Assisted conception and the bits inbetween Part Two!.......

[spook]

Hi everyone.
New thread starts here....

duplomania People ask the oddest questions to children without thinking about the consequences, dont you just want to slap them.

Bumpless i still use the syringe for her to do any calpol/nurofen that they supply with nurofen now which is why as you said i think she accepted it. How does the 2 injections work, youre a little bit ahead of me as i am still on the first and waiting for AF which keeps threatening but not here

Isnt it funny its the first time in a veryyy long time that i want AF to arrive.

Gilly i think i am probably living in dream world, kids grow up so quickly and i think they all seem to talk about these things and watch too much tv which gives them info.

This story will make you laugh. While watching "The Nanny" on tv with her grandpa dd discovers that the doctors tell the lady to "relax" and she'll have a baby. Now apparently i need to relax with DH to get a baby. Oh the joys of tv and children.

Nappy, your acupuncturist sounds great. Did you feel different afterwards? Like Dup, I usually feel very relaxed and snoozy for the rest of the day.

Issy, the 2 injections I'm on are puregon to stimulate the eggs and a second one - can't remember the name - to stop me ovulating. I didn't do the down-regging I guess you're on as I'm on a short protocol, so just started straight in on Day 2 of AF. Basically it's one jab in each side of the tummy flab, every day, till they tell me it's time for the trigger shot. Sorry I can't help you with the AFC scan, not sure what that one is! But grrrrrr to your clinic for being so confusing. I've been amazed by how DIY some of the information gathering seems to be, and I think my clinic is totally chaotic, but at least they gave me a price list and told me I needed to pay for everything before egg collection. Good luck getting some straight answers tomorrow - would it help to go in with a list and get them to go through it with you, answering them all?

Pinkie, LOL! maybe we should all do a little bit more of that relaxing!

duplomania hear you on the fact that people do rather stupidly ask "when are you having another". If it is any consolation then once your child reaches 3 people seem to stop asking. I think what can hurt more is when other friends say "well at least you have one". And don't get me wrong he is my joy and delight (and for those of you trying for your first I know that our pain is different and can't be compared) but it p**ses me off as the people who say this are friends who have had their second already. So I feel like saying "that's all very well for you to say". I know they are only trying to be kind, but I feel judged by it for wanting more as if I am saying DS is not enough. I now have come to terms with the fact we might not have another, but it has not been an easy journey.

Nappy, speaking as someone TTC #1, I can completely understand that you want your #2 just as much as I want my first. I know this cos as soon as I (if I!) get pregnant with one I'll start worrying about whether I'll ever be able to give it a little bro or sis. Secretly hoping for twins (without the multiple birth complications) just to get round this. All those insensitive others must be lacking in imagination!!!

(Sneaks back through the door apologetically after yesterday's rant)
Pinkie - glad you're getting on well with the jabbing, hope you're sleeping better now. Seems like dd has bought your explanation, but grrr at your tactless mother. Hope AF arrives on schedule for you.
Lottie - Congrats to your dh on getting the job. Did you make your decision about delaying/holiday? If you delay I'll have a cycle buddy .
Mowmi - well done on losing 4lbs.
NV - well done on coping with the in-laws. The accupuncture sounds good, but hard to give up all those nice things. Have a friend who's dairy intolerant (and pg) who swears by 'so good' soya milk.
Belgianbun - Frustrating to have the 3-month wait but guess they just want to have the best quality sperm possible. If it's any consolation, I can't believe it's already a month since my 1st appointment when it felt like waiting until April for treatment was so far away.
Gilly - good luck with injections. I haven't done most of them, but I have done the hcg trigger and that was fine.
OAP - still thinking of you.
Duplomania - Good luck with your final IUI attempt. Really hope it works for you and that one follie has a good quality egg in there.
Bumpless - Great news on the FSH nose dive. Lol at your disappearing dh and wanting to kill your boss - totally understand that sentiment. How're those follies doing now - have you had anymore scans? I have to pay before EC too but am trying to find out whether have to pay before or after March payday.
Hi Flibberty, Dharma, Cedar and Sooty, how are you doing?

Rowingboat - you've been quiet, you OK? How's the cyst situation? Are you managing any running? I've managed to keep going so far and have done 8 of the sessions, just 19 to go to complete the 9 weeks.

