Anyone starting IVF soon? Join me (3)

[purplemeggie]

Ha! I was just about to post the last message in the old thread linking to this, but I'm too late, we've already filled it up! I'll do the same as last time and send PMs to everyone who's been on the thread recently, but everyone's welcome

I'm chuckling about pimping your porridge! Actually, I quite like the raw egg shake, but I guess it's all down to taste.

Shellster - I'm actually surprisingly calm. It's almost a conscious decision not to get back on the rollercoaster because it leads to heartbreak. There's definitely a part of me that believes that this will work - otherwise really why bother - but I think that in many ways I've let go of the idea that it might work so it's not such a let-down if it doesn't. Definitely only a part though - I was with friends today who each have children from previous relationships, but they were discussing whether they should have one together. I found myself encouraging them and saying that all our friends' children are past the baby stage, so I'd like someone else to have one so that if our IVF is successful, we've got friends at a similar stage. Well, we'll know soon enough...

I'm finding myself trying to have the same mental attitude purple, knowing this is my last fresh cycle. I found a support group for parents of only kids and the thought of doing foster care for a child is re-entering my mind. Kind of like an alternative to getting my hopes up that this cycle will work. But of course I am doing the diet and hoping like hell that it does.

Somehow I like the idea of a natural cycle for your FET. I know your old clinic said the success rates are higher, but I guess like blue, I don't understand the point of down regging.

Yes blue, the things we do! So when did you say you start again? Have you started the DHEA yet? It's not available in Australia so I have to buy it online. Studies show that increases your AFC so I really hope you get your 10 (or more!) again.

TMI alert!!

I think maybe the reason that they downregulate you for a FET is because ewcm makes the suppositories slide out.

That is all.

Hi all. It has been lovely seeing how supportive you all are. After introducing myself, I went a bit quiet, even though I have been dipping in to see your news. There's been so much going on.

Purple and Shellster, I really get the PMA and reality battle. Keeping my everything crossed it works, and if not, there will still be little ones in our lives through adoption / fostering.

Hi Waiting Sounds like you made the right decision. Make sure you're good and strong to take on a passenger.

Blue I am really impressed with your royal connections and family yoga sessions. I can't imagine getting my dh to salute the sun without his trousers falling down.

I have been on the same schedule as Karou to the day almost (including the Netflix marathon-ing) . I hope it is all good news for you, and the ferret!
Sorry if I have missed anyone, i am darting up and down the page.

I went for my 1st scan today, and its not looking amazing. Despite being on 375 dose of GonalF, I have 3 largish and 2 small follies. That's it. Phluuuuuuuuuuugh.
My lining looks good so far, the nurse said, but on the whole, its not looking great. Her face said it all. When she came back in she was a bit more smiley and said, its not over. But it has been a bit of a blow. We are self funding, so this is our one and only and I'm 41 at the end of the year, so chances are its all about the egg quality. Low production usually = low quality.
My poor dh has been v quiet today - he took the day off to work from home, which wasn't the plan, so I am worried about him. I have asked him if he feels sad, and he said yes, but not much more. I think I'll have to wait for him to open up.
I'm feeling kind of numb. Its not over, it only takes one to work, but at the same time, maybe this isn't the way for us. Family friends managed a 1st time with only one egg last year, so I know it can happen. Maybe adoption is our story. Bah.
Looking forward to hearing some more good news from you all. That friing fairy needs to up her game. Ohh yes, Congratulations Cat

I'm sorry you've had a disappointing response, Bedouin. I had 5 with my first OE cycle and I was bitterly disappointed too, but they were all a good size, they all fertilised and they all made it to blastocyst stage, so all is not lost, and I'll keep everything crossed that they're good quality.

I haven't heard that theory for the down reg reason purple! I never have that trouble as I don't make any and I think that is another indication that my fertility is on the low side... but if I end up doing FET after this fresh cycle, I can't imagine my Dr telling me to down reg and me having the courage to respond with 'I prefer a natural FET - It's okay, my pessaries won't slip out' as my mucous stays sticky all cycle long!'

