Anyone else about to start IVF?

[gardenpixie]

DH and I have our first IVF consultation in a couple of weeks and I just wondered if there was anyone out there who was in the same position?

We've had loads of tests done already so the Dr says we may well be able to start the treatment cycle sometime next month or early May.

We've been TTC #1 for 3yrs now and I am on cycle 5 of clomid so will continue with that until I start the IVF drugs. There are no obvious medical reasons why we haven't conceived naturally, just a case of unexplained infertility, I guess.

I know the odds of getting pg still aren't great but I am really excited about the fact that IVF even exists (isn't amazing what they can do?) and, although I am a bit apprehensive of everything it will involve, I am thrilled to be given the chance to see if it might work for us.

I would love to hear from anyone with any advice or who is in the same boat,

thanks for reading

Wow, so much going on!

womanly hope the injections are doing the job and that Monday goes well. And pleased to hear that the twitching eyelid did mean something good

Becca for us it was clear we'd need ICSI so sorry not to be more helpful. On other advice, both DH and I are rattling with various supplements. It probably makes no difference but worth a try! We also try to have 36hrs between DTD to allow DH's swimmers to recover Not sure if that's the advice you were after!

kool so glad to hear that you'll be starting soon. You'll be one step ahead of me so I'll need to be kept updated!

garden well done you for sorting out the drugs and hope you're looking forward to the 'how to sniff' lesson! Very exciting that things are a go go.

luck sorry you had a tough consultation. I'm a little bit younger and my FSH isn't too high - so you might not feel I can compare - but I do feel absolutely gutted that on top of DH's SA I have a problem that means I might not respond well to the only treatment option - ICSI. Sometimes life seems really, really unfair xx. My view is that, regardless of the stats, we can't know whether or not it will work until we at least give it a go, so keep those fingers and toes crossed. If it helps, I'm dosing myself with wheatgrass, royal jelly, EPO, CoEnzyme Q10 and Omega 3-6-9 to 'feed' my eggies

care glad the nurse sorted you out with drugs and hoping that you stay an ivf novice - I think that this is something none of us need to get too much practice at! DH thinks the drugs are going to make me sooper grumpy - I'll reassure him that it's just a case of him needing to wait on me hand and foot and it'll be fine I'm not sure it helps with your decision but I'll probably be sucked into spending £300 if someone told me it would improve my chances of success

Bella an 84 day cycle?! Respect! And like kool I refuse to believe that fertility will just suddenly drop off at 35 - it must be a gradual thing surely? Sorry to hear about the bleeding

jumping sorry you're down. I agree with others and if you have the money I would definitely investigate the private options. I'm happy that my rough deadline on the NHS is July. Much later I think I would be looking to go private - though I appreciate I haven't been ttc very long compared to others. We don't have oodles of cash but really want things to happen and sure you do too.

Finally welcome Bondi - this is a lovely place to hang out.

Carebear, 33, ttc 3.5 yrs, no previous bfp, possible PCOS / short luteal phase but docs not sure, on day 5 of 1st IVF cycle at Guys, injecting fostemon and sniffing suprecur.
Teds, 33, ttc 11 months, male factor, FSH 9.5, awaiting 'carrier' test results, expecting to start ICSI at Guys in July

Hi all,

Hope you are all well today. I am very excited about my drugs arriving tonight and my sniffing lesson tomorrow!

Sorry for such a short post but just wanted to add my stats to the list:

Carebear , 33, ttc 3.5 yrs, no previous bfp, possible PCOS / short luteal phase but docs not sure, on day 5 of 1st IVF cycle at Guys, injecting fostemon and sniffing suprecur.
Teds , 33, ttc 11 months, male factor, FSH 9.5, awaiting 'carrier' test results, expecting to start ICSI at Guys in July
Gardenpixie , 35, ttc 3yrs, unexplained infertility, start IVF treatment with Guys on the 23rd

May the sun shine on us all for our summer of updiffedness xxx

Ladies,
Firstly, I think you are all so lovely... all these kind words of support for each other. Its very cool. The next few weeks are going to be much easier knowing we are all taking similar journeys (hope that doesnt sound too cheesey).

