IVF Stims

[Riya619]

Hi all,
Im going through my first IVF journey after two years of unexplained infertility. I’m on day 5 of stims which has been going well but I just have this feeling like it’s not going to work for me. I don’t have symptoms at all and not sure if this is normal? Am I meant to be having some sort of symptoms, cramping or just anything? Also has anybody had any successful stories on their first IVF journey. I was so looking forward to this time to finally come but now it’s here I’ve just not been feeling the most positive.

Some woman dont get side effects from the medications , are you trialling a lower dose, maybe thats why also. When I was 29 I had my first round of ivf, I did already have kids at the time but needed ivf, I didnt know what to expect, I did have side effects from the meds and also ended up with a bit of ohss but went through with a fresh transfer and to my luck it worked first go. So it can happen for some people.

I am on a lower dose as I’m at risk of ohss

I was on one of the highest doses they can give due to my very low egg reserve and I didn't have any symptoms until about day 5 or 6 and even then it was just a bit of abdomen swelling and sensitivity. Nothing major. So id say if you're on a low dose you might not get as many symptoms? That part of the IVF worked for me, ended up with more mature eggs than I expected and 6 embryos.

I know this whole process can be really disheartening and tiring, but no symptoms doesn't mean it hasn't worked. When they did my first scan during stims they said I didn't have that many follicles big enough, two days later I had quite a few more, and then by egg collection they got way more eggs than they'd expected. So things can change. I get the hope-fatigue though.. it's exhausting constantly being hopeful and then let down month after month. Good luck with it all!

update: I went for my first stims scan today and looks like all is going well! She saw some good sized follicles and predicts my egg collection will be in 5 days 🤞just a reminder to not get disheartened as this journey is full of ups and downs. All we can do is hope for the best.

I didn't get a single problem while on stims and I actually remember saying to the nurse "I feel like I feel too okay for anything to be happening" they left me a couple of extra days based on that and that same evening I threw up my tea and felt like I'd been hit by a bus, hit me all of a sudden (could of also just eaten something dodgey and not related to stims at all!) wasn't successful on my first round but second round of stims I felt the same other than a very slight lingering headache but I had changed meds!

I think it's normal to not feel anything and it sounds like your body is doing exactly what it should be, good luck! X

Glad the scan went well.

May I ask how many follicles were seen and are they able to see if all follicles have retrievable egg inside them? Also which stim medication are you prescribed?

Im currently day2 on menopur 187.5

8 follicles were seen on the scan, I had my egg retrieval today and they managed to retrieve 9. I was on meriofert and ganirelix x

Those are amazing results, well done!
I also have low egg reserve. Can I ask what was your protocol and doses? I'll be doing PRP and then I'll be on bemfola 150 and menopur 150 (will do duostim). First cycle ever so not sure what to expect, but 6 embryos sounds amazing.

Hi, yeh it was very unexpected tbh because we have MFI as well so I wasn't that hopeful, we had just under 50% of the eggs make it to blastocyst (although none are tested so no idea if they're viable and first transfer didn't work). I can't remember the medication names but once am back from this work trip I'll check my paperwork and get back to you. The medication you've said doesn't sound familiar to me though..I did short cycle, did you?

I'm doing short cycle too (according to chatgpt). So you got quite a lot of eggs then, if just under 50% fertilitised and you still got 6 embryos. That's inspiring! Did you do 1 round or 2 back to back (duostim)?