Hello everyone
this is my first post but I have read so many of your stories on here and I think the support you give each other is amazing
I have learnt so much about the treatment cycles from you all and look forward to joining properly now we are starting our treatment
We are about to start our first ICSI cycle, my partner and I have been TTC for about 3 years now, we knew we had an issue with sperm count but kept hoping for 'just one' to make it... but no luck so far...
I have had blood tests and everything seems ok with me, my FSH was 6.5 which I have read is quite good. My partner has v low count and many abnormal sperm so we have been recommended for ICSI. We are going to the ACU at Burton on Trent, privately as the NHS waiting list is over 3 years!
the people at the clinic seem really nice, does anyone have experience of this place?
I am not sure how long it will take from our first appointment so I may be a July or August cycle buddy but will keep you informed
congratulations to all the recent BFP's and wishing all the 2ww ladies luck for their testing
hope to be joining you soon,
Kirsten
my first post
my first post
Me 32
DP 35
TTC 3 years
First ICSI cycle Sep 04
EC 21st - ET 23rd Sep
Testing 7th Oct...!
DP 35
TTC 3 years
First ICSI cycle Sep 04
EC 21st - ET 23rd Sep
Testing 7th Oct...!
Hi Kirsten
Welcome to the website - you won't regret it as you will have so much support and understanding from all of the girls on here.
Having IVF/ICSI is such an emotional rollercoaster and having other people to talk to about it is such a help. Any questions you have or worries just don't hesitate to ask someone will invariably have an answer.
Wishing you so much good luck and hope you can get going soon.
Sprinkling lots of babydust your way.
Love Dagny xkx
Welcome to the website - you won't regret it as you will have so much support and understanding from all of the girls on here.
Having IVF/ICSI is such an emotional rollercoaster and having other people to talk to about it is such a help. Any questions you have or worries just don't hesitate to ask someone will invariably have an answer.
Wishing you so much good luck and hope you can get going soon.
Sprinkling lots of babydust your way.
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
Hi Kirsten,
Glad you found this site. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through my first IVF/ICSI cycle in April if it weren't for the support I received from other women on this board. Doing IVF makes one feel kind of isolated and it was so comforting to be able to "talk" with others who were going through the same sorts of things. Not only that but there are so many people on here with great senses of humor that some of them actually had me smiling or laughing on even some of my worst days.
Wishing you the best of luck on your upcoming cycle!
Staci
Glad you found this site. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten through my first IVF/ICSI cycle in April if it weren't for the support I received from other women on this board. Doing IVF makes one feel kind of isolated and it was so comforting to be able to "talk" with others who were going through the same sorts of things. Not only that but there are so many people on here with great senses of humor that some of them actually had me smiling or laughing on even some of my worst days.
Wishing you the best of luck on your upcoming cycle!
Staci
).Hello Kirsten
Welcome!
You will find this site a godsend!
I too had ICSI and (so far!!) it seems to have worked for us. My DH has REALLY low count - as in they have the extract the sperms surgically as he has non in ejaculate thanks to teenage mumps. Sorry for detail! But I just wanted to say don't worry because the science is pretty amazing these days and as long as your DH has a few goodies (they LITERALLY only need one) and you are okay - I'm sure you'll be fine!
Just to warn you though to be patient - it often doesnt work first time and as so many of the girls here will vouch for you just have to TY and keep your chin up and keep going
Good luck!!
Cazxx
Welcome!
You will find this site a godsend!
I too had ICSI and (so far!!) it seems to have worked for us. My DH has REALLY low count - as in they have the extract the sperms surgically as he has non in ejaculate thanks to teenage mumps. Sorry for detail! But I just wanted to say don't worry because the science is pretty amazing these days and as long as your DH has a few goodies (they LITERALLY only need one) and you are okay - I'm sure you'll be fine!
Just to warn you though to be patient - it often doesnt work first time and as so many of the girls here will vouch for you just have to TY and keep your chin up and keep going
Good luck!!
Cazxx
Welcome to the site Kirsten. I have just had my first IVF treatment and so far so good. Recieved a positive last week. This board has been fantastic. I didn't know anybody who had gone through IVF until I found this board. There is always somebody who can answer your questions, listen to you rant and keep you sane. Caz is right though, you have to be patient (even though not many of us are!) the 2 week wait seems to last forever.
Good luck with your first appointment and keep us posted as to when your cycle starts.
Best wishes
SHellie
Good luck with your first appointment and keep us posted as to when your cycle starts.
Best wishes
SHellie
DH 37, me 28 with Endometriosis
First attempt at IVF in May, now pregnant with twins. Fingers still crossed.
