Anyone starting IVF soon? Join me (2)

[purplemeggie]

I see we've filled up the thread and thought I'd better start another one. How's everyone doing?

Shellster that is great!! I think you should be pretty pleased, sounds like you're on track for a good EC. We're in sync because my left ovary is also not joining in this month. The doctor said there is no rhyme or reason to it - ovaries just produce differently every cycle. So don't worry yourself about that.

Things are getting exciting for you now..what are you using to trigger with? I know you had a problem with the trigger shot in one of your previous cycles. Are you doing anything differently this time around?

I started cetrotide this morning - haven't had it before (haven't done a 'short protocol' before so therefore haven't needed it). I'm now on Gonal F 450 until Weds, when I have my next scan.

Oooh - Shellster that's looking like a good clutch of eggs - really hoping that they behave themselves and you get some good embryos this time.
You too, Blue - keeping everything crossed for you.

Wondering how Farfall and Hen are doing - they must be in those stressful last few days...I really feel for them.

How are you doing, Anroga? Annie? Hope everyone's okay x

Oh okay, I thought you were doing a Menopur/Gonal F combination right the way through your stimming. But instead you did Menopur the first few days and then switched. Must be a bit frustrating that your left ovary isn't joining in this month. Then again, I think I read that it is normal response for about half the follicles to respond which you still have - just all on the left - perhaps these contain the strongest four eggs that your body is naturally selecting. I was frustrated with my left ovary because it only contained 3 follicles to start with when it normally starts with over double that.

You have a good memory! Yes I had an issue with trigger instructions last IVF which said to inject at a 45 degree angle and the injection didn't get under my skin far enough and stayed in a hard lump. So got my Dr's okay to ignore their instructions this time and inject straight in at 90 degrees - as I did the previous IVF with no issues AND as other instructions on the internet show. Using Pregnyl by the way.

My Dr has decided I should have EC Friday instead of Thursday. Really worried because she is allowing the first couple to be overmature for the sake of a couple of smaller ones. But I have read the first to mature often contain the best egg and should be forsaken for the sake of smaller follicles. Makes perfect sense that the first maturing are the ones my body is naturally selecting and trying to grow and contain the best egg. Trying to trust in my Dr and not stress. But two IVF's ago, I only had 3 mature eggs on Friday, so she waited til Monday for two smaller ones to catch up. Then the two larger ones were over mature and broke apart with ICSI leaving me with only 3 eggs anyway - and I had lost the first two maturing eggs which would have been my best quality. Always wonder if things would have been different that cycle if that didn't happen and it feels like we are just repeating the same mistake.

Hi Purple

I am ok thanks, doing ok on the microgynon apart from a terrible headache/migraine all through the night, did give in and take 2 panadol this morning.

I have my SIS/Pipelle on the 16th and if all ok will then start the injections :)

How are you doing today? xxx

Hi anroga glad to hear you are doing ok. I remember microgynor from my 'trying not to get pregnant' days, it's not great. Drink loads of water!

Purple I'm also wondering how everyone else is doing. Weird how you get so involved in other IVF 'journeys' on this forum, I think it's fascinating. I'm dying to hear about some BFPs! I need some good news stories.

Shellster try not to tie yourself in knots about the Friday transfer. It must be especially tough for you given all your prior knowledge. I've got everything crossed for you, you've got a good number of follicles and I'm convinced you're going to get a good result this time around.

Thanks Blue have been drinking loads every day since I started but thought the same this morning so going to up it to 3 litres a day! I am back and forth to the toilet as it is!

Things sound like they are moving along well for you, how are you feeling? xxx

I'm very happy to be your next 'good news' story Blue. I'll give my eggs a talking to and tell them to co-operate!

Thanks for the reassurance. It's exactly like you say that it's hard not to stress with my history of 8 failures, so it's good to hear from an objective viewpoint that it sounds positive and you are convinced of a good result. Just have to try and remember (as my hypnotherapy CD says) that previous cycles have no bearing on this cycle. This cycle I have a few more follies than usual to up my odds and my lining is optimal thickness after scratch last cycle. Trying to pep talk myself here!

anroga, so you will be stimming and having EC over the new year then? My clinic shuts down at that time and won't take on new IVF cycles after mid Dec.

