Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland

[justbeingelle]

Just thought I'd start a thread for those who are undergoing infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland because it seems as though it can vary from the rest of the UK.

DH and I have been TTC since June 2018. Started investigations around July 2019. I have a large ovarian cyst which will be removed, hopefully after Christmas. Getting a laparoscopy and dye to check tubes too. I have very regular periods and I am ovulating. DH has a low sperm count, but the ones he has are good quality. Still awaiting results from ultrasounds, genetic tests etc so still feel like we're at the beginning of our journey. This is our first time TTC and we've not had a hint of a BFP.

Anyone else?

It's amazing how different it can be with different doctors even at the same clinic.
Such a coincidence that our cycles are similar ( although mines seems to be getting longer which is freaking me out a bit). So weird to go from feeling like no one understands to having people who understand so well!

@LabradorMum

I don't think the counselling's going to be an option for me for a number of reasons (work schedule, trust, etc), but thanks anyway. I'm just throwing myself into work at the moment - even if I may never be a mother, I can still make a difference to lives there, and that's got to count for something.

@pixelflower I know right I really didn’t like the first doctor on our first on purpose first video call he was very abrupt and basically said that my chances weren’t very high at my age I’m like yeah ok thanks for that! It really most of my friends have 2/3 kids and it’s so easy for them I have only told 1 friend to be honest as I don’t want the patronising comments even when meant well.

@Scirocco only you know your own mind and can decide what is right for you. Sounds like you are very passionate about your job, what is it you do if you don’t mind me asking you don’t have to say if you would rather not. Everything you do counts for something don’t be so hard on yourself, your family and friends I am sure agree. You can say anything on here that you want we are all anonymous and here to help you if you feel you want to talk or just want to vent.

Were any of you told what dosage you were on? I remember being told I was on the lowest dosage for something but can't remember what now

I can't remember her saying anything about dose. She said something 225 I think, but that was before she started explaining anything. I'd have thought it would vary based on baseline scan but maybe not.

@LabradorMum, I'm a healthcare professional (not in fertility). I've been working all through the pandemic and it's been awful. Since this started, the only leave I've had has been 5 days for a miscarriage.

@Scirocco I am sorry for your loss 😔 Your job impacts people’s lives everyday and you should be proud of what you do it’s amazing and that sector does not get the recognition it deserves not just during this pandemic but all the time.

@willithappen @pixelflower yeah she didn’t specify short time either she did mention 225 but the timescale she gave definitely indicated it was short protocol.

I just remember being told I was on the lowest dose of something so I'm hoping that's gonna be a good thing and not them just deciding I don't need it

Argh, I'm anticipating mega stress in January! Usually my cycle is regular, 29/30 days. Last month 32 days, this month 34 and counting! I'm stressing out that something has changed and will have more issues, and even if not the wait to be able to make that call in January is going to drive me mad. I hate that I still feel hopeful and it's all going to come crashing down again. Sorry for a negative post again but hoping I feel better for it.

Hey @pixelflower been there before I have always been 28 days and last 3.5 days but a few times in the last few years I have gone 30 odd days, if you google it it’s quite normal for women to go through this, stress can play havoc with your periods and although you might not feel stressed you might be subconsciously. Are you taking any new vitamins by any chance?

In a lot of ways I'm actually less stressed than I have been in a long time. I've started trying to remember to take my vitamins again but only took for a couple of days so shouldn't have made a difference. There'll be a reason, it's just that bit of hope won't go till it comes.

I know how you feel lovely, just typical for periods to get like this during this time isn't it! Very occasionally I can have a 31 day cycle and I bet these next two will be and knock me off a while

I have come home to a letter from clinic but I'm a little confused. I think it's a letter addressed to my doctor to prescribe me norethisterone but I don't know if it's been sent direct to doctor and I have been copied in or if I have to take this to the doctor to get the prescription :/
Anyone else had the same recently?

I haven't had a letter but sure the nurse said on the phone that she'd send out a prescription to take to the doctor but he probably wouldn't want to see me. With things as they are probably best to phone the surgery either way.
@LabradorMum any word on nurse appointment?

