IVF August/September cycle buddies

[foodiefil]

Starting this thread early!

We've just booked for our second round to start August 2nd with egg collection September 8th.

I was on the Jan/Feb thread earlier this year.

Come join me :)

@Goldilocks2528 glad you're OK and I am too, thanks. Also apprehensive at times but I guess it's normal for us to feel that way. Sending you positive vibes xx

I totally agree - it is such a shame that they have to miss out. My patrner wasn't even allowed in the recovery room last transfer, he had to wait outside the building... he was there for collection though as he had to come in anyway to do his bit :)

@beachbum85 thanks for asking, I'm keeping up to date with the thread, just don't have much to report back and work has been crazy busy. Day 8 scan tomorrow, feeling quite anxious 🤞🤞 how are you?

My husband isn't allowed into any appointments with me yet. I'm fine with that if it keeps cases down to stop the staff being infected and in turn effecting treatment! And we've not been asked to self isolate but I will try and be a bit more careful.

@itsmschanandlerbong I guess it might be good to have lots of work to keep your mind off this? good luck for tomorrow's scan! I hope it shows good progress :) let us know
I'm well, thanks, and having fewer headaches since my dose of Buserelin has been reduced, and just a few hot flushes for the moment so all managable

Such a range of different restrictions and policies across all the clinics - I suppose they each do their own risk assessment to avoid staff shortages, as you say!

AF came yesterday so first Menopur injection this eve! I’m on a really low dose - 112.5, hope it works!

Hi all, TGIF!

@Misty84 sorry for your news. I hope you're taking it easy. Don't feel pressured to answer this, but I'm going to ask: Are you going to try again? Do you have to wait a cycle or two?

I had a scan and blood test on Wed (day 6) and same again today (day 8). I started stims on day 1. Dr didn't say much but apparently things are progressing fine. I asked how many follicles we are looking at, and dr said 'more than enough' but of course they are all different sizes and not ready yet. I'm on highest dose of FSH to try to get max number of eggs. (Based on getting only 5 eggs last time on moderate FSH.) My next scan is Monday and EC likely mid-week.

The side effects haven't been too bad so far, some sensitivity in my abdomen, a few mild headaches and some tiredness, but I'm really trying to take it easy this time. And trying to stay hydrated, which I think is helping. I'm also going for long walks most days.

I've been working from home this whole time (since March 2020) but I've told work I'm taking 1/2 days off for morning dr appts and will take a couple of days off for egg collection. They are letting me use sick leave, so at least it's not taking up my vacation days. I'm not doing any long hours (even though my team has a big deadline next week), so I'm trying not to feel guilty/stressed about that.

Last time (April) my DH couldn't come to the EC (except for his part) or ET and couldn't wait in the waiting room. They did let me take a photo of the screen when they transferred the embryos, though. I'm not sure about this time. We haven't been told to isolate, but I'm trying to be careful and stay home except for dr appts and walks. DH has to go out for work most days though, so really hoping he doesn't catch anything. We're both double vaccinated so that hopefully helps.

The nurse will give me a call this afternoon once they've got the latest blood test results, to confirm my meds for the next few days until next scan on Mon. I have cetrotide in the fridge and am wondering when they will have me start on that.

@Gensola

AF came yesterday so first Menopur injection this eve! I’m on a really low dose - 112.5, hope it works!

Ahh! Was about to ask if there was any progression! Good luck to you!

@Bluebonnet3 sounds like everything is where it should be! Excited for you to have your EC next week! Will you be doing a fresh transfer or will you be going through PGT testing before transfer?

Thanks for the support @ngy21 @beachbum85 @Goldilocks2528
I've spoken to the nurse and apparently cetrotide does take a while to dissolve sometimes and just need to swirl it until it's clear. She also said the 'must take out the fridge 30 mins before use' is just because some people find it uncomfortable to use cold, but it doesn't do any harm and really there is no need to leave it out that long. Had a scan this morning and follicles are all still there, so haven't spontaneously ovulated through not getting a full dose. I think it helped it was only the first day taking it though, so was unlikely to ovulate anyway. Last night's went much better in every way. It also says in all the advice that the first dose must be supervised by a doctor and it seems I definitely need supervision as I've managed to lose quite a bit of the first doses of both meds I've taken so far. I wonder if the clinic has ever supervised the first dose, or if they just stopped doing it because of COVID

Just caught up with everyone else- hope everyone is doing ok
@Bluebonnet3 sounds like we are in a similar timeline. I have last scan booked for Monday and EC pencilled in for wed, but doctors will be reviewing this morning 's scan and could potentially bring things forward. Getting nervous about it now! I've taken today and next week on annual leave, which I'm grateful for

Hi all,

Hope you don't mind if I join!