I'll say the fairy needs to up her game bedouin. I started this thread after my dismal IVF outcomes and when blue and purple joined in with disappointment after disappointment too, I was beginning to feel like I was a bad luck charm. Glad cat was able to prove me wrong. I too am a poor responder so I understand the disappointment and have walked out in tears from that first scan in cycles prior. I can't improve egg quantity, but have tried to stay positive and practical by reading up on egg quality and the study showing that eating a >25% protein,

Aw, Shellster - you're not a bad luck charm, we're just a bunch of ladies in a bad place. Chin up, lovely. This is our cycle x

Hi ladies,

Bedouin, I am sorry to hear about your first scan. I too am crossing everything for good quality eggs for you. I hope your DH is able to open up to you soon.

Feeling a little disappointed. Had our nurses appointment yesterday, it turns out they only do egg collection/transfers at certain times of the month so I will have to take medication to delay AF. When I initially notified the clinic that we wanted to do IVF in June I was told I'd need to come in for my first scan within a day or two of AF starting ie. by 2 June no mention of AF having to be delayed. Puts us back two weeks which isn't the end of the world by a long shot.

I wondered how you ladies deal with the uncertainty over dates and making plans. We had made sure not to make any concrete plans for June, DHs bro wanted to visit us on the weekend I thought transfer would take place so asked DH to put him off. He arranged for him to visit a few weeks later and turns out this is the weekend the transfer is now due to take place. His brother has already booked his flights and DH doesn't want to put him off again. I would like DH with me for the transfer and he wants to be there, this is going to be awkward if his brother is staying. And I had imagined us having some quality time together after transfer. Am I being ridiculous?

I fell off the healthy eating wagon on Saturday. Met my brother to watch football in the pub and good intentions to have still water went out the window and had a few shandys plus a burger and chips. Still, could have been worse I guess.

Blue, I pimp my porridge with crushed hazlenuts or almonds and then bring boiled eggs to work with me.
I always have quinoa for lunch with salad and chicken/prawns. I have recently discovered quinoa crisps which I have with houmous as a treat. I love crisps and actually prefer the quinoa ones.

I hope the next month passes quickly for you, Waiting. Definitely sounds like you've made the right call, even if it might be the most frustrating thing.

Sorry your number wasn't as high as you wanted, Bedouin - but, as I think has already been said on this thread; you only need one good one. So cheesy, but it does make sense. Don't lose hope.

You sound very zen, Purple - I know what you mean about encouraging your friends to have another. My best friend's due date is in 3 weeks, about the same time I reckon I'll be testing. The optomistic part of me is thinking that it'll be great if our babies are only 9 months apart. (The pessimist in me is just relieved I'll have something to distract me if it doesn't work out, but that's not in keeping with the PMA so we'll not think about it too much!)

AFM, after that moment's panic, I'm actually finding stabbing on the move to not be a problem at all. I have a little make up bag type thing which I put my sniffer and my pills in, and the gonal f pen fits in there perfectly, so I just pop it in there and dump the used needles in the sharps bin when I get home. So far I've jabbed at each of my parent's houses, and in a pub's beer garden.

I'm not really feeling any massive changes since starting stimms. A couple of little twinges in my ovaries, but nothing dramatic. My appetite's dropped a bit, and I swear I'm retaining all the extra water I'm drinking - I feel fat.

My first scan is at 7:20 tomorrow morning. Not sure what I did to upset the person making the schedule! So it's early to bed tonight as I'm not generally good at early mornings. I'll be back tomorrow, bleary-eyed with a post-scan update.

