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Conception

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Original poster

Fertility Appointments and Beyond.... the journey continues

991 replies

Gracie2021 · 09/12/2021 07:45

New thread for us to continue our fertility clinic appointment progress...

Some of us are waiting for initial appointments, some are having tests and some are starting treatment!

@tillybabs
@thislittlebird
@kay00
@jeaniej
@PurpleUnicorn01
@paintfairy
@dogmam
@flutterby8
@Ughmaybenot
@dancingfairydreams
@beckycarlos
@jkjellyhead
@juno231
@decaffe
@bumble44
@BritinNZ
@tinkerbell098
@pinkginpls
@thedaydreambelievers
@everymumday
@wanderlust16
@lori23ttc

OP posts:
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23
Original poster
Gracie2021 · 04/03/2022 09:34

I'm glad you had a call @Sofasogood1 and hope you're doing ok processing what they've told you. I often need time to process and figure out what it all means before I even say it out loud sometimes. Also here to rage with you any time!

@beckyCarlos haven't said it out loud to my husband but I have the same feeling of guilt as everything his side has come back perfectly. Feel like the lame duck of the two. Glad you're able to squeeze in the odd power nap or two. They're a great cure.

That consultant sounds brilliant @thislittlebird and love that she's remembered you had a tough time last time and giving you something to help. Know what you mean about eggs all in one basket in terms of hope. Having the second round right around the corner is somehow taking some of the pressure off this round. The way it works for me is two collections in March (only a five day break in between) probably finishing up first week in April all going well. So that would give me April off and transfer in may.

Scan this morning went well enough, happy out and so relieved. Left: 15.6 and 11.1
Right: 18.8, 17.1, 15.4, 9.1, 8.4.
The two smallest probably won't get there in time but figure I have a good chance at 4, maybe 5. Some people would be devastated with these numbers but perspective is a great thing after my last cancelled round and this is good for me. Collection will probably be Monday or Tuesday.

OP posts:
Sofasogood1 · 03/03/2022 19:08

I had a call... After spending all morning crying in frustration.

I'm going to come back with an update on what I was told though as I'm very confused... And asked for more info.

I shall come back! And catch up on all your posts too now I've stopped raging. Thank you for all raging with me xxx

beckyCarlos · 03/03/2022 17:20

@gracie2021 yeah luckily I can wfh for the duration, so I had a power nap on Tuesday 🤣 I'm taking it stoically, its not the worst side effect (I hope I havent jinxed myself!). Also, didnt reply before but I too have the ovaries of someone 10 years older, I didnt even know it was a think before speaking to the consultant in Aug (whereafter I spent three days crying and telling my husband he should leave me for a younger model (or a 30 something with correct working parts) 🙈 he didnt, thankfully!

thislittlebird · 03/03/2022 17:16

@Gracie2021 yeah for me now it’s 2 months from EC to transfer as far as I know, they told me to call on my next cd1 and they’d schedule me in for a transfer on a Wednesday with the doctor I’d seen already to do my FET so I knew who was doing it. She also said she’d get me some sort of drug to relax me because I was anxious when she saw me before. Results when I googled yesterday varied and seem to depend on whether you’re doing natural or medicated etc too. What’s the time scale for your two rounds? March and April collections?

I would love the first transfer to work but don’t want to put all my eggs (or embryos) into that one basket and assume it’ll work!

8am is a good time, keep us posted!

Original poster
Gracie2021 · 03/03/2022 15:29

@paintfairy think my clinic doesn't make you wait three months either. God I hope now! Won't know when we can transfer til these two rounds are done but thinking of taking April off and try do a transfer in May. Assuming (probably come back to bite me) that we have something to transfer 😂🙈 hope you're feeling well and healthy and all going smoothly for you btw 🤞

@thislittlebird I hope it ends up being a moot point for you and you have a good long 9 month+ wait for your next transfer 😂🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 scan is at 8am so thankfully doesn't interfere too much with work and I'll know nice and early. Twinges in day in my the general ovary area but who knows 🤷‍♀️

Thanks a mil @magnoliasinbloom I'll take all the luck I can get xx

@beckyCarlos that's a horrible side effect. Is life quiet enough at the mo that you can just take it easy until you're feeling better? Hope your scan comes quick and you can stop taking it 🤞

Think @JeanieJ was due to start about the same time as you actually. Hope your bloodwork and scans went well Jeanie and things are going smoothly.

Have you had any luck getting through to them yet @Sofasogood1 ? Unbelievably bad service.

Hope you're keeping well @TheDaydreamBelievers and everything crossed that you'll be able to start your Letrozole soon.

@dogmam hope the clean living is going well and you can enjoy a brief break from the madness.

OP posts:
thislittlebird · 03/03/2022 14:01

@Gracie2021 forgot to ask, when is your scan?

thislittlebird · 03/03/2022 14:01

@Gracie2021 yeah it’s crap, but I’m glad I know and I can now ask them how long we can expect things to take and discuss our options.