Managed to get some answers from the clinic today. Apparently they only give the AFC results if they find something concerning otherwise they just send the protocol. Couldn't get them today as nurse didn't have my file but she did a quick count during the scan and there were 10 on one side and 9 on the other - no idea if that's a good reserve but she said the Gonal-F dose was average at 225iu. One big follie ready to pop - frustrating not to be able to even try and fertilise it. Am signing my consents next Thursday and they will print out another prescription for the drugs when I need it. Still no answer on counselling though - they use same counsellor as the NHS clinic so they're unsure if I need to see her again.

Hello to anyone else I've not mentioned.

Nappy, hadn't fully taken on board your list of food to avoid - ouch! hope that's not going to be too painful. I'd avoid the soya milk replacements though, as according to several things I've read soya can get in the way of some of the hormone stuff and lower fertility. I've heard good things about nut milks, and seen them for sale in big supermarkets, but not been brave enough to try!

Issy, I'm glad you've got some more sense out of your clinic, and that they're not finding problems. Phew!

My next scan tomorrow, fingers crossed... I have a work week from hell next week and would really like some early notice if we do get all the way to egg collection, so I can juggle stuff. What do you girls do about work commitments when this is going on? I don't want to tell work, but unexpectedly disappearing or happening to be in London for meetings is getting increasingly hard to organise! But actually, all that will go past in a week and the main thing is to have healthy fertilisable and implantable eggs, so I should really stay focussed on the big picture...

Thanks Issy they are getting easier.Am pleased you feel like you got some answers and the time does fly. Keep feeling dizzy the last couple of days which means i am eating and not really exercising.

Nappy Be strong with those foods once you get into it there will be no stopping you. I've swapped from coffee to tea (apparently aids implanation)

am eating lots of dairy (dont usually touch the stuff) and trying to keep off soya as also read it was bad for fertility.

bumpless good luck with that scan those eggs are going to be great. I'm sure of it. I dont have any experience as yet with the upheavel that sudden egg collection but am dreading it clashing with commitments and school runs and my mum being away and MIL not speaking to us, oh joy!!

Let us know how it all goes XX

Hi everyone else

Hi. I have just been told to start my Buserelin injections on 1st March (this Sunday). Feel reeally excited, although had to inject for the three IUIs at local hospital last year. I'm now an NHS-er, at central london hospital whch shall remain nameless. Been told their counselling service is good. This is the first time in 18 months that the word has even been mentioned. I had used an Autoject pen for the IUI injections but this time I've got to do them manually, with my own hands. DH won't be there to do the first one for me on Sunday. Boo hoo. He was so good with the injections last year.
I feel so excited about finally getting to start the first IVF. Full of hope. Could this be it?

Hi KC11. I havent used the autoject pen but have taken to the buserelin injections fairly easily. You should be full of hope, its a positive vibe and thats got to be good. I got a blood test on Thursday as long as AF has come and gone by then so am hoping that will not be delayed.

Good luck on Sunday XX

Bumpless, really good news about your follicles, am very impressed!

Hi to everyone else - I have read all the messages and what a lot there were! Sorry for the following "me" post, promise this will be the last one.

News from me is that I am feeling better. I had another blood test this week from the GP (who seemed rather perplexed to see me and asked what I was going to do with the HCG results when I had them) and my levels are just about the same as last week. Not entirely sure what to do now really - the clinic can't help me any more, so I may end up going back to the GP and asking for help at some point. Really hope not - would much rather deal with the inevitable miscarriage in my own way and time. I absolutely hate hospitals and can't bear general anathestics. So really I'm just waiting for my body to catch up with itself I think.

Other than that, DH and I have decided to keep trying with IVF but to use a different clinic as this whole sorry episode has highlighted the importance of local support when you need it. I've done a bit of research and found a clinic about 30 miles away which has excellent results for my age group. I've an appointment to see the consultant in 3 weeks provided a copy of my notes has turned up by then, and am feeling pretty positive about trying again, all things considered.

We have also decided not to spend the summer brooding about what might have been, and will most likely buy a friend's campervan and go off exploring with DD (2.6) and the two labradors. We are less than 2 hours away from all the beaches in Northumbria, the border country, the Lake District etc and it seems like a good time to go and visit them. Really hoping for better weather this summer!

Hope you all have good weekends

OAP, I'm really impressed with how pro-active you're being. The campervan expedition plan sounds fab. Good luck with your new clinic too.

