Fertility Appointments and Beyond.... the next chapter

[Tinkerbell098]

I have created a new thread as the previous one is about to fill up. I've tagged some of us here, but apologies if I have missed anyone.

The thread is for anyone who has started/ about to start fertility investigations or treatment. Come join us, we are a lovely bunch :)

@tillybabs
@thislittlebird
@kay00
@jeaniej
@PurpleUnicorn01
@paintfairy
@dogmam
@flutterby8
@Ughmaybenot
@dancingfairydreams
@beckycarlos
@jkjellyhead
@juno231
@decaffe
@bumble44
@BritinNZ
@tinkerbell098
@pinkginpls
@thedaydreambelievers
@everymumday
@wanderlust16
@lori23ttc
@Gracie2021
@Sofasogood1
@99pctpractice
@magnoliasinbloom

Thanks guys xxx

@thislittlebird would they be tempted to do an early beta since you're in for bloods anyway? Glad you'll have the extra assurance over progesterone either way.

@Gracie2021 Jesus, I don’t think I’d even want to broach that one with them after the hassle of the first test 😂

Although in a way I wish my clinic did stuff like that, I think I’d like a scenario where I would never have to do a POAS pregnancy test ever again

@thislittlebird thank you for your reply, what are L/H FSH tests? Sorry completely new to it and don't think my doc is great! Also not sure what all the initials mean!
All my blood tests came back ok, receptionist has booked me another appointment with my GP though.
Also I'm 39, and been trying since Jan, but had all sorts of smear complications/3 rounds of lletz & still showing abnormal cells but low cell changes so my gyno at the hospital advised me to get trying & get the ball rolling on years.

Thank you everyone else for your replies. Good luck to you all x

@Matildahoney this is a good guide to the tests you might need and the meanings of the acronyms: www.wwl.nhs.uk/media/.leaflets/61643df93cb228.06371532.pdf

If your GP won’t refer you on because you have “normal” results, I would 1) ask for a copy of yours and your partner’s test results and look up what’s “normal” yourself, GPs aren’t always great at this stuff and 2) consider private fertility tests including amh testing, an ultrasound to check afc (antral follicle count) and a Hycosy or HSG to check your tubes. I started the ttc process at 36 and I’m still here now at 39 being never pregnant. You might be fine, all my friends were in their late 30s, but I’d say when you’re already 39 knowledge about your fertility can only be helpful.

It’s a big learning curve, none of us knew any of this stuff until we struggled to conceive so feel free to ask questions.

Thank you, that's really helpful. I'm thinking going private might be a better idea. A bit confused that Dr said blood test on day 5, yet the link you sent says 2-4. Not filling me with hope she knows what she's doing!! It's a bit of a minefield!

Omg @gracie2021 thats so exciting!!!

So, because we've had unprotected sex this cycle I cant start provera until next cycle, but I'll start that mid aug, bleed early Sept, and start stims around the 10th! A lovely (if not expensive from my brief internet search lol) short cycle with Meriofert and Ovaleap, and Fyremadol (sp?) To prevent ovulation but not shut me down like my nemesis buserelin 🤣

Im also quite glad of the delay, time to get my protein intake proper again, and have some preemptive acupuncture, plan work so its hopefully calmish, see friends, etc.

@Matildahoney It’s a total minefield! I wouldn’t worry too much, I’ve also read days 1-6 before and it shouldn’t be too different one day later. Once you get the results you’ll be able to see if it’s in or out of the parameters yourself. I think private tests is a good idea tbh, keep pursuing nhs help and check your local CCG guidelines, but private fertility tests can give you insight into where you are for your age.

@beckyCarlos why is that? I can never understand the sex or no sex rules.

@beckyCarlos oops! But we might be IVF buddies for our next cycle. I have decided to stick with my local clinic, and im hopingbto start norethisterone late August, bleed mid Sept to start stims and collection would be towards the end of Sept/early Oct.

@Gracie2021 super news re the transfer 🥳🥳🥳

@thislittlebird damn it girl, I have everything crossed for you!!

@kay00 yey! Thats exciting!

