ACU Ninewells

@sjp00 you may be right as it did have a section on producing semen sample....however that could be easily edited! Surely they will have something- maybe worth another email? Or maybe you'll get it all at the appointment?
To be honest, didn't say anything I didn't know already- and depends on protocol - but it put me in the state of a meltdown so would rather have not had it all 🤣

@CuriousAries That's interesting, I wonder why we didn't get this pack. I wonder if this has something to do with us being a same sex couple, but a booklet definitely would have been good as there is 0 information online. It does seem to be everyone is nearing around the same time now! x

@sjp00
The letter had the one sentence with results.
Then another sheet of paper with a flowchart of standard timescales.
Then a booklet (A4 printed document) with more information about the whole process from start to finish.
Will be interesting to see how far my appointment is behind yours when we have had result letters weeks apart. I won't expect another letter for a few weeks then.
The majority of us on this thread seem to have caught up with each other and starting all at similar times!

Sorry, fixing an error in my post above, I meant to say "I chased up yesterday when the next appointment would be and they sent me back an email saying I was due to be booked in so had done this and included a letter in the email with an appointment for 15/12/22*

@CuriousAries Can I ask what you mean by info pack? When we got our AMH results it was just one line at the bottom of a letter, I don't think we got this :(

My partner had her bloods taken for AMH 02/08/22, we received the results in the post 11/10/22 and I chased up yesterday when the next appointment would be and they sent me back an email saying I was due to be booked in letter yesterday with an appointment for 15/12/22. When I asked what this would be for they said "Your consultation will be to discuss your AMH levels and the protocol treatment cycle they will use for your treatment. This will also be an opportunity questions you may have, before going ahead with treatment".

Looking at other people's stories on here, and looking online, there seems to be a gap of 2 months from consultation to beginning of injections, so I am not sure if they are going to tell me in December we have to wait until February's period, another horrible 6 week wait until I know!

I'm sure you can ask to delay treatment starting if this has come sooner than expected, I would definitely speak with them 💕

The whole process is not consistent whatsoever, it makes you feel totally in the dark. This week is the first week I have gotten myself so upset, because I'm in a same sex relationship this has been more of an exciting time for us but I feel so drained now, you are right it feels like you're not in control at all and to make it even worse you're blindfolded too and have no idea what's about to happen next! x

Had an absolute meltdown today.

Came home to my AMH results and a info pack....they only got taken 2 weeks ago and they said about 6 weeks to get back so totally unexpected.
Although it's came back normal...everything just hit me like a ton of bricks! Felt like because it was out with my timescale that I'm not in control anymore!
Suddenly everything felt very real and scary and coming round too quick!
I've spoke on here before about having a positive mindset to help me cope around 'oh that's another month to save money or to go on holiday' etc....maybe I flipped because I felt like that coping mechanism was instantly gone?
@sjp00 if you got results letter just a few weeks ago, and I can see below you've now got your consultation mid December, can I please ask when you got the appointment letter? Like how long after the AMH results letter?
In total overdrive now around when I'll be starting!
If I got app in December I'm assuming I'd start on next period which would be mid-January....

Am I the only one feeling anxious about how quick things start going?
I totally understand how excited and inpatient most people would be...I just seen the exact opposite which is throwing up a whole other set of thoughts!

We have our next consultation 15th December which I think is to discuss AMH level results etc. I have seen a few people online mention ART appointments so I have asked the unit if this is what that is and just waiting on a response... We were told January 2023 would be fine but I have a feeling it's going to be February instead. At this point I don't care I just want to be at the end stage... It's such an unclear process, we are in a same sex relationship doing reciprocal IVF and there is next to no information, I have no idea if we need to link our period cycle or what happens, feel totally in the dark! Roll on the 15th! Hopefully it's good news and doesn't put a damper on xmas 😅

Mindless scrolling as fell asleep after tea tonight so not able to get to sleep so far in bed 😩 and this really stuck with me:

