Any on looking to start ivf/icsi in the new year?

[lucieloos]

Just wondering if anyone would like to keep me company and share the ivf/icsi journey. DH and I are both 35 years old and have been trying to conceive our first child for 10months. DH has lowish sperm motility and I have a low amh (7.24). We haven't had any luck so far and so the next step will be ivf with icsi in the new year. We are thinking of starting end of feb or march. Would be great to share the journey with others in similar situations and hopefully make some friends along the way

Wow MrsWW naughty testing but all positive signs! I hope that Tuesday comes around quickly for you.

Lucie great that you can start ICSI in April - and I am very jealous of your short protocol - I am on day 32 of Buserelin today, day 6 of Climaval and another likely 8 days of both... Roll on 12/13 March for ET, it can't come soon enough!

How are you doing Persipan?

Jesse I hope you got to speak to the clinic, it might have just been bad luck that none were right for freezing. And as MrsWW said, it only takes one...

Wow not too much longer to go for you now badger! I received my prescription today. I'm going to be on 225 units of menopur from day 2. Also cetrotide I'm not sure what this is?! And trigger shot is ortrivelle. Does anyone have any experience of this sort of protocol?

Yes lucie loos they were my short protocol drugs. The cetrotide stops you from ovulating while you are using menopur for stims. The injections were completely fine, I think you just get into the habit of it. The otrivelle was a pen and you need to be taught how to use it. All the very best of luck for you. Not long now!

I am feeling very sad today. Spotting started and feel very pre-AF like. Suspect this might not be our time but can't bring myself to test as I kind of know what the result is. Not due until Tuesday - just seems very far away.

Oh I really hope it is your turn Jesse! Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Thanks for the information about meds. Is the cetrotide usually taken every day with the Menopur?

Hello everyone hope you don't mind me getting involved. I will start my first IVF/ICSI at BH only at the begging of May long way to go for me, but waited 5 years, it really helped me reading your posts and understand what the future holds for me :), to be honest at the beginning when I start reading your posts felt that I'm in a different world so much information it felt the same when me and my dh went to see the consultant and explained what it will happen next and afterwords not having a clue what to do :)
Can somebody suggest if I need to take any supplements before I start or anything else.

Lucieloos, i had a slightly different protocol, I was on menopur and gonal f for stimming drugs, then had oragultron as ovulation stopper and then pregnyl as trigger shot. The menopur needs to be mixed but I used otrivelle on my medicated IUI and its super easy. The needles seem daunting but after a few days they become easy, when I stopped them I kind of missed not having them to do as felt like I was doing nothing.

Jesse, sending positive thoughts your way and hope you have some nice things planned in the lead up to ODT.

Sunchaser, time will go fast. I only took a pre conception vitamin mostly pregnacare, tried to pick them up in two for one specials as they do add up. Its so easy to get confused as to what to take. I expect a good, well balanced diet is the best thing. For the last month or so I've been taking a vegetarian omega supplement and a vitamin D tablet. If I have to cycle again I will do blood tests to check full blood count (especially Vit D), blood glucose test, thyroid test, liver function and white blood cells. Just in case anything shows up then it could be treated.

I'm off for a walk to pick up some more cyclogest. I've only enough until Sunday and testing is Tuesday so need a few more to cover me. I think my partner has agreed we can test on Sunday. I never thought I'd be an early tester but the last two IUIs I did and it sort of helped me process the negatives. Ive had another positive today and if I line them up they are getting darker. But its not a sure fire business this fertility journey so trying to keep a level head.

Welcome Sunchaser! I've been taking a pregnancy supplement although I must admit I've just switched from Pregnacare to Boots' own as it was cheaper and seems to have the same stuff in it... And always buy on special! Protein rich foods are good for eggs apparently and pineapple juice although I can't remember what that is good for. If there are male fertility issues then q10 supplements for him, Brazil nuts for selenium and no alcohol (preferably) between now and egg collection/sperm sample. There are male pregnancy supplements too by Pregnacare/Boots.

Hi - hope no one minds me joining in! Just started metformin and norethisterone for an ICSI cycle and it's all starting to feel very real! We've already had one successful cycle yet this one feels even more daunting.

I've had my final scan and I'm locked in for trigger tomorrow night and collection on Monday! So pleased to be getting to the end of stims! Its been a turbulent week with hormones being too low, too high and never quite right but I'm finally close to the next stage. so glad it's Friday as well - this week at work has been horrendous and I'm shattered!

Lucieloo your protocol is similar to mine (also short) but I am on gonal f not menopur. Gonal f is easier to administer as it is in a pen but apparently menopur can cause fewer side effects. Cetricide is ok - a pain to mix up (like menopur) and a bit stingy but it's fine. The trigger is a pen so it's a bit easier. The injections are not fun, but they are manageable.

Re supplements, DH and I have both been on supplements for ages. We've also given up alcohol since the NY and I've given up caffeine (that was hard!) I've been trying to eat a high protein and slightly healthier diet but I'm not great at that... It was hard psychology beforehand when ivf was an abstract concept but now the treatment is underway I'd eat or drink or give up pretty much anything if it meant there was a better chance of it working.