Not sure who was considering accupuncher. I did it for 5mths (once a week) and it did seem to calm me and helped me cope but I am not 100% convinced. I paid 75 quid each session, which lasted about 45mins. At the end of the day anything that helps reduce stress levels is going to be a good thing. Yoga and meditation are both really good.

Carebear , 33, ttc 3.5 yrs, no previous bfp, possible PCOS / short luteal phase but docs not sure, on day 5 of 1st IVF cycle at Guys, injecting fostemon and sniffing suprecur.
Teds , 33, ttc 11 months, male factor, FSH 9.5, awaiting 'carrier' test results, expecting to start ICSI at Guys in July
Gardenpixie , 35, ttc 3yrs, unexplained infertility, start IVF treatment with Guys on the 23rd
Bondi, 35, ttc 2yrs, unexplained, no previous bfp, start IVF when AF decides to turn up grrrrrrrr

Evening all

Just dropping in to say hi and add my sorry stats to the list. I'm playing the waiting game with AF, I don't suppose anything will happen there for a couple of weeks... I wish I could speed things up a bit /sigh

Totally agree with Bondi regarding yoga, I've been doing it for nearly 4 years now and I love it. I've tried acupuncture (last year), I thought is was an interesting experience and I know some people swear by it. I guess you have to find what works for you and go with what you enjoy.

Carebear, 33, ttc 3.5 yrs, no previous bfp, possible PCOS / short luteal phase but docs not sure, on day 5 of 1st IVF cycle at Guys, injecting fostemon and sniffing suprecur.
Teds, 33, ttc 11 months, male factor, FSH 9.5, awaiting 'carrier' test results, expecting to start ICSI at Guys in July
Gardenpixie, 35, ttc 3yrs, unexplained infertility, start IVF treatment with Guys on the 23rd
Bondi, 35, ttc 2yrs, unexplained, no previous bfp, start IVF when AF decides to turn up grrrrrrrr
Bodeccia, 35, ttc 6 years, I'm going with "unexplained" (short story: I've been told many conflicting reasons over the years why we're having problems), nulliparous (just used that word from a letter I got from the clinic - jeez I hate this whole process), starting IVF when AF shows up, probably early June if the funding holds out.

I'm feeling particularly cynical this evening. Quite upsetting seeing it written out like that.

oh no - the list was only supposed to help us keep track of each other, not upset people, sorry Bodeccia. shall we change it to something else?!

how about;

Carebear, day 6 of 1st IVF cycle, no. of rubbish junior clueless doctors seen previously; 11. Most helpful comment from a friend so far; "you can always keep dogs instead".

Bodeccia I had a good old sob last night. Sometimes it's just not easy to be very positive. I'm sending you a morning and even a few

I'm not sure if I can do care's suggestion without being too bitter and twisted... here goes!

Carebear, day 6 of 1st IVF cycle, no. of rubbish junior clueless doctors seen previously; 11. Most helpful comment from a friend so far; "you can always keep dogs instead".
Teds, t-minus 8 weeks till 1st cycle ICSI, no. of lovely doctors seen so far; 2 (I've been lucky). Most helpful comment from in-laws so far; "why don't you sit next to the pregnant ladies - they say it's contagious." (It's clearly not, you morons).

