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

@florafoxtrot I'm so sorry, a break might be good, its just so all confusing. It was very last minute. We'd taken 2 weeks off on leave but the thought of sitting at home all that time having not even made it to collection was just too much. We went online that night and managed to get a reasonable last minute deal. I just want to remember what it's like to spent time with DH as a couple and have a nice time- 3 years of ttc is taking its toll.

@kitekat81 Oh that's such a lovely offer but I understand its a lot to think about. Hopefully you'll have success with your own eggs but it's nice to know it's there. I have 4 brothers so unfortunately not an option for me 🤣

@Kamiros Mines got going properly now if that helps with timing.

GCRM are now ignoring me about getting booked in for next FET, so I've agreed with DP to leave them now until Monday and start harassing them again then, as I don't want to miss getting everything sorted to go with next period! Feel forever since we last had the chance to actually get pregnant

@florafoxtrot sorry to hear that. Hope you're looking after yourself.

@Kamiros enjoy the sunshine

@2mumlife I'm a "new" patient with gcrm - although signed all my consents etc last year, didn't to ahead then as was really low not helped by pandemic and they're ignoring me too still. The cynical part of me is thinking I'm 43 soon so they're not bothering. I'm kicking myself constantly for not going ahead before but in my head I always had time. I know it's pointless to think like this as I can't turn the clock back but still..

Thinking of everyone x

@LouScot It's annoying when you need to push isn't it? I'm a little surprised they haven't pushed you through as a "new" patient. We had a delay due to pandemic, but when we hit top of list things went really fast for first couple of cycles (we did 4 IUIs back to back) it's just since this year and moving to IVF it's gone at a snails pace

Hi everyone, hope everyone is well! Nothing interesting here, just been busy with work. How is everyone else doing?

Hi @2mumlife, how're you getting on?

Nothing much to report here, tried to buy my sperm from ESB yesterday after getting an email to say it was available and it'd sold out within an hour, damn. Other than that just trying desperately to lose weight, my bmi which was already bad has crept up and up and up... Off to accupunture today at a different clinic and feeling anxious about it which probably defeats the point .

@LouScot Wow that was fast! I remember when we first looked at donors and we'd finally picked someone, and then went to buy it and it was sold out too. We find an even more suitable donor in the end though. I'm alright, GCRM finally sent me link to consent forms (hurrah) but its like going round in circles, having to do GP details, passport, etc etc for at least the third, if not the fourth time (massive eye roll). Hope you enjoyed accupuncture! We're off on a break next week which will be much needed I think for some relaxing time and trying to get time to pass until we can go again.

Hi @2mumlife I'm on day 4 of our 3rd cycle, on a train to Manchester with my bag packed for 10 days. No idea if I'll be there for 2 days, 10 days or 2 weeks. Wondering if this is all worth it / really hoping it will be x

@Kitekat81 Good luck! I keep telling me its worth it, even if at the end it doesn't work, I'll at least know we tried our best. Fingers crossed this round goes well for you

Thanks @2mumlife 😊

Hi all, hope you're all doing well. That's me back from my week away and feeling much more positive - highly recommend cocktails in the sun. We're trying to get a review appointment booked in so we can make decisions about what's next. We used access fertility and have another round as rounds that don't make it to EC don't count so we're going to give it one more go anyway. Pretty much decided that unless we get good embryos out of that round we'll move straight onto donor eggs - which could still be a bit of a wait.

Hi @Kamiros, that's great you're feeling a bit more positive. I've been reading up on stats and they're horrendous for my age (almost 43) but I have moments of optimism that I'm hoping I'm not confusing with delusion.

@Kitekat81 how are things with you - are you still in Manchester? Where do you stay whilst you're there? I might consider them if my round at gcrm doesn't work - hopefully retrieval in January.

@LouScot Definitely important to stay optimistic. I think I'm just at the point now where I have to be realistic that donor eggs is my best chance of being a mum. Keeping positive for this last round though, you never know.

@Kamiros Hey, glad you're feeling more positive! I'm just back from 4 nights away (far less exotic, we were just up North, but had great weather!). Hope your review appointment gives you positive steps forward.

I'm still battling to get GCRM to reply to any of my calls or portal messages over a week since we filled in consent forms for FET. I'm losing hope about being allowed to do a FET on next cycle. Really frustrated as between the time it takes to do everything and the amount of waiting we've only had 2 attempts at actually being pregnant this year, and time is moving on.

DP and I have been doing a lot of talking about her doing an egg collection round in the future, given that I respond so poorly. She's 36 now, and never had fertility tested, but it might give us some options. Yet to figure out if GCRM would treat her as being a 'new' patient or not, and been thinking about going on list for GRI.

@2mumlife Glad you had a good time away. I haven't even got a review appointment until 11th Nov so goodness knows when we'll get going again- also getting fairly annoyed with the lack of communication. I'd get on as many lists/ options as you can. We're starting to look into going abroad and I'm going to see if I can get on a list soon- not sure what they're waiting lists are like. Would you do reciprocal ivf then?

@2mumlife I was with GRI for NHS treatment - their waiting list was quite long but I don't know if it's better now or different if self-funded, so maybe worth giving them a call. No harm exploring all options!

Morning all. Does anyone know GCRMs view on chinese herbs. My acupuncturist is keen for me to start on them, she's sent loads of research papers etc. to back it up but I've heard so many mixed reviews. I'll give them a call but just trying to gauge the reaction I might get first.

@Kamiros no idea sorry, not something I've ever asked about

Hi @Kamiros, I'm in the exact same quandry!! I got sent some papers too but I'm not totally convinced, but at same time I don't want to not do anything that might help. I'm also with gcrm so if you can let me know what their response is that would be great x

Thank you

@LouScot I will do. Charlotte is pretty convinced it will help. As long as GCRM think it won't harm anything I might give it a go.

@Kamiros it's Charlotte I see too. I'm kind of up in the air about it - I'll send you a Pm if that's okay?

@LouScot of course

@Kamiros I'm sorry you're waiting so long for a review appointment. We haven't bothered with a review appointment this time around as I don't think there is really much use to at the moment, so we've just been trying to get them to let us get on with FET. Yeah, DP has no inclination to carry a baby herself, so if we do look at trying to create some emrbyos from her eggs we'd still be looking at me trying to actually get pregnant. No idea about GCRMs view of herbs I'm afraid.

@Scirocco Yeah realise it might be a bit of a wait. I'm waiting to see how long it takes GRI to respond as their first test!

@2mumlife Yeah I get that. To be honest it's more to do with what happens if this round isn't successful- I don't have high hopes. I know they won't know exactly but trying to get an idea of where we are on the donor list has been impossible. If it's going to be another year I think I want to look at other options. I just want to understand the processes and timescales.

Hey everyone can I get some opinions on this result. X