IVF at Guy's & St. Thomas' & general process/timeline

[Lill02]

Hi all,

This is my first ever post, but I've been following for a while. :)

After having all the usual tests, including a hycosy and hysteroscopy, we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility a while ago. We have now finally waited long enough to be eligible for IVF on the NHS. We've got an appointment back at Guy's & St. Thomas' tomorrow (we had to see the GP and ask to be referred back as we've now waited the required time frame).
I'm not 100% sure what will happen tomorrow, but I'm basically hoping they will agree we've waited the required time and suggest we get the ball rolling for IVF, i.e. fill in our funding application, etc. I'm really hoping this will happen, I can't face being sent away again after we've waited so long...
What have your experiences been? Does that sound like realistic next steps? Has anyone been at Guy's & St. Thomas' and can share their timeline?

Thank you!

@Etonmess20 yes that’s my experience from sedation with the colonoscopies I’ve had but I think I liked that as I was in the know, bit of a control thing! I’m scared to be put to sleep in case I don’t wake up ... need to stop this worse case scenario thinking! Yes amazing about the numbers I said have they all got eggs in she said we won’t know until you’re in surgery. She said it’s sedation that I will be asleep for but not general anaesthetic with a line in? So not sure what that means. I told her I was nervous to be put to sleep and she just said ‘you’ll have a lovely dream’. I didn’t ask if DP could come in with me to be put to sleep but I’m not sure if I’d want him to as it would probably scare him and freak him out and I want him to have chilled, happy sperm. Don’t want to spook him for the big day! Unless he gives him sample before then I’ll definitely have him there! All becoming very real. Just praying we have some good embryos at the end of it 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@GJW2018 the way the doctor explained it to me when I saw them a couple of weeks ago was that you're essentially asleep but because they don't intubate you (you still breathe by yourself) then it doesn't count as a general anaesthetic 🤷🏼‍♀️
It is a personal preference one I guess isn't it as I'd much rather know nothing about it all until after! I imagine it's all very fragile as well when they're poking around with their needle sucking it all out so least they can be sure you'll be still!
It is massively easy to think the worst but they wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't super safe. Thinking about it though that's the worst part about this process as a whole - we're all completely out of control & leaving everything in their hands. 😬

Hahaha definitely need happy & chilled sperm! Really got my fingers crossed for good embryos for you guys, plenty of eggs should be giving you the best chance! I hope you get some kind of certificate for breaking all the records btw 🤣

😂😂 I was expecting a certificate or medal but just an invasive vaginal scan as instead!
Yes I’ve enjoyed handing over the TTC control as the unknown each month was killing me and I do like sleep soooo maybe it will be ok. I was shitting it for the injections and they’ve been a massive anticlimax so hopefully the EC will be the same! I’ve been furiously searching forums for success rates for people with frogsporn ovaries like mine and I can confirm no custard creams were in there ... for now!
Thank you for your support, I can’t wait for you guys to all come and join. Hopefully I’ll have some words of wisdom as some point!

@GJW2018 wow wee mate!! That's a mega amount. I think GA makes more sense than sedation with that amount. Imagine if they all fertilise 😮 I'll be opposite to you and hopefully get 12 out. First scan is on Monday but that's to check I'm down regulated so it's a long ol process for me. Can't wait to swap onto stimming injections!
And GA is absolutely fine, I was under it for my lap and it was wonderful! I think I'd rather that again than sedation but I'll take whatever 😆

@GJW2018 that’s not a bad idea. I’ll give them a call next week. How much was your private GP appointment online?

Amazing news on the follicles but I get it, it’s scary too when there’s a lot of them! I hope I respond as well when I get there eventually. Are they going to freeze all?

I think I’m happy to be fully put to sleep so I can’t lie there stressing. You’ll be fine I’m sure.

I called the Lister today, they’re going to get us an appointment with the doctor we asked for soon.

Signed up with the new GP. I know it will slow it all down but at least they’ve got an e consult online option, mine has nothing but a mean woman. I asked how I get to speak to someone about meds and they said once the registration is complete to ask for a medication review so I’ll do that in the next couple of weeks.

I had a test similar to a colonoscopy before @Etonmess20 and had a similar issue. They told me they would do it with me awake and I was like erm no you will not and they gave me some kind of anaesthesia where I fell asleep and woke up in bed after. Good luck attempting it without the anaesthetic!

