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!

@dogmam good luck tomorrow!
My hospital never mentioned funding either. Funny isn't it?

I would definitely recommend Letrozole. My private consultant said the new research shows Letrozole is more advanced and safer to use. Private consultant would prescribe Letrozole to take on day 3 and NHS would not prescribe this as they only prescribe clomid.

I've been through private clinic of first monitoring cycle in July 2021 (day 3 Letrozole 5mg/OD 5 day course of taking 2 tablets each day, ovitrelle injection 250mg 0.5ml on peak day and 3 days after peak started cyclogest pressary 400mg vaginal tablet once every evening before bed), and fell pregnant but sadly ended in miss miscarriage on Monday 23 Aug at 5 weeks. NHS said through fertility they can't provide Letrozole but only clomid. Not sure why, could be that it's too expensive?!

Do research between Letrozole and clomid. If you feel Letrozole is right for you over clomid then show your GP/NHS consultant the research/facts. They might be able to provide Letrozole but I'm not 100% sure.

Whatever you go with, wish you all the best :)

@EveryMumDay thanks for sharing! So when I started this journey with private clinics and getting tests etc months ago I was way more aware of clomid. I found the doctor I wanted (she then retired a month later which was annoying) and she said similar, that Letrozole was the recommended one now. I listened to an episode of BFN the podcast on this topic too and the specialist they had on said trhe same. I don’t understand why the nhs won’t offer it though, I picked up my script today and it was £2.50 for 10 x 2.5mg tablets so very cheap still (the private clinic added on £5 to dispense the tablets of course lol). I’ll be taking two per day for 5 days from tomorrow.

@Kay00 what cycle day are you on? I’m cd2, we’ll have to compare side effects . My older sister got pregnant on her first round of clomid back in the day, that was in the 80s.

@dogmam it basically increases FSH and induces ovulation...theoretically anyway! I’m going to see what they say in the letter they’re sending and then query it if I’m not thrilled. Good luck for the scan!

I had my lining scan today, it was 7.6mm and 3 layered which they were happy with. FET booked in for Wednesday! I start pessaries from tomorrow and continue eastrogen tablets too. Can't believe it's happening!! On another note, it was the first scan my partner has been allowed into which was nice, usually it's just the consultation bits at the end he comes through, the clinic said they're starting to relax covid measures.

@thislittlebird this sounds exciting for you! It's crazy the cost is so low, yet it's not commonly prescribed. Bet you can't wait to get started.

@paintfairy yeah it's strange how it differs so much when it comes to funding, as I say I wouldn't have even known it was a thing if not for chatting on here. How are you doing anyway?

@PurpleUnicorn01 how are things going for you?

@dogmam that's so exciting. Im happy for you. Make sure u rest after and stay hydrated and don't lift anything heavy. Keep us updated. Also the pessaries gave me a rash so i had to go back door instead and not had any trouble since. I just bought latex glove. You get less leakage too.

Im just over 6 weeks. Waiting for my scan next week. Still feels unreal. No real symptoms except needing to wee a lot and back ache and heartburn.

Oh and also add unsweetened cranberry juice to your diet if you're prone to utis. It helps.

Do keep us updated.

@dogmam no- same. For iui we just filled in a form and started literally straight away. And for ivf they said just sign this and we'll send your notes over to the clinic. I'm ok, nothing happening, just waiting to hear from the clinic.
Great news about the scan! Exciting times.

@dogmam oh how exciting!! Keep us updated on Weds 😁😁😁

@everymumday hmm... interesting, thank you. Im with a consultant privately but she has not even mentioned Letrozole 😕 she did say that if Clomid doesn't work then we will try 'other things', so I guess I'll just go along with what she recommends for now.

@thislittlebird oh wow, you are starting already!? Exciting! I'm (probably) about 5dpo, so will be starting Clomid in just over a week 😁 I need to sit down with OH and talk him through the symptoms as I'm concerned about OHSS and he's concerned about the mood swings 😂😈

Hi ladies,

I’m wondering if I could join you all here please? I’d been on one of the other chats for a long while but retreated and have been quietly keeping up with all the updates for the last little while without posting. It was a recurring chat with people coming and going and while I was so thrilled for all the short stayers getting good news it hurt my heart a bit and I struggled and retreated. Only just found links to this chat and a couple others for people in a similar boat and hoping I can join you here if that’s ok.

I’m 33, trying since august 2020 and currently on my third round of Letrozole and Gonasi trigger shot. Currently nothing massive coming out of tests except a thin lining, lowish but not yet abnormal range AMH and not spectacular follicle activity. Not a hint of a line to show for myself in all that time so have been pinning hopes on the Letrozole. Part of the reason I’m posting now is that I see some of you are starting into medicated cycles so thought maybe my experience so far might be of help for someone... anyhoo that’s me. Hope it’s ok to join you all

I am now officially on 5mg of Letrozole daily for 5 days. I started late yesterday (5pm) because I wanted to be home in case I get side effects. So far nothing much, I do have a headache but that could be because I’m overtired from the night before where I didn’t sleep well.

Sorry @Kay00 meant to say the 80s, not 90s up there, she’s only a decade older than me lol. I think they can try clomid and Letrozole if one doesn’t work. Not everyone responds to them or the dosage. It’s all very sudden but my Guys appointment was cd1 so as soon as I knew I’d have two or three cycles to wait I called the Lister up to arrange it. I didn’t want to miss a cycle. It will probably cost £1k per cycle we use it because the scans, blood tests and trigger shot add up quickly 🤨.

