CARE Fertility Bulletin Board

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

Hiya

Well it's getting closer and closer and with there already being a FET group i was wondering if anyone else is starting a fresh cycle in Feb with the hope of embryo transfer?

I'm due to start stims mid-Feb with transfer hopefully early March and it's always easier to go through with some friends going through it at the same time Wink

pattym · 14 Jan 2012

Hi Louise
I will be starting a fresh cycle at the same time. It's my first time through, I'm not quite sure what to expect at this stage. I have my drugs teach booked for friday. I'm also going on holiday for a week tommorrow so not worrying too much at this stage. How have you found this so far?

Blondchick77 · 03 Sep 2010

Hi Ladies

I'm starting my 1st cycle next month, will start injections beginning of feb and will probably have embryo transfer beginning of March. I can't wait and all my fingers and toes are crossed. We are using donor sperm.

Good luck to you both

Love Blondchick
xxx

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

Yay - cycles buddies Very Happy

Patty - the first one is definitely a rollercoaster of emotions but you'll get to grip with it fairly quickly and there is no reason to think that you won't be getting your BFP very soon Smile

I'm a bit tainted because my first cycle was a disaster, but before disater struck it was also the most enjoyable because it was all new and exciting and full of hope. It's been an uphill struggle since.

Where are you going on holiday? I could sooooooooo use a break lol

Blondchick - Why are you using donor sperm? Is your hubby coping ok with it? Donor sperm is a possibility for us but we can't really get our head around it if you have any advice...?

Blondchick77 · 03 Sep 2010

Hi Louise

We are using donor sperm becuase my husband has azoospermia (zero sperm count), he had mumps when he was 4 and we think thats what has caused it.

I think he is coping ok well he never lets on to me that he isn't. We've had a while to come to terms with it, we found out April 2010.

The donor will be the childs biological father but my husband will be the dad. Everyone can father a child but not everyone can be a dad. When we went to see the counsellor she said to tell the child when they are about 4 or 5, they have books you can read to them. I think that is the best thing to do.

Will you have to use donor sperm? Are you going to have ICSI?

Love Blondchick
xxx

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

Ah i see. I suppose he has had a while to come to terms with it.

My brother had mumps not long ago and now he is worried it might have impacted his fertility but his testicles didn't swell or anything :/

We aren't using donor sperm yet because my hubby isn't ready to and i'm not sure i am to be honest. My husband does have some sperm but the morphology is very poor and they aren't fertilising my eggs with ICSI so we're just trying all the different methods to improve selection.

I don't think we'd tell the kids that a donor was involved if it ever comes to that. They won't be able to track them down until they are 18 to answer their questions anyway so i think we prefer to assume that we might just get away with them never knowing and deal with the consequences after we have enjoyed our time as a "normal" family Smile

I know if i was told today as an adult that my real dad wasn't my real dad that i wouldn't care, but i don't think i would have coped having this third mystery family member (and their family) lingering in the back of my mind during my childhood. Especially during my teens when i was pretty detached anyway lol I dunno - just whatever makes the situation good for you Smile

Is your fertility ok?

Blondchick77 · 03 Sep 2010

Hi Louise

We say we will tell our child but when it comes to it we probably won't. But if they found out when they were teenagers I'm not sure how they would cope with it. Hopefully they wouldn't find out, only close friends & family know.

My fertility is fine, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong. But we tried 2 cycles of IUI & it didn't work. We have our IVF funded that's why we are going straight for that cos we had to pay for the IUI.

Love Blondchick
Xxx

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Hi guys, pleased to see I recognise some of the names on this thread. Hope it's ok to join you. My thyroid is finally now under control and I'll be down regging for my FET starting 7th Feb. Look forward to sharing the journey with you x

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

I agree no point messing around if the IVF is funded Smile

Hiya Melski! Very Happy

I'm so glad to see you got your thyroid sorted and are ready to go so soon too.

It's only around the corner ladies!

I've even started to have the unwelcome nightmares about it that happens when something is right there in my mind all the time...

How long do you down reg for with a FET Mel?

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

Ohhhhh I've just been offered some free drugs Very Happy

15 Menopur vials - not bad, eh Smile

Plus the 9 i have over, i'll only have to grab a few and some Pregnyl Smile

Are the rest of your girlies funded?

