Assisted Conception (and the bits in between) Volume 6

[rowingboat]

Hi all,
I just went to post on the old thread and noticed it had been locked, so here is a new one!
Come on in!

Oh Keziah I hope it is something positive like an IB, rather than what you fear going to happen. I still have my fingers crossed for you, and have been thinking of you lots even though I haven't posted.

Bluishmist How are you doing? I hope you're okay.

Shirley Congratulations on the scan, you must be very relieved although I'm sure you'll be anxious too. Here's hoping for a very uneventful next 8 months or so for you!

Womanly Hope things are going well for you - how are you feeling? Can I ask what the sore bit was wrt the IUI? Just to be prepared...

Pumpkin I'm so sorry that your IUI didn't work, but if I were you I'd definately be going with the IVF. How did your appt on Friday go?

Sorry to not have updated earlier, but I started on Menopur injections last Thursday. Have felt okay, bit snappy when tired or hungry, but fine...until today. Have been so dizzy that I thought I might pass out, have been on the verge of having a panic attack, and have felt like I'm about to burst into tears all at the same time. Somebody please tell me if this is normal or not? I had quite a late night last night, so am hoping it'll ease up after an early night tonight... Do you think being tired could have made such a difference?
There I was thinking it was all fine and under control - looks like I spoke too soon
Have got a scan and blood test booked for tomorrow, so at least I'll know whether it's actually doing anything. Are there any questions I should be asking?

Hope everyone's okay xxx

Hi monkey - are you doing IUI, medicated .. or IVF? If so your downreg scan, hope it goes ok. Why not tell the nurse tomorrow how it made you feel? I didn't have that - but doesn't mean others don't have that side effect. Questions to ask if downreg scan - is lining how it should be and have I downregulated? Though I found they told me everything I needed to know, they are used to it - I just said "it's my first time" and they told me!!!

xxx

Hi Keziah, we're doing IUI, so I s'pose the scan tomorrow is for checking how many follicles are being affected? Is it Menopur they use for downregulating? Good to know - we'll be going onto IVF if IUI hasn't worked in a couple of cycles. Am quite nervous about tomorrows scan, especially if they tell me i need to up the dose of Menopur. I really hope I don't have to, not after today!
How did you feel on Menopur? Did you have any side effects? Thanks so much, have felt like I was going a bit crazy today not having anyone to talk to who's been/going through it!

oops, no menopur is for stimming - oops, brain fried in tears!! Great you got a medicated IUI, with monitoring - heard that is a good option. Great idea to IUI first as they will know what levels to give you. We had the standard NHS IVF, where everyone seems to get the same protocol - and I only got 5 eggs to start with, but am 36 so not expect much more I guess.

Menopur I was ok on, but apparently it is not meant to be nice. How many powders are you on? It is meant to have horrible side effects. I would definitely tell them how it has affected you. Did you have enough food when you felt dizzy, as I felt a bit nauseous occasionally and found a biscuit or something really helped. Let us know how it goes!!

Oh poor you, hate the thought of you crying lots It must be so difficult though to have got to the stage you're at, gone through all the medication and procedures, and then fear it hasn't worked. How long is your normal LP, or is that not relevant as it's an assisted cycle? Do you really think it could be the start of your AF?

Yes, am glad we've gone straight onto this too - we seem to have bypassed Clomid, although I'm not sure whether that's a good thing? When you say powders, is that what's in one little vial? If so then I'm on half a one per day. Think it's a low dose (?) which is why I'm scared that they'll increase it - have had bad enough side effects on this, let alone more of it!
Funny what you said about food - I did start feeling a little better after I made myself eat some lunch. Have drunk loads today too - one of my workmates has been forcing sugared water down me, bless her

yes one powder is one vial. I don't know what they use in IUI though, guess they don't want lots of follicles.

Perhaps carrying a snack with you is the answer and drink lots. Drinking lots helps they told me as menopur means you need more fluids -it dehydrates you.

Hey Keziah - I've been thinking about you and have got my fingers crossed for you. How are you feeling?

Monkey - I don't know much about IUI so can't offer much advice, but definitely eat little snacks often to keep your blood sugar up and drink as much as you can. You're bodies doing all sorts of stuff so needs fueling as much as possible. I took Menopur for stimming and never really felt that bad. I think even if you think you are breezing through it, the emotional energy it takes up, unconsciously more than anything, can really take it's toll, so try to chill and get as much rest as you can.

