IVF Oct/Nov

[NorthernDuckling]

I can’t see a thread for anyone doing egg collection early November so thought I’d start one.
had my nurses appointment earlier this week to set out my plan with EC on 7/11 - eek. It’s my first NHS round (we were going to do it in April but I didn’t feel ready).
I was due to start period yesterday but it hasn’t happened and hoping it starts today, the clinic said there was some wiggle room but not much. Why is it I can usually predict it to the hour and when you need it to start it doesn’t 🤯
I would love to chat to anyone else with EC early Nov as DH is already fed up of me talking about it - it’s going to be a long 6 weeks!

Hi. So happy to see a november thread. I have my baseline tests early october. All being well, im hoping to start injections towards the end of october. It's been a long journey so far, so hoping for no issues at baseline. Cant wait to move forward and get a timeline of dates/injections/egg collection etc.

Thats great that you already know egg collection date. Didnt know that was possible. Are you on long protocol? What is your next stage once AF arrives?

Fingers crossed for AF and wishing you all the best.

@Thelotusflower you sound like you will be with me, I’m doing short protocol as I have quite a high follicle couldn’t and they are worried about overstimulation.
AF started Friday, so I start taking medication on day 18 to control my period so they can be more certain of dates.
i was supposed to start stimulation medication on 27/10 and the clinic estimate this will result in egg collection on 7/11 so have provisionally booked me in for that date. I guess they do thousands of cycles so will know on average what my dates will be, although my period was a day late so may be a day later. The nurse said it would be unlikely to be earlier than 4/11.

I’ve only got 4 days of holiday left so booked 7-9 and saving the last day for transfer day (which is likely to be around 12/11).

good luck with your scan, I had mine back in May when I was going to start last time but we postponed, the clinic said that’s in date.

I see. Time seems to be going so slowly. Cant wait for things to start moving again. Im usually on long protocol, but its been a few years so i cant remember how long it would take. Im guessing if I make it past baseline scan, then i hectiobs start on day 21 (end oct) and egg collection sometime in end Nov.

Will keep an eye out for any updates from you. All the best.

Me!!! I should be egg collecting around the week of the 7th Nov too although it does depend on AF...who just like @NorthernDuckling is normally predictable to the hour and is threatening to be a no show today.

All the medication arrived today so it’s starting to feel quite real. I’ve kind of coped with it so far by pretending it’s not happening (which probably isn’t healthy) but I am quite an obsessive/stressy person - part of the reason why we didn’t start in May after the nurses appointment when it was clear DH couldn’t attend all the appointments with me to keep me calm and take notes. I feel in a much better place now and feel much better knowing DH will be there.

DH had taken responsibility for putting all the medication times and dosage in his calendar because I also have a phobia of needles - he hasn’t shown me the needles but it took 3 abortive attempts to watch the how to videos. I’m just trying to talk myself positive thinking that at least I’ll be at home with the injections and DH will be doing them and I can take as long as I need. I fainted on the last blood test 😭

We haven’t told anyone we are doing ivf, my mum knows we have been ttc for years and that we went to see the fertility clinic in June 2020 but not that we have now said yes to ivf. I don’t want the added pressure from well meaning friends/family and I want work to be a distraction where it is just “normal”. It sounds like I’m a total wimp but I’m not really, I run my own business and have 15 staff and usually totally in control of situations but this feels so far outside my comfort zone.

I do find it a bit frustrating that DH is almost completely sidelined by the clinic, all communication comes to me through my portal (not a joint one) and the nurse was just like ….so MRnortherndrake are you ok to just turn up on the day and give your sample. I was thinking, no, he’s going to be chief organiser, chocolate provider, nurse and general stress ball for me. There is no way I would be doing this without him by my side.

I also have a big do in London for work for an award I’ve won for female entrepreneur which is 3 days after estimated transfer day. 🫣 so something to look forward to but praying transfer isn’t delayed.

Hi All, can I please join. @NorthernDuckling congratulations on your award. Hope you make it ok.

I have an upcoming nurse planning appointment. Things were delayed a bit but just heard back from the nurse and still starting this month. They are looking at starting me on meds around next week in October and if all goes well she said EC around 2nd November. I'm a bit worried cause I haven't received anything yet or received the protocol information.

I am also on the 1st NHS round. I had the counselling appointment and I found it helpful in managing my stress around this process.

I'm not telling family either. I've only told one friend and a work colleague who are not connected to my other family and friends as they have been through this journey as well.

Best wishes to you all ladies and looking forward to have others to talk to about this. This waiting is not easy at all.

