Fertility Appointments and Beyond.... the journey continues

@Gracie2021 @magnoliasinbloom yes scan is tmrw. @JeanieJ i wouldn't worry about AMH mine was 6.1 which and classed as low but i got a good quality eggs. Don't let it weigh you down.

@jeaniej and @thislittlebird I think 'technically' it can only go down (if you look at it on a yearly/longer term basis) but it can definitely fluctuate as @thislittlebird says - at my last scan I had six (six!!!) Folicles, where before I only had 4, which would mean my AMH that month would have been higher (but since its £80 a pop I wont be checking again haha)

@magnoliasinbloom definitely recommend yoga, I dont go to real life classes but I follow Yoga With Adriene on youtube (she has monthly 'programmes' curated from her video catalogue, and theres currently a 30 days of yoga programme for January, no session longer than 30 mins) I find yoga great for switching my mind off and focusing on breathing and stuff x

@beckyCarlos honestly kicking myself for waiting as long as we did. I was really out here thinking I’d be fertile lol 🥴

@JeanieJ I suspect it might be a bit hot for me. With my skin as it is I tend to need to keep fairly cool. I didn’t sleep well again last night, my anxiety is just too much.

My AMH mine has, it went from 36 to 31, my results went like this:

AFC 27 / AMH 36
AFC 23
AFC 38 / AMH 31

So I’m pretty convinced if follicle count can go up and down so can AMH, since the hormone is released by follicles.

@thislittlebird think the blanket is supposed to calm you. I definitely like the weight and it does calm me ...although this week I have my period, so I'm too hot ... keep waking up in a pool of sweat.
@Gracie2021 - I know what you mean about it being a bit simpler/fairer in Ireland... my sis is about to do IVF (she's in a same sex couple, with no known fertility issues) and seems to having a more straightforward experience... but costly. 🤢

Question - has anyones AMH fluctuated? My doc told me it would only go down. First AMH was 14.3 and 6 months later, it's 15.7 ...I dunno if that's significant, but contradicts what he told me. I did start taking a load of supplements between the tests

@pinkginpls I can imagine it must have felt really rough being given no other option than IVF...it is such an awful feeling when it really hits home that this isn't going to happen naturally for us, I have been there too and I just bawled for a weekend! I hope you are feeling a bit better after a couple of days to process. I just try and remind myself that when I have my baby it won't matter how the pregnancy came about. Amazing that the funding application has gone off too. What kind of crafts are you into? xx

@Gracie2021 that's amazing about the follicles and that you can trigger! Crossing my fingers for you - crazier things have happened that it all works out the month before IVF :) and at least you can try with the knowledge that IVF is just around the corner as well. My goals are travel focused too - wanting to do some certain holidays and also my husband and I would like to move apartments and try out a new part of London this year. Additionally I want to work on improving my gut health as I suspect that is a big driver of my PCOS symptoms and also do yoga 3x a week!

@PurpleUnicorn01 best of luck for your scan!!

@thislittlebird sorry that you're struggling to sleep! I have been there. What has really helped for me is no phone an hour before bed, wearing a sleep mask to sleep, reading in bed before lights out and magnesium supplements at nighttime. I also keep the night light function on my iPhone on all day and my work laptop switches to night time function at 4pm. I also have cheap blue light blocking glasses that I'll often wear to watch TV or if I do have to use my phone in the hour before bed! Hope you find some relief.

@thislittlebird oh to not know what a folicle was! I remember how scared I was when we first had 'truly' unprotected sex, I was worried I might actually get pregnant (depsite wanting a baby lol)...such an innocent fool! My husband got a weighted blanket, its not my jam because I feel like its weighing me down and constricting me and I cant move under it 🤣but he loves it, its like a hug in a blanket, and its meant to make you feel calm and supported and snug (a bit like a thunder vest for dogs)

@JeanieJ Thanks! It really is crap. I don't like feeling so out of control. How does the blanket help? I have eczema that''s been awful since we started ttc, it's flared up again now and I'm hot and itchy at night, I hate it. Which part of London are you? I'm south east.

We did the DNA frag because my husband has low motility and we wanted to check it before going into ICSI. His results came back as ok, not perfect but decent and he has 0% high frag and the doctor cleared us for ICSI as such. I think if it had been worse results he would have advised some time spent on supplements or something or more tests before IVF, not entirely sure. Afaik you can do it direct with the lab in Belfast from what I recall, and it's not as expensive that way.

