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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.

FET Sept/Oct

996 replies

Lolly2803 · 02/09/2016 17:36

Hi ladies,
I am due to start an FET in Sept/Oct and wondered if anyone else was too?! Had my first cycle of IVF in August but due to fluid in my uterus and thin lining had to freeze everything. I seem to always have fluid mid cycle, including natural cycles. Very worried that it will always be a problem and will never get to use my embryos. Having a hysteroscopy the week after next to check incase anything in there but doc suspects not. Would be great to have a few buddies! xxx

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Bear2014 · 20/10/2016 15:19

Oh Mist, I'm so sorry. Flowers

Nothing any of us can say to make you feel any better of course, but thinking of you at this awful time.

It will get better and you will muster up the energy to try again, but in the meantime let it all out, have some wine and try to process xxx

Lolly2803 · 20/10/2016 15:35

Oh Mist I am so sorry. As Bear says there isn't anything we can say to make it better by we are thinking of you, it really is shit sometimes! I think you're right about the uncertainty. Although it's harder to hear black and white facts sometimes I think it helps bring clarity to our minds.
Have a rest, some wine and be nice to yourself. It's such a hard thing to go through but you'll soon feel strong enough to start again and plan for the next time. Thinking of you and we are here if you want to rant or talk. xxx

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AgainPlease · 20/10/2016 18:31

Oh Mist Flowers Flowers that really is shit and I'm so sorry. I've had a CP and it's all so confusing - you think once you get a BFP then that's it and everything will fall in to place. It's totally shit and I'm sorry life has been unfair to you today :(

AgainPlease · 22/10/2016 13:58

Mist, how are you holding up?

How is everyone else going? I have started my progesterone (cyclogest) this morning gearing up for FET on Wednesday. Scared and nervous doesn't begin to cover it..!

Bear2014 · 22/10/2016 16:43

Really hope you're ok Mist.

Again - whoop! That's so soon, you must be so excited.

I've got my endo scratch a week on Monday ahead of the next cycle. I'll basically try anything at this point Grin

Lolly2803 · 22/10/2016 17:01

Aw so exciting again!! Keeping everything crossable crossed for you!!
Bear I had the scratch for my IVF cycle. Didn't go to transfer of course but didn't know that at the time! It was fine. Bit crampy when they scratch but totally bearable and it's really quick so you'll be fine don't worry. Let us know how you get on!!

AFM I am still struggling with these bloody headaches. Going back to the clinic on Tues to see how my lining has responded over the past week. Expecting the fluid will be there but we are trying a Neupogen wash so let's see what that does to help! xxx

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AgainPlease · 23/10/2016 23:51

Is bananafish still on this thread? Just realised we were on IVF board from February together Grin old username was TinySalmon but changed it when I gave birth which ended in disaster and had to take myself off all the happy growing baby bumps threads..

bananafish81 · 24/10/2016 07:38

Hi ladies

Sorry I've been so rubbish, I've been reading all your posts and wanted to take time to write a proper reply

mist I'm so very sorry. Having just had a CP (determined wasn't viable by hCG levels at 5w), and having discovered no hb at a scan in my first pregnancy, I can honestly say that avoiding the scan was infinitely preferable and I'm glad you didn't have to go through that. Seeing the absolute stillness of the ultrasound with no hb will haunt me forever, and given my pregnancy this time wasn't viable, I am beyond grateful that my Dr does betas and we didn't have to wait to find out at the scan that there was an empty sac / no hb. Please be kind to yourself

Again waves!! Yep I'm here, quietly lurking. So pleased you're getting going again, not long now!

Lolly so glad your clinic have gone for the Neupogen wash - everything crossed that you don't have any bastard fluid and your lining is plumping up nicely

bear great news about the scratch and getting going again!

AFM nothing to report. The histology report from the hysteroscopy confirmed they had removed 'products of conception'. But endometrium all clean and polished when the cavity was assessed before the coil went in. Last cycloprogynova on Weds so anxiously waiting to see if I have a bleed (and the coil has worked) or I don't (and I'm basically stuffed)

Had a Skype consultation with a US Dr about surrogacy. Have set a limit of 2 more transfers before we call it a bust on my own body - that would be 4 chromosomally normal embryos that haven't become people, and so we'd have to accept I can't sustain a pregnancy, and that if my uterus isn't up to the job, our best chance of having a baby is to keep out remaining 3 euploid blasts and transfer into someone else's uterus. Desperately hoping it doesn't come to that...

