Anyone else just starting their journey ?

[TTC73]

DH is going for his sperm sample to be tested today and hes so nervous and the GP wants me to have some blood tests done and swabs at a later date. So nervous of what to expect and terrified of the possibility of IVF I've heard its so painful ?
We've been trying to have a baby for over 3yrs with 2 chemical pregnancies so far

@Fizzy13 welcome x

@Miss83 congrats on your engagement! How did your appointment go?

Hi ladies ne updates or is thread turnin zombie lol i was just watchin a few programmes on ivf does anyone else feel freaked out by how they might react to the mood swings..im bad enough with pmt!

@Fizzy13 My GP and consultant have been very good at transferring their records over to the fertility clinic (who haven't asked to repeat anything). They did want to do their own ultrasound scan, but just to get extra information on #follicles.

@squirrelnutkins1 I'd suggest that you make sure to have a conversation with the doctor before the op. (S)he will come down to see you... and talk through the reasons that they would choose to take an ovary out. They don't like to, if it can be avoided, as they are important for your hormones - so I'm sure they wouldn't unless it's makes a big difference to your daily life / chances.

@2fingers22018 Yes! for this very reason, I've chosen to tell work in advance - I'm so worried that I'll get uncontrollably emotional and that I might not even realise! My job is quite customer focussed so don't want to make any trouble!

I've finally had my laparoscopy (and other things at the same time) and more-or-less fully recovered. They confirmed my infertility 100% Looking on the bright(?) side, I'll never need contraception ever again... and hopefully what they've done will make my monthly cycle less painful. IVF to start in Jan. So very much hoping the first cycle works (fx).

Best of luck for everyone trying over the holidays

Hi everyone, hope it's OK to join. I've been trying a year with no luck so we've just started tests with the GP. I'm 35 and dh is 36. I've had my cd21 back and I am ovulating and had my cd1-5 bloods yesterday. Got swabs and ultrasound scan on Monday. Dh has his sperm analysis in early January.

Sorry to see so many of us here. Part of me is petrified to find out something may be wrong but the other part is scared that what if they don't find anything wrong?

I've been really upset and stressed the last few months so have sought counselling, should be having a session through work next week and had an assessment with a counsellor via my GP surgery and am on the waiting list.

Best wishes all

Sorry to hear your news @SpringLake, fingers crossed for you for January

@VenusStarr Sorry you're on this rollercoaster too. Life has it's ups and downs but this journey has certainly brought me the most (and fastest) variation between happy/sad and excited/scared... and it's certainly not over yet. It helps to remember that time is a journey, which is different for everyone.
FX that you do get a reason, at least you can rest easy in knowledge, that way.
Have you looked up the local hospital trust rules for IVF referral? Some places will give you lots of treatment, and up to 40. Others give nothing after you turn 35. Some people have been known to move home to change trust area!

Thank you @SpringLake yes I've looked at the ccg rules and we would get one round of ivf. If there's no reason found it'll be another year to wait but if they find a reason they'll start treatment immediately.

I've already looked into the possibility of going abroad if needed just to get a rough idea of costs. Hoping it won't get that far but would need to save some money.

There are other threads discussing going abroad... personally I would be too nervous to do that I think (wouldn't know the local laws if there were a problem...) . If you haven't visited a private fertility in the UK yet, it's well worth signing up to their open evenings. I've been to a couple.
There's a new(?) policy you can subscribe to which is about the cost of maybe 2(?) cycles of IVF but they will pay for as many as you need, so at least with that option you can budget (no matter how long it takes).

Thanks for your reply @SpringLake. I'm just looking at local options.

I had an ultrasound / transvaginal scan yesterday and I have multiple fibroids and the sonographer wasn't sure but he thought that my tubes may be blocked by them. There are none on my uterus so shouldn't impact on pregnancy but this might explain why we've not had any luck. Got to wait until January to discuss with my GP and see what the next steps are. I'm pretty upset. My dh feels its positive as we might have a reason and so we can get a plan in place. The scan also showed I am due to ovulate soon as he could see a mature follicle. Feel very sad at the moment and not at all hopeful.

How is everyone else?

