IVF/ICSI October

[Rorograce]

I’ve looked for an October thread but can’t see one - please direct me if there is though!

Day one of my cycle last Friday (it’s now Tuesday so I’m day 5) - I’m very new to the process, this will be our first time and due to low sperm count after trying for 2 years and not even one pregnancy to show for it.
I haven’t heard back from my clinic yet after letting them know Friday I assumed because of the back log from the weekend! But I’ll chase tomorrow. I think I’m to start tablets from day 19 which will take us into October
anyone else on a similar timeline/journey? I’d love to connect and hear others journeys :)

@Hep1989 how you feeling lovely? It's injections starting tomorrow isn't it?? Xx

Thanks @Rorograce @SarahAndQuack had a call and they said 2 fertilized normally. Can’t help but feel very negative about it all (I I know you have to try and stay positive, but it’s so hard with such low numbers isn’t it).

@SarahAndQuack I see what do you mean about the timeline now. Will you be able to get them tested before the deadline date, and then will it be a transfer after December? Very annoying that that wasn’t said before the treatment started. Waiting around is the hard bit.

We made a decision not to start the progesterone, they said the fact that I have already been stimulated may have ‘woken up’ my ovaries and it might be beneficial for me to do another round, when my period starts next. Going to see how this one turns out with the two fertilized eggs, and then make a decision.

@Obrm ah sorry to hear that, but 2 fertilised is still great!! hopefully one of those is the only one you'll need. When will you find out?

@SarahAndQuack sorry i missed this, that's rubbish about being delayed till January, did they say why they don't do any in December? I think my clinic does as they've not mentioned anything! I'm at high risk of OHSS so i may have to do a FET, which will also be January, it's going to be horrible having to wait that long after so much waiting already so i sympathize!

Day 4 of stims today. I cried at my injection last night, not really from the pain, just the emotional turmoil of it all. My lower stomach aches/is quite uncomfortable, i feel so tired, i'm an emotional wreck, and i'm really busy at work which isn't helping my stress levels. I'm not sure what to do, is it worth getting signed off and not be stressed or is that overkill. I'm struggling a bit with it all to be honest. I start the "painful" injection in the morning that stops me ovulating, and i'm really not looking forward to it :(

Sorry major moan there haha.

Sorry, @Obrm, it's so hard.

Thanks for the sympathy, @Rorograce. I'm even more confused today as I asked the nurse if she could clarify timings and she said it'd be December or January depending on my cycle. So I am just trying to be a bit more zen and accept they are not very good at accurate communication (does seem to be a fertility clinic failing, in my experience! When I was with my ex partner and she was TTC, they managed to do all the bloods on my sample, which was only needing basic STD tests, then had to re-do them on her, because they got confused! They can be remarkably dippy.)

I'm so sorry you're feeling so stressed. It is emotional turmoil. And it must be so much harder if work is contributing to it too. Do you have nice colleagues who are, or could be, in the know? And is your boss likely to be sympathetic at all?

I don't think it's overkill to take some time off, TBH. A friend of mine (who's also a colleague, though we were friends before we worked together) did IVF for her DD, and she keeps on telling me that a few days off will seem like absolutely nothing in the scheme of things. But only you know whether that would make you feel worse if it didn't work out.

Btw, am I missing something or are there now two Oct-into-Nov threads? There's one here too. https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/infertility/5190733-anyone-doing-fetivf-in-november-2024?page=2&reply=139204600]]

@SarahAndQuack that's a bit rubbish of them isn't it! Does it depend on your cycle timings which is why they can't give you a specific date? You'd think they'd be able to plan it all out for you, that's what happened with me. But at least it's happening and the wheels are in motion xx

My work are a bit rubbish to be honest. I told my main line manager but I've been out on another project so it's all kind of been forgotten...I'm going to speak to them again tomorrow.

Feeling very uncomfortable and I'm not even at the half way point yet. My partner is being very supportive at least, think it's quite hard on him seeing me like this / me having to go through it!

Ah weirdly that one doesn't show for me? It got a bit confusing when I set this up (can tell I'm a newbie) as I guess it's an end of October / November thread!

I don't mind not having a specific date - it's just they don't seem to want to make it clear within a couple of months and seem to keep changing their minds about whether the clinic's open or shut! Still, I suppose I just need to relax and accept it'll happen as it happens.

That's not great about your work! Forgetting an employee's medical situation isn't really on. Hope your talk with them goes well. They really ought to be looking out for you.

I'm glad your partner is bringing the goods at least! I'm a bit nervy of the injections - I've done some for IUI years ago, but I know these are much, much more full-on. Still, means to an end!

