FET / IVF August 2023

[KG1244]

I’m due to start my second round of FET in August so thought I would set up this group for some treatment buddies ❤️

@Justkeepmoving1234 I'd forgotten what it feels like when you are injecting. Bloated stomach, tender ovaries and tiredness.

Hi All, I'm new to this forum and hoping i can join. Im starting a short protocol icsi cycle, hopefully the end of next week 😬 I had a previous round last year with 1 fresh transfer and 2 FETs which were unfortunately unsuccessful, I believe I had a very early chemical on the fresh transfer.
This round we are having a slightly higher dose 225 (last time 150iu) and adding in prednisolone and asiprin, as I was experiencing flu like symtoms during the 2ww. Ive had all the the blood tests for implantation failure and the only tests that came back positive was ANA factor, so praying the prednisolone and asprin will do the trick this time 🙏 feeling anxious already to go through the emotional and financial worries again but trying to keep hopeful....Good luck to everyone over the coming weeks and I hope you all get you BFPs!! Xx

Hey @Willard89 welcome And you can join me in the ivf virgin! I’m day 7 of stims, with another progress scan tomorrow. Have you been put on a long antagonist protocol then?
ive done various rounds of ovulation induction with injection stims, to no avail. So I’m on my first too, although I have a lot of injection experience from the failed OIs. So I’ll be your virgin support busdy

@Ellenn hey! Great news you’re on funded too. I had a look in our area and FETs are included in the ‘1 cycle of ivf’ funding provided the Frosties are from this funded round. Have a look here and you can find out what your council has down as one cycle. https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/ics-leadership/

yeah it’s a nerve wracking time hey? My husband told me to ‘relax’ yesterday before it and I nearly knocked him out 😂 another scan tomorrow so fingers crossed 🤞 did you say you had one round already on funding?

Thanks @Helene2019 ! This puts my mind at ease. I did read that it can be between 3-5 days until it happens but was not sure. Also the clinic said it may not be as heavy as a normal period but it there should be some flow and it should last for a few days. Is that consistent with what your clinic told you and/or experience? Sorry if this is TMI...

@GCS34 sorry I meant unsure I can move the embryos to another clinic since it’s on a nhs cycle! So think I might be stuck with the waiting times 🫣In Scotland we get 3 funded cycles which is good 😊 my first cycle I self-funded.

You always say oh after this step it will be easier to relax etc but then there is something else! I found the most stressful time was actually waiting to hear how many mature/fertilised/made it to blastocyst. How are you feeling? No symptoms of OHSS yet?

@Ellenn Oh sorry I get you now. Ah! yeah Scotland waiting times aren’t great. One of my friend lives in Aberdeen and she’s on the waiting list to get started and it’s like 18-20 weeks! I can’t get over that theirs only one in the whole of Scotland!!

That’s great you’ve got 3. Did they not mind you paying yourself first? Was that due to the waiting list?

oh I know. There’s always something. Once you’re pregnant it’s the 7 week scan. Than the 12. Than the 20. In all honesty I don’t think we’ll enjoy any of our pregnancy until the last few weeks. No nothing yet fingers crossed. In again tomorrow so will let you know what they say. Still down as a fresh as it stands.

Hi all

lurking in the background keeping an eye on your journeys. I managed to get some testosterone so have started, due to start norethisterone next week so a few weeks behind you all but hope you’re all feeling ok xx

Hey @MrsMotts welcome 🤍when are you due to start stims? And is this your first round ? Sending luck! What’s your story if you don’t mind sharing.

Wishing all of you the very best! As I mentioned earlier, this is my first experience with IVF ever (I'm 35, and "unexplained). Going for my first round with the NHS, ICSI protocol at St Barts London. I've just been taking it one day at a time. My AF started today after stopping Provera on Fri, and will be starting Stimulation self-injection from tomo. I'm really, really nervous! what side effects can I expect? Also, better to take it in the tummy or thigh? I'll be working all throughout my procedure (except a day or so leave after egg collection and FET, if all goes well)

Although I'm taking it one day at a time, I honestly don't know "what" to feel. I don't want to feel hopeful, or negative. Any words or wisdom on something so basic as to "what should I be even feeling?"

@scaredynoob we are almost on the exact timescale! AF arrived today (after I stopped norethisterone on Fri eve) and I am meant to start injections on Wed! We are also doing ICSI due to MF but I also have low AMH.

