Starting IVF and a ball of nerves!

[Danidandan]

Hey, I'm new to all of this so I don't even know if anyone will read this! I'm 24, and start my IVF journey tomorrow with ABC IVF in Harley street. The reasoning for IVF at 24, I had Peritoneal Mesothelioma last year. (Cancer caused by asbestos) and was thrown a card of total sh*tness that year. But lucky enough to be here and in full remission. I can conceive on my own but nothing's happened in 10 months. I know it's lot a long time, but I could go into menopause in as little as 2 years from my treatments received for the cancer. I am entitled to NHS funding but it takes a lot longer and I don't really have time on my side. So my journey down the private route starts tomorrow for my first scan and going through the treatments. Does anyone have any advice for me and my partner Jack? He's immensely calm and excited and I'm a ball of nerves! Thank you for reading. :)

All the luck in the world for all of you TTC.

Dani xxx

That's good to hear @Danidandan I HATE needles and have fainted at my GPs before now having blood taken so I'm really worried about having to inject. AF is due this weekend so I'm not far behind you on my first cycle (short protocol) xx

Hiiii @Danidandan so glad you finally came on and started. And is the injections really not that bad? They look painful! Will you keep doing them on your thighs?

I had my treatment consultation today so went through all the meds. It's being delivered on Friday and should be starting injections on Tuesday!

Hi @FingersXssd83 , AF due on Monday so not far behind you too also on short protocol

Also @Danidandan thanks dose were you put on as I think I was put on the lowest one possible hope that's fine

Hi all!
Thanks for letting us know about the injections @Danidandan
I’m not usually scared of needles but the thought of doing this everyday to myself scares me a bit. My partner keeps saying to me ‘You’ll be fine. You’re freaking out over nothing’ but I keep saying ‘What do you know! You don’t have to stab yourself every single day!’
It’s comforting to hear that you found it ok.
I start the norethisterone pills tomorrow. As I also have hysteroscopy to remove a polyp from my uterus scheduled exactly on the day I should start bleeding and be going for my baseline scan, my nurse advised I prolong taking norethisterone for further 3-4 days. This means I will probably start injecting myself around 28-29th October. A bit of a delay but glad polyp getting removed this soon.
I’m a bit frustrated that I’m not being talked through all the bags of drugs I got given the other week. My nurse explained the first set of tablets but said nothing about all the rest. They’re just sitting in my fridge/ cupboard and I don’t really know what/when/how. They’ll be talking me through it separately before each stage but now it all seems a bit of an unknown...

Good luck everyone and keep us informed!
Xxx

@Kay2705 @AnnieGee13 @FingersXssd83

Honestly the injection was absolutely fine. It didn't hurt one single bit! I injected clexane blood thinners after my cancer treatment and surgery last year so I'm kind of used to them now. But from previous experience, I found when I did my clexane in my stomach it bloated me a bit and I had a few bumps. In the thighs I don't find they hurt at all. Just don't rub the skin after or you'll bruise!! So I'm sticking with thighs this time and alternating them each night. I take the injection out the fridge 10 mins before and hold it in my hand. It's the coldness that can sting. But honestly it's so easy once you get the hang of it. Also - no rush! I put the needle in slowly and inject slowly. If I press on a nerve I'll take the needle out and pop it along a bit and it's fine.

I'm on a low dose of Bemfola. 112.5mg I think it is! Second one tonight at 6am. No side affects yet. A few twinges in my stomach but I'm day three of Flo so it's probably that.

Good luck ladies, not far behind me! We've all got this together :) xxx

6pm**

Hi Dani,

Yeah I'm on the same dose: been reading online that that's one of the lowest so let's hope it's enough to get a good amount of eggs for E.C.

Just at my first scan to see how my ovaries are responding! Will let you know how it goes. :)

Good luck @Danidandan hope they are responding well :). Was it a day 5 scan?

My meds just came so it's all a bit real now!

@Kay2705 yaaaay! I know the huge box is a bit daunting!
My scan was great. Responding great to the meds. Increasing to 150ul on the Bemfola. I start my Cetrotide injections Sunday morning. Back Monday for another scan.

