TTC for 18 months or more. Moving onto IUI/IVF/ICSI -part 2

[bluebird3]

We have relocated from the conception board where we were previously chatting under the thread 'ttc for 10 months or more'. A lot of us are now long term ttc-ers and are going through infertility treatment or looking to take steps in this direction so we feel this might be a more suitable home for us!

Feel free to stop by and say hi and hopefully we can share the journey together and make it a little easier along the way!

Thanks tea! Good luck remaining calm. Sounds like you have a good plan going on :)
geeup I know someone who was offered extras on the free go. They turned them down as would have been almost 2k but they were definitely an option. I suppose it may depend where you are though? Or not, i guess they would always be welcoming more money!

gee we were offered the option to pay extra for the embryos to be monitored in a special machine which photographs them at regular intervals rather than the embryologist having to look at them under the microscope. It was about a grand extra so we didn't go for it but I if you want any extras, I'm sure you can request!

Ok good to know - thanks to both of you!

You're welcome :)
Did anyone see the panorama on ivf a couple of months ago? That was talking about the extras. It was interesting

Yes I did. I was interesting. I don't think I'd pay for any extras at the moment except the scratch was has good clinical results. I'm interested by the immunes stuff as think there's probably something in it although unproven so far but wouldn't jump to it at this stage I think.

Hope you get a call soon pteradactyl!! So annoying making you run around making calls and worrying.

Blue how are you feeling about the scratch this cycle??

Yes gee I'm not too sure about extras either. I feel on one hand I know I can have a baby or could at least so assume most of it is unnecessary but you never know what sort of variables are added to the mix if it's a different partner as i would assume that would affect immunes?? I am torn between throw everything at it to try amd improve chances and just leave as simple as icsi can be! The scratch does sound positive though, blue you can tell us all about it ;)
Thanks maple. His drs are the most useless surgery I have ever known!

The IVF nurse told me that most couples just do the standard IVF/ICSI offered on the NHS for their first round and save money in case they have to have a second, unfunded, round and then bring the big guns out with the extras. She made sense to me but I guess everyone is different. It's a difficult choice - I know I will wonder whether an extra would have made that tiny bit of difference and given a different result if this round doesn't work.

tea I think it's great you're being chilled this cycle. I'm going to be doing my best to be the same!

I'm feeling good about the scratch. I haven't had a + opk yet. It's cd 12 and I tend to ovulate around day 18. Forgot to opk before work so had to do it in the work cubicle! I'm just ready to get some dates in the calendar. It's so hard booking things in for work when I'm not sure what days I'll be off.

And we haven't been offered any extras for our NHS cycle but haven't thought to ask either. My Dh is a doctor and won't consider anything if there isn't good clinical evidence to support it. Sometimes I think he helps me keep grounded about things but then sometimes I think anecdotal evidence shouldn't always be dismissed outright.

Hello all

Sorry for the silence. I've been lurking but not posting as been so busy I haven't thought much about infertility despite doing ivf for the first time right now! I swear, the waiting is a billion times worse than actually doing this. Granted, I'm only doing down reg right now so in all honesty it's just boring and not much happening.

Maple, great the dsis and transfer went well. You have a perfect womb, now all you need is a fertilised egg! Hope it happens for you soon - through ivf or otherwise. Since you asked, me and OH have a nice system with the injections where he prepares it and I inject myself. Working well so far except yesterday when he hadn't put the needle on tight enough and it fell off as I injected and most of the drug just went all over my belly. No biggie really, we just redid it. The belly ones sting a little but in the upper thigh doesn't hurt at all. I'm cycling around left and right belly and thigh, but I might ditch the belly ones soon for totally pain-free injecting.

Blue, congratulations on your anniversary and for-fun sex! V interesting about the opks. I'm not doing those at all. Are you on short protocol? I wonder how they decide which protocol to put you on.

Welcome thistle and congratulations on getting your bmi down, well done! Amazing you can now move on with treatment, that must (literally) be such a weight off. Kebab fully deserved.

Tea, 24th is just around the corner! How exciting! I'm hoping I can finish dr soon and join you stimming end of next week. It's so boring this stage, I want scans counting follicles!