@Sofasogood1 really great that it worked out for your friend! Absolutely mad that you haven’t heard anything. Really frustrating and disappointing.

thislittlebird · 03/03/2022 13:57

@paintfairy it’s less than that for me now so that’s not the case for my clinic. Second cycle after IVF they’ll schedule me in, I’ll be calling them end of this month. The person on the thread said the delay was because of her needing a procedure anyway. I’ll speak to them soon.

paintfairy · 03/03/2022 12:36

@thislittlebird as far as I understand- if you can't have a fresh transfer you have to have 2 normal periods before doing a FET on the 3rd cycle at the very minimum? Even with a private clinic. So the 3 month 'delay' isn't really a delay from what's normal anyway? That's pretty standard.

magnoliasinbloom · 03/03/2022 11:30

@Sofasogood1 that is shocking! Good on you for keeping on following this up, I can't believe they deleted your appointment from the portal - that is like gaslighting!

@Gracie2021 wishing you all the luck for the scan tomorrow!

beckyCarlos · 03/03/2022 10:11

@sofasogood1 jesus! You're absolutely right, keep calling and then go in person if you still dont get anyone! I cant believe they've just left you!

@gracie2021 downregging for 14 days, then a scan (sun 13th) to check all is quiet, if not maybe a few more days. I tell you what though, not sure if its in my head but the buserelin is making me lethargic af in the evenings! On Tues I was whacked from about 3pm, yesterday wasnt that bad but come 8.30 I just wanted to lie down which is not at all like me, I'm definitely a night owl. Hope your scan goes well!! X

Sofasogood1 · 03/03/2022 08:58

@Gracie2021 Good luck with your scan tomorrow! Hope it goes well. Everything crossed for you

Original poster
Gracie2021 · 03/03/2022 08:56

Omg @Sofasogood1 they've really left you hanging. The absolute lack of care. I'm so sorry you've had this stress on top of anything else. I hope you get through to someone today and can get this sorted and an apology. So glad for your friend too. Love to hear success stories!

OP posts:
Sofasogood1 · 03/03/2022 08:53

I have heard NOTHING. No call back, no email, no rescheduled appointment. NOTHING. I'm going to call every hour on the hour today and leave messages and if still nothing by end of day tomorrow I'm going to go there on Monday morning.

And yes my friend is now 30 weeks pregnant. She was on long protocols and I'm not sure they even got anything fertilised until round 3. Am so happy for her.

Original poster
Gracie2021 · 03/03/2022 08:48

@thislittlebird so sorry you're having such a tough time. Yes the clock and the waiting and how long this all goes on is awful. Really hope that your transfer in April is successful but understand how jarring it can be not to know what next steps are just in case. How are you doing today?

@Sofasogood1 I cannot believe you never got your call. How incredibly frustrating. You're dead right to complain it's not fair leaving someone sitting waiting for a call all day. Have you spoken to someone in the clinic since?
Your friend did four full rounds in 18 months? Wow. Did that include transfer? Really hope she was successful 🤞

@Kay00 think the doses are very much calibrated based on AFC and AMH so not surprised you're on low dose to start. For example I'm on 450iu cause my Numbers are so low. But have read that there are definite concerns with egg quality if you go that high as you're putting your system under so much strain. And lower doses for sure with higher counts make OHSS less likely. If they're not getting the response they want I've seen a lot of people get their doses raised midway through too. What are your next steps now?

@beckyCarlos sounds like we're facing the same issues. I'm just about 34 too and with the ovarian age of a 40-44 year old with dodgy reserve. Interested to see how your protocol goes. We're trying testosterone priming this time but if this doesn't work I've asked about either estrogen priming or micro Lipton flare which seem to work well with poor responders. How long are you down regging for?

Waiting on my first stims scan tomorrow. Twinges in the ovaries so I'm trying to tell myself that means good things. Can't remember if I had this last time when I was doing nothing. Clomid is over as of yesterday and no really bad mood side effects so that's good. Tomorrow will tell a lot. So nervous after my last atrocious round 🙈

OP posts:
beckyCarlos · 02/03/2022 19:46

@sofasogood I'm shocked! Can you get hold of anyone?!

@thislittlebird I'm sorry youre having a shit few days. Everything is so overwhelming when you put it all together. Sending lots of love x

thislittlebird · 02/03/2022 18:39

@Sofasogood1 that’s the thing, I really don’t want to lose our funded transfers but I don’t understand how they can expect someone at 39/40+ to do this so slowly? I don’t want to pay but we might have to if they can’t expedite the process. Obviously the first one working would be great, but I know that’s not likely and I need to plan for that outcome.

18 months sounds ideal tbh. All done and dusted. Was she successful?

I haven’t asked them anything yet because it’s pointless. My transfer will be in a April and I’ll raise it when we go in for that. I’ll ask if we can have an appointment with someone to discuss the options. I burst into tears about this stupid situation and how our life is on hold earlier, it’s so shit.

