TTC for 18+ months and feeling low!

[Natty2]

I'm fairly new at this forum and decided to join after TTC since the start of 2022
We discovered earlier this year that my DH morphology was low, although all other results were normal. He implemented life style changes straight away, and even went through a varicocele embolisation a few months ago, so we're waiting to see if that's helped.

Having gone through the rest of the year undergoing tests everything seems normal, so the NHS are not letting us even get on the IVF list until 2024. It's been such a long, physical and emotional journey and there seems to be no end in sight.

Anyone else going through similar things? I feel like I live life in 2 week cycles and it's so hard to try and not think about it all!!
Any tips?!

I hope everyone is getting on ok on their journey's 🤍

@missmoosh thanks for you reply, so I had my bloods re done on NHS and they were 2.1, does TSH fluctuate month to month?
Also had my HSG done, all normal. So they are now offering IVF and I'm really scared to be honest.

@Emz09 yes its normal for it to fluctuate a bit, things like weight gain/loss can also affect it, as well as the menstrual cycle 🙂 I don't think I have ever had the same reading twice in a row lol
I am sorry that IVF is the next step, it is a really daunting prospect. Have they given you indication of timelines?

@Natty2 how is your IVF cycle going?

@LucyLoopyLu sorry pressed send to soon, how are you feeling? Your cycle is due to start soon right?

I'm getting on ok thank you @missmoosh
had my second scan today and currently on day 7 stims.
I have 40 follicles growing 😳 most of them are really small though so who knows what they'll actually manage to get but hopefully we have better maturity and day 5 success this time 🤞 really just taking one day at a time
Because of the response this time I'm at risk of OHSS so I'm getting regular blood tests and meds were reduced yesterday. We may end up on another freeze all cycle.
Im prepared for the rollercoaster though!

@LucyLoopyLu, guess you are still waiting for yours? I've been tempted to join the other chat but everyone seems like they are in their tww!

@Emz09 I'm sorry ivf is the route they are suggesting and hope that it works naturally in the meantime. Happy to answer any questions as currently on our second round

@missmoosh yeah, I'm just waiting for my period which should really be tomorrow or Friday then I can call the clinic and get started. I hope my period's not late! I've booked time off work after Easter and also hoping I can do baseline scan on Saturday. It would take a weight off my mind if it came on time!

@Natty2 hi, yeah I think most people are further on. Maybe I should have joined the April one but I'm going to be crossing over the two months if it goes to plan. Wow, 40 is a lot of follicles! Fingers crossed you get quite a few good eggs from those. It's all a minefield how people respond to the drugs isn't it! How have you found stims so far? I'm nervous about the Cetrotide. My husband is going to help me and I'm trying not to think about it too much tbh.

@Emz09 sorry you're in a similar situation. It is quite daunting. I think if you're anything like me once you actually get to the cycle you'll have your head around it a bit more. I was really hoping we wouldn't need IVF too (even up to the start of this year)

@LucyLoopyLu keeping my fingers crossed that it comes on time for you! Are you on a long protocol?

Is cetroride your FSH injection? Are you worried the prep or injecting? I was worried about injecting on the first cycle and honestly surprised myself by doing them all and this time round feels like second nature! It's over very quickly, and I use an ice pack 5-10 mins before hand which helps to numb the area. If you have your husband to help, that will be even better- you've got this 💪

I'm surprised by this round of stims, it's a different medication and now I'm worried I'm over stimulated! Really is a trial and error process, but hope it works out for us both 🤞

@Natty2 no I'm on short protocol! I'm glad actually, at least it's a quicker process.
My FSH is fentanyl, which doesn't look as bad as it's just a pen and seems like it'll be much easier. The Cetrotide is added a few days in and it's the one that stops you ovulating too soon. The needle is pretty scary looking (for me with a needle phobia), I also feel a bit guilty that I need help from my husband and feel so grateful he's willing to do it. I feel very worried about him doing it though. I'd feel nervous about messing up if it was me. Hopefully he will get the hang pretty quickly. I've seen a few people recommend using an ice pack. I might give that a go. I'm really hoping IVF will be needle exposure therapy. There's so many needles involved! Literally my nightmare.

