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 think the last few days seem to drag the most Non. Do whatever you need to do to keep sane while you wait out the weekend!

Sounds like things have worked out well purple. And glad the IVF saga hasn't left you that broke that you're able to afford a holiday and able to take some time out. I got a 2 year interest free credit card to fund my last two IVF's so my next few months of working will be to pay that back - no holiday for me. But it would be more depressing if I was paying it back now with nothing to show for it so of course, I am not complaining.

Hope AF arrives luci. Typical, usually we're desperately hoping it doesn't show up, but the one time we want it to, it's late!

First day of AF today so hopefully can start treatment this cycle. I am waiting for a call back from the clinic with suitable dates to go in for training! I have just re-read the information they gave me last week and now instead of being nervous I'm petrified! It's not just the injections or the GA, it's also the side effects and what happens if it doesn't work and well, it's just about everything. It's only just hit me what a big deal this is.

The wine certainly does help Purple I am pretty much back on the healthy wagon now though great that you've got an appointment for Monday.

Lucie good news re the NHS, I think we get one go but we have to confirm that we have ended treatment with our clinic before we can have anything done on the NHS. Do you usually get pre AF symptoms?

I've just e-mailed Serum about the hidden infections testing. Part of me is trying to just relax and accept that for whatever reason it didn't work this time and be positive about our FET but the other part wants to try and exclude everything possible. My next AF is due on 8th August and I would be looking to start the FET mid Sept. How long was it between sending off the sample and getting the results Lucie/ Purple?

I've also made a GP appointment and am going to ask for testing for coeliac disease as I have heard that you can have this without symptoms (and I do actually have mild IBS and wonder if I have been misdiagnosed) and it can affect fertility as nutrients don't get absorbed properly.

It is very overwhelming Newforest but don't be scared. I was very nervous about the injections but after the first one it is fine. I found that I was looking forward to doing them as it was one step closer. I was lucky in that my only side effects were tiredness and bloating and I made sure that I took it easy during treatment. I also had a few reflexology appointments which kept me relaxed. There are plenty of us here to hand hold

Trixie, I sometimes get little bit of spotting the day before af arrives and also some cramping. I can normally tell when it's on it's way. I'm wonder if the antibiotics for hidden infections made a difference as I have read of people saying it transformed their cycles. It was about 2 weeks between sending the sample off and getting the results. The results part is pretty quick but it too about 10 days for my sample to get there in normal mail.

Thanks Lucie, I was worried about getting the results when we are halfway through our frozen cycle and finding there was a problem...

The only problem is trixie if they find a hidden infection you would need to be able to take 25 days of antibiotics before starting treatment again. Will you be able to fit that in?

Lucie/Trixie - Serum told me I don't have to have finished the antibiotics before starting to down-reg, it can overlap. Personally, Trixie, I wish I'd thought to do this a long time ago....if it works, it might have saved us a lot of money. Personally, I'd do this and at least you'll eliminate a possible cause. And if they come back clear, you know you'll have nothing to worry about.

Newforest - I had a complete melt-down the night before I started injecting on my first cycle. I am a bit of a hippy and I only tried IVF because DH really wanted to give it a go...it just seemed so anathema to me. We have a DS (now 7), conceived without any difficulty, and I turned into a bit of a harridan on pregnancy hormones. I convinced that IVF hormones would make me a witch on steroids, that it make DS miserable, that I would drive DH away and that it probably wouldn't work anyway.

That was 18 months ago and although it has not been a success, and has cost us a small fortune, I can put my hand on my heart and say that none of my fears came to pass. In fact, I absolutely bloody love down-regging: for me, the first time took away the terrible PMT I'd been suffering for years and made me far calmer - don't know how much this was the buserelin and how much it was about taking control of a situation that had been making me miserable. But whatever it was, the PMT hasn't returned and I genuinely feel happier than before I started, in spite of the very real grief each time a cycle has failed. And far from driving a wedge between me and DH, it has actually brought us much closer. We have had a common purpose, something that mattered deeply to both of us, a shared sadness, but decisions to make together. This meant that we discussed how we each felt about our situation and the next step, and we have come to understand, respect and love each other more as a result. Hope this helps. And we're hear to listen and (hopefully) be able to reassure you, because we've all been through this before.