@pixelflower ah I hope I don't have to go into GP as it's such a nightmare to get an appointment with them right now
I'll give the clinic a call on Monday and see what I need to do with it. It reads as though it's addressed to the doctor not me

@willithappen I picked it up as it would kinda be the same as a repeat prescription. At least it's been sent out in plenty of time to get organised so that's at least one less stress

@pixelflower I have never had to get a repeat prescription so I'm not 100% sure how it works here. So I wouldn't need an actual GP appointment to go in? Seems silly having to go in for it

@willithappen been a while since I was since that was the pill many moons ago. I'd think they'd just write you a prescription to either pick up or they'd send it straight to the pharmacy. Probably completely wrong though.

Hi ladies hope your both well. No letter yet maybe Monday.

Was just wondering did either of you think you would be put on the pill first I’ve read most women do.

Repeat prescriptions with our surgery they have a dedicated line and you just pick it up at the pharmacy.

Funny but the vitamin d and pregnacare both sent my periods haywire so I’m not taking them until I start the treatment the day of my period with Jan or Feb whenever I get started 😂

@LabradorMum
Hey! How are you today?
Fingers crossed for Monday for the letter with appointment coming in!

I didn't realize what the pill was that we are being given but I've had a look today and realized its one that can be prescribed often for stopping/delaying your period if needed.

So this would count as a repeat prescrption then? I'll have to find out what my hospital procedure is. I'm so anxious about things that I'm gonna wanna call them and get it organised straight away so I know I have them. Even though its a good month away before I'll need them. Feels weird to think I only have two more 'normal' periods until we start all of this.

I think in it might in that the doctor won't actually need to see you. It's common for people to take it for holidays and stuff so can't see any issues..
I think it's going to be weird having the medication in the house, even if it isn't the full on stuff yet 😶
Would be handy if the appointment dates were definite so could request to work around them.

@pixelflower yeah knowing the dates would be good, I was almost going to book the week where we are in for scans every second day off but knowing my luck I'll end up being late and my dates will be knocked off.
I just listened back to the phone recording for the nurses appointment also and still not really sure all the protocol for it haha. From what she said it's a week of injections but I feel from what I have read it's actually a lot more than that? Maybe she meant a week and then scan but with continuing to inject

Morning ladies,

@willithappen ah ok I didn’t realise that either I thought we got the actual “pill”. I’m not sure but I think if we required repeat meds we just pick them up from our selected pharmacy our local surgery has the pharmacy next door but I have also heard of the meds being posted out by the clinics.

I think from what the doc said you take these pills then start injections the I think is when you get your period and scans every second today to check on the meds and see if everything is ok and if anything needs adjusting, but I am really not sure.

Was out for lunch yesterday with my parents and it was really surreal to see loads of people with babies thinking that might be me soon, definitely not pinning my hopes on it at all I know my chances and especially of it working first time but would be amazing if we could all be saying in 6 months time!

@LabradorMum I have notes from what the nurse said but when you have your nurses appointment she will give you more details on when you take pill and then injections :)

I am pill on day 21 of jan period (1st Feb). Take it for seven days (can be taken for longer if needed - like if you need to delay starting treatment a couple days), then you have a small bleed, then go into clinic for a scan (13th Feb) First injection at the clinic and then home with them. So I'm due to inject 13th Feb, then scans on 19th, 22nd and 24th and then egg collection on 26Th

Obviously above dates are all based on my periods coming at the predicted times so may be off here or there and also based on my protocol so could be slightly different for others. I think @pixelflower is on the same type of schedule?

Very similar schedule @willithappen 😮
Day 21 start Norethisterone
Baseline scan 12/2
Start injections 13/2
Scans - 19/2
22/2
24/2
Egg recovery week of 1/3
I did muck up and tell her I was due a few days later than I actually am but seems like with weekends the dates would still be the same, and going by this month will be later than I told her.
I'm looking at booking theatre tickets for next year and hard not to think about the fact if it's successful I'd be about 8 months pregnant. Also made me realise didn't actually know when they calculate your due date from when it's IVF.

@pixelflower I wonder why you are 1st March rather than 26th as our other dates seem exactly the same! How crazy. I guess if it can't be done 26th Feb then needs to be 1st March as 27/28 land over the weekend. I could end up being on that same date if I'm a day later on my period than it's expected

There are some calculators that do it for you online but all depends on when it's transferred I guess. I have a feeling I will be a freeze all as on one of my letters it said I have an antral folicile count of 34 so if they are giving me drugs also I think I will be at risk of OHSS. Haven't been told that, I'm just preparing my find for that to be the case. I don't know when they transfer it if it's a freeze all, one or two months after?