Top of list!

[Claire]

Hello!
I've been watching this site for the last couple of years during the long two year wait on the NHS list.
I got the letter today to say that we're at the top and ready for treatment
I'm chuffed to bits, but very apprehensive. I have such mixed feelings.
I want to go ahead with it soooooo much, but I'm terrified of it too.
Especially as I have PCOS and at risk of OHSS, that worries me.
We've been married for seven years and TTC for probably ten years now.
I just can't believe it's about to happen.
I'm under no false illusions that the odds on it working are pretty low, but we have to give it a shot. If it doesn't work we have a contingency plan - we'll try and adopt.
Is IVF as scary as it sounds or am I worrying unneccesarily?
Thank you!
love claire

[alicia]

Claire,

I was so afraid of IVF - the hormones, the needles... DH is deathly afraid of needles, but even he learned to do the intramuscular shots. I was most afraid of mood swings on the medications as I have had really scary PMS in the past and have had to be medicated for it.

But my first IVF cycle is over and it wasn't at all bad. We will probably try again as I am not pregnant. I have to confess I actually felt good whilst going through the process. Nothing like all the scary stories I heard, most from people who had NOT been through IVF.

Best of luck to you!

alicia

[kiran]

hi claire
just wanted to say good luck and if you haven't thought about it to consider acupuncture - i didn't do it on my first try but did on my second and had success but also i just felt 100 times better and alot calmer - i definitely think and believe the success factor, even though short lived, was down to the acupuncture - i am hoping to start my next cycle come 09/04 but will be starting acupuncture now
anyway best of luck with your cycle.

[bubblymichelle]

Hi Claire,

Well I guess I was like alot of people worry worry worry, that mays well of been my first name instead of Michelle. Thinking about doing IVF is such a scary thing, the most I was worried about was the needles, I always thought how can I give myself needles or someone else to that matter. The thing is though you do it and you get used to them. I am so happy that I went through with the IVF because I am blessed with the most beautiful son Alex Mitchell who is now 5 months old. This was also my 1st attempt at IVF so I have to count myself very very lucky.

Good Luck.

Love
Shell.
xx

[bina]

Hi Claire,
So pleased for you it's all finally happening!
Like the others said, it really isn't half as 'bad' (if at all) as it sounds! It seems that we all just get on with it, because we have such an important goal and aspiration in mind that the needles are really only a relatively small price to pay somehow.....As to the side effects, well, as we know what might happen it's not too bad (no surprises so to speak) and at the end of the day it's 'only' for six weeks and then you'll hopefully be suffering from pregnancy symptoms anyway....! My thoughts are with you - hope it'll all go well! It really is worth it! And if you have questions, feel down or unsure, just have a look on this site, which always shows you're certainly not alone!
I had my first cycle in March and it worked first time, so there's hope for everyone!
Lots and lots and lots of luck!
bina

[Claire]

Thank you for taking the time to write, your messages have helped a lot. I feel much more positive and can't wait to get on with it now. After waiting so long and putting our lives 'on'hold' it's nice to feel as though something is actually happeneing. The wait has been a nightmare, you just can't plan or do anything. We are the only couple out of everyone we know who are childless. That doesn't bother me but we do feel the 'odd ones' sometimes. Even if IVF doesn't work (I'm trying to remain realistic here!) then we can look at other options. - we couldn't even do that until we tried IVF. Things are moving now and whatever happens at least we don't have to wait around any longer and that feels really good!!

Clairex

[Dagny]

Hi Claire

Welcome to the site and well done for getting to the top of your waiting list. Now the fun really starts!

Don't worry too much about needles and the injections because once you start doing it it's a piece of cake - Honestly! I quite enjoy jabbing myself There are ways and means of doing it so it doesn't hurt and the majority of the time it doesn't.

As for OHSS well, I have had a terrible case of it on my 1st treatment but once the doctors knew how I responded they reduced my dosage and monitored me closely. They even suspected that I may have PCOS (which I haven't) just buggered tubes. I was a risk of it again this 4th time but with careful monitoring with blood tests and scans it looks like it's been avoided so far - I had egg collection yesterday so still at risk a bit.

As you have got PCOS you will be monitored closely and you shouldn't get OHSS as they will act accordingly to your response once you start stimulating.

We all jump onto this rollercoaster not knowing what to expect but the desire and ache for a baby just makes us carry on regardless. I am on my 4th treatment and not about to give up. As you can see from my profile at the bottom of my posts my baby died at 24 weeks but it's making me a stronger person and the whole IVF thing does that too.

Best of luck and keep ue up to date on how you get on.

Love Dagny xkx