Fertility Clinic Appointments and Beyond..

[dogmam]

New thread for us to continue our fertility clinic appointment progress...

Some of us are waiting for initial appointments, some are having tests and some are starting treatment!

@Mickymackyboobaaboo frustrating you have to wait again, hopefully you can get detailed info soon because it will definitely inform your choices.

We’re doing (private, because the nhs are so slow) IVF with ICSI and possibly also IMSI. It’s worth having a read about the best options with MFI, and I’m not sure IUI is recommended with MFI. DH has been on supplements for 3 months + now and ejaculates daily, his quality has definitely improved.

Presumably if this was your GP they’ll refer you to a urologist now, or maybe re-run the SA first.

@thislittlebird thanks for the information. We have read a little bit about IVF with ICSI and would have to do it privately. I think we could only afford to do one cycle

I paid privately for a fertility MOT and the SA was done as part of that. I'm assuming the results will go to the GP as well?

@Mickymackyboobaaboo do you also have your AFC and AMH results? Because that might also be useful to inform what you spend your money on. The type of ivf etc to get the best results. It’s all so frustrating and complicated, fingers crossed your results are all good.

I think they’ll send a copy to your GP, yeah and they should definitely do a urology referral. If they’re not automatically sent then definitely chase them up to send them over.

@thislittlebird I haven't had a test for AFC yet but my AMH is 3.3, which is low but apparently considered normal at my age (42). I'm going to try to speak with my consultant today.

@Mickymackyboobaaboo Might be worth reading about mild ivf for low AMH too. Let us know what they say!

Morning ladies. I had my follow up appointment with the fertility consultant this morning. We discussed the results of the HyCoSy (my poly cystic ovaries) and the Metformin which I have started. She has now also prescribed me Clomid (hurray!!).

I think I have just ovulated (CD20/21) so I might give Metformin another cycle to work its magic after this one, then on to my 1st Clomid cycle. If my cycles play ball then I will be starting Clomid mid/late Sept.

@kay00 great news! I hope you catch before then :) will the clomid cycles be supervised?

@Juno231 Yes, I have to call them on my day 1, they will book in a scan of my ovaries on days 10 to 14, then a blood test on day 21. She said that Clomid has 80% success rate in stimulating ovulation, and 40% success rate of pregnancy (over the 6 months).

@Kay00 great news! I really wish we’d been given the chance to try clomid or Letrozole. So frustrating how everything has panned out. I guess it’s still an option if ivf doesn’t work.

Its not a huge sample group but that 65% success rate for conception for women with Lean PCOS is building my hope fortress

Note to self: TRY to be more pessimistic/realistic

@Kay00 I’m still confused as to whether I fit into lean PCOS or PCO or maybe they’re all the same. What does the metrormin do?

I’m in a similar boat where the Lister told us it’s 52% success for my AMH + age and I need to rein in my expectations. I know it’s probably lowered by my husband having issues too.

Aarrrgghhh. I never got the alert to this thread. I'm going to have to go back and catch up!

@thislittlebird it seems they classify you as having PCOS is you have two or more of the symptoms:

• irregular periods
• enlarged ovaries/cysts
• excessive hair
• rapid wight gain around belly
• dark skin patches

Etc.

I have the 1st two so classed as PCOS, but Lean PCOS as my weight is in the normal range. Nice guidelines here: cks.nice.org.uk/topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/

@thislittlebird Metformin is a drug they traditionally give to people who have diabetes and they have more recently recognised there is a causality link between PCOS and insulin resistance. I think the idea is that the insulin resistance means we don't manage blood sugars well, which effects our hormones (increased testosterone often etc), which causes PCOS symptoms. Metformin can help manage the sugars and I have also been advised to cut down on sugars and complex carbs.

Ok, I'm caught up. Reading it all in one go its shocking how many inconsistencies there are! No 21 day blood tests? What?!
@dogmam your experience sounded stressful but I'm pleased you've managed to get some in the freezer. I think it happens a lot where people don't manage a fresh round. Freezing is likely best to give your body a chance to recover. I haven't thought too hard about how they gets eggs out (or in) and I'm not sure I'm prepared for that!
@PurpleUnicorn01 I'm pleased numbers increased for you! Fingers crossed for the next stage.

I guess I've been lucky with the nhs having read on here about people's slow experiences. They were frustrating at times for me but it's not been that slow. I've had my 3rd IUI insemination this morning (not holding out any hope) and I've been given the ivf paperwork now. I can send that in at any point and she said you get an appointment at the clinic pretty fast. I could technically have one before I know if this has failed, if I send it straight back. But I think I will wait until after.
Mentally I'm not sure how prepared I am for ivf.....

Hi ladies.

So I've had an LH surge today so ovulating late! This is a first for me, not sure why.

But I actually went to the clinic yesterday and they scanned me and showed me the egg, she said it's a good size so get DTD.

We have our appointment tomorrow to run through everything. They said it will take about 2 hours.

Doing a blood test next week to confirm ovulation I guess?

@Tillybabs exciting stuff! how are you feeling about it all?

@PurpleUnicorn01 sorry for badgering you - when's the next scan?

@Juno231 excited and a little anxious as well. I need to take some time out to read this thread because you all seem to know far more than me lol. I guess I will know more after tomorrow.

I'm seeing some terms mentioned and I have no idea what they mean 😬

@Tillybabs good luck tomorrow!

@paintfairy thank you x

@paintfairy hi! Aw I really hope this 3rd round of IUI is the one and you don't need ivf. When's test day? It's good that you have the paperwork ready and waiting should you need to get started with that!

@Tillybabs how did today go? Was it your consent appointment? Hopfully not long for you now.

@PurpleUnicorn01 not sure if you've had egg collection yet but hope you're doing ok

@dogmam it went well thanks. We do have a load of consent forms to sign and give back when you go to give our bloods for HIV testing etc.

They told us how the whole process will work and what medication I will be taking. I will be starting from my period in September 😃

So I know a couple others are in Croydon. They told me the egg collection and process will be done at a clinic in Harley street as they aren't doing it in Croydon hospital due to Covid.

@dogmam test day isn't until 18 aug. We can send the ivf paperwork off ASAP if we want to but I'm in a spin as to which clinic to choose? One has better stats (not sure how much to go on those though as they aren't always truthful) is more expensive (if you were paying) but slightly further away and the other is a good clinic also, but the stats aren't quite as good. I've read reviews until i can't find any more and open days aren't happening because of covid. Sigh.
@PurpleUnicorn01 yes, update on egg collection please! 😊

Good Evening All, i hope you are all well. Sorry was a resting after eggy collection. Feel a bit sore. Had a call this morning we have 5 embryos. Woohoo. How are you all?

@PurpleUnicorn01 5 eggs is fab! I have my fingers crossed for you!