IVF HAMMERSMITH

[poochie]

Dear Girls

Lola – Ive just read about your loss on another thread I'm so so sorry how f***ing cruel I’m just so lost for words. It will take time to get over your loss, you need time to heal and grieve, be kind to yourself, my thoughts are with you, big hug.
As for the H that’s just so typical of them thats their biggest fault, patient support and compassion it really upsets me to think of the way they spoke to you, I know that woman was horrible to you when you had your eptopic.
Be good to yourself give yourself time and keep the faith.

Carolyn – So you got the all clear for your next cycle, I think it wise to go for Long Protocol your egg number has always been good, I would like to go back to that protocol if I went again I think the clinic has more options to change meds and doses. Good luck and keep us posted.

As for me its been a crazy couple of weeks after my bfn I started making plans for the future and tried to look a head at other things apart from having another baby and IVF. When on Wed 9th May I had really bad tummy pains and was feeling breathless, eventually DH rush me into AE 3am as the pain was so bad I nearly passed out on bathroom floor. The hospital was not sure what was wrong they did pregnancy test and yep it was BFP, they thought possibly a cyst burst on one of my ovaries due to IVF treatment as pain eased after a couple of hours in AE, I’d had no bleeding. I was admitted to hospital but unfortunately a scan confirmed Eptopic pregnancy in my left tube which had ruptured and I had internal bleeding, I was rushed to theatre and spent 4 day in hospital. I was so scared from being told I’m pregnant don’t worry to being rushed to theatre I think I’m still in shock. What can I say I bled like a period 2 days before my test dated after IVF, I still did two pregnancy tests the following week which were BFN so this all came as a massive shock, I’m aware of the obvious sign of Eptopic but had no idea that was happening to me. I’m now unsure what to do I had an appointment with Trew 18th May to discuss donor eggs which I cancelled and have follow up with my clinic 1/6, do I go one more time with own eggs or stick to my original plan.

Take care all

Vicki X

[poochie]

Dear Girls

Lola – Ive just read about your loss on another thread I'm so so sorry how f***ing cruel I’m just so lost for words. It will take time to get over your loss, you need time to heal and grieve, be kind to yourself, my thoughts are with you, big hug.
As for the H that’s just so typical of them thats their biggest fault, patient support and compassion it really upsets me to think of the way they spoke to you, I know that woman was horrible to you when you had your eptopic.
Be good to yourself give yourself time and keep the faith.

Carolyn – So you got the all clear for your next cycle, I think it wise to go for Long Protocol your egg number has always been good, I would like to go back to that protocol if I went again I think the clinic has more options to change meds and doses. Good luck and keep us posted.

As for me its been a crazy couple of weeks after my bfn I started making plans for the future and tried to look a head at other things apart from having another baby and IVF. When on Wed 9th May I had really bad tummy pains and was feeling breathless, eventually DH rush me into AE 3am as the pain was so bad I nearly passed out on bathroom floor. The hospital was not sure what was wrong they did pregnancy test and yep it was BFP, they thought possibly a cyst burst on one of my ovaries due to IVF treatment as pain eased after a couple of hours in AE, I’d had no bleeding. I was admitted to hospital but unfortunately a scan confirmed Eptopic pregnancy in my left tube which had ruptured and I had internal bleeding, I was rushed to theatre and spent 4 day in hospital. I was so scared from being told I’m pregnant don’t worry to being rushed to theatre I think I’m still in shock. What can I say I bled like a period 2 days before my test dated after IVF, I still did two pregnancy tests the following week which were BFN so this all came as a massive shock, I’m aware of the obvious sign of Eptopic but had no idea that was happening to me. I’m now unsure what to do I had an appointment with Trew 18th May to discuss donor eggs which I cancelled and have follow up with my clinic 1/6, do I go one more time with own eggs or stick to my original plan.

Take care all

Vicki X

[poochie]

Dear Girls

Lola – Ive just read about your loss on another thread I'm so so sorry how f***ing cruel I’m just so lost for words. It will take time to get over your loss, you need time to heal and grieve, be kind to yourself, my thoughts are with you, big hug.
As for the H that’s just so typical of them thats their biggest fault, patient support and compassion it really upsets me to think of the way they spoke to you, I know that woman was horrible to you when you had your eptopic.
Be good to yourself give yourself time and keep the faith.