I will need to get some of your resolve from somewhere... The scan yesterday was a disaster. 2 cysts, one big at 2.5cm and a smaller one, and only 1 follicle. How did that happen when 5 days before there seemed to be 5 good follies and 3 tiddlers? So we have had no choice but to abandon the cycle. DH has gone into a whirl of activity and is painting the bathroom, as a way to keep busy and not think. I'm kicking myself for sticking with this clinic when I didn't really trust them. I wasn't put on the pill before the short protocol, which apparently would have reduced any cysts, they didn't give me a baseline scan which would have picked them up, and they could have delayed the cycle. When they did scan me at 5 days I'm sure he must have known that at least one of them was a cyst not a follie, but said nothing, and now here we are. Lots of you hinted to me that this wasn't right, in the nicest possible way (thank you), and I knew in my heart that my consultant was being slapdash, but I so wanted to believe that it would work that I ignored my instincts. I'm the living embodiment of 'if you can't set a good example, at least you can be a horrible warning'. Well I'm a horrible warning for being a sucker, don't do what I did! I'm sure you're all too sensible!

Apologies for totally self-centred rant. we're going to regroup over the WE and decide if we're going on or giving up.

Good luck KCII!

bumpless so sorry about your scan, your not a sucker, but like all of us hopeful that what we are doing will work. Lots of (((hugs)))

OAP the trip sounds like a great idea, i love going away like that, but usually in a horsebox. It really brings me round and rebonds everyone. A bit of reflexology or acupuncture may help bring your body back round.

london the move sounds exciting. Hope it all goes well for you. My bro gets married in Geneva in May this year, its so gorgeous there am sure it will be fab for you.

Lastly, my AF arrived so on schedule for my appt for bloods on Thursday, although nurse said if i finish early should ring to move it forward ???

Hi everyone else

Have a nice weekend everyone XX

Hi guys

Have been offline a while but am back today - have had such a busy week, in order to prepare for the next few weeks. I was told on Day 2 (Sat) that all was ready for the flare protocol and started my injections yesterday. Am now amazed that I was so worried about the jabs - acupuncture is far worse!! (And I am a real wuss when it comes to pain, so that must say something!)

So I have my first scan tomorrow when I guess I will ask some questions too - hate not knowing what's going on!

It looks as though I have missed lots tho

OAP soo sorry for you and also sorry to be so late with my sympathies - glad to hear you are feeling better and moving to a more local clinic - fingers crossed for next time. And in the interim, the campervan sounds like a great idea!

Bumpless - sorry for you too. I am not sure how many treatments end before egg collection but I know it must be terrible to hear. As this is all new to me, everytime I get on this thread I learn so much. Your clinic doesn't sound great tho - it would be good to change, I am sure. What day were you when it all happened? I am soo sorry for you. Hopefully you can start another treatment soon tho - and at least you will be so much more prepared as far as questions to ask next time round.

Gilly - re the pain, please see further up where I talked about it - really it's not as bad as all that - I have been on here many a time reading other people's posts about the pain, thinking that they are a lot toughter and that it would still really hurt me, and then yesterday, I was so surprised. The worst part was putting the needle in - that took me about 3 mins to do - and I was in a room where there were about 15 other people (about 4 different desks with other people sitting opposite nurses) - and I did it right there in front of everyone - I assume most weren't looking although it didn't feel like that at the time! So don't worry - it is going to be fine!

Pinkie - re your daughter - that must be quite tricky - glad you sorted it out though - luckily my little one is only 22 months, and so I just wait til I have put him to bed before the needles come out!

Issy42 - As you can see from above I am on SP too - what day are you on?

London - glad you had a nice break. And although it's a shame that DH won't be with you on DR/stims, it's only a month or so - it will fly by and then you'll be back with him and hopefully also with bump!!

Welcome Duplo

Hope I've not missed anyone out - hello to everyone else!

Off now to do another jab!! Oh, but I am not happy with all this water and milk drinking - have found it really hard to leave the house at all today - need to take a pee every half an hour or so!!

bumpless so sorry to hear your news. That is a shame.

KC11 good luck hope first injection went well today

I have been reading this book recommended by my chinese doctor "the infertility cure" it is absolutely amazing. It is written by an american woman who has experience of western medicine, traditinal chinese medicine, infertitliy and miscarriage. She writes from the heart and it is really a different view point. I really urge you to read it, especially Lottie as I think it might really be of interest to you. It is on Amazon

Hugs to all

Hi gillydaffodil I did my first Buserelin injection at 8am on Sunday (yesterday). It was, as you say, like pushing a pin into butter!! Well done on doing your injs too.. I had a severe headache within two hours of having the inj. Opened the windows in the house and drank a large glass of water straight down and headache went really quickly. I want to avoid taking paracetamol if i can help it. Which hosp/clinic are you under? I'm with St Barts, London. I am so glad I found this website. It is very comforting to know there are so many women in this position. There's no embarrassment whatsoever and I really feel supported each time someone responds. I am very happy to be your cycle buddy. There was a family get-together yesterday. Quite difficult getting myself mentally prepared to be surrounded by 10 second cousins but I felt like I had a little secret, cos only a couple of people knew i was on the IVF waiting list (and only my parents and mum in law know we've just started our 1st attempt at IVF). Everyone was really normal and no one asked when are you going to have a baby. I think they've all drawn their own conclusions that we must be having problems and they would not deliberately make me upset. How you feeling today? Do you work?

