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

Have just seen this thread and thought I'd sneak in to send my love to my old Frolicker womanly. I have always admired your strength and determination and am so happy to see that you have not lost any of your spirit or optimism. Sending everything your way lovely, remember- good things come to good people and you are most certainly one of those xxxx

Waves to garden

Lots of love flick

PS. sorry for crashing in!

Quick wave to Care - hope you have a lovely restful weekend and start to feel a bit less knackered.

And a ((hug)) for pumpkin. Definitely get a haircut or buy something new or do something to treat yourself. Obviously it won't make everything okay but if definitely makes me feel a bit more confident/nice about myself and my roobish fertility skills xxx.

Morning ladies

Flick hello! Lovely to see you in MN land! Hope you've had fun catching up on the Frolicker news. I feel like I've let the group down a bit by needing such drastic measures to help sort out a bean ... so I've not really posted on there since starting the IVF journey but I do like having a lurk! Pop back and see us again soon xxx

Pumpkin I think you've done absolutely the right thing taking time off - it's a kind of grief when this doesn't work out and I'm sure you are dealing with all manner of added frustration about the fertilisation issues too. Sounds like you are being tremendously strong and I am so pleased that Mr Pumpkin has taken time off too.

Obviously it's a total arse about only getting one try on the NHS - when you are ready to start thinking about it, it might be worth looking at the clinics that do NHS and private treatments; I know at Guys they do a self-funded option which is about £1000 less than going private (it's effectively the NHS service rather than a full on consultant led private service). Hopefully your Drs will talk you through all of that when you go to see them.

And definitely go and get your hair done - you can always say you were feeling better by the weekend anyway [naughty pixie emoticon]

I know there is nothing anyone can do to make it any easier - but you know we are all sending our love xxx

Care thanks for the info on the dosage. It's funny because we were put on totally different drugs for both stages - I'm on gonal-F. No idea why How are you feeling today? When is your appt with the consultant to go through things? I hope you are doing OK and that your frozen embryos are getting ready to come out to play. Do you think you'll go for a single transfer again?

kool sorry to hear about the hot flushes - I had them too but they seemed to ease off after a few days. I guess it's like going through the menopause - great! Hope you're feeling OK on them apart from the heat waves xxx

Sheila put a yabby on the barby (sorry, my only oz vocab has been gleaned from Home&Away!) your test story made me laugh. 9 months of summer! Hope you're staying sane - not long till sunday!

Bodeccia hope you have a good time away with work ... and, may I just congratulate you on your awesome vibe artwork? I am most at your graphic design skills!

Foxy Teds excellent to hear about the highlights! I laugh (ironically) when I think of all the things DH and I have stopped doing while TTC. It will all be worth it! And I'm sure the extra spring in your step from having sexy new hair will mean your eggs will be super irresistable to Mr Teds' swimmers

Womanly how are you today lovely? Big hugs and

Hello to all the other ladies too - hope you are well.

I am quite excited because I felt some pain around my ovaries this morning which, I hope, means that the stim drugs are doing their thing. However, gonal-F is also meant to cause fartiness so it could just have been wind

Happy Fridays all round xxxx

Hi Ladies

Sorry It's been Hectic at work THANK YOU THANK YOU For all the advies I phoned Guy's this morning and spoke to someone who didn't really know what to tell me so I'll try again on Monday(or maybe a little later and see if I get through to someone else :) ) So in the mean time I'll keep going to the gym and running home to see if my Golden ticket has arrived.

It's so Funny as I'm really trying to keep up with all of you guys it's seem's as though you all have it mastered and as I haven't started anything yet I can't really give much advise :( But I can be the one that ask's silly question's. :0

XXX

Pumpkin I think you're showing so much strength and glad you're taking a bit of time to recover. This is such a physical grief and is so hard to cope with, think you can be proud of how you're handling it. ICSI can be really ssuccessful and it might be you've found the one thing causing a problem, maybe you've just got tough barriered eggies

Teds how you getting on with the waiting? When's your appt again?

BonDi wishing you loads of sunshine soaked luck for your test, is it tomorrow?

Bells hope the bean is nesting well. Have you been given a prognosis of how long you might have left with your mum? Can't imagine all the emotions you must be going through right now. Big hugs.

GP do you know I think I am a dimwit as have realised that I wasn't treated at guys at all I was at the bridge centre. As this is opposite guys hospital I thought they were the same thing, doh. Might explain the different meds. Loads of luck for the scan tomorrow, hope it goes great let us know after.

Waves everyone else

Thanks all you lovely ladies for your kind words over the last few days. I'm struggling on. My Mum is now home, as the hospital has said they can't do anything else for her, and we've been told that it's now a matter of days. We're doing our best to keep her comfortable - I'm with my Dad and sister, and of course our wonderful husbands. We're all lucky to have fantastic support and love from friends and family, so although it's awful and we are all absolutely devastated, we're hanging in there.

