Rumples IVF/ICSI thread continued

[lildottie]

Our thread was originally started by Rumples who now has her bfp, as have a few other ladies along the way. Here's hoping the next thread holds a few more bfps!

I am about to turn 38 ranchgirl and also don't produce many eggs for IVF. My last attempt will start late May so I won't be too far behind you. Will be nice to go through it together with someone who is not producing 15 eggs and making me feel depressed with my few eggs!

I personally have found that I feel physically fine the day after EC and go back to work the next day. Might be because I don't produce many so my ovaries have not been stabbed as much to retrieve all the eggs. My clinic says to go back to normal duties after ET, and I do remember reading one study showing that rest after transfer actually lowered the success which makes sense because in a natural cycle, we don't rest on the day the embryo arrives in our uterus. But I notice after some IVF failures, women write on here 'I should have rested after transfer more'. So I guess you have to decide what you feel is best for your embryo so you're not left wondering 'what if...'.

Wish I had some exciting news to report but unfortunatly I don't. Saw doc yesterday who said DH's 3 sperm samples he did to freeze have no decent sperm in and he doesn't think his sperm would survive a freeze-thaw cycle anyway. Doc recommends referral to urology in another hospital for micro testicular biopsy, but that even then the sample might not freeze-thaw well. He said they can't do it fresh, muttered something about co-ordinating theatre. Do you guys think another clinic would offer icsi with a fresh biopsy sample? Reading online it seems people do have egg retrieval and testicular biopsy on same day....I think?

Good luck with you May IVF-ers, just wish I was joining you x

Laura, this isn't really something I've looked into since we don't have these issues. But my previous clinic did mention that if DH was unable to produce a fresh sample on the day of EC, they would do a testicular biopsy to retrieve sperm - so it is definitely able to be done. No harm to ring around and ask.

Hey guys!
Wondering if I can join? I'm about to start my ivf cycle soonish!

Did anyone use healthcare at home for delivery-do they do weekends and after 5 drop offs? Worried about the delivery whilst I'm at work! Obv I can ring them on Monday but worrying about it now.

Will have a read back to catch up with everyone x

AF arrived today so rang up IVF clinic, booked in for preliminary tests inc. internal scan, AMH blood test, and SA next week. Also booked appointment with consultant the following week to discuss results then will decide when to start treatment.

Can't believe it's all happening!!!

Welcome trying. Of course you are welcome. I think we've been ranting on this thread for a while so to save you having to read back, basically I am about to embark on my 11th and final (last I can afford!) IVF attempt. I don't make many eggs so instead have been researching and implementing strategies for quality of the few I do produce. It seems to be working as I have seen improvement in embryo quality over my IVF's.. Last transfer, I am sure I got pregnant before early miscarriage, as I had a 'pregnant' feeling for first time from day 24, followed by late period, then the heaviest bleed of my life. I am day 15 of my current cycle and starting IVF next cycle. When do you start?

Non, glad it's all happening. Glad that your consultant appointment is only the following week so you're not waiting too long for results. Is there a wait at your clinic to start treatment?

Shell I didn't think to ask how long the wait was after the results! Will ask them next week. I presumed the following cycle? If so, may be a week or so behind your next treatment. Can't believe you've done 10 cycles so far, you are an admirable, strong woman indeed :)

Thank non. Not sure that I am that strong. After each failure, the thought of no baby is worse than repeating IVF so I am just forced to try again.

That would be fantastic if you could just start the following cycle! For you so you can get on with things - and for me as it would be nice to be going through it around the same time. Will wait to hear after your appointment.

hi all. sorry I've been mia! we moved house on Friday! so glad we are in and basically all unpacked now. basically spent 3 days cleaning/bleaching everything as it was so filthy but were nearly there now.

sounds like you lot are all going to be having 12 week scans as I start my next ivf. we can go whenever we want but have decided to wait until august. still don't have blood test results, grrr. chasing again tomorrow. non glad to hear the ball is rolling for you now!

Hey everyone, just wanted to check in and see how you all were! I took some time away from the internet/mumsnet after loosing the baby, but I am feeling much better now!

I'm glad your follow up appointment went well dottie, I have mine on Friday, I am nervous/excited. I had already agreed that we would do our frozen cycle in July/August, so just need to actually confirm, although I don't know how it's going to work. so I don't know when transfer would actually happen. Either way, I'm glad I'll be in good company if your next cycle is around then too!

