FET in September/October

[MyEasterEggs]

I’m preparing to start my treatment cycle in a month or so and thought it might be helpful to start up a thread for anyone heading for FET soon.

This will be my first FET so I’m nervous but also feeling hopeful having gone through a fair amount of testing and treatment. Think I’m about as prepared as I’ll ever be!

Current cycle finally got going two days ago after a bit of a delay and I’ve decided to use it to focus on eating well and getting into the right headspace.

Anyone at a similar stage and want some company?

That’s good re injection @MyEasterEggs. I’m still hoping to avoid them, hence I was hoping you’d say a few days in between as then I was thinking the additional discomfort might be worth it if I could swap out two Lubion for one Protongest every couple of days, but alas maybe wishful thinking, I’ll see what my plan says in any case. I think if this round doesn’t work I’m actually going to insist on only taking progesterone and oestrogen after I’ve ovulated. Though I shouldn’t say that as I’m trying to think this round will work, clearly the visualisations aren’t working yet!

Is progesterone supposed to keep rising or just stay around a particular level @OrangeBengal? My test yesterday afternoon showed a level of 113 and I don’t know what that means. Is it good because it’s above 100? Does it fluctuate? Or should it be higher if things are moving in the right direction? Progesterone levels have never been an issue for me but suddenly they’re causing me the most stress. But maybe I’m stressing over nothing? Waiting on a call back so hopefully I’ll get some answers and not have to do more injections!

I think they’re not concerned if it’s over 100 @MyEasterEggs you should see a spike if there is implantation, but this wouldn’t be seen yet I don’t think. I’m not sure about generally fluctuations.

@OrangeBengal thanks lovely. As you suggested they’re happy as it’s over 100, and they would’ve expected a dip middle of the day as it’s well after morning cyclogest and prontogest. Apparently it does fluctuate. I thought it just kept on going 😂

Ah, you’re right @MyEasterEggs, I remember them saying that tests would ideally be done 2hrs after the mornings’ progesterone.

Well I honestly thought I would hold out after that wee pep talk from the nurse and previous experiences of testing early but I woke up feeling curious after a weird dream. Two lines came up straight away and I feel such relief. There’s no excitement, which is a shame, but there’s also no anxiety and that’s been my biggest challenge during pregnancies in the past. So far, so good 🤞🏻

No anxiety is good and the excitement will come @MyEasterEggs. Plus at least there are no new progesterone issues! I have everything crossed for you. How many days are you now btw?

@OrangeBengal 6DP5DT, which I think is the equivalent of 11DPO? I’ve tested positive at 9DPO before so figured I’d likely know by now. In a way I’m glad I tested as I’ve just organised all my blood tests for early next week and nurse at GP could only just fit me in. My partner is wondering if we should go private again though as we’ll get results sooner. But it’s not really going to change the outcome, is it?

Congratulations on your positive @MyEasterEggs. I also tested this morning at 5dp 5dt with clear blue 6 days early test and it was negative. I'll do another on Friday now and keep my fingers crossed 🤞🏼

You’re right re outcome @MyEasterEggs, just maybe think about whichever route will make you less anxious. I usually test pretty close to OTD, but I tested at 8dp6pt to try and get extra data re my implantation issue, this time I might start at 4dp6pt and test daily, as for me I think it’s become even more important to find out what’s going on.

@dlkiik it might still be too early, maybe try a FRER too.

Thanks @dlkiik and I’m keeping everything crossed for you too. Agree re trying an FRER. CB isn’t quite as sensitive and I’ll always get positives later on those.

@OrangeBengal I’m of the same opinion and thought if it’s positive today then negative on OTD then it’s all information that helps with future cycles. I’m trying so hard to be pragmatic!

So it looks like I spoke too soon re NK profile @MyEasterEggs, some of my results are outside of the normal range, so I’ve been prescribed 20mg of prednisolone once a day from 3 days prior to transfer to 12 weeks of pregnancy, if I get a positive result (reduced at 11 and 10 weeks). They also want me on Prontogest, which I’m challenging as my results were high on 50mg lubion and 800mg cyclogest, plus clexane and aspirin, which I’m also asking questions about. I know lots of people are probably on as much, but I really struggle with the amount I’m on already, I barely took medication for anything before IVF. I’m ok with the prednisolone though as there is evidence for this now.

@MyEasterEggs congratulations!!!

I felt exactly the same way. Not anxious but not excited. We have all been through so much trauma and heartache that it's really hard to accept a positive outcome. Take each day as it comes. Today you are pregnant and that's something to quietly or openly celebrate whatever you feel. How does DP feel?

