the bottom lip tremble during a debate :-(

How long will you be on the menopur?

Fingers crossed for you x

[kezmarie]

Oh fab.
Hopefully the scan is a positive one for you next week!
I'm nervous about the injections, as far as I'm aware it's 1 injection a day for 12 days - a bit undecided about what time to take it though!!
I work all different shifts and I want to make sure they're at the same time every day...
I'm thinking around 9pm? An hour before bed. Is that too late? Or am I overthinking everything?
12 days of menopur, egg collection week commencing 7th November - providing all goes well!
Fingers crossed for you too X

[glasshalfsomething]

Are your injections needle or pen? Pen is much easier to take to work and do!

[kezmarie]

Needles.
I have to mix them myself - 3 lots of powder to liquid etc. Going to be awkward!! X

[glasshalfsomething]

Oh, doesn't sound fun. Do you have a time when you'll always be at home? I thought having one needle and one pen every day was bad.

I've only got one that I need to mix, thank goodness!

Sure you'll find a way though, the results will make it worth it x

[kezmarie]

Are yours ready mixed then?
I have several boxes of menopur to mix myself. I have 3 doses in one injection, once a day for 6 days. Then 2 doses in one injection, once a day for 5 days. I think!
I'll have to double check with the nurse when I go for my first scan.
Yes the only time I will always be at home is either 6am or 9pm! That's how much my shifts vary.
How are you finding your injections? Do you feel any different? X

[glasshalfsomething]

I've had 10 days of buserlin then have 10 days of that plus gonalf- then scans to see if I'm ready for the big shot of pregnyl (then it's off to egg collection)

Buserlin was fine, but the gonal-f is making me very emotional!

To be honest, the biggest thing I'm missing is the gym - I just go in to serious training 5 days a week, and it's not allowed. It's hard not to have that stress release!

If it helps, I find morning injections easier - then it's out the way for the rest of the day!

[drinkyourmilk]

Kez I was told my menopur had to be taken between 6-9 every night, and at the same time every night within a 30 min slot. So I suspect 9 would be fine. I took mine at 7.
I was emotional on it for about 3 days, then I normalised.
I was the same for the buserelin.

[kezmarie]

Glass - I guess everyone's different. My consultant has only prescribed me menopur then straight for egg collection (6 scans during menopur)
Yes giving up the gym does sound hard! I do Pilates 3 times a week and light weight training so I guess I'll have to give that up!

Drink - thank you that's great. To be honest the nurse probably did tell me times but the last appointment just felt like a whirlwind and everything she said to me went in one ear and straight out the other!
7pm would be a perfect time for the jabs, it would be after tea and enough time to wind down, bath and bed. Some nights I don't finish until 8pm though so id be home around 8.30. So it's looking more towards 9pm!

[glasshalfsomething]

Drink - that's good to know, hope I normalise! Are you still in treatment?

[drinkyourmilk]

No. I was incredibly lucky and got my bfp first cycle. Currently 15 weeks.

[drinkyourmilk]

Can I also suggest that when you start cyclones after transfer use the back door, I was told it absorbs better- plus no mess. And do buy lactose!

[drinkyourmilk]

Ffs. Cyclogest not cyclones.
lactulose not lactose.

[kezmarie]

Drink - congratulations!
You've given me hope!
The pessaries do scare me a little bit. Am I right in thinking its 3 times a day?
I'm going to find that difficult.... At the moment they've estimated my egg collection on the 7th November - with estimated embryo transfer on 13/14th. I go to New York for a week on the 18th which means I'll have to take my pessaries with me!
Nervous isn't the word......

[glasshalfsomething]

Congratulations @drink!

I'd presumed I'd go front with the cyclones but based on your success and recommendations, will try the back!

I'd never heard of lactulose, so thanks for that tip too!

Kez - hope they don't search your bags, have fun explaining that one!

[drinkyourmilk]

Ahem.
With the pessaries I found squatting pushing it up until it was just in, then kind of squeezing tight and kind of suckling it up with spinster muscle worked very effectively. It's clean, pain free and simple that way.

[drinkyourmilk]

Oh- and lactulose is an otc thing. I found it sickly sweet, so took 30ml each day with a sharp orange juice to mellow the taste. Some people like it- it's just like a sugar syrup. You can up the dose if needs be.

[glasshalfsomething]

Never did I think I'd be thankful advice on a rear door pessary!!

Thank you for volunteering the information, don't think I'd be brave enough to ask anyone else x

[kezmarie]

Good morning ladies.
Haha the bag searching I'm fine with, it's the 3 pessaries a day that I'm worried about. Going to be in the airport for 3 hours then on a flight for 7 hours. Trying to take a pessary on a plane isn't going to be fun!!

Will definitely take your advice about the back door though! X

[drinkyourmilk]

Kez I only had to take 400mg twice a day. Each clinic is different.

[kezmarie]

drink - to be fair I haven't really looked at the box of meds properly since they were delivered (refrigerated the ones that needed to be obviously)
So I think I need to have a sit down with them and study them haha

[kezmarie]

drink - to be fair I haven't really looked at the box of meds properly since they were delivered (refrigerated the ones that needed to be obviously)
So I think I need to have a sit down with them and study them haha

[kezmarie]

Not sure why that posted twice!! Sorry !