ICSI June/July

[Maggie9000]

Hi all, new to mumsnet but not to IVF or supporting forums!
I have a 7yr old son through ICSI, after 3 cycles. DP has a 3yr old daughter through ICSI and now we've decided we want one of our own....!

So short protocol is the order of the day, due to polycystic ovaries (not the syndrome) and AF is due next week so imminent.

Would love to chat to others in similar positions right now if there's anyone about?

[Maggie9000]

@namechanger Day 4 for me today, starting Fyrenadel tomorrow (not cetrotide). Do let us know how your scans go, I'm always interested in follicle count and size at this point, it's so interesting. I woke up achey but it's because my bladder was full!!! Spending the day sorting the garden today so not really resting as I should be....

[AliciaWhiskers]

@Maggie9000 are we supposed to be resting?! We’ve just been out for a 10 mile walk! Oops!

Also on day 4 here and starting fyrenadel as well tomorrow. No twinges or anything, but struggling with either horrendous hay fever or a sudden cold. My nose is like a tap and I can’t believe my body has the ability to make so much snot! Bleugh!

Will reply properly later, just standing outside a shop waiting for DP to buy some dinner!

[AliciaWhiskers]

Can I ask a quick question? I start the fyremadel injections tomorrow, but I can’t remember where I am supposed to inject? I thought it was on my stomach, like the menopur, but having read the leaflet online it talks about the thigh. I don’t remember my clinic saying anything about the thigh. What do I do?!

[Namechangerextraordinaire1]

@AliciaWhiskers I don't use that particular drug but I have found conflicting advice about where to inject. For menopur, the clinic told us stomach or thigh, but the printout they gave us says thigh. Same with the cetrotide actually. I'm just doing everything into my thigh. I think you can do either!

[Maggie9000]

I've just wondered this after reading the leaflet in the box! I'm going into my abdomen as that's what the clinic told me and that's the general feeling I get from Google...but I don't think it matters whether you go thigh or tummy, as long as it goes in...

[AliciaWhiskers]

Thanks @Namechangerextraordinaire1 and @Maggie9000. I’m going for abdomen too, I’m 99.9% sure that’s what she told me in clinic!

Now I’m wondering how to alternate sides when I’m giving 2 injections per day. Clearly overthinking things!

[hgdg2018]

@AliciaWhiskers yes it's our first round, so not really sure what to expect tbh! Taking one day/step at a time! The injections aren't as bad as I thought they were going to be! Although the only one I have to take is Buserelin up until my scan so I'm quite thankful that I don't have to have any more than that once a day!

[Namechangerextraordinaire1]

So update for today is I have got 34 follies in the running, 3 x 11mm, 6 x 10mm, 9 x 9mm 9 x 8mm and the rest are 7s and 1 6. Lining is 7.9mm. I think that's pretty good, but actually have no idea as have no comparison. The nurse said based on those figures egg collection will most likely be next week, but we will know for sure on wednesday. She also said meds will probs stay the same but if I need to change them they will let me know this afternoon.

[Maggie9000]

34!!! That's a good number! All sounds good :) so EC early next week?? Do you ache yet?
Started fyremadel injections this morning, stung like mad and went bright red on the injection site but it all settled. I'm feeling tired today and things down there seem to be a bit 'watery' ... I don't remember this from last time but can only assume it's the concoction of hormones
Scan tomorrow, good luck with yours @AlishaWhiskers

[Maggie9000]

Has anyone else opted for the Embryoscope??

[Namechangerextraordinaire1]

Yes good numbers, not sure how that will translate in terms of quality but hopefully we will have a few to work with at least! The nurse just said next week, but I'm thinking it will probably be earlier in the week rather than later. I'm feeling bloated and sore down there, but on and off. It's weird, really.
Good luck to you and @AliciaWhiskers for your scans tomorrow!
I'm using embryoscope, we bought 2 cycles up front with Access and embryoscope is included, dependent on if they have the space in there. Which I'm really hoping they do!! Have you gone for it or are you considering it as an option?

[AliciaWhiskers]

@hgdg2018 how long do you have to use the buserelin for? I’m on the short protocol so haven’t used that.

@Namechangerextraordinaire1 wow 34 follows is great! Well done your ovaries! Hope they continue to develop nicely. When is your next scan?

@Maggie9000 do you find the fyremadel needles blunt? I’ve really struggled to get them in both times. The needle for the menopur is so much easier to get in! Fyremadel injection was sore this morning, it feels like a sting/bite and the site is really itchy. Good luck for your scan today. Mine is tomorrow. Is embryoscope the time lapse thing? Our clinic do that as routine so we should get that as long as there is space. Fingers crossed! Also know what you mean about having more discharge. I assumed it was thrush (I’ve been getting mid cycle thrush for the last 6 months or so - very annoying!) but maybe it’s just normal. Feeling any twinges?

I’ve got a twinge left ovary for the last couple of days. It’s mostly when I walk, but I’m sitting down now and can feel it too. Fingers crossed that means it’s producing some nice juicy follies!

[hgdg2018]

I have to take it up until they tell me to stop taking it. I have my down regulation scan on 9th July to make sure the Buserelin has worked. They didn't give us an option for the long or short they told us to go onto the long one.