Lolly2803 · 24/10/2016 09:29

Hey Banana! Welcome back. We've missed you! When are scheduled for a bleed do we know? I really hope you get the heaviest period ever and can get going again! That's great you have a plan for this cycle and beyond. I'm sure you and your amazing doctor will crack it though and you'll get there. God knows you bloody deserve it!!!

I'm off sick today. I thought the headaches were bad enough (assuming it's from the progynova) but I have a full blown cold now. Sore throat, temperature, bunged up etc. So am in bed. Going to the clinic tomorrow to see how my lining is doing! I'm nervous but also expecting the worst - this Neupogen wash is keeping my hopes alive! Thanks so much for sharing that study with me Banana. I really hope it works! Weirdly though this past few days I've had a lot of EWCM like I would get at ovulation but I'm only CD10 and I've had it for s few days. Is this a symptom of the meds?

How's everyone else doing?

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Bear2014 · 24/10/2016 09:40

Hi Lolly - Sorry about the headaches. It is probably the Progynova - it didn't make me feel too hot this last time either. Hope it passes soon. Really hope the pesky fluid stays away for you.

Banana - hi there, been thinking of you. Really hope this coil does the trick. I can't even imagine what you must be going through having to put a plan B in place, but it is definitely a sensible way to think and the worst thing would be to waste all your embryos and not get a baby. BUT you say your consultant is a very good guy; I'm sure if he thought you were a lost cause he would have been straight with you. You haven't exhausted your options yet.

A week today til my endo scratch. I'm focussing in these few weeks on losing a few pounds on the 5:2 diet which seems to be working well and is making me feel less hopeless in the waiting periods. My Mum dropped the bombshell last week that her and my Dad are willing to fund a 3-cycle package for us in the new year if this last FET doesn't work, which is amazing and definitely makes me feel less panicked that our chances are running out.

Hope everyone has a good day xx

AgainPlease · 24/10/2016 11:34

Wow Bear your parents are amazing! I remember talking to my mum when I was having fertility issues long before we started IVF and my mum just shrugged "it takes time" and "relax", followed by "why don't you just calm down?!" "I didn't know I was pregnant till about 10 weeks in with you" yadda yadda yadda...

Hi Banana! I think surrogacy is an excellent alternative route. It's something I've already researched too and the US seems to be the go-to place given they recently closed some sort of loophole in India and surrogacy laws in the UK are a complete joke. Take comfort in knowing that if you do find yourself in that position that surrogacy is tres en vogue at the moment thanks to numerous celebrities and no longer some wacky taboo.

There's definitely something in the air lolly. DH in bed with man-flu so I think there's something going around. Doesn't help the weather has turned horrible so suddenly. Lots of lemsip!❤Brew

Bear2014 · 24/10/2016 11:44

Again - I know. It's weird because they have always blown hot and cold with the whole thing. My mum was so unenthusiastic about being a grandparent, but has a really special bond with DD now. She also said some pretty insensitive things after my miscarriage along the 10 week lines as well (I was 10 weeks when it happened). I think it's mostly because she is an only child and hates it, so wants DD to have a sibling.

Lolly2803 · 24/10/2016 11:55

Bear that's lovely of your parents to do that! Perhaps she recognises she's been a bit insensitive and it's her way of supporting you. Either way it's very kind of them.

