October IVF

[Dinky06]

Hi ladies, I’ve been through all of my fertility screening tests etc and am due to start my first and hopefully only round of IVF (positive vibes ) soon. I’m looking to share my hopes, experiences and tips and provide support to anyone else expecting to start a cycle soon. The more the merrier!

@Tara8 and @ivfjourney5 I didn't sleep well on Norethisterone either now I think about! I went through a period of being once sometime between 1 and 3am!

Feeling tired today which I think is more a reflection of the ups and downs of yesterday than my injection. My mission for today it to tell my boss about time off for appointments next week and what I expect will be a drop in productivity without mentioning IVF!

@Dinky06 the mock transfer just felt similar to a smear test really. They said they do it check which catheter size to use. It only lasted 5 mins. So at least I know that parts fine. Just the injections and EC to get through now 😬.

Hope it went well telling your boss about needing time off!

Hi folks -
Glad to hear some progression and positive updates. Afraid I'm not about to share one! Blood test results showed a rise in progesterone and the clinic have now reached the conclusion that I don't do down reg! Next steps are await a bleed, start oestrogen on day one of bleed after a scan and do fryrememel for 7 days at same time - a cross between a fresh and a frozen cycle basically. I'll keep an eye on this thread but will prob end up in November now!

hi all

I have started my fertility treatment at St Heliers Hospital, they delayed my IVF referral without informing me that I needed a AMH blood test and she told me it can take upto 2weeks for the results

Can anyone shine some light on it and how long theirs took.

mine is my husbands fertility is very low so our only option is IVF and i have irregular periods no PCOS.

Thanks for the reassurance. DH called them and they aren't concerned. It's just disconcerting when they've definitely been here by now previously.

@ivfjourney5 I've not taken norethistertone over than to delay period for a holiday! But the fatigue is definitely the worst ivf side effect imo!

@ivfjourney5 wow that was cutting it fine. Hope mine come before Tuesday but it's not looking good. I always feel pretty good on stims. It's before and after I get the most side effects.

@granddesigns sorry to hear about your delay fet sounds more complicated than it initially seems. Doubt I'll ever find out for myself. I think I'll be in tww come November.

Welcome @Freya2015 I don't know how long mine took as I didn't want to know until I really had to. I know my clinic is experiencing some delays as they use a lab for some tests where covid tests are also processed

@granddesigns awww sorry to hear that news too. Do keep us posted re how you're getting on anyway. Fingers and everything else crossed for you.

@Freya2015 welcome to the club! I had my AMH test as part of a full ovarian reserve test, some other bloods and a HyCoSy. This was back in the summer and I got all of the results back in one consultation alongside some results for DP so it was a few weeks but I'm not sure how long just AMH could take.

Just took my second injection and got a bit flustered as I wasn't sure I was drawing up all of liquid when mixing. DP was on a work presentation so I had to do the prep and administer it solo which felt a bit overwhelming. Am now on the sofa waiting for his call to end so I can get some sympathy! And my dinner :)

I just did my first injection. As a massive needle phobic It wasn't my favourite thing ever, and was a bit of a panic attack laden process with lots of tears, but got there in the end!

Weirdly one of the things I didn't do well with was the smell of the drug.. Didn't hurt at all though. Just psychologically!

Not sure if this helps but I did my AMH test via Medichecks (paid for it online). Not sure if there’s a speedy option but pretty sure mine only took a week. Worth a check?

I’m really starting to worry about this potential lockdown and everything being delayed. I called the hospital I’m due to be at in October and they said so far no news and it’s business as usual so fingers crossed.

Me again at a stupid time in the morning, woke up at 2.30 and there's only so much lying in bed with your eyes closed before you admit defeat that trying to go back to sleep isn't going to happen 😩 at least it's the last day of norethistertone today!

@Dinky06 did you have a good conversation with your boss?

@Lolly2020 glad the mock transfer went well!

@granddesigns I'm sorry to hear that, how frustrating! Sending you love x

@Freya2015 welcome and good luck! I can't help with the timelines for AMH sorry, I got my results at my next consultation but it was weeks after because of the covid shutdown

@mayihavesomecakeplease the first one is always the hardest, but you managed it and it was successful! Well done you!

@Lindyloolou I'm also starting to worry about lockdown. I'm in a local lockdown as of today, I've been told treatment shouldn't be affected but I heard on the news today about a hospital in South Wales that has closed all departments apart from priority cancer patients. It's getting worrying 😔

@ivfjourney5 awww that's rubbish but v glad to hear it's the last day on the dreaded Norethisterone. Hope you're able to get some rest during the day.

Soooo on the boss front, I kind of told a half truth... I mentioned that I was having some medical treatment for a pre existing condition and had been advised that there might be some side effects such as fluctuating energy levels and so it would be a help to work flexibly over the next 10 days or so. He was absolutely lovely about it and said of course and that I need to prioritise my needs! Such a relief.

I've just realised it's OCTOBER! I hope it's a positive month for us all ❤️

Hi ladies! Hope everyone is doing ok?

I’ve come to join you as I’m doing my last buserelin and menopur injections in the morning before an ultrasound to see how my ovaries are doing. Hoping for an egg collection early next week, fingers crossed.

@Dinky06 That's good your work are being flexible. It helps so much!

I'm on day 11 of stims and ANY hints, tips or advice would be gratefully received?

