Trying to conceive for 10 months or more. Thread 5. All ten plussers welcome.

Good news that the high folate levels are nothing to worry about Lucie and that your scan went well. Safe flight tomorrow and good luck for EC!

Great news about your scan too MPP, I didn't start to feel anything really until the lead up to EC when I was feeling very bloated and lethargic. Re DTD, I know we attempted during stimms both times but it was really uncomfortable for me. I have no idea re stage fright....I guess they just give him as long as he needs.

Banana, I really hope you don't have to cancel your cycle.

Hi and welcome Now. I agree with Stealth, if you ovulate then I would go straight to IVF, and even if you don't then I would be keen to get started with IVF. I am just about to start a funded frozen cycle (did my fresh in May and have some frozen embryos) and paid to have an endometrial scratch - really hoping it does the trick!

Like Lucie says, I had some immune testing (after 2 failed transfers of good quality embryos) and discovered I have high natural killer cell levels. I had private IVF last year (was impatient) and had the NK cell tests through my clinic and some other bloods at my GP (I forget now but think most of the level 1) then had a consultation with Dr. Gorgy earlier this year and he recommended another test and a treatment plan. I was very lucky that my NHS consultant was happy to prescribe immune treatment for my funded cycles (though I had to pay obviously). I know Banana got some immune testing done via a clinic in Athens (I think) and it was much cheaper.

haha, yep, I was in the corner, closest to the coffee machine! Fab news on your scan too. So you fly tomorrow now? Exciting! Is it still Monday you fly home then?

Today's questions... What happens if DH gets 'stage fright' when giving his sample? Its only happened once to us when dtd, but it was at a very 'on demand' moment, and I wondered if/how they might deal with that if it were to happen again. Also, I know he'll need to abstain for a couple of days beforehand and that we can't dtd after collection, but can we dtd in the next couple of days?

nowwhy welcome! Do you know if you actually ovulate (ie have you had progesterone blood tests 7 days before your AF)? If you are id be a bit dubious about whether Clomid will do much. If you're ovulating (despite positive opks) then Clomid is definitely worth a go.

lucie wow! All those follies! Hopefully they stay juicy and you have a great result. You must be stoked.

mpp hope your scan went equally well

Scan went well here too, I think! 13 follicles - 2x15mm, 1x14mm, 1x13mm, 2x11mm, 7x10mm. I asked the lady (you were right, Lucie, Jodie is lovely) and she said if I was cycling with them, she'd be quite pleased with that. Lining was 8.1mm and triple line. Ive just emailed this to reprofit and am waiting for a response.

Lucie, I think I saw you coming out just before I went in. I got called in at 8.20, so I assume that was you. Were you with your DH? I was on my own as DH had an early meeting, and I was wearing a white jumper.

Hello Now! Welcome, though sorry you find yourself here. The 'what next' stage is difficult. We got there earlier than some, as DH's SA was not good, and we moved straight to IVF, so I don't know what to suggest re: clomid and IVF, though at a guess I would say that, in your situation, I would probably lean towards the IVF. Someone with more knowledge than me will probably be around soon though. Everyone is very friendly :-)

Sammy, how are you doing?

Hi all

Hoping I can join, have had a quick scroll through and you are all wise owls when it comes to all this stuff!

I'm feeling a bit wobbly and looking for some advice. We've just had a follow up after I had a lap & dye a couple of months ago (mainly for hideously painful af). They found minimal endo (which they lasered off) and said everything else looked clear. I have had some cysts in the past, and it was suggested I was multicystic, not PCOS, and my cycles sit around 32-35 days. All bloods are normal, if borderline, and I've done OPKs which come back +ve around day 18.

BUT I've been off the pill for 3 years with no BFP. So we are at that awkward 'what next' stage.

The consultant has urged us strongly to go straight for IVF, as apparently in the 6 months after surgery your chance of success is high. However the consultant before suggested Clomid first, the one said this week said he would authorise this but through 'gritted teeth'. Now we don't know what to do, Ivf seems such a big deal, but will I kick myself in 6 months if Clomid doesn't work. And if we do take on ivf can I ask for an endometrial scratch first time around, to give us optimum chance on our only free go.

Also I am interested in getting immunology testing. Which texts are most important and does anyone have any clinic recommendations.

