Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland - thread 2

[Kitekat81]

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

Ah @Kamiros. I’m really sorry lovely, it’s so unfair. You take as long as you need to pick yourself up and dust yourself off. There is no pressure whatsoever to be ok. This whole process is really tough, but fortunately you are even tougher. Am thinking of you.

@willithappen - Stop testing! Don’t make me come over there 😛

@florafoxtrot aw I know 😭
I'm just hyper aware of all the potential outcomes of this and obviously thinking the worst at every situation.

Thank you - everyone has been so lovely.

[quote willithappen]@florafoxtrot aw I know 😭
I'm just hyper aware of all the potential outcomes of this and obviously thinking the worst at every situation. [/quote]
I know love. The anxiety at that stage is very very real. But getting yourself stressed and anxious through testing isn’t going to change anything. Try getting through each day at a time and noting that you’re doing fine, you’re pregnant and that’s amazing, if a day is too long, get through 6 hours and do the same. In my first few weeks pregnant with DD, I’d do the 6 hours thing I would wake in the morning and think “ok, shift 1 of today complete, then lunchtime, shift 2 complete, teatime, shift 3 and so on.” Then smaller chunks of time made it all feel a bit more manageable. I don’t think it ever really goes away though, when you’ve taken so long to get to this place it can seem like it’s unbelievable and not real.

@Kamiros I'm so sorry, we all know how hard getting your period is on a "normal" month, nevermind with the extra stress and hormones. Try any take care of yourself x

@willithappen Sorry to say but I don't think the worry and anxiety ever goes away. I tested twice and never again because I was terrified of it being lighter, I have a digital, how many weeks test unused because of that. Every time I go to the toilet I check for bleeding. Every day that I feel "normal", no nausea, tiredness etc I start to worry. I don't know if I'd feel like this no matter how I got here but I'm still cautious about getting too excited.

@pixelflower gonna be a long few weeks then!
Today I'm sort of feeling like af is coming. It hasn't, and I know it's likely just the changes going on down there but again pure panic. Never easy this. I guess I almost feel the BFP is too good to be true I'm waiting for something to go wrong
I need to try enjoy this

Hi. Hoping I can join, although I am doing it quite late on. Will introduce myself, then catch up on the thread in a bit!

I am currently 2dp6dt. I have a 2 year old after a fresh cycle. And just had FET with our last frozen embryo.

Really not convinced that it will work this time round. We have had a few failures, a miscarriage, and the embryo was quite a low grade.

@willithappen congrats on BFP. It is really nerve wracking. The 7 week scan helps a little, and it was about then that my symptoms kicked in. I did get a few private scans though, and the nerves stayed! 🙈 all the best x

Hi ladies, just catching up. @Kamiros so sorry that it looks like it hasn't worked for you this time. I hope you are ok and looking after yourself this weekend xx

@BeHereNowx32 welcome and fingers crossed for you! 🤞

Just an update on me - we've decided to go for mild ivf which we'll need to go to Manchester for. We'll be banking over three cycles and hopefully have something to transfer at the end. Nurse appointment coming up this week and then will start injections at the end of the month. Feeling very nervous, especially throwing the Manchester logistics into the equation, but just want to get started now!x

@BeHereNowx32 when did you have your private scans?
I'm thinking I will get some also, all things going well but want to plan out best times to have them.

@Kitekat81 good luck lovely! Is Manchester a far journey from you?

Thank you. I'm doing ok. It definitely hasn't worked, this is the heaviest and most painful period I've ever had, it's worse than my mc. I'm managing to just take it easy and stay positive though.

Welcome @BeHereNowx32

@Kitekat81 That's something we're considering if the 2nd round at GCRM doesn't work out. We only got the one egg anyway and I'm not sure if there's any quality benefits to mild/natural. Good luck and would be interested to hear how you get on.

@willithappen 9.5 weeks (this was my fav one), 16 weeks, 28 weeks. I also had an nhs one at 36 weeks because I was concerned about movement. Some people say it can add to anxiety, but I loved all my scans. Wishing you all the best for 7 week scan.