Sorry for a rushed post. Have updated both lists
-------
Carebear, day 6 of 1st IVF cycle, no. of rubbish junior clueless doctors seen previously; 11. Most helpful comment from a friend so far; "you can always keep dogs instead".
Teds, t-minus 8 weeks till 1st cycle ICSI, no. of lovely doctors seen so far; 2 (I've been lucky). Most helpful comment from in-laws so far; "why don't you sit next to the pregnant ladies - they say it's contagious." (It's clearly not, you morons).
Womanlytales, day 6 of 2nd IUI cycle;
----
Carebear, 33, ttc 3.5 yrs, no previous bfp, possible PCOS / short luteal phase but docs not sure, on day 5 of 1st IVF cycle at Guys, injecting fostemon and sniffing suprecur.
Teds, 33, ttc 11 months, male factor, FSH 9.5, awaiting 'carrier' test results, expecting to start ICSI at Guys in July
Gardenpixie, 35, ttc 3yrs, unexplained infertility, start IVF treatment with Guys on the 23rd
Bondi, 35, ttc 2yrs, unexplained, no previous bfp, start IVF when AF decides to turn up grrrrrrrr
Bodeccia, 35, ttc 6 years, I'm going with "unexplained" (short story: I've been told many conflicting reasons over the years why we're having problems), nulliparous (just used that word from a letter I got from the clinic - jeez I hate this whole process), starting IVF when AF shows up, probably early June if the funding holds out.
WomanlyTales, 35, ttc 2yrs for #1, PCOS, Day 6 of second IUI cycle
------
Read this horrendous book - 30 something and the clock is ticking - about this change management consultant who fancies her hand as a writer happens to go through fertility issues and actually gets published for her story. Terrible, terrible book. Sorry, I can't constructively criticize the book because I am still trying to get rid of all the emotional duress it has caused me. DO NOT READ.

Injections going ok. Might go for a first session for acupuncture this evening.

What a lovely day out there -- Hope you are all enjoying it :) Will catch up with all your news over the weekend.

Oh Bodeccia and Teds sorry you have both been feeling down. It's a tough old ride isn't it? Big hugs to both of you. It will all be worth it, it will, it will.

Teds has worked calmed down for you? Great that your inlaws told you about pregnancy being contagious ... THAT'S where I've been going wrong! I've been trying to get DH to knock me up when, all along, I should just have been hanging out with pg ladies!

Womanly good tip about the book! Glad your injections are going well

Carebear oh my lord, the "you can always keep dogs" comment had me snorting tea all over my desk when I read it! It's hilarious what people think we will find comforting!

Bondi I don't know what to suggest about hurrying AF along. It is so annoying isn't it! I have quite high oestrogen levels so even when my progesterone levels are falling, AF still doesn't start ... I find exercising really helps bring the oestrogen down but then that's just my odd hormonal make up. I hope she hurries up for you!

Waves to everyone else - hope you are all enjoying this lovely day and, hurrah, start of the weekend!

I had my "how to sniff" session at Guys today. It was quite interesting although my blood tests indicate that I'll be super sensitive to the drugs so they are going to take their time with me and up the doses really slowly with loads of monitoring. Trust my ovaries to be special needs!

Interestingly, I was expecting to be told not to take low dose aspirin unless the consultant had told me to but they were pretty positive about it so I think I will be carrying on with it (poor DH!).

So here's my contribution to the alternative list:

Carebear , day 6 of 1st IVF cycle, no. of rubbish junior clueless doctors seen previously; 11. Most helpful comment from a friend so far; "you can always keep dogs instead".
Teds , t-minus 8 weeks till 1st cycle ICSI, no. of lovely doctors seen so far; 2 (I've been lucky). Most helpful comment from in-laws so far; "why don't you sit next to the pregnant ladies - they say it's contagious." (It's clearly not, you morons).
Womanlytales , day 6 of 2nd IUI cycle;
Gardenpixie , t-minus 3 days until sniffage for 1st cycle IVF at Guys, no. of doctors who have taken blood / prodded my ladybits: entire collection of Drs in the whole of London; most helpful comment from DH "if you don't want to do IVF, we could always buy another puppy" erm, thanks DH, I hadn't realised puppies increased one's chances of conception ...

Hey ladies - wow! All the complicated-looking lists! Actually, now I see they're the alternatives (never understood the other kind! )

Kool, glad you're happy with Guys, we're all set to make an appointment there now as we got our referral letter from our GP today!

