IVF Scotland - thread 4

[2mumlife]

Hi everyone,

Started a new thread for the Scotish ladies

@LouScot
@Scirocco
@MrsTMcB
@florafoxtro
@Hopewishprayer
@ScottishRach
@Kamiros
@LT103
@itsmschanandlerbong
@connal

Please @ anyone I missed!

@RMS0209 GCRM waits are approx a couple of weeks for any tests, approx a month for consultant appts and 2-4 mo to start the IVF pathways (wait for the first nurse appt). This was accurate as of 6 months ago, can't say for now.

@TheDaydreamBelievers
Morning, thanks so much for getting back to me. Really appreciate it.
I have had my tests, currently waiting for my consultation (4th July)
Great time line... hope that is still the case now x

So we've reached day 5 and nothing is ready for freezing yet - they're giving them until tomorrow to see if any expand - does anyone with experience of FETs know if that's normal?

Sorry to hear people are having issues with GCRM communication at the moment, hope you get responses soon!

@Kamiros My most recent egg collection they froze 3 embryos on day 5 and left the other 3 another day - none of the ones they left until day 6 were suitable for freezing I’m afraid, but I’ve heard others who have been able to freeze something on day 6, so I wouldn’t lose hope. Hopefully there will be at least 1 embryo to freeze. What happens with your clinic if there isn’t anything to freeze? Do they offer you any kind of compensation / the chance to try with a different egg donor?

@2mumlife Thanks, I think we'll just have to wait and see but I'm not that hopeful. We've paid for 5 blastocysts so it's up to them to arrange another round/ another donor or whatever. we need to know if it's a sperm or egg issue but both the eggs I managed to produce myself made good quality blastocysts. Its ironic that we're doing a donor cycle to end up with less than I got on my own.

@Kamiros It’s good they will need to arrange another try and you’re covered. I guess it’s just the same with a donor as with anyone that you don’t know what kind of response you’ll have - demographics wise for example I would have been eligible to be a donor /egg sharer through GCRM, but would have made an awful donor in reality as has low numbers of eggs collected both times that wasn’t predictable from age, amh etc. Hopefully there is some good news tomorrow, you so deserve a win x

@Kamiros I really hope you get some good news tomorrow and they can be frozen 🙏🏻 keeping everything crossed for you! Xx

Thanks @2mumlife and @HJen22 Struggling to find the strength with it tonight..... day at a time though, we've got this.

Hi @Kamiros
Saw your post regarding not having any 5 day blasts and wanted to give you a little reassurance. I was in the same position and was devastated! However they left my embryos untill day 6 and managed to freeze 1 Grade A and 2 Grade C embryos. Fingers crossed for you too.

@Kamiros hope you get good news tomorrow. It's very frustrating, but good to hear you'll get 5 blastocysts either way.

Longest day today, let's hope by the time the shortest day comes round we're all in a much better position 💛x

Thanks @LouScot I hope so, this is exhausting 😂

@suzizoom Thanks so much for sharing that, I'm trying hard just to wait and see, good to know there is hope.

Hi all, so after avoiding covid being ultra cautious for the past 2 years I've got a very faint line 🤬

What are the recommendations for fresh cycle, how long are you meant to wait?? I'm really disappointed as finally things seemed to be going smoothly x

@LouScot I'm so sorry, its just always another hurdle. I'm sorry I'm not sure about fresh cycles. When I got covid in April they said they would do FET if 6 weeks from negative test but I've heard a few different approaches from different clinics - that was IVF Spain.

@LouScot I'm so sorry! There's always one thing after the next in this isn't it 😞 my clinic in Aberdeen liked you to be 7 weeks clear of Covid. It does seem everywhere is different and there isn't a standard time - best to call your clinic and let them know and ask. I hope you aren't feeling too bad and you're testing negative soon xxx

Thanks @Kamiros @HJen22 that's not great but better than 3 months or something.
I've got a very sore throat and am tired today but that might be partially due to being awake half the night stressing..

@Kamiros hope you get good news from Spain today

@LouScot Thank you. I'm trying to stay positive either way as worst case scenario all we lose is time while they go again for us.
I found the tiredness the worst thing. The other symptoms only lasted a couple of days but that went on for a bit longer.

@Kamiros I am really hoping for some good news for you today 🙏🏻

My OH and I were hit quite hard with it and had flu like symptoms and still positive tests up to the 10 days back when we had it in April.

I'm off for yet another dentist visit, I'm convinced stress is causing it x

@HJen22 So funny you should say that, my teeth are causing me no end of issues and I think the same. Had to end up going private cos my NHS dentist still isn't open yet.

