Roll up! Roll up! Mount those uni cycles and shake those pom poms. The Elderberry Pavlovas are drumming away in the hope of a Christmas clusterdiff (Thread 24).

[happylass]

The smallprint –
Berries have a strict entrance criteria (TTC #1, over 30, TTC for 12+ months, NO instadiffers, must have a special pot and definitely no mention of baby dust or baby dancing).
Those not abiding by the rules may be escorted from the premises.

The roll of honour:

Gillster 40, TTC Feb 2012, IVF Feb 2014 resulting in 6 frozen one day embies. No transfer due to polyp. Failed FET cycle in September due to polyps. Starting 2nd FET cycle on 4 Nov.
Happylass 36, TTC since Aug 2012. Antibodies in DH's sperm. 1 unsuccessful cycle of ICSI September '14. Starting cycle 2 in January.
Smidge, 38, TTC since Jan 2013. Unexplained. IVF#1 Short protocol July 2014 yielded 1 blasto, BFN. IVF#2 in process - Long Protocol Oct/Nov 2014
Serenity 34 TTC Jan 2013, unexplained infertility, DH has textbook super sperm, 3 rounds unsuccessful clomid, 1 ICSI June 14 with complete fertilisation failure, next ICSI Nov 14.
Jelliebabe - 40, Threw the pills away 8 years ago. Unexplained but have a very low AMH, 1st IVF with clinic in Prague, 2 embryo's, chemical pregnancy. 2nd IVF in London branch of clinic - 1 embryo, BFN. Hoping to go back to Prague for Donor eggs in January
nolly, 32, TTC since Sep 2012, unexplained. 6 months clomid did sod all, next appointment 29th Oct, hoping to start private round ivd soon.
Pixie, 33, TTC June 12, DH has zero sperm count but managed to extract some under surgery, start downregging in a week, long protocol, ICSI Nov
Tigerdog 34, ttc 21 months. Unexplained after all tests and currently on waiting list for IVF.
Beaky 34 ttc since aug 2012. Unexplained with recurring cysts and adenomyosis. 1 failed IUI, IVF appointment in November and hoping to start first cycle in January.
Bushy 36, ttc since dec 2011, low amh, ovarian reserve, dh sperm had low count & motility but improved to 'normal' standard, IVF/Icsi in May bfp, then later missed miscarriage at 12 week scan. 2nd Ivf imminent but not sure if dates will work over Christmas.
HampshireBlues 36 TTC since August 2011, unexplained. 1st cycle of IVF chemical. Had a break over the summer. Cycle 2 planned for November
WildflowerMarmalade , 40, TTC 3 years, unexplained, underactive thyroid + immune issues. Sept IUI - BFN. Due to start IVF in Jan
lumen, 35, ttc since Nov 11 without a sniff of a bfp, unexplained, had only nhs funded IVF summer 2014, no implantation, trying self-funded IVF Nov 14, currently mid cycle
AnnieHoo 41, ttc July 2012. Unexplained. MMC Nov 2012, MMC May 2014. IVF Oct 2014 BFN. Waiting for FET.
Trill 41, TTC since March 2013. Endo with one completely blocked tube and one kinked with adhesions. Currently stimming.

And Gil's handy guide to the current IVFers....

Smidge - PUPO on 3 Nov
Pip - ET on 5 Nov
Lumen -EC on 5 Nov
Trill - day 5 of stims
Pixie - week of DR done
Seren - stimming yet?
Gillster- start DR on 4 Nov
Kuma - you starting soon???

This is true Beaky. But hopefully my bum will have recovered from this latest horror by that time.

Yes, I'll be doing long protocol. Is that the same as you beaky? Injecting burselin (sp) from day 21 then menopur after 2-3 weeks until EC.

I've just realised I have nowhere that is home anymore on the Conception board so I'm hoping you wouldn't mind if I posted here?

