December/January 17 cycle buddies

[HelloMist]

Is anybody else about to start a cycle?

I start down regging on boxing day! I could use some company.

[HelloMist]

How was day 10 scan, Duffy? That sounds optimistic, good news that response is better this time round!

My baseline was also fine thanks Zippy. I've got a cyst on one ovary but the nurse was unconcerned, said it's small and they can come and go. Hope she wasn't downplaying it. Will start stims tonight - bit nervous!

Hi pinkmomma :) what an amazing gift indeed. It's also nice that you already have it in the open in your family (even if you choose not to discuss details). Will you talk to a close friend or two for support too? If things seem overwhelming now (I felt the same at the start of my first cycle), be reassured that the process does become clearer as you go along. Just ask your clinic or us/MN if something's bothering you. Best to clear it up rather than worry even if it seems a silly question.

Trying to think of other advice... your partner or DH will probably find it difficult but in a different way. He may not know how to support you or how to express what he's feeling. Mine gets a bit fed up of me talking a lot about possible situations or how it's going. It's stressful. I don't really have magic solutions but at least if you see it coming it might help! And try to take things step by step. I know you need to think of the bigger picture as well but it helps me to get through each bit and see that as progress. :) Thinking about outcomes or what can go wrong too much (and googling it) can be a bad idea for me.

I use apps and a paper chart to remind me about injections and tick them off. You'll find things that work for you! Good luck :)

[spinduffy]

There is a lot more action happening on here now!

I had my day 8 scan on Wednesday and had 4-5 follicles around 10mm on each side and my oestrogen was 2000. On my first cycle, I only had 1 or 2 and my oestrogen was 800, so I have responded much better to gonal f.

Day 10 scan today and we will see where we go next!

Good luck to everyone who is just starting out- it does fly by x

[pinkmomma]

Hey
Room for one more?

This is my first MN post (although I've been lurking for years) as I start my first IVF cycle.

I have a 6yr old daughter, who was conceived naturally, she took a while to come along but nowhere near as long as her long awaited sibling is taking!

We've been trying for 5 years, and I was starting to lose the plot a bit - when my grandmother offered to pay for a round of IVF, which is pretty much the greatest present anyone has ever given me!

I phoned in my day 1 yesterday to the clinic and apparently the drug company will be in touch soon to organise delivery.
I feel completely unprepared for IVF - I honestly never thought it would come to this.

I'd welcome any advice - the whole process terrifies me

xx

[Zippybear]

How was your baseline scan hello? I had mine today also, all was ok so I've started stims. Very glad the down reg stage is over!

Good luck for EC tomorrow spread!

Waves to everybody else

[SpreadTheLove]

Hey Mist - It sure does feel nice not being all alone in this journey. Apparently linings can be too thick! Who knew?! Anyway, clinic called and said progesterone levels fine and lining about 13mm so we're ok for EC on Fri. Have to take my trigger tonight at 11.30pm (Trying so hard to stay up and ended up watching Celebrity Big Brother - wow who are these people?!).

Looking forward to a day off all injections tomorrow but feeling pretty anxious about EC on Friday. Have read that progesterone pessaries are worse than the stimms in terms of side effects so dreading those too!
Not sure DH can cope with yet more erratic behaviour!

Have a good evening all - going to trawl Google for success stories at 42 to keep me up until my trigger!

[HelloMist]

Spread, hope we can offer you some support and company during the process! I'm glad to have all of you to share with. People close to me know cycling is on the horizon but I'm not sharing more details. I don't want to burden them or get constant pestering for updates. Sounds positive regarding follies. I hope the lining won't cause a problem. Nice and thick is good I think, I haven't heard of it being too thick. The "mild" IVF all happens so quickly! Do they still expect EC to be Friday?

Zippy interesting to hear you're having the vivid dreams too! I think I got these in early pregnancy as well. Maybe it's anxiety combined with hormones.

I've been comfort-eating more in the evenings. :( I do eat quite healthily at meals though so will try not to feel too bad about it.

Maurice that's good, so they're not concerned yet. Keep us updated.

Wish I looked back at my diary from the first cycle and it came back to me how nervous I was with injections! Especially the trigger one. It does feel a lot of pressure to be self-administering all the meds. Hopefully scans will reassure you that things are working as they should. You'll get more confident as you go along. I used to play inspiring/happy songs while I did each injection. Maybe you could try something like that. I'm getting used to the ones I've done the most but will still be nervous for the first few stims that I haven't done for a couple of years.

I've got my baseline tomorrow. If it looks as it should, they said I might start stims on Saturday.

Spin how was your first scan?