@Kamiros oh no not you too 😞 it sucks doesn't it! It's the last thing we need! This is probably the 3rd or 4th emergency app I've had in the last few months. I'm always hoping the pain will just stop and it doesn't x

@HJen22 I'm another one who gets the dental pain when I'm stressed or run down! For me it's always in a root canal treated tooth that I had an abscess in years ago.

I've phoned GCRM and they apparently don't recommend any delay once you're negative. Does that sound right for a fresh cycle? I guess it'd be a month minimum before I start stims anyway - having virology bloods next week as old ones have expired.

@HJen22 I am in Aberdeen too! But using GCRM at the moment, pushed my DR for a referral to Aberdeen yesterday so hopefully hear something soon xx

@LouScot sorry to hear you've suffered with tooth pain too! It's not fun at the best of times, let alone in amongst all of this. That's great that they don't have a delay! What a relief! I think even a lot of medical staff are really dying for things to return to normal, the nurses were keen to get rid of the masks when I was was in.

@RMS0209 how have you found comms with GCRM so far? I did some enquiring with access on their two cycle offer there. Can I ask if you are doing anything like that? Looking at @TheDaydreamBelievers timeline advise I should perhaps speak to them soon if I want to do another cycle before the end of the year. I'm not sure if they can do something tailored for the fact I have low ovarian reserve/low AMH/AFC. X

Hi! @HJen22
I haven't had any issues, I had my AMH and scans (this was arranged very quick) the 2nd June and my partner just had his semen analysis last Thursday
I have wrote on my portal once and got a quick reply (was to confirm bank details) but then I did phone to ask a question and got an answer right away.
When I first contacted them I got such a lovely helpful lady, so far I can't fault anything.
I have my consultation on 4th July so after that I plan to... make a "plan"
I have some info from access too but I won't offer to send it on since you already have.
I'm not sure what my plan is yet, I don't know if it's worth going straight to IVF or trying an IUI cycle I just am not sure.
I would get the ball rolling just incase definitely if you have results already they will be grateful to see them, I got some bloods at my GP so I gave them a copy also

How have you found Aberdeen? They wouldn't see me even private without a referral and it took me forever to get my DR to agree to referral (which he has no so I am very grateful)
GCRM also do information evenings online on Tuesdays, check the website it's a PowerPoint but its live and you can ask questions. He told me last week that the wait between consultation and booking/consent app is not too long, which I was happy to hear.

Sorry that was a story and a half.

@RMS0209 thanks so much. Were you able to do scans and SA at the satellite Aberdeen clinic or have you had to go to Glasgow? It's a lot to take in and decide isn't it. And not something I've had to do until now. Daunting and in more ways when there is a lot of money involved.

Aberdeen have been great, I waited quite a while since I was NHS but could have been worse. And I didn't have to wait long between cycles, first March second June. However I'm 99% certain I will not have access to anymore funding. I did ask for a follow up call before our review consultation and I've not heard so I'm a little disappointed there isn't much aftercare. But then I guess I'll just wait for a letter for our proper appointment. All of the Drs and Nurses were lovely and when I've had questions they've always managed to help over the phone. You get some more helpful than others but that's just the norm.

Yeah on one hand I want a break from all things ivf but on another I don't want to have to wait a long time to do another because I left it before enquiring! Ugh x

@HJen22
No problem ☺️
No so unfortunately the scans & SA both have to take place in Glasgow (frustrating) but I managed to get my OH's app for 6.30 so we just left work a bit earlier.
The satellite is more for monitoring and other blood tests I think.
I know egg collection / transfer etc has to be in Glasgow too.
But like I say I have my consultation in a few weeks so I have a list of questions, happy to share answers when I get them. I'm hoping that if I do go ahead with the IVF I can do most of it from Aberdeen, it's along way to go constantly otherwise.
It is a lot to take in, I think I'm a bit more calm that I finally have help in the distance but part of me likes that the ball is rolling with GCRM.

How long were you from Dr referral to hearing from them? Just out of curiosity
That's great you didn't have a long wait between cycles. Did you do any FET's?
I thought you could get up to 3 cycles nhs? (I haven't went too much down that rabbit hole... yet!)
You would think they cools have arranged a review, what will your next appointment be do you think?

See I just don't think I can take a break, I'd drive myself crazy 😂 (even more crazy than I drive myself most days) hey just think... it's free to call, see when they could get you in for things and how long the wait is

I took some photos off the presentation, might not be of use to you but let's see x