Please or to access all these features

Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Anyone starting IVF soon? Join me.

999 replies

Shellster52 · 06/03/2014 03:35

After 3 full failed IVF's last year, I am about to embark on my second last attempt. I started an IVF thread during my last IVF, and everyone got pregnant but me. So I swore I wouldn't do that again this time. But I find myself wanting to chat with people going through what I am, so I am starting the thread again. Join me as I seem to be a BFP magnet!

OP posts:
purplemeggie · 08/08/2014 07:13

Also, ironic, Shellster that for us relaxing and letting go is probably the hardest job of work we have ever done!!! New MN acronym needed: RaLG?

Sending out good thoughts to everyone xxx

bluemoonday · 08/08/2014 11:37

I think that 'relaxing and letting go' is generally a good idea for life - just a bit easier said than done....!

I thought this site was interesting www.domarcenter.com/fertility/stress.html - apparently Alice Domar is big on 'mindfulness' and avoiding stress.

My baseline scan is happening on Thurs 14th. No sign of my period yet (I'm usually super regular every 23 days) so the Triptorelin is obviously doing its job. Feeling rather premenstrual today so I just wish it would hurry up and get here! I seem to spend my life either wishing my period would arrive/wishing my period wouldn't arrive. Madness!

carriebella · 08/08/2014 17:21

Hi all. Well the scan was crap. Didnt think it could be worse than last time but it was, my endometrioma is taking up nearly one of my ovaries so only had 1 follixle on there and my other ovary had 4 and 8 tiny ones. Upping my dose to 375 gonal f tonight. Re scan monday where they think they will probably add menopur. They hope my 8 tiny ones will catch up, Iim not convinced but they want to push for egg collection this time so they can see what the quality is like. So depressing, they cant get there head round why my hormone profile is good but the follies aren't there?

Hope everyone else is ok. Sorry for the me post.

purplemeggie · 08/08/2014 18:05

Oh no, Carrie, that's pants. Hoping the little ones catch up....
....we're off to Welsh Wales for a week with some friends as Part II of the Big Summer Relaxation Plan. May or may not get to read/post, but will be thinking of you all. x

Happilymarried155 · 09/08/2014 06:38

I agree with the relaxing thing! I know it's harder said than done but I really think it makes a difference.

Just wanted to let you guys know that I had my 12 week scan and all was fine, put me ahead a little bit infact. Feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can now relax and be happy. Will keep checking how you are all doing, I can't quite bear to leave this thread as you have all been so supportive and I can't wait to hear some good news from you all x

Shellster52 · 09/08/2014 09:26

Very sweet of you Happily saying that you can't quite bear to leave this thread. I feel a bit under pressure that I need to produce a good result for you as you keep checking in to hear good news! You must feel very happy with everything and relaxed now.

Carrie. Am I allowed to swear on here? Because #$@! was my first thought when I read your thread. I can just feel the emotions and how anxious you must feel as I have been exactly there. But still, 5 is nothing to sneeze at. If you get 5 eggs that fertilise, then you have a good chance that 1 or 2 will make it to day 5. I'll have the wine on your behalf tonight while I am between IVF cycles and depressed with my period.

Purple, you really are taking the RaLG theory on board. Going away partying for the second time!

Blue, I will remember your scan date as it's the same date as my follow up IVF appointment. Hopefully we'll both come out of our appointments feeling good about things.

OP posts:
EmmaGH · 10/08/2014 12:16

Hey everyone, nothing new to report other than a holiday to Costa Rica coming up, which might help with the RaLG?! I can't do anything remotely sexy for another five days (as per doctor's orders), which will be just past ovulation, so this cycle is out. We hilariously don't have our two-week follow-up until October, so I'm not entirely sure what to expect even when we are allowed to start trying again.

Carrie, when do you have your next scan? Huge waves of follicle-growth vibes coming your way. I really hope you have better news at the next one.

Shellster, I'm so sorry it didn't work, that's awful. I'm sure the embryologist would have flagged your eggs before if there was anything seriously afoot, but it will be good to find out for certain. When do you have the appointment?

Blue, do you think it hasn't worked then? Do you get a second trial? I would presume, in the interests of scientific thoroughness, that would be possible, but I may be biased... Sticky-embryo vibes heading your way, in any case. Much of what I've read indicates that PMT and early-stage pregnancy symptoms are identical until the day before your period starts helpful! hopefully that's the case here, too.

