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Infertility
jlh123
member
IVF for the first time, what to expect?
jlh123
member
in Infertility
I know, that's a general question but I'm curious what to expect at different times. I'll begin Lupron while on BCP. What to expect with Lupron? I'll be doing the gonal f only it looks like, am and pm. I can pick between the pen or syringe. I'm anxious about giving myself shots. I'm anxious about handling work while going through lupron and then going through stims, should I be? As it gets closer to the ER, what will I be feeling like? Will I be able to continue my normal life socially and working? I plan on taking a week off around ER and ET. I'm scared. But at the same time I'm very positive and excited.
For 3 years I wasn't ready for IVF, I was stuck doing IUI's and then scared to go on. Now I know it's the right decision for us and positive about it. I'm just very scared of the unknown. So anyone that's been there before, can you give me some idea of what to expect along the way? I know everyone is different of course, but just generally how it affected your every day life.
I will be doing acupuncture and also a prayer group (my spirituality has carried me through all this and I need it more than every now).
Thanks for any help you can give.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: IVF for the first time, what to expect?
I am just starting the IVF process too. The orientation was a bit overwhelming for me right now I am waiting for AF to start BC pills
For my first try, I started with BCP for a minimum of 15 days. The lupron overlapped the last few days (maybe a week) of BCP. Then the follicle stimulating hormones started, I took follistim pen (just like an epi pen) and repronex. I also continued a lower dose of the lupron. So there were some days that I did three shots in the belly a night. I never made it to the ER that time. The second time around, I did do the BCP but no lupron and went right into the FSH shots. There were several U/S as it got closer because they wanted me just ripe enough
Honestly, I know I'm wierd, but I was just fine physically. The shots did suck, but after a few nights it become a "comfortable" routine. It did effect our night life because we had to be home at the same time every night to do the shots. But didn't effect daily activities. You may feel bloated towards the end because your ovaries are huge. You'll probably be sluggish and uncomfortable. The ER was a breeze, and yes I did say breeze. I am still so-o shocked by this! In fact my ET was more painful!! Go figure.
Wow.. sorry that was a lengthy answer. I hope I helped just a little.
Going through my first time too. Lupron gave me hives (big time). I'm off Lupron now and just on Follistim (75ml), going today for 1st BW/US - and have to fast.....god I hate fasting ~ I totally spaz out without food every 2-3 hrs.
When I was on Lupron and Estrace it made me awfully dozey all the time. Almost had a couple of accidents while driving from almost dozing off. Not good ~ especially since I had my daughter in the car. I haven't been able to sleep anymore than 3-4hrs/night for the past few months either. I don't know if that's a side-effect of the meds either.
Follistim never di anything like that, so I'm glad to be off the others now. Time will tell the effects of the other box of meds they sent over - totally blew me away.
Good luck to you on our new journey!
You see that huge list of shots and it can be intimidating, but honestly it looks a lot worse then it is.
Lupron - I got headaches for the first few days. Nothing severe or dibilitating, just annoying. Gonal F - I took mine at night. 300iu of it. and the only effect it had on me was bloat as I got closer to ER.
It is kind of funny how scary the whole thing is at first, but as you are doing it, everything almost becomes routine. I was so afraid of egg retrieval, but that went so easy on me as well.
The only thing that was a pain was fitting in the early morning monitoring appointments for me. I work until 3am so having to wake up at 6am was no picnic for me. But you do it, because you know this maybe what gets us what we ultimitly want!
Good luck and we are here for you if you have any other questions or you need to vent!
After 7 years trying to concieve, 3 failed IUIs and 2 failed IVFs, my third IVF was a success!
My Christmas baby turned into a turkey bird! Dillon Richard was born at 34 weeks, 5 days on November 28, 2009 after 10 weeks on bedrest for preeclampsia.
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v705/arriinthere/PJ/?action=view
I would become familiar with the potential side effects so you don't get too freaked out (mostly slight headaches, small hot flashes, some bloating, general pelvic discomfort over time b/c of the enlargement of hte ovaries) and also any danger signs, but remember that you may not feel any of those things! I had very little side effects from meds (actually, none other than starting to feel 'full' in the pelvic area) and I responded really quickly (they had to cut my meds back by half after 4 days).
I too would recommend the pen over the syringes when possible, it is easy & the needles are more fine- the first time sticking yourself with a needle is intimidating but you will find that it really does not hurt. Some of the meds burn a little going in but again, everyone reacts differently.
The thing I found most stressful & hard to deal with were the appointments and trying to plan life around them. If you have flexible job that will help but that 'unknown' factor for 2 weeks is hard, so just keep telling yourself that in 2 weeks or so, it'll all be behind you and you'll hopefully be on to much happier things! After the first couple of days, Ifound that the time went by quickly.
The women on here are super helpful with everything that comes up, so don't hesitate to ask!
GL!!!!!!!!!