Penny, so so sorry for your loss. It must be even harder after all you went through to get the bfp in the first place What is prostrap?

Gee, the way I understand it is you can't start dr if there's a chance you could be pregnant. So with me I took the pill from cd1-21 and then start buserelin on cd21. So I'd say give it a good go naturally this cycle and hopefully all will be in place for starting next cycle if you don't get your bfp. Obviously this doesn't apply if you do short protocol, but I'm not sure how that works.

Ptera, really hope you get your results soon and it's good news.

My scratch is booked in for Thursday and my first scan same day!

Hope everyone's doing well considering!

Can I join please?

Name: just
Age: 34
Cycle: lost count but been TTC for 2.5 years and have a short cycle so about 30
No bfps
Unexplained infertility

We have just had first app at kings for our IVF. We meet the doctor end of Feb to discuss test results and work out a plan. Should cycle in March they think. They are doing the scratch study too so think I'll apply.

Swinging between feeling positive there is a plan and totally fed up that it's come to this.

Hello everyone - sorry I've been AWOL for a while!

Maple glad all went well - another step closer to a BFP!

Welcome Thistle and well done on getting your BMI down - mines just got below 30 again this week and i'm so happy! Mine was less than 30 before Christmas but I had a big relapse over the festive period! Its a big achievement!

Star and Tea - hope all is going ok with DR and stimming! I long to be at that stage! It feels like ages away!

Blue I don't tend to do OPKs as I have PCOS and I was told they wouldn't be that helpful. I also work shifts so never bothered with tracking my BBT. Do you find OPKs any good?

Welcome justtheonethen sorry you find yourself here but you couldn't have joined a nicer and more supportive group!

AFM i'm just waiting on my first appointment - how long did you guys wait between GP referral (if you used that route) to first appointment with a specialist? It seems like forever at the minute although i'm sure it's probably not!

Hope everyone is ok!

Welcome just. Try and be positive that there is a plan (I know that's easier said than done!) and don't dwell on it too much! March is just around the corner! I'm really trying not to obsess and now won't even temp - it's the constant tracking of my cycle and googling what every different sign could mean that stressed me out the most!

If anyone has been put on a short protocol, its injections from CD1 until CD5 and then two lots of injections from CD5 until 'ovulation' when you take the late night injection, ready for egg collection the following day. With some stim scans to make sure dosages are right. I guess from egg collection onwards, we will all be in the same boat!

Good luck for your scratch and scan on Thursday star that's so exciting!

blue I highly recommend trying to be chilled. I think it helps and I at least appear calm and in control on the outside!!!

ptera I hope you've got some news by now!

star that is exciting to be on the journey, even if nothing much is happening yet. Good to hear that the injections aren't too painful and that you have a nice system going :)
rosie is that for the first referral from gp to fertility clinic? My first appt was probably 3 months later but we had to reschedule as our doctor had messed up woth some test results (do you guys see a pattern here with our dr and tests?!?! Argh!) Anyway, our actual appt was about 7 months later in the end, but as I said, only cos our docs are absolutely useless
just, must be frustrating when there doesn't seem to be a reason for it. What tests have you had (dont feel you have to answer!)? Does it seem like it is still ages to wait or now seems like it will come round fast?

Hi Rosie I'm starting to feel like I've got off a bit easier being on the short protocol. All I'm having to do at the mo is wait until AF starts. Well done on getting your BMI down too - Christmas is definitely for indulging though!!

My GP was super unhelpful and wanted me to wait another 12 months after I had an early mc (we had been trying over 12 months already!) to refer me so my mom paid for us to see a consultant privately who has been fab. He's been great at referring us back onto the NHS for my operation and now IVF but is still our consultant on the NHS. Its been about 12 months since we first saw him. Most of that wait was being on the waiting list for op ( that happened in July last year) and starting IVF next week!

Sorry Rosie slightly misread your question so you got a bit more of an answer than you probably needed!

I've had all the usual blood tests, scans, lap and dye. All found nothing which is frustrating. Will try and stay positive.

Thanks for warm welcome everyone!

