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

Oh gardenpixie I feel as bereft as if it was happening to me - I'm so sorry this one hasn't worked out and that you've had such a miserable time. You brought us all together and have kept us sane over the past few weeks, and we are SO grateful for that. You're our inspiration and mood enhancer, and have made a bunch of strangers up and down the country help and support each other. You deserve a medal, lady! And a BFP. Take your time, have lots of TLC and go steady (as they say in these northern parts), and we'll see you when you feel ready to post again. In the meantime, think about how you've helped us all and how we all feel blessed for being on this thread with such lovely, supportive people.

I feel like blubbing now! big hugs (((()))) and I hope the nasty drugs clear out of your system quick smart, so you can feel better. A quiet but encouraging little 'wimbaway' from me.

xx

Oh GP I'm so gutted for you, I totally agree with what Bondi and Teds said. You've totally brought everyone together on here and been so supportive of everyone else. Sending you an enormous hug and hope you have lots of wine, spa treatments, shopping and anything else that might help a bit. Hope u will stick around and maybe we can do another round together at some point. Lots of love. X x x

GP just wanted to add my sympathy to what the others have already said. I'm really sorry it's been such a tough cycle for you. I really hope you can have some downtime to get over it all and find some strength to try again when you're ready. Hopefully whoever treats you next will be able to learn lots from your experiences this time round.

Big hugs xx

Garden, I think the other ladies in this amazing group that you have formed have said it all. I really am so deeply gutted for you, so so sorry that this wasn't your time and it was a pretty horrid experience. I hope you and DH can take some much needed time out, spoil yourselves and then when you're ready take stock of your options.

I hope the nasty drugs leave your body asap and you feel better soon. Lots of love and massive (((((hugs))))) xxx

Hello ladies, sorry I haven't been around for a while- been away and lots going on. Haven't read the thread properly, but i gather there are some congratulations, and some comiserations. Garden I am so sorry you had such a rubbish time- it just isn't fair.
I am due to start down reg with my next period, prob in a week or so. Just been over for consultation in Leeds (flew there and back in one day for appointments- not much fun!) and DH had a catastrophic SA. Count only 1 million, 13% motility but 0% morphology. He's been asked to come back over next week to freeze a back up sperm sample, but I don't understand what good it will do. How likely is ICSI to work with such low numbers? Esp 0% morphology. I'm so petrified that I'll go through all the treatment and then there won't be any suitable sperm to do the procedure. It's all costing so much it's scary We asked if we should delay treatment to see if we can improve things but Dr said it wouldn't make much difference (he was generally pretty unhelpful I have to say). Wish we'd chosen a different clinic now I hated yesterday so much.

Oh ladies, you are just the best

Thank you for your support and kind words, they have really cheered me up. And luck I had such a chuckle at the wimberway!

I can't tell you how much better I feel - I think the down regs were still making me feel rubbishy even though I had cut down the dose when I got on the stims, and the antibiotics have made my arm feel a lot less cross.

I think DH and I will try again with Guys on the short protocol as it sounds like the drug regimen will be a lot less gruelling for my rubbish hypersensitive body and, as my ovaries seem to super-ovulate as soon as they just catch a whiff of the stims, I am sure they will grow enough follicles to make it worthwhile. I seem to remember from my scans when I was on clomid that they would happily grow about 8 medium sized ones and one or two >18mm with just 100mgs of clomid so I am feeling confidence they will rise to the challenge!

The consultant asked us to come back once AF starts (which should be in two weeks) and then we might be able to start the stims the first day of the following AF.

So I hope you'll all have had your BFPs by then but I'll be here to keep any stragglers company

Ellan sorry you had a less than inspiring consultation. My understanding of morphology issues is that the actual DNA in the head of the sperm is still fine, it's just that the little chaps can't get to the eggs because their tails aren't the right shape to propel them. So ICSI is perfect as they pick the best of the swimmers based on motility and DNA staining (don't know exactly what this is but that's what the embryologist told us as Mr Garden only has 4% normal morphology). So it doesn't mean that the sperm can't do their thing, just that they need some help.

Hope everyone else is OK - it's almost the weekend!

