Ivf buddies October/November

[Eggy79]

Hi

I have had my 1st consultation today to start ivf.
Looking for buddies to share information and talk to.
Have been told my amh is very low, and I have 20% success rate.
Appointment with the nurse Tuesday to find out when this rollercoaster starts.

X

[struggleisreal]

Hi egg I've been thinking about starting a similar thread. I am having the scratch on the 18th October then start down regulation after that. Egg collection should be week of 20 November. Can't get my head around how long the process is - it feels never ending.

How long have you been trying for?

It's such a hard process isn't it, I hope we can support each other.

[PinkChocolatex]

Hello, I've got my nurses information session on Monday where we will be signing consent forms etc...I'm hoping that the process to start IVF will start soon after the appointment...slightly frustrating as we fell off the waiting list apparently so have been waiting 10 months for the info session after being given the go ahead for IVF by the Drs. Its my first cycle so I have no expectations - I really thought I would be pregnant before Xmas so am hoping that there is no further delay xx

[PinkChocolatex]

I called up my clinic and found out that the treatment will start on my next period after the nurses information session which expected only a couple of days after!!! I'm expecting that I'll be on the long protocol and am trying to be as positive as possible! Will keep u all updated as to my progress xx

[Eggy79]

Hello to you both

Sounds like we can hopefully support one another on our journey.

We have been trying for 2 yrs, I am 38 and apparently starting early menopause according to the NHS. Although I have had regular monthly cycles for the last 6 months. Explains my very low amh levels.
I have been having tests since march this year and finally we are starting the ivf process.
It's been an emotional year so far, being told starting pre menopause, would not be able to use my own eggs, to now being told they will try the once using my own eggs if the treatment works (being the highest dose).
If this does not go to plan then we have to request nhs funding again but for donor egg (which at first took me a while to get my head around).

This is my 1st attempt also so don't know what expect.
I don't have any confirmed dates as of yet, but was told I would be put on medication to start my monthly cycle then start protocol.

Fingers crossed ladies and trying to stay positive we will have the best Christmas present.


X

[Rememberallball]

Hi there eggy,

I am in a slightly different situation as DH and I are having donor egg IVF so, preparation wise, my meds regime is simply the contraceptive pill to get myself and the egg donor in sync which I finish taking on the 18th October. I start taking aspiring, folic acid and estrodiol on d2. Then we fly out to Cyprus on day 8 of my cycle which we reckon to be around October 28th.

Egg collection from the donor will be on cd13 with ICSI the same day. Embryo transfer will follow on CD18 - which works out to be around the 7th November. Then we will fly home on November 11th.

So excited!!

[angelazul]

Hi all, I'm just about to start my first cycle of icsi. Start down-regging on Friday, stimming on 2nd Nov & EC will prob be around mid-Nov.

I'm 35, DH is 36 & we've been trying for our first for 2 years. DH has 90% antisperm antibodies, which we found out about 1 year ago, so we're more than ready to get started now. I've been told my amh is on the lower side of normal (10.4), but consultant & nurse don't seem to worried about it. I've had some issues with possible hormonal imbalance, but been seeing an acupuncturist for the past year & cycles are much better now.

So glad to find this thread, I've a feeling I'm probably going to need a lot of hand-holding

[gizmoismymate]

Hello can I join.

This will be our first cycle. I'm 38 and everything is within normal range for my age. Unfortunately we have swimmer problems - all 3 measures are low so we are doing IVF with ICSI. We have been trying for 2 and 1/2 years.

Our nurse consul appointment is on the 17th Oct and we are on the short protocol, the initial AMH and scans looked really positive. We should be starting at the end of the month.

I've been following the forums for a while and have found the advice to be great. Fingers crossed ladies.

[Eggy79]

Morning followers

Hope you are all well.
Good luck to those with appointments this week, keep us all updated.
X

[Lucie78]

Hi girls,

I haven’t posted for a couple of weeks, I can’t find my old thread 🙄.

