IVF / ICSI January 2024

[VenusStarr]

Hi, is anyone due to start IVF / ICSI in January? We're going to do a 3 cycle package. I was hoping to start in December but hadn't realised Christmas closing would be so early! My clinic won't start fresh cycles after 30 November - my af is due any day now.

Got my protocol consultation next week, we've been doing lots of tests and my baseline scan. My husband was very sick earlier the year and we've now got MFI (low motility) and borderline sperm dna fragmentation. I've had recurrent miscarriages, combination of natural and ivf pregnancies, low amh, fibroids, adenomyosis... I've got immune issues so will be on extensive meds when we get to transfer. Trying to bank some embryos as this is our last go 🙏

Trying to see the wait as a positive to give us time to get the supplements in our system and eat well.

If anyone fancies joining me on the wait, please do 🙂

Exciting @VenusStarr!

We took out a loan to pay for a multi cycle package @Cloclo93.

Thank you ladies for the replies! We're going to take out a loan and spread it out over 4 years! It's just daunting if it fails and your left paying for it for years, I guess that's the risk with ivf 🥲
Had my 1st scan today counted 16 follicles which I hope is positive because I've a very low AMH of 3. They said I should be starting oestrogen at the start of January I really don't know what to expect do you get crazy side effects with all the medication??
Will anyone be enjoying a drink over over Christmas??xx

16 follicles is amazing @Cloclo93!

Just had a call from my clinic. Start medication beginning of Jan, first scan around the 22nd Jan and transfer week commencing 5th Feb. Have paid for the medication so that will be on its way to me soon hopefully.

@VenusStarr sorry slow reply - new cycle will start Jan 7 so prob start jabs around then too. It’s so weird knowing this is happening straight after Christmas - I can’t help but think about that as opposed to actual Christmas 😅

@Cloclo93 gosh ya 16 is great - shows how not important amh is.
im planning to have the odd Prosecco alongside lots of nosecco. 😅

Woo @Cloclo93 that's fab news! My amh is 9 and they counted 17 follicles but averaged afc at 8 as had 8 on one side 9 on the other.
It's really daunting but I think you're the same as me, feeling like you have to try.
What's your protocol? I have taken estrogen and the first time it did send me a little bit 🤪 but I don't take it for stims, I'm on short protocol.

Ooh @Hopingforno2in2024 it's starting to feel more real now isn't it? 🙏

@Blossomofhope you'll be a few days behind me 🙂

I'm not drinking I don't think. I did buy an alcohol free pinot grigio yesterday, it's alright but didn't go down like wine! Haha. I'll be on the nosecco for new year too!

Is anyone else close to starting now? X

@VenusStarr Fingers crossed you start on time!

I’ve messaged the clinic, they emailed me back today and said they’ll ask my consultant and get back to me. I’ve had the other blood test today anyways. If they can’t use that one, I’ll just have the ANA done at the clinic and pay what it costs.

I’m tracking this month, as requested, to confirm I’m ovulating with LH sticks. I always get a positive on those and there’s no reason to suspect I won’t ovulate on my own. Clinic just need confirmation otherwise my ‘natural’ FET will need some stimulation drugs. Only CD 11 so don’t expect to see a flashing smiley or static smiley face yet.

I think I’ll be happier when I know 100% our next cycle will start Jan.

I’ll be having the odd drink over Christmas, might as well take the advantages of having a FET. They already have the embryo. It’ll be 2024 by the time my next cycle starts and (hopefully) start the FET cycle.

16 is excellent! From memory I had 16/17 in total and my AMH is 6 - the more I hear about everyone’s journey’s the more I take these test results with a pinch of salt.

I think I will be indulging in a couple of drinks mixed with the non-alcoholic bits. We’ve not told our families we’re doing this as yet and I’d prefer to avoid the questions if they see me not drinking at all.

My first scan before taking the medication is booked for Jan 2nd, but typically I’ve ovulated a day early this month which means I may have to change that - we’ll see!

I chased up Guys today because I’ve not heard from Fertility2U to organise delivery of the medication, which is supposed to be on Wednesday this week. They’ve said to call them if I don’t hear by 3pm tomorrow, which feels like cutting it very fine so may call in the morning instead.

excited but bloody nervous! And very glad we have this community to share with 😊

Fingers crossed its the right test @Lauralozzle and can save you money
I hope you get some answers too.
How long are your cycles usually? I think knowing that things will definitely be happening helps your mindset.

I think doing a FET having a drink won't be detrimental. Enjoy 🍷

Hope all your timings work @LouP87 I'm the same, I've settled knowing I've got my meds in the fridge. Hope they come as planned.
We'll be on a similar timeline, I think I'll be about day 5 on 2 January x

First buserelin done! Down reg has officially begun and I wasn’t too much of a wimp😀

@confuzzzzzled well done.. first one out of the way!

I won’t have any down reg this time, last time it slowed things down a lot for me but I know that’s not the case for most.
I’ll be on a testosterone gel 5 days before my cycle starts - anyone tried that before? I also will be on prednisolene and revokelle - these are all new to me this cycle. Anyone used these before?

