Physical Effect Of IVF

pomegranateseeds

Hi, I will be starting IVF in a few months and wanted to ask the people who have experienced IVF how it affected them on a physical level. I have two chronic illnesses and am concerned about how it will affect my functioning ability as I am already struggling with that. I know that IVF takes a huge toll emotionally, but I feel like I am coping really well so far and will be able to work out my emotions so they don't burden my functioning level when doing the IVF. Of course, I will be overwhelmed with many different emotions, but I have a deep tool-set of skills to work through the painful emotions that may come and allow it to not get me down. At least, that is what I am hoping for myself. Back to my question, if you would like to share, I would be very interested in your experience on a physical level. Thanks for sharing!

vetgirl2011

Hi @pomegranateseeds! I had very few physical symptoms. I had some hot flashes from the stims, and the progesterone made me tired. No other problems for me. It is an emotional roller coaster with a lot of hurry up and wait. I wish you the best of luck!

pomegranateseeds

Thank you so so much!

caitb13

Hi @pomegranateseeds! This was a few years ago for me, I didn't have side effects from the medications, but I remember a feeling of being really "full" in my lower abdomen. Starting a few days before the retrieval, it was uncomfortable to wear tight pants or walk long distances. I remember reading that each mature follicle is about the size of a grape - and I ended up with 18! - so it's easy to understand why it was uncomfortable. Afterwards, I just had quite a bit of bloating that hung around for a few weeks, but eventually disipated.  Good luck as you move forward! 

FuzzyDust

I second what @caitb13 said - I had 70    follicles growing (that's pretty unusual though, nurses were showing each other my ultrasound images in the hallway of the clinic...), so I felt like a hen with 2 baskets of eggs attached to my abdomen that jiggled with any physical activity... 
Do not underestimate the emotional side though. Imaging PMS. but now it's PMS multiplied by the number of follicles that are growing inside (as each will produce hormones). As uncomfortable as I was physically, I was not ready for this hormonal sledgehammer. 

pomegranateseeds

Thank you both for your reply. The hormonal part may be a roller coaster, I hope my confidence in me helps for it to be more smooth. I meant the emotions that aren't hormonal will likely be easier for me. This is the first time I am trying to get pregnant and I don't have all of the anticipations and disappointments inside of me already that people who have tried to conceive naturally have. We can't conceive naturally. 

I have allodynia which is very intense skin sensitivity. I really hope I don't have what you experienced physically with IVF. If I get sensitivity tactile wise, that would be very difficult because it would be added to my allodynia. It's good for me to prepare and have a heads up. I will save lots of options for clothing. I have been trying to be a minimalist. (=

mbradfo2

@pomegranateseeds

If you have very sensitive skin -- if you're doing progesterone injections, you may want to start out with ethyl oleate based injections rather than the sesame oil ones which tend to be harder on sensitive skin. I had horrible reactions to the sesame oil and none to the ethyl oleate, and while I don't have your condition, I do have extremely sensitive skin (just lavender oil drops during yoga caused a painful allergic reaction).

cashewchicken

@pomegranateseeds I was about to say it didn’t affect me much but after reading @caitb13 and @FuzzyDust’s comments, I do remember how full I felt and uncomfortable it was for me to do a fast walk. I had about 40 follicles growing at the time. I’ve experienced some anxiety but that was mainly from having to go through 3 ER despite initially being told that I’m an excellent candidate for IVF, and also some financial concern (we had money saved up for more treatments, but it’s never fun to see $30K disappear without any results). I didn’t experience PMS or anything like it, but I also don’t experience any PMS anyway. I’m not affected emotionally or physically much by hormones. If you have skin sensitivity, you may want to stay away from estrogen patch, which is typically used during medicated FET cycle. My skin is raw from it.

pomegranateseeds

Thank you so much! I will talk to my doctor about my sensitivity when the time comes. You are all so helpful.