Anxiety and IVF

[Blankspace4]

I start meds for my first treatment cycle 3 weeks from now. I’ve been feeling quite panicky and anxious and had something which I think must have been a panic attack yesterday. I’m finding the thought of coping with work along with the meds and also the consequences of a failure (this my one and only funded cycle) overwhelming

Is this something I should talk to my GP about? Do you think they would prescribe me anything like diazepam and if so is this safe to take during IVF treatment?

I’ve tried meditation / mindfulness but I just can’t get away from my own thoughts

I think anxiety in the run up to starting ivf is common I know I was very anxious and have suffered with anxiety in the past! My biggest fear was the injections but once the clinic had showed me and let me have ago I realised that I’d made it worse then what it actually was my other biggest fear was being Sedated but again once there everyone was talking to me and before I knew it it had been administered and I felt sleep next thing I know I was waking up and repeating myself to dh!
If the anxiety is that bad then yes I would go see the gp the point of my waffle is that it’s ok to be anxious this is a massive deal to those that go through it but you will come out the other side!

Thank you. I’m also anxious about the sedation. I’d prefer to have a general anaesthetic to be honest, I want to be out of it completely when they do the retrieval

Hi @Blankspace4 - just a quick note about the egg collection from me - please please try not to worry too much about it. I was PETRIFIED. I also thought I'd prefer a general and one the day of my first collection they were getting concerned because my blood pressure was so high because I was so stressed. But it really was fine. I don't remember the collection - being put under the sedation felt lovely - like all my worries melted away for a little bit. I was out of it and there was no pain or anything. It wasn't remotely as scary as I thought. I've since had 2 more collections and one was without any sedation because it happened on the day of a snow storm and the anaesthesiologist got snowed in and I had to choose between cancelling or doing it without sedation. I went ahead and although it wasn't a great experience it still wasn't horrendous and I would do it again without sedation if I had to. It wasn't as bad as having a hycosy. I know everyone is different, but I just wanted to try and reassure you a bit about that part. It will be ok x

Thank you so much - and wow - you were brave!!!

Yes GP will be able to help - I don’t think being prescribed something is the answer but they can support, refer for counselling a provide a sick note if needed. I had two weeks off for both my ivf cycles - best thing I did x