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

Hey all, omg I've missed so much because my phone logged me out and I hadn't realised.

Iced- I'm really sorry to hear that, sounds like you made the right decision. Would have been such a hard choice to make though. Fingers crossed for next time.

Ging- omg seriously! I think I would be making an official complaint. Given the sensitivity of the circumstances her behaviour is outrageous. You are stressed and anxious as it is and do not need that.

Meadow- again, that's terrible. How the heck does that help with your anxiety. Argh I'm so annoyed for you.

We are having ICSI. I can't remember who said it -they view the whole situation as unnatural etc. I have to say I agree and if it gives a better chance of success then I'm all for it. My clinic actually offers ICSI as standard for the cost of IVF.
I'm still waiting for AF to appear. Not even any spotting yet which is unusual for me I would usually spot 3 days before. I hope it comes. Got my scan and bloods booked for the 13th. Will also get my stims that day.
In terms of how I'm feeling still got a dull headache. It's nowhere as bad as it was but it's not shifting.

Morning ladies

Hope you're all good. Thanks for your kind words. Am feeling pretty stressed by it all. The process is stressful enough without this.

Icedgem such a difficult decision. I really hope it works out in the future. Im sure you made the right decision and there is a happy ending at a later date.

Fox good going on the cetrotide. It gets easier as you do more definitely.

Meadowlark your follicles sound great. But omg they need to communicate better. Has no one told then they are dealing with stressed ladies who have so much at stake?

Scotslass in my experience af never ever comes when it's convenient. Typical. Fingers crossed it appears soon.

I'm very slow to complain even though I definitely have grounds to. When I went to get dressed to use the loo she was right on top of me so I put my underwear back on with her there. I just wanted to get out of there. I don't want to complain as really we are the mercy of this unit. It's such a delicate process we need everyone to like us and work hard to give us the best chance.

I did call one of the nurses and she said maybe my heavy ovary moved or maybe I was gassy making it hard to see. I don't know. She said extra days of drugs won't affect the process and it's actually progressing. I've been on menopur since Saturday week and cetrotide since Wednesday. We're funding this ourselves and have spent well over a thousand on drugs and tests etc.

I think I'll call again to voice my concern's about tomorrow's scan and ask what happens of she struggles to see again.

Hi,
Xan I join you thread please ladies?
I'm 4 days in to Menopur injections with first scan on Thursday. I will catch up with the thread tonight at home.

I'm not speaking to anyone about this cycle - as then I feel like i don't have more people to let down should it fail, so it will be nice to have this group.

I'm suffering with nausea quite a lot, has this affected anyone else?

Welcome Mountain, this is indeed the right place to talk about the journey. I suppose it's about offloading the emotional baggage that we carry with us. Sometimes good and sometimes not, but we all need to get it out. Here, at least for me, I feel like we are in the same difficult position of uncertainty, and it helps me a lot. Thank you girls 🌷
Scot- I'm so sorry to hear about AF, it's true- it's never there when you really need it to! I had to wait a month!!! Hope your head ache eases soon, and AF... well, they ended up inducing mine, as it just wasn't happening.
Ging- always the dilemma- say something or not.... I always think that the nicer I am the better "service" I will receive, but its not always the case. If it was once or twice, I probably wouldn't say anything, but in your case, it's getting serious, as you can't jeopardise the outcome. This is such an important time in our lives, and I can't believe that they don't seem to ...care much?
So, I had my scan and blood tests today. Everything is looking good. Now I have appointment with doctor booked in for Friday morning, to discuss the next steps. 🤞
It's so scary! I suppose next week will be the week!
well, I hope so

Scots, glad the HA is shifting for the better and sorry that AF still hasn't shown yet. So odd that we are now waiting for AFs, after all of the months dreading her arrival!

Ging, I have the same feeling as you. I don't enjoy complaining but also feel we have the right to ask questions, be treated humanely, etc. I had the exact same experience with the sonographer standing there while I put my knickers on. She'd obviously just seen all of my bits but there was no recognition of any need for privacy and it just felt I was in her way. Were you able to ring the clinic to have some of your questions asked? Fingers crossed for your scan tomorrow!