I am going to put my drug reprieve to good use and sniff out something fizzy and boozy this evening

Waggle dances for everyone

xxxx

Very quick as am dashing out for a girly

GP glad that you are already feeling a bit better and that there is a clear plan that will start soon.

ellan so sorry about your news. I'm absolutely not trying to win a 'well you think you're unlucky, look at me it's even worst' competition but just to say that Mr Teds' sperm count is 0.2 million and they don't even bother with the mortility and morphology counts! However, Guys insist that whilst this obviously isn't great, they can still get ICSI to work. Where there's one, there is a way sort-of-thing, so stay hopeful xx.

Lol Teds you win! So if they think they can do it with your DH's count, they must be able to do it with ours right? Repeat after me 'it only takes one, it only takes one'...
garden I love that you sound positive about the next go. Don't worry I'll still be here! Might end up having to delay treatment by a few months while they try to get some good samples from DH to freeze for back up. It's such a b**r that he has to fly there and back though as we live in the arse end of nowhere such a long way away.

Oh Garden so nice to hear you're feeling a lot more chipper already . Sounds like the meds that are meant to be exiting your body are and the others are kicking in to sort out your poorly arm. I can't tell you how much better I feel in the last few weeks as I haven't been taking any drugs, so hopefully the same for you. Make sure you and Mr Garden enjoy yourself for the next couple of weeks and if you haven't already, go get some of that lovely fizzy stuff .

Am so glad you're going to go back and see the peeps at Guys, as they will no doubt have you all sorted now they understand a whole load more about the little garden maze! And there's no chance you'll be on your own as I'm still a few weeks away before I get going so will be over the moon to have someone still around to hold my hand.

Hi Ellan, the others info has hopefully relaxed you some, it absolutely does only take 1, repeat, repeat, repeat . At our consultation we asked if they wanted to repeat DH's test, as it was last done a year ago, to see if his good behaviour had had a positive effect but they were damn confident that they would find what they needed.

Enjoy your girly night Teds, waves to everyone else xx

garden am very happy to see u feeling better and off those awful drugs.. two weeks will fly by quick, I am sure. I am quite overwhelmed reading about your cycle and all the twists and horrible effects... yet through it all you showed ibcredible courage... there is n't anything they asked of u that u did not do. Enjoy your break, you thoroughly deserve it and more. As for the bfp and bfn, I do not think that these are acceptable measures of success. All we have as a measure of our success is what we can do ourselves... so this cycle you have triumphed because u did all that you could. Between our efforts and that bfp or bfn is a box of unknowns. We or the doctors or any other human endeavour have no control over that box. It functions n its own. The bfp or bfn is a result of our success and that of this box of unknowns. So as much as our heart desires and wishes for the bfp, let's accept the role this box of unknowns needs to play... and frankly let ourselves OFF the bloody hook... we do not produce the bfp ourselves... there are things out of our control and it's this partnership that needs to work and is ultimately responsible. So let's do our part and then put our feet up and relax... I feel that this cycle the box of unknowns did not join our dancing.. and that is ok. There will be that time when our partnership works and let's trust that and look forward to it. All around.d me are examples of people falling pregnant despite improbable odds ... and that is wonderful. As you drink and be merry, let go of ur anger and toast that box too because ur bfp is out there and waiting to happen.
Not sure if that makes sense... just something that makes me relax these days and brings me peace. Big hug, my brave garden. Wish for ur body to heal quickly... esp ur arms.

And ps I am not leaving this thread till you are ready..:)

Hi Ladies, I know I am now one of the lucky ones but as I am still on here vowing to make myself useful I did want to say one thing about my own journey to BFP that I believe was a hugely influential factor.

Postitive mindset.

For the past 2 years there seemed to be something deep deep down that was blocking my confidence that we could get pregnant. We are unexplained infertility and for some reason I could not ever get my head around the "i will get pregnant" factor. There was this little wall between me and getting pregnant.

As you know I now have an IVF BFP and the fact is, when I started the IVF unlike the clomid cycles and the IUI, I somehow managed to turn that negativity around and convinced myself that THIS TIME it was going to work. Previously, it was almost as if I was protecting myself and not really having any faith that it would happen... basically to avoid the disappoitment when I got another BFN. Self preservation I guess

So... I what I am saying is why not give this a go and pick your time and BELIEVE you can do. Dont just hope, know it can happen. Obvisouly, you can read this and think its all pile of poop and you have every right to. Its just my own personal take on things and it may or may not be relevant.