@dogmam can’t believe the FET is approaching fast! I’m glad they’re getting more relaxed, I’d like my DH to come for as much as possible.

Hi @Gracie2021, welcome aboard! I struggle with the short stayers too. I’m on a thread where everyone seemed to get BFPs, it’s hard. I had to take a break from there.

It’s hard, I was discussing this with my husband. It’s been nearly two years for us now and you can’t help but have hope when you start a Letrozole or a clomid cycle. It feels like you have a better chance, so I know I’ll be devastated when I likely get another BFN this month. It’s really hard. Why did they put you on it?

@Kay00 I saw this the other day and thought it was topical 👀

Morning ladies

Sorry I've been a bit quiet on here. It seems a lot is happening so I'm going to spend some time over the weekend reading everything.

@dogmam omg I'm so excited for you!

Nothing new here to report. I'm currently ovulating so it's my last time to try before I start medication. We have our injection teach today.

@thislittlebird haha!! I love it. I'm forwarding that meme straight to me OH

I agree... when I get my first BFN on my first Clomid cycle, I'm going to be crushed. I have been holding it together really well, but I am worried that my infertility is really going to hit me then. And I already 'just know' it will be a BFN... its almost impossible to think I will ever get a BFP.

It doesn't help that my grandad (who I have been looking after for the past week whilst he stays with me, but he also has a touch of dementia) keeps asking me 'you didn't want any children then?' Gah!

@Tillybabs good luck with the injection teach x

@thislittlebird good luck with the Letrozole. Hope it works for you! 5mg is a good starting point from what I’ve heard. I didn’t have any side effects on the 2.5mg tbh except slightly stronger ovulation and the headaches as you said but have heard taking it right before bedtime helps.

I was put on it to kickstart my system a bit due to the thin lining and low follicle activity. Lining is improved on it and within normal ranges and I’m releasing one good size follicle on it. I’m only on 2.5mg though so if it doesn’t work this month I’m going to ask to increase the dosage. Also going to ask about clomid as apparently that can be better for more quantity of follicles released. Figure my odds might improve writhing either a higher dose or as you said have heard of people combining clomid and Letrozole so tons of options.

@Kay00 have to admit first medicated cycle BFN was tougher than normal. Fingers crossed you’re a medicated cycles unicorn and it’s not something you have to deal with!

@tillybabs good luck with the injections! Hope you’re ok with them anyway. Feel so sorry for anyone with a phobia trying to do this stuff.

@Gracie2021 yeah so I don’t have a number issue to address, I’m hoping Letrozole will help me ovulate properly because I have a lot of follicles but don’t seem to have much progesterone to speak of so I assume they’re not coming out? Dunno. Will see what happens.

@Kay00 yeah, I ‘just know’ too but I also know I’ll be on progesterone after the trigger shot so I’m going to be convinced I’m pregnant either way. Sigh. Fuck this ttc lark. Please remind me it’s just progesterone when I’m like omg my boobs are actually sore 😄😃😆. I can’t imagine ever getting a bfp and I’m traumatised by the sticks. Will probably just wait for my period again, as I usually do. Ah no, stop asking that grandad! 😔

@Tillybabs good luck with the teach! I would love to avoid getting that far but seems unlikely 😐

I’m going in for my second dildocam of the week, lucky me!

@thislittlebird good luck with the Letrozole. definitely take it easy!

@Gracie2021 hi welcome! I am a new kid to this thread too and everyone is more than generous to share their own experience and we are all in it together. :) I am also 33yo but only recently had my first infertility consult so I think your progress is ahead of me.

@Tillybabs I pray for you for this cycle. And if it isn't... seems you have your next plan line up so gotta keep going eh?

I am getting the bloody MMR jab next week and basically being put on the bench for the next 3 months. Frustrating doesn't even cover it...

@pinkginpls oh god I’m just coming out of that annoying MMR wait. It will be a month post second jab just as my Letrozole finishes so it’s very close, but I feel like a month is fine if that’s the guidance. I didn’t want to miss a whole cycle and wait two months (4 in total)

Thanks everyone. It went well. There's a lot to take in lol

This will be my last cycle before treatment so fingers crossed!

@pinkginpls how did you know you needed the MMR jab? It hasn't been mentioned to me

@Tillybabs as part of fertility clinic blood tests they check for rubella resistance. If it's low you'll need the jab but it does annoyingly delay things :/

@Juno231 oh really! I didn't know that. I had measles when I was younger so I hope that means I'm resistant

@Juno231 oh oops just seen you said rubella not measles!

@Tillybabs yeah, it’s the rubella they’re looking for because it’s dangerous for unborn babies. I had no antibodies so had to have two vaccines which took three months. I may still have no antibodies but I don’t plan on having it again if two doses didn’t work.

Well, safe to say the Letrozole is giving me headaches and a touch of nausea. That’s after one tablet, let’s see what each day brings 🥴

I've just had a read through messages and seen people mention Letrozole. What is that?

I had my teach today and I will be starting on Gonal F on CD2. I've then got to call them and be booked in for scans. She said she didn't want to go into the other medication yet so as not to confuse me but that I would get it all delivered in just over a weeks time.

@Tillybabs when first start seeing the fertility clinic they test for rubella immunity. If the nurse hasn't mention that you are low you are probably ok.

@tillybabs if you had your original bloods done through your GP you should be able to see the results on the NHS app 😊 x