CRGW

[Jacky83]

Is anyone else on here having treatment with CRGW in South Wales? Just wondering what other people's experiences with them have been.

@cat well done! Yeah you do get use to bloods after all these tests... I still can't look when they take my blood. I had to have my rubella booster re-done though and that was not so nice! I use to watch YouTube, of people going through all this when we first started but wasn't a lot of UK based videos, most were American. Really like watching the information videos though. I wish we had the money to do it all private.

@Becbelly I can't believe that! It's awful. I think he broke his elbow and had a problem with his eyes so couldn't do the job anymore.
I think CRGW probably use Gareth Brown because he uses their embryologist. Honestly I would not hesitate, I would definitely have the procedure done with GB. Here's the link to his profile:-

www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-gareth-brown

@Cat028 I was just like you. I couldn't stand the thought of injecting myself but I was so surprised by how easy they were. Then I got worked up about egg collection but I slept through the whole thing! I think the worse thing about IVF is the waiting and the uncertainty. I've had two cycles and found the treatment pretty easy although I was quite uncomfortable after my last egg collection. It's the worry of 'how many follicles have I got, how many eggs collected, how many fertilise etc' that's the worse.
I finished my treatment with IVF Wales on Wednesday and called CRGW straight away to book an appointment. I'm 37 so worried my time is running out. I just hope to god that going private is going to make a difference.

@Blueron123 thank you so much for your advice, what is the best way to reach Dan Brown? Is it through the link you sent?
I really just want to get things moving now. As a said above a lot of my friends are pregnant at the moment and there is a lot of baby talk going on... which I get as they are excited of course, but it's so hard to try and stand there and put on a smile sometimes.

@Blueron123 reading your other message about the IVF. Did you need to book much time off work after the egg Collection and the IVF? I think we are going to have ICSI they said but it's similar isn't it?

I am also 37 so get how you are feeling! Have everything crossed for you this time!

Moving from NHS wales to CRGW; did you have to have a consultation or just dive straight in with treatment. Is the wait for treatment with them quite quick do you know? Thank you.

@BecBelly I can't look either but I'm not so nervous now. 1 good thing to come from Covid is the appointment system for pathology. The sitting and waiting for a ticket made me feel sick every time!

Are you hoping to do the sperm retrieval privately and the IVF with NHS?

I was told 8-12 weeks for treatment when u rang at the end of Feb. So it everything goes to time we'd be looking at around May for treatment. (Not sure if that would be the same for retrieval.)

@Blueron123 egg collect is another thing that scares me. I have never been sedated so that worries me. 🙈 Did you had to take any time off around egg collection or transfer?

Keeping everything crossed this will be your cycle. Do you have a consultation booked?

@Becbelly I called Nuffield and booked an appointment. I'm pretty sure the number is at the bottom of the page.
I overstimulated the first time so was a bit tender for a few days after collection. I think I took a week off. I don't think I really needed that much time off though. The second time (a few weeks ago), I overstimulated again, not as much as first, and I felt completely different to the first time. The first cycle I had to freeze all because I was at risk of OHSS so I didn't have the HCG trigger so I think that stopped OHSS. This time they wanted to do the same but they left it up to me to decide because I really wanted a fresh transfer. I had the HCG trigger and I think I had a bit of OHSS. I was really uncomfortable and bloated after and couldn't stand up straight. I felt a bit better by transfer day. When they scanned me my follicles were still huge and were painful when the nurse put the scanner on my tummy. When I saw the size of them I thought they were going to cancel it but there was no fluid so they were happy to transfer. They told me I had to eat lots of protein because I was at high risk of getting OHSS. By day 8 I knew the transfer was unsuccessful because I'm sure I would've had OHSS if I got pregnant.
I was like you. I had never been to the hospital for anything and I was so scared but honestly the sedation is AMAZING!! I slept through both transfers and didn't feel a thing. When I woke up after the first collection I kept telling the nurses how amazing they were and told my husband a million times that I didn't feel the needle 🥴. I was nervous the second time because I was worried they wouldn't give me the same amount as last time but I was fine. I don't think I'll worry about it next time. It's like an amazing short sleep! Sorry for the long post!!