Mountaingoats, welcome, happy to hear your experiences! I'm on Gonal F and had quite a bit of nausea as well. I am on day 9 of stims and it seems to have improved somewhat, but was quite bad initially. Have you cycled before?

Fox, great news that the scan and bloods are looking good! Does this mean you will start stims on Friday? Fingers crossed for you!

I've been feeling quite low, perhaps because I expected the follicles would be bigger, so now concerned we will have to cancel the cycle. We are on the NHS, so I don't think we lose funding if that happens, but it's just felt like we're chasing constantly moving goal posts, only to be disappointed again and again. Suppose I also just have a bad feeling about this round for me but maybe that's just the hormones I'm injecting?

Hi ladies

Hope you're all well.

Thanks again for your support. I'm a lot happier today for loads of reasons.

Welcome mountain goats. I understand you not wanting to tell people. Tell us here these ladies are amazing.

Fox good news about the scan and blood tests. I hope Friday goes well. You'll get loads more info then.

Meadowlark you're been so good at keeping our spirits up. I hope you can feel a bit more hopeful about your cycle. It sounds good bar the lack of proper communication. I do know it's hard to keep the spirits up. I have my fingers firmly crossed for you.

I called the hospiral yesterday. I spoke to the nurse who was in the room who said it would be the other sonogropher today (thank god). She acknowledged that she had had concerns and had spoken to the sonogropher about it.

So today the original guy zipped saw a nice lining, counted loads of big bouncy follicles and I'm ready for ec Friday.

Some are well over 20 so I am convinced she read wrong on Friday and Monday. It shouldn't affect the cycle should it?

Hi Ging, congratulations! Great news about your scan and so glad you were able to see the better sonographer and talk to a nurse about your experience. Sounds like others have had issues with her as well? My clinic told me 18-24 is ready, so it sounds like you're all set. Do you do your trigger tonight or tomorrow? Will you be anaesthetised for your EC? Everything crossed for you!

I've been scanned again and had two over 20 and four at 14. The consultant told me that I'd need two more days of stims (so 11 or 12 total?) to bump up the 14s and then we'll do EC on Monday. She seemed confident the smaller ones would be plumped up for EC and we'd hopefully have six eggs...I feel pleased with that. Nervous and excited, feels so real now. Just need to sort out what to say to my work, still haven't got that sorted

Meadow & Ging - I am absolutely delighted for you both - woohoo! Some good news. After the uncertainty you've both been through it's great to hear things are progressing well.
Meadow do you not have annual leave you can take??

Mountain - hello and welcome. I weighed up the pros and cons of telling people and I decided that I needed the support throughout but I totally understand why you have decided to keep it to yourself. The pressure for success feels immense as it is without people awaiting the result.

Fox - that's great. Very exciting.

Well I have had the first signs that AF is on its way!!! Yipeeeeee. Was due today so I'm super glad I know within the next day or so it will be here in its full glory then it's onto the next phase.

Morning ladies

I had a message types last night but lost it and then my eyes were closing so didn't try to type again. Am getting awful headaches and sickness which is tiring.

Meadowlark excellent news. Am thrilled for you. Fingers crossed for 6 strong little eggs. With regards work please try not to worry. This is so important. Can't you just ring in sick with an illness? Are you also taking Tuesday? People take sick days all the time.

Scotslass yippee for AF. Is a great feeling to know you can start soon.

I took my trigger shot last night and am in tomorrow at 7 to go under general anesthetic. We feel so relieved. I can feel my swollen ovaries. It's sore to run and I feel like I'm walking funny. I reckon I can have a Saturday night glass of wine.

Ultimately it doesn't matter how terrible the sonogropher was and how uncomfortable and she made me as long as it doesn't affect my cycle. I don't need to worry that they've been harvesting too long do I? There was a trace of liquid on my ovary yesterday. I guess the real risk of extra stimm is the possibility of ohss?