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Bonus on the drugs front Louise! I'm NHS funded with my left over frosties from my 1 fresh attempt. Hoping to have 2 put back. I down reg for the same as a fresh cycle, a couple of weeks-ish till ready x

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

Gosh that'll be very close to me then Melski Smile

My app says 22 days - eeek! How many frosties do you have and are they blasties? xx

TJ2011 · 31 Aug 2011

Hi Louise - and everyone else!
Promise I'm not stalking, just saw the post and wanted to say hi!
I'm hoping to start 2nd, fresh cycle, ICSI with PGD, 1st week of March, all being well and Notts giving us the green light. My protocol is done and my drugs are here so long as Notts can fit us in, thats us! Does anyone know if its worth me calling them now to check that in principle, we can start when I want us to? All the Consultant told us at our review, was that I had to have at least 2 af's after failed cycle, and thats how I've calculated our start week - I've just finished 2 af but don't want to call if there's nothing they can tell me....
Be good to get to know you all and will read all your stories properly when I'm not skiving from doing my job!
Love Treacle
xx

TJ2011 · 31 Aug 2011

Oops, me again, posted that wrong - it should have said we have to have 3 af's before a cycle, and I've had 2 - sorry, thats what you get for rushing when you're supposed to be working!!
x

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

Hiya Treacle Very Happy

It's nice to have moved out of waiting and into just about to start Smile

I'd phone them up just to avoid disappointment but when i was at Notts i never had any issues with fitting us in. Just tell them when you want to start so that they definitely know. They let us start whenever and if they were a bit overbooked they'd try to extend DR for a few days at the most.

Unfortunately my hubby has told me that not only am i not allowed to use my friends drugs but i'm not even allowed to use my own leftovers! So that's 9 of my own vials going to waste. He says that he wants everything to be fresh and definitely ok - so whatever makes him feel better i guess... Men.

On a side note, my FIL is pissing me off. It is like he is in total denial about our situation and that money will fix it. I was explaining to him that we need to freeze some samples just to have enough to select from and he started saying that the Nhs will only offer us so many options but now we are going private that we'll be able to get pregnant... I told him we were at an Nhs/Private clinic and it's like he didn't hear me *sigh*

Hubby says the upcoming cycle feel like an axe hovering over his neck :/

TJ2011 · 31 Aug 2011

Umm, an axe - thats maybe not the best visual you need right now for feeling positive huh?!!
I have leftovers as well hun, they've been sat on my office shelf since November and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do with them - real shame you won't be able to use them but guess I can understand why, good to know that everything is fresh and new and makes it a brand new cycle then.
I couldn't wait any longer so rang Care and spoke to one of the lovely PGD specialists at Notts. She sees absolutely no reason why we shouldn't be able to start when I'm hoping, around 7/8 March, just need to call them on 1st day of next AF. Also had to book in for Hep B bloods in couple of weeks as apparently they've only recently become a requirement and didnt have them last time?!
So feeling bit more positive now, finally have something feel I can aim for and even pencilled it into my diary!! So feel like I'm a bit more justified to post on this thread now!
Hope the men in your life start being a bit kinder and more positive soon, if not, just poke them between the eyes and bang their heads together!!!
xx

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Hi guys, don't let those drugs go to waste. If you return them to Care, or post a message on here asking if anyone needs any, I bet they'll get used. Care wouldn't waste them if they're in date and if I were you Louise, I'd use them if they're in date. Why waste money on replacements that might not have much more of an expiry date on them anyway?

In answer to your question Louise, we have 4 Grade 2 frosties, frozen on day 2. Plan to thaw 2 and if they thaw ok, put both back. Just got a puppy last week. Watch me go and fall pregnant with twins now we've got our hands full! x

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

Treacle - I'm glad you are all set to go Smile

Yeah, there is a new Hep test, but i didn't realise that they were making people have them if they had a current HIV/Hep test which only last a year anyway.

I don't think you'll have a problem Melski, i have a good feeling Smile

What kind of puppy did you get? You know what they say - give tasks to busy people (or something like that). I don't want CARE charging people for using the drugs though... I would use them but now it's the whole "If i force the issue and it doesn't go well that it's all my fault" thing ^^

Ah well Smile

I'm so excited to be getting close but so scared at the same time Sad

I have a friend who had three cycles and now she is trying for adoption, not because she couldn't afford another but because she can't stand the though of another cycle - i hope i don't feel like that.

pattym · 14 Jan 2012

Hey all things have moved on since I've been away. I've just got back from 5 days in New York, I'm totally exhausted but I've had a fantastic time. It's been so busy that I've barely had time time think about IVF for a while so a nice mental break too.

