Grab your Ganeshas and collect your cats: The Elderberry Pavlovas in the Quest for the New Year clusterdiff (thread 25)

[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 whole AMH thing is confusing HB. The cons seemed to think that it would mean that I was unlikely to respond well to the stimming and so that is why he is suggesting this double stim approach. He did say that he would hope to get at least five eggs per stimming cycle - although obviously no guarantees.

Kuma you've put your finger on it in saying that right now it's about avoiding 'what ifs' . Can I ask how many eggs you ended up with on your cycle?

HB AMH is exactly what you said, but I don't think it's an exact science - there are other factors. My AMH is on the low side of normal (or at least it was a year ago - dread to think what it's like now!) hence why I'm on such a huge dose of Menopur which costs a bloody fortune. Last time I got 9 or 10 follies which I think was ok but obviously this time, for some reason, I've responded totally differently (better blood supply due to aspirin??). However, although my AMH isn't great my FSH/LH levels are normal which suggests my body isn't yet having to work harder to produce follicles naturally. I think it would be a worse picture if these levels were higher as then my body would be working harder iykwim.
However, I also have my own theory in that, on both cycles, my left ovary has been rather rubbish (just 5 follies this time compared to 15 on the right) and I'm wonderingif this has lowered my AMH? ie rubbish ovarian reserve on the left - ok on the right?
But like you said - all very confusing. I like to think AMH is useful info to have but not the be all and end all. Sometimes I think how we react is pot luck - or at least down to factors that we'll never really know about.

That's very interesting Happy . My fsh/ lh were both fine, which seemed a good sign. I'm starting to come round to the thought that it is all so complicated that it is just potluck in the end.

Oh Wild sorry it wasn't the best news, hugs, and lovely. I also think your plan sounds really positive and your consultant sounds reassuring too. I know everyone says this but it really does only take one (and a bit of luck!). How does the double stims thing work then? Is it two rounds of short protocol in consecutive cycles, freeze the embryos each time then a month off then an FET?

I am totally behind you going ahead regardless of the cost, I know money is important but for me I'd need to know Id done what I could.

Ttc really gives me brain ache sometimes. So much to think about and all so complicated!

Good luck for your scan today Beaky, hope you get the stimming go ahead.

Sorry the appointment didn't go so well yesterday Wild. I can't add anything to what the previous berries have said as they are more knowledgable than me on this but it doesn't sound like it's game over just yet and a plan is always a good thing.

Wow Happy - follie tastic! You must feel like they're about to explode. Enjoy your injection free day today and hope you get plenty of fab quality eggs tomorrow.

Sounds like excellent progress HB, long may it continue.

Sat waiting for bloods again. These early mornings are adding up and I'm a bit under the weather with a very chesty cough at the moment. If anyone had heard me this morning they'd have expected me to produce a lung I think. I've already decided that DH is cooking dinner tonight.

You deffo see the same faces at the FC morning after morning. Hopefully only another 4-5 days to go.

Thanks Gill, fx you don't have long left to go with the bloods. Will it just be a standard et procedure when they detect ov?

I am so crabbit today. Been having insomnia and feel like I can't switch off! Hopefully I'll feel a bit better after the scan.

Pip how are you? Was thinking you've not been about much these last few days (totally understandable, and if you need space etc) but was just wanting to check and we are here whenever you need us.

I think so Beaky but haven't had a chance to check this as the FC always seem so manic in the mornings and I'm trying to slip into work without people noticing my lateness.

HB congrats on your embies and good luck for tomorrow. I think the 5 day transfer is probably even more welcome after your difficult EC - will give you more time to recover.

Good luck for your scan today Beaky. Hope all goes well and you can get clarity over whether you want/need to amend your skin cancer op. (Have you asked the FC if there is any medical reason to - or indeed the skin cancer people? - or is it more of an emotional decision for you?). Also sending positive vibes for the house purchasing. Have you heard anything back from your offer? We saw a house we loved about 4 years ago now (and didn't get it). I still pine after it, and have all the pictures still on my phone. Have considered writing the owners a letter to beg them to sell to us but it is such a forever home I'm sure they won't move for 30years! No other house has lived up to it since, so we stay in our perfectly good rental and watch house prices soar out of reach!! (Sydney house prices are ridiculous).