Carolyn – So you got the all clear for your next cycle, I think it wise to go for Long Protocol your egg number has always been good, I would like to go back to that protocol if I went again I think the clinic has more options to change meds and doses. Good luck and keep us posted.

As for me its been a crazy couple of weeks after my bfn I started making plans for the future and tried to look a head at other things apart from having another baby and IVF. When on Wed 9th May I had really bad tummy pains and was feeling breathless, eventually DH rush me into AE 3am as the pain was so bad I nearly passed out on bathroom floor. The hospital was not sure what was wrong they did pregnancy test and yep it was BFP, they thought possibly a cyst burst on one of my ovaries due to IVF treatment as pain eased after a couple of hours in AE, I’d had no bleeding. I was admitted to hospital but unfortunately a scan confirmed Eptopic pregnancy in my left tube which had ruptured and I had internal bleeding, I was rushed to theatre and spent 4 day in hospital. I was so scared, from being told I’m pregnant don’t worry to being rushed to theatre I think I’m still in shock. What can I say I bled like a period 2 days before my test dated after IVF, I still did two pregnancy tests the following week which were BFN so this all came as a massive shock, I’m aware of the obvious sign of Eptopic but had no idea this was happening to me. I’m now unsure what to do I had an appointment with Trew 18th May to discuss donor eggs which I cancelled and have follow up with my clinic 1/6, do I go one more time with own eggs or stick to my original plan.

Take care all

Vicki X

[poochie]

Dear Girls

Lola – Ive just read about your loss on another thread I'm so so sorry how f***ing cruel I’m just so lost for words. It will take time to get over your loss, you need time to heal and grieve, be kind to yourself, my thoughts are with you, big hug.
As for the H that’s just so typical of them thats their biggest fault, patient support and compassion it really upsets me to think of the way they spoke to you, I know that woman was horrible to you when you had your eptopic.
Be good to yourself give yourself time and keep the faith.

Carolyn – So you got the all clear for your next cycle, I think it wise to go for Long Protocol your egg number has always been good, I would like to go back to that protocol if I went again I think the clinic has more options to change meds and doses. Good luck and keep us posted.

As for me its been a crazy couple of weeks after my bfn I started making plans for the future and tried to look a head at other things apart from having another baby and IVF. When on Wed 9th May I had really bad tummy pains and was feeling breathless, eventually DH rush me into AE 3am as the pain was so bad I nearly passed out on bathroom floor. The hospital was not sure what was wrong they did pregnancy test and yep it was BFP, they thought possibly a cyst burst on one of my ovaries due to IVF treatment as pain eased after a couple of hours in AE, I’d had no bleeding. I was admitted to hospital but unfortunately a scan confirmed Eptopic pregnancy in my left tube which had ruptured and I had internal bleeding, I was rushed to theatre and spent 4 day in hospital. I was so scared, from being told I’m pregnant don’t worry to being rushed to theatre I think I’m still in shock. What can I say I bled like a period 2 days before my test dated after IVF, I still did two pregnancy tests the following week which were BFN so this all came as a massive shock, I’m aware of the obvious sign of Eptopic but had no idea this was happening to me. I’m now unsure what to do I had an appointment with Trew 18th May to discuss donor eggs which I cancelled and have follow up with my clinic 1/6, do I go one more time with own eggs or stick to my original plan.

Take care all

Vicki X

[AGallagher]

Dear All,

I have just completed my 2nd IVF with ICSI this time which all seemed to go well. We have 80% fertisation, froze 6 and implanted 2 embs. The clinic were very positive and told me my womblining looked good. Despite all the positive signs I was not lucky this time around. I am trying to get an indication of how many people who attended HH for May treatment had a BFP. I have been back at work for one week and am a bit out our source to date.

I have put this cycle down to back luck and hope to try again soon on a frozen cycle. It would be good to hear how other people have done.

[CarolynB]

Not a great thread at this time............

