September/October IVF

[WineWinner]

Hey,

I've had my appointment through finally to start my first round of IVF. Our consultation is September and hoping if we start on CD21 (no idea if we will, just what I'm presuming from research) then we will be good to start just after the middle of the month. Anyone else the tentatively waiting for a September start?

[kelou75]

Hi @guio yes this will be our first cycle after about 5 years of trying n waiting about a year to get to this stage for ivf. Sorry if my MN lingo isn’t correct 😬 I’m sort of picking it up...From what my consultant explained, 1 cycle is anything that they get from the egg collection, so if your lucky and produce more than one that is suitable for freezing then they will be frozen and if the fresh doesn’t work you then would try with the frozen and it’s still counts as one cycle. If you are successful and have a child then from then on you have to pay for further treatment and storage if you have any frozen....or if you only get 1 cycle funded, well that’s how I understood it nways. I’ve got a friend who has been through the whole process, so I have quizzed her about the process. She was successful and still has some embies frozen and will be self funding this time, the fet cycle will work out a little less for her financially as there will be less medication etc, providing the fet goes to plan..
Flipping eck, It’s such a lot to take in isn’t it? My clinic didn’t really cover much of the process off with us until our last appointment where we had a run through everything and possible outcomes. My appointment before that a nurse weighed me, and didn’t change the height on the scales n told the consultant I had a bmi of 32! Which meant I wouldn’t get the funding for my nhs cycle. I almost had a breakdown as I’d weighed myself before and knew my bmi was 26! I was almost in tears in the corridor making them re do it!
We have literally told two other people about our journey and up to now haven’t even told our parents, for me it’s been self preservation, as I can’t deal with all the questions. I know people mean well but unless you’ve been it the position it’s difficult for them to understand...It’s definitely a rollercoaster isn’t it?

[Guio]

@kelou75 do you know when you are starting? I like thinking about the future a lot and I have started to think about frozen ones, if I could use them when I don't know if I will get any.this process absorbes your life completely.I think everyday about it.We are meant to refurbish the house and I told my partner to wait until we do IVF because I don't want to stress more, it is like putting your life on hold and this is the priority.I guess is the same for many of us. I told a few people actually more than expected including my boss as I feel guilty when I ask for permission for Dr appointments although it is our right but I guess I felt better telling her.Keep us posted with your steps

[kelou75]

Hi @guio we are do to start end Aug/ beginning of Sept now it’s got closer my cycles have got slightly longer so most likely be beginning of Sept.
I think your right re the refurb, that’s enough stress at the best of the times, without throwing IVF in mix aswell! I’ve been the same thinking about the whole thing non stop, so I’ve tried to keep myself busy these past two weeks...Doing some of the rubbish jobs I’ve put off doing and so far seems to be helping. I’ve also downloaded the IVF mindfulness app aswell, but in all honesty I need to try a bit harder with that 😬. I will let you know how it’s going. Do you have a date to start yet?

[Guio]

@kelou75 I don't think I will start until October as I have holiday booked and I think is nice to enjoy and have a break as much before starting it.i am going try not to think a lot on holiday although it is difficult as we have more free time to think 😶.

[HappyHedgehog247]

Hi gang

@winewinner I’ve got some med changes this cycle to see if it makes any difference, but I am in my 40s so the main issue is egg quality so have been trying to improve that through supplements but also a numbers game a bit

@AniSL good to be cycle buddies again

Someone asked about testosterone. I used testosterone gel last cycle and it was fine.

I’ve been having acupuncture. I like it but hasn’t done the trick yet!

[CritterTamer]

@HappyHedgehog247 - it was me that asked about testogel - glad to hear it wasn’t a problem for you. I am 40 also with no issues other than egg quality and the consultant says the testogel produces more and better quality eggs? Not sure I buy it though as they are only giving it to me for a month and I thought anything to improve egg quality had to be used at least 3 months in advance. Oh well, will give anything a try at this point! 😊 I’m also doing acupuncture this time around - need a lottery win to pay for everything!

[kelou75]

Hi everyone hope you are all ok?
just a quick update from me. I’ve had my appointment with the nurse today and gone through all the medication and how to do the injections, there’s a bit to take in but the nurse was lovely and the needles don’t look that bad. The scariest one is the one you draw the cetrorelix with but you swap the needle to a smaller finer one to administer! (Phew!) I’ve now got a huge bag of meds ready and waiting 😬....
But I’ve had a bit of what could be a set back as nobody had picked up that my smear is now due this Sept!!! I’ve rang my gp as clinic won’t do it and got the next appointment after practically begging the receptionist because I’ve not actually had my letter yet 🤦🏻‍♀️. My smear is booked next Tuesday but that’s CD27 ! So not even sure if that will be possible to do? If not I can’t start till I’ve had a smear so could end up being beginning of October!!! I know it’s important to get done n I know it’s only another month but I’m just annoyed as I’ve got my head around starting after the AF and it’s taken a year since referral to get to this stage.
Argh! I just need to get a grip, worse things happen, I know. Sorry for being an irrational, winge bag!! (going off to have a serious word with myself)

[Guio]