Teds, at least the funding being pulled has helped us to take ownership of this part (making the decision about where to go), this has really helped me feel more positive about it all. I think when we were in the NHS plans we felt like we had little control, and with something like this feeling involved is really helping (if that makes sense?!).

BTW Teds, contagious? I blimmin wish! It seems everyone I know at the moment is popping out a baby!

jumping yay for the referral! I have found Guys to be excellent so fingers crossed they do their thing for us all x

Ladies ladies ladies,

Please don't apologise for bringing up difficult stuff for people who post on here, the thing I value here is that we're all in the same boat. I don't post here very often (nothing much to report apart from "still waiting for AF"), but I lurk everyday. We all know its a rollercoaster, sometimes we're up, sometimes we're down. Let's tell it like it is :)

Today, I'm up, all because I learned that "STRESSED" backwards is "DESSERTS". Genius! And, Teds' biscuits look like boobs.

Here's the list: (I've been less emotive with my entry)

Carebear, 33, ttc 3.5 yrs, no previous bfp, possible PCOS / short luteal phase but docs not sure, on day 5 of 1st IVF cycle at Guys, injecting fostemon and sniffing suprecur.
Teds, 33, ttc 11 months, male factor, FSH 9.5, awaiting 'carrier' test results, expecting to start ICSI at Guys in July
Gardenpixie, 35, ttc 3yrs, unexplained infertility, start IVF treatment with Guys on the 23rd
Bondi, 35, ttc 2yrs, unexplained, no previous bfp, start IVF when AF decides to turn up grrrrrrrr
Bodeccia, 35, ttc 6 years, unexplained, nulliparous (just used that word from a letter I got from the clinic), starting IVF when AF shows up, probably early June.
WomanlyTales, 35, ttc 2yrs for #1, PCOS, Day 6 of second IUI cycle

Hi everyone

Nothing to report but adding stats. I love the alternative list!

Carebear , day 6 of 1st IVF cycle, no. of rubbish junior clueless doctors seen previously; 11. Most helpful comment from a friend so far; "you can always keep dogs instead".
Teds , t-minus 8 weeks till 1st cycle ICSI, no. of lovely doctors seen so far; 2 (I've been lucky). Most helpful comment from in-laws so far; "why don't you sit next to the pregnant ladies - they say it's contagious." (It's clearly not, you morons).
Womanlytales , day 6 of 2nd IUI cycle;
Gardenpixie , t-minus 3 days until sniffage for 1st cycle IVF at Guys, no. of doctors who have taken blood / prodded my ladybits: entire collection of Drs in the whole of London; most helpful comment from DH "if you don't want to do IVF, we could always buy another puppy" erm, thanks DH, I hadn't realised puppies increased one's chances of conception ...
BellaBlister, day 8 of 1st ICSI cycle although a year ago a different doctor told us we'd be having IUI later that month. I found out it was completely wrong when I phoned to chase up appointment dates. Refused to see that doctor again! Helpful comments so far include, relax and it'll happen, adopt and it'll happen, go on holiday and it'll happen and so on.

------

Carebear, 33, ttc 3.5 yrs, no previous bfp, possible PCOS / short luteal phase but docs not sure, on day 5 of 1st IVF cycle at Guys, injecting fostemon and sniffing suprecur.
Teds, 33, ttc 11 months, male factor, FSH 9.5, awaiting 'carrier' test results, expecting to start ICSI at Guys in July
Gardenpixie, 35, ttc 3yrs, unexplained infertility, start IVF treatment with Guys on the 23rd
Bondi, 35, ttc 2yrs, unexplained, no previous bfp, start IVF when AF decides to turn up grrrrrrrr
Bodeccia, 35, ttc 6 years, unexplained, nulliparous (just used that word from a letter I got from the clinic), starting IVF when AF shows up, probably early June.
WomanlyTales, 35, ttc 2yrs for #1, PCOS, Day 6 of second IUI cycle
BellaBlister, 35, ttc #1 for 4 yrs, male factor and weirdly long cycles, day 8 of 1st ICSI cycle injecting suprecur.

