Assisted Conception (and all the bits in between) volume 7

[Italiangreyhound]

Hi ladies Pumplinjoy, Shirley, Lissy, Keziah, Womanly,Val, Late, monkeybumsmum, tametortie and Rowing* - hugs to you all.

woowa of course you can join us.

Choco and Horton and londonlottie do you still look in on us?

Can you all find us?

ha ha

uk.tv.yahoo.com/blog/article/456654/the-apprentice-ep-8.html

Italian that's funny

Rowing did you take DHEA on the advice of your clinic or just because you'd read good things? Hope the cramps are receding along with the readings going down.

Hi keziah, Lissy, scrummy how are you?

Beginnings - gp did all level 1's apart from 2 the lab couldn't do without a haematologist, but not do level 2's - and the dr is so busy hence a 12 week wait. Sigh.

hi lucy - have tonsillitis, so a bit but thankfully the Gp said I didn't have to go to hospital unless it got worse, I did deteriorate (blood pressure and temp wise) but now seem to have improved, yay!

Italian I agree completely. I know so many people for whom the immunology tests have shown up something it doesn't make sense that they're not standard.

Keziahopes fingers crossed for you and wishing you patience....I'm not very good at that....

Oh bloody hell, I'm so annoyed with myself. I had nurses appt at 9am this morn for day 1 - 3 blood tests in prep for argc, but as there was no sign of af arriving yesterday I changed my appt to Monday. Then who should show up this morn at 5 to 9? Yep, af. Called dr and they don't have any space for me today now and Monday will be too late. Will have to wait til next month which is round the same time as argc appt. Frustrating.

Moan over. Hope everyone else is ok.

That is really annoying Lucy. if it's any consolation, i think ARGC check at least FSH every time they treat you so you might have had to have them done again anyway. I would suggest some dark chocolate. Will make you feel better and the antioxidants are good for you!

Hope the tonsils are feeling better today Keziahopes

Thanks Beginnings, you know when you think you're all organised and on top of things and then events conspire against you. I wanted to go into my appt with all of my information and paperwork up to date so that things could get moving as quickly as possible. I know it's not the end of the world, I was just kicking myself this morning for being a bit too efficient! I'm now having them done the day before my appt. I might even get the results the same day, so it'll be fine whatever. And yes, I'm certainly going to indulge in some healthy dark chocolate, and isn't red wine rich in antioxidants too!?

How are you? And Keziah I hope your tonsillitis is getting better. Hello to everyone else

I'm alright thank you Lucy. weirdly, af arrived for me today too. Pretty surprised since I only stopped all the medication on Monday. I thought it might take a bit longer than that. Now wondering how long the Lister will make me wait before I start a fresh cycle.

I was going to suggest the red wine but wasn't sure whether I should! I'm with you! I shall silently toast you tonight as I sip a glass - although it'll only be the one since I haven't had any since the end of March so I'll be legless after that!

Beginnings, I stayed off booze for the entirety of my treatment too (and before that only had a couple of glasses of wine a month) but I'm being less strict in my months 'off' so, cheers!

Hi not got worse but no voice and I'll. Sorry no personals.

Hi all, hope you don't mind a gatecrasher, i'm on the 'anyone else starting ivf' thread and a couple of people mentioned that one of you had had immunology tests on here, was that you lissy? I've just had first round ivf which didn't implant and interested in what these tests might show about implantation problems before paying for more rounds. Any ideas or info much appreciated,

thanks and best wishes all. x x x

Morning everyone!

First off, a big welcome to beginnings and CareBear1. This is the most amazing and supportive group of women you will ever come across, so don't be shy to just dive in. We're here for all the ups and downs, and obviously we can sympathize.

Lucy-Don't worry about all the bloods. As long as they're in before you're ready to start your monitoring cycle, you'll be fine. And actually, the closer you have them to your appointment, the better. That way you can just dive right into your monitoring cycle if you decide to go with ARGC.

Keziah- Argh, sorry to hear about your tonsilitis! Drink loads of tea with honey, lots of rest, and I hope you feel better very soon.

lucy- All I can say about AF is that she's a fickle bitch, isn't she?

