Assisted Conception (and all the bits that go with it) volume 9

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A new snug for us AC ladies

SunnyG I?m really glad work was ok with you. You wouldn?t think it but it can add another layer of stress at an already stressful time so it?s really good you don?t have to worry anymore

MiniH fingers crossed for Friday

Pocket that is a hell of a lot of money! I know what you mean about wishing you could see into the future and know what is the right path to take. I agree with MiniH, if you think you will regret not having it done, then go for it. I like to know I?ve done everything I can, I don?t want to look back and have regrets, and if it turns out everything is fine, then yes you?ve spent a lot of money, but it?s a lot of peace of mind. But it?s also a good idea to maybe try and have it done somewhere cheaper

Italian I am so pleased for you going down the next step of your journey. You sound so positive and you really are an inspiration

AFM, got my referral to the other clinic from the GP last night so all I can do now is sit and wait! GP was a bit reluctant at first as he didn?t really understand it all and I had to explain the difference between long and short protocol and why I thought short would be better for my condition. To be fair, he was probably the same age as me, which made it a little bit uncomfortable! He wasn?t going to do it and with my confidence being low (as it always is after bad news recently) I look pleadingly at DH with an expression that said ?persuade him!? and DH thankfully gently prodded him to make it anyway, so it?s done!

SunnyG Good to hear that you've told work and that is one less pressure for you to worry about. I must admit that trying to deal with my work diary and the moveable feast of when EC and ET might be is proving one of the most challenging and stressful parts of this process for me. It is difficult when no-one at works knows what I am doing and for various reasons I can't really tell anyone. I currently have the first two weeks of May booked as holiday but who knows! Fortuantely I am in a position where I can come in instead if I don't need be off even if it seems a bit odd.

Wishing Mini and Scrmmy loads of luck.

Pocket wow, that is expensive. I am sure that whatever decision you come to will work best for you.

Josie Good to hear that you have got your referral. It seems that most GPs need telling in these situations. Mine managed to give me the wrong rubella check. Twice. Which ended up with me having an unecessary MMR and having to stop TTC last year for some time and I only found out because I questionned the results after educating myself (on the lovely MN!). How is the pond progressing?

Hello to everyone else!

Sending hugs to all the crew.

Josie special hug for you.

Badger I usually listen to what the doctors say and take their word for things, but this is just too important to sit back and not push for more. Similarly, if it wasn't for MN I wouldn't know that different protocols exist and that short protocol can be better for people with low AMH. If I didn't know, I wouldn't be able to have two more goes, I'd be on the donor egg waiting list instead. It's quite scary when you usually trust doctors

Just a quick update from me - had the ET this morning, completed by Mr T himself! Two little embies on board, waiting to hear whether third one ok for freezing, although doubtful. Very happy and very tired. Test day Sunday 29th.

Thanks for all your good wishes. Will post more tomorrow...

Scrummy How exciting!! Hope that you manage to relax and rest. My fingers are crossed for you for the 29th!

scrummy fantastic news 2 embies on board. Go embies go!

Josie really glad you got the referral. Did the new potential clinic say how long once they have the referral till consultation approx? See my impatience! I always find it awkward at the gp's talking about these things, when this may not (clearly!) be their area of expertise. You and DH did well to prod.

Badger and Josie thanks for your comments re the work sito. I do feel better. I know my other colleagues may be a little surprised (It's a small office) when I'm not in a few days or late here and there but it's good to know my boss will cover for me without shouting out 'FERTILITY TREATMENT'. Which is my worst nightmare!!!

Mini wishing you loads and loads of baby dust and good vibes for tomorrow. We'll all be thinking of you.

AFM had a killer headache today and this coupled with nasty cramps as AF arrived meant I had to go to bed for a few hours as soon as I got home from work. Also caved and took two paracetamol. I was told by clinic this is okay at this stage, but still felt a little annoyed with self. But headache and cramps subsiding now..........

Scrummy yay! Got everything crossed! In the spirit of Italian, do you have names for them!?

Sorry this is a quickie but hi and hugs to everyone else too!

