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

We have one embryo! 🤯🤯🤯🙌🙌🙌 graded B out of A-D. Not perfect but her exact words were "really really good". The relief! Today is a good day.

@Tinkerbell098 thanks a mil. I'm actually Irish based so no funded treatment and all private and out of pocket unfortunately. The upside is things tend to move quicker but downside obviously is the financials.... I think for those of us with poor response/poor ovarian reserve/low AMH etc they tend to downreg less as there's a chance our ovaries won't wake back up again in time but for those with normal response I believbuts used to reset and make sure you're starting from nil to avoid any dominant follicles running ahead etc. other than that mot sure why they pick it for some people and not for others.

So excited for you @beckyCarlos and sounds like you have a good plan in place. When are you scheduling your acupuncture apps? I just do mine weekly and don't try to schedule around treatment too specifically but it's definitely my one thing that's for me more than for fertility. I love it for clearing my heads and it feels like a treat.

I'm adding protein smoothies to the diet from today too. Hate them but had to be done. The amount of eggs I'm eating is unreal too 😂😂 I'm definitely being less enthusiastic and less strict with each round though. Probably not a good thing but don't think diet is going to be the thing that makes it breaks it for me. That said will do my best to eat clean but yeah definitely putting less pressure on myself with each round.

@Gracie2021 woo! That's amazing, so pleased for you! Would they wait for the next round of stims to be completed and then decide which one to transfer? Hope the protein boost will help with the next round. You're doing great!

Hi All, i hope you're well. How are you all doing? So i had 5 embryos 4 died on thaw. I had a mcc last october. Had my embryo transfer so anxiously waiting on my last hope.

How are you all? ☺

@gracie2021 woooo! Go embryo, protein shakes for the win haha

@tinkerbell098 my acupuncturist said (and I assume this is true for clinics across the country lol) that not many people get downregged anymore because "normal" people with a sensible AMH/FSH/AFC have loads of follicles waiting to be recruited and that will respond well to stims. People like me who only have 4 folicles on the regular dont respond to stims as well because were used to such high levels generally, and it can mean that only one folicle grows big. The downreg puts ovaries in a state of temporary menopause in the hope that when stims start, more folicles are shocked into responding rather than just one dominant one :)

@beckyCarlos that's such a good explanation and makes complete sense.

@PurpleUnicorn01 I'm so so sorry about your four embryos. Really hope you're doing ok? Fingers crossed for this transfer. How many days post transfer are you now?

@Tinkerbell098 we're embryo banking as my AMH is dropping drastically so trying to collect and freeze as many embryos as we need now before we move to transfer so any we get in this and successive rounds will be frozen. I hope choosing between embryos for transplant will be something we have to consider but not even letting the mind go there yet. Transfer is probably a fair bit away for us for now.

Sorry @gracie2021 apparently I'm not able to reply properly on the drugs 🤣 my acupuncture has been once a fortnight, but for stims they like to see you at the start (day 1/2) and towards the end (day 7/8) and then before and after transfer too :)

@beckyCarlos thanks for that, really helpful. How long do they downregulate usually? Is it about a month and then use the following cycle to stimulate?

@PurpleUnicorn01 fingers crossed for this transfer. When would you find out?

@beckyCarlos @Tinkerbell098 im 6dpt.

I have low AMH too and I had weekly acupuncture would definitely recommend. Also the day before and say after embryo transfer.

I did do a sneaky test earlier it had a faint line. I lobbed it in the bin in disbelief almost think i was imagining it. Going to do another test on Wednesday. My official test is Thursday. Ive given up hope given the miscarriage, and all but 1 embryo dying. I won't believe it until I do at least 3 more tests. Think ive gone stark crazy. I can't cope with anymore heart break and disappointment.

@PurpleUnicorn01 Thursday isn't that long to wait, but completely understand why you'd want to test earlier than that. But so far looking good if you already had a faint line. I'm keeping everything crossed for you. Good luck xx

@tinkerbell098 my booklet says 14 days, but theyre keeping me on it for 18 because that fits better for their schedule (no complaint from me, it was this or wait another month!)
@purpleunicorn01 Hey! How are you (apart from very likely pregnant!!!) I dropped acupuncture to fortnightly because I was 'optimised' (lol, never been optimal for anything else in life!) But will be back weekly for the next month I think. Have everything crossed for you!!

@Tinkerbell098 @beckycarlos

Yes only 3 more days to go. I think il survive just about. Acupuncture is great for stress if not anything else.

What stage are you ladies at?

@PurpleUnicorn01 I've only just been referred to IVF last week, so waiting for a letter from the clinic for an appointment. I was told this can take about 3 months. So, got about 3 months to try naturally, although hasn't worked for the past 16 cycles, so zero hope!

