IVF first timers - June 2021 Protocol

[Luan82]

Hello 👋🏼!! About to embark on the absolutely terrifying process of IVF in June (once my next cycle finishes) and though it might be nice to get chatting to some people going through the same? Meds due tomorrow and bloods booked in for Saturday - Let me know if you are in the same boat would be great to get some support from some fellow infertility warriors ❤️x

@Ofpalestsilver -welcome!! How are you getting on with the meds? Mine arrive tomorrow .... eeeeeek!! x

@Ofpalestsilver I'm sorry to hear about your failed iui xx

@Coops0406 hi! That was me, it's very reassuring to hear that my experience is the same as others - we've had one zoom with a nurse, and one Trip to the clinic for bloods and height/weight so I'm pleased it's not just me! If my AF shows on time I have to start the meds Saturday 29th too, what at the chances !! x

@Kemqueen - welcome 🙋🏻‍♀️ it's quite daunting isn't it! I'm feeling a bit more relaxed about it now, just waiting for the next cycle to come around and hoping my body does everything on time this cycle ! 🤦🏻‍♀️ I'm on a few chat groups where the ladies are a little ahead and just had their transfers , there are even a few positive pregnancy tests which is amazing and gives me hope, I was very worried about my ovarian reserve and what that means for my results from egg collection x

@Luan82 how exciting!! Where are you having treatment? What injections are you on? I'm with CARE Chester. Exciting to have someone starting at a similar time 😊
Sometimes I think it's better this way as not too many things to think about, just got to go with the flow. But then sometimes I do wish there was a little more explanation of things. Got a video to watch for administering injections which I will be doing on Friday night...on repeat!!

@Coops0406 I'm on Menopur 300 at the moment. I had my baseline scan yesterday and they only saw seven follicles. When I did my IUI, I was getting an average of 15 so feeling a bit bleugh! Have only had one injection so far and it was fine. I had to inject for IUI so I'm used to this. I have very resistant follicles.

@Ofpalestsilver I haven't even had a baseline scan. I have seen in other threads that most people have had one so I don't even know what we're working with! The only thing I know is that I have PCOS and my AMH is slightly high for my age, I'm 38 and my AMH is 28. Aside from that I'm in the dark!
I start with meriofert 225 so have to mix that up, then add in fyremadel on day 5.
Fingers crossed your follicles start to increase and get to the right sizes 🤞🏾

@Coops0406 it is exciting !! I'll send you a screenshot of my meds - I'm with Leeds but that's because I was automatically transferred there on my one nhs funded cycle - I've had some private tests at care Sheffield and they were amazing! If The Leeds cycle doesn't go well we'll be going to care for two private cycle package xx

@Coops0406

@Coops0406 No baseline scan? That's mad. I had mine on day 2 of my cycle and then the next scan is on day 6. When will they give you your first scan?

@Luan82 it's so interesting to see how different clinics present things even simple stuff like medication lists.

@Ofpalestsilver I know !! I think that's what's worried me so much tbh - surely they will have to monitor how I am reacting to the meds ... I've had a scan end of last year and my AFC count was 7 which is low but in line with my low ovarian reserve - I just don't understand how they can start meds without a recent one !

@Luan82 I think I'm on the same pretty much with a scan and covid swab on day 6, then day 10 scan with egg collection hopefully on Day 12. Interestingly I have to do my meriofert and fyremadel injections both in the morning.
I'm with Chester for my one nhs funded cycle 😊

@Ofpalestsilver it's so strange! The last scan I had was before I got referred for ivf to check whether the clomid was working, which it wasn't! I wonder whether it's because I have pcos so maybe there might be lots of follicles? I have no idea really, it's all a guessing game to me! I do recall the consultant said they do a scan to have an idea of where they're going for when the do the egg retrieval but I've not had it! @Luan82did you have the mock ET as it shows on your timeline?

@Coops0406 - I see that they've ticked the baseline scan section and mock ET, I've not had either ! Again I wonder if it's a combination of covid and nhs funding cutting corners? It would have been interesting to have a baseline scan before treatment just to see if I've got a more positive number of follicles than I did for my scan last year!! 🙄 I do feel slightly better that you're in the same boat at me though !! And tbf care fertility do have a reputation for being very thorough so can't imagine it's an error !! I might ask when I next speak to them I am a little concerned about cysts which I'm prone to and I had cramps a few months back which are usually linked to small ovarian cysts x

@Luan82 sounds like it...I think they are trying to keep face to face appointments to an absolute minimum which is great but you do feel like in person you may ask more questions and on the phone I feel like I may be interrupting their time. We'll see how it goes, I'm just wishing AF would hurry up!!

