One year+ TTC part 3

[BritInNZ]

Hey ladies - new thread here we come! Changed it from 9 months+ seeing as we're pretty much all over a year of TTC now (boo!)

Feel free to add anyone else I may have forgotten 😊

@Carla2601
@lemons44
@LucyAnne34
@NatW2021
@Indianna2006
@KatieLooLa
@Hoping43
@Flyonthewall89

Newbies welcome too! Just a bunch of lovely ladies going through a tough time TTC and having a good old time venting and supporting one another 😊

@lemons44 thank you😊 I still feel brain dead! Glad I got the day off.

@FlyOnTheWall89 no they didn’t offer me an alternative with different drugs. I asked if I could source it privately and they said I can if I could find supplies as it’s a national shortage. I feel like waiting for it to be available will add more stress as well as it’s all dependent on if they get more stocks in by august as they estimated. AFC is booked for Thursday morning so I’ll see what that says about my egg reserves.

@lemons44 do some research on OHSS - it's where there are excess hormones basically because short protocol is much less regulated and artificial than long protocol. It can be really nasty and is often the cause of delaying a fresh transfer and having to wait a few cycles for your body to settle down before then doing a frozen transfer. The higher your AMH, the more likely you are to have this. I think that's right anyway x

@Tinkerbell098 i did short but I’m guessing that was because they knew there male factor and we had a complete diagnosis so I wouldn’t like to advise. I got 15 eggs which I felt a bit stressed about at first but actually most of them were good as we got 12 mature and 12 embryos of which 10 made it to day 5. I’m not sure but like @FlyOnTheWall89 id be keen to get going and I did think my cycle was pretty easy to manage and I didn’t have side effects if any of that helps. You need to do what feels right to you for sure so go with your gut.

@lemons44 i remember that feeling so clearly re sperm. I do think take it one stage at a time but get your ducks in a row where you can to avoid delays so I think you’re right to focus on getting that sperm out (I’m manifesting that it is there!) and then onto the next bit one step at a time.

re overstimulation there’s two problems as far as I understand it, one is the eggs won’t all be mature and good equality if they’ve been really over stimulated and also you can get really poorly (same as what happened to me but that was because apparently I have better stats than my age would normally be and they pumped me full on everything then did a fresh transfer) so when I produced HCG my body was like wtf enough already. I think that’s pretty rare so not something to be overly worried about. And it was horrid but like totally fine if it meant it worked so I’d take it all again

Thanks @Carla2601 😊 how many days in total did you stim for? I’m also tempted to just get cracking soon as so will decide once I know more from the AFC.

@Tinkerbell098 i already can’t remember(!) but I think almost two weeks from start to collection but you stop stimming and just do your trigger at one point too - even though it’s not pleasant it’s so short so you can do it and you will manage it don’t worry 💪💪💪

@Carla2601 thanks :)

Hi girls,

We had an appointment with the fertility consultant this morning. DH's final genetic blood tests came back fine, which is good news.

We are going ahead with a private TESA procedure (using a need to extract any sperm if there is any) and just waiting for the nurse to call back to discuss dates. I am hoping it will be within the next few weeks but will keep u posted.

One thing that confused me is that the consultant said if they did find sperm to freeze it would then need to be used for ICSI IVF. I had assumed if they managed to find sperm it could be used for normal IVF. Did you have ICSI @Carla2601 ? The consultant only mentioned it fleetingly as he said he didn't think we should talk about IVF too much until we know if we have sperm or not (one step at a time and all that).

x

Hi everyone, haven’t posted in a while as it was all just getting a bit on top of me and i retreated from life for a bit! ANYWAY!

First off, massive congratulations for all the BFPs since I was last here! Hope you’re all doing ok?

I had my first gynae one stop appointment for more ultrasounds and they’re normal so now I finally get to see the fertility specialist - now we just wait for the appointment. My last cycle was very randomly 45 days but I’m back to 31 this month and having CD3 bloods tomorrow.

Also just in case it helps anyone/anyone has been in same position - my thyroid levels are borderline so I’m starting on a baby dose of levothyroxine and I’m really hopeful that brings me some more TTC luck 🙏

@lemons44 yey for the good news. hope you get an appointment soon. I think the doctor is right in that you'd need ICSI. I think that's the norm for male factor and Carla also had ICSI from memory.