Again, it really sucks! Thought not as bad as man flu of course!! I'm in bed with a hot water bottle watching This Morning. Got the day off tomorrow as back to the clinic and have loads of holiday so thought I could just chill after. Most likely I'll be heading back to bed!
How are you feeling ahead of ET? Getting excited?!!
xxx

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bananafish81 · 24/10/2016 23:02

lolly so sorry you’re feeling unwell, hope you’re feeling better soon. Good luck with the scan tomorrow!! EWCM is an awesome sign - CM is produced in response to rising levels of oestrogen, which happens in response to a growing follicle in the run up to ovulation (to grow your lining), or if you’re taking loads of oestrogen pills to grow your lining in place of the natural oestrogen your body would produce. So that’s a vg sign indeed!

bear amazing news about your mum and the cycles - that’s wonderful news! I hope you don’t need them, but it’s great to know that you have a backup plan if need be

Nothing to report here, just spinning my wheels. Last pill of this HRT cycle on Weds so desperately hoping for a bleed this weekend. It’s tragic when the thing you want most for your birthday is to get a period. A heavy period would be like Xmas and birthday all in one!

Something is very wrong when you’re on HRT and contraception and desperate for a period in order to try and have a baby :(

We won’t be cycling any time soon - will be another HRT cycle before the coil comes out, then a dummy FET with endometrial biopsies. Absolute best case (which seems unlikely) would be to get these cycles over before Xmas and earliest we could cycle would be in the new year. But that’s best case. If we can’t get me to bleed, and / or can’t get me to respond in a dummy FET again, we certainly won’t be starting a treatment cycle

Surrogacy as an option is a very very very last resort. The thought that someone on the other side of the world would feel the first kick; that I wouldn’t be able to be at every scan, that it would be their body nurturing the baby; that even if our names were on the birth certificate, the UK wouldn’t recognise us as parents, and we would have to apply to the High Court to apply for a parental order and have a court recorder visit us to determine whether we would be fit parents to our own child; the fact that it would be a 6 figure sum on top of the ££££ we have already spent on IVF. Yet a crackhead can get knocked up for free, the NHS will pay for their antenatal, they can support their child on state benefits and social services will bend over backwards to keep the baby with its birth mother. Yet the couple who want nothing more to be good parents, and are going to the ends of the earth and back to try and have a baby, are the ones who will be £100,000 down and judged by the courts if they should be allowed to parent their own child. It breaks my heart.

again yep US is really the only viable option. UK is only really feasible if you have a friend or family member who will carry for you - my cousin has offered, but she has a complicated obstetric history and I could never live with myself if something happened to her because she was going through a pregnancy for us. As you say, UK surrogacy laws are a joke in any case! It may be en vogue, and I agree the celebs have made it less of a taboo - but I’d much rather be a boring run of the mill person who had their baby the normal way :(

My consultant doesn’t think we are a lost cause by any means, but he agrees it’s a possible outcome and it’s sensible to explore all our options. The more that goes wrong, the more likely it is that we will have exhausted all our other options.

Lolly2803 · 25/10/2016 08:22

Banana I had no idea surrogacy was so expensive or had laws such as those attached to it! It sounds like they are very outdated and quiet frankly an absolute joke!! As you say though you are by no means a loss cause and there are more options that you are exploring. It's good to know all your options but It sounds like that's very much a last resort in the distance. I am praying you get the mother of all periods this weekend. Keep us posted. How is the new job going? Are you enjoying it?

Woken up feeling crap still. All bunged up and feverish. Typical to get this during treatment eh?! Not looking forward to the journey into the clinic. Hope I don't sneeze or cough when I'm having my Neupogen wash!!!

How's everyone else doing? Again only one more sleep till ET!!! Eeeekkkk!!!! xxxx

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AgainPlease · 25/10/2016 10:08

Thanks Lolly. Only kind of excited this time around but I'm just glad the time has passed and we can finally do ET!! I remember testing almost everyday till my OTD last time and I had BFN even up till 2 days before OTD which caused me unnecessary stress so I'm going to try hold out this time but I know I don't have the willpower!

AgainPlease · 25/10/2016 11:39

Just got a call from the clinic. We are due ET at 2.20pm tomorrow. Hoping the little bean survives the thaw. Will update you all tomorrow xx

Bear2014 · 25/10/2016 11:54

All the best of luck Again! So exciting. Thaw rates are extremely high nowadays so sure it will be fine. Will be thinking of you! xx

Lolly2803 · 25/10/2016 12:31

Yes stay strong again! We'll be here for you during the wait. So excited for you!!