Purple, how's your holiday? May it be restorative and medicinal. (My yoga teacher always tells us that the relaxation segments should be like medicine that you store away until needed. It's a bit dippy, but I like the idea.)

Happily, you must be so relieved!! I'm so glad it's all going well. Have you started telling people? How lovely to be the bearer of good news.

bluemoonday · 10/08/2014 20:45

Hi Emma, Costa Rica sounds amazing! Very jealous.

Nothing to worry about with me (so far), I'm downregging at the moment so I've been waiting for my period to arrive. It arrived yesterday so I'm hoping all will go well with my baseline scan on Thurs. I'll find out which stim drug I'll be taking on Thurs too (the gonal f or the trial drug). Exciting! Shellster I'll be thinking about you.

I had acupuncture yesterday, first time. Not sure why people think it's relaxing... I felt really tense with all those needles stuck in me, including one right between my eyes! Not sure I'll go again...

Shellster52 · 11/08/2014 06:50

Blue, I started the acupuncture too. Haven't had a needle between the eyes though! Wouldn't say it's relaxing either, but I'm going again. Read a study the other day comparing women who had acupuncture on day of transfer to those who didn't, and the pregnancy rates did vary significantly in favor of acupuncture so I figure it must do something.

Emma, I knew my period was arriving since I never made it to transfer. Better for it to have arrested in the lab than for it to happen inside and I am left wondering exactly what went wrong. Even better for it to not arrest at all and actually implant though!

Seeing my Dr this Thursday. Yes, kinda reassuring that you would think they would have mentioned if there was something blatantly wrong with my egg quality. But my nurse is very short on the phone and I hardly ever get to finish a sentence so I can't be sure until I see my Dr.

Desperately hoping I walk out of my appointment on Thursday with her having reassured me on how to fix things for next cycle so I can walk out feeling that my fertilisation rate will be better next round instead of dreading that this will never work as I am now.

Carrie, it's Monday here but I think you guys are 11 hours behind me. I am thinking of you and your future baby contained in one of those 5 follicles.

OP posts:
carriebella · 12/08/2014 09:57

Have a great holiday purple. Hope the weather has not been too stormy for you! Wave as you pass cardiff as thats where I have treatment!

Great news happily Can now relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy - if that is at all possible, ever-

Hey emma Sounds like a fantastic holiday, nothing better than getting away and trying to forget about it all, especially with your follow up coming up. Have fun!

blue Good luck Thursday, Fingers crossed for starting stims. Will be interesting to hear if you get the trial drug and any differences it makes. I've never had acupuncture but its something i'm thinking about for next cycle if this fails, sounds like it could be mildly amusing!

shellster Thanks for your support, and swearing along with me! It means a lot knowing people have been where I am and got through it. The doctors always seem to be preparing you for the worst, sometimes I also need some positivity.
Only 2 more days til Thursday, maybe less as you are hours ahead. I hope you get the answers you are looking for, keep us updated.

I had another scan yesterday, still only the 5, keep telling myself it only takes one and quality over quantity, still gutted we had 1 more on my cancelled cycle though, but onwards and upwards, another scan tomorrow and then egg collection either friday or saturday, hoping for saturday as feel awful about missing my sons birthday but cant be helped. I am excited and anxious to be able to find out how my eggs behave after collection though be good to get some answers.

EmmaGH · 12/08/2014 17:51

Blue, I'm so relieved, I didn't think you'd gone through it again yet!!

Shellster, I hope you get some answers! It's so annoying when they're terse on the phone. Always leaves me wondering why, exactly.

Carrie, I really hope the collection is on Saturday (and that the 5 get nice and big and exceptionally accepting of sperm)!

I took the bandages off my wound sites yesterday -- 5 days late. Both Mr GH and I completely misread the instructions! I was a bit worried that the teeny visible stitch would get aggravated or catch on my undies, but so far so good. Actually, I feel less paranoid about tearing anything now that I know they're almost completely healed. AND I've been getting heaps of work done at the British Library. Positive news on all fronts!

