Hi
Am wondering if there is anyone on here who has had CFS and undergone IVF ... how did the hormones affect you?
My partner and I have been trying to conceive for about the last two years. I'm 41 (nearly 42), he's 42. Had a miscarriage at about 5.5 weeks in January. Been trying to get referred to NHS fertility clinic for the last 6 months but there have been many delays, not from us but from the GP / hospital not knowing the current procedures and not talking to each other, or us. It's very frustrating! Decided that due to age we'd look at private IVF. Haven't had sperm and AMH results back yet but would imagine sperms ok and AMH is low / v low (found 7 follicles at scan).
I had CFS very badly, not bed bound but not too far off, for 2-3 years in my mid-20s. Gradually recovered over the following 3-4 years and am now soooo much better but still get tired more easily and have occasional periods of fatigue so I have to manage my energy levels, but I do feel the CFS is under control.
When I was pregnant though I was very aware of the additional hormone load, at only 5.5 weeks I had really sore breasts, was a little short of breath and bad insomnia (I struggle with sleeping anyway) and am a little worried about how the drugs will affect me. The specialist has said they will use the short protocol, which sounds less likely to stress my body than the long, due to the CFS.
Just wondering whether I am silly to consider IVF at all? There is a chance we could get pregnant naturally, it's just such a small chance each month, given age, that I feel, perhaps mistakenly, that IVF would load the dice slightly in our favour.
Thanks for reading and hope that wasn't too waffly!