Confused and deflated - a long message and an update!

[CarmenMac]

Hi ladies,

I've been reading through your posts for close to a year and am immensely grateful to this group.

I feel like I'm losing my mind and all hope so I'm going to be pretty direct - I have a feeling most of us have been here a time or two. I've been through 6 IUI cycles, last and current one with Gonal f, Ovitrelle trigger shot and daily Crinone vaginal gel but..... I've noticed a couple of things: stupid mistake in September, took a hot bath forgetting about IUI, obviously nothing happened apart from horrendous cramping. Was away in October, next cycle November, blasted busy pre-Christmas schedule (2 dance shows, tight deadlines at work), ran for the tube, slipped, leg went between train and platform, managed to hop in the train covered in bruises and ripped tights .... horrendous cramping: day 3 after IUI. No pregnancy- made the decision to take a break in December, rest etc. January, body didn't cooperate: follicles only grew to 13.4mm. Wanted to scream. February, period late, scan day 12: 19mm follicle! Wow! Small victory. Trigger shot, IUI, all goes well, day 3, my foot goes wrong, cramping, pain - remember, no bleeding at any time apart from period - something that feels like implantation pain on day 8... nothing.

This time, even with small doses of Gonal f etc. , all done as prescribed, day after IUI, watch telly in the evening before bed, get a touch scared at someone getting their whacked, guess: cramps, pain etc. I'm still on Crinone- btw, if you're on it, don't use panty liners - horrid rash (went away with a little Vagisil) and will use it to the 19th but don't think it's any point.

Next recommendation from the Clinic is IVF though I don't see the point of going through this process if my body doesn't cooperate.

Have you ladies been through anything similar? Most grateful for any ideas.

Thank you so so much for all messages I received - immensely helpful!

Rememberhow deflated I was a week or so ago? Took the test this morning and didn't believe it when two little lines appeared! Can you believe It? I've told the Clinic who recommended I take another test in 2 days' time - their procedure. Have to book myself now with GP.... gosh! All so new!

Lots of love,

Carmen

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

Ivf is a different process so your body may well cooperate better with the ivf regime. Have you asked your clinic what they think your chances of success are? They should use what they have learned about your body’s response to drugs during the IUI to help personalise your IVF plan.

[Kcrochet]

Sorry to hear you’ve been on such a frustrating journey so far. We were never offered IUI though not sure why (we have unexplained infertility). We just went straight to ivf and were very fortunate it worked first time. I’m now 20 weeks. Does your clinic have results on success rates from IUI versus ivf? I think with ivf you (or the drs!) are more in control of various parts of the process, so hopefully you’ll have better results or at least a better idea of exactly what needs addressing xx

[Hidden]

All my doctors discouraged IUI because of the very low success rates. I would see IVF as different and leap in with new positivity ☺️

Each cycle can be very different so try and see his as a new step x

[Kiedy84]

Hi Carmen, same here we are unexplained and doctors didn't even want to try IUI as evidence shows really low success rates. I know IVF sounds like a big step, I felt the same, but at my last visit a different doctor finally explained to me that IVF is the only way to further explore what may be wrong, potentially something that was unexplained may be obvious when we go through IVF. Hope this helps x