Polyps-Forced to do a freeze all and delay transfer

[mouse1234567]

Hi all,

So all was going well with my stimms and then yesterday on my last scan before egg collection the doctor spotted a polyp (he says they can grow in response to all the meds) . We have been told it has to be a freeze all cycle and then I need a hysteroscopy to remove it before moving to a frozen transfer.

Have any of you had any experience of this? How long did it delay you? I know after researching that polyps can be an issue and I know this is for the best in the end but it feels incredibly frustrating to be doing yet more waiting.

I had this on my first round and had to freeze all and was heartbroken - like you I just wasn’t expecting the blow of yet another delay after waiting 3.5 years to start IVF. I had the hysteroscopy through work private medical so quite quickly (although I don’t think it was too slow on NHS) then did the transfer I think two months after. They say it can actually help implantation as it acts like an endometrial scratch. Although it didn’t work for me that time.

Sorry this has happened to you - it’s so frustrating. Good luck and I hope all works out well.

@LemonDrizzler thanks so much for your reply -it’s a comfort to hear you went through it but it only held you up two months -I think I will wait for it on the NHS so hopefully their waiting list isn’t too bad.

May I ask -was it sedation for you-a local anaesthetic or general? I really want to avoid a general and was hoping it’s all quite quick and easy. Did you have it in a proper operating theatre? I had a laparoscopy last August and thought I was done with all that!

Also do you think in the end you felt more well for the transfer having to wait? I’m trying to convince myself of this may be for the best in other ways! Hard though!

You said it didn’t work for you that time, I hope since then you have had success.

Hi @mouse1234567,

I’m sorry this has happened, as you will be feeling so frustrated and disappointed, having been all set for a fresh transfer.

My story is slightly different but may be helpful to you....

I had my first round last March time and was forced to freeze all due to risk of OHSS. I then had to wait until the beginning of June for FET due to a delay of AF. When I went for FET, it failed as they discovered I had an obstruction in my cervix and they couldn’t get the catheter in. I was private for IVF but was referred to NHS for a hysteroscopy and cervical dilation. This involved quite a few months of waiting and I had to make calls to nag and try to push it along. I finally got a date for op for the beginning of October. I think the waiting times will very much depend on your area. I had a friend awaiting hysteroscopy in a neighbouring trust and she had it much quicker than me.

After the procedure my consultant made noises about waiting for a period of recovery, but I did not want this and pushed for a FET ASAP. I had it just a few weeks later and had success first time. I’m now 28 weeks pregnant.

I know the waiting is tough, but looking back I think everything happens for a reason. Earlier in the year was not to be my time. I definitely agree that the wait ensures your body is far more ready for transfer. I’ll also never know for sure, but had heard the hysteroscopy can aid implantation, as they take a biopsy as standard and this can refresh the mining of the womb, and think it could have helped with my success.

Sorry for the book, but hope it has done something to reassure you! Best wishes x

I had general anaesthetic in an operating theatre with mine - not sure what the options are as that’s all that was mentioned to me.

I had two rounds of IVF and 4 transfers - all frozen - and the fourth one worked and I have 10 month old identical twins! So a happy ending for me which I am so grateful for.

I think with doing frozen it gives you a break from the whole thing before the transfer so you’re not going straight from injections etc to the anxious waiting part. In the second round I actually asked to freeze all to have a break as I was overstimulated by the drugs and v uncomfortable.

I hope you can have the procedure soon and all works out. Fingers crossed for you!

@LemonDrizzler thanks for as wearing my questions. Was the recovery fairly quick despite the general? After egg collection today I’m feeling a little more confident about anaesthetic etc. So glad you got your happy ending -a very uplifting story-so your embryo split and you had identical -what a wonderful miracle!

I agree the more I set with it the better I feel about waiting now. Got 22 eggs today so hoping they are good quality and they fertilise tomorrow. I also managed to move my appointment at the clinic to consent to the hysteroscopy till tomo so hopefully it will move quickly!

@windy2909 another uplifting story thank you-so pleased you are pregnant now. I agree -in the end the waiting will prob work out for the best-and I can spend a few weeks taking the pressure off myself with eating etc and just feel like my old self for a bit. Was yours also general anaesthetic and how long was recovery?

Thanks both for your help with this.

Yes I was fine the same day and I’m pretty wimpy! Felt rubbish when I woke up but wore off quite quickly.

22 eggs is brilliant - good luck!!

@LemonDrizzler thanks -glad you felt better quickly.

Thanks re eggs.

I’m glad you’re collection went well! Wishing you all the best and hope you get some positive results. Yes I had a general anaesthetic, which eas fine. Recovery was really quick, I don’t remember being in any real pain or discomfort. In fact, I only had 20 days between hysteroscopy and FET.

I had my EC on Monday where they spotted a suspect endometrial cyst on my ovary so I'm having to freeze my 4 embryos on day 3 (today) rather than do a fresh transfer. I'll then have to go for a scan in a month to see if the cyst has gone down. Of it hasn't, I'll have a laparoscopy, have the endo cut out snd then wait for 7 months until I can start my FETs. This cycle could literally take a year and I'm already nearly 36 :(

This is my 3rd IVF cycle, and have been on the SP which makes endo flare. I've been telling my doctors about my painful and heavy periods for years but feel like I've been fobbed off. Furious that the endo might've m progressed so that IVF might not get me pregnant. I've been struggling with the potential diagnosis as we were in the unexplained camp previously and think it's my fault that we'l never have a baby.

So, I know how you feel about having to wait. If its a polyp I would take comfort that it isn't anything that will ruin your chances. Better to wait a few months, especially with you having such good egg reserve, to maximise your odds. FETs have good results so don't worry and good luck!

