Finally top of ivf list....what happens next?? :-D

[Keeves]

Hi girls ive reached the top of the waiting list can anyone pls tell me what happens @ my next appointment, im feelin nervous now any diet tips good foods 2 take etc any help much appreciated <3 xx

[Keeves]

Oh forgot to mention i have been in really bad past year but told having a lap 2 close to IVF is a bad idea i just hope the appointments fall on good days soooo nervous any1 goin through ivf or have any tips? much appretiated xx

[Miwa]

Hi Keeves,

Congraulations for getting to the top of the list. At our first appt, it was with the IVF nurses and they went through loads of paperwork to make sure we could fully consent to the whole process, and was an opportunity to ask any questions we had. We were then sent off to have lots of blood tests. The next appt was with the consultant to decide what sort of protocol we were to go on i.e. short or long protocol, and whether we needed ivf or ICSI. After this we had to wait until a set date on your period and then you contact the dept where you go in to start the drugs. Prior to all this happening though, we attended an evening talk by all members of the team, and an ex patient who had been through it all.

We also had to opportunity to meet with a dietician, who I saw. I was advised make sure I have a balanced diet, lots of calcium, fruit and veg. Reduce caffinne and sugar intake. Make sure you are taking folic acid, asthey are very keen on that.

I think once you start, the staff are so supportive, I lost my nerves, until the 2 week wait, which is after the embryo is put back in and you have to wait for the test. This was by far the worst bit. THe drugs themselves, I was expecting to feel dreadful and emotionally all over the place. I actually felt ok. I found this CD so useful to keep me calm through the whole process. It is amazing and worth getting. I got itfrom Amazon.

The IVF Belief CD - Hypnosis and visualisations for a relaxed and positive IVF treatment cycle (Belief Bump Baby) [Audio CD]

Helen McPherson MSc DCH DHP GQHP NRH (Author)

All the best and I wish you all the luck. We start again hopefully soon after i have recovered from my op.

x

[Keeves]

Hi Miwa Thank you for your response this actually did help, me sigh with relief, i just feel like im constantly reading up on IVF and hearing so many different experiences It says on my letter that I could be through the whole proces in 8 Weeks so scary to think ive been waiting so long and its now getting so close and so real!

Oh great there will be a dietcian I am very thin and that was a worry for me i am naturally very thin... all but my little swollen endo inflamed stomach lol

Im glad you thought the drugs were ok to deal with...again mixed reactions i have read... i will def get that cd thank you for recommendation

Sorry to hear that try wasnt successful what op are you getting? (if you dont mind me asking? is it a Lap? have you heard anything about getting accupuncture prior to embryo transfer and after?? this has been suggested and i have read it can improve your success rate?? Im debating whether i should go ahead and book to have some as i think why not try everything possible to help my chance

You are so kind with your detailed response i truly wish you all the luck in your journey huni and wish you hope and health

xo

[Miwa in reply to Keeves]

Hi Keeves,

I am so pleased my response helped in some way. We were through the entire process in about 6 weeks as we did the short protocol, and it absolutely flies by, considering how long the whole waiting process is.

You will probably be asked to see the dietician if you are thin, as so I am. At my centre, my BMI had to be over 19. This is why she toldme to drink lots of milk too to help me keep weight on, as well as being good for pregnancy.

I have recently had total radical excision of endo, including having my tubes removed, as they found I had a hydrosalpinx (blocked tubes full of toxic fliud) when they took the eggs. Unfortunately this toxic fluid drips into uterus and kills embryos. So I knew it probably wouldn't work once they found this. When they operated they found both tubes were full of fluid so removed both, therefore increasing my chances of IVF working this time. So fingers crossed for this time.

I do acupuncture myself, so acupunctured myself through the whole process. There is mixed evidence that it helps. It is very good and calming your nervous system. So if you are nervous or stressed (which I think we all are having IVF!!) then it may be worth a try. I find it really relaxed me through the process. The Acupuncure Fertility Nertwork acupuncture-fertility.org is a special interest group for acupuncturists in fertility, and you can search for someone near you on their website. You can always try a couple of sessions and see if it helps I guess.