I'm Ok. Starting to feel sick which I guess is a good sign. I've got my last scan at IVF clinic next week and after that I'll be leaving you all I think, but I'll let you know how it goes after Tuesday and say my goodbyes then hopefully.

Actually can anyone offer advice - I had already bought the drugs for my ivf cycle when I got bfp. I'm assuming the pharmacist won't accept them back as they've been dispensed and taken away and stuff. £600 worth of drugs. What should I do????

Hello to everyone and sorry not to name check further. Hope all's well with everyone...

Hi Shirley - glad you got that scan, hope it goes well for you. If you want to sell them people sell them on the CareGirls Yahoo Site - not on the official care site note!!! As long as sealed and got ok date that seems to be an ok thing to do.

Thanks Shirley for the wishes - sadly 4 days before OTD got bright red blood, all the time now.

Keziah - I'm so sorry. That's truly rubbish. My thoughts are with you. Is dp around to give you lots of cuddles and stuff?

If you can be arsed to tell me, do you have a link to the care girls site - I can't find it.

Thanks in adance and I'm sorry for your bad news...

This should work: uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Care_Girls/message/2631

No, dh at work. Full AF today.

Shirley - I have not used the Care site for selling and buying - but lots do. It is not an easy, simple laid out site to read - but people do use it. Menopur's going rate seems to be about £10 per vial, depending on date. No idea about other things.

keziah Sorry for your bad news... I feel gutted so can just imagine what you must be feeling. This is all so very hard.
monkey I am on a medicated IUI however I was on FSH injections (Puregon). Have not heard of Menopur. From Day 2 till the first scan (around Day 10) I injected myself every morning at the same time with 75(forget the measurement type) of the liquid in this injection pen. Then I had my scan - they saw one dominant follicle at 18mm on the right ovary. That night they asked me to use the Ovitrelle injection and the 48 hours later did the insemination. That was last weds at 1pm. The procedure was not painful. They did have to struggle to locate my cervix with the speculum (3 attempts) but then got it down. Had no issues during or immediately after. However as I made my way home, I started feeling cramps.. that continued off-and-on for a couple of hours..after which I felt like I needed to lie down.. by the evening I was kinda ok.. the next morning I was back to normal.
I get to now test for pregnancy next friday - Apr 08. I do feel the odd twinges in my lower abdomen from time to time but other than that - there are no symptoms. Am dreading the next week and the day of the test... but as garden told me on another thread.. it's not positivity that will see us through it's perseverence. Onwards and Upwards.

Keziah so sorry that you got this result. Can you have another go on NHS? Now you have had this attempt can you have another and maybe have a higher amount of drugs? can you look into any other issues like possible. immunity issues? Not that I think there are any, I just ask it all the time! Keziah sending you a virtual hug. I know there are no words really!

Was hoping I'd never have to come on this thread, not cos you don't all seem lovely, but just cos I hoped we'd never go down this road!!! Oh well.....

I already know monkey bum.....hello my love!!!

Ok, my history....

1 dd with previous partner- she is 8. And now married to the most lovely dh and we would love a child together. Had 1 mc 3 years ago and nothing else since then.

1st ivf cycle starts next week, I'm egg sharing.

Feel excited, nervous and ever so slightly manic!!!

Have been eating really healthily and having acupuncture, no alcohol for 4 weeks and cut right down on the caffeine. Last treat tonight- Friday night fish and chips!!! Will miss that but need to know I've given this 100 % xxxx

Love to all xxxx I'm sure I'll be on here with stupid questions from time to time...
Actually here's my first, if my baseline scan is on may 2nd, when is egg collection likely to be , roughly????

Welcome tametortie. , yes, sorry you are here too. Hope it will not be too long.

Hello tortie Lovely to see you here, although not, iykwim! Been thinking of you lots this week, but not managed to get on FB much to write... Not surprised to hear how you are feeling, must be a complete mixture of emotions!

Keziah so sorry It just isn't fair is it. Hope you're doing as okay as can be.

Womanly thanks for sharing your experience, it really helps to know what to expect! Really hope you get good news this Friday!

Better go as off out to enjoy the lovely sunshine. Am waiting to hear back from the FC, had scan and blood test this morning, got one 18.3mm follicle so hopeful that hormone levels should be good to go soon.

Back later x

Hi all,
sorry not on here much recently, it's all gone quiet....(wind whistles), but hope to go over to Czech Rep late April, Early May?