I'm most definitely not an instant differer sadly as I'm 18 months in with 2 mcs behind me. The mc thread just doesn't feel right anymore as mine were so early and quite a long time ago now and all the other threads I've joined have generally graduated without me.

Anyhow I'm TTC2, 40 in February. Had 3/21 testing that came back normal although my cycles are only 26 days now so the 21 day was done on day 18. My DP Deneb results have come back as normal although the majority of then seem to swim in a zigzag lol. I am taking hundreds of pounds worth of supplements a week and seeing a fertility acupuncturist and yet every month brings me nothing.

Very disappointing but I suspect I am one of many around these parts

*semen

Hi NewEra. I'm sorry to hear you are having a tough time, and completely understand your feeling slightly out of place on the mc boards. However, this thread is really meant for those who are trying to conceive their first child, so you might be a bit out of place here too, (frustrating as that may sound). Much as we try to be very sympathetic I think sometimes it feels hard to be in the same boat as someone who already does have one child of their own.

However I have seen a lot of the lovely berries on here comment ok other threads elsewhere - the infertility board can be quite useful, and I have definitely seen a thread there about struggling to conceive no2 after having no real problem with the first child.

Sorry I don't mean to sound dismissive but I am just aware that some people are really after a safe place to talk with people in the same boat - ie still trying to conceive #1 likely nonsense of course because if we ever do get our first born, no doubt suddenly the goal posts will change and we'll be crying 'no fair' at the fact we're struggling for a sibling!

If you decide to embark on assisted fertilisation there are several IVF / IUI /ICSI threads (again with infertility section I think). Also possibly some on clomid or the 'just shagging' option, which is always good for a laugh!

Ah god Smidge I didn't realise this was for TTC 1. Maybe this is actually a sign to just get off the boards as I really don't seem to have a place in any of the threads anymore.

Sorry girls, didn't mean to intrude, loads and loads of luck to you all xxx

Aww NewEra I'm so sorry to hear what a shitty time you've had. There must be a thread somewhere for ttc2 after mc. Or you could start a new thread? Hugs to you, keep your chin up and tons of luck for getting no.2 xx

tiger yes, I'm burselin then menopur long protocol too! (I can't spell either ) I had a panic about where to hide the drugs til January and put them in the wardrobe til I panicked that it was too close to the radiator!

How is everyone? It's gone a bit quite again!

Pixie how's things in PUPO land?

Beaky do you have your Menopur yet? If do, I think this needs to go in the fridge if it is in powder form.

So, am back on track to start back on the Buserelin on December 23rd and take the contraceptive until then (still makes no sense) so think that places me as a collection in the third week of the new year. Glad that AF has arrived but she is here with a vengeance!

Beaky remind me when you start......I only had to put the trigger in the fridge. I have to say the only way to get your heard around it is to take each section as it comes. I found that helped massively last time round.

Tiger when are you starting?

pixie hope your 2ww is passing quickly. Everything crossed for you.

hb I will start down regging around the 1st April as I'm taking 3 months to settle in to new job at the start of the year. Glad you have your plan in place.

Sorry to hear of your troubles newera and hope you find a thread you can call home soon.

smidge hope you're well!

Evening ladies sorry for the silence. Work still manic.
NewEra sorry to hear you're having such a difficult time. I'm sure there is a thread on here for ladies having difficulty TTC#2. Wishing you all the very best of luck.
HB I will hopefully be getting EC around the 3rd week in Jan too. Another cycle buddy
Feeling a bit down about things at the moment. 4 of my colleagues have had babies in recent weeks so my FB newsfeed is filled with their baby pictures and comments of them gushing over their 'bundles of joy' and how amazing motherhood is. I know I sound like a bitter old hag and I probably am. I am genuinely happy for them. Just wish I didn't have to see it all 24/7
No sign of AF as yet which is a good thing. The longer she stays away the less chance there is of us having to wait another month to start ICSI.
Off to North Wales tomorrow with DH as he's working there for the weekend. I only used to accompany him on work trips if it was shag week but I'll be glad of the change of scenery this weekend. Hope everyone is ok. Sorry if this has been a bit of a downer/mememe post.

happy unfollow is your friend.