I’m 39, and my issue is I have blocked tubes. I have started norethisterone today, take that for 10 days and then hopefully I will have a bleed, I have a 5 day break after taking it before I start menapur injections.

I’m having a short cycle, is anyone else on this course??

How’s everyone feeling?? It’s all a bit weird actually starting the tablets, like this is it now!!

I’m also having a scratch tomorrow, anyone had this? Will I be able to drive home??

Thanks in advance. Xxx

[OctoberGold]

Hi ladies, can I join you?

I rang up the clinic today to request treatment as it is cycle day 1. This will be our first IVF cycle so this month will be prep for a November cycle.

That is IF they accept us. We are NHS funded so they can turn us away if they are too busy. Worried that we won't be able to start until January

Trying to keep positive though. I will be on short protocol. We have morphology issues, my results are fine and AMH is 38.4 so short protocol to reduce chances of over stimulation.

[PinkChocolatex]

Hiya,

I had my nurses information session yesterday and it really was quite a lot of information and very daunting! But exciting at the same time. It looks like I'm going to be on a long protocol with the view to start down regulation at the end of the month. Quick question - are any of you opting for the endometrial scratch? We've been quoted around £200 - which is quite a bit for a supposedly 2 minute procedure but I have a friend who has suggested I go for it as she only obtained a BFP after having it due to previous implantation fails! Would love to know all of your thoughts too xx

[Eggy79]

Hi pinkchocolatex

I have my appointment with the nurse this morning, so haven't heard about what this yet?

Has anyone else got any information about this please
X

[Lucie78]

Hi Eggy,

The scratch is basically a procedure that mildly disrupts the lining of the uterus, by doing that the body will naturally repair the area, so lots of nice fresh blood and that will make it all fresh and juicy for your little embryo.

It’s worth while having, it’s basicaly a practice run for the catheter for egg collection at the same time, and studies have shown that the procedure improves the outcome of IVF.

Im having mine tomorrow, im a private patient, it’s costing me £300 😫. Although, I’m my area they are encouraging all nhs patients to have it done.

I think anything that can help is worth while, and just the fact that they can see what size catheter to use and how your cervix is shaped and all if that is definitely a bonus.

Hope that helps. Xxx

[gizmoismymate]

it's exciting and scary at the same time. Got to say the injections scare the life out of me, however I think I'm making it seem bigger than it is, and I've had botox before so if I can have injections in my forehead then my belly should be no problem.

Is anyone using the embryoscope? I've been researching and I can't seem to find any evidence it improves your chances. So we are considering not using it, but we are defiantly going with the embryoglue.

[Twickerhun]

Hi I've just read through this thread and want to send lots of positive vibes to you all.,

I had ivf and delivered a lovely health baby boy last year. We are currently trying for number two going through a natural cycle fet. Transfer due Thursday.

I wanted to share this news story with you that may help you consider which add ons to pay for. www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38094618

[ProfessionalPirate]

Hi! I'm soon to start my first cycle, EC provisionally booked for the week of 27th Nov, and I should get my period by the end of this week (so I guess that means I'm on the long protocol).

DH and I both 32, ttc over 2 years. Never had a bfp. Technically unexplained, although my cycles are a bit irregular and docs think ovulation may be hit and miss. However 6 cycles of reliable ovulation on clomid produced no results - so here we are.

I'm really interested in trying the scratch. My clinic is running a trial currently but I haven't had it mentioned to me. I'm NHS funded but would be willing to pay for this privately (didn't realise that was an option until I read this thread!) Which cycle day are you supposed to have it on? Have I already missed the boat?

