Strapping on our lady balls and going menkul because we HATE THIS SHIT!! The Berries: a lovely bunch of 30 something Ladybros TTC #1

[happylass]

The small print:

The Berries have strict entrance criteria: TTC #1 for 12 months+, over 30, NO instadiffers, must have a special pimping pot and absolutely no mention of baby dust/dancing. Not that we're fussy!

Current Ladybros:

Minx 35 - TTC 2.5 years. Stage 4 endometriosis, both tubes blocked, 1 buried ovary, IVF #1 started Aug '15 at Mustache Towers, if all goes well results due mid-Sept.

Smidge 39, TTC since Jan '13. Unexplained. Some high NK cell immune treatment. IVF#1 Short protocol Jul'14 BFN; IVF#2 Nov'14 and IVF#3 Feb'15 both Long protocol BFNs; Natural FET Jun'15 - Another BFN. Trying to work out what to do next.

Happylass, 37, TTC since Aug 2012. 2 failed ICSI cycles, 1 failed FET and 1 abandoned cycle due to poor response. Hoping to start antagonist cycle mid September. HATE THIS SHIT!!

Beaky 35, ttc 3 yrs, 2x failed iui 1 long protocol ivf cancelled, 1 short protocol IVF BFN, very low amh etc etc. In 2ww for 2nd sp IVF.

Tigerdog, 35, ttc since Jan 2013. Unexplained. IVF #1 chemical pregnancy. Currently redoing tests in preparation for IVF #2.

barkingtreefrog 36, ttc since Dec 2011. clomid bfp summer 2013 then mc @7 weeks, iui bfp summer 2014 then mc @6 weeks. Factor V leiden thrombophilia diagnosed at the repeat mc clinic. IUI bfn Jan 2015, IVF bfn April/May 2015. FET bfn August 2015, remaining frozen embryo perished. Pursuing private tests and then long protocol ivf in Oct/Nov.

Lumen, 35, ttc since Nov 2011, unexplained, two IVF cycles in 2014, both bfns, waiting for lap&dye and results of numerous bloods, aiming for one last IVF cycle.

Kuma - 40. TTC 2.9 years. Low AMH high FSH - DH antisperm ABs. Failed IVF June 14 and March 15, cancelled cycle June 15. Last try September 15

Lucieloos, 36, TTC 18 months, low AMH & sperm motility. ICSI#1, April 2015, Czech, 2xblasts transferred, BFN. Icsi#2, cancelled before EC. Icsi#3, 2 mature and fertilised, both to blast and frozen. Icsi#4 in October, embryo banking.

Rain, 34, ttc since March 2012. unexplained. Mystery bfp oct 13, MMC Nov 13. IVF#1 Aug 2015

Sesame, 40, ttc with no dp, on this road for 2 years, multiple failed IVFs, 3 ETs, 1 bfp then mc, poor responder with v low AMH, but still looking for the golden egg.

nolly, 33, TTC 3 years, 1 confirmed MC, 2 more suspected. still in limbo

Spare, 34, TTC 3 years, IVF#1 short protocol + ICSI August 14 BFP but pregnancy loss at 20+ weeks, 3 failed FET, IVF #2 short protocol + PICSI August 15

Funkymonk 33. Ttc since October 2012. Mc June 2013, Mmc dec 2013, mc June 2014. Factor v Leiden thrombophilia. Abandoned IVF Jan 2015 due to thin lining. Abandoned FET Aug 2015 due to thin lining. 4 embies on ice. Cycling again November time I think.

Clem, currently on 3rd Clomid Cycle

Pip - quite simply the Best In Show.

Yay happy it sounds like things are going much better this time! Good luck tomorrow. Can't believe you are nearly ready for EC!

