Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland - thread 3

[itsmschanandlerbong]

A thread for those of us undergoing infertility investigations or treatment in Scotland.

Thread 1 - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/3742246-infertility-investigations-ivf-in-scotland

Thread 2 - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/4138992-Infertility-investigations-IVF-in-Scotland-thread-2

@scottishrunner I think we were about 6 weeks between doing the forms and going in for our appointment. It all seemed to happen really quick at that point. I was the same with organising leave the first time. I think we might end up on stims at a similar time.

@Kamiros that’s really helpful to know, I wasn’t expecting things to happen so quickly. Do you have your next appointments/cycle set up? Good to know others going through stims at the same time!

@scottishrunner I was supposed to be starting norethisterone again this month but having some issues with my thyroid so decided to wait another month and get that sorted. I have to phone up next day 1 (around 3 weeks) then I'll start norethisterone on day 19. With GCRM 2nd rounds are fairly flexible- hopefully you'll never need to experience that though 😀

@2mumlife that's exactly how I feel, so up and down. Also my skin has broken out badly 🙈

@Scottishrunner hopefully you won't be waiting too long to get started!

In for transfer tomorrow. So anxious, thinking the worst 🙈 just want to know how my two wee eggs are doing. I think the worst is yet to come still. You feel like you get through one very emotional part of this, then you hit the next stage which involves lots of waiting and emotions. Gahhh!

@itsmschanandlerbong good luck for your transfer lovely! I know too well how it feels to feel like you get passed one hurdle and then on to the next
Take the moment in though and enjoy being PUPO :)

@itsmschanandlerbong good luck! We'll be thinking of you. 💜

@itsmschanandlerbong all the best for your transfer!

Hi there,

I’ve enjoyed reading all your comments and learning more about the process of IVF and the experiences you’ve all been through.

We’ve been TTC since Nov 2019. Went to GP Nov 2020 then had first telephone appt with Dundee in January 2021. I’ve had progesterone bloods, tubes dye test and ultrasound, all has come back ok with me so far. We have male factor so were told at ultrasound that we would be offered ICSI.
Last week I did consent forms and today I received a letter with an appt for AMH a blood test end of the month.
I read on another forum that AMH is done within 3 months of starting cycle? Can anyone comment on that? It seems very quick so I don’t want to get my hopes up.
Thank you :)

@itsmschanandlerbong My crazies went away once the hormones levelled out. And I'm super pleased so say I feel totally normal so far on FET cycle. I also felt fine on my medicated IUI cycles, just seems to have been the fresh cycle that made me go totally off kilter (I cried every day from EC to ET, and then from when my AF started 4dp5dt for around 10 days or so. I ended up needing to take a week off work. Total mess). The injections are a laugh compared to the emtional rollercoster bit! Good luck for tomorrow, fingers crossed for 2 embryos for you!

@FlamingFlamingoze Welcome to forum! Sorry can't comment on query as we aren't eligible for NHS funding yet.

So, I start lubion injections and utrogestan tomorrow. A bit nervous about injecting in the morning as DP is away caving this weekend, and I've never actually given myself an injection (she always does it, its been kind of bonding and a way for her to be more involved). I've heard the Lubion injections are a bit 'thick' for injecting as well. Any tips? I'm not scared of needles or anything, just not used to actually having to stab myself

Good luck for tomorrow @itsmschanandlerbong x

Thanks for all of the well wishes ladies. Unfortunately it wasn't great news. Out of the 2 embryos, only one was suitable for transfer, the other couldn't be frozen. The one that was suitable is only a 4cc. I am so upset and feel as though this is all over 😢😢 need to pull it together for the next 10 days then go from there.

Hugs hugs hugs. I didn't get any freeze-able embryos either and it's a gutting experience. I'm sorry.

I'll be rooting for you and your little embryo on board - you never know, surprises can happen and they wouldn't have transferred if there was no hope of a successful outcome.

We're here for you. 💜

@itsmschanandlerbong I'm sorry it wasn't the news you'd hoped for 😔 sending lots of love ❤️ and rooting for you and your little embryo xx

@itsmschanandlerbong oh I'm so sorry to hear this. Sending hugs. Don't lose hope though x

@itsmschanandlerbong I've heard lots of success from C grade embryos, so try not to be disheartened. That embryo is a little fighter!

