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 :)

@beachbum85 how long do you have the down regulation injections for? Do you then have a break or do you start the stims straight after?

@Goldilocks2528 it's hard to look through stuff, but I think I will end up looking and comparing symptoms/feelings with the last cycle when I start...in fact I'm certain I will!

@KatRee the videos are good, we watched it the night before we started injections then on the morning watched it again! Once you start you get the hang of it (we'll hubby did as I can't even pull a plaster off without soaking it in the shower first!). Last round we had to mix the powders but I think I'll be on a different FSH drug so should be pre-mixed.
I'm also on ubiquinol but my current consultant said there wasn't any proven evidence for it helping (funny how different consultants tell you different things! My last one was almost telling me where to get it from!)...so I have it and I actually now feel like I can't stop taking it, I feel like I would fret if I didn't so it's easier to take them (especially since they are ridiculously expensive and I have them!)

@thislittlebird Hi and welcome! I'm on my 2nd cycle but it's my first paid one after a failed nhs cycle. I have high AMH and was supposed to have lots of eggs and be at risk of OHSS but ended up with only 2 eggs, 1 made it to day 5 blast, was put back in but didn't stick. Although it was awful, and that journey had me with so many highs then massive lows, i'm feeling positive and hopeful about getting started on the next round. My only advice is to try and remain hopeful throughout and remember that it just takes that 1 🥰

@Etonmess20 the brackets are a cute idea! You're both in it together and it's a nice little thing to mark your journey with. My sister in law got me a fertility bracelet last July when I started treatment and I haven't taken it off! 😍

Hello @Coops0406! oh god, you sound like me lol. I have high AMH (36 earlier in the year) and I’m really hoping I can produce a few eggs because we have MFI too, need all the egg options I can get. What was your AMH and what protocol did they put you on? I’m sorry your first one failed but I know it’s not uncommon. We have an nhs referral in but I’m ageing too fast to wait around for that so I’m going to get a two round package with the Lister. Had our last call before ICSI/IMSI today where he said I’ll be on Meriofert 225/150 alternating days. Need to sign the consents and book in with the nurse in August.

@thislittlebird I'm nearly 39 and it's 20.5 (it was 25 when they tested last year). I was on 225 meriofert for the full 10 days with a gonasi trigger but responded like I had a very low AMH. I never expected it to work first time but I thought we'd have some extra embryos frozen from that cycle so I think that was the heartbreaking realisation that it was over.
So they retested the AMH to check it was still high and have said I must have very resistant follicles and need maximum stims to coax the eggs out! We are going to go for a multi cycle option now we're paying...I'm hoping we should get there within 3 cycles! 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾
We'll have to redo consents as we're using a different branch at Care Fertility this time, but hopefully can start the norithisterone on my upcoming cycle then stims around September.
Have they said why they will alternate? Is it to minimise risk of OHSS?

@Coops0406 that sucks, I’m sorry you had this sad outcome but fingers crossed the next time will get it right. That’s all I want too, just one in the freezer and I’m worried by my potential egg quality.

It’s weird because you’re the second person I’ve spoken to with normal AMH around 18/20 who hasn’t responded well to meriofert but maybe it’s a dosage rather than a drug issue, like you say. So I’m a little anxious about it all because of this but obviously I also don’t want OHSS, and yes, that’s why they’re alternating. I think I read Meriofert is believed to be good for egg quality in older women (I’m 38 so similar to you) so I’m guessing he’s aiming for quantity and not overstimulation. I read in the Lister info pack that it’s the drug with a low likelihood of overstimulating so I guess that’s why they picked it.

My trigger is tbc nearer the time, apparently. I think I’ll need to have my AMH done again soon as well.

If you’re on norethisterone does that mean you’re down regging? I’m not super familiar with why they use it.

@thislittlebird I think it is a doseage thing...most people of our age and that AMH will respond well to the 225 meriofert. And the danger in increasing that dose without knowing how your body reacts is OHSS, as that is what would happen to "most" people of similar age and AMH. I suppose now they have done one cycle they are much better informed about my body's response (or lack of) so can go full throttle with dose!

Quality is a worry for us at our age so I think the more they can get the better it will be as approx 30% will be genetically stable. So fingers crossed you get a good amount of follicles 🤞🏾

The norithisterone is to delay the bleed to fall in with their scheduling, rather than down regulation. So they can time the dates for scans, EC and ET to fit their schedules, possibly happens at smaller clinics? I was on it for 3 weeks and bloated massively, put on 3kg in the first 2 weeks! So I really don't want to be on it for that long, I was so uncomfortable!

An interesting bit of info the consultant told me...I found out the difference in the stims drugs this time (I asked last time but they didn't answer me)...so menopur and meriofert are the original stims which were made using the FSH from menopausal women's urine! FSH is super high in menopausal women so that's how they got it. The ovaleap and other ones are synthetically made pure FSH which came around later. So all do exactly the same thing and it's more preference to what the consultant uses.

