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!

Mrscrabtree that's great!!!! Really pleased for you!! Fingers crossed for ET and the rest of ur journey xx

Goodthings I've also got to take centrotide from Sunday but my clinic said I have to have the first one administered by them in case I react to it so I have an appointment on Sunday for them to do that. Then I have my scan to see how it's going on Monday. I have a day 7 scan because I have pcos so at risk of over stimulating BUT is it weird that I don't know if it's working or not?? I know I've only taken two injections but I don't have any side effects, well none that I'm noticing so does that mean it's not working? I'm terrified that they will say I'm out of the running on Monday as there won't be enough time to complete the cycle before Xmas.

Also I'm on merional which you have to drawer up the fluid mix it about etc so I understand how faffy it is!

Hi liberte, there is plenty of time for you to cycle before Christmas, my last cycle I stimmed I think for 12 days but I've read people doing it longer. Then it's only the trigger injection 36 hours before egg collection then transfer either 2,3 or 5 days later. Also last cycle I didn't feel any side effects until around day 10 so honestly don't worry. I'm worried I'm just feeling the cyst and will still be a slow responder xxx

Thanks Goodthings. What does it mean to be a slow responder? Is that what happened on ur first cycle? Xx

Slow responder is when (or I) didn't respond that well to stimms so on my first scan I only had a couple of follies, I was on the maximum dose so I continued for a few days more then got rescanned and a few more appeared so continued for few more days and ended up with a few good size ones so just took me a whole longer to get to where I should of been. No I managed to have 2 x 3 day transfer and 1 blast frozen but unfortunately the 2 I had put back didn't stick and AF turned up before OTD. Really hoping we all get a lovely Christmas present! Xxx

I see thank you for explaining. There is so much that goes into ivf that sometimes I feel my head is going to explode!!
Sorry about ur first cycle, hope this cycle is the one for you!! X

MrsCrabb - well done one your 8. That's great news!

goodthings - the centrocide needles were the ones I found really awkward and even broke in my efforts to get the tops off. The nurse then suggested loosening the top off the needle before attaching it to the syringe. The mixing sometimes takes a few swirls too, and once we broke up the powder a little with with the needle tip. Pressing on the injection site afterwards is also recommended to stop any localised reaction - and it did help with my small red patches.

libertie - like goodthings I didn't really feel anything from the injections until about day 9/10 - at which point I got some small twinges and had tender boobs. Hope that's reassured you somewhat.

AFM, am curled up on couch with hot water bottle. They got 8 eggs today, which they seemed pleased with given that two more little follies came up with the goods after all. They are hoping for day 3 or day 5 transfer depending on how tonight goes. I have all my fingers and toes crossed. Also went out like a light - according to the anaesthetist I'm somewhat of a lightweight!

That's great Lopi!! Fingers crossed for tomorrow!! Xx

Hi LoPI thanks for info, that's really helpful.

8 eggs is amazing, well done you and I'm glad it wasn't as bad as you were expecting and can get some rest now. Keeping everything crossed for lots of fertilised eggs, keep us posted when you get "the call"! Xxx

Nice one LoPI! Great news! Hope your tummy's not too bad and fingers crossed for tomorrow

Hope those tricky injections go better for the rest of you tomorrow. We need those womb windows to be invented asap to know what's going on in there.

Any tips for preparing for embryo transfer (all being well)? I'm still really sore from EC and I feel like it's not the best environment for it, is there anything i can do except rest? X

Great news LoPl! 8 is a good number. Well done. Hope the hot water bottle helped this evening.

Mrscrabtree when do you expect transfer to be? Good luck. Sorry you're still sore.

Did my first injection today. I can see objectively that it's not that bad. I just really hate stuff like that! DH did it thankfully and he seemed pretty calm.

Hey all, mixed emotions here. Just got the call. Out of 8, 6 were mature but only 2 fertilised. Was really hoping for more than this, and when the embryologist came on and said " I have good news for you" - of course, I assumed we had a good handful. Anyhow, I'm booked in for Sunday. Here's hoping these two embryos are the bees knees!

Hi LoPI that's still great news, don't be disheartened, 2 is still great and as I'm sure you keep reading, it only takes one.

Fingers crossed one/ both stick for you xxx

Well done LoPI, that's exciting you'll be PUPO on Sunday! I'm sure they're really good ones

AFM clinic called again today and we are down to 4 embryos as the other 4 seem to have arrested. Waiting to hear tomorrow morning whether transfer tomorrow or Monday.

