Hi everyone,
just discovered this site and looks like it's going to be an invaluable source of information and support. I'm old (42) with an even older husband (46) and blocked tubes so, with time rapidly running out, we have now accepted the inevitable and decided to go for IVF. Our "getting started" appointment is in 3 weeks and I'm hoping to start mid May. I can identify with every first poster I've seen on here and am equally nervous and kind of excited.
I'm lucky enough to work freelance so can be pretty flexible about how much work I take on but am starting to try to plan for the next few months and it would be really useful to have an idea of how it's likely to affect me. I'm sure a lot of this information is on the message board somewhere but I can't find any way of searching for it directly and, experienced though I am at time wasting, even I can't read back through every message!
The "official" IVF websites tell you about the potential scary side effects, like ovarian hyperstimulation, but I want the real stuff. Am I likely to feel tired, weepy, irritable, achey? If so, which parts of the cycle are the worst (I know the 2ww is the real emotional killer, but what about other side effects?). Do you put on weight ?I just read a horror story about someone who ballooned but I think that was related to hyperstimulation.
Also, how much can the length of an IVF cycle vary? I'm assuming that if I start mid-May I'll know one way or the other by around mid-June but how much could it get delayed? Any other hints and tips gratefully received.
And please could someone tell me how to decipher some of the code on here - I think I've got that a DH is a partner but why?!
Look forward to chatting with you and good luck to all of you who right in the middle of it.
Caroline (which is my actual name but there's already a caroline, so I had to use my initials)
New and wondering - how am I likely to feel?
Hi Caroline
It seems like I am an old hat now as I found this site a couple of weeks ago!!
Well I will try to answer your questions. I have recently started my first IVF. I had done 4 IUIs but they didn't work.
You were talking about time off, well I haven't had to take too much off, only for scans, and I work at home so like you I am flexible,.
Have you done all the different tests yet? Does that mean that at your getting started meeting you are having your information session?
Once we had decided with the doctors to do IVF we had to wait for our first period. From then we had one group info session, which lasted about an hour, this was about 2 weeks after my AF( as they call it here, aunt flo). Then I started sniffing, (downregging) 21 days after the period. After 14 days I had my first scan, on Tuesday of this week. So really that is the first time off since the info session. the scan takes a few minutes , apart from the wait.
I have another two scans next week to see how many and how big my follicles are. And then the week after should be EC (egg collection, sperm sample and ET (egg transfer two days later.
It seems that all clinics have a slightly different time scale and I am not sure why. But for me, from first day of period till ET should be 7 weeks. But really from starting treatment it is 4 weeks. Out of this the time you need to take off up to EC is for the scans, wihch I suppose depend on you and the clinic.
After ET it seems that some people take the 2ww off, but I dont know as I have two weeks till that dreaded part.
As far as the downregging sniffing is concerned, I won't lie. I hated it, I felt so miserable and moody. But I think people are all different. i started injecting two days ago and my mood has improved. As i work alone I haven't taken any time off to be moodY!!
I took a while to decipher the codes but DH/DP is dear husband /dear partner.
I hope I have been of some help.
Tanya
It seems like I am an old hat now as I found this site a couple of weeks ago!!
Well I will try to answer your questions. I have recently started my first IVF. I had done 4 IUIs but they didn't work.
You were talking about time off, well I haven't had to take too much off, only for scans, and I work at home so like you I am flexible,.
Have you done all the different tests yet? Does that mean that at your getting started meeting you are having your information session?
Once we had decided with the doctors to do IVF we had to wait for our first period. From then we had one group info session, which lasted about an hour, this was about 2 weeks after my AF( as they call it here, aunt flo). Then I started sniffing, (downregging) 21 days after the period. After 14 days I had my first scan, on Tuesday of this week. So really that is the first time off since the info session. the scan takes a few minutes , apart from the wait.
I have another two scans next week to see how many and how big my follicles are. And then the week after should be EC (egg collection, sperm sample and ET (egg transfer two days later.
