IVF Cycle buddies November/December

[Cityzen74]

I'm due to start the Short Protocol when AF arrives next week and I wondered whether anyone else was in the same situation and would like to join me? I'm pretty nervous about everything so would love to offer some support to others in the same situation and get some advice and support as well. You don't have to be on the Short Protocol of course - any other protocols welcome too!

To introduce myself am 41, been ttc for over 2.5 years and in that time had at least 1 chemical pregnancy and a miscarriage at 6 weeks. We get one chance on the NHS where we live and don't know if we'll be able to afford another go if this doesn't work so am feeling the pressure!

Thanks guys. Am nervous because I've never had a medical procedure with any kind of sedation before but hoping it'll be ok and that they can get to my left ovary. It's at 11. Fingers crossed.

Sorry you're not feeling great Goodthings. Could the pains be a good sign something's going on in there? I am hoping so for you! Hope you're getting good rest too.

LoPI good luck with your trigger tonight! Exciting!

Cityzen sounds encouraging...? Keep us updated x

Hello there can I join please?
I was on the Oct/Nov thread because I was due to start at the end of Oct but things got complicated...
Just to give a bit of intro..
Been TTC for 4 years, PCOS, & underactive thyroid diagnosed in first tests. First scan showed a fibroid. They tried to remove via laproscopy but couldn't as it was too big. Then MRI scan, 3 months of zoladex to shrink it and then major surgery to remove it. 1 year to recover, picked up anaemia with that.
8 months on clomid, one early miscarriage.. depression....then finally got referred for IVF.
Tests done again, another fibroid - apparently nothing to worry about so proceeded with rest of tests. DH sample showed borderline morphology so was suggested we had ICSI.
Was due to start October, scan before starting however showed cyst on ovary! Clinic unwilling to start without it disappearing so was put on microgynon and scanned every 2 weeks. Last scan was on Friday, was told it had gone so ready to start. Came off pill, AF came today. Called clinic and taking first injection of merional 225 tonight!!
Feel anxious and scared out my wits.
Watched a few videos re injection and feeling ok about it. Still scared though.
Any advice from you ladies is greatly appreciated and would love to be part of your journeys so best of luck to you all :)
Didn't get a date re EC as I forgot to ask, does anyone have an idea of when it would be if I start injections today?
Also, AF is relatively light, is this because its a withdrawal bleed? Should I be worried - will this effect the treatment/lining at all?

Sorry for blabbing!!!! xx

Hi liberte, welcome! Firstly sorry to hear about everything you've been through previously it doesn't sound easy to say the least!

This is my second cycle (first was only a couple of months ago), they put me on the pill for 21 days to make sure AF came before cut off before Christmas. It did come but was very light which worries me, also on my scan it showed a cyst had appeared but it wasn't producing hormones so I started injecting on Saturday evening so I'm only a couple of days ahead of you, I've got my next scan on Monday 5th which will be day 10, but I was s slow responder on previous cycle so had to stim for slightly longer but I'm hoping to go for EC by the end of next week. Injections are fine, think it's just a bit daunting to begin with. I hope it's not as bad as you expect, wishing you lots of luck, keep us posted xxx

Welcome liberte sorry to hear of your rough road. Very excited for you that you're finally starting injections. I'm sure you'll be doing them like a pro within a couple of days. Don't know about EC date for you, depends on your protocol - best just call them tomorrow. And I also had a v light bleed last time after coming off the pill prior to this cycle - I was worried too and asked the clinic who said it's normal following the pill and not to worry, they reassured me at my scan that the lining looked fine.

There's so much to worry about isn't there! Sometimes I think my head might explode. Good luck with the injections and keep us updated x

Thanks for your reply Goodthings may I ask, how long did AF last for you? Also did you mention it being light to your nurse? I can't imagine it being a major issue however I am sure you know its normal to stress about everything down to trying to keep my belly warm! Haha mad!

I am going to do my injection in 10 minutes, I set a time for 9:30 every night. May I ask re your first cycle? Sorry I haven't read through all of the posts. It is good that you were able to do your second quite soon after though. xx

Aww thanks MrsCrabtree much appreciated. I am glad I am not the only one with the lighter bleed. Will keep you updated eek xx

Liberte, how did first injection go?

On my first cycle I stimmed for 12 days, my left ovary didn't respond at all. I think the Cassie I had around 7 follies but collected 13 eggs, 6 fertilised. I had 2 x 3 day transfer and I blast frozen but unfortunately AF showed few days before OTD so hoping for more luck this time.

I did explain that my AF was light but they weren't concerned at all (although I still worry about it) and said liking was thin.

Not sure if you've seen/read but on my last cycle where I was a slow responder I read (probably an old wives tale) but to put a hot water bottle on tummy and drink milk which did make follies grow but could just be coincidental but every night I had hot water bottle after injection now!