Shellster52 · 13/08/2014 03:19

carrie, I too had 5 mature eggs collected. I was in the 1-2% with abnormal low fertilization rate and one 1 fertilised. Very abnormal so not likely to happen to you. Still that one embryo made it all the way to day 4 and then arrested overnight. So I am sure next time if I have a few fertilise, good chance one will be top quality. As you say, it will give you inside info as to what's going on with egg and sperm that you normally can't see in your 7 years of trying. Thinking of you.

Emma, glad your going well post op. So it's back to the old fashioned way for you then for a bit eh. Makes sense that your fibroids were the cause of your issues. Here's hoping.

No news on my front. Have my review appt tomorrow. Feeling desperate for reassurance that my eggs weren't all old and brown. Something wasn't right to have only 1 of 5 fertilize. If I am not told eggs are beyond hope, will arrange for IVF next cycle - about 3 weeks away. But there are no guarantees that I won't have a low or even 0% fertilisation rate next time so even if my Dr reassures me, I won't feel completely at ease until I get the phone call the day after next EC to say things went better. That's a long wait!

OP posts:
EmmaGH · 13/08/2014 16:31

Hey Shellster, we don't actually know if the fibroids were the cause or not. The consultants have refused to say definitively (infuriatingly), because research shows that fibroids do not cause subfertility in and of themselves; it's entirely possible that there is some other underlying cause that has yet to be uncovered, unfortunately. I'm really hoping, though, that they were the biggest mitigating factor and that things will start to progress in the family way. Here's hoping, indeed!

Good luck at your appointment tomorrow! Is the Mr going with you? If it's his sperm that's the primary cause, it might be really good for him to hear it (heartbreaking, of course, but from what you've said it sounds like he's really struggling with the idea that his sperm contributing to your overall issues). I really, REALLY don't think you have to worry about your eggs. I'm probably being exceptionally naive, but I can't fathom that they wouldn't have told you if the quality of your eggs was in question. It just seems like the sort of thing that would have been addressed by now, no? All fingers crossed for you guys, in any case!

Blue, I'll be thinking about you tomorrow! Are you hoping for the trial drug or the Gonal F? Gonal F has a really good record, so if you don't get the trial drug, you're still in with a shot.

I did acupuncture once a week from September to January last year; then we moved and it would have been absurd to keep going to the same clinic on the grounds of travel time alone. I didn't find it relaxing, per se, but it was interesting. I came out of the clinic feeling buoyant almost every single time, like I could take on the world. I'm not sure if that was the acupuncture or the fact I'd been lying down for an hour! Where are you going for it? (Not that I'd know anywhere outside south London!) Perhaps give it another week or two before you quit it entirely?

Carrie, have you tried acupuncture? A friend of mine swears it helped her when she was going through IVF (she's why I tried it in the first place). She has very low AMH and FSH levels, so she had low yields each time as well, but claims that it was the acupuncture that helped her produce quality eggs. I hope you're able to do something in the next couple of days that keeps you full of good health and (relatively) stress free, so that by Friday all you have are 5 strong, active eggs waiting to be collected.

Purple, I know you shan't see this for a while, but wanted to echo Carrie's sentiments: I hope Bertha's given you a miss!!

bluemoonday · 14/08/2014 13:03

Hi guys - I'm pleased to say that my baseline scan went well this morning - nice thin womb lining and what looks like 4 follicles on each ovary. That's more than I had last time! I'm picking up my stim drugs tomorrow, either the Gonal F or the trial drug. Gonal F worked well for me last time so I don't mind which one I get. Anyway I'm relieved that everything looks good down there. Last couple of weeks have been pretty grim - the downreg drugs have been making me feel super hot, tired and sick. They worked!

Shellster, how did you get on today?

Emma whether or not your fibroids are to blame for infertility, your life will be better without them! My period has been so much lighter since I had the fibroid removed from inside my womb. Happy days.

Shellster52 · 15/08/2014 02:11

Blue, must be super exciting starting with 3 more follicles this time!
Now the action starts happening. Looking forward to hearing from you after your next scan.

Emma, I can understand it being frustrating not being given a definitive answer if the fibroids were the cause. The whole TTC and IVF process seems like that. Why did your perfect day 5 embryo not implant? Why did my perfect day 3 embryo arrest overnight between day 4 and 5? Frustratingly, there is just no way to know for sure. No, hubby didn't come to my appt as he had to work. She actually said the sperm looked quite good so wouldn't have helped his junk habits to hear that! Albeit, his issue is morphology which is the one thing they can't test as they have to stain and kill the sperm to test that which they don't do with the IVF sample.

