Look for September Cycle Buddies

[Emma839]

I am 39 and now living in Belgium but I am fluent neither in Dutch nor in French. It is my first IVF so I hope to find a buddy in an English speaking community to share my feelings throughout the treatment. The cycle would start 1 September.

[Wondercat]

We are thinking of doing an FET cycle in September but don't have an exact date yet. This will be my 4th cycle, so let me know if you have questions about what to expect - though I still have plenty to learn myself!

[Emma839]

Wondercat,
Thank you for your reply. It is my first IVF. Before this, I had only a laparoscopy surgery to remove endometriosis and a hysteroscopy surgery to remove myoma inside my womb. Because of my age and impair tubes, the doctor suggested ivf directly. I got all medicine yesterday and the injection sounds scary.

I do have a specific question about the medicine prescribed for the induction of superovulation. They are FSH, GnRH antagonist and hCG. As I read that GnRh agonist is prescribed for most IVF treatments. I wonder why the doctor chose GnRh antagonist for me. Any idea?

I saw you have got a boy. How long have you tried before the success? How did the best procedure evolve? I am curious and anxious to know what could happen to me.

How did it feel to prick yourself everyday?

...

[nbfun]

Emma,

We are hoping to start in Sept as well. This will be our first IVF. I just got a call from the clinic to schedule our first appointment but of course I missed the call, had to call back and leave a message. Uggghh

Nancy

[Wondercat]

Nancy - I know that feeling! I ultimately started only giving out my cell # and carrying it with me always (even to the bathroom at work!) since that was the best way to make sure I didn't miss calls.

Emma - The thought of the injections scared me, too.I remember the first one, sitting there with the needle in my hand staring at the area I had just wiped down with rubbing alcohol. I used to really have to psych myself up before each one, but it got easier and easier. The subcutaneous needles are really small and shouldn't hurt that much. Sometimes you might hit a more tender spot and it will hurt, though, so don't be alarmed if it does. I knew it was the only way for us to get pregnant, so it was a matter of doing what I had to do. I have other posts about how freaked I was with the PIO, but I even got used to that and eventually could do it myself. After a while it feels sore, even when you switch injection sites.

Questions about specific protocols, I don't know - you should post a new thread and ask Ghost.

AFM - Overall it took us four years. That includes realizing something was wrong, getting my husband diagnosed (no vas deferens), genetic counseling, choosing a clinic, initial testing, scheduling conflicts with AF and the clinic, and other things going on in my life that effected the timing. Everything took way more time that I thought it would! I did a fresh IVF with 1 transferred, a FET with 2 transferred, then another IVF with 2 that got me my son. I almost overstimulated the first IVF, so this time I was on significantly lower doses of hormones which went much better. They also switched me from progesterone cream to PIO shots. I still have 4 frosties left, enough for 2 FET's provided that they survive thawing OK.

[nbfun]

We finally made phone contact. Our first appointment is for 8/4. They need a normal pap for me that's not over a year old. Mine is about 2 years old. I called to get an appointment to get that done and they can't see me until 8/27. ugghhh I'm going to keep calling every day and hope that someone cancels so I can get in sooner. If I can't get a pap until 8/27, there's no way we'll be able to start the first part of Sept.

Nancy

[dinagin]

We are also starting our second IVF in September, after a failed first attempt in May.

Like you Emma.. I am also in Europe and since I am not good in my host country's language..... I had to join this forum, which proved very helpful during our first try.

We don't have an appointment yet as we are waiting for Sept AF - which is usually round the 7th to 9th of the month.

I agree with Wondercat. I was also equally scared giving myself the first jab however, it is not that painful as the needles are really small. I was on progesterone inserts not PIO - which was pretty fine. However, I hear injectables are more effective.

nbfun - all the best on your first try. Do you already know how many embies you plan to transfer? I pray that September will be a good month for all of us. Come June 2011, we will be holding our babies.

[nbfun]

We are also starting our second IVF in September, after a failed first attempt in May.

Like you Emma.. I am also in Europe and since I am not good in my host country's language..... I had to join this forum, which proved very helpful during our first try.

