Excellent Egg Buddies continued! Anyone having IVF/ICSI in Jan, Feb and March 2013 please join us!

[fairypangolin]

We've run out of room on Karbea's Jan IVF thread and it is too much fun to stop! We're all getting into comfy clothes and enjoying the side effects and surprises (and occasionally some hand holding).

Hello lovely ladies

Finally finished work and am on way home.

What a day. I'm so sad about Euro's news.

Dildals good news about the twins. Thanks for the EC tips. They are duly noted for later reference. I laughed about the swimming goggles. I'm confused though cause I thought that it wasn't done under GA. I'm hoping to be out for the count. I've read some stories of varying degrees of horror about EC so I don't want to feel any of it.

Del - great new about mr D. Congrats. At least it's one comfort to know you will be together at this time. I really don't know how you and Northey cope alone all week. I'm full of admiration for both of you.

Well done choco for not analysing symptoms too much. Hang in there.

Noks - what protein are you eating? I'm having fish and pulses and having to take a powder to get my quota up cause I'm not on dairy. I miss eggs!

Keep - before this experience I would never in a million years have guessed that a 'non serious op under GA' was EC. Now I know that it is practically code for it! I've also told work the same thing. Goodness knows what they think is going on. I've made vague refs to gynae and my male manager is now too scared to ask im sure.

Scarlett - thanks for the non alcoholic drinks tips. Hopefully they will come in very useful over the next few months. If all goes to plan I'll have to attend at least 2 weddings and not be drinking.

Honty, Northey, Vall thinking of you all. I hope you are being looked after. It's a horrible thing.

Fairy and dildals. I'm going to do my best to join you but I'm learning everyday that it is so precarious. I'm grateful for this chance and I'm trying to be mindful of the journey. I don't want it to fly by and then I'm regretful about more I could have done. We can't torture ourselves.

And then there is me. Not much to report. Still no AF. If I knew better I'd be over the moon if it was 2 days late under normal circumstances. Now I'm worried that the drugs aren't working. Still I'm pretty upbeat considering and I'm almost enjoying it if you know what I mean. I feel proactive. Ballroom dancing tonight so that's fun.

Loads of love to you all shazza xxx

Hello lovely ladies

Finally finished work and am on way home.

What a day. I'm so sad about Euro's news.

Dildals good news about the twins. Thanks for the EC tips. They are duly noted for later reference. I laughed about the swimming goggles. I'm confused though cause I thought that it wasn't done under GA. I'm hoping to be out for the count. I've read some stories of varying degrees of horror about EC so I don't want to feel any of it.

Del - great new about mr D. Congrats. At least it's one comfort to know you will be together at this time. I really don't know how you and Northey cope alone all week. I'm full of admiration for both of you.

Well done choco for not analysing symptoms too much. Hang in there.

Noks - what protein are you eating? I'm having fish and pulses and having to take a powder to get my quota up cause I'm not on dairy. I miss eggs!

Keep - before this experience I would never in a million years have guessed that a 'non serious op under GA' was EC. Now I know that it is practically code for it! I've also told work the same thing. Goodness knows what they think is going on. I've made vague refs to gynae and my male manager is now too scared to ask im sure.

Scarlett - thanks for the non alcoholic drinks tips. Hopefully they will come in very useful over the next few months. If all goes to plan I'll have to attend at least 2 weddings and not be drinking.

Honty, Northey, Vall thinking of you all. I hope you are being looked after. It's a horrible thing.

Fairy and dildals. I'm going to do my best to join you but I'm learning everyday that it is so precarious. I'm grateful for this chance and I'm trying to be mindful of the journey. I don't want it to fly by and then I'm regretful about more I could have done. We can't torture ourselves.

And then there is me. Not much to report. Still no AF. If I knew better I'd be over the moon if it was 2 days late under normal circumstances. Now I'm worried that the drugs aren't working. Still I'm pretty upbeat considering and I'm almost enjoying it if you know what I mean. I feel proactive. Ballroom dancing tonight so that's fun.

