April/May Buddies??

[missprissy]

Hello! I am starting my first IVF/ICSI cycle in April. I started Lupron March 20. My dh and I are going to injection class for the stimulating meds April 5. I'm hoping there are others that will be cycling during this time so we can share stories and support.

[Sofia]

Me too! This is my first go at IVF (ICSI). I start downregging on 10 April, and then hopefully stimming on 22 April. I'm still learning all the terminology, and trying to find out what we are and are not supposed to be doing, drinking, eating, etc.... From reading the kind of support people get here from cycling buddies, it would be good to have a group of us for April/May. Thanks for initiating it!

[missprissy]

Sofia! Hello! I'm so glad someone responded! I REALLY wanted to be able to share the ups and downs with someone who knows EXACTLY what I'm going through. When you say down reggin I'm assuming you mean Lupron, or something of that nature? Well, I started on March 20 and I should be stimming around the first week in April! I am so excited to get this thing started!!!

[Sofia]

So you've started already? Do you have to take Lupron shots or nasal sprays or whatever everyday? My doctor here says I will only need the one shot, and then wait for 14 days before starting stimming. Since I notice on your profile you are a nurse, do you have any idea why we have to downreg? If you have a normal, stable cycle, why don't they just stimulate you to produce more eggs for the next one? I don't quite fancy going through a mini-menopause, and I know there's no choice, but was just wondering why....

I had another mid-cycle ultrasound yesterday, and my doctor saw what he thinks might be a polyp - or it might just have been a shadow on the ultrasound. He is going to check for it again next week, but advises that I should have it removed if it exists before starting treatment, which will delay things by another months. I hope it's just a shadow! The longer I have to wait, the more nervous I am becoming!!

kind regards

Sofia

[Natalie Anne]

Hi

i started a May buddies thread a couple of days ago - we may aswell all join together!

i start downregging on 9th April and baseline scan is on the 25th.

i'm sure we'll all welcome all the support we can get!

Natalie
x

[WendyW]

Hi,

I also start downregulation in April on the 7th.

It's our first attempt at IVF/ICSI so not really sure what to expect but just glad to be on the 'rollercoaster'.

Wendy x

[missprissy]

Sofia- Yes, I've started all ready. I give myself a Lupron shot every evening around the same time. I rotate between my thighs and my stomach. It's a very tiny needle and it's a bit strange giving myself shots. We have to down reg because our ovaries normally produce one dominant follicle which would normally result in one egg. Well, our goal is to have more than one follicle, more than one egg etc. So, to prevent this from occuring our ovaries are on vacation until the stimming meds are given to produce lots of follicles. It's so funny thatt you mention that you might have a polyp. I work on a Same Day Surgery ward which means I see a broad range of patients everyday. Well, it just so happens that one of my patients has had 3 babies via IVF and is ready for #4 but was told that she had a polyp in her uterus. Of course they suggested she have it removed. Well, when they went in to remove it nothing was there!
Hopefully your next ultrasound won'ty show anything! That's one of my worst fears......delay!

Natalie Anne- I tried to search for a board that applied to me but I guess I missed yours, sorry! You're right though, we might as well all join together! My baseline scan is next week! I can't believe that the time is actually here! I keep telling myself next month I'm going to be pregnant! Now I can say we're going to be pregnant! Is this your first time?

Wendy- Welcome to you also! I know exactly what you mean by a rollercoaster! It seems like right now I'm way up on top and hoping that I don't have to come down! I am relatively relaxed right now and I attribute that to prayer and acupuncture. I also haven't discussed this with anyone except my parents and my brother, so I don't feel any pressure...yet!

Well, ladies I'm turning in for the night!
Ebony

[Sofia]

Ebony - thanks for the story about the disappearing polyp. I have 'cheated' on my consultant by booking a u/s with another gyn tomorrow to check whether there is something there or not.... I am almost tempted just to go ahead with the cycle even if there is a polyp, which I know sounds foolish. But here in Bulgaria, the best private clinics have virtually no waiting lists and are incredibly cheap by British standards (we are English), and are up to European best practice standards, that I feel we could afford a few goes before things get 'tight'. (Our consultant told us to be prepared for UK1,700 or US$2,800 maximum per cycle which includes everything). He told us that his clinic has a 50% success rate, which sounds a bit suspicious. It would be good to know what the success rates of your clinics are, just to get a more realistic comparison....How is down regging going?