It seems that all clinics have a slightly different time scale and I am not sure why. But for me, from first day of period till ET should be 7 weeks. But really from starting treatment it is 4 weeks. Out of this the time you need to take off up to EC is for the scans, wihch I suppose depend on you and the clinic.
After ET it seems that some people take the 2ww off, but I dont know as I have two weeks till that dreaded part.
As far as the downregging sniffing is concerned, I won't lie. I hated it, I felt so miserable and moody. But I think people are all different. i started injecting two days ago and my mood has improved. As i work alone I haven't taken any time off to be moodY!!
I took a while to decipher the codes but DH/DP is dear husband /dear partner.
I hope I have been of some help.
Tanya
Hello and Welcome.
I've had two IVF/ICSI treatments and 3 DI treatments. I hope to be able to put your mind at rest! I had no side effects at all during my two IVF cycles - if I was a little bit weepy, it was because I was having negative thoughts, not because of the drugs.
I down regged with a sniffer for 3 weeks and then stimulated with injections for 12 days before my egg collection and two days later my embryo transfer. After that I had the delightful pessaries for 12 days before my test. This was the same for both cycles so you are looking at about 7 weeks from start to finish of a cycle.
The worst part was the day of the result as my body and mind believed that I was pregnant but a phonecall from the clinic said otherwise. I did put on a little bit of weight but again, I don't think this was really due to the drugs - rather me comfort eating!
I didn't find the physical side too bad at all, in fact for a while I even felt in control of my infertility because I was doing something positive to combat it - does that make sense? THe emotional side was tough going but having suportive family and friends helped alot - people who could listen without giving me well meaning yet useless cliches.
Good luck on your journey.
Janice
I've had two IVF/ICSI treatments and 3 DI treatments. I hope to be able to put your mind at rest! I had no side effects at all during my two IVF cycles - if I was a little bit weepy, it was because I was having negative thoughts, not because of the drugs.
I down regged with a sniffer for 3 weeks and then stimulated with injections for 12 days before my egg collection and two days later my embryo transfer. After that I had the delightful pessaries for 12 days before my test. This was the same for both cycles so you are looking at about 7 weeks from start to finish of a cycle.
The worst part was the day of the result as my body and mind believed that I was pregnant but a phonecall from the clinic said otherwise. I did put on a little bit of weight but again, I don't think this was really due to the drugs - rather me comfort eating!
I didn't find the physical side too bad at all, in fact for a while I even felt in control of my infertility because I was doing something positive to combat it - does that make sense? THe emotional side was tough going but having suportive family and friends helped alot - people who could listen without giving me well meaning yet useless cliches.
Good luck on your journey.
Janice
Hi Caroline. I'm not sure of a quick way to find the info you want but I remember a couple of subject titles just like yours about 4-5 weeks ago so you could scroll through for titles for 'new, 42, older' etc. They weren't very long ago.
Re. how you feel....it seems people feel quite different physical symptoms whilst undergoing tmt, whether they get a - or a + result at the end of the 2ww. I've had 2 + results out of 3 treatments (1 full ivf, 1 natural (no drugs) FET and one assisted FET). The ivf was successful and I have a daughter, the natural FET failed and the assisted FET was a + but I had an m/c at 5 weeks. I didn't feel pg at all either time. I did have extreme mood swings and irrational anger whilst on some of the drugs. I finished the hormones a month ago and still have some bouncing around as I can ignite at the merest thing now. I guess it's fair to say things are easier if you feel you are doing the very best you can, ie. if you both change your diet to what's recommended, lots of people have accupuncture, stay positive, stop drinking (both), no caffeine etc etc. I personally found working a huge help vs. staying at home after tmt but others feel the opposite there.
I can only wish you luck. There are plenty of people undergoing tmt now for both the first time and subsequent tries so there is a lot of advice around for specific questions.
Debra.