X

Hi @Sunbird24 I think I recognise your name from the sept thread (I had a cancelled FET beginning of sept and I still loosely follow the thread). Good luck for the scan tomorrow

@unknownscot how did the second scan go? I ate lots of protein and green leafy veg, I also treat myself weekly to chippy tea and snack on crisps so don't follow a really strict diet! Don't do any high intensity exercise (allowing knowing your follicle numbers I'm sure that would be too uncomfortable anyway)

@ivfjourney5 Wednesdays went okay - they had grown slightly so on the right track. Back in tomorrow for another scan. It's just the unknown (& the extra meds(£££)) that is the worst but it's a slow and steady progress I suppose.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever been told they'd need a FET and ended up with fresh transfer. But I'm over thinking things and should just go with the flow.

Had a bit of a tearful day today!

X

Hi hope everyones doing OK!

My period yesterday evening so I've just done my first injection! After a few wobbly moments and minor panic I managed to do it! Feeling proud 🙂

Hope everyone’s doing ok. I’m on my fourth injection tonight. Last night’s stung a lot more for some reason and I feel a bit bloated today.

I had a headache all day yesterday but have been fine today.

We’ve only had one minor mishap where DP dropped the green needle as he was trying to put it on the syringe (luckily missing his foot!).

What is everyone doing in terms of exercise during stimming? I normally do HIIT a few times a week and the odd bit of running but have stuck to just walking this week.

@Lightningrain I'm feeling incredibly bloated! I'm one day behind you, had my third injection this evening. In terms of exercise, I'm only managing to walk, I daren't do anything more high impact just in case.

@Lolly2020 well done on getting through the first one!

@unknownscot I'm not really doing anything specific other than the super hard try not to stress! I've got my first scan tomorrow to check on progress so will let you know if I glean any specific advice. Ditto on the tearful day. Just trying to take it easy. Hope you are feeling OK now.

Happy almost Friday everyone xxx

Hi everyone. I have a scan tomorrow after 7 days of stims. Had a little bit of a sore back but that's it.Hope everyone is doing ok

Massive bloating over here too. I’ll be glad to stop injecting but hoping I don’t continue to expand over the weekend!
Looking forward to hearing how everyone else goes with their cycles this month, hoping for lots of positive outcomes

I managed to do last night's injection with much less panic than my first, but like @Lightningrain it stung a LOT more -- I think I had iced for so long the night before that I was numb all the way inside too!

I've only done two injections so far (the first meds of any kind I've taken as I'm on short protocol) and I'm already really sore, kind of like I've done too many sit ups (... not that I ever do sit ups...).

I've not really been doing exercise, as I normally walk loads with my job but I'm working from home during treatment to avoid covid. Trying to get out for a walk each day though!

Good luck to everyone else! Really great to know that others are in the same boat.

Morning ladies and happy Friday! Just had my first scan and bloods since starting injections. Scan was good and we discussed my bloating and I was warned it was only going to get worse but I'm not showing any adverse signs of OHSS. I've been working with a nutritional therapist for about five years as I have digestive issues so think I just have a sensitive tummy. Now waiting for an afternoon call for my blood results and any guidance re changes to my meds. Fingers and toes very much crossed.

I also had the joy of doing a Covid test this morning - eye watering experience!!

How is everyone else doing? Does anyone have any good suggestions for weekend distractions?!

Xx

@Dinky06 Glad it went well.
I was bloated until day 10 of stims and then yesterday (D11) I felt normal.
I was really worried but the clinic said I'm probably just used to the bloat so also don't feel worried if it "disappears"

I had a follicle tracking scan this morning too. They are growing and have 9 follicles size 14mm or above, only 1 of them is above 16mm.
Will wait until this afternoon to see what they above continuing or triggering.

Slow and stead progress.

I'm due back to work on October 19th and I really don't know how I feel about it.
I work in the NHS and terrified I catch something and can't go ahead with FET. I know it's personal opinion, but what do you guys think? I know my GP would happily sign me off longer.

@mayihavesomecakeplease I’ve only had the one that stung but DP thinks he might have injected it faster than the others. Number 5 today and then I’ve got to start Fyremadel in the morning - the nurse said that does sting! I still haven’t plucked up the courage to have a go myself but DP really isn’t bothered by needles so I might as well let him carry on.

I don’t go for a scan until day 9, I wonder if that’s because they’re not expecting me to respond that well so there’s little risk of OHSS. Others seem to be earlier.

@Dinky06 the results of your scan sound promising. Fingers crossed for you!

@Mrsmch123 good luck for your scan today.

@unknownscot yours also sounds like a good result. Hopefully they carry on growing nicely and you can get your collection booked in. I’d be a bit nervous going back to work as well if it’s patient facing. Have you told work? Is there any way they can move you to other duties for a couple of weeks? I’ve got to go back shortly after egg transfer which isn’t too bad in terms of timing but I do come into contact with the general public.

@unknownscot I'm in a similar boat to you. I work front line for the Police, and although I'm not scared of getting covid itself, I am terrified that if I get it, the IVF treatment stops. I've asked to be put on restricted duties, so no contact with the public at all. My supervision have been nothing but supportive so far. They understand it is the most important thing for me to be concentrating on at the minute (especially since it has already been delayed so I was still front line during the first 5 months of the pandemic)
I would speak to someone and see what things can be put in place, and if there isn't anything perhaps stay off.
I'm onto my 2nd cycle and have a 3rd scan on Monday to check every thing is going OK. I am at risk of OHSS, and have mild bloating but nothing major. X