Fertility Appointments and Beyond.... the journey continues

[Gracie2021]

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!

@tillybabs
@thislittlebird
@kay00
@jeaniej
@PurpleUnicorn01
@paintfairy
@dogmam
@flutterby8
@Ughmaybenot
@dancingfairydreams
@beckycarlos
@jkjellyhead
@juno231
@decaffe
@bumble44
@BritinNZ
@tinkerbell098
@pinkginpls
@thedaydreambelievers
@everymumday
@wanderlust16
@lori23ttc

@Kay00 thanks good news our little embaby is still in the race today. No earth shattering revelations from the call with the doctor this morning. She confirmed that she'd aim for 5-6 embryos before we move to transfer but it could be a challenge for us to get that so we'll have to take it one round at a time and evaluate as we go. No real reason for why only two eggs on Tuesday and that it's about what she expected from this round.

When did you speak with the clinic last? Are you nearing the four week mark to hear from them again?

@Tinkerbell098 so sorry you had to hear that. I found it tough when the possibility of needing IVF turned to reality too bits a hard adjustment. I did tell work as trying to navigate apps without telling would have caused me more stress but I know many don't so probably depending on your own flexibility in work whether you need to.

@Tinkerbell098 are you me?? coincidently my left tube is blocked too and has applied to NHS IVF funding. Throughout the journey going private or not has been playing in my mind constantly, so far we are still sticking with NHS, but my CCG only funds 1 round of it. if this doesn't work we will try private after.

I think it depends massively where you are, I am with SW CCG. We officially applied to funding middle of Jan and got a call this week to schedule the first consultation mid April. So that's going to be 13 weeks from applying to initial consultation?
Obviously I haven't gone through the process myself yet so can't share first hand experience. But loads ladies on here are more than helpful and just join the conversation! We are in it together x
I would also suggest to go to some private IVF open evenings? Create does zoom calls to explain what to expect etc. I went to one (when I was this close of choosing private) and was eye opening.

@Kay00 all the best, if mine goes well I hope to start IVF similar time as you.

@Gracie2021 sorry I missed the trauma you went through earlier this week. Sounds awful! What's worse is they still haven't proper explain why only two eggs? As if the entire thing is not stressful enough as it is. hugs x

Thanks for the replies girls and I'm glad I have a group I can share this journey with.

@Kay00 the timings don't sound too bad and hope things will move swiftly for you.

@Gracie2021 work has been flexible so far, but not sure how long these appointments tend to last. If it's an hour here and there, I could do early/late lunch breaks, but if it's an entire morning or afternoon I think I'd struggle. Once I get a protocol/plan I guess I'd know more and may take time off around that time to deal with it all. Sorry you've had to go through all that, but glad the embryo is still ok and hope you get the 5/6 they need. How long do they need to stimulate you to get to that?

@pinkginpls oh that's a very similar case to me. Did they tell you how you could have damaged the tube? Is it through HSG/Hycosy they diagnosed or did they do a laparoscopy? 13 weeks isn't bad and we were told 3 months, so sounds about right. Thanks for suggesting the open events and zoom calls, I would definitely look into that to prepare myself for it.

@Tinkerbell098 they did a laparoscopy to certified that a part of the tube is missing, was born like that not much you can do about it :/

I remember crying so hard as soon as I woke up from the procedure, just feel like you have been sentenced and it was scary. You have been reading so much about IVF and all that, thought you are prepared but it is something else when doctor tells you, yeah, IVF is the way to go.

@pinkginpls that is very unfortunate. My HSG showed that the dye didn't go all the way, it has gone up a part of it but definitely no spillage. The doctor said, there is no other way to confirm other than going through laparoscopy and with the current wait times, she advised move to IVF to avoid further delays due to my age (36). I can really understand as I had a breakdown yesterday after having told this and I had a feeling we'll move down that route, but definitely different when someone says that to you to your face. It's quite heartbreaking and something that no one wants to hear. Let's all get through this together xx

@tinkerbell098 I'm 36 too and I spent a lot of time (the last three months of Clomid) mentally preparing myself for IVF, and I think I'm ready now. Well... not right now 😆 I'll be ready to start soon!