So far side affects are practically nothing! Maybe a bit windy, and slight headache but I feel great. Injections don't hurt in the absolute slightest either. Not one stinger yet! Really lovely appointment today and I just feel like I'm in the best hands.
When do you start meds!? The apprehension staring at the meds in the fridge for a few days is far the worst bit. Once you'll start you'll be fine. I promise :)

Glad to hear it went well @Danidandan ! Nice to hear that the injections aren't that bad. I'm really scared they going to make me turn psycho ha!! Don't even mind the pain. I should start stimming on Monday.

Just started my cetrotide jabs. They're the ones you prepare at home. They were fine! Very easy I had a slight issue with air bubbles but it was fine. Needle was a big bigger but it really wasn't that bad. All the YouTube videos I watched made it look so painful but it was fine. I feel like I can taste it though! Back tomorrow for another scan :)

Okay I take that back.. I've got a stinking headache and feel like I've been on the lash for the past week!! From what I've read it's quite common.. but we fight through hopefully it'll be worth it in the end. Xx

Ooooh that sounds a bit scary @Danidandan good luck. Not long now to go till EC if you got another scan tomorrow. I'm definitely going to watch videos about the other injection as it looks a bit complicated

How's everyone else getting on?

I did my first injection last night, took a bit to get it in and had to twist it but I'm pleased to report that I DID IT! So pleased considering I'm terrified of needles. No pain or bruises either. Will be doing my second on in two hours or so and can't wait to crack on and get them all out of the way now.

Well done!! you did it!! i think i start mine on tuesday so we will have a similar timeline. Its re-assuring hearing it doesnt hurt as much as we all imagined.

Well done with the injections! I'm a bit behind you all - finished the down reg medication yesterday and now waiting until I can call in to book my baseline scan...

Yaaaaaay good luck everyone!
The cetrotide jab wiped me out today :(
But hoping it'll settle in a couple days. Just tired and headaches.. but all worth it in the end. So excited for all of us! Got bloods and an appointment tomorrow at ABC 10.20 so up at silly o clock but it will be fine. :) jabs really don't hurt. If you take your time with them it's fine. The cetrotide is a bit fiddly but it's fine after the first go I think tomorrow my second one will be easier!!

Eager to start mine now. Hope AF comes tomorrow it's normally always on time or early. @findingmywaytoday we may have similar timelines! I'm guessing you are on long protocol

@Kay2705 yes I'm on the long protocol so also waiting for af - hope you start soon! Had some positive news today as consultant was worried around a week ago because my thyroid levels had dramatically increased (studies indicate that anything outside normal range means higher risk of a loss - I had a late loss last year at 5 months and an ectopic this yr so we're all very jumpy). Just want to get going now! Hope your appt today went well @Danidandan.

Ahh @findingmywaytoday that's great to hear and so sorry to hear about your loss last year.

I'm also waiting for AF to start. Throughout my whole time of TTC I have never been late but the month I need to start treatment it decides to be late . My body just never does what you want it to do

Hopefully we can both start soon.

@Kay2705 same thing happened to me!! I hope you start soon. I've got 2 days left and a scan tomorrow so hoping they book my EC for Friday.

@findingmywaytoday I'm so sorry for your loss last year :( us woman go through so much just to start a little family. Best of luck to you!

The cetrotide are really taking it out of me today. Feel really sick and headaches and tired and I've been crying for no reason.. but only a couple more days of this. We will get our little rainbows, it's all worth it. ❤️

Hi all,

I wasn't sure if I wanted to post this on here as it maybe a bit insensitive but I recently found out that's I'm pregnant naturally on my own after all this time. I'm so happy right now and wish all you ladies the best of luck. Will keep you in my prayers ! ... now to figure out what to do with this fridge full of meds :(

Ahh that's amazing news @Kay2705 Really happy for you! How long have you been trying for? We're unexplained and have been TTC for 18 months so I always wonder if we should skip the invasive IVF and leave it a bit longer but we don't have time on my side with being 35+