Lovely ladies I come bearing and (all laced with co enzyme Q10, omega 3 and general Zita West goodness...) as have been absent so long.

Am sorry that I haven't been around for those of you who have had disappointments and heartaches especially as I got such wonderful support from this thread.

italian am thinking of you. You sound incredibly strong and any DD who offers up her bunny head to her mum must be pretty special So I hope that along with support from DH you have the love you need for the next stage of your journey. My work brings me into contact with adoption and fostering. Whilst in some ways I disagree with the strictness of the rules around fertility treatment being 'complete' before you start this route I think the place you are in right now will allow you to negotiate the adoption process better. It can be a long and difficult journey and I think being clear that this is the journey you now want to commit to will help. And although it is tough, so many of the fosterers and adopters I meet are amazing people and have changed the lives of the children that come into their care. Also thinking of your mum xxx.

josie so very sorry that the IUI didn't work but glad to hear you have a new plan. I found that getting on with my next cycle of treatment as soon as possible was the right option for me. Just to say that as well as the short protocol it's worth hearing if the new clinic have any other ideas on different drugs regimes or tinkering with the long protocol but definitely think you need to feel confident that the new clinic will try something different to last time. Also I would discuss with them who makes the decision to go to EC or not. Things were different for me as DH's low sperm count meant ICSI was our only worthwhile option but both our NHS clinic and then our private clinic were of the view that we should consider going for EC with only 1 or 2 follicles or at least discuss the pros and cons. Hopefully it won't come to this but I think it's worth talking through all the possibilities with the clinic.

pocket no real advice about what the best decision is on immunes but as others have said, think it's important that you feel no regrets (or the least number of regrets) with the decision you make. When we changed clinics, although we partly did it because of the Lister's expertise with low AMH/high FSH is was also about both of us feeling more comfortable with the way we were treated. That added about £1,500 to the cost of our treatment but to us it felt right.. though appreciate that is a slightly cheaper price than some of the figures you mention xx

scrummy big yay and whoop for having two embies on board. Make sure you take it easy.

sunnyg glad you got things figured out with work and am wishing you loads of luck with the cycle. Do you know when EC might be?

weller boo for the cyst, hope it gets sorted and it's all systems go again asap.

keziah very belated congratulations on the birth of baby David, hope you are enjoying every minute. Lissy hope all continues to go well with Rosalie. Hugs to both your LOs from me x.

Lucy as you raise your bump I'm forced to raise mine back at you . I'm 25 weeks here and although I worry when the kicks are only on one side or the other, as far as we know, all is well and it looks like we are getting a little boy and a little girlie...

Finally waves to all the newbies and a few oldies as well. Mini I think you are testing tomorrow and have my fingers crossed for you.

Woo hoo Scrummy that is great news. I'm so glad it went well. go embies go*. I know it's impossible but try to relax and rest!

Josie you go girl with your 'persuade him' look. Well done. Any idea how soon you'll get an appointment? Really hope you have a very short wait.

Sunny rest up and hope you feel better v soon.

Teds big hello to you. Lovely to hear from you and know that you AND THE TWINS are doing well. A boy and a girl. Just perfect! How are you feeling - tired I'd imagine but I'm sure it's well worth it. Any ideas when you'll get to meet your LOs?

Mini huuuuuuge hug to you for tomorrow. I will have everything crossed for you. xxx

Italian always lovely to hear from you my dear.

Hello to all you other lovely ladies x

AFM I have concluded my extensive (and expensive ) research and have everything I need to make a decision. In fact I have made a decision, just need to chat it through with DP, but I know he'll support me. Watch this space...

Sounds intriguing Pocket...

Scrummy that's fantastic news

Thanks for the advice Teds I feel I'm more clued up with one round under my belt and I'm writing down everything I want to ask so I'm hopwfully not going to miss anything and will know exactly what's going on this time

Sunny I hope you're feeling better soon. I'm totally impatient too, but they said they could have me on a cycle by June, which isn't that far away in the grand scheme of IVF (although I'm fed up waitig already ) so I'm hoping it won't take long for our first consultation

I'm also looking into the possibility of going private if these next 2 goes don't work. It's such a lot of money, and it'll take me years to save it, but it's small comfort to know it could possibly be a back up option for the future. Although in reality, I'll never be able to save enough money, so it's not really an option, but it's good to feel it is did that make sense?!

