IVF Cycle Buddies August/September?

[meadowlark3]

Anyone starting a cycle this month? I know there's a July/August thread, but seems that they've mostly all started on their cycles. I'm due to start DR tomorrow and if all goes well will have EC at the beginning of September.

Have not shared our IVF journey with too many people in IRL so would love to have a bit of company here. This will be our first go at IVF, so quite nervous at the mo!

xx

Oh god AF just started so tomorrow is Day 1!

I'm freaking out. I'm starting estrogen tomorrow 3 times a day plus an aspirin. Day 10 scan to check my lining. I've flights and hotel booked.

I'm really worrying about the side effects of the estrogen. My sister had blood clots after her last pregnancy and I'm terrified of having one. I know that's what the aspirin is for but I'm still really worried. I know during the egg collection cycle that my estrogen would have been sky high too. I can't help feeling afraid. Anyone got any wise words or a slap they care to give me?!

Hope it's not too late to join!

First round of IVF for us, after 5 rounds of failed iui. Have no idea what to expect, so reading some of your comments are helping me relax a little about procedures but worry more about diet! Going through treatment in the Netherlands so also curious to see how different it is!

Day 7 of stimulation for me. Echo tomorrow to see if we need to increase dose and make sure there is something to collect! I am guessing EC in the weekend.

Hi

Could I join too? Planning on starting my very first ivf later this month. AF is due on 23rd August.

I'm 39 and we have had morphology issues which were rectified. Then I had endometriosis which was cleared in May and everything else checked and looked clear. Then my day 21 blood test came back low the past 2 months so I haven't ovulated. I was devastated so starting ivf now to give us the best chance.

I hope it's all going ok for all of you ladies.

It's my first time so I don't know what to expect.

Ging

Welcome Zarya and Ging78!

AF arrived for me last night so will be seeing dr tomorrow and if all is well will start stimming then...feel like the ball is slowly starting to roll again! Nerves building too though...

Re: diet, I've asked my dr, and others I've seen, so many times about this. They've all said the same - eat a balanced diet and make sure you take folic acid. Small amount of caffeine is ok and avoid alcohol after embryo transfer. Has anyone been given any other recommendations?

So happy to have found this thread! I don't know anyone who has been through IVF in IRL, it's lovely not to feel quite so alone this time around

Hi all! Hope everyone is progressing well in thier cycles!
AFM, started NET yesterday. Feeling a bit down today. My younger sister is pregnant with her second & sent me scan pics today. She told me about it pretty much as soon as she tested positive, and i'm really happy to be having another niece/nephew on the way. But i hate hate hate receiving scan pics!
Trying to respond positively, as i know my sis has been having a tough time recently (long story) but cannot really build up too much energy. Just want to go home & hide under the duvet.
To add to it my co-woker, sitting right next to me is 5 months pregnant. How do people cope with this!

Decafplease that's really tough. I manage a team and one of the girls I manage just told me she's 12 weeks. I hugged her and told her I was happy for her but I felt so deflated....But we've got a plan and we're working on it and that gives me hope.

Just took my first tablet. EEK

Hello Everyone,

I'm hopefully starting in September. Seen the Doctor and going to the nurse next week. I'm still in shock and a bit confused. I'm doing a 21 day regime?

We knew that my husband had low count and motility but it was the first time we really heard that we were unlikely to get pregnant naturally. We've been trying for about 18months.

I'm really anxious about the hormones, I have heavy periods and nasty symptoms with them. Whilst there doesn't seem to be a problem with me it's all a bit scary. Husband is being amazing but feels so guilty and it's heartbreaking to see him like this. How is everyone else feeling?

Hello,

Please can I join in? I'm about to start my first IVF cycle, short protocol, probably having scan/starting stimms on Monday (just waiting for period to start!)

