Dec/ Jan IVF support

[Chooklass]

Hi all,

I can't see a thread for Dec/ Jan yet - maybe because a lot of clinics shut over the holidays - but mine doesn't! Anyone else out there starting in December and want to support each other? This will be my first round so I'm pretty nervous! X

Thanks @FingersXssd83 . I had a hysteroscopy and HSG and they said all looked fine then. More waiting and seeing now! Should find out what protocol I'll be on at next appointment on Tues.

Are you on the same injections as before? Do they give you any side effects?

I'm on the same as my last FET @Chooklass apart from the down reg meds where I'm infecting buserelin for two weeks before I start oestrogen.

So far I feel fine, haven't had any side effects, long may it continue! 💕

Hi ladies - think it's time to join you on these boards. Have had some time off mn and checking back this morning it was ttc thread 12 I joined - gave up posting at 22! We went for some investigations privately as we approached the year mark (also had some gynae things to investigate so had quite a lot of tests on me before they started on dh and discovered Male factor infertility). Have GP appointment week after next to get referred back to clinic with a view to starting ICSI in January if everything lines up. They are suggesting short protocol for me and am trying to stay positive as best as possible while staying sane and continuing with life and work and ttc number 1. Bit worried about how to juggle work but they have been good as had to assure them I wasn't seriously ill having had lots of appointments and investigative surgery already this year! Not sure if I'll end up on this thread or the next one but nice to find a community of people going through similar stories!

Hi @granddesigns 👋! I was on TTC threads for years too - reached the point where even all my online infertile friends were pregnant so also took a break! Juggling work was bothering me too - not so bad now I know most of my IVF cycle will be over xmas hols xx

Hi everyone.
Can I join you all.
We have an appointment on Wednesday for a scratch and nurses appointment. Then will start short protocol on my next period which is due 22nd November.
So hopefully will be early December for egg collection and fingers crossed a transfer.
Ours is MFI but I also have PCOS.
We are using access fertility unlimited for two years, this will be our first round.
Incredibly nervous but so happy to be getting started after 6 years of trying.

@granddesigns sorry to see you here, I think we started at a similar time as I remember you from the conception threads.
We are MFI too, and planing on short protocol in January. It feels good to be moving forward now, even though it's something I never thought we would have to do.

Hi @Hopefully84 , good luck! That is really soon!

Hi @FlapJackered - I remember you too. Also sorry to see you here but glad to see you have a way forward - looks like we will be walking a similar road at a similar time. Imagine it's not just me that can't claim too much got done in the last year, but also grateful that we get this opportunity now to start doing something about it. Hoping that introducing myself to these boards now will help when we come to start on the drugs hopefully in the new year, provided the GP plays ball and refers us back to the clinic as we now have a diagnosis.

Hi 👋

We’re waiting for our forms pack and expected to start ASAP start of Jan.

DH is 37 with super sperm (the git!! 😂)
I’m 34 with no structural issues, anovulatory and irregular since 15, now also diagnosed with Diminished Ovarian Reserve... yay

My AMH is low at 4.3, follicle count very low at ~3-4 and FSH normal at ~8.
We need IVF as fast as possible because it looks like things are headed downhill fast for me.

Fingers crossed for everyone ❤️❤️

@granddesigns good luck with the appointment next week. I hope it goes your way and you can get started. 🤞🏻x

Hi @FlashesOfRage sorry to hear about the DOR but it sounds like your doctor is being proactive with getting you started on IVF.
We're hoping to start in Jan too all being well.

Hows everyone getting on?
Did you find out what protocol you'll be on @Chooklass?
I went in for my scratch today; no idea if itll be beneficial or not but no harm in trying I guess.
Have my treatment information appointment tomorrow where the nurse will go through the proposed timeline and talk us through how to administer the drugs.
Any suggestions on any questions we should be asking at the appointment?

Hi @Hopefully84 ,
We had our nurse chat today. Looks like short protocol but they don't seem to confirm until my appointment after December period. My AMH results were good (22) so that one less thing to worry about. DH sperm results not great (they were previously normal) so he's a bit sad. They said because his previous samples were normal they will just decide on collection day whether we're having IVF or ICSI. Useful appointment and lovely nurse. I stupidly hadn't realised I had to take the pill for two weeks between period and starting stim drugs?!

Hi ladies
Hope everyone is doing well.
Just back from our appointment and have been put on short protocol. AMH is high and lots of follicles.
Have our implications appointment tomorrow but won’t be staring until first week in Jan due to Xmas.
Feeling excited!x

Hi all,

I am looking forward to my 4th transfer (2 fresh IVF failed, 1 FET failed), FET in January. Was thinking of possibly doing it in December but I travel to Czech for treatment and don't think I'll manage to fit it during Christmas holidays.. also hosting a big New Year party, so will have to move it to January. Hoping to lose some weight by then too! Had an ERA test done for personalized transfer window. Our last frozen embie is good grade hatching blast, although a slow developer (matured and hatched on day 6), but who knows, it may be our lucky one! We've got MFI. How's everyone doing?

