TTC for 10+ months, part 9

[akuabadoll]

Ladies, number 9. The lucky one.

Hello very quickly. Home, semi tanned, drunk too much, feel quite relaxed actually. Haven't thought about TTC too much. Just off for woo though and Internet broken.
So haven't read back and phone posting. Hope all well and this won't post at an inappropriate juncture.

artemis I haven't taken into consideration the stress of any of it. Have spoken to my friend (English is not her first language) and found that they do assisted hatching and free storage of embryos for 1 year. My only concern is monitoring during stimulation and sedation, something to look into but it roughly works out as
Czech £2400 + £1400 for travel/accomodation/scans etc = £3800
UK £3950 + £2500 for drugs/storage/scans/etc = £6400

I also need to find out about FET overseas, UK costs are £950 a time, so with x 2 FET we would be looking at £9000 in total

I think we would try and look at it as a bit of an adventure and like Mr B said depending on how I feel we could do a bit tiki touring. It would be nice to do it here but its just so much money and as Mr B doesn't have a secure job we need to look at our options. I would take my first visit as A/L but the second I would take as S/L. I would have to take S/L if I did it here for EC and ET.
As for time away 2 days for the first trip I think and about 7-9 days for the second??? I suppose that is something else to ask them.

I just want to get on with it but realistically we will be looking at Oct/Nov.

Sorry it just helps to put things down, can I ask those who have had IVF how much time you had off and what was EC/ET like??

X posted with both princess and nelly welcome back and enjoy your woo

rabbits - how was your first day back??

coco - sorry about the screwy cycle. I don't really know what can be going on - has a doctor ever said anything about it? Oh and my plan is to move to the countryside and buy lots of dogs?I'm going to become a mad dog woman if this baby thing doesn't work out

artemis - how long have you been self employed for? Sorry to hear your UTI has not buggered off. I hope you kick in to touch on your work trip.

mrsM - how are you feeling? ?well apart from the bloatedness.

princess - i'm really sorry to hear you are so down at the moment. Hopefully it will be short lived until the worst of ertd is over. I admire what you are doing with trying to imagine the worst. Obviously you are a long long long way off that scenario but i think the main fear is what happens if it doesn't happen and how we deal with it. Anyway you are still early days since starting your new regime and properly trying again. I've always felt very positive about your situation with your excellent egg reserve. It's going to happen for PrincessCHick, I know it.

nelly - enjoy the woo.

buzzy - oh i didn't realise Athens is such a shit hole. Damn. In the back of my mind , Athens was going to be my last chance saloon. There's quite a price difference in prices isn't there.

Nervous to reveal my retraining plan in case of outing myself to all my infertile friends who obviously lurk on here.. I can PM or reveal when we meet next month!!

Buzzybee

Not sure if this is any good to you, but when I had my IVF in the UK (ninewells in dundee) it cost just under 3 grand (inclusive of drugs etc) that didnt include frosties as I didn't have any good enough for the freezer :-( So, it was just a fresh implantation for me. Wasn't sure of their current prices, but checked their site and it still seems to be about the same £2700 -www.acudundee.org/costs/

Of course, Czech republic would be way more interesting than visiting Dundee, and there may well be places closer to home where you are in the UK, but just wanted you to know that there might be cheaper options closer to home. And I never checked success stats, I went there as it was the closest option to home and so never looked at other clinics (I don't drive, so was limited in where I could go)

I was entitled to an NHS cycle but there was a 3 year waiting list in my healthboard area at the time, and as I was 36, didnt want to wait that long so paid for a private cycle (still done by the same NHS docs etc).

joycep if the Serum are great with IVF then go for it. At the end of the day that is why you are there, I haven't been for years but I can't imagine it has improved much, outside Athens was lovely so don't let my opinion put you off. Fair enough not outing yourself

eletheo thanks for the info :), we love Scotland so would again do abit of tiki touring while there, I looked around clinics in England but most were more expensive than London based ones. I'm too old for any NHS help and if there was a long waiting list it wouldn't help us.

starting to feel a bit better about it all, although realise there is still so much to do, I think realistically November, not sure why I thought next month

