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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

IVF Scotland - thread 5

1000 replies

itsmschanandlerbong · 27/03/2023 20:41

Hello, made a new thread for us Scots going through IVF, thread 5. Hoping this is the best thread yet for dreams coming true ❤️

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12
Nosejug · 04/09/2023 16:01

@Ellenn really sorry to hear your news. I can't imagine how it must feel, I still get sad with every period arriving, it must be extremely tough after 5 weeks of real hope. Rubbish that you have to wait till January too, seems really unfair when you've already waited your way through the list. I don't know much about immune bloods, but I hope it means you'll get some answers. Being all of a muddle myself with such low amh meaning ivf chances are low, the dr X-rayed my fallopian tubes today (ouch!) which show as clear which is good. So maybe I've still got a chance of natural 🤷 Biopsy tomorrow (bad cells not immunes) and then hopefully I can have my cervix to myself for a while(!) we have an glasgow royal nhs telephone consultation at the end of sept, so hopefully will have a date for a first icsi soon. My dr today was way more optimistic than the other consultants I've spoken to, which was helpful even just for my mental health.

On a light note, I watched a film on Netflix called private life all about this whole process. I found it helpful in a way of being sensitive but also entertaining. It comes from a place of knowing what it's all like. I'm seeing everything through a lense of trying to procreate at the moment so was nice to see other people doing the same ish stuff and coping with the same ish feelings. Hope you're all doing well/reaching the top of waiting lists/keeping hopeful x

Kitty12345678 · 04/09/2023 18:56

@Ellenn Im so sorry to hear this 😞 And that this has happened for a 3rd time too. I hope so much that the NHS can get answers for you with the tests they run. They can be quite pricey if done privately.
I’m surprised the waiting list for a transfer is so long. Is there an option to transfer an embryo to a private clinic like the GRFC?, there would be a cost but would mean you don’t have to wait 4-5months. Please take care of yourself during this difficult time xxx

LouScot · 04/09/2023 20:58

@Ellenn just adding my voice to everyone else's, so sorry you're going through this, it must be so hard having your hope dashed. Thinking of you x

Ellenn · 05/09/2023 09:10

Thanks everyone for your messages, I’m still waiting to miscarry (stopped progesterone on Thursday) does anyone know how long it usually takes to happen? At my previous miscarriage it happened when I was on the progesterone so not had it were nothing happening. I really hope it doesn’t end up prolonged as just want my cycles to go back to normal asap.

I just feel numb at the moment with all the hope being taken from us that maybe this time it might finally work 😢

I’d thought about transferring embryos but I wonder if it would take just as long as waiting till January and they may have waiting lists anyway. Plus some of the clinics seem to be £2k + for one transfer which seems so excessive.

they have offered me the recurrent miscarriage bloods which is at least something, was going to discuss with them as well if they thought it was more environment/embryos to see about if they would consider a double transfer or not

hope everyone is ok? xx

Nosejug · 05/09/2023 09:20

When we were investigating paying for treatment with glasgow royal a couple of months ago they said there would be no delays (besides from timing) and that we'd be ready to go when we figured out the money part. I don't know if it would have changed by now.

Try to be kind to yourself. It's amazing that you do have healthy embryos, so you do still have lots of reason to hope when you're ready to start thinking that way again.

Ellenn · 05/09/2023 09:26

@Nosejug we actually used glasgow royal last year for our first cycle (we self funded) and they said we can get started with treatment but they have such a long process before actually getting to treatment. (Our consultation was February and we started treatment July.) I might email them anyway to ask the question but they used to be such a nightmare to deal with/communicate with. Im also not sure if they would only let us transfer 1/2 embryos and leave the remainder at Ninewells or not.

itsmschanandlerbong · 08/09/2023 21:16

Hi hope everyone is all OK. Currently on 2 day of stims, can't believe we're here again 😬😬

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Kamiros · 08/09/2023 21:36

@itsmschanandlerbong Oh thats so exciting. How are you feeling?

itsmschanandlerbong · 08/09/2023 22:01

@Kamiros physically I've been ok. A little tired and bloated. Emotionally it's coming in waves, I'm ok, then I'm emotional that we're doing this again. All of the uncertainty and anxiety and add to that the cost of it all, it's a huge gamble. But we just keep going. Thanks for asking.
How are you doing?

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Kamiros · 08/09/2023 22:56

@itsmschanandlerbong I'm not sure it ever gets easier no matter how many times you to through it.

I'm ok, starting to feel less tired which is great. 2 weeks today until my scan - less anxious but still absolutely terrified something will be wrong.

itsmschanandlerbong · 09/09/2023 22:45

Glad you're starting to feel a little better. I found the anxiety lessened as each week passed. Have you booked any more private scans? I done one every few weeks until I could feel baby move which definitely helped lessen the anxiety.

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superj21 · 12/09/2023 07:32

Hello everyone, I hope it's ok to join on this thread. Feeling really crap as my oh so familiar cramps have just started and any wisdom would be appreciated.. we live in Glasgow.