Sorry not been on for a bit.
Good luck mini
Italian lovely to hear from you. Names esp boys are lovely. Could the palpitations be because you are anaemic?

Pocket do tell me about your research have done nothing about our tests ostrich springs to mind. Did read an old thread have lost it get that gave direct number for Chicago tests which care ET al order now lost it. If anyone finds it can they let me know. Think the thread was from 2010

Josie good to see things moving. Can you query with the last clinic them charging iui as ivf as they are funded differently by pct. in private clinic they would alter the price . If you can your 3 goes would probably still be there. I. My area south staffs if egg collection does not happen it is not ivf is counted as counted as cancelled cycle and all goes still intact. May be worth checking with pct. clinic maybe being naughty hope that makes sense

Dh has to have more test before next cycle

Mini fx for you today my love.

Bugsy I found the whole immunes thing a complete head f*ck (sorry ). I have lain awake at night worrying what to do. And burst into tears at times too. It's a minefield and I just felt paralysed with either too much or not enough information. Some of the information conflicted and most made little sense to me anyway. I will do you a full and honest update over the weekend of my immunes journey. I think I know the link you mean as I have that too. Am on mobile so can't access but will do this for you too.

AFM I've booked in to my lovely clinic for a couple of tests (gene mutation and nk). It's less than £1k (still a lot of money but much less than £2600!!!). My consultant has been just amazing. She has taken so much time with me (face to face and evening phone calls), talked through so many options and listened to me. I feel in very safe hands and I am really comfortable with this an cant wait to start my next cycle. Af due any day so I will then book in downreg for 21 days later. And in the meantime, have my tests and any treatment. I am aiming for FET mid/late June!!

Just did massive post and lost it

mini fx for you today my love

bugsy will do you a full immunes update over the weekend. And have the link you mentions too.

How can you lose a post. Then it appears. I HATE my mobile!

Morning all. So it's test day today and I'm a little bit of a mess. I took a test last night which was negative and started spotting this morning, but spoke to clinic and they are saying that's all still fine and doesnt necesarily mean it didnt work and to await blood test results, which will be this afternoon. I guess I do have to wait but in my heart I think I know it didn't work. I was upset last night but feel a little more composed today - or at least I did till I was at the clinic talking to the nurse who set me off again. Damn hormones! I really hope I pull it together once I get to work. Either way I think today with drag.

Sorry for the me post. How is everyone else? scrummy any news from the ET?

Final update for today. Had the call from the clinic and as I expected it was negative. Am feeling relatively calm about it all at the moment, but I think there will be more tears yet. Doing the test last night and getting it all out really did help get me through getting the call today and not losing it at work! I know that there was probably something not right with the embryos and that is why they didn't work, but I do find it a little hard to grasp that neither made it. I am very glad we put two back though as I know we did all we can.

I have already 'treated' myself to two panadol for the stinking headache i've had for three days and am planning on doing everything that i've been 'forbidden' from doing - so bath, gym, wine, more panadol, blue chesse and pate (and maybe a little good of fashioned 'sex without intent') . Possibly not all at the same time. Sorry for the tmi!

I think next week I can then start to get my head around what's next. I know we will try again, just not sure how soon, or even how long we have to leave between treatment cycles. I know i'm not ready to give up after one try, but knowing now what is involved it is harder to be enthusiastic about the process. And the cost is a very significant factor.

So Scrummy I am handing the 'candle of hope' over to you for safekeeping until you test on the 29th. I really hope that there is some good news soon, as we could do with some happy times.