Lola - I have been thinking of you every day. I know that it will be ever so hard on you. I hope that you will come through and have the courage and determination to go again. I am very disappointed in HH and what you have said about them - sounds very poor indeed. I guess that I have always been relatively straight forward and so never needed to call on them in an emergency. Does not sound like they are geared up to help? Guess it is too early to ask whether you will try there again or move. You know where I am if I can be off any help to you at all. Big hugs to you. Be as strong as you possibly can

Vicki - I am so upset for you too. What a nightmare to live though especially when you were just getting your head together again. It must have been really scarey for you & dh. I am not sure what you should do next. You are the only people who can decide what next. Why not keep the appontment with Mr Trew re-donor and also go back to your current clinic for the follow up too. Then you can here what they both say. I understand that HH links with IVI in Madrid but the wait for a donor is 3-6 months. You could go on the list (if you are going to do it through HH) but do another Fresh in the meantime if you feel up to it emotionally and financially. Sending you huge hugs

AGallagher - I am sorry that you had another BFN. Sorry. I am not sure that what happened in May makes too much difference. It is the stats over a year or so that show a trend and at the end of the day depends so much on our eggs, fert rates, levels, sperm etc etc May be you should ask at your follow up. My sense is that HH overall success rate is around 25%. Which means that you need to do at least 4 cycles to be lucky. Of course there are some people who are lucky on their 1st try which means others of us need to go loads of times to balance the stats. Sad but true I am afraid. Will you cycle there again or move?

So finally have (most of) notes from HH. They exceeded the 4-0 day time limit and needed endless nagging to get them. In the end a lady called Cheryl helped me out. Then they missed out the embryo development sheets as they did not think that they would be required. DUURGGGG. So now I have them. Copied the lot so I have a set in case I need to send to Barcelona in future. Pushed my cycle back by 1 month as was in San Francisco when they called me to say that I could start down regging and need to go to Frankfurt and Dubia (all work) in the next 3 weeks. Too much stress and no way that I could do all the required testing. Think that I just need to do D1 bloods and then if FSH is still low then I will start - long protocol - down regging around D23. Then wait for AF. Then scan around D5. Hysteroscopy. Then start stimmies around D7. Figure that I am looking at EC around mid-July and testing around end July. Dates suit me as was hoping that I could cycle in July/August so I could take some down time.

Lola - to answer your question - ARGC is quite chaotic but they always call back on the day that you go in for tests - even if late in day. Not much info up front as can change daily depending on bloods/scans etc. You speak often to girls in reception rather than drs so need to have a good idea of levels/what is happening otherwise I think that it would be daunting. Figure most people there have been before elsewhere so know the drill. When they call then they tell you what to do next. I knew this up front so have been chilled about it (so far). Plus have read lots on Fertility Friends website so I understand how it is & got a general idea on timings. I do get the sense that they offer highly personalised tmt and that is what you pay for. There is no such thing as a 'standard' protocol. I strongly feel that if they cannot get me pg there then not sure that anyone will be able to - with my own eggs. The two consultants who I have seen have both been very informative - not much tea & sympathy but very honest and suggesting new angles which is what I need. All scans are done by a consultant. Trigger will be controlled by Mr Taranissi who will do EC, ET and hysteroscopy himself. They are talking about adding aspirin and heparin to help my circulation. The most intensive period will be towards the end of stimmies when I will need to be there twice a day but planned this for July/August and will just book holiday if I need to. This really is the last roll of the dice for us but need to do it for myself and my dh to know that we tried everything

Em - thanks for dropping by to cheer me on - good luck - you are almost there which is amazing

Let's hope for some better news for all of us very very soon.

Love to you all.
Carolyn
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[AGallagher]

Hello Carolyn,

Thank you for coming back to me. I have to wait till early June to see the consultant as he does not have much availability prior to this. I am sorry to hear about the problems some of the girls have had at HH. The staff were much better the second time about informing me about what was happening. It may because I had a better fertilisation rate and they were more positive about the whole process. I will put this one down to luck and try to believe that my time will come. As you say some are lucky the first time. I don't think I could cope with going more than 3 times but I will just have to wait and see. At this point I will stay with HH and all being well will go for a frozen cycle. I know the success rate is less but so far things have been very unpredictable. The first time around I only had one healthy embryo and had an inconclusive pregnancy test the first time. As with a lot things in life things don't always come easily but with a bit of persistance they eventually work their way out. Alot of people keep saying that no matter what I do if it is meant to be and is God's will it will happen regardless of how I feel. I know they mean well but most of them have their families and have never gone through this.

