Christmas IVF/ICSI buddies

[Stillwinston]

Just wondering if anyone else is starting IVF/ICSI around Christmas - I've had confirmation from the clinic that I'll start stims on boxing day (merry bloody Christmas 😂) with egg collection scheduled for the 8th or 10th January.

This is my first time doing IVF so would love to connect with others going through/due to start. For my part, we're doing ICSI for male factor secondary infertility, been trying for our 2nd for 3 years now (1 mc after the first year of trying) and I'm so excited to finally have some control over the process!

Hiya @Stillwinston

I have been scheduled for stims to start on 29th dec with a egg collection on 10th Jan

I have to take norethisterone from the 12th dec I think to time my period over the Christmas break

We are also doing for MFI first time Ivfers so have no clue what we doing. I am also at risk of OHSS due to PCO so we have to do a freeze all cycle !

How you feeling with it all?

Hi @Anniekent1@Anniekent1@Anniekent1

Gah, my phone has gone crazy 😂 sorry about that @Anniekent1

Thanks so much for joining me 😊 I've also been told I'm at risk for OHSS as I have a higher AMH level and high number of follicles apparently but they're going to just monitor and then make a decision re. FET or frozen as we go along. I'm starting microgynon on the 2nd December and then kick of with meriofert on the 26th, adding fyremadel as a 2nd injection a few days later. Tbh, I have no idea what to expect but I'm just excited to get started.

How are you feeling about it?

Hi @Stillwinston oh good news with the high follicle count and AMH though. Sounds like you are on different medication to me but similar process as I start a second injection halfway as well.

Yeah I'm not too bad , Christmas keeping me distracted but bit worried about the healthy eating and stuff. Everyone on reddit seems to be quite strict so worried I'll slip up and ruin it 😂

Also enquiries about acupuncture so really trying to throw the whole kitchen sink at it !

Hi both - hope it’s ok if I join! I’m due to be starting injections between 29th Dec - 2nd Jan (using my natural cycle so dates slightly TBC). We are having to use IVF for PGT-M testing as my partner carries a genetic condition which we do not want to pass on. Had all info about injections and now it’s just the wait. It feels a while off but I am sure it will come round quickly! Are you both UK based? Where are you having your treatment?

Hi @ThisSunnyMember and welcome !

Sounds like we will all be starting the the same week

Yes I'm based In the south east. Feels like such a long journey to get here don't know whether to be excited or nervous. Feels like the last stop and if this doesn't work then not sure what's next. Had a baby shower for my best friend yesterday who is due in January so I'm a bit all over the place today

Hey @Anniekent1 thanks for the reply!

I’m also in the South East and will be having treatment at Guys.
It does feel like a long journey for sure, we are able to get NHS funding luckily due to the genetic condition and from first seeing the GP to now it has taken 2 years 😴
The thing is I feel like the next part is going to be just as tough as waiting but in a completely different way!
Oh bless you, that’s really tough. Have you told many of your friends/family about your upcoming treatment?

I'm starting at the beginning of December so quite a bit before you but also December

I am due to start meds on 29th but I’m highly doubtful I’ll get a bleed that fast after provera

keeping my fingers crossed that this is the time I finally get to day one !

collection is booked , no yummies over Christmas I’ll be stashing them for after !

xx

I'm due in for FET during Dec, depending on when my period starts and obviously if dates work out okay. 22nd Dec is last day they will do a transfer and I may just be pushing it for then actually but clinic want to go ahead with it being a Dec transfer. Such a weird feeling/concept so I will be potentially pregnant over Christmas but not know/not able to test I'm unsure if it's a good thing or not! Ha

Hi all!

@camelinastorm not long for you now! Do you have a start date? How are you feeling?

@Rebekah77 29th Dec? I was going to allow myself to eat a bit more freely on Xmas day but aside from that I’m trying to be so good which is so bloody hard during December!! How are you getting on?

@pinksheetss eeek! That’s exciting though! Will you be having your natural period or will it be medicated?

morning

yesh stims from 29th @ThisSunnyMember

im being weighed every two weeks I can’t afford to gain any , trying to loose a bit more so I don’t have to stress as much on stims . Will be weighed on collection day and can’t be over

7lb gone this month hoping another 7 next month

already feel so stressed with how busy work is and clinic appointments and Christmas lol can’t wait for Christmas to relax and have some quiet

@Rebekah77 Mine will be any time from 29th too as they have decided to use my natural cycle. Will you be on meds before you start injections?

Are they weighing you at the clinic every 2 weeks? Great work on losing 7lbs! Are you following a specific diet? I actually think the weight is the bit that is stressing me out the most!! I need to lose about 3kg which I’m feeling ok about.