@LouP87 16/17 is great. I’ve a similar amh to you and end up with an afc of about 7/8.

I was on Testogel for a cycle before I started stims @Blossomofhope. It is a magical thing which increases energy etc although you probably won’t feel that with such a short dose.

@Hopingforno2in2024 ooh really, how long were you on it for? Now I’m wondering why I’m only starting 5 days before

I was on it for the entire cycle so about 26 days.

@VenusStarr if my cycle starts a day earlier than expected, which it should now I’ve ovulated early, then we’ll be exact same timing!

medication is being delivered tomorrow, really keen to find out which one is for what…

@Blossomofhope I’m down for Gonal-f 900, Fyremadel, Ovitrelle and Cyclogest pessaries so can’t help with your new ones there - I’m a bit of a nerd with all this, unfortunately not a doctor so haven’t much hope of understanding the differences!

Hello!
I'd like to join as well ☺️ Set to start a new round of IVF with ICSI on the 4th of January. All meds are in the fridge and fees have been paid (credit card is hot!)
Low AMH of 5 but 14 follicules counted at the scan. I'll start on oestrogens a week before as well so wondering what effects it will have on me.
My first round was successful with my little boy born end of 2022. However I had only 2 eggs fertilised so they changed a bit the medication this time around.
Feeling positive to start 2024 with the treatment. Good luck to you all ☺️

Good luck @Loute02!

AF has arrived so have left a message with the clinic.

Hi @Loute02 are you doing estrogen priming? It's weird having all the meds stacked in the fridge again! Are you aiming for a fresh transfer?

Eek @Hopingforno2in2024 😬 how you feeling? When will you start meds? What meds will you be on? X

Thanks @Hopingforno2in2024 ☺️

@VenusStarr yes I think this is it. Last time, I had one extra big follicle so I think they want to try something different to make them grow more uniformly. Aiming for a fresh transfer as the one we have in the freezer is not top quality. I'm a bit afraid of side effects of the estrogen after reading your post saying they send you a bit 🤪! What did you experience?

Hi guys,

It's finally time. After our third and last failed medicated IUI in July, we finally reached the top of the IVF waitlist. The local hospital can start us up after January 9.

Feeling a bit nervous, as my period is due around 7-10 January, so we may miss the January slot by one day and have to wait until February😓

We'll be doing short protocol at first. I had medicated IUIs with Gonal-F, so I'm prepared for the injections part, and I've done progesterone before. I'll admit I'm absolutely terrified about the egg retrieval part, as I nearly passed out/vomited/had severe cramping just from the insemination from the IUIs. I couldn't even walk/go to the toilet after the last one where they really jammed the catheter up there.

They don't put you under here, so I'll be totally conscious. I break out in a sweat just thinking about it. You only get some morphine 'if it hurts' during (never taken before, so no idea if it'll work for me).

I'm 32, and my infertility is - so far - unexplained (clear tubes, 16AMH, no deficiencies, and no male factor). We have been TTC for 18 months.

On top of this, I was made redundant in October, and haven't found another job, so... life is a bit tough right now. I don't have any friends or family to talk to about this.

I'll be posting quite regularly on here from now on, so looking forward to getting to know some of you better over the coming months :)

Welcome @Copenhagener :) So glad you have made it to the top of the waiting list. Egg collection was fine for me but I was sedated. I hope it goes well for you too.

Clinic just called and I have my schedule!

Injection of Gonal Peptil on 10th Jan
Baseline scan 22nd Jan
Start HRT and another scan 1st Feb
Transfer week commencing 5th Feb

The first time I took estrogen, it felt like my emotions were all over the place. I'd be really irritable and got pissed off quickly, but I was also quite teary at times. Like my tolerance for things wasn't my usual. I think I felt hot all the time too, not sweaty, just like I was too warm @Loute02 I'm not selling it am I? But it was manageable. Hope it does the trick to even out your follicle growth 🙏

I'm sorry iui didn't work @Copenhagener but I'm glad you've got a rough idea when you can start ivf. Hopefully af will hold off a few days and you can do January. I'm sorry you've had a rough time with being made redundant ❤️ glad you've joined us here 😊

@Hopingforno2in2024 that's great you have your schedule. Transfer day will be hereto before you know it 🥰

So many people starting treatment soon! can't wait to hear everyones updates! Unfortunately I ovulated too late for a natural transfer this month (it would fall over Christmas break). So i've switched to a medicated FET starting tomorrow! Depending on how my lining develops likely my transfer will be around 3rd week in january :) anyone thinking they might be a similar timescale?

Myself and partner have decided we are going to do a double transfer eek we are excited and hopefully, just really wanting a different outcome from before 🙄

I’m hating down reg so far! Killer headaches for the past few days and sooo painfully tired. I thought I was going to fall asleep at my desk this afternoon. Hoping the symptoms plateau soon as I’m not sure I can take another 3/4 weeks of this 😥