Starting provera before IVF tomorrow

[grhrn1984]

Hi, I am 39 years old and am going to start Provera tablets tomorrow for my first IVF cycle. If everything goes to plan the transfer will be next month in April and was wondering if anyone else is on this journey. This is a cycle funded by the NHS. I am worried about the side effects of the medication but this is one shot we have before I turn 40 years old in June. Hoping there would be someone in the same boat as me so that we could support each other.

[lemons44]

Hi! I have had provera before my IVF cycle 4 times now. The first time I didn't have any side effects at all. The second and third time I got a tad hormonal in the last few days and the forth time is now and I'm on them until next Wednesday. I'm on a frozen embryo cycle. Hopefully you don't have any side effects x

[grhrn1984]

@lemons44

Hi! I have had provera before my IVF cycle 4 times now. The first time I didn't have any side effects at all. The second and third time I got a tad hormonal in the last few days and the forth time is now and I'm on them until next Wednesday. I'm on a frozen embryo cycle. Hopefully you don't have any side effects x

Thank you for replying lemons44 It's good to know that you had minimal side effects. Can I know what is the dosage you are on? I have been asked to take 10mg AM and 10mg PM. I will update you on how I get on. Wishing you all the best for the frozen embryo cycle. Are there any tips that you can give me since it's my first time? Are you having your frozen embryo cycle in the UK? I am having mine in London at UCLH hospital.

[lemons44]

Hi @grhrn1984 I am on the same dose as you. I remembered that I did also have another side effect of occasionally very, very minor cramps that made me think my period may be starting! But it didn't. I think I've had that every time I've been in provera but it's so minor I'd forgotten about it until I felt them just now.

Thank you. Yes I am having it done in the UK I am with CRGH 😊 things that have really helped me is having a few people know what I'm going through so I could lean on them for support if needed. I also told my manager and found that lifted a big weight because I didn't have to worry about making up excuses for appointments. Consider some stretchy leggings for if you start feeling bloated towards egg collection as IVF bloat is real! Try not to stress about numbers. I have seen people have loads of follicles / eggs but get very little embryos and yet people with very small numbers of follicles and eggs end up having all eggs turn into top grade embryos. So if you have few follicles don't let this panic you. Clear space in your fridge ready for if you have medication that needs to be stored in there.

How are you feeling about it? xx

[Rebekah77]

I’m on provera Atm too struggling but just two weeks to go, we’ve got this xx

[grhrn1984]

@lemons44 Thank you for the tips. I have heard many good things about CRGH how has your experience been? Yes, I did tell my manager as I don't work from home and will be away in the mornings once my scans start. My friends know that I am starting my IVF treatment but none of them except my husband's relative has been through the process so I think I have informed maybe 1 or 2 friends. Yes, I agree with it being easier when telling your manager as I will probably run out of excuses. Ah, thank you for the advice regarding numbers. I will bear it in mind when the day comes. I have collected all my medications and oh my goodness there were so many I could open up my pharmacy. In terms of feelings, I am just taking it one step at a time. This is the first phase of taking Provera and I think I am fine just bloated today but to be honest I have IBS so I am always bloated. People say it usually doesn't work the first time so I am trying to be hopeful but not have too many expectations. I have heard a lot of people do acupuncture during their IVF treatment have you tried it? Also in terms of leave when do you suggest time off or did you take no time at all? My job is very stressful mentally so I was thinking maybe taking leave once the egg is collected. It's reassuring to know that not everyone gets crazy side effects from Provera. I am on day 4 today of taking Provera. I need to take it till the end of next week. How many days into Provera are you and are you also taking it for 14 days?

[grhrn1984]

@Rebekah77 are you also taking for 2 weeks and with the same dosage of 10mg twice daily? How have you been getting along with it yes thank goodness only 14 days.

[Rebekah77]

Yeah two a day for 17 days

feel so so unwell can’t wait to finish it next week !! Horrendous heartburn and cramp really flaring up my endo

I am counting down for sure !

really hoping it works and I get a bleed , fingers crossed

hope your not finding it too rough

[grhrn1984]

@Rebekah77 So far so good. I do have bloating but I think that's more due to IBS and a hiatus hernia that I have. How many more days do you have to go?