I'm knackered. Term has beguneth. Sob. I've been so busy this past week which was possibly a bit daft because now my scar throbs and throbs. 4 days til the weekend! I realised today I have no hope for this cycle as my temp rise has been shabby, ov was late and it just feels all wrong. I almost felt happy! Awareness that the cycle is a bit crap has made me feel like there will be no hope and as such, less disappointment and avoidance of the black tent. Its the hopeful cycles that bite me on the ass. Roll on cycle 19. Meh.

princess I think the writing is a really good idea. I liked the idea of exploring child free living in terms of what it might look like and what scares you, I'm going to do this I think. I also found the article you posted really interesting and touching. I too have explored all of those sites on darker days, kind of to look the beast in the eye. But you know, you are so so far away from that. You are so young, have lots of things in your favour. I honestly think it is just time you need.

doll sorry about the hair. Mine is ultra fine and I hate my new haircuts. The worst one I had was a ginger spice horror, I wore a hood for days and when I took it off my dad laughed.

artemis oo I get to do a rabbit list, I rub my hands in glee.

Rabbitmoons cystitis know how: this is what I know helps me anyways.

At first hint of stingy wee, drink half pint of water with 2 paracetamol and one tsp of bicarb of soda, then half a pint every 20 minutes for 2 hours, no more or less. Hot water bottle helps on tummy/back.

Banish g strings and embrace the bigger knicker.

Drink loads always. I drink 2-3 litres every day. Dont hold on to wees.

Always wee after shagging. Somewhat complicated during ttc.

Potters antitis tablets from health shops can be quite soothing.

And the one that is a total pain. But I've stuck with it after almost three years of near constant cystitis. Washing your bits before sex. I have a lot of showers!

I hope it's leaving you. I found it took about two weeks to shift a stubborn one, it will pass soon.

mrsm bravery award for going to work. I couldn't have! I hope you're ok. I had a massive stress the swelling wouldn't go but it did pretty fast. Less so after the big op, that took a lot longer.

nelly glad you are tanned and rested. A well positioned break methinks.

buzzy I'm minding your price research really interesting. Ive read a lot of v positive things in serum and ivf and quite fancy a trip to Greece. I like that you are seeing it as potential for nice travel too. But fingers crossed you won't need it.

I don't want to update my stats but here goes. Please will a non ipadder add me. Will try to do it in less than a thousand words.

Me 35, mr r 33. Ttc #1 18 cycles, longer in real time. SA very high count, rapid motility, 7% morphology. Prog 47, fsh 9.5 done on wrong day but too scared to repeat it. Massive saga with a fibroid that disappeared but unfortunately this wasn't realised before major surgery to remove it in May. Once opened up it was discovered I have a healthy, lumpless uterus and clear tubes. Deemed unexplained and trying au natural til I hit the two year mark.

Oops missed the Athens bit.

Buzzy

Yeah, I couldn't face waiting 3 years either (it's a lifetime when you're thinking about your eggs getting older and older! so went private and paid the 3 grand. At the time (it may well have changed) there was no waiting list at all if you were going private, the lists only kicked in if you were waiting for your NHS healthboard to provide funding.

And our board (fife) had a long waiting list, but if you were resident in dundee, they had recently received extra funding for IVF treatments, so there was only 8 month waiting list for resident dundonians (we're only 5 miles away from dundee, but sadly on the wrong side of the dundee healthboard boundary, it's a postcode lottery, right enough...

Well my post clinic handbag is still making me happy! I think we def deserve treats after appointments. I used to buy myself something whenever my period came, but I'd be bankrupt by now, if I'd continued with that..

rum hope the acu went well. And sar thanks for the tip about acu, but I have to admit I'm not really into woo (but totally respect those who are, don't hate me ladies!) and the thought of more needles makes me shudder.

It's really not long til fet sar, soooo exciting. I love your plan of doing nice things in the run up. Distraction and being kind to yourself are v important in a cycle.

artemis I feel for you with the uti. I had one on and off for 3 months after ivf. Antibiotics are the way forward. Also I found tea really really bad for it.

doll if ivf was £2k here, I'd be having lots of cycles! Wow, bargaineous. And at the mitten. Sorry about the crap haircut. I get soooo depressed after a bad one.

buzzy so sorry the red bitch properly arrived. Hugs. Ivf at Create is about £4.5k without icsi I think. It's the cheapest in London (partly die to the fact you don't have to buy as many drugs if doing mild), except for self funding with the NHS, which is about £1k cheaper. I only looked at 1 clinic outside London (Bourne Hall) and it was cheaper still and lovely, but not practical. Serum or whatever it's called in Greece is meant to be good and they do mild ivf etc. I had about 1 and 1/2 weeks off work and was scanned/had bloods done about 4 times during the stims. Hope that helps!