Garden I think after what you have been through the short protocol will be a breeze. If you have any questions about it message me directly.

Right - I'm off to enjoy the warmth - wishing you all a lovely weekend

Totally agree Bondi How's upduffness going? Hope you're feeling well! Can I ask why you did the short protocol btw? I wasn't given an option so I'm not sure why I'm doing the long one.

I started injecting on Friday, it's going fine so far although I'm on a low dose as I'm at risk of ohss....grrrr. Even before starting stims I had 20 follicles on each ovary, is that a lot? Anyway, it meant that I'm on a low dose and will be having regular bloods done.

Hope everyone else is doing well

Kool I chose short. I was given the choice by the consultant. I think this may have been a) because I have unexplained infertility. Had regular cycles etc... Also consultant said it mean fewer drugs etc.. b) Its a slightly newer treatment apparently... I wonder if the drugs are more expensive so NHS dont offer it so readily? I have never done long protocol so cant compare but the injecting was over and done with in 10 days. Cant complain with that.

I think 20 follicles sounds a lot but it depends on the size. After my second scan (day 10 maybe....cant be sure) there were around 10 at the 15mm+ mark in total and lots of small ones. I ended up with 10 eggs.

Upduffness is good. I have BOOBS!!! Nothing else to make me think I am growing my bean although seem to have found my sex drive after losing it totally from all the years of trying! DH is over the moon.

Hello, I'm a newbie - just started menopur injections 2 days ago, first round of IVF after 3 unsuccessful rounds of IUI. Unexplained infertility, I'm 38 so really hoping IVF will work. I'm finding the menopur injections really difficult and stressful. I'm on the short 21 day protocol, hoping to have egg collection 15th. This thread has really helped me so thanks to you all and good luck!

hello all, welcome caramel, sorry the injections are stressful for you- if you discover any good tips to make it easier let me know!
I'm so frustrated today ,because I'm supposed to get AF in the next couple of days, and then get my zoladex injection to down regulate, but I think I'm having an odd cycle- lots of patches of EWCM since I thought I ovulated, so I'm not sure if i'm having an anovulatory cycle. It's the only time in my life that I'm wishing af would hurry up and come!

Welcome caramel and good luck. Are you having difficult side effects with the injections or is it difficult to actually do them? I'm on gonal f (or something like that...) subcutaneous. Was nervous about doing them but the best advice the nurse gave to me was not to think about it and just do it, which is working so far. I guess we're at similar stages as I started them on Friday although I'm on long protocol so I'm not sure if our timings will differ?

Hehe Bondi congrats on your !! Are you carrying on with acupuncture?

bondi Thank you for sharing - It is hard to be positive - however that doesn't take away from the importance of believing in positive outcomes :) Hope you're enjoying the lovely weather :)
Welcome caramel
ellan The 2ww is really the pits - am in mine as well and I can't wait for AF to show up (or not) - both equally so - LOL. Here's to wishing with you.

have a good week ladies

Hi caramel, welcome. You and kool and I will be injection buddies as I start mine on Wed. Not looking forward to it, but kool, your nurse's advice sounds good, just get it over with as quickly as poss - like ripping off a plaster. Brave words - will let you know how I go on!

A good friend has cheered me up by saying I'll be like Ewan MacGregor in Trainspotting, shooting up every day, and she played Born Slippy down the phone to me. So now when I inject I'll have "LAGER LAGER LAGER" in my head which will make me giggle. Apols to any former addicts out there, but hey, anything to help me deal with it. And anything to make me think of lovely Ewan....gazes off into the distance

garden I'm happy you're feeling so much better, and you have a plan. And bondi, it makes so much sense to be thinking postively, but I really struggle to do it - having been told our chances are 10% I am now assuming it won't happen and then will be utterly amazed if it does. Does anyone know what will happen if ICSI isn't successful? What next for an overweight 39-year-old? Do I get a go of Clomid? They've pushed us straight on to ICSI because of my age without trying anything else.

xx

Hello All - hope everyone had lovely weekends.