@Becbelly sorry I sent that long message but didn't answer all your questions!
I found out Wednesday that my transfer had been unsuccessful and I called CRGW straight away. I have a scan at the beginning of March and a consultation two weeks later. The lady said treatment would probably start mid April to early May. She said they're really busy at the moment because people are fed up with waiting for NHS treatment. It's a longer wait than I thought but obviously a lot quicker than NHS.
I've never had any issues with IVF Wales (except for the sperm retrieval) and the nurses at Neath Port Talbot are amazing but I wish they had done more with my treatment and maybe tried something different second cycle. It'll be interesting to hear what CRGW have to offer. All the stories I've heard about them are positive.
Good luck - I hope it goes well! If you need anything let me know x

I'm so sorry @Cat028 @Becbelly .
I thought it was @Becbelly who said about sedation but just realised it was @Cat028** !

@Cat028 my response to sedation is in the post below.
ICSI doesn't make any difference to you in terms of treatment, the stims etc is the same with ivf/Icsi. They use Icsi if there is a sperm issue. Rather than putting the sperm in the dish with the egg and letting the sperm do it's own thing (normal ivf), with Icsi they inject the best looking sperm into the egg.
Good luck and let me know if you need anything x

@Blueron123 haha! No worries, it can get confusing. Thank you for explaining it. It has put my mind at ease to hear it doesn't sound as scary as I thought. I know it's just the unknown but hopefully once we know a bit more I'll feel a bit calmer. You sound like me. I ring my DH every time I've had a blood test done and told him I bossed it! What is OHSS?

I thought the wait was longer than I hoped. But like you say at least it is shorted that the NHS waiting list! With all the treatments on hold too I can't see it getting any better.

@Cat028 here's a link to some info about OHSS

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/gynaecology/pi_ohss.pdf

The clinic will monitor how you respond to treatment. WFI told me that their cut off for a fresh transfer is 20 follicles. I had 23 and they warned me of the dangers but allowed me to proceed. You have to drink lots of water and eat lots of protein.

Thanks for all the information @Blueron123 it is really helpful to speak to someone who been/going through it in the same places. I didn't even think of the sedation. We didn't really want to tell people when we start treatment so we don't get all the pressure of all the questions but DP doesn't drive so it looks like we may have to tell someone. I'm really glad they put you to sleep to do it though. My job is quite active so I may take a day or two off just in case. I was going to ask the same about OHSS so thanks for the information to.

I just been for a social distance dog walk with two of my friends, one is due in May and the other in August so a lot of baby talk. Got home and eaten a LOT of chocolate lol. X

@Blueron123 fab thanks. I'm glad they give some wiggle room. It's definitely a lot to get your head around!

@BecBelly aw hun! Must have been a hard walk! Have all the chocolate!! It's nice to see friends but it can be so horrid to listen to all the baby talk. Look after yourself today.

@Becbelly only my close family members know. I haven't told anyone else because I feel like people pity you and I don't want questions all the time.
Are you on Instagram? Lots of women have setup pages with questions advice etc and lots of girls cycling at ivf wales and CRGW have also setup pages.
I've read how lots of women go back to work the day after egg collection. I could never have done that, especially this time. I didn't feel right until a week after my second collection. I think it depends how many follicles you have / how many eggs are collected.
It's so hard isn't it. Last week on my work WhatsApp group, there was a pregnancy announcement and a birth announcement on the same day!

@Cat028 thanks, enjoy a lot of it and now cuddling up with my little dog who is my fur baby. I'm super happy for them both, I just wants to have that excitement to soooo much. Hopefully it won't be to long for any of us 🤞🏻

@Blueron123 my mam knows but she can not be the most supportive sometimes... she's a great mother but she doesn't really understand. She told me my sister was pregnant with her second child while out for a family meal when she knew what is going on with us. That was a bit rubbish to be honest.
Two people in work know, just my manager so I can arrange time off and one friend who had had a few miscarriages. She just found she is pregnant again last weekend and I am over the moon for her, praying this will work out for her, with the other girls in work pregnant we have both been feeling a bit blah. We are a small team to, do it's very much in your face. It's good to have that support.
I am on Instagram, I'll have to take a look. Thank you.

