TTC 18 months or more -moving on to IUI/IVF/ICSI part 3

[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!

We felt the same Angela but once the appointments started we felt really positive we were doing something.

Angel we've got our first appointment to start IVF process in under two weeks - we got put on the list in March. It's been a long old wait. I'm more than ready but definitely feel a sadness that these are our last few cycles of trying naturally before we let something else take over. I feel like I'm turning my back on my body.

On the other hand we're over 20 cycles of trying naturally now and I am soooooooooo done with this shit. At least IVF means an end to this Groundhog Day!

Thanks peeps, just need to get my positivity in gear. And sorry in advance for the million & 1 silly questions I'll no doubt have.

Jamon I hear you, we've been trying 2 years & were put on the waiting list in Dec so it's about blooming time. But yeah, it is kinda sad that this is where we're at. But onwards & upwards right?

I know how you guys feel. Even though I'm desperate for ivf to work when both cycles I had failed..there was a tiny part of me that was thinking - maybe we'll have a miracle conception before the next round, and felt a little hopeful. I don't know why, but there is something about the magic of conceiving naturally I'd really love to experience. That being said, I'd be thrilled for ivf to work as I know it happening naturally is out of our reach.

God defo. I wasted a FRER yesterday just incase I'd miraculously got pregnant naturally after the ivf. I don't think I've even ovulated

Onwards and upwards for sure angel

You do hear a lot of stories about couples conceiving naturally after they've started ivf or just before so I don't think it's silly to imagine it might happen.

Started the day with a yoga class and ended up chatting to the instructor who was lovely. Turns out she's on clomiphene and has experienced two miscarriages she was very sweet and it was very moving to have this heartfelt chat with a woman I don't know at all - but who is going through a similar experience to me. This whole experience has made me reach out more and for that I'm grateful.

Hey all, jumping aboard this thread as I'm very much in the "long term ttc" category. Tried for a year before seeing GP, have had all the tests, clomid for 6 months and not one BFP in the two years since being referred. Am finally on the top of the list for IVF and will start my first cycle as soon as AF comes along in a week or so. Am 36, almost 37 and heathy in all other ways apart from this arsey infertility. DP also healthy and sperm is apparently fine. Therefore totally unexplained so far. Am excited to start IVF but on one hand I'm scared that this is the last step in fertility treatment- if this doesn't work, where do I go??? No one wants to talk about "what if it doesn't work" - i have a really positive attitude about it and feel like it could / might / will work but I also need to acknowledge it might not. Sorry for the long post, just wanted to say hi and send positive vibes to all of those who are still fighting the good fight

Welcome grumpos! Totally get where you're coming from, trying to stay positive as well as having a realistic expectation on what the outcome might be. I think it can be really hard to strike that balance.

Jamon I love yoga, it's saved my sanity more than once

Welcome grumpos. It's such an emotional time. All the advice I would give is just take it one day at a time. If it works great. If it doesn't, then you sit down and look at your options. Worrying about the outcome won't make a difference so try to stay cautiously optimistic.

How's everyone else doing?

Yes agree with blue. One day at a time. And don't beat yourself up.
My first ivf cycle I was militant about what I ate, no eating between meals, Castor oil packs, legs up the wall, took the 2ww off work etc and it was bfn. Second time round I ate and acted as normal, kept working and it was a bfp (although had a chemical).
Be kind to yourself. It's out of your hands. If it can stick, it'll stick.

Blue & gee thanks for sharing that advice, I think it's something I'm going to have to try to take on board.

Had to ring fc to accept offer of treatment, but they won't go any further until I get my Lynch Syndrome results back. Appt for test is tomorrow, hoping to have results back in the next month. Told my boss at work today as well & she was absolutely amazing about it, so so supportive. Turns out her son & his partner are going through ivf at the moment, so she totally gets it.

Great news. Well done for sharing with your boss. Glad she was so supportive.

That's great angel. My work has been really supportive as well. I'd been considering a job move about a year ago, but they've been so amazing I wouldn't dream of leaving now. It's so nice to not have to stress about work as well when going through treatment. Hope your blood results go ok.

I've booked in for nurse refresher appointment for 18th Oct with my third ICSI round starting mid Nov. I'm going to do slimming world for the next 3 months to get rid of the 1.5-2 stones I could really do without. Of course I go on holiday next week, so might properly start in September!

Just popping in to cheer you all on. I know how shit this is but try and keep the faith.

Good luck with the slimming world blue

How's everyone doing? I've been feeling pretty rotten for the past week - insomnia, slight swelling around my thyroid, heart racing, fatigue, quite anxious. It's very similar to when my thyroid was being over-medicated last year so got bloods checked, but results came back yesterday all good. Starting to consider whether it's maybe some of the supplements I'm taking, cutting out maca root to begin with to see if that makes a difference.

That is how maca affected DH angel.

My sister is pregnant, hiding in work crying

Oh angel you poor thing.

Thanks just, my boss was good enough to let me leave work early, so I'm at home now & calmed myself down (a bit anyway). I am so happy for them, I know it hasn't been easy for them either, & she felt awful having to tell me, but it is just fucking shit.

Our Health Trust announced proposals for major savings today. One of them is deferred treatment for all new NHS patients until April. We're at the top of the waiting list & I confirmed we would be accepting offer of treatment last week. No idea if we're considered "new patient", can only hope that we accepted in time.

Fingers crossed that you're not "new". That would be a bit shit. Surely they will just tell everyone from now the waiting list is shut until April? Also if just a proposal it shouldn't affect you yet?

Oh god angel. That is so hard. It's such a mixture of emotions. We all understand. And I really hope you've got in before the block on new patients. I just keep telling myself, we're getting closer every day. Just keep going.

angel this happened to me a few weeks ago. I took it really badly. Take it easy and just allow yourself to feel the emotions. It does get a bit easier with time. And fx your NHS funding is all set. Would be really unfair to say you are a new patient now.

I'm currently on holiday and trying to think about anything other than infertility for awhile. I find it's worse somehow as I now have the time to just let my mind wander and it always comes back to this.

Oh angel that is tough. I really really hope you don't have to wait for your treatment - you've been waiting all this time for funding - it would seem crazy to delay that more. Hopefully with successful treatment your sister's baby will be getting a lovely little cousin.

bluebird I find time on my hands tough too. Have you got some good books to dive into? I find podcasts help. If you are a Game of Thrones fan there is an excellent podcast on that.

gee are you starting your next cycle soon?

I had my first IVF appointment yesterday. It was a bit disappointing in that there is now just more waiting. The consultant was really nice but rushed through everything so quickly. I'm glad I already know so much about it, or I would have been totally overwhelmed. When AF comes in October I have to call the nurses. On day 21 I then go estrogen tablets to down regulate (why do these not start until day 21???). After that its onto stims, trigger and EC - which will be well into November.

Everytime I feel like I'm getting somewhere I feel like the goalposts move. This has been the longest two years of my life!

Thanks guys, I feel a little bit calmer today. Just finished work for a week Lots family stuff organised next week, not sure if my sis has told wider family circle yet, hopefully not don't think I could cope with all their excitement.

We're in NI & unfortunately we haven't had our local assembly running since the start of the year & our budget is blown to bits, hence the cuts. It's a shorter consultation period (6 weeks) & then they're looking to bring in the cuts asap after this. I had a look at the consultation paper which says "deferred NHS treatments for new patients" but local news is reporting no fresh treatment cycles starting Oct until April. Been trying to call fertility clinic today to chat to them about it, but can't get through.

x post Jamon, I know the waiting is frustrating but at least things are moving a bit now