@SarahC1985 thanks so much. I think he’s just as relieved as I am that the embryo has stuck. IVF has been such a huge investment of time and money and energy so it’s helped us feel positive about the steps we’ve taken to try again.

@OrangeBengal were your results borderline then? No mention of intralipids? If lubion and cyclogest worked for you I can’t see an issue BUT they may have seen a few cases recently where it’s simpler to go straight to prontogest. I’m on clexane and aspirin because I have two gene mutations which, when combined, can raise the chances of clotting. But there’s also some evidence to suggest low doses of both can aid implantation and improve pregnancy outcomes.

I’m on a shed load of drugs and it’s not what I imagined for myself but I’ve also researched each one and feel there’s good evidence for my being on them all. You’ve got to do what feels comfortable for you and advocate for yourself!

Thanks @MyEasterEggs. I was on intralips before as a precaution, but apparently the prednisolone will work better, so I’m fine with the switch. We’ll see what the consultant says about the prontogest, as unless there’s a good reason for this, I’m going to stick with the lubion and cyclogest. I think they’re adding the clexane and aspirin just in case and that’s the reason I may take the latter and not the former, but I’ll look into clexane more.

@OrangeBengal did they explain why prednisolone would work better than intralipids? I’m having both as my NK levels and cytokines were raised, so (all going well) will have to make the day trip to London in two weeks for next infusion, but still…I’m curious!

Yeah, they said:

“When the blood was analysed in greater detail it was clear that prednisolone had the maximal effect on reducing the circulating natural killers and cytokines. Whilst intralipid infusion and intravenous immunoglobulin did have a positive impact on reducing the levels, it appeared the prednisolone would be the best choice in trying to reduce the circulating cells in advance of frozen embryo transfer.”

That makes sense @OrangeBengal as my results showed a combination of steroids and intralipids would be needed to calm levels. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

@MyEasterEggs congratulations!!!!! Totally normal not to feel excited yet. I still don’t! But fingers crossed this is a little sticky bean!

Congratulations @MyEasterEggs!

It was my test day today and it was negative but I’ve had no bleed and thought I’d had some signs it was all going the right way. I’m not sure what to think, is it pretty unlikely it’s worked?! I’ll call the clinic later to discuss as I think they say wait 2 more days then test again but I’m supposed to be going on holiday on Sunday so needed to get medication sorted urgently but I don’t want to pay out for it all if I’m not pregnant 😢

@123cats how many days are you post transfer? And what test did you use? It could it be that implantation happened a little later and some tests are more sensitive than others.

Is it strange that I’ve had no response from my clinic? I wasn’t expecting balloons or a singing telegram. Maybe just a simple acknowledgment that they’d received the email with my update and some information about next steps… 🤔

Glad my GP and local PAU have been responsive as otherwise I’d be feeling pretty lonely right now! I’ve mostly been happy with their clinical care but their communication is shit at times.

Hi ladies,
Do you mind if I join you on here? I've been following this thread for a little while now.
I had a transfer of a 6 Day euploid embryo on Tuesday this week. It's my second transfer (first was also tested, but ended in a chemical pregnancy). I'm a carrier of a genetic condition and I'm doing IVF to ensure we only transfer embryos that haven't got my gene (my very first non-IVF pregnancy ended in a TMFR after finding out the baby was affected with the condition).
I'm 36 but have been at the IVF game for the past two years now and I'm not feeling too hopeful about my most recent transfer as I feel diddly squat in terms of symptoms so far. I know I'm very early into the TWW (2dp), but I had some very obvious symptoms at this stage with my embryo transfer that ended up being a chemical. The TWW is a complete head f*@!

@CentaurChiron the TWW is the devil. I'm 6dpt now and after testing early and getting a negative test yesterday I can't help but feel like im out.
My previous IVF cycle was successful so im not sure how I'll deal with it if it hasn't worked.
It's so cruel that we have to go through this :(

I’m 11 days post transfer and used a clear blue digital, I’d had an earlier wee in the night before testing so wondered if that could affect it. I rang the clinic though and they told me to carry on with meds and retest in 2 days but that it was unheard of getting a positive now so seems really pointless to take the medication?!
My clinic have been really good and did call to check in before test day so it’s seems strange that other clinics aren’t as considerate especially with good news!

@dlkiik the TWW really does suck. 5dpt when you tested is still very early to get a true result. When is your OTD?
It's a very cruel and unfair process to have to through.