Ah Barking the problem is loads of past/present colleagues that I'm friends with are also commenting so it'd still be coming up even if I unfollowed the main offenders. Am sure I'll get over it. Will help once the AF hormones are out of my system!

FB can be vvv annoying for all the gushing over baby announcements/ photos/ self-indulgent posts etc. Sorry it is annoying you Happy

Newera sorry for your troubles. I think what Smidge suggested about there being some good threads on the infertility boards is right. Good luck to you.

Beaky and HB what us the burselin? I'll be taking noresthiterone - wonder if that is the same thing?

I had the day off today and I baked, yes baked , biscuit Christmas tree decorations. I've iced them and the patterns look as if they are done by a child! I've managed to convince myself that it adds to the Christmassy effect.

Wild glad you mentioned Norithisterone because when I started taking it nobody else had been given it!! Norithisterone is progesterone and for me I only took it to delay AF so that I'd have a heavier bleed (and I suspect also so that they can control what day I started injecting). Once I'd stopped the Norithisterone and started bleeding I then started on the Buserelin which is a down regging drug. As I was doing short protocol I also started the Menopur for stimming around the same time. Have you been give a start date for your cycle? Are you long or short?

Sounds like it us going to be busy in here over the next few months with treatments.

How are you doing pixie? When is your OTD?

How are you getting on smidge?

Am impressed with the Christmas decoration baking!

We have our review meeting on tues to discuss our failed cycle but then we have decided to take 3 months off and forget about treatment, etc. we are both going to get a bit fitter and enjoy life. We have just booked a weekend away in feb to centre parcs which I am really looking forward to. Think after this year we need to try and get back to 'normality'.

Off for Christmas número uno this weekend with the in laws. Going to get in the festive spirit via the medium of alcohol

What are the rest of the berries up to this weekend?

Ps how is the stork going tiger?

lumen taking three months off to get back to normality sounds great, I'm right there with you from January onwards. I haven't taken delivery of the stork yet, but I shall keep you all posted on the shenanigans! there is no such thing as oversharing, right?! Enjoy your festive weekend! I'm out for work Christmas drinks tonight (won't be drinking though) and then birthday celebrations for a couple of friends tomorrow. Also need to do some

Aw,happy a pawhold from me. It is really is tough. I have a few babies being born amongst my friends at the moment, and I am finding it difficult to take. Unusually, so is Mr T, who has insisted we avoid some friends over Christmas as we'll be the only ones without children in the group now and he can't face it either.

wild I am impressed with the baking. I have real trouble making things like that look any good. There is always a huge gap between my imagination and my ability to execute it!

Having a very slow day....on the countdown to the weekend!

Oops, didn't finish my sentence. Also need to do some Christmas shopping was what it was supposed to say

Happy sorry you've got the blues, come hide under the duvet of despair with me. I'll try and knock out some Christmas tunes to make us feel better. I've also had a birth announcement in my newsfeed today, not a close friend, but someone who has just had her second since we've been trying, and is over 40.

I've been to the FC today and have been told I can't do my natural cycle this month as my body still isn't playing ball. My oestradiol is at 800 when it should be around 200 (I think) and I already have two large follicles on my right ovary at 17 and 19 mm. Apparently this can be a problem when you have low ovarian reserve as your body starts recruiting the follicles too early. Private FC said the same thing. I've to go back next cycle (which will probably be when they are closed for Xmas so will actually be the cycle after) and if the bloods are the same, go on the pill for a month then try again. So looks like I now can't even consider starting a cycle till February, and if the bloods are off again then, it will be March. I just feel like giving up right now . I should be going into work this afternoon but just really don't feel like it. Its not much fun at home either as I've got builders laying a new floor downstairs. I think there will be plenty of this weekend....
Sorry its a mememe post...

Sending hugs your way kuma

Gil no I only have buserelin at the moment.

