February 2018 IVF

roisis · February 2018

@Elle131 Welcome to February! And you're off - hurrah! Feel free to track your progress alongside the rest of us on our spreadsheet: February Progress Spreadsheet
@mrsa2017 Congrats on your first injection (the first is the toughest!)
@mcgeeva @Orlaa (and everyone) Most people that haven't gone through this just literally can't imagine what it's like. I believe people mean well, when they make such comments, but that doesn't mean they don't hurt. Last time I told a good few people about it, but this time I'm keeping it a little closer to myself. I actually got a leaflet from my clinic that you can give to family and friends which offers them advice so I'll give that to my mum, but honestly, this time I'd just like to put my head down and get on with it, rather than having people asking me how I am and offering stupid pleasantries. My sister still quite often states how it would be nice sometimes 'just to have the freedom of not having children' - and then gives a little laugh. Not funny. I only lurked on these boards last time, rather than engaged. I think engaging here rather than talking to people that know me but don't know what I'm going through is a lot more helpful. Hugs to you all

I'm embarrassed to admit I had difficulty giving myself my shot last night. I feel like I should be a veteran at this now. But I hesitated and almost lost my nerve - Hesitation is the Enemy of Injecting Oneself!!!

mcgeeva · February 2018

@orlaa I hope you get good news on your eggs!!! Pray they take enough there are some good ones in there

artemis618 · February 2018

Well, I’ve had my post-retrieval Chick-fil-a breakfast (I swear I consider my clinic’s proximity to Chick-fil-a one of its benefits

) and now we wait. 17 retrieved, which is almost exactly half of what we retrieved last cycle (33) - but that’s consistent because my baseline AFC this cycle was also half. Hoping for a higher percentage of mature/usable this time, but it is what it is.

Enjoy your weekends!

kristimh80 · February 2018

@artemis618 Hooray for being post-retrieval status!! FX you have a great fertilization report!!

artemis618 · February 2018

*TW* loss mentioned

@roisis Thinking you today. Hope you’re doing something special to take care of yourself. Hard to believe that our first EDD was already almost 10 months ago. Unfortunately it was on DH’s birthday, so it’s hard to forget - not that we could anyway (and his mom and I have the same birthday - how weird is that?). We both took the day off and hiked up to the hills where DH buried her. I hadn’t brought myself to visit the site before then, but she has a lovely view.

@Orlaa The main reason why we jumped straight to IVF was to PGS test to reduce the risk because our first loss (natural conception) was somewhat traumatic for us. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees and even though we did everything we could, it still happened again

. But we just have to keep going - until we decide we can’t.

shae44 · February 2018

@artemis618 congrats on the ER. Rest up and best of luck!
@mrsa2017 must feel good to get started!
welcome to everyone else who is starting!

AFM I am still on same dosage. I had 15 measurable follicles on ultrasound yesterday. I am scheduled for another appointment on Monday and then hopefully retrieval on Wednesday. My stomach is definitely starting to stick out so I am sticking with big sweaters for now.

ChristenMA83 · February 2018

had my baseline yesterday and start injections tonight. AFC was 10+12 and the doc was really pleased with the look of them.

mrsa2017 · February 2018

@artemis618 woo-hoo for 17... Hoping for quite a few great quality blasts. How are you feeling post retrieval?

@Elle131 GL. I'm still wondering or waiting for the side effects, if any?! I feel like I'm not suppose to feel this normal.

@ChristenMA83 are you ready?! You're up.

AFM .. Thanks ladies for the heads up. I had the shits twice today. I was just letting out lettuce and damn water. I have got to be dehydrated by now.

mrsa2017 · February 2018

@shaelan I am so happy but weirded out. It's like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop because I feel so normal. I felt cramps off and on, on the side where we did my injections last night but other than that I feel good for now.

@ChristenMA83 shots shots shots

kristimh80 · February 2018

@mrsa2017 LOL Get ready because after ER, you'll have the exact opposite problem for a couple days. I swear no meds I took helped that issue!

mrsa2017 · February 2018

@kristimh80 I will enjoy the calm before the storm lol

artemis618 · February 2018

@mrsa2017 I’ve been physically fine after retrievals since we figured out that I need double the anti nausea medication in my anesthesia (I’m sensitive and prone to nausea). The waiting is the excruciating part. Thx for asking

. Hope your shots continue to go smoothly!

