IVF/ICSI June/July 2018

[cannonball8726]

Hey, all! We are starting ICSI hopefully in June for MFI. I'm 32. Been TTC for around 14 months. Starting treatment privately as we wait for NHS investigations/referrals. Keen to get started but nervous - especially about getting the time off work during treatment - and about how much all of this is going to cost. Trying to prime my body for fertility treatment. Generally eat pretty well and exercise regularly (cardio, strength train, Pilates, walk a lot on my commute)- but could improve my diet. Consultant advised me to increase my protein intake so I'm working on it! Luckily the weather is looking up so a bit easier to stick to healthy lifestyle :) Have cut out alcohol and coffee (still on tea - but will limit myself to one cup/ day). Supplements wise, I'm on Omega 3, CoQ10, Pregnacare. Doubt any of this will make any difference in time for first cycle though...

Would be great to hear from others due to have treatment in June/July 2018!

Ginandtonic - what! 37 eggs. You must have felt so uncomfortable. Glad you're feeling better though!

Beherenow - I would definitely have had some chocolate if I hadn't been too lazy to go and buy it! I demolished my dark chocolate stash during last cycle- will have to stock up ;)

Kate, your mustard seed is the source of much intrigue ;) how is it stuck to your ear? Glad you feel that it helps a little though! How is your BIL doing?

Windy- I'm the same - always pretty relaxed about what I eat during this bit of the cycle. Going to go to the gym this morning just to do some gentle cardio - never push myself too much on CD1/2! Would have loved to go to Pilates today- it really helps with my cramps but makes my bleeding heavier :( last time I was scared I was going to bleed on the mat and vowed never to go again at the beginning of a cycle!

Hello sissi81!

Ladies, is anyone taking Coenzyme Q10? How much do you take and where do you get it from? My consultant told me to take 300mg once daily - I bought it from H&B but running out now. It's so expensive!

@cannonball8726 my dr didn’t recommend any supplements... which is frustrating for me. I bought coq10 on my last cycle, but the very low dose cheaper version. Because as far as I was aware then, there was no issue with my egg quality. Slightly wishing that I took the higher dose now tho! Sorry, not much help at all. How long do you need to take it for? Xx

I take this:
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0771X3LYS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

It hasn't killed me yet, but may just be sugar pills... meant to be 500 mg. I'm taking loads of supplements but plan on stopping once stims start. I've mostly followed advice from 'It starts with the egg'. So in the AM I take:
Royal jelly, folic acid +vit d, r alpha lipoic acid, vit c + zinc, ubiquinol

PM:
Royal jelly, vit d, r alpha lipoic acid, l'argenine, baby aspirin

Plus peppermint tea and rasberry red leaf tea (during follicular phase).

The mustard seed is taped to a pressure point in my ear with surgical tape. Canonball - BIL is not good. Having a difficult time with the outlook, which we don't really know what it is... My aunt is thankfully out of ICU soon (after developing pneumonia after an operation)... I am so glad we chose to postpone a cycle.

I'm interested in fertility massage too! But already spending a fortune on acupuncture (it's like £50 a session).

Windy - they said they weren't going to recheck levels, but think I might go to my GP in a couple weeks to get them to test...

Beherenow, the consultant didn't say how long to take it for and I didn't ask either! I was more shocked at the amount of protein she asked me to start eating...! She also advised that I take Omega 3, pregnacare and iron supplements (slightly iron deficient).

Thanks Kate! Will check out the ubiquinol/sugar pills. That's quite a cocktail of pills! Good news on your aunt but sorry about your BIL. Is he nearby?

For 37 eggs I was in absolute agony, plus expecting the worst - that it would be quantity not quality. The doc prepared us for that as well. I can't fault our consultant, he was very honest from the start: as our CCG doesn't fund even one cycle we were wary of private clinics just asking us for all they could get but were reassured by the staff telling us what to do and what not to bother with.

We completely overhauled our diets on the advice of the nutritionist, and DH's sperm count (it was MFI) went up loads. I can't recommend it enough. I also went to the acupuncturist weekly - I don't really know whether it helped or not but I like to think it did, and now we're just waiting for the FET in June.

We were told by the consultant that no change in diet or supplements would affect the egg quality. Just don’t drink alcohol, smoke and limit caffeine. Take folic acid.

I was taking omega 3, but recently changed that to vitamin e to try instead, my small dose of coq10 and seven seas trying for a baby.

I’m generally healthy anyway... but going to avoid processed foods and sweets, and going to try and eat more protein. I always feel so full during stims and find it difficult to eat. So, will go for higher protein foods.

Think I’ll follow your diet advice instead of my docs haha

And sorry to hear about bil @physicskate xx

@cannonball8726 how much protein are you eating? I read that 60g during stims is recommended?

The advice that people are given is so varied it’s hard to know what to do for the best!