Oh princess, I really thought this might be your month. But you mustn't give up. That was only month no 2 of trying on the brown diet, wasn't it? The idea of a childless future terrifies me. I can't contemplate it at the moment. We'd definitely adopt if it came to it.

pout at yelling at the cable guy. And it only takes one egg, especially if it's a souped up clomoid egg.

rabbit and eletheo I think Mr B is a bit worried about getting a job and then having to take time off to travel, he quite likes the idea of Dundee, need to check they do the assisted hatching. I would only go to serum if they had an amazing success rate than other places.
I was looking up cats for sale and asked Mr B if IVF didn't work could I have a fur baby, he said I suppose if there isn't going to be a junior I hadn't thought of IVF being the end of the road, we have had a little chat that we would consider a bit after, I'm not sure I'm ready to give up yet :( I think I need to speak to princess about her life without children writing.

Sorry I have hogged the thread tonight :(

gin I also looked up Bourne Hall, there isn't much between Create and NLC price wise.

joy,princess you have both really inspired me tonight. Your positive thinking is very infectious. Focusing on the future, no matter what that holds, seems like the key to sanity.
Not giving up hope but not letting motherhood define you.

Happy Birthday for yesterday doll!

Artemis at screaming toddlers making the dog the plan A. I don't really like other people's kids much so I can not fathom why I want one so much
and at IVF crack house marquee! I'm loving the bulk order idea

It is late... I have to sleep, sorry for all the posts I've missed. Night ..zzz

gin me 34, Mr Gin 33. Ttc too long to count 26 months. Mr Gin has OATS - v low count, crap morphology and motility. Things with me seem to be ok. One failed icsi round in April, using mild ivf and planning a fresh round in October/Nov.

rum 31, Mr Rum 30. TTC 22 months. 2 early MCs. Diagnosed "Unexplained", HSG soonish, another year to wait for NHS IVF.

akuabadoll me 40 Mr Doll 47, TTC over 10 years, never pg. "Unexplained" and living in hope.

Sarlat - me 32, Mr Sar 48. TTC 2.5 years. 1 miscarriage at 6 weeks when first began TTC. Hydrosalpinx on left tube but not fully blocked and suspicious, sluggish right tube and no known cause of tubal issues. DH has borderline morphology and motility but very high counts. 1 failed fresh cycle of IVF and natural cycle FET to come Autumn.

Joycep - me 32, mrj 30. TTC 2.5 years. 1 m/c at 7 weeks when we first started. Clomid, gonalF& IUI, HSG. AMH fallen off a cliff in 18 months now very low. Hidden-C found. Lap&Hysteo coming up. Immunes being tested. IVF hopefully Dec.

coco me 37, MrCoco 43, ttc 15 months. Got BFP after 12months and had mc just after 12wk scan. Always had erratic cycles so assumed from young age that would have trouble conceiving (took sooo many HPTs as a teenager because of AWOL AF ) but not had lady bits checked officially yet.

Artemis me 38, MrA 40, ttc 2.5 years with 1 mc at 6 weeks one year in. Bloods and SA fine therefore "unexplained"; been trying to get appt for HSG for past 3 months. Likely to go on NHS waiting list for IVF later this month.

Princesschick me 30, Mr Princess 34, TTC on and off over 3 years, into 24th cycle, 2 MCs both at just over 6 weeks, poss blighted ovum in Jan 12. Bloods and SA fine, right ovary has polycycstic appearance. 7DPO test shows that prog was 30.1 (bit on the low side for my liking). Nutritionist suspects luteal phase defect. Not sure what tests next, appointment with consultant in two weeks. Considering mild IVF in Jan 13 if no BFP by then.

buzzy me 39 DH 38, TTC #1 for 16 cycles, miscarriages in June 2011 @ 6 weeks and October 2011 @ 10 weeks, 2 x ERPC's with a perforated uterus. Diagnosed with High NK cells, 5 cycle of Super Ovulation on Tamxifen and Gonal F, 1 round of IUI with SO. Looking into ICSI here and abroad.