@mrsa2017 @kristimh80 I actually start taking Colace with my trigger shot to prepare, because of the anesthesia and the Norco... Of course (sorry for TMI), I’m still waiting...

Did you get a day 3 report, @kristimh80? Though I’ve learned they’re not generally the most meaningful.

kristimh80 · February 2018

@artemis618 I feel you! I took numerous colace after and miralax...nothing helped! Finally got relief but it was horrible!! lol

Elle131 · February 2018

TW

Same here @Orlaa we lost in 2016 so straight to IVF..,

mrsa2017 · February 2018

This metformin is making me go religiously one right after the other *TMI and I don't get why it's green, like Wth, is my entire body being cleansed out**

I can't believe today is going to be Stimming day 3. Hubby did so good mixing and injecting. He freaked the first night because he didn't know that the whole needle had to go inside

it was so cute to see him like that but he redeemed himself last night. I LOVE THE ICE PACK!!! I don't feel a thing and it's amazing. My routine is icing, injection, dinner, metformin & baby aspirin, shit, then shit again, shower and off to bed. My days are flying by. Can't wait for my first bw and u/s and finally meet my coordinator and Dr.
Felt a minor headache awhile ago, drank some water and it disappeared.

How's it going ladies?

PosieJ · February 2018

Hi everyone!
This is my first IVF cycle--I just had my egg retrieval on Thursday & have 6 fertilized. I am doing genetic testing b/c of my age (38) and previous miscarriages, so I have a long wait--my RE said about 2 weeks?? Is this normal? It seems LONG. And are embryos less likely survive all that testing, freezing, defrosting, poking & prodding? Also, how on earth are we supposed to remain calm and patient awaiting news? It is like every step is either a small victory or devastation, and it is beginning to feel all-consuming. So how does anyone get anything done?? Besides googling every tiny thing, I mean?

The injections were fine--I felt really hopeful at that point, but now I feel . . . blah. Low energy, bloated, just generally gross. This is just a rambling post--sorry about that! My mind is all over the place.
So happy to have found you gals! Good luck to everyone!
x

kristimh80 · February 2018

@mrsa2017 Glad the stims are going well for you!!! Besides your potty time! lol When is your next ultrasound?

@PosieJ Try to stay positive!! I just had my ER on Wednesday, so I'm right along with you! We are also doing PGS, so waiting for Day 6 results on Tuesday, then back to the lovely waiting game! They only biopsy your day 5-6 blastocyst embryos, so they aren't being poked much! And send that small around of cells to be PGS tested, then they are frozen and not touched again until transfer time

So don't worry too much! Usually, they don't like to even check on them too much while they are growing so they aren't bothered and can grow as naturally as possible. I'm not day 4 post ER and starting to finally feel "normal" again and bloating has gone down a ton...thank goodness!

mcgeeva · February 2018

Kristimh80 do you have a 6 week wait until transfer? 3 week bc then stims again?

mrsa2017 · February 2018

@kristimh80 not until Friday Aka stimming day 8. We travel to our clinic on Thursday

kristimh80 · February 2018

@mcgeeva I’ll find out exactly next monday but going to be taking a cycle off to let my body rest then prepping for FET in March.

roisis · February 2018

@artemis618 Congratulations on the ER and on your results so far! I'll have all my FX for good results from your testing xx And it is lovely that you have somewhere to go to remember your little one

@PosieJ Welcome! Sounds like you've made great progress already. I think some women feel that they have more control over the injecting part of the process and so can stay calmer for this stage, but once the eggs are out and there's nothing more that can be done it all gets very scary - so you're not on your own! I think it's normal to feel a bit rotten post-ER. Don't forget - you have literally just pushed your body to its limits and then went through a surgical procedure - it would be weird if you didn't feel a bit off! I've never went through PGS testing so I can't offer advice on that, but in general - anything you can do to take your mind off things at the moment would be a help. Now is the time to re-start any old hobbies you have forgotten about. I think someone should start a thread on suggested projects that are a good distraction for 2 weeks - personally I'm rediscovering my love of jigsaw puzzles - oddly relaxing