CareBear- I am currently at ARGC, having had two cycles elsewhere, the first I miscarried and the second didn't work. DH and I decided to go to ARGC because of their fabulous success rate, and we decided that whatever they told us to do, we'd do it. That included having my immunes tested. During your monitoring cycle, ARGC send 16 vials of blood to Chicago for four kinds of tests. Three of them are thyroid tests, the fourth measures the natural killer cells. During stimulation, they'll do a mini-immunes again, and that determines whether or not you'll need intralipid or IVIG therapy, steroids, etc. As it turns out, my NK cells were on the high side of normal, and I've had two intralipid infusions so far. They've also put me on a regimen of clexane, aspirin, and prednisolone. They don't mess around!

rowing- Glad to hear your levels are going down down down. Hope you're feeling ok, sweets.

Italian- Sweden beckons! I am picturing the Muppet Swedish Chef in my head as I type this...

AFM, I succumbed to the siren call of the HPT, even though I'm not supposed to be tested until Tuesday. (rowing, I can see you shaking your head in disapproval). However.....BFP!!!!!!! OMG, so excited. I used one of the digital ones, and it only took like 30 seconds to come up pregnant. I will call the clinic on Monday and go for a blood test then instead of Tuesday. If this was ever an advertisement for the wonder of ARGC....

Have a great day!

lissy can't be long now but sooooo excited for you! Fingers crossed for Monday x

lissy WoW!!!!!! Congratulations! Really, really pleased for you . I'm sure they'll be happy to see you on Monday. does it feel real?

rowing I learned that milk thistle is supposed to be good for liver cleansing. Although, there is also a school of thought that says liver itself is designed to remove toxins, so as long as you drink plenty of water, your body does it for you. Really glad to hear you're making good progress.

Lucy that was annoying. I almost had the same this week. Was waiting for AF to turn up so I could book my Day 3 bloods and HSG. Luckily she did, on Q on Wednesday. I missed it last month because of bank holiday.

So, had my bloods yesterday and have booked my HSG for Tuesday next week. DH dropped his second sample yesterday too, so we're going to be all set from next week. They haven't sent copies of my results to the GP grrr, so I will contact the hospital next week and see if I can put myself on 'waiting list' for cancelled appts. I'll also try and get hold f the consultants secretary to see if they would send the results to my GP. Just seems silly to have to wait 2 months, especially as they can't offer any treatment to us.

Italian I've had such a mad week this week and with AF my energy levels have been really low, so I fell asleep on the Apprentice! I think Helen might win, although I find her voice really annoying. Tom is just such a cuddly mad professor. TBH I would not hire any of them, but it does make good entertainment.

keziah I hope your feeling better now

Hi to beginnings. Im interested in hearing about your experience with Lister. Are they the only clinic that do their own immunology testing in UK?

thanks Lissy and congratulations!! always great to hear of a bfp!

italian and beginnings, after reading back through the posts, i see you're having or had immunology tests, did you have them during an ivf cycle or just during a normal cycle? did they have to take them at a particular point in the month?

thanks

ps i think Helen will win too

Hi all,

Lissy that's fantastic! I had a feeling this would be a success. Most women (who aren't ancient - like me) conceive by their third cycle, so I put a bet on . I'm absolutely thrilled for you. Gigantic hug!!

Keziah big hug for you too, poor old thing. Spending too long in the swimming pool! I hope you are feeling better soon!

Carebear hi, welcome to the thread.

Scrummy I have read about milk thistle, but I'm afraid to take anything in case it stops the methotrexate from working (albeit very slowly). I will drink lots though, like what you said.
I didn't quite follow what happened with your bloods, but get on a waiting list for something, that's what I think.

Italian what are you up to?

Lucy bum and poo about the AF, that's so typical. I can completely relate having had to cancel flights, hotels, life because of stupid af turning up or not turning up as the case may be.

Beginnings enjoy the wine.

Not much to add from me, but on quite an uplifting note, lots and lots of the women who went to Reprofit in CZ have had bfps. I think it's Spring, seems to increase the rates. I wish I were doing another cycle in Spring, but it's going to be late September, early October I reckon. Will anyone else be having treatment then apart from me and Italian?

Lissy - congratulations!!!

Carebear - after too many years ttc naturally and over the age of 35 and one failed ICSI we decided before paying out for another cycle to test for immunes. The dr at the private clinic told us not to until 3 failed cycles, as it wasn't ethical of them to suggest such expensive tests until then. But as I have 2 known autoimmune conditions we insisted (it is our money after all!). I have had them before treatment - am not at ARGC, so they don't do things so thoroughly where I am (just test and treat, no testing in cycles etc). For us we had to see a consultant to approve the level 2 tests, but level 1 we could just phone up and book no problem etc, then results take several weeks plus you need to see a dr that can interpret the results (that is what we are waiting for now), then hopefully treatment with a cycle.

rowing am really hoping we will be having treatment early autumn!!!

