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!

@2mumlife how are you keeping lovely? What great news that came out the other day for same sex couples and not having to personally fund iui before ivf! However is it just England?

Nothing new to report here. We've decided to wait until after our holiday at the end of august before going ahead with any private consultations. We had our follow up with our NHS clinic last week where they've recommended donor. I knew it was coming but still hard. I'm not sure we want to go on their waiting list as it could be two years. We do want to try own egg again at least so will find a private clinic. I feel like if we did go down the donor route later on we would likely go private given the NHS wait. So hard to know what to do 😞

How is everyone else doing? Xxx

@HJen22 I'm keeping well - you're more up to date than I am, I just needed to google this as I hadn't heard! I've mostly just been working and napping lol. Sounds like its still in progress, but I would imagine that it will be rolled out across the NHS nationally. Bit of a shame its come too late for us, it would have made a massive difference.

Might it be worth joining their waiting list so you're on the list in case that's the route you want to go down? It sounds sensible to take some time and enjoy a break together before exploring your options some more. It must be hard when the goalposts shift, and will take some time I'm sure to decide what's right for you x

Hi. All ok here, also just waiting on AF to get started on the progynova. Been trying to work on improving my fitness as much as possible so lots of daily long walks. I've been a bit out of breath since having covid in April but hoping I can make a bit of a difference in the 3 weeks before transfer.

@2mumlife I know, it's a shame it's taken so long. I hope it's rolled out soon everywhere and an option for everyone! Naps are great, if you're tired def get sleep when you can.

Yeah I think we'll join it as no harm, we had a chat there and I'm going to speak to the counsellor too when I have my next session on Thursday. We've to do a counselling session if we decide so not sure if it would be my same counsellor. Even if we change our mind, it's best to be on it in the meantime.

@RMS0209 typical when you want AF to hurry up isn't it! Hopefully arrives soon and you can get started. How are you feeling?

@Kamiros hope AF arrives soon for you too. When do you go back out to Spain? Well done on the exercise! Does seem like Covid can take it out of you for a while, I didn't feel right for ages after I had it in April too. I had a tickly cough yesterday and though oh god I hope I don't have Covid again!!

@HJen22 Go back out on 16th, transfer is the 17th. Good to hear you're taking a little break before going again. Just on donor egg waiting lists- I've been on GCRMs for nearly 2 years already and am nowhere near the top of the list so I'd get on one just in case. I really recommend Spain for it, despite a few issues but its totally anonymous which I get is not for everyone.

Hi all,

Sorry @HJen22 that that was their recommendation, but NHS is likely to be more financial hat I guess.

@Kamiros hope you keep well on the run up to transfer. I've been breathless at times too (and still lots of phlegm yuk) and that's me 5 weeks post covid. I'm absolutely paranoid I get it again!

My news is that I'm starting my cycle soon, start stims towards end of Aug. I'm taking lots of supplements (not dhea or tri nuagen though as they frighten me!) I know my chances are low but I'm trying to forget the stats and concentrate on being calm. Very hard...I didn't eat much protein when I did my egg freezing (and didn't respond well) so I'm trying to make a real effort to eat more now.

I did find an app people might like though, Mindful IVF. It was free and I'm finding it quite calming.

Hope everyone else well too x

@LouScot Oh thats exciting. I took dhea and was neither up nor down with it but not sure it made any difference either so yes best just to go with what you're comfortable with. Don't focus on the stats and stay positive- everything crossed for you.

@Kamiros not long to wait now! Hope you've some nice things planned before you go out. How many days will you stay? Yeah the list is slow as the Dr said there haven't been many donors, could be as long as 2 years. I don't want to wait that long but I guess we can go on it as a back up, better to be on it and change our minds than not be on it and realise later we should have just done it. Spain sounds great, I'm really glad you're happy with your clinic.

@LouScot that's great you are starting soon. Try and not think too much about stats and stay positive ❤️ I know it's easier said than done though. I used the mindful ivf app and really liked it, his voice is very soothing and he does give you hope.

Hey

I hope you don't mind me joining. I'm waiting on my august period to call the clinic and start 1st ivf round. X

@HJen22 hello!

Just read your news above... ugh, sending you luck for one eye cycle hope this is the one.

So annoying, worse because she was due on Saturday too... I was saying to my OH, im not even stressed I was more excited than anything but now I'm starting to stress 😢🥲
OH currently googling ways to induce AF.. he's some guy 😂

How you doing? How is everybody else x

@J90A welcome xx

Cycle day 1!! 😀😀 x

@Kamiros Hope AF comes soon. How are you feeling about the cycle?