Welcome Caramel, sorry you're having a tough time with the injections, maybe they'll get easier with practice? Like Kool says think you've just got to go for it and try not to think too much .

Bondi, thanks for your bit on positivity, great timing, it really helped me as I was having a bit of a downer at the end of last week. For some reason I convinced myself it wasn't going to work first time and found myself looking at ARGC website thinking that if we're going to pay for 2nd treatment then maybe we'll go there for their high success rates?!?!? I have absolutely no reason to think ivf won't work for us, just that 10 goes at clomid didn't. So thanks for the kick up the bum and for giving me back my PMA this week . Good to hear your upduffed status is treating you well. Great news on the sex drive too, mine is knackered and would dearly love to get it back

Hey Kool, so you're stimming now! I think 20 follies is a fair few before stims but good, so with a low dose they should be able to manage a good number to mature ready for EC - exciting! Have you had any side effects?

Ellan sorry you think you're having a pants cycle, its always the way isn't it, grrr. Are your cycles normally pretty regular? If not then you could ask for something to bring it on. Fingers crossed it turns up soon for you xx.

AFM - AF turned up on Saturday, hoorah!! So booked in with clinic today and have a day 6 scan on Thursday. Hoping everything is ok then, I should start DR on 22nd. Strange what this business does to your head isn't it, I can't wait to start injections!!

Garden - how you doing sweetie? Hope you are enjoying being drug free and indulging yourself xx

Big hello to everyone else, Teds, Care, Luck, Womanly, Bella and anyone else I've forgotten, hope you're all doing well.

Hi all

So injections....I'm not an expert as have only been doing them for a few days but as well as just doing it before having time to think about it, I pinch a bit of my tummy to make a sort of squashy bit of flesh then go in nice and quickly, let go of the squashy bit then press the plunger, leave for a few seconds then take it out. Then have a cup of tea and a treat . My main issue was that as I don't like needles I always look away if I'm being given an injection or blood test, but when you're doing it to yourself that's not very practical. Having said that, today I shut my eyes at the last second and it was the best yet! I'm not even a tiny bit medically qualified though, so please don't do that on my advice!!

I've got my first blood test since stimming tomorrow so I hope my follies haven't gone too wild...

Ellan sorry about your frustration. My nurse did say that the meds can cause ewcm but that it doesn't necessarily mean ovulation so chances are your AF will come as expected. That's the often confusing thing about this as we see signs which in the past might have meant something but that's not necessarily the case with these crazy drugs!

Luck it's good to have a drug buddy! We're obviously approaching it in the same way - I got a text from my friend yesterday asking how shooting up was going. And if you're having Ewan, can I take Jonny Lee Miller ?! I don't know anything about clomid I'm afraid, I gather this must be the route your clinic thinks is best for you. I know it's probably a ridiculous thing for me to say but try not think about your percentages, rather focus on the fact that there IS a chance it'll happen for you.

Hey skitoo, sorry you've been feeling a bit negative, it's completely natural though. No, I've not really had any stimming side effects. Every now and then I wonder if my ovaries feel a bit funny but I'm sure thats because I'm thinking about it more now than usual! Totally know what you mean about looking forward to the injections. I guess it makes us feel like we're actually doing something productive.

garden hope you had a much better weekend and that your antibiotics have helped xx

To all those who have offered support- thanks! kool I haven't started any meds yet- due to start down regulation in preparation for ICSI on first day of AF, but as there's no sign, I can't start! On a bit of a tight timeframe too as my consultant is going away in august to have an operation and I needed to be finished by then- eek!
I want a drug buddy by the way- love that you're all comparing notes on shooting up!

oh yes, sorry ellan, I saw injections in your post and must have skipped down regs, I did a nasal spraynfor down regs that's what confused me (doesn't take much, mind....!!). I hope your AF arrives soon then!

Everything confuses me kool don't worry! At least with having one injection for down reg I can't forget to sniff at the right time, which would be a distinct possibility for me!

Hehe, tell me about it! I'm having enough trouble remembering which side of my tummy I injected the previous day and on top of that I'm having to still keep up with the nasal spray alternating nostrils each time....hmmmm, should it really be confusing me this much?!!