Hoping you won't get OHSS, sounds like it can be very uncomfortable. At least they have flagged it and are keeping an eye on you now. Do you know when your EC is likely to be? When are you back in for next scan?

Ahh thank you so much for all your kind words!

I think I'm just scared if it doesn't work, so I feel like I'm not ready to grab the bull by the horns just yet. In our area we get one shot so feel like maybe I'll give it a few more months so it's been 2 full years. I should be really grateful that they're not giving me ovulation drugs to drag it out.

@missmoosh I think the timeline for IVF where I am is pretty much imminent, there isn't really a wait. That might be why I'm so scared 🫣

@Natty2 & @LucyLoopyLu
I will 1000% any advice that I can take. Thinking of you and praying for you both, you're doing amazing.

@Emz09 I know what you mean, I kind of felt the same but even though there wasn't much of a waiting list for us, it's still taken a while to get to this stage. There's a few appointments to get through, lots of forms to sign, then you have to wait for a slot they can book you in and then you have to wait for the right time of your cycle. We had our first appointment at the fertility clinic on 10th Jan and just starting (hopefully) this week. I think that's relatively quick for NHS IVF because there wasn't really a waiting list once we were under the care of the assisted conception unit.

Have a think about it over the weekend. You might as well be waiting for your appointment in the mean time - you could always ask to push it back slightly if it comes around quickly.

@LucyLoopyLu

Ahh ok this is really good to know, so maybe I should say yes sooner rather than later! I didn't even think about this because they said the ivf clinic would be in contact within 4-6 weeks, never thought about additional appointments. That's really helpful, thank you!

@LucyLoopyLu ah I have Ganirelex for my ovulation prevention, which is a pre-filled syringe. I had a pen for my FSH last time and now I've got to mix the powder vials/ solution etc, I was so worried about getting it wrong but it's almost as easy as the pen in the end!
My SIL has really bad needle phobia, she's had 2 rounds of IVF so my brother has helped with all, and ironically she started acupuncture which has helped her abit. I hope you get ok!

My EC should be next Wednesday, next scan tomorrow 🤞

@Natty2 just wanted to check in on how your egg retrieval went?

@LucyLoopyLu i assume you have started your first round now? Hope it's going well!

@missmoosh thanks for checking in, yes today is day 5 of stims. The injections haven't been too bad so far and I also had more bloods done at the same time as my baseline scan and that went well too, so I feel a bit less apprehensive. My husband has been brilliant doing the injections for me and being really kind and careful.

I'm feeling pretty uncomfortable today now we've added in the Cetrotide. Tummy very swollen and tender. All my clothes are pressing on it, even my joggers! Next scan is Monday - hoping the follicles will be ready by then!

How are you?

@missmoosh thanks for checking in! How are you doing?

@LucyLoopyLu can't believe it's already 5 days of stims for you, it does fly by so quickly. Keep us posted on your first scan, really hope it's all going well. Post EC you will feel very bloated but I've found a heat pad really helpful last time.

A tentative update from me. EC was yesterday and they collected 24 eggs
Today's update that 16 were mature and 15 fertilised. 5 x better than last time, BUT I also know this process can be such a rollercoaster and that number could change quite a bit! Next update sat and then Monday.
Sadly it's definitely a freeze all. I'm at very high risk of OHSS and have been given medication to take that has made me feel absolutely horrendous. Literally had all the side affects.
Our clinic are still suggesting FET on third bleed which is ages away 😔 but just need to hope that we at least have a better outcome than last time!

@Natty2 15 is great news so far, at least gives you a good number to hopefully progress and freeze. Really hope you feel better soon. What is the medication they've given you? Sounds like you need to put your feet up this weekend.
Third bleed is a while away, but hopefully you will have your lucky embryo banked and the wait will be worth it. Will you do a medicated cycle or do you need to find all that out yet?

Any tips for the EC? Heat pad is a good shout, I don't have one but a hot water bottle will do.

They've given me Cabergoline, which I was told to take before bed as it can make you feel rotten. First night i took it I woke at 5am to get up, felt extremely dizzy, sick, blurred vision, bad headache etc and then felt tired and drowsy most of yesterday... which is the common side affects! Today has been a little better but still a headache and sickness
It reduces chances of OHSS by 60% so worth taking it for a week!