Sorry for the mammoth post but any advice or experiences would be so helpful.

Oh banana, I'm so sorry. It's so frustrating. As others have said, I think the hope part is normal.
Have you tried estrogen patches instead of tablets (or as well as)? They seemed to make a difference to me.
When will you be looking to go again?

Itsme - my clinic don't usually offer bloods either, I think it's quite normal. I only had them because of the bleeding... And I had to pay.

Lucie - glad the high folate isn't a problem, and good luck for your scan!

MPP - good luck for your scan too, are you guys planning to meet?

Pikz - thank you. It still doesn't feel real. DH and I feel like we're making it all up.

Just coming on to say massive congrats to Sammy and itsme

oh, Banana, I'm sorry to hear that. I don't think it makes you silly to hold on to the bit of hope. If they cancel this cycle, when would you be able to go again? Thinking of you.

Great news on scans and bloods ladies!

Think we're looking at a cancelled cycle. Lining hasn't moved at all. If anything it's thinned

Three leading follicles have grown to 20mm and am taking oestrogen tablets but absolutely nothing. It's 6mm at best. And not triple line.

My consultant is away on holiday so was scanned by a colleague. She said maybe she doesn't know my endometrium and his 'magic hands' might get a different view. But she's a consultant and it's not like she doesn't know how to do an ultrasound

Have to carry on with all the meds until Sunday when my Dr will scan me. At which point I guess we'll trigger and cancel the cycle.

Wish someone could just sedate me until we can go again - guess next step would be higher stims (ie IVF dose)?

Obvs wish we could just cancel now and he done with it but then there's the silly bitch part of me that because the consultants want to give it every chance before we call it quits, has a slither of hope...

Will do Lucie! I'm quite nervous now. Am I supposed to, like, feel any different, because I dont at all. Really hope the gonal f is doing what its supposed to. Good news about dr sher. I hope your scan goes fine tomorrow too. You'll be making your way over there before you know it!

Itsme, two weeks must seem like an age right now, but hopefully it'll fly by for you!

I agree Lucie, I need facts! My nurse is pretty no nonsense and just told me I should be pleased with a positive test, not to test again, mentally prepare for the scan in two weeks and to get used to my new bloated body because it's not going anywhere! So looks like I've been told lol.

I called the clinic and they went straight to scan scheduling rather than offering bloods - which I thought was weird. My actual nurse is calling back tonight hopefully so will see what she thinks.

I have been way more crampy the last day or so, I do literally feel like I could come on any second, but I don't know if it's because my ohss is calming down that I can actually feel twinges down there more...

This whole thing is far too stressful. I'll get the bloods done if I can.

Itsme - if I were you I would just focus on those positive tests and forget about bloods unless you have reason to believe any things wrong (bleeding/pain etc). I found the blood tests very stressful, calling up for the results i was shaking. Up to you though, if you think it's worth it for the reassurance then go for it! Xx

Ah brilliant, thanks Lucie! From reading these forums, I've seen that there have been times when you guys have had to mix things, and I remember broken vials and things, so I wasn't sure if I should be doing anything else with them before injecting.

Lucie, I did wonder if its because DH doesn't have any DC, but a little investigation said that would only be the case if my DC didnt live with us, and she does, so I've no idea. The initial referral letter just said we 'meet some of the criteria for referral'. Twas the internet which told me we wouldn't be eligible for IVF so we've been working on that assumption. Glad your blood results were ok!

Itsme, I've also read that the ICs take longer to get darker. I would definitely do as the others suggest and book in for a blood test if it eases your mind a little.

Trixie, glad your blood tests are ok too!

Todays questions... Are the orgalutran and ovitrelle injections the same as the gonal f? They are pre-filled too, so I just do them the same way, in the same spot? Anything in particular I should know about them? The orgalutran ones seem to have massive airbubbles. Does anyone know if I get rid of those the same as I would do if there are any in the gonal-f? I think I may order my next lot from a UK supplier. I love instructions. They help me understand things a bit more and I'm feeling rather lost without them!

Ah, I remember now. I wouldn't have thought so, could you ask your clinic/ ask Dr. Sher just to put your mind at rest? Yes, I am heterozygous (only one rather than two of the genes affected) so although I process folic acid I don't process it properly (I can't remember the exact %) I think they say to take a high dose to cover themselves.