@FingersXssd83 I’m so sorry that must have been devastating news -particularly at the egg collection stage. On reflection I was lucky to know a few days before to get my head around it.

I’m also sorry because it sounds like you have been through an awful lot and it must be hard to keep moral up.

Have you been diagnosed with endo previously or had any previous laparoscopies? Or am I understanding rightly that this is a new thing? May I ask what SP is? Is it a drug?

On my initial consultation at my clinic they spotted a suspected endometrioma and I did have surgery last August in which they removed it and some other endo. It’s frustrating how we go through this period pain and get fobbed off for years. I hope that perhaps this is the missing key in your diagnosis and if you do have it -they can treat it and you will have a successful cycle. I know that must be hard to believe right now tho.

Why do they insist you wait for 7 months to start your cycle? That seems a really long time. I had to wait six months but that was because I wasn’t yet in the IVF process and as standard in my NHS clinic you have the lap and then they believe you might conceive spontaneously so you try for 6 months. But it feels very different for you because you have embryos and are in the middle of a cycle. I hope you can push this forward. Is it NHS?

I know what you mean with feeling you are to blame -I have PCO and endo and my DH has very good sperm. But you know what -I know our partners wouldn't think of it like that.

Hi @mouse1234567, it's a new thing for me so no laps. And sorry for talking acronyms, I meant the short protocol is bad for endo, which I've done three times.

We've read that IVF success increases between 7-24 months after a lap. Guess we'll have to see what our consultant says. Think I'll go mad if we have to wait that long!

This is our last NHS funded cycle with CARE who have been fantastic.

Hoping we get the call that 4 are good enough to freeze today. We'll transfer any that aren't so I'm still on my meds.

Our stories sound very similar other than I've had more cycles and produce fewer eggs. How are you coping with it all? Do you mind me asking how old you are and how long you've been trying? I've been doing really well this cycle until all of this now super anxious and can't sleep again :/ IVF is so hard.

Hope you get an excellent fertilisation rate. Do you know what day they're planning to freeze your embryos on? Good luck 😉 x x

@FingersXssd83 sorry to hear you are only just discovering the endo now-I know I was quite shocked and upset when they suspected it with me.

I am 33 and we have been ttc for nearly two years -because of my irregular cycles and painful periods I was a bit pushy and am lucky to be starting IVF in under two years.

It will be interesting to see what your consultant says -I hope you don’t have to wait too long. You read so many opposing things so who knows what to believe but I do remember reading somewhere about some gynos being keen to do IVF very quickly after a lap to avoid the risk of it growing back.

I really hope you get the call about 4 to freeze -at least that will provide some relief. I’m nervously awaiting our fertilisation call. Slept badly thinking about it and also worried I have some mild OHSS. I think they plan for day 5 freezing-fingers crossed.

It’s such an anxious time isn’t it -and there are so many set backs-and this must have been such a shock to hear when you have been through cycles and not be told it before. I remember at an open evening the consultant was saying that a considerable proportion of couples with unexplained infertility -perhaps 20% but can’t quite remember-actually in the end after IVF rounds get diagnosed with endo. Perhaps you have more adhesions elsewhere that can’t be seen on an ultrasound and removing them will do your chances the world of good. The good thing is laps are effective and it can be treated so try to focus on that.

I’m very up and down with coping -I must say I have fun all the injections, blood tests etc quite invasive and intense and I haven’t felt particularly well as time has gone on. I think really I do need a break before transfer as much as it pains me to say.

All four were good enough quality to freeze. The embryologist said they don't usually freeze day threes as they haven't proved themselves viable and prefer to freeze on day five but because we only have four, our dr thinks it's the best plan. Apparently there is a greater risk with thawing early embryos. That's another hurdle though. After we had the news we went into the city, and I drank and ate anything I wanted. Wasn't much of a consolation for not transferring but I did enjoy it! We now have to wait until end of next month for my scan. When will your hysterescopy be @mouse1234567? I hope you don't have too much of a wait x

@FingersXssd83 such great news they were all good enough to freeze! Well it sounds like your clinic know what they are doing-and the doctors know best.

Very good idea to drink and eat as you please -you deserve it -though I know you would much rather be having a transfer. I’m sorry you have to wait a fair while for the scan. Hoping the time flies (though I know how slowly time ticks with infertility!)

I had a meeting with my consultant yesterday-he actually performed my lap and I asked if he could do this hysteroscopy too and he said he will request it. I trust him and like that I have some sort of a relationship with him now. However The irony of all this being he told me yesterday they didn’t notice the polyp during my EC. He said I could get a scan in three weeks post bleed to see if it’s still there and then decide whether to do a hysteroscopy but he said obviously that slows down proceedings if I do need it. In the end I think he thought it might just be a good idea to do the hysteroscopy anyway polyp or no polyp as it will just make sure I’m in tip top condition. Hopefully I’m not having surgery for the sake of it! It’s time off work that’s annoying really. Again tho I need to trust him as it’s NHS so there’s no financial gain for the clinic if I have it -he obviously thinks it gives me the best chances. Also he said there is more research about the lining being better with FETS so I guess that’s good for us! I think doctors are quite pro FETS.

also should have said -re the wait he has requested it within 6 weeks -but it’s all going to move quite quickly I think as I will start downregs halfway through next cycle and then have the transfer on day 19 of the cycle after all being well. With any luck my transfer with be in about two months time. I don’t think I’m going to have as much time off my fertility diet as I first thought! He says the op should be when I’m downregging not on estrogen.