I can feel myself getting my hopes up, which is such a bad idea as logically I know there's a good chance it won't work first time. By my reckoning, our OTD will end up only a week or two before xmas, and I think I will probably find failure at that time of year somehow more difficult to deal with. Does anyone else find xmas particularly rough? I used to absolutely love xmas, but infertility has somehow tainted it

[struggleisreal]

gizmo We're going to have the embryoscope. The evidence our clinic presented seemed quite clear but I think it's different at different clinics. I don't think we're going for the glue!

pirate my clinic offer the scratch on the trial - I just told the nurse at our booking in appointment and they randomised me there and then - some people are in the control group so won't have it. I am having it which is a bit of a bonus! I'm having it day 20

• just before I start downregging!

egg hope your appointment went well?

Lucie let us know how your scratch goes -
mine is next Wednesday!

[gizmoismymate]

Thank you Twickerhun really interesting reading - I'm going to try and find the doc on Iplayer as looks like it worth a watch.

[angelazul]

Really interesting, we weren't offered any add-ons at all, although we're NHS funded so I'm not sure if our clinic offers them. Ticker I remember hearing that news report a while back, def is food for though.

October fx you're approved for funding, would be very cruel if you've to wait longer now.

Pirate I find Christmas quite difficult too, and our otd is start Dec. My mil passed away very suddenly & unexpectedly last month, so Christmas this year is going to be difficult enough, not sure how we'll cope if we get bfn

[notparticularlypatient]

Hi all, hope you don't mind me joining you. I started downregging today, and feel a bit overwhelmed by it all. It all went so fast - we had our first meeting with the clinic last Friday, and due to where I was in my cycle, they sent us home with a prescription on the nasal spray and a new appointment in a couple of weeks. We have a two year old DD, but due to my age (41) and no bfp after a miscarriage early January, we have decided to try ivf.

Gizmo I just wanted to say regarding injections that I had to do it myself the two last cycles as they have been medicated and I've had to do a trigger shot. I found it much less scary than I anticipated it to be.

[ProfessionalPirate]

Sorry to hear that angel I think DH and I will be keeping it low key this year just for self-preservation.

Very exciting for everyone getting started with their cycles - looks like i'll be bringing up the rear with my dates!

[angelazul]

Thanks pirate it's been tough, but at least we've got something else to focus on now.

Has anyone else found they'd thought of loads of questions after meeting with the nurse? I struggled to think of anything to ask beforehand & now I keep coming up with all these questions

[PinkChocolatex]

Yeah I think I'm going to go for the scratch too...it seems worthwhile! x

[Lucie78]

Hi girls,

So I went in for my scratch today, the consultant scanned me first and noticed a white spot in my womb, I obviously thought that I had cancer and that was it, but, he assured me it’s nothing nasty and is most probably some calcified fetal tissue, this can happen after a late misscaraige, which I suffered 11 years ago!! The mass can act as a sort of coil, although my tubes showed to be closed when I had my hycosy.

Any way, I now need to have a hystoscopy, which is a camera into my womb, I don’t need to be put to sleep, the consultant said he could remove the little thing whilst he is there and it woul also count as my scratch. Although I could have this on the NHS I have chosen to pay, that way I can have it done next week and still be on track with my dates for November. Apparently all women would if had a hystoscopy before IVF in the past, but they’ve stopped it now.

Nothing ever goes smoothly, but, at least I’m on my way. I’m still taking my norethisterone and I haven’t had a single side effect so far.

Hope everyone else is feeling okay, it’s so weird how you just get used to doctors and procedures being part of life. I’m looking forward to a time when I’m not due for some invasive vaginal exam 😂😂.

*struggleisreal. Although I didn’t have the scratch, the nurse showed me everything and scratch is really the wrong word, it’s a brush type tool they use, not a wire sharp thing that I had imagined. And she said most ladies say it’s like a smear, just a slight crampy pain for a second or two and the whole thing takes a few minutes.

[struggleisreal]

Thanks lucie and sorry to hear about the complications - great you can get it sorted so quickly.

I have been really struggling this week coming to terms with the fact that it's all starting next week - feeling a bit more like myself today but i just can't believe we are at the IVF stage.

Hope everyone else is doing OK?