IVF/ICSI June/July

[CakePigeon30]

Hi, couldn't see a thread for June yet so thought I would start one.

I'm on long protocol so actually starting down regulation on 28th May, egg collection not scheduled in until 8th July.

I am on NHS and this will be my first round. Was referred less than a year ago now and have managed to loose 2 and a half stone to get my BMI down.

Anyone else due to start around June?

@Zeeha welcome. The injections are not too bad, are you using a pre filled syringe or a pen type one? I've done both and was shown online in a zoom meeting then the videos on you tube, the pen type was slightly easier as the needle was so fine i didnt even feel it. I worked myself up into a right state the first time but I promise you its really not that bad. Focus on why you are doing it and don't squeeze your skin too hard, it just needs to be a light pinch, not a really hard one that leaves marks! You'll be so proud of yourself once you've done it.

@Zeeha I haven’t tried this myself but I hear icing the area beforehand helps and intend to do that when I start stims

@zeeha welcome. I'm very new to it all so not much practical help but rooting for everyone and can hopefully be emotional support!

Hope early do you need to start taking norethisterone?

When we went for our consultation I told the Dr I was due my period on 25th June and she told me to start it on 20th. I got my peak OPK yesterday and my app now says due on 23rd. Should I message the clinic about starting to take the norethisterone a day or two earlier? Xx

@Onthedouble123 would message them , last thing you want is period to start naturally!

weighing in tomorrow just hoping will be some surgical dates left for July fingers crossed 🤞

Thank you all!

@SamVan I will try the icing today and hope it helps! It's not so much the pain, I don't really know what it is really, but the thought of needles going into skin just makes me cringe and want to run (or if on TV look away and grimace). I'm hoping it won't be like blood thinning injections because they have a nasty sting afterwards.

@GwenH82 for the Meriofert it's a syringe that needs to be made up by mixing liquid into the bottles of powder using a bigger needle and then attaching a smaller needle to inject. The mixing part is an added part to master, as I like the idea of prefilled syringes being ready made for you! I've read the instructions a few times and watched the video on how to make it up so I'm hoping that part will go smoothly. The injecting needle on the syringe looks to be about 1cm long. Does that go the full way in? Thank you for the advice on not to pinch too much. That probably would be a danger with my nerves lol.

@Onthedouble123 I would definitely contact them and ask, especially incase your luteal phase isn't as long as predicted. I found the dates the doctor asked me to take the norethisterone quite unusual after I researched online, so I wasn't sure it if it was going to work. I was told a specific date to take it which worked out before ovulation. The doctor would have known this as I told him the expected date of day one and my previous cycle happened just as expected. However it did work and my normal cycle was shortened to 21 days. Judging from the ovulation testing it seems it restricted my LH readings, so I may have never ovulated. I think they did this timing just to fit in with their schedule. I've also read some clinics like to use the drug when it arguably isn't necessarily required, as research has show it gives better results when given the cycle before IVF. How true that is though, I really don't know! Best of luck and please let us know how you get on.

@FlutteryButtery2 I'm so sorry you're feeling despondent about testing. I really have faith in both you and @Snowdrop131. Are you going to test on Wednesday too, or are you waiting for Thursday AM? I got really stressed on my last TWW when I knew I had nothing left in the freezer, and the anxiety increased tenfold. If you do have to, which I don't think you will, but if you do, they will learn loads and make changes, but just try to put that out of mind for now, and focus on trying to relax the next few days. Have you done any acupuncture during your treatment?

The fact you're sleeping a lot, which is out of character, is a defo good sign!!

@Zeeha Welcome to the group. Sounds like this is the Meriofert club all round! They're making their money on us lot alone 😂The injections aren't that bad, and like some of the others said, once you've done one, you'll be a pro by tomorrow. Just don't pinch too hard, and I found taking a deep breath in and then on the out breath put the needle in, and then did it slowly in. Can you get your partner to do the first one for you, then you do it tomorrow? And yes all the way in on the needle.

@Onthedouble123 am I right in thinking that you take the norestherone before your period is due, based on your dates, is that correct?

I’ve got everything crossed that you both get some positive news this week whilst testing. I’ve come out in spots with norethisterone and have been have sharp twinges this afternoon. I’m guessing it’s because I should be starting my period naturally around now but because I’m taking these tablets, it’s delayed it.

