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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.

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PotatoesPastaAndBread · 14/02/2016 18:47

Happy valentines day everyone!

meh I'm sorry, it sounds like his comment was mean, even though he now regrets it. There's physical health and mental health, and sometimes something good in one area can harm another - eating something nice can make you feel happy and relaxed while focussing on eating "well" can make you feel stressed and guilty. Who's to say which of those options is better or worse? I hope you're feeling a bit better. Try not to be hard on yourself. As kiwi says, it's not like it's all on you, this is a shared problem.

kiwi I reckon you should play up the high maintenance scenario. If that's the excuse he's picked then go ahead and max out on bad behaviour!

bip liquorice all sorts for dessert? Well jel. I had fried potatoes and baked beans for brekkie. Yum. When I first got my drugs I realised I hadn't paid attention to any instructions but then I found a nifty sheet the clinic had given me earlier with day by day names and dosage. Could it be lurking in your paperwork? Failing that call them. You're paying enough. They should be round every night administering them for you and tucking you up in bed! Scan is this week, thank you for asking, on Tuesday. I'm calling it heartbeat-or-heartbreak day. Feeling reasonably positive, but with a feeling of dread in the back of my mind about how far there is to fall if embie's not there. A lady in my team had a miscarriage this week and it has been so very, very sad for her. She obvs doesn't know I'm pg and I'm really conscious of the timing of this pregnancy for her if things go well for me. Trying to be Sensitive Boss.

Laura your update is so lovely to hear. Life and friends outside of infertility AND a treatment plan that you're feeling good about and that is on track! Long may that continue.

PotatoesPastaAndBread · 14/02/2016 18:48

Ooooh massive cross post, sorry. That's what happens when you type bloody slowly on a phone. Will just catch up and see if I've said anything tactless...

PotatoesPastaAndBread · 14/02/2016 18:55

pebbles good luck for tomorrow, will be thinking of you. What a lovely gesture from your dh.

fractious I'm so sorry to hear that things didn't pick up. What a shitty, long, painful and expensive process to go through just to learn more about what is wrong. I did long protocol I'm afraid. I hope there is someone here who can help.

meh best of luck for EC. Thinking of you too.

BipBippadotta · 14/02/2016 20:25

Oh fractious I'm really sorry. Must be utterly devastating. I hope you and DH are as ok as can be.

My AMH and FSH are okish (16 & 8) and I don't have PCOS and I'll be doing antagonist protocol (a kind of short protocol). I'll let you know how it goes. They're going to try to deliberately overstimulate me then trigger with buserelin to guard against OHSS.

Never done IVF before so don't have anything to compare it to, but they seemed keen to do it this way off the bat, prob as they need as many eggs as poss for PGS. They also said at my clinic that they do short protocol by default.

So there's a lot happening this week. I'll be thinking of all of you. potatoes I've got everything crossed you see a heartbeat. That's a really difficult situation with the woman in our team. Eek. I guess you'll have a whole to think about how to broach it, and you'll have a hell of a lot of experience & insight about what to say & how to support her.

loopylou1984 · 15/02/2016 08:27

Hi all, I'm home! And I seem to have brought the snow back with me Confused

Will catch up properly later this morning! Xx

Pebbles086 · 15/02/2016 09:26

Well the title of our thread is very fitting. Been here since 7:30, absolutely dieing for a hot drink. Not going for my procedure till about 11ish! Got my sexy gown and dvt socks on. Also had a stern word with the consultant, reminded him to leave my ovaries alone and had to sign another consent form as we've agreed he can clip them if he thinks that's best and may not remove one of them at all. I just really hope to be going home this evening. I am in a bay with other woman. Girl to my left has a uti but is pregnant, girl to my right is query an ectopic. I heard this through the curtain so they will know why I am here. No privacy at all!!! I am now wondering why I didn't bring my kindle or some magazines.
bip sorry I thought you had done IVF before. Hope you have figured out the drug dosages. Is your DH going to do the injections for you?
Welcome home sammy hope you enjoyed it!
oh no fract really sorry to see it didn't work out. You must be feeling all sorts, not just bitter. I hope the reason it didn't work can now be used as a good plan for the next time. Hope you find some good info on the short protocol, would you be doing a whole fresh cycle or do you have frozen eggs from your first go? I am sorry if I've asked stupid questions, I've had no treatment so not that clued up.
I'll have every thing crossed for your scan tomorrow potatoes really hope it's heartbeat day.
meh please let us know how EC goes. Good luck.
All have a cuppa and a cake for me today please, i cannot wait to eat and drink! I am so dramatic, it's only been a few hours!

