Just got my schedule

carrieharry79

May start this whole process in a week and I'm freaking out. I thought I had too much caffeine because I was shaking, but it was just nerves and anxiety. I'm really excited and come to this forum daily to just keep myself calm, but now that I am actually going to be moving forward with IVF, I'm just really anxious. I feel like there are still things that I am confused on. What hurts? What meds make you feel what? Do you really look 6 months pregnant from the meds? Can you go to work like that?

I haven't told my work about any of this... I'm wondering if I can pull all of this off without anyone knowing or if the changes/time off make it super obvious.

Twinkie0612

First, deep breaths. I think it is completely normal to be anxious going into your first IVF. It's all unknown, which makes it a little scary.

For me I don't think anything really "hurt."  Shots pinch a little, but nothing worse than getting a flu shot.  ER did leave me crampy and tender for a few days, but it wasn't terrible for me.

The side effects of the meds depend on what you are taking.  My down regulation meds (lupron and ganirelix) gave me hot flashes, head aches, and heart burn.  Steroids gave me insomnia and made me a bit jittery at first.  Stims gave me headaches and left me bloated.  PIO and progesterone supps made me feel like I had major PMS. 

I was definitely bloated before ER, but never looked 6 months pregnant in my opinoin.  The only time I took off was for ER and the day after, and the day of ET.  I did work from home the day after my ET for IVF #3.  I think you can make it without anyone knowing from work.  Even if they figure something is up, I doubt that they would guess that you were doing IVF.

carrieharry79

Twinkie0612

beachbum913

I was on follistim, menopur, and ganirelix for injections. None of them really hurt. I was afraid of the menopur burn because RE said it was bad, but I just stuck myself quickly and injected slowly, and I really didn't feel much of anything. The ganirelix was a slight pain bc the needle was a bit dull and I really had to push it into my skin. I did boat, but not too much.

I had a headache for the first few days of stimming, but I think that was the only real side effect I had.

I'm not doing PIO. They gave me Crinone and some pill (is that bad that I can't remember the name right now? )...and they make me tired all the time.

The worst for me was definitely the anxiety leading up to each new step and not knowing what to expect, but hang in there. I found everything was not nearly as bad as I imagined it would be.

I told my job for two main reasons: 1.DH and I work together, and when we snuck out together for the initial consult, the rumor mil started and people started asking us how far along we were. ..I had to nip that I the bud.

2. I'm a terrible liar. Like, really terrible. So I just decided to be open about it.

Good luck with everything!

erbear84

The shots themselves didn't hurt for the most part. My cetrotide wanted to bleed and sting but I only have one tiny bruise on my belly. I had mild dizziness on my shots and a migraine for one day. I have been really swollen since about day 5 of stims but you wouldn't necessarily know since I wore loose clothes. I took off today for my ER (necessary) and tomorrow (I'm not feeling fantastic and I have a stressful job) and I'm taking off Monday. All bloodwork and ultrasounds I've been able to do before school started. I've been very open with work because, well, why not? That's a personal decision, though. Good luck!

katers79

Yay for starting @carrieharry79‌ !

I FREAKED out prepping my shots the first time around. Watch videos before you do them, and it makes the process easier. I took follistim (teeny needle, pen = loved this one! No pain at ALL!), lupron (easy too, quick, very little pain), and menopur (mixing made me nervous- use qcaps- it helps make it easier, burns like a bitch-- let it sit and inject SLOWLY while exhaling a few times).

I did bruise once with lupron. But I hit a blood vessel and it hurt as soon as the needle punctured my skin, so I should have known something wasn't right.

I felt twinges in my ovaries from day #3. I worked out til day #10, but I had to go to the elliptical instead of boot camp due to the swelling/discomfort on day #7. Most swelling was after ER for me. Invest in some new dresses that aren't too snug, or cardigans to cover up-- I did look 6 months pregnant. I'm a week out, and it's finally improving. I'm still in dresses or leggings-- my pants still don't fit. I took the day of, and the next day off.

The stims actually went fast for me- so hopefully it will be quick for you too. You'll do great--- Good luck!! I can't wait to hear how things go!

lilycakes78

@carrieharry79 - Congrats on getting started! I don't have much to offer since I'm getting ready to start myself. But I totally get how you are feeling. I start stims tomorrow and I'm so excited!....and scared....and anxious. One minute I feel great and optimistic about starting, the next minute I feel doomed already. I'm feeling all the emotions!

GL to you! I'll be keeping my eye out to see how you do, since we'll be doing it around the same time. And thanks for posting these questions. I'm looking forward to reading some of the responses myself.

Rebecca

aliciafiggy

Going into IVF # 2 right not, just about to end bcps and start stims. There is nothing to prepare you for the anxiety of STARTING. Nothing is as bad as it seems. You'll do great!

fayth4one

I agree with @aliciafiggy‌ ! I'm also going into IVF #2 and the anxiety of starting was the worst. Watch the videos and go for it. You can do this! Take one day at a time, the process is overwhelming if you try to digest it all at once! Good luck!