@thislittlebird something to do with progesterone, which doesnt quitemake sense since you take it after egg collection anyway... no idea! But who is having IVF and not having unprotected sex anyway 🤣 theres a (very very) slim chance it could happen...

@beckyCarlos hmmm yeah sounds weird. We didn’t know what to do this month because the odds are very slim but if it worked I wanted to know if it was the ivf 😭

Should probably worry less since it’s so unlikely to happen naturally.

I had a dream last night that I started bleeding 😩. It’s creeping into my dreams ffs. I checked when I got up and it was definitely a dream but my period would be due today. I am going for my progesterone test in a little while, definitely can’t test before that after I made a fuss to get booked in.

@thislittlebird oh god thats awful! How quickly do the progesterone test results come back? It's still good information to have :)

Yeah I made a joke when she asked, along the lines of 'well its not happened yet has it' ... luckily she laughed too! I do worry sometimes that I deal with things through humour and some people might not take it the right way (joked to a mutual female friend of my husband who also had IVF yesterday that I could never cheat on him becuase you KNOW I'd get pregnant, and thought after 'hmm, I hope she knows I don't WANT to lol)

Hi everyone, I have just finished my first 5 days of taking 2.5mg letrozole, I was just wondering if others have used it and had side effects? I have been so tired headachey and extremely bloated, is this normal? See the consultant next week for the monitoring but he did warn me that he doesn’t expect 2.5mg to work for me so not getting my hopes up!

@thislittlebird good luck with the blood test today, hope you'll get results soon X

@Alexis7890 i think I had zero side effects from letrozole from what I recall. I was on 5mg for three cycles. But it does seem to vary, other people do get more symptoms.

@beckyCarlos they said I should get the results back today if I get the test done between 8 and 10, which I did. Everything is being done on carbon copy paper now 😭

Eh, don’t worry about it, I would make a similar jokes, I’m sure some people really do not get it and that’s on them 😂

@Tinkerbell098 thanks! Hopefully today!

@Alexis7890 I didn't really have symptoms but have seen other people complain about headaches. Best advice for most meds I've found is to stay as well hydrated as possible.

Hope results come back ok @thislittlebird you're doing so well through all the waiting!!!

@beckyCarlos I'm terrified of making stupid inappropriate jokes during transfer through sheer nerves. Expecting about five of us in the room around my exposed bits and inappropriate humour is my go-to.... so glad you got your dates though and can start planning some treats in the meantime.

Hi @Kay00 was only thinking of you the other day. So glad you have your next steps planned. Hope you've been able to have some fun and enjoy the break before diving back in! Glad you still have the convenience of your local clinic.

I’m just about holding it together but not really. My period is starting, I want to cry my eyes out tbh, the progesterone normally holds it off a bit longer but it is due today and right on cue its here 😭

I'm so sorry @thislittlebird giving you the biggest virtual hug. Hope you have support around you or just working from home so you have some privacy?

@Gracie2021 it started just before I went to pick up my husband at the station. Then the clinic just rang me now and told me to increase my Cyclogest to three per day! I said my period is started so there’s really no point. I’m so angry and emotional. I’ll do the test today when I can poas again and stop them, I think.

I'm so sorry. Everything crossed that it's just breakthrough bleeding and the stick comes back positive. Sending all the good thoughts your way.

@Gracie2021 it’s hard to explain but I’ve felt like it didn’t work both times now. I know there’s a slim chance, but I don’t feel it tbh. I think we’ll do a double transfer next time and then move to private.

Times like this I wish there were magic words that would help in any way but I know at this point time is the only thing that helps and even that is a double edged sword as we all free long it slipping away on us too. Glad your husband is back home with you.

@thislittlebird I'm so sorry, it's really crap. I'm lost for words. Big virtual hug! Hope you can take it easy and be kind to yourself X

Thanks @Tinkerbell098 and @Gracie2021

I’m devastated because I’m now absolutely going to be one of those women ivf doesn’t work for. Because being infertile isn’t enough, I’ll now have to go through extra invasive tests and sadness, I’m so tired, and we don’t have endless money. I just wanted our own baby when I was mid-late 30s. I feel so stupid leaving it so late. This cycle was my last chance to be successful with a pregnancy before I was 40. Every cycle after this, if it ever works, will be 40+.