Hi Natalie and Wendy - looks like we will be cycling closely together - let's hope it goes perfectly for all of us. Natalie you seem to have had loads of experience with IVF, so maybe you can be the group's on-line consultant!!

Have a good weekend! We are off to the seaside till Tuesday to celebrate Spring's arrival.

Sofia

[Natalie Anne]

i know - too much experience really! please feel free to ask me anything as i've probably been through it! i never thought it would take so many goes and my first consultant was so optimistic about me. i'm with a new consultant now but even he is optimistic. they keep insisting i've just been very unlucky.

people do seem shocked though when i say i'm about to start my drugs for the 6th time but i can't seem to stop my ivf addiction!!

[WendyW]

Hello Ebony, Sofia and Natalie

Looking forward to getting to 'know' you over the coming months. It'll be good to be able to share my experiences with others who know what I'm going through. Like you Ebony, I've only discussed my treatment with my 'nearest and dearest'.

Natalie - thanks so much for your offer to answer our questions. No doubt I'll have lots for you once I get my treatment underway. The hospital are optimistic about our chances of success but I'm not going to get my hopes up too much (although we are being positive).

Sofia - Hope your u/s brings good news. Enjoy your weekend at the seaside, I think we're forecast a day of rain tomorrow!

Look forward to hearing from you.

Wendy x

[CarolynB]

Hello Ladies

This is my first post ever. Have been reading the site for a while and it is so helpful. But it does take a while to get used to all the abbreviations and understand what every one is up to & saying.

Have been looking out for an April/May thread that may be I could join. This is my first go at treatment. Both tubes completely blocked up and given my age - Dr suggested going straight to ivf.

I am on a very long cycle. Started down regs on 25 March. Injections daily of buserlin. The injecting is not as bad as i expected. i find that it is better to do it slowly then seems to hurt far less. I have to down reg for more than 2 whole weeks before i start on stimmies around 12 april if everything has shut down by then Got some headaches at the start of the week but nothing too bad and that could be as I am trying to come off the caffenine as well.

Seems all the clinics use different injections and cycles. I am trying to take it small steps at a time and not get too carried away. Have scan booked for 11 April.

Look forward to seeing/hearing how everybody else is getting on & trying to support each other on this journey.

Carolyn x

[Natalie Anne]

Hi Carolyn

nice to have you with us. I have to downreg for 16 days before i start stims so i know how you feel. If you stab the needle quickly into your leg/tum but then depress the plunger slowly you should get fewer bruises.

keep us informed on where you're up to and how you're feeling - that's why we're all here.

Natalie
x

[CarolynB]

Hi Natalie

Thank you for replying. It is so nice when somebody 'out there' takes the time to respond. Glad that I am not alone on the long haul journey!

It really does make you realise that you are not the only one and appreciate how brave & strong many of the ladies are.

I'll take your advice re-injection. Thank you

Keep me posted on all your dates/progress.

Wishing you the very best of luck.
Carolyn x

[Ellie]

Hi Everyone
I hope I can join in. I am off for a scan on the 12th April to see if I can start this month,if all is ok I should be starting a short cycle just after easter. This will be our 6th and final go.
were lucky enough to have a positive cycle and have twins who are 2 years old. I hope you dont think I am greedy wanting another baby.
I look forward to getting to know you all and shring the ups and downs of this rollercoaster.

[luby]

Hi everyone

I would also like to join this thread. I start my 3rd cycle on 22nd April, I am doing a flare....!

Ellie - I don't think you are being greedy wanting another baby, when I get my baby or babies, I will prob want another. I don't think its being greedy..! You are an insiration to us that IVF brings happiness at the end...!

Carolyn - I have same prob as you, my tubes are completely blocked too, I also have adhesions so they didn't want to operate on them, said it would be too dangerous..! (I think they were meaning tie them back, when they said operate) I'm not really up on down regging as I have always done flare cycle's. Good Luck with your scan on 11th. Looking forward to getting to 'know' you..

Missprissy - Just wanted to say good luck with this cycle, seems a lot of you are doing down regging, not really up on this but sure I'll understand it more the more I chat we with you ladies.... Anyway best of Luck..

Wendy - That is a great attitude not to get your hopes up as this rollercoaster really does throw stuff at you when you least expect it and believe me it really does hurt..! I wish you loads of luck with your tmt..

Sofia - I wish you luck with the u/s and that there isn't a polyp. I hope it doesn't put back you cycle.

A big hello to anyone I missed, I do apologie If I have.

Good Luck everyone and looking forward to getting to 'know' you all...!!

Lucy