How is everyone else doing this morning?

@SarahAndQuack this is true, trusting the process and relaxing, but it's easier said than done!

I just had my day 5 scan. 15 follicles growing, i'm to remain on 150 dose, already feeling uncomfortable so god knows how i'm going to feel in another 5 days, egg collection likely Wednesday next week! She said it's likely i'll be doing a delayed FET due to high risk OHSS so to prepare myself for that. I'm trying to see it as a positive (which it is!) but a bit sad i might not get a fresh transfer / will have to wait till January for a FET.

@Rorograce well done! That’s a great number! Hopefully Wednesday will come by really quickly.

How has work been? Any improvement with your line manager? Can you maintain strict boundaries (no overtime) or see if you can wfh a couple of days?

I’ve read some studies which show a slight increase in success with FET. They think it gives your body a chance to recover. Which isn’t what you want but is maybe a silver lining?

Turns out I had no idea what’s going on🤣 I had an injection on Tuesday which has switched my ovary’s off- side effects are meant to be the same as menopause. But so far so good, going to try and go for a jog after work and see how I feel. I start the stims on the 4th.

I’m day 6 of stims today and started ganirelix this morning which stops the eggs releasing early I believe! That one left a big red mark but otherwise all is good.
@Rorograce 15 sounds great! I’m worried mines not working now because I feel absolutely fine other than my boobs are pretty sore 😂my sister had ivf and got 19 eggs and she still ended up doing a fresh transfer so you never know.
@Hep1989 yes I’ve also heard that frozen can give better results but it’s just the waiting that’s hard!! I feel like I’m just waiting around to see whats happened and whether things are even going as planned. Scan on sunday so praying that follicles have been growing! The 4th will come round in no time for you to get started on the stims too!

Sorry to hear you might be delayed until Jan, @Rorograce - sounds as if we are in the same boat there. But 15 follicles sounds really good! Hope you got through today ok.

@Hep1989 and @Elxt , how are you doing today?

I was just wondering - has anyone else felt absolutely shattered on norethisterone? I'm taking it prior to the stims and it - or something, anyway! - is absolutely wiping the floor with me. I'm not sleeping and then I'm like a zombie. I work quite a physical job, so I am really noticing it.

@Hep1989 Work have been good now i've reminded them! I've just worked from home all week to be honest, since Monday anyway as i'm just too tired.

Ah okay!! how are you feeling after that injection? I've not heard of that before, does it just stop you ovulating? exciting about starting stims soon though! it'll come around quickly.

@Elxt ah nice! agreed on that injection, i use a little icepack i've got which really helps to numb the area. Have you had a scan yet?

@SarahAndQuack yes i absolutely did! it was like a super PMS week, so tired and very emotional. Can you take any time off? at least try and rest up on the weekend :)

I had second scan today, one more follicle but only 7 of them are big, so likely only 7-8 will actually be the right size when egg collection happens. Feeling very emotional, it doesn't feel like a lot (especially being told i'd probably get loads). So much can happen and the numbers can so quickly dwindle down when it actually comes to viable embryos. Now i'm worried we might not get any. The mental side of this is very hard!!

Hey @Rorograce when is your next scan? It sounds like such a head fuck- being told one thing one minute then it changing so quickly is hard. Is your parter being supportive? I had a little go on ChatGPT’s life coach… it told me the following:

“But maybe, just maybe, all those years of ttc and protecting yourself from being hopeful have actually given you strength to finally face this. Do you think it’s possible that you’ve been preparing for this moment in your own way?“

The Injection is meant to put me into a menopause, I should have a period before the stims. I’m meant to have menopause symptoms. I went for a run yesterday and found my boobs were really sore running down hill. That’s not normal for me. Ended up running clutching my chest and getting some strange looks. 🤣 will need to find some flat routes for the next couple of weeks.

I was going to stop running, and I managed 5 days, but I feel fine and think it’s good for my mental health…

How are you feeling on the stims? Have you got a date for egg collection yet?

Had my scan today. I was so worried before it! They said everything’s good and should be egg collection/Tuesday or Wednesday but going to ring me later to confirm. They said I’ve got 12 eggs of the right size currently. Im sorry you are disappointed with the number of eggs, I also keep worrying about this for on the day. I’m also concerned about things not fertilising or developing but I suppose you only need 1 good one ultimately and hopefully that’s why we both get xx

@Hep1989 scan was this morning! This is such a rollercoaster honestly. Now looking like 20 follicles, about 15 of which are/will be the right size (some will probably be too big and unusable!) , she said it's no wonder i feel so uncomfortable. She also said there may be more hiding behind so who knows what will happen. Egg collection booked in for Wednesday morning. Once again looking like it won't be a fresh transfer. At this stage i'm at the point where i just want some embryos. What will be will be!

love that quote, its true! Glad you're feeling well enough to run still, that's a positive! i agree, the nurses said it was fine for me to run (i just haven't as too uncomfortable) so you defniitely should if you can, just take it easy maybe.