Hi kelou75, good that the needles are not as bad as you thought!I think it will be the most scary thing for me when they explain.are you planning to do it yourself?about the smear test when you mean is due, is that obligatory?sorry I am not originally from UK so not sure how often you need to take it.x

[kelou75]

Hi @guio, nice to here from you! hope you are well? Honestly you will be fine, the needles weren’t as bad or as big as you imagine! so I think I’m going to try and do them myself. My gonal F is in a pre loaded pen type of injection, so you just put on your needle, turn the dial to the dosage they tell you after your bloods n inject...seems straightforward, we shall see 😬, if not OH is eager to try, but I’d rather me do it than him 😂
Re the smear; unfortunately yes they like to have your smear up to date, n smears tests are carried out every three years. When we were referred last year my gp did the clamidia test and bloods but just said my smear was up to date but didn’t say when it was due n obvs I couldn’t remember three years ago, so when they triple checked everything today, it came up.
Oh well nothing I can do bout it, I’m thinking it’s best it’s done before, and no point in me going over it, even though it’s annoyed me. I feel like this cycle is going soo slow, just want to get on n start.
It’s great that your going on holiday before you start your cycle. We did the same in July, it’s a great way to unwind and forget about the fertility rollercoaster... N the cocktails were great aswell 😜 x

[Kellyx]

@WineWinner Hi, Me and my husband have been TTC for 5 years now, we had all tests and scans etc and everything came back normal. We have unexplained infertility. I should be starting IVF in the next few weeks! everything is complete, and the clinic have said within 2 weeks I will hear about going to a seminar and a starting appointment to start the drugs etc, So nervous/excited.

[AniSL]

Injections aren't so bad if your not scared of needles. Once you have done it you will be ok.

[Kellyx]

@AniSL I am a little scared of needles, but I'm hoping with a little practise I will be ok. I read a girl on here say she had a major needle phobia before IVF and by the end had cured it! so fingers crossed! :)

[CritterTamer]

@Kellyx my first round of IVF cured my fear of needles - it’s amazing what you can overcome with the right motivation 😊

[AniSL]

KellyX I thinl when you remember why you are doing it, it gives u the courage the first few times and then it just becomes easier after that

What wasnt easy for me was administering injections to my DH for antibiotics after his TESE, the needle was huge.

[Kellyx]

@CritterTamer Oh thats good to hear! I think its the thought of doing it myself that freaks me out - but I'm sure I will get there! Ive already started feeling abit better about it with the amount of blood tests I've had to have so far lol IVF journey is definitely not short of needles! x

[WineWinner]

Hi guys, how is everyone feeling? It seems to me that it's all getting very surreal and sudden! After years of waiting I'm now starting to completely panic at the thought of possibly being pregnant soon. I'm so torn between being positive or remaining realistic! 2 weeks countdown is on for me now for the first appointment. How are you all doing with the wait?

[CritterTamer]

Treatment planning appointment for round 2 is on Thursday morning so I’m feeling happy to get started again 😊

[WineWinner]

Glad you're feeling cheery Critter! How is the acupuncture going? Do you have a rough idea when you will start your protocol after your appointment?

[CritterTamer]

Hi @Winewinner - I’m loving the acupuncture - I feel great afterwards, and between that and daily fertility yoga I seem to have managed to lengthen my short 10 day LP to 12-13 days each month which is great. At least if the IVF fails I’ll feel more hopeful trying naturally with a decent luteal phase 😊
I’m on short protocol so I think it will be endo scratch around day 17 (day 1 today) of this cycle, then onto norethisterone around day 21 to start shimming at the beginning of October for a EC mid-October - at least that was the plan at my last review in July.

Are you on short or long protocol? Do you have an expected EC date yet?

[WineWinner]

Great that the acupuncture is helping! I keep debating it but haven't taken the plunge yet!

I'm presuming everything at the moment. I'm guessing I'll be long protocol but haven't had a definite for anything or any dates yet. My appointments are 10th and 11th and then my day 21 is the 19th so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will start me then and not wait another cycle. Keep trying to map out rough dates etc and sort work situations out but really it's all just guess work I suppose as I have nothing to go by.

[CritterTamer]

Treatment planning appontment was today and scan showed that ovaries and uterus are nicely settled from the last cycle and looking perfect so ready to kick off cycle 2 now with meds starting on Monday 😊 the cost of meds for this cycle was less than half of the last cycle’s so that was good news too! EC due around October 8th - starting to get excited again now that I have some dates 😊
Hope everyone else is getting ready to get started too!

[WineWinner]

Hi Critter, that's great news! Glad you are getting excited about it all too. Great you have a rough date for EC already too. Did they give you a map out of all your rough dates then?

[Journey18]

Hi Ladies

I'm new Has anyone had IVF/ICSI ie the process and maybe any tips any knowledge would be useful

Thanks

[CritterTamer]

@Winewinner yes, when you have your treatment planning session they will map out roughly when everything should happen for you. Obviously the dates can’t be exact as you might stimulate faster or slower than expected so things might get changed last minute but you will have a good idea of when everything will happen.

[AniSL]

Journey18 we had IVF with ICSI and TESE in May. Best thing you can do is get your bodies and your eggs/sperm prepared for the journey ahead by drinking enough water a day and following a fertility diet, reduce and preferably stop alcohol and cigarette use. Take the right supplements