@Netflixnchilli welcome back. glad things are moving for you and hope the new medication will help X

I'm just back from my AFC scan. they counted 10 (5 on each). No idea if that's good or bad but the clinic's threshold for me to start is 5. They've said I'm eligible for both long and short but also said they'll have some logistical issues if I want to do short next cycle due to everyone wanting to go for short due to the medicine shortage issue. Anyway, I've got the needles training appointment in two weeks time and they said they'll have a better idea on the buserelin delivery estimate and depending on that, I could start on the long next cycle. According to them, if I do long, they have more control over my cycle, so can plan theatres, staff, accordingly, whereas with short, they only have a tiny window where they have to arrange and book everything in for me and with the current demand, they're struggling.

Hi @lemons44 not sure if the reasons why they have suggested that, but ICSI is just an add on to IVF. They will select the best looking sperm to implant into the eggs. I wouldn't personally see it as a bad thing. It's more money when paying for it privately and it's what we were recommended but it can change on the day depending on the sample. If they feel the sample is strong, then they will leave the sperm to meet the eggs 'naturally' on the Petri dish. Xx

@lemons44 so it’s very strange IMO. It’s any sort of male factor (which normally makes sense e.g. low motility) but in our cases I can’t see the logic. I wondered about it for a while (and we played an extra almost £2k for the privilege) but the only thing I could come up with was it’s wasteful to do normal ivf and you want to avoid a second retrieval op (that being said we’ve got a load left in the freezer). It’s the standard in the US (like most IVF is ICSI) so I wouldn’t worry particularly if it’s NHS funded but I agree it’s odd. Have you got a date for the op yet?

@Tinkerbell098 thats good id say, I had 5 on one and 6 on the other and ended up with 15 eggs so we’re pretty much the same (and 12 of mine were mature so even one that wasn’t there at first or that they couldn’t see I guess because they did say my left had 5 follicles to start with then only 3 grew and I was quite stressed when they did the op there were 8 so some were hiding!). So much progress now you’re on a roll!

@Netflixnchilli welcome back 🤞for your meds

@Carla2601 oh that's good to know that some can be hiding. Yes, it is exciting that things are actually moving. If they have the medicine in stock I could start as soon as 1st of August. If not, they'll try to fit me in for short cycle mid Aug, otherwise it'll be a month later.

@Tinkerbell098 for sure - everything crossed they get the drugs for you and you can get going!

Hey ladies.

Hope everyone is well?

Im 13dpo and just waiting for AF but trying to keep positive that the ball will start rolling and ill start getting some answers soon. I have my NHS follow up on Tuesday so will find out about my scan and AMH and hopefully booked in for hycosy.

I have decided if NHS is going take months or are reluctant to help with other options due to BMI that i am going private for tests/medicated cycles as i feel i have been patient long enough!

@Hoping43 - how are you? Any updates on letrozole? I dont no how to get the ball rolling with the private aspect? Is there a quicker way of speaking to a doc just for letrozole Without doing a full fertility check as i have done all the bloods etc x

Morning everyone x

@NatW2021 good to hear you’re feeling more upbeat in this tww :) i expect a fertility specialist would want to see you and OH have had all the possible tests and ruled everything out before trying any medication. They will probably accept all of your NHS test results and I guess you’d just have to pay them the consultation fee which is usually around £250 … also … has your OH had an SA yet?

I had confirmation yesterday that my hcg is finally down to 1.4 so that was a huge weight lifted! Can’t believe how long it took to resolve. Now we have to wait 3 months before we can try again 😔

Hope the pregnant ladies in this chat got through the heat on Tuesday 🥵 (are we all in the UK apart from @BritInNZ ??)

xx

@Koalie - i have had most tests just hycosy outstanding and OH has had SA done. Ill just play it by ear Tuesday and take it from there i am just trying to make myself feel better by putting some plans in place as i am fed up. I am on holiday atm so been lovely but the back ache and twinges have started over the last few days so just a reminder AF is coming and its hard not to be sad all over again.

Glad to hear your hsg is coming down, how come you have to wait 3 months x

@NatW2021 OK well maybe the HyCosy will be the answer 🤞🏼.. I’ve read of women who have been struggling to conceive falling pregnant after their HyCosy because it can give the tubes a little flush :) please will you let me know how it goes? I’m going to have one in a couple of months for peace of mind before we start trying again.