@Gracie2021 If it hasn't worked to date then no harm giving it another day I guess. I know they want us to only have two follicles but it's not like it works anyway :/

I wish I wasn't in this bubble, would love to not know what a follicle is all over again! I'm going to bed and will try reading my book and maybe a vegan hot chocolate.

@Gracie2021 I'm from Ireland too, but live in LDN. How do you find the process over there?
@thislittlebird sorry you're having such a crappy time. I don't sleep either when things are stressful. I recently got a weighted blanked which helps x

I just did my IVF funding appointment today. Felt like we got no info from the nurse 🤷🏻 my husbands swimmers are apparently fine, but we were wondering whether it's worth doing a sperm dna frag test privately. The nurse flat out said no 😐 she wasn't having ANY of our questions - clearly busy.
Anyone done one? Part of me wonders if it's worth doing anyway ... we could be wasting our time though ...

@beckyCarlos it’s really horrid. I went from panic attacks in the night for a couple of days to now just not sleeping, am exhausted. Need to get some better habits or I worry I’ll mess up my ivf ☹️

Great news on the lap, it’ll fly by!

@acaciabluebell thank you! I did check a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t see anything. The first consultation being free is really great. Tbh even with three medications costs being full whack that’s still half the price almost of a cycle for my at the private clinic I nearly used. It’s such a long overdue move, I’m glad they’re doing it. Also worried the waiting list will be long because they’re in demand. Is ivf/icsi really the same price? It usually costs £1-2k more for ICSI, just my luck. I’ll go and check it out. Let me know if you decide to do the consultation.

@thislittlebird On the topic of BPAS Fertility, their prices are up on their website if you wanted to have a look. I remember seeing £700 for IUI, £3500 for IVF/ICSI. The only thing is that the medication costs are not on the website - they have a disclaimer saying that they don't profit from medication costs, whatever that means.
I'm thinking of doing a consultation with them as the initial consultation is free and £100 for a follow up

Good to hear from everyone!
@thislittlebird I'm sorry youre not sleeping. I often struggle with getting to sleep becuase my mind wont switch off, eventually I have a good nights sleep becuase I'm knackered but in the thick of it its awful. No help, just solidarity!

Surprisingly good news from me today! Letter through the post... hysteroscopy booked for the 20th! Of January! Covid swab booked for 17th! No idea what this means for treatment yet, but its a step in the right direction and its much sooner than I expected!

Now I just have to put it in the box until it happens, and NOT google anything about it 🤣

@Gracie2021 honestly I think my in laws were a bit confused by it all and don’t know what to say. Which is fair, but I was sort of hoping they’d ask how things are. I think it makes people awkward.

Hello to you just next door 👋🏻. We have caps on nhs prescriptions if required, so I have a few chronic conditions like eczema, asthma, sinusitis, and I have a prepaid prescription of £100 for the year, but that doesn’t cover me for private sadly. So any and all nhs is covered but not the private fertility stuff.

This month I’m probably not in the position to go private (well, we are, but I don’t want to pay if I can help it). I’ve downloaded the fertility circle app, I’ve bought new running shoes which have not arrived (injured my ankle and haven’t been since then, it’s healed now but I need better ones) and I’m going to get a bed routine. I manage it for a day and then stop again, I’m a nightmare. Guys ivf emailed me to say I can have an appointment mid February which isn’t too bad, I’ll take them up on that since I’ll be waiting for embryo updates then.

The lack of sleep is really making everything worse, including my health conditions. It really sucks. I’m going to start taking Kalms again as well.

That’s very similar! I’m hoping I can keep the period at bay until then. I’m a little worried I haven’t ovulated this month, which would be typical 🙄

[quote Gracie2021]@thislittlebird no idea why you would congratulate anyone for having to do IVF tbh. I think my face said it all at that moment. I think my reply may have been a somewhat testy "well it's not exactly the dream" but tempered it with "but we're lucky to be able to afford it I guess".....