Happy I'm amazed to hear about your bumper batch of follies!! I hope you are drinking LOADS of water to help keep OHSS at bay. Do you feel massively swollen? good luck for EC tomorrow.

Wild sorry to hear your appointment was a bit upsetting. But I have to echo what the other berries have said (some good advice from Kuma and Tiger) and think it sounds as though your consultant has a good plan of action in the offing. Out of interest, do you know why he is suggesting the 2 shimming rounds and then doing a FET separately? I am beginning to doubt my plan of doing another fresh cycle and wondering whether we'd have had a better chance using our frostie with less hormone intervention. but questioning my decisions at every stage is nothing new

Gill I always find the other people at my FC always look way more in control than me, never sad faces... I don't understand it. I reckon they must all be there for their 3rd child or something so they're not that bothered!

Jellie any sign of AF yet?

Kuma I'm so sorry to hear your IVF has had to be cancelled this month. Was interested to hear that downregging can help follies grow at a more steady rate.

AFM I am on day 4 of stimms now. I saw AliG today for my scratch. MrSmidge is still being lovely and I feel way more supported by him this time around, which is so good. He came along to hold my hand . Wasn't pleasant I yelped on no less than three occasions but once it was done I felt fine. I've got my prednisolone and clexane at the ready. Start the prednisolone on Friday. Seems a bit hardcore - have to wean myself on and off it! First dildocam and bloods on Thursday. Hope we can get a good batch (now Happy has upped the stakes ). Getting a lot more headaches this time around. Suspect I'm not drinking enough ....

Gosh, epic post. Hope it doesn't crash on saving!!

hallo everyone. so much news to catch up on, so I'm not even going to try. Work has been mad busy but also mainly just avoiding the internet. am feeling a bit better but still bit rocky. chasing the FC - think 3 weeks is a bit long for a reply myself. Any advice on what to ask for given that I think I've had 3 of these?

thinking of you pip and beaky.

hallo to everyone else... will be more cheerful when I'm back i hope.

Wild try not to panic! My acupuncturist said low amh doesn't mean you cant just that you should get on with it!

HB good luck for tomorrow!

Beaky hope scan was good.

Smidge...AF!?!?! Only had first pill free day today so hopefully by Friday...

Going to the Hand and Flowers for dinner tonight for a friends birthday! What a treat! Reservation not till 9.45 thigh so may be asleep in my main! Lol

Evening berries. The scan was ok, I have a 31mm cyst but it's always there(!) so they said it was fine to go ahead and I start stimming tomorrow. Any tips from any stimmers please? I remember protein and water...but that's all and the nurse didn't say much at all. My usual fc nurse wasn't in, guess why? Yep she's on maternity!! Ironic.

Nolly good to hear from you and hope you are back here soon. I don't have any advice on what to ask, but I'm sure another berry will. Hugs in the meantime.

Jellie fx AF arrives soon and you can get started! Enjoy your fancy but late dinner!

Smidge good news the scratch is done, sounds very sore! Good luck for Thursday. We've put best offers in for the house, I don't think we will get it though. It's a repossession so you can be outbid at anytime anyway! I going to put the skin op off a little while until after the cycle is finished and I know where I am.

HB good luck for et tomorrow!

Happy good luck for EC tomorrow! Will be checking in to see you you both get on!

Good luck for tomorrow Happy wishing you a speedy recovery.

Beaky you have remembered it pretty much as per the advice I was given; plenty of water (2 litres), low caffeine intake and high protein low ish carb diet. My clinic also advocate 1litre of milk a day but we're not too fussed that I couldn't achieve this. The injections are no worse and I actually found them easier due to the method of drawing up but appreciate that every clinic is different.

Interesting what you are saying about cost. We worked it out before we started and DH was keen to cap the numbers of treatments (which caused a number of disagreements). As for the number of cycles we would have, it seems to be a movable number. As we intially said two (obviously the abandoned one doesn't count and this one will be successful so I will not need to use my powers of persuasion). I totted it up this afternoon and this cycle to date is about 4.5k. Just need to add 500 for blasto transfer and whatever the bum bullets cost.....