Shellster - I know - we're very, very lucky. We have some very lovely friends with a holiday cottage near the sea. For the last couple of years, they have invited us to join them there for a week in August. I shall be earning my keep by refurbishing a chair for them .

How are you doing, Non?

Purple, yes they told me the same but that it would need to be finished before egg collection and transfer. I feel the same its something I just wanted to do to rule out any possible problems. As it came back positive I am definitely glad I did it. Hopefully it will make some difference.

We'd be looking at transfer the first week in October I think so I should have time Lucie. Any sign of AF today?

No still nothing so far Its so annoying as found a really good deal on a flight if it would come today!

Hi Purple, I'm still hanging on, currently 10dp5dt, cd30, OTD on Monday. AF normally arrives on cd28 but who knows when it will arrive with all the drugs. Getting too scared to POAS!

I totally understand being too scared to POAS Non. At least no blood is a good sign! Have you been given a home test for OTD or do you have to have a blood test?

Mmm, sounds like I have to make friends with people who own holiday houses too then purple so I can have a cheap holiday while I repay this IVF debt! Hubby's bothers wifes' parents own a place and we went up there a few weeks ago. It was more difficult than enjoyable because they both don't work and are pregnant with their fourth child while regularly asking us for money to fund their family. Trying to let go of the resentment now and tell myself I have to put DS first and allow him to enjoy his childhood with his cousins - but it's soooo hard!

You can let go now Shellster and enjoy DS' childhood because you're growing a lovely little playmate for him

Thinking of you Non. The last few days are awful. Personally, I always wanted to POAS because if it's good news you obviously want to know ASAP and stop the mind fuckery and if it's not good news, I always wanted to know in the privacy of my own home and get the wailing out the way before I had to deal with the world. And you can get used to it in stages because there's always the slim chance that it's just too early a and it will be better news in a day or two x

Just realised that it's OTD fire you anyway Non so I've got everything crossed for you x

Good luck today Non, really hope it is good news for you.

good luck Non

Thanks for your all of your support Purple Trixie Bessie and Shell

I can't believe I'm actually typing this after 25 months of waiting but I've finally got my first ever BFP!!!!!!!

Can't believe it actually worked! We're both in a surreal state of shock at the moment. I had a suspicion I maybe pregnant after AF didn't show as normally bang on 28 days plus have had a lot of symptoms. I actually got up early yesterday, POAS in secret, got a line, went back to husband and said "Happy 7 year wedding anniversary, you're going to be a daddy!"

My clinic said they don't do beta blood tests as normal so will await my 7 week scan on 20th August. Kind of relieved as could do without stressing over the figures/results.

I really wish the best for you all in your treatments. I too as well as Shell really think the high protein diet helped with my egg quality so would highly recommend it. Will still be around to see how you all do.

Congratulations Non, brilliant news and what an amazing anniversary present!!

Wow, congratulations Non! Hope you have a wonderful pregnancy!

I have a question about normal IVF vs ICSI. DH's SA came back and the clinic was pleased with it: good count (40 million), normal motility. Just a bit low on "normal forms" (3% rather than the 4% they look for). At the moment we are booked to have ICSI, but the clinic said it would all depend on the quality of the sample on the day.

Is this usual for a clinic to upsell ICSI? Do we really need it?

Thanks, and congrats again to non!

Woo hoo Non I'm doing my BFP dance! Great news.

Pip with my first cycle we were touch and go for ICSI so we were charged for ICSI and then on the day they said DH's SA was good enough for IVF so they refined the difference. If the sperm are good enough for IVF I'd push for that. ICSI can cause the eggs to break up (didn't that happen in over of your cycles Shellster?) abs I was told that fertilisation rates are about the same with both methods.

Thanks Purplemeggie - I think my preference is for normal IVF if at all possible - still allows for an element of "chance", IYSWIM?

Congratulations Non!

Thank you all for your congratulations, really means a lot x