@Blueron123 I was wondering about going back to work after egg collection. I have an active job so want to be careful. Ouch! The must have been a hard day for you. I have to admit to muting groups for this reason.

@BecBelly aw sounds lovely! I have 3 kitty fur babies here. Although, I don't think my hubby would allow any more. 😂 It's great you have support in work. Has your manager been understanding?

@Cat028 yes I think I'll definitely book time off. My manager is very good but we are a small team and nothing stays secret for long. We handle medication and are suppose to wear gloves... which we don't, but one of the girls one day just started to and everyone was like oh my god she's pregnant... and she was and was not happy that we all found out before she even told her family. But you literally can't hide anything like that there. I might just start wearing them now and say it's to do with the blood clot meds as a cover 😂

Does your manager know what is going on? Are they supportive?

Aww I love fur Babies. I'd love another dog but DP says no 🙄 animals are the best! You're lucky to have three. I'm jealous lol.

@Blueron123 what was the recovery like after the retrial for your husband? Also was it day surgery and was he under general anaesthetic? Thanks.

@Becbelly he had it under general because the consultant wasn't sure whether he had sperm or not. He wasn't sure whether he would be able to get some from the epididymis or would actually have to get it from cutting into the testicle. Luckily he was able to get plenty from the epididymis (this is where mature sperm is) and didn't have to cut into the testicle but he did have stitches. If he had to have it again, I think it would be under local and the consultant would put a needle straight into the epididymis and extract it that way. I think because he had to have stitches recovery was a bit longer. He was told not to do much for 2 or 3 weeks. He had it done on the Friday and went back to work on the Monday. He was in pain but for a man he's good with pain and doesn't moan 😂.
I think it affects everyone differently and it depends wether they can get it from the epididymis or the testicle. I can imagine the recovery time is longer if they have to cut open the testicle 🥴

@Becbelly I think it took about half an hour, it was really quick procedure but for me it felt like the longest half an hour ever! As soon as the embryologist had finished, he came straight to see me to tell me they had 6 vials of sperm.

@Blueron123 wow I bet you were over the moon to hear that! Ooh gosh, my DP can't even cope with a cold so lord help me 😂 I won't tell him to much detail but it's good that it was a quick op.

We have decided we will have the consultation. If they say there is even a small chance there could be sperm we will go ahead but if they think there is no chance we will have to talk about next steps.. maybe donor, but unsure how OH really feels about that. I just hope there is a chance and they find some. They think he has a blockage as he had an op when he was a toddler for undescended testiculs. But they are really not sure if he is making any sperm at all.

We only need one with ICSI 🤞🏻

@Becbelly haha good luck 😂😂

It's the best thing we ever did. We had two years of wondering, it was horrible.

Has your partner had blood tests? Although it's no guarantee, if the results are normal it gives you some hope of finding some. I take it his sample didn't contain any sperm?

@Blueron123 yes he has had the bloods repeated a few times. He has high FSH Levels so they are not very hopeful but said they would do it with The NHS.

It's definitely worth a shot! If they really thought they wouldn't find anything they wouldn't agree to do it. But in all honestly, I wouldn't risk waiting for IVF Wales to train someone to do it. You definitely need somebody with experience. Although I was really annoyed with the hospital because they kept messing us around, I was really pleased that Gareth Brown did it because he was highly recommended and he has expertise in andrology. If it's likely your partner has to have sperm taken from the testicle, you need somebody with experience to do this. We even said that if they (NHS) didn't find anything we would end up going to Gareth Brown anyway for him to check.

@Becbelly I'll wait to see what they say at the consultation to see how much time I'll need off or see how I am feeling after the treatment.

It sounds very similar to us. I work with a team of 5 and we spend all day together in class so it's hard to hide things from them too. It's so easy to notice little changes like that isn't it! I've had to tell my team as I'll need them to step into take more of the hands on tasks when I'm doing treatment.

That sounds like a good plan! You have a plausible excuse in the meantime.

My headteacher is really supportive but I think he gets overwhelmed when I have to let him know about things so I try to just give the headlines. 🤣

Our third we got a year ago, her mother gave birth to her in my MIL/FIL's garage. I fell in love as soon as I saw her. So DH caved! I'm definitely at my limit though!