@Luan82 @Coops0406 - when is AF due for you both?

Re the scans, I only got one when my cycle started and to be honest, that's just as good because every cycle is different. If they did it out of cycle then you might feel excited or disappointed and it be inaccurate. As I mentioned, during my IUI I had loads of follicles and then yesterday I only had 7 (although the sonographer put a note in saying she couldn't see my left ovary very well... not sure why she didn't ask me to move but ANYWAY!)

@Ofpalestsilver I've been on norithisterone for 3 weeks so they could time my bleed fir this week...it should be tomorrow or Thursday based on finishing the tablets on Sunday...needs to be here before Saturday for me to start injections on Saturday 🤞🏾

@Ofpalestsilver oh that's so interesting that your follicle number varies so much!!! I'm hoping that's a good thing for me because my last AFC was Pretty crap !! Maybe they get us in for a scan once we start a new cycle ? My cycles were always 28 days but for the last two they have been 26 days and going by that I'm due my AF on Saturday, I've been logging temps and ovulation - temps are still rising and I ovulated on day 14 of my cycle so slightly earlier this time, if I start AF on Saturday I'm fine but if it comes Sunday or Monday then I need to take the contraceptive pill so that'll be interesting ! Also need to take a pregnancy test at 12dpo just because we've had another go naturally this month. Xx

@Coops0406 🤞🏼 for AF!!! Can you believe we end up saying that??! x

@Ofpalestsilver are you now on day 2 of injections?

@Luan82 oh my gosh, it's seems odd wishing for AF to come when for so long all you've been wishing us for it not to come!!

@Luan82 I thought it was weird too but I had the most uninterested chat with the nurse afterwards. It's frustrating when they don't really take their time to explain to you. I think they think you already new it. If you get your period earlier, you need to take the pill? Oh I never knew about that! And it's so funny that we look forward to AF. My cycles are long and I used to be cool with that, not so when I'm babymakin'!

@Coops0406 And yes, day 2 of injections. I'm curious to see how my body will react over the next few weeks. I think I'm a bit used to it because I took injections for IUI (some people just take clomid but my ladies needed a good kick up the arse!)

@Ofpalestsilver are you isolating now that your on your injections? I'll be isolating from then...my other half doesn't need to but I think he's decided he wants to! 😂 I think he just wants a week and a half off work!
I've been horrifically bloated with just the norithisterone so I think it's going to be an uncomfortable couple of weeks on the injections! Let us know how you're getting on 😊

@Luan82 I'm due to start norethisterone on 6th June. Ooo!! Not long to wait!! Saturday will be here before you know it! Never been so glad to see AF!! Very strange feeling!

Welcome ladies! Nice to see some other names popping up. I've just been catching up! Seems like I've missed a lot.

@Ofpalestsilver Best of luck!! Did they clinic say that the amount of follicles you had would vary from IUI to IVF? Hopefully you'll have a few more coming through in the next week or so.

@Coops0406 How have you found being on norethiserone? I'm due to start them next Sunday. Sounds like you've been through the ringer. How are you feeling now you've started your cycle? Who are you cycling with? I've heard a lot about baseline scans too. I'm due to have one between day 1 and 3 of next cycle.

Northisterone sounds difficult. That’s the one you take to make your period come at a certain time right? I don’t think my clinic offers that as none of my friends who went there had it nor did I. What did they say to you as to why that’s part of treatment?

I find all of this so fascinating honestly about how experiences differ. I joined a couple of these threads when I was doing IUI but I was the only one doing that so it was harder to relate. This is cool being in the same boat!

@Cat028 hiya 😊 I started norithisterone on CD17 for 3 weeks...I put on 2kg in the first week then another kg in the second week and was disgustingly bloated. Most of the people I have seen on some other threads who have had norithisterone felt fine though so I think it's not too bad in general. I even had it when I was younger as I was going on holiday and wanted to delay my period for the week...I remember feeling bloated back then but nothing like I've just had!

How long will you be on norithisterone for? Hopefully you don't notice anything.

Super excited just to hopefully start these injections...it's been a long time coming! I'm with CARE Chester...was looking forward to some nice lunches out on the days for appointments but not had any face to face ones and when I go for the scans I'm supposed to be isolating! Typical! 🤦🏾‍♀️