Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland - thread 2

[Kitekat81]

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

@pixelflower it's exciting but I Woke up this morning and immediately had a little panic. It's been a pipeline dream for so long and now it's getting closer I think I'm getting overwhelmed!

Which one will you be under for? I was told for EC we'd just be given some pain relief. Partner will be in same day for sample so no worries there. He's taken all the other days off work though which he's not allowed in for. I have a feeling it's just so he can have a day off work though 🙃

@willithappen I know what you mean. Husband isn't feeling well tonight and I had a panic about possible future childcare issues 🤦

I'm not sure if he thinks I'm actually getting knocked out or if it was just the easiest/most discreet thing to say to his boss. He's off for baseline cause he took time off for around his birthday before we knew, which is handy since I'm working the night before it. Think all the others he'll be working. Hoping he'll be able to come with me transfer day too but will just have to wait and see.

How are you getting on with the Norethisterone?

@pixelflower I haven't let myself think past the point of getting pregnant so all the other panics are starting to hit now that it's closer to a possibility

Norethisterone isn't bad! Four days left to go. It's been so busy here I haven't noticed anything with it. We were without gas for a while so it was a stressful time haha.

@willithappen oh no! It's been so cold too!

Fingers crossed for an improvement @Tofu35. Interestingly our consultant wasn’t too fussed about morph, he said the best he’s ever seen is 7%. I did make the point that he worked in a FC so perhaps there might be higher numbers out there... 🤣

Oh no @willithappen - I did see there was gas out up here, that must have been absolutely bloody freezing! We had our boiler replaced last week as it was just so temperamental, can’t be having that up here in January. Hope you are cosy and sorted now too.

Thanks @florafoxtrot. Hes always a bit grumpy about having to give a SA sample in because when he goes to the hospital, they've shut their bookable room (due to covid restrictions) so he has to nip into the toilets instead. I think he's worried if he does the sample at home, something will happen (traffic delaying him getting there on time, the tub gets knocked about). Poor guy.
Its now the big wait until next month when we get our couples consultation :)

@Tofu35 poor him! That's horrible.

Oh @Tofu35 - that is very stressful indeed for him. Not the best to have to do that in a toilet Hope the month passes quickly for you guys.

Ohhh as expected, I couldn't wait. I tested out the trigger a few days ago and got this just now at 5dp5dt. I see a line!! First time in a decade. Over the moon. 😍😍😍 Will go get a "proper test" rather than the Amazon cheapy later on!

@florafoxtrot yeah I think it's the blue light in the toilets that really tips it over the edge!

@jonrik 😍 brilliant news! Let's hope the other test can confirm this.

Definitely a line there @jonrik - huge congratulations!

Omg @jonrik I'm actually crying joy for you!
Let us see the other tests too!

So so happy for you!! Everything crossed for a sticky!! ❤️❤️

@jonrik Omg! Don't even need to enlarge it to see the line. Congratulations, thrilled for you!

Lovely news @jonrik 😁

How are you ladies getting on @pixelflower @willithappen?

Hi all. Have had a quick look through this thread. I’m not as far as long as you guys but looking at getting some investigations done and this looked like a good place for advice.

I turn 33 next month DH also 33. I’ve been off the pill since 2018 always had very heavy periods but since stopping the pill they were also irregular although this has improved and cycles mainly around 34 days. Been ttc number 1 for 18 months. Had initial testing in 2019 due to irregular periods. Thyroid all ok, amh and also fsh and possibly some other bloods for possible pcos. All bloods ok although never given numbers. Do have a vit b12 deficiency but levels normal now. Went back to drs in Oct at just over a year ttc. Had day 21 bloods, unfortunately had irregular cycle that month and no sign of ovulation. I had an irregular bleed so was sure I hadn’t ovulated. Repeated next cycle and eventually got normal bloods although on day 28 (due to longer cycles). DH had SA last month (first appt we could get since Oct due to covid) all ok. My GP had referred me to gynaecologist assuming for scan and then from there would be referred to fertility.

Had a letter today to say as gynaecologist services haven’t been running and only just restarting basically no idea how long it will be until I get an appointment and months until they are running at full capacity again. I’m in Glasgow.

