ACU Ninewells

[RRk1469]

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone has been for a first appointment at the ACU in Dundee. My husband and I have our first appointment together at the end of January and just wondering what to expect.

@MrsMacttc aww it's definitely good to talk. I tell my friend but its always good when someone understands how you're feeling. Now I've managed to login again I'll be here if you need to vent!

Also @CuriousAries what stage are ypu at just now? I've just figured out how to reply without replying to individual comments 🤣 definitely not very tech savvy.

@mrsmacmc sorry I tagged the wrong person in my last reply. Got confused as your names are so similar. I may be slightly dyslexic!

@RRk1469 no probs 🥰

Had my second appointment with the counsellor today, nothing exciting but she did mention that if we need to go to round 2 it would be 4 months after failed round 😨

Can't wait for the calendar to flick round to November so we can get this show on the road!

I was checking dates earlier on and I've been at my target 🎯 ⚖️ for 6 months today too 🎉

My partner had her AMH blood levels taken 02/08/22 and mine were taken 09/08/22 (honestly not 100% sure why mine were taking as we are using my partners egg), we received my partners results by letter 11/10/22 but it was typed according to the letter 28/09/22.

I am just wondering how long everyone else has waited from their AMH results to their consultation regarding medication/which protocol etc.? We did mention we wanted to start in January which they said should be fine and we have purchased the sperm but it’s all just this horrible unknown feeling until we actually have something in writing…. I just thought I would see how long people roughly waited from their results to the next appointment? X

@sjp00 I got my consultation/ protocol I think like 2 months after the AMH results. I will double check my letters tomorrow though!

@mrsmacmc we haven't been given a counsellor is that something you requested? I would maybe quite like someone to talk things through with someone my DH isn't exactly good at feelings!

Did they say why you'd have to wait 4 months? Is that the same for everyone? Hopefully it works first time for you. I'll keep everything crossed 🤞 the waiting is annoying when you know you're so close.

Well done on the target weight. My BMI was 24 last time so I think I'm okay weight wise but I definitely could be healthier 🙄.

@RRk1469 Thank you! When you got your appointment letter was the appointment for your consultation quite soon? When we have had appointment letters usually we get the letter but it’s another 3/4 weeks until the actual appointment. X

@sjp00 we got our protocol consult 6 weeks after AMH test was done although don't go on our timescales as the initial referral to ACU for us was messed up 🤦‍♀️

@RRk1469 when we went for the nurse appointment they asked if we wanted to book with the counsellor, anyone under ACU care can request appts. Drop the admin email a message or call and leave a message to request it. We've done an appt together and one where Only I attended (all video). Found them quite helpful 🥰 The counsellor didn't say why it was 4 months, it's on my questions to ask list!

Thank you, I'm sure you'll be fine! My bmi is sitting at 26.2, I deliberately went under a few points in case I gained during meds. ❤️

@sjp00 yeah it was about 4 weeks unfortunately. They're pretty slow. Now that I've had my consultation there's so many questions I have that I didn't ask on the day. I don't know whether to email them all through? Has anyone sent through questions to the secretarial email?

@RRk1469 ive sent questions to the inbox before, sometimes it takes a couple days but they’ll come back with the answer :) xx

@sjp00 Amazing, thanks you. It's mad how you only think of all the things you want to ask afterwards! Starting in December is making me nervous as the Christmas break is bound to stall things 🙄

@RRk1469 im the same, I have so many questions written down just waiting for this next appointment! I really thing they should have a more in depth FAQ page on their website, a lot of tests etc that I didn’t even know about would have been good to know beforehand and even the next stages I’m still a bit stressed as to what to expect! Hopefully they will be able to give you a work around at Christmas time, all my fingers crossed for you x

Mindless scrolling as fell asleep after tea tonight so not able to get to sleep so far in bed 😩 and this really stuck with me:

IVF is an endurance race, the ultramarathon of ultramarathons.
I was saying to DH earlier on over tea that I'm really struggling mentally just now with the wait to start our cycle next month. Worried that I'm already mentally tired and not going to be able to draw on my dwindling reserves to keep the positive pants on! Full on work week looming with a 10hr day on Wednesday in 4 different locations. Going to need to be strong and adopt the one day at a time, one hour at a time if needed 💪🏻 ✨ ❤️ 💖

@mmrsmacmc aw I totally get it. Its hard keeping positive when you're just waiting for it to start. Just gotta think it'll all be worth it in the end. They say try not to stress during it but I think that's probably pretty hard!

I've told quite a lot of people as EVERYONE always asks me "when are you having a baby, you're not getting any younger" so everyone asks me what stage I'm at etc!! I'm a sharer!! 🤣🤣

Hope you're 10hour shift goes quick tomorrow 😁

We have our next consultation 15th December which I think is to discuss AMH level results etc. I have seen a few people online mention ART appointments so I have asked the unit if this is what that is and just waiting on a response... We were told January 2023 would be fine but I have a feeling it's going to be February instead. At this point I don't care I just want to be at the end stage... It's such an unclear process, we are in a same sex relationship doing reciprocal IVF and there is next to no information, I have no idea if we need to link our period cycle or what happens, feel totally in the dark! Roll on the 15th! Hopefully it's good news and doesn't put a damper on xmas 😅

Had an absolute meltdown today.