Rabbit 35, mr r 33. Ttc #1 18 cycles, longer in real time. SA very high count, rapid motility, 7% morphology. Prog 47, fsh 9.5 done on wrong day but too scared to repeat it. Massive saga with a fibroid that disappeared but unfortunately this wasn't realised before major surgery to remove it in May. Once opened up it was discovered I have a healthy, lumpless uterus and clear tubes. Deemed unexplained and trying au natural til I hit the two year mark.

Care 34, Mr C 35' ttc #1, 5 yrs and no bfps, lap and hyspinogram clear, monthly hormones fine, dh results all fine, recent diagnoses of low amh, low antral follicle count and high nk cells. 2 rounds clomid, 3 SO's, 1 mth anti-b's. 2 fresh ivf, 1 FET, all failed implantation. 4 frozen embryos. Currently brewing Chinese herbs whilst having some medical time out.

Hi there, hope you ladies don't mind me joining you. joycep told me about your thread so I have been reading through some of your discussions.

By way of introduction. I am 34 (35 in Jan). I have been TTC for 3 years next week (my wedding anniversary). I wasn't actually so keen to start TTC but my DH was very keen. He is now 39. Until last month I was actually still quite convinced that I was going to conceive naturally and very relaxed. I have had all the tests done (lap, ultrasound, dye test, bloods) and everything has come back clear - I think that gave me a false sense of security. Husband's SA is all good too.

My consultant at the hospital has referred me to have IUI/IVF (via NHS). That was 3 months ago. I have still heard nothing back. In the meantime, my DH has persuaded me to go private as he just can't wait any longer (he is desperate to be a father). I have my 1st appointment at the private clinic on Wednesday. I will be going alone as DH is travelling for work. I'm really nervous and don't really know what to expect.

Having read all your threads, I have realised that my NHS consultant never gave me the latest blood results or DH's latest SA. They have been very focus on my weight as I was slightly underweight (I have had to put on 3kg and still half a kg to go before I get to the normal range of BMI). I have been told NHS will definitely reject me for IVF unless my weight is within normal BMI. This has been really tough for me. I have been force feeding myself every day.

It just recently strike me that it's kind of strange in a way. I have always had clockwork 28 day cycles, never been on the pill (I always used condoms or diaphragm) and yet I have never once had a pregnancy scare or got pregnant...

I think it's just hit me that I really may never get pregnant.

Sorry for the long winded introduction. Think I got a bit carried away. Insomniac and can't stop thinking. :-(

Hello sea I saw your posts on the other thread, nice to see you here. I'm a fellow lean girl and really feel for you trying to gain. It's a nightmare, with very little support. I'm sure trying not to eat is very difficult (I have not tried) but force feeding yourself (I have tried) horrid. What do you need? Over 18.5 BMI? You put on 3kg? Congrats, that's amazing.

Welcome sea you ate in good company here. I have been told I need to put 9 pounds on before ivf referral. I find it very difficult to eat more than I'm hungry for and so far have gained one you are doing well! You have also been amazing at keeping calm. If the docs aren't worried by results that is a good thing, it's easy to mental over them.

Are - dodgy typo!

Morning ladies :)

Welcome sea sorry you find yourself here and that you've been having a tough time. Force feeding sounds horrid. I hope you get the answers you need soon. In the meantime, hang around with us :)

gin and buzzy eeek and bloody hell, I obviously missed something with IVF prices, I thought it was a lot, LOT less than what you two are saying . I now realise that IVF is just like Easyjet and that the price for IVF on the website is not all inclusive. What a knob I am. That blows Jan out of the water for us. Ho hum.

buzzy so sorry this is such a tough time with so many stressful decisions. Hope you fell better today.

gin you pretty much noticed what DH keeps trying to bang into my thick skull. whispers it was only the 2nd go after the brown diet. Patience isn't my thing, especially when friends are falling pregnant like dominoes. Ive had stern but kind words about keeping calm and all.

rabbit thank you for your soothing words. I am impatient (see above) and this is my downfall in wider life too. Brilliant tips on dealing with cystitis. I suffered terribly in my younger years (nearly hospitalised once but that's another story) but don't seem to have that problem any more. But I will make note just in case at lots of showers!!!

nelly welcome home :) xx

Right, I better get up and shower, bed is just too warm and cosy this morning. I really shouldnt get back in after making breakfast... I've been up since 7 and could have done loads. Oh well!!