Sesame, yes the stimms aren't too bad. Apparently the really high doses are only effective for the first couple of days, after that it's too late to recruit more follicles as they wont catch up in size. I think the bcp has to be an anti androgenic combined pill as again if it has too much androgen then this causes too much testosterone and can over suppress and potentially affect egg quality. I'm going for Yasmin. I'm not doing estrogen priming. I was going to give it a go but I asked dr sher and he said they only use it for ladies with extremely low amh and that they wouldn't apply that to me at the moment so I will leave it for now. Normally on a long cycle you would continue the buserelin whilst stimming to prevent ovulation but the theory is that the buserelin during stimms can compete with the meds for the fsh receptors and be too suppressive especially in those with low reserve therefore you switch to half dose of Cetrotide. When it's taken right from the beginning and in combination with the buserelin in the previous cycle then LH levels are maintained very low and so it is all that is needed to stop ovulation. Dr Sher says that when you use an antagonist protocol and don't start Cetrotide until day 6 or 7 it can already be too late for those with DOR or older ladies as the LH will already have crept up and the egg is particularly sensitive to LH in the beginning of the cycle so it can be damaged.

I have no idea whether any of this works in theory. I've seen others mention they have had success with it and good quality and it does make sense to me so I'm up for giving it a try.

lucie I do like the sound of the protocol. Btw, on my second LP, I DR on yasmin instead of buserelin (first LP on buserelin I got migraines). It's strong stuff and switched everything off/thinned lining right down exactly the same. If that’s the bcp you go for, why do they add the course of buserelin?

How long were you on Yasmin for sesame? They say that if you don't overlap the bcp with buserelin the bcp will over suppress you as like you said it switches everything off so you cant go straight into stimms off a bcp. So long as you overlap with buserelin then the theory is that it shouldn't over suppress. In a natural cycle when you don't get pregnant the corpus luteum starts to fail and this is associated with a rise in fsh which helps recruit your antral follicles for the next cycle. If you are on bcp you won't have a corpus luteum and so if you go straight onto stimms without buserelin beforehand you won't get a rise in fsh so won't get the follicles recruited. The buserelin is there as it causes fsh levels to rise sharply for a few days as the pituitary expunges all fsh in your system.

Af has turned up and scan booked in for next week so at least that is something My weekend has gotten off to a rotten start. Am standing on a train to Doncastor because my train was Thirsk is cancelled. Standing all the way from London with really bad af pains - I feel like I'm about to burst into tears. Train companies are total asshole- no using one company's tickets on another ones trains despite the crisis. There's a fucking screaming baby as well. DP is less than impresses as he'll be stranded at my arrival station waiting for me for at least two hours. FUCK THIS SHIT!

Sorry just had to get that out there. Most miserable experience ever

hey ladybros, how are you all? I've been really ill all week (still am) ...loads of sinus pressure, hacking cough and eyes streaming, making laptop focus challenging...I have it on the lowest brightness setting, and it still feels like its burning my eyes.

anyway, not trying to elicit sympathy, just to say I'll hopefully feel up to catching up and joining up over the weekend.

hope you are all doing okay. xx

Fuck it's suddenly busy!

Tiger nightmare! That sounds awful. There's been a major incident outside of London so it's affecting all trains heading north - I'm sure you already know this though. I've been trying to book some tickets and the phones and website for Virgin aren't working. Boo to af too but at least your scan is booked. and more for tonight though.

Happy yes I didn't sleep well and found I was off my food last time I was cycling with gonal f. Weird eh. Woohoo to the 9 follies though, that's fantastic, fx for your scan tomorrow - let us know how you get on.

Antonia sorry you've crashed but there's only one way to go... Up! Def don't bow out, keep on hanging around, we are here whether you are having treatment or not as happy says.

sesame thanks for the cake how are you getting on? I'm loving the new dress/law of sod tactic. I've not done any running but I've been going to the gym at least. I rang the FC this morning and I've got an appointment for end of November. It's the soonest available! It's also in the morning so I was going to book it off work so I don't then have to go in if I feel awful. I hope that helps the seed

Lucie thanks for sharing, it sounds very comprehensive. Did you get it from Dr Sher direct then? I always start stimming from the pill (for antagonist anyway) does what you have said apply to all cycles? I have cysts if I don't have the pill you see. Mine is the combination pill incl oestrogen.