Love to all and sorry for the mammoth message. xx

so so sorry mini. We were all really gunning for you. It must be so hard to understand what went wrong. I know you've done everything right and thrown everything at it. But as my acupuncturist says, it's quite a bit about luck too. It has to be doesn't it, cause you couldn't have done anything more. So do make sure you have some time to do some of the 'wrong' things, plenty of soft cheese, baths and heck throw some paracetamol down. When you have had time to process and want to talk options, or just want to vent, you know we are all here for you.

Big hugs to you today mini

Oh Mini I am sad to hear you news. But it is good to hear you coming up fighting and knowing that you will try again. In the meantime enjoy the forbidden goods!

Can someone educate me on what I can and can't take for the stinking cold that arrived yesterday? My EC won't be at least for a week - am I okay to take paracetamol? Use Obas Oil? Avoid everything? All info gratefully received...

Oh Mini sweetie I am so sorry about your result. I was hoping and praying for it to have worked.

I'm glad you're letting your hair down this weekend. You deserve to totally indulge yourself. You'll know when you're ready to try again. In the meantime you can relax and have fun

As for the money thing, I found that interest free credit cards helped . But paying them off isn't much fun.

Mini I can't remember your journey and this may not relevant but I've just been to my clinic for my immunes blood tests and noticed they are offering ivf on a sort of 3 for the price of two promotion. Just in case it's if any interest they are www.hsfc.org.uk/

Big hello to everyone hope you're all well and hope you have a lovely weekend.

Scrummy hope you're doing okay my dear

Bugsy will do that immunes post for you.

X

Sorry to hear that Mini. Make sure you give yourself lots of treats over the next few days x

Mini hugs so sorry also posted on other thread.
Pocket thanks but do not worry got a rl friend to ask on ff and she found the link emailed them last pm can do it for the ones my clinic wanted if I can find the tubes etc cost is 1090 dollars as opposed 1200 pounds wil see if I can organise. If not will do through care who incidentally I do not think are as good for talking as your clinic hey ho

mini really sorry to hear it wasn't to be this time. Seems that you are very good at looking after yourself, so enjoy the weekend and best of luck with the next cycle! Thanks for your well wishes - we'll see what next week brings.

josie i wanted to share a story with you - one of the girls who is cycling with me has low AMH and is classed as unovulatory. She tried IUI with clomid, but they cancelled it as she didn't respond to the drugs at all. She's just completed her first IVF cycle and had a BFP! So there are good news stories out there. I'm really impressed with the way in which you and DH have pushed for your rights to get the best treatment for you. You really do have to fight for your rights at times. I hope you get the appointment soon and make sure you look after yourself between now and then, so you'll be in best possible health when you start.

pocket glad to hear you've reached a decision. Those prices you have quoted are a bit scary. I wonder whether the tests are somewhat different, but with ARGC we paid £850 for the full immunes. Mind you, that was for me only.
Thanks for asking after me - i'm better today - I was wiped out after ET. I think it all just finally caught up with me. Have spent two days in bed now, which is not a bad thing. Very dizzy, which the nurses said was just my body trying to cope with all the drugs. Will be resting for the remainder of the weekend too - back to work on Monday - Eek!

lucy Shame i won't be there next week, but i hope it all goes ok. We did name them, but I asked DH to name the embies this time, so it feels a bit private between us - i hope you don't mind me not sharing?? Is there a specific reason you need to be on leave or have you just taken the time off?

badger Post EC and Hysteroscopy we were advised to take paracetamol. You're best to check with your clinic or pharmacists though

teds really nice to hear from you - and what fab news that you're having a boy and a girl! Just perfect. Sounds that things are ticking along nicely for you.

italian when will you start proceedings? I hope you are well and thanks for sharing the names. They are all lovely

sunnyg well done for sorting things out at work. I may have to share my plans with my boss next week, depending on what travel requests i have waiting for me when I return. I must admit, i'm a bit lost with your cycle now - where are you - Dr/stimming?

mojangled have you started treatment again?

Hi to lissy, bugsy and everyone else i may have missed.

Have a happy, restful weekend

Mini I am so sorry. Enjoy the sex, blue cheese, wine and all, agree not all at once, crumbs in the bed and all that. Huge hugs to you and so sorry that it was to be this time.