Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland - thread 2

[Kitekat81]

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

@willithappen I'm in at 11:30, what about you? I saw lots of people coming and going but only one in the clinic.
That's good 😊 That's such a long wait. I've already looked at when I'd be expecting to test and might be the day after a nightshift so conflicted about if I'd test early. Feel crazy 🤣

@pixelflower I'm in at 10am
Car has just started acting up as well so I'm hoping that it's sorted for Friday! As well as this weather shifting because roads have been horrendous!

@willithappen oh no, fingers crossed it's all good. Lockdown doesn't help, last week with the weather people were like it's fine, can't go anywhere anyway, and I'm stressing about getting to Aberdeen but couldn't say 🤦

Hi I'm new here, so bellow everyone. 😊

Me and my husband have been ttc for what feel like forever and we went to the Edinburgh clinic and got all our tests. Turns out if I lose weight they. An help with ivf. But until then it's just a case of tough luck and keep trying.

I suffer from pcos and have heard from others that mess like clomid help but the doctor can't and won't prescribe because my notes say I need to lose weight.

Surely after so many years these notes become invalid? It's so frustrating because I really thing if j could get clomid or something like this it would majorly increase our chances of conception.

Just wondering if anyone else has been similar or has any advice really? Xx

Hello not bellow 🤦🏻‍♀️

Morning ladies,

I hope everyone is well.

@pixelflower @willithappen so happy to read all your comments you are really coming on. I’m just waiting to start the tablets again 😄

@jonrik how you keeping?

@Ttcforever2021 your bmi needs to be under 30 to start ivf on the nhs they won’t prescribe anything or move forward until that happens.

@LabradorMum I know but it's frustrating when friends of mine who have the same or higher bmi than me are getti g mess like clomid. It's not really fair or consistantly. I guess I'm just frustrated because I list so much weight and only needed 2lbs to go, but they told me it was too late and I couldn't get the treatment. They never told me I had 6-12weeks extension and loads of other factors came into play and I gained about 7lbs. That was about 3 or 4 years ago. And now I have about 3stone to lose because I can't stop frigging eating and nothing I do seems to work. I suppose I just have to suck it up and keep trying to lose weight and hope I conceive naturally.
Xx

Hi @Ttcforever2021 and welcome.

The weight requirements are pretty firm, but the NHS also has weight management services - could you ask your GP to refer you to one of those? They could also discuss with an endocrinologist about whether you could benefit from certain medications to help treat/control pcos symptoms?

Hi @Ttcforever2021, I understand your frustration believe me, most of us on here have been waiting years to get to this point. That’s does seem very inconsistent treatment plans. But I can’t really comment as I do not know the circumstances and the doctors knowledge.

I do however understand the weight I had to loose weight before I was put on the list so I understand how you feel. I am also quick to put on weight for have to be very careful at the moment or I may face not getting treatment or cancelled for good because this is our one and only attempt on the NHS.

Are you following a diet? It’s so hard during lockdown too are the boredom really get to you.

@LabradorMum
I have tried all the diets going. I was really successful on slimming world for the 1st 2 stone then I went to weight watchers and lost a further 2-3 stone. But at the time of my ivf I had just changed jobs which had become so stressful and my exercise and healthy eating habits went out the window and I gained a lot of the weight back. I've been at WW for ages and it does work I just need to actually follow the plan instead of pretending. Not so easy when hubby is build like the side of a fiver and ca eav whatever he likes.

Lockdown definitely doesn't help along with the snow. I feel trapped. I had started running last year and was consistantly losing weight but since Christmas it has just been really icy or snowing so not really running weather. I really need to stop making excuses and just make a plan though and stick to it. I know the NHS have their weight loss programme but I think it's a calorie counting plan and that just doesn't work for me. It doesn't make me mindful at all. If someone could just give me liposuction that may help. 😂

@pixelflower hopefully it magically fixes itself haha. Partner called to say as he was driving to work it wouldn't go above 35mph. Thinking maybe the extreme weather we have been having has done something and hoping a wee drive has sorted it. Wishful thinking huh 😂

@LabradorMum can't believe that's coming round so quick for you again! The injections (so far, can't comment on second one) have been fine actually. I'm just a huge worrier! I can feel some pressure in my left ovary and a bit gassy. Sort of how I feel usually around ovulation time so I think it's normal for me but I'm over sensitive to any feeling right now! It's egg collection I'm panicking about now!

@Ttcforever2021 hi lovely, sorry to hear you are struggling and not getting help. In terms of losing weight I'd highly suggest finding out your calorie maintenance levels and going into a deficit. Ultimately being in a calorie deficit is the only way you can lose weight. Download My Fitness Pal and log EVERYTHING, down to the cooking oils you use. Also where possible try weigh the food before inputting it so you are being as accurate as possible. It gives a good accountability structure for what you eat. Don't stress about the exacts of what you are eating other than try increase your protein intake and try stay on calorie track for what you need. This is how I have been most successful.
I did try beg doctor to give me clomid also, even though I ovulate fine 🙈

Also I'm sat here right now kind of in disbelief that I'm actually doing IVF right now. Like this is it. Gosh what an over thinker I am!