Hopefully stimming starts next week eekkk! Have to see what the scan outcome is. How does everyone take phone calls from their clinic whilst being in work? I’m in a job where it’s just impossible to answer a phone. I might go and ask my boss and this is a necessary private conversation. If only I had an office job!

@Zeeha welcome. I'm also really nervous about stims and have similar questions to you although don't start mine to after my scan on the 25th. I'm going to try what @SamVan suggests and ice first

@Onthedouble123 not sure about norethisterone as I'm on Prostap and was told didn't really matter what cycle day I started on.

@SlinkMcSlink I just tell work I can only answer phone calls after 4pm - the clinic have been good so far at ringing me then

@Zeeha yeah ice will help numb the area so u won't feel it, I used ovaleap which was kept in fridge so if yours is the same take it out to get to room temp before injecting as cold liquid hurts when injecting it. And don't pinch too hard either. Is dauting, but once u get first couple by you, you'll be fine x

Hi @CakePigeon30 the making up of the syringe wasn't too bad. I watched a few videos again just before and made sure I had everything open and lined up on a clean surface which helped as it was all there ready. I'd ended up being really busy so I didn't get a chance to ice in the end as planned. I double checked with the nurse earlier today if the injecting needle could go fully in and she said yes, so if I had to close my eyes it could be a gauge by feeling the plastic touch my skin. I lined the needle up and just as I went to close my eyes I realised it had went in slightly! I didn't realise how little pressure was required for that to happen. I had a little rush but managed to breathe and do it with my eyes open watching the whole time. It felt very surreal as I have never been able to watch a needle like that. I took the injecting very slowly which I think helped. I found when I took the needle out that I felt it more, but it was nothing compared to blood thinning injections if you've ever had them. I'm definitely feeling a lot more confident for tomorrow, so thank you everyone for your advice.

@Snowdrop131 these stimulants aren't stored in the fridge, but the trigger injection is so I'll definitely bear that in mind thank you!

The nurse said to me today if my first scan on Monday shows I've reacted well I may not have a second scan on Wednesday and instead they'd book the egg collection for then. I was quite shocked by how quick that could be with only a week of stimulation leading up to the first scan. Has anyone ever experienced things happening as fast as that?

@Zeeha am glad you found something that worked for
you - I found laying on my bed with head slightly raised helped with mine - and making sure the angles are right also helps.
I only had to stim for 11 days - GonalF for 10 days and cetrotide for 5 days and trigger shot 36 hours before egg collection

my follicles looked ok but they did delay the cetrotide by one day on my first scan and changed my trigger shot on my second scan

Hi Ladies, can I join you on this scary but exciting journey? I'm on long protocol and due to start down regulation on 28th June. Anyone else on long protocol?

You ladies sound very knowledgeable about the injections too which is admirable. It's something that gives me the heebie jeebies but I'll just need to get over myself when the time comes.

Hi All, hope you don't mind me joining. I'm wondering if anyone had their transfer this month? I did mine yesterday (4aa) so I'm in the 2ww and currently doing the PIO injections 😖

Welcome @Eagerlywaiting1990 and @Ecas88

@Eagerlywaiting1990 i think the thought is worse than the reality. Just take your time and make sure you know where you are injecting and youll be good

Ah good luck @Ecas88 Im in the 2ww aswell and test on thursday,
what are pio Injections?

Weighed in today boooked another for two weeks. Starvation central 😂

very limited surgery space for July .. just hoping they can get me in before my bloods expire again !!

hope everyone is doing oo xx

@Rebekah77 fingers crossed

Welcome @Ecas88 and @Eagerlywaiting1990

@Ecas88 let’s hope these two weeks go quick for you.

@FlutteryButtery2 how are you feeling? And @Snowdrop131 you doing good? Are you both testing today or holding out to tomorrow? I know you said you were going to test tonight @Snowdrop131.

well done @Rebekah77 thats great you got your weight under. Are you via nhs then if they’re checking weight? Fingers crossed they can get you in end of July.

welcome @Eagerlywaiting1990 amd @Ecas88 👋

and PIO is progesterone in oil, basically progesterone injections rather than pessaries. I had them for one transfer and they are stingy bastards 😂 but they’re meant to be good.

