IVFers thread

I am getting quite brave in our waiting room and smile at people.

Sticki, it sounds as though you have been at this for quite some time too.

coggy,I didn't mean to be rude about the detox it was just the reading about a detox would be sleep inducing.

Coggy
Thanks for the info (and reminder) about the liver detox. I agree its a really good idea with all those drugs. I'll have a look at my old info - like Soosy I did a Foresight brutal diet change thingy years ago. Not sure I have the commitment for that now (just thinking how I would love a glass of wine tonight!). 7 days would be just about survivable!

No one ever looks at eachother in the waiting room, let alone talk. Perhaps a stolen glance whilse on the pretense of looking for a magazine. Yes PK - we have been doing treatment at the same times, so perhaps we have seen eachother there! I also never minded seeing other children there (perhaps gave me a little hope??) so hopefully others dont mind too much. We tend to run around outside until the last minute and hope they are not running too late.

Hi coggy, It sounds as though we are all starting treatment at the same time.
Never read Zita West, I did do Foresight for about four years, now that is quite brutal, no red meat, white flour, booze. Lost loads of weight, but it was acupuncture that did it for me. So I'm sticking with that. Not entirely surprised you fell asleep though,pmsl!!!

Lots of water also recommended after et.

I wonder if you know each other, by sight pk and sticki? I say by sight, as certainly at the Chelsea & Westminster you don't actually speak to each other in the waiting room. Is it the same at UCH?

Finally picked up prescription today so it feels like its really happening.

Hi Just wanted to wish all you ivfers all the best. A special hello to Coggy and Sossy hope your both ok. havent had time to read through the thread but where are you both in the process. Good Luck. I am back to ttc naturally at the mo just had a lapa nd dye.

I've just read back through the last few days properly.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest about the needles and all!
I am a bit of a wimp I have to say!!!
But usually the thought of these things is worse than the doing.

I'm fine Soosy thanks. Just waiting to start on the progeserone tabs - 12th Jan - than I'll really feel like it's all beginning to happen!

Sticki - I read last night about doing a 7 or 10 day liver detox before preparing yourself for IVF drugs. It's in onme of Zita West's books and she says that it helps to cleanse your system before putting all those drugs back into them.
I guess it's relevent for all of us in between treatments.

I'm going to read the rest of the chapter later on today (fell aslepp reading it last night!!) Light-weight!!!

I'll let you all know what it involves.
I seriously need to now get a grip and realise that I must make the most of my body prior to IVF. Re-started Weight Watchers to kick-start me out of the puddings and wine!!
Today has been good so far.....LOTS of water as recommended also.

PK - Glad you are feeling better today.
Yes we are at UCH. We started at the old site and now the much larger one. Was an easy journey when I was working in central london but now a bit longer from home. The last cycle made me swear I wasnt going back but here we go again..... Its nice seeing all the same people and them knowing our history. We did think we would move clinics but havent summoned the extra energy to do so.

S - I took my DD to a few of the acup appointments I couldnt schedule in nursery time. I agree its a bit less relaxing trying not to let her trash the place. But needs must.... (I also had to take her up to UCH for scans/bloods etc which she loves but I didnt feel v comfortable in the waiting room etc)

Since our last cycle in Oct/Nov I have managed to comfort eat enough to keep up my bloated size - I had to buy some new jeans to wear during treatment and not showing signs of wanting to put them away. Choc is my downfall!

I live in London and I found a fab acupuncturist who visits me at home. It has been interesting when my ds has been around but on the whole he has been v good. I usually have it in the morning when he is at nursery school, but it is the holidays a the moment.

I hope you can find someone to help, if you are in central London then I'll pass on her number.

I am just waiting for af to arrive so I can start my cycle.

I know what you mean about the bloating, no useful info to pass on I am afraid.

Hi sticki, I have never been offered GIFT, even though like you we have had serial failure. Are you at a London Clinic? Don't worry about negative thoughts, I have good and negative thoughts the whole time I do ivf, tis the nature of the beast i suppose.