My tail feathers are looking glossy this morning despite ERTD being full flow. Looking he beast in the eye yesterday has made me feel so much better and much more stoic about this horrid situation. But then I always feel better on CD2-3. Pom Pom waves at all of you. What do we want? BFPs? When do we want 'em? NOW!!!!! Woooooooooooooooooooooooooo

gin me 34, Mr Gin 33. Ttc too long to count 26 months. Mr Gin has OATS - v low count, crap morphology and motility. Things with me seem to be ok. One failed icsi round in April, using mild ivf and planning a fresh round in October/Nov.

rum 31, Mr Rum 30. TTC 22 months. 2 early MCs. Diagnosed "Unexplained", HSG soonish, another year to wait for NHS IVF.

akuabadoll me 40 Mr Doll 47, TTC over 10 years, never pg. "Unexplained" and living in hope.

Sarlat - me 32, Mr Sar 48. TTC 2.5 years. 1 miscarriage at 6 weeks when first began TTC. Hydrosalpinx on left tube but not fully blocked and suspicious, sluggish right tube and no known cause of tubal issues. DH has borderline morphology and motility but very high counts. 1 failed fresh cycle of IVF and natural cycle FET to come Autumn.

Joycep - me 32, mrj 30. TTC 2.5 years. 1 m/c at 7 weeks when we first started. Clomid, gonalF& IUI, HSG. AMH fallen off a cliff in 18 months now very low. Hidden-C found. Lap&Hysteo coming up. Immunes being tested. IVF hopefully Dec.

coco me 37, MrCoco 43, ttc 15 months. Got BFP after 12months and had mc just after 12wk scan. Always had erratic cycles so assumed from young age that would have trouble conceiving (took sooo many HPTs as a teenager because of AWOL AF ) but not had lady bits checked officially yet.

Artemis me 38, MrA 40, ttc 2.5 years with 1 mc at 6 weeks one year in. Bloods and SA fine therefore "unexplained"; been trying to get appt for HSG for past 3 months. Likely to go on NHS waiting list for IVF later this month.

Princesschick me 30, Mr Princess 34, TTC on and off over 3 years, into 24th cycle, 2 MCs both at just over 6 weeks, poss blighted ovum in Jan 12. Bloods and SA fine, right ovary has polycycstic appearance. 7DPO test shows that prog was 30.1 (bit on the low side for my liking). Nutritionist suspects luteal phase defect. Not sure what tests next, appointment with consultant in two weeks. Considering mild IVF in Jan 13 if no BFP by then.

buzzy me 39 DH 38, TTC #1 for 16 cycles, miscarriages in June 2011 @ 6 weeks and October 2011 @ 10 weeks, 2 x ERPC's with a perforated uterus. Diagnosed with High NK cells, 5 cycle of Super Ovulation on Tamxifen and Gonal F, 1 round of IUI with SO. Looking into ICSI here and abroad.

Rabbit 35, mr r 33. Ttc #1 18 cycles, longer in real time. SA very high count, rapid motility, 7% morphology. Prog 47, fsh 9.5 done on wrong day but too scared to repeat it. Massive saga with a fibroid that disappeared but unfortunately this wasn't realised before major surgery to remove it in May. Once opened up it was discovered I have a healthy, lumpless uterus and clear tubes. Deemed unexplained and trying au natural til I hit the two year mark.

Care 34, Mr C 35' ttc #1, 5 yrs and no bfps, lap and hyspinogram clear, monthly hormones fine, dh results all fine, recent diagnoses of low amh, low antral follicle count and high nk cells. 2 rounds clomid, 3 SO's, 1 mth anti-b's. 2 fresh ivf, 1 FET, all failed implantation. 4 frozen embryos. Currently brewing Chinese herbs whilst having some medical time out.

mrsmellow 34, MrM 39, ttc 13 months. No BFP's. polycystic ovaries and never knowingly ovulated alone, 3 cycles of stimulate ovulation (clomid [thin uterus], letrozole, letrozole), Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy - blocked left tube, right looks ok. Plan - 3 more stimulated cycles +/- IUI if right sided follicle, followed by IVF if unsuccessful.