InThisTogether · 15/02/2016 09:38

I feel bad for posting such a trivial thing when poor Pebbles in rocking her sexy gown but wondered if anyone could give me a bit of advice.

Got my appointment for the gynacologist through for Clomid - she did in fact lie - not a 2 month appointment but 4 months instead- have tried to rearrange, waiting for a callback. Last time I went to GP about this was about 18months when they referred me to Gynacology and they took it from there. As an impulse decision (and in desparation) I phoned my GP and magically I actually got an appointment for this evening. Not even sure why I got the appoinment to be honest - just had no joy with the gynacologist (see earlier "Stay Positive!" post) and I hoped GP could magically help me - I'm aiming to get her to try me on Metformin - so I need some advice. I don't think I can officially get her to prescribe it for PCOS so do I need to say I suspect diabetes? Or should I just be honest?

Hoping she can go through some of my gynae results with me, discuss PCOS / diet (I can't live on Lighterlife forever - it's bloody expensive!) and maybe some advice on how to stop feeling like such a desparate moon-baying-loon. Oh and of course some imaginary conception pills that'll instadiff me within 12 hours. No doubt I'll come away from it feeling more disheartened and miserable but really don't know what else to do.

Any ideas about how I can access some help from the GP-end of things, or is it too arse-about-tit doing it this way round?
Any suggestions?

kiwiblue · 15/02/2016 10:26

Good luck Pebbles - hope it all goes well. I'll definitely have a hot drink for you and here's one for you for later Brew

Meh and potatoes fingers crossed for you both. Thinking of you this week!

fractious I'm really sorry to hear that. I have no advice I'm afraid but just wanted to say I hope you're doing as OK as possible and DH is looking after you.

Welcome back sammy!

in this I'm not an expert but seems worth talking to your GP if possible. Ours has actually been some help in pushing things along but more because an administration lady at the clinic has taken a personal interest in us cos DH charmed her she has been through it herself.

Thanks everyone for the advice re last night. Bip you really made me lol with the swinging comment!!! If it sounds less weird DH and boss are good friends and it was to do something together not go to theirs... But I see your point! Good news is DH was unwell so we cancelled Grin

Bip any progress on box of drugs?

icy how are you doing? I miss your funny updates!

Thinking of everyone today. Huge sloppy glittery turd fest for all.

BipBippadotta · 15/02/2016 15:57

pebbles really hoping it went well today.

No wiser re: box of drugs. I have approx 30 more syringes than I think I should need Confused. Hoping someone will explain on Weds when I go in.

InThis no tips re: GP - but I hope they're helpful and you come away feeling it's been a constructive visit. So much depends on the individual GP / surgery / your relationship with them.

Quick & daft question for people who've IVFed. I've got my baseline scan Weds. I'm likely to be bleeding very heavily when I go in. Does anyone have any tips for how to make this any less awful than it seems destined to be?

loopylou1984 · 15/02/2016 17:02

Bip - re the needles. I had tonnes more than I needed! I think it's in case you don't respond well and end up stunning for longer. The same amount are probably given to everyone regardless of amh/ predicted response.

When I've been for baseline before they've always said 'if you have a tampon in go and remove it now' so a) I think they're used to it, and b) by taking it out last minute you should minimise bleeding issues. What cd will Wednesday be? Xx

loopylou1984 · 15/02/2016 17:02
  • stimming not stunning!
TammySwanson · 15/02/2016 17:27

inthis> Have you been officially diagnosed with PCOS? I had a scan which showed signs of PCOS so I got a (hospital) prescription for it but in the end only used it a few times before ironidiffing (which turned out to be blighted ovum.) I went to my GP about a year later and waved the hospital prescription about and explained it and she gave me metformin on repeat straight away, without even looking at my notes. If you play up the PCOS (and the fact you need to lose weight, although metformin is not officially used for that) then hopefully it will be ok. No point in talking about diabetes as they will only test you further (blood test, glucose, etc) before anything happens and if you don't have it then you won't get a prescription.

btw, my last scan about 6 months ago showed no cysts indicating PCOS (I haven't had bloods, etc to confirm anything so my still have it) so it is worth pursuing if possible. The other option, if you can't get a prescription, is inositol which you can buy on Amazon. I take this too but tbh I have no idea if it does anything for the PCOS. I should add that my PCOS is quite mild - my periods are regular and all signs point to normal ovulation.