First attempt at IVF in May, now pregnant with twins. Fingers still crossed.
thank you all so much for your warm welcome
after reading lots of your posts I think/hope I am prepared for the roller coaster we are starting, but we are both feeling positive and keen to get going with the treatment
it's great to be finally doing something about it rather than just hoping each month, we have moved about quite a lot in the last couple of years, including living in Belgium for a while and were not really in a position to start treatment but we are settled now and the time seems right for us
before I found this site I had no idea there were so many people having similar problems to us, it felt like we were the only ones and everyone around us was having babies with no problems, but finding you all here has really helped us feel that we are not alone
we had our initial consultation last week and have our set up appointment booked for the 15th, do you have any idea how long it will be before I start taking the drugs?
I am a bit concerned about the drugs, do you have any tips about possible side effects? I think my clinic use neferalin (sp?) and gonal f (there is another one but I can't remember it)
also I'm worried about the injections, I am ok usually with needles but have never had to inject myself, I have friends who are diabetic and they say it doesn't take long to get used to it, is this how you find it?
thanks again for your lovely welcome, congratulations Caz and Shellie on your positives and good luck Dagny, Staci and Debra with your cycles
Kirsten
after reading lots of your posts I think/hope I am prepared for the roller coaster we are starting, but we are both feeling positive and keen to get going with the treatment
it's great to be finally doing something about it rather than just hoping each month, we have moved about quite a lot in the last couple of years, including living in Belgium for a while and were not really in a position to start treatment but we are settled now and the time seems right for us
before I found this site I had no idea there were so many people having similar problems to us, it felt like we were the only ones and everyone around us was having babies with no problems, but finding you all here has really helped us feel that we are not alone
we had our initial consultation last week and have our set up appointment booked for the 15th, do you have any idea how long it will be before I start taking the drugs?
I am a bit concerned about the drugs, do you have any tips about possible side effects? I think my clinic use neferalin (sp?) and gonal f (there is another one but I can't remember it)
also I'm worried about the injections, I am ok usually with needles but have never had to inject myself, I have friends who are diabetic and they say it doesn't take long to get used to it, is this how you find it?
thanks again for your lovely welcome, congratulations Caz and Shellie on your positives and good luck Dagny, Staci and Debra with your cycles
Kirsten
Me 32
DP 35
TTC 3 years
First ICSI cycle Sep 04
EC 21st - ET 23rd Sep
Testing 7th Oct...!
DP 35
TTC 3 years
First ICSI cycle Sep 04
EC 21st - ET 23rd Sep
Testing 7th Oct...!
Hi Kirsten
Glad to hear you are feeling a bit more positive about starting your treatment. There does seem to be so many more couples having to go through fertility treatment than you imagine so you really are not alone.
As for the injections it's the thought of it rather than the doing it. I inject Buserelin for the down regging and Puregon for the stimms and Preganyl for the last injetion. I used to use athe auto injector but found it made me bruise more so I binned it and now I just inject straight into my leg. The needle going in doesn't hurt at all, it's like a hot knife through butter. Pushing the drugs in is the bit that can sting a bit.
Good luck and keep in touch.
Love Dagny xkx
Glad to hear you are feeling a bit more positive about starting your treatment. There does seem to be so many more couples having to go through fertility treatment than you imagine so you really are not alone.
As for the injections it's the thought of it rather than the doing it. I inject Buserelin for the down regging and Puregon for the stimms and Preganyl for the last injetion. I used to use athe auto injector but found it made me bruise more so I binned it and now I just inject straight into my leg. The needle going in doesn't hurt at all, it's like a hot knife through butter. Pushing the drugs in is the bit that can sting a bit.
Good luck and keep in touch.
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
Kirsten,
Good luck on your first (and, of course, hopefully last!) cycle.
As far as expected side effects, I injected something called Lupron to downreg. That caused only some mild headaches and a feeling of emotional flatness (the only way I can really describe it). I found myself crying at times for no apparent reason....or for a reason that would normally seem rather stupid. Other than that, no major side effects.
I also used Gonal F and Repronex. I didn't actually experience any side effects from the drugs themselves (other than my skin burning after the Repronex injection) but did start to experience discomfort about 3 days prior to EC. My abdomen became somewhat bloated and it became painful to walk or to use the loo as my expanded ovaries were pushing up against my digestive organs. Apparently, this does not happen to everyone. It seems to occur if one has a large number of eggs develop on the left side. At any rate, the pain intensified after EC for a few days but, with prescription strength pain killers, it was certainly tolerable. I had read about many other side effects like skin breaking out, excessive weight gain, etc. but I did not experience any of those and I don't think most people do from what I've read.
The EC itself was painless as I was put to sleep and didn't remember anything when I woke up in recovery. The ET was very quick and easy.
As far as doing the injections, perhaps you could ask your DH to do them? The nurses showed my DH how to mix the meds and do the injections. It really took a lot of anxiety away from me since I couldn't picture sticking myself with a needle (had a hard enough time picturing him doing it!). At the same time, I think it was good for him to be able to feel like he was helping in some way.