Shell, I have everything crossed for you for this cycle. I have a really good feeling about it. I don't know why, I just do!

Hi all!

Well had my initial appt at the new private clinic in my area yesterday. Had a 3D dildo cam scan, during which they did an antral follicle count and took a blood test for AMH. Consultant's appt next week to discuss results. I asked about starting treatment and they said if consultant gives the go ahead, it would start on my next cycle, AF due 4th June.

Unbelievably, I came home to find that I've been called up for jury service in 6 weeks time slap bang in the middle of treatment!!!! You couldn't bloody write it! Have any if you had this happen during treatment??? If so, what did you do??? Currently trying to exempt myself for the next year on medical grounds due to infertility treatment, I have to send it off in less than a week's time. The fertility clinic and my GP are kindly writing letters of support for my exemption and both have said they have never heard anyone being called up when treatment is being carried out. As you can tell from my namesake, I don't ever confirm to the norm :)

Sounds like we've all got a busy summer ahead!

Hi Ladies, just wanted to wish you all luck. I'm an emotional wreck just waiting for day 1 of my cycle to get started. Should be Friday. Cannot wait to get started and stick two fingers up to the rest of the crap in my work life that stresses me out.

Positive vibes only!!

non my mum got out of it for being pg with me so fx you get out of it for fertility treatment!

toes at least we'll have each other when this lot have got their bfps and are celebrating 12wk scans!

You have been a very busy lady lildottie - exam, your mum, moving house! So a few months of the a la naturale method then before your August attempt. 12 week scan for me at that time eh, sounds like a fantasy!

Glad you have a good feeling toes to make up for my lack of confidence. I am doing the diet that the study says increases success to 80% and logically that sounds like good odds and I did get an early pregnancy last transfer so logically it is possible, but somehow after 10 failed IVF's my mind just can't believe it.

Non, I am sure with the clinic and GP letters of support, they would have to let you off. They have exemptions for a reason and yours is a very valid one. But what are the odds of that happening! What day of your cycle was it that you had the dildocam? Did they give you any insight into what the follicle count was or are you kept in suspense until the appointment?

So you're next on the IVF rollercoaster ranchgirl. The waiting does make you an emotional wreck. It's nice when you just start and get on with things rather than all the waiting.

Hi Guys,

I haven't been here for quite a while, but I was browsing on MN and thought I'd check in with the thread and just see who was still knocking around!

There is just too much stuff to read through and comment on so big hugs and to everyone who has had losses and pain.

Went for a consultation appt at new fertility clinic this week. We tried for 6 months after MC but nothing and I just turned 36 so need to go back to seeking help.

Took all my ivf notes and doctor thought it best to have the Natural Killer Cell blood tests. I've considered this before, but always thought I would have had more miscarriages, so ruled it out in my head. Anyway, she said even though it's expensive to have the tests, she couldn't see any reason why ivf had failed twice previously and on paper I'm totally fertile. We'll wait and see. I mentioned that my pre-menstrual cramps start niggling about 6-7 days before AF and she thinks that could indicate endo which can be linked to the antibodies. Very confusing.

Anyway, results back in 2 weeks. DH also going to have DNA fragmentation.

Hang in there everyone xxx

Lovely to hear from you allchat! Although obviously we wish it was in better circumstances than us all being still here and still not pregnant. That does sound confusing - if you had endo, surely it would have been seen on one of your ultrasounds? Or does that need an internal investigation? It was you that had the early spotting despite high progesterone levels if I remember rightly? So much happened on here and so much going on in my own head with my IVF that I can't remember everyone. It would be great if she could find a reason for that, so no harm having the NKC test done - except the cost! Let us know how you get on.

hi allchat, sorry you've still had no luck. my ivf bfp resulted in mc so I'm still hanging out here. I'm intrigued to hear you're having the nkc test. my normal blood tests have come back saying no reason for mc and my consultant says the reproductive immunology train of thought is unproven and not worth pursuing. my clinic seem to be very up on their research and even tested me for a clinical trial on mc,but I still can't help thinking its another thing to check before we go again.

as for going again, I'm all booked in! bcp starts July and first scan 26/8, ec around 7/9!

Hello,

Endo can only be properly diagnosed by internal investigation. It won't show up on scans & ive had my fair share of them! Doc said you can have endo & not necessary present any symptoms. I'm not ridiculously heavy etc but the fact I have pm cramping so so early is a factor apparently. But nope, in answer to your question it wasn't me that spotted. I only had af 2 days after prog finished.