Clem sorry you're ill I hope you're better soon. Have some and

Beaky, the pill is meant to be quite suppressive if you don't overlap it with an agonist. How many follicles / eggs did you get on your antagonist with bcp? Yes I have got most of the details from Sher himself. He is excellent at responding to messages and you can even have a free telephone consultation with him if you want to with no obligation. He knows that the majority of people asking questions won't be cycling with him but he just wants to help as many as possible. I don't really want to go back to the same old protocols I've tried before. This one may not be any better but it does sound very convincing and I don't have too much to lose.

Hello!! Last day of the holiday and got WiFi!!
It's been quite nice not having it up to now though to be honest.

happy sounds like amazing follie action

sesame everything crossed for you

beaky I would totally recommend seeing the counsellor at your clinic. I'll be going with DH when we can get an appointment as he had a bit of a meltdown over all this shit this week and I really want him to talk to someone.

Does anyone know how important it is to keep the suprecur 'below 25'C' ?? Because I've not been able to do that, it's been baking hot here and we've been moving to a different place each night, so no keeping anything in a fridge .

Barking I'm having similar issues keeping meds cool! (although it's obviously not quite so warm here!). I'm just about to get on a train to Manc and Ive got a Tupperware containing Gonal F and Ovitrelle and an ice pack strapped to the outside with a hair elastic . There's also not going to be a fridge in the hotel room but they are going to keep it in the staff fridge for me which I'm a bit about. I'm not sure how important it is that the Suprecur is kept below 25C but my private FC told me to put it in the fridge just in case. Could you pack it in ice in some way? Berry problems eh?!?
Scan this morning showed 11 decent follies and a few smaller that may catch up. EC will be on Monday - they are ringing with a time later. Starting to feel a bit uncomfortable now especially as 10 of the follies are on the right. (The nurses exact words were "Jeez that's a big ovary") Also the waking up at 4am every day is starting to wear thin!! Clem hope you're feeling better soon.
Tiger I feel your pain re the shitty trains! Just 2 carriages on my Manc- Cardiff service yesterday. Bloody ridiculous!
Hope everyone else is ok. Almost the weekend Ladybros!!

Happy Friday ladybros!

barking thanks. No idea about keeping suprecur at right temp, I suggest asking the fc when you get home. I would think that even if it does make the meds deteriorate slightly faster, the worst that could happen is it takes you a little bit longer to DR. And you could start a fresh bottle when you get home. Hope you are enjoying Morocco.

happy well done on the follie growth. I can’t imagine what that must feel like, but the one time I had 4 follies on one ovary, I was so uncomfortable I had to sit at my desk at work permanently clutching a hot water bottle.

beaky, thanks for the implantation shimmies! I think you might need more to go with that . I also had a bit of a wait for fc counselling. It worked out ok though, I wasn’t so much at crisis point any more by that point and could think more clearly about how I felt about failed treatment, keeping going etc. If there’s a bit of a wait for appointments, you might think about booking in for a follow up now. You can always cancel later if you don’t want it.

clem hey there, sorry about the nasty sickness, hope you feel better soon!

tiger sorry for the rotten rotten journey from hell . Hope you got home eventually. Hope you can try to relax, put your paws up and enjoy the weekend.

lucie I was on yasmin for at least 3 weeks. It was longer than normal anyway as I wanted to time my cycle around work commitments. I then started buserelin at the same time as stims. I was very DR by that point, and it took 2 weeks of stims to wake everything up again. I’m still trying to get my head round the idea of the fsh flare up helping to recruit follies for the next cycle, when you might not start stims till several days later. But it sounds like a great idea. One thing I thought of, but perhaps you have already considered – are you making a switch from lupron in the original protocol to buserelin? Lupron is the agonist I believe much more commonly used in the US, and I’m not even sure daily lupron is even available in the UK. But I think a big difference is lupron has a reputation for a much bigger fsh flare up response than buserelin. I have no idea if this would make a difference to outcome, but perhaps it’s worth considering, or asking Dr Sher about, if you haven’t done already?