I'm still loitering in the hope that embryo fairy gets busy with her baby dust on this thread.

hi ladies, this is the second time ive come on this thread after introducing myself... and oh my is there alot of catching up to do! ive finished taking my humeria (NK cells) injections and waiting for blood test which is booked for next tuesday.

i previously started a IVF cycle with NHS but left half way (after EC) didnt make it to egg transfer as only 1 embryo made it through. my hormone levels were too high and they ended up freezing my embryo. i had to wait for my hormones to come down and then start on a 4-6 weeks on drugs to prepare my body for the transfer. so I decided to go private instead (thinking i will get quicker results) but too be honest it all just seems to be a longggg waiting game for everything! i suppose only time will tell if i made the right choice lol

any advice will be helpful on how i can increase my egg quantity and quality?

shelter you've mentioned about a protein vs carb diet... but how do you ensure you get the right balance?

Bed - sorry to hear your number wasnt as high as you hoped. this whole journey is a roller-coaster of mixed emotions.

Karou - good luck with your scan app

Thanks Cat - nice to know you're still out there, wishing us well. How are you feeling? I have to say I thought of "dildocam" and had to fight the giggles in my scan the other day. Thank you for that!!!

Yes, I do feel quite zen-like, Karou at the moment. Have to keep reminding myself that I'll be in Prague in two days' time, which feels very unreal at the moment. This cycle is a pretty light touch with the drugs, so life feels pretty even. We'll see if the calm continues....just wait...I'll turn into a crazy haridan in around 3 weeks' time!

I felt pretty normal on the stims, too - ovaries slightly tender towards the end, but nothing too dramatic. Make sure you keep your fluid intake really high and that shoudl stave off any side-effects that fancy coming your way.

Trixie - does your BIL know that you're doing IVF? I had to put off a couple of things last year, but luckily it was with friends who knew the reason and were very understanding. You definitely want DH there if possible - no, I don't think you're being ridiculous at all.

Sorry your NHS cycle was disappointing, Aussie. So are you just keeping your frostie on the back burner for now? I've been eating high protein low carb too, but I'm far less scientific about it than Shellster, so I'll leave her to fill you in there. Most of us here are taking DHEA, CQ10 (anything up to 600mg), Vit D (5000 iu). There's mixed feelings about milk during stims on here, but I drank 1 litre of milk (I was a big fan of sticking a vanilla pod in overnight so it tasted of icecream) and 2 litres of water every day.

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate the kind words and advice.

Blue, yes you are right - it only takes one, and I have given that fairy a bit of a pep talk. I hope your scan has gone well, and you are on course. You are doing well "stabbing on the move"

Shellster I am so sorry you have had such a run of it, and really admire your strength and pro-activity. You are a stronger person than I. I saw a diagram which showed a visual of the number of eggs & quality eggs in a 41 vs 28 yrs old. They made an analogy of dipping a ladle in to the mix, and getting more & better quality eggs when younger. I am definitely upping the fish in my diet for the next week. I have been fitness pal-ing, to lose weight, so flicking back through my weeks % protein / carb / fats, it looks like that is what i have been doing. Yay! That has made me happy. Making myself a bigger ladle.

Trixie don't worry about a blip, probably better for you to have fun once in a while. Mmmmmm hazelnuts in porridge!!! Why didn't I think of that? I'm trying to cut out sugar as much as possible, so flavour is so important. Have you tried overnight oats? Packing mine with blueberries/ blackberries / banana instead of honey.

Thanks Cat pocketing a little of that dust x

Aussie thank you too. I definitely had a day on the downward slope, but starting that climb again today. Hoping Friday is more fun. Try logging your food on fitness pal, and it will break it down in to % to give you an idea.

Purple that is really encouraging, thank you! Ha ha I had a chuckle about dildocam too on Monday, but nurse was so stern (think thinner Hattie Jakes with her "face" on), I had to save it until she left. I'm liking the vanilla milk - might put that in my fruity hazelnut porridge! Things are really moving along eh? If you don't mind me asking, how did you decide on your clinic? Was it an easy choice, and what swung it? Its going to go really fast I'm sure.

