Embryo Banking Support Thread / PGS wait

[ForeverAintEnough]

Hi all, I’ve just name changed but I’ve been on here loads and chatting to many of you under different user names ( irrational fear of being outed!). I wondered if there was interest in a ‘no transfer happening’ group? So those doing embryo banking or PGS or whatever.

I’ve just done one round of embryo banking and found the normal threads difficult with discussion of hoping for a Christmas pregnancies etc.

We are unfortunately taking the long way round with 3 rounds and no transfer. It looks like my first transfer might not be until June 2021.

If anyone wants to jump on feel free!

About us: Me 34, DH 36, TTC 3 years. Both male and female issues. x3 rounds of IVF all failed. Moved clinic to Lister for 3 rounds of embryo banking and PGS. One round of embryo banking just finished with x3 blasts sent off for PGS testing.

Found out we have one normal! It was number 4 and 5 we sent off, Dr said he expects 1!in 4 to be normal. It’s such a relief to know there are still some good eggs rattling around in there!

Yes!!!! Congratulations @Longgame21 that is fantastic news!! You must be so happy and relieved.

Are you moving onto transfer or doing more banking? X

Thank you! More banking for me, we have one more cycle in our package at the Lister left. Wouldn’t be surprised if we have to do another round after that, but trying not to think too far ahead at the moment. Just nice to know my body does still work x

@Longgame21 That’s brilliant, so happy it’s been worthwhile!

Thanks @IslandStars. Hope you have a nice relaxing weekend planned.

@IslandStars how are you feeling?

Hi @Janefx40 I'm ok thanks, 6dp5dt today and still not tested! Am scared tbh, i am happier in this state for a bit longer. I had a late transfer, so won't be a full 6 days until late afternoon. I'll either test tomorrow PM or Thursday morning. Have beta on Friday.

I've had a few symptoms, but nothing i could say for certain isn't the meds. A bit of light headedness, shortness of breath, the odd twinge. Between day 2 and 3 i had a very sour taste in my mouth, wouldn't say metallic, but it must be far too early to be true. I've been waking up around 4am and pretty much staying awake, but last night it was even earlier and i had a racing heart for a while and lots of burping & stomach gurgling. I do suffer from IBS though, so again, how can i ever tell?! I've had no sore boobs, cramps or implantation bleeding, so that worries me.

How are you feeling now, had the pain gone?

@IslandStars well it is still early to test anyway. I always calculate it as if from ovulation so you are only 11dpo. I usually find that I don't want to test and then suddenly I get an urge and just go and do it!

I'm not sure symptoms mean anything much. Hcg levels are so low at this point that I don't think they can cause symptoms for most of us.

Yes I'm fine now but it did take about 7-10 days for me to feel 100% again. Am dreading my ERA etc tests now!

Having worried about delaying for an extra month to do the tests, it's actually been great. I feel like we've had a few weeks of normal life and it's been really rejuvenating for both of us. It's obviously hanging over me but I'm feeling good. Also loving the booze and cake but am going to start reigning that in about 6 weeks before transfer so maybe 2 weeks from now!!

@Janefx40 You must have read my mind, i had that exact same 'shall i just test' wobble about an hour ago! I will try to resist, i do think IVF makes us far too aware of any normal monthly body changes and a lot of it must either be meds or psychological/wishful thinking.

Glad you're feeling better, these procedures can be quite an ordeal. A bit of time away from IVF is definitely good for the soul sometimes, even though i hated waiting for my hysteroscopy, it did give me a chance to eat and drink a bit more freely and have a holiday.

Hi ladies, another BFN for me. That’s 2 failed euploid transfers now, with none remaining, so I’d have to start from fresh at nearly 43. Not sure where I’m going with this now, do not feel in my gut that it will ever work, there must some bigger issues at play, as euploid is supposed to override age. I’ve had hysteroscopy and extra implantation meds this time & it still didn’t work.

I’ve got a review booked for next week, so I’ll see what they suggest. I don’t have the time or money for another 3 banking cycles and there’s no guarantee I’ll get enough blasts to test in a single round. I’m considering a fresh transfer as I’ve never had one before, then freeze the rest and maybe PGS if there is enough to make it worthwhile.

I am so sorry to hear this, I know you will be devastated with grief. To be frank, it just isn’t fair.

I am glad you don’t have to wait for long to see the Doctor again and to discuss next steps.

Sending you a massive hug, try to do some nice things for yourself over the next few days. You deserve it xxx

Also, we are here for you if you want to chat xx

@IslandStars I am so so sorry to hear this. I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better but sometimes life just isn’t good to us and I can imagine the upset you must be feeling. I hope you can find it in you to cope and ride through this and consider next steps. I am sending you loads of best wishes. You have a good reserve which got you to the 2 euploids so worth another shot. I am with CRGH but a number of my friends who are post 40 age (like me) were telling me to use ARGC for a fresh transfer as they were successful with it. we are all different and random luck plays a part but you may want to consider them for a fresh transfer (though people on this board have had a bad experience with ARGC and it’s very costly). For my part, the 6 successive cycles of egg collection, failed euploid transfer etc took their toll and I have been signed off from work with stress for the past 4 weeks. It’s so important we look after ourselves physically and mentally. I have the ERA and hysteroscopy on Monday and let’s see after that. Sending everyone on this board best wishes and good vibes for their respective journeys. None of this is easy! Actually I think it may be the hardest thing I have ever done.

I am very sorry @IslanStars.... I hope you will have the strenght to carry on, when you are ready, and that your Drs will suggest a new potential protocol. It must be really hard, but we are here for you of course. I wish I could do more, you are in my thoughts ❤
S.