Re. how you feel....it seems people feel quite different physical symptoms whilst undergoing tmt, whether they get a - or a + result at the end of the 2ww. I've had 2 + results out of 3 treatments (1 full ivf, 1 natural (no drugs) FET and one assisted FET). The ivf was successful and I have a daughter, the natural FET failed and the assisted FET was a + but I had an m/c at 5 weeks. I didn't feel pg at all either time. I did have extreme mood swings and irrational anger whilst on some of the drugs. I finished the hormones a month ago and still have some bouncing around as I can ignite at the merest thing now. I guess it's fair to say things are easier if you feel you are doing the very best you can, ie. if you both change your diet to what's recommended, lots of people have accupuncture, stay positive, stop drinking (both), no caffeine etc etc. I personally found working a huge help vs. staying at home after tmt but others feel the opposite there.
I can only wish you luck. There are plenty of people undergoing tmt now for both the first time and subsequent tries so there is a lot of advice around for specific questions.
Debra.
Hi Caroline
Welcome to the site. You will find everyone so supportive and it's an invaluable source of information for the important things as well as the little things that some think are silly but in actual fact we worry about more than most. No question is deemed silly and someone will invariably have an answer.
Everyone reacts in quite different ways to this whole IVF journey. I wished I had found this site much earlier but I only found it on my 3rd cycle. I had blocked tubes too and had them removed as you can get fluid build up in the tubes which is not good for a developing embryo if it has embedded. It is quite toxic.
I got a serious case of OHSS on my 1st cycle and didn't really have a clue it could happen to me. It is something which can be avoided with drinking copious amounts of water and milk and frequent monitoring from your clinic and hospital. I hyperstimulate everytime
but my doctors are aware of how I react and keep a careful eye on me. I am deffo not a text book patient I am a thorn in their side but it keeps them on their toes. 
You can have some emotional side affects as well as physial ones but the whole process is a very emotional time anyway so it is to be expected. We are all chasing a dream and whilst some catch it first time others have that extra mile to run. Some dreams get shattered like mine when my baby daughter was born premature at 24 weeks and didn't survive. I conceived on my 3rd treatment of ICSI and really thought I was on my way to getting my miracle baby. But my out look on it is 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger'. It's just a matter of grit and determination and one day I will be rewarded as I hope you will too.
It is hard when you first find the site and are looking for all the answers to your questions as there is so much all over the place. If there is anything you want to know just ask away and we will all be there to help - if we can.
Good luck Caroline, lots of babydust on it's way to you.
Love Dagny xkx
Welcome to the site. You will find everyone so supportive and it's an invaluable source of information for the important things as well as the little things that some think are silly but in actual fact we worry about more than most. No question is deemed silly and someone will invariably have an answer.
Everyone reacts in quite different ways to this whole IVF journey. I wished I had found this site much earlier but I only found it on my 3rd cycle. I had blocked tubes too and had them removed as you can get fluid build up in the tubes which is not good for a developing embryo if it has embedded. It is quite toxic.
I got a serious case of OHSS on my 1st cycle and didn't really have a clue it could happen to me. It is something which can be avoided with drinking copious amounts of water and milk and frequent monitoring from your clinic and hospital. I hyperstimulate everytime
but my doctors are aware of how I react and keep a careful eye on me. I am deffo not a text book patient I am a thorn in their side but it keeps them on their toes. You can have some emotional side affects as well as physial ones but the whole process is a very emotional time anyway so it is to be expected. We are all chasing a dream and whilst some catch it first time others have that extra mile to run. Some dreams get shattered like mine when my baby daughter was born premature at 24 weeks and didn't survive. I conceived on my 3rd treatment of ICSI and really thought I was on my way to getting my miracle baby. But my out look on it is 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger'. It's just a matter of grit and determination and one day I will be rewarded as I hope you will too.
It is hard when you first find the site and are looking for all the answers to your questions as there is so much all over the place. If there is anything you want to know just ask away and we will all be there to help - if we can.
Good luck Caroline, lots of babydust on it's way to you.
