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

@Gracie2021 haha! miracle cupcakes! We all need those!

@gracie2021 haha I read that back and I can see how it sounds! God no though, switched needles, stabbed myself in the finger with the mixing needle, in the belly with the correct needle haha

Freezer cupcakes? Just normal cupcakes youve frozen or is this an amazing thing I dont know about haha

So many folicles! 🤞 for your next scan!

@tinkerbell098 its a nice way to start the day, especially this morning in my sun trap of a garden x

I’ve not been on a lot to try to keep my head clear before FET but I’m pissed of. I went to the ideal home show on Wednesday, first day out anywhere like that in a very long time, and I got a bastard Covid contact notification today. Of course I did!!! Ughhh. I should not have gone, my period is due to start next week, I thought it would be ok. It’s just one day 😭

I’ll read up on what’s going on here now

Oh @thislittlebird I'm so sorry. If you need a 'currently good news' story, my darling husband went to work on tuesday (after saying hes wfh for the duration, we're both lucky to be in jobs where we can, he works away a lot, but that 'should' have all been done, and theres enough time for him to get it and be ok but not be, but anway anyway I digress) on weds morning he gets a call from a guy he was with whos tested positive. I was FUMING. We've stayed separately, all the windows are open, hes not left the spare room apart from toilet breaks, and he's currently still negative 🤞 he was in a room with the guy for 2 hours, no masks, sat across from eachother, but a window was open... got everything crossed for you x

@Gracie2021 belated thappy st Patrick’s day to you! Sounds like your scan was good news, that exciting and my fingers are crossed. How long to go until EC?

@beckyCarlos you’re braver than me! Well done on doing the stims and mixing.

@gracie2021 urgh! That's a lot of supplements 😱 but very interesting how your docs have given them the thumbs up. Maybe I should keep taking mine... Happy St Patrick's day too!

@beckycarlos congrats and well done on your first day of stims! Exciting times!!

@thislittlebird oh no! Hopefully you won't catch it, despite the notification xx I'm just getting over Covid now, I had mild flu like symptoms for a few days and now just a lingering cough xx

@Kay00@ @beckyCarlos I’m really hoping I don’t get it. I feel ok today, had a complete meltdown last night though. The pressure of all this and work the last few weeks has caught up with me. Supposed to be doing a job application today but I just feel like shit so I’m procrastinating.

That’s a great story though that he didn’t get it. Fingers crossed I’m the same, I’ll test for a few days just in case. Cancelled acupuncture just in case, will rebook later this week.

So my clinic is being super annoying lol. I asked someone to call me to discuss FET, no one called, they emailed. I said what’s the process, she said take oestaradiol for two weeks from day two. Ok that’s fine timing wise, except I really do not want to take oestradiol. I have hormonal migraines that I’m assuming will be triggered by the withdrawal from the pills. Then I have had thrush pretty much constantly since the ivf, I treat it, it goes away for a few days and then it comes right back, so I think my hormones must still be all over the shop. Another reason I wanted acupuncture but it’ll have to wait.

So I email back saying can I speak to someone to discuss options and explain the issues, she emails back saying you can do a natural cycle and “For this you will have to contact us on day 1 of period and we will book you for a scan around day 9-10. If there is a dominant follicle we will advise you to start testing the ovulation and when you have a positive ovulation test we will book the transfer for you a week later.”

Erm ok, so that’s a problem. I’m away first week of April, back on the evening of the 5th. I have a course on the 6th. If my period starts on the 24th, I’ll be in Scotland for day 10. I could do a scan a bit later, but I’m not sure what to do. More oestrogen sounds horrendous to me, I’m sure I already have too much/plenty and my lining is always fine, it gets quite thick. The other issue is I’m unlikely to have a positive ovulation test, I get them rarely.

I don’t know how to approach them about this. Obviously my holiday and lack of positive ovulation test is the issue for a natural FET, but I know roughly when I ovulate because I get symptoms and I might get a positive test, hard to say.

@kay01 day 2 went ok, a way to go before I'm doing it mostly one handed like the nurse but I definitely felt more confident. Probably in my head but the solution seems to go in, physically, easier than morning shots too.