Speaking of which, I had totally forgotten how delightful the bum bullets were

Thank you for that thought Jellie - I hope it works out that way.

Yes, Beaky, the double stimms is indeed two rounds of short protocol with a month off in between, embryo freezing and then FET - although I'm not sure if you do the FET after cycle two or take a month off. So sorry Smidge no insight on that one, I'll let you know if I find out more.

I will also be getting some kind of special growth hormone which Hollywood stars apparently take to keep their skin looking young. Bonus!

And I am so with you on the brain ache factor of TTC. And really glad you can go ahead with stimms. Although that is quite a cyst you have there!

Lovely to see you Nolly . I did not realise this was possibly the third time for you - that's awful. I'm not too sure on questions for the FC. I would suggest looking into autoimmune issues, but that's only because I'm obsessed with the topic.

Well done on just the three yelps at your scratch Smidge and it's brilliant that MrSmidgie is being extra supportive. It seems to take a while for partners to understand what it's all about as they are not having treatment themselves.

I had a very teary day today . I have always avoided facing the possibility that things might not work out for us. In my head, I'd decided that everything would be smooth from here on out! But the poor ORT result has made me face up to reality and think seriously about what I might do if this fails. Absolutely no conclusions reached, but I hope that the reality check will help me be a bit more sanguine and put less pressure on myself. This TTC malarkey is emotionally so, so tough.

Good luck for tomorrow Happy
Enjoy this bum bullets HB

Hope your et goes smoothly hb and fx for an epic haul for you happy

beaky a couple of things that I would add, a cup of nettle tea each day is meant to help your blood flow and hence build your springy palace Also putting a hot water bottle on your belly once a day helps your follicles grow according to my acu lady. I did both on my second treatment and I think it helped.

wild my dh and I went blindly into IVF treatment saying we would do three tries. Now we have had two failures that is a much harder reality to deal with but so far we are sticking with it. I think financially, emotionally and physically doing endless cycles would be a path to certain destruction. This all sucks, every berry deserves their baby, is someone up there listening?!?!?!?

Just popping in to say good luck HB.
I'm on the early shift for EC. Have to be at the FC for 7:15am ready for collection at 7:30 .
Have a good day all. Will update later x

Good luck today hb and happy.

I agree lumen, it sucks. Someone is getting very wrong when they are handing out the babies.

nolly I miss you! I was thinking of you just yesterday. Do come back. Can you ask for an FC follow up meeting to discuss? Is there a nurse led advice line at your FC? Keep on at them as you deserve answers. What about going back via the GP route and seeing if they can refer on anywhere?

beaky glad the scan was ok and the cyst isn't going to cause a hold up. Good luck with this next phase!

Jelly hope the hand and flowers was good - this that a Tom Kerridge place? Proper lush, as he would say!!

Wild although of course I don't actually know you, you having a teary day doesn't sound at all like you so a great big squishy hug from me and hope you feel better soon. I think of you as the calming voice of reassurance so hopefully you can work your magic on yourself. There is hope, lots of it. Defensive pessimism is my tactic - things may not work out, it is likely to be hard and there is likely to be heartache and disappoint in the way (and we should know) but we will get there somehow, in the end.

smidge i hope you're feeling ok after the scratch And glad you are feeling more supported.

Hope today goes well for everyone. I'm knackered and it's only Weds. This London socializing mid week thing is tiring me out on top of all the commuting! 4 weeks without a drink now and reckon I'll continue it for now and plan to add healthier eating to the mix as I've been a bit crap whilst getting into a new routine. My mum asked me if I'd been eating properly yesterday! I have but not the right stuff! Hound is joining me in London for a few days today as Mr T is also coming down today and logistics mean I need to take her, so I'm quite happy about that even if it means 5.30am walks

Good luck Happy and HB! Keep us posted.

Afternoon all...what a morning!

