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 :)

@Coops0406 Just had our review meeting. It was a bit of a shocker actually, and totally not what I was expecting. After our last fresh transfer we were told by a different consultant to move to a Flare protocol which is what I was expecting to hear, but consultant today said they'd only do that if my AMH was lower than 8.3 and it was 18.8 when last tested! We got a LOT more information today than I'd ever been given before, including finding out that my estrogen level on my last fresh cycle only indicated 2 or possibly 3 at most mature eggs would be collected despite the 7 follicules (so the 2 mature eggs they collected was actually what my blood results suggested). I wont be doing EC in August as they want to retest my AMH and they finally sound like they're looking into me more serious as my AMH and my response on the last cycle don't match up at all. Consultant said at the moment they'd look at doing the same protocol as last time which I do NOT want to do, but then said we had an option of doing an antagonist / short protocol with a very high dose FSH to push my eggs as much as possible, let my eggs grow bigger than they would normally, and do the delayed EC, with a mandatory freeze-all. They also said if I wanted to push for using a dual trigger and felt strongly about it then I could have that too. They normally need an AMH of 20+ for the antagonist protocol, but she said if my AMH was similar to last time and a little lower than 20 they would still consider it, particularly as we've said we'd prefer to give that a try.

Either way, we aren't getting to go in August, but i might be back if I can hound them and push things along for a September start. Good luck ladies!

@2mumlife what is a flare protocol? I've never been explained what protocol I was on and have no idea about any protocols! Also interesting that you had a blood test too for your oestrogen levels.
It sounds very similar to me...we had the AMH re-tested and it was 20.5 so that is amazing news for us. He also said he would likely put me on maximum stimulants and push them as follicles are just very resistant, and then like you a mandatory freeze all. What does it mean to have a dual trigger?
I have no idea when we could start or how long you have to wait then until you can have ET but it definitely sounds like we are on similar paths! 😊

Forgot to mention, my recent post is after a meeting with my nhs gynae this week, and luckily one of the main consultants from the fertility centre I went to was there...so was a more positive experience than my review meeting last week!!

@Coops0406 There are lots of different protocols. The standard for my clinic is 21 day agonist procedure (long protocol) - so you're downregulated on day 21 of your cycle, wait for a bleed, then start stims. The antagonist procedure (short protocol) you start on day 1 of your cycle, with a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) antagonist rather than agonist drug.

The Flare protocol is a bit different and is more commonly used with low AMH or poor responders. The aim of the Flare protocol is to stimulate your bodies natural production of FSH, rather than relying entirely on stims.

I think most clinics will take your bloods when you're in for follicule monitoring appointments.

Dual trigger is when your take a Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist drug along with your normal hcg trigger. It can only be used on an antagonist protocol (I think thats right anyway!). My consutlant is not really recommending it, but says if we were on the protocol where it can be used, I could decide I want it.

What was your AMH before and how long was the Gap? My AMH was tested last year just before lockdown. In my favour my diet has been a lot better since then which may help, but I can't find an answer as to whether just having a medicated FET cycle where my ovaries were 'shut down' will affect my AMH score.

I think some clinics you can do your FET on the subsequent cycle, but others suggest having 1 'natural' cycle. My clinic certainly advised to have a natural cycle after my failed fresh transfer before starting FET to I imagine its going to be similar this time.

@Coops0406 Between the day you start taking drugs, and the drugs you're taking you can figure out what kind of protocol you're on :) There are some other protocols used as well that are less common. And just to confuse things, you might be on the same general protocol but using different drugs to someone else to achieve the same purpose.

@2mumlife my AMH last June was apparently 25.8 and then just last week it was fine and is 20.5. I'm 39 in august so am pleased it is that high..just the quality to worry about now!
I was a very poor responder despite my AMH so I wonder what they will do 🤷🏾‍♀️ we have an appointment a week on Tuesday so hopefully find out their plans.
I wouldn't have thought that would affect your AMH, from my understanding that just gives an indication of your egg reserve so I can't see how that may affect it.
Are you taking ubiquinol? I have been taking it since before my last cycle but since it failed my diet hasn't been great...need to get back to being good again!

@Coops0406 That's really interesting. It's so funny everyone even wants to increase or decrease their AMH! AMH is actually not a particularly stable measure as it can vary, because it's an indirect measure of reserve based on how many eggs are actually starting to mature (which varies every month). Because my ovaries were "switched off" I'm worried AMH may be lower because I had a month where I guess no eggs were starting to be recruited to mature = less AMH released, but I'm not sure how completely the ovaries are switched off, or how quickly they get going again. I guess I'll just have to see.