Good luck and keep looking after yourselves everyone

gah I mean hard psychologically not psychology

Welcome Laika!
Thank you Mrs. Wish, Badger & Ga-Linda, really appreciate all your comments.
Ga-Linda fingers crossed for your egg collection keep us posted.

Have a great Sunday all of you!

I'd like to wish everyone lots of success and I'll be following everyone's journey. I am starting IVF soon...the ball starts moving properly next week, all test are clear and now just the protocol to arranged and forms to sign etc. Like many have said, this seems like a daunting journey, but also one which is exciting too.

Welcome darkchoc and laika. It's a nerve wracking process for sure but taking one day at a time helps and getting support from others in a similar position is good.

Galinda, good luck with collection tomorrow. Fingers crossed for some happy eggs.

I hope everyone else is enjoying a lovely weekend, seems spring is on its way.

AFM, convinced my partner that we could test today. Clearblue is a positive and clearblue digital is 1-2 weeks. I mostly feel nauseous and still getting tired easily. I want to be relaxed and positive but so many doubts get in my head. One day at a time next step is hopefully a positive on Tuesday and then call clinic to book In scan.

Wow that is so exiting mrsww how many days post transfer are you? Interesting to see that you were on a similar protocol to me. I wonder what the difference is with the various trigger shots?

Have you taken time off work in your 2ww? I can't decide what's best to do? As we are having our treatment abroad i already have to take a week off for collection and transfer. It's not really a big problem for me to have another week off but just not sure if I would be better at home or in work.

I'm 12 days post three day transfer.

I'm self employed and work 24 hour shifts so I haven't working since since the start of February. My partner and I didn't want me to be stressing with scans and injections. No work booked into until March 17th so another week or so of no work.

Where are you having treatment? I think if you can't take the time off it might be a good idea just so you can relax. Short protocol for me was ok even thiugh my drugs were max dose.

Good luck with your treatment.

Sounding v positive MrsWW!

Good luck tomorrow Ga.

Welcome Laika and Darkchoc.

Lucie I found that working in the 2ww helps to take your mind off it some of the time and I thought that holiday was best saved for another cycle/starting mat leave early potentially later in the year so I think what's best probably depends on how strenuous your job is and whether you would be more stressed by being there or at home!

I feel like things are moving on a bit for me as I have a scan this week. I work 3 days a week and have taken Friday as holiday as the scan is 11am and can't be bothered trekking in for a few hours so it's a very short week for me!

That's great about your scan and short week badger. Is transfer still looking like being mid March? Not long to go if so!

My job is not overly strenuous and I was thinking the same thing about saving annual leave incase we need to go again. Maybe I will go back in for a few days after transfer and then take a couple more days off nearer testing time as I definitely won't be able to concentrate then!

I'm home from egg collection. Feeling a bit sore and sleepy but all went smoothly. I got 11 eggs. Will find out tomorrow how many fertilise overnight. We are having ICSI for severe make factor so fingers crossed the embryologists can work some magic.

I have already cried to DH about having to leave our embryos at the hospital I feel very protective of them. We've never had a sniff of a pregnancy due to the MFI so even if one embryo fertilises for one day, that will be further than we've ever made it.

I'm off work tomorrow but back on Wednesday assuming I'm feeling fine. Transfer could be Wed (2 day) Thursday (3 day) or Saturday (5 day). I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Saturday so that it works out well with my annual leave and so that DH doesn't have any difficulty getting away from work...

Hope everyone else is ok.

Congratulations galinda glad it all went well, that's brilliant that you got 11. I know the feeling with male factor. We have not had the sniff of a pregnancy either. I'm really hoping it will be our turn in April and yours on Saturday

Well done Ga, hardest bit is done! Fingers crossed for the fertilisations. I think that it's incredibly sweet you cried leaving the embryos there. Although obviously you have a lot of extra hormones and emotions flying around today...

We had never had a sniff of pregnancy either before my fresh cycle so the miracles do happen.

Scan on Friday and then hopefully transfer 12 or 13 March - so nearly 7 weeks start to finish. Phew.

Good luck tomorrow MrsWW for the official test day.

Yay, Galinda, I'm hoping sperm and eggs have had a party and are now partying. Fingers crossed transfer ends up the day you want.

Badger, good luck on scan on Friday and I hope embryos can be returned to you.

AFM, OTD and its a positive. Have got seven positives since last Tuesday and I'm petrified. I'm going to test with a clear blue digital on Friday in the hope that the weeks have gone up. I am happy but so nervous.

Fabulous news MrsWW!!

Fabulous news MrsWW you gave me more hope
All the best of luck Badger and also Ga-Linda I'm in the same situation like you but we need to keep positive all the best fingers & toes crossed.

Mrswishywashy that's great! Tentative congratulations to your your missus are you only doing home pregnancy tests or do you have to go into the clinic for a blood test? Our clinic has told us we shouldn't test at home and need to wait for the blood test (think its called a beta test).

In exciting news, out of my 11 eggs, 9 could be injected and 7 have fertilised overnight! I know nothing is set in stone but I'm hopeful that if there are 7 embryos today, by transfer day at least one of those little guys will be good for going back in.

Also, thanks Badger - glad things are moving along for you. 7 weeks! You deserve a medal for that effort, I stimmed for 10 days and was thoroughly sick of it!