@shaelan GL with appointment today - hope you're all set for retrieval on Wed

@kristimh80 Any updates yet? Hoping for great numbers for you!
@mrsa2017 Is there any benefit with trying the Merformin away from food? That sounds rather unpleasant! But it's awesome that you're moving along smoothly with the injections.
AFM, had my Day 6 scan today. I didn't ask for specific numbers of follies but they said I was doing great - so I'm happy with that. I started my Cetrocide today too; they gave me the first one and I give it to myself from now on every morning. This one really freaked me out last time, but I know I just have to get on with it. I haven't felt any side effects from stimming, but I am getting pretty tired at this stage.

mrsa2017 · February 2018

@roisis oddly enough I did not have to go to the bathroom after I took the metformin last night. I took one bite of food then I took them, finished ate and then drank a ton of water after. I was waiting for it to happen and nothing! I am work now with no car so it better not show up while I'm here or I'd be in trouble lol.
You are on Day 6 and already adding in your medication to stop you from ovulating. I don't get checked til day 8 and I will still only be on just what I'm taking now, that concerns me a tad bit.

roisis · February 2018

@mrsa2017 Don't worry about comparing yourself to my protocol. I'm not exactly sure what makes a difference but I'm not on any menopour - and there's different dosages of cetrocide, so don't get alarmed. I think I grow follies quickly so maybe they put me on it quickly? They told me to bring it today but that I may not need it today - but in the end I did. I wouldn't worry if I were you - I believe we have to trust in our own experts! In saying that, if you are concerned, you can ring the clinic for peace of mind? Hopefully your stomach has just got used to the metformin! It may just have been a shock to the system at first

mrsa2017 · February 2018

@roisis they just called me this morning to find out how things are going... I trust that my doctors know what's best. I will enjoy this normalcy. I hope my shitty days are behind me *pun intended*....

Are you feeling your ovaries swell yet?

roisis · February 2018

@mrsa2017 Well it's great they're checking up on you. Actually think I'm beginning to feel a bit bloated today and had a headache this afternoon. I'm thinking the fun 'Hurrah I've started!!' excitement has worn off me at this stage; I'm irritable today but I genuinely don't know if that's hormonal or cos I've had a crappy work day. I'll keep to being upbeat as long as I can. Discomfit and/or mood swings means it's working - yay!

kristimh80 · February 2018

@mrsa2017 Glad things seems to be getting better for you!! I'm sure you're fine, or doctor would have you in there more. I was at high risk of over-stimming & had high estrogen, so was i there every couple of days. Every case in different, so don't worry too much

@roisis Not much update since Day 3 - Saturday. Waiting on Day 6 results tomorrow to see how many will be sent for PGS testing.

mrsa2017 · February 2018

@roisis you're in the swing of things now LOL... I was emotional this morning while I was watching jumping the broom and figured it was hormones

who knows. Did you weigh yourself before starting to track it through your stim cycle.

@kristimh80 Yeah it is. I can't wait to see my progress. You had so many eggs no wonder your estrogen was high

kristimh80 · February 2018

@mrsa2017 Yeah well it's way gone now...feels like AF is about to show on top of it all

Always something! lol

artemis618 · February 2018

Thanks, @roisis

Unfortunately of all those eggs, only 6 were mature and 4 fertilized via ICSI

. Quite the contrast when last cycle (on the same protocol) we had 18 fertilize. Pretty disappointing. So I guess my very pricey lesson is to wait till my AFC looks better before proceeding (if it ever does again). I suppose a little bit that’s what I get for being impatient, but I’m 40...

It’s still technically possible that there’s something useful in there, but realistically, though they were different protocols, when we had only had 3 fertilize we had no blasts, and when we’ve had 5 fertilize we only got 3 abnormal blasts. We’ve pretty much written this one off in our heads, and are trying to decide what to do next...

Anyhow, I hope this cycle goes much better for everyone else!