Hello londonlottie. Chin up my dear. Hang in there. Sri Lanka sounds heavenly. I was recently told there's a tv channel on Sky called Body In Balance. they show yoga and pilates all day every day. I only do the breathing exercises with my eyes closed and with the cat beside me purring and a cup of tea (i lurvve tea) and it relaxes me. It would be great to go to a retreat. Hope you get it all booked and have a relaxing time.

I am feeling very please with myself. Just managed to avoid the temptation to have a stodgy sandwich for lunch and had a roast chicken salad. The salad was so crunchy I feel like i deserve a brownie point!!

I have a bit of a headache now, must be that injection kicking in. I WILL DEFINITELY drink more water. Like a human version of an elephant!

Does anyone know of any foods or drinks I should be having more of? I am a bit fussy when it comes to food. I am of average build and average weight, and want to eat healthier to give myself the best chance of keeping well and illness-free throughout this IVF cycle. I am sure the moodiness will kick in sometime but today I feel "bouncy" . Anyone else had that feeling on Buserelin injs?

hello LL.
I know i'll sound like a "div", but what foods do you find protein in? I eat a lot of chicken and beef. As for the milk, should I swap from semi skimmed to full fat?

I have a hubby who eats a diet a 12 year old would pick if they went to the supermarket themselves. Choc, cake, more choc, crisps etc. It also doesn't help that I have a crappy oven, that came with the house we moved into a year ago. The door does't shut properly and everything takes longer to cook than it should!!! But we haven't got round to changing it yet. I'll add it to the top of my (i mean his) to do list.

I have quite a lazy lifestyle and tend to cook boiled pasta a lot as it's so simple and quick. I wish my hubby had an interest in helping me prepare our evening meals as I might have more enthusiasm.

Luckily for me I don't like shellfish or soft cheese so I won't have to refrain from eating those. I only have 1 or 2 units of alcohol a week, sometimes none. Obviously I am taking folic acid supplements, have been one them for almost 4 years now (on and off).

Do you work at the moment? I find it a good dsitraction most of the time.

NappyValley - thanks for the book suggestion - I have ordered a book on amazon - one by alan beer - called how body friendly are you (or something like that!)- was recommended by my acupuncturist and also someone on fertility friends website. Will let you know if it's any good!

London - Oooh Sri Lanka - now I may be biased, as this is where I originate from, but it is a beautiful country. My friends have been to Ulpotha and said it was second to none for the yoga. Very tranquil. There is also a lot to see in Sri Lanka, and the food is heavenly (if you like spicy food!) - thumbs up from me.

KC11 - so have you started stimming then? I am on Day 3 of injections but am taking Fostimonn (I am sure different clinics use different hormones) - so I guess we are at the same stage - ish? This Sky Pilates channel - do you know what number it is - sounds good! Re the protein, yes, my clinic said drink 1 litre of milk a day (for the protein) so I am doing that in addition to the water.

My DH said that as I am also jabbing myself and doing acupuncture, that he has a cartoon image in his head of all the water spurting out from different holes in my body - I thought it was quite funny anyway!!

dharma I think they call what i'm doing "down-regulating", I am only on day 2 of injections, but on day 23 of my cycle. I am due a visit from AF on about 7th March. I've been told I might have a heavier period than normal which will be great. It's my birthday on 11th March.

Where are you at on the treatment? Is this your first attempt?

Londonlottie ttc#1 due to start downreg 22nd March
Dharma - ttc#2 started stimming on flare protocol 28th Feb

KC11 - I am at the ARGC on Harley St - and you? Yest his is my 1st attempt - and hopefully the last

Londonlottie - re the veggie diet, maybe by drinking lots of milk you can get the protein part sorted? I really hope you get to go - it is a basic kind of place (as you can tell from the lack of electricity) but the whole point of it is to get away from the hustle bustle of life and just unwind!