Also, can I ask, did you have cramps 2/3 days after your transfer? I know I shouldn’t symptom spot, but I did on my successful cycles, but don’t seem to be this time round 😔

Thanks for welcomes. X

@BeHereNowx32 thanks lovely, that helps give me an idea roughly for when I could get extra as I know 100% I will want that extra piece of mind!

I didn't have cramps at all, but I had 'bubbling' and it felt similar to what I get when I am ovulating. No cramps at all though or implantation bleeding.

@willithappen thank so much. I know no one can say if it’s worked or not until OTD, but will still obsess about everything 😆
No worries. They are a nice thing to do

@willithappen yep it's a 4 hour drive from Edinburgh! I'll have to stay down there around 10 days at a time so it is not ideal to say the least, but hopefully it will be worth it. It's a 4-5 month wait for GCRM, and the mild protocol makes sense for us because of my low AMH, so we decided to just go for it.

@Kamiros thank you. Wishing you all the luck in the world for your second round!

@BeHereNowx32 I think we'll obsess long past otd lol
Three days til official otd for me!

Hello lovely ladies. I'm new to Mumsnet (been lurking but 1st post, sorry if I get the etiquette wrong) long story coming..

Stats: Age 38, low amh 1.3, AFC: 4-8. TTC 2yrs no BFPs in this time.

I just wanted to join in the chat as we're 1 cycle down (Mild Ivf, Create Fertility) cancelled due to poor response, 1 dominant follicle then LH surged despite suppression meds.

I was in Manchester (Wilmslow) for 12 days overall, really happy with treatment and speed of service communication etc. But found being away from home, logistics etc really tough. Planned to do next cycle with remote monitoring here in Edinburgh and sending results to them. Travelling for egg collection/transfers eventually over 3 back to back cycles but due no local monitoring availability in Edinburgh, nearest is Dundee we decided we had to stop treatment with them.

I had originally started with GCRM in November last year but due various issues our 1st Nurse planning appt wasn't booked until end of May. So given the change of plan we're keeping that appt and will attend GCRM instead, I've paid for x2 cycles via AF.

Feeling very nervous after a cancelled cycle, low amh and various delays due to my TSH/prolactin.

I'm pleased to hear of the various BFPs but also sad about failed cycles it's such a rollercoaster.

Best wishes to you all!

@Comiston34 hello, goodness you've just done exactly what I'm about to sign up for! We have our nurse appointment with Create Manchester on Thursday then had planned to sign up for 3 cycles of mild ivf. I'm sorry to hear you've found it really difficult logistically. This is something I'm really worried about, where I'm going to be able to stay where I can refrigerate my meds, still eat healthily etc... so much to think about but was hoping it would be worth it. I'm really sorry to hear that your cycle was cancelled. I'm 39, amh 2.2, afc was 6 in January, 7 in February then only 2 in April. We also had a consultation with GCRM but they said we'd need to wait until Aug/Sept for treatment, so we thought we'd give Manchester a go instead...

@Kitekat81
I'd totally recommend clinic and IF you can get over the hurdles I'd say stick with them. I really trust them and didn't get happy vibes from GCRM however logistics/stress/ease/ convenience has won me over.

I initially booked a AirBnb in Cheadle Hulme about 20min drive away. So I could cook healthy food, Wfh with WiFi etc. It was too far away at rush-hour and it was a small place.

Then I moved to Premier Inn in Wilmslow, 10min walk to clinic great location, good comfortable accommodation but lack of cooking options whilst in lockdown.

Overall my issues were emotionally driven, being separated from DP was hard on us both. The possibility of having it cancelled was huge at each scan so dealing with that alone was rough. Hence why we tried to arrange for scans in Edin. Then the fluidity of cycle days and booking transport for DP to come down for egg collection if I was down there already was challenging.

I hope you manage to have an easier ride. I'd not rule out trying them again after GCRM if we aren't successful.