I still don’t have much in the way of symptoms, not even from the progesterone this time, only a bit of bloating. If sesame seed is still alive, it should be burrowing in right now. But there really is no way of telling... Instead of symptom spotting this time, I have developed an unhealthy obsession with discovered ivf ttc youtube videos. Who knew...? I have to admit though I’m at all the young, pretty, high prognosis bfps but the drama is much better than iplayer.

Hi all,

I've taken a step back for a while after getting the dick around by the fertility clinic. I have been faithfully phoning up on the day the secretary suggested to check for cancellations. Sometimes I didn't even get to the end of the sentence before the answer was "no cancellations today" and the phone was put down on me! It was all getting a bit too much.

And then yesterday this happened and I haven't stopped shaking since. I'm having quite a bit of pain so am trying to keep a skeptical frame of mind. I know its early days and there is a long way to go yet but, bloody-bloody-fuckity-hell. If I could make the same thing happen for all you ladies here I really would xxxxx

Yay go happy that's brilliant! Good luck for Monday.

Sesame, thanks for the heads up about Lupron and buserelin. I will head over and ask doctor Sher his thoughts. I think the point is with the flare up with the buserelin is that it needs to be towards the end of the cycle before as this is when the majority of your antral follicles are recruited. It doesn't matter that you might not start stimms until a few days later as they have already been recruited. You then start the high dose of fsh for a couple of days to ensure that all the fsh receptora are saturated. Really high doses are not needed after that as the momentum is already in place.

water great news! Lovely to see a fufc, and that’s a lovely strong looking line! How far along do you think you are? Congratulations to you both! And sorry that I’ve forgotten, but would you mind reminding me what is your diagnosis?

SesameSparkle
Thank you. I think 2-3 weeks so VERY early days. I'm 37 and we'd been trying for 3 years - fell into the category of unexplained.

I've had numerous delays at the NHS fertility unit, lost referrals, private procedures being denied funding at the last minute thus loosing my place on the NHS waiting list, appointments made with wrong consultants - delays totaling about a year in all.

Two months ago I had a hyst lap and dye which showed nothing. I have had previous cone biopsy's in the last few years that have left me with an "inadequate cervix" so we'll see what affect that has.

I was due to start my first round of IVF soon (first app at end of Nov). Yesterday DH called from work to say he had made an appoint at Lister for private consult. I had found out an hour before and wanted to tell him, face to face so had to be all "like - yeah cool" about it.

Water, congratulations that's brilliant news!!

Sesame, dr sher has replied already and said that buserelin can readily be used to substitute lupron in this protocol. He is great

Wow water, that’s a fufc to 2 fc’s simultaneously! Sounds like you’ve really been through the mill. Everything is crossed that this is a nice sticky pg and for a healthy 9 months.

That's great lucie!

Barking Oh I loved Morocco. I hope you are having a fabulous time. You could always pop into a chemist there and ask the pharmacist about temperatures and maybe even buy replacements.

Happy It is when I hear stories like yours it makes me glad I only ever get about 4 follies in total. I hope you are powering through.

Clem you sound like death warmed up. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Beaky I never had counselling. I probably should have but I am the kind of person who bottles everything up. I hope you get an appointment soon.

Clem Oh that sounds like a horrible journey. You poor thing.

Lucie my clinic puts nearly everyone on the pill so they can time their cycles. Part of me likes the idea but the other part of me dislikes the loss of potential for TTC (not that would would ever happen but it makes DH feel better)

Water Congratulations! Got to love a FUFC.

Sesame Keeping all the fingers and toes crossed here.

As for me, well I got the results of my blood test and of course I do not have syphillis. We all knew that. So I can start the cycle now which is nice. However I'll be starting injections during my university exam week so hot flushes, summer heat and exams combined will be fun.

What was the general consensus regarding supplements during the cycle?
I am taking DHEA, CoQ10, Pregnenelone and L-Arginine. Would you stop?

Hi grin glad the results came back. AliG always tells me to stop the coq10 when () I get a BFP, so on that basis I've taken it upon myself to presume it's not recommended from implantation, and so usually don't take it for the last week before AF.