Well done lissy! what great news. Fingers crossed for Monday.

Thanks rowing. I did enjoy it!

Keziahopes I hope you're well on the way to recovery by now.

carebear we had all of our tests done in one go. The thyroid ones, blood counts and chromosome karyotyping were all done on the NHS. The killer cells tests were done at the lister as, as far as I know, you can't get them on the NHS. I don't know if the Lister are the only place that does the analysis in the UK. Within about six weeks I had all the results. It didn't matter when in the month of had these tests done but they were done in the course of a natural cycle.

Hope everyone else is well.

Hi rowing my surgery, where I prefer to have my bloods taken rather than the hospital, asked for a copy of the results to be sent to the surgery when I had my day18 bloods done. They haven't received them, which means I haven't got an early indication of whether there is anything wrong with my progesterone levels. So, we'll have to chase the hospital for them.... I may join you in September/October.

I hope you all have nice things planned for the extra sunny day today!

Hello all, I hope you dont mind me joining your thread, I was on another thread 'difficulty trying for number 2' but can't seem to find it, been absent for a while. To cut a long story short we are trying for no.2, first was a natural pregnancy but after a long time trying for no. 2, had all tests and discovered DH has low sperm count ( 3 mil per ml) so we need ICSI. I am booked on this cycle, I have just moved abroad so will be having it here. My consultant is strongly advising 1 embryo transfer rather than 2 - I really want to maximise my chances as I am paying, just want to know your thoughts really and your plans if you are going through IVF. Its so lovely to have a thread like this. Wishing you all lots of luck.

Hi all,

Daisy welcome! I think the SET thing is being pushed because younger women were having more pregnancies with multiples, which makes the pregancy more difficult to manage and increases the risks to the babies. If you are over 35 though, I have read returning more than one embryo would be lowering the odds of conception too much. It's hard to say, but if you do a bit of research, perhaps you can find enough information to help you make a decision one way or the other.

Scrummy I see, I hope the hospital gets their finger out soon. How long have you been waiting? My surgery takes a good 5 days to get any results returned.

So Scrummy and Keziah it could get a bit crazy on here in early Autumn, can't wait!

Not much from me, but I am feeling a bit tired now. I wonder if the lack of folates is starting to affect me (methotrexate east folates apparently). Bleeding quite a bit, which I hope is a good sign.
Next blood test Tuesday. Down, down, down, down!!! [walks off chanting]

rowing- Down down down!

Welcome Daisy!

CareBear- When I had my first panel of immunes at ARGC, even though the tests went to Chicago, I had the results within a week.

Thanks for all the well wishes, ladies! I did go to the clinic today to have my blood test, because I figured what the hell? Why wait? Clinic called to tell me that I have an official BFP, and that my HCG was at 252, which is very good. Back tomorrow for another HCG test, progesterone, and mini-immunes. Luckily I can stop taking that awful Ritodrine, but still have to continue with all other medications.

I'm snorting with laughter about this "heatwave"...I'm such an obnoxious American!

What heatwave! There is no heatwave! I'm in Scotland of course, where we are accustomed to wearing a fleece jacket in June.
I come over all faint if the temperature goes above 20 degrees.

Lissy hope you can stop one of the drugs. It's all very well all this taking stuff, but it's quite difficult to remember it all and make sure you have enough and put up with the side-effects. I could go on and on and on.

I've been having horrible spinny heads recently and staggering around so did a bit of googling and apparently, dizziness is a side-effect of a folic acid deficiency. Oh well. [thud] falls over!

lissy that's great that your blood test was so good. So the question now is, will it be twins!? Am so truly delighted for you x

rowing I'm hoping I might be a cycle buddy! I guess realistically if it happens, it'll be sept or oct. Looks like it could be busy on here round then!
Can you take anything to reduce the dizziness? I hope you're able to take it easy.

Hi daisy and welcome, I think number of embryos depends on age too. By the time I have my treatment I'll be 40, so I'd hope for 2 (if I'm lucky to get that far) and I think at ARGC (where I hope to go) they sometimes even put 3 in. Yikes.

Welcome carebear, hi scrummy, italian and for those heat wave non believers I hope you're eating your hats (lissy I'm looking mainly at you.) It's scorching here!

I'm just off to see bridesmaids so hoping to have a good giggle

Hi daisy - we were told that if you can get to blastocyst stage (day 5) they like to put just one embryo back in and freeze others as chances are higher. I guess a lot depends on how many embryos you get etc.