ivf meds-how did you feel?

[ksb7088]

Hello!

I am new to this message board so I'll start by saying hello. I'm doing my first ivf cycle and I'm starting to freak out a bit. I'm still on the bcp but I'm due to start the injections next week after my first us and bloodwork. I received all my meds yesterday and it was a bit overwhelming. I have no problem with the injection part, but I'm worried about how I will feel on these meds. I'm on the lupron microdose protocol taking lupron, follistim, menapur, hcg, and estrace. I have taken clomid and didn't have a problem with that and my dr says if I can tolerate clomid this should be no problem. But you never know how your going to react until you take something. For those of you that have done ivf before, can you please tell me how it went for you. Any information would be greatly appreciated, positive or not. Thank you in advance.

[Sue Hu]

Hi ksb7088,

Welcome!
I wouldn't worry about the effects of the meds on you. I was on low dose Lupron and Follistim and then after ER Medrol and Tetracycline for a few days. And now -in the 2ww- just progesterone. I barely felt any difference. I had mild headaches for almost 2 days from the Lupron (it could have been the oncoming flu too..) and of course some hormonal changes.. had a meltdown on Day 15.. but was fine within an hour

Now my tush is just sore from the progesterone shots, but even these are totally bareable.

So, as for me, nothing major at all. Good luck to you!

Sue

[JustJenis]

Hello!! Welcome.

I have to say that the main thing I felt while on Stims was Bloat. I was/still am bloated. Only have 1 ovary and it was achey towards the end. But certainly none of the symptoms were to the point I couldn't handle. Bloat just makes you feel huge!!!!! BUT it's for a great cause.

You'll do great.

*HUGS*
Jenis

[Leigh28]

I hope to ease your nerves by telling you that I really did not feel much different on the meds. In fact, I found that I felt like I was being proactive towards our goal of having a baby, so I was probably less depressed than usual. I did begin to feel bloated when I started the stimulation med (I used Bravelle). But, once again, this was encouraging to me, as I knew I was bloated b/c my ovaries had begun to produce the eggs that would be used for our IVF/ICSI. I am relatively young (28), and I don't know if age has any effect. I would just say to think positively and know that every day you are one step closer to having your baby.

[kholtan]

First of all, best wishes to you and dh! I hope round one is the winner!

Maybe it's more common than you would think but I am another woman who had no problem with the meds. I can honestly say I didn't feel any different at all. The BCP were the only thing that made me a bit edgy from time to time and I remember thinking how grateful I was that I had never taken them before in my entire life! Infertility has it's positives!
Really, I wouldn't worry at all. Your bum may be slightly tender but I rarely hear people say it makes them miserable.
Good luck!
Kimberly

[ksb7088]

Thanks to all who posted. I feel so much better! I was probably freaking out for nothing. Probably what I've been through already is worse than the meds will be. Good luck to you all!

[riogirl71]

when you first get your box of meds it is overwhelming, but your RE will give you good directions and it is not so hard. The menopur burned a little when it went in. I found that icing the spot first made it easier. The follistim is no biggie. I got super bloated and had hot flashes. My left ovary which produced more eggs (not enough for hyper stimulation) got very swollen and painful that after ER I had to take vicodin, but I am sure I am the exeption. The progesterone shot was no problem in the start and I got heating pad for after the shot and that helped with the soreness. After a couple of weeks I started getting tennis ball bumps and the oil would squirt out cause my butt was so hard from shots, my RE put me on Crinone 8% twice a day. I am not telling you these things to scare you since most women do fine with meds. I just want you to know that if you experience any of this, that it is normal and not bad.

Good luck!!!!

[Samara1]

I was fine, as I am sure you will be. I have had various doses and different meds. The worst "injury" I had was when I accidentally jabbed myself in the thumb. I was so used to jabbing myself I got distracted by the TV. Looked down. It did not hurt, just made me laugh.

I agree with the pp who said that she felt proactive during the stim phase.

I felt the same.

Good Luck!

[LostGirl]

ksb,
Hate to be the lone bummer in the sea of happy campers, but I really felt different on the meds. Keep in mind my first cycle I ovulated through Lupron so I was really feeling the full brunt of the meds. I had bloat, but I felt crazy like I had to stop myself from screaming at colleagues and loved ones, or to stop myself from crying. I felt that way for the 10 days I was on the stims, and for 7 days after they canceled my cycle. Gained weight, too.

The second time the worst part was the Lupron phase. They gave me more lupron so I wouldn't ovulate through and more folitism and gonal F so that I'd still make some nice eggs. The Lupron phase involved some crazy headaches. Each afternoon was 4 hours of a blinding headache. I compensate by going to work earlier, and getting it all done by 3 when they usually started.

The stimming phase went better the second time around, but I still felt wildly emotional, and weepy. My poor husband suffered through.

Now that i'm 14 weeks pregnant. I have to say that my pregnancy thus far has not been as hard emotionally and physically as the stimming for either of my cycles. I don't know if it's because I was already used to giving up control of my body, or because I have pretty light morning sickness. But I'll tell you one thing, during stimming I needed 15 to 16 hours of sleep. No joke!
And during the supposed super sleepy time of pregnancy I still only needed 10 hours of sleep.

The long and short of it is, NO ONE can tell you how you'll feel on the meds. Just as no one can predict what your pregnancy will be like. But I do pray you'll be pregnant sooner rather than later!!!

lostgirl