Purple, I saw that Hen got a BFP on the other thread. Thanks for your kind words. How are things going with you?

Hi Shell

Yes I have a scans on the 29/12, 5/1, 9/1 then if all ok trigger injection on 10/1 ec on 12/1. Luckily my clinic is open over Xmas and New Year which is good as we wanted to get started ASAP rather than wait until the New Year.

Hope things are going ok with you x

Oh, that's great news about Hen.

All okay here. More or less decided to go for a clinic in the Czech Republic...just a bit more research and obsessing to do but it feels like the right thing.

I can understand wanting to get started ASAP anroga. The waiting is the worst part!

Purple, can't believe the system makes it easier/less expensive to fly overseas for treatment rather than have it done there!

I will get a call today with details for EC on Friday. Will message back after that - not that you guys need to know the time of my procedure but I am just a bit nervous now as after EC is normally where everything goes downhill for me and I don't make it to transfer.

Hubby is actually the one with the diagnosed issue, and I wish there was a way to tell if the embryo quality was an issue with me or him. Has anyone ever been given any insight on this? It would be helpful in getting my husband to get his butt into gear and see that he is destroying my dream. I can totally see why he has that diagnosis as I watch him stay up til all hours, skip breakfast daily as he then get's up late for work, eat junk food while at work, then come home and whinge about how awful his work is. I make a healthy dinner but then he sits on the couch and eats more junk.
Negative attitude+eating crap+overweight+poor sleep habit=dud sperm.
Really think it's changed my attitude towards him as it feels like he is ruining my dream.

Okay, venting over. Will check in after my phone call and perhaps by then, Blue will have updated with her scan details.

Hi everyone! I know I said this last time, but it's been ages since I was here -- so much to catch up on!

Blue and Shell, sorry about the left ovary, but both of you seem to have great news from the right! That's ace. Are you both in for EC on Friday (or did I read that wrong)?

Purple, it does seem completely mad that flying to the CR to complete a cycle there will be cheaper than doing it here, but it's great that you've decided. Are you taking your cousin with you or are you going to be using local donors?

Hen, if you're still lurking, I'm delighted to hear your news! Has anyone heard from Farfella? She was ETing around the same time, no?

Annie, where are you in the cycle?

Anroga, how are you feeling?

So, after my blood test the other month, it looks like I am all clear on anti-phosoplipids. That's another thing checked off (and another thing not explaining why we're experiencing infertility). I had my scan last week -- lining looks normal, it was at 8mm, which is what they would expect to see at the peak for FET, which I was assured is great AND no fibroids w00t w00t!! Hopefully it will just be a matter of time now, as I seem to be ovulating normally and have none of the usual suspects as obstacles. We are, however, scheduled to see the consultant in January. If we're not pregnant by then, I'd like to explore our options. I'm really not keen on doing IVF again; I'm hoping we can do something less invasive, but our clinic is really an IVF ACU and they've not been especially forthcoming on alternative treatments.

Hi Emma nice to hear from you again. Good news about your blood tests - sounds like you are ready to get pregnant! It's good that you've done all the various tests and checks....if you do end up doing IVF again it will save you time. Hopefully you'll get pregnant the old fashioned way and won't need to worry about that. I'll be interested to know what your clinic (or another clinic) suggests as an alternative

Shellster chin up - I sympathise regarding DH. It seems to be a common theme on these forums. I get annoyed with my husband's unwillingness to cut back on the beer. There's no much either of you can do before Friday though, so you'll just have to hope for the best. Everything seems to be going well for you so far in this cycle, and I've got my fingers crossed for you.

Purple please do keep us posted on the Czech Republic developments....that may well be our next step. I'll be very interested to hear about your experience and find out how much it costs! From reading Fertility Friends and other forums it seems that CR is a popular destination for donor cycles. I can see why it's cheaper abroad - their overheads and costs are a lot less than in the UK.