@IslandStars I'm gutted to hear this. I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could say to make it better. Life is just really unfair sometimes.

As others have said we're here if you need us.

I've done 3 rounds (2 fresh and 1 frozen) with ARGC and am now at CRGH. I've had good experiences with them both. I have a very good understanding of ARGC, what is amazing about them and also why it isn't for everyone. Happy to talk about them if anyone wants me to. Xxx

@Longgame21 @SarahK2000 @Sophfr17 @Janefx40 Thank you do much ladies, really appreciate your support and advice. Unfortunately I’m of the same mindset at the moment that sometimes life just isn’t fair and there’s no reason to it. Hate to feel sorry for myself, as many of you have been through far worse than me, but I just don’t seem to be getting any luck at the final hurdle. At least I can speak to the clinic this week, so I’ll report back when I have a plan. Ideally I wanted to give myself 3 euploid transfers, but after my banking cycles only found 2 normal, I’m not sure how 1 more round would go.

@SarahK2000 sorry you’ve been through such a hard time, I hope being signed off work will help with the stress. I don’t know how we all manage to cope, it’s definitely important to draw a line in terms of stress sometimes and take a step back from work / IVF or whatever is needed. Best of luck for Monday.

Hello. Can I join your group? I’m 40 years old and due to start IVF IMSI again for second child due to mfi and age. I’m starting to get nervous as I know how difficult the whole process is.

@2021ivfagain this is a very welcoming group so am sure you will get a warm reception from everyone. Good luck with your next IVF 😊 a lot of 40 plus people on here so feel free to use us for support or info.

All - I had my ERA etc plus NK cells and hysteroscopy today. I just wanted to check if you guys who had anything like this under sedation did you face red blood clots straight after? I had the procedure at 1400 today and have had blood clots since and just wondered if this was typical. I was told to expect bleeding but usually post other procedures my bleeding hasn’t been this heavy red and clots so I thought I should check. I will speak to the clinic if it continues. The consultant has also said she wants a natural bleed in between so the actual embryo transfer cycle should move to mid to end of November now. I think I will do all normal life things like dental work, hair cuts, friends catch ups etc in the break!! Hope it doesn’t all move post Xmas. I hope everyone is doing ok. @Sophfr17 particularly thinking of your twin pregnancy and hope it continues well and @IslandStars hope you are continuing to cope with the recent failed transfer, am really thinking of you.

@SarahK2000 Thanks so much. I’ve got my initial consultation this Wednesday! It’s been delayed due to my passport expiring! I had to fast track my passport and I was so excited to get it so I could start. Now I’m getting worried.

I’ve heard the ERA is really good, I’ve not had an ERA, but I had an endometrial scratch when I did IVF before and did have a lot of bleeding. Good luck with the next stage.

@SarahK2000 Glad the procedures are out of the way for you now. Bit if a pain to delay transfer, but it’s best to be on the safe side and I know others have been told to wait after ERA. I barely had any spotting after my hysteroscopy and no bleeding as such, but I think ERA can be more invasive / longer to recover. Definitely let the clinic know if it continues.

Thanks @IslandStars. I hope you are ok. the bleeding is slightly reduced today so feel a bit less panicked about it. At the moment am putting my energies into reducing my anxiousness to return to work next week after 4 weeks off sick. @2021ivfagain sorry this must be a lame question but why did you need your passport? Is it for ID? Which clinic are you with? Good luck with your consultation.

@IslandStars was ERA not recommended for you after the first failed implantation? Maybe worth considering if not already before your next round of egg collections and transfer (if you are going for another).

Dear @IslandStars I am sorry to hear about your test result. I wish there was something I could say or do to take your pain away. In the meantime I will pray for you.

I follow a lady on instagram - her handle is infertilitystruggles, she had two euploid transfers that failed. She was not provided an explanation. Then she did further investigation and found out that she has "silent endo". I don't know whether you have checked for this?

Sorry if this does not help. I will keep praying for you.

@IslandStars

I know ARGC is being mentioned. I had a failed cycle with them last month. They did not trigger me even though my LH was surging for days and they wanted to do egg collection with all the other patients. Instead they made me take 9 cetrotide injections in one day whilst making me wait in the clinic waiting room ALL DAY.

Inevitably the eggs were post mature as the LH hormone helps the chromosomes rearrange and assist in euploidity.

ARGC are just taking on more patients than they can handle and they are trying to do this on a shoestring budget whilst charging the king's ransom for the service. There are not enough staff. They make you have highly confidential discussions in a room with 4/5 other patients.

My experience was absolutely horrific. I am currently on sertraline and diazapam as a result of the trauma I suffered. It is going to stay with me forever.

After egg collection I was very dizzy and could not wake up, they forced me out of bed within 20 minutes and back up the stairs - in other clinics they let you rest for 2./3 hours as the anaesthetic is strong.

Just a heads up for you.

@SarahK2000 glad the bleeding has eased a bit. They do always warn of bleeding for a week or so post procedures, but like you, I’ve rarely experienced it.

I’m not feeling great mentally right now. I’ll see what my review brings, but I feel like if I do one more round it will be against all odds and common sense to be honest. They said there wasn’t enough evidence to recommend ERA. I was on Lubion this time, so I would have thought that may provide extra progesterone if needed.

@Ivfhoper Thanks for the kind words and heads up, I don’t think I could afford argc or fit their constant blood tests into my work schedule at the moment anyway. Sorry to hear you’re on meds for the trauma caused, that’s so horrific on top of all the general IVF stress anyway.

I am wondering if I have a hidden problem like silent endo. Unfortunately I don’t think I have the time & money left to investigate much further.