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?

Hello all, got back last night from my weekend by the seaside feeling relaxed and ready for action.
frustrated I'm sorry you are having one of those days. I have my fair share of them too. It truly isn't fair. It will happen for you though. Just keep moving forward. As much as you can, don't think about or compare yourself with your pregnant friends, this is about you, not them. Surround yourself with friends who make you feel good, not crap. Some of my pregnant friends can do this, but some pregnant friends make me feel rubbish, so I don't see them unless I know I'm feeling ok.
womanly you made my day with what the consultant said about positivity v. perseverance. I struggle with staying positive all the time, but I always want to persevere.
Your symptoms sound good. I bet you can't wait for the first scan.
beginnings hurray for your hcg. It's all looking fab.
lissy 12 weeks! What a milestone. Well done you x
No humira symptoms for me yet. I've decided to cut out gluten as that's meant to help with fsh and reducing cytokines. So, that's no sugar, caffeine, alcohol or gluten. Arrgh! How will I cope!?

frustrated - I actually found it easier once I knew there was a problem. Hopefully for you it's just the immune thing and they can cover that off in whatever form of assisted conception you're having. Sometimes it's just a simple solution that does the trick.

I was much more unhappy when I thought it was just years of bad luck. Now I feel like I'm on another path and so whilst I'm still a bit sad when friends get pregnant I don't resent them as much as I used to. We'd all have to be very lucky to get through life without some difficult patches and it just happens that this is our path.

My consultant said a similar thing to what lucy's said - that whether or not you'll get pregnant is about fortitude (in relation to trying lots of cycles) rather than anything else. He said it was a tough process but statistically if you keep going at it the odds are good.

Even though my situation isn't great (endometriomas have played havoc with both ovaries) I'm in the very lucky position that I don't need to worry too much about paying for IVF. Paying off the mortgage will have to take a back seat, but we can probably afford to keep going until we realise it's not worth it (this is in Leeds mind you - not that fancy London clinic!).

Incidentally, I think the laparoscopy went well. I'm still very spaced out and frequently tired but I've not been in any pain (not even on meds for past 2 days) and the cuts look like they're healing well. I was in surgery for 2 hours and the consultant said my endo was extensive. I've since checked out surgery videos on youtube and I'm not surprised I wasn't getting pregnant if that's what my insides looked like! Hopefully it's all clear for now and I've got a good window to try IVF before it grows back.

Hope you're all well.

Beginnings - I think it is improved technique with clexane!!

Hi frustrated - so sorry to hear that you are having a down day. It doesn't seem fair does it every now and again - I too feel like I am being left behind and really have to fight against it. I keep having to remind myself that it is not the case that there are only so many to go round and therefore everyone else who gets pregnant reduces my chances (thoughts don't have to be logical to crop up :(). It helps a little bit. As has been said: perseverance will win through.

level - really happy that the surgery went well. Yikes, it sounds like it was quite a major obstacle to get past. Fingers crossed for the future and having moved a significant step forward.

lucylookout welcome back.

womanly, beginnings and lissy - hope it is all going well. Congrats on the 12 weeks lissy

Hi to everyone else :)

I had my cam/blood tests on Monday. From what i could tell I have about 5 follicles, but all still small and no real lead follicle yet according to the Dr (4 around 10mm and 1 around 12mm). The main problem was that my E2 levels had only gone up from 1015 to 1024 (so basically no change really). I was upped to 75 units of puregon. Back in tomorrow morning.

Does anyone know whether you can ovulate before the trigger shot? I presume that it must be possible, as I am not on anything to prevent ovulation (unless puregon does that but I don't think it does). What happens if I ovulate between tests?? Making sure that we have sex as well, although the literature says that it is better for the man to abstain from ejaculations 2-3 days before IUI to give the best concentration.

Oh womanly I hear you on the thinking at work. I had an admin type day yesterday which I felt I'd achieved a lot after. Today has been a more normal day and has involved sensible thought which I have just about managed to do. I think the document I've just sent makes sense but wouldn't bank on it!

I haven't bought the digital tests yet but I am going for my FOURTH HCG test tomorrow which is probably a little much. I've promised myself it's my last one. Let's see if I can stick to it.

Thanks Keziahopes I hope so too!

