IVF/FET May/June 2022

[Coops0406]

Hi,

I'm just starting this thread as i've kept joining previous ones in hope that I would be at the same time but got left behind with the ups and downs of ivf.
After 3 cycles, 2 failed fresh transfers, PGT-A testing to give us 3 euploid embryos and just now getting our results from the ALICE/EMMA/ERA tests, I am now finally in a position to hopefully start FET on my next cycle with a transfer likely to be end of May or early June!! 😍. Would love to have people to chat to who are following a similar timeline.

@BlueSilver23 I guess that's good to be prepared but hopefully all will be ok for you!

@Reefy haha a seasoned pro! No last time we got one egg (I had an issue with trigger and the 6 follicles I had then had shrunk and we just got one that had been tiny but caught up!) which did fertilise but didn't continue to grow, so no transfer and no Frosties so back to the start!

I mean, they gave me diazepam and strong painkillers but I was fully awake and aware and talking. It was sore but only for a second each time the needle went in. I think I'll be less scared next time. And without a doubt worth it! For some reason the clinic up here don't knock us out! I actually found the HyCosy more painful.

Hopefully now they've done the tests and know that ICSI is again the way forward, it will result in you getting some lovely embryos 🤞🏻 xxx

@HJen22 I'm sorry to hear that. So shit when you get no Frosties! Oh I've never heard of that with not being knocked out but I guess each clinic works differently. I really hope so! I'm not sure if you are nhs funded but if so have the classed the last 1 as a cycle?

@Reefy I know, I was really hoping for 6 eggs and 3 embryos but wasn't meant to be. And that was me being very optimistic and trying to manifest ✌🏻 did you get an embryo each cycle and transfer? Yeah most people seem to get knocked out but I knew here didn't as I've two friends been through it. So it wasn't a surprise I was awake, that's probably why I was so nervous.

We are NHS funded and because we didn't make it to transfer they've not classed it as us using one which is great. The main consultant was involved from the EC as she had to make the call whether to go ahead. And it was her that called at the end of the cycle, she was lovely. I was really worried we'd not get to go again. Potentially we can have 3 full cycles but that's very numbers dependent. If you get less than 3 eggs retrieved no further cycles will be funded. Should that be the case I've looked into doing two cycles with a private Glasgow clinic as there are no private up here. Just NHS and self funded at the clinic I'm at.

@BlueSilver23 oh no root canal for you too 😭 I really do think teeth pain and issues are connected to stress! I also grind my teeth in my sleep which probably doesn't help! I hope yours goes ok and isn't causing you too much pain! Life throwing us more things to deal with 🙄 xx

Yes round 1 & 2 I ended up with 1 to transfer & round 3 I had 2 transferred. That's good that it's not counted as one of your goes. Have they changed your protocol this time? Ours was 3 cycles too but not run out so have just purchased a package with Access Fertility & they work with the clinic I was at so that's good.

@Reefy same protocol as I was on max stims and responded pretty well. I only started off with 6/7 follicles as I have low AFC. I am really hoping for us it's quality over quantity 🤞🏻 I was lucky to even get the one egg last time as we'd totally written off that ovary.

That must have been tough going; I think we all wish for frosties to not have to go through an entire cycle again. That's great that the package work with the clinic you are at, I really hope that this is your time x

@HJen22 that's good if you responded well. Absolutely we all want some Frosties! Thank you. You too! 🤞

@HJen22 we are going away this weekend and it's for a surprise birthday- I've been doing most of the organising which has helped a lot with having a focus. Im sure next week it'll be back to the wait dragging. The 24th still feels like forever away.

I'm nervous too- i feel more prepared this time but it's our last NHS Cycle so that add's pressure- got to try and stay positive :)

@BlueSilver23 sorry to hear you were delayed and wishing you the best of luck with meds- I'm sure you can remember that I'm a drama Queen and hate meds we'll just the injections. I'll be end of June hopefully 🤞🏼

@Coops0406 hopefully this is our lucky thread :) good luck with Monday's scan x

@Reefy as well as to be expected I guess given the number we started with, but we had 3 of around the size they want at the scan before trigger. I just hope I respond well and get more eggs this time 🤞🏻

@PMAmostofthetime oh that will be lovely! I'm sure you've done a great job planning and it's good that it's kept you busy! Yeah I'm prepared in terms of the physical side but mentally I'm scared because I know how tough it can be with the waiting and the calls! They were the worst even with an absolute sweetheart of an embryologist that called us every day bless him. You did amazing last time given your needle phobia, I really hope it's a bit less traumatic for you this time but I know that's not really how phobias work!

@HJen22 got everything crossed for you 🤞 x

@PMAmostofthetime Thé needles are the worst! I’m stuck as I have to do them myself though so will just need to grin and bear it

@Reefy thank you, you too ❤️

@BlueSilver23 I didn't do any of mine last cycle or really pay much attention to the mixing. I'm going to have to do at least one day of injections myself though as my OH will be taking his DD home (going to be interesting trying to hide everything from her, we couldn't have her Easter holidays so she's up visiting from England end of May instead, slap bang when we start again) any tips? I'm so scared I do something wrong! X

@HJen22 I just followed the videos to a tee and played the video as I did the injections. And just tried not to think about it too much! I was told to let go of the skin of once you put the needle in and before you inject to avoid meds leaking out and to help with bleeding. I think some people ice but I didn’t try that. Might do this time but the whole thing is just a faff. Why they can’t come in prefilled syringes I don’t know

im just about to order my meds and clinic is asking if I want the prescription to source my own meds. I’ve heard of going to Asda etc from other threads but does anyone have experience with trying to source cheaper meds? I think the clinics provider is always expensive!