Melski - how is your puppy doing? we got a dog last year and it's been great, a really good distraction. I can remember the first few months being fun - house training and all!

Louise - How are things with hubby?

Treacle and Blondchick, hope you are both well, look forward to getting to know you.

We are going in for drugs teach tommorrow and the Hep B additional test - bit annoying having to pay for extra tests.
This may sound like a daft question, but how painful is EC? I tried to get the consultant to my put my mind at rest and but he said it's Very painful! I'm hoping he was giving me worst case.

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

Hiya Patty Smile

Where did you go for your hols? Did you have a nice time?

My hubby is alright but i'm sulking because he's going in for a sperm test on Monday to see how well his sperm survive freeze/thaw and it's only my OV day... Going to bd tomorrow and then see if i can talk him into it Monday evening lol One can hope Wink

I have heard horror stories about egg collections, one girl told me that she screamed through the whole thing, but hand on heart i've always found mine a doddle with CARE. You get gowned, walk into the theatre, lie on the bed and have an IV put into your hand and then you wake up in recovery. I actually feel refreshed because i don't sleep well in the run up - it's like having a power nap lol

It's a bit sore afterwards but not sharp pain, just like a giant bruise being pressed on, but only if you use your stomach muscles.

Come to think of it, the most painful part of it for me was having my first wee after my first EC, like pissing razor blades.

That is just my experience, but honestly not a problem Smile

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Hi Lou, sorry I deserted you on this thread. Am posting on a couple of others and can't keep up. Just saw your post about not wanting to join the FET thread as you're having a fresh cycle and just wanted to say that some of the other girls on there are having fresh cycles as well, so would still be worth you joining us on there. It's horrible to feel like you don't belong anywhere and you will be more than welcome on there, cos I'm there!!! xxxx

L_ouise · 08 Jun 2011

Hiya Melski Smile

Don't worry about it. It's still not Feb yet Wink

I know what you mean, but it's just one of those things. The OP specified FET so why do that if everyone is welcome? It's not how i am to involve myself in something that doesn't apply - it's make me uncomfortable, like a tag a long. Just the way i am lol

Melski · 07 Jan 2011

Well I'll be keeping an eye on, so be warned, you are not alone...!!!

Techhead · 17 Jan 2012

Hello ladies,
I'm not sure if I'll be in this cycle but my appointment with the consultant is next Wednesday. So depending on how soon I can start I may be in it with you guys.
This will be my first (and prob last due to finances) try. Not NHS funded so I better make the best of it!
Hugs to everyone xx

TJ2011 · 31 Aug 2011

Hi everyone!

Patty - I'd had so many horror stories about EC, one 'friend' in particular who'd cycled at Care the year before had told me it would be the worst experience of my life - thanks friend!!
As it turned out, none of my cycle was anywhere near as bad as I'd prepared for - I found the injections relatively easy to administer and almost missed the regime of doing it when I finished! I didn't have many side-efects of the drugs at all, just a bit more headachey than usual - but like you, I was still petrified of EC and had read that I'd probably be awake - not at Care! As you already read, they are great - you get put at ease when you 1st check in, time to sit and talk and ask questions with the nurse, you get changed into a gown in your own private room then its a quick walk to theatre, hop onto the bed, hello from the consultant and before you know it, you're fast asleep! Next thing, i was waking up in recovery and consultant was telling me how many eggs had been collected!
I was then told I'd developed a mild case of OHSS and the cramps that started soon after waking were pretty uncomfy - but that pain and what I felt for the next few days, was all down to my OHSS and not the actual E process, I've heard that just makes you a little crampy for a day or 2 and a bit sore.
So please try not to read and listen to all the awful scare stories, thats all they are - you are in great hands at Care and they will make you as comfy as they can.

Good to see lots of us posting on here, think its going to be a busy board! Well, officially feel I have my place on here now as PGD nurse confirmed last week that we are good to go on 6/7 March with down regging, long as next AF falls when I expect it to, and they're pretty spot-on usually. So hopefully only about 5 weeks to go! I may be the last to start but be great to see you all go through it and share your stories with you!

xx