How was the ultrasound @VenusStarr?
I've got mine in Jan. In the middle of doing the blood tests this cycle and DH has had his SA (results in Jan)
I want to get on with it all but am a bit nervous too. Until we get a diagnosis I can pretend nothing is wrong. But obviously there is, so I'm also dreading being told there isn't anything wrong as then there is nothing we can do!

Hi @Fizzy13, ultrasound was OK - luckily only spent a short time with a bursting bladder then switched to transvaginal scan. Looks like I will need more investigations as there may be an issue with my tubes.
Dh has his sperm analysis in January.

It's such a strange experience - part of me wants to have a reason but then I'm petrified there is a reason and then what if there is no help or no hope. This is the worst thing I've gone through. Its just a roller-coaster of emotions with no certainty at the end. You just have to set off on a horrible journey and see where it leads. Feeling really crap today. I know I'm ovulating too and part of me doesn't want to miss the chance but then I'm thinking what's the point if my egg can't get through

Hope you're OK today

It sure is a roller-coaster... not knowing is awful. I hope you both get answers soon. Knowledge is power!

(Finding out doesn't change anything, but can only make you feel better about big decisions like surgery or IVF).

Thank you @SpringLake, I nerd to talk to a professional who knows how this is / will affect me. I've read lots of unclear and upsetting things which aren't helping me. Just feeling a bit lost and helpless. Really hope the new year brings news.

Hope you're OK?

@SpringLake Good idea. I do need to tell them I've changed my mind as I did give consent initially. I hate how steam rolled you feel at initial appointments. I really feel something is very wrong, I'm in pain almost constantly now ☹️
Let's hope 2019 is all of our years 😊 2018 has been pretty crappy!!!!

@Venusstarr I hope you can find someone to talk to, who can help you figure what is likely to affect for you. You're not lost... you're just not sure where there path is (or maybe which one of many to choose!).

I am doing OK, thank you. I've had many paths closed off to me now. Still don't think I know what the right answer is. Life was so much simpler when I was single! I just didn't know it! Anyway, can't do anything at all until Jan... then will have lots of new decisions to make.

@squirrelnutkins1 I hope you (and everyone else too!) find some peace, comfort and rest, over the holidays... and good luck in 2019!

Hi ladies ive not been on here in a long time i wasnt gettin notifications for some reason..hope everyone had a nice xmas and some sort of distraction from infertility. Ive finally got my appt for my hycosy early jan but the gynaeo said the letter would have instructions on how to prepare but as usual nothin on it. I know i need to take painkillers but do you think i should be prepared for anything else(other than the obvs bikini trim😂)

Good idea on bikini trim, id not thought that far ahead 😂 @2fingers22018

Here's hoping 2019 is our year ladies xxx

@squirrelnutkins1 gotta laugh at ourselves eh lol😂 i wonder how many ppl they have to deal with that are au natural haha

Hello everyone. I've had my treatment planning appointment. We're all set to go. Likely start in Feb, short protocol ivf. Starting to feel real, like we're actually making real progress in the right direction (I got so disheartened by just repeatedly doing the same thing while it. just. wasn't. working!)
Fingers-crossed that there's no more barriers or hiccups!! I have a post-Christmas cold, and it's kept me awake trying to decide if it was safe to take herbal remedies now... would my system have time to clear them out in time vs presenting myself ill to the nurse?! Going to start following the Dec/Jan IVF thread now for tips.
To all - best of luck with your upcoming tests! Hope you get answers!

@SpringLake thats great! Gd luck with everything..im not sure about the herbal remedies but i normally drink LOADS of water im talking as much as i can and it flushes it out of my system quicker

@SpringLake Great news!! ❤️

Well ive just received a lovely phone call sayin my hycosy has been cancelled i was due to get it done tomorrow afternoon and they foned me at 4pm today😠angry doesnt cover it!

Me 🙋🏼‍♀️ Started having tests in April/may last year, bloods scans internals. Oh had sa. All my tests comes back normal
Oh sperm results were really severe. Now waiting on our appointment for gynaecology in the hospital for more tests I’m assuming. Anyone at same stage as me?