I am starting my first IVF cycle today after two failed IUI attempts. We are doing the long protocol so my first bruserelin injection is this evening. I'm quite nervous tbh, mainly for how I might react to all the hormones but hopefully it will be ok! My EC is currently scheduled for 17th September, so fingers crossed.

Lovely to meet you all 😊

I’ve just had the call booking in my progress scans - 25, 27 and 30 August. It feels real!
Nervous for my first jab tonight even though I have done it before, I have sort of forgotten what it is like.
Drinking lots of water and exercising to keep blood flow high. Have cut down to one coffee a day and no booze.

@Gensola great to hear! good luck for your first injection tonight - I'm sure you'll get the hang of it again right away :)
I'm just a couple of days before you (scans 23-25-27) and it's nice to have each other for company xx
What sort of exercise do you do whilst on stims? I try to do yoga a few times a week but otherwise not sure what else to try...

@2mumsandason welcome and good luck for your first injection too! fingers crossed that you don't get any side effects :)

@Bluebonnet3 and @KatRee EC is so soon!! glad you both have the time off and don't have to worry about work too.
@KatRee very glad to hear it was all OK in the end - phew!
@Bluebonnet3 that's a bit frustrating that the doctor won't give you the details, but in the end they're the experts! Glad to hear your side effects are not too bad :)

hope everyone else is doing well xx

Thanks @beachbum85! I've just done the injection...eek! I'm having a whole mix of emotions from excited to nervous and everything in between!

Is any one else doing the long protocol starting around today?

Hi all,

Hope I can join in too.

I just started my short cycle last week with Progynova tablets. Have initial baseline scan booked for Wednesday that will decide if i am ready to start on the simulation injections.

Nervous and exciting.

For those who are ahead of me - How are you managing work and treatment - specially all the hospital appointments.

Ha ha! I spoke too soon about low levels of side effects. A few days ago I started on another medication, a tablet to help reduce my high prolactin levels. I think they gave me a stuffy nose, nausea, and dizziness in the evening. And I've woken up 3 times in the night to pee, as I'm really thirsty and drinking lots of water. (I think because of the meriofert.) Been awake for the last couple of hours, too, not been able to get back to sleep. And ovaries are getting more sensitive, so I can generally feel them when I lie down and when I walk. Oh the joys of toying with your hormones!

I've been trying to work out who has similar timelines.

I think with me are @KatRee and @itsmschanandlerbong and possibly @Nerdalert (are you doing FET so no need for EC?) EC in the coming week and depending on how embryos work out, ET 3-5 days later.

We have a group that is currently down-reg-ing with buserelin (or similar) waiting for baseline scans: @Ttc8 welcome! @2mumsandason and @Goldilocks2528 .

We have scan buddies @beachbum85 and @Gensola with progression scans planned between 23-30 Aug roughly.

I haven't quite figured out where you ladies are in your schedule @ngy21 and @ChasingRainbow . I only read back about a week to make notes for this post. I'm know I've missed some folks, apologies! But otherwise, what do you think? It's tricky as timelines often get firmed up a few days before the next hurdle.

My clinic has been getting me to do blood tests with each scan, so they are monitoring my hormone levels more closely than my last clinic. I'm starting on cetrotide this morning (my day 9 of stims) and continuing my max meriofert until my next scan on Monday. The cetrotide leaflet said it can be room temp for up to a month (and then used or discarded) so I'm going to take my morning dose out of the fridge the night before.

@ngy21 the plan is fresh transfer after max egg collection, hoping to have some to freeze. Then if things don't work this time, they might do testing or other changes next time.

Have a good weekend all!

@bluebonnet3 good morning, its crappy that you can't sleep, thats probably one of the more unfortunate side effects but getting practice in for when that baby does finally arrive 😉

I am on my first fresh cycle and EC should be next week if everything goes to plan at my scan Monday. I haven't had any bloods or scans since I started down reging at the end of July and stims last Sunday! Every clinic is different and im just going with the flow, i know no different and they are the professionals! Fingers crossed for Monday and see what they say. I think @beachbum85 is very close in EC and ET too.

I have been feeling more bloated and 'heavy almost in the tummy area, im taking that as a sign that im full of eggs 😁. The nausea and headaches have subsided a little when I reduced the buserelin. Im in a weird head space of excited, nervous, realism and hopefulness as its only the first round.