On the IVF front, well, I almost put it out of my mind completely for a couple of days with everything going on, but have been feeling much more emotional the last couple of days. It feels so important that it works, and however much I tell myself that that we have other chances with our embryos on ice, I really want this one to work. And all the twinges and aches - it's so hard to know what's going on. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I'm hanging in there.

I haven't completely caught up with where everyone is, but a quick message for Pumpkin - I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear your news. That happened to us on our first round (with ICSI) and it was really upsetting. Very hard to come to terms with the sudden end to the cycle just when you feel it's getting going. And it's really hard to pick yourselves up and try again. But... a bad result first time doesn't necessarily mean a bad result second. We were amazed not just to get 1 but 6 fertilised eggs this time round. I really hope that if you try again you get the same luck.

Big hugs to you all

Pumpkin Its perfectly normal to feel the way you do. Life is just so unfair sometimes. Can I ask why NHS is no longer an option for you? Surely its not one strike and then out? One thing i do know is that you WILL get through this and we are all here for any ranting, crying, shouting and all of the above.

Teds the question is... did you pick the correct answer? go the blonde highlight whooop whoooopp (my roots are shocking)

I am not in Oz at the mo. Lived in Bondi for over 6 years and DH is an aussie. Great place and where we will end up eventually. OK ladies, its 2 more sleeps til I test. I am bricking it although am quite liking my bigger boobs from the progesteron pessaries. Can report farting has decreased as the week have progressed.... intake of chocolate has however rocketed. Dying for a wine. God knows how I will get through 3mths before i can have a glass a week if i do in fact get + result

ok - i missed a whole page of posts. sorry i just wanted to send an extra special note to Bella I know you want this one to work so much. we are all wanting it for you so much too.

You say your mum has only a few days. gosh, i just cant imagine what you are going through. one thing i know about people i have lost is that they will always be with you. the love never goes and the memories remain. its just like they are in another room. i hope that doesnt sound silly to you. but i do feel she will always be with you. xx

THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU LOVELY LADIES!! It is so nice to come on here and have so much support and I'm sending you (((((())))))) right back at you all. We have an appt on thurs to discuss failed cycle :( which I am DREADING but DH more upbeat. They are suggesting its more to do with egg quality rather than sperm as his sample is good. Am now obsessing calmly browsing websites to see how I can improve on this for next time. Any ideas or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Well its a sunny day for at least the moment-I am planning a nice relaxing time going to get the papers and then make a scrummy breakfast.. We'll see how this PMA will last as my mood changes so much these days. Seeing my MIL later who is lovely and then seeing daddy dearest tomorrow and staying with him for a couple of nights-think I might get a bit spoiled..oh well! It will at least give DH a break from me.

I will check in with you in a few days and properly name check (forgive me) but just please know I am so appreciative of this thread-it is such a life line to me at the moment and it is filled with kindness. I know I'm quite a newbie on this whole awful road but I hope to give as much support in turn. Just want to mention to Bella I am again so very sorry to hear the sad news about your mum. It really is such a sad and sensitive time for you, especially after ET. I am glad you have the support of your family and wonderful DH. There is little anyone can say to make you feel 'better' at the moment-try and rest as much as is realistic and take comfort from your loved ones and special moments as a family. I am thinking of you as is everyone here.

Love and hope to all

Hi Pumpkin, hope you have a lovely few days and that your appointment next week can give you some answers. I think zinc and a quite protein heavy diet may be of help. Keep with the PMA and am sure the other ladies will agree that none of us on here expects anything from others so don't you worry about that, just nice to chat with others who understand .

Bella, thinking of you. Glad to hear you have a great family to be with, sending positive vibes for you xx

Sorry not to do a full catch up, have guests this weekend after a day at Ascot yesterday, so will have a proper read through the thread tomorrow.

Waves to everyone else, good luck to Bondi for testing tomorrow.

Hi ladies, just about to go out to a friends so apologies for the short post ... My blood test results from this morning just came through and they're not great ... I have to go for a scan and more tests tomorrow as my oestrogen levels were "higher than expected at this stage" - I asked the nurse if the levels are indicative of OHSS and she said they might be hence going in again tomorrow. So am now obviously convinced they will cancel my cycle tomorrow! Just have to hold tight I guess; will post again once I know more tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a lovely Saturday night xxxx

Just to quickly jump in and say good luck Bondi We have everything crossed for you xxxxxxxx

Hang in there Garden xx

((( Bella ))) ((( pumpkin ))) ((( carebear )))

Garden how infuriating....I do hope that at this stage, even if it is ohss that they might be able to tweak the drugs and continue the cycle? I really hope so hon x

Bondi........so?! Come on, the suspense is killing me! Good luck!!

Welcome closelight

Its a BFP!!!

Not much else to say really. Just so happy to convey good news. Obviously, only the blood test will confirm. I do believe you can get a false positive as a result of the hormone trigger but, for now I am going to take my two little lines as an indication that my little bean wants to hang around.

Garden I think Kools right - Hang in there. Dont lose hope. We are right behind you!

Big hugs to all.

eeeeeeeep! I knew it! Yay, yay, yay!