I had another scan this morning - still got 3 follicles on the right, 1 on the left. All are growing well and my lining is currently 9mm. One more scan on Saturday then I'll probably be in for ER on Monday. Seems to have whizzed past...that's what happens when you don't have to do weeks of downregging!

Anroga, Annie, anyone else - hello to you too!

Hi EmmaH thanks for your message, feeling ok on the microgynon apart from headaches so am trying to drink even more water if that is possible!

Just waiting to get started on the 16/12 with my suprecur injections.

Sounds like all your test results have been good so far so you must be feeling more positive x

Hi Blue, exciting times for you then with EC nearly here, I assume you have down short protocol looking at your post about downregging which I am doing, EC seems like a lifetime away to me at the moment! x

You are sounding really positive about the clinic in the Czech Republic purple, good news x

Emma, great to hear that all tests are coming back clear - although as you say it's just more things that don't explain the lack of BFP. I hope it's just a matter of time now those pesky fibroids seem to be gone for good.

blue, it is reassuring to hear that your hubby has a fondness for beer, yet you still get blasts. So hopefully his junk food habit won't affect my embryos this cycle - although I am sure he eats a lot more junk than your hubby drinks beer!

I haven't even had EC yet and today I am starting to think about that telephone call on Saturday where they tell me how many/little eggs have fertilised as it's normally not great news.

On a positive note, I am really looking forward to a guilt free vegie burger from Hungry Jacks after egg collection tomorrow that I have been depriving myself of for months!

Hi all, its a BFN from me sadly, not a surprise really given how few eggs we got and the quality of the embryos. We will try again at some point.
Best of luck with your cycles!

So sorry, Farfall - it's miserable. Sending you a big hug. xxx

So sorry to hear that Farfalla, I'm also sending hugs, it's so unfair xx

I hope you are feeling ok and are able to have a break from it all over the holidays. It's shit, I know.

Shellster I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, I've got a good feeling about this cycle for you. Enjoy your moment in Hungry Jacks. x

Blue good to hear things are progressing as they should. I hope your scan goes well on Saturday x

Purple I was so angry for you when I read what your clinic said. Pleased you've decided to move from them and hope you've found somewhere that's more person-centred abroad.

Thank you so much for your support purple, Blue, Anroga ,Shellster, Emma and all (I know I shouldn't list people for fear of offending anyone I've missed off!). I went through a v v low point over the last 2 weeks, crying all the time and at breaking point over little things. Thank you for referring me to the support group and that really did help. I feel fine now and looking back it's obvious that my hopelessness was due to the Clomid I'm on this month. The side effects are awful.

I feel better now, I took the bull by the horns, phoned the clinic and put the FET back a week to enable me to have a go at ttc naturally with the this month.

Because the clinic is closing down at the end of Feb I felt they bullied pushed me into starting downreg drugs on day 21 this month but that meant using condoms and I really wanted to try since I'd already taken the clomid on days 2-7 and every month is precious at age 41.

So now I'm having my downreg decapeptyl bum injection on Christmas Eve which should be day 1 of my next period and FET should be end Jan if all goes to plan.

Emma I hope your consultation goes well in Jan.

anroga how are you doing? Oh god I didn't know about the peas!!

Hi to everyone else! Good luck to all new cyclers and anyone preparing for next cycles and FET xxx

Sorry to hear that farfalla, rubbish news. Hopefully your next cycle will the one.

Shellster I sent you a PM. Don't know what Hungry Jack's is but I like the sound of that veggie burger. I just ate a Crunchie so I definitely haven't been doing the healthy thing this cycle!

I definitely haven't missed the downregging this cycle anroga. The buserelin made me really bloated last time.

Hi Anniehoo

Glad to read you are feeling a bit more positive today. Reading your comments about the clomid and the feeling of hopelessness I was an absolute wreck on that drug! Crying for no reason what so ever in a terrible state so you are not alone.

I am feeling ok thanks except continually bursting to go to the toilet with this huge water intake every day! Have had a few headaches with this microgynon which Blue said she had experienced but apart from that just heading towards the 16th for my SIS/Pipelle and to finally start my injections!