So I didn't have the Neupogen wash - Dr said it's too early. CD11 today and my lining is 5.9mm which shows it's thickening but it's slow to respond. (I was slow to respond to IVF Stims too). The fluid wasn't there though!!! I don't want to get too excited as I'm not quiet mid cycle yet but at this time before it's been there so I'm desperately hoping it stays away. They've upped my progynova and I'm back in on Monday for another scan and possible Neupogen wash. She also said after ET giving me steroid injections or something...anyone else had this?

Heading back to bed to hopefully sleep off this bloody cold! I want to have a lemsip or something but I'm scared incase it interferes with something! xxx

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bananafish81 · 25/10/2016 12:57

Again everything crossed!! I’ve had a total of 5 embryos thawed (4 frosties from cycle 2 thawed for PGS testing, and one frostie from cycle 3 thawed for FET) and every one of them survived the thaw. So have every confidence that your little frosticle will defrost and expand beautifully.

We'll be here for you cheering you on!!

lolly great news that there’s no fluid! In the studies when they did the Neupogen wash in fresh cycles they did it as a rescue treatment on the day of trigger and on EC day - although we did mine this cycle slightly earlier, it was to give the lining a final boost, so makes sense to wait a bit. I was concerned about doing it a bit earlier than the equivalent of trigger, whether it would affect receptivity & timing - my consultant said it was a good question but the mechanism of action was such that he was confident it wouldn’t affect the implantation window.

Steroids are normally tablets rather than injections - I took prednisolone from ET onwards The injections I did were extra progesterone (Lubion) and a blood thinner (Clexane).

Hope you feel better soon. Lemsip absolutely fine to take - I take super duper strong pain meds and Dr said fine to take all my meds up until transfer. After ET it was paracetamol (and for me OTC co-codamol) only. You can take cold meds etc now, it’s only post ET that you can’t take stuff like ibuprofen. I don’t know about the decongestant ingredient in lemsip - that’s def one to ask your Dr about. Rest up!!

I assume that the expected timings of the withdrawal bleed from this HRT cycle (if I get one) would be similar to the contraceptive pill - both are 21 days of pills then 7 days break, before beginning the next packet. My bleeds on the pill were like clockwork, starting within 3 days of finishing the packet - whether or not that will be the case with the cycloprogynova is another matter entirely! I’m seeing my consultant next Weds, which would be the day before I think I’m due to start the next packet, so he can confirm - as I’ll either have had a bleed by then, or I won’t!!

New role is keeping me busy and going well - and it’s nice to feel like a functional human being and not just a professional infertile saddled with unmanaged chronic pain. Who knew that taking an appropriate level of analgesia to get adequate pain control, then let you lead a pretty normal life?!!!

Lolly2803 · 25/10/2016 13:17

Thanks banana! You just reminded me she said about me having Clexane too so maybe that was the injection and the steroids were tablet form. Either way both are after ET - although every time she says ET I kind of switch off as I still can't believe we will actually get there! But so far things are alright! I've checked my calendar and on CD 11 in both my natural and IVF cycles the fluid was here so praying it stays gone!
She said she wouldn't do the Neupogen wash on the day of ET but maybe a day or a couple days before. All TBC.

Well that's good you're seeing him next week so you can discuss the plan regardless of whether you get a bleed or not. Really hoping you do of course!! How many packets or cycles of HRT are you trying? Was it 2?

Great the new job is going well. I think if you can enjoy it it really helps provide a good distraction. At least for a while anyway.

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Bear2014 · 25/10/2016 18:58

Banana - Glad your new job is going well and you've got your pain situation under control. You must feel like a new woman! Keep us updated on how you're getting on. In all probability we'll be cycling at the same time again in the new year.

Lolly - very promising that the fluid isn't there now. Fingers crossed it stays away for good and you can get this show on the road xx

AgainPlease · 25/10/2016 19:41

Lolly that's amazing news the fluid isn't there! You must be thrilled but I know you don't want to get your hopes up. Fingers crossed x

bananafish81 · 26/10/2016 12:31

Good luck today Again!

Lolly2803 · 26/10/2016 13:00

Again let us know how you get on! We'll be thinking of you xxx

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