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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Support during Investigations Journey and beyond 2021

91 replies

Belle2210 · 10/07/2021 10:27

Decided to start this thread for people just starting out with infertility investigations as I am. Be great to have a thread from the beginning onwards to support each other through everything and learn as we go.
Feel free to join!

OP posts:
HJen22 · 21/08/2021 19:19

Hello @ChristmasJumpers @DNpink82 @Bellwells @CDMH welcome 💞 how are you all? Sorry just catching up properly with everyone's updates now.

@CDMH as @Belle2210 said, please don't feel alone and like you are the only one that feels this way. I have also felt like this and had it confirmed it is an issue with me. Speaking to ladies on here definitely helps me; and trying to share my concerns and worries openly with my OH.

@Belle2210 yeah it's quite a shock; and I wasn't really told anything during the procedure, probably because I was being a bit of a drama queen about the whole thing. So I hope I get a letter soon with more info. Will you have a follow up and take up the offer of counselling? That's a good amount of follicles! I was a bit confused by if they refer to it as each ovary or in total. Yeah I'm not going to think about it too much either; I need a bit of a break and time to process. I was told same as you, 4-6 months. I started listening to a podcast I quite like called The IVF this podcast that I'd recommend if you like that sort of thing 🥰

@DNpink82 I hope you get some confirmation of what's going on soon! Perhaps call the GP and ask; or research the most local clinic. It does seem everywhere does it different, for me I went to the GP and only had my day2 bloods done and my OH got the referral for his SA then we were referred to the local clinic and that's who's dealing with us now.

@Bellwells where in the UK are you? I hope you hear from your clinic soon! And I'm sorry to hear you are also having to go down the IVF route. We can all support each other 💞

@ChristmasJumpers 2.5 years is a long time of trying; I'm sorry you've had to go through that, we're at 1.5 and the struggle is real. I'm also not looking forward to needles, I'm ok with getting them but I can't watch so I'm not going to be able to do them myself! Do you know a rough waiting time for where you are?

Xxxx

Bellwells · 21/08/2021 19:38

Hi @Belle2210 its called Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), I am really hoping that happens to me! I’ve always wanted to have twins, it would be a dream come true!
What stage are you currently at with your treatment?

Hi @HJen22 I’m based in East London, where are you located and what clinic are you having treatment at?
My PGD referral automatically went through to Guy’s hospital as that is where my genetic councillor is based. I have my first PGD appointment at Guys the last week of September. I did ask for a referral to CRGH as I knew the wait times are much shorter than Guy’s but I saw on a FaceBook group this morning that CRGH have run out of NHS funding for the year so I guess I’m going to have to stick with Guy’s.

HJen22 · 21/08/2021 20:44

@Bellwells I'm up in Scotland and referred to the clinic in Aberdeen.

Ah I see, did you get referred there as soon as you decided you'd like to try? I hope your appointment comes through soon! I've no idea how long anything takes, I was told the waiting list was 4-6 months but I don't know if that means literally nothing will happen til then or we'll apply for the funding etc in the meantime. Hoping for a letter and a follow up appointment xxx

Bellwells · 21/08/2021 20:56

@HJen22 I had my initial genetic testing done in 2017 and my councillor told me to get back in contact at least a year before I want to conceive as it is a long process. I got in contact early July and I received a call to book letter last week.

I know that during my first PGD app. in September DH and I will receive our PGD time line and talk about the steps and type of protocol I can expect to be on, then we will receive a letter in the post confirming everything that we discussed in our app. and we will then have to sign a letter agreeing that we want to go ahead with the treatment.
From there I have heard it is about a 8 week waiting list for the Assisted Conception Unit, then it’s a bit more paper work before we start treatment.
I’m hoping to start December/early new years, but anything can happen with silly Covid making an appearance.

If I am not mistaken they tend to have an appointment with you first before applying for funding, but every clinic is different. Try giving them a call on Monday the receptionist should be able to tell you how long you can expect to be on the waiting list for and if they will apply for funding before hand.