We had a phone call first thing from the clinic as the embies were not looking too good so they wanted us to consider putting back two. In the process of getting ready I have managed to completely do my back in and so have been in spasm since 9:30

The upshot is that they have not developed quickly so the embryologist cannot tell which is best (so cannot compare them to our last cycle) so the best two have gone back. We have since had a call that the other two have not divided any further and in fact have shown signs of degrading.

All in all I'm trying really hard to not feel defeated but it feels as though this is going to be an uphill journey. How can two cycles be so different?

Tiger well done I staying on the waggon despite all of the socialising. I hope that you and Mr T get some quality time and that you enjoy the hounds company.

Happy all went well and that you are recovering well

Wow hb what a whirlwind. Hope you're doing ok. I will be hoping and willing on your embies, and wishing you a speedy 2ww!

Happy, hope you've harvested a bumper crop!

More train delays....yawn

Evening ladies. Oh HB you have really been through it but please try to remember it really does only take one. Everything went perfectly for me on my first cycle yet it still didn't work out, whereas other Berries had much lower grade embies put back and they got diffed. I know how worrying each stage of this hideous ordeal is but all you can do now is try not to stress and aim to make the next 2weeks as easy on yourself as possible.
All went well at EC this morning thanks for asking. Got 11 eggs and all were mature so keeping everything crossed for a good fertilisation rate tomorrow. I text DH earlier and said "Clinic just rang, all 11 eggs are mature". 2 mins later he rings in a panic and says "What the hell do we do now?" I said "We just wait until tomorrow to find out how many have fertilised" he says "Oh so everything's good then? I thought mature meant old and knackered"

Runners and riders update:

Finished with their feet up:
Funky 4 frosties (blasts), will do a FET in 3 months time

On the racecourse:
Barking, IUI done, OTD 7th Feb
HB 2 embies on board, OTD 10th Feb?
Happy EC today, 11 mature eggs, the lights are low and Barry White is on the stereo, let's get jiggy!
Gill CD16, daily blood tests to determine LH surge (probably CD19/20) then doing a FET
Smidge day 5 stims
Beaky day 1 stims

Limbering up in the parade ground:
Wild deciding on treatment (likely to be 2 short stimming cycles with month in between followed by a FET)
Jelli donor egg IVF, EC in Feb

Still in the stables:
Kuma cyst on ovaries so taking pill for next month to rectify and hoping to try natural IVF the month after
Rain expect to begin IVF treatment around April/May
Lumen having 6 month break after 2 IVFs, checking out new FCs
Tiger having break until April whilst rocking the new job in the big smoke
Minx lap and dye has revealed blocked tubes and possible adhesions on one ovary, referred for IVF
Tammy waiting to repeat basic tests
Bobbles awaiting gynae referral for suspected endo

Had to do this from memory so hopefully correct. Hoping that HB's embies are snuggling in and that Happy's eggs are behaving like hussies!

Aww HB what a day! All fx for your two embies on board. I'm sure that someone on here had been told that embies do much better back in than they do out so hopefully you will prove this right. Success rates at my clinic are also higher for a double embryo transfer than single. I really hope it works out for you.

Happy well done on the bumper crop! Lolz at your dh fx for an excellent fertilisation rate.

Wild I hope you're ok today, just remember nothing is impossible and your fc's plan sounds really good. They obviously know how to deal with a low OR too and seem to have been very proactive. What happens now for you?

Tiger enjoy your time with tiger puppy! Any sign of Mr T being able to move down too?

How are you doing lumen?

Doing my first stim injection soon! What a thing to be excited about. I'm totally setting myself up for a fall here. Too much positivity

Fab list Gill, thanks

Is it looking like this weekend for your FET then?

After doing so much down regging Beaky, it must feel a bit exciting to finally get onto stims.

Still not sure of exact timing Beaky. I keep meaning to ask one of the nurses every morning but they seem so busy and I don't want to hang around and be late for work. I imagine that once I get the LH surge they'll call to arrange a scan the following day. Once this is done and assuming my springy palace of the child looks sufficiently springy, they'll give the call to defrost the kids, and transfer would be the day after. So if the LH surge is detected on Sat, then scan on Sunday and transfer Mon/Tues?