I hope so Lucy, I really hope it stays fab. If I get to Thursday, I'll be the furthest I've ever been.

hi everyone hope you're all okay
thanks italian for the hug - i need that today. any news from you???

sorry am so so so rubbish at this!!
i just wanted to send a hug to frustrated sorry you're having a poo day. tomorrow's not far away, and i hope its better for you.
xxx

Frustrated so sorry you are down. Stick with it. Where are you in the cycle? And how old are you? I know it is tough but take heart, I am sure you will get there.

Hugs to lissy, Pocket, Keziah, Rowing, Lucy, Scrummy, Womanly, woowa, fretfree, marmite, Beginnings, Flip, pocket and level*.

Today heard about something called mini IVF

www.fertilityfriends.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=236334.0

www.berlin-baby.co.uk/infertility/therapie/ivf-in-vitro-fertilisation/mini-ivf

and

www.ivfinturkey.co.uk/infertility-treatment-abroad/mini-cycle

The sites I found above are all in different countries and I am NOT recommending the clinics at all, just showing you to show what it is. Just thought it was of some interest. Especially the first which mentions a woman of 49 who got pregnant with her own egg!

God Bless to all.

Hello all,
Just thought I'd pop on to say I've just finished reading a book called 'Inconceivable' by Julia Indichova. It's about the author's journey to pregnancy after being told her FSH was in the 40s (she was in her 40s too). If anyone is feeling down about trying to get pregnant it's a good, uplifting read. She makes big changes to her life (nutrition, supplements, exercise, visualisation) and goes on to conceive naturally. Even if you're not convinced by her methods (I think I might give colonic irrigation a miss ) the book as a whole does make you feel quite empowered about your body and your choices.
Also Rowing where are you? Hope all's well with you.

Sounds good Lucy. and good spot on rowing! she hasn't been around for ages.

HCG level 878 today up from 345 on Monday. Can't work out if I'm less or more scared. Feel a bit sick and not in a symptomy way. 5 weeks tomorrow. Can I really get further than that??

Hello everyone, you are such stars, all of you. Thank you for picking me up - it worked. The last two years have been such a roller coaster of emotions, panics, excitement, sadness and it would be great if it was all a bit easier. It does help to talk to people who are going through similar things. Yes - perseverance is the key and patience I suppose. Level is right - there are difficult times in life, and this is one of them. But I am sure the bad patch will be over soon...Thanks for your support. Onwards and upwards.

beginnings dont be scared. Thats amazing news. So so pleased. and will be thinking about your milestone tomorrow! Exciting.

womanly are you sleeping better? Hows the soreness?

lucy so glad to hear that humira is not giving you the dreaded symptoms. How are you doing today? I am impressed about your gluten free diet. Wow. I couldnt do that. Although I think I may have decided to formally give up decaff coffee too. V hard.

level thanks for your lovely message. It does sound as if your laparoscopy went well. how long have you got before the endo starts growing back and does it def grow back?

Thanks for the hug pocket - reciprocated.

fret are they monitoring you for the IUI? In any case I would have intercourse every so often. Yes when I did my IUI they did say you needed to leave one day in between intercourse and the procedure...

italian hey. I am 33, 2.5 years of unexplained infertility, lots of clomid, chinese medicine (since ditched it), 2 IUIs. Have been resisting ivf until now but am about to embark. You?

Some news. The argc called me yesterday to say that the chromosome tests have come back early and normal for me and DH. So we can start this cycle. It looks like I will start sniffing on 6 Sept. I cant believe it. I am excited and v nervous at the same time...

frustratedchick I have a DD now aged almost 7 (from IUI) and then started trying again naturally. Had a very early miscarriage 5 and a half years ago (unassisted conception). Since then have had many failed IUI attempts and one abandoned IVF. We were told early on that donor eggs would be our best bet and we decided about 2 and half years ago to go for it. I went on the waiting list in the UK and we are hoping to have treatment very soon (nearly had an attempt recently, that didn?t work out). Then had our attempt in 2010, which failed and now, finally, this is our final attempt, unless we get any frozen embies (which is unlikely).

I am trying (still) to lose weight in anticipation of treatment soon. Today managed to dodge a donut! Hooray!

Lucy yes, I read that book, it is fab.

Love to all.

Sorry that sounds confusing, we went on the list for 14 months, had our attempt and it failed, then went back on the list for another year and now starting again very soon for final go!

