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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

The mind numbing boredom of infertility

999 replies

icy121 · 14/09/2015 20:16

Two years. Month in, month out, and no change. I'm finding a huge part of this whole nightmare is trying to cope with the boredom. I bore myself incessantly googling variations of the same question, staying up late at night to the glow of an iPad, reading more and more obscure medical research abstracts. Asking my doctor friend if I can borrow her password so I can see whether the BMJ has any updates from last week. It's fucking monotonous. Nowhere else in my life have I had to strive so hard to get absolutely nowhere.

I don't talk to friends about it, they don't want to hear it and frankly I've cried too many times when it's come up for them to have any sympathy left. They're bored. So we just ignore and and plod on, except I'm not bloody plodding on. I'm wallowing side to side and achieving absolutely fuck all. And secretly dreading the fact they're all getting married and their babies will be on the horizon. I'm going to lose my friends.

I decided not to put my life on hold, got a new job in a small firm, booking holidays but it all feels very empty because what I'm really doing is waiting. And it's so fucking tedious.

OP posts:
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BipBippadotta · 26/01/2016 08:43

Hey Potatoes - wow!!

Sure you know this already but keep taking the progesterone pessaries.

Have they offered to give you blood tests (they can tell whether it's a chemical, and can get a good sense of whether it might be ectopic, with a few blood tests a couple of days apart to see if/by how much HCG levels are rising)?

(Don't mean to shout patronising advice at you but you never know what clinics will have thought to tell people, or to offer.)

I've got everything crossed for you!!

Re: empathy - I'm a dour motherfucker at the best of times Wink, so can confidently say I've never tried to cheer anyone up. But I can think of all sorts of instances when I was younger when I didn't know what to say and so said nothing. Was never very good at giving hugs either. I think I'm improving at that .

Wishing you the absolute best of luck.

Lauraqc · 26/01/2016 08:52

Eeeeeek Potatoes eeeeeek!

SesameSparkle · 26/01/2016 14:19

potatoes that's one hell of a mind fuck. Fingers crossed it's a late implanter and it goes the right way for you. How many days post 5 day transfer are you? It would be nice if your fc did an hcg test or two to rule out ectopic Confused. I was referred to the epu by my fc last year for slow rising hcg, but luckily it resolved by itself in the end - I even got a follow up letter from my consultant saying good news you mc'd!. Anyway I've got everything crossed for you!

Fractiousfractions · 26/01/2016 14:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kiwiblue · 26/01/2016 15:23

Wow potatoes that is crazy!! I have everything crossed for you here too....

Laura I'll be interested in hearing about the Czech clinic as that's something I'm considering too.

Hope everyone's doing OK. I've struggled a bit in the last couple of days, just feel like I have nothing to look forward to this year ... Hopefully once I know when my appointment is I'll feel like there is a plan, not just endless limbo and lack of progress.

kiwiblue · 26/01/2016 15:25

Fractious I love that line, bad enough being infertile without having to pick up work of preggos Grin

karlafox · 26/01/2016 16:36

Just checking in to say Hi to all the newbies.
potatoes all the luck in the world to you right now.

I'm waiting patiently for my period to start since IUI last week. I can't stop symptom spotting. Sat at work today so engrossed in how my cervix feel heavy?? And put off going to the toilet incase I see blood, I completely unintentionally ignored my colleague pooring her heart out about her husbands possible redundancy.
I did feel like getting my own back for all the moronic comments I get. So was tempted to say 'relax, it might never happen' or 'well I had a friend who's husband didn't lose his job so you never know' or 'think positive thoughts, redundancy might be a good thing.. Think of all those lie-ins' hehe.
But I didn't, I just went off to the loo, had a pee, closed my eyes and wiped!.. Small victories Smile

Pebbles086 · 26/01/2016 16:51

potatoes no way!! Your mind must be exhausted from all this. Hope it's good news. Just threw some glittery shit your way for good luck.
karla wouldn't it be lovely to say that stuff to people. It annoys me the way woman have to be so secretive about infertility, but other common issues people deal with don't seem to be an uncomfortable topic. I have no space in my head to listen to other people's problems.
Fractious glad you didn't cave to the silly colleague. Maybe next time you see her ask her if she needs a back rub or maybe a foot massage! Wink or tell her to get on with her pregnancy without involving you.
kiwi once your first appointment is out the way, hopefully you'll have a great plan and things get moving.
I am similar just waiting for my op next month then IVF consultation soon after.
I know I'll have to heal after it, but can you ladies who done IVF remember what the typical tests are before you get started? Confused
Xx

tigerdog · 26/01/2016 17:53

Bloody hell potatoes! I would say (from experience) that it a chemical is more likely to show up early and then fade away, rather than show up late. I had nice strong line and 1-2 weeks on a digital at 12-13dpo equivalent and then they faded away over the next few days. What a head fuck! Blood test would certainly give some indication, I'd be pushing for one but I'm totally inpatient and would be climbing the walls! Fingers crossed for you at any rate.

fractious how are you getting on with your cycle at BWH?

laura great that you've got a plan in place.

karla I love the way you describe the intensity of the symptom spotting and obsessing - I totally get it. Sometimes I feel like I'm disappearing into myself completely, listening for every little twinge and sign.

pebbles I think they'll want to do some test on the tubes - hsg or similar, plus maybe additional bloods like AMH and also an ORT scan looking at ovaries.