Hope you all have a lovely weekends! x

Hi all,

Teds, I loved the comment about sitting next to pregnant ladies - did you manage to keep a straight face? I think I would have exploded at that!
Womanly glad the injections are going ok, are you getting any side effects? How did the accupuncture go? Think I am going to go with the £300 guy (if we get to that stage) as if it doesn't work i'll just be thinking would that have made the difference.
Garden is it tomorrow you start sniffing? Will it be suprecur? How are you feeling about it, did your 'how to sniff' session help? I did laugh at your comment about ladybits.
Jumping great news about the referral, and glad its made you feel back in control again.
Bodeccia I really like the annagram (and I love desserts - I did specially check with the nurse today at guys and she was very positive about continuing to eat them!)
Bella what is it with the telling us to relax thing? the nurse today again said it, right after she'd stuck a needle in my arm and a plastic phallic shape up my .....!
Kool, Luck, Hippy and anyone else, hi and are you ok? Post and let us know what's going on for you.

Well my update is that i went to guys again today for a scan and bloods (day 8), all my follicles are a little small, there are 3 that are nearly the right size but the other 15 too small so far, they are upping my dosage slightly and i'm going back on monday. The nurse said it can change so I feel kind of neutral at the moment, not negative news just not really positive either.

Here's my positive thought for the day - its good that it hasn't happened for us yet, because this way we've still got it all to come! x x x

Love the thought of the day Care - My injections are going well - no side effects except for some emotional outpourings. My brother got on the phone this morning and asked if I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I burst into tears..quite strange... But he and SIL are 100% sure that we should have adopted a year back when they first said we should do so and today once again he said - why are you wasting your time with injections - just adopt and choose to be wonderful parents to the children that are out there already. It's certainly a point of view and I know he was only trying to show that he cares...
I gave the accupuncture a miss and instead spent the time cleaning the house - felt great :) Have you seen the thread out there on accupuncture - - there are places that offer affordable treatment by treating patients in a multi-bed environment - brings costs per session to about £15 -- so you might want to google that.

Womanly, it really does amaze me that people have such strong opinions on what would suit other people on this subject. Even though he's your brother, and yes if you do end up going down that road eventually then its great to know he would be so supportive and think so highly of it, but really its not something you can tell someone else that they ought to be doing. Besides you're only 35 and it's only been 2 years! It just shows you've got more patience and perseverance than they might have! I think its such a personal thing and you can only do each stage when you feel completely ready to. I think that's why its taken us 3.5 years before we've seriously contemplated ivf because we just weren't ready before and we definately wouldn't be ready to consider adoption until we were completely at the end of this road and probably had a good grieving period too. My brothers are both very opinionated on everything which is partly why I haven't told them anything! Thanks very much for the accupuncture tip - I googled it and there's one in my town - I'll ring them this week. x x x

womanly / Care think you summed that up perfectly - "you can only do each stage when you feel completely ready to" - adoption would be a wonderful thing but it's not where we are right now.

Oh and Care you're certainly being profound with your thoughts this weekend as love your positive thought too. Had a lovely weekend with DH doing loads of things it's unlikely we could do very easily with a little one. Lots of good things to be happy about and no reason to think we won't still get our little family, even if it takes a bit longer than expected!

Oh and I just smiled when the contagious comment was made - but I will explode at some point... my anger management isn't that great!

Hello lovely ladies

I hope you are well and enjoyed the weekend?

Womanly I really feel for you with the adoption comments. It's so hard when someone is trying to be supportive so you can't really blast them, but actually their comments are deeply inappropriate and unhelpful. DH and I have talked about adoption and it's something we're both open to but I don't think we could even begin to get our heads round it until we feel we've exhausted every other option.

Medicated IUI is meant to be really successful for couples where ovulation is a bit sporadic so I am really sure it will work for you. And, as you said, if it doesn't, you can cross that bridge when you come to it.