Anyway, long story short, trying IVF again next cycle. Dr agreed with me that after starting with 19 follicles, 5 mature eggs is a low result. I was on 300 Puregon and 150 Menopur. So upping the Menopur to 300 to next round. I just wish I could know already if that will be the answer instead of having to torture myself while I wait this cycle out and then pay through the nose to stim for two weeks to find out.

Purple or anyone else that has any thoughts on this...
Really trying the RaLG theory from now. But there is one thing playing on my mind that I want to make a decision on so I can stop stressing. I hardly eat any dairy. Actually thought all the hormones in it might not be good for fertility. But I drink a cup of soy milk every day instead which some studies also say is no good. And now Purple has said that her clinic recommends a litre of milk a day. I just know that you guys are at least getting your embies to day 5 which is a step ahead of me so welcome your advice and your dairy intake.

OP posts:
carriebella · 15/08/2014 17:23

Hi all quick one as on phone. Had egg collection today and got 3 mature eggs. Now the nervous wait til tomorrow morning to see if they fertilise. Worried after reading about your 5 mature and only 1 fertilising Shellster but its out of my hands now.

Shellster52 · 16/08/2014 01:13

My story seems to be the exception rather than the rule when I read through every one elses story on here carrie. I know the nervous feeling though and am actually feeling a bit nervous for you too! I will be checking in tomorrow to find out for sure so please let us know.

... Actually carrie, if it's any reassurance to you, at my follow up appt I found out I actually had more than one fertilise. But two eggs did not withstand the ICSI process and fragmented. You have not mentioned any sperm issues so I assume you are having IVF rather than ICSI?

OP posts:
bluemoonday · 16/08/2014 07:25

Good luck Carrie, I'll be thinking about you today. Keep us posted!

I asked my doctor about milk at my appointment yesterday Shellster. He said there's no peer reviewed medical evidence for it, along with pineapple, acupuncture and various other things. He did say that they all these things can contribute to a placebo effect which can influence a positive outcome though (ie if you drink loads of milk and think it's going to work, it may reduce your stress levels and actually help).

Anyway this probably isn't news to you. Maybe you should try milk if it will make you feel better? I can't see any harm in it in the short term and Purplesclinic obviously thinks it's worth a try. I have crohns disease so I have to avoid dairy.

I started 300 dose Gonal F yesterday, same as last cycle! I suppose I would have liked to have been assigned the trial drug but it wasn't to be. Gonal F worked last time so I'm happy though.

carriebella · 16/08/2014 09:39

Good luck Blue. At least you know the tried and tested way works for you, so exciting.

Hi Shellster we had ICSI as husbands sperm is variable.Not good news though as only 1 fertilised so they want me in tomorrow for transfer. Im losing all optimism. What are the chances it even makes it to tomorrow?
Great to hear you are starting again next month Shellster with a new planin place. Will be following you closely as I seem to be following in your footsteps.I

bluemoonday · 17/08/2014 08:08

Hi Carrie, sorry to hear that only one egg fertilised, you must be disappointed. Just remember that one is all you need, though, so don't give up. Good luck today x

EmmaGH · 17/08/2014 12:10

Carrie, I've got every appendage crossed for you! I hope you have only good news when you find out.

Shellster, we didn't get any advice about what to eat/not eat, drink/not drink. The consultants at King's feel the same as those at Guy's where Blue goes, that there isn't enough conclusive peer-reviewed evidence to advocate drinking milk, eating pineapples, etc. I wish someone WOULD do an active study. It seems like the sort of thing that could be easily arranged (just pool current IVFers at different clinics and assign them a foodstuff), especially as none of it seems to do much harm. (That said, I've absolutely been having pineapple in my morning juice for weeks, prepping for our first post-op non-IVF cycle September!)

Blue, glad to see you're so positive about the Gonal. Plus, your current lining/follicle situation is great! So many people get lucky the second time around, I really hope you become one of those statistics (i.e. the good kind). Also, I REALLY hope you're right!! My periods are hellish -- I calculated that, over the past four years, altogether, I have spent just over nine months either bleeding around the clock or in a state of jet-lag as a result. I'm actually looking forward to finding out how/if it's changed!