Hi everyone

Been following the last 2 threads. After 3 failed IUI's looks like we'll be doing our first round of IVF this/next month. Period due tomorrow and believe starting norethisterone day 19 so around the end of this month. Then fyremadel and menopur daily for 12 days I think. A lot of info at our recent meeting regarding protocol etc so hoping when I call tomorrow things will become a lot clearer. We're doing a freeze all cycle due to increased risk of OHSS so transfer will be following month, assuming we're successful with egg collection/fertilisation.

@Scottishrunner we're with Glasgow GCRM and had our final protocol/consent meeting with the nurses at the end of May there and was told to phone with next period to hopefully start our first round of IVF. We signed our online consents etc at end of March and were 8 weeks roughly to final protocol meeting etc before starting. That was the first date they had at the time so wait was about 8 weeks. When we were in last the nurse said they were really busy and although we should be able to go ahead this month, we might call with first period and if they 'fully booked' we'd have to wait till next month, phone again etc. Will know more tomorrow. Hopefully your wait isn't too long, feels like endless waiting sometimes and other times things just come around so quickly!

Good luck to everyone going through your journey , whatever stage you're at.

@2mumlife as I am a high risk of OHSS we are doing a FET, and I'm glad we have a cycle to rest my body! I'm very exhausted, I even woke up super late for work, which is not like me!

@ally99101 Fairly similar to you - I did 4 IUIs before moving on to IVF with GCRM. Interesting to hear your protocol for fresh is quite different from mine (I have normal AMH for age though). We had Prostap (single injection) day 21 then menapur (no Fyremedal).

Thank you so much for the support ladies. It's not over until it's over. Just gutted about not having any frozen. Feeling a bit better today and I told my boss at work what has been happening and he was very supportive, so that's good. First day back at work today after 2 weeks off, so I had the total fear, didn't sleep very well! Hopefully will feel better tomorrow after a good sleep.

@GemmTryTTC a bit of time to rest is a good idea I think, you don't realise how difficult going through this is until you're through it.

Welcome @ally99101!

How are you @Scirocco? When is test day?

@itsmschanandlerbong I tested today - positive! I'm thrilled but terrified. Still getting cramps and the last two times ended badly, so the feeling of hope is quite scary... I've got loads of tests to keep taking because I keep thinking it's not real. Fairly sure the local pharmacy thinks I'm a crazy person now ... :-)

@Scirocco Oh wow congratulations

@Scirocco that's fantastic, congratulations! Xx

@2mumlife hmm interesting, I'm 31 and amh is 46 I think so high for my age so as far as I know my protocol is less aggressive due to that (my follicle count was 31). Confirmed today starting nothesterone day 21 for about 2 week then assuming I have a withdrawal bleed I start menopur then add in fyremadel a few days later.

Can I ask a question please? Now that I have a better idea of dates to start tablets and injections etc .. when would you ladies suggest I might need time off work? The scans etc are fine as I can fit them around work, I'm thinking more time of egg collection and after? I'm office based although working from home at the moment.

Congratulations @Scirocco, I've seen you post previously about your journey, delighted for you!

Thanks

@ally99101 I took a week off for after egg collection as I was thought of as a high OHSS risk and did so just in case I got it (I didn't in the end and was totally fine). With an afc of 31 you may be seen as high risk also.
Drink lots of fluid and get salt in after. I had a lot of lucozade sport and salted popcorn after, not sure if that helped hah

For transfer, I would say go right back to work, especially if working from home as you will want the distraction from thinking about it 24/7
Have clinic told you if you will be a freeze all?

@ally99101 I'm not sure, I think that really depends on you. I took two weeks of between injections and egg collections. I had my transfer yesterday and went back to work today. I am so glad I took those 2 weeks off, it definitely helped but I am feeling so emotional and anxious so am not sure if I should've maybe taken time off during the TWW instead. But then again maybe the distraction will be good 🤷‍♀️ sorry, not a very helpful answer!