Incredible that you haven’t heard anything. You absolutely should complain, that’s outrageous. They should be rescheduling with you! We’ve had tons of delays too, when you say clinic was that the gynaecologist?

Sofasogood1 · 02/03/2022 17:51

I'm so sorry @thislittlebird. The waiting and not knowing is just awful isn't it. My friend did IVF for 18 months. All private, four rounds, non stop. I don't know how she coped but wasn't working at all which I think helped. I hope they get back to you soon.

I still havent heard anything since my missed appointment yesterday at 9am. I've left two voicemails. Had a horrible evening with DP last night. Feel so stressed and frustrated. Still heard nothing today. Asked for process for formal complaint. Fucking furious. It took 18 months to get from the clinic to hospital stage.

thislittlebird · 02/03/2022 16:33

@Kay00 yeah, did they say drug it’ll be? Gonal F is very common, I was so worried I’d cocked up by resisting a high dosage but it worked out ok.

Other than the protein and supplements that might have helped, the other thing I learned that’s useful is to drink coconut water after EC. Or anything with electrolytes, but coconut water is healthier than lucozade sport! I drank a large glass of coconut water mixed with pineapple juice (fruit juice is also good) each day. It’s supposed to help reduce the risk of OHSS.

I got really stressed today. I went on the Guys thread and saw someone say there’s a three month waiting list between transfers 😭. I’m 39 in May, I just cannot do this anymore. I can’t wait a year to get through my embryos. In my head we’d have exhausted all our nhs funded embryos by the Autumn. I can’t do another year, I need to have moved on to another round if this one hasn’t worked and thought of that not being until May 2023 (when I turn 40!!!! 🥳🙃) has freaked me out.

I guess at least I know now. If the first transfer fails I can go in and speak to them about our options, like can it be faster, can we try 2, can we move our embryos, or pay them etc. But still, it really upset me. My life has been on hold since 2019, I don’t like my job, I want to move, I want a fresh start and a family and instead all I can do is tread water. It’s so hard.

Kay00 · 01/03/2022 20:54

@sofasogood1 bad customer service is one of my pet peeves! It's totally unacceptable what they have done. I'm glad you complained.

@thislittlebird thank you, sounds like you and I will be on similar protocol then, I'm happy about this as you responded well amd got a decent number of eggs 😊

I'll definitely be asking them questions about this protocol at my appointment @beckycarlos, at the very least so that I know why it is best for me. Thanks xx

thislittlebird · 01/03/2022 18:16

Sorry @Sofasogood1, I was reading down trying to see what happened and forgot I was mid sentence and hit send lol

thislittlebird · 01/03/2022 18:15

@beckyCarlos only two minutes? I’d have needed half hour 😂.

@Sofasogood1 nice to see you over here! I think you were the ra username, right? I don’t think I replied to your last message, I’ve been on here only briefly this week but I can catch up with you here instead! What happened to your 9am call? I haven’t read that far down yet, other than

@Kay00 I skipped injections entirely and got dh to do it lol. I was on mild yeah, 150 gonal f. I also ate a lot of protein during stims and I will assume that helped! Low dose can be used for people with a few eggs only who are egg banking. For you it’ll be to aim for fewer eggs, and hopefully no OHSS. They’ll adjust it if you need more during stims but you shouldn’t because your AMH is very high.

@Gracie2021 glad your stims are going well, when is the scan? Nothing happening here for a few weeks, just not feeling 100%. Really want the weather to improve so I feel a bit more like getting out and working out etc.

@magnoliasinbloom that’s a lot of babies and baby showers potentially, glad you felt ok.

beckyCarlos · 01/03/2022 17:28

@sofasogood1 eugh thats crap! Glad you've put a complaint in. Hopefully they'll get back to you tomorrow. Do you have the contact details for your consultants secretary?

@kay00 definitely one for your list of questions! Im 34, 33 when AMH test was done, but my AMH is dire for someone my age, so my clinics approach is downreg (quieten the ovaries) then shock them into life with high dose stims with the expectation that any folicles there will all grow equally and well (whereas if I just high stimmed with no downreg I'd just have one or two big folliclrs and nothing else). Theres method in everything but definitely ask, it really put me at ease to understand why I was on a protocol practically noone is on anymore! X

Sofasogood1 · 01/03/2022 16:51

Nope no call @kay100. I've left two voicemails and written and submitted a complaint to the hospital. The appointment has mysteriously disappeared from the list of appointments on my online account.

Kay00 · 01/03/2022 16:38

@Sofasogood1 hopefully they called by now??

I did some reading about low dose IVF last night, with mixed responses online. Some people saying it was best used in those aged over 40 with low AMH?? Others saying it was more effective than high dose IVF for them... I'm super confused. I think I will wait and ask my questions to the clinic when I have my first IVF appointment with them.