Loads of love to you all shazza xxx

Darn it. I couldn't get the post to send and then it sent twice!

scarlett I don't have enough non-alcoholic drinking buddies :-( so the wine is going flat in my fridge at the mo. Another reason to see if we can arrange a meet! ;-)

shazza You're with Guys so you'll defo be out for the count! I had a German anaesthetist ... he puts a mask thing on your face, which I later associated with swimming goggles (I do a lot of swimming).

We had such a good start on this thread but it is painfully clear that the odds are stacked against us. I must have been v lucky.

My period took ages to arrive ... I think my body was scared of what was to come. Normally I get it at day 26, it held out till day 31! Of course I thought I was preggers - but no such luck!

Enjoy your ballroom dancing!

scarlett do you mean you are having lots of discharge? The Cetritide injections make you gushington central. So that's normal. Pack a pair of spare pants lady!

dil thank you! I'm normal ish and my stop at Gushington Central clearly was on the map that I haven't seen phew...

Thanks dildals. I don't swim. Maybe I'll think he is Brendan Cole! I love Guys acu. Thank god they don't subscribe to the grin and bear it school of thought. The nurse I had said that where she used to work you could hear the screams down the corridor. Gulp. Luckily everyone on here has had a good experience of EC.

I've become a little obsessed about finding 1st time success stories for women aged 42. Quite specific I know! I'm starting to feel that I've saved for over a year for a trial run. It seems like first time luck is rare. Oh well luckily I've started saving for round 2 just in case.

Xx

euro how sad. I wish I could share a glass of wine with you, alcoholic or not.

dildals how happy! (god this thread involves extremes) what a relief. I am tempted to get another scan privately around week 11 because we are seeing family Easter weekend and I won't have had my dating scan on the NHS by then. I just had my booking in appointment yesterday and to my relief the midwives were completely unfazed by the IVF and did not try to suggest it made me 'high risk' or anything.

keep dildals' advice is spot on although at my clinic you could order a sandwich beforehand and they brought it to you the minute you came round along with some crisps and a cup of tea (I was v impressed by this). Also if anything happens during the EC that bothers you ask to discuss it with the doctor. Likewise, it's probably worth it to speak with the embryologist regardless of how many eggs fertilise because they will be able to discuss it a lot more intelligently than the nurse.

fairy and dildals I'll be having another go at joining your happy little club in a couple of months. Just be patient!

The embryologists came round to speak to all of us after EC at my clinic. The dr didn't speak to me afterwards but did speak to Mr Euro before I came round.

Sharon my clinic uses sedation and I was a bit worried that I would be able to feel everything having read various horror stories on the internet, but it was actually like a general but with less grogginess afterwards. The first drug went in and the ceiling started swimming. The anaesthetist asked me how I felt (answer: stoned) and the next thing I knew I was waking up in another room and it was all over. I just came round more quickly than I have from generals.

Why no eggs? I am dairy free and had a bit more meat and fish than usual and ate as many eggs as usual.

Choco the waiting is horrible, isn't it? You are doing very well.

scarlett I'd start again tomorrow if it was possible. Now we know that this works for us, I am really eager to try again. I'm not sure how long the clinic will make us wait. I'll email when I start bleeding and ask. I expect we will get a debrief appointment afterwards.

Good luck to you!

Hello Euro

Im not so worried about EC now. Well not the procedure anyway. I am about how many eggs they will get!

No eating eggs cause am on an elimination diet for another condition that I have. I had one of those food sensitivity tests and eggs were top closely followed by gluten, dairy and various other things. I'm veggie but luckily eat fish. And I've got the magic powder to boost my protein. I just hope it's enough. Not great timing to do the diet really but my body is displaying signs of internal inflammation that comes out through my skin and I figured if I can take that inflammation down abit that would be better for this treatment also. It's not too bad now I'm used to it but it will be rice crackers for me when I come round. Maybe I'll throw in some smoked salmon seeing as though it's a special occasion!

Ive decided not to go dancing. My tummy is really sore and I feel a little bit teary. Mr S is at college tonight so I'm going to bed with a hot water bottle to sleep it off.

Night night girls. Sleep well. Xx

Ah I see. I thought it was ttc-related. I was wheat free for this cycle cos I think I had a chem preg when I tried going wheat free to see if it gave me more energy in November.