Welcome sea Force feeding sounds unpleasant. Hand holding for your appointment on Wednesday, I hope it goes well.

princess glad to see your tail feathers are glossy again but your post yesterday was so thought provoking... think I need to take pen to paper (in my case more likely to be typing though...my handwriting is illegible to me never mind anyone else )

buzzy gin I echo princess, I had no idea IVF was so expensive!!! I will have to look at prices here. Becoming the mad country living owner of many dogs is looking more attractive all the time!

I'm still in bed "working" on computer but need to get up shortly and go into work. Bloating has mostly settled, scars are itchy (sign of healing, but very irritating). I look very bruised. Highly attractive. Having blood tinged EWCM! Not sure if thats a sign of ovulation or just my cervix expressing irritation at the way it has been treated.... What time of day do you guys pee on ov sticks? Is it true you can't do it first thing? Trust DH to be away... although we pushed for the lap this month because he'd be away and didn't think anything could happen post op, although the gynae very definitely thought it could.

Right, going to get out of bed and gingerly wave pom poms (still a bit tender and not quite ready to jump up and down)

IVFSouthAfrica
"IVF approximately 25000-35000 Rand per cycle. The cost will depend on the amount of medication used and whether additional advanced procedures are necessary such as ICSI, embryo freezing etc."

"The Cape Fertility Clinic is very proud to announce the pregnancy rates for 2010. The pregnancy rates were 42% per egg retrieval and 47% per embryo transfer."

There are 13 rand to the pound at the moment - so that is £2000 to £3000 per cycle I guess (plus any extras). Flights cost between £600-800 return, accommodation can be anywhere between £30-infinity per night!

Just to add to your options

Morning MrsM Glad you are feeling better. I think you are an absolute star!! I started to write my things down on the back of an envelope but then decided to type them up. I also put the date on, so that I will be able to look back in the future (hopefully when I'm clutching a screaming child / disciplining a surly teen and wondering what my 'childfree future' would have been like ). I pee on cheapie ov sticks every wee from day 15 (as I tend to get the surge on CD15/16). Although I find I usually get my surge late afternoon / evening. You wee on the CB ones and the CBFM one's first thing but all others are second wee on (I still do all tho). xx

Princess I read the link you posted last night, very interesting. Thanks for that.

mellow I have tried ov sticks on and off over the years with little success. But recently seem to have got the hang of it so perhaps this is of use to: yes avoid first wee, if you use the Internet cheapies then a couple of times a day is worth it (Princess I may well be tempted to do more, but mine are harder to get hold of!). It may be harder for you doing it over a longer period but see how you go. When mine are arctic I just do one, after 12 noon but I can't be precise as life just doesn't allow. If there is a line but not dark enough, i tend to do another early evening. In my case (this has just been over the last 3 months) I have found only one + early afternoon and a temp raise the next day. Honestly in practise the arctic stick just give me an excuse to delay the start of shag week..

rabbit 9 pounds? That's tough. My sympathies.

mrsm thanks for the info, great success rate. Mr B will be jobless after today so I am going to let him look some stuff up, he's good at that kind of thing. I'll become the mad cat lady if I don't have a baby I use a cbfm so pee in the morning but also have the internet cheapies but don't really like them, and also have the cb smiley one which I use a day or so before I think ov will happen in the evenings not that I am obssessed about poas

princess I started a 'diary' when I had problems with my parents, I don't write in it everyday just when I have something on my mind, I might ask you more about your writing when we meet if that is ok. Create has a price list online. Its a bit deceiving when you look at the price and its all the other bits that really add up like the drugs/scans/consultations. I'm hoping we will have some embryos to freeze and I am keen on assisted hatching so they add £1000 to our costs.

sea welcome :) It is difficult to gain weight and force feed yourself, Mr B lost alot of weight and I have been making asking him gain some he has managed to gain a bit but still has at least 3kgs to go. Sadly I'm a comfort eater so I need to lose alot some still secretly blame the heathrow injection

well I'm at home with a migraine today, watching the paras