@ginandtonic - are you having a medicated or natural fet? X

@Beherenow32 Our clinic goes off the basis that although the research has been mostly conducted on sperm quality and diet, it's likely to be the same for egg quality - I just thought that it couldn't hurt. Protein heavy, carb light, and loads of colours and superfoods - Pomegranate juice, beetroot juice, tomatoes, peppers, watercress, and nuts - Brazil nuts are the only natural source of selenium.

@windy2909 Medicated transfer, likely to be the end of June, which means we may have to cancel our holidays!

@ginandtonicformeplease thank you for that list. Think I’m doing ok with diet, when I see that. Should maybe just try and relax a bit, and not give myself such a hard time!

Thanks @Beherenow32 for the tag.

Hi All 👋🏻
We've TTC for 2 years, I am 36.
Low AMH and my boyfriend has low sperm count/motility... perfect mix for a disaster ha ha ha. #bepositive
Last month we were supposed to start our first IvF cycle freeze all but on the baseline scan day the clinic decided to cancel the cycle due to having 4 follicles only and high FSH 😔.
Here we are again. Today started with Norethisterone that I'll take for 2 weeks and baseline scan should be on 1st June.
Last week have had my first Acupunture appointment and will go back this week too.
I used to be a very active person, but I have been told to slow down a lot and feeling a little bit lost.

Good luck to all of you 🤞

How is everyone? I have felt so emotional and on the brink of tears this weekend, and this morning before work. Maybe it’s because I’m about the start ivf again, it’s reminding me of the stress of it all!
Hope everyone else is ok x

Welcome @sissi81! So sorry you’re cycle was cancelled. Are they trying a different approach this time round?

@beherenow - hope you’ve perked up and feeling better this evening. This journey unfortunately seems a lot more lows than highs x

It’s nice and sunny where I am so that always helps to lift the mood. Hope the sun is shining for all of you too x

The sun definately helps. Got my first massage tomorrow too. 😄 that’s me on the pill now, and start my injections 1st of June!

@Sissi81 shouldn’t be long until your transfer then? 🤞

Hi @windy2909 - to be fair the only thing that I have to do different this time is taking Norethisterone for 14 days instead of 11, but don't think it will change much 😏.

From my side have started acupuncture, reduce the number of trainings (from the acupuncturist's opinion I am going to the gym too often and too intense workouts) and trying to eat more proteins (I am vegetarian so trying to increase the levels a little).

Baseline scanner book on 1st June so fingers crossers this time I'll be able to start.

So glad that things are beginning to happen soon for some of you ladies. It’s amazing how excited you get just to start getting some dates in for appointments isn’t it?!

Beherenow - how did the mock transfer go?

I start going to clinic next Monday so that they can track my ovulation through blood tests 🤞

@Dia12 👋

@windy2909 thankfully I didn’t have to do the Mock transfer. Phew! Collected my injections and will be in a few weeks time xx

And good news things are moving along for everyone! Good luck for Monday!

Xx

Wow June 1st is going to be a busy day! Haven't ovulated yet so I know I'm at least two weeks away! And perhaps bad timing but I got a job!! I so thought I wouldn't be in with a shout as I'm massively over qualified!! But I got it!! The pay is peanuts but it's low stress! Just what the doctor ordered and I can keep the name Physics Kate as it's still related!

afternoon everyone.

my husband and i have been ttc for 2 years when we found out he has 100% morphology.
we had our 1st appointment at the clinic and are hoping to get going ASAP on ivf with icsi has anyone got any advice for a total newbie?
thank you 😊 x

That is really great news kate - well done! Low stress is what’s needed just now, you can worry about the peanuts pay when you’re skint 😂.

Thanks beherenow - just bloods just now and I’m panicking massively that something goes wrong and it all goes to pot again x

Congrats @physicskate. Nice to have a fresh start.

@CLB540 hi! Think my advice would be to look after yourself!! It’s such a stressful time, you need to allow yourself time to cry/ relax whatever you need to do. And that you’ll need lots of patience. I started off counting down all the days until the next appointment, scan etc. Now I just try and focus on the day.

How are you feeling about it?

I’m not liking the pill at all! Second day and I feel sick, sore head. I didn’t go on it the first cycle, so don’t understand why I’m even on it now 😔

Hello!

Me and my bf have been ttc for a couple of years. I've just turned 40 and have low AMH/high FSH, my bf is 45 and his tests came back fine.

We're going to be starting our first cycle (short protocol) on my next period, due around 1st June (too!!). I've got a scan and appointment with the nurse next Tuesday and I hope to get a bit more info on what to expect etc then.

I'm sort of excited, sort of nervous...!

@beherenow
im excited but i guess thats because i am full of hope. im sure it quickly goes when things are disappointing.

i have been looking at acupuncture. when is best to start this?