Join us here for the TMI IVF March/April/May thread

[AliceAbsolum]

New March/April IVF thread.

I'm Alice, 34, TTC1 for 3 years 4 months. Currently 4 days into a short ivf protocol with max dose of stims as my AMH ran away last year. Its my only NHS funded cycle and my last chance to have a child that's genetically mine. /fingers crossed/

I've abandoned the cycle and they don't have an explanation. I'm gutted, we got our refund but spent £3000 on medication and scans. All for nothing. I'm really pissed off I was suggesting maybe I ovulated on my own to which they replied yes maybe you did- they are so careful about what they say that it's frustrating. Also nobody took a blood test at any point in my cycle so I have no way of knowing whether I did ovulate and also have no way of knowing whether there were any eggs in the three follicles growing. I just can not deal with this right now. I feel so let down- all those injections for a completely no go- my tummy was so sore I was in tears on the last couple of stims. I'm done with this clinic we are going to Lister next, once I'm in the right head space.

@phreedam I'm so sorry that's horrible. The dissapointment must be awful. Let alone the money. I'm glad you have a back up plan with the Lister.
Sorry if this is insensitive but have you ever considered donor eggs? Cancelled cycles are so common with low AMH it's just heartbreaking.
Take time to come to terms then move on with the next cycle xx

@phreedam oh gosh! I'm so sorry it all got cancelled for you... hopefully next time your protocol will be adjusted and all will go smoothly. Stay strong, give yourself plenty of time to rest.

GUYS! I am totally FREAKED out.
Just read the data sheet for the oestrogen to start the process of FET. I’ve read the side effects (plus just read a paper on ivf increasing rate of breast and ovarian cancer by 10%).
I’m too frightened to take it.
Fucking hell. It’s too late to talk to the clinic. The consultant is away for the whole of August too. So we should be going for FET before then.
Fucking bastard hell.
Can you do this without sodding oestrogen? I’m totally freaked

@phreedam I’m so sorry -this must feel heartbreaking. You poor thing. I’m really hoping that a change of clinic is what you need when you feel ready for the next round.

@Pleaseletitbeme I'm taking it too, the increased risk is totally mitigated by the use of progestogen. You're fine! Scary tho I know, I had the same thoughts x

Sorry I shouldn't say 'totally' mitigated because nothing is 100%, but with short term use it massively decreases the risk. Are you over 40? (sorry to ask!)
This is the thing about IVF clinics...they don't explain risks properly and it makes me so angry. Not ok to be prescribed medication that causes anxiety and worry without proper consultation.

For every study finding a link there is a study finding no links:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551049/

Hi @Pleaseletitbeme (I was on this thread at the beginning and still quietly following!) - there is such thing as unmedicated FET, although I'm not entirely sure of the process. Mine was medicated and the oestrogen they gave me was what they give ladies as HRT so those ladies would be using it for a lot longer xx

Hi ladies, for some reason I’ve stopped getting any bloomin notifications that you’ve all posted! Been thinking of you all. Patiently waiting for af to arrive to start stims. I don’t know if it’s this weather but I’m so incredibly sweaty!!!

@phreedam I am so so sorry to hear about this. This is absolutely fucking shit!!! 😠 I really do feel for you, I know it’s so hard when there is a let down in the process but...what even is this?! How could this even happen?! Too many questions I’m sure you have running through your mind but I truly hope you will be okay. I know you will be okay but right now I think they need to give you some answers 🤔 is the next clinic one which will follow a new path for you? I’ve just had a look and I believe they may do access. Keep strong x

@Pleaseletitbeme I questioned my consultant all about the risk of cancer with HRT drugs and he said the risk is with older patients using it for menopause. Apparently because when you are younger you are naturally producing oestrogen anyway so it’s ok -it’s when you aren’t that problems can be caused. Sorry I’m not very sciency but good that’s sort of explains! Basically it’s in our bodies anyway so a little more doesn’t harm I think!

Mouse.... I’m
So freaked out. Normally I’m
Pretty unflappable. I’ll speak to them first thing
In the morning.
Xxx

Thanks for all the support ladies xx I needed to just switch off from everything and just do something different, so we did a day trip to Isle of Wight.
I'm still really annoyed and have our follow up in about a weeks time so I am ready to absolutely annihilate the consultant and get an explanation as to what happened and why no blood tests were done at all.
Just going to try not to keep thinking about it until then. I've booked a consultation with Dr.Niccopoulos at Lister who specialises in low AMH- let's hope he comes up with a better plan of action.

Hi ladies 😊 just checking in to make sure you’re al okay. I’m day 3 of stims today and I feel like I’m not even doing ivf this time round. It’s a very bizarre feeling. Not sure if I’m mentally shutting it out or setting myself up for failure already? Hope you’re all having a lovely day x

Hi!
I also have been thinking of you all.
I’ve calmed down. Started the meds.
Scan Monday to check lining. Hoping ET next Friday. Xxx
Phree... I am so sorry to hear of your abandoned cycle.
The whole thing sucks.
I’ve decided that-
1.) ET this time go for our last two embryos.
If they fail
2.) one last round of stims/EC.
I’d that fails when everything is used up.
THE END.