@thislittlebird hi! glad you joined this thread too :)

@Goldilocks2528 ohhh that must be tough with your close friends so far away! Do you get to drive over to your best friend at all? or meet half way?

@KatRee yes the probiotics are capsules and I don't have a favourite brand or anything but I'm taking Bio-Kult atm just because you can get them in a huge box and they last longer :)
What's r alpha lipoic acid for? I hadn't heard of it before...

@Coops0406 I'm on down regulation for almost 3 weeks and then I have the baseline scan - I noticed the baseline scan is always on a Tues so down reg can be slightly longer or shorter to get us on that schedule. If all goes well I'll start stims right away but I'll keep the Buserelin (down reg meds) going, just lower the dose.
My friend who had previously been through IVF also got me a fertility bracelet as a reminder that I'm not alone in this... I wear to all my appointments :)

@Coops0406 aww that's lovely, I'm hoping my DP doesn't think it's cringe but thought it would be nice to just have a little something to symbolise it

@KatRee thank you for the welcome! So nice to have other people to talk to isn't it? I'm also on another group for the specific hospital I'm having treatment at which I've found really useful too

@beachbum85 sounds like you're similar to us in that sense then. Really hoping everything goes well for you

@thislittlebird fancy seeing you here! I assume you decided to go private in the end? Whereabouts will you be having treatment? Glad things are moving for you

Hello all 👋🏻
I have very low AMH (2.3 in Nov 2020, scared to think what it is now!). Starting my first IVF cycle at the Lister clinic on 7/8th August. Wasn’t eligible for NHS funding due to the AMH which was hard to come to terms with. Pretty scared as have no idea what I’m doing really! On a short antagonist protocol starting with Fostimon and Letrozole.
We’ve been trying for #1 for 2 years, absolutely nothing has happened so even though I’m scared of failing with IVF too, I’m really looking forward to something finally happening, and praying something can be done to help us!🙏

Hi and welcome @thislittlebird and @Misty84

@beachbum85 I haven't seen her or hudband and her kids for well over a year due to covid. They are on holiday in the SW next month so we are going to meet up then which will be lovely!

Exciting news ladies..... my body must be recovered and back in action as I got a proper period today, cramps and all! It's been so long that I'd forgotten how bad they were, but it is at least welcome. Called the clinic with my day 1 and they are posing out my schedule. I should start injecting on day 21, so 18th August. If the timeline is the same as my first cycle I might be having EC on our anniversary, 25 Sept. Will have to see how it all goes, and try not to get too ahead of myself..

My drugs were delivered at home today too, so I now have a fridge full of Gonal F and a box full of needles, norethisterone, buserelin, cyclogest and diclofenac!

I think I must be weird because I am very excited to get started, even though I am still terrified of needles!

@thislittlebird hi! We’ve just been told we need IVF. He said it will be roughly 2 months depending on my cycles so looking likely that we will be roughly the same time.
We’re just waiting for our consent meeting to come through so I’ll let you know.

Best of luck everyone. I’m still in the shock/upset stage even though we knew it was needed. X

Hi @Lifeisstressful. Like you I knew it would be needed for us. Although I sometimes feel it is very unfair and it upsets me, I try to see it as just something we have to get through in order to be able to have the family we want. I think everyone gets emotional about having to need IVF, but we are lucky that it exists and we at least have a chance.
Good luck x

@Goldilocks2528 absolutely! I’m extremely thankful that it exists and even more thankful that our ccg are generous.
Best of luck to you all xx

Thank you for the welcome @Goldilocks2528 🙂 I’m excited/terrified to get started too! Always been so bad with needles so my other half will be helping me/doing them for me initially! Maybe this will be the thing to finally conquer my fear, although I guess that hasn’t happened for you 🤪

Hi @Misty84
I am LOADS better than I was, loads. IVF has helped me get over the worst of my fear but I am not cured yet. Hopefully it will help you too.
OH started a new job this week, and may have to travel during the jabs. I am dreading it, because if he isn't there I'll HAVE to do it. I just don't know how I can. I'm OK with him doing it now, but me doing it will be a whole other kettle of fish!

@Coops0406 I think that’s why I’m going to get the two cycles. I’d get three but I would then void my nhs one (which may never happen) so I’ll stick with two for now and be optimistic 😐😐😐

Yeah that’s what I mean up there, he’s going for quality and avoiding overstimulation, I think that’s the aim. Not heard any mention of norethisterone for me so far, hopefully it’s straight to stims.

I hope my body realises I’m not menopausal after all these drugs, it makes me quite nervous.

Hey @beachbum85!