I was also not feeling much so far, but this evening been almost PMMessy. Headache, quiet and moody, teary and slight tenderness around my ovaries and knackered. Drinking plenty of water, getting foot rubs from dh and really appreciating this thread. So much going on beside all of this, it has been a right couple of days. Better day tomorrow. Sweet dreams all.

Karou - looking forward to your update after your scan.

aussie, as bedouin says, I enter my food into a website and it gives me my carb, fat and protein percentages. Or at least I used to until I got an idea of what I needed to eat and now I just wing it.

bedouin, I hope this diet gives you a bigger ladle. I like that analogy! Must be reassuring to know you've already been within the percentages as per the IVF study. Sorry to hear you've had a rough couple of days. I'm not sure what's better - being busy and stressed, or relaxed and at home but having IVF and all the associated 'what ifs" constantly on your mind. When's your next scan?

Purple, can't wait to hear that your embryos have arrived safely back inside you! And looking forward to crazy purple coming out of the closet so I can reassure myself that your zen state is not normal and that I am normal for already being crazy shellster when my cycle is only just starting!

Morning all, jumping in.

Been for my first scan today on first ICSI cycle. On max 450 Gonal F and follicles are pretty low. Only one normal size on each size plus two or three tiny ones that need to catch up. Feeling really deflated but trying to remain positive. I guess I only need one right?

Any top tips to get them going? They're getting a pep talk from me & DH tonight. Next scan Friday morning.

Hi ranch, welcome! Definitely think positive - that seems to be becoming the motto of this thread.

I'm posting quickly; have just got into the office and am off training shortly, but didn't want to leave you guys hanging.

My early morning date with the dildocam has revealed that my ovaries are responding as hoped - they might be covered in cysts but they're little egg machines. I've got 17 follicles on my left ovary, and at least 6 on my right (it was a bit hazy, so she sort of stopped counting once we'd got over 20.) Most look to be between 9 and 13mm, with a 6 and a 16 making up the outliers. I'm pretty chuffed with that - If I stick at 23 follicles then that will end up as 11 eggs for my recipient and 12 for me. I'm to continue on the same dose of gonal f (112.5) and twice daily sniffs of the Synarel and will be back in on Friday for a second scan. That second scan will be when we sort out what day next week we arrange the egg retrieval. Holy crap... That came around way quicker than I expected!

Oh, for goodness sake, Bedouin - as if these things aren't bad enough without stern nurses! Where do they get off?! I say we need to take our laughs where we can get them on this particular rollercoaster.
*
How did I decide on my clinic? When I was having treatment in the UK, I was referred to a local consultant for investigations and when things escalated to needing IVF, we stuck with him because he was lovely and the clinic had good stats. When it came to choosing a clinic in CZ it was a bit more difficult. I did some research based on prices and packages and found Arleta which had a guarantee that if you didn't have enough embryos left over to freeze after your fresh cycle, they would give you a second fresh cycle for the price of a frozen one. Their stats were good and I read some positive reviews from patients - even the ones who were unsuccessful felt that they had received really good quality of care. And it's not just the medical side - the clinic coordinator is fantastic - he picks us up at the airport, organises all the accommodation and transfers. There's a two-hour drive to the clinic and it could be really awkward and uncomfortable spending four hours in the car with a near stranger, but he's a really interesting guy and conversation is very easy.

Almonds are good in porridge, too - I read somewhere that they have a weight-management property, just to make them even more appealing .

Trixie - conscious that none of us commented on your clinic adjusting your cycle so that your EC fits in with its timetable. Seems a bit odd to me: I've not heard of this in a fresh cycle. Are you on a long protocol? If so (and therefore you're down-regulating first) I can't see that it would make much difference, but otherwise, I don't think I'd be particularly happy about it. Because I'm using donor eggs, I had to synch my cycle with the donor's cycle this time and my body didn't appreciate the time-shift at all - they had to delay my AF and I had spotting from the day that AF would have arrived in a "normal" cycle.