Love Dagny xkx
Me 38 DH 40
1st 2nd & 4th IVF/ICSI -ve
3rd +ve DD Katelyn born @ 24wks & sadly died
5th +ve m/c 9wks
6th +ve Twins Sadly DD Leah stillborn @20wks and DS Kieran born @22wks but sadly died too
7th +ve - DD Chloë Mae born @38wks our precious miracle
1st 2nd & 4th IVF/ICSI -ve
3rd +ve DD Katelyn born @ 24wks & sadly died
5th +ve m/c 9wks
6th +ve Twins Sadly DD Leah stillborn @20wks and DS Kieran born @22wks but sadly died too
7th +ve - DD Chloë Mae born @38wks our precious miracle
Thanks for the warm welcome and for sharing your experiences. I know it's an emotional rollercoaster and I've had some low spots (an ectopic pregnancy) but nothing as traumatic as losing a child, so I really feel for you Dagny.
I got so confused about timescales after reading your replies that I rang the clinic to find out how long it would take and they said there are two different protocols - a 4 week one where you do the sniffing and the injections at the same time and the 6-8 week one that Tanya described. I'd merged them together somehow and thought you could do the "sniffing first" option in 4 weeks. Anyone heard of the "all in one go" option before?
Anyway, it seems like it will be impossible to plan anything til I've seen them in 3 weeks - hoping to get started after that as we've had every test imaginable.
Once again thanks for all the info.
Caroline
I got so confused about timescales after reading your replies that I rang the clinic to find out how long it would take and they said there are two different protocols - a 4 week one where you do the sniffing and the injections at the same time and the 6-8 week one that Tanya described. I'd merged them together somehow and thought you could do the "sniffing first" option in 4 weeks. Anyone heard of the "all in one go" option before?
Anyway, it seems like it will be impossible to plan anything til I've seen them in 3 weeks - hoping to get started after that as we've had every test imaginable.
Once again thanks for all the info.
Caroline
Hi there,
If it's any help, I've had one treatment that involved downregging the sniffing way (which proved a nightmare and took about 5+ weeks), then injections before EC & ET (all in all 8+ weeks), and two treatments the 'quick' way - two weeks injections, no sniffing, then EC & ET - all in all, including 2 week wait, everything was over in a month which was fantastic and much less stressful.
As for how you'll feel - everyone is different and I've found each cycle different in terms of my mood (psychological I think). But, it is worth it for that big fat + if you get it!
Wishing you loads of luck. Take care
Zoe x
If it's any help, I've had one treatment that involved downregging the sniffing way (which proved a nightmare and took about 5+ weeks), then injections before EC & ET (all in all 8+ weeks), and two treatments the 'quick' way - two weeks injections, no sniffing, then EC & ET - all in all, including 2 week wait, everything was over in a month which was fantastic and much less stressful.
As for how you'll feel - everyone is different and I've found each cycle different in terms of my mood (psychological I think). But, it is worth it for that big fat + if you get it!
Wishing you loads of luck. Take care
Zoe x
Hi there
Welcome
Just to add - that I've had no physical side effects- except slight heeadached during the downregging and a VERY slight "full" and / or stitching feeling in tummy during stims.
Havent put on weight, (yet!) carried on working and exercising pretty much as normal. Have almost completely cut out the booze - which is dull and not sure if make much difference but I felt I should
Been taking Marilyn Glenville fertility supplements (clinic just said asprin and folic acid would do)
As you say - the tough bit is the 2WW and all I would say - is just to TY to be prepared for a -ve. The projesterone they gove you during the 2WW makes your body THINK its PG and you just have to try not to get too carried away!
Depends what protocol your on, but I had down reg injection on about day 21 of my period. Started stim injections (not a problem by the way) 2 weeks later, will have done them for 2 weeks, then you have egg collection (again pretty straigh forward AND you get to have an anaesthetic which is GREAT!). THEN....Hopefully you pop n embryo back in a couple of days later and sit with your legs crossed for 2 LONG weeks!
So I guess that 6 weeks in all?