Came home to my AMH results and a info pack....they only got taken 2 weeks ago and they said about 6 weeks to get back so totally unexpected.
Although it's came back normal...everything just hit me like a ton of bricks! Felt like because it was out with my timescale that I'm not in control anymore!
Suddenly everything felt very real and scary and coming round too quick!
I've spoke on here before about having a positive mindset to help me cope around 'oh that's another month to save money or to go on holiday' etc....maybe I flipped because I felt like that coping mechanism was instantly gone?
@sjp00 if you got results letter just a few weeks ago, and I can see below you've now got your consultation mid December, can I please ask when you got the appointment letter? Like how long after the AMH results letter?
In total overdrive now around when I'll be starting!
If I got app in December I'm assuming I'd start on next period which would be mid-January....

Am I the only one feeling anxious about how quick things start going?
I totally understand how excited and inpatient most people would be...I just seen the exact opposite which is throwing up a whole other set of thoughts!

@CuriousAries Can I ask what you mean by info pack? When we got our AMH results it was just one line at the bottom of a letter, I don't think we got this :(

My partner had her bloods taken for AMH 02/08/22, we received the results in the post 11/10/22 and I chased up yesterday when the next appointment would be and they sent me back an email saying I was due to be booked in letter yesterday with an appointment for 15/12/22. When I asked what this would be for they said "Your consultation will be to discuss your AMH levels and the protocol treatment cycle they will use for your treatment. This will also be an opportunity questions you may have, before going ahead with treatment".

Looking at other people's stories on here, and looking online, there seems to be a gap of 2 months from consultation to beginning of injections, so I am not sure if they are going to tell me in December we have to wait until February's period, another horrible 6 week wait until I know!

I'm sure you can ask to delay treatment starting if this has come sooner than expected, I would definitely speak with them 💕

The whole process is not consistent whatsoever, it makes you feel totally in the dark. This week is the first week I have gotten myself so upset, because I'm in a same sex relationship this has been more of an exciting time for us but I feel so drained now, you are right it feels like you're not in control at all and to make it even worse you're blindfolded too and have no idea what's about to happen next! x

Sorry, fixing an error in my post above, I meant to say "I chased up yesterday when the next appointment would be and they sent me back an email saying I was due to be booked in so had done this and included a letter in the email with an appointment for 15/12/22*

@sjp00
The letter had the one sentence with results.
Then another sheet of paper with a flowchart of standard timescales.
Then a booklet (A4 printed document) with more information about the whole process from start to finish.
Will be interesting to see how far my appointment is behind yours when we have had result letters weeks apart. I won't expect another letter for a few weeks then.
The majority of us on this thread seem to have caught up with each other and starting all at similar times!

@CuriousAries That's interesting, I wonder why we didn't get this pack. I wonder if this has something to do with us being a same sex couple, but a booklet definitely would have been good as there is 0 information online. It does seem to be everyone is nearing around the same time now! x

@sjp00 you may be right as it did have a section on producing semen sample....however that could be easily edited! Surely they will have something- maybe worth another email? Or maybe you'll get it all at the appointment?
To be honest, didn't say anything I didn't know already- and depends on protocol - but it put me in the state of a meltdown so would rather have not had it all 🤣

@CuriousAries At this point its just a guessing game, think everyone is in the same boat though where no one really knows whats happening.. glad for this thread though makes it all a little less lonely x

@CuriousAries our info pack didn't have a producing your sample section although DH did tell me one of his eLearning modules on the ACU portal covered it.

10hr day on Wednesday was OK all in, glad it is over though.

I found myself starting the thorough deep clean of the house today to keep busy. Living room being attacked tomorrow!

I'm grateful for this thread too as it's helping me feel less alone about it all ❤️

@CuriousAries awww don't panic. I think after my AMH results I am now at like 3 months waiting and I'm still "apparently" due to start in December even though I was told the embryology dept is shut for a few weeks for maintenance work.

I did get a wee info pack too so definitely something you should ask about. They could easily amend for you @sjp00 they'll have all the information you need.

Spoke with the unit who advised info packs are sent when we are due to start treatment prior to our start month. They are currently preparing December patients packs and once completed are starting January's which they will be in touch with us for... which is a little sigh of relief as I thought we were going to be delayed until February for a minute!

Maybe the info pack will be my Christmas gift from them... lol! 😂

Tomorrow is baseline scan day for us 🎉 trying to have a quiet evening ignoring the pain as I'm only able to take paracetamol instead of my usual naproxen (I get really painful periods due to endo). I joked with DH earlier on that I'm glad we're going in his car as I can use the heated seat as a hot water bottle for the journey

@sjp00 that's good to hear you will get your information pack soon ❤️

@RRk1469 I hope your one drops through the door too ❤️