HJen22 · 21/08/2021 21:32

@Bellwells yeah I think I'll call next week, I had bloods done to test AMH when I was there after my internal and HyCosy so hoping to get those results at some point and I'll ask about my follow up. Hoping it's the same Dr as she was lovely and it's hard to think of questions on the spot. And google can be helpful but also scary and everyone is different aren't they. The Dr had said she didn't want to just send me off and then me not hear for months so I hope I do see or speak to her / someone soon xx

Bellwells · 21/08/2021 21:47

Definitely call next week and see what they say, if you can try and think of questions to ask over the next couple of days too. Let me know how you get on x

Belle2210 · 22/08/2021 09:46

@bellwells I'm currently waiting to go on to the IVF waiting list after finding out my left tube is blocked. Still able to concieve naturally as my right is all good so hopefully it might happen before the actual IVF date

OP posts:
Bellwells · 22/08/2021 10:02

@Belle2210 fingers crossed you conceive naturally before treatment, I’m sure it would be an amazing feeling for you!
Do you know what clinic your referral went through to?

Belle2210 · 26/08/2021 09:13

This TWW is killing me 🙄 anyone else in it too? Been googling my life away the past couple of days. Think I'm 11DPO but not 100% sure as ran out of OPKs just as it started to rise. Also not sure what date in my cycle I am after having extra long bleeding after hycosy. All up in the air with some random symptoms to top it off. Wasnt really paying much attention till I had a sharp pain on the morning of 8DPO round about my left ovary/uterus 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Belle2210 · 01/09/2021 11:54

So AF finally arrived yesterday 5 days late. Think my cycle maybe stayed to my usual even with coming early after the Hycosy. Either that or may have been having my vaccine at the start of the month too. Seen alot of other women having the same thing afterwards. On to the next month so 🤞.

Howz everyone else doing?

OP posts:
Bellwells · 01/09/2021 12:46

@Belle2210 the injections messed up my cycle so I would put it down to that.

My first PGD appointment with guys is on the 27th September so I am just patiently waiting for that to come around.

Belle2210 · 01/09/2021 13:03

@BellWells the waiting is horrible but atleast you have a date which makes it a bit easier. I should have an IVF waiting list app through for October shortly

OP posts:
Bellwells · 01/09/2021 13:09

@Belle2210 I don’t think I will be too far behind you. After my appointment at the end of the month my next appointment will be with the ACU team, I believe that is where they run all the necessary tests.

Bellwells · 22/09/2021 18:42

@Belle2210 how are you getting on?

IsabelHerna · 24/09/2021 09:37

@Belle2210 Aww thank you! I got my diagnosis many years ago, yet I didn't take any action about it mostly because I and my then partner were still talking about having children.

So, an update from me, I had bloods done to see where we are, my endocrinologist wants me to try and stabilize my insulin resistance a bit and then proceed to ivf. So, as I want to get cleared as fast as possible, I will continue with more motivation my meds, diet and exercise and then get tested again in a month.

Should I move on and get tested by obgyn in the meantime or book a clinic in order to have everything ready? Or should I wait to be clear by endocrinologist? 🤔

Bellwells · 03/11/2021 21:37

Hi @Belle2210 @CDMH@HJen22@ChristmasJumpers@DNpink82@IsabelHerna
Just thought to touch base and see how your all getting on

ChristmasJumpers · 03/11/2021 22:04

@bellwells thanks for checking in! We had our first consultation with the clinic mid October. The Dr acknowledged that I've been told I don't have PCOS in the past and during our infertility investigations but he is quite sure that I do have it! This is based on my AMH level which is high at 61.8. He's recommended inofolic and we're now in the wait to be able to start IVF! Final blood tests and swabs booked in for Jan and we can call on the first day of my cycle in Feb to start treatment (if I even have a period in Feb...)

How is everyone else?

DNpink82 · 03/11/2021 22:26

@Bellwells I had a telephone consultation with a gynae consultant yesterday who is referring me to start IVF, apparently All my tests seem normal and husbands test was normal and because of my age doesn't want to waste any time. No idea what the next step is but presume she's applied for IVF funding 🤷‍♀️

Amzy86 · 09/11/2021 00:50

Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind me joining. I think I am at a ver similar stage to many of you. I recently turned 35, normally i would have been okay but right now it just feels like a reminder that im older and still without a baby. I've been with my husband for nearing on 15 years, married for 7. We started trying a year and a half ago. Initially each month that went by i would convince myself next month would be my month. It was hard to figure when i would be ovulating as my cycles were anywhere from 31 days to 40 odd days. I would spend ridiculous amounts of money on ovulation tests but never a firm positive. The clearblue 4 day tests would often flash for 13 odd days and so i would keep buying new boxes so not to miss my surge.