@HJen22 Maybe ask to see if you can use the same counsellor? I always think no harm in joining these lists, as it gives you an option for the future if you want it.

@LouScot I used the Mindful IVF app and really liked it - I ended up paying to unlock the FET and early pregnancy packages as I found it really useful. Keeping everything crossed for your cycle! I also tried to increase my protein intake and took co enzyme q10 in my second egg collection, and I did acupuncture for that cycle too which I found really relaxing. Again, don't know if it made a difference but it made me feel like I was doing SOMETHING to try to help influence the result.

@RMS0209 YAY cycle day 1! August is going to be a busy month for everyone :)

@J90A Good luck with your cycle!

@RMS0209 Yay, great news.

@2mumlife Yes arrived on schedule and very much making it known....but that's OK. I'm actually quite chilled, more so than with previous cycles. I think knowing that they're checking progesterone levels and they're trying all these other meds gives me a confidence I never had with the flare protocol where they gave me one injection and just hoped I'd make the right hormones myself.

It's just a busy month all round - fingers crossed for lots of success stories.

@Kamiros Glad you're feeling well taken care it. From what you've said it sounds like they are monitoring everything really well. Also I think FETs are easier, as they can just focus on making sure you have a perfect cushy lining for that precious embryo to hopefully snuggle into!

Hi How is everyone doing? I’ve had a quick look on previous posts and it looks like there is a lot happening in August for everyone 😀

I’ve taken a break from medical things and social this summer, so I’ve not posted in a while. Trying not worry and think about it all the time. Has anyone else felt overwhelmed by it all?

I don’t have much to report on my progress… I’m still waiting on my first NHS app. Called up and they said it could be months just for the first
app. I’d really prefer to go the the NHS route due to costs but unsure how long it will take to be seen. GCRM were really good for our fertility check up, they even recommended to my gp that I start Thyroid meds, as he thinks my TSH levels are a little high for pregnancy. Which might be one of the reasons for infertility in the first place. I’m seeing so many positive comments about GCRM I’m beginning to think we should just go private. My partner thinks we should wait for NHS due to costs but I’m concerned the longer we wait the more chance of us being unsuccessful. Has anyone else gave up waiting on the NHS and went private due to waiting times?

Hi @Kitty12345678 I think(!) that you'd still be eligible for some NHS cycles after a private go. When we were looking into it, the NHS provision was 3 cycles, and each private cycle would subtract 1 from this, so if we hadn't got our NHS cycle started when we did, we would have done a private cycle and still had the option of 2 NHS cycles available to us, if that makes sense?

Hi @Kitty12345678 👋
All good here - how are you?
August is the party month 😂🤔🥳

I feel pretty overwhelmed most days so I hear you!

I have nothing but positive things to say about GCRM.
I don't know if it makes any difference but I pushed for my GP to refer me to NHS (20.06) and I just got a letter through yesterday for a fertility appointment at the NHS clinic (14.09)
I have had to push my GP so much for a referral. I understand they are busy but all I'll say Is I am glad I have GCRM working away in the background. I'm starting my first IVF cycle this cycle with them. X

@Kitty12345678 No experience of NHS as we're a same sex couple so weren't eligible until you complete 6 self-funded cycles (though a review in England is set to let female same sex couples do 6 cycles of IUI on the NHS! Hopefully Scotland will follow suit!)

How old are you again? If age is an issue or fertility is declining fast you may wish to make difference choice than if you're younger and have more time, as the cost really can be a massive factor - and from personal experience, we spent twice as much as I had thought we might need to, just because things didn't work as quickly or as easily as I'd hoped and you need to factor in medication costs as well as treatment costs etc etc

Those who are opting for an FET... how long after egg collection did it take for your period to come? I'm just curious, was reading some blogs last night I know everybody is different.

Thanks everyone for all advice 😀. Its so nice being able talk about this, as I have no family or friends that would really understand this.

@Scirocco
That’s really good to hear that is possible. I couldn’t get a clear answer from the NHS if we would be allowed to have one paid (if it doesn’t work) then have NHS to fall back on for 2 cycles.

@RMS0209
Yeah seems like a big month 😀
My referral went through at the end of June for me but I’ve just had the standard ‘we are busy due to Covid’ letters. That’s good to hear that your date for September has came through already. I’m hoping fingers crossed 🤞🏻 that mines will be similar and come through very soon. That’s really good that you have GCRM first while waiting on the NHS. I’m thinking I might try this as well. I liked GCRM as they gave us a lot of good info at our initial appointment and even sent a letter to my gp to get me on thyroid meds which my GP wouldn’t prescribe at first because it was borderline. I look forward to seeing how you get on.

