IVF Cycle buddies November/December

[Cityzen74]

I'm due to start the Short Protocol when AF arrives next week and I wondered whether anyone else was in the same situation and would like to join me? I'm pretty nervous about everything so would love to offer some support to others in the same situation and get some advice and support as well. You don't have to be on the Short Protocol of course - any other protocols welcome too!

To introduce myself am 41, been ttc for over 2.5 years and in that time had at least 1 chemical pregnancy and a miscarriage at 6 weeks. We get one chance on the NHS where we live and don't know if we'll be able to afford another go if this doesn't work so am feeling the pressure!

[Goodthingscome2those]

Hi cityzen, I'm in the same position starting short protocol next week when AF shows up!

I am nearly 40 and this is my second round, did a long cycle in September which unfortunately failed so really hoping and praying this works this time.

Will be happy to be a cycle buddy especially as we will be within days of each of each hopefully! Let's hope we both get lovely Christmas presents! X

[Cityzen74]

Hi Goodthings - yes I was thinking that it would be a really lovely Christmas present wouldn't it?!! Thanks for replying - will be good to have a cycle buddy. I really hope that this time works for you.

I am really nervous and the thing I'm worried about this morning is that AF is going to come a week early! I don't have my drugs yet (they are arriving on Friday) so don't know what would happen. I think I've just got a churned up tummy because I'm nervous about it but anyway. My DH says I've got to remain calm and positive which I'm finding hard!

How did you find the injections? When I went to my nurse appointment I was trying so hard to concentrate but I feel like my mind just went blank! Fortunately there are a load of instructions in my diary and DH said that he can remember what to do so that's good.

[Goodthingscome2those]

Hi cityzen, the injections weren't actually that bad to be honest, the first is the worst as it's the anticipation how it weirdly becomes normal very quickly! I think (don't quote me) you can start on day1,2 or 3 I think the doctor told me but I have to contact the ACU on day 1 then they schedule in a scan for around day 3, is that the same for you?

I do agree with you DH, staying calm is key, but easier said than done especially in the 2ww!

Glad to have a cycle buddy , have you told many people you are starting ivf? Do you work? I kept it to a minimum but my managers know which is handy as I can just slip off for appointments etc. I'm also trying acupuncture this time so need to leave work sometimes for this too.

If you haven't already, I would recommend reading the book "Get a life" it really helped with me each stage on my previous cycle xx

[Goodthingscome2those]

Sorry also don't worry too much about how to do injections, there are plenty of tutorials on you tube! Xx

[Cityzen74]

Thanks Goodthings. Yes I had heard there were tutorials on YouTube so that's good.

We haven't told many people about the IVF. My parents know and a couple of friends but I don't really want to tell too many people as I think I might feel more pressure if you know what I mean?! I do work. I have 2 part time jobs and have told my manager at one but not the other. I think will have to say something vague next week so I can just leave for scans etc.

Am a bit curious about acupuncture. How do you find it? I know a lot of people really like it but have never done it myself. I have heard good stories about it though.

[Cityzen74]

Oh and thanks for the book recommendation. I just finished reading it and I did find it really helpful. It was written well and gave good advice.

[Goodthingscome2those]

I'm not sure how I'm finding acupuncture to be honest! I don't find it relaxing but I'm not overly keen on needles so not sure if that's is why. The person I'm seeing is zita west trained (fertility specialist) so I'm just hoping it helps, especially as she wants to see me twice a week at £50 per session! But if it works then all the money is worth it.

Glad you found the book helpful, it really helped me and I'll definitely refer to it again,

Hope AF has stayed away and doesn't show until its due next week! Xx

[Cityzen74]

I am very forgetful today! I have to start injections on day 2 but like you have to call clinic on day 1 to tell them AF has come. Still feel as though am going to come on anytime. Feel twingy! Hopefully AF will hold off until Sunday at least! Am due on Wed. What about you?

[Goodthingscome2those]

I was put on the pill just for this month to ensure AF come before cut off date for cycles before Christmas, so I take last pill on Sunday and hopefully come on by Wednesday!
Big week for us next week, can finally get things moving! Xx

[LoPl]

I would like to join you as cycles buddies. I am on the Oct/Nov thread too, but I am a little behind those ladies, so it'd be nice to be here too. Actually AF turned up today, so scan tomorrow. More intro: I'm 37 and this is my first IVF round, and yes it's been emotional/nerve wrecking getting here. Turned to these forums, as we've not told anyone (felt it might put us under further pressure), but I just needed to chat to people who understand. So far, I've also managed to keep it from work. Here's hoping for all of us! x

[Goodthingscome2those]

Hi LoPI,

I find these so helpful, I was on one for my previous cycle and everyone was so nice and helpful and as you say it's nice to just talk and people know what you're going through.

Day 2 scan , didn't realise they did it so early, that scares me as I thought I'd go in for scan around day 3/4 when not so heavy! I know they've seen it all before but still makes me feel funny!

Good luck for tomorrow, and I'm happy to chat whenever xx

[LoPl]

Thanks! Re scan, they said they could do day 2, 3 or 4. But we are flying on Sat - so I need to get it in tomorrow!

[Goodthingscome2those]

Thanks for info LoPI, I suppose depending on when you go speeds up/slows down injections starting. Let us know how you get on.