Rowing any news?

beginnings your hcg is rising really well and I'm sure tomorrow will pass without incident. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way.
level I'm so sorry I didn't comment on your lap. I'm glad it went ok and that your recovery is going well.
frustrated yay, you get to start really soon. How exciting!
I think I have only been able to cut out gluten because I've been steadily purifying my diet for a while. If I was still eating sugar (I.e. Cakes and biscuits) I think I'd find it near impossible to cut out sugar and gluten at the same time! Good luck with giving up decaf. I have to say, when I gave up decaf I had a similar withdrawal to giving up the real thing, which just shows how much caffeine is still left in it.
Wishing you all a nice eve. I'm currently waiting at the vets with my cat without an appointment (he's been scrapping I think and has a bad foot) and think I will be here a llloooonnnnnggggg time [bored emoticon]

Well done on donut dodging Italian!

Evening all. Had one of those moments tonight...went to have drinks with a good friend and a group of her friends (birthday drinks). Arrived and no sooner had I sat down that my friend announced that there was one more to arrive, and she was nearly 6 months pregnant. I've know about it for a while and am not upset to find her pregnant. What upset me was that another one of my friends friend said 'I thought she couldn't get pregnant' and I saw my friend whispering 'no, that's 'scrummy''. And I've felt really awful since. It's the first time I've felt like a failure and I wanted to scream and shout to say - actually it's not that I CAN'T get pregnant, I just haven't got pregnant yet! The only thing that made me feel good was that when the now pregnant friend (you keeping up?) arrived and whilst chatting turns out she'd been off the pill for 6 years and no BFP. Met a new guy, and after trying again, fell pregnant after 4 months. It was so nice to hear that she was finally getting her bundle of joy.
I'm sure i'm hormonal too and tired, so maybe I'm over-reacting, but you would have found that upsetting too, yes?

Anyway, enough about me! frustrated that's great news and the time btw now and the 6 will just fly by. Hope you have nice plans for the weekend.

Lucy nice to hear from you. Glad to hear you're drawing strength from other people's experiences. I've often wondered about colonic....not in fertility kind of way, but as a general cleansing, but always come to the conclusion that it would be just too gross and undignified.

Italian thanks for the tea tip I will give it a go. Your Appt must be soon? You must feel excited and nervous at the same time?

beginnings that's great news about the levels rising. I know it won't help, but sending calming thoughts your way anyway....

lissy I think you're right. I will stick to general vitamins until they've completed their tests.

Lucy I've given up on EPO to see if that may have caused my extensive spotting, as I read somewhere it may cause early AF...I've notice lack of EWMC as a result, but not enough to worry me.

Scrummy, yes I would have found that upsetting. How bloody insensitive. Hope you feel ok, your day will, I am sure come. God bless, honey.

Hi, big hugs and baby dust to all. That?s Rowing, lissy, Pocket, Keziah, Beginnings, Flip, Lucy, Womanly, woowa, fretfree, marmite, frustrated, and level*.
Went for our clinic appointment and it is all sorted. We?ve got our donor, we start soon. I am excited. Officially. Freaked out by all the drugs. But excited.

Hello scrummy - so sorry you are having one of these days. I really understand how you feel. Trying to get pregnant seems to be full of 'those days'. I would have been annoyed by that too, its really not v sensitive of your friend - particularly as she just announced she was pregnant. Perhaps you should talk to her privately? Try to stay strong and be patient - as others have said to me on this thread the other day, its all about perseverance. It will eventually happen to you and then you will be able to show off your beautiful baby(ies) to your friends after all. Thinking of you.

italian YAY - thats super news!! How exciting. What treament are you going to be on? When do you start?

lucy hope you are not still waiting for the vet...! Its day 3 of no decaf. And its HARD!!!

Question for you all -- when you are on a long protocol, what happens on day 1-5 of of your new cycle? I will be sniffing from day 21 until AF, then I know that I will have drugs training and hysteroscopy on day 5 or 6 - but what happens in between? Will I need to inject or is it a drug free couple of days?

