HAD MY FIRST CONSULTATUION TODAY AT KINGS

ANGELA · Post by **ANGELA** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 1:58 pm

Hi girls, Just got back from my first consultation at kings i saw the consultant john parsons he was really lovely i was extremely nervous about today and what they would tell me it wasnt great news but it could have been worse from the start i was thinking i would be having iui but this is not going to be the case first off he explained what our problem is exactly we always thought it was just my partners sperm and lack of motility but this is not the case on there test they do they look at the shape of the sperm as im sure you know well my dp has funny shaped sperm and only 2 out of every hundred are normal this is why it is higly unlikely that we will never fall pregnant naturally which is a shame as you always hope thats what will happen but its not to be if it does it will be a wonderful miracle. so we where told that our only chance is by having icsi which the good news being we will be able to have this next year sometime as the funding is available which is great, altho i am absolutly terrified of the whole procedure mostly the egg collection which i explained to the docter and the good news is they are doing a trial of ec s with local anesthetic so i had the choice to have local anesthetic which is great as i was petrified of being sedated so now i just have to wait shouldnt be to long tho i just have to get round the nerves would be great to hear from anyone that has had icsi. Dawn hun i read your post good luck on the sniffing hun my thoughts and ++++++vibes are always with you let me know how you get on . good luck to all who are having treatment at the mo and good luck to all on the 2ww merry christmas to you all and lets make next year a super POSITIVE year for us all thinking of you all Loads of love Ang xxxxxx

helenlouise · Post by **helenlouise** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 2:22 pm

I am 5 weeks 6 days pregnant after having ICSI. My DH had stored semen years ago before undergoing chemo, so we had no choice but to use it if we wanted a baby. I was apprehensive, but made sure i read up on the proceedure well so i could understand what was happening to me and ask relevant questions. Feeling confident in the nurses and consultant is a huge plus point. The whole proceedure was pretty much how i expected, although i did end up taking off more time from work than i had anticipated, i think that the rest during treatment and the 2ww definately did me good. Good luck when you start. I looked at it as finally doing something rather than planning to do something and tried to remain optimistic throughout treatment ( much easier said than done!!) helenxx

Dawn V · Post by **Dawn V** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 1:14 pm

Hi Angela Glad your consultation went well and that you won't have to wait too long for your tmt. Try not to worry about the ec easier said than done I know because I'm dreading that bit too!! Just try and think what the end result might be! Hope you've had a good xmas. Dawn xxx

tigger · Post by **tigger** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 10:24 pm

Hi, been reading your messages and it raised many questions, hope you dont mind firing them at you girls! Its funny to read that your ICSI news was good news, as for me it was bad news after expecting straightforward IVF and only me with the problem. So for me its kinda double trouble! Your consultant sounded much more sensitive at Kings, I was wondering if you have managed to get the 'funding' you mention on NHS? For Angela - were you working full time when you did your trmt? Whats 2ww? You said you took time off work - did you tell them why? I have a full on full time job and am wondering if I need to tell them, so that they will be more lenient if I take time off? Also was your clinic nearby? I am considering travelling to a better clinic than my local but this would add perhaps un -needed extra stress? So glad to hear of your success with ICSI - this news keep me going! Bests Tigger Does anyone know the difference between an HSG and a hysteroscopy - are they both effective for viewing fibroids position ?

ANGELA · Post by **ANGELA** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 4:03 pm

