IVF buddies April/May

[ChristmasJumpers]

Sorry if there's already an April/May thread, I can't find it!

All of our tests have been completed (last August) and we were advised to call the clinic on day one of my cycle in April. AF arrived early for the first time in forever so I chanced ringing yesterday and we're good to go!!

Just waiting on a call back from the clinic with official dates and protocol but I know I'll be taking Norethisterone pills first so won't be dealing with injections for a good few weeks yet.

Is anyone else about to get started? It would be great to have some buddies along the way

I'm 30, DH 27. TTC over 3 years and delayed getting tests due to Covid.
We're at Care Fertility Chester and this is out first ever round (we only get one NHS funded - thanks postcode lottery)

@LouiseD2018 it started yesterday. So just hoping it doesn’t last the whole time.

My bloating was really bad but they said it would be because of the number of eggs.

Ice pack is definitely a good plan!

@Suki2020 mild symptoms I'd take as a sign something is happening, hopefully you'll see that at your scan tomorrow!!
You are a day or two ahead of me so maybe in a couple of days I'll feel different

I'm lost on my dates @Suki2020, I meant good luck for Monday 😊

I hope everyone has had a great weekend 😍 I'm going for my womb biopsy today so that will be another hurdle done! Not too sure what to expect but will be glad to stop the progesterone pessaries!

Morning ladies, so I had my first scan this morning. A little confused by it all if I’m honest. I have 20 follicles on my left side and 11 on my right. I only had 3 that were between 10-13 and all others were between 7-9. They told me that it would be reviewed at lunchtime and they’d let me know if I needed to up my dose. Then they told me everything looks good for the first scan and they would see me again Wednesday morning. So I’m confused to whether I’m on track or not really.

@Coops0406 hope all goes well for you today

@Suki2020 thank you 😊
Regarding your scan, how many days of stims have you been on? They said to me in my day 5/6 scan that anything over 10mm is like to be ready, however if you have quite a few just under that then I would say there is the potential that they will be too. My scans were never that good on day 5/6 or the last day of stims, both times only 4-5 looked at the right size but then they still keep going until trigger and I came out with 17 eggs first round (all mature) and 16 the second round. I think they like them to be between 16-19mm on your last scan as they will still grow until trigger. Not sure if that helps or not

@Coops0406 I’m on day 8 of stims. That gives me a bit of hope thank you. Just hoping my next scan on Wednesday will be better

@Suki2020 I was so deflated after my scans...and although I know my EC outcome was much better, I was still deflated the next cycle on my scans. On your next one ask them what they are looking for in terms of sizes etc. I found I never asked anything then came home feeling rubbish and a bit in the dark.

@Coops0406 yeah I feel like that to, wish I’d asked some more questions, but I will make sure I do on Wednesday. Thank you. How are you doing?

@Suki2020 yes definitely do. Write them down before you go as you can forget once you're there!
I'm good, going out for brunch with the other half before the biopsy! Not sure what to expect but it's the next thing out of the way then can have a few weeks break from it all whilst waiting for the results! Perfect timing as my friend has her housewarming on Saturday so I can have a prosecco or two! 🥂

Hello everyone!
Glad to have found this thread with so many other ladies going through this IVF rollercoaster.
I'm currently on day 8 of down reg (buseralin). Doing a final fresh cycle to try for a sibling for our IVF miracle DS. This will be my 5th and last cycle. Good luck to you all xxx

Hi all

@Hayleylou128 Good luck for your cycle, lovely to hear your miracle DS was conceived through IVF.

@Coops0406 hope the biopsy went well and you are feeling ok?

@Suki2020 that's a good number of follicles I've read a few people were surprised at the growth in a few days. Fingers crossed for you. Did they adjust your dose in the end?

I have my 8 day scan tomorrow, then 10 day on Friday. I've only just today started to get a 'full feeling' my main possible side effect has been intense tiredness, however I have a full caseload at work and have just submitted 2 assignments for my course so it could just be the usual burn out at the end of a semester.

I have been reading and started to feel quite anxious when I've read people's posts about seeing things as a trial run, or things going wrong. Knowing we literally have one shot at this, it has to go right or its the end of the road babywise. We are self funders but it has wiped out our savings we could not afford to get into debt with the current increase in bills and by the time the economy calms I will most likely be in my 40s. Found myself suddenly getting quite tearful at the prospect of putting all our hopes on one cycle, but that's just the way it is 😪

Maybe being emotional is another side effect of these stims!