@Etonmess20 yeah, I’m moving ahead with the lister because the nhs are just so slow. I’m heading towards 39 and do not have time to wait for them to spend messing around for six or more months while I age. I got some questionnaire from them and that is all. We absolutely should have been able to try ovulation induction but that gynaecologist messed everything up, and now my husband is moving six hours away for work so it’s ivf for us as soon as I’ve had my second MMR. Or a month after I have, anyway.

@Goldilocks2528 hi! Where in the south west are you roughly? I’ll be moving very south west in the coming months.

@Lifeisstressful another member of the 2 month gang! yeah I get that feeling, I try not to think about it too much because there’s nothing I can do about it now.

@Goldilocks2528 I’ll have to do my jabs and I’m bricking it tbh. I always wanted him to do it but here we are.

Hello to @Misty84 but we know each other lol

Hey @thislittlebird

Not far from Exeter. Where are you moving to? Its a lovely place to live.

@Goldilocks2528 I'm guessing I'll get to know Exeter better in the coming years! we'll be moving to Cornwall. I'm born in and always lived in London so it's a bit scary to say the least, but I'm hoping we can move near to Falmouth, I really like it there.

Hi @thislittlebird London girl born and bred too. Moved to Devon 4 years ago, and I'd never go back to London now. The work life balance and the difference in lifestyle took a lot of getting used to, but I love it now.
Exeter itself isn't brilliant, I work just outside it and live a bit further out still. Cornwall is lovely. Good luck with your move!

@Goldilocks2528 glad to hear you like it! I'm worried about being far from my mum as she gets older but I don't think I can stay for that really. We have a difficult relationship anyway.

The only issue with Cornwall really is it's just so far from everything else. It's going to be a full day out to go to some proper shops lol. I think I'll be ok after a few months, but 20 something me would not have coped so well.

Hi @thislittlebird and @Misty84 - fancy seeing you here! @Misty84 - I'm also going to be on fostimo. It doesn't seem as common as some of the other meds I see mentioned a lot more, but no idea at this stage how they make decisions about meds

@beachbum85 Thanks - going to look into probiotics if they are being recommended by consultants. I haven't had the opportunity to ask mine about supplements really as was just in shock last time I spoke to him
I read IT Starts With the Egg a few months ago and am on the standard 'intermediate plan' outlined in that. Should be on the advanced plan for ivf, but really that just includes a couple of slightly more hardcore supplements that I wouldn't want to take without docs advice. R-alpha lipoic acid is part of that plan. It's an antioxidant and studies have suggested it can help improve egg quality. It's a good book, especially for us slightly older ladies who might be concerned about egg quality

Very exciting things are moving again @Goldilocks2528 - virtual hand hold for doing the jabs. I'm going to need handholding too

@Lifeisstressful it is shocking when you first learn you need this treatment. I guess all we can do is take it one day at a time. I remember when consultant first advised me to go for ivf I was so shocked and would see threads on here with people saying they were excited about it and never thought I would feel that way about it, but starting to get the excitement now I've had some time to get used to the idea

It would seem some of you have been through this before. I have vaginismus and so I am terrified of the internal stuff that's going to happen to me and whether I will even be able to tolerate it all. I have been told there will be entonox on tap for my egg collection and transfer. How did you find the entonox made you feel when you used it previously.
I have been given a set of dilators that I'm trying to use to help me prepare.

Hi @Hansoo

I am afraid I do not know much about vaginismus apart from the very basics, and that is is muscle related. I'll tell you what my experience was like, and I hope it helps you a bit. I think the dilators are a great idea, I hope you get on with them and they help x

The clinic I use does not do sedation, you are given Entonox (gas and air) and they do 4 local injections into your cervix and then start the procedure. I had the surgeon, nurse and embryologist down by my feet, and a nurse at my head who monitored my blood pressure (which was sky high), and who talked to me about anything and everything to try and keep my mind off of what was happening.
I had never had gas and air until my egg collection in March. To start with, I didn't feel like it was doing much. I was told to use as much as I liked and that I'd naturally stop when my body had enough on board.
I was terrified, I use it a lot. I didn't feel any different but right at the end I felt like I had a higher voice, although could have been my imagination. The injections into the cervix do hurt, but it is over quickly. I didn't have any pain after the local jabs during the procedure itself, or after in fact. No cramps, which I was fully expecting.
It is out of your system in 20 minutes I think, after the last breath of it so you can drive if needed etc. Personally I felt fine after. I have read that it can make some people feel sick, but luckily that was not the case for me.

The transfer is like having a smear test, and a lot less scary than the collection although I don't think you will find that any easier I am afraid due to the vaginismus. I can tell you it doesn't hurt and is over pretty quickly.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, happy to answer anything if it may help you.

Thank you for that detailed explanation. It's a good insight to prepare myself