Mrscrabtree, I hope you're feeling ok, I'll be thinking of you this morning and hoping for lots of juicy eggs xxx

Good luck Mrscrab - thinking of you. Let us know how it goes. (I'm getting nervous now so any insights would be good)
Welcome Libertie - we've met on the other thread. Sorry it has been a tough road for you - but yay for getting started on injections this week. Very happy you are able to join our little group of Nov-Decembers.
Goodthings - how are the aches?

I'm quite tender now - twinges, boobs v. heavy that kind of thing. Also hilariously emotional....

Does anyone exercise through this process? I do pilates and jog 5k during the week, and then try to fit in something else at the weekend. Finding it increasingly difficult to jog though (not helped by cold weather), went for a swim last week instead. Wondering what other exercise might be good going forward...

Hello, could I join? I am about to start my first IVF cycle. TTC 3.5 years. We're doing mild IVF and start injections tomorrow, which I'm a bit nervous about as I am not the most coordinated of people and also a wimp with needles! But at the same time just can't wait to get going.

How are you all feeling about your cycles? Are you approaching it thinking it will work or fail? I can't decide whether hope is a good thing or dangerous as it will be so much harder if it doesn't work.

Hi LoPI, as for exercise I can't help as embarrassing as it is, I don't do anything other than around 5 miles a day of walking to/from stations to get to/from work!

Honestly last cycle I was petrified and couldn't stop shaking but it really wasn't bad at all, I was most scared about the needle in hand for sedation drugs and I explained how terrified I was and the nurses were so good I didn't even realise it was in and then the next thing I knew I was coming round in my little ward/room with OH! It's around 20 mins start to finish so please try to worry as little as possible although I know it's easier said than done!

Welcome LemonDrizzler and congratulations on starting injections tomorrow. After a few I'm sure you'll be fine but again it's easier to say once you know what to expect. Are you doing a short cycle? Last cycle I tried to remain positive (with a few emotional breakdowns), this cycle I'm facing it still with positivity but a little caution to try and protect myself if this doesn't work out.

AFM my aches are still there, yesterday I clearly couldn't count! So I've done 4 injections and can really feel a dull achey/cramping feeling which I don't know whether to worry about or think of it as a good thing that something is happening! Trying to remain calm and hope for a good outcome at scan on Monday!

Mrscrabtree be sure to let us know how you get on, thinking of you xxx

Hi guys!
Goodthings - re your first cycle, is it normal for the left ovary not to respond? What did the clinic say about that? Sorry about your first cycle not working, hopefully this time will be your time xx
Re milk and hot water bottle - I am down for that!

Hi again Lopi ! Hope your well and your cycle is going ok. When are you going in for EC? Re exercise I can't help, I read that gentle exercise is ok but you should stay away from anything too intensive? Not too sure how accurate that is sorry.

Welcome Lemon good luck for your injections! Re how I am feeling. Well I change on a daily basis. Sometimes I am full of positivity and other times I am negative nancy as my husband calls me. I think the hardest thing is to remain realistic when this is something we have wanted for so long. Its hard to be positive and also hard not to be negative after all the struggles so I guess you just have to be good to yourself and ride through it.

AFM I took my first injection last night. Panicked a bit because I dropped a few drops. I am on merional - don't know if anyone else is? Do you think this would have made a difference? I was winding myself up about stabbing myself, in the end just did it and it was fine! Anyone would think I am an expert now. My husband said I looked like a junkie ha! I think he was more stressed than me. He hates needles but I said you have to watch because you have it easy so you need to see what I am going through! I am a mean wife in case you haven't realised yet haha

Afterwards I had a bit of stinging, is this normal? Also does it matter where you put it? I just grabbed a bit of skin on the right side and stabbed it in but should it be lower down or by my bellybutton? I am just getting paranoid thinking it will effect it somehow.

Also to let you guys know - I am also doing acupuncture twice a week, is anyone else? I had it done while I was on clomid and it did help to regulate my periods. I thought I would continue it because it does help me relax and from what I have read there seems to be evidence to support it assisting IVF in a positive way.

I am also on pregnacare pre conception, folic acid and iron tablets due to anaemia. Trying to drink loads of water but I am bad at this. Reduced caffeine and keeping diet relatively healthy but not stopping myself from having a treat if I want.

MrsCrabtree Hope everything goes well, thinking of you too xx

Hi liberte, glad first injection went well!

I am also doing acupuncture and have been for around a month now (twice a week) as heard good things so thought I'd give it a try and hope it helps a bit although I don't find it relaxing at all! I'm going to continue for this cycle but if this cycle fails I doubt I'd do it again or continue it as I really don't like it!

As for the small spillage I doubt that will make too much difference and I just pinch skin anywhere around the middle usually to right side as I find it easier than left. I'm on gonal f (last cycle was bemfola) xxx

Hi LemonDrizzler - welcome, and great that you are starting your cycle. I'm approaching the whole thing with cautious optimism (same as goodthings). I did ask the Dr should I be hopeful and she said yes, so that eased my fears somewhat (I'm a natural worrier). I think I wound myself up about the injections a little at first, but they have actually been fine. It's more the emotion of going through it, especially last night with the Trigger shot.