If you want me email address to have a support buddie for the process let me know and I'll give you my email address

xx

[jess1478]

Hi Keeves I'm Jess.

I am in the same position as you, just been told to call the clinic on the first day of next cycle, so got it all coming soon. Due on next week.

I had a lap in feb, was diagnosed with stage 4, 5cm cyst still on my right ovary and left ovary is covered in scar tissue, all bowel, bladder, uterus and some of intestine stuck together. The surgeon did remove 5 cysts from the top outside bit of uterus and drained about 3cm off the cyst. When I came out of the lap he said that he didn't want to remove anything else due to not wanting to damage anything that might ruin my fertility.

However I am thinking that they might not carry out the IVF with this cyst, as like you I've been feeling really crappy lately. Hoping when I go I don't feel too bad.

So basically just have to take things as they come - and let the clinc make the decisions. Do you know if you have any any cysts still there?

I will be really interested to hear how you get on. And wish you the best of luck xxxxxx

[Keeves]

Hi miwa i hope it does fly

sorry to hear u had to go through op but hopefully noq next time u will b blessed i think i will give the accupuncture a go also.

HI Jess omg its so scary but so exciting also i have been sick since yesterday but received a call asking me to come for my screening appointment this Tues =-O my nerves r wrecked lol im just hopin im fit enough to attend and actually take in thee info!

im just delighted with the responses miwa and jess i would love support buddies super excited/anxious/scared/etc etc ill keep u posted tho thanks for the support its great to hear from experience and ppl goin through the same things <3 xx

[Katt]

Hi Keeves

I'm so pleased that you are finally there with the waiting list.

My story is slightly different as I went through 3 cycles of IVF over 6 years ago now. At the time my endo was not diagnosed and so the Drs just said I was unexplained infertility??

I still remember the process like it was yesterday though, and the rollercoaster of emotions that you go through.

I had a standard IVF cycle so I was given drugs to stop the cycle (known as down regging). The best way to describe how they feel is it is like taking prostap or zolly (but I didn't find the IVF drugs as bad!). Usually you inject them everyday yourself. I thought that this would be a nightmare but it was fine. The needles are very similar size to insulin injection ones.

After several weeks of that, I started stimming, which is another set of drugs to help mature eggs. After about a week on that you can start to feel quite bloated and you then have to have regular scans and blood tests to check the progress of the ovaries and how many eggs are developing. All being well after about 10 days you have a small procedure that removes the eggs from your ovaries (I had mine under local but you can have general anaesthetic) and you feel a bit sore for a few days so stock up on paracetamol and hot water bottles. You also feel bloated, bit like after a lap, so I drank lots of peppermint cordial which seemed to help.

Depending on how many eggs they get and how many fertilise you then go back a few days later to have one or two! put back in. This procedure is uncomfortable but no worse than having a coil fitted or swabs taken.

The hardest part for me was the 2 week wait after.

My first cycle was unsucessful but we had a few embryos frozen, so my second cycle was with those which is less invasive and less drugs taken, however that didn't work either.

On my 3rd cycle I decided to start from scatch again and this time had acupuncture all the way through the process. I felt far more relaxed (maybe because I knew what was going to happen) and I had a successful cycle. I am now the mother of 6 year old twins!

It is a very emotional process and there are huge highs and lows throughout, but I never regretted any part of it.

Just thought I would add that I now have another little girl (3 years old) naturally as the IVF seemed to kick start something in my body. So I have gone from trying to get my head round the fact that I would probably never have children, to 3 adorable ones.

I hope this all helps and gives you hope and support.