@Elxt that's great news, and sounds like the perfect amount for a fresh transfer. Looks like we'll be having egg collection at the same time! let me know if it's tomorrow or wednesday :) I have to do my trigger shot tonight. hoping it goes ok. fingers cross for us both! come on little embryos! Are you doing ICSI?

Oh that’s amazing news! What a rollercoaster! I did the trigger last night at 10pm!! Egg collection booked for 10am tomorrow. Feeling nervous 😬😬 I’m not sure about icsi yet, I’m going to ask tomorrow. They originally said it depends on the sample on the day but the doctor seemed to think not!

@Rorograce thats great news! Did they miss some on your previous scan? Good luck on Wednesday! Fingers crossed they get lots of healthy eggs. I had no idea they could get too big!

Good luck tomorrow @Elxt!! I was told they assess the sperm before ivf and if they have concerns with sperm quality they do ICSI?

How exciting!!

@Hep1989 Thank you I’m getting so nervous now 😅 keep convincing myself I’ve already ovulated and there will be nothing to collect! Forever thinking the worst outcomes throughout all this so as not to get my hopes up too much! I just hope they can get a decent amount tomorrow 🤞🏼🤞🏼I don’t know if 12 is any good or not to be honest. How are you getting on with everything? X

@Elxt I think being “glass half empty” protects you from getting hurt. I guess we’ve all got to just roll with it. Can you do something nice after the transfer? Like a little face mask and a film on the sofa? How much time are you taking off work?

I am surprisingly good. I’m feeling quite chipper and have had no real symptoms. My period is a couple of days late, but as long as it comes before the 4th it’s fine. I’m normally really regular so guessing this might be a side effect?

Let us know how it goes tomorrow 💐

Good luck today @Elxt !! Let us know how it goes. Fingers crossed for you xx

Did my trigger shot last night at 11.15pm, it's the one that doesn't contain HCG to help mitigate OHSS, only 0.5 dose which I feel is quite low, I've read some people having 2.0! So we'll see. Hoping the eggs are mature enough. Feeling very bloated/uncomfortable. Collection in the morning!

Good luck for the collection @Elxt! Hope you get good results. and for yours @Rorograce tomorrow, your numbers are incredible.

Out of my 2 fertilised eggs (ICSI) I got one Blastocyst (4AB) which has been frozen. I’m scared as it’s only one chance, but with hardly any eggs collected in the first place I guess this is a good result. For my age 40-45% of my eggs should be chromosomal normal 🤞🏼

I’ve got to do another IVF cycle to try and get another blastocyst, starting stims this week (if AF arrives)!

What stimulation are people on? Anyone on Pergoveris? Did anyone take growth hormone injections (genotropin) prior to stimulations? I’ve started taking DHEA and Ubinquinol CQ10 supplements again.

@Hep1989 yes currently on the sofa with a film, might treat to a takeaway for tea! Egg collection was totally fine not too painful and I feel okay now to be honest! Just a bit tired.
@Rorograce Thank you! It went well and was honestly less scary than I thought so don’t be too worried for tomorrow! I got 9 eggs which I think I feel okay about? They said that’s a good average number. We get a phone call in the morning to see if/how many have fertilised so just a nervous night ahead! Ended up just being ivf too they’ve said so didn’t need icsi at this stage. If we end up with any embryos the transfer will be Sunday but I’m very aware they’ve got a long way to go before making it that far!! Have to start progesterone pessaries tonight.
@Obrm thank you! At least you have one safely tucked away so far, that’s good news! I was on meriofert 150 iu and ganirelix 0.25mg so not familiar with the others. My trigger was zivafert 10000 iu. I also have been taking coq10 for about a year!

@Elxt glad to hear it wasn’t too bad! Fingers crossed you get good news between now and Sunday. Are you back to work tomorrow?

Enjoy your takeaway tea! You deserve it!!

Thank you! They did say take the day after off but I’m going back tomorrow. I’ve somehow managed to go through this whole thing without having to tell work which has been really lucky due to how appointments have fallen so don’t want to have to do it this close to the end! X