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

@LouScot I have low amh 1.3pmol and also did Flare with GCRM. 4eggs which was unexpected but only 1 embryo. Now 7 weeks pregnant and discharged from GCRM to NHS Midwifery.

I also did a cycle of Mild IVF with Create, I responded slowly but ovulated through the meds so cycle was cancelled by then was top of GCRM wait list so moved to GCRM. I would recommend both clinics.

@Kitekat81is with Create now.

@louscot They were fine about me using my own eggs but I am also on the donor waiting list. I think they'll push me to that if this round doesn't work but I think it'll still be over a year to wait so we'll maybe try Create in the mean time. I'm ok with going down the donor route but I'm not there yet.

Oh @Comiston34 and @Kamiros you've both given me so much hope, I can't thank you enough. And huge congrats @Comiston34!!!

I'm waiting to hear what my Amh is - well to see how much its dropped in a year x

@LouScot I have to believe there's always hope or I wouldn't get through the day. Wishing you lots of luck.

@Comiston34 I remember you said you needed more days of stims, is that right? What day did you end up having your EC? Last cycle my EC was on day 12, this cycle it looks like it's going to be at least day 15 if not later. I'm not sure if this is something to worry about that I'm responding much more slowly this cycle

@Kitekat81 I was 13 days both CREATE and GCRM. Both cycles were pretty identical in terms of follicle growth only difference was how my ovulation was suppressed. With CREATE it was with Cetrotide and I was delayed starting it due to them debating cancelling the cycle at 1st scan. I didn't' get to EC :(

With GCRM - Prostap injection stops ovulation happening. Got to EC with 2 follicles but 4 eggs appeared like magic! Only 2 were mature however. But it really does only take one! It was a 3AB embryo.

I think each cycle will be different and sometimes they advise a withdrawal bleed and then a period to let your body get back on track.

@Comiston34 yeh I think if this cycle isn't successful I will always wonder if it's because we started again too soon. It might have nothing to do with that, but we look for explanations don't we. When I had my EC they said that as I had Ovitrelle for my trigger I wouldn't get a withdrawal bleed and my next bleed would be my period, which fits in as I bled after 13 days which is my usual luteal phase length (and it certainly felt like a period as I was very emotional and had bad period cramps!) The doctor said he was happy with how things were looking and with my bloods so it was fine to start again straight away, and I didn't want to wait so we just cracked right on. I'll have to wait and see how this cycle pans out before we decide what to do about cycle 3.

@Kitekat81 best of luck for this cycle! When are they hoping to do egg collection?

AF was 6 days late but is finally here 🙌 bringing the worst cramp but anyways I won't complain. I am always so regular so was getting worried, but it came this morning and I phoned to book in for cycle 2. I have a scan on Friday then I'll start stims (short protocol) the same day. Feeling anxious but excited about starting again.

@itsmschanandlerbong they haven't really mentioned egg collection yet, which is why I'm feeling slightly worried! 🤔

Woohoo hooray for the arrival of AF, very exciting you'll be starting again on Friday!

@Kamiros Thats good to know the norethisterone might get AF coming early. I've also lined up my accupuncturists for a session after my last norethisterone day to try do work her voodoo magic and help bring on a bleed, as I think it did make a difference last month

@LouScot I would say like @Kamiros to try not to get hung up on AMH. I've had 2 AMH tests, quite vastly different, both saying I'm normal or high, and I was a poor responder and only got 2 mature eggs last time. You need the mantra quality over quantity all the way

@2mumlife I always find my acupuncturist brings on a bleed if I'm roughly due anyway, usually the next day. No idea why but it can be really helpful. I've got all my sessions booked in right through stims. Fingers crossed it works for you.

I'm also on the acupuncture train, I felt so chilled after my session tonight 😅😅 I'll be doing two a week during stims.

@itschanandlerbong Can't wait for mine tomorrow- best sleep ever after it.

Does any one have recommendations for acupuncture in Edinburgh area ish? I've never been brave enough but I'm intrigued. I think it'll help me relax no matter what else it does x

@louscot I really recommend the nautral fertility centre, they do specific fertility acupuncture and they're generally just really lovely. Give you advice on diet, relaxation and just good to chat with. Charlotte is who I see but Rachael and Fiona are also lovely. It's in Albany Street.

@LouScot sorry, I'm in Glasgow, but I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

Had my scan today before beginning stims. I feel more positive about this round already. At this stage of round 1, one ovary was hiding, the other had a cyst and my lining wasn't quite as thin as they would have liked. This time, they found both ovaries easily, no cyst and virtually no lining! The nurse done my first injection and I got the rest to take away. Here's to round 2!

Hi all,

I am 35, and I have been TTC for several years and never any luck, we were referred for tests and to cut a long story short, were put on a list for IVF which was delayed due to covid.

So we are at the beginning of our 1st cycle.

I had my Prostap injection on Monday, and yesterday I started bleeding. It’s all very scary when you don’t know what to expect.

Have any of you had this? The nurse told me I could get hot flushes, sweats and that it’s like the menopause which scared me.

I would very much like any advice and generally looking for some comfort in you ladies who have been through this and any who are at the same stage as me.

It’s very overwhelming.