Thats about it, easy eh? NOT!
Anyway good luck, take care and dont hesitate to ask whatever!
Cazx
Welcome
Just to add - that I've had no physical side effects- except slight heeadached during the downregging and a VERY slight "full" and / or stitching feeling in tummy during stims.
Havent put on weight, (yet!) carried on working and exercising pretty much as normal. Have almost completely cut out the booze - which is dull and not sure if make much difference but I felt I should
Been taking Marilyn Glenville fertility supplements (clinic just said asprin and folic acid would do)
As you say - the tough bit is the 2WW and all I would say - is just to TY to be prepared for a -ve. The projesterone they gove you during the 2WW makes your body THINK its PG and you just have to try not to get too carried away!
Depends what protocol your on, but I had down reg injection on about day 21 of my period. Started stim injections (not a problem by the way) 2 weeks later, will have done them for 2 weeks, then you have egg collection (again pretty straigh forward AND you get to have an anaesthetic which is GREAT!). THEN....Hopefully you pop n embryo back in a couple of days later and sit with your legs crossed for 2 LONG weeks!
So I guess that 6 weeks in all?
Thats about it, easy eh? NOT!
Anyway good luck, take care and dont hesitate to ask whatever!
Cazx
HI Caroline
Me and my dp are "oldies" too!
I am 40 this year and my dp is 44 this year.
I have had 1 ICSI attempt in October 2003, using injections both for down reg and stimulation, unfortunately was -tive. I then had 2 frozen embies put back in Jan this year, but no luck again.
I found the injections fine, although my boobs grew from a C cup to a DD!!! Didn't suffer any moods swings, but to be honest was more hyper and cheerful than normal - but that could have just been the fact that I was excited that something positive was happening at last. Near the end of the stimulating injections, I found I turned slightly paranoid and lost confidence (gulp sorry, this doesn't happen to everyone) - but once I had stopped taking the drugs, I was back to my normal confident self again.
I found the egg collection not as bad as I expected, I was given a mixture of sedatives and painkillers, so to be honest was on another planet most of the time. Had some cramp pains for a few days afterwards, but nothing too bad. The transplant is easy peasy, apart from having to have a full bladder for the duration of it - thought I was going to explode!!
I am soon to start my buserelin injections again (for down reg) on 3 May, and this time around I am taking Fertility Plus (Marilyn Glenville - Natural Fertility recommends these vitamins/supplements) and I am also having acupuncture and drinking chinese herbs (disgusting) - so we'll see.
So good luck,you'll be fine, and like the girls say we are all here for each other.
Me and my dp are "oldies" too!
I am 40 this year and my dp is 44 this year.
I have had 1 ICSI attempt in October 2003, using injections both for down reg and stimulation, unfortunately was -tive. I then had 2 frozen embies put back in Jan this year, but no luck again.
I found the injections fine, although my boobs grew from a C cup to a DD!!! Didn't suffer any moods swings, but to be honest was more hyper and cheerful than normal - but that could have just been the fact that I was excited that something positive was happening at last. Near the end of the stimulating injections, I found I turned slightly paranoid and lost confidence (gulp sorry, this doesn't happen to everyone) - but once I had stopped taking the drugs, I was back to my normal confident self again.
I found the egg collection not as bad as I expected, I was given a mixture of sedatives and painkillers, so to be honest was on another planet most of the time. Had some cramp pains for a few days afterwards, but nothing too bad. The transplant is easy peasy, apart from having to have a full bladder for the duration of it - thought I was going to explode!!
I am soon to start my buserelin injections again (for down reg) on 3 May, and this time around I am taking Fertility Plus (Marilyn Glenville - Natural Fertility recommends these vitamins/supplements) and I am also having acupuncture and drinking chinese herbs (disgusting) - so we'll see.
So good luck,you'll be fine, and like the girls say we are all here for each other.
1 failed ICSI, 1 failed FET, next treatment starts in May with EC on 1 June 2004, hoping for a 2005 baby!