PotatoesPastaAndBread · 15/02/2016 18:35

Hey bip I had epi pen things for the drugs with separate needle tips. Every pen containef four doses and came with TWENTY needle tips! So yes, loads more than needed.

I have clearly forgotten the whole process already because now you say it I remember - the drugs came and I had no clue, then they explained in person. That must have been at the down reg scan. They explained very clearly though.

I wasn't bleeding so can't help you there.

Wish you all the best for it bip. First hurdle.

Fractiousfractions · 15/02/2016 20:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BipBippadotta · 16/02/2016 07:11

Thanks for your scan advice, everyone.

Meh good luck with EC and potatoes I hope you're feeling OK and I've got everything crossed that things go well at your can today.

PotatoesPastaAndBread · 16/02/2016 07:58

Thanks bip

How was the op pebbles? How's your recovery? Have you been able to eat cake yet???

Fractiousfractions · 16/02/2016 08:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pebbles086 · 16/02/2016 10:19

Hey ladies, I am absolutely fine!! Was home by 6pm last night. Even had a shower and repainted my nails Grin DH got me loads of magazines and treats, so I indulged last night.
IVF is now my only option. But after two years of no joy, I am totally fine with it.
Got my appointment with the IVF Dr on Tuesday, I am not expecting to start as I suspect he'll won't be to heal for a few months. When it happens I'll be ready to start. I am hardly in any pain today and the surgeon used the scars from my belly button and the left side from my lap and dye. He was very gentle compared to who ever done my lap and dye, felt like I'd been run over after that and was so bloated! My bloating is not bad at all Smile Feel like I could go out but I should be sensible and rest and enjoy being off work relaxing, but I've always been bad at keeping still!
bip when's dildo cam? I've had one during AF it was fine. Like the others say, keep the plug in until you get undressed. They've seen it all before.
Got meh and potatoes in my thoughts today. Hoping for great news for both of you.
Hello to everyone else and thank you for your well wishes. It's really nice to have people to talk to. I haven't told any of my friends about what I am going through or my family. So you ladies have been wonderful. Xxx

Fractiousfractions · 16/02/2016 11:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pinkheels · 16/02/2016 12:42

Delurking to say good luck to meh and potatoes.

Love this thread- it's made me laugh when I've wanted to sob Flowers

Pebbles086 · 16/02/2016 12:58

fractious I may still be a little high from all the drugs Confused I have a very close work colleague who has unexplained infertility. We have been a real help to each other. I am happy to keep most things to myself, couldn't be arsed with other people worrying about me. Would rather get on with it and forget about it! How are you?
pink don't be a lurker! Come join the fun. We throw shitty dog glitter at each other and mock smug idiots who tell us to 'relax' or 'get drunk' blah blah blah

MehMehM3h · 16/02/2016 13:11

Thanks ladies! I'm ok, still a little delicate but better than earlier! The drugs are excellent Grin

They got 7 eggs...am being strange and a little disappointed. Not sure why! Really worried about the fact that hubby had to provide 2 samples and I don't think either was great Sad, trying to forget about it all until tomorrow.

God this is all very hard isn't it?!

PotatoesPastaAndBread · 16/02/2016 14:25

Today was my scan. Sadly there is no baby in the pregnancy sac so no heartbeat. I really appreciate all your support in recent weeks. I'm sorry I can't blaze a trail of hope for you.

SesameSparkle · 16/02/2016 14:40

Hi have to delurk myself to say to potatoes I'm so so sorry! Sad Flowers My thoughts are with you both.

tigerdog · 16/02/2016 15:06

I'm so sorry potatotes, it's so bloody unfair. Look after yourself.