Good luck with your journey

Katt x

[Keeves]

Hi Kat

Thanks for ur response..its really helpful to hear other ppls experiences im just so happy u were finally blessed ;-). i am really considerin accupuncture when did u start accupuncture prior to treatment...durin or after?? Alot of ppl i have spoken 2 lately are convinced accupuncture helped with success im soooo nervous:-(. This tues they will do screening which includes bmi check (which i am super worried about) i think mine is very low i feel like im trying to keep an open mind but our

' wanna be grandparents ' and friend etc seem to be convinced that it is goin to happen 1st try and are so excited for us and supportive but i feel pressure when im tryin to keep calm and relaxed....i really

Hope they are right and i am lucky

i have to travel 2 hrs to my appointment and have been sick since wed night just hope i can get my strength up 2 A.make the appointment B.have a clear head to take in what info they give me and C.take everything in my stride

thanks for ur support means alot to me-) This is my fir sst time asking a question so glad i did now:') u guys are gr8t!!

Oh one more thing...did u girls come off other meds prior to ivf?? im on tramadol and decided to try come off them although im in agony right now but my doc keeps perscribing them for pain i dont knw what to do any suggestions on meds?? obviously it must b better to b off all meds but qith endo this can proove a challenge i have nerve end damage so some form of pain daily

Thank u lovely strong ladies may all ur dreams come true <3 xx

[Katt]

Hi Keeves

I tried to stop all pain meds other than paracetamol while I was having IVF, although from what you have said I don't think I was in as much pain as you. Like Miwa says I am sure the nurses should be able to give you advice on that.

I started my acupuncture during the down regging part and built it up during stimms. I also had a session at the hospital immediately before they put the embryos back in, and then my acupuncturist wouldn't do any more during 2 week wait. I had a really good relationship with her and that really does help.

It is hard for parents and friends to know what to say during the IVF cycle, so often they come across too positive, and there is also still a perception that if you have IVF it will work, which sadly it doesn't.

I found it was important to remain as positive as you can but also be realistic about chances. Try to explain to them that there is just as much chance of it working as if you were trying naturally in normal circumstances, and the average time for conception is 3 - 6 months. That might help them put it more into perspective.

Of course it can happen 1st time and I really hope it does for you x

[Keeves]

Hi Adele

Im delighted its tues but scared lol...yes they told me in the phone they would also give me an info pack i hope my weight dosent delay me ive always been very thin since my teens =-O well i will just have to take it as it comes

lol.

I agree its gr8t hearing kats success story delighted for her and it gives us hope

I will need to discuss tramadol as they are very strong and addictive...although im not addicted thank god lol

ill email u huni thanks for that! <3 oh miwa lol r u polish then? do u live in poland?? xx

[Keeves]

Kat thank u huni

Im def goin down the accupuncture route now ive decided i need to as u say find a happy medium where i can except either outcome my family and friends mean well but my partner and mother are more educated about my endo and the ivf process its hard for ppl that have their own families and regular periods once a month to comprehend what we endo sufferers go through although i really believe it makes us stronger ladies ivf is more complex than alot of ppl know and understand...tues cannot come quick enough ive so much in my head!

Thanks again Kat u sweetheart for sharing ur experience hopefully someday ill b able to share what ur kind self and Adele have shared xx

[Miwa]

Hey,

I'm not Polish, but I married a Polish man in England, and I have embraced their culture.

How are you feeling now, is the sickness subsiding??

Will be thinking of you Tuesday

xx

[Keeves]

Hi Adele

oh was wondering with the name Adele

Went and had my first accupuncture yesterday...my other half booked me in with a chinese doc for consultation then accupuncture i was in pain b4 he started but found it soooo relaxing :-). He said my stress levels were extremely high and there is a problem with my kidneys he gave me herbal meds and told me to take 8tabs of each 3 times a day...took the 16 tabs last night and within an hour was violently sick im scared 2 try again 2 day with them but i will although if they make me sick i will have to stop! dont want my weight fallin anymore...they booked me back on monday for anoyther session b4 tues yikes!