Sorry I've not been around much - just had a hard few Days - sending loads of positive vibes to you all xx

Afternoon my fellow trooper ladies 🙂
I can't believe how quickly time is flying!
Ging - tomorrow is the day! I will have my fingers and toes crossed for you! You really must feel exhausted with all the mess and pains. Don't think we will hear from you tomorrow as you probably will be recovering, but if you can, please let us know how it went! So excited for you!
Meadow- and your big day on Monday! How do you feel? It's so soon! Just read back few pages and all this felt like miles away... now, it's realitity!
Scot- glad to hear that AF is finally here 😃. That was one long wait!
Gem- I hope you are feeling better... any ideas on what you will do?
I have nothing new really... no annoying side effects, no aches and pains... to be honest I can feel my ovaries, and I seem to go to loo wyyy too often... but that's about it. Just excited to see doctor tomorrow and get some new info.
So Ging! We are all sending you all the luck possible for tomorrow! 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

I'm waiting on AF and then we can make a plan and move forward - knowing my luck AF will take forever to make an appearance now! It is good to have a break though!

Good luck for EC tomorrow ging

I have my fingers and toes crossed for you all! Xx

Oh Ging, I meant yo say meds and pains... not mess and pains! Stupid autocorrect 🤣

Scots, so glad AF is finally here. Hope she is not too uncomfortable and thrilled you're moving forward!

Ging, so excited for you for tomorrow! I asked my consultant about the "too long" time period for downreg and stims and she said there's no such thing within reason. I did a bit of Googling and also saw some women say their consultants said "low and slow" produces better quality eggs, so I think the extra days might even improve the outcome. Got everything crossed for you, please do let us know how you get on when you're feeling ready.

Gem, sorry to hear you've had rough days. If there is anything we can do here or you need to moan, please do. Sending and and hope AF comes soon!

Fox, glad you're mostly free of side effects. I've been going to the loo more, too (mostly at night?)..I think it must be my follicles pushing on my bladder? When is your next scan? Are you long or short protocol?

I'm alright, feeling more bloated and bruised around my ovaries-hopefully means the follicles are growing! Got another scan tomorrow to check they're ready for trigger. If not, I think the cycle will be cancelled (though consultant was quite optimistic about this round). I will be gutted but we will at least know prior to EC so not lose our NHS go.

Hey all,

Ging - super super excited for you. Keeping everything crossed for you that all goes fabby. Mind let's us know how you got on soon as you feel up to it, I know we'll all be dying to find out.

Gem - I'm absolutely gutted for you, this whole process is such a rollercoaster of emotions. I hope AF comes soon. Massive hugs and lots of love xx

Fox - all sounds good. All the best for tomorrow. Let us know how you get on. Saying a wee good luck prayer 🙏🏻 for you.

Meadow - here's hoping those wee follicles are maturing nicely. Let's hope the consultants optimism translates into lots of lovely follicles 🤞

All ok with me. AF is here in all her glory, cramps not been to bad and headache is improving by the day.
Roll on Wednesday for my scan etc.

Everybody stay strong and positive 😘

Super quick update. Will respond individually when I feel less drowsy.

12 eggs.

They are doing icsi as once again the morphology is borderline and we want to optimise our chances.

We won't know about if they are mature, I'd they have fertilised or if they have made it until about 9.30 am tomorrow. Have no idea how I will sleep. Feel happy but also petrified about all that could now go wrong. It's 100% out of our hands now.

Just had my first caffinated cup of tea in 4 weeks. It was fantastic. Hope you're all good.

Will get back you to you all in more detail later. Xxx

Oh Ging, absolutely thrilled for you! So happy to hear that your collection has gone well and you've got a full dozen eggs! Still keeping everything crossed for lots of good fertilisation! Enjoy your

Scots glad your headaches are lifting and your scan is around the corner. Fingers crossed for you!

My scan today was good, the follicles they thought would catch up have, so we are booked for EC on Monday. Feel a bit guilty to call out sick for that but must prioritise these eggs. I've started to feel excited and hopeful but am a bit nervous about getting too hopeful, if that makes sense? As we'd originally thought EC would be last week, we've got a quiet weekend ahead, not sure how to keep myself from fretting too much.