EC tips, hot water bottle will be great too, plenty of rest for a couple of days as you may feel very bloated and uncomfortable.
Have some strong painkillers on hand, plenty of water and electrolytes! Fingers crossed you will start your progesterone the next day for a fresh transfer 🤞🤞

@Natty2 thats such an amazing difference from your last collection! I hope the numbers stay up for you! I'm sorry to hear it's another freeze all, I guess safety is best. Hopefully the side effects don't last too long and you start to feel better!

@LucyLoopyLu ahh great news you are already started and the injections aren't as bad as you thought! Really hope you get a good result!

Do keep us updated, am really routing for you both!

I'm doing alright, 22+6 today, but been in hospital twice this week. Both issues caused by hyperemesis! Very scary but just have to remind myself it's all worth it, can feel her kick now so it's a bit easier to deal with it all, didn't think I would still be throwing up at this stage though 🙈 it's nothing compared to what you are both going through. Here is hoping we all get to the finish line in one piece!

@Natty2 did you get an update yesterday?
@LucyLoopyLu hope you are still doing well with it all. You also had a scan yesterday? Hope it went well!

Hi all,

Firstly @missmoosh hope you have been feeling better? I'm sorry the sickness has been so bad! I don't know how you've managed all these weeks. I had a really rough reaction to the medication post EC, including really bad sickness/ nausea so had to stop that this weekend.
Have you found anything has helped with it?

So today is day 6 and I was waiting to hear so I can update you. I can't actually quite believe it
They called us to say 3 were frozen yesterday, but actually a 4th one joined them later yesterday morning and 3 more today!!
So including our one from before we have 8 embryos in the freezer
4- Grade A
2- Grade A-
2- Grade B+

We're still in shock! Really can't wait to transfer when we can

@Natty2 oh my goodness! What amazing news, really chuffed for you. Absolutely brilliant.

Hopefully it won't be too long until you can trasnfer xxx

@missmoosh so sorry you've been so unwell. It must make you feel absolutely rotten. Hope you're ok.

I'm ok thanks. I was disappointed with my scan yesterday. I only had 5 follicles on each side and my left ovary is in the wrong place and they might not be able to access it. Now worried how many eggs we will get and whether we will end up with any embryos to transfer. We're unexplained so I'm worried about quality anyway, and now worried about quantity as well. Did the trigger last night and EC tomorrow morning so just have to hope for the best. I was a bit upset and worried yesterday but just put it out of my mind today and ready for EC to be over.

@Natty2 that's brilliant news! Hopefully a weight off your mind while you recover and get ready for transfer. Plenty of frosties!

@Natty2 oh wow!!! What fantastic news I am so happy for you! So glad this round has worked out so much better! Now just to wait for the OHSS risk to subside! Do let us know when you are heading for transfer ❤️

@LucyLoopyLu I'm sorry that you haven't got the results you hoped for from first scan, hoping they can access the ovary and its just a worst case scenario preparation for you. Hoping collection goes okay for you today, let us know and remember it only takes one ❤️

In relation to my sickness the new meds they have put me on have helped a lot, only been sick once since being on them! But you can't take them until trimester 2, which is why I have had to wait so long and then totally forgot they were an option! On a lot of different meds trying to get all my other levels stable, but as long as little one is getting what they need that's all that matters to me!

Lovely to hear all your updates!!

@missmoosh hope you’re doing better and the meds start working for you! How are you feeling otherwise?

@LucyLoopyLu wishing you all the best for collection! Sorry to hear you were disappointed - I hope they can give you some answers if they are unable to access your other ovary. Thinking of you today!

@Natty2 Congratulations on your latest news! Sounds like a complete turn around from last time - what great results! I hope all goes well in the next stages as you prepare for transfer! But sounds like you have some amazing grade frosties 🥰

@LucyLoopyLu sorry to hear about your scan, I hope that everything will go well today. Keep positive. It will be ok 🤍 xxx

Thanks everyone 💛
@LucyLoopyLu how are you doing? I hope the EC went well yesterday. I hope you are recovering well and took the day off today
I know how difficult the 5 day wait can be so hope you are managing to keep distracted, fingers crossed for a fresh transfer soon! 🤞