The methotrexate that I was given to help dissolve the pregnancy is a chemotherapy drug so it’s like poison. It depletes the folate in your system completely so they recommend 3 cycles to build it back up again but also to ensure the methotrexate has completely left my body.. I’m going to fill my 3 months with all of the things I had to avoid whilst ttc/dealing with ectopic like kettlebell classes and drinking wine and theme parks and aerial yoga 😆 … trying to find the positives 🤸🏻‍♀️If anyone wants to add anything I’ve missed to my list then please do 🫶🏼

Hi @NatW2021 you can just find a clinic and make an appt which will be around £230. I would suggest getting copies of all your tests before you book the appt as in my area you have to request access to the results which can take 4 weeks. But we didn’t have to have any tests repeated. No update on the letrozole as yet. On my last scan on day 14 I didn’t have any dominant follicles. I was expecting to ovulate earlier due to the aim of regulating my cycles so not really sure yet what’s happening! I’ll keep you posted x

@Koalie - yes of course! I am hoping they will give the green light to get it booked in and it will be a quick turn around (this cycle coming/or following)- if not i am going private and will hopefully get it done this cycle (if private) i just need to get my gp to refer me for it as its private.

Ah right i see - sounds like you have some nice things planned. 😊

@Hoping43 - thanks for the heads up - can i just get the copies and send over directly? I have all of my gp results just not AMH/NHS stuff yet so ill request them asap in preparation. If i cant get Hycosy done quick on nhs it might make sense to have it at the same clinic i will have a consultation but who knows tubes might be blocked and straight to ivf!

Have you started Letrozole?

Hi guys,

@Koalie great to hear you're not over the worst of your situation and just have to count down the days to trying again.

@NatW2021 you may already know this but the NHS won't test your AMH. That has to be done privately. Definitely get the HSG booked in and keep everything crossed.

@Hoping43 is this your first month on letrozole?

I'm still feeling really really rough, whilst being very grateful that I'm finally pregnant. I've had my first midwife appointment and I had another reassurance scan last week and now it actually looks like a real baby and had quadrupled in size since the previous scan which was great to see. Still feels a bit unreal to be here. Finally plucked up the courage to cancel the IVF cycle too.

@FlyOnTheWall89 that’s amazing news. How far along are you now? I remember the feeling of the first trimester … it was horrendous for me with the nausea and fatigue 😵‍💫 … hopefully you’re nearly through the worst now 🤞🏼

@FlyOnTheWall89 @NatW2021 yes this is my first cycle of letrozole. I’m on day 18 now. Waiting for another scan to find out if I have any dominant follicles. I’ll update you after!

I had to fill in a data request form and have somebody witness it to get my NHS results from the hospital. Was all a total faff! But I managed to get them quite quickly the second time x

@Koalie 9.5 weeks. Extreme fatigue / super lethargic and ye terrible nausea. It's really draining. As you say, hopefully just a few more weeks.

@Hoping43 I think @BritInNZ had this with her first month. Hopefully they identify a dominant one today! X

@NatW2021 just to add some confusion to the mix the NHS did my AMH so maybe it depends where you are? I’m not sure. Good luck!

@FlyOnTheWall89 I’m so pleased for you although sorry you’re still feeling so rough that sucks!! Have you had to tell lots of people now? I guess it’s hard to avoid if you’re feeling so bad. I’m 18 weeks today which feels so crazy to say and still no symptoms apart from a very chubby middle. I agree with you it doesn’t feel real - apparently that’s normal.

@Koalie so glad you’ve got it back down, sucks to have three months off but your plans sound 10/10 definitely cram it full of all the things you’ll miss when you’re trying/pregnant

@lemons44 how are you getting on?

@FlyOnTheWall89 - sorry to hear your feeling rough, hopefully it will pass in the next few weeks. Never been pregnant but can only imagine how tiring/rough it must be.

@Carla2601 - yes i think i get my amh done at my trust as they took my blood at my appointment and i am sure it was mentioned.

@Hoping43 - thats good that you have started! Is it monitored? I dont really have any good clinics near me by the looks of it which is a pain!

I worrying NHS will just refuse to do anything because I'm a overweight (not drastically) BMI 37, i followed a girl on insta whos BMI was in 50s/even possible 60s i know thats unhealthy but she had PCOS at nhs still did hycosy/clomid and she got pregnant so i hope they dont dismiss/discharge me instantly and give me a little time. I know i have said this time and time again 😂but i will be starting my health kick when back of my hols as i cant mess about any longer and continue to moan/be upset x