My partner and I have been TTC for a little over 3 years. When I came off contraception we were not actively "trying" but were happy for nature to take its course. After a little while I started tracking BBT, etc and we made more of an effort to time things. However, we've had nothing other than one false positive on a crappy clear blue last year (followed by a negative FRER).

I went to my GP late last year and they did a blood test which confirmed I'm ovulating. I was pretty sure I was anyway as my periods are pretty regular and my boobs get sore after O. A few months back my other half got his sperm tested and he had a really high count but not great morphology, however they said to him that given the high count the issues with morphology shouldn't prevent us conceiving. In June, I went back to my GP and she said she would refer us to gynaecology, however I've heard nothing since. I called up last month to double check that the referral had gone through and they said it had and so I would just have to wait. I'm not even sure where she referred us to but assuming it's Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

I'm just wondering what the process is and timescales now? I'm assuming once referred to gynae they will do more tests, and then it'll be another referral if we need to do IVF? How long does it take to even get to the initial appointment? I know the NHS is really stretched at the moment but private isn't an option for us right now.

I'm 30 and my other half is 36 so I know we've still got some time but I just feel like I'm stuck in limbo. I'd always imagined having a few kids and as my friends have started to fall pregnant quickly and naturally I just feel so disheartened (although of course I am happy for them). My partner and I are both healthy, fit and active. I do have an under active thyroid but I was diagnosed at 13 so have been taking medication for that for a long time with yearly blood tests confirming I'm on the correct levels.

Kitty12345678 · 12/09/2023 17:59

Hi @superj21 welcome to the group. Sorry to hear you are going through this journey too.

The waiting times for the NHS for me was over a year. I had my initial conversation with the doctor to in May last year and she tested my blood to see if I was ovulating and my husband had his sperm checked privately (which was all fine). I’m only now being treated by the NHS. I have egg collection on Friday. So it does take a while to get to the top of that queue.
Are you able while you are waiting to have a fertility check up privately? They can do an ultrasound and check your AMH levels. This might give you some peace of mind if that is all okay.

I also recently developed thyroid issues, but I’m on a low dose of medication, as it’s sub clinical. When I spoke to a private clinic they recommended that I go on meds as the level the NHS says is okay is actually slightly higher than most gynos recommend. They say try to be below 2.5tsh rather than 5tsh. Might be worth asking you doctor you exact TSH levels.

If you are worried about waiting times there is private options with GCRM or GRFC, however they can be quite pricey. I had two rounds with GCRM and one cycle resulted in pregnancy in March but I mc at 9weeks. I would say they are okay, nurses are nice but there are some things I think they can do better. Hope that helps. xx

superj21 · 12/09/2023 18:30

Hi @Kitty12345678 thanks so much for the information! I had naively assumed the wait would be a couple of months. A year to even get the referral appointment is crazy. I think I will look into getting a private ultrasound and AHM test (although that's the most I'd be able to afford privately right now :( ). I had PID once when I was in my late teens after some reckless behaviour with a guy I thought I could trust so I do have some paranoia that I could have scarring from that although when I mentioned to my GP they didn't say anything.

I'm not sure what my TSH levels are so I'll see if I can get that info from my docs - when they do my bloods they just tell me there's no issues. I've been on 125 mcg/day Levothyroxine for as long as I can remember. As far as I know, my body doesn't produce any thyroxine.

I'm so sorry about your MC, I can't even imagine the heartbreak. Thank you so so much for all your helpful advice xx

itsmschanandlerbong · 12/09/2023 21:01

Hi @superj21 I'm sorry I can't help with current waiting times. There is a Facebook group called 'Glasgow IVF & ICSI support group' someone in there might know. You could also ask in there for details of the waiting list co ordinator to contact them to check, I contacted them before but don't have the details anymore unfortunately. I did overhear in the clinic the other day that when you're on the waiting list, it is currently around 6 months long.

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Nosejug · 13/09/2023 07:18

@superj21 hey, I'm in a similar boat (although unfortunately older and with low amh) but have partner low morphology and am ovulating regularly still. We were put on the glasgow royal wait list this year, we have first phone appointment with them end of this month and I think we were referred initially back in March (although we are ayrshire, so had extra months of waiting being referred to crosshouse initially.) their estimate is we will be seen in December, though I've just had several biopsies taken from my cervix and won't be allowed ivf icsi till that's resolved.

Make sure your smear is up to date while you're waiting around, can't tell you how gutting is is to finally be getting my turn but possibly dealing with a whole other issue.

I managed to get my amh done by my doctors surgery. I explained how the nhs would be doing it anyway, but we were trying to work out of it was affordable to go down the private route and wanted to save as much as possible. Dr was dubious about doing it but give it a go! Turns out ivf probably won't work for us (we've been told) because of my amh, so we are just waiting for our turn rather than paying. Might need to save for egg donation.

You can get the coordinator phone number by phoning the icsi folks up. They never answer but do call you back. I lost the (one of a million) bits of paper with the number and date on it or I'd have been happy to share.