@thislittlebird yeah absolutely would not want something like that without it! I was as awake as I would have wanted to be for someone doing that to me 😂 I had expected I would be more asleep than I was but the pain wasn't too bad. Was quite surreal to be watching my insides on the little TV 😂 I had it done private though my BUPA so the real treat was a Thames view room in London Bridge hospital while I recovered & having to force two courses of restaurant quality food down me before they'd let me leave 😂😂 I'll be glad to be properly asleep for EC tbh, I don't think I want the stress of knowing what's happening as it's happening!

Are you going to try & speak to your new GP before making the decision on private? I really do feel awful for you with all this, feels like the worlds conspiring against you to make things as difficult as possible!

Hi ladies, haven't logged on in a bit but wow so many posts this week and lots happening. I have been trying not to think about it too much (unsuccessfully then I just got a text from the hospital saying you have a new letter but they just wanted to refer me to a urologist instead which was a bit random. Way to get my hopes up! Haha.

@thislittlebird so sad to see what you're going through. Wasn't there some press today about GPs being required by the NHS to provide in-person appointments now? I think in person is always better as you get a more empathetic conversation I believe. Definitely worth giving it a go.

Gosh I am very sorry to read about a lot of your sex lives also :( it was interesting reading as I was feeling sorry for myself earlier as someone on my social media who was having trouble conceiving posted about what a miracle it was and how anyone out there who's infertile shouldn't give up hope etc. I was very happy for her but for someone with no tubes it always makes me feel down when I see those as I know there's no miracle coming for me. Reading here, I suppose the bright side is that for me pregnancy and sex has absolutely zero connection in my mind. It must really taint it and feel like a chore when you're trying so I hope you can all be out of this soon and back to normal sex lives.

@RiverRiot @notyetamumbuttrying I also am very partial to a tipple and finding it hard to cover! Lucky I'm usually a gin and soda drinker so I've been on the sodas pretending there is gin in there ha just like you said. Hopefully can keep it up for a while!

Also on vaccines my doctor said have it, just not during treatment or too close for it in case you get a fever from it then they'll make you stop treatment. Apparently if you're at risk of OHSS it's better to have it as covid can theoretically make the symptoms worse.

@GJW2018 congratulations on those record numbers! It's super exciting you're progressing so quickly. Do not worry about anaesthetic - I've had 4 laparotomies and 2 laparoscopies so I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert LOL and I know it seems scary but you won't even know it is happening. Got all my fingers crossed for you for good embryos!

@thislittlebird I'm glad things are moving along nicely for you. Sounds like you'll get there now xx
@Vparisi ah they're teasers doing that! Do you know why you're seeing a urologist? Dh saw one for his male factor.
The soda or tonic trick is a good one! The only thing for me is that I'm on a girls weekend in a lodge next week so everyone's doing a "big shop" they've added prosecco but I managed to get them to remove the spirits after saying me and one other girl were dieting. I won't be able to let anyone make me a drink the whole time so that I can just pour out tonic 🙈
My vaccines booked for Sunday which should be two weeks before egg collection if the timings work out as I think they should. 🤞🏾

@notyetamumbuttrying I might see you Monday what time is your scan? The stimming injections are a dream. I’ve felt on top of the world apart from quite sleepy in the mornings and tired at night but that’s not unusual for me!
@thislittlebird I think it was £30/40 with a small prescription fee. I just googled online gp and I think it was the first one that came up. Yes definitely a freeze all for me! That’s so good about getting a new GP. I have everything crossed that you’ll get everything pushed through much quicker now.
Thanks @Vparisi
I feel much more comforted now about being put to sleep. I need to man up and stop being a baby! Xx

@GJW2018 oh cool! It's at 915am, yours? Yeah I've heard it's nice, can't wait to switch onto them!
And it's only natural to feel scared about going under a general but it's fine, promise. 😌

@notyetamumbuttrying mines at 8.30 so might just miss you but will keep at eye out! Even though I’m not sure what you look like! 😂 I was looking at the ladies in there today like I wonder if any of these are the ones from this group? 😂 Thank you for the reassurance about GA I do feel much more at ease about it now. Good luck for Monday xxx

@GJW2018 yeah you might. I look basically like this 👩🏾‍🦱😂
Ah I'm glad you do hun. Thank you, you too xx

@Etonmess20 I was very asleep after I said nope, you're not doing that lmao. No internalTV for me! At least you had some nice food.

I couldn't speak to the GP. These people will be my villain origin story. I have no signed up to a new GP, sent a letter to PALS (again) today complaining about the old gynaecology woman and asking for a second opinion, booked private urology for May 26, and started emailing the lister about an IVF consultation. I'm desperate for someone, somewhere to help me, I cannot do this limbo anymore.

