Anxiety/low mood during IVF treatment

[Roo45]

Wondering if anyone else noticed their mode got worse once they start IVF injections? I'm quite an anxious person anyway but it's gone into overdrive since I started my injections and I'm worried constantly and quite tearful, worried our cycle will get cancelled due to covid, will it work? If it does what if I lose the pregnancy? I can't seem to think logically.
I don't know anyone who's done IVF and all I get from friends and family is 'think positively and it will happen!' (wish I'd known that before forking out thousands on IVF!) All I seem to hear every day is pregnancy announcements.
I have additional cultural pressures, ethnically I'm not originally from the UK and friends and family in my culture with more traditional mindsets assume it's the woman's fault and I've found some of the assumptions people have made about my physical health very upsetting and I feel it's put more pressure on me as if our cycle fails that will only get worse.
I get headaches and tiredness constantly too and I don't know if it's the drugs or just the stress of it all. My clinic has a counsellor but she's booked up until well after my provisional FET so I wanted to wait and see what happens before booking a session

Sorry that first sentence should say noticed their mood got worse!

Oh OP, so sorry you're feeling this way. I definitely think the whole experience is very isolating and I've felt the same way (just starting the ivf process), having lots of tests, worrying about the results, worrying about money to finance this, how it will affect my work, how much weight I have to lose, what supplements to take, the prospect of medical intervention (v phobic of anything medical) etc etc - plus we're in a pandemic!
I don't have any solid advice, there's no magic bullet. But meditation in the morning works for me, I use the app Calm. I do a short yoga sequence on an app as well every other day. I do think finding someone to talk to who has been through this or is going through it. A friend of a friend perhaps, or try the app Peanut. I think coming off social media for a bit might be a good idea, that has defo helped me and just avoiding too much news. Trying to find simple stuff to occupy mind - baking, cleaning, knitting, reading, podcasts etc etc - whatever works for you. Remember you are not your thoughts, and getting control of the stories we tell ourselves is really key. Distractions, digital detox and peace and quiet do help - best of luck and baby dust to you x

@farfromperfect82 thank you for your response that is some very good advice. Good luck to you too support and advice will always be here xx

Have a look on Facebook for the group IVF Support UK There are loads of people on there who just get it.

It's a tough time and all the hormones flying about don't help, be kind to yourself.

Hey OP,

I felt the same. Outside of IVF I don't suffer with anxiety & I'm very good at burrying my head in the sand, but the whole time I was on the injections I was anxious, panicking, headaches & cried most days. I would wake up in a high mood but it was like a light switch being flicked throughout the day. I'm pleased to say I've had my transfer so no longer doing the injections & I'm back to my normal self.

Good luck with everything & hang on in there xx

Thank you @cakecakecheese and @Cocomelt hope you are both doing well xx

Hi @Roo45 big hug. Before the three mmc I had this last year I was anxious anyway , now I’m like a super anxious / depressed person . I also feel the pressure as my hubby has great sperm and the issue lies with my eggs it seems . I’ve struggled with ivf which I expected. It’s not even the treatment ( although I have a wobble every couple of days and cry and panic) it’s that I struggle to sleep and live in a block of noisy flats ( plus all fireworks lately ) and struggling that way .
I found Glenn Harold app calming . I also Get my hubby to give me a one hour head massage every night ( sometime longer haha ) it really chills me . Hopefully , you’re off work too and not juggling that stress.
Ivf is stressful , even for non anxious people , so don’t be too hard on yourself xx

Also I forgot - I do acupuncture which has really helped , even just to have an hour a week to lie there and try to relax x

Thank you @Sunshinelove8 and good luck xx