Starting IVF, HELP !!!

Jo Radley · Post by **Jo Radley** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 3:00 pm

Hi, my name is Jo and I'm just about to start my first cycle of IVF in the next few weeks. I've been having fertility treatment for just over a year, 6 months of clomid, failed IUI, laparoscopy detected minor endometreosis not to mention the other numerous happenings in my personal life, which have all led to me feeling totally depressed. My sister found this site for me today as I am feeling sooooo low this week and it has brought a smile to my face just to know that there are so many other people who are feeling exactly the same as me instead of sitting here in silence feeling that I am the only one in the world going through this traumatic time. Could anybody please help me in preparing for my upcoming IVF cycle as to how I can mentally prepare myself and feel more positive about the treatment and also share their experience with IVF, especially the egg collection as I am very worried and apprehensive about this. Thanking you in advance for taking the trouble to read my plea! Love Jo xx

gem · Post by **gem** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 4:24 pm

Hi Im also new to this site and IVF I had a lap and they also found minimal endometriosis in feb this year. We had our egg collection yesterday they found 13 eggs and this morning we were told 10 had fertilised we will find out tomorrow if any have turned into embryos. Hope everything goes ok its so easy to feel down about things I just felt alone because nobody we know as had trouble having children and it is awful when some people find it easy to get pg but thankfully ouf families and friends have been brill. Keep me posted with your treatment and remember your not alone Gem xx

Jo Radley · Post by **Jo Radley** » Thu Jul 03, 2003 5:50 pm

Hi Gem, Thank you so much for replying to my message! I know exactly what you mean with everybody you know falling pregnant and when you walk down the street, everybody you don't know seems to be pregnant aswell!! I am waiting for my next period (hopefully in the next two weeks, but with my cycle, it's anybody's guess!!) and then I can start the IVF process. I've opted for the injections as I don't think I could do the whole sniffing thing, although I don't know how I'm going to do them yet! Paul (my Husband) and I are going for our 'injection teaching' lesson next Wednesday - should be interesting! How did you find the injections? Did you inject yourself or did somebody do them for you? How was the EC? As I said, that's the one thing out of the whole IVF cycle that fills with me fear. Was it very painful? Sorry to ask so many questions, but like you, I'm new to this site and have so many unanswered questions and fears that the Hospital tends to not answer, probably not to scare the hell out of us (!), but I'm so interested to hear from somebody who has actually undergone the procedure. Thanks again for replying to me, you've really brightened my big blue mood today! I have everything crossed for you for tomorrow, please let me know what happens. Love Jo xx

NicolaUp · Post by **NicolaUp** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 7:25 am

Hi, I know what you mean about everybody being pg, I've got three people at work (it's not a v big place) and two close friend who are currently blooming. I went to a training course on Tuesday and the trainer was pg! I've been through one IVF, in March. I was on a short protocol where you inject. My DH did the injections and it was fine. I was a little bloated but got no other side effects from the drugs. Both the EC and the ET were fine too, no pain at all with either just exhausted, which I think was more from mental exhaustion then anything else. To prepare youself I would try to make your life as easy as poss over the whole period including the 2WW. I'm not sure you can prepare emotionally but just knowing you're actually doing something and not living your life in two week cycles I found helped. I know I hugely underestimated the emotional trauma so I'm hoping we might be a bit more prepared this time. Also, log on here, this site is SO supportive and whenever you have a problem or a concern at least three people have already done it, felt it, been there and will give you an honest opinion. I'm hoping to start injecting tomorrow so we might be cycle buddies. Good luck and keep positive. Nicola.

Jo Locker · Post by **Jo Locker** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 8:07 am

Hi Jo and welcome to the site, so glad you found us in your hour of need!! Whatever you're going through, people here understand completely and will probably have lots of hints & tips to help you get through it too so dont worry. How to get through it? Well, we're all different but I would say with as much humour as possible - there's plenty to laugh about if you look for it. Be positive, lots of things can be done for you. With regard to egg collection, at my clinic its done under general anaesthetic which is absolutely fine, you don't even know they've done anything when you wake up. Dont worry - just go for it. Keep us all up to date with your progress - this is very important!!!! Lots of Love, Jo (Locker). XXX

Dolly · Post by **Dolly** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 8:22 am