Hi @BebeBelle welcome, I think my medication starts 16/11, I called the clinic today and they said they’d update my diary but I should just start the tablets on day 17 not day 18. TBH not sure exactly what the date is, DH has it all planned out.
We are off to Italy this weekend for a long weekend, it’s fallen really nicely with my dates, I was worried we would have to delay a month but the nurse was like, go have a great time because you won’t be able to drink when you get back (I don’t drink anyway but I’m definitely eating loads of pizza, pasta, gelato and Parma ham)!

Hi @BebeBelle and @SportyAmy. Good luck with the process. Sounds like you are both ahead of me in schedule.

@NorthernDuckling each injection is onr step closer to achieving your dream. Glad you have something fun to look forward to and congrats on the award. How exciting!

@NorthernDuckling a break away from everything will do you good. We also did a week in Croatia last week and it really felt good to not think about work and this process and just enjoy each other's company with the husband. The nurse is right it will definitely do you good.

@Thelotusflower thanks, i wish you all the best too.
You mentioned that you previously did the process (hope you don't mind me asking), how did you find it? I'm completely new to it and i find myself watching too many youtube videos.

Hi @SportyAmy , that's good that you also have your dates.
Have you got your med/tablets yet?

Best wishes.😀

@BebeBelle it was a while ago. This will be my third fresh cycle and ive also had FETs. (All BFN) To be honest, I found the experience fine. Maybe I was lucky that I didnt suffer any adverse effects. The injections did hurt of course, but they are over in seconds.

Im a lot older now (41) so not sure if that will impact anything, and of course there is the anxiety that time is running away.

But ultimately, I feel excited about the process, it gives me hope and keeps me positive. Each stage that we get past, I see as a win. So for now that is getting past the baseline scans. One stahe at a time. The hardest thing for me is just waiting. And waiting. 😊

Hope that helps.

@Thelotusflower , thanks so much for sharing your experience and I am sorry to hear about the BFNs, I really hope that things work out for you on this round. At least you did not have any bad reactions to it all.

The thought of injections freaks me out. with all the test and probing I've gone through, I still cannot get used to them Do you know why they put you on the long protocol?

The time thing is never easy for us women. I'm almost 38 but have had setbacks with fibroids surgery. And I may have to do FETs if I have to have another procedure. Nothing is straight forward but I am doing my best to stay positive and in stress free zone.

I'm with CARE? Who are you with?

@NorthernDuckling @SportyAmy - hope you are both ok.

@BebeBelle I cant actually remember why i was put on long protocol. I really should ask again. Maybe somethibg to do with not responding well enough or perhaps because my cycle is not completely regular- a few days give and take.

I hope you get used to the injections etc. Just take one day at a time. There's nothing else we can do. I've always done my own injections, but some people find it easier for a partner to do it. Whatever gets you through.

Hi everyone, I wonder if I can join though I might be slightly ahead of schedule as I'm due to start stimulation on 10th October, so egg collection and transfer (🤞) should be towards the end of October. It will be my first IVF cycle (and hopefully last!!)

I am also at risk of overstimulation @NorthernDucklingand so worried about having to have a delayed transfer! I know it wouldn't be the end of the world, but I am so tired of waiting and waiting.

I'm feeling quite excited but also very aware that it's a lot to go through if the result is negative at the end 😔 @Thelotusflower I really like your approach of taking it one stage at a time and being positive! I am trying to remember that even if this cycle doesn't work, it's still a step in the right direction.

Hi all, hope you don't mind me jumping on, it'll be nice to speak to people at the same pint of myself

I had my planning appointment on Thursday and will be starting medication in 3 weeks (day 21 of my cycle) for IVF lite.

I actually only have the money available for one round so everything's riding on it working first time 😭

@Nora11 wishing you all the best. Of course, I hope that your 1st cycle is the one, but if it doesn't, don't lose hope.

In my first IVF cycle, I had 6 eggs, but zero fertilised. So they changed the protocol/treatment plan which meant I got more eggs (not sure if that is always a good thing) which ended up fertilising. So had embryos this time round. That's huge progress (although ended in BFNs). It is hard to foresee how each individual will respond, so a little bit of trial and error.

That said, it works 1st time for so many people and I hope and pray you are on of them.

@MammyandAva hoping and praying that your cycle works. Stay positive. Easier said than done I know.

Hope everyone else is doing well. 🍁🌷

Hi everyone, sorry for lack of messages, we’ve just got back from Italy! Was a lovely relaxing break and a great distraction.

