IVF April 2023 - looking for buddies!

[Triselly]

Anyone out there starting/continuing IVF treatment next month (April 2023)?

I’m 36, first time everything, and due to start stims early April. Wondering if there are others who might like a thread to chat/vent?

If you’re out there and in a similar position, let me know!

Scan done. All good to start when I get AF. It was very quick. Still feels like a conveyor belt service rather than being private.

Left ovary was the one who ovulated again, I'm convinced that the right one does nothing at all as every scan I've ever had has shown left ovulation 😂 29 follicles in total so my PCO is still merrily over producing 🙄🤦🏻‍♀️ Waiting for the nurse to talk about injections now.

@TheBirdintheCave well done for the scan. It's is a bit conveyor belt I would agree, but a good sign that they are clearly busy and know what they're doing if they're doing it day in and day out xx

Had my injection training appointment too 🤢 No idea how you guys have been doing this or how I'm going to. It looks horrible 😭

@TheBirdintheCave I have no needle phobia by any means, though, when my nurse showed me the demo medications, ie Bemfola and Freymedal, I was so close to backing out. I was terrified. I took a good 10 minutes mustering up the courage to do the first one, my DH was nearby in case I bottled it. I did it, logged it in the app and thought "Wow, I'm a wuss!" 😂 I do self-deprecate a lot anyway, so this is in no way a reflection of anyone. Everyone is different. I can assure you, though, it gets easier once the first one is done.

@TheBirdintheCave I would have said I had a bit of a needle phobia. I took some persuading to get my covid jabs because I was so nervous. But the stims have genuinely been absolutely fine. You will manage it, and you can be so proud and relieved when you get through it!

I've had my egg collection details through - 12.30pm on Wednesday, with instructions to arrive really early because I'm so difficult to cannulate 🤦‍♀️ my trigger is 35 rather than 36 hours before, so it'll be 1.30am tonight - bit of a pain, as my toddler has been waking before 6!

@RunningOnHope you have got this!!! You'll be grand. 48 hours and it will all be done and you'll be relaxing xx

@SarahShorty I'm on the exact same ones as you!

@TheBirdintheCave I know it looks horrible in the nurse's office but I promise it's really not bad at all. I get my husband to do them so I don't have to look (maybe that might be easier for you?) and there are a couple of numbing techniques mentioned here that I have found work well. But I promise it's really not painful at all.

@Triselly That's amazing! I'm not on them anymore as I had my EC in January and am just waiting on the next transfer. We're hoping I won't need to go for another EC, though never say never. One thing I will say about the Bemfola is make sure the needle is screwed on fairly snug, I had three of them leak while injecting. The thing is, the demo video on the app says to screw it on, but the instructions that come with the medication say explicitly not to screw it on. Suffice to say I was at odds as to who to believe. Luckily, enough of the medication went in. My body did start to not respond the way it was suppose to, though, as in follicles were growing, but not enough of them were getting big and juicy enough for extraction, so my dosage was increased a tiny bit and my protocol was extended by a few days.

Cheers guys! I forgot about the numbing ideas. Will have lots of ice prepared.

I'm very good with arm jabs and I watch when having my blood taken but the idea of causing myself pain just turns my stomach. Husband has a needle phobia so no help there 😂

@TheBirdintheCave im also so scared of doing the injections. But unlike you i cannot look when someone takes my blood or inject me. I cant get husband to do it either as he works away so its down to me. Im absolutely shitting it to be honest!!

@Flowerlover010 you will be fine once the first one is over. I can't even wear contact lenses because they make me squeamish. Even just typing this makes me feel funny. But once the first one was done I was over the worst

Successfully triggered at 1.30am - now just to chug litres of water today, then heading to the in-laws overnight so they can have DD tomorrow while I'm away. Our clinic is an hour away and in-laws are an hour in the other direction, so it's going to be a long day!

@RunningOnHope So exciting! Well done for getting through all of the injections :D

@RunningOnHope there is lots of support and love winging its way to you from us all around the country x

@charja100 how you doing xx

Exciting @RunningOnHope !

@TheBirdintheCave that's good we will be stim buddies! Do you know what medication they will put u on?

@lemons44 Yep, it's Gonal F and then Fyremadel (aptly named as apparently it burns, joy). What are you on?

@TheBirdintheCave I can confirm Fyremadel can bring about burning sensations at the injection site. It was the one thing I hated about it.

@RunningOnHope very best of luck for tomorrow, please let us know how it goes if you feel like it! Now it’s getting really exciting ❤️

@TheBirdintheCave I was worried about the fyremadel but honestly it’s nothing even remotely bad. The injection site is just a bit hot and stingy for a little while afterwards, but I promise it’s not as bad as you’re expecting.

@RunningOnHope we are thinking of you xx

Hey @everyone ! Sorry I've been MIA I was focused on work the last couple of days to keep myself distracted! So pleased to hear everyone's scan day went so well!!

@RunningOnHope so glad your scans went well yesterday and well done on trigger! Good luck for EC tomorrow. Agree with CR7 advice, don't look, try to laugh and sedation was wonderful! Update us after if you feel up to it. Will be thinking of you!

@CR7 great news on your endo and transfer date being booked! It's getting closer now!

@Triselly I had almost double follicles counted at my second stims scan, so they can "appear" (or come out of hiding) stay positive

@pongom hoping your follicles keep growing nicely and get to where you need them!

@TheBirdintheCave I had all the same concerns about injections as you, but honestly after first one it was okay. Cute made Los okay if you do it slowly, I only had one bruise from all my stims days and it was the day I rushed!

I called my clinic and asked for a day 4 update yesterday in the end! They said they don't normally do it but agreed to check and call me back. We hadn't lost any yet but she said one wasn't looking great. Waiting for the update call tomorrow for day5.

And I have fresh transfer scheduled for 2pm.

Getting nervous now. Xxx

@charja100 that's really good news, so pleased they're coming along nicely. Well done - this part of the waiting is nearly over!

Really glad to have you a couple of steps step ahead of me, and thanks for the reassurance from you and @CR7 about sedation. I'm doing my best to keep drinking water at my in-laws who have the heating very high, and starting to feel pretty queasy. Who knows if it's the heat, the nerves, or the hormones!

@RunningOnHope it's probably a combination of all three. Water is always the best shout. Can you get an early night? Try and wind down a little and create some space for yourself?

Wait is almost over. I just want to know now and for it to be done. If I'm really honest with myself I am also really nervous about the transfer tomorrow. I actually think more son than EC. Reason being is 've had issues with cervical stenosis from cancerous cells being removed from my cervix 7/8 years ago now. It means the transfer might be challenging and I'm just so worried about the pain but also if something goes wrong and we lose out only and beat embryo. Im going to make sure I tell them tomorrow about my concerns.

We did do a trial and it was okay. But since that trial I had a different procedure on the NHS and they weren't able to get a catheter through my cervix. So I think it's made me a bit anxious. There's always something isn't there! Bloody rollercoaster ride of a journey!

@charja100 Ah that sounds so tricky. Completely get the extra anxieties and 'what ifs'. Definitely sounds like explaining your concerns is a wise way to go. Hopefully they'll listen carefully and make any adjustments needed to make you feel reassured and comfortable.