I've just picked up a massive bag of drugs, been to and fro to the FC twice today. Once with a pot of Jizz in my handbag! They sprung a test for bacteria on us and DP wasn't able to get to the clinic himself so I had to cart it around, joy!

icy121 · 26/01/2016 18:45

Christ Potatoes I've not read this since I was drunk. So had all the FOR FUCKSSAKE CUNTING BOLLOCKS IVF ARSEHOLE and now I'm just smiling. Keeping everything crossed for you.

"Chin up" - ha fuck her. I'd block her email address. Who needs friends like that. Chin her.

I don't talk to anyone about it, I'm barely thinking about it. Keep having sex dreams about a fairly gross colleague. Focus on work and feel sad. Might ask the doc to put me on the SSRIs again. They make me tired as fuck but I'm shattered most the time anyway.

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PotatoesPastaAndBread · 26/01/2016 19:51

Thanks for the advice guys. My first ever bfp. I have no idea about blood tests, hcg tests for chemical pgs and ectopics so thank you for the info. I have stocked up on expensive clear blue tests and will take them tomorrow and thursday (properly obsessed now) ahead of clinic test on friday, and then ask clinic for proper answers / tests on the other stuff.

Personally I think they just fucked up on the day. They told me to test 11 days post transfer. My friend say she tested 13 days after which is one reason I tested again.

For the person who asked, tiger I think, I don't know how dpo works when it's ivf but I am 19 days post egg collection and 14 days post embryo transfer so you would think a test would be right by now.

karla I am the same with the wiping (eyes closed and/or checking for blood). I am thinking of you as you wait for your IUI result. I'm sure ther's enough dog shit for two.

Well done to everyone fending off the preggos who want you to do their work, the insensitive friends, ridiculous neighbours and nosy relatives. Keep it up. bip I feel the same about hugs so I'll return yours in a slightly uncomfortable manner without making eye contact.

Of course I joined the Berries two days ago and I may now have to fess up to the fastest instadiff ever. Just waiting for the final verdict on friday... Blush

Pebbles086 · 26/01/2016 19:55

Oh icy you sound totally fed up Hun. It's fucking shit!! Don't go too far away and come on to rant if it helps. Flowers
Thanks tiger well I won't be needing the HSG as I am having my tube removed before I start IVF Grin. We already had some tests at the FC. My AMH is in the 90s, DH sperm ok. Had STI tests and testosterone I think Hmm so hoping I haven't got too many hoops to jump through. Good luck with all the drugs. Hope the sample didn't spill in your handbag! Oh the things we are going through!
Xx

loopylou1984 · 26/01/2016 20:00

Potatoes, I had to test at 13 days p5dt too, I think you're right. They messed up. Xx

loopylou1984 · 27/01/2016 06:37

I had a dream last night that I got baby bombed by a colleague who isn't even back from mat leave yet. Even in my dream all I wanted to do was come and rant to you guys! Lol. Xx

icy121 · 27/01/2016 15:38

Yet again I'm thankful that most of my colleagues are men. The other women are mainly child-free - mostly older with no kids or a 23 year old secretary. My male colleagues bang on about their kids all the fucking time but it's easier than looking at growing bellies.

Calling doc now for an appointment, feel I need a medicinal crutch to get through. Thanks pebbles - just fucking sick of it all. Want to mentally shut down for a bit. I've taken antidepressants for anxiety in the past. They make me yawn like crazy and I got horrid heartburn but the bland mental state is appealing.

potatoes feeling pleased for you. I was having a pee earlier and I suddenly thought about your positive piss sticks. So good to hear something positive about IVF. Know it's early days, but so far I think you're the only success story on the board? Tell a lie, manatee is pregnant I think but hasn't been on here for a while :-)

Pregnant barrens! who would have thought it.

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karlafox · 27/01/2016 16:06

icy sorry to hear your feeling shit. Not surprising under the circumstances. Hope popping a few pills help to perk you up a bit.

I got home today and have received the paperwork from the private clinic saying 'thank you for choosing us' I figure the hospital has already written to them so assume they have no hope of the cycle of IUI working that they did last week!

BipBippadotta · 28/01/2016 09:17

Hey Icy. Sometimes there's nothing for it but meds. My DH was on them, but had to stop as they cause DNA fragmentation in sperm. So basically ever since the first mc after the stillbirth I've had an extra depressed, anxious DH on my hands. Plus he can't drink or have hot baths, poor fucker. It's not great for morale, knowing he will live in enforced anxiety until we have a living baby or finally give up the fight.

