What’s going to happen to me.....

[Buttons21]

So I’ve posted a couple of times asking for advice. Now I’m posting about what to expect. My other half and I are awaiting icsi. Our next appt in Glasgow (NHS) is our post screen where we will be told of our protocol etc. Our issue is hubby. I’m just curious about how people find treatment, how long cycles last, when treatment should start, how cranky will I get etc. I can keep googling but get so confused. Any stories tips etc are very helpful.

[Hidden]

Hey! I suppose it depends on the meds they put you on and how your body reacts. I wasn't stimulated very much so not sure how cranky I got - you might have to ask my OH 😂

The down regulation drugs I found hardest - felt a bit of a low mood. But loved progesterone as my skin cleared up (usually have awful acne).

EC was ok too - just you feel blown up like a blow fish with all those eggs and follicles inside you. 🐡

Everyone will give different experiences I suppose....

The whole process took quite a while longer than I was expecting.

Was great to get started doing the IVF though....

Best of luck with it all and hope you get a lovely BFP!

Xxx

[NB610]

My first cycle was in February at glasgow royal, I had a short protocol, all feels like it was a bit of a daze now as it was all finished within about 4 weeks, I found it ok, I was pretty tired and emotional at points but it wasn't unbearable, Egg collection and transfer were both pretty straight forward, we had 11 eggs collected, 7 fertilised, 6 made it to day 5, one was put back in and 5 frozen, unfortunately our first cycle was unsuccessful, we started a medicated frozen cycle in April had one of our frozen embryos put back in in may and I'm currently 7 weeks pregnant, the frozen cycle was so much easier because there was less medication and also I think because you know what to expect.

Wishing you lots of luck for your cycle, if you need to ask anything about glasgow royal please feel free to ask xxx

[Buttons21 in reply to NB610]

Thank you so much. You may be hearing from me lots 😂. Congratulations!!! I love hearing positive stories. I’m trying to prepare myself for the long haul... and a failure or 2 🙈

[NB610 in reply to Buttons21]

Thank you! The staff at the royal have been amazing, they do such a fantastic job! X

[Buttons21 in reply to NB610]

They have been so lovely so far even to my poor hubby who has a needle phobia 😂

[Hidden]

Ps I forgot say one thing - be super kind to yourself during the process. Only surround yourself with positive people you love and do things you enjoy.

Xxx

[Buttons21 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. It’s so lovely to hear from people who are experiencing or have been through it all x

[Hidden]

Hey Buttons, I was on the short protocol & found it so much easier than I had expected. Was exactly a month from starting my drugs to OTD. I was scared when doing my injections for the first few days, thinking am I doing them right etc! Time flew by for me as your busy having scans, blood tests once you get started. I found the prospect of EC scary as I had sedation & was sure it would be painful, I didn't feel a thing. ET was quite nice seeing the little embryos being put back. The 2WW is by far the worst part, constantly wondering if it worked or not. I didn't test early either which for me was the right decision even though I was so shocked to get a BFP! I hope you don't find the process too bad & you get a beautiful baby at the end of it. Wishing you lots of luck. X

[Reb990]

Hi Buttons2! I felt like I could have written this post. We just had our protocol meeting at the royal and are waiting on my next period to start icsi.

Hope everything goes well for you and reach out to me if you want because we seem to be at the same stage.

My husband also has an issue with needles/blood and almost passed out when they took a blood sample from him 🙈😂.

[Buttons21 in reply to Reb990]

Thank you so much for the reply. Hope the next few weeks go well for you...x

[Magdalenach]

Hi Butttons21, it's nice to see someone at the same stage. I'm at Glasgow royal as well on protocol 1 (not sure if this is short or long one). Also waiting for my period to do the blood tests but already got an appointment for 6th Aug so starting soon. Feeling excited and confused ☺️🙄good luck 🤞😊

[Buttons21 in reply to Magdalenach]

Thank you. We have our post screen 19th July so going to be an interesting few months ahead. Just no idea what to expect and I’m a bit of a control freak 😂

[Lucy1602]

Hi there,

My husband and I had two full cycles of ICSI. The first was a long protocol and I personally found medication fine, the only major effect was the hot flushes but apart from that I didn’t experience any mood swings and found injections, EC & ET all ok. We had about a year on the waiting list before starting so I think when we were finally going through with treatment we were both so glad to be finally doing something other than waiting. We were excited and apprehensive at the same time and these feelings outweighed any physical effects of meds.

The second cycle was a short protocol which we went abroad for as it was less expensive and higher success rate. There were less side effects as it was shorter and felt much easier on my body.

One thing I would definitely say they made a difference was the fact that on our first cycle my natural cycle was cancellled using nasal sprays (called down-regulating) and then brought about artificially. This was simply so the clinic could fit me in with their schedule. My periods are regular and ovulation was occurring so on my second full cycle they went with my natural cycle. If this is an option and you’re periods are regular I would recommend you ask if they can work with it.

We are now four months pregnant with twins! No doubt it’s tough emotionally more so than physically but for us worth it all in the end.

If you have any questions please let me know as I’m more than happy to help. Best wishes for your first round.