IVF/ICSI/FET November 2023

[Sunflower360]

Hi 👋 I could not see a thread had been set up so thought I would do so. Bit about me...

➡️38
➡️Low AMH being main issue, last test was around 4pmol in the summer
➡️Have had an abandoned and failed IVF cycle in Spring of this year due to failed fertilisation, OH had low morphology, other parameters ok so ICSI advised next time
➡️Since then, I had 2 x consecutive ICSI natural modified egg collections and have 2 x day 5 ❄️❄️ and 1 x day 3 ❄️ embryos, whether they are any good, only time will tell
➡️I'm about to start another egg collection on the mild protocol this time and will (hopefully if it goes ok) transfer this time

Please join the rollercoaster for November as you wish!

Hi, quick update. Dermatologist confirmed it is unticaria (hives), most likely triggered by norethisteron downregg pills 😞 It is a rare side effect but still happens. Last time was ok.
So just if someone also experiences it. He prescribed big dose of antihistamines, the ones he said fine during pregnancy.
Ifv clinic at first was like no, no chemicals, but then- fine if dermatologist said it is ok during pregnancy.
Pills barely help at night, still bad 😣
But positive- starting stimulation this Friday!

@Longingforbaby92 hi, so sorry to hear about long struggle you are in!
I only had 1 cycle (starting 2nd this week). I am 41, so egg quality is the issue. I had 4 good 5d embryos, but after PGTA none were genetically good. I also thought that after day 3 the biggest problem is sperm quality...but I am not an expert. Maybe egg quality means not only chromosome abnormalities.
Could you get a different clinic second opinion? Or a few? As you had so many failed cycles already 😔

Aww sorry to hear of your struggles to
It just totally knocked me for six when he said about egg donation.....I know that just having lots of eggs doesn't mean they are all good but still feel that there is bound to be one good one amongst them (although it's hard not to lose hope) I think I might get another opinion as I just feel sometimes they are so concerned about OHSS based on my AFC and AMH that they panic and trigger me early but I'm not sure
Just feel egg donation is such a big step especially when I am still young
Have you been taking anything different in preparation for this cycle?
Will be hoping and praying for a great outcone this time for you

@contentsmayb When I had a FET I took HRT (the oestrogen) to keep my ovaries quiet so that the follicles didn't grow then there was no need for a trigger shot as nothing to be triggered so they could just do the transfer. The HRT will thicken the lining in preparation.

Hi everyone sorry joining late. I'm on day 3 of northisterone so far ok. Not sure how it will work as I am due to finish the northisterone before my period is due so I don't think it is delaying anything and wonder if that means my period will not come when I stop the tablets. Due to start stims around 26th November but assume it may be a little later if this is the case. Does anyone have any experience with this? I am already pushing it for time to start due to the Christmas closures I believe!

@Nk11 Thanks so much for your response.

@Longingforbaby92 nothing too special this cycle, just added even more supplements as per It starts with an egg book, but I was taking most important ones already. Dr said there must be a good one, it is just a question when we can find it.. Given my body reaction to downregg pill, not sure I can do it again

Hi @TT82 sorry to hear you are struggling with your allergy, why do you need to take downregg pills? I’m just curious why they prescribe them, and you can’t just start stims after AF comes? Nobody has ever mentioned them to me. I am a similar age, 42, so also have concerns about egg quality. That sounds really positive though that your consultant has said there must be a good egg in there and you just have to find it. That type of advise keeps me going. Good luck with your start on Friday, and fingers crossed this is your cycle:)
@Nk11 i haven’t got any experience to share, as this is my first round. I did see notices up around the clinic talking about treatments not starting for the majority of December, so good you are going to make it for the 26th
Hi @Longingforbaby92 sorry to hear you have had such a challenging time and you are doing so well to keep going. I agree that DE might not be the right decision for you yet, not if you produce so many eggs. As above, there must be one, you are still young. Have you had all of that treatment at one clinic? Would it be worth as suggested looking for other information elsewhere? There is a clinic in London called ARGC. I haven’t used them. They are expensive, circa £20k (I think I read this) for a cycle, but they monitor you everyday and are really specialised in finding problems autoimmune etc. you would need to live or stay nearby to attend the daily scans/bloods. If it is egg quality then what are you doing to work with this? Supplements, organic, excellent diet, no cigarettes/vape, booze/caffeine, seeing a dietitian, acupuncture etc.. You are doing great. And they say the darkest day is before dawn, so keep going x

@onewishplease hi, they say it is to calm down the hormones before stimulation.. But in reality they control the start of ivf and schedule all the patients, EC .. 😒
This month I was very long and they didn't have a spot to move me earlier, even though I suffered mentally last time I used them. This time better mentally, but then got these hives! Which now might take up to 6 weeks!
Dermatologist prescribed stronger pills and big dose, ivf dr today said no, only the drawsy type and 1 per day - which doesn't help at all.. If I take a big dose then cannot drive (already scratched the car..as like very slow reaction, not propper thinking). So I think I won't use them once I start stimulation at all, will suffer but need to drive and also don't want to mess this EC cycle...as might be my last one