@comiston34 Welcome. Really interesting to here about your experiences. My amh is very low - under 0.5 I has afc of 5 but during my first cycle only 2 grew large enough and 1 was empty. We paid for a 2 cycle package through access with GCRM so going to give another round a try but if that doesn't work seriously considering Create. We're in Fife so monitoring at Dundee could be an option.

@Comiston34 yeh we saw the premier inn when we went down for the scan, it's the perfect location but obviously no option to self-cater, so have also been looking at Airbnb's in the area but it's hard to plan anything without knowing the dates we will need to be there. You are right that being separated from my partner is another worry, and then as you've experienced having to deal with bad news alone. When we went down for the scan I was devastated when there were only 2 follicles this time after 6/7 in Jan/Feb, my oh was in the car park to deal with my tears but when we start treatment he'll need to stay and work in Edin while I wfh in Manchester. I am going to have to find a lot of inner strength to get through this! I have to try it though, I hope we can make it work.

@Kamiros that's great that you could do remote monitoring in Dundee! Obviously really hoping that you won't need to consider it, but it's always good to have options!

@Comiston34 I hope you will have a better experience now you've swapped to GCRM. Just as a matter of interest, did GCRM tell you to take dhea, and have you been taking it? GCRM told me to take it but Create told me not to, so we decided to follow the advice of the clinic we were going to go with, so I haven't taken any yet. It's been a hard decision though as I've read so many mixed reports about it!

@kitekat81 GCRM recommended I take DHEA. I've been taking it for 4 months, stopped at EC and plan to start again once the clinic confirm the negative result tomorrow. I know some clinics don't like it. It does slightly bother me that GCRM recommend it without testing your levels but I had next to no side effects with it so figured I must have needed it.

Hi ladies,

@Kamiros I really hope your cycle works out, your cycle progress gave me much hope. Trying to take it one tiny step at time. We also did the multicycle.

Like you both of you I was recommended DHEA in Nov by GCRM after my amh results devastated us. I diligently took it as advised, however I saw Create in Jan for follicle scan and they suggested I stopped. I reduced but didn't stop, then after my 1st cycle I stopped as felt it gave me no benefit but all the cost. I then tested via medichecks and I was had high level DHEA without taking it.

I really hope GCRM works but miss the easy communication with Create. Named co-ordinator who replies quickly and knows your case. Same consultant mainly.

@Kitekat81 the booking logistics was the stress with airbnb. There wasn't much available when I was booking in Feb. Not sure whats out there now? My partner had to stay in Edin for work and look after our cat 🐈

My scan in Jan was rubbish too. 8 follicles in Nov, 4 in Jan and 1 dominant during cycle but 4/5 tiny ones. Hoping it's picked up again.

@kamiros have you been booking scans in Edin?

@Comiston34 we have two cats 🐈🐈😊 There are a few Airbnb's coming up in the area but because it's near the airport they seem to be quite booked up. Just really hoping there will be something available when I'm ready to book. It's great to have the premier inn there as an option so I can stay there a few days here and there between Airbnb bookings if necessary. Have been looking at portable fridges for meds I hope you'll have a good experience with GCRM, if they had availability to start now I would be very tempted to go with them. They are a nightmare to get hold of on the phone, and emails have been a bit brusque which I found off-putting, but when I've met their staff in person they've been nice (we had Dr Tay for our consultation and Dr Khan did my hycosy).

The fridge scenario was tricky we have a small campervan so I stored meds the fridge in there when in Premier Inn, also cooked meals in van 🤣 It all sounds quite ridiculous now but needs must!!

Working while down there was tricky but do-able. I had zero concentration though. Physically meds were no bother, no issues other mild cramping. But emotionally it was a rollercoaster 🎢 😪 make sure you have a rant pal on hand.

Wilmslow looked a nice place to explore, nice bars, restaurants, shops. All closed in Feb. Lovely walks closeby which I used as distraction after scans.

@comiston34 I had one scan in Edinburgh but it was full the next time. It's just one person in a room inside the gym so slots are limited. Its only about an extra 20 mins to Glasgow for us so we decided just to go there and not use up the places.

I've liked GCRM mainly, the nurses have been really good but I would agree the communication can be really difficult and frustrating at times.