Wishing you loads of luck with TTC naturally don't blame you for putting the FET back and giving it a go naturally especially after taking the evil clomid!

If not you will be having your transfer around the same time as I will be doing a pregnancy test eek! xxx

Hi Annie - sorry you've been feeling so down, but it feels good to take control, doesn't it? Sending you a hug, and hoping for some Christmas magic for you.
Don't think it was just my clinic...I called another one that was recommended by a friend and they said exactly the same thing.

Blue - I loved the buserelin....it made me feel all zenlike and peaceful and I really missed it when I did a short protocol cycle.
So, we've kicked things off with the Czech clinic....we're looking at Arleta IVF, which is outside Prague, but they organise all the transport for you. The thing that's really drawing us about them is that they guarantee that if you don't get any frosties, they will give you a second fresh donor cycle for the price of a FET....they have to be fairly confident of their results to offer that, don't they?

And yes, Shellster, it's quite astonishing. The price, including travel, accommodation, all transfers and all the drugs for donor and recipient, is £6000, which is a little more than we paid for one cycle of own-egg IVF in this country. I read an article recently that the end-user cost of IVF in the UK is driven by market forces and has little correlation with the actual cost of the necessary resources. I think I'm beginning to see that in action...

Oh, and good luck with the EC, Shellster - hoping for lots of big fat follicles for you xxx

farfall. Big hugs. We are here to chat when you need us.

blue, I didn't receive any PM. Just thought I should let you know so that you know I am not ignoring it.

Annie, totally understand you not wanting to waste a month of trying. So very glad that the clinic allowed you to postpone your injections by one week. I've heard Clomid can do that to some people - and it wouldn't take much to make us any more emotional after failed IVF. I hope yours and blues good feeling for me about this cycle is right.

Will get a call tomorrow to see if your good feeling is correct... just came back from EC. They got 6 eggs. With 7 follies on Monday being between 11 and 19, I was really hoping for 7 and felt slightly deflated with 6. I know it's only one less, but usual pattern after EC is watching the numbers slowly dwindle away until I am left with nothing to transfer. So hoping for 7 and then getting 6 felt like the start of watching the numbers dwindle and brought back that same feeling from past IVF's.

I spoke to the Dr before the procedure about the issues with my trigger and no mature eggs last time. After the procedure he especially pulled me and hubby aside to chat to us. He said that because of the issues I said I had last time, he used some double pointed needle that really makes sure the eggs are flushed from the follicle even though it makes the procedure take longer. Then seeing what a lovely man he was and knowing he did his best made me feel a whole lot better about my 6 eggs instead of 7. A bit of compassion and manners really does go a long way in helping us through this.

Will get a call between 1pm and 2pm tomorrow which is between 2 and 3am your time. So you will have an update from me when you wake up.

puple, I somehow missed your post when I just typed my last comment.

That is astounding about the cost of IVF. Makes total sense about it being driven by the market and their ability to receive large amounts of cash from women who are desperate to have a family. I usually go to my clinic alone for my scans but today hubby came to produce his contribution for my eggs and pointed out two cars to me that are each worth more than our house. A Dr's car no doubt.

That does sound like a clinic that gets good success if they can make such an offer. Sounds very promising.

Thinking of you farfalla. x

Annie I'm so sorry you've been feeling down. The drugs have a lot to answer for, and IVF is a menace on the nerves. I think we've all been there in one way or another, it's very stressful. Sending you a hug.

Purple thanks for sharing the price info... that sounds very reasonable. I fully agree that fertility treatment in the UK is a rip off, my celebrity crush Prof Robert Winston wrote about it on his blog. The clinic you have chosen sounds good, I will definitely check them out.

I'm still jabbing myself with gonal f and cetrotide, got another scan tomorrow morning. Got DH's black tie Christmas do tonight... wondering how I can squeeze my gonal f pen into my glittery clutch bag . I had a work event last night and had to transport it in a tupperware box and stash it in a random catering fridge. Waiters thought I was mad. Anyway Shellster thinking of you... today is the day, right? Fingers crossed you get a good result.