So we had the initial consultation with IVF Wales on 2nd Feb, my cycle was supposed to come to an end almost 3 weeks ago, and sod's law, i'm still waiting for it to come to an end. We cant go any further until i've had the scan of my pelvis and ovaries between days 1-5 and the many blood tests they need.... but my cycle just keeps going! Im reluctant to take any pregnancy tests because for me it ends up in severe heart ache and for the past 8-9 months i have avoided the dreaded pregnancy tests each month, i don't feel any different to any other month so for now i'm trying to save myself from the misery!
I feel like i'm zoning out of work and life at the moment just playing one big waiting game, i cant concentrate on much else and have felt myself slipping into my own world over the last few weeks.
I felt very optimistic after the initial consultation, but somehow thats slipped away and now i feel let down by myself again.
Is there anything you lovely ladies did to make yourself trust that everything will be ok and stop blaming yourself when things don't go to plan?
Hi E_R12. Oh this can be so frustrating getting all geared up to start your cycle of treatment and you can't get going! I realise how frustrating this is for you, but I'm sure all will settle down and you can get your scan done soon. Fingers crossed all goes to plan once your scan is over with. Thinking of you.Diane
Thanks Diane, it is a bit frustrating , I'm hoping it'll all calm down soon and we can go to have my scan done and bloods taken, I feel like it's the not knowing and the knowing that this is now going to be a busy couple of months as soon as my cycle comes to an end, I thought I'd be able to manage it better but it's quite overwhelming at times. Xx
Hiya lovely. I'm in Wales too!You are the Welshie I've met on here 😊♥
We coulnt get NHS as my partner's, not even me, BMI was over 30 bull** rules! We gone privately instead.Inbox me I'll send you detail if you want.
Well it's strange with your long cycle. I would just do a pg test if I was you. Just say to yourself it won't be BFP and you only doing it in name of IVF procedure you never know. Life has a funny way sometimes..
As for being negative and down. I spent a lot of time being angry and resentful Now I'm at the accepting stage and I've made a lot of positive changes in my life. Like not had a drink since 31st Dec!
Yoga Pilates Acupunture and lots of walks in our beautiful nature has also really lifted my spirit.
Hello fellow Welshie! I was starting to think there weren't many Welsh people on here! We've been very lucky and by the sounds of it haven't waited as long as some to get to the stage we are at with IVF Wales.
That's rubbish that you weren't accepted, the regulations and all the paperwork is pretty strict, took me by surprise! We looked into private at CRGW and then our letter came through the post for NHS so we waited to see what they had to offer us.
I've changed quite a lot over the past year and don't drink anyway so feel I'm pretty healthy but I do have a syndrome that is potentially threatening us getting pregnant each month so this is why we've been recommended icsi.
I love yoga and definitely walking are top of my activities, when I'm not working!
We are with CRWG!They are FANTASTIC. We did get referred to Royal Glam and initially thought we'd probably do one private round then one NHS round based on waiting list 6- 8mths we were told but that dream soon disappeared since my OH really struggle to loose weight. He's not crazily over weight but works away half the week and strugggles to exercise.
Glad you well and healthy (not drinking is good)and hope your condition doesn't stop you.
Hey girl i hope things go well for you. I hope things start to fast forward and u get ur scans done. Just wanted to ask what did the fertilty dr discuss on the consultation its just i also have a first consultation in may and wondering what to expect.many thanks.x
Hey, bibi_16 we discussed the results we'd had previously at the doctors before referral, and had to answer a set of health related questions that were discussed also, then they went through the potential treatments, because I have raynauds syndrome it was recommended that we go for icsi so that was discussed too and then we were told wait for my cycle to end and come back for a scan and blood and we'll have a follow up appointment to discuss starting treatment, we're incredibly lucky that there's no waiting list so it's potentially going to be quite a quick process to treatment stage, good luck for your appointment, make sure you ask lots of questions and take it at your own pace because I can feel quite overwhelming when your there. Xx
I got raynards too!! How very strange. They've never really discussed this with me. I guess it never really came up for me to mention but interesting it's been mentioned to you. As a matter of fact we did ICSI and all embryos went to blastocyst stage.xx
Ah that's amazing that your going through treatment in crgw, we are having ours at the Heath hospital so we can't live that far away!