I'm feeling pretty hollow at the moment. It's hard not to feel a bit worthless when you're not a pretty young thing anymore, but you're also not a smug bosomy earth mother or a dynamic professional with a flourishing career. Just feel like a bit of a mid-life, second-career nothing with crow's feet and desiccated ovaries. It's all got on top of me a bit today.

Maybe I'll get myself on some head pills as well - was on them a few years back and I'd totally forgotten about the constant yawning till you mentioned it Icy.

Karla good luck re: IUI result (when will you know?) - and also good in a way that the private clinic is on it and has been in touch. Belt & braces & all that.

tiger good luck with your bag of drugs!

icy121 · 28/01/2016 11:52

Bip I used to feel I was about to dislocate my jaw I was doing such deep yawns. Sorry everything is getting on top of you - it's just so unfathomably shitty. I hate it all. Watched silent witness on iplayer last night, and on the one hand like the "Nicky" character but on the other I know Emilia Fox has a daughter IRL and that annoyed me.

Irrational shit I can't admit to!

Karla errr yeh thanks for that, clinic! But better to get appointments you can cancel if when you ironidiff...?!

Got a call from the clinic today. Going to the Victoria Wing Nuffield in Woking. Start up consultation in a fortnight. Not sure why we need it - it's with the consultant I've been seeing for over a year who's already had a dig around my abdomen, puncturing ovaries and zapping endo. Surely he's up to speed on the situation?! Just send me directions in an email and a private prescription pls!

So I've cancelled gp appt as rocking up yawning my face off 2 weeks into citalopram won't be helpful I don't think. At least I have an excuse to definitely stay off the booze now. As someone with definite potential to be proper alkie, I'm pleased (and kind of proud of self) to have kicked daily drinking habit/desire.

OP posts:
kiwiblue · 28/01/2016 13:41

Icy and Bip sorry you're feeling crap. Bip sorry to hear DH can't be on medication, that's a tough situation for you both. If it's any consolation I think you sound fantastic!!

Karla good luck, I suppose at least it is a sort of backup appointment booked in.

I'm feeling a bit better today as I got my referral appointment at the hospital fertility clinic. It's in March so not too far away. As we've had all the tests before in another region, we're pushing to get things done quickly so we can finally move things along. We have asked to have our SA and bloods done before the appointment and our GP has said we can do that. It helps a lot just having a next step in the diary!

Hope everyone has an OK day today :)

loopylou1984 · 28/01/2016 17:42

Cd1. Again. Bored now.

glittergremlin · 28/01/2016 19:39

Hope everyone's ok.

Anybody got any advice on how to comfort other halves? My DH pretty much broke down last night, floods of tears etc. Said it was the first time it properly hit him as before then he'd mostly been worrying about me having to have operations rather than the not being able to have children thing. To make it worse the poor sod is currently working in obstetrics and spending his days on the labour ward, assisting at c-sections and in antenatal clinic.

Every time I try to say something to him I start crying and he switches back into making sure I'm ok mode which makes me worry he's bottling up his feelings again?!

BipBippadotta · 29/01/2016 12:43

Oh Glitter. No advice for you really except to say in a way it's good that it's feeling like a shared sadness for you both and that you are looking after each other. Sometimes it's not so much a matter of bottling up feelings as letting yourself go with it when the sadness hits & then letting yourself enjoy the times it's giving you a rest. It comes in waves. My DH and I often end up taking it in turns to be sad - it just ends up that way somehow. The looking after the other person is a part of dealing productively with our sadness. So let him look after you too & you can cry together. Just letting him know you love him & are there is going to be a great comfort to him. What a cruel irony that he's working in essentially a baby factory though. No wonder he's overwhelmed. Hugs to you both. He sounds like a lovely man, and you're a really caring partner.

Seems like it's all go for people, treatment-wise. Onwards and upwards. Just had my hysteroscopy which was all clear, so stims start in 3 weeks. Yikes..

glittergremlin · 29/01/2016 13:15

Thanks Bip - we booked a trip away this weekend to get away from everything. Unfortunately we still haven't set off as he's still at the hospital - they needed an extra pair of hands for a c-section - feels like if there is a god he or she's got a sick sense of humour!

Hope you're feeling ok after the hysteroscopy.

Biscuitsforbribes · 29/01/2016 16:28

Haven't kept up with this this week sorry all! The weight of living like this is all a bit much at the moment. Plus I've been taking progesterone so I'm mostly operating at a psychopathically hormonal level!

Promise to catch up Smile

karlafox · 29/01/2016 18:43

glitter hope you managed to get away!

Question: has anyone heard of low Vit D and infertility being related? I had mine checked yesterday..