On a completely different note, do any of you use macca powder or spirulina? I've been using macca for a while in juices and smoothies or in porridge, but I've only just started using spirulina.

Macca powder is supposed to be really good for fertility and women's health in general, and I definitely feel better using it. Spirulina is amazingly nutritious (a complete protein and 30x more iron than spinach per 100g, so great for veggies). While macca makes things deliciously carmelised, spirulina tastes very... healthy. MrGH says calls juices with it pond water. I'd like to try using it in other recipes besides juices and smoothies. Maybe in dressings or as a dredge? Any suggestions?

bluemoonday · 18/08/2014 18:01

Hi Emma - I've never heard of macca powder - isn't he one of the Beatles?! :)

I haven't tried spirulina either but I've heard it's very good for you. I'm not really eating anything different at the moment - just the usual stuff, plus gallons and gallons of water. Constantly going to the loo, people at work must be wondering what the hell is going on with me!

purplemeggie · 19/08/2014 07:28

Aaargh! I've been away so long this thread had fallen off my "I'm on" list Sad.

Just a quick one, because I'm late for work....

My clinic doesn't put the milk recommendation into its printed advice, for exactly the reasons given above, but they do give the advice verbally. I did drink 1 litre per day during stimms, and my eggs were good quality and all fertilised - of course, I will never know if the milk contributed, but something worked, so I will do again all the things that it is under my control to do again!

Re the hormones - are you worried about the natural hormones in milk, or any added ones? I only drink organic, and have done for years, after reading a couple of studies that I won't go into (unless you want me to!) - but unrelated to fertility.

I don't think you're necessarily avoiding all that with soya though, as soya contains isoflavones, which are oestrogen-mimics and can disrupt the natural hormone cycles. e.g. www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/behind_the_label/269552/behind_the_label_soya.html

What a minefield!

Carrie - sending hugs and sticky wishes to you and that precious embryo. x

...not such a quick one then!

AnnieHoo · 19/08/2014 09:54

Hi purple
Nice to see your update. You sound on good form. Thanks for your encouragement a while back. I'm now waiting to start pill before treatment next month. Will give the organic milk a go. Also taking pregnacare concieve, royal jelly, 75mg asprin and cq10. Not convinced anything works to improve chances except weight loss (which I haven't done! Blush).

It's very quiet lately. Are there any other newbies to ivf? It's v lonely sometimes Sad.

Shellster52 · 19/08/2014 15:12

blue, that is so so sweet of you to be asking about milk for me - the stranger on the internet - taking time away from your own questions at your appointment. I can't thank you all enough for the support on here. I know my emotional state wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for being able to have a vent with those who get it. Sounds like once you discovered that you weren't getting the trial drug, that's when you realised you might have liked to try it. Must be partly reassuring that Gonal worked last time for quality (well almost Sad ). I will be so happy for you if those extra couple of follicles come to the party this time to increase quantity and up your chances. When is your next scan?

Emma, sorry - no suggestions for the maca and spirulina uses. In fact, I have maca powder after reading one of the hundreds of things I've read that must have said how good it is for fertility. I find the tablets easy... just pop them down with water. But trying to find things to hide powders in throughout the day is more difficult. Must remember to try it tomorrow again ready for IVF next cycle.

Purple, not sure what you mean by 'I don't think you're necessarily avoiding all that with soya though', but I completely agree that soy can disrupt the natural hormone cycles and have decided to give it up. Since I last posted with my milk versus soy question, I have read that women who eat soy have lower day 11 and day 21 estrogen levels. I'm meant to take estrogen tablets from day 20 this cycle in prep for IVF next cycle (day 20 is when your body realises pregnancy has not taken place this cycle and starts preparing the follicles to grow for next cycle). The estrogen tablets stop lead follicles from growing so they are all the same size and grow at a more consistent rate and hence more follicles ready at the same time for EC the following cycle. It worked wonders the first time I tried this IVF protocol after 2 previous IVF disasters. But it hasn't worked as well since. Can't remember when I switched to soy, buy now wondering if this is the reason. As a result, I stopped soy from day 8 this cycle when I had this epiphany. So now back on the dairy - and like you, the organic kind which I have only ever bought for hubby since a fertility naturopath appointment last year.

OP posts: