Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland - thread 2

[Kitekat81]

A thread for those who are undergoing infertility investigations / IVF in Scotland 🙂

@willithappen tell me about it 🤦 I've had a voicemail about my Covid vaccine and don't know what to do. I have no idea what my schedule will be next week 😂🤦
It's funny, I was anticipating being black and blue by now but only got one small bruise and that's from the first one.

Hi all. I went for a scan and amh bloods at GCRM today. They were lovely. Seems like I probably have PCOS or at least my ovaries look consistent with it on scan. Think my follicle count was around 55. Don’t have consultant appointment till next month but it was interesting to see there could be a reason for us struggling. Not sure if we’d be able to get clomid from the gp based on the scan results guess we’ll need to see what the consultant says next month.

@pixelflower you are right the second night of doing it is so much better!
I iced the area for ten mins before doing this one so barely felt it go in. Definetely didn't hear it this time 😂 I actually bled from the gonal f one this time though but I think my partner grazed me with the needle first as the dog got in the way so think that's why! Small rash appearing but doesn't look nearly as bad as last nights. How'd you'd get on tonight?

@Rosie189 wow 55 follicles? I don't know the ins and outs of clomid but my first instinct is that maybe they wouldn't if you have so many in case it puts a few eggs out at once and increases the multiples risk. Have you had your test to see if you ovulate?
I tried to get clomid from my docs but he said no because I ovulated already and they didn't want to increase the chance of multiples. I have had 34 follicles at each scan I have gone to

Yes that’s what they said although it did seem a massive number to me. I wondered if I got it wrong but I’m sure she said my count was around that. I had bloods with my gp. My first day 21 bloods I didn’t ovulate and had a weird abnormal bleed. Repeated them my next cycle and went 7 days after LH peak on ovulation test and was told my progesterone was normal and showed ovulation had occurred. Yeah I did wonder I know it is higher risk of multiples. My dad is also a fraternal twin so theoretically I could carry the gene to ovulate more than one egg per cycle anyway (although I doubt it or we’re really failing at this whole getting pregnant thing).

@Rosie189 I would ask your doctor but be prepared for them to say not due to multiples risk.
You are probably right with the 55. I remember not believing the 34 count and then last week at baseline I said to her 'oh I think it was an afc of 34' and she counted and was like woooah well you were right 😂
The wait for your next appointment will feel so long. Although I remember thinking how much waiting there was in this and now I'm slap bang in the middle I'm like 'what on Earth I'm actually doing IVF right now' such a surreal feeling

@willithappen glad you got on better tonight 😊 That's me just done mine. I faffed tonight cause tried to film it after you saying and a bit more stingy tonight. How are you feeling tonight? I'm getting emotional and sensitive and not sure if it's just nerves.

@Rosie189 I don't really know anything about clomid or any other treatments as we were referred to the clinic and they just put us straight to IVF as unexplained. Hope the next month passes quickly for you 🤞 My dad is also a fraternal twin! Actually made me sad when confirmed we be doing IVF as I'd always hoped I'd have twins.

@pixelflower the first one I filmed was a total faff as well! I almost broke the epi pen because I was trying to slam the needle on rather than twist for some reason. You can see the pure fear in my face!
Surprisingly I have been okay so far emotions wise, haven't noticed any changes. I thought I was having a bit more of a reaction earlier before taking the injection but I think it was an intolerance flare up instead as all good now.
My friend said she was very emotional on the tablets but I didn't find that either. Maybe first night or two of injections I felt strange but now all fine. I am the biggest of over worriers though so I am over analysing every little thing.

@willithappen good luck this morning. Hope you're less worried after your appointment.

Thanks @pixelflower I'm a lot more relaxed after that! The nurse was lovely and managed to chill me out so much
Everything is looking great so far! I have egg recovery on Wednesday! She also said I have a triple layer lining just now too so that's good as I always thought I maybe had lining issues as I have light periods.
I'm also an OHSS risk so a chance I could be frozen. If they collect over 20 it will be a freeze all. I think I have 15 follicles sitting good right now - but I'm not 100% sure!

How have you gotten on?

That's great! Are you back in for another scan before then? I had one of the Doctors because of staffing. She was quite vague and didn't give any numbers. I'm fine with that though, she just said everything was good and about what they'd expect and would see how things are on Monday.