I am single and using a donor (private IVF) so it would be really good to be able to share with other people going through the same thing :) I'm not sure if it is ok for me to join in this thread as my circumstances are a bit different? Please do say if not. I also have had some fertility hurdles to cross due to a ruptured appendix/adhesions aged 8, hence why I'm doing IVF not IUI.

I was feeling so pleased to be finally about to start but I've had a rollercoaster 48 hours where it looked like it all might be off - after waiting so very long to get to this point and after numerous setbacks I was finally a week from starting, then had a call from my dad to say he's been diagnosed with a genetic heart condition which I have a 50% chance of having/passing on and that I need to undergo screening. Spoke to my clinc and they weren't happy for me to go ahead without the screening results as there are risks for pregnancy. After crying for 2 hours solid, through some miracle I managed to get an appointment yesterday for an ECG and Echocardiogram and have had it confirmed that my heart is healthy and there is no risk for pregnancy :)

It is still a bit touch and go because of the genetic element - a doctor at the clinic has signed me off to go ahead but they need to speak to the clinic director for final approval. I will find out for certain on Friday, to hopefully start on Monday! I have everything it is possible to cross, crossed :)

I'm a bit scared of the injections :-\

Ps Apples - I am nervous of the hormones too. I struggle with anxiety and it's always worse during PMT, hoping I can keep sane throughout. Best of luck to you x

I hope nobody minds if I join. I also started on the July/August thread but have completely lost track of it as I had to spend a few weks not thinking about treatment for my own sanity! I have had exactly a month between the failure of my first go and the start of the second try.
I'm on day 3 of a protocol that is the same length as the short protocol but is not the short protocol. I have one injection in the morning and two in the evening of three different medications. It's making me nostalgic for the previous cycle with a single injection in the evening.
I've given up alcohol, tea and coffee since starting the stimulation plus I'm trying to eat 75g of protein at least per day. None of these things were advised by the clinic; I saw them in some studies and thought if they gave me a few percent more of a chance it would be worth it.
snork We're also using a donor.
Apples for me the hormones that were the worst were the progesterone pessaries during the 2ww. I didn't notice any change beyond pressure in the abdomen fom the injections.

Hi James

I've given up caffeine too - gave it up months ago when I thought things might move more quickly (and had horrendous migraines for a month!)

I've mostly given up drinking (not a big drinker anyway), but I've just had what I plan to make my last glass of wine before the cycle. Like you I figured if it helps things along even slightly it's worth a try.

Welcome snork! I don't think anyone should be turned away, doesn't matter what the circumstances, we're all doing IVF!

I've take 2 estrogen tablets today. Tomorrow I've to up it to 3 and start on the aspirin.

Does anyone know why there is a 6 day gap in the aspirin before I trigger? It's strange.

Sorry I can't help you understand your protocol Auchan - I barely understand my own! I am taking the OCP now and stop that soon then I move to injecting towards the end of the month for EC early September.

I'm a bit nervous about how the hormones will affect me? And about what to eat! & about how much exercise to do! There's so much going on in my head right now!

Hope everyone is ok! X

Hi everyone

Snork, sounds like you've a really tough couple of days, glad to hear all your heart scans came back ok. I struggle with anxiety too, it's rubbish isn't it? I can't seem to drive on the motorway at the moment, every time I've tried over the past couple of weeks I've been on the brink of a panic attack and had to stop.

My doctor's appt was postponed till tomorrow which was disappointing. Is anyone else taking Decapeptyl? My stomach has really swollen up (can't even do up my trousers!) and wanted know if it's normal!

I've given up alcohol but finding it hard to cut out caffeine, am a zombie without a coffee in the morning!

Good luck everything, thinking of you all XX

Good luck everyone I mean, yep, definitely need that coffee!

gamberra I have daily decapeptyl and have some bloating so far at day 4, but trousers still fit.
I still can't believe that I have gone four days without tea and coffee (I gave up the tea more because it makes me want biscuits rather than for the caffeine). What worked for me was pushing each cup later and later by 30 mins each time until I didn't need it any more, which was fairly painless, but I did have a very set tea routine.