@beachbum85 it’s so nice to have someone on a similar timeframe!
I have been cycling as it’s low impact but gets me very sweaty so I assume it’s doing me good I have a static bike so I just try to go on it every day for around 30-40 mins. Then trying to get out for a walk too, aiming for 15000 steps a day.
Injection went fine, it’s a bit of a faff mixing the Menopur but we got the hang of it. DH thought I was going to inject with the massive mixing needle 😱 no thanks!
Fyremadel starts tomorrow morning I think, those are pre-made syringes which is much easier.

@Ttc8 re: juggling work and dr appointments, for me, I think it's easier that I'm still working from home, as I can be more flexible with my working hours. I decided to tell a few select people at work what's going on without going into too many specifics (HR head, my line manager, my head of project). On days when I can make up the hours without too much fuss I do that. On days where I'm out longer I take a half sick day or whole sick day or 2 for egg collection. I have booked a few days off as holiday, too. I've discussed with work that I can't work long hours this month and need to take it easy and try to limit my stress. In a perfect world I think I would just take 2-3 week's off, but I don't have that much holiday left! I would consider that for a future round... as I tend to be quite stressed with work most of the time.

Thanks @Bluebonnet3 for working out who is at similar stages of their journey 😊

Hope @Ttc8 and @Goldilocks2528 you are getting on ok? Are you both on bruserelin?

@Ttc8 I've been really fortunate and work have been so good regarding all the appointments etc I will need. I have gone through the process with my LM and she has told me to make sure I take the time I need after EC and ET. I'm really lucky as well that I don't have to use sick or annual leave for this time either. Have you spoken to work about what's happening?

@Bluebonnet3 thanks for working that out!

@Gensola fyremedal is definitely much easier!

@Nerdalert best of luck for Monday!

So I had my day 8 scan yesterday and I was back in again for another scan today. The left side is basically not responding at all. The right side is responding OK, but I think I'll have less eggs than last time. The left side didn't respond last cycle, I had an operation on that side to remove an ovarian cyst and they had to remove part of my ovary so I'm guessing that's why. I'm just about ready to trigger, waiting on a call to let me know if I should trigger either tonight or tomorrow night. The increase in medication doesn't seem to have changed the number of eggs, but it has meant I will be ready quicker. The first cycle I stimmed for 12 days, this time it will be 9 days if I trigger tonight. Not sure if that's any better or worse.

@2mumsandason @Ttc8 hi ladies. Yes, I am on buserelin and norethisterone. Down Rey scan 2 Sept, final scan 13 sept so we shall see..
feel knackered. Don’t remember feeling so tired all the time during round one, but could literally go to bed and sleep immediately from about 9pm onwards. Hope you are doing ok.

@Ttc8 @Goldilocks2528 oh no, I guess you just need to listen to your body and rest when it's telling you it needs to. I'm just on bruserelin and only had my second injection this evening. I haven't felt any side effects yet (fingers crossed!) other than the injection site being red and itchy, but tends to go within an hour so nothing major. My first scan is on 3rd and final one on 15th so looks like we are our timings are very similar 😊

Hello and welcome @2mumsandason - glad your injections are going ok so far- and your too @Gensola
Hi @Ttc8 - I'm very lucky with my work situation in that like @bluebonnet have been completely wfh since March 20. I also live near clinic, so for scans I've just said I've had a medical appointment and worked around them. If you have less flexibility with work you could see if you can get the scans booked in first thing in the morning, maybe - I thought I was going to be able to do that, but it turns out the 8am ones book up super fast, so I've ended up mid-morning. I've booked annual leave to coincide with EC as I understand that's the most physically gruelling bit. I am a bit worried about my ability to focus in the bit around the transfer - ideally would have like to take a couple of weeks AL, but work is too busy at this time of year really. I'm going to really pay attention to how it feels and what I need in terms of working arrangements in case I need another cycle.

Well done for putting together all those timelines @Bluebonnet3. We do seem to be on very similar timelines and protocols- I'm also now on cetrotide and meriofert, having switched stims from fostimon on day 8. I haven't had any bloods taken so far. What dose meriofert are you doing? Sorry you've had trouble sleeping- I'm a rubbish sleeper anyway, but often just cause of worrying about stupid work problems and crap like that! So far my side-effects seem to be bit of bloating in the tummy and feeling really unsexy!

@itsmschanandlerbong - sorry your left side isn't keeping up- 🤞you have some good ones on the right. I have a lot more going on in the left ovary this month while the right seems to be asleep- I think responding, but didn't have many follicles to start with. Have you taken the trigger?

@Goldilocks2528 Sorry your feeling knackered- hope you can get all the rest you and your body need

Hope everyone is doing ok and having a nice weekend

@KatRee thanks, it’s all been straightforward so far - no side effects. Fyremadel from tomorrow, eek.
Looking forward to my scan on Wednesday, to see how I’m progressing.