ICSI - Just starting monitoring cycle - would really like some advice

[rabbits]

Ladies,
I'm about to start ICSI treatment (trying not to get stressed about it) and am currently on my monitoring cycle. I'd be interested to hear about anyones experiences. I've been told I'll be on the long protocol. I know it can last around 6 weeks but I'm confused - does anyone know what day of my cycle the treatment will start? My DH might have to go away in a couple of months for a short trip and I'm worried about the timing.

Unfortunately I can?t help you on that, but I?m sure someone here will.

Good luck with you treatment

Hi rabbits.

I'm now 11 weeks pregnant after my first ICSI cycle - I hope you have the same success!

I'm not sure what a "monitoring cycle" is - I don't know if I ever had one of those!

Long protocal means that you will start treatment towards the end of one cycle. I started on CD23. This treatment will either be a daily injection or a daily inhalation (I did the injections). These first drugs are the "downregulating" drugs, and they put your cycle entirely on hold. You will probably get AF as usual (mine was a little late). Early in the next cycle you'll go for a scan to ensure your ovaries have shut down nicely and your womb lining is nice and thin. Provided that has happened you'll add another daily injection to the regime, and this is the "stimulating" drug that will make your ovaries produce lots of lovely little follicles. You'll have another 2 or 3 scans over the next week or two, to see how you are responding to the drugs.

Once you have some follicles of the right size, you'll be taken in for egg collection, and this is the day your DH needs to provide his sample. For me this was CD14, but it's hard to predict as it's all dependent on your response to the drugs. Two days later you;ll be back for embryo transfer, and then you're in to the longest 2ww of your life.

I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask any questions.

Hugs,
Artoo.

Hi Rabbits,
Not posted on MN before but am on my 2nd ICSI attempt at the moment. I am 4 days into the injections, I didn't have a monitoring cycle (husbands quality of sperm/I have regular AF?)
Both times I have started my injections on the 2nd day of AF, 1 injection for 5days and then 2 injections until my follicles are the right size then onto egg collection.
You have prob gathered that our 1st attempt was unsuccessful, not really sure why, but am keeping fingers crossed for this time.

I have the same probs as you, my husband is away alot and he is due to be away next week when my egg collection is due (he is def needed for then!!) He is going to have to cancel his trip unless my body times it right and can wait til Friday!
When does your treatment start?

Artoo - congratulations - I have been watching the other thread so followed a bit of your story. Hope all is well?

Artoo & Mrs GP - thanks for that. I don't know why I'm having a monitoring cycle as previous tests showed a problem with DH sample but not with me. Provided my blood test next week is ok I'll be on the drugs soon after. I've warned my boss I may be a little moody...
As I have already postponed things for a month due to DH business trips he'll cancel the next one if it clashes. Priorities!
Mrs GP - are you on the long protocol? I take it the difference between that and the short is only time?

I've been for my day 5 scan and bloods today, everything is looking ok so hopefully egg collection will be Friday.
Both my treatments have been fairly quick starting, almost a few days after my consultations I have been ready to start injections on day 2 AF.
Are you self funding? We are so I don't know if that makes a difference or if it just varies area to area?

I seem to be OK on the drugs (or at least I think I am!!) Just a little tearful at times.

Crossed fingers for next week for you.
x

Self funding. NHS have put me on the waiting list and estimate treatment may start 2010 onwards. I'm nearly 36 so don't want to wait that long.
I'm using that clinic that featured on Panorama recently. Going by a friends experience both with the NHS & private treatment I'm not sure I want to try with the NHS - even if this fails.

I can't believe the waiting list is that long. Because my husband already has children we were not given the option so I'm not sure how long the waiting time would be for us (in south yorks)

Hopefully you will be successful the 1st time round, I have read about so many people conceiving on their 1st attempt. Are you going for 2 embryos?
We did last time and are going to again although twins run in my husbands family I am hoping not to have tripets!! They warned us there is a high chance!

I think we're going for 2. The clinic seems to have good results but I feel like I'm on a conveyor belt & a bit rushed when I finally get to see a consultant so I should have taken notes. I've found a fabulous acupuncturist who takes a bit more time to talk me through it & she used to be a midwife.
Triplets - that is a scarey thought!

I have been for scans and bloods today. I have got 6/7 eggs but only 3 that are quite big. I am not holding out much hope and my husband is telling me I am not being positive enough.
I am going for my collection on Thursday and back in on Tuesday.

I was telling my husband about the acupuncture this morning, I read an article that said it had shown good results. Have you found it useful?

I know the feeling of being rushed. I can't believe I am on my last injection tonight, things have gone so quickly yet I know the 2ww will be a nightmare again!

MrsGP, my acupuncturist told me that there is research to show that having acupuncture treatment at the right times during an IVF cycle (the crucial times are after EC and after ET) can double the chanes of success.

Of course, it's hard to put success down to acupuncture, but I had acupucture all the way through my first IVF cycle, including those two crucial times, and I am now 12 weeks pg. I believe the acupuncture was at least a factor in that.

Good luck with your EC, I hope they find plenty of healthy eggs, and you get a good fertilisation rate!

Hugs,
Artoo.

I'm going to look into that I think. Do you know where I will find info about it? Bit late for this cycle but am going to bear in mind just in case.
Thanks!

The best place for acupuncture information is the British Acupuncture Council - you can find information on acupuncture there, and also find your closest qualified and registered acupuncturist.

Good luck!

Hugs,
Artoo.

Thanks very much. Crossed fingers I won't need to if we are successful this time.

Mrs GP - I recommend contacting an acupuncturist asap. I first saw mine after I came off depo (contraceptive injection) as my periods didn't come back for a long time. Within a couple of weeks they started. Of course I can't prove it was her but since then my periods have been more regular and don't last as long as they used to before I was on depo. Like Artoo, I've been advised to go after EC and then after ET. If you can squeeze one in before then all the better. I know it may sound a bit hippyish but it's very relaxing and I think it's worth a go.
Good luck on Friday - let us know how you get on

Mrs GP - I meant Thursday..

just got home from collection, 3eggs so hopefully will have 2 good ones to go back in saturday. Realisticly I won't get the chance tomorrow but I will def look into it in case things don't go well.
Thanks