Sorry you're on this journey. It's not very nice, most especially upon entry. Strange to hold friend's babies who you know started trying around the same time you did. Makes the whole thing seem so much more rare and precious, which if we get success in the end, will be entirely positive.

@itsmschanandlerbong hope stims are going ok

@Kitty12345678 good luck with egg collection Friday

@Kamiros glad to hear you're feeling less anxious

Tryinginedi · 13/09/2023 08:35

Hi
This is my first time here but I thought it might help to chat to people going through similar things.
About me: I live in Edinburgh am 35 and husband 36. Have been trying for 18 months now(we postponed starting to try for abput a year due to covid and postponed wedding). No success at all, no pregnancy at all. We contacted gp after 12 months(march) and had bloods and ultrasound done in referral centre August (mild high prolactin rest normal, Dr. Is not concerned). Sperm analysis normal. Waiting on hystosalpingography in November.
Today I got cramps again so guess my period is on time. And I am really struggling. Emotionally I get worse every month and waiting times between tests seem so long. I am not sure we can afford private fertility treatment as it seems a huge amount of money but at the same time feel a bit disheartened. Like I am 35 and running out of time and regret postponing trying. They couldn't really give me a time frame either how long the waiting times for ivf in Edinburgh are atm.
Anyone in Edinburgh that know what the waiting times are? I know no one can help me get there faster or feel better but I thought maybe joining a forum with people that go though the same might help.

superj21 · 15/09/2023 08:18

Thanks @itsmschanandlerbong I'll check that group out.

@Nosejug I'm so sorry to hear after all this ivf might not work for you. I might see if I can get my GP to check my AMH to save some money, although my GP seems really under resourced because they are constantly texting saying not to contact unless it's an emergency because staff are off, etc. I also saw some at home AMH tests online although I don't know how accurate they will be.

I actually got my smear last month as my doc also said to make sure I did that before I went for further tests so hopefully there are no issues there. Thanks so much for the advice, it's such a crap thing to be going through xx

Kitty12345678 · 15/09/2023 13:07

Hi everyone hope you all okay.
Im having egg collection on Monday now with GRI (NHS) as they wanted a few more follicles to catch up. They seem fairly optimistic that it will go okay. I’m a bit nervous this time as I know it could be last time if I get a low amount of eggs retrieved, as NHS don’t let you continue with further rounds if it’s less than 2 eggs. They think I’ll be okay as I have 6 mature follicles and 3 just behind.

@Tryinginedi welcome to the group. It sounds positive that everything is normal for you. I’m sorry to here about how hard this has been for you emotionally. I feel regret everyday for waiting. My husband and I have been together since we were 20 but waited for years to start trying, as we never had a house or were financial stable. Now we have that in our thirties, I now have this low AMH issue, which is likely causing our infertility and recent miscarriage. I’ve been seeing a therapist and it helps dealing with the guilt and regret. It gets better with time but it’s still very hard to deal with.

@superj21 id recommend GCRM for a fertility check up. You can ask the NHS but they could take a while to do it. They wouldn’t do it for us as they were going to check it when we got to the top of the list for IVF. Might just give you peace of mind to do it early. Also check you have had two doses of MMR in your life as the NHS requires it.

itsmschanandlerbong · 15/09/2023 22:21

@Kitty12345678 hey Kitty looks like I'm in for egg collection at GRI on Monday too 😊 best of luck! There may also be some follicles hiding, I've had it in my last round where I actually ended up with more eggs than they counted!
I'm back tomorrow for more bloods and a scan but nurse said likely Monday for egg collection. My left ovary isn't responding well with only 1 follicle, but it hasn't responded during previous rounds so I'm not surprised. Right one seems to be doing OK so fingers crossed we'll get enough from that side 🤞🏻🤞🏻

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Kitty12345678 · 16/09/2023 13:55

@itsmschanandlerbong Wow exciting, same day. Good luck 🤞🏻 I had the same with my last two cycles too, one was more dominant than the other. You will be fine x. How are you feeling? Im super bloated, just wanting them collected soon.

itsmschanandlerbong · 16/09/2023 21:48

@Kitty12345678 I'm the same, feeling very bloated and have had what feels like a constant headache since starting. Fed up of injections and blood tests! How are you doing?

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superj21 · 17/09/2023 07:29

Thanks @Kitty12345678. Hope the egg collection goes well for you and @itsmschanandlerbong on Monday 😊

itsmschanandlerbong · 18/09/2023 19:49

How did you get on @Kitty12345678?

I got 10 eggs collected which I am so happy with. They didn't collect any eggs from the left side, so I think that's good going for one ovary. I was feeling so bloated and am quite crampy tonight. I was on the highest dose of stims, and it worked better than previous cycles. Now the anxious wait for updates over the next 5 days 🤞🤞

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Kamiros · 18/09/2023 20:12

Fantastic news @itsmschanandlerbong. Hope it went well for you @Kitty12345678

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