Ill let u knw hw tues goes thanks again for ur support xx

[Miwa]

Hey Keeves,

Ooh, quite a mixed session then. WHen he said there is a problem with your kidney, he means in a Chinese medicine sense, which means the kidney meridian, not your actually kidneys. In Chinese medicine you have lots of meridians which are like lines which travel throughout your body, which carry the bodies energy, one of them is the kidney meridian. Sometime energy gets blocked in these meridians causing health problems. So they treat that meridian with specific acupuncture points and herbs. When i was given chinese herbs they did not agree with me either and had to stop taking them, as i became very fatigued and kept falling asleep at work!!. I ended up having various blood tests and they diagnosed a benign liver condition which i did not know i had. After this the Chinese doctor said i was unable to take herbs any more with the liver condition. So I would contact your practitioner and let them know it has made you sick, as you need all the energy and weight you can get!!

At least the acupuncture was relaxing. If you dont like the herbs you could just always have the acupuncture alone as it will still help.

Best of luck for Tuesday

xx

[Keeves]

Omg i wish i had u with me lol they were really lovely (i find chinese ppl lovely) but their English wasnt gr8t i had read about kidneys being part reawon for some ppls infertility.. i am prone to kidney infections and thought he was picking that up lol i just said yes yes i get kidney infections alot my father has had kidney failure also so i was just confused lol. i absolutely loved the accupuncture tbh i was surprised i could lay for 1/2 hour lol my pain seemed to relax durin the whole process my body in general feels gr8t 2day. stomach still crampy but its shockin the difference!! thanks for tellin me about it

the tabs are 8 of each 3 times a day =-O thats 16 @ a time...ive just taken the first lot to try once more if im sick i will def stop them and go 2 GP thanks for ur advice...ur a gem hope ur keeping well! im feeling very relaxed lol thanks again huni xx

[Miwa]

Thats so funny!! So pleased you loved the acupuncture. It is so relaxing once the needles are in. And your body feels great, that is fantastic. Long may it continue!! I'm so pleased it has helped you. I think keeping relaxed is the key to IVF.

I am slowly getting better from my op, I managed a 20 minute walk at the weekend, but had to sleep for 2 hours afterwards!! It felt good to get out of the house though, if nothing else!!

Fingers crossed for tomorrow and lets hope you hit the all important BMI of 19. Keep drinking all that full fat milk!!

XX

[Katt]

Hi Keeves

Hope tomorrow goes well for you.

Don't want to worry you hun but I was told to stay clear of the herbal stuff if you are starting IVF as nothing has been tested with the drugs on an IVF cycle.

I'm sure other ladies have heard different, but acupuncture on its own seems to be powerful enough.

Let us know how you get on xx

[Keeves]

Awwwww todays the day...... Adele i went yday again for accupuncture he said i could/should have it 3/4 times a wk =-O not sure i can afford soo much i thought 1 or 2 tops lol what would u suggest??

amazing huni even 20mins walk is fantastic....so proud huni best feelin getting fresh air in ur lungs lol hope u had a good rest after lol

Hi Kat im a bit freaked out by the herbals took them one day then stoppee they wer makin me sick...couldnt risk loosing weight etc hope the one day doesnt effect anything =-O

Well lovely ladies i am away to get ready for my journey trying to stay as relaxed as possible agree with u adele relaxation is the key lol

thanks lovely ladies for all ur support...ill let u knw how things go lol (im a poet and i didnt know it...i rhyme all the time) lol <3<3<3 xxx

[Miwa]

Blimey 3 -4 sessions a week I think is a bit much. On the NHS we are only allowed to give it weekly. But it is safe to have it twice a week if you can afford it. It does help throughout the IVF cycle, so one to two sessions may not be as beneficial. But I think do what feels right for you. If it helps to keep you relaxed then do it however often you think you need it.

And Katt is probably right about the herbs, as I took mine nowhere near my IVF cycle so didn't mention to the team. I don't think one days worth of herbs will affect anything as it was a few days ago already and your body has probably already processed them.

Thinking of you

xx

[Keeves]

Thank you girls appointment went ok basically they checked blood pressure...took blood and weighed me...my BMI was loa s expected but they have theyhave given me drinks to build me up and think that the microgynon pill may help also lol so now just waiting for nx step! hope it all goes smoothly Hope u lovely ladies r doing ok... thanks again for ur support xx