Im due to start the norethisterone on Friday and my injections on 27/10 so not long to go now. We’ve been very busy at work, hired a new member of staff who will start 1/1/23! Argh that seems so far away but also only 3 months away 🤯

hope everyone is keeping well and good luck to those starting soon.

@MammyandAva I have my fingers crossed for you, we only have this one round on the NHS, we could go private but it would mean dipping into savings that we are putting aside for mat leave (I can’t afford to pay someone else to cover me and take my salary so I’ll just have SMP, although I’ll probably partly work as it will be tough having too much time off). I also don’t think I’m strong enough to go through more than 1 round. I’m just hoping we will get a few eggs and be able to freeze some - but you only need 1 to work.

@NorthernDuckling So glad you had a good time. It is great having a change of scenery. Not long for you now.

Thanks @Thelotusflower ❤️ although I really am hoping our first cycle works you're completely right. I'm trying to bear in mind that even if it doesn't we will be one step further in the right direction, with some frosties or at least some useful information for another try 🤞 I'm so sorry that your second cycle still ended in BFNs, really hope you get lucky this time!

I have just finished taking provera and will be having my baseline scan and first injection on Monday as long as my bleed turns up on schedule. Has anyone else had provera or similar and felt really rough with it? I've been having cramps, nausea and headaches the past few days. Today was the worst and I had to take the afternoon off work! Not sure if it's the tablets or a coincidence 🤔

@Nora11 how did your scan go today? Hope the injection went smoothly.

is anyone else taking norethisterone? I don’t know if I’ve got side effects from it or something else, I had a bee sting the week before last that I had an allergic reaction which i needed a hydrocortisone injection for and tablets for a week (they finished on Thursday) and I started norethesterone on Saturday but I’ve been so tired and blocked up and I just can’t concentrate in work. I have a severe allergy to linalool and limonene, so it might just be one of the guys in the office has changed their shampoo and it’s a reaction to that or the norethisterone. Fingers crossed I’m not allergic to any of the medication, I’m quite an allergic person - although penicillin aside I’ve never had a reaction to medication.
I did wonder whether the infertility issues are partly due to my allergies but the clinic and my immunologist seemed pretty unconcerned.

I'm starting northisterone next Friday, I've had it before and never had any side effects.

How's everyone feeling about the whole process?

@NorthernDuckling sorry, dont know about norethisterone.

Baseline test today for me- only two very small follicles found. I was told chances are very slim if we decide to go ahead as the cycle may have to be abandoned part way if follicles dont respond.

We can but hope and pray. A slim chance is better than no chance, so im trying to hold on to that.

Hope evreryone else is well.

Hi All, so sorry I've been a bit quiet.

@Nora11 and @MammyandAva welcome.
it's good to hear how other people are getting on. Hope your scan went well @Nora11

@NorthernDuckling glad to hear that you managed to have a relaxing break in Italy before starting.
I started Norethisterone 5 mg tablets on 04/10/22, it was all rushed and my tablets arrived same day I started taking them. following a negative pregnancy test.
Following your withdraw bleed - I start stimulation drugs injection on 20th.
I've not had any major reactions to Norethisterone, just a few headaches and later on some slight boob pain but not sure if it's down to it.

@MammyandAva it's good to hear your experience with it.
I'm feeling very nervous about the process. Unfortunately my scan results show that I have to possibly have a surgical procedure in between due to 2 small fibroids in uterus. They are not that big but they apparently they grow with pregnancy and they think that they should come out. I'm just praying for a miracle that another consultant night say it's doable but at the same time I don't want to put myself at an obvious risk of MC if we get embryos. Just praying now and trying not to stress.

@Thelotusflower, this process is really difficult. You never know what you are going to hear when you go in and it makes it hard to think too far ahead. I really pray that those follicles produce good results.
I've read of people with many follicles who did not produce mature enough eggs and those with very little who got good eggs. Just stay in that positive mind frame and I pray that it all goes well for you.
It's such an emotional rollercoaster. It's never quite straightforward as you would want it to be.

Thinking of you all.

@BebeBelle thank you for your words. You're right, it is so hard. But at the end of the day, no-one can accurately predict how each woman will respond. So there is still hope, however small.

Sorry to hear of the procedure you have to go through. It so hard isnt it. Stay strong. I pray it all goes well for you.

@Thelotusflower hope your follicles are growing nicely, to paraphrase Amy in little women - you only need one, if it’s the right one. Hopefully one of those two work.

I seem to have settled down not having as many side effects, so think it was probably the tale end of the reaction to the bee sting.

Everyone else doesn’t seem to me on Norethisterone for as long as me, still on track to start injections on 27/10. Just want to get a move on now.