I have an appointment on Tuesday with the nursing team to go through protocol / doses / ordering drugs… paying 🙄…. following last weeks consultation, ready for starting 1st July. Woohoo. Never been so excited to start injecting again 😂

Nope private and they are so so strict .. as in 1lb over at any point and they’ll cancel and cancel surgery date ! @GCS34

fingers crossed for your appointment lovely

all the gym and dieting for me .. I cannot pay £800 a third time for the same virology bloods !! 😂

welcome new guys to the chatty xx

@FlutteryButtery2 Thursday!!! You are so close 🥳 Are you testing via a pregnancy test or a blood test? What day past transfer will the test be? My clinic does 10dpt via blood which will be next Thursday....each day feels like 3 atm 😅 I'm unsure if I will cave and test early, but I'm going to try stay strong, though. Like @GCS34 said, progesterone in oil is a super thick and long needle in your bum muscle....so be glad you don't have to do them! I hope tomorrow will be a successful one for you!

@SlinkMcSlink thank you so much 🙏 I've got a busy few days coming up so hopefully that will distract me!

@CakePigeon30 🥰 I hope your journey is going well x
@GCS34 🥰 thank you. PIO aren't great, are they!! I've done 2 now and it's a bit sore already....only 8 more to go...although I think they will want me to carry on if it's a positive test, not sure how I feel about that though 😖

@Rebekah77 been there! How much have you got to lose?
I lost enough to be just under the BMI range set by the clinic then they wanted me to lose more because id put weight on during stims - i actually lost weight during stims 🤦🏻‍♀️
The only thing that really worked for me was Keto - i dont condone this sort of mindset after a lifetime of yoyo dieting but If you do it properly you can lose quite alot quite quickly - don't want to teach you to suck eggs and tell me to do one if you want as i know i don't appreciate unsolicited advice

@GCS34 im still not convinced its worked. Had a night of dreams showing negative tests night before last so feeling a bit deflated
I booked two PT sessions next week as not been in the gym for three weeks so i think that will help

Will test tomorrow as partner not home til tonight - have found the last couple of weeks hard with him being away. Usually it doesnt bother me but i had a bit of a wobble last night and felt extremely lonely

Sounds like youre making good forward progress though!

@Ecas88 I do a urine tomorrow which is 10 days and then blood on sunday which is 13, then viability scan if those are positive on day 35-40 i think they said

The alternative is just gross 😂 pessaries and vaginal gel 🤢 just hope theyve done their job although if i am i’ve got to take everything for a few more weeks (either up to 8 or 12 weeks) which they dont tell you till EC day 😂

Is PIO just what your clinic do? I have to take three tablets, two pessaries and one vaginal gel a day - it doesnt sound alot but it rules my day a bit so grateful Im home alot

Lol not at all @FlutteryButtery2 I’m under their weight but they can’t risk anything at all during stims so I’m just gonna go another 3kg or so hopefully I don’t blow up too badly

it’s horrible the threat of them cancelling on egg collection day but just gonna get spinning and hope it won’t cost me another grand in bloods etc !

keto definitely works just feel so unhealthy from dieting for a year !

@Rebekah77 That was the bit i was dreading the most on EC day - but was pleasantly surprised

The bloods thing is annoying isnt it? My clinic wouldnt do them until I was under the threshold so I didnt waste my money

Ive not dared to weigh myself since my EC as I feel like all ive done is eat 😬😂

Hey @GCS34 I'm doing OK gonna test 2night so if negative can be more prepared for work 2moro. No spotting or nothing odd twinge but sure who knows have been waking up needing toilet middle night and crazy dreams could be all in my head but will see 2night 🤞

@Rebekah77 that's crazy for a private clinic to be so focused on bmi just make sure they're not trying take more money of you for nothing! Usually they don't care while nhs are strict!

@FlutteryButtery2 fingers crossed for 2moro feels like a lifetime waiting!!

I’ve been under for a year lol 😂 paid £1600 in virology bloods so far they expire again in august

They’ll weigh at every monitoring and then on surgery day before general

definitely don’t feel like my body is in a healthy place for a pregnancy. It’s just all a bit grim ! If time was on my side would take a break .. it’s been a long 18 months of false starts

absolutely I’ll be smashing all the carbs after ! Enjoy the yummies now 😁