[AliciaWhiskers]

@hgdg2018 yes I have no idea how they decide if people need the long or short protocol? Hopefully the time between now and 9th July will fly by - can't believe it's July next week already!

[hgdg2018]

It won't let me tag you in any of my messages AliciaWhiskers! Don't know what it's doing. And yes hopefully. 2 weeks to go! Trying not to wish the weeks away but can't help it! The injections haven't been too bad. I didn't really feel yesterdays and today's but I've got a bruise from day 1 so I must have been too rough I think and worked myself up a bit!

I don't know if it's because there's nothing wrong with us both and I ovulate to the day - my periods are to the day and like clockwork?! I might try and google why they choose different ones!

[AliciaWhiskers]

@hgdg2018 I can't tag you either! I have to type in the username by hand! Oh well! Let me know if you find anything on google. We have MFI here, and I've got PCOS so they are a bit worried about OHSS, which is why I'm on a lower dose of menopur, but not sure if that's why I am on the short protocol too. All clinics seem to do things so differently (including where you are supposed to do the injections), so who knows if there is any logic!

[hgdg2018]

@AliciaWhiskers it says on google that's the difference between the 2. Most people who have PCOS go onto short protocol so they don't hyperstimulate your ovaries! I am allowed to do Buserelin in either my lower abdomen or my upper thighs. So I am rotating 4 days either one so they don't become too sore and at least have 3 days to heal from where I last did them!

[Maggie9000]

Morning all!

So we have a lining of 7.5mm, about 24 follies, 1 x 14mm, 2 x 13mm, and the rest between 9 - 12mm. Really really pleased with this number and they've predicted EC for Monday. Back for another scan on Thursday and maybe Saturday...
@AliciaWhiskers I was literally just saying to the nurse I think the needle on the Fyrmadel is thicker as it's tougher to get in! Hope everything is behaving for you , looking forward to hearing your results tomorrow.
@namechangerextraordinaire1 how are you feeling? Are you due another scan tomorrow? Also awaiting a phone call later as to whether I need to lower my dosage - the ball is well and truly rolling now!

[AliciaWhiskers]

@hgdg2018 ah that makes sense then. Excellent google skills!

@Maggie9000 fab news on your scan - 24 is great! Interesting that your EC might be Monday. We had been trying to figure out when mine might be, but hadn't figured it would be that early. Have you been having any twinges at all? Yes, that fyremadel needle is horrible!

[Maggie9000]

@AliciaWhiskers I haven't had any twinges as such, feel achey when I have a full bladder and I did early after the nurse had prodded around. Just had confirmation to lower my stims dosage to 75 every night (rather than alternating 75/150) so I guess my oestrogen levels were a tad high

[Namechangerextraordinaire1]

I'm on short protocol too, I also have pcos and was told short is most common with pcos. Also, for me, I don't actually have any cycle that needs to be switched off so can skip down reg.

I do have a scan tomorrow morning, thanks for asking Maggie and Alicia. I'm really confused by how on and off I feel.I feel sick as a dog, bloated and dizzy and gross for a few hours, then absolutely fine, then gross again. Im also really tired. Does that sound normal? I have nothing to compare to. Thankfully my scan is early so won't have to wait long to get an update. I feel so grumpy and miserable today, sorry.

[Maggie9000]

@Namechangerextraordinaire1 I feel exactly the same!!! I have no appetite but am making myself eat, definitely have the nausea and general feeling blah going on. Very short on patience...

[AliciaWhiskers]

@Namechangerextraordinaire1 hope your scan goes well this morning. I’ve got mine too, just in the waiting room now. I’ve also been feeling SO tired, which isn’t like me at all. Thinking of heading home for a nap after this, and trying to tell myself I’m not being lazy, but my body needs it.

@Maggie9000 hope things settle on the lower dose. Next scan for you tomorrow, or Friday?

What have you all done about giving up alcohol/caffeine etc? I have 1 coffee a day (from a coffee shop, so higher in caffeine than if it were an instant coffee at home), and last night I had 1 glass of champagne (because I was out for a family birthday and eyebrows would be raised if I hadn’t had one - nobody knows we are doing ivf). I feel really guilty about the champagne, and now wondering if I should switch to decaf coffee? Maybe it’s too late now?

[Maggie9000]

Morning all,

@Namechangerextraordinaire1 looking forward to hearing how your scan goes. Good luck.

@AliciaWhiskers hope your scan goes well too! Best of luck. Look forward to hearing how it goes. I'm back in tomorrow for my second scan.
I don't drink coffee so can't help there but I don't think one coffee a day will be too detrimental if it's something you've routinely had for yonks. I drink one cup of tea in the morning, and water the rest of the day. DP gave up alcohol with me when we started this, we didn't drink loads before anyway but I really really don't think you should fret about the one glass of champers.

So I feel full this morning, and groggy headed. But it's all signs that something is happening so I'm dealing with it. DP and I have to have bloods taken at the GP this morning as they forgot one of the Hep tests which needs doing before EC!!!

[AliciaWhiskers]

Having a bit of a down day here. Scan showed 4 of a reasonable size on the left ovary 1x 14, 1 x 13, 2 x 12, and really nothing on the right. Some very small ones that they didn’t think would do much. So feeling a bit crap. Going to have a sleep and then go to work.