Teds how are you doing after your lovely weekend? I love the idea of just enjoying a bunch of things you won't be able to do when you have a little person. In the nicest possible way, I hope you don't have too many more chances for a weekend like that!

Bella how are the injections going? Hope they are still OK and that you're feeling alright.

Carebear I think I might be on a different drug to you - it's Synarel. The nurses told be at my appt that they are concerned I'll overreact to the stimulating drugs so I think my drugs regime is going to be longer and slower than most people's - I carry on sniffing until the 10th June when I have my next scan to check everything's stopped.

How did your scan go? It's very promising that you have 18 follicles all together and I really hope they've grown nicely for you over the weekend!

Bodeccia your STRESSED / DESSERTS point has really made me laugh. It's going to be hard to feel stressed without asking myself if I'm actually feeling like desserts ... which obviously I will be! How are you today?

Jumping do you have any news yet on your referral? Fingers crossed it all gets moving soon for you

Bondi have you had any luck getting AF started? Fingers crossed she shows up soon!

Waves to Luck Kool and Hippy I hope you ladies are all OK xxx

So I started sniffing this morning - despite worrying that I'd mess it up and miss my nose or something like that, I did manage to do it ! I only have to sniff twice a day so it's not too bad although it does seem like ages to my next scan (10th June). I know it's not actually ages but patience really isn't one of my strong points!

I was also thinking of booking a session with one of the counsellors at Guys - they offer free counselling and I thought it might give me a chance to have a rant at someone else so poor DH can have a break from the ear bashing. I know it sounds really daft but it will also give me something active to be getting on with before my next appt - and I'm sure that anything that can help me feel a bit calmer will help.

I obviously won't be giving up on our other prescribed activities such as regular pampering and shoe purchasing

Right, off for a walk with the hound in the blowy wind. I hope you all have a good Monday (if such a thing is possible ...?)

xxxxx

Thank you Care and Ted - It's just one of those things about my family where I have no choice but to put up with the crappy advice and hold steadfast to the faith that they care.
Care Best of luck for your appointment today. Hope you get to see many follicles at the right size so that you can move forward to the collection phase :)
Teds Agree with you that there's lots of things to do and enjoy while we're on our path to starting a family. I know I do get into the 'put everything on hold' mentality -- like I refuse to change jobs for the past three years because I feel like I will fall pregnant any time...and then I feel - gosh, stop already.
garden Congrats on starting the sniffing :) I hope they are going well adn you are not experiencing any ill effects. I will be joining you in taking up the counselling service that is available and I hope to get some help with better handling my 'Yes,But...' predicament.
IE, yes, fertility treatment will help, BUT....x,y,z.
Here's an example:
I went for my Day 9 scan and there's a 23.5mm follicle on my left ovary. This sounds like a resounding YES...only to be followed quickly with an even more resounding BUT casea: it could be a follicle growing from the previous cycle (however, if this is the case then where's the follicle that responded to all the injections I am taking this cycle? There aren't any other except for an 8mm in the right ovary); caseb:it could be a cyst (however, since it's this early in a medicated cycle, we think it's the real deal than a cyst.)

OK - so now what? Does this mean this follicle is all but ready to pop? Another YES (Typically follicles can release an egg anywhere from 16mm - 24mm). BUT they will confirm with some blood tests if I need the Ovitrelle injection or not...

Mmmm - So what if I do pop on my own? Won't we need to inseminate like now? Yes... BUT they are not sure yet.

Mmmm - I have not ovulated despite the Ovitrelle injection in the past - Are we going to confirm ovulation this cycle? (The doctor spends a quick 10 sec reviewing my past history..while saying "we expect everybody to ovulate with Ovitrelle," then spots my consultant's letter confirming that I did not ovulate with Ovitrelle, and quickly says, mmm we'll schedule you in for tests if you FEEL it necessary.) IF I FEEL IT NECESSARY? Who are the medical experts here? So I nod my head saying, yes, I feel it necessary.