@thislittlebird husband is still negative, it can be done 💪I totally understand how upsetting it is though, and I have everything crossed for you. Your FET sounds like a mind f* i hope you can speak to someone properly next week who will listen to you x

@beckyCarlos what date are they pencilling in EC for you?

I’m considering maybe taking some cyclogest tbh. I have plenty here. I’ll start it tonight and hope I can push AF back a few days.

My LFT was negative last night! I’ll do another one tonight.

@thislittlebird thats good! Is cyclogest the progesterone pessiary? They havent really yet, just 'w/c 28th March' depending on what they see on the 25th.

Having my screening bloods done today was, with no word of a lie, like getting blood from a stone. Two nurses tried, no blood, even the anaesthatist had to try twice (one arm, success in the hand). Plus side, I got to meet an anaesthetist and he was lovely. Downside, he said I must be super dehydrated as my veins weren't giving blood out when he did manage to get in... I had over a pint of water this morning before we went, I added up what I drank yesterday and its a good amount, I actively try and drink whenever I apss the tap... so afterwards I had a little cry because I cant even have a blood test properly 🤣 am on strict drinks of water every hour now because I've got it in my head folicles cant grow if I'm dehydrated. What . Is . My . Actual . Life .

@beckyCarlos yes, that’s the progesterone. I have zero symptoms on that happy to take it!

I’ll call them on Monday and see what they say about pushing the scan by a day or two.

Are you drinking your 2-3 litres of water per day? Smash down the water and protein, it might help!

@thislittlebird sounds like a plan!

I thought so, but I cant have been drinking enough water, I've added the water widget to my watch and measured how much is in my standard glass 🙈 no excuse now! I'm pretty grateful to the guy, I probably wouldnt have noticed otherwise!

I should add, I'm not a total numpty, my wee is always a 'good' colour apart from maybe first thing in the morning when its a bit more yellow but never anything alarming lol. Still, I'm all about the things I can control, and I can control my water intake 😊

@beckyCarlos yeah, I got tired of drinking it tbh lol. I’m definitely not having enough right now but I will start again soon.

@beckyCarlos I'm the same with blood tests. Takes about half an hour everytime with about 8-10 holes in various places of my arm and hand. Each time I make sure I've drunk enough, even hold my hot water bottle to warm up my hands, have even run to the GP surgery to get my blood pumping before I go for the test. Nothing has worked, and just recently got very bruised after a blood test that I couldn't move my arm for about 2 weeks! Horrendous experience! So another hurdle for me to cross when I have to go through IVF. I do drink plenty as well, so I don't know what's wrong with me. I think it's a cold weather thing for me though, as I didn't struggle last summer, and I generally have cold hands and cold feet.

@thislittlebird glad your LFT was negative, hope you don't catch it. Hopefully the progesterone will delay your periods and you can make it to the scan. Hope you can have the transfer next month.

@Tinkerbell098 we sound exactly the same! I had a HCA take blood once, 9 times she put the needle in, 9! I looked like I'd been in a fight by the time I got home! My hands and feet are always cold (im currently wearing slipper socks AND slippers because warm feet = warm uterus 🤣)

So far today Ive had 1l of water. I keep thinking 'best not accidentally drown myself' but my husband keeps reminding me that in normal times I have been known to have multiple pints of beer so I should be fine 🤣

@beckyCarlos oh we are so alike! I've had so much trauma with blood tests. My prolactin levels came back high and the doctor asked if I am stressed as that can cause elevated levels. In my head I thought, I definitely was during the blood test! I too wear fluffy socks and fluffy slippers at home, I can't cope! Haha your husband's comment made me chuckle!! Hope the stims are going ok with minimal side effects. When would they scan you?

@tinkerbell098 haha! Yes! It's certainly not relaxing when it doesnt come out first time!

Have a scan on Friday morning to see whats happening. Then, depending on that, they'll either keep me stimming for a few more days, or give me a time for trigger and book egg collection.

I feel SO much better on buserelin and stims than I did on just buserelin for downreg. I have more energy, and apart from crying at literally anything, I feel fine. It could be in my head but Inswear I keep getting random little twinges where I think my ovaries are, which has to be a good thing right? Lol.

I started on the progesterone, fingers crossed it does the job!

I also went for a run and finished drafting my job application today, I’m currently the attached meme.