We don't have an appointment yet as we are waiting for Sept AF - which is usually round the 7th to 9th of the month.

I agree with Wondercat. I was also equally scared giving myself the first jab however, it is not that painful as the needles are really small. I was on progesterone inserts not PIO - which was pretty fine. However, I hear injectables are more effective.

nbfun - all the best on your first try. Do you already know how many embies you plan to transfer? I pray that September will be a good month for all of us. Come June 2011, we will be holding our babies.

Dinagin,
No, we have no clue about how many embies we'll transfer. We are brand new to all of this. I'm excited and scared. How about you? How many do you plan to transfer?

Nancy

[Emma839]

Got 3 buddies in a half day. I love this board.

Nacy, I gave my mobile phone number but I don't really like they call me; I may be found out doing ivf accidently.

I understand the feeling of waiting and not getting an appointment. I still remember vividly that I was asked to wait for 1.5 year for a laparoscopy operation. In the end, I asked another doctor (not from the fertility center) at the same hospital and have it done in 3 weeks. An appointment with your general physician may be quicker if the test result is recognised by your fertility clinic.

Wondercat, thank you for sharing. It seems that I still have a long way to go. Anyway, i will stick to my benefit, i.e. the insurance policy. According to the policy, I can try 3 more years (up to 42 y) with 6 attempts. Hopefully I am lucky to get pregnancy within this time frame. We want more than one kid so we will ask transfer more than 1 and hope to get a twin. Oops! My mind goes too fast again.

About the prick, my dh agrees to do it for me so I don't have to do it to myself. I have already feel better for it.

I started a new thread calling for GHOST for my prescription. I should have asked my doctor when I saw him on Tuesday.
Dinagin, do you know why your first attempt failed? Will you start a complete new cycle or a cycle for FET?

[Wondercat]

Nancy - Ugh, I hate the waiting! That is a major element that a lot of people who don't have to go through this just don't get. It's like they think you just go in to the clinic and instantly get pregnant!! But I found you have to aggressively look after your own interests and not just take "no" for an answer. When I first called the genetic counselor I was told the next available appointment was in 7 months and they do not have a waiting list - the receptionist icily told me that if I wanted to get in sooner I would have to call every day to see if they had any cancellations! I called the fertility coordinator at my regular OB office, she made some phone calls, and 15 minutes later they called me back from the genetic counselor to say they could see me "any day next week, whatever worked for me." Try talking to your fertility clinic and see if they can help you. If not call another office and tell them that you have some discomfort and need to be seen immediately.

dinagin - I had also heard that the PIO works better than the progesterone inserts. My doctor said there was no difference, but I got results with the shot and not the inserts so I am going to stick with that.

As to the number transferred, a lot is going to depend on individual assessment by the clinic. For me they did 1 the first time because I was young and our problem is 100% male factor. When that didn't work and there was no clear reason why they did 2. At our clinic they will not do more than 2 for somebody younger than 35 unless you sign a selective reduction agreement in the event that all 3 take.

[dinagin]

Wondercat
I started bleeding before beta…. I presume that the progesterone dosage was not enough. I will request my RE to test my progesterone numbers after transfer. If I can get over my fear of injections before September, I might go for PIO. Mainly cause its less messy compared to inserts.

Nancy
Our clink is kind of flexible with transferring two embies. They informed us about the risks involved. We had two transferred in our last cycle. They only transfer three if the female is over 40 or the embryo quality is not good. We will transfer two in Sept. I think it makes sense to discuss with your DH how many you want to transfer or how many your clinic will allow you to.

Emma
There are a number of things that went wrong which our RE will improve this time around.
Due to fear of Hyper stimulation, our RE advised that we trigger earlier than normal – the follicles were only between 13-15mm which was a bit too early.

We had 16 retrieved and only 5 fertilised. We did a two day transfer (two transferred) as RE was worried that the embies would not make it to day 3 hence better put them back where they belong . We had non to freeze.

We had difficulties during transfer. Apparently, it was discovered that my crevice is twisted or something like that. We plan to do a mock transfer this time. These are the only things I can point to. However, I have an appointment with RE on August 8th to discuss in more details.