Good luck everyone with your next steps! Have a good evening, all. :)

[SpreadTheLove]

Hey Ladies

How are you all today?

Strandy, feels good to have an IVF twin! (Pardon the pun). Here's wishing your AF gets a wiggle on so you can start the injections ASAP.

Wishmeluck, I am the biggest chicken ever when it comes to needles. Honestly, these ones aren't bad at all. Far kinder than blood test needles!

In a weird kind of way, I feel all "doctor-like" when I'm preparing my injections. Like I actually know what I'm doing!! DH looks on in awe.

Anyway had 4th scan today. Doc basically said my blood lining is pretty thick so they need to check it's not too thick for any embies to stick. I wonder if that's to do with the acupuncture I've been having? Anyone else had similar issues?

The good news is 6 follies seem to be a good size and 2 are close behind. As I'm on short protocol and mild IVF, they say that it's a quality not quantity game so feeling positive that atleast there's something to pick from. Praying they're good quality!

Let me know how your first injections go. Strongly recommend watching YouTube for a refresher on administering.

Good luck ladies

[Strandy]

Hi Everyone

SpreadtheLove - we sound (a bit) like IVF twins. Although it took us 19 months to conceive DS1 and I was on a prescription to balance hormones at the time (Dostinex), he was a natural fluke. I'm sorry you've had difficulty and loss. I'm crossing my fingers and toes for you wtih this IVF journey.

I have been TT2 since DS was about 8 months. We have unexplained infertility which is a real bugger...but obv not as much as some people's issues. Just no info to tell us WHY we NEVER EVER conceive!

WishmeLuck - Yeah I am a bit at sea. I'm so busy with life/Christmas/work/toddler etc that I'm not paying attention to the whole thing. I am a bit nervous about the injections but a good friend of mine has done 3 cycles and she said it's not really THAT bad.... you just have to get on with it and be positive.

Good vibes to everyone today... I wish my AF would just come so I can start the whole thing... GRRR!

[wishmeluck16]

Hi strandy i am also due on Monday the 9th to start! :) is anyone else on short protocol?

Also anyone else really nervous about getting the injections right???

[SpreadTheLove]

Hi everyone

Please may I join? First time on Mumsnet and also first time IVF. I've been trawling loads of forums for a while and kept thinking when my turn comes to start IVF, I really should join so I can have some cycle buddies. Not telling work, friends or family other than DH, so chatting to those going through it too is super appealing!

I'm 42 and doing a cycle of mild IVF. Already blessed with a DD who is 3. Naturally conceived. Since then I've been TTC for number 2... have had one chemical pregnancy and one missed MC at 8 weeks. Figured we'd try IVF as a last shot.

AF arrived just before Xmas and I've been injecting since. Gonal F and then Cetrotide too. Scan tomorrow morning to see if follies have grown enough and then I think EC will be on Fri. Finding this whole experience pretty surreal TBH.

Loads of positive vibes to everyone! Looking forward to going on this journey with you all...

[Strandy]

Hi everyone....and happy new year!

I'm a big fan of MN but have rarely posted. I'm putting my toe in the water today...looking for some support and partnership as we set out on an IVF journey.

My DH and I are very lucky as we already have one DS (3.5 year old - naturally conceived) and are just about to do our first IVF.... I am now waiting for my AF to naturally arrive (due on about Monday of next week... 9 January) and then we will start the injections etc. I have a meeting at the clinic this Thursday to go through everything again and hand over the dough! I live in Ireland so this will set us back approx €6500 but due to all the appointments and prescriptions in the past 24 months, I'd estimate it'll be €9000 overall.

Anyway, it's a small price to pay for what could be a great result. I'm not taking time off (aside from appointments and egg transfer day) and am not sharing this at work or with too many friends. Yes, a lot to carry but IVF may not work. I don't want to be the subject of other people's conversations!!

I'm excited to hear all your updates and wishing you so much luck and good health in the coming weeks...!

[Maurice169]

Thanks Mist, I think you're right, I've only had 2 AF since stopping breastfeeding.
Heard from the Clinic today, they advised me to wait until the 9th.

[HelloMist]

Welcome, Maurice and Wish!

iwill in my most recent cycle (no pill) it took about 2 weeks for my period to turn up, but I think my cycles weren't back to normal after breastfeeding. Yours probably won't be so slow! The medical staff know what they're doing. :) Maurice had your cycle settled after birth (and BF if you did)? I don't imagine it'll be much longer. I don't know the single injection but it must work similarly to the multidose ones.