They weight you on collection day too?! I thought it was just before starting the treatment?

Yes I hear you about everything going on! Will you be off over Xmas and NY? The only silver lining about doing this process then is work is super quiet so it means I can be a bit less visible without all of the questions! 🤣

I’ve got two days off for Christmas which I’m so so looking forwards to been a very long time since I’ve had any days off

as I’m having a general they are very strict on weight . It will be cancelled on the day if I’m 1lb over

mine don’t use a natural cycle unfortunately so I’ll be starting provera shortly . Usually where it goes wrong for me ! But will try it one last time

a mixture of low carb and Mediterranean. I’ve only got one meal out so the rest of December will be dieting and all the spin classes

fingers crossed for natural cycle all going to timings 💜

Hi! I am going to be stimming over xmas break, starting Norethisterone on the 7th December till the 21st so AF will come either xmas eve or day, lovely 😁

Looks like I will be doing egg collection round the 4th Jan - clinic said I could be the first of the year!

@ThisSunnyMember we are also doing PGT-M for a genetic condition I carry, don't meet many people doing PGT-M. Agree the wait is horrendous.

@Rebekah77 I don’t even think general is offered for me you know, I think it’s just a local 😬 you sound like you are making great progress and will be able to get to where you need to be!

@Chickenqueen hey, welcome! How are you feeling about everything? Ah, I haven’t met many others using PGT-M either! Is this your first round? Are you in the UK and using the NHS?

I wish I didn’t have to pay for a general honestly 😂but hopefully will allow them to reach my ovary that is stuck with endo fingers crossed . £600 , not fun lol @ThisSunnyMember

hey @Chickenqueen I’ll be starting progesterone the same day too

💜

Hi @ThisSunnyMember! I am in the UK and at CRGH City but with NHS funding, this is my first round yes. I think because of how long I have been waiting (our condition wasn't licensed for testing so had to go through a whole process with that) I am cautiously excited that SOMETHING is finally happening. But also nervous as IVF is a numbers game right and we could loose a portion of our embryos to this mutation, but i guess we have to start somewhere. How about you?

@Rebekah77 hey 👋progesterone buddy, is this your first round? How long will you be taking?

Yeah @Chickenqueen first round , after a year of attempts! Must be 8 attempts now to get to stims

first round … I’m dubious that 5 days will be enough but we will see

@Rebekah77 oh I didn’t realise they would charge for the general too but now I think about it, of course they would! Still, at least it will be a pain free experience at the time for you!

@Chickenqueen I didn’t realise CRGH had a city option I thought it was only WC way. I chose Guys as it was in the city and close to work. How are you finding it with CRGH? The comms at Guys has been quite painful but now I am with the nurses as it has gotten closer it has gotten a lot better. Tbf every one I have met has been lovely so hopefully that continues! How long has your process been so far? We were lucky the condition was already approved by the HFEA but it has taken us 2 years from the first GP appointment to get to this point 😳😬
I do know what you mean, my biggest fear is we are able to produce embryos but then none are viable because of the gene. I guess time will tell! I’m also worried because obviously with age the odds reduce too…

Is there anything they don’t charge for lol 😂 a year of delays has cost me so much . Hopefully this time finally get past day 1 fingers crossed 🤞 got to run and get more provera as I’m on it for ages this time

@Rebekah77 argh I can only imagine! 🤞🏻 How comes it’s taken so long if you don’t mind me asking?

tried northeristorone first that didn’t work
provera is really painful for me first time couldn’t manage the pain
had a break and went back on pill
then didn’t bleed / took ages to get cycle back
next time 0.5lb over
next time didn’t bleed in time
dsne the next time

so this is the final provera attempt , got 16 days so know it’s going to be painful just got to get through it and hope I bleed in time , but I’m doubtful as only got 5 days to bleed . Keeping my fingers crossed

@Rebekah77 Oh goodness you have been through so much already. Keeping everything crossed for you that this is your time 💕

@ThisSunnyMember Finding CRGH pretty good! Similar to you the nurses are such gems, don't speak to consultants that much. There is a portal you can send messages on and they reply pretty instantly. We were offered two options either CRGH or Guys and went with CRGH just as its closer to where we live.
So I first found out I might have this gene summer last year, had a a genetic test/ counselling in Jan and found out I had the mutation in March, then got referred to CRGH, then got the condition approved in June. Was meant to start April next year but luckily CRGH got new funding approved this year.
It really is luck I think! I do know a friend going through PGT-M however who just got their embyos back and she had two healthy ones :). As they say you only need one.
Crossing my fingers for you!!