[Rebekah77]

6 to go thank god the pain is horrendous

on the plus side I feel so sick it’s helping my diet lol weigh in next week then just got to wait to see if any bleed

[grhrn1984]

@Rebekah77 Oh great, you will finish the tablets by Thursday next week. I will be finishing next week on Sunday. It's weird how some people are asked to take 17 days and others 14 days. I have only been asked to take it for 14 days. @lemons44 are you having it for 14 or 17 days ?

[Rebekah77]

The reason for it is to fit in with when surgery is booked for ! All about scheduling

finding it hard keeping weight off can’t wait to finish ! Weigh in next Tuesday

few weeks of dieting ahead just hoping can fight the water weight on stims !

[grhrn1984]

@Rebekah77 wishing you all the best and hopefully 9 months today we all have a little bubba

[Rebekah77]

Is my first round so just a test run but we move just hoping can finally get started !

hope your doing ok with the meds x

[lemons44]

Hi @grhrn1984 how are u getting on? It's been 4 days since I stopped provera and no sign of my period yet. The last few times I'd had it I had my period 5 days after stopping it, and 4 days after stopping (aka today) I would have been crampy and spotting. However this time I have no signs at all of my period starting anytime soon which is making me nervous. I think if my period doesn't start by tomorrow I have to ring the clinic.

In terms of how long I have been on it for, first time round I was on it for 17days, then second time round I was on it for 21 days (which is the max number of days I believe that you can be on it) and this time round was 12 days. I think it's different for everyone because they base it on your cycle and protocol.

[grhrn1984]

@Rebekah77 how many more days do you have on the tablets? I will be finishing them this Sunday. The first round of IVF? Same here it is my first round as well.

[Rebekah77]

Yeah first round must be about 6th schedule lol

all cancelled for me so no more tablets back to the drawing board !

wishing you all the best with this cycle lovely xx

[grhrn1984]

@lemons44 I am doing okay with the Provera I am on day 9 now and realised that not everyone's experience is the same. I was so afraid of starting the tablets due to the horror stories I heard on Mumsnet about Provera and thank goodness I don't have any. All cycles are different it could be that you get your period tomorrow without the initial symptoms today. It says between 3 to 7 days and I have heard a lot of people getting their period finally on day 7. Fingers crossed your period comes tomorrow or at least Friday since that will be day 7. Let me know how you get along.

[grhrn1984]

@Rebekah77 I am so sorry to hear that I hope this happens soon.

[grhrn1984]

@lemons44 how are you doing did you get any answers from the fertility nurses?

[Rebekah77]

Thank you ! On the plus side no more tablets . Back to dieting gym and waiting

good luck for starting stims

[grhrn1984]

@Rebekah77 Thank you and hopefully, your cycle will start soon.

[lemons44]

@grhrn1984 they said it can take 14 days since stopping for a period to arrive so I just have to wait until Thursday. If it doesn't arrive by then they will scan me. Just so strange as every time I have taken it before my period arrived 5 days after. Can't believe it's still not here.

How are you doing? xx

[grhrn1984]

@lemons44 I am ok just a waiting game now. I finished Provera on Sunday and didnt have any symptoms, which is good, but I am thinking did it work? My predicted period is this week and usually, I have had boob pain before but this time nothing at all. Nothing I can do but sit and wait hoping the period comes if not back to the drawing board. I won't be eligible for IVF on the NHS by June 19th as I will turn 40 by then so hoping we have at least 1 try before then. On another note, I was reading reviews on Provera and for many women, it took up to 14 days to arrive. I think our bodies react differently to hormones at different periods so don't give up hope yet.

[lemons44]

@grhrn1984 my period arrived this morning 🎉🎉🎉🎉 so happy! 13 days after stopping provera. I had given up hope!

I am sure it would have worked even without symptoms, I just think everybody reacts to it differently. What will be your next steps? A baseline scan and then stims? X

[grhrn1984]

@lemons44oh my gosh that's amazing news hopefully mine comes eventually as well. The nurses had provisionally booked a scan for me tomorrow morning but I have emailed them to cancel since there is no bleed yet. Yes, the next step will be the scan to start the injections but I am not sure when that will be since I haven't got a period. When is your scan and since you are on a frozen cycle do you still have to take injections? Not going to lie was feeling very down but your message gave me hope. I am going to be on Menopur 150 and rFSH 150.