Sorry all, we've had a couple of nights away. @gracie2021 have a scan today at 12.55 to check everything is turned off. Its incredibly weird to be hoping to see NOTHING on the ultrasound! But, if everything is off it means stims can start 🤞 and on to the next step x

Hi, hope you don’t mind me joining.

I am about to start trying to discover the cause of my infertility through private testing and have no idea where to start!

I had blood tests on the NHS but unfortunately my other checks kept getting messed up so I ended up going for private IVF after 3 years and did not pay for testing prior.

I think I will go for a HyCoSy first of all. I know I have a high enough AMH, my day 2 and 21 bloods are fine and my partners sperm is okay.

Can anyone recommend any other tests to try to get to the bottom of this and determine whether I really do need to go straight to IVF again?

@beckyCarlos thanks for the update. hopefully good news from @Gracie2021soon. onwards and upwards. x

@Mochii everyone's welcome! I never thought about what tests I needed, it was just anything NHS recommend and so do it. Although awfully long wait yes but they do do a throughout check.
I think a hycosy is crucial, making sure your tubes aren't block. I had a hycosy and a follow up laparoscopy to know that part of my left tube is missing. Speak to the consultant, (private or NHS) they will let you know what tests should be done to determine if IVF (and which kind) is suitable for you.

Thank you @pinkginpls, that’s really helpful. I have had IVF twice and I am already registered at 2 clinics.

Unfortunately I was at the top of the list for NHS IVF but due to my partner incorrectly being referred to the wrong clinic 6 times, we had to give up after 3 years, so that is no longer an option.

Has anyone been to a private consultant who does checks? The one I have found is £200 per session just for the conversation, and if I need multiple it will be cheaper for me to go straight for IVF, which is why I did this initially.

@mochii your journey so far sounds like a ride! Have you complained about your partners referal? I would (now, having been on my own fun journey, I probably wouldn't have at the start!)

Downreg scan update... ovaries are small and quiet 🥳 continue with drug as they stand for now (buserelin in AM, 50ml) then on thurs it drops to 20ml, with stims in the evening! I'm a bit stunned (and have, obviously, had a cry, sodding forced menopause lol) I feel like its the first time I've come out with a positive outcome (oh the irony of a 'good' outcome being no folicles at all...)

Yeah I complained straight away! I’ve changed GP as well but he always gets sent to the erectile dysfunction clinic incorrectly, or to a clinic that has shut down. He doesn’t even have that issue, poor guy 😂 I can’t work out how it goes wrong every single time! We wouldn’t be able to get testing through them now anyway, but that’s why I’ve had partial checks and still had treatment.

I was hoping some people would have had tests which diagnosed issues and then I could go for these privately to try and pinpoint what could be wrong. Do the NHS even test much other than the day2/21 bloods and HyCoSy? If they are fine and partners sperm normal is it always just labelled as unexplained?

@mochii what a nightmare! With regard to teats, my GP/nurse did day 2 bloods (fsh etc), and a whole heap of other things, vitamin D, thyroid, rubella and chlamydia antibodies. From there, the results were sent to the fertility clinic who ordered more tests based on those results, which were antral folicle count (done via trans vaginal ultrasound, free) and AMH (bloods, had to pay)

My husband had two SA done, and has low everything, so we do have a male factor issue as well, but I needed to wait for my bloods/AFC to confirm if IVF was appropriate or if we'd need donor eggs, for me for now its long protocol IVF and seeing how I respond.

My AFC check also picked up a polyp which I had removed via hysteroscopy (done under local at the clinic as an outpatient) but during that they also did a visual check of the uterus as good practice to make sure theres nothing the internals missed.

Hope this helps a little x x

Thanks @beckyCarlos! I think I’m missing thyroid and AMH - now I think about it, I’m pretty sure I only had the follicle count. That gives me a great starting point!