So here I am ladies, feeling like I have been strapped to this giant sized Yes-But pendulum swinging to&fro too scared to hope it will stop because what IF it stops at the BUT end of things and refuses to kickstart again?

I am going to spend the rest of the day imagining I am on the YES side of things and that like the BBC show on creation (it's on iPlayer) - my follicle is ready to pop -- in fact, I am going to watch that follicle popping a few times just to give my body some help in figuring out what to do next - what say? LOL if sports folks can do it (visualization stuff), so can we - right?

My quote for the day: Trying and failing is better than not trying at all. and if you would prefer a song, here's one I love -

May your follicles bloom this week and the next and garden I pray June 10 comes really quickly for you :)

Hi all

Just a quickie to add my stats to the list and to let you know that I'm still here! After our crap news last Mon, we're talking the view that 10% is 10% and we may well be one of the couples in that 10%. Plus, we've got a week's hol at the beginning of June so we're looking forward to that. I am sooo tired, I'm literally CRAWLING towards it.

My acupuncturist has recommended all sorts of anti-oxidants and vitamins etc for good egg health so what with those and my Pregnacrae pre-conception ones I am rattling with supplements at the moment. Wish they were Smarties...

Anyway, here are the stats:

Carebear, 33, ttc 3.5 yrs, no previous bfp, possible PCOS / short luteal phase but docs not sure, on day 5 of 1st IVF cycle at Guys, injecting fostemon and sniffing suprecur.
Teds, 33, ttc 11 months, male factor, FSH 9.5, awaiting 'carrier' test results, expecting to start ICSI at Guys in July
Gardenpixie, 35, ttc 3yrs, unexplained infertility, start IVF treatment with Guys on the 23rd
Bondi, 35, ttc 2yrs, unexplained, no previous bfp, start IVF when AF decides to turn up grrrrrrrr
Bodeccia, 35, ttc 6 years, unexplained, nulliparous (just used that word from a letter I got from the clinic), starting IVF when AF shows up, probably early June.
WomanlyTales, 35, ttc 2yrs for #1, PCOS, Day 6 of second IUI cycle
Luckbealady, 39, ttc 2 years, no previous bfp, unexplained - although wrinkly ovaries and bemused swimmers not helping - start ICSI with Leeds end of June.

Womanly just hang on in there. I was in a v bad place last Mon and Tues, but the pendulum swung up again and I'm now feeling a lot more positive. Helped by a weekend of jolliness with friends and family and much singing. If all else fails, I'm very lucky with the lovely people who surround me

xxxx

PS someone's just brought in their baby to work. I held her for a bit and she burst out crying - I'm obviously a natural!!

Thanks luck - Am happy you're at a better place after a weekend with your friends :) Love the comment on the smarties.

Quick update - I will be taking the Ovitrelle injection today, insemination on Weds and progesterone test a week after... so here goes people - Everything crossed :)

ooooh everything is crossed here for you!!! Sending positive thoughts and good vibes. xxx

Garden great news that you've started sniffing now, and good idea to fill the time between now and 9th June with something else. Its the waiting isn't it that makes things so hard! Wouldn't it come round that much quicker if it was an exam or driving test or something!
Womanly, how frustrating! It is exasperating how even these experts really can't be exact and there's so many different opinions on things. I did smile at your 'yes I think its necessary' comment. Massive fingers crossed for you this week.
Luck glad you're feeling more positive. What were you singing?!

Well I'm feeling a bit despondant today. My head is saying all the right things but my heart is just not feeling it. I am just so tired in spirit, do you know what I mean? I had another scan today and I still don't have enough follicles at the right size. There are only 2 now at about 13/14 mm and the other 21 are less than 11mm. Apparantly that's quite typical of PCOS to have lots of follicles that are too small. A good crop would be 8-12 and I have a measly 2 so far. . I could so easily down several crates of and eat a huge dunkin box of . I'm going back on weds so we shall see.