Happy weekend everyone

Mrscrabtree that's brilliant they give you updates! 4 is still amazing, keep us posted and wishing you and LoPI lots of sticky embies .

Hope everyone else is getting on ok? Xxx

LoPl I can see why you would be disappointed just because you were expecting higher numbers but two is still great. Fingers crossed they are top quality!

mrscrabtree exciting transfer might be tomorrow!

Hi all. Gosh you are all getting on really well! LoPI and Mrscrabtree good luck for your ET. Very exciting! Welcome Lemon and Liberte. Good things hope everything still going well for you. Are you due another scan soon?

Hope you don't mind me lurking for news of you all. I am bleeding properly now so another early miscarriage. Have spoken to my clinic and will now start my cycle towards the end of January. Have to have one proper period first so I suppose it depends how long my body takes to recover from this. Hopefully not long. Have a planning appointment after Christmas. Having some plans is helping a bit but of course feel disappointed.

Just wanted to wish you all the best and hope to see some good news for you all soon xx

I'm so sorry to hear that Cityzen. Hope you're ok. Xx

Really sorry to hear that cityzen but planning ahead for next steps is a good idea and helped me through. My scan is Monday (day 10 of stimms) and really hoping I can have EC Wednesday or Friday as feeling rough!

LoPI and Mrscrabtree good luck for ET, let us know you both get on ok.

I hope everyone else is ok xxx

I'm sorry Cityzen, that's sad news. I hope you have some diverting weekend plans to look after yourself. Roll on January.

I'm now booked in for a Monday 5 day transfer so fingers crossed they make it that far.

Sorry to hear you're feeling rough Goodthings, hope you're looking after yourself too! And thinking of you all lemon, LoPI, liberte x

Hi ladies hope you are all well - as well as you can be

Cityzen So sorry to hear about that :( was this your first cycle? I know how it feels to miscarry so be good to yourself. Try and keep yourself busy and look to the next steps. This isn't the end!! Its just a hurdle you have to jump over xx

Lemon well done on the first injection! They are ok arent they?

Lopi - don't be disheartened about the numbers, as everyone says it only takes 1. When is ET for you?

MrsCrabtree eek ET on Monday?! Fingers crossed for you xx let us know how it goes. I don't know how accurate this is but wanted to share it with you guys, I did a lot fo research before I was going to start my cycle in October but then it got delayed and I read during that time that 1-2 slices of pineapple core for 5 days after ET is recommended. Do your own reading and come to your own conclusion but I don't think it can do any harm. I have been drinking milk while stimming and plan to do the pineapple thing too! Because I know if it fails my stupid brain will say oh well you should have had milk and pineapple then shouldn't you!!

Goodthings - I also have a scan on Monday, its day 7 scan. Sorry to hear your feeling rough, what side effects do you have? I actually don't have any, I don't know if I should be worried about this as I feel that if i don't have side effects then it means its not working!! The only thing with me is that when I inject into the right side it stings but no other side effects but maybe its too early. But again stupid brain sending me paranoid and crazy.

I also have an appointment tomorrow where the nurse will administer my first centrotide injection. Then monday for a scan to see whats happening, if anything.

Hi liberte, sounds like you're doing well , what are you on? I'm on gonal f this time (last time was bemfola and no side effects) but I've been feeling sick, got pains low down and awful backache and just completely drained, so different to last time so I just hope I'm producing the goods! Xxx

Goodthings I'm on merional 225 so a medium dose. The lowest is 75 and the highest is 400. I haven't had any major side effects at all! I guess I will find out on Monday if it's worked but the wait is killing me because I honestly think it's not working!! I am thinking because I have no side effects, it hasn't worked? You said you were on bemfola first time with no side effects, did you have any growing follies though?
It certainly sounds like you are producing the goods with side effects like that! Take care of yourself and remember its not for long and hopefully will be worth it!! xx

Last cycle I was in 450 (maximum) but was a slow responder so stimmed for a bit longer and ended up with 13 eggs, 6 fertilised, 2 x 3 day transfer and I blast frozen. Still on 450 but gonal f now so not sure if it's stronger or if I'm responding better or just getting side effects from this one, really hope something exciting is going on! What times your scan on Monday? I'm in at 10:30am xxx

Ah I see, well I guess I just have to wait until Monday to find out. I just can't help but stress about it and google does not help because not a lot of people go on merional. I might question this with the clinic.

I am in at 930 on Monday for scan and 930 tomorrow for the injection - better not forget it. xx

Google is the worst I'm staying away if I get to the 2ww!

Good luck for tomorrow's injection and we can share notes on Monday after scans! Xxx