I was having accupuncture and my lady would often tell me to stop the sticks and look out for my bodies own signs. She also suggested i go for blood tests and thought i might have pcos. She recommended a book it starts with an egg..though i havent read it. I did take on the various recommended vitamins higher doses of folic coq10 l-argine myo inosital and a few others. I tried different lubes such as conceive plus and preseed. None of this was helping with my end goal.

I decided to speak to my gp. Whilst i felt she wasnt interested one ounce in my journey i have to be grateful that she alowed for the following tests. She said without them she couldn't refer me for help.

I had blood tests on day 3 as she didn't tell me it should be close as poss to day 21, so second blood rests in day 24. She said they looked fine but that my progesterone was slightly low. Indicating i hadnt ovulated.

I knew i hadn't as i was in some ways stilk tracking my ovulation pains which came around cycle day 26 that month.

I had swab tests all fine

Smear test all fine

I also had a transvaginal ultrasound - this identified a fibroid and signs of pcos.

My husband also had his semen analysis which was above average.

All of these tests took a few months so in june this year my gp was finally ready to refer me to the hospital. Ever since then i have been waiting. Up until this point inmcwas ovulating around day 24 to 27 During this time i decided to try conceive plus and ovulation support. Month 1 i ovulated on say 21, month 2 day 19 and month three day 17. I can't believe it. Nonetheless i havent conceived. I have chased the hospital a few times and was told i would easily be waiting until early next year.

As im getting older, i feel more and more impatient. As soon as we had started trying i had started saving. So i could afford to be off work. After so much thought and due to covid back logs i made the decision to make investigations privately. So i asked my gp for copies of all my tests. Upon review my consultant said despite receiving positive ovulation sticks that he doesnt think i am ovulating or at best i am but intermittently. He advised me that clomid could help.

Before prescribing he asked me to have an antral follicle count undertaken. I asked if i could have a hycosy/ dye test at tge same time. I had these undertaken last week. I am so glad to find i have no blockages and the consultant counted 11 follicles in one Overy and 14 on the other. He has provided a clomid prescription to start on my next cycle.

Whilst its been expensive i feel happier that i am moving a step closer.

sorry for the long post

Bellwells · 09/11/2021 08:32

@ChristmasJumpers we may be having treatment not too far apart from one another, DH and I are having our testing done next Wednesday and we should be starting treatment end of March/ early April.

@DNpink82 oh amazing, did she allow you to pick what clinic you wanted to go to?

@Amzy86 welcome to the group! One step closer on the long journey! Ahh amazing news about your results! Lets us know how you get on with your journey.

Belle2210 · 09/11/2021 10:49

Hey everyone!

Sorry I've been a bit MIA. I have my IVF application appointment on the 22nd of this month so have my fingers crossed I might get lucky with my last cycle before then. If not its 4/6 months got treatment. I've started back working a full time job so that's been helping with taking my mind off things.

@Bellwells How are you getting on?

@ChristmasJumpers and DNpink82 Great news things are moving along.

@Amzy86 Hey! Great you've got your investigations done. Hopefully clomid works for you!

OP posts:
Bellwells · 09/11/2021 11:26

@Belle2210 hopefully you get lucky with your cycle. What clinic did you go with in the end?

I’m having my fertility tests done next Wednesday, and our IVF appointment is booked for the 30th Nov to discuss the results and the meds i will be on, then I just need to wait for my parents to have their blood work done as we’re trying to avoid a gene passing down.
Fingers crossed everything will be done by January so that they have time to do the work up before starting treatment April.

DNpink82 · 09/11/2021 16:47

@Bellwells I've spoken to my GP and she has asked them to do the referral so we have an appointment for next Tuesday. I'm going to ask for Care Manchester I believe it's better than St Mary's and the wait time isn't as long. Does anyone know how long it takes for CCG to make a decision?

Bellwells · 09/11/2021 19:42

@DNpink82 oh good! You should see if either of the clinics have an open evening soon. I found visiting open evenings (online) handy.
Unfortunately I don’t know much about how long it takes a CCG to make a decision.

DNpink82 · 09/11/2021 20:12

@Bellwells I attended some online thing on Friday night for Care Manchester and I have all the info so just need the referral doing know, they said there is only a 2 week wait for a consultation so should hopefully be getting seen come January 🤞🏼