Look forward to hearing from you and chatting.

x

@itsmschanandlerbong so excited for you! It definitely sounds better, and you sound more positive! I’m crossing everything for you!!!
@Wishingandhoping21 hi! Welcome!! I never took Prostap, sorry, I took Norethisterone, but probably somebody here did. When are you starting stims, do you know? I didn’t have many side effects from my stims (menopur and fyremadel), but I didn’t responde a lot to it, to be honest. This journey is hard, both physically and mentally, but it’s a marathon more than a sprint! My advice is to take care of you mental health and pamper yourself, find something that gives you a sense of control (for me it was therapy, doing my own injections, and keep doing normal life, for some people holidays during stims, acupuncture, eating healthy,… everybody finds something!). We booked a holiday once stims and egg collection was out the road and I was feeling better (it was fast for me to recover, but everybody is different! They didn’t get many eggs from me) and that helped massively, but we are doing FET instead of fresh. Good luck, keep us posted!

That sounds like a great start @itsmschanandlerbong!

Good luck with your cycle @Wishingandhoping21! I didn't down-regulate so I don't know about Prostap. If you are concerned I would phone or email your clinic for advice. Where are you getting your treatment?

I'm finally booked in for egg collection on Monday. Looks like we are just going for 1 egg this cycle, I do have a smaller 2nd follicle but I don't know if it will catch up in time. Fingers crossed my one egg is a good one! 🤞x

@Wishingandhoping21 sorry I didn't have prostrap, just straight on to stims, so I can't comment on the specific side effects of this. The whole thing is definitely a bit of a rollercoaster. I would advise just trying to keep things as stress free as you can and allow yourself to feel how you feel. If you have a bad day, that's ok, you're going through a lot. I'm just starting stims for round 2 so we're roughly at the same stage.

Thanks @GemmTryTTC and @Kitekat81

@Kitekat81 best of luck for Monday! 🤞🤞

@itsmschanandlerbong That sounds promising, glad to hear things going well.

@Kitekat81 Good luck for tomorrow

@Wishingandhoping21 I had prostap, was a flare protocol so might be different? I took norethisterone then after a 5 day break the prostap injection. I was told only to take it if I had bled in the 5 days so was already bleeding when I took the injection. I started stims 2 days later so didn't really have time for the side effects. My transfer failed though and I really noticed the side effects afterwards. Hot flushes were terrible for about 3 weeks and it took me 3 months to ovulate again. All back to normal now, just in time to go through it all again. If there's anything at all worrying you or you're not sure of I'd just give them a call.

@Kamiros I did find the accupuncture helped my period along last time so hoping for the same this time! I've just been booking my next session one at a time. I might pre-book a couple of sessions, but timing with eggs collections etc is always so unknown. My sister is getting married on the 14th September and I'm a bit concerned my egg collection is going to be that day. She really wouldn't mind if I'm not at the wedding as its a really quiet affair, but it'd be a nightmare trying to explain to rest of family why I'm not there if the collection is that day (my sister knows we've been TTC as I told her when she annoucned she was pregnant, but rest of family dont know).

@itsmschanandlerbong Interesting! I might consider putting in an extra session the week of stims, as at this point I'm willing to do anything to get this to work. Exciting you're getting started on stims already!

@LouScot I do accupuncture in the Falkirk area sorry

@Wishingandhoping21 I had Prostap my first cycle. They give you the list of side effects but you don't always get them - I had no side effects from Prostap during the cycle - No hot flushes, sweats etc. I had terrible mood swing / depression after the egg collection that cycle though, and period was really delayed the next month (something like a 45 day cycle after the Prostap). Things I've had side effects from are Letrozole (felt sick first couple of days each cycle we took it), cyclogest (most people get constipation, I got the sudden, urgent need to poo about an hour after insertion each time, was horrible) and Fyremedal (itchy at injection site for about an hour after injections) and Lubion (great big bruises at injection site). Its good you've bled already on the Prostap. Good luck with the cycle!

@Kitekat81 Good luck for egg collection today!

My drug delivery arrived today. I have a super fancy green pouch for the Ovaleap pen, like a little travel pack, very swanky. I'm starting norethisterone Sunday so looking forward to getting going.

@2mumlife Oh that's difficult. Our immediate family know we're doing this but not exact dates and not any of the wider family, it's hard enough without dealing with others' expectations. I hope it falls on a different day. I start norethisterone on Friday and typical I haven't ovulated yet, not even a sign of it. They say it doesn't matter, that I just won't now this month but I'm not convinced, I'd have felt better if I had.

@Kitekat81 how did you get on today?

@2mumlife hope it's a quick week for you - it feels good to feel like you're doing something! Hopefully your egg collection doesn't land on that day, if it does could you just say you're not feeling well? Covid excuse could come in handy 😉

Currently on day 4 of stims. Today is the first day I've felt any side effects - headache and tiredness. Fell asleep for an hour after work! Back at the clinic tomorrow for bloods.

@Kamiros I really should start tracking if/when I actually ovulate. Because we can't concieve naturally I've never bothered to track ovulation, but I guess it would probably be useful! I get that it would make you feel better if you knew you had, but its good to get on the norethisterone and get started too.

@itsmschanandlerbong I'm just hoping it doesn't fall that day. You'd think I could just say I wasn't well or been a close contact or something but my father can be very difficult. Hopefully you're feeling better this morning - I'm alwasy so jealous that every other clinic seems to do scans and bloods WAY more frequently than GCRM (my first and probably only scan and bloods will be 8 days into stims). Always wish GCRM would do a baseline scan and more frequent scans during stimming to be able to keep a better eye on the response and tailor meds if needed.