Hi star I'm on the antagonist protocol. Must be the short one as I'm not going to down reg...just start stims day 3. I have a regular cycle...is that why I have to opk for scratch? Anyways, got the + today cd15 (was starting to get worried!). Have rung to schedule but the nurse will have to get back to me. Will likely be next sat or mon 30th. Please let me know how it goes Thursday!

Welcome justtheone. It's shit to be in the position we are all in...but at least we have the support of each other. Really happy to have joined this thread as it's such a relief to talk with others who understand.

rosie I'd given up on opks long ago as it didn't seem to matter and was wondering if they were stressing me. I'm only doing them now as my acu requested to assist with scheduling the scratch on the right day.

When is af due tea? All getting exciting now!

Feeling after all you lot being good on your post Christmas weight losses. Put half stone on and not really done anything to shift it. Current bmi is ok...27.5 but could be better as still overweight. Am contemplating takeaway tonight as DH is away...

Don't worry blue I put on weight over Christmas - all the prosecco I think!! Def have a takeaway if you fancy one, it's hard enough going through all without denying yourself every little pleasure . AF due on Tuesday! Trying to psych myself to start injecting.

have a lovely weekend everyone!

Maple the kebab tasted beautiful but it felt more like i was trying to eat my feelings and it continued for a further two days.

Rosie I Spoke to my DR after about 12 months and he told me that he wouldnt refer me untill i had tried for 18 Months (because of my age) Mid 20's (Quite young i know but i started early because i wanted a big family) . After the 18 months it took about 3 months ish to see fertility DR. In the 3 months before my appt i had bloods done. And the nurse that i had seen could not have been more un-understanding if she had tried. Started going on about "Ah when you have kids". And yes i agree i have more time that most but if fertility declines with age then im buggerd.

Today i find myself thinking that I should try to be a little more reserved when i think about IVF because i dont know if it is common to be infertile at my age and i dont want to rush into any unneccesary treatment. Every one i know has no problems. and im willing to give it a bit more time but it hurts just the same as if i was older. If you cant have kids i cant imagine that it would be more painfull in regaurds to your age. Im sorry for the rant its just i have heard a few times from people in there 30's with kids BTW comment on how people in their 20's shouldnt even want kids ... why would you not want a life first...and how would any one in their 20's think that they were entitled to any NHS treatment if they havent been trying untill they are at least 30/35... and i am just feeling abit upset that this is the view of many. Im sorry for the rant again i just dont understand how anyone could be that bitter. Being a mum is all i have ever wanted. I am married , have a house, a job, and i have enough money and love to provide for a child and i have been trying for 2 years. I desperately want to fend off the boogey man, help with homework, cook dinners, wash little vests, Deal with tantrums and just have the family that i have always wanted. I cant count how many frustrated faces i have seen with people and their kids .. and i cant help think that they have no idea of the blessing that they have.

just warm welcolme it is horrible that you find yourself here but this is the best bunch of people that you can talk/ Vent to.

Hugs thistle. I dont think infertility is common in your mid 20s. If anything you are at one of your most fertile points. If you want kids you want kids, just because others didnt at your age is irrelevant!
I get people tell me I should be happy I have one and accept my lot. Basically what I'm trying to say is, some people just don't know when to keep their big mouth's shut!!!

thistle so sorry people have been so insensitive! Of course it doesn't matter your age as when's I want a baby and can't seem to get there the pain is immense. It is positive that you have more time to work on it, but doesn't ale away the heartbreak. We understand.

tea I had the takeaway and it was highly disappointing. Tried a new Greek place and it took 1.5 hours to arrive and not very nice!!! Boo. I love my old Greek place...will teach me for trying something new.

Hope everyone is having a nice evening.

Hugs thistle we are all in the same boat regardless of age. Bugger what those people say, it's nothing to do with them anyway.

Sorry your takeaway was disappointing blue hate it when that happens!

People are hugely insensitive. BIL had just been telling me about what 'super sperm' he must have as SIL got pg so quickly. He doesn't know about our issues but I just sat there wanting to cry.

I'm feeling better already having you lot to vent to!

I'm in another thread where everyone is lovely but I think I've gone past the point of getting excited each month/symptom spotting and I just feel bitter as one by one they get their babies, I think it hit home when so many are now on their second!