Good luck with your IVF round

@Mochii hi and welcome! I was on the ivf thread with you but I’ve taken a break while I wait for transfer. Sorry to find you here too. Tests wise, my private consultant (before our nhs round we’ve just done) recommended a Hycosy, DNA fragmentation (this can be an issue for the men who don’t have problems with their sperm at face value so might be worthwhile). Does your partner have any below average results from his sperm analysis? Sorry if you’ve said any of this, I skimmed down quickly. Changing GP was really positive for me, my old one was atrocious and didn’t care. They ran thyroid and PCOS tests on me, because my AMH and AFC is fairly high.

I’m not properly caught up on here, but good to hear you’re starting soon @beckyCarlos 🙌

Hi @Mochii good to see you here but sorry you're having to revisit things. I was on the IVF thread too but tbh couldn't keep up as there's so many on it. Afraid im not much help for the Uk based advice. In terms of tests we've had done bloods (including AMH, Vitamin D, thyroid, testosterone (not supplementing with testosterone gel)), HSG, Soren analysis, currently waiting on dna frag.

@beckyCarlos so thrilled for you that your scan went well. The start of a really good round hopefully. How are you feeling about starting?

@Tinkerbell098 I ask for the first morning app and my clinic facilitates that as much as they can so that really helps with balancing it with work.

Stims day one here, just about to kick off my injections for this round so will see how it goes. In the meantime am trying to mentally prepare for if this round goes as badly as the first two and get my contingency plan in place. Basically trying to get our heads around donor eggs and deciding if this is an Avenue we'd pursue. We also hear about our embryo tomorrow, it made it to day 3 on Friday so hoping it makes freezing tomorrow 🤞

@Gracie2021 exciting that your embryo made it to day 3! Good luck tomorrow, hope they call you early on.

I’ve definitely not had soren analysis as I’ve never heard of it, so another route for me to explore. Thank you!

@Gracie2021 how are you feeling now? Fingers firmly crossed for that embryo to make it.

I should probably get my Vitamin D tested because I’ve never done it, I’m on a fairly high dose though because of my skin issues, but should probably check it.

@Mochii sorry my autocorrect is giving trouble. That was sperm not soren 😂🙈 my bad!!!

@thislittlebird actually feel better now that I have a plan b. Had a chat with the doctor on Friday and no matter how this round goes we'll be taking April off for a break as it's ten months of medicated cycles/IUI/IVF with no break now. Then more than likely we'll do another collection in may. Think at that point if we haven't seen more progress we'll look at donor eggs. Having accepted that we would go that route has actually really helped my mindset as the worst bit for me is fear of never having a baby/children. The genetics funnily enough don't bother me as much.

My vit D was low when it was tested last autumn so went on 5000iu. Now I'm slightly high as of two weeks ago so down to 2000iu.

@Gracie2021 I’ve been Googling soren analysis 😂😂😂😂

Omg so sorry @Mochii 😂😂 I need to reread my messages 🙈

😂😂 Soren analysis. Haha, I was wondering what that was 😅

Welcome @mochii 👋

@mochii @gracie2021 isnt soren a maltloaf brand?! 🤣

@gracie2021 I'll be joining you stiming on Thurs! Woo! I'm excited to (hopefully) feel less tired with less buserelin, being asleep by 9pm is so not me, I'm a night owl! I'm a bit in disbelief that its actually happening. I've've just sat and planned meals for the week to make sure I'm getting enough protein in, I've booked onto a Zita West guided actualisation session (a bit woo even for me, but every little helps!) And making my acupuncture bookings tomorrow to line up, so trying to keep that excitement and optimism going.

We've talked about if this doesnt work, donor eggs etc. And its always been no question for me, I'm 100% for donor eggs. Hopefully both of us will succeed with our own but its good to know theres another option x

@Gracie2021 good news about your embryo! Great you're taking next month off as it sounds like you've been through a lot in the past few months. Well done for getting through it all in one piece! Thanks for the tip on asking for the first morning appointments, I'll keep that in mind. Are you having IVF privately or through NHS?

Just a general question - how do they decide if you need down regulation or if they can go straight into stims? Is it default to be put on the down regs? Sorry, I have no clue how it works!