No idea on the others. Although I was told DHEA is for egg quality so perhaps no point in continuing that after EC (unless like me you're still trying to improve the egg stock for future natural attempts!)

Hello lovely ladies,

I've been away for a bit, need to catch up with you all.

First off MASSIVE congratulations Water !! A proper FUFC, especially since they put the phone down on you, how bloody rude!

Ive finally had an appointment through to see the Endo consultant, it's in December feels like ages away. I was hoping to get the surgery underway before Christmas, so that's out of the question now.

Right ladies, confession time. I've just spent a few days away with a friend and their 3 small children. They were HARD WORK and it left me thinking 'Do I want to go through IVF hell for this...?' Can someone tell me it's worth it and different when you have your own children etc etc?

UnGoogleable
Thank you!
I started to ask myself the same questions as you are a few months ago. Talking to my husband about it we came up with this analogy - bear with me.......

It's like the most gigantic water slide at some Aqua-land park on a quiet day. Lot's of people run up the steps because there's no wait and fling themselves down it without a second thought. There they go whizzing down the chute and they haven't had time to considered if they want to do it or not - they are just away and holding on for dear life!

We've somehow (down to pure bad luck) turned up when it's busier - giving us much more time to mull and ruminate. We've had to queue. All that time you are lining up, looking at how big and scary the ride is and watching people hurtling down screaming. You have loads of time to think - CRAP! DO I REALLY WANT TO DO THAT? ARE THEY REALLY ENJOYING THEMSELVES?!!

I think fertility problems can really play game with your mind and make you question everything. From your motivation for wanting to children to if (like I thought at one point) you can't get pregnant because Mother Nature knows you'd be a shit parent.

Basically I think you are totally normal to be asking yourself this! xxx

I'm not accusing people who don't have fertility problems of not considering their choice to get pregnant but from talking to friends a lot find themselves seem find themselves PG quite quickly!

Brilliant analogy Water that's exactly what it's like, yes!

You could extend that analogy by saying that the people who just get on the slide and go whizzing down were given free tickets. Whereas the rest of us, while waiting in line, are told that because there's now such a huge demand we have to pay a fortune for the same ticket (either in money, or pain, or emotional trauma or in some cases all 3). Meanwhile you can see other activities which you could go and do with your expensive ticket, and you wonder if you should just go do them instead.... So that makes you really think about whether it's worth it.

And then, while you were waiting in line, you were having a great time enjoying the view and staying dry and happy while all the others who had been down the slide were wet and cold and covered in snot... and you think 'Hmmmmmm'.

Anyway, you're at the top of the slide now Water enjoy the ride!!

UnGoogleable

Dead right!

P.S
Last time I went on I water slide it was billed as "The Biggest In the Middle-East".
I arrived at the end sans-bikini top, with a front wedgy and a VERY surprised look on my face. I'd basically just given myself a 90 mile and hour enema - never been on one since.....

Arf.

Somehow Water I suspect this ride that you now have a place on may go the same way - sans bikini top, underwear in disarray and a very surprised look on your face! Good luck!

(seriously though, hope all goes well for you, we're rooting for you)

Epic fail on my last Cetrotide injection. The needle almost felt like it was stuck when I tried to pull it out. When it did come out quite a bit of the liquid came with it along with some blood, plus it really hurt! I'm guessing that it doesn't matter too much given that I'm triggering in an hour. You think I'd be able to do this in my sleep now given I've probably stabbed in excess of 80 times over the last year!!

Oh Happy nightmare! I agree it won't matter too much since you're triggering. I'll be pompoming away for you on Monday. How are you feeling?

Sesame how are you? Any more weird dreams? Still willing on the little seed.

Smidge how are you at the mo, lovely?

Grin I stop dhea after egg collection then start again after the result. I continue coq10 and pregnacare etc the whole time but I think I dropped my dose of coq10 down last time.

Water congrats on your bfp.

Ungoogs sorry you're having to wait so long again. These things never go as fast as we would like. I'd say the rule of thumb is add at least 3 months to what you would like!

Hope everyone else is having a lovely weekend.