I’m not sure if I just hang tight and wait or look at going private. I know the journey ahead is potentially full of long waiting lists but had been hopeful this fist hurdle wouldn’t be so hard.

I’m considering looking into a private clinic even for a scan and to see if I can find out if there is something wrong with me. Any advice? Has anyone gone private in Glasgow got any recommendations? Or any advice on what waiting times may be for initial investigations or treatment which may help me decide. I’ve been struggling emotionally with everything and this has tipped me over the edge a little today.

@LabradorMum all good here! Two more days of tablets to go then in for scan on Friday!
My friend who I found is doing this also has had her EC brought forward. She was initially told 10th or 12th depending on follicles but hers are so good they are doing EC on Monday! She started injections on 28th so been a lot quicker process for her!

Hi @Rosie189 sorry I don't have much experience from Glasgow as I'm Aberdeen. It was a very long wait for us though, over a year since we initially went to GP.

Has your partner had an SA? Can you afford to go private? Can you wait an extended amount of time if delayed more?
Depending on age and other factors I'd maybe say wait but I know how hard that is too

The "real one" also shows a verrrry faint line. I still can't quite grasp it. Wow. OTD isn't until Friday but I'm definitely feeling very positive just now!

I'm so glad to have found this group of awesome ladies to share this journey with. Thank you all for being so lovely. ❤️

@Rosie189, I'm in Glasgow too and went private with the GCRM. It was all very quick actually. We initially started a couple of years ago, had the normal tests you do but then stopped. We got back in touch in October and here I am 5 days after transfer already. To be fair, I was on a very short protocol (Prostap on cycle day 21, then started Menopur on my first day of the period for 12 days, had egg collection on day 14 and transfer five days later). We started the process within 2 months of getting in touch so that was quite quick I think. It might be a bit longer if you're entirely new to them but probably not by much. They were all very lovely and everything was well organised and communicated. I would recommend them. Good luck!

@LabradorMum all good here, last day of pills for me. Will be glad to be finished them, think they are causing bloating and stuff, not great for the scales 🤦 How are you doing?

@Rosie189 welcome to the thread. Sorry, I'm also Aberdeen and NHS so no experience of Glasgow or private. Could you try going back to GP for a referral straight to fertility clinic? It's so hard when you think you're getting somewhere and it feels like life just keeps putting obstacles in front of you.

Sorry @jonrik, you posted while I was typing. Look at that line 😁 I just got so confused about what day it is, Friday is so far away! Are you going to keep testing in between or do another test on official day? Just so happy for you 💕

I think so. I still got two or three in the cupboard so will use them up and see whether it's progressing nicely. My husband doesn't get it. He keeps saying "it's so faint, it could just be a shadow or nothing. Will you just wait to Friday!!" I can't. I know it's silly, but it gives me a sense of involvement and control, even though it's obviously out of my control.

We'll obviously know for sure then or at the first scan but I just can't contain my feelings for so long. I suppose he just doesn't want us to get disappointed.

Has your husband got his holiday organised yet? Hope he's feeling a bit calmer :)

Hi @Rosie189

I'm in Glasgow too. You may be best looking at private if it's an option. I've been on the waiting list for IVF with the NHS for a loooong time and their best guess before Christmas was "sometime around October '21".

Congrats @jonrik - great news.

@rosie189 We are also with GCRM, was about 3 months for first appointment, would also recommend them. They do an online information evening thats worth going to I think.

We just decided this week to put EC back a bit. I have very low amh and the clinic put me on DHEA in December. Some evidence now thats it's helping me and they say the best results usually come after being on it 5 months so we think its worth hanging on and giving things the best chance.

@jonrik it’s probably a man thing 😂

@willithappen passing so quick eh!!

@pixelflower oh no that’s no so good, I’ve read it can go as soon as you stop them 🤞🏻 I’m fine thanks, period time again so phone the clinic on Monday comes round again so quick!

@jonrik they just think so differently to us sometimes. We're excited with you 😂. Hoping that at the scan they'll maybe give a better idea of when EC could be.

@Kamiros that's great that it seems to be helping 😊

@LabradorMum wow, that really has come around quick!