Ging- so pleased it's done! Now it's out of your hands and science/nature can take its course. I hope you are feeling better, and I can't believe you were well enough to post at just after 10am! You are such a trooper! 12 eggs!!! That's amazing!!
Please keep us updated!
Meadow- looks like we are on the same day!
I had scan and tests again today and I'm in on Monday for EC! I'm booked on for lunchtime. Now just few more last injections, then trigger shot tomorrow night and.... Meadow, I so agree and understand about being nervous about being hopeful! Totally makes sense. In the same boat here. I'm feeling my ovaries and same as you, too many trips to loo at night. Sonographer said it's normal, as ovaries are pressing on bladder. And I feel bruised there too. Oh well, few more days!
Scot- hope AF is not too annoying! 😀What's your next step after your Wednesday scan?

Hi ladies - really sorry I have been AWOL this week. I have been just totally exhausted this week, and have had to have early nights. So sorry I have missed so much - it is just wonderful to see how supportive everyone is of one another. I am on day 8 of stimming - worked up to Menopur 300 iu slowly but surely because of my PSOC (been having daily scans and bloods). Reacting quite well, I think, biggest follicle 14-15mm - but feeling really tired constantly - the back and forth trips to the hospital are not helping. Not sure if people have had similar experiences. If all continues to go okay, EC could be around Wednesday - trying not to get too optimistic, but feel can't help feeling a bit excited. For those that were asking a few days ago, I had to have a dilapan, because they had problems passing the tube through for my dummy transfer before. Sorry to hear about some of the experiences that some of you are having with the sonographers - you'd think they'd be more sensitive as it's such a vulnerable experience for us. Ging, congratulations on your EC - fingers crossed for your fertilisation! xxx

Ging - yassssss 🙌🏻 Absolutely fantastic news. I'm over the moon for you. Fingers and toes crossed the next part goes well. It's out of your hands now. Your wee body has done a great job.

Meadow & Fox - Oooooh fabby! How exciting. Meadow, things just took a wee bit longer but you've got there in the end. Bet Monday can't come quick enough for both of you. Easier said than done but try relax. Monday is only 3 sleeps away. 😘

Fox - this has been the best period I've had in a long long time. There was no spotting for days before & been very little cramp. I wish it was like this every month.
After my scan on Wednesday I'll start in the stims injections - eeeeeek absolutely cacking myself. I'm on the maximum dosage. That means injections night and day for the first few days 🙈.
Just need to keep reminding myself it's all in a good cause.

Emma - welcome back. That's a shame you're having a rough time of it. I have all that to look forward to in the not so distant future. Are you on the maximum dosage??
Fingers crossed you stay on track for Wednesday.

Lots of PMA ladies x

Well I'm awake. Am glad I made it to 5am with the 9.30 phone call hanging over me.My ovaries and insides were extremely sure and tender yesterday. Of course I couldn't take ibuprofen and the co-dyramol didn't seem to touch it. However, all feels a lot better today. Took my first cyclogest pessary last night so on to the next step.

Icedgem I am also devastated for you. But you still have your NHS chance. I read somewhere that they learn a lot about you with every cycle so hopefully they can use that to give you a successful cycle in the future. Out consultant recommended that both of take zinc picolinate and gluthathione daily. I've read that they do and they seem to be the bomb of fertility supplements. If you wanted try something to get you ready. I like to feel like I am being proactive. Have my fingers crossed for a happy ending here xx

Meadowlark thanks so much for checking with your RE about our situation. My concern is that she definitely read the size wrong. Really we could have ec Wednesday instead of Friday. We got 2 more days of stimms instead. The 2 biggest were 22 and 24 on Wednesday and were empty during ec. Fingers crossed this allowed a smaller and stronger one to be harvested.

Please don't worry about sick days. This is so important and work will be there waiting for you when you're ready. Please take Tuesday off too. I would really struggle with work today. Especially with the impending phone call. Have my fingers crossed for Monday's scan.

Fox best of luck with the last few days of stimms and the ec on Monday. I thought the trigger shot would be awful as it looked complicated. But it was perfectly fine.My fingers are crossed for you on Monday too.

