July/August IVF/ICSI/FET

[TinyPaws]

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd start a thread for those of us undergoing fertility treatment in July/August.

I'm (hopefully) having a FET late July/early August, anyone else want to hop on this thread for the ride?

@sometimesalways so sorry it didn't go to plan this time - it's devastating and make sure you take time to look after yourself.

I'm nervous about this FET as the timing hasn't worked out well and my husband will be away in South Africa when we find out if it has worked or not. Whether we're celebrating or upset by the result, I'll be going it alone.

@sometimesalways so so sorry to hear this! Have a good long cry and plan lots of lovely things for yourself.

@TinyPaws just 1 more sleep to go!

@elleceedee not long until your test date! The not knowing is an absolute killer, just try and hang in there.

Thanks for all the suggestions of water. Am trying to drink loads today! I know I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to do this, but I’m some way I really just want this over now. Or at least egg collection done. Probably a week to go for that though yet.

@sometimesalways I’m so sorry. I know exactly how you are feeling right now. Big hugs.

Oh thank you all! It really really means a lot that you all understand what I am going through. Although I would rather we were all celebrating bfps together!

I have booked a follow up with my consultant for Friday to go through it all. What we have learned, what we could improve, what's the next step... good luck to all those still in treatment/wait!

@sometimesalways I am so so sad for you. I’m glad you have an appointment booked to plan some next steps, but it must be so hard right now. Hugest, hugest hugs.

I am three days til OTD. I just got a massive cold sore - first one in nine months. I feel like I’m getting a cold and I’m so exhausted I could cry. Not a fun week.

I'm so sorry @sometimesalways. I wish I could say something to make you feel better, but I know that's not possible. It's a rollercoaster of emotions. I've been so up and down all week

I'm waiting for my follow up appointment with the consultant. Be interested to hear what they have to say about it. DH is up for one more go, but I'm of the school of unless they have a plan to do something different it's just too much for me to go through emotionally, physically and financially for just another stab of the dark. I'm going to request a retest if my AMH so we can better guess how much time we have. Ideally I'd like to have 6 months to get over this before trying again, but at 38 I may not have that luxury

I weighed myself too. 4lbs heavier now AF is here which was a relief at I was 8lbs heavier last week! Going to request a particularly brutal PT session this week after a couple of weeks off

Best of luck and baby dust to you all still waiting and going through this

@confused107 I completely get where you’re at. I said the same after our first cycle. We changed the cycle process by adding more stims, steroids and blood thinners. I do so desperately want another but I’m not sure whether there’s any point trying with my own eggs again if the outcome will always be the same. I did think earlier if we were to do another round I’d want 6 months to a year off. I’d also consider whether we continue with the same clinic. I absolutely love the clinic I’m with but I’m wondering if somewhere else would take a different approach.

Thats good on the weight side. Possible water retention? My ovaries were the size of oranges apparently at my ET. I’d drank so much for a full bladder but there was hardly anything there as they’d said it was all going to my ovaries. Anyway, my husbands says im worrying about the wrong thing at the moment. Can deal with the weight later. Good luck to you on getting some feel good factors back in your life. And good luck in however you decide to continue with your IVF journey xxx

@sometimesalways sorry to hear your news I can only imagine how you must be feeling.

I went for another scan today and ovary has moved into a worse position and at the moment they won’t be able to get to it even though I have a few good follicles on it (nothings ever simple ) although she said it could move again, the other one the follicles have finally grown bigger enough for egg collection I honestly thought it was getting cancelled this morning so I’m taking my trigger shot at 9.30 this evening and egg collection Friday morning I’m a mixture of emotions excited but dreading the 2ww anyone at the same stage and how do you stop your self going insane during the 2ww

Oh that’s good news @lola124. I hope your other ovary comes out of hiding for Friday 🤞🙏🤞🙏

@Lola124 I’m glad your collection is going ahead. I hope your other ovary comes out of hiding!

@confused107 I hope you get your follow up soon and that it helps you to figure out what you want to do next.
I think all the bloating and water retention piles on the pounds a bit so hopefully once AF goes, more will drop off for you naturally.

@Caityprice everything crossed that the exhaustion is a good sign for you. Not many sleeps to go now! And thank you for the tip about the water - I’ve drunk so much today it’s practically puffing out my ears but it is helping the nausea.

@Caityprice Thanks, my lines are still looking good so I'm feeling hopeful. Sorry you're not feeling well.

@sometimesalways So sorry it was a negative. That really sucks. Glad you've got your review appointment sorted.

@elleceedee I started testing at 3dp5dt. It was positive then, but I think some of that might have been leftover trigger. However, the lines got darker each day. Sorry you were feeling down this morning, hope you're feeling better now!