The NK cell thing has been on my mind for a while so best rule it out & it came from consultant not me. I pushed her on how many people she asks to test & roughly what were results. She said she's fully aware of costs of tests, but also doesn't like patients wasting money on further ivf if there is likelihood the NK cells could be pregnant. Tbh I've always massively struggled with the term secondary infertility. She said for everyone she sends for testing about 75% come back showing positive.

Got a ridiculously heavy cold and I can't sleep because I feel so shit. But must go because writing is making my eyes water!
X

75%! That's a high figure. A lady at my clinic got pregnant first IVF attempt but miscarriaged at 10 weeks. Test showed chromosome abnormality. She then got tested and found out about high NK cells and has been on prednisolone for her 5-6 transfers since all of which resulted in BFN, even when one embryo was genetically tested and normal. A lady on the IVF thread I'm on also got pregnant first IVF but miscarried a few days later. She too has since been on prednisolone and despite many good quality day 5 embryos, not one further pregnancy. Always makes me dubious about whether this NK cell thing is real and if Prednisolone is actually hindering things-especially after another women on Mumsnet wrote that progesterones role is actually to surpress the NK cells anyway. I am lucky (if you can call it that!) because I am suffering secondary infertility so it gives me some reassurance that I don't have this issue unlike other women who I completely understand for considering it a possibility when an embryo fails to implant.

So is the Dr also organising ultrasound for endo if that is the official way to diagnose?

Yep, I appreciate that the jury is completely out on this but at the same time there are many success stories of women who try for years without results then discover they have high NK cells and fall pregnant. Even if they are treating it, ivf is still a numbers game. That's the annoying thing. No one time is guaranteed even if everything is text book. I am secondary infertility. That why it has come about. Apparently far more likely for you body to start producing then after first pregnancy to defend itself from your body after to go through pregnancy/childbirth again. Very odd concept! At the end of the day something must be up and I'm damned if I'm going to work it out myself. I'm at The Lister now in London so I feel like I need to put my faith in them.

From what I've read and been told by about 4 diff docs, is that endo can only be diagnosed once the doc actually inside you with camera thing and doing the scratch. Endo can't be da properly diagnosed by internal ultrasound because that only shows 2d results. Don't quite get that myself, because they can obviously see how thick lining is etc.
x

Hi ladies. Day 2 of Gonal F. Max dosages low egg res. Am waiting to grow two heads...

Feel very nervous about doing everything right and not messing up. Got husband injection me - need him to feel like he's part of the whole process.

As for endo, colleague of mine had two failed IVF and a mc until they discovered endo. Cleaned her out & fell pregnant naturally two months later.

I am just days behind you ranchgirl. I always love the support on here when I undergo an IVF cycle but then get disheartened as I read everyone elses follicles numbers as I too have low egg reserves.

So it's exciting that we will be cycling together and our comparing scans will not make us feel abnormal!

Today is CD23 and my cycles are anything from 24 to 27 days long so we shall see when I get started. Unless of course I get a miracle BFP this cycle. Mmm, 4 years of infertility, I know I am dreaming!

Ah fingers crossed Shellstar. I was 8 hours late from my clockwork cycle. The last week I almost went insane waiting for it to start. First time round and trying to not let my optimism get carried away. Need to stay real.

Fingers crossed

Ranch Wishing you all the best for having started your treatment. Must feel good to be doing something constructive towards it all. I doubt my DH would ever inject me so yours gets brownie points for that!

Shell I was cd5 for my scan, the doctor thought she could see 5-6 follicles on each side but said she would have to double check the scan pictures after. Slightly gutted as was hoping it to be higher to fall into the donor egg programme which requires 20 or more but at least there are some for us. Getting the AMH reading at my consultant's appointment Tuesday. I too hope for a miracle BFP as it's our last chance coming up before treatment. There is always hope.

Wow, ranchgirl, that really is a clockwork cycle. Mine always varies by a couple of days. Can't believe yours is timed down to the hour!

That's very generous of you non, wanting to help someone else suffering by donating your eggs. At least it sounds like a good amount for you to produce enough to get a few quality embryos for yourself. Where are you at in your cycle now before treatment next cycle? I am on day 25 and my period is anywhere from 24-27 days long but no period in sight yet. After my last embryo transfer, I had definite pregnant feeling from day 24 of my cycle before early miscarriage. So now that's my marker. I didn't get that feeling yesterday or today so I am just waiting for my period to show up so I can start treatment.