Anyway, feel free to ask anything. I was a nervous wreck not knowing what to expect and sending numerous questions about every little thing. The people on this board are extremely patient and helpful!
Staci
Good luck on your first (and, of course, hopefully last!) cycle.
As far as expected side effects, I injected something called Lupron to downreg. That caused only some mild headaches and a feeling of emotional flatness (the only way I can really describe it). I found myself crying at times for no apparent reason....or for a reason that would normally seem rather stupid. Other than that, no major side effects.
I also used Gonal F and Repronex. I didn't actually experience any side effects from the drugs themselves (other than my skin burning after the Repronex injection) but did start to experience discomfort about 3 days prior to EC. My abdomen became somewhat bloated and it became painful to walk or to use the loo as my expanded ovaries were pushing up against my digestive organs. Apparently, this does not happen to everyone. It seems to occur if one has a large number of eggs develop on the left side. At any rate, the pain intensified after EC for a few days but, with prescription strength pain killers, it was certainly tolerable. I had read about many other side effects like skin breaking out, excessive weight gain, etc. but I did not experience any of those and I don't think most people do from what I've read.
The EC itself was painless as I was put to sleep and didn't remember anything when I woke up in recovery. The ET was very quick and easy.
As far as doing the injections, perhaps you could ask your DH to do them? The nurses showed my DH how to mix the meds and do the injections. It really took a lot of anxiety away from me since I couldn't picture sticking myself with a needle (had a hard enough time picturing him doing it!). At the same time, I think it was good for him to be able to feel like he was helping in some way.
Anyway, feel free to ask anything. I was a nervous wreck not knowing what to expect and sending numerous questions about every little thing. The people on this board are extremely patient and helpful!
Staci
Hi Kirsten,
Just wanted to say hi and wish you luck with your 1st cycle!
I am on my first IVF cycle, so I just wanted to try and reasure you as I felt exactly the same as you - you just wonder how you are going to feel..
Well, I had a long acting down reg, and found the worst part for me was giving up exercise, but the actual side effects are not too bad, hot flushes were the worst part for me. I am now on the stimming stage and I have to tell you I was dreading doing these injections, but seriously they are not bad at all! I am not just saying that either, like Dagny said it is the thought that is worse, but once you get the first one out of the way, you'll think was that it???! Honestly, you don't feel the needle going in..
Everyone is so fantastic on here, so do ask questions whenever you are worried. I've had so much help already from the lovely (if not slightly mad) girls!!
Good Luck,
Kel x
Just wanted to say hi and wish you luck with your 1st cycle!
I am on my first IVF cycle, so I just wanted to try and reasure you as I felt exactly the same as you - you just wonder how you are going to feel..
Well, I had a long acting down reg, and found the worst part for me was giving up exercise, but the actual side effects are not too bad, hot flushes were the worst part for me. I am now on the stimming stage and I have to tell you I was dreading doing these injections, but seriously they are not bad at all! I am not just saying that either, like Dagny said it is the thought that is worse, but once you get the first one out of the way, you'll think was that it???! Honestly, you don't feel the needle going in..
Everyone is so fantastic on here, so do ask questions whenever you are worried. I've had so much help already from the lovely (if not slightly mad) girls!!
Good Luck,
Kel x
-
loddiedoddie
- Newbie
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2004 9:43 pm
I am also new to the site, and find it so comforting to know there are others out there feeling like you do and actually understanding rather than just trying to understand.
We just went through our 1st IVF, and I too, was terribly afraid of the injections. As others have said, my DH was wonderful, and mixed and injected all the meds, from Lupron to the dreaded sesame oil progestrone. I never thought I would say it, but it wasn't so bad. I iced up prior to all injections, and it really calmed me down. Ice has now become my security blanket.
Keep your spirits up. A friend of mine told me in the beginning that you'll be amazed that some of the funniest times you will have with your spouse will be when you are bent over the bed waiting for the prick. (HAHA) But seriously, we have had a few laughs throughout our experience and plan to have more.
Good luck!
We just went through our 1st IVF, and I too, was terribly afraid of the injections. As others have said, my DH was wonderful, and mixed and injected all the meds, from Lupron to the dreaded sesame oil progestrone. I never thought I would say it, but it wasn't so bad. I iced up prior to all injections, and it really calmed me down. Ice has now become my security blanket.
Keep your spirits up. A friend of mine told me in the beginning that you'll be amazed that some of the funniest times you will have with your spouse will be when you are bent over the bed waiting for the prick. (HAHA) But seriously, we have had a few laughs throughout our experience and plan to have more.
Good luck!
TTC 18 mths; 4 IUI - failed; 1st IVF May 2004 - Negative;Deciding on 2nd attempt.