Hey, how's everyone doing? I'm thinking of booking some acupuncture. Even my consultant said it seems to (marginally) increase success with IVF (though they don't know why). I went for a bit before and found it really relaxing so for that alone it's probably worthwhile. Anyone else getting acupuncture or similar?

@Chooklass I'm just on my way to a reflexology massage.. not sure I'm keen on acupuncture, tried a taster session for the ears before and it's not my cup of tea. I think anything that will keep the stress at bay is a good idea

@Viletta I tried a reflexology taster once but didn't like it! I think it must have a lot to do with the practitioner - my reflexologist was a bit odd but my acupuncturist was lovely! I love yoga too but my IVF nurse said I should avoid that during IVF as there's a risk of twisting an ovary if they are swollen, which can lead to it being cut off!! 😲 She was pretty blunt!

Oooh I love acupuncture! I tried it about a year ago and wasn't that impressed- it felt like a bit of a production line and the guy was just in it for the money. I've since found a new lady and been for a few sessions and she's amazing, really tailors it to how I'm feeling and the stage of my cycle. I leave feeling totally chilled out every time! I've also heard a few stories of IVF success with acupuncture so I will carry on.

Has anyone else been on clomid or letrozole? I am taking it for a few months until we get our funding approved for IVF. Male factor so its unlikely to help but at least I feel like I'm doing something! It definitely made me a bit crazy though- wondering if its just me?!

@CarbsAndCheese I've not been on clomid but a friend was and it made her really angry and aggressive! She had to stop taking it. I've another friend who had no effects at all though! 🤷🏻‍♀️ My acupuncture lady sounds similar - tailors each session to my cycle and just chatting to her feels like therapy xx

Lots of exciting and hopefully positive stories!

@CarbsAndCheese I was completely crazy on clomifene! Made my anxiety spiral out of control...ended up upping my anti-depressants to manage the side effects. My mood and mental health is generally very effected by my hormones and period anyways so it wasn't too surprising!

It definitely regulates my periods and made me ovulate so that was a positive.

I had my nurse appointment today and all set to go. Periods are very irregular so I just have to phone them at the first period I have after 27th December (when they open after Christmas).

For some reason that seems like it's a lot closer than January!

Are you all watching what you eat and going for fertility' friendly foods? I'm loving the excuse to eat lots of avocado!!

Good luck everyone!

I'm generally eat quite healthy.. I am upset though as I gained almost 10kg during this year with my failed IVF cycles. I struggle getting back into shape for January

So after the GP appointment we may or may not be on the right thread here Consultant said after all test, sample and operation results were back that we just needed to get GP to refer us back to the clinic so we could book in nurses appointment and start ICSI in jan...... GP had to request exception funding from NHS as officially been ttc for 15 months (the consultant already knew this!)
And our local rules say 2 years.... consultant said a diagnosis overrode this but doesn't seem to be the case. Know it's not ruled out and will still hopefully be agreed or will be next summer if not now, but just felt like I'd got my head round starting in the new year and having a degree of control in a situation I no longer had much control in and now feel this is taken away/on hold. Hoping that a holiday next week makes the wait go quickly and allows us to stay on track for January start (but looking at cycle dates I'm not that hopeful of a jan start). Any feedback on how quickly you get nurses appointment after GP referral especially in Leeds so I can start processing?! Hope you are all ok and walking a straighter path towards the start of your treatment!

@granddesigns I am so sorry, that is really not fair! Surely if the consultant has deemed ivf necessary then the GPs should sign off on it. When will you find out? That is good you have a holiday to try and distract and relax in the meantime. X

@Chooklass I have acupuncture and I love it, I feel so zen with it. There are some fertility specialised acupuncturists out there too. I figure it can't hurt!

@huffleclaw that's great you're all set! It must feel very real now.
I have been trying to up the veggies and making smoothies etc. DH is not overly impressed with all the extra veg he is being force fed!

I have just watched a documentary called Making Babies on iPlayer. I wouldn't recommend watching it, definitely not a positive thing to watch before embarking on ivf. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Thanks @FlapJackered - yeah it's a disappointment really as if coming to terms that we have to go this route isn't enough! They have said around 2 weeks for a funding decision and then they will either refer or wait until next summer to refer. We then have the decision as to whether to self fund a first cycle but knowing that if successful there will be no NHS cycle ever or wait till summer if they won't refer now - know it's not that long really but it's just another thing to process. Even the doctor said it was political, and the worst place for funding in the country!

Hope you are doing ok - id second acupuncture but more from a peace of mind and wellness perspective than successful pregnancy perspective at the moment!

@granddesigns fingers crossed for you. 🤞🏻
We were not eligible for NHS funding for another year because I had a mc so we decided not to wait and to go privately. It's a tricky decision to make as it is such a lot of money. We have our consultation next Wednesday, it's all starting to feel real!

We weren't qualified for NHS either.. it was such a disappointment. We went for a round privately and then had our second IVF in Czech, much much cheaper and we've got 3 blasts with them as opposed to one 3 day embie in the UK with same amount of eggs.