I've been away for the weekend and so much has happened on the thread! Welcome to anyone new, it's such a relief to have lots of ladies on here all going through the same thing.

@LouiseD2018 it riles me too, the sheer amount of people who ask about our baby plans. I suppose with me being 30 and us being 5 years married people start to wonder...
It's interesting to see how people react differently to the stims, I'm taking notes though (no moving around for a bit after injecting and definitely ice the area beforehand!)
I know exactly how you feel with only having one shot at this. It's terrifying. We're in no position to save up for another cycle if this one doesn't work

@NorthernDuckling I hope your nurse apt went well today, 30 follicles either side is loads, it sounds very promising

@IE00 not long now until you get started on your FET. Congratulations on your little girl, fingers crossed this time around is successful for you

@pulfy How was your lining scan today?

@Suki2020 Did you get an update on if you needed to up your dose? I hope your scan goes well tomorrow

@Coops0406 I hope your biopsy went well and you're okay

@Hayleylou128 does taking norethisterone pills count as downreg? I'm not clear on if I'm actually going through downreg or straight to stims! Congratulations on your little boy, fingers crossed this is the cycle that give him a sibling

@LouiseD2018 @ChristmasJumpers no I’ve stayed on the same dose so I’m guessing they will just wait and see what’s on tomorrow scan.

I forgot to say, our protocol was uploaded to the portal today! I have a phone call with a nurse on Thursday to talk through it but does this sound okay?
Ovaleap 225iu for 4 days before adding in Fyremadel 0.25mg.

Is this a low dose, high dose or pretty standard?

@ChristmasJumpers I think it can vary greatly frim person to person, they look at age, amh, weight abd any other results. I'm on 1200iu menopur - 300 per day, 0.25 fyremadel. They said that was a moderate dose

Clumsy typing there apologies for the typos!

I haven't responded greatly to stims, 4 follicles 10-13mm all others below so not counted at this stage? I found that strange others have had them counted.

They upped my menopur dose to 450 she said change can happen quickly but if I need to I could carry on for a few more days. They will re-assess Friday.
Feeling pretty low feels like we are on shaky ground.

@LouiseD2018 sorry you're feeling crappy. This was your day 8 scan wasn't it? And you've been on 300 menopur with fyermadel (don't know anything about that one). I know it's not what you want to hear but you have the option to abandon this cycle and start afresh with another one. It's a really difficult decision. You would just pay for a cancelled cycle which for us was around £1000 and then you still keep the funding for your next cycle. Hopefully those 4 folls grow though in time for you next scan on Fri! You'll be on an increased dose too so keeping everything crossed for you. Some ladies report that having a hot water bottle on your belly can help them to grow! Not tried it myself but I see lots of ladies talking about it. Good luck xxx

@ChristmasJumpers hmmm I'm not sure actually! Is it a short protocol you're doing?? Xx

Thank you @Hayleylou128

I'm not sure we could find the money for the medication again and the extra 1k to be honest that would be 3k in total or more if meds increase it took us 2 years to get the money together to start, with our bills rocketing our saving pace would be much slower.

I turn 39 this year so that would involve us looking at trying again 40 +. After 4 years with two difficult losses I just couldn't bring myself to drag the process out for more years and more tears its just too much.

Just trying to think positive now and hope the few we get are strong. It only takes one 🙏🤞🌈

@LouiseD2018 I had my day 10 scan today and they are upping my menopur to 225, as I’m not reacting to it enough as well. I was only on 150 before. I have an AMH level of 34 so I’m not allowed a high dose as I will over stimulate. They just said not to worry they would leave me slightly longer if needed for the others to catch up. Do your not alone. I’m just trying to stay as positive as possible.

@Suki2020 I hope the increase in dose works for us both.
Patience & positivity, easier said than done isn't it.

@LouiseD2018 totally understand what you are saying, 100%. You're right it does only take one. On my last cycle they only retrieved
5 eggs. 4 were mature and all 4 fertilised and I got 1 top quality blast. It didn't stick but I really feel it was down to the traumatic transfer! Fingers crossed for your Friday scan xxx