Lentils and pulses are really good sources of protein, so I am sure you are getting plenty!

Hey gorgeous girls

And so this thread is like some sort of unusual emotional roller-coaster, involving fannycams, back AND front door action (how very modern), protein gorging wide-eyed hormonal women and confused men, lurking in the background, just waiting for a bitch-slap because we're the ones taking all the drugs whilst all they have to is...well, you know . Yes, it's the daily musings of a hormonal Noks. .

delilah so lovely to read your post. You obviously have a plan for the future which is great. I wish you all the luck in the world.

dildals and fairy am really glad all is well with you girls. Keep-up the good work !

honts euro norf vall I admire you so much. You really are an inspiration to the rest of us newbies on the thread. I hope you're being looked after and that things get easier for you. Xx

scarlett have you left gushington yet

shazzamatazza sounds like you're having a bit of a shit time down regging. Stay with it luv - it gets better once you get to stab yourself when stimming. Promise.

Afm, scan tomorrow at 4pm to see how I've responded to stimming. Suddenly becoming quite real, all this ivf malarkey, as next week it'll all be happening, one way or another.....

Apologies if I've left anyone out. Couldn't go back further than this page. Needless to say, hope you're all ok, one way or another.

Noks x

shaz I am a fish eating veggie so been eating loads of fish. Luckily I can still scoff dairy so lots of f'king eggs, the irony of which is not lost on me ! X

keep sorry luv, meant to say good luck for EC tomorrow. Will be sending you lots of good vibes !

*choco hello !

Noks x

Hi all...

euro I'm so very sorry...sounds like you and Mr Euro have it sorted and have made the right decision for you...still it's tough...big hugs

keep good luck for tomorrow

north I think your right about the emotions making me tired and also probably withdrawing from the cocktail of drugs I've been taking. How soon after OTD BFN did you get your period? I'm still waiting

delilah good to hear from you and sounding so positive....hope the bruises disappear quickly

What's a chem pregnancy euro?

north good luck for your scan tomorrow

Thank you everyone for sending your love....

I'm feeling better about the situation toady...still haven't heard from the clinic...very annoyed at that, left another message today and nothing! I want to know what my options are and have a plan in place for the next try....I also want to join you with a BFP dils

Big love to everyone else...xx

hont that's ridiculous and really insensitive. I would escalate this if I were you. As if things aren't fraught enough, the lack of communication from the clinic makes things worse. Don't sit back and take it. X

euro I'm so sorry. This totally sucks and is so unfair. I admire you for making that decision, I believe it is the right one, and hope you can do it without medical intervention. Also, I know you had a tough time on LP, perhaps consider SP if you're not doing natural again.

choco when's OTD?

Scarlett I was at gushington central too. And have horrendously sore boobs, esp the nipples!

So EC was fine, I'm home and have had bacon sarnie and tea, amazing!! We got 11 eggs!! Very happy with that. Awaiting a call re sperm, as if it was a poor sample we may do icsi. Now the mentalling re fertilisation. Exciting at the same time, I don't think we've ever had anything fertilise!

Not sure what mil thinks, but if someone didn't want to talk about an op I'd think gynae or bowel.

Bring on the pessaries, I was told front door...

Ivf it is! All sperm in normal parameters! :)

Noks totally going to escalate with clinic this is ridiculous!

Euro congrats on a wonderful harvest and hooray for the sperm! Fingers crossed for fertilisation

Have a lovely day all x

hont, it was the next day. About 36 hours after stopping pessaries.

Morning lovely ladies

hont that's rubbish not to have heard back from the clinic - keep hassling them! Re work, I'm off until Monday.

noks and scarlett good luck for the scans today. noks is this your first stims scan? I, too, was sick of protein! scarlett why 2 days in hospital after ec?

keep that's fab news about your 11 eggs, well done. Fingers tightly crossed for lots to fertilise. My OTD is a week today.

delilah glad to hear your physical recovery is going well and you're sounding strong

euro I really admire how strong you're sounding. Still thinking of you.