Yeah I went back on ubiquinol immediately after my CP. The only good thing about delay in next cycle is having more time on supplements. I actually improved my diet after my CP to throw everything at this cycle as it's our last EC

@2mumlife I think my focus is on that as all the consultants have been solely focussed on it...the misdiagnosed pcos for endometriosis apparently has no bearing on how ivf will go, they are just interested in my AMH. So when they focus on that number so much it's hard not to panic about it. And after my review when he went on and on about egg donors as an option because he thought my AMH could be wrong it really worried me. They said for me, due to my age only about 30% of eggs will be genetically stable, so now they know they are in there and just need to figure out how to get as many out so we have more chance of finding a stable one. I think I'm prepared that if they do get a good amount in my next cycle, there will be a big drop off but it's still scary.

This whole journey is such a rollercoaster...I really hope it works out for you this time 🤞🏾 What other supplements do you take? Do you mind me asking where you're based and which fertility centres you are with?

@Coops0406 Yeah at the moment I'm just worried my original AMH was wrong too. I got told the same about 1/3 embryos will be chromosomally normal. The odds have very much not been in our favour - I had 4 medicated IUIs were we used mild stims to produce 2 dominant follicules that they expected 2 mature eggs to have been released each time, all BFN then the IVF with the poor response but 2 great day 5 embryos, with another BFN and 1 CP.

We're based in Scotland with GCRM

Hi! I am provisionally scheduled for my 2nd attempt in September.
I had 1 failed cycle in April and in the meantime changed clinics and just had hysteroscopy to remove 2 polyps that grew on last cycle.
It has been a very long wait despite paying privately as the clinics are so busy. For September I will have to start taking the pill to schedule the cycle as per their availability.
Hoping this round goes well as this is all so expensive and mentally draining...and I am so desperate to be a mum!
wishing all of you the best for your treatments xxx

Hi! I am nearly 34 and my AMH October last year was 32 or 35 which is very high apparently, also high follicle count. Expected to have OHSS and after all I was a poor responder! cycle cancelled before retrieval...
Now the new clinic is happy to start me on a slightly higher dose of stims but not that much higher as they still think I have a high risk of hyperstimulation syndrome. :( for high AMH they say the antagonist protocol is the indicated. the only difference this time is that I will start pill on my August cycle to schedule the treatment for the date the clinic has available....
I have been taking all those amazing supplements since last failed cycle in April so I really hope for a much better outcome next time....it will be nearly 5 months pumping my body with vitamins LOL

@2mumlife have they done your AMH again yet? I sent mine off last Saturday and they had it back by the Wednesday so hopefully shouldn't take too long.

@singlemomattc29 which clinic have you changed to? I think it's so hard when your AMH is high as they tell you that you'll produce a lot of eggs and risk of OHSS, then when you're a poor responder it's heartbreaking. Hopefully your new clinic will have better info now from your previous round so have a better chance of giving you the right amount of stims. Do you know how long you will be on the down regulation for?

@Coops0406 I am going to Bourn Hall this time. I don't know yet how long I'll have to take the pill as for now they only told me to start taking when my next cycle starts and then to call them to arrange others investigations and get the rest of the plan. The pill is mainly because my cycles don't match their calendar so they want me to sync with them to book the treatment provisionally end of September egg retrieval... otherwise I would have to wait much longer...

I hope they don't change their dates because I just had to make a big request at work to change my annual leave to that time to cover the 2 weeks isolation they demand 😩... This is one of the worst parts of IVF... Balance Work and treatment!

Hi Everyone,

Hope you don't mind me joining in. I've just had a failed FET in June. I started out with 5 blastocysts which was my 5th fresh round of IVF. We had the first 2 back which ended in a chemical. The 3rd was my beautiful daughter, the 4th was a BFN and we have 1 embryo left so really hoping it works this time as this is my 10th round of fertility treatment 🤞🤞. I will be doing the short protocol so we should be having the embryo put back around 24th August and we will find out beginning of September.

Hope everyone is ok X

I’d like to join you all, if that’s OK! We’re due to start our first round of IVF in August, after ttc naturally for our first since Dec 2019. Our tests have all come back normal, so we’re looking at ‘unexplained infertility’. I’ve just turned 39, though, so I think it’s probably about the egg quality at this stage, especially as my cycle is getting shorter and my periods are now very light. I think we’re going to be on a short protocol, so egg retrieval in the later part of August and test date in early Sept, if all goes to plan. @Rachyboo83 - it sounds like we’re on roughly the same timeframe? Wishing everyone lots of luck in the next steps x

Hey JCttc21
Congratulations on starting your first cycle of IVF. I remember starting mine and i was filled with so much excitement.