Scotslass Hopefully the easy AF is a good sign for times ahead and hopefully it is the last one for a long time.Best of luck with the scan and the menopur. I took menopur too and it was fine.

Emma those sounds like good size follicles.Fingers crossed they continue to grow.

We have a lot at stake here as all of you do. I turn 40 in March and the endometriosis they lazered off in May will definitely come back. I was firm that I wanted to pop two blastocysts back in if I could at all and my consultant casually said you just need to decide how many you want. The embryologist was a lot less keen. In fact they were at cross purposes about doing IVF/ICSI/mixing it up yesterday. I look the embryologists advice and they went ICSI for all. She is the expert here. But because of the ICSI they hadn't had a proper look at the eggs yesterday and so I don't even know how many have matured even.

Hope you all have super weekends and everything continues to progress well xxx You're all supers

Fox, can't believe we're on the same day. Had my last stim last night and buserelin this morning. I trigger tonight at midnight! When is your trigger and EC? How are you feeling?

Emma, nice to hear from you again. Glad you are on pace with stims but sorry you're feeling so tired. I have been absolutely knackered, too! Can you rest a bit this weekend? When is your next scan? Fingers crossed for you!

Scots, I'm excited that you'll start your injections soon. I hate having jabs and found them mostly tolerable, if some did sting a bit. Hope the easiness of this AF is a sign of good things to come!

Ging, thanks for the update-by now I believe you should have had your phone call and I hope it was good news. Sending all good thoughts to you and your eggs. My clinic has said they will only do two blasts if you are over 40, and that putting two back doesn't increase odds of pregnancy, if that is useful for you. I think that if the blasts are low quality (for example if you have only two that make it to two days) then they may put them both back in, but I"m sure each clinic has a different protocol. Sending lots of good thoughts for strong embroys for you!! Thanks for your support also, I will definitely take off of work Tuesday if needed.

I also have two follicles that were ahead (20 and 21mm) and the rest were 14 initially, yesterday they were all around 18 and the big ones were 22-24mm. Consultant said the big ones should still be alright but I guess there's no guarantee that any follicle produces an egg. Had a bit of a cry this morning, as I feel the stress is just a bit too much right now and I'm so worried it won't work, that I'll ovulate too early, or they'll all be empty follicles, etc. DH and I have had a miscarriage and an ectopic previously so I am too familiar with pregnancy disappointment and loss. Trying to hold onto my PMA but the previous disappointments and sadness are creeping back in. Sure the hormones don't help. Sorry for the moan, I know I'm lucky to get to this point at all

Sending lots of PMA to you all and thank you girls for your support!

Hello again,
Just got back from work, and can settle in for relaxing weekend (if you can call pre EC days relaxin)
Meadow- strange, right? Had my last Gonal F last night and Cetrotide this morning...I'm taking my trigger shot at 12.30am tonight. Wow, we are at exactly the same stage! And booked in for 12.30 midday Monday. I have 4 at 18mm + and 5 and 14mm + so, they should have 18-22 by Monday. I have had no experiance with any pregnancy at all, and I'm 36... and I am scared, and then I get worried and then I stop caring as there isn't much I can do, and then scared etc etc... it's such a rollercoaster... if that makes sense.
Ging, any updates? Can't wait to hear from you!

6 fertilised. 11 looked suitable but 5 didn't take even with the icsi. We are provisionally booked in for transfer Monday at 8.30. If she calls us at 7.30 it'll be Wednesday instead. She's calling us tomorrow to update us on the after she's checked them. Am so scared they'll just stop.

Can't get my head off the idea that if we'd had accurate scan's it would have been a Wednesday ec. That I lost some lovely mature eggs to immature ones because of the delay. It won't matter if it works but will eat me up if it doesn't.

Meadowlark you are fully entitled to cry and it's good to get it out. It's so strearful with the hope and the fear. Add hormones and exhaustion to the mix and it's tough.

Fox I'll be thinking about you at 12.30. Monday. Fingers crossed. Such a rolleroaster and so much is out of our control and there are guarantees and there is so so much at stake.

Xxx

In case I sound like I'm moaning about it I'm know. Thrilled with our 6. Just petrified about the next few hours, days, months etc xx