ChristenMA83 · February 2018

@artemis618 sorry your fertilization results we're better. Fingers crossed for you that you get something usable on the other side of PGS

Ilky · February 2018

Hi everyone,

I took a few months off the boards to relax and not think about infertility. I started the 4th IVF yesterday. I only had 8 follicles but FSH was 8.8 and estrogen 30, so they started me. I'm excited to start the new cycle but also scared. It's so hard to keep up the hope but not give false hopes lol. Good luck to everyone!

roisis · February 2018

@artemis618 I'm really sorry your results aren't what you hoped for. I think numbers can mean different things to different people, I only got 3 fertilised last time and only 1 made it to blast - so myself and DH are expecting similar this time around. We feel like we just need that little bit more luck this time. I haven't asked directly but I don't think PGS testing is offered in our clinic; I did a quick search and it seems to be very new in Ireland which makes me a little wary of getting it done here. So my clinic will transfer any embryos that are good enough grade to freeze (I think they have to be AA-BB for that). In the long run this means I'm more likely to have a FET but I guess it's also more likely that it will end in m/c. I'm going to discuss this with them tomorrow. But - my long winded point(!) is - that you do still have 4 possibilities at the moment. I can completely understand that you want to consider things realistically, and that you've had heartache before, I know what a horrible roller-coaster this whole stupid process is. I just really hope that this cycle can still bring you joy

@mrsa2017 I was weighing myself last week - purely because I've been very conscious of gaining a lot of weight over the last year and I felt soooooo bloated waiting for that stupid AF to arrive. So I do know what my starting weight was and I was keeping an eye on it for a few days. But I stopped over the weekend - I allowed myself a few extra treats and I can feel the bloating again now and I'm afraid if I look down and see I've gained like 50lbs I'm going to get extra-upset!!! But out of curiosity I may weigh myself tomorrow morning (I always compare fasted weight) if you agree with me that 'Any weight gained is purely down to this stupid hormone regime that has forced my insides to swell and requires extra support including, but not limited to, compulsory chocolate and salty treats and has resulted in a serious reduction in the ability to do exercise'. AGREED???!

@Ilky Welcome! Congrats on getting started. Wishing you all the best for this round. How are you feeling? Have there been changes to your protocol this time around?

ChristenMA83 · February 2018

Question for you all. When in the course of your stims have you started feeling any side effects? Yesterday was day 3 of stims and I'm like, is this working? I expected to be and uncomfortable, raging emotional lunatic at this point.

kristimh80 · February 2018

@ChristenMA83 Count your blessings!! I only had a slight headache when first started Menopur and Lupron gave me hot flashes. My girlfriend had no side effects until she used Ganirelix, which mainly just burned. So everyone is different.

mrsa2017 · February 2018

@ChristenMA83 welcome to the no symptoms stim club. I'm as calm as a lamb in a clam. Day 5 and I'm chilling... I expected a burn too but I be so numb from the ice pack that I probably wouldn't feel if I got a bullet wound

shae44 · February 2018

@artemis618 I am sorry. I just keeping thinking to myself it only takes one good one. Thinking about you!
@ChristanMA83. I didn’t feel anything until about day 7 and that is only bloating. It comes and goes. No real way except the ultrasounds to make sure it’s working
@roisis Glad everything is moving along!
@llky Welcome!
@mrsa2017 glad you are feeling better!

AFM. I triggered last night @11 pm. The retrieval is scheduled for Wednesday morning. Hoping for Quality eggs!!!

kristimh80 · February 2018

@shaelan Yay!! How exciting!!

ChristenMA83 · February 2018

@Mrsa2017 and @kristimh80 thanks for the input. I'll just be happy

@shaelan Yay for trigger. Good luck tomorrow! FX For Quality!

AFM: I had a blood draw this morning checking estrogen, I'll get the results this afternoon. Ultrasound scheduled for Thursday morning (Stim day 6) to check the progress.

greenhillgirl · February 2018

@roisis your post made me laugh as I am just on regular old birth control (first time as Yaz helped my hormones previously) and not even to stimming yet and said oh I'll finish the second half of my non-dairy Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Cookie. I'm sensitive to hormones and was basically like, "these hormones and my anxiety leads me to need to do some emotional eating- oh well yum" haha.

@artemis618 I'm sorry to hear about your disappointments, but like the others said, it truly only takes one for IVF
@shaelan good luck!!!

As I continue to process all these IVF related emotions does anyone have any resources about some of the common feelings or stages people go through? I saw my therapist last night which helped but I'm very analytical and want something like the stages of grief to help guide me

All I know is I'm having all the feelings and haven't started yet.

kristimh80 · February 2018

@greenhillgirl That's wonderful that you're always seeing someone to help with the emotional roller coaster this all puts you thru! I almost switched clinics because another one had an actual counselor in house just for IVF patients. I wish all did that!

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