@PurpleUnicorn01 hello my dear, its lovely to hear from you, although I am sad to hear about your 4 embryos that didn't survive the thaw. I am going to be keeping everything crossed that your faint line is something very special... you deserve it xx

It sounds like you are all doing (and recommend) acupuncture... I have never really fancied it, but would do it if it would help. Does it really help? If it just helps relax you then would a massage be equally beneficial? I think I quite like the idea of a weekly massage

@Gracie2021 Woop!! For your embryo... it really is a good day! xx

@kay00 I've never been one for a 'relaxing' massage, I like elbows and thumbs in my back 🤣 (like is maybe too strong a word, but I do feel like I've got a new body after). Acupuncture is supposed to balance energy through the body, reduce stress, and promote healthy gut and uterus function (blood flow, digestion etc). Its not for everyone, but I love my sessions, I feel lighter and brighter after, and my sleep has been better since I've been going. My periods have also become more regular and 'better' (less clotty, more bright red blood flow etc). Its worth a go, then at least you'll know if its your thing 😊

@kay00 thank you. Pretty certain il do a test tmrw lol. Acupuncture makes you so relaxed. I don't even know how. How are you getting on

@Kay00 I've been going for acupuncture for a couple of months now. I was also skeptical about it, but definitely feel more relaxed and full of energy after starting the sessions. I think the main benefit I found was that I could always talk to someone about what I am going through face to face, and someone to listen and advise, which doesn't happen with a doctor's appointment.

@PurpleUnicorn01 woohoo for your faint line and everything crossed for Wednesday! Hope you do ok with the wait.

@Kay00 I've been to two acuP people. The first it was relaxing but other than that didn't do much. My current one has changed my periods completely much like Becky's and my linings are suddenly being complimented at my scans when previously they were thin and never triple lined. I'd swear by it but only with the good acuP.

Do you have all your meds for Thursday @beckyCarlos? Also congrats on being "optimal" 😂😂 I've allowed myself weekly sessions til the end of this round and will then go back to fortnightly or monthly til we go again in may when I think I'll go weekly again.

Hmmm... Ok, maybe I'll give the old 'needles in the back' a go Sounds like you are all enjoying it anyway

@PurpleUnicorn01 I'm OK. I just finished 6 months of Clomid, without a single positive pregnancy test, and now I'm waiting for my IVF funding to come through. I have super high AMH so will be on a low-dose stims protocol. I also have Covid at the moment, so I'm doing my best to relax and not work... for today at least.

@tinkerbell098 @kay00 ooh yes I echo that, having someone to talk to (especially for me, someone who deals with a lot of infertility) has been an absolute blessing. You dont have to keep your feelings in the box with your acupuncturist, and they always have tissues.

@gracie2021 🤣 I know, I'd like to be optimally fertile but beggars cant be choosers haha. Yeah I've had my meds since mid-dec thanks to The Polyp, the large drawing up/mixing needle scares me but the little injecting needle is the same size as my current insulin needle for buserelin so that gives me more confidence. The nurse yesterday said that these go in easier too....lets see!

@gracie2021 im definitely not going to last. Pretty sure im the psychotic daily test train now. Its too late lol. @kay00 hopefully the stims work for you when you start. Covid is no fun.

@PurpleUnicorn01 I was wondering how you'd resist til wed? I definitely wouldn't.

@Kay00 rotten timing but maybe good in some ways and have it out of the way before treatment. Hope you're not terribly unwell with it and the puppies are giving you plenty of tlc. We've been isolating since mid January for fear of it interfering with treatment and so so sick of it and just want to get it before we head into our May treatments whether that's a logical thought or not.

@beckyCarlos tbh I find once you've mastered one injection you'll be fine with the rest. What meds are you on? Gonal or menupur?

@gracie2021 meriofert 🤣 so special its not even in the protocol booklet! Im only on 300 though (I hear some people go on 400+ so they cant think my situation is that dire, or thats what I tell myself on a good day haha)

Think my trigger is gonasi (probably havent spelt that right!) And I think its 10,000 (theres definitely two of whatever I have)

I dread the thought of having to actually pay for all this (we get one funded round), there muat be 2k worth of drugs in me/the house

How often do you go for acupuncture and when in the month?

I have recently start getting acupuncture too and it is so worth it. Maybe it is placebo effect, but at least those sessions are the best naps I ever had!
I slept so much better at night and for that alone I think it is money well spent. I also agree it feels like you have someone apart from the doctors to listen to you about the issue you are going through and just in general better for your wellbeing.