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!

@LopeyLopez I’m not the best person to use as an example but my right ovary was behind my left. In the end it did show some good size follicles but unfortunately they were all empty. As were a few in my left. I think I was unlucky and my dose too low. Good luck for Thursday and my favourite bit was tikeboff work although my EC was Friday so only a day off and back today!

I was wondering if my three embryos gave up the ghost today whether they would still ring me on Thursday or if they would let me know earlier that all three had gone. 🤔

@Ginandtonic31 @LopeyLopez I can’t believe you’re taking hardly any time off work. Good for you being able to, but I need the whole process off. I’m an emotional wreck the whole time 😭

Good luck @LopeyLopez Still time to grow until Thursday

@physicskate that’s a reason why you shouldn’t test early 😂 messes with your head. But I think it’s a really good chance that’s yours is. Real positive! 😊😊 when is your test day?

I’m ill 😐 got a cold. Waiting to hear from the hospital if transfer is today or wed.

Hope you get a nice phone call to update you @Ginandtonic31

@Beherenow32 I just needed to know if I should have any hope left. Last night i was a wreck... I know it was naughty!! Beta is on Friday.

@Behernow32 I’ve used all my holidays in going on holiday (3 this year) 😂so having to work. But it’s also some normality for me and takes my mind off everything just getting stuck in. I don’t get an update until Thursday.

@physicskate I always want to test early! But my DH doesn’t let me. Things looking positive for you!

@Ginandtonic31 I really wish I could go to work. I look after babies though. Not the best environment for me!

My transfer is Wednesday! Xx

Good luck @Beherenow32! Wish I could transfer as I’m sure we would get one out of three if we were able to transfer!

Ooh I’m quietly excited for you @physicskate! I have been debating how early I could get away with testing but I’m trying to hold out. My OTD is 2nd July, seems like a lifetime away, I’m not sure I’ll make it till then!

Good luck with the call @beherenow32, hope you get a good healthy embie(s) on board!

@physicskate what have you been doing during your 2ww? Are you managing to relax? I always take time off, but then spend it an emotional wreck!

@Ginandtonic31 I know! Would be nice if they could just transfer one, at least... then test later. But I know that doesn’t make sense! X

Mostly relaxing @Beherenow32. It's pretty easy to relax with this weather and being unemployed!! Bit though as I'm due to start a job next week that involves a lot of lifting and carrying... oh well! That's their problem - not mine!!

Oh and acupuncture!!

Thanks @physicskate I am able to take time off work, but do feel it adding to my stress a little.... I’ve never done acupuncture 😵 I have booked myself in for pampering time. Think I’ll get facial, head massage etc.
Xx

@physicskate and congrats on the new job x

@Beherenow32 I’ve seen some places build the rest beforehand and be able to test and get back in straight away, but our test isn’t even built yet! If we wanted we could try naturally and then test at 10 weeks but I’m not sure I could cope well with making the decision!

@Ginandtonic31 Yeah, I understand. Obviously, I don’t know what you’re testing for, but sounds like it’s best to test first. I hope everything works out for you both, and you can use the waiting time to look after yourself.

I can feel myself starting to stress already! Stupid! Going to try and distract myself xx

@Beherebow32 whatever Thursday’s outcome I just want it done as then I can switch off for 6 months while they build the test or I know there’s nothing to test and can move on. It’s why I was gutted with 4 eggs as tbh the drop off rate is massive from this point as not many make it to freeze and then if any do there’s a chance they will be affected.

Thanks @physicskate @Ginandtonic31 and @Beherenow32 ! I am excited if nervous...

@Beherenow32 I would love to take more time off but I just daren't....and to be fair I have been coping ok, certainly physically. As someone said, work gives a sense of normality and takes your mind of it....otherwise i would go crazy with over-thinking. Can totally understand why you would not want to work with small children though....

I really hope my eggs catch up as yours did @physicskate . Wow, 18 is an excellent crop! I guess I will get what I get, although I would love 5-10 so that I would feel a bit better with the attrition as they all start to die off at various stages.

As my acupuncturist said though, which makes me feel better: it's quality, not quantity. 2 excellent eggs that will go the whole hog are far better than 20 substandard, many of which will fall by the wayside. Good luck for some lovely embryos people!

joining the club.. first injection.. lots of emails and work deadlines 🙄🙄 hubby has got major performance anxiety too.. going to take the week of annual leave so as not to deal with work..