I wish you the best of luck for July/August time. I take it you have moved from HH. I think if things don't work the third time then depending on money, etc I will look at other clinics. One person has suggested the Bridge Clinic in London. I chose HH because it was convenient for travel, work etc and appears to have a good reputation. It's all a big lottery so we will see what happens next time.

Take care.

[lolajones]

Hi guys

Vicki - oh my god! You poor thing! I'm just so pleased that you're ok though, ruptured ectopic can be dangerous. So you must be totally spun. I'm sorry about the ectopic - I remember after mine I was so angry at the world and its unfairness. How are you feeling??

AGallagher - HH is ok, lets face it they got me pregnant 2 out of 4, it just goes wrong when I take over!

Carolyn - so, you are almost ready to go, everything is sorted, all votes have been counted and varified by our adjudicators - ARGC will do this for you I just know it, I do! Sounds as if you've been/will be busy traversing the globe like high powered biz lady you are - hope you've got some R&R planned for cycle time. Thanks for the info on ARGC.
Thank you for all your support after my disaster last week, you are a star.

Well, this is wierd. Its like I feel fine and I'm over it but its like I'm watching myself on telly and waiting for it all to go a bit Eastenders. Have my scan tomorrow afternoon. I have had no bleeding and so assume I'll be having an ERPC. I predict post-op tears. When I worked as an anaethetist when on call we'd do about 4 of them a night and recovery would be filled with wailing and emptiness - I used to hate it. Dread it dread it dread it. Anyway - whats next? I oscillate between wanting to burn everything I own and start a new, childless, life in Mexico working in a truck stop cafe to starting another round asap. mainly the first plan to be honest. May take BIG break from the game, get my life back.
Right now though the plan is to do some serious reheating of M&S dinner for two - I tell thee, I am housewife of the year I am.

Luck to everyone
Love, Lola
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[Tams]

Girls, I'm sorry to crash your thread, I just thought I'd mention the Lister. I can't compare it to any other clinics as its the only one I've been to - as far as results go I think its probably fairly similar to HH, perhaps slightly higher rates but not enough to make a significant difference. I've had two rounds of ICSI and one FET and the one thing that has struck me is the amazing lovliness of the doctors and nurses, it is a busy clinic but they take a very real personal interest. When I had my m/c it was picked up on my hcg levels before I had any bleeding and they made sure that the nurse who I knew the most called up to tell me the news - she was practically in tears herself as she told me. I have always been able to speak to a nurse, consultant or embryologist when I phone and they have been very good at scheduling an appointment that week to see the consultant each time the cycle hasn't worked. I have also been able to request the same consultant to do the transfer each time.

There's a lot to be said for continuity of care and also for ease of getting to the clinic but if anyone is considering a change or just starting out I would recommend having a look at the Lister.

While I think about it, they were also very good at making the decision to go ahead with my egg collection second time round even though my oestrogen levels had reached 15000 - the consultant was involved and took the decision so I didn't coast and risk deteriorating egg quality. This could be why this round was a success (so far).

I have been under Tunde (who is just lovely and doesn't rush you at all - important for me as I am a big question asker!) he also proactively ordered the immune tests following the first round m/c.

Good luck with all your forthcoming treatments

Tams xxxx

[CarolynB]

Tams - Thanks for the info on the Lister. I have heard good reports. Heard that it is the best place for girls with endo in particular. I was recommended first to Hammsermith as good but also close to home for me. We are now at ARGC because of success rates, personal monitoring and as I have an auto immune discorder too. Glad that the Lister was so good for you & that it brought you success. Thanks for taking time to read and post

AGallagher - Sometimes people do well on FETs as the drugs are not in your system so the body is in a better place when they come back home. I have moved from Hammersmith to ARGC. No bad feelings. Just they had done all they could for me - lap, tubal surgery and 3 Fresh cycles. Trew understood our position and the need to try something 'new/different'. We still have 6 frosties there and they would be cool about us going back. Let us know when you have a firm date for your follow up and when you decide to do the FET