Hi Tigger icsi wasnt really good news i was dreading having i.v.f or icsi or rather being told thats what i needed was hoping i would still be able to iui but they said it really wasnt worth trying the chances of me getting pregnant naturally are almost zero so really i came out of the appointment on a high knowing that i could see great hope for the future, since the appointment i have gone through a lot of emotions the first feeling extremely numb and the question we all ask why me? being told that i will never or almost never get pregnant naturally with my partner came as rather a shock once it had sunk in but i do have a lot of hope for next year im still feeling numb and terrified of the year ahead and what it will hold for me heartache joy and all the emotions i will go through but i have come to the decision that i CAN do it and i WILL do it sure there are times when i think oh god i cant do this but once through these times i get the hope again and that is what is going to keep me going.i can only answer a few of your other questions as this will be my first treatment and im not working so cant help you on that bit but 2ww means the 2 weeks wait after treatment to find out if its worked, funding yes my treatment is being paid for by the NHS they still have funding left this year so im hoping i will get the letter that says i can start my treatment soon and yes my consultant was everything i would want in a consultant he listened to me and my worries and as he was impressed with my knowledge on infertility. he explained exactly what our problem was, and everything we needed to know hope this helps hope to hear from you soon what clinic are you at ? love Ang

helenlouise · Post by **helenlouise** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 4:35 pm

Just a note to tigger about taking time off work. I told my manager (in writing) that i would be needing time off for appointments and that basically it was non-negotiable , i.e.when i had an appointmnet it was essential i attend as the follicle tracking, injection timings, EC and ET are all so time critical. I listed as many dates that i knew about in advance and said if he wanted me to elaborate about why i needed a particular day/time to ask, but being a bloke he took my word that i needed the times i said. I also told a few close work colleagues so they didn't think i was skiving! During the 2ww i felt worst than i had anticipated with nerves and worry and went to my GP who provided a sick note as i hadn't intended to be off so long. I'm really glad i took that extra time off as i'm convinced that putting my feet up helped, rather than being even more stressed at work. Going through a tmt cycle is a stressful time, even though i thought i was relaxed about the whole thing. Work will keep plodding on whether you are there or not and i felt it right that i prioritise tmt for a while, especially as my sickness record has been pretty good for many years. Just thought i'd share what i did. good luck helenxx

wendy4 · Post by **wendy4** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:37 pm

Hi Angela

Thanks for letting us know, how it went, hopefully our first appointment will be in a few weeks. DH has 99% abnormailty so it looks like i will be going down the same road as you ! Dont know if we will get any funding though, we will pay if necessary, as we really dont want to wait any longer 3 and a half years

I am scared too, when i found out it was male factor, i presumed dh would be having some treatment, but its lucky me

i am so looking forward to starting the treatment, and have a chance at last

love

wendyxx

bubblymichelle · Post by **bubblymichelle** » Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:59 pm

Hi Amanda,

I just want to say that I am glad your appointment went well, from reading your posts I can tell your not very happy about ICSI but if this your chance of happiness you do have to go for it. One good thing is least your being funded by the NHS.

Just to let you know Amanda, I had my first attempt at ICSI and it did work for us and I can now say I am 37wks 1d pg with one little miracle baby on board.

When I knew I had to have ICSI I had everything going through my head from EC, to ET, from having to inject myself but honestly take my word for it, its not as bad as you think.

EC was ok for me, at my clinic they didn't give you a local but I was sedated, the only thing I can say that I found a little uncomfortable was when they pierced the follicles to get to the eggs. You just felt a small pinch like a needle and that was it. But I can honestly say it wasn't as bad as I expected. ET was ok too, there isn't really any pain with that, its just a very similar routine to when you have a smear.

Just remember to drink at least 2 litres of water per day, I also was on aspirin, alot of clinics don't advise it but mine did and I made sure I done exactly what they said. Also my clinic when I had ET said to me not to have any baths just to shower, so I didn't have any baths. Reason being when they transfer the eggs back they use a substance with my clinic said is similar to a glue to get the eggs to stick, having a bath losens this stuff and this is why the eggs don't stick. To be honest I may of gone overboard with my tmt following everything they said but I am just so happy I did now.

2ww with work, I did explain to my Manager (male) that I needed time off for scans etc... and he was very good. I think if you open up to them and tell them why you need the time they are alot better with you, but some people may not feel that they can open up to there work place.

Anyway I think I have gone on enough, hope this is some help to you.

Good Luck

Love
Shell.
37wks 1d pg
xx