We're paying for our first round here shortly and it's feeling very feel. Petrified of catching Covid and being out the deposit so going to have to isolate from the middle of January I think. It's just so much money 🙈 need to start gathering the Pennie's for round 2 and 3 now. Think I may have needed that wake up call this morning actually as the hope fortress for IVF was sky high! [/quote]
I’m isolating too @Gracie2021, I had already agreed to anyway with my boss because I want risking it for a job I can do from home. My husband unfortunately cannot work from home but he’s very careful, we some have LFTs to start taking in a week’s time.

On the subject of costs, I’m really keen to know how much the not for profit BPAS service will charge. They’ve just started doing consultations afaik, if this NHS round doesn’t work out I may arrange a consultation with them.

I’ll be on gonal f too, haven’t heard any more details yet, need to chase the fertility drugs company up. 🤨

I had no idea you were in the EU btw, where are you if you don’t mind me asking?

@Kay00 I don’t mind the realism tbh, reminds me we need to commit to three full rounds. Makes me mad we have to pay when it’s not the same everywhere but here we are, we’ve had a year to prepare. The Lister have a calculator based on their results I think, and I get a higher percentage on their one lol, maybe I’ll tell myself it’s in the middle.

@dogmam I think I’m on either cyclogest or lubion, they said both would be options. Hopefully I’ll find out soon, meds are due to be delivered in 8 days :/

We told in-laws and my work, a couple of friends and my family. So basically everyone 😭. I didn’t want to be asked when we were having kids since my age seems to make people ask or tell me I don’t have long left.

Hope you scan goes well @PurpleUnicorn01

I’m still struggling with it all. I want to be excited but it’s like my anxiety has just rocketed as soon as we hit January and I can’t get past it, my sleep is a mess. Due to start on the 26th but they don’t explain what happens if my period comes early, just told me there’s a 4 day window. So I guess I need to delay my period with progesterone again (that I already have here from private OI and other mumsnetters) until I hit that window. I don’t know if we still keep our 26th appointment for scan and bloods and drugs teach if it comes early.

I asked to be referred to counselling and there’s an 8 week wait, so that’s annoying. Will try other avenues I suppose.

@dogmam how are you feeling? Have you had your next appointment to see about going for it again?

@magnoliasinbloom nice to hear from you. You seem in a more positive space.

Im well thank you. So I have my lining scan in 2 days then transfer day a week after hopefully. I really hope it works its not been fun so far with the MMC.

@Kay00 interesting that the calculator you shared shows your chances go up (even doubled) as you try more cycles. I didn't know your chances actually can get better. But now I know that it will start slow manages some expectation...

And keep your chin up on the clomid, you do you x

@magnoliasinbloom it is different pace for everyone, I was shutting everything down during the holidays too, just too much to cope... But yes, besides getting a BFP, I will also be focusing more on my crafty projects which I have neglected for some time.

Good luck with the scan tomorrow.

Last Friday I had a laparoscopy to check out my left fallopian tube. the incisions still aching and feeling pretty down... Turns out a part of the tube is missing and some spots on the cervix (no idea what that means). Doc said she will apply for IVF funding right away. I guess I was expecting it to come to IVF but not just dish out to you right after a surgery where I was confused and groggy. No other method was recommended which I was also prepared to go through meds, IUI all sorts to come to the "holy grail - IVF". Now I feel I am sentenced. I couldn't keep the tears in and the ward sister took care of me well which was nice. Feel like I officially "join the club". A club that not one of us wants to be a member of.

Hi all and happy new year! Sorry I haven't been on for a while - just wanted to take some time off over the holidays to reflect on how I was feeling (this month marks a year of TTC for me) and set goals for 2022 that aren't solely focused on getting pregnant, as being fixated on it in 2021 only ended up with me feeling very unhappy! What do goals do people want to accomplish this year that aren't pregnancy related?

Over the weekend I saw a close friend who is 3 months pregnant and conceived on her first month trying - I was not looking forward to it at all as I hadn't seen her since she told me about the pregnancy, but surprisingly I didn't feel bad when I was with her and felt sincerely happy and excited talking about her pregnancy, which was a nice change of feeling :)

I had blood tests last week and tomorrow a baseline scan and nurse appointment in preparation for starting my letrazole/IUI cycles hopefully very soon.

@dogmam I'm so sorry for your loss
@PurpleUnicorn01 @Gracie2021 how are your IVF cycles going? xx