IVF is an endurance race, the ultramarathon of ultramarathons.
I was saying to DH earlier on over tea that I'm really struggling mentally just now with the wait to start our cycle next month. Worried that I'm already mentally tired and not going to be able to draw on my dwindling reserves to keep the positive pants on! Full on work week looming with a 10hr day on Wednesday in 4 different locations. Going to need to be strong and adopt the one day at a time, one hour at a time if needed 💪🏻 ✨ ❤️ 💖

@RRk1469 im the same, I have so many questions written down just waiting for this next appointment! I really thing they should have a more in depth FAQ page on their website, a lot of tests etc that I didn’t even know about would have been good to know beforehand and even the next stages I’m still a bit stressed as to what to expect! Hopefully they will be able to give you a work around at Christmas time, all my fingers crossed for you x

@RRk1469 ive sent questions to the inbox before, sometimes it takes a couple days but they’ll come back with the answer :) xx

@sjp00 we got our protocol consult 6 weeks after AMH test was done although don't go on our timescales as the initial referral to ACU for us was messed up 🤦‍♀️

@RRk1469 when we went for the nurse appointment they asked if we wanted to book with the counsellor, anyone under ACU care can request appts. Drop the admin email a message or call and leave a message to request it. We've done an appt together and one where Only I attended (all video). Found them quite helpful 🥰 The counsellor didn't say why it was 4 months, it's on my questions to ask list!

Thank you, I'm sure you'll be fine! My bmi is sitting at 26.2, I deliberately went under a few points in case I gained during meds. ❤️

@RRk1469 Thank you! When you got your appointment letter was the appointment for your consultation quite soon? When we have had appointment letters usually we get the letter but it’s another 3/4 weeks until the actual appointment. X

My partner had her AMH blood levels taken 02/08/22 and mine were taken 09/08/22 (honestly not 100% sure why mine were taking as we are using my partners egg), we received my partners results by letter 11/10/22 but it was typed according to the letter 28/09/22.

I am just wondering how long everyone else has waited from their AMH results to their consultation regarding medication/which protocol etc.? We did mention we wanted to start in January which they said should be fine and we have purchased the sperm but it’s all just this horrible unknown feeling until we actually have something in writing…. I just thought I would see how long people roughly waited from their results to the next appointment? X

@RRk1469 no probs 🥰

Had my second appointment with the counsellor today, nothing exciting but she did mention that if we need to go to round 2 it would be 4 months after failed round 😨

Can't wait for the calendar to flick round to November so we can get this show on the road!

I was checking dates earlier on and I've been at my target 🎯 ⚖️ for 6 months today too 🎉

@RRk1469 I'm glad you started this thread, it's helped me feel less alone ❤️ ✨ for your cycle in December. You should get eLearning and more forms added to your ACU portal logon prior to your cycle commencing. I'm doing short protocol so unsure what long protocol is 🥰

@TTC86 I hope the counsellor listens to me and doesn't give me platitudes. I'm getting tired of having to constantly self advocate and explain myself. Prior to ACU I have had really bad experiences at our local gyane unit, trying not to let it floor me or cloud my view. I try not to 'sweat the small stuff' as DH puts it however I've always been a devil in the detail person 😂

Going for a massage tomorrow to see if that helps distract me!

Hello @RRk1469 so lovely to hear from my OG Buddy!

How you feeling about it all?

Was your DH 2nd sample better?

@CuriousAries No we didnt get AMH done with the bloods as we are going to try IUI first and then if this is unsuccessful we will move onto IVF where will get AMH level taken.
Think because we are a same sex couple it is slightly different. To be honest I would have liked to have had my AMH done just to give reassurance as this could have changed our decision of trying IUI first.
I'm not sure if we have another appointment before treatment starts, but we have had counselling via video call.
@mrsmacmc Its understandable to feel like that as it's unfamiliar but the counsellor will work through everything with you, and hopefully you'll feel better after speaking to them. The counsellor we had was great.