Vicki - Please let us know how you are doing. You have been through so much. Hope that you are taking plenty of time out to mend and feel better

Deal Lola - thought of you lots over the past week. I am sure that it is horrid for you - remember when dh was in intensive care after a motorbike accident 5 years it used to feel like I was in a bubble and everything was going on around me and it felt totally surreal like I was in an episode of Casulty and that I would wake up at some moment and it would have all been a very very bad dream. Can only imagine what you are going through now. Hope that you will be able to get through this. Running away and blowing lots of money (not on tmt) sounds desperatly appealing. Sending you huge hugs. You know where I am if I can help at all. Glad that you think that this is going to do the job for me - read below - if this does not then I am out of the game!

Well to me. Had a very bad patch with AF, cold/flu, dh away, money worries and too much work on but that is behind me now. dh now back. Only when they are away do you realise how much you need/want/miss them. AF almost gone now. Great. Mood improving! Cold almost passed too. Went and had bloods taken on Wednesday (D2). FSH a little higher at 5.2 (but understand that D2 is usually higher than D1 anyway) but they gave me the green light to start. YEAAAAAHHHHH. Consultant called me on Thursday and said given that the immunes were ok had we made a decision about PGD/PGS. Given 3 implantation failures of 7 good quality embies, they think that testing the embies before they go back could be an answer given the immunes showed up nothing. So dh and I discussed and given that this will likely be our last role of the dice with my eggs we have decided to throw the kitchen sink at it. To do this testing, we will also have to commit to ICSI rather than IVF (more ££££). Nobody will be able to say that we did not try everything!!!! So first stage is chromosone testing for me & dh. Went and got that done yesterday as takes 3 weeks for results to come back. Picked up nasal spray for down regging whilst we were at the clinic. OMG. OMG. It suddenly all feels rather too real all over again and I don't know whether to swing from the rafters or go totally loopy with fear. So my protocol will look something like.......

D28 - 18th June - start nasal spray 3 times a day
D35 - 25th June - AF - hopefully
D4/D6 -c 29th June - Scan
2nd July Hysteroscopy and then start stimmies
Onto daily bloods and then twice daily check ups
Looking at EC around mid July, ICSI and PGD and then testing end July

Cannot believe that I am on my 4th Fresh cycle. Not even a faint double line for me - nada/nothing..........

Have convinced myself that if this does not do it then nothing will. We also be financially ruined!!!! I shall keep you posted on the 'intensive' protocol. Thankfully the dates look like being fab for me. All work travel will be done by 8th June. I can also take some time off work in July especially when I need to be at clinic twice a day. My ivf summer holiday

Enjoy the bank holiday weekend although we could do with the weather cheering up.

Love to you all.
Carolyn
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[margaretgo]

Hi All,

Firstly, sorry AGallager, Vicky and Lola for the bad news. It's hard to read - I really feel for you all. Be as good to yourselves as you can. What we put ourselves through is quite extraordinary - in a way we should all be proud.

Carolyn - fascinating to hear about ARGC. I'm starting to feel a little disillusioned with the Hammersmith's lack of tailoring. And this year's stats haven't shown a great improvement. Not sure if I can afford ARGC - so wondering if I can afford UCH for number 3.

Looks like we will be cycling around the same time. I start down-regging on 20th June - with ET and EC probably third week of July - testing beg Aug??

I'm also pleased it's in summer - I should be finishing my current contract 6th Jul - giving me some time off.

Had first acupuncture on Saturday at C.H.A.I.M. centre in Willesden Green - very relaxing - floated around Sainsbury's afterwards - will continue with that - and throw in a bit of massage and reflexology for good measure.

Taking my prenatal vits and 'Mum Omega' capsules - also giving any trans fats (hydrogenated fats) a wide birth - as I keep reading they lower fertility. Watch out girls they're everywhere - even Twix's.

Love to all,

m xxx

[margaretgo]

PS - Just booked an appointment with Massimo Ranieri at UCH for 2 weeks time. I want to line up try #3. To my surprise there is no waiting list and treatment prices are similar to Hammersmith but with almost double the success rates!?

[Vickyp]

Hi all

Really really sorry to hear all the bad news. It's hard to know what to say when I have been so lucky but hope you are all bearing up.