Hope everyone is keeping well.

beginnings are you ok today? Today is 5 weeks isnt it?

lissy how are you? are you starting to show?

scrummy that would have really upset me too. I'm sure they didn't mean for you to hear, and hopefully they'd be very sorry if they knew you had heard, but it was still a very stupid thing to say. You will get your baby, it's when, not if.
Italian great news that it's all starting soon. I'm sure you have mixed feelings, there is so much anticipation and emotion tied up in all this. Excited for you and really hoping it all works.
scrummy I got back from the vets finally (cat bruised but fine). I can't answer your questions about long protocol sorry. I'm sure lissy will know. Keep going with the no decaf. You're over the worst bit!
Hi to everyone else

scrummy I'd have been spitting nails after that. You have every right to be hurt, furious at being discussed like that and are entirely within your rights to have a robust conversation with your friend.

Thanks frustrated yes, five weeks today. Honestly, I'm terrified. Would be fair to say that I'm almost catatonic I'm so scared. I just keep thinking back to that horrible horrible phone call in March when I was told that my HCG level was 3 having been 123 a week earlier. I think I'd taken a "box that off and move on" attitude but it's only today that I'm realising that actually it had a pretty big effect. The fact I'm on clexane, aspirin and steroids helps but doesn't mean that any chromosomal issues are dealt with. I just need to get to Sept 6 now. That's when I'm having my scan which will be 6+5 so we should be able to see if there's something viable there. All spotting has stopped. In fact all mucus has stopped (sorry Tmi). I still feel a little nauseous, especially if I get hungry, and I have the metallic taste from time to time........this waiting game is so hard.

italian that is great news!! Here you go! Have you dates yet?

scrummy- Oh argh, I'm so sorry about your encounter with your friends. I definitely would've been upset, but on the flip side, I think of the percentage of my friends who ever had fertility issues. They can't and won't ever understand, not that that excuses the insensitivity.

Italian- Yay you! That's SO exciting!

frustrated- You'll be sniffing until you start stimulating. Your lining and blood tests need to be right before you start the stimulation meds, but that could be not long after you get your AF. As I said, I still had a cyst growing and needed to bring on another AF, but as soon as I got it and was scanned to the get the all clear, I started stimulation.

beginnings- Oh please, please try to relax! I know I felt the same way as I approached seven weeks (which is when I lost the baby last year), and I still look after I go to the toilet, but I've tried to convince myself that everything is going to be ok. Calm is better than stressed. Your numbers are only going up, and that's great news!

rowing- Where ya been?

lucy, womanly, keziah, fretfree, and marmite- I hope everyone is doing well...

Hi all thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot and just highlights what a lifeline this thread is - imagine what it was like without social media - we all just suffered in our corners, brave ones joined meeting groups and the rest just went slowly mad, I'm sure of it.
Told DH all about last night and had a little cry when I went home. He thinks it propably was a question of unfortunate choice of words, but then he just sees the good in everyone. I'm still a bit funny about it so will raise it when we meet again in a few days. I hate to think that I'm talked about as 'the one who failed' when we are nowhere near the end of the journey yet. I know people talk and I don't mind that bit, I just want it to be accurate. Rant over
On the real TTC front I think my body has delayed ovulation as I still have EWCM and temps not fully up. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Italian that is fab news!

beginnings thinking of you

Hi there scrummy - people can be so insensitive. It's easier said than done but try and let their ignorance go otherwise it will just fester. It might help to verbalise your hurt to your friend so at least you have a way of 'closing' the issue and won't keep on coming back to think about it. Hugs.

beginnings - big fingers crossed for you. I think I would be the same, although obviously worrying is not to be recommended. I had my final cam and blood test this morning: E2 at 1800, although follicles only 15, 13 (x3) and others around 10. The Dr has told me to do two more days on Puregon with 75ui and then have the ovulation trigger shot Saturday evening. We have insemination on Monday morning. I am really nervous - I mean, could this really work?? Everyone seems to talk about viable follicles being over 17/18mm - my largest is only 15 and that is the same size as it was on the scan before (the day before).

I was looking over the success rates earlier on (yes - I know I need to step away from the Google) and it all seems so low - but I was surprised when I learnt of how low the overall rates for normal pregnancies. But I suppose if it works it's a 100% success rate and if it doesn't it's 0% so I should just ignore them all!!

So sorry - just re-read through and I've rather gone off on a waffle. Hi to everyone.

Fretfree - looks like your 15 and 13 follicles will grow to the size they need to by Sat, 2 more days of growing is good. Lots of protein for you to help them along.... my clinic said 65g a day and whether it worked or not I got 5 follicles the right size for mature eggs.