@2mumlife I’m really surprised that isn’t available in the NHS already 😮. Really hoping they change that very soon, so you can get 6 cycles of IUI on the NHS. I’m 35 and everything seems to be normal accept my AMH is slightly lower for my age group not enough for it to impair fertility but enough that we might get a slightly lower egg retrieval from IVF. Also having this blip with the borderline TSH levels (thyroid), so it makes me concerned that it will only get worse with time. I forget that I need to pay for the meds as well. It’s so pricey. I’m just trying to weigh up all my options. If the NHS takes till early to mid next year I think I would feel guilty having not tried one round before that. I’ll have a good think about it this week 😬

Thanks everyone x

@RMS0209 My first egg collection we did a fresh tranfers and I started bleeding 4/5 days after transfer (so 10/11 days after egg collection). I think my period came a little bit sooner after the freeze-all collection but cant remember to be honest. You need to wait a full cycle after egg collection, and both times that cycle immediately after egg collection was longer than usual.

@Kitty12345678 I've found AMH a terrible predictor to be perfectly honest, and mine changed massively (in an upwards direction not to scare you!) over the course of ~ year. At 35 you do have time, so I'd look at the cost of going private carefully and decide how financially viable it is for you personally. You could also take the time to get TSH levels optimal, work on diet, do accupuncture etc in the meantime as well. We did our last FET in December and it was pretty stressful as the transfer was very close to when the clinic closed for christmas and new year, so thats also worth considering if you'd gain much e.g. if you'd have time to get in a private cycle before next year anyway (though GCRM seem to be going at a good pace again now from @RMS0209's experience).

Rules around same-sex NHS treatment are difficult because its really hard I think to ensure fairness with heterosexual couples needing to try for 2 years. But then we've had to pay for EVERYTHING (4 IUIs + meds, 2 egg collections + meds, 2 FETs meds, 6 straws of donor sperm, all investigations, consultations etc etc etc) and the financial cost adds up very quickly. At the moment people are just forced to make decisions - for us it was that we put less deposit down on a house when we bought, so we have a bigger mortgage than we would have done had we not needed to budget for fertility treatment. But we've been lucky we've not taken on debt for fertility treatment

@2mumlife Thanks for the response. I’m glad to hear that AMH levels can fluctuate and aren’t a completely accurate predictor. I’ll try not worry about that. Yeah, it’s good to factor in if the treatment would be at a stressful time of year or not. I would try an avoid December if possible. I’ve contacted GCRM to see what sort availability they have if any this year. I don’t think we would be in debt for trying one round private with savings but after that we would struggle. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had to pay for everything, I’d thought IUI would be available on NHS was it waiting times I’m guessing?

Hello.

I hope everyone is well. I wonder if anyone with a high amh has done a fresh transfer? My amh is 76 and wondering if they will definitely do a FET?

I'm hoping you don't mind me joining. Just completed all our consent forms for ACU Dundee and waiting on our face to face consult. I'm 4 weeks post laparoscopy for endo / fibroid / tube removal done privately as NHS wanted us to wait until we had been to Dundee - thank goodness for private health, my consultant couldn't believe it and what gave him more of the rage was he had it confirmed in writing they weren't willing to do treatment due to me being a complex case 🤨 NHS IVF treatment, the mental load is unreal sometimes while trying to hold onto work / life / adulting ♥️

@Kitty12345678 Hope you get some positive answers from GCRM so you can make a plan for your way forward. Same sex couples have to pay for 6 rounds of fertility treatment before any NHS help in Scotland - in some areas of the UK its better and you only have to self fund 3 cycles, but in some areas its even worse and you have to self fund 12 cycles which is ridiculous. I think there are a couple of exceptions if you have certain medical conditions which would cause a known fertility issue, but I think it varies massively based location. And even after that its patchy what they'd fund. But its meant to be changing, at least in England, in the future - there was a recommendation lately that the NHS should fund 6 IUI cycles.

@J90A Most likely they will want to do a FET. Its to do with the stim protocol and your risk of OHSS but you will need to speak to clinic about your particulal situation. To be honest, I found doing the freeze-all egg collection and lot less emotionally and physically challenging, despite at the time feeling frustrated we had to wait for transfer.

@mrsmacmc Hope you're recovering well from the surgery and that everything went smoothly. Hopefully now you've finished consents you'll be able to do a cycle soon?