I just wanted to say that I have heard that Hammersmith's results are often not as good as other places as they have a high number of complicated cases due to the Robert Winston factor and that their research dept is so good.

I know I would not have been able to have the treatment that I did if I had had my treatment locally - which although only involved the use of different drugs was quite ground breaking in UK at the time.
I opted to have a 2hr drive each way so I could go to Hammers. I just wanted to add a different picture just in case everyone was getting down about choosing the wrong clinic.

I have just had an HSG for my attempt at having 2nd baby there.

Okay - best get nose back to grindstone.....Love Vicky

[AGallagher]

Dear Carolyn and all the girls

I hope everyone is doing ok.

Carolyn, I had my follow-up apt yesterday and discussed the bfn. Unfortunately there is no real explanation that the doctor can give us as to why it did not work and he felt like I did that it was down to luck as with certain things, they don't always work first or second time.

He did mention that there was a note that my last transfer was difficult but did not think this had much bearing on the result as he assured me that the doctor who performed the transfer has the highest success rate for HH.

I do recall being in some pain at the time but on checking both embs did show up on the scan.

I am going to try a frozen cycle as I am not up to the fresh one and since we have 6 embs we felt that due to the time and age factor we might as well do this. Since we were so fortunate to have them we are trying to look at it as a sign for us to continue on.

I have booked the nurse apt for June and will try on the July/Aug cycle. It's difficult to be so exact as I have noticed that my av. 28 cycle has someone been extended and now goes up to 33/34. I assume it is due to the two previous treatments.

We were hoping to book a holiday in between but to be honest whilst I feel strong enough emotionally to continue and quite well physically it seems best to carry on.

I hope you are doing ok.

p.s. I note that I have nevered put many details down re; age etc and it is helpful for everyone to see this.

----------------------------------------

me: 38 dh: 45
ttc: nearly 4 years naturally

1 IVF Nov 06 - inconclusive followed by BFN
1 IVF/ICSI May 07 - BFN

[CarolynB]

Hi All

Have been posting less as so busy with work - trying to get it all out of the way before I start tmt.

AGallagher - I am sorry that they had no answers for you. But must say that is 'normal'. They do the best that they can but nobody really seems to know why it works for some and not others. Good Luck for your FET. Your body will be in much better shape to accept the embies back and will not be full up with drugs. My cycle pushed out too. I figure like you that it is the drugs. Did find that acu brought it back shorter again - when I was going every week. Still going but not as frequently now. Are you going to try to go on holiday after tmt. We are not having a holiday so we can use the money/and time off work for tmt this summer. I keep saying to dh that it is my Harley Street holiday!

Vickyp - you are right to put the positives down about HH. It is always good to be balanced and I sense some people are better suited my one place and others by elsewhere. It would be good to know where was going to work for each and every one of us

Margaretgo - When is your appointment at UCH? Must be soon or may be you even went there already. Interested to hear what their tmt is like and how it differs to HH. Do let us know? Not sure about the price list there but worth checking waht is included. Headline price at argc is same as HH but it is all the extras that you pay for such as bloods and scans that lift the total cost skywards. Looks like we will cycle around the same time. I start down regging a week on Monday so 18th June so may just be a couple of days ahead of you. Think that my schedule will be simialr with a test in very early August - but argc tend to take everything one day at a time so I will have to try to go with the flow

Lola - thought of you often over the past few weeks. Hope that you are taking time out to recover. Big hugs lady

Vicki - thinking of you too and hoping that you have been looking after yourself after what you went through. Have you decided what you will do next?

Had chromose testing done on me and dh. All came back fine. We will also look to have genetic testing done on the embryos. At that juncture they will have tested everything for us. At least I shall know that we gave it the best shot. Trying to get loads of work done and family stuff over the next 10 days so then I can totally focus on tmt. That is the plan anyway. I shall work at the start but from towards the end of stimmies, through EC and ET the plan would be for me to take a couple of weeks of work to chill out. I have Grey's Anatomy series 1 & 2 on dvd (dh bought for my birthday) and am leaving them in the packaging as they are my treat for when I am in the midst of tmt

Enjoy the weekend.
Love to you all.
Carolyn
xxxxxx