Hi Jo, Welcome to this board. I only found it a couple of weeks ago and it is great to chat to people going through exactly the same thing as you. We just started our first IVF cycle (started sniffing last week). I havn't had many side effects from the drugs so far - a bit of dizziness and a few spots are about it. I go in for my first scan next Thursday. I've had injections before (I have had 3 IUIs) and they really are a doddle (and this is a total needle phobic talking). My husband does them for me and I was given an autoinjector so it makes life very easy (and hides the syringe!). I'm also anxious about the egg collection - so will be interested to see what replies you get. A girl I work with has had it twice and said she was so heavily sedated she didn't know anything about it. I'm glad that finding this site has cheered you up a bit. Love Dolly

Lissa · Post by **Lissa** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 8:51 am

Hi Jo I have done two rounds of IVF now and had quite a few frozen transfers. Just had a failed second round but have six in the freezer. It may sound mad but I thrived on the sniffing part, I think because they are shutting down your system all the hormones are calmed down. Injections were okay - got dh to do them. My first round I have to say I did find a bit daunting but got through it unscathed. The two week wait at the end is the worst bit because it takes forever to get to the testing bit, but this site is brilliant and there is always somebody to help you when you are feeling apprehensive. Are you having a general to have your eggs removed? If so you shouldn't be in any pain, maybe a tad achy (ie. period pain) but nothing more than that. Also I found first time round you are conscious of every twinge and ache which sends your mind racing. Now having had a bit more experience at it my view is that if it is going to happen its gonna happen. The more relaxed you are the better. My advice is lots and lots of water (2 litres a day), healthy eating (organic if poss), I had a glass of wine here and there to keep me sane and lots of pampering to make you feel good. I wish you lots and lots of luck - you'll be fine. We are all holding your hand through this. lol Lissa x

gem · Post by **gem** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 9:28 am

Hi Jo The EC on Weds wasnt that bad,its just the unknown I was scared of and not having any eggs! While my hubby went to do his bit! I was given 2 Temazepam about 15mins before,this is suppose to help you relax! then I was taken into the theatre where I given two lots of 75mg of Fentanyl in a needle in my hand I was asked what cd I wanted played or I could have bought my own in,I choose Robbie! Just make sure you have a wee before because I was that nervous I darent go to the toilet and they had to empty my bladder before they could start very romantic when your other half is there!! It was a very relaxed atmosphere and the nurses and Dr were brill. When the Dr was about to go into my ovary I was told to really suck on the gas&air which helped alot cos it is quite painful but like a prat I started to cry dont know why? the nurses were brill and kept telling me that its mormal and its the drugs that make you emotional. I was told to rest the day after because you are sore but its not too bad.God I can ramble on...... We go tomorrow for the ET at 11.30 we've been told 9 eggs have made it,cant wait but very nervous hope I dont start bloody crying again! I had injections was never offered spray,hubby injected me it was ok youve just got to do them around the same time. I reacted really well I was only on 50mg of Suprecur and 50mg of Puregon,Im worried about the pessaries but have been told they are like a tampax. Hope this helped you in any way keep me posted. I will let you know how the ET goes but its suppose to be painless,Its just the 2week wait that will be hell! Any way got to go bathrooms dont clean themselves I WISH! love Gem xx

Jo Radley · Post by **Jo Radley** » Fri Jul 04, 2003 6:17 pm

Hi to everybody who replied to my message !! I'm sitting here in tears feeling so relieved that I have found so many people who know exactly how I feel. Family and friends have been absolutely wonderful and supportive throughout everything, but it makes such a difference when you speak to people who DO really know what you're going through and have felt every emotion that you feel. I'm feeling really nervous about my first IVF cycle, but also really excited. When the clomid and IUIs failed, I always thought that IVF would be my last hope and was really scared to start in case this failed too. But after reading so many messages on this site, I know that you're all right, if it's meant to be, it will happen. Much easier to type than believe, I know !! If this doesn't work first time round, then I know I need to keep positive however hard that maybe and look to the next cycle. They have said at the hospital that I can opt for a general, but they prefer to do it whilst you are sedated, like you Gem, with Temazepam and Gas and Air. I think I'd like to try it just under sedation rather than the whole general thing, but when the time actually comes, I might chicken out !!! This is only the second day I have known about this site and I can't believe how much more positive I am feeling already - thank you for that. Gem - good luck for tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you at 11.30. Nicola - I'm not due on for another few weeks, but would love to buddy up all the same! You can let me know what to expect! Best of luck with this cycle. Jo - What you said is so true, you have to keep the humour going - I've just finished reading Ben Elton's Inconceivable and watched Maybe Baby the day I finished the book. Paul and I had tears of laughter rolling down our face cos they used so many lines that we have said! Very funny! Dolly - Good luck with your 1st cycle, please keep me posted. Lissa - you're words of kindness mean so much to me, thank you. Look forward to chatting to you all again soon. Love and hugs to you all, Jo xx

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