Anyone else in the South West

[Tigergreen]

Hi I was just wondering if there is anyone else lurking or active who is living in the South West? I’m Bristol based but had treatment in Bath and I’m keen to meet a few more folk locally who might be keen to chat or meet up. Tiger x

I'm based in somerset and we've recently been approved for funding for fertility treatment. We get a choice between Bath or Exeter hospitals (it was originally going to be south mead but have been told they don't do it there any more).
What was your experience like at Bath? Not sure how to decide which one to use!

Hi snowfee, that’s great news. We’ve had a very positive experience at Bath. Really wonderful staff team - especially the nurses. Facilities are tip top and we were made to feel very welcome. Unfortunately we weren’t successful and as with you, only get one NHS cycle in the south west but we’re now saving up for second round and stick with them. Happy to answer any specific questions you have. T x

Out of interest, how long did it take from getting your first appointment through to actually starting any treatment?

I started the same day! They packed me off with meds but in principle it will depend on where you are in your cycle.

And what tests you have had done. Recommend having everything ready. All bloods need to be within last 3 months. There’s a list on there more website of what you need

Wow that's good that they got going the same day.
Ours may take a little longer, we've both been tested, DH isn't producing sperm (at the moment don't know whether it's a blockage or no making it) and I only showed signs of ovulation 1 out of 3 blood tests. But it's good to know they are quick to get things going when they can.

Waves from Devon. (But I go to Bristol for scans and Cardiff for treatment...)

Hi Persipan! How come you opted for Cardiff? Are you cycling at the moment? We’re still planning next fresh cycle and saving money. Getting married in June so don’t think we’ll go again till July. T X

Hi @Tigergreen I'm bristol aswell but seen in Bath too. Got another few days til my OTD if cycle number 1 but only one grade c embryo put back in when they offered us two and BFN so far . Due to my premature ovarian failure we'll be going again ASAP (though need IVF due to MFI) - psyhing myself up for round 2. We'll be sticking with bath as hey have good success rates x

Hi @hoping2018 ah that’s cool. Just wanted to wish you luck for OTD. These are definitely the worst few days. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. We had a surprisingly poor cycle. Only retrieved 5 eggs (1 put back on day 2, nothing to freeze) Bath have since tested my AMH so now waiting for those results and referal for uterus scan as they discovered I have a septate uterus. We also have morphology issue but it’s variable. T x

@Tigergreen I'm surprised they didn't check your AMH before hand? But I guess they were keen to check mine due to high FSH.

I got 20 eggs which was ridiculous for my low AMH but then only two made it to poor quality blastocysts with nothing to freeze despite 14 fertilising? Embryologist said my eggs must be poor quality but I'm hoping that's because they overstimulated me (no idea if overstimulation effects egg quality). I feel desperate for my follow up appointment with the consultant. Have you booked one of these? X

@Tigergreen sorry you only got 5 - on the plus side if your AMH Is low they can just give you more mess next time and they'll most likely get more? How old are you and how long have you been trying? X

Hey @hoping2018 20 is incredible! Don’t forget you’re definitely not out yet. I’m 34 and my AFC and FSH we’re both normal so they didn’t think it was necessary to do AMH at the time. Follow up was super useful. I had lots of questions. I have read that overstimming affects quality which is why some practitioners don’t advocate just increasing dosage for people with low ovarian reserve. What starting dose were you on? I was on 225. Whether or not we up it will depend on AMH results but the consultant did not seem particularly phased by poor recovery. We had 4/5 mature and 3 fertilised, with 2 making it to day 6 but not good enough to freeze so guess those are not terrible results for such a low response. X

@Tigergreen better results proportionately than me! Did he say if they'd do exactly the same again next time or change it to try get more? I was on 300 so wonder if he'll reduce me down?

Can I ask how long you had to wait for the follow up? And how long they said until you could do a repeat fresh cycle?

I know I'm not technically out but I was so overstimulated and had mild OHSS symptoms but none of that now at all so just trying to plan for the worst but hope for the best! X

@hoping2018 We don’t know what protocol will look like until I’ve had Amh/uterus scan but potentially, yes.

Our follow up was a two weeks afterwards.

We didn’t talk about when we could start, as we told them we needed to delay and save money etc

I’m a bit torn about delay but in long run going to use this next few months to work even harder on egg quality. Fingers crossed for you. X

@Tigergreen I guess see what your AMH is - if it's low you might want to try and go a bit earlier but you're still young and me Walker said it's more useful to guide what dose of meds to give x