I cant really answer any of your questions unfortunately but really excited there is someone else starting around the same time as me. I am trying to take it easy (famous last words), been doing some yoga at home to relax as much as possible and I try not to think of what happens next.

@MrsMotts good luck with your cycle! Norethisterone is super straightforward. I did worry when I came off it that my period would not come etc. Thankfully I was calmed down by members on this board :)

Hi all, currently starting my first ever IVF cycle. I am 41, ttc number 3, due to egg quality had 4 cp last 1.5 years 😔
I am on Primolut pills and starting injections on the 3d of August. Don't know details as on holiday and they moved all week earlier, so first appointment on Friday only.

Was really scared of these pills before injections but actually not bad, no worries or any sort of mood, like "I don't care" stage 🙈
Do you think it is normal or worries and pain will kick in later?

Injections - I should be ok, as already dud half IUI cycle injections (it was cancelled as risk of multiples and my kids were premature so cannot carry more than 1).

Really happy to have this forum and read your news, as none of family or friends even suspect us planning more kids!
Xx

Hi all! Just wanting to find some people on the same timeline for this rollercoaster journey that is IVF.

I am 27, TTC 2-3 years with no luck. I have endometriosis and my partner has MF so all in all this should be the best shot we have realistically had in almost 3 years. I started the provera tablets on Saturday, they have been fine apart from the tender boob symptoms starting today. I gave myself my first down-regulator injection (suprecur) this morning and anticipating the unwelcome side effects, any advice with how long they take to start showing up would be appreciated!

If all goes well we should be having an EC on 25/08 and a fresh transfer on the 30th. Worried about OHSS as my AMH levels are the higher end of normal for someone my age, but keeping everything crossed that this is the timeline for us!

Wishing everyone on this journey the best of luck.

Hey @scaredynoob Exciting that you're starting tomorrow! What drugs are you on, and what dose out of interest?
To be fair, I don't find the side effects of the stimulation injections bad - either i'm not affected, or I'm a psycho all the time 😂Don't be scared though! Honestly it's not too bad, and depending on what you're on they really don't hurt either!

I take my stims in my stomach, and the Ovamex (anti ovulation injection) in the top of my leg. I think your feelings are the same as mine, and probably everyone else going through this for the first or 10th time.

"Scared, excited and counting down the days to hopefully transferring next week, worried I'm going to turn crazy, slighty giddy at the idea of being pregnant, terrified that if I get a BFP I won't know what to do, slightly delirious, andddddd extremly gassy" haha! For me that's the only bad one! Well, more so for my husband than me! 😳🙈 I can't guarantee i'll help, but if you want anything let me know!

Hey @CRolfe96 I think I am slightly ahead of you, and I'm on a short antagonist protocol, not long. Sorry you have MF and endo 💛But exciting that you now have a solution in sight! I think everyone is a little scared of OHSS, but it doesn't happen to everyone, and not always extreme. I had mild in April, I just threw up for a day and had really bad bloating for about 2 days. then it subsided. They'll be looking out for you throughout and you'll have blood tests every 2 days so they will pick it up super early if theirs any signs. We're on day 8 of Stims, so not quite the same TL as you, but We're due EC a week today.

Hey @Loulaki I won't be on the same as you as i'm already stimming, but here to support and share the IVF journey! I am a few weeks ahead of you guys, so I'll warn you if there's any bumps ahead 😂Yoga sounds lovely! I did that last week, this week I had every intention of, but it's getting a little crowded down there now so walking it is for now! Do you listen to podcasts? I find they really help and theirs a great one that is so real and down to earth and makes you feel less alone. And it's super hilarious at times! https://open.spotify.com/show/0tikAyqenCJsaTBwxzlaxg

Thank you 😊 I’m on a short protocol and start stims on 20th august. I’ve done OI before but only with tablets and just done 3 rounds. Very excited and nervous. I’m doing a freeze all and with the waiting list for a FET I’ll probably not get the chance of a transfer to next year.

@Willard89 Oh not long then! less than a month to go. I was told that Letrozole / Clomid wouldn't work on me due to my PCOS, so I was fast tracked straight to injectables 😅Not sure if that's good or bad, least the injection part of IVF isn't new! How come you are on a Freeze-all? We might end up on a FA based on my current scans - they're worried of OHSS with me and I've got 37 follicles on the rise, so they're watching me like a hawk! I am really hoping for a fresh, which it still is at this stage, but I am preparing for them to put me on a FA 🙄😓How come the wait list for a FET is so long?