You are right lady, the waiting sucks. However, the most difficult part is the 2WW. I really had a hard time… i would pay attention to all sort of signs… interpreting everything…..the taking its easy is not easy….. the hoping and praying…. I was really an emotional rack. I hope it will be better this time around.

[lt81]

Hi everyone.

I am due to start my short-cycle for ICSI on about 29th August - can I join the September Cycle Buddies or am I technically August?!

First time so terrified. Got a bag full of drugs and needles from the hospital on Monday because we thought we might be able to start this cycle but my husband's work are being awkward about short notice for time off

I've been having reflexology for the last few weeks before I found out we had to start IVF, seems good to chill me out a bit (I have a stressful job). Has anyone thought about taking time off for the 2ww?

It's all quite daunting, really, but fingers crossed for us all!

[Wondercat]

lt81 - Hi and welcome! August 29 is close enough! Yeah, isn't that bag o' drugs and needles terrifying?? I remember my heart pounding just going through it all, and my mind went so blank I kept forgetting which one was what. One of many times I remember thinking, "Damn, and some people just get to have SEX!"

Dinagin - I also had breakthrough bleeding with the inserts, but not with the PIO. Seriously, I almost hyperventilated before my first PIO shot with my husband giving it to me and again before the first time I did it myself. If your RE decides that will be a better way for you to go, I'm sure you can do it. Last cycle my husband would clean the counter, then put everything out that we needed - including a glass of white wine for me!!

I had the same thing with my first transfer! It took them forever to get in because of some bend in my cervix. I was in there long enough for the valium to wear off. The funny thing was that they had in fact done a mock transfer beforehand that went much more smoothly. Before my next cycle they did a procedure to dilate/straighten the cervix and the next two cycles they didn't have a problem at all.

The first 2ww is the worst, but the following ones are still pretty agonizing to get through... lt81 I would recommend that you do not DO NOT take much time off during your 2ww or there is a real possibility that you will go stark, staring mad. Save that time off for when you need to go to OB appointments when you are pregnant!

[lt81]

Thanks for the advice. My work is super stressful though (I'm a corporate lawyer), so might take some time off, but not to sit around - get out and about, just not be pulling 16 hour days at work!

I get one go at this for free on the national health service, so want to give myself my best chances. Regardless of the result, I'm never going to wish I had been in work for the 2ww! Employers here are obliged to give you time off for maternity appointments so no need to save holidays for that.

I've been given all the drugs but no idea what I'm meant to take when. The nurse whizzed through it and I did ask if we would get a sheet with it all noted on, or should I make notes, she said it would all be in the drug boxes, but all they say is take as advised! I don't have to start taking anything until day 2 of my cycle, so I will get them to set it all out for me when I go for my day 2 scan.

I don't wish to be gross - but on day 2 AF will still be with me and the scan is vaginal - is that as icky as I think it is going to be?

[Wondercat]

Where do you live, if you don't mind my asking? Of course I can get time for doctor's appointments but it's unpaid unless I use vacation or sick time. But 16 hour days are no fun no matter what the circumstances!

You should insist that one of the nurses go over your schedule more thoroughly so that you can write it down. It's silly to say "it's on the drug boxes" when every person gets different doses. And having a clear idea of what is going to happen reduces a lot of the stress. My clinic has a generic calendar with various drugs and blank lines next to them that the nurse fills in with my specific doses and dates. If anything changes based on the testing during the stim it is carefully explained when they call me with the results. That piece of paper becomes priceless when you are doing 3 different shots a day all at different doses and your brain is somewhat addled by said shots...

Don't worry about being gross - everybody here has either "been there, done that" or is about to do that! And, uh, yeah... Having AF definitely adds to the ickiness factor. I mostly remember feeling embarrassed that the doctor was having to deal with all that ick. But you have to figure they have seen it all before, and this is just the first of many scans. The whole process is really intrusive - yet they were so careful to knock and make sure I was "decent" before entering the room! Like at that point I'm going to worry about them catching me folding up my undies, when they know more about my privates than I do!! You very quickly got over feeling uncomfortable with anything. In any event they always had the screen turned so that I could see it while they explained what they were looking at and answered questions that I had, which was a nice distraction.