Have s nice time wherever you're flying to x

[LoPl]

Sorry that was a bit random about the flying. OH's dad not well, so flying to see him this weekend. Because, you know, one major stressful life event is not enough

[Cityzen74]

Welcome LoPI. Sorry to hear that your OH's Dad is ill. Hope your journey is ok. Do let us know how you get on with your scan.

Yes I was confused about scans too as I thought would have one on day 2 to check everything ok before injections started. But when I went to my nurse consultation she did it then instead. So I suppose my first scan will be when I've been taking menopur for a while. The nurse wasn't very sympathetic really and quite negative. I hope I don't have to see her again throughout my treatment. Everyone else was very nice.

LoPI do you think you will tell work anything? For my part time job that I haven't told I thought would just ring in sick for EC if necessary. Am finding the uncertainty of timings etc a bit stressful. I think have said will visit brother on a weekend when I could be doing the trigger shot. Might have to plead illness if that happens!

Goodthings - yes big week for us coming up! I think will be relieved when it all starts as I think the wait is making me more nervous!

[Goodthingscome2those]

LoPI sorry to hear your OH dad is unwell and I hope injections/ hiding drugs go well over the weekend.

Going from my last cycle (although did a long cycle so just removing the D/R phase, I am expecting (assuming all goes well up to that stage) to go for EC around the week of w/c 5th December and test around w/c 19th December (again hopefully all being well and going as planned).

Fingers crossed for us ladies! Xx

[LoPl]

Thanks Cityzen. Hmmm, I had scan last week before they ordered meds. And then got told to ring on day 1 of AF to have scan on day 2, 3 or 4. So I would def call them when you start your period. That's crap about the nurse. Everyone I've encountered at the hospital so far has been lovely and reassuring. Hope you don't see her again!

I'm going to try to avoid telling work. My work is somewhat flexible, so I can move things around. If it gets obvious though and/or I miss important meetings, I think I'll tell my line manager. (it would be too stressful otherwise). I've also cancelled a trip away that looked like it was going to coincide with EC - I'm using OH's dad as a bit of an excuse.... which is sort of true in that I'm saying 'life is a bit stressful for us at the moment, I need to cancel...'

[Julie2908]

I had FET 10th November I started testing positive from day 5 I have done tests every day since I'm now on day 8

[LoPl]

Hi Julie that seems like good news! Though I'm just at the beginning of my cycle so haven't really taken in the 2ww protocol yet. One step at a time, and all that I think you'll find more women at the same point as you on the 2ww thread?
Citizen - did you meds turn up? and did you AF not turn up? How you going?
Goodthings - what about you?
I'm all scanned. Numbers are fine, and I'm ready to inject this evening.

[Goodthingscome2those]

Hi LoPI, glad scan went well and you're ready to start , good luck let us know hope you get on. How did you find scan so early on in AF?

Cityzen, hope you're ok and as LoPI said AF stayed away until at least today.

AFM, I've got two more days of taking contraceptive pill, then hopefully AF will show next week so I can get started. Xx

[LoPl]

Scan during AF was fine. I'm not super heavy, which helps. I'm also consciously striving for a practical mindset with these bits of IVF (i.e. they've seen it all before and it needs to be done etc etc). My left ovary was hiding a bit so there was a fair bit of poking around (uncomfortable, but not awful - I've had worse smears in the past). xx

[Goodthingscome2those]

Glad it went ok, I was ok with the scans before although had same problem with left ovary. They could never find it easily and my left one didn't respond last time so hoping for something from it this time!

It sounds so stupid but the thought of a scan during AF petrified me! Xx

[Cityzen74]

Yes Goodthings I was also worried about scan during AF but I don't have to have one in the end. However I agree with you LoPI that they have seen it all before so nothing to worry about! I will try to adopt that attitude for all the scans and procedures!

LoPI good news about your scan although sorry it was uncomfortable. How are you feeling about injections?

Thanks for asking about AF. Not here yet but have had tiny bit of brown spotting ( sorry for tmi!) so reckon will be here maybe tomorrow and definitely by Sunday. I really hope that works out ok and I don't have to delay. Drugs will have arrived when get home so I suppose if AF comes over the weekend will just call clinic and see what they say. Nurse said I should take pill until next Thursday if come on early so will do that and hope they are open at weekend to help if necessary!

Good things that's great you only have 2 more pills. Hopefully AF turns up and then you are good to go too.

Julie. Your tests look good. Congratulations and hope things go well for you.

[Mrscrabtree]

Hello everyone, I'm just starting my stims for my second round (first one cancelled due to dominant follies) and hope it's ok to join you. I'm 36, ttc for 3 years, unexplained (so far). Struggling to stay positive and basically expecting something else to go wrong this time! Perhaps it will help to go through it together? X

[Goodthingscome2those]

Welcome mrscrabtree, sorry to hear first cycle was cancelled, have they changed anything with this cycle for hopefully better results?

This is my second cycle, first one went ok, I was a bit slow to respond to stimms (they said prob down to age as nearly 40), in the end my left ovary didn't respond all but think I had around 7follies on right and managed to get 13 eggs of which 6 fertilised, I had 2 x "good" 3 day embryos transferred and 1 made it to blast so it's frozen but unfortunately ended in BFN.

Hoping for better cycle this time with a positive result as are we all! Not sure if you were on here before for your first cycle but I did find it really helped me. When are you due to start stimms?

LoPI, have did injection go?

Cityzen, any sign of AF yet?