I have another scan on Monday yeah! Monday was meant to be my first scan but was pulled forward.
I think they are trying not to give numbers so we don't get hung up on it. My nurse kept telling me not to read too much into stuff said on social media and take it all in our own journey
Sounds like you could be Wednesday for egg collection too if all goes well?

That's what I'm hoping for 🤞 would mean more time off before I have to go back to work. Not looking forward to an early start on Monday, my appointment is at 9:30. I'm knackered now. Think it's the relief after being stressed and having to drive to Aberdeen when I'm not used to it.

How's everyone doing? I'm trying to remember where everyone is at but blank.

I'm hoping that's me done with the bloody Cetrotide 😂 I thought I'd have tons to say but actually now I'm in this it feels like there's not much to say until the next appointment.

Good luck for tomorrow @willithappen

@pixelflower same with you lovely! Good luck today! Was also hoping that's the last cetrotide injection last night but I have a feeling one more might be needed tonight?

Fingers crossed everything is looking good today and we're all good for egg collection on Wednesday!

@LabradorMum hows things with you? Have you started norethisterone yet?

Hello ladies @pixelflower @willithappen so exiting to hear how you will get in this week 😃

I start the tablets a week today

Hi ladies, just done with my scan too and trigger will be tonight and egg collection on Wednesday
Told I will be a freeze all cycle as I have a lot of follicles and a lot responding. Had 24 on one ovary
I also have some fluid leaking and have fluid in my lining (first time this has been spotted) so even without the folicile count I wouldn't be able to transfer because of the fluid :(
They say the fluid is just a coincidence but I'm worried now that this is more common for me and may be the reason for our infertility as we are currently unexplained

Hi @willithappen, that’s a lot for you to process isn’t it, how are you feeling?

@LabradorMum so I think I anticipated this all along, from the very first scan where they said I had 34 follicles over a year ago. So I have sort of processed it all this time if that makes sense?
I also think it's the best thing for my body and they say their success rates with frozen are really good so that puts a good spin on things!

Just worried about the fluid in my lining but they said not to worry too much

Hi @willithappen, yeah totally get what you mean, and that’s good as it means your not stressing about it.

I have read certain research papers where frozen actually has a higher success rate than fresh.

Kinda have to put yourself in their hands eh if they are saying not too worry they know best and again it’s less stress but again it’s also says to have opinions when it’s not you going through it.

Keeping everything crossed for you on Wednesday hoping it all goes well 😄

@willithappen definitely a lot to process! Did they give you much info about the fluid? Fingers crossed for lots of frozen embryos for you. I'm sure I've read of clinics that only do frozen transfers because of the higher success rate.

I have another two days of injections and a scan Wednesday. I took a photo of the screen to check later. I've got 12 follicles that she measured ranging from 9.6mm - 15.8mm. Was really hoping I'd be ready, since the longer I take the less time before I'm back to work, but oh well.
Also overthinking now because someone I know has started following my anonymous Instagram.

I'm hoping because we haven't seen fluid on the lining before that this is just a one off/fluke and trying not to Google/put it into hospitals hands and take it from there

@pixelflower aw I know you were hoping for a Wednesday egg collection but it does sound like they are still progressing well. It's crazy how things can happen like this isn't it. Nothing ever goes according to schedule :(
I'm taking another gonal f/cetrorelix this afternoon and then trigger at 9.30 tonight so looking on the bright side that this is the last of injections for a long time 🤞🏻

@willithappen That's the worst. You know Google is so bad when it come to health questions but it's so tempting!
So I have at least 7 more injections to look forward to 😂
I don't know why I imagined my body would play along when it hasn't up till now 🙄

@pixelflower Google really is the worst. I had a quick check and ended up being told I will need my Fallopian tubes removed so I'm fully avoiding it until Wednesday when I get back and they can see again

Slow and steady wins the race! If anything at least you are more in place to get a fresh transfer hopefully! I know how you feel with the countdown to how many injections left! Three more for me and can't wait until they are done!

Bloody Google!
You saying wins the race makes me think of some of the runs I've done when there's different distances. I remember doing the longer route and having to go down a street just to turn and come back to make up the distance. I was a little disappointed to find at the end that you got the same medal for the 10k as for the half marathon.
Maybe we have to take a longer route to get our medals but we'll get to the finish line and it'll all be worth it

What a lovely analogy @pixelflower that's a good way to think of it!

Just gotta take it step at a time!