Hi ladies i am new here just got the referal from clinic to ivf does anyone know how long it take for first appointment to ivf clinic said couple of months and what happens at first app xxx

Hi @Hoping1 welcome to our board! You’ve come to the right place and I wish you well on your journey! Here’s a little time line of my first cycle hopefully this gives you a little bit of an insight as to waiting times etc. It really is a long journey and when I first was diagnosed with my infertility it felt like I was constantly waiting and waiting. But it does go by quickly once you are referred.
Diagnosis in July 2018 after laparoscopy for endometriosis
November 2018 second operation for both tubes removed from hydrosalpinx
December 2018 follow up appointment at the hospital to sign forms for funding
January 2019 referred to ivf clinic (little delay due to Christmas and new year)
31st January 2019 first appointment at ivf clinic - here we met the consultant, the appointment lasted around 30 minutes. He did an overview of our findings from our diagnosis for infertility and gave an idea of a type of protocol we may be on. We were given a lot of documents to read and to get signed by our gps for child wellbeing. We were also given a link to videos to watch re ivf/Icsi and to sign and return forms once we had done that. Whilst we were there we had to repeat blood tests, sti tests and hubby was given a date to take in another sperm sample so the clinic knew what they were working with from all our new results. Then the waiting began!
Rang the clinic first day of my period and they called me in a week later to check my lining, this gave them an idea of what they’d be working with when we eventually were able to start.
1st March 2019 we had our “big plan!” meeting. We knew what protocol we’d be on and there were more forms to sign to agree to treatment. We are doing icsi ivf due to hubby having a lower sperm count but we are fine with this. Instructed to contact the clinic on my next period so we can start!
13th March 2019 consent forms received ready for us to take to the clinic when we pick up our meds and sign in front of the nurse
20th March 2019 period started - rang clinic this is it! 😍
9th April 2019 started taking norethisterone for 5 days to time period starting
17th April 2019 period arrives
18th April 2019 day one of stims
24th April 2019 first follicle scan then alternate days
3rd May 2019 egg collection
8th May 2029 transfer day
21st May 2019 test day

I hope this helps you out and makes sense, when I first started I did think it’d be much quicker however I now understand why these things take time. One thing I’ve learnt is to have some patience even though it is torturous having to wait...and wait...just remember you are well on your way and always look after each other in between 😘 xx

Oh balls *8th May 2019 not 2029 that’d be a long ass wait 😂 we’re doing our second round now as sadly our first failed and we only waited one cycle in between. I’m now on day 3 of stims 🥰

Thank you so much for the info that so helpful at fertilty clinic i found out at first i wasnt obvulating so got put on clomide i over stimulated on that so was taken off them . Partner found out low count but retested and come back clear i have been having 21days bloods and obvulation has been going down slowly we been on journy for 2 years now so they rang me yesterday and said we referring for ivf as it not working with help or without . How long have you been on this wirl wind and thank you for reply so quick xxxx

@Hoping1 apologies for replying so late! We have been ttc for 3 years now and we too were referred at the 2 year mark. It feels like ages doesn’t it 😩 but....you are heading in the right direction! Have you had anything through since you last posted? When you’re referred it is fairly quick, luckily our clinic had no waiting times I hope yours doesn’t either? I’m feeling extremely bloated this time round, last scan tomorrow (I hope) ready for egg collection on Wednesday 😁 hope you’re doing okay, stay strong x

@Hoping1 ps. You’re very welcome for the info, I searched long and hard for that kinda info when I first started this journey and struggled to find much. I know everyone’s paths are different but I hope this has helped you and anyone else who may be looking for a bit of a guide x

1 in, nothing to freeze, 2000 euro refund. Pretty pissed off. But 1 blast on board.

Hope EC goes well @Hopingforbabyd xx

@AliceAbsolum yay for 1 blast onboard. Boo to the rest and feeling pissed off. What happened with your journey? How many dpt are you? X

Alice I’ve got et Tuesday xxx

@pleaseletitbeme best of luck to you, I’m EC Wednesday 😁 cycle buddies again yay. How have you found this cycle? Xx

Hi ladies 😊 back from the clinic. So things changed. My ovaries are good and ready! I have 9 follicles on each side this time round I’m so happy that my right ovary has decided to play this time! All measuring between 18-22 so I am ready for trigger tonight! Was a bit scary as they made me do a freymadel right there and then in my tummy as I told them I was very uncomfortable this time round. They then changed my plan for trigger 😳 I’m now on 0.5ml buserelin tonight at 815pm, pessaries as normal then on Wednesday morning I’m to have gonasi (used this last time for trigger with hcg) and then evorel patches continued with pessaries. Phew! Has anyone had a similar situation with trigger? I’m nervous of OHSS and freeze all. Any advice is more than welcome! @Twiglet2353 what was your trigger at our clinic? Also hoping you are doing well and baby too x