Snork I'm also very prone to migraines. There is the silver lining that once l'm completely weaned off the coffee, I can often stop a migraine with an espresso. This doesn't work for me when I'm drinking coffee regularly.

Hi everyone
Nice to see new people joining in
Snork sounds like a very stressful few days for you! Hope you get the final all clear on Friday!
james i'm also starting exactly 1 month post my last failed fresh cycle. FET this time. Was considering waiting a month, but my
clinic didnt think it mattered 🤞
auchan thanks for the support. Treated myself to a slice of chocolate cake while watching rubbish TV, and feel a lot more positive today.
Scratch tomorrow. Eek!

james i'm also prone to migraines, with nausea. My clinic is happy for me to take sumatriptan if needed rather then risk throwing up my ivf meds (sorry if TMI). No ibuprofen/ neurophen allowed though. Have you been given any other advice regarding migraines? Tx

Hi everyone

Hope everyone is good. This board is really useful and I'm learning loads. Am googling loads of new terms. The acu nurse called today and we are meeting them Monday to hopefully start the 23rd/24th.

I started acupuncture yesterday too. Have anyone else found it helped. She put needles in my belly and legs and ankles. The ones in my ankles really stung. She said these are stimulating your follicles so you will feel it.

It all feels like an emotional journey so it's good to see others are coping with it so well at the same time. 😀

There is an air of excited anticipation!

Gamberra I wasn't on that medication but I did get very swollen during stim. I'm expecting the same on this cycle (FET) once I start on the progesterone!

Welcome all those that have joined, and for those that have started/are starting, good luck, hope all goes well.

I note that "AF" is mentioned a lot, for the life of me, struggling to know what that means. Help! =)

A lot of people mention short/long protocol, what is the difference? How do you know which you are on? My dr never mentioned to me which one i'm on, but my timeline is approx 2 weeks until EC.

Also, has anyone's other half been prescribed anything? My husband was given antibiotics to minimise infection. Is that normal? He took them today which oddly made him sick.

Gamberra/GirlCalledJames the daily decapeptyl you inject, is that what you have been prescribed for stimming?

Zarya - Seems our timelines are similar, how was your check up? My doctor doubled my dosage, and i'm back in tomorrow for him to monitor before he decides to up it again. He said my expected EC will be towards end of next week, and will get around 10 eggs.

Snork It sounds it's been a tough journey, stay strong!! I hope all goes well. I've also have migraines from lack of caffeine. It's hard.

Ging how are you finding acupuncture? I wanted to try it, but my doctor advised against it, but didn't really explain why, but i've read that it has helped several people.

TickTock10 the decapeptyl is to stop/slow down your normal hormones to stop you ovulating natrually. Though when i first looking it up google told me suggested it was a treatment prostate cancer which confused me a little bit.

For stimming I use goynal F. Does anyone else have this?

Glad to hear your on track with a timeline for EC. Thanks for asking about mine. Unfortunately it did not go to plan and i have a grand total of 1 egg of 19mm.

They have decided to do iui tomorrow rather than collect the one egg as statistically the chances are the same. We also have an appointment with my own consultant to discuss what to do next. Absolutely gutted and feeling a bit shocked and confused as to what went wrong.

Ticktock... AF is Aunt Flo or your period

zarya Fingers crossed for your egg!
Ticktock The decapeptyl is to stop early ovulation so that longer and higher dose stimulation can be given. It's because last time I had tonnes of immature oocytes.
The long protocol includes a downregulation stage before stimulation. The short one is just the stimulation. There are other types too so you mightn't be on either, I'm not.
decaf these days my migraines are pretty under control. Last cycle I just got one after stopping the progesterone after the bfn.
I don't think there are any issues in doing another cycle with one cycle off. I think when people take more time it's for emotional or logistical reasons. I felt like one cycle was long enough as I want to get on with it.