Welcome @Ttcforever2021. The weight issue is so hard. I'd previously lost weight and would have been well within the limits but TTC and not acknowledging there was a problem or talking about it took its toll. Long story short by the time I got to the clinic I was told if I put on any weight I wouldn't qualify for funding. It's hard and despite trying to lose all I've done is maintain. You say WW is working when you stick to it, but maybe you need to try something new. As unfair as it feels there is a weight criteria for IVF and we can't change that. Have you been to GP to see if there's anything they can advise for weightloss? Tests to see if there's a reason you aren't losing?

@LabradorMum When do you start tablets? Hard to believe we're in it, doesn't seem long ago we were doing the consent forms 😶

@willithappen It happens 🤣 Will keep fingers crossed that it's all fine after a wee drive.

@pixelflower thanks.. The whole Bmi thing doesn't sit right with me but at the same time I totally get why they have a restriction and the treatment obviously works best on those with healthier weight/bmi. I'm more pissed at myself because I got so close and now feel like I'm stuck. I was going to call my GP to get referred to the weight loss clinic. Maybe a new focus is what I need.

Thank you all so much for your help/advice xx

@Ttcforever2021 definitely think NHS needs a different way of measuring healthy weight, BMI is way too flawed and rigid. Good luck with everything.

I fully agree on the BMI thing! It says I'm on the higher end of the acceptable scale but I'm a size 10 so it seems really flawed to me. A few extra pounds and it will class me overweight

Totally agree ladies hate the BMI too I am still classed as obese I’m definitely not I’m 5ft 10” and have muscle, so stupid

I've accepted now I'll never be in the "healthy" BMI. I was wearing a size 10 and still in the overweight zone. Would love to be back there now 🤦🤣

@willithappen did the nurse say much to you about the timings of the injections? I'm starting to properly stress about doing both at work .

@pixelflower no nothing about timings. She just said most do it at night for easier. I think they both need done at same time though don't they?
I am already panicking about doing the second one too and I'm not due to do it until Wednesday!

@willithappen wishing I'd asked more questions now 🤦 Tried phoning the clinic but they closed at 1. Looking at what they medications do and other people protocols I think it comes down to different clinics preference. Would feel better doing the first one at home, it's just bad timing. I'll maybe start a new thread to ask opinions/experiences.

@pixelflower aw the stress of being at work to do it won't be great at all!
I have also done the craziest thing and picked up a second job - start this weekend. Just 8hrs a week but trying to clear off some debt before everything (hopefully) starts baby wise. How I'm worrying about having done that. Current job is a desk job at home though so not too much strain and this second one will just be stacking shelves 4hrs a day 2 days a week.

Hi @Ttcforever2021 just read your post and hope your ok..I don’t have much advice other than previous post about calorie deficit & tracking everything that goes in your mouth through My Fitness Pal. Now the weather has improved could you maybe start running again? You’ll know what works for you and I had a similar problem over xmas & January where I was overeating so I made little cutbacks (takeaways & treats mostly)and tracked everything and improved on my fibre & protein intake as well as water and got back into walking which I enjoy for the head mostly. Do you live near the city centre? I get lots of breaks and try to wander different places to keep interested. Good luck with it, BMI on nhs is so antequated!

Good luck for Friday @willithappen and @pixelflower! Not long to go now! Are yous excited? You said you worry loads, Can totally relate - keep worrying everything about the nasal spray running out my nose, did I aim it properly, is that it??!? Urgh! So straight forward but my brain likes to overcomplicate ha!

@Rosie189 I meant to comment about your thoughts of counselling. I had counselling up until Lockdown last year and found it a really safe space to get it all of my chest. My counsellor at Ninewells is lovely and sometimes emails me to check in. It’s your call though, just wanted to share experience x

@LabradorMum when do you start your cycle?

Hi @pixelflower I know right I can’t believe it’s so quick. Start tablets on 1st March.

Hi @Paige2207 tablets 1st - 8th, gonal 13th March, Cetrorelix 17th March.

Yeah @Paige2207 just a lot of worrying but I am trying to sort myself out because I just think I'm worrying too much now! Have to trust the process and trust the clinic

@LabradorMum you are on the same dates as I was last month! 17th this month is me starting my second injection. I'm really really hoping that I get brought for egg collection earlier than planned. Because I had so many follicles at baseline I'm hoping they grow quickly and EC can happen quicker.

@willithappen that’s good news those all those follicles 😄

@LabradorMum just hope lots of them produce eggs!