[Maurice169]

Hi everyone, wishing you all best of luck on your journeys.
We're on our second round of IVF after a successful fresh transfer. We had 2 embies left which have been in the freezer for a year now.
I had my down reg (Decapeptyl) injection day 20 of my cycle, so I'm now 12 days post injection and still no AF? I remember last time AF returned about 5 days later.
Anyone else had a delay like this?
Thanks x

[wishmeluck16]

I was thinking of booking time off for when I start the injections to cover all the time off for the scans that you need. And then I was going to go back to work once the egg has been put back in....

Are you all doing it the other way round?

[Zippybear]

Hello wish, welcome on board.
I'm also having vivid dreams hello, very odd! I am feeling pretty crappy now, very tired and emotional but it's hard to know if that's down to the drugs or just the stress of cycling. Visiting a friend with 2 small kids today and whilst it's lovely to see them it's very hard as it seems to highlight what we don't have. I'm also worrying about dates iwillbe, I have booked time off work and if anything doesn't go to plan it will be a real pain. Eek! Will try and go for a nice walk with dh today too for a bit of distraction. Hope everyone is doing well

[wishmeluck16]

hey everyone :) can I join in?

I am starting my first ever ivf on short protocol. Just waiting for AF which I am expecting in around 10 days and then away we go!

[iwillbemummy]

The clinic have asked me to ring in when I get my 1st day of cycle or after the 14th day of taking suprecur (whichever comes first). Scans haven't been booked in as I'm guessing that they're just waiting in my AF to judge when this will be for the baseline.

Not bee so tired today which is a good thing, but still no sign of AF !!!!

[HelloMist]

My AF came a few days ago - I think taking (& stopping) the pill helps it to come predictably though. Iwill did the clinic say to tell them if it hasn't come before the first scan? Hopefully it'll be along soon! I know what you mean about trying to plan out the dates. I find it hard not knowing them for sure. Also seems so backwards how we're pleased to see a period starting this process. Sorry you aren't feeling great and had to miss the meal out but it sounds like you made the best of things!

I had a nice New Year's Eve! Thanks iwill. Happy New Year to you and everyone reading.

Symptoms: I've been having some vivid, weird dreams. Don't think I'm more tired but am tired anyway from chasing a toddler. Felt v grumpy/bit down but it turned out to be AF arriving. I feel OK again now apart from a cold I'm getting over! I feel like down reg makes me more susceptible to them but I suppose it's the time of year for it.

How are you feeling Zippy?

[iwillbemummy]

Thanks Hello Mist for the heads up, in due tomorrow or Monday but no signs of AF! I keep telling myself to trust the process (although keep looking at my calendar and forecasting "if it comes then....or then" ).

Symptoms have definitely shown their head today....awful tiredness to point that I had to have a nap in the afternoon and then watching a film with DH had a hot flush. Hoping it means it's working .

We had a table booked for a meal but instead staying in with a M&S dine in for two meal lol!!! Very rock n roll. Hope you've all got some nice plans?

Happy New Year to all and anyone else reading. Hope 2017 brings everyone all their wishes with continued health and happiness. X

[Zippybear]

How's the dr going hellomist? Hope you are still feeling ok. What's everyone up to tonight?

[HelloMist]

My AF after down reg last time came a bit late last time, willbe. It shouldn't cause a problem, might just be a delay in other dates. I did get a bit fed up of the DR stage last time though! so I hope it won't happen to you. (Or me this time).

Thanks for the replies about spotting. I don't remember it myself before TTC, but clinic did say it's common on the pill.

Good that you're on different drugs from last time, Spin. Less fiddly and hopefully better response as well. :) If you're eating mostly healthy meals then some treats as well shouldn't matter.

[spinduffy]

Thanks for the welcomes.

I'm not sure about the spotting with the pill.

I took norethestirone for 10 days and am now on day 2 of gonal f. The injections are very easy and much less fiddly than merional. I start cetrotide tomorrow am. First scan is on Wednesday and I just hope my ovaries show good follicle growth!

I have struggled to eat overly healthy- the boxes of Lindor have been tempting me and I had 3 yesterday. Feeling a bit guilty!

[Zippybear]

Hello newcomers. So sorry to hear of your loss tiny  and hoping this cycle is better spin. Hellomist I didn't have to take the pill so I've no idea about the spotting sorry. Hoping you can speak to the clinic soon. I am now on day 5 of downregging and have felt exhausted all day and then had a horrific migraine this evening, thankfully abating now! Could be a coincidence rather than actual side effects though, I'm hoping anyway!
Fingers crossed for your cycle arriving on time iwillbe, the worry over dates etc is so hard!

[iwillbemummy]

My baseline will be before I start stimming. Just waiting for period to call clinic then should have me scan a couple days after that. Then they'll tell be to take the stims I think.

My cycle has always been regular but definitely nervous about it starting on time