I’m looking forward to our holiday next week too, just feels unreal now that it’s coming round so soon.

@beckyCarlos I had a few twinges but not many and I took that as a good sign!

@beckycarlos I think twinges are a great sign! I could always feel mine when I was taking Clomid... certainly mesns something is happening 😁

@thislittlebird Hehe, your meme made me giggle, but in all seriousness well done!! On completing your job application and for going for a run!! You're clearly winning at life!

I finished work a little early today so I could 1) go to the recycling centre to drop off the ridiculous amounts of cardboard we had amassed 2) drive to a garden center to buy mother's day gifts 3) drive to the hospital to pick up my Metformin 5) nip to the supermarket for some essentials 6) pick up the dogs and drive them to a field so they can burn off steam.... im home now and utterly exhausted! I don't think my body is quite over Covid yet 😣

@thislittlebird haha, I just snorted and can't explain it to my husband. Where are you going on hol? (Sorry if youve mentioned, I'm a bit scatty atm)

You and @kay00 are putting me to shame with your productivity today! X

Wow productive days all round. If it helps you feel any better @beckyCarlos I barely managed to make it through work and feed myself. Small goals these days! The twinges are definitely a good sign. I've increasingly had more twinges in line with bigger follicle count for each of my cycles.

Well done on the job application @thislittlebird. They're such a pain to get complete. Fingers crossed it does the job for you. Have you been on progesterone before?

Mind yourself @Kay00. Have heard it takes time to get over Covid and have to be gentle with yourself.

@Tinkerbell098 had the opposite problem when they were doing my port/cannula for my last egg collection. Massive spurt 🙈 I'm fine with needles but can't stand the sight of blood 🤮

Hello!

Sorry to interrupt the chat, but I was wondering if I could ask about the duostim protocol? @Gracie2021 I think you said that you're doing it? Would you mind me asking why your clinic adopted that approach with your treatment? I'm not even sure if my clinic offer it but I might ask them as I have been reading it is sometimes used for low ovarian reserve.

For background, I'm 40, low AMH, ttc for over a year, two unsuccessful rounds of ivf down (both short protocol, the first round max gonal f, single trigger, 4 eggs, all fertilised, two made it to blastocyst, both transferred, neither stuck; the second round mix of gonal f and menopur, double trigger, 11 eggs, 9 fertilised, day 3 none looked good and we had one very ropey embryo on day 6 that we pgs tested and it wasn't normal). Was about to start my third round of ivf in March and miraculously got pregnant naturally but miscarried at 6 weeks (sob). Going for a scan tomorrow to see if everything has passed and I can start my next round in April, but just trying to figure out how to maximise the chances because i think this could be the last round.

Hi @99pctpractice absolutely. Probably too early to tell you how effective it is just yet but so far it's extremely promising for me. Our first round was cancelled due to poor response and at that point we got my AMH checked. It had tanked 73% in 8 months so we decided our strategy would be to try bank 5-6 embryos now before moving on to transfers. My doctor recommended the duostim as she said the second leg of it can be very positive for low AMH/poor responses like myself.

My first cancelled round I was meant to be on 450 gonal f and 225 Luveris but because of an error I was only on 225 gonal f for the first week which probably had a part to play in yhe poor response. Ended up with 2 follicles at day 13 which we converted into o IUI.

For the first leg of this duostim round I primed with testosterone, added 100mg clomid and did 450 gonal f/225 Luveris. Had 8 follicles at baseline which is about the best I've ever gotten to that point. Got two eggs on collection which was a disappointment but got one embryo so not complaining at all.

Had my first scan of the second leg of the duostim (exact same medications) on Friday and had 15 follicles which is almost double my previous best count. My scan yesterday still had 15 and growing well. Another scan wed and probably collect Friday. Attached my two counts from Friday (right column) and yesterday (left column). So far I'm blown away by the duostim second round but also trying to not get too excited until we see how egg collection/hunger games go.

Because you have to pay for both rounds of the duostim and you're essentially banking on getting a very good second leg it's a pricy strategy. Depending how this goes and if we need to go again I might go duostim again or might ask about a luteal phase round with estrogen priming as another option.... tbh hard to know at this point til we see how the next week and a half goes but I'll keep you posted anyway. Extremely promising so far....