@Vparisi I heard that, and then I sae some news saying they might be told to continue this triage phone call nonsense long term. It's ridiculous, a truly appalling service. I prefer in-person by far. I'm so scarred by the stupid, unhelpful phone calls I've had all year. I just want to see a person who will listen.

Sex is such a chore, I'm exhausted thinking about it.

@GJW2018 I googled and the first online GP I saw said I had to be officially registered, not with my local GP. Did you have to register?

@GJW2018 are you still about? I'm sat in waiting room B if you are 😊
@thislittlebird good luck with calling the docs today!

@thislittlebird I had to fill out a form and put my normal GP on there but was pretty straightforward. My GP never mentioned it 🤷🏼‍♀️ You could say you’re between practices at the minute which is technically true.
@notyetamumbuttrying oh man I came out at 9 so must’ve just missed you. I was having a look around to see if I could spot you! Hope your appointment went well.

We had 71 follicles today and 11 ready to pop! The docs going to call me later to confirm when egg collection will be but most likely Wednesday or Thursday. Getting quite nervous now!

@GJW2018 jeez Louise that is a lot of follicles!! I had 15 😂 more than my usual 12 so was happy with that. They did a blood test as well as I had some corpus lutem left. They'll call me this afternoon and if all good, start with menopur tomorrow night and reduced buserelin. Next scan booked is in for the 26th May and if all good egg collection could be on the Friday that week! All so very real for us two now, eek!! Yay to yours being this week, how exciting 😃can understand the nerves too!

@notyetamumbuttrying that’s brilliant! So exciting! Crazy to think next month could be the month! Not sure when they’re putting mine back in but will just be glad if we get some good ones and my body’s not being as crazy! Xx

@notyetamumbuttrying @GJW2018 so glad your appointments have both gone well this morning! So excited for you both, it's all so close now!

Omg that’s a lot of follicles @GJW2018! Fingers crossed for you and @notyetamumbuttrying.

PALS emailed me to say I’ve lodged a formal complaint 😭. Now I’m worried I’m going to get the Spanish Inquisition over my bad gynaecologist appointment when all I really want is some help.

The lister haven’t replied either. Feels like the universe telling me to give it up. Not even the private place wants your money

@GJW2018 @notyetamumbuttrying Really pleased things went well for you both today! Not long now, have everything crossed for you!

@Vparisi I’m so glad I’m not the only one who likes a drink. I had such a horrible week with work last week that I caved and had wine on Friday! I’m now absolutely kicking myself of course. 😩🤦🏻‍♀️

@thislittlebird I’m sure you won’t get the Spanish Inquisition. The Drs are there to supposedly help you, not distress you further so I really wouldn’t worry about what that a-hole thinks.
It’s such a kicker that you have to advocate so hard for yourself but do fill out the self referral thing too as you have nothing to lose. Don’t let the darkness consume you. I’ve been to some pretty shit emotional places on this crap journey too and it’s easy to get lost there but stay strong, be proactive and do things for you that will make you happy. You got this! 💪🏼

@Welshpea Any news on why it took them two weeks to add you to the list? Hope the house reno is going well and not getting held up by this crazy weather!

@GJW2018 I know right, eek!! Fingers crossed for good ones hun! 🤞🏾
@Etonmess20 aww thank you 😊
@thislittlebird thanks hun! Oh mate, it's not ideal at mo is it. Hopefully you'll hear back soon 🙏🏾

@RiverRiot thank you 😊 wise words to @thislittlebird there ❤️
How you getting on? Don't beat yourself up for having a wine tho! We're all human after all x

@RiverRiot do you think it’s fair to be “formally” complaining in my shoes? I do, it just feels daunting and I’m worried by the stress it might cause me. I really hope they try to “resolve” the issue for me by helping me see someone better.

I’m definitely in a dark hole emotionally right now. My two friends have had their kids (haven’t had one confirmed yet but i think they’ve had it now) and I’m no closer to even getting help. It feels like fertility quicksand. I can’t get out.

On the plus side I lost two pounds this week.

@notyetamumbuttrying I hope they get back to me soon. I am seeing Mr Ramsay next week with DH so hoping that will help me feel like things are moving.

@thislittlebird yay to the weight loss tho!! I put on the 4lbs I lost and another one 🥴
Excellent that you're seeing him! He'll help you no end! Xx