Yes @LopeyLopez I was shocked all our four were mature and then three fertilised so I’m praying they make it to testing! Someone I know had 19 eggs and 9 made it to testing. Only two didn’t have the condition. I keep telling myself I could also still have two without the condition. If all my three make it to test I’m still in the game. We will see. It’s the not knowing that’s hard. I coped fine with work and going back today has be so helpful! I feel like me again and my spirits have lifted. I feel like I have a purpose and normality.

@tikha welcome!
@HJ82 how are you finding injections? I think we started on same day
@cannonball you are starting tomorrow right?

Not much to report from me, find it’s a bit difficult to draw up the buserelin, takes me a few goes. Had nausea day 1 but none today so maybe unrelated. Did get a horrible itchy rash at injection site today which has thankfully gone. Need to try mop up spillage tomorrow to see if that helps. Prefilled injections were so much easier... Hoping I don’t get hot flushes with this heat wave, I’m hot enough as it is without! Seriously would love some AC 😂

Hope everyone on 2WW/ waiting for transfer is holding up ok!

Oh and good luck @ginandtonic- when do you hear back? Does it take them 6 months to test? And here I was complaining about my 3 month wait between treatments.... Hope you get some good news soon. X

@tigerlily99. Not bad. Didn’t feel anything, yay! I’m on 0.5 though. You? I pull back about 1ml of air into syringe then inject that air into the bottle then turn upside down and draw, you should have no issue with air tightness this way. Also, I just put the inject needle on the draw, no idea why they gave me a huge draw needle, don’t need it. Unless you’re having like 4ml or something. I squeeze belly, stab it, then release squeeze and then slowly inject and wait 5 secs to pull needle out. Are you doing that? No bruising or itchy ness yet. Sounds like it’s a minor allergic thing going on. There’s no rash is there? I’m feeling pretty shit in terms of mood and I’m mega bloated :| already hmm. Gross.

Hey all, hope the TWWers are doing okay! Hang in there. Get some good ol' chill time in! Hope stimmers and downreggers doing well too

@Tigerlily99, yes starting tomorrow! How are the injections going? Did you find a place in the house for your meds? Mine are in the cupboard under the stairs - the coolest place in house at moment!

So I summoned up courage to tell my boss today. But burst into tears! Just said that I need to have some treatment in the next month and would be in and out, and that I would be off for a few days too. I couldn't bring myself to tell him about the IVF in the end. Chickened out in the moment. But he was really kind and just said that I should do whatever I need to do. Feeling pretty embarrassed about crying like that :( but so outwardly cheerful and suppress all anxieties about this that sometimes the emotions boil over.

Went spinning this eve in the heat! Crazy decision utterly knackered now. Ready to drop! Good night ladies :)

Hello @tikha!

@tigerlily99 it can take them up to 6 months to build the actual test. If we get some in the freezer that is. Once they are in the freezer they will build it and then test and the next we will hear is how many are in affected. If we don’t get any through Thursday I think our wait is around 4 months or so for round 2. So much waiting isn’t there! I’m just focusing on trying to get to Thursday and some making it!

Awww @cannonball8726 at least you can relax a bit now and take the time you need for appointments. Having work’s backing has helped me.

@HJ82- thanks! I’ll try that tomorrow. Don’t have the drawing up needle, just the teeny ones to inject. Yeah, looked like an allergic rash but I think it because I made a bit of a mess trying to tap out a big bubble but didn’t clean it up as was in a hurry to get to work so some of it got on my skin. Will try to be neater in future. Am on 0.5 too. Rash has gone, just a small bruise now, hope I don’t get any more. First time didn’t bruise but it’s nowhere near as bad as the blood thinning injections- bruised like a peach on those! No mood swings or bloating yet... watch this space 😜 When is your first scan?
@cannonball- injections are ok so far, just the usual wimpyness about objecting myself. Didn’t really find anywhere that cool for my injections, I’m pretty certain it’s been above 25C in house on several occasions... Actually as I write this, I remember I have a cool bag so might stick it in there- thanks for reminding me! Well done for telling your boss, I was super nervous to tell mine but was glad I did in the end as it took a bit of the stress off trying to get time off work. I work shifts so it’s particularly hard to get time off short notice otherwise. Don’t worry about crying. I once started crying hysterically after the last cycle and ran out of the office. No one knew what was wrong with me and they thought I was mad! But they all forgot about it soon enough. It happens, it’s entirely normal. You’d have to be made of stone to not be affected by this process! Good luck for tomorrow. X