Carebear, 33, ttc 3.5 yrs, no previous bfp, possible PCOS, on day 10 of 1st IVF cycle at Guys.
Teds, 33, ttc 11 months, male factor, FSH 9.5, awaiting 'carrier' test results, expecting to start ICSI at Guys in July
Gardenpixie, 35, ttc 3yrs, unexplained infertility, start IVF treatment with Guys on the 23rd
Bondi, 35, ttc 2yrs, unexplained, no previous bfp, start IVF when AF decides to turn up grrrrrrrr
Bodeccia, 35, ttc 6 years, unexplained, nulliparous (just used that word from a letter I got from the clinic), starting IVF when AF shows up, probably early June.
WomanlyTales, 35, ttc 2yrs for #1, PCOS, Day 6 of second IUI cycle
BellaBlister, 35, ttc #1 for 4 yrs, male factor and weirdly long cycles, day 8 of 1st ICSI cycle injecting suprecur.
Luckbealady, 39, ttc 2 years, no previous bfp, unexplained - although wrinkly ovaries and bemused swimmers not helping - start ICSI with Leeds end of June.

Care sorry you're feeling down I don't know if it helps but I figure that IVF/IUI are for those of us who have slightly imperfect reproductive systems. If you or I were the type of people to produce 20 lovely follicles, that produced 20 eggs of amazing quality, then we probably wouldn't be here in the first place. It may take some time for the doctors to figure out how to get us 'working' but it's people like you and me, with our little imperfections, who are successful with IVF.

garden well done on the first-time-sniffing-success! And 10 June will be here before you know it... honest

Luck glad you are still here and that you are feeling more positive. Though I'm not sure we should allow you to call your ovaries 'wrinkly' - I'm sure they are lovely ovaries really.

Womanly I have my fingers, toes and everything crossable, crossed.

Hi ladies,

Thanks Gardenpixie - if it is any help to your friend I have had real success with 'getting regular'. Took a couple of months and I have to say I wasn't as bad a 9 months with out a period, but if you find a nice acupuncturist they should be talking to you all the time about all sorts of things in you background to taylor your treatment for you. As I understand it there are two types of acupuncture, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Five Element Acupuncture. I think TCM is is the more 'medical' approach, treating symptoms, where as the Five Element Acupuncture is tries to address the route cause of the problem (apologies if that is completely wrong!). I had an acupuncturist first who was more clinical and although I got some relief from symptoms, it is not as wonderful as what am getting from the lady I go to now. She seems to do a highbred of the two and always wants to know about the strangest of things!! Must be working as I have been 29 days for the last 3 cycles!! Not sure if I am ovulating for certain but that has got to be a good sign hasn't it?

On a related note, Luchbealady my acupuncturist has offered extra sessions when I finally get to the guts of the process. £300 does sound a bit steep though, she charges me £40 per hour, which is reasonable I think. I have given up hair cuts and it it is roughly cost neutral at the moment

Hi Teds thanks for the advice about the supplements, I am still taking mine but DH has given up as it gave him the squits! These men are delicate aren't they?

Hi Womanlytales have you found with you PCOS that you get a lot of pain when you do have a period? I was finding that it was making me pass out in the most embarrassing situations!

Hello to you too Carebear and Bellablister. I sincerely wish everyone the best of luck with the stages they are at. I still feel like I don't know what to expect about the process however much research I do. I have my last test on Wednesday (AMH) before we have our first appointment with the consultant. I am a little weary as DH is on business in India, and I am not sure I want to know how long I have left until my menopause! It is way to much like mortality!

I have everything cross for all you heroines!

Good luck womanly, I've got everything crossed for you :)

Carebear: take each day at a time, who knows what magic can do before Wednesday. I'm thinking of you.

Good luck with your appointment Becca on Wednesday, if DH can't go, will you be able to go with a friend? These things are always better with someone than on your own.

Still on AF watch here. Will still be a couple of weeks by all accounts, I'm just checking in.