Thanks for the insight re EC goodthings - that's really reassured me! The twinges seems to be signs that something is going on - which is surely a good thing. (and 5 miles walking is pretty impressive. I did walk round the park yesterday - maybe I'll just go slow but up the mileage).

Libertie - great that the first injection is done, and you are properly on your way. I'm sure a couple of drops is fine. I wasn't on memorial so I don;t know about stinging, but I did get small reaction to centricide. Think the main thing with area is to inject around the fat tissue of your belly - mine have tended to be right and left of belly button. Good on you making him watch. I've made my OH prep the injections. He did inject one, but it bruised badly - so this is our new arrangement!

EC tomorrow mid morning. I've been given a pain relief suppository to be "administered" when I wake up. Oh the glamour!

Hi everyone and welcome lemondrizzler. Thanks for your messages, they really mean a lot and I'm finding it really helpful having you guys to go through this with. Just got back from EC - feeling woozy and very tender tum but otherwise ok and the nausea has passed. The canula was unpleasant and I do remember feeling some pain during it but it was manageable because you're so out of it. The nerves were the worst part but the staff were nice and I'd be more confident next time. Anyway am v pleased as we got 12 eggs. Fingers crossed for the call tomorrow about fertilisation.

Got to get off for an acupuncture session shortly - been having once a week liberte and now today and twice on transfer day if we make it that far. Not loving it but hoping it will help.

Exercise has taken a back seat for me... Weekly yoga up until last week and walking but no running or anything. Have just felt too bloated and I'm not a massive exerciser anyway so don't take your cues from me!

As for being positive or not liberte - I think like all of you I am swinging back and forth. I'm trying to be open to various possibilities of what might happen and be kind to myself about however I happen to be feeling and not trying to force myself to feel a different way. Half the time I'm crying and feeling awful and negative and hopeless and half the time I'm thinking of baby names. It's a massive headf*!

Thinking of you all and excited for you tomorrow LoPI xx

Bless you Mrscrabtree be good to urself today and have lots of rest xx

And thank you Goodthings and Lopi, it's nice to hear from you all because this journey can be so lonely sometimes I feel I'm the only infertile person. Xx

Mrs Crabtree, 12 eggs is brilliant , well done you, let's hope your eggs and OH sperm get friendly over the next 24 hours, looking forward to hearing how many fertilise. Rest up this afternoon and look after yourself xxx

Wow 12 eggs MrsCrabb - brilliant. And thanks for reassuring words. I actually cancelled my acupuncture session tomorrow, as I didn't want to be rushing back for it. Hope it calms your body after EC though. I will have to get OH to give me a massage or something instead....

Cautious optimism sounds like a good plan. I will try not to get carried away but not be too pessimistic either.

We are doing mild IVF which I think is the same as short but not sure. It is just stimming, no down regging. DH is going to do the injections for me. I initially didn't think I would want him to but I think I would like to close my eyes and pretend it isn't happening!

Good luck with EC tomorrow LoPI. Hope all goes well.

I have not quite got round to trying acupuncture (in 3.5 years!) Would you recommend it Goodthings and Liberte?

12 eggs is amazing Mrscrabtree! Hope you can take it easy tonight and good luck for the call tomorrow.

I would definitely recommend it Lemon. You should do more research into it but I did and found a lot of good things about it. Apparently there has been studies to show its support during ivf. I'm not saying that without it people don't get pregnant because they obviously do but I don't see the harm in it. My acupuncturist is a fertility specialist so if u do go for it definitely find someone who knows what they r talking about. The ivf Acupuncture is different to normal Acupuncture in the sense that its all on ur back and legs and is done twice a week and is also timed with EC and ET. That's my view on it anyway, there are obviously people who think a lot different to this so u have to do what's right for you.

I'm also doing short protocol and started injections last night xx

Good luck today LoPI, will be thinking of you.

Mrscrabtree fingers crossed for "the call" today and hope you have lots that have fertilised.

Liberte and lemon I hope injections are going well? I start my cetrotide injection this morning and I'm scared I'm going to mess the mixing up! Xxx

Morning, fertilisation update - 8 out of 12 fertilised!! Am over the moon. Obviously need to wait now to see how they develop but I'm really happy with that. Makes up for the pain I'm still in from EC

LoPI GOOD LUCK for your EC, have everything crossed for you. Let us know how you are later.

Goodthings how did your cetrotide go?

How are you feeling lemon and liberte? X

Mrscrabtree that is amazing, well done! So are you having a 3 or 5 day transfer? Sorry to hear you're in pain.

LoPI how you getting on?

Well had a palaver with the cetrotide injection as couldn't get the needles on properly, then the powder didn't dissolve properly then couldn't see if there was air in the plunger so squirted some out but got it done, just dreading tomorrow's one now! Xxx