Gonal f

[angel2028]

Hi, I am creating this new thread in addition to being on the clomid one.
Reason for this is because my treatment has taken a slightly different path and have just been prescribed gonal f injections.

Does anyone else have any experience of gonal f or has it been discussed as a treatment option for you?

Would be great to discuss.

@angel2028 I was on Gonal f for my 3rd cycle of ICSI. (First try on Gonal f), and am now pregnant. My body seemed to react better to this for stimulation and had 6 out of 8 eggs fertilised. Where the other cycles had quite poor fertilisation.
Good luck when you start!

@Beherenow32

Congratulations!! The clinic recommended it for me over clomid. I start in a couple of days. I don't have a cycle so it doesn't matter when so I'm just waiting for the medication to arrive then off I go.
Did you experience any side effects at all? X

@angel2028 I don’t really remember any major side effects... (I did with the other drugs before). Just feeling quite full once the follicles started to grow. I ate lots of protein too. Not sure if it helped 😊

@angel2028 - great to see this thread has just started... I have PCOS I've had two failed rounds of Clomid. My treatment has also changed direction and now prescribed Gonal-F, my period started yesterday so first injection tonight then scan next Monday. Feeling excited but also scared.

Are you on gonal-f for ovulation induction? Have you started the injections?

Xxx

Hi intrigued2018.

Thanks for joining! I couldn’t see any other relevant thread. So I haven’t tried anything yet. I start my gonal f injections on Wednesday this week when the medication arrives.
Yes I am taking for ovulation induction, I too have PCOS. Luckily I have eggs but they just won’t release!

How exciting that you’re starting tonight! My scan is booked for 29th aug x

@angel2028
I'm also on another PCOS thread but everyone is at different stages/treatment so great to find this tonight and be going through treatment at same time as others. Fingers crossed it's successful for us both!

I'm the same, have eggs they just don't like to leave their comfortable home. My sister went through ICSI a couple of years back (DH issue) and she's said the worst part was the sweats but I'm only on 75iu whereas she was 250+

@angel2028 are you injecting yourself? Think I'll make DH do it 😀

@intrigued2018

It definitely helps having people at similar stages. I am on a clomid group too as I thought I’d most likely go down that route first. I have been started on 37.5 so some scope to increase if needed. I’m trying to stay calm and not get too ahead of myself at the moment but the idea it might work is nice to hold in mind. X

@intrigued2018

Think that’s an individual choice. I’m a nurse so I trust myself far more than my I.T sales DH

They are quite simple injections as far as I can see though. The nurse today talked me through it all. X

@angel2028 - I know that exact feeling, I try not to get ahead of myself as so many things I've thought oh I might be pregnant then but doesn't come off or the amount of times I've worked out due dates! But then helps to keep positive, especially when it seems all friends and family are falling pregnant around me!
At least you have room to increase if needed, how many rounds of Clomid did you have? I'll let you know how tonight goes x

@angel2028 - in that case if I was a nurse I would definitely trust myself more than DH 😂 i inject myself weekly for another illness which DH did until I plucked up the courage to do myself. Think I'll get DH to do it tonight then go from there z

I haven’t had any clomid as yet. This is the first course of treatment so potentially at the very early stages.
Good luck tonight and yes keep in touch x

Yeah maybe DH can help out until you get used to it. If you’ve done anything similar before then this should be ok. Xx

@angel2028 - just had my first injection! Before having it I was petrified... my DH kindly gave it to me, reading through every step of the instructions! I didn't even feel a thing and was waiting for him to tell me a scratch was coming!!!
Will let you know if any side effects. Good luck for Wednesday x

Pleased it went well hun. Will check in after I’ve had it Wednesday xxx

@intrigued2018
Hey, how are things going? I'm waiting for my delivery of medication then I can start. X

Hey @angel2028 - all is going well 😀 yesterday felt a little low but that could just be due to AF and not the meds, have a very slight dull ache in my stomach which I see as a good sign.
Are your medicines arriving today? Good luck, let me know how it goes x

Hey, glad it's going ok. Yep. Meds just arrived so I have just done my first one. X

Fingers crossed no side effects for you also. Did you say your scan is next Wednesday? X

Thank you. Yes next weds. Yours is Monday? X

@angel - Yep have my scan on Monday, quite glad as means DH can come with me.
Think the meds may be working as have a dull ache in my lower stomach... as though I can feel my ovaries. Hopefully this isn't over stimulating as only 3 injections in.
Did you have to wait for AF to arrive to take the meds? I had to start injecting on Cd2, now on CD5 and it seems to have vanished. It can do this then come back with a vengeance which worried is what will happen in time for my Monday scan!!! X

@intrigued2018
I don't have a cycle so they scanned me and found my lining was thin and told me to start as soon as I want. If the lining had been thick then I would have had to take something to induce period.

How you doing now? I haven't noticed any side effects at all. I'm trying to look after myself a bit more which I think is making me feel better overall. Reduced late nights and eating better x

@angel2028 - at least they didn't have to induce your period, I had that back in February when I went on Clomid! Not sure how DH didn't divorce me due to my hormones 🤣
The other day AF did comeback with vengeance so think it was just period pains as pains have since gone. Otherwise no side effects really, bit of an upset belly and sore upper abdomen but think that is due to another illness (IBD) as any pain from Gonal/F be lower abdomen.
I just want my scan on monday now so I know what is going on. Not sure what happens after the scan, whether I continue injecting or what. Do you have any idea? X

So from what was discussed at last appt...I think there are three options for me (and maybe others but not sure) after scan..

1. The follicles have not grown to the 17mm or close to size so we have to discuss further treatment , ?further injections?.

1. The follicles have grown but there are too many which means giving the trigger injection means risking multiple risky pregnancy-therefore we will have to abandon the treatment and potentially start again after a certain time or:

1. The follicles have grown. There are one or two so they are happy for us to give trigger injection and then hope for happy days. We and DH can to the dance and hope for pregnancy.

Does that sound right?