@GCS34 I am a freeze all due to my AMH, it’s 89pmol - I spoke to a couple of clinics ant initial consultation stage and they all said I would be a freeze all. I am currently with NHS funded in NI so the waiting list is about 4-5 months I think for FET.
I don’t think I’ll be too bad with the injections, I’ve had multiple blood draws over the course of the last 2 years so I’m not bothers by needles etc anymore. I’ll get my ice pack on and it should be fine. I’m just a bit nervous about the OHSS side of things. They say I have PCOS too however I don’t have any of the typical symptoms. When is your planned EC?

thanks @GCS34 ! Will defo check this one out! How has it been for you? Read in your reply to @Willard89 that you have already 37 follicles? That is so amazing! You must be well chuffed with that! No wonder yoga wont be as comfortable with all those lovely follicles growing! Relaxed walks sounds like the right thing :)

@Loulaki it's really good, if you're into podcasts and lots of swearing and making infertility less scary and more like a chat down the pub, then you'll love it😂
Haha yeah I was predicted 20-30 due to past results I've had, and also my PCOS and reserve. I don't think they'll all be up to speed and collected by the time EC comes around, but If they got 20 mature eggs, I'd be super happy! I think I'd be super fortunate if I got one fresh embryo transferred, and one in the freezer, that would be really good. But we'll see. Could be more, could be less. I think having even one is a great start! Haha yeah downwards dog was not the one for me! 😳🙈How are you getting on? When do you think you'll start stims?

@Willard89 Ah that makes sense then. I guess their worried you'll over stim. Assume you've had your baseline scan to work out how many follicles you have currently? Do you know what that is?
EC is due week today

@GCS34 No I don’t think my clinic does a baseline which is odd because I do hear others on other forums talking about it. I have collected all my meds/injections and when I come off Northisterone and have a bleed I then just start injections on 20th August. I don’t visit my clinic again until my half way scan. What I did want to ask for those who have went through this and are currently going through it, what’s the rules re exercise? Normally I exercise 3 times a week and is high intensity, I take it I should refrain from this during stims? I’m clueless lol but just thinking it would be common sense?

@Loulaki for me it's like a normal one, but I've always had to start injections before the bleed ends. You still have a couple of days to go, and will probably start feeling crampy soon.

@scaredynoob I prefer all injections in my belly I try to alternate sides each day so not too many bruises. And when I have to do two different injection I do one on each side. I was told by a diabetic friend that if you are quite skinny, injecting into a thigh might be less stingy. I have a lot of belly fat so don't really feel them, though there are some sensitive spots that you know straight away as soon as the needle touches the skin. If I hit one of these I just move the needle a little to a spot that is less sensitive, and then inject there. The other thing that makes a difference is the angle - which depends on the meds. For the pen type ones like ovaleap and gonal F and I think trigger injections the pen should be at 90o to the injection site (perpendicular). With the single use syringes (Menopur, ferymadel, blood thinners etc) I tend to do 45-60o angle as the needles are longer and sometimes little thicker and the angle helps with the feeling of it. But the angle can't be too shallow otherwise you end up injecting the liquid into a little boil under the skin and a lot might leak back out rather than be absorbed.

@Willard89 Did you have an internal ultrasound when you had your bloods? I'm sure there is a reason they didn't 😊Don't fret! I guess if you wanted to know you could ask for one? Oh that's exciting - not long. What injections are you on? And what dose? Hopefully it's one with an epi pen as they make it so much easier! Not that I do mine myself 😅That's the role my husband has!

Well, good question. I like you exercise a lot! I generally workout 5/6 times per week, all high intensity. However, I have completely stopped during this. Their is a lot of advice around avoiding HIIT training, as the blood supply that is needed for your ovaries and uterus, is being diverted to the muscles you're working out (eg legs or whatever). It's been really hard for me to stop, and I won't lie - last week I was really anxious without doing it, but I've walked lots and found peace with it and don't want to look back and think 'I could have done more' or 'I shouldn't have done that' etc. Honestly you're not clueless as I googled this all last week! This might help 🤗https://www.baby2body.com/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-ivf-exercise#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20going%20through,added%20strain%20on%20your%20body.