reacting to hormones - stories pls...

[Maggie272]

Hi Ladies,

I hope you are all doing well!
I just wondered if anyone out there has felt the effects of being on a hormonal rollercoaster, esp with IVF, FETs.

With every procedure, I have been afraid, having panic attacks, anxiety attacks, exhaustion. I have this terrible sense that something bad is going to happen, even though everything is relatively fine. I see all my faults and believe I am a terrible person. My doctor even suggested I had Bipolar, without taking the hormones into account.

At the clinic I hear things like, 'most women find them fine', and 'yes, women get frustrated having to go through this treatment', and generally the nurses don't talk about the toll the hormones take. They make me feel like I am the only one...one nurse even said to me, It will feel worse when you're pregnant.

I feel like I am on the verge of a breakdown, and this is not me! I am happy, generally care-free, and have a realistic attitude to the whole fertillity thing. I am not anxious or frustrated with the process. I do yoga, meditate, I love life. But now I can't leave the house without ending up in tears, anxious, afraid that the house will go up in fire, that my husband will be in an accident...

All I'm looking for is to know that I am not alone...

Much love
Maggie x

Ok...looks like I'm the only one at the moment...but I'm guessing there's a few more out there, doing yoga and chanting and clinging to Netflix as the last source of distraction and comfort : )
hope you are all ok xxx

Sorry you're feeling emotional Maggie272. It is a common reaction though that doesn't really help when you're feeling horrendous. I felt more angry, tearful, generally stressed out than normal on the meds. Been through it multiple times so you'll get through it to. Hope you can talk about how you're feeling to people around you that matter, even your boss if you can't meet demands temporarily. It's all for a good cause. Hope you get a BFP after all this hard work

I think the hormones effect us all in different ways. For me, I struggled with the oestrogen priming probably the most but def felt lethargic, often with a sense of doom, and certainly a short fuse throughout. However, I also had periods of real positivity I think from having a real purpose and hope.

When my treatment failed I didn’t have the one moment of utter devastation, I’ve just had a general malaise for weeks.

Just wanted to let you know you’re not alone. The mantra ‘this too, will pass’ is a useful one to keep in mind.

Thank you both! Yes, @Youngatheart00, the sense of doom is the worst...@ChatWithMe having my transfer tomorrow...if stress is a factor then the odds are against me. It's such a shame because I'm normally not like this.

Thank you both for helping me feel not so alone xxx

Aw good luck with your transfer. How exciting! Women get pregnant in war torn places so I'm guessing your body can naturally handle a bit of stress and still let an embryo burrow in

I started a post on this recently which is here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/3735199-IVF-meds-and-concentration-motivation

My experience is different to yours, but yes I have found myself affected negatively by the hormones so you are not alone in that. I would say that I have also been more anxious than usual.

Hi @Maggie272 I've been paranoid, anxious, depressed and very teary on this cycle. Transferring on Friday and just can't wait for it to be all over with regardless of the result (this will be my 4th transfer) xx

@peachesforfree thank you so much for this! I didn't see that thread but will check it out. Very grateful to you for replying and sharing that you feel brought down...

@FingersXssd83 oh my goodness...it is so hard...what's worse is that it can take a while to realise it's the hormones...especially if the clinic don't prepare you or talk to you about it. I just had my transfer today and feel the same as you - one way or another, the next two weeks will bring some kind of relief. I will keep my fingers crossed for you on Friday

Much love
xxx