When is the blood test?! I'm sure you're probably feeling a bit shell shocked but I hope you have a lovely day and that aussiebean is getting nice and comfy!

Hoorah Bondi!!!! excellent news

Wow Bondi that's fabulous! Our first BFP!!! When is the blood test? Fingers crossed it confirms that aussiebean is settling in for the long haul! And of course I got the question right

Thinking of you Bella and your family as well. Hope you are all able to find the strength and love you need from each other at this horrible time x.

Pumpkin - I've posted this a few times, and it might leave you rattling, but I'm taking wheatgress, royal jelly, bee propolis, co-enzyme Q10, omega 3-6-9 plus my pregnacare conception. Also having EPO prior to ovulation. These are all things that are meant to feed your eggs/ovaries but hopefully your doctor will be able to give more advice. Bella's advice is good as well - I remember her posting about her first cycle on here and yet her second cycle has been very different. Look after yourself and hope Thursday's appointment helps you work out what next.

GP hang in there and hope you get some answers today x.

Wow Bondi what happy news, congratulations!

My scan showed I have 18 follicles on my left ovary and over 20 on my right. My oestrogen levels are also 5000 when they should be 1500. So it's not looking great... Am going in again tomorrow...

Hope everyone's Sunday is going well xxx

Fab news bondi huge congrates

Wonderful news Bondi, our first BFP, you must be delighted!!!

GP sounds like very positive news about the number of follicles so that's a great start. Have they given you anything to lower your oestrogen levels? Can they do something to bring it down? Glad they are keeping a close eye on you, hopefully they are doing all they can and will help get it under control, try not to worry could be just a reaction to the drugs and not bad news. Am doing an oestrogen lowering dance for you . Sending you big hugs lovely {{{{{ }}}}}}

Bella thinking of you too, hoping you are having some special moments that you will treasure forever.

Teds do you take all those seperately? Where did you find these recommended? Are any of them supposed to aid implantation?

Pumpkin glad you are getting spoiled this weekend.

Waves to Kool, Luck, Skitoo, Bodeccia and anyone else I've not namechecked.

x x x

Hurrah hurrah Bondi fabulous news! I'm so chuffed for you and a big HELLO to your little bean!!

Your news has really helped me, because my drugs arrived on Fri and just looking at all those hormones and needles really brought me down. But you are proving that it IS worth it and it does work. Phew!

gardenpixie big hugs and I hope they look after you tomorrow. You're our inspiration here and we're all rooting for you ((()))

Love to all xxx

Hi All,

Thanks for your well wishes. I did another test this morning and thankfully it was also positive. My consultant has said he doesnt do blood tests and does a 5week scan instead so I will have to go in next week. I supose I could contact my GP if I REALLY wanted to have a blood or simply insist with my clinic. Still on cloud nine and cant quite believe my luck.

Luck great to hear your drugs have arrived and you can start your journey. It IS worth it. You are quite right. Just try and stay glass half full with all of this!

Hope Monday isnt too much of a grind for you all.

Garden thinking of you lots again today, I do hope you get more positive news.

care how are you doing? Just wanted to let you know that I take the Zita West vitamins (vitafem and vitafem boost). I've no idea if they're any better than anything else you could take but I like to feel like they might be helping. They are quite expensive though. And they are giving me glow in the dark wees!

Luck sorry that the arrival of your drugs gave you a bit of a wobble, it's a bit overwhelming isn't it? Just hide the ones you don't need for the time being and just take each part one step at a time. I'm still on my down regs so I'm ignoring the injections in the fridge at the mo!

Bondi glad it's still good news, I'm sure if there was much doubt about the accuracy of poas tests they'd get you in for a blood test for sure, so I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. And it's good that you'll get a scan next week too. How exciting! Any symptoms yet?!

Thinking of you Bella xx

Morning All - boo to it being Monday!

Bondi, still great news, as Teds and Care said 'our first BFP' . Hopefully some comfort but my consultant said exactly the same when I got my BFP last year, they don't do blood tests but rely solely upon HPT's and then early scan. I did question and they said HPT's are so accurate these days that they don't need to do bloods. So please keep floating around on your cloud .

Garden, hope your appointment gives you some good news today, stay strong, thinking of you and joining Care in the oestrogen lowering dance xx.

Luck, fab news on the drugs arriving, can imagine it might be a bit daunting but it means you're on your way now, after I'm sure a long long wait .

How you doing Kool are you still down regging, how are the flushes?

Care I'm most about all the supplements too! I did take pregnacare but had to stop that, so now take seperate vit B12, selenium, zinc and of course folic acid. Try to get a good balanced diet with plenty of iron, omega 3, vit c etc. Also eat a lot of grapefruit and pineapple as heard thats good for various stages but not really sure what I'm missing out on from not taking a pre-conception multi-vit?? Maybe I should try the ZW ones.... Was also told following my accupuncture that I have a blood deficiency and advised to up my red meat intake and get myself some Floradix - liquid iron supplement, its disgusting.

Hi to everyone else, Teds, Bodeccia, Close, Pumpkin, Bella and anyone else I've missed - hope everyone has a good week