shazza hope you're feeling better this morning after a good night's sleep. EC is nothing to worry about as you don't know anything about it! The waiting to hear about eggs collected and how many fertilise is the nerve wracking bit sorry, that was meant to be reassuring Re the googling, can totally understand, it's an addictive thing.

north and val hope you're ok

choc I meant I'm off work for 4 days but I'm going to be at hospital Monday and [hopefully] Wednesday, so 2 of those days iykwim. Come to think if it in there today too I should get a season ticket for the carpark

Oh I see, scarlett. Think I went 4 times one week and weirdly quite miss going there now!

honty a chem preg is a very, very early miscarriage. I've had two incidents (one in Nov and one a little while before we started ttc) where I have had a very odd cycle. My cycles are usually very regular but on both of these my period came early and I had a bunch of weird symptoms (on one, nausea from about 2dpo, and on the other, pink blood and dizzyness during the 2ww). On both of them I started bleeding at about 9dpo (unheard of me - my LP is about 13 days usually). I never got as far as a positive test but I am sure something started to happen then (failed implantation maybe?) so I call them chem pregs for shorthand.

I completely understand about wanting the next try. I am very focussed on that. I will be calling the clinic as soon as I start bleeding asking when we can go again.

keep i'm glad EC went well and hope that the MIL has been managed! 11 eggs is brilliant and I'm glad Mr Keep's contribution was a good one.

We both said "never again" to downregging after the horrible cycle last year so LP is completely out. I don't think we would even want to do a conventional short protocol cycle because my body just seems to overreact to hormones. I had symptoms of mild OHSS on a moderate dose of Letrozole FFS! We might try mild stimulation at one point though. We originally said we would do three natural cycles. We've obviously done one of those already. I am now leaning towards two more naturals and adding one mild on the end as a last hurrah if the next two natural cycles don't work. We have a fridge full of stimms left over from our cancelled cycle, so we might as well use them if natural isn't doing it.

I'm feeling a bit low and "flat" today. I think it is in part sadness at what is happening and also the start of the hormone drop as I missed last night's cyclogest. I've got an acu session booked for this afternoon. I just want the mc over asap.

Hello Lovely Ladies

I hope that you are all ok today.

Keep - well done on the egg harvest. that is marvellous news! Fingers crossed for the fertilisation call. Good luck with the pessaries.

Honty, I can't believe that the clinic haven't called you back. That is terrible, on top of what is already devastating news. I hope they have by now.

Euro - I'm sorry you feel flat. It is natural to feel sad and as you say, probably also to do with the hormones. I hope that you have a lovely weekend. I'm thinking of you.

Hello to everyone else. I'm thinking of you all.

so AFM as they say. Well I'm not sure how to say this but here goes. As you know I had a difficult night last night with these cramps and AF is late so this morning at 6am I thought 'sod it - I'll do a test' and then suddenly there it was BFP! I couldn't believe it. I went and woke up Mr S and he also looked and verified that there were 2 lines. I must be the only IVF patient in the world to only have 1 pg test in the house so I couldn't do another one to double check. We sat and looked at this one for 2 and a half hours until 8.30 when I could ring Guys. Then I had to leave a message and wait for them to call me back.

At 9am we went to the shop and bought a 2 pack of Clearblue digital the one that tells you conception date and 2 first reponses. The clearblue says 'pregnant 1-2' and the first response has 2 lines although very faint. but by this time I could only squeeze out a tiny bit of wee. I have spoken to Guys and they said to stop the sniffing and start the pessaries (in the front door incidently :-) ) I kept saying to the nurse, "I can't believe it" and she said that she could. Apparently this is common. I keep looking at the tests and just can't believe it. after all this time. I've never had so much as a sniff of a positive. It is obviously massively early days and as we know the road ahead is long and precarious. I asked the nurse if I can hang onto the drugs just in case and she said yes of course. If there comes a time when I don't need them anymore then I can donate them to the Unit which of course I would be happy to do rather than throw them in the bin. She has cancelled my appointments and booked a scan for 4th April. I have no symptoms apart from weeing alot and a crampy abdomen. So there you go. Fancy that! But please can i stay in your gang? I consider this to be an IVF miracle pregnancy and I want to stay with you girls.

'effing 'ell!

loads of love
shazza xx