@TT82 is there anything you can do herbally that will calm them? I have had regular acupuncture for over a year and she has also prescribed me teas that would work for allergies. Or what about home remedies? Porridge oats in a bath? Avoid dairy etc.
It is really hard, everyone on here will say that, and you are doing so well to be at the start of your second cycle. Try and stay positive. Don’t think as far as whether this is your last one. Just focus on doing the best you can every day. I had a rubbish couple of days the last two, I don’t know what I did differently but I woke up this morning more ready to face everything ahead. Focus on all that you are in control of, foods, mindset etc and try and think happy thoughts X

Thanks for all your advice, I have been following ARGC and do know they are pretty expensive but seem to have phenomenal results....might try and get a consultation at least and see what they think! Just can't comprehend how every one of my eggs is bad, spoke to the embryologist today and they said on appearance they looked good and had great growth to day 3, but after that it slowed down which is normally a sign of issues with the sperm but they said his sample was top class so couldn't be it so I'm a bit confused as they just automatically blame the eggs then!
Hopefully we will get there some day 🤞🤞🤞

@onewishplease thank you for your support!
I am trying all the home remedies I can find, they help during the day. Nights - nothing helps, hives just keep coming.. I just hope it will stop soon.

@Longingforbaby92 oh, definitely then try to get consultation for another view!

Morning! I'm due to start ICSI for the first time. My instruction was to phone the hospital on day one of my period.

Every month, I get a bit of blood, nothing for a day, and then my period starts properly. I mentioned this to the hospital and they said to phone on the day it starts properly.

Last night I had my traditional bit of blood that's a sign everything is kicking off.

However! If I wait until tomorrow to phone the hospital, I think they'll delay me for a month. They don't do kick off appointments over weekends, so that would be me into December and they do a shut down and then it'll be January.

Soooo... should I phone today? They won't be able to see me until tomorrow anyway, when things should have started in earnest?

Or given that they outright told me not to, should I wait?

WWYD?! X

@potatosconelover - I would phone now to avoid a months delay. A day re period is neither here nor there.

Thanks @IslandsintheOcean - I think it seems the sensible thing!! I think my day one is just a bit different?!

@potatosconelover I would also call them today. I had similar situation last time, called when periods started (well I thought), but the proper flow only next day. They told me it doesn't really matter that 1 day. Good luck!

@Longingforbaby92 I understand your struggle very well. Have you ever done a sperm fragmentation test? Apparently, a normal semen test can be perfect but the sperm can be highly fragmented which there is no way to know before doing the fragmentation test.

Hi GOL, yea we had DNA fragmentation and oxidative stress tested last year and all was really good. It's so frustrating and so hard to process as everything I read relating to poor egg quality like low estrogen, low fsh, irregular cycles, I don't have any of but it must be a problem with the eggs. Just hope it's something I can improve and not anything genetically.

Of course I couldn't wait till my OTD and tested today on 6DP5DT with one of those cheap strips and Clearblue early detection one. BFN. I feel very devastated laying down on the bed with a severe headache which started yesterday evening and didn't go away 1 second. I don't know if I should be hopeful at all that day 6 might've been too early (although it seems that lots of people have BFP since day 5) or lose my hope. 😥

@GOL I'm sorry, I'm in exactly the same place but two days ahead. I've been testing negative since 5dpt. I did hold out some hope until today though (8dpt) so I think there is def still a chance for you to be a bit early. Good luck 🤞

@kirstysmbc I think you should keep up your hope too at least until tomorrow. It's very difficult, isn't it? Was it your first round? Do you have any frozen embryos? What did you test with? Everywhere they suggest to use FRER but it's unavailable. So I was wondering what is the best close to that one.

Hi, I had my scan appointment this morning. I ended up crying when the nurse told me to think about donor eggs or adoption. The right overy was empty and the left had 3 follicles. 1 at 14mm 1 at 15mm and 1 at 10mm. Lining was looking fine. They are hoping the larger 2 make it over 19mm by my next appointment on Monday, and are expecting me to trigger on Monday night, and egg collection on Wednesday. She is hoping to get 1 or 2 eggs. The chances of them being chromosomally normal are very very slim. I didn’t ask her what the drugs have actually done? I had 2 follicles at an assessment scan last month, on day 7 they were 9 and 11mm - so no different than I am now. Feeling like such a fool for having taken my fertility for granted and not got here sooner. And like doing this is just a waste of time.

I’m sorry @onewishplease. Why do they think they won’t be chromosamally normal? How old are you? Technically you only need one good egg but I appreciate how upset you must be.

That's such a cruel thing to say, however well meant, I don't even know whether nurses are qualified to advise you on what journey you should take. Have you considered DHEA or ovarian PRP? Both are said to increase egg quantity, although both seem to be only available overseas. (iHerb sells DHEA)

@onewishplease they are good sized follicles and it only takes one, as has been seen in other cases. Surprised the nurse took that approach. Oh and they don't need to be 19mm to trigger, but it does depend on your protocol. But just for info I triggered when the lead follicle was at 17mm in a natural modified cycle and ended up with 4 mature eggs in my 2nd egg collection. Also in my last (3rd) collection got 2 eggs of which one was a freezable day 5 embryo, so it's quality not quantity