PK, that is the bit i hate about the drugs the bloating, after my last attempt, last June, everyone told me I had lost loads of weight, but actually it was just stopping taking those damned cyclogest pessaries ugh...

How are you doing coggy.. I've 11days or there about before I start injecting. Got to get my prescription filled!!!

Hi
Good idea - an IVF thread. I dont think I belong in the ttc threads. We are starting a GIFT IVF cycle in late Jan. Our clinic recommends GIFT in cases of serial failure - its our 8th cycle. We have a miracle DD of 2.5 (who was conceived naturally while waiting for more treatment). Our problem is probably an egg chromosomal one.

Im worried about my negative feelings impacting on the cycle. I need to turn my thoughts to hope that it can work rather than just dreading the failure. But I find it so stressful, especially as all our friends and close family are pg with apparent ease.

PK - I think acupuncture can make a huge difference, not just to easing the symptoms but also I read somewhere egg quality too.

Soosy and Coggy - Fingers and toes crossed! I always underestimate the impact of drug side effects which seem to really floor me every time. But at least with every dose I felt I was doing something constructive, even though I dread the injections. Our ECs are done under sedation which is great (would recommend) so you dont know anything about it.

Heres hoping that 2008 is a happy year and brings us all our dreams!

I had acupuncture when I finally conceived ds and am having it now in preparation for the next cycle. My consultant said there are some studies which show that acupuncture is helpful with implantation, which seems to be the problem when we are doing ivf, as although I don't have such splendid results as you I do quite well, with all grade 1's and 2's, but not all carry on dividing. The last time, at the grand old age of 37, I managed to produce 13 eggs.

They say pk that if you have polycystic ovaries you maintain your fertility for longer, so there are some benefits.

sorry pk, must have missed your first post completely. yes I am at the Chelsea & Westminster, i may not get frequent flyer, but I am their oldest customer!

Your embryos must be good quality to get to that stage so don't worry.

Can I be personal and ask how old you are?

coggy, you shouldn't have any intra-muscular injections, except maybe the one to make you ovulate, but even that can be done with a small needle. Don't panic about the procedure, you will get pain relief and if it starts to hurt tell them and you can have more! Gas & air also helps with the odd follicle (esp the ones on the outside of the ovary.) You will be told not to eat or drink for a certain time before, find out what is the last time you can have fluids and drink as much as you can then ( a pint of water) wake up if you have to, it makes an enormous difference to your recovery.

Pk wow sounds like they have good drugs for you , no patches etc, is this because of the pcos? make sure the big needle is for injecting it might be for mixing. I did have a couple of glasses of fizz with dh and ds as dh had reached his target at work, so hopefully good bonus next year!

A very happy new year to you all, a fab 2008 and oodles of babies!

What injections are they then?
Are you doing them yourself?

I've done the puregon pen and buserilyn jabs myself. Also the hcg which stings a lot but none with a long needle....hope I won't have to do that!!!

Hello...and Happy New Year wishes to all!! (almost in 2008 I guess?!)

Soosy....you must be fed-up of it all by now?
I'm definitely joining you on the old weight-loss campaign (I do it every January y'know!!)

I've only got about 1/2 stone really necessary to lose but I also MUST eat better....SOOOOOOOOOO much alcohol and chocolate over Christmas.

I start my progesterone in a couple of weeks so after tonight I will be healthy and (reasonably) alcohol free.

How is the sniffing going PK?

I've been on LOTS of ttc threads in the past couple of years and I agree with your thoughts I must say. I feel as if I have had the same converstaions many, many times as people have 'left me behind' and new people have come (and also gone! )

This is fab to be able to moan and groan and get sympathy from people who know!!

I am a bit scared now. Not about the actual procedure, but about the finality of it all....I am trying not to think about that, but it's hard sometimes.

It would be nice (horrible word I know) as I know that it is really hard for those who haven't been through it all to understand what ivf is actually like. I am struggling to remember to take my folic acid at the moment, and to lose a little bit of weight, as my ovaries act as though they are polycystic, but I am ovulating, so the drugs work better if I am a little lighter. So MNpeace you must respond well to the drugs... if you are anything like me!

Coggy, how is it all going?