It does sound like we will be going through our treatment at the same time. Its all the waiting i can't stand. How long has it took you to get to this point? I remember my investigations taking such a long time. I've had to have a break from my last cycle to let my hormones settle. Im due to have the endometrium scratch on 3rd August so can't say im looking forward to that at all. Its my 4th time having it done so i know whats coming 😭. Then i should be starting the drugs around 10th August. You will be surprised at how quick everything happens especially when your doing the short protocol. One minute, it feels like nothing is ever going to happen, the next your going down for egg collection. I hope everything works out for you regarding your own eggs however i didn't mention in my first post that my daughter and any future children will be egg donor. The quality of my eggs was awful and i was only 30 when i went through IVF with my own eggs so came as a massive shock however it was the best thing that could of happened to me. My daughter is amazing

Sorry, did mean to press post 🙈

My daughter is amazing and i honestly if i now had the choice of my own DNA or my daughter so would win a million times over ❤❤

Hi again everyone :)

@2mumlife I've just installed the Mindful IVF app - thanks for the recommendation, it looks great and I'm looking forward to using it!
I hope you get your AMH results back quickly and they're positive... I just had mine retested and like @Coops0406 it only took a few days.
Was really happy to see it went up from 5.8 a year ago to 11.3 (I'm 35)... think it must be due to sorting out my thyroid... now waiting to see if they modify my protocol at all as I'm sure to start Wed with down regulation.

Hi @Rachyboo83 and @JCttc21 I'm also on a similar timeline or slightly behind you as we're looking at EC the last week of August :)

@Rachyboo83 lovely to hear about your daughter! And good luck for your scratch xx

Hello- can I join please? Due to start ivf mid-August. It will be my first cycle and I'm feeling pretty clueless! I'm 37, have been ttc to varying degrees on and off for over 2 years and really going for it with OPKs from January this year. Had tests at a fertility clinic in June which showed one blocked falllopian tube, afc 8/9 on right ovary (blocked side) and 3/4 on the left and AMH of 11.5. Doc recommended we move to IVF ASAP. Have nurses consultation on Tuesday and hoping to feel a bit more informed after that because right now I have now idea how long it will take, what meds I'll be on or anything. Can anyone advise some good questions to ask at this consultation as I'm not really sure where to start!
Good luck to everyone here !

Hi @KatRee and sorry you find yourself here and good luck for your appointment on Tuesday!

There's an app called Fertility Circle that has an IVF planner with suggested questions for each stage, and a good overview of the process on the website The Duff, but I'd suggest:

• What protocol will I be on, what meds will I be taking and how will they need to be stored/prepared/taken, and when?
• When will we need to be in the clinic in person?
• When is egg collection expected to be (as you might need a couple of days off work afterwards, if you're working)?
• Do you usually expect a Day 3 or Day 5 transfer?
• What are the COVID-related protocols? Should we be isolating and will we be swabbed at any point?

I'm sure they'll tell you everything you need to know :) Let us know how it goes!

Hi @beachbum85, great to know you’ll be on a similar timeline too! I hadn’t heard of the Fertility Circle app, so will download it now.

@Rachyboo83 that’s so amazing to hear, about your daughter. I am very open to the idea of using donor eggs if mine aren’t up to the job, as I’ve read about so many positive experiences like yours - the hurdle might be my partner, who I think would rather adopt. It’s taken since Feb to get to this point, because I had to wait for a hysteroscopy to remove a small uterine adhesion, but really I had a feeling after six months of trying that we’d probably end up here at IVF, so it feels like I’ve been waiting for much longer. Plus lockdown made last year feel more like ten years. No one’s mentioned anything to me about an endometrium scratch - is that something I should be having too?

@KatRee same here, about feeling clueless about it all! The way the consultant explained it to me the other day made it all sound so straightforward, but after a year and a half of trawling ttc forums I’m pretty sure there will be bumps in the road… I’m going to try really hard to take each one as it comes. Not easy as I am the queen of catastrophising! Hope your nurse’s consultation is reassuring tomorrow.

We go for our nurse appointment tomorrow. I rang the fertility centre today to understand what would be happening and what I need to prepare for. They told me the intention is to start the treatment process on first period in August.

That's great @Hansoo - keep us posted after your appointment tomorrow too and I hope it goes well :) do you know if you'll be on a long or short protocol?

We have an appointment tomorrow where they will tell us everything

I can't quite believe I'm finally getting to join one of these threads, but I start the pill in the next week or so for egg collection around the 14th September. First ICSI round.

We have MF, DH is basically missing a tube so had sperm retrieved a couple of months ago. It's in the freezer and ready to go. It's not amazing quality, so I am being very realistic about chances of things working, and it isn't all that high, but we have this chance and I am taking it.

The biggest spanner in the works has been breaking my ankle in three places on holiday a couple of weeks ago. I've been on so many painkillers and through so much trauma I can't quite bring myself to get overexcited about caffeine 'rules' and such like, which I probably need to get a bit of a grip on. Every single doctor I have encountered has told me there is no reason not to go ahead with the IVF, I am otherwise really fit and healthy. Even if I am non weight bearing for another 10 weeks.

Anyways, I am going back to read everybody else's stories. As I say, I have a weird excitement at being on one of these threads at last 😂