@Peanut1980 I'm on steroids too and I think they do increase my appetite. Remind me when your OTD is again? (Sorry I'm rubbish at keeping track of everyone)

@Fingersforevercrossed That's tough, not having your husband beside you for the results. What's he doing in South Africa? My partner is South African so I've visited a few times.

@Brambles7 Sorry you are feeling uncomfortable but glad the water seems to be helping!

@Dlpdep Hope you are ok, how are you doing?

@confused107 I hope your follow up appointment is helpful when it comes around.

@Lola124 Glad you've got egg collection booked in and I hope your other ovary decides to cooperate before then! If you find out how to not go insane during the 2WW please let me know, I could use some tips!

Thanks @tinypaws. Test date is 23rd. We’re actually going to South Of France for a long weekend on that date. Might be a good distraction for whatever is going on x

I’m doing good. We are off visiting a theme park on Friday with friends and actually it’s easier that I’m not pregnant as I will be able to go on rides and drink wine later without having to make up daft excuses. Hope you are doing ok? The bleeding has stopped I presume?

@Peanut1980 @TinyPaws thanks again! And thank you all for your kind words. Honestly, this thread is helping a lot

May I ask a question about steroids actually please. I have a recently discovered autoimmune thyroid issue and the idea of steroids did come up as an option. Consultant didn't exactly recommend them as they said they are not 'an official guideline'. So we decided I wouldn't take them this time. I wonder if you feel they made a difference? @TinyPaws have you only used them for this cycle? I am sure this issue will come up on Friday and thought it might help me to get some more thoughts/experiences

Gosh sorry I don't know what I did and the text came up in bold! Didn't mean to

@sometimesalways so sorry you got a bfn. Hope the follow up on Friday is helpful. I used steroids on my third FET (resulted in my DD) and this time too but can’t say if it’s been successful yet this cycle. My clinic added them along with 75mg of aspirin to my protocol last time after a failed fresh transfer and then two miscarriages. I got the impression that they do it because it does no harm but no real evidence to suggest that it doess help (I could be wrong on this though).

@Fingersforevercrossed sorry that your DH will be away when it is OTD. Have you told many people in real life what you’re going through? We haven’t told anyone this time as it’s hard enough managing my own emotions nevermind friends and family getting their hopes up for us!

@TinyPaws good luck for OTD!

@Caityprice sorry that you’re feeling unwell. I’m exhausted too - hope we can both get a decent nights sleep.

@confused107 when is your follow up? I’m in a similar boat if this cycle doesn’t work - not sure it’s worth keeping going with the Frosties we do have as they aren’t great quality or trying again with a fresh cycle but I’m pushing 40 now so embryos may be even worse!

@Peanut1980 how lovely you’ll be in France on OTD - a nice distraction either way!

@Lola124 that’s great that ET is booked! Hope your other ovary will make an appearance!

Sorry if I’ve missed anyone!

I still haven’t tested (can’t believe it!) but I bought some FRERs on my lunch break today so will test tomorrow morning when I’ll be 10dp5dt and hopefully should get a reliable result.

I tested this morning and BFN. I know I’ll have to test again on OTD but it just seems so unlikely that it will change now.

I’m sorry @elleceedee. Are you 9dp5dt today? Big hugs to you xxx

@Peanut1980 thank you. I’m actually 10dp5dt as my transfer was last Monday. I think it’s safe to say it hasn’t worked this time.

@elleceedee I am so so sorry... there's still a chance though perhaps? Late implanter? Was it a FET? Apologies if you have already mentioned

@elleceedee so so sorry, this process is heart wrenching. I had to tell more people than I would have liked on my last round as I had 3 hen parties 3 weekends in a row during the process so I couldn't drink. It was difficult letting people know it hadn't worked but it actually made me realise the people in my real life who got it more than others who I've shared it with again. There'll be enough people around me to mop up the tears but just not quite the same!

@TinyPaws he's South African so is going back to visit his family. They're from Cape Town. I'm a teacher so it works out far too much for us to both go in school holidays together. Paying for IVF has put a stop to that!!

I started progynova in preparation for my FET a couple of days ago which seems to have given me the worst stomach cramps. I don't normally get bad period pains so I'm putting it down to that. It's a little offputting taking a triple dose of tablets designed for menopausal women!!

@sometimesalways I’m not sure whether the steroids would make a difference. On the basis that they ‘could’ I wanted in x

@Fingersforevercrossed I understand how you feel about the medication. I was on menopause which I believe contains a hormone taken from the urine of post menopausal women 🤢

I meant I was on menopur. Damn autocorrect gets me everytI’ve!

Oh god I give up with my typing this morning. I blame the long nails... and autocorrect 🤣🤣🤣