@Reefy oh that's interesting we are both at the Agora. I'm actually going in to the clinic for the first time tomorrow. Our initial meeting was over zoom. How have you found them? I had the choice of them or the London Women's clinic but the commuting was just going to be a pain and being self employed I can't keep taking days off at the drop of a hat.

@BlueSilver23 I ordered mine through the clinic as only found out 2 days before I was starting & luckily I had a box of Norethisterone but when I asked Asda they said at least a weeks notice where as my clinic ordered Thursday & I had it yesterday as I chose that day as someone was home to take the delivery.

@Thornbird80 all my doctors & nurses appointments have been on Zoom. I've had 3 cycles there & I looked around and yes there was a better package but meant travelling to London then like you say when you have to go every other day for scans it's the commute, the cost & pretty much a whole day off as it's 2 hours each way. Also I could not find a reason to leave as they have been so good. From the moment I walk in I feel welcomed by the lovely receptionist Robert he is great, every nurse is so lovely, on my last transfer one came over to me in the waiting room & said I just want to say I hope it goes well & fingers l crossed it works. Good luck with the appointment today.

Jumping in to say hi 👋 I'm 45, just started my first cycle of Natural Modified, after a problematic miscarriage last year. Absolutely bricking it, despite having 2 adult kids, and feeling pretty lonely and isolated. I've a real respect for those of you trying for your first, secondary infertility is a bitch that has bitten me hard!

@reefy I have about à week and half before I start stims (like you I had norhisterone left over from last time to get me started) so it might be worth it if the savings are decent. Do you just get the prescription and phone up adsa to ask what it costs and compare the two prices? Must admit I’m clueless how to go about this!

@BlueSilver23 yes I think so, I think some clinics charge for the prescription but I know my clinic said they wouldn't. Do you know what meds you will be on yet?

@ElegantlyJaded welcome. Sorry to hear that. I was bricking it on my first cycle but honestly you will be fine. You've got this 💪🏻

@HJen22 how are your teeth? Still in pain?
I completely forgot you were wide awake in your EC!

@PMAmostofthetime definitely hoping this is our lucky thread! 🤞🏾great that you've had something to keep you busy and your mind occupied. I find I have wasted so many days during ivf just wanting to get to the next day so this time I have lots of plans!

@BlueSilver23 how many rounds have you done for freezing so far? Is this your last cycle to freeze or have you got a couple lined up?

@ElegantlyJaded welcome! What does a natural modified cycle entail?

I was just speaking to a friend who is doing FET for her 2nd child and she has been given progesterone injections that need to be injected in her butt cheek rather than tummy! Never heard of that one!

@Reefy @Coops0406 thanks for the welcome (and the positivity)! 😊

The best way to describe natural modified is probably minimal stimming - 150mg Bemfola from Day 5 (assuming follicles) to Day 7, add in Cetrotide Days 7 - collection (assuming follicle growth), trigger shot, done.

Expectation is that if 1 egg is collected each cycle that's basically a miracle, if it's of good quality even more miraculous, hence the minimal stim in the hope that gently 'helping' the follicle choose the most mature egg will yield the best result.

@BlueSilver23 thank you! I think I will do a few practice runs whilst my OH is here and watch the videos too! I should have done at least one last time so I wasn't so scared this time!! I didn't bother icing either, they stung a bit but it was manageable. I know! It would be a lot easier if they were pre-filled!!!

@ElegantlyJaded welcome ❤️ so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Wishing you all the best for this cycle x

@Coops0406 ugh awful. I held off today with ibuprofen to see if it had eased up any. It hadn't and I was then in agony for an hour before they kicked in. I got another emergency app and he tried to take the root out but couldn't get it all 😩 so I've got amoxicillin and back again next week. Worst case they'll have to take it out. Came home and cried. You know when it feels like you can't catch a break, it all just became very overwhelming. IVF, I then had covid quite bad and now toothache for weeks. Feeling sorry for myself today 😂 poor pup is also in for her wee op tomorrow to be spayed which I can't deal with, poor thing 😞

How are you doing lovely? X

@Coops0406 Thank be possible for a two cycle package with one done and this is my second. In theory this should be the last EC cycle and we are aiming for a freeze all. I got 20 eggs last time (but 7 immature), and hopefully those numbers with a second round will be enough to give a decent chance of a live birth at the end of it. But we will see! I don’t relish the thought (or the finances!) of having to do another round if this one isn’t a good as the first. But it’s all so variable, you can never tell.

@HJen22 Im sure there must be prefilled ones! They just like making life difficult for us I think!

*I paid for a two cycle package

thank be possible?! Bloody autocorrect 🤣