To be panicking about IVF

[WakeMeUpWhenImPregnant]

I am really panicking tonight (think verge of a panic attack).

I have been TTC for 3 years. I have PCOS and have been on Clomid for 2 years. I had a laparoscopy and ovarian drilling last summer. I am now getting periods each month which is a miracle but quite long cycles (35 day). I am certain I'm not going to ovulate this month (sorry for TMI but no rack and oaks still negative) I have an appt in Feb which is when I'll be referred for IVF.

What happens then?
If IVF fails, do you typically just wait until you are able to do another IVF cycle?
Do you bother with Clomid, gonal f etc in between in the hope you'll get lucky?
How long did it take from referral to starting IVF?

I am at my wits end and feel on the verge of a breakdown and would just love some stories/experiences. Sorry it's not an AIBU but I'm desperate

You wait until next IVF cycle. From where you are now shouldn't be too long but depends on your area. I had both the treatments you have had w/o success but am now a mother of 3 through IVF (maybe four next year).

Don't panic. I know it's hard!

Oh, and with PCOS we often get lots of good quality eggs first round IVF so can end up with enough frosties never to need a full IVF cycle again if we are lucky, just implantation.

Thank you for your message, that's really encouraging

I would really recommend joining the Fertility Friends website forum. It is full of women going through the same thing and is a fantastic source of information and moral support. Finding out as much as you can about IVF will hopefully make the thing far less scary for you. Good luck, and try not to panic (hard, I know!).

I was in same position. I decided one more try of clomid as I had some in my cupboard. It worked for me! I know every case is different but Feb Is a long time to wait. Presumably IVF wouldn't start that day and just be honest about what you've done if you do it as you don't want to interfere with your ivf.

Also worth considering alternative therapies during your wait for Feb... reflexology, acupuncture etc. I know not everyone agrees with these (not even sure I do entirely but it at least made me feel like I was doing something whilst between appointments) . My reflexology lady knew I was pregnant before i did so I think there is something innit. Good luck!

*did not mean innit!

Verity is an amazing board for PCOS infertility

Definitely support any fertility treatment with acupuncture. Have a Google at the increase in success rates

Thanks everyone. I actually tried acupuncture for about 3 months a while ago. Made not a jot of difference. I have however been researching reflexology and am now keen to try that

Similar story if I remember rightly I had a month off in between my 2 IVF cycles. I also found IVF to be less stressful than clomid and IUI. You know what's going on every step with it rather than so many unknowns with the others.

Avoiding - that's really interesting that you found it easier. I am not fussed about any stage of the IVF process - the only thing that scares me is failing.

I had 6 cycles of IVF,some things I wish I'd known before I started are:

Success rate of your actual consultant, not the hospital the individual

The opinions of others that share your Consultant - easier now with SM boards, but I could've cut out 3 cycles with this info

Start a spreadsheet - note day on day your progress. After 3 cycles I could see a pattern emerging where I could essentially see where the implantation had failed. When I switched consultants he could see what he needed to change straight away

In treating the treatment like a project I could see things in a more objective way which is so very hard to do when you're in the eye of the storm

Good luck x

I did IVF, found it very stressful, but worked first time. 4 months after she was born pregnant again naturally with DS. Hope it works first time for you too.

It's very stressful. But mine worked first time. All the luck in the world OP

I live in the US, Clomid isn't used as much here in favor of agents like letrozole, which are more effective and have fewer side effects. Consider a round or two if you can find someone to prescribe?

Thank you - I have considered trying letrozole actually. Ultimately I think I have exhausted NHS measures (I have really rated the care though) and really just want to get going with private channels

Letrozole is similar to clomid. If you've done 6 rounds of clomid and it hasn't worked I would not waste time doing the same with letrozole.

The reasons I found clomid & iui stressful is every month I'd ovulate or be ready to trigger at a different time. Sex every other night on demand for 2 weeks or longer is no fun. With the iui the first month I was later than they would have liked in bring 'ripe' the next month they changed the meds, then I had far too many follicals so was cancelled at the last minute. Even when cycles do go to plan you don't actually know did spearm meet egg, why didn't it work.

IVF they harvest the eggs you know exactly how many you have. They are in control, you know how many were put back, you know they fertilised, the only bit of chance is will they 'take'.