Be careful what you wish for, Shellster! I'm imagining crazy purple with crazy purple hair to match, shouting like a harpy....joking aside, I'm wondering if the zen-ness is perhaps more than a little resignation...I am definitely finding some acceptance of our situation now. It won't, now, be our very last attempt, as we'll have one lone frostie left in the freezer after this, but I think that if we need to go back for that one, it will feel like a very long shot indeed.

Ranch - lots and lots of water at this stage - my UK clinic said that the fluid inside the follicles gets replenished by osmosis and keeping flushing it through is essential for egg quality. And my clinic always recommended a litre of milk per day too. Good luck (and welcome )

Hi Purple, 2 more sleeps to go! Exciting stuff.

Hello everyone else. Horrendously busy at work this week so just wanted to say hi and goodbye. Shellster you certainly are NOT a bad luck charm, you are my IVF guru - I've told you this numerous times!

Oh and Karou, well done on the scan! Great result, I can only dream of that many follicles!

Thanks all. Guzzling the water now & telling my tummy tales of the little follicle that grew into a big juicy healthy follicle. Whatever helps!

Best of luck to everyone

Another question: I know DH & I aren't supposed to DTD unprotected so what's the deal? Do you? Don't you? Shouldn't he be a few days fresh for EC day?

Oh what a difference a day makes. Feeling much less numb and blah today. I think a busy day and lovely walk home along the canal in the afternoon sunshine worked its magic.

shellster I have my second scan on Friday to see what the troops are doing. Keeping everything crossed.

Welcome ranch. I feel you, I had a similar result on Monday with a high dose, but he ladies have been really supportive and there is some great advice on here. With every post I am like "well why didn't I know that already?". About the other, I think it depends on how you are feeling. As this is my first cycle, I am simply guessing, but you may be a little uncomfortable by then, so go with the moment.

Karou that is a fantastic result! It is such a generous thing you are doing. It is going fast isn't it?

Thanks for sharing Purple it sounds like you have found a really fantastic clinic. I have had a lot of dealings with surgeons (not cosmetic), and there is a lot to be said for liking the person who is going to be 'working' on you. Financially this is our one and only shot, but if it doesn't work, i just don't know how we will react. I might end up looking further afield. Oh and thanks for the almond tip. I am so focussed on the calories, it is good to hear other benefits.

Early night for me. Feeling a little achy in the barracks, so i am guessing something must be happening in there.

Hi everyone I haven't been well the last few days so need to have a read and a catch up.... My stomach ulcer has been playing up so I've been completely out of action.
Still waiting for AF so no news on the feet as yet and I really need my ulcer sorted out ASAP as I'm worried this level of pain and stress will affect things

Will post later or tomorrow once I've managed to catch up on how everyone is!

Ranch - re DTD - DH was advised to ahem, keep things moving regularly up until 2 days before EC and then to abstain. I love the image of you telling stories to your follicles .

Glad you're having a better day Bedouin

Woo hoo Karou (I enjoyed typing that - amazing results.

Hello Blue hope your week improves x

Hope you feel better soon, Waiting - talk about through the mill...

SO....I'm off to Prague tomorrow afternoon. Really should go to bed and get an early night - bit late for that already - but can't seem to help myself waiting up for DH to come home from his late shifts. Tsk.

I am glad you are mentally allowing your mind to accept purple to give you some peace. I guess it's a bit different for me who doesn't mentally feel ready to accept, but the negative bank balance is forcing me to. But logically, you are in with a great chance with your two perfect embryos that made it all the way to day 5 and your lining of optimal thickness. Really hoping that this more natural FET as opposed to a medicated cycle is the difference.

Wow karou, you are an egg producing machine. I don't think I've had that many eggs from all my cycles put together!

Bedouin, I'll check in again tomorrow and see how you're getting on after your scan. Hopefully these 5 are at least growing well to give you some reassurance. I am not far behind you so I it's nice to have a fellow poor responder to cycle alongside.

Glad your busy at work blue. Some thing we should work less and relax but I find being busy much better than sitting at home counting the hours until your IVF cycle starts.