need advice on lessening stress during medicated cycles

solarflare

Hi folks!

Well I am back on the wagon and just started my next IUI cycle with injectables yesterday on day 2. I've noticed my anxiety level has gone up and I am way more stressed out in comparison to a normal cycle.

First I get nervous to get my labs back. My FSH is somewhat elevated and I always get a pit in my stomach when logging on to get my results. It's a bad feeling. I haven't gotten my day 2 FSH yet but my Estradiol came in slightly higher than normal at 62. I know that's not too bad but it made me nervous. 

Also, I had a couple of drinks last night and now I feel bad about it. Even the RE said every now and then before the IUI, 1 or 2 is fine, but I still feel anxious. 

I don't know what's wrong with me. I am such a stable and level headed person normally but this situation always makes me tense.

I have relaxation tapes that I will start tonight, and I take walks, but do you have any other suggestions of lessening anxiety during medicated cycles? I don't like this feeling and I know it's not good in terms of success rates.

Thanks in advance for any advice! 

 

happywifemomofone

I have found that acupuncture helps a lot with all the stresses of all things IF related.  Good luck with your IUI cycle!

Mrs.McIrish

No good advice. I wish I did.  Just wanted to say I've been there and you will get through it.  Don't sweat the small stuff like a drink or to.  Hugs.

XV11Star

I wish I had good advice for you, all I can say is that I wish you the best of luck! 

mtlaurel

Hey Solar! I wish I had good advice, but I don't really. I found the tapes helpful the first time, but not the second. So, I turned to all-night knitting...

While I'm sure it's not good for us, I think it's a part of the process and I refuse to believe that anxiety impedes a medicated cycle. Good luck!

brooklynesque

Hugs.  I'm on an IUI cycle right now as well, so I'm also dealing with the stress. I've tried to distract myself a bit this time around by seeing friends, job-hunting (another stressor I don't recommend, but certainly a distraction!) and going back to the gym (I hadn't set foot in a gym in longer than I'd like to admit).  I don't feel terribly stressed out at the moment, I think because I haven't been postponing everything else in my life the way I kind of did in past cycles.  I know it's hard. Hang in there!  (And for goodness sake don't beat yourself up about a couple drinks on day 2.)

Maybe Joleisa

happywifemomofone:

I have found that acupuncture helps a lot with all the stresses of all things IF related.  Good luck with your IUI cycle!

I'm going to agree with this and I've only been to ONE session!  I just went last Wednesday and by Saturday I was jonesing for my next session.   

Do you like to read, knit or do something else that requires you to think about the activity and not your IF?

owlprof

I think you are on the right track with walks -- when you are engaged in physical activity, your body physiologically can't focus on anxiety.  If you are feeling especially anxious, try a short burst of activity (e.g., jumping jacks) and see if that helps!  Good luck!  I hope you are able to relax a bit.

PPL2011

I know what you mean...acupuncture and massage helps me...a little shopping...a good night sleep and I keep telling myself that my RE is helping me, she's on my side and wants to help us get pregnant...my goal is to get pregnant and all of the tests, meds and visits with the RE are helping me to achieve my goal. I thank God that there is help out there, even this community board. I try to keep my focus, deal with one thing at a time and I pray for clarity.

AddictedToLipBalm

Yoga helps me a lot. There is a breathing method that I use every day (copied text from https://www.yogawiz.com/articles/83/yoga-breathing-pranayama/brahmari.html):

Bhramari (Bee Breath) is a very effective pranayama (breathing exercise) for meditation. Performing this breathing exercise helps to induce a calming effect on the mind almost immediately. Practicing Bhramari pranayama benefits in reducing high blood pressure, fatigue, and mental stress. Also practicing this pranayama for ear, nose, mouth, and eye problems can have a positive effect.  Bhramari pranayama is also useful in curing paralysis and migraines. People of all ages can perform this breathing exercise including pregnant women. When performed during the period of pregnancy, it can help maintain and regulate the functioning of the endocrine system and provide trouble-free and easy child birth. Bhramari pranayama is usually performed after completing Anulom vilom to obtain its full potential. 

To perform this pranayama you should sit in a relaxed pose such as the Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose) or Padmasana (Lotus Pose). Close your ears by keeping the tragus pressed with your thumbs. Keep your index fingers resting on your forehead, while using the 3 remaining fingers cover your eyes. Then, breathe in slowly and deeply through both your nostrils. While you breathe out through both the nostrils let your mouth remain closed while making the buzzing sound of a bee by using your throat. Breathing should be slow initially and then accelerated. While performing the bhramari breathing exercise abdominal movements should be kept to a minimum and inhalation and exhalation should be done from the lungs. The Bhramari pranayama should be initially done 10-12 times and then gradually increased to 25-30 repetitions. It should be performed continuously for at least 5 minutes and breaks should be taken in between. It is very important to avoid straining yourself while doing this breathing exercise.  While you are performing the bhramari pranayama, you should keep reciting ?OM? and focus your mind on the Agnya chakra, which is located between the eyebrows.