Tametortie, I love your name and want to feed you a lettuce leaf. I'm a bit rusty on the whole IVF thing and didn't really understand it in the first place, but. If you still have to downreg that takes around 14 days and then you have to stimulate the ovaries for around 12-14 days. It will be around 4 weeks if you have do both and 2 weeks if not. It can be shorter or longer if the hospital have to alter your dosage up or down.
Hope that helps.
I completely relate to not wanting to be here, I used to feel the same way when I was on the conception boards. I think you know the Assisted Thread is there, but you just think you never want to be on it.

Hi everyone! [waves]

Shirley what a lovely surprise.

Italian - no more treatment on nhs, had our one go sadly. Yes, I didn't respond well to the stimming, ie not many eggs. We have to wait 7 weeks not to have our review meeting so can't really do anything till then. Have tried to book an apt (privately) to talk about immunes etc (I already have 2 immune disorders) as I think that is the real issue, as I got pregnant with this but miscarried before test day - so it doesn't count as miscarriage as can't prove I was preg long enough etc.... BUT no appointments available, got to wait till summer appointments opened, so DH been told to phone every Monday am to see if they open!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keziah I'm so sorry to hear that the treatment didn't work out this time. It is early days, for you and you will have to start saving your pennies, but it's worth buying a million own brand, value packs to have a baby.
I hope the appointments open soon and you get the treatment you need to achieve a pregnancy soon.

Italian what are you up to to sweetie?

Caitni well done on the other natural pregnancy. Fantastic news!

keziah I'm sorry to hear your cycle didn't work . I had such high hopes for you, you must be gutted. I really hope you get some answers and figure out your next steps.

I just wanted to say it looks like I'll be heading back down the assisted conception route at some point this year after all...I've MC-ed our little natural miracle, guess it just wasn't meant to be . To say we're gutted is an understatement...so I'll continue to lurk on this thread and keep an eye on how all you ladies are doing (though I hope all of you have graduated by the time I'm back!)

Flip I'm so sorry to hear that sad news!
It was fantastic though, don't give up, it could still happen!

Had to laugh at your comment RB about feeding me a lettuce leaf- my tame tortie is my cat Meg!! she is a beautiful patchwork tortie and is the kindest most loving cat : ) I wouldn't turn down a lettuce leaf though!!

sorry to see your cycle didn't work keziah : ( sad news. Hopefully your review meeting will offer some hope. Whereabouts in the UK are you? If going down the private route, have you looked at other clinic who specialize in immune issues.

In my head I have already sorted a back up plan. I know it's naughty but planning ahead helps me cope with the here and now- makes it seem easier to deal with if it doesn't work. If it doesn't, I am going to look at the nurture clinic in Nottingham. They have excellent success rates and reviews and a cons who specialises in immune issues ( never been tested for these but everyone living with infertility seems to have them??!!) I am having treatment at crm in Coventry, lovely clinic and work at hospital where it is based so tis convenient but success rates are low- hfea website says 29% although the clinic quotes rates of 49%- how can they be so different?? Anyone know?? Am well interested in success rates and chances at the mo- helps my mind to quantify and cope. Note to self- stop mulling!!!!

Love to all anyway. Thanks for the warm welcome.

I start injecting on Wednesday (day 21) and haven't a clue what I'm meant to be doing. Think nurse at clinic thinks cos I work there I have a clue- really don't!!! Oh well, will suss it out. Am away from home for first few days as well, should be interesting!!! I must be on extra extra long protocol- am downregging till 2nd may, that's when I start stimming???!!! Forget ovaries in shutdown, mine will have f*ed off with all that downregging!!!!!

Xxxx

Oh and flip, sorry to see your bad news too- mc is horrible. Be gentle with yourself xxxxx

tametortie - hope it goes well for you. Sure you will be fine on injections - do you have buserelin to down regulate and menopur to stim?

Flip - so sorry about your loss

Rowing - absolutely saving pennies, have been all year!! I have the dilemma of increasing my hours - I went part time due to physical health reasons a few years ago, can increase hours but problem is if I do my health will not be so good, but it may, and I can't easily reduce if I do succeed in having children. Arggg...

so ladies - have a question for you - - Am on first round of medicated IUI - Am in the 2ww period - due to test on Friday. Yesday - day 25 of my cycle I have pink cm -- Any clue what this might be? Or do I just note it down in my weird things that happen to me list :)
I have no other symptoms.