HB are you taking the pill to get rid of cysts? That's what I did before iui - so strange though, I only had the implant for contraception previously and struggled to remember to take the pill. Thinking about it, we've actually not used any contraception for about 4 years now. Hmm. Great that you can start again soon, fx AF turns up sharpish for you. I start dr on January 5th and am actually now looking forward to starting! crazy

Happy for you, fb is a curse as much as it is brilliant but the baby/preggo announcements are crap. When are you thinking you will start icsi? I hope you enjoy north wales but watch out for snow!

Wild impressed with your edible Christmas decs! Buserelin is my downregging drug, which I'll be injecting for 3 weeks apparently, then I stim after that. Are you short protocol like Happy? Do you have a date to start your cycle yet?

Lumen that sounds like a good plan, we all need a break every so often but especially after a failed cycle. I hope you get some answers at your review and they can offer a new plan for your next cycle. Enjoy the festivities this weekend! I think it's a great excuse to drink things that you wouldn't normally as well as lots of sparkly!

Tiger what's oversharing? You've clearly made that word up as if there's any such thing on mn! You have a busy weekend there but sounds like fun! I am also on wind down for the weekend, off for a ladies day out tomorrow with the family I can't wait.

Kuma so sorry you can't start again, that's such an awful delay already never mind the what oaf for next time. I totally know what you mean, giving up sometimes seems like the easiest way to get control back and stop the constant disappointment. Would it be worth you try going on the pill for this cycle so you don't have to wait another cycle? Then also you will know when AF will arrive? and for tonight.

Shall we send the berry projection up for Pixie! Where are you and how are you doing Pixie?!

lumen a break after my iui/mc did me the world of good. It took me 3 months to feel relaxed and recovered.
However it's now been 7 months (not by choice, just due to waiting for rmc appointments, tests and results, then a appointment back at acu) and I'm chomping at the bit to start the next iui...

kuma sorry for more delays and disappointment, it sucks .

On the way home now - yippee!! Thank Crunchie it's Friday.

Sorry your body is being so rubbish Kuma. Hope you can compensate by having a good Christmas instead.

Also sick of all the happy families in my Facebook feed. My new pet hate is also Christmas cards with babies on etc. fortunately not had any yet but did get one from one of DH's work colleagues in Canada last year who we both hardly know. Fortunately my new nephew's parents don't do FB so haven't been subjected to too many pictures from them although they have emailed a couple.

I think a break is an excellent idea Lumen. If I wasn't so ancient I'd have one myself. It's been slim pickings on the sex front for us because we've had to abstain or use protection every time we've gone through treatment or had the hysteroscopies which has pretty much taken all year.

Going to put the tree up tomorrow and write the Xmas cards this weekend. Feel pleased with my Christmas shopping progress this week, almost all done although can't say that it's been my most productive week.

Have another dildocam on Monday so praying that I've remained polyp free. Think I'll have my last glass of this weekend for what I hope is going to be a very long time.

Have a lovely weekend ladies. X

Gil an literally keeping everything crossed that you palace will be polyp free on Monday. Won't you OTD be on or around Xmas Day? What an amazing gift that would be!
Kuma so sorry you've had more set backs. So bloody unfair. Keeping everything crossed that you can get going asap
Beaky in theory I should start taking the Norithisterone on day 21 of this coming cycle which, if AF comes today as expected, will be the 27th. Problem is the scratch needs to be done around this time too but it's the weekend them I'm away in Belfast for NYE. When I gave the clinic my hypothetical dates they said they 'should' be able to do the scratch on Jan 2nd (which will mean an early morning dash back from Sheffield) but I'm just waiting for AF so I can find out what's definitely going on. Fx it'll be possible as I'm ready to get going again now.
Probably slept in the worlds most uncomfortable bed last night, my back is in bits! Shopping today whilst DH is in work though
Have a good Saturday Berries.

She really must've heard me talking about her!! Wish she'd waited til this afternoon though then tomorrow would've been cd1