I've been telling the Drs for the last year that I feel my raynauds is a contributing factor, it's the first thing that the consultant bought up with us on our initial consultation, he said the chances are we've gotten pregnant and I've not been able to sustain and it's ended in a very early misscarriage, I recon I've had a few in the last 2 years, he also said it's likely that I'll misscarry if I fall naturally and that I'd benefit from being on clexane to ensure I can carry in the early stages of prenancy, I asked the GP numerous times about my raynauds and concieving and they said it wouldn't be a problem! So glad we've got the right advice from someone finally!
I hope everything goes well with you and that you soon get your BFP!
I've been Googling raynards like mad past two hours and your absolutely right. There is a link to autoimmune disorders. My partner just sent me this link. Ill send as a msg.Have a look. I'm calling CRWG tomorrow and my local GP. I really feel this is a break through for us at least it explains a lot. So pleased you posted about it. I've been having acupuncture too which should help with raynards as well as infertility.
Omg it's so freaky both me and OH talked about this also we've had some near misses as I've come on early few times and had some big blood cloths which looked like it could be very early miscarriage.
I can't thank you enough for the info you have proved me with.
Yeah I know the Heath very well. Had my leg in plaster there 15 yrs ago!xx
I knew there would be a link because if your extremities are cold due to lack of circulation it's possible your organs are cold too! I was diagnosed with primary raynauds a few years ago and was told then that if we were to try for a baby I'd have to be off all medications and there was potential that it could take a while, although the GP never seemed concerned! I felt like I was the only one going on about it until the initial consultation and they took it seriously! Definitely mention it because there's meds they can give you to help you maintain in early pregnancy. Acupuncture is perfect for the condition as it helps blood flow!
I'm always in layers keeping myself warm, and have been told never have cold feet because it cools down the rest of the vital organs.
Ah you live in Caerphilly my husbands from Caerphilly, so we know it very well a lot of the family still live up there, we live in Llandaff 😊
Small world. 😊Just booked GP appointment for next week to get it diagnosed and on my records. Dedending on test result with discuss with CRWG so even if I get BFP there's no risk of mc!
Where are you in cycle? can't remember you waiting for first appointment at Heath?
Ah glad your getting it sorted, even if you get a BFP your safer them knowing just incase!
My period arrived this morning so I'm now going for bloods tomorrow and a scan on Monday we've got a follow up appointment on 6th march and they'll discuss starting treatment from there.
Hey girls can I butt in, I'm also in Wales, being treated in the Heath. I was seen in clinic today, and am due to start a cycle for a frozen transfer in the next few days (whenever my period comes!)- it's our 1st cycles as I had my little embies frozen in Nov to have surgery in DEC before they would reimplant them- so this is all very new!
Hi Amy_c, another fellow welshie! Good luck, I've been to the clinic this morning back again on Monday, and then back the week after for our follow up, we're hoping to find out what our treatment will be next week, it's all very new to us too! Hope everything goes well for you!
I've started on my tablets now, which so far I've had no side effects from! then a scan in 10days time to plan a date for the transfer! I'm nervous about the scan as they found a cyst last time and nearly cancelled my cycle!
once you're in the system it all moves quite quickly!
Ah thats fab that you've got no symptoms from the medications! I'm finding its all going very fast, they found that one of my ovaries is slightly polysistic on the scan yesterday which has come as quite a shock as i don't really have any symptoms apart from a slightly irregular cycle every few months. Im waiting for all the results to come back and see them again on Monday.
Fingers crossed it will be fine- you technically only need one ovary for IVF, they only used my good ovary to harvest eggs (I think they took 12) and I managed to get 5 little frosties! The cycle was only at risk because I have an oncology history and they were worried it was linked- thankfully it wasn't!
