Sorry... havn't been around a lot lately

[Dolly]

Hi there, sorry I havn't been around a lot lately. I have been feeling down and so have been keeping a low profile!

All the cr*p we have been through over the last couple of years has finally caught up with me - so I went to see my GP a couple of weeks ago who referred me to a Psychiatrist who has recommended something called Cognitive Therapy to try and improve my state of mind (have my first session today). We were due to start cycling again next week but have decided on waiting another month so that I can hopefully get my head in order first.

We also had our follow-up yesterday and on the next cycle we are going to do something called the "flare" regime which they are hoping will produce more eggs. Has anyone done this before? I believe it entails downregging and stimming at the same time from Day 2.. sounds a bit odd so would love to hear if anyone has done it before.

I hope you're all well and I promise to spend a bit of time catching up with what has been happening lately.

Love

Dolly

[DebraP]

Hi Dolly, lovely to see you on here again. I realised you were being a bit quiet but I know how sometimes the boards can be a bit too much so put it down to getting some space.

I think getting your feelings sorted out before you start is an excellent idea. A one month wait, coupled with lots of talking and thinking things through can only help. There is a TON of crap that comes with repeated treatments.

I've not heard of a flare regime before. I'd like to hear more if you get some info later. I might trawl the net a bit too.....

I hope you feel your session today is productive, it's certainly time well spent in my opinion.

Hugs
Debra.

[Ellie]

Hi Dolly
This IVF is really tough isn't it? I think it is a really good idea to get you feelings and emotions sorted out before you start again, a month or two isn't really that long.
As regards the flare protocol I have done it four times I think and it is great. You start downregging on day 2 and you start stimming on day 2 or 3 I think so no waiting around. With me it was about 2 weeks from starting to triggering !! We have had some good results egg wise with it and a positive result!
Good luck and I hope you are ready to start again soon.

[Claire]

Hi Dolly,

I'm so sorry you're feeling low, IVF's bad enough without what you're having to go through.
I don't know a great deal about your situation, how difficult it's been etc, but please remember you are NOT alone in feeling so down with it all.
I had depression after taking Clomid for six months in 1999 - it wasn't even full blown IVF.
I was okay for the first couple of months, but as time wore on and things didn't happen how I thought they might, I just sank deeper and deeper into that awful spiral - it was horrible.
It was a combination of the drugs, my state of mind and the fact that I hadn't really given myself time to come to terms with infertility.
At the worst times I literally couldn't lift my head off my pillow - I had no appetite, was emotionally numb and I just couldn't function.
BUT, I did come out the other side with the help of my husband, family, doctor and anti-depressants (which I didn't really want, but they certainly pulled me out of it).
I'm glad you have some help with this, it's the best way and I'm sure you've already turned a corner with it all.
I hope I haven't gone on too much - I'm not suggesting it's depression you've got, but i just wanted to tell you how infertility has affected me in the past. It's a really testing time and a huge issue to cope with.
Take care Dolly, keep us informed and try and stay positive,
love claire x

[Dagny]

Hi Dolly

I am glad you are back posting and about to undergo your next treatment. I think you have done the right thing waiting till you have your head straight before doing the tmt. I am really messed up still but by the time I can start I hope in my head it will be a bit straighter.

Keep in touch hun.

Dagny xkx

[Traci]

Dolly
Great to see you on here again , do you want to play with us and get more posts its what we do when we are feeling crap! hang in there it will get better for you but it is good to grieve as when you bottle it up you explode and that isnt good . You have certainly made the right decition about giving yourself time out , another month wont hurt . Look after yourself, take one step at a time .

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Trace x

[ANGELA]

Hi Dolly

sorry to hear you are having a rough time off it i dont post much over here now as im never sure if it would upset people or not but i had to send you a post as you was my cycle buddy and a great one you were to im sending you lots of love and hugs and i shall be thinking of you and watching out for further posts from you hang in there sweetie
love ang xx

[ogr1]

sending you lots of hugs
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
becky

[Nick]

Hi Dolly,

I too haven't been around a lot - really, like you trying to get on with life. Post m/c, post follow-up ivf. and moved house.

But, I have, after a 6 month break, had another cycle, this time with a CARE clinic. I had a disastrous 4th IVF in London with NHS., a real f ** up. I was monitored once and no blood was taken.. so only 2 eggs and 1 embie was the result of 6 wks jabbing.

Now, what I really wanted to say, was that my new clinic, often subscribe to short protocol for "ladies over 35" (!)- which I believe is the same as the 'flare' tmt that you suggested. I am on 2 ww having done it - so I wanted to let you know that I would recommend it definitely. I have to admit that my FSH is going up, lately 10.3 - but the whole point of short p. was that they gave me 2 wks of HRT to begin with, having tracked my ovulation etc.. and the FSH was lowered to 6 something.... Then, I started with superefact and Menopur - and 14 days later produced (proudly..!) 5 eggs. It may not seem a lot to you, but we were really pleased, as 3 fertilised and they popped back a 6 and 4 cell. The clinic has been getting some excellent results and was recommended to me. However, I have read on the boards other people have done short protocol, but not had the HRT to begin with. I think that is really significant, because they track when you ovulate, and use that as an indication, as to when you ought to be on stims. GAWD....this is so b***y technical, and I am probably talking through by woolly hat - but I wanted to let you know, and reassure you that I think it is a good move.

So, fingers crossed, Dolly - Oh yes! I only had 14 days of injections, and none of that preamble of 3 wks of Buserelin - so few headaches etc.. Much less stress - a ball well nearly.

Nickyx

[Sand]

Hey Dolly .... I'm a bit behind with posting, and realise your post was about 3 weeks ago ...

I'm sorry to see you were feeling so down, but hope that maybe things are now a little brighter / easier .. ? If you have decided to go ahead with tmt this month, you know that everyone here is right behind you. If you feel like you'd benefit from another couple of free months, again, it's the right choice. We all know how much energy is needed to go through a cycle.

Thinking of you ..

Sandra x