It's really stressful thou when they find something that you weren't expecting, especially as the whole process moves so quickly you don't have much time to process anything. I know for me, once I was in the system I just wanted to get started as soon as possible!
I'm also in Wales being treated at the Heath... beginning to wonder if any of us have been sat next to each other in the waiting room playing one of Chris's music quizzes! 😂.
Anyway, I hope you get the answers you're looking for at the appointment and yoy feel better now the ball is officially rolling. It is all very quick once you get past the initial hurdle then it's exciting times ahead for you. 😊
I fully understand the feeling of zoning out of life until a baby comes feeling hun, our natural pre-programmed desire for a baby is so strong that when it isn't happening we can be utterly consumed with making it happen to the detriment of other joys that seem to no longer fulfill us. It's really hard to get put of thst mindset but I promise you we do pass through it to more positive and accepting stages and we can start to really live again during the wait.
I find that taking walks in our lovely Wales helps, as does practicing mindfulness and being present when my thoughts wander to negativity. I've also been having accupuncture and like candlelit baths with relaxation music/meditations is useful too.
It's definitely good to share your feelings too, especially on here where people actually understand what you're going through.
Forgive my ignorance but what is Raynauds?
Sending lots of luck and love your way chicka. Take care of you xx
Hi Pookymama 👋 Another fellow welshie and clinic sharer! I was starting to think I was on my own, but seemed to have found a few close by which is lovely! We've chosen not to tell anyone about our treatment so far so I'm finding it difficult at times but sharing everything here with people who understand has really helped me! I've just finished counselling (stressful time at work) and have been given so many tips to keep myself mindfully healthy but this is taking over even those little things to keep me focused, I'm doing all I can though to keep myself feeling positive! Can I ask where you go for acupuncture, was it recommended by the clinic?
Raynauds syndrome is a circulation problem, mainly affects my hands and feet, I get chilblains most times of the year, constantly have to keep myself warm because my circulation is really poor,which makes me quite tired at times, I also am a dusky blue or purple colour in my hands and feet most of the time which then causes my fingers and toes to feel numb and cold usually this is in response to cold temperatures or stress but mine is all year round!
It's lovely to see fellow Welshies on here I must say. 😊
I'm glad you're finding benefit from your counselling and from this forum - this process is so hard that we need all the support we can get!
I have accupuncture with Maxine Smilie. She has clinics in Cardiff, Gloucester and Abergavenny. I find her to be very wise, supportive and a calming influence beyond just the accupuncture itself and she's helped me to rediscover myself in a way. If you type in her name to Google her website will come up and you can message her from there.
Gosh, that Reynauds must be horrible for you! Interesting that they've found a link between that and fertility, I hope it helps you.
I was particularly interested to learn about Reynauds because even in the height of summer while others can be trotting round in hot pants I can be shivering. Everyone takes the mick out of me thst I love music but can't camp/do festivals as while everyone is ok, I'm miserably cold.
My skin can have a blueish tinged mottled look but I think I'm probably just a freezer rather than having Reynauds as mine isn't as extreme as the pictures i saw online whem i looked it up and dont have the extremities dramatically changing colour/being very painful.
Anyway, lovely to have you here and lots of luck to you on this journey xxx
This forum has been really helpful this last few weeks and it's lovely to have people close by who are going to the same clinic too! Ah fab I will look her up, I've been reading lots around accupuncture and feel it may be of benefit to me especially with the raynauds too!
Yeh having raynauds is a bit of a pain but I've had it since I was born so know no different! Always make sure I'm layered up as I can be so cold even in the height of the summer! Flip flops are a no go for me!
It's interesting you say your a cold person, I've read so much about fertility issues and cold, in Chinese medicine they believe that if your cold then you have a cold uterous and it's no environment for implanting a baby, no matter how well you are otherwise it just won't happen.
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then a scan in 10days time to plan a date for the transfer! I'm nervous about the scan as they found a cyst last time and nearly cancelled my cycle! 
Scottish NHS waiting times
NHS IVF BMI
Waiting for treatment - things to do in the meantime?
Waiting 😴😴😴
Waiting....waiting...and more waiting...
