OHSS is a b*tch (moany post)

[glt01]

To update from my previous post... I had egg collection done on Friday, the consultant said he lost count of how many he retrieved! I was very poorly afterwards, ending up on a drip and causing all sorts of chaos for the nursing staff and consultant alike but luckily got to go home after about a 4th review from the consultant. Was told I had mild OHSS prior to egg retrieval anyway with free fluid in my abdomen but would need to keep an eye on symptoms over weekend and they would monitor me this week coming. Bled quite a lot and caused a bit of panic but eventually all fine. Got given some lovely anti-DVT socks and told I needed to start aspirin, now a high risk of clotting (ironic considering the blood loss). Plan was to ring me on Monday and scan me on Wednesday.

Phone call Saturday morning from the embryologist, 31 eggs collected, 23 mature and 18 fertilised. The clinics protocol is an automatic freeze all for any eggs collections over 25. Advised we would see a few more drop off before we get to day 5 but a good haul! I'm okay with a freeze all now... I want the best chance for me and the embryos.

Today: ended up phoning the nurse on call, (she knew all about me which isn't always a good sign) still very very bloated and in pain. I can feel my ovaries move and pinch and its horrendous. Felt nauseous on and off and a bit faint at points, now have a consultant appt tomorrow where they're going to take all the bloods and make a plan. Been told I've very much got OHSS, and assuming the severity will be assessed tomorrow but that it can take weeks to settle down completely. Wasn't really prepared for this bit. You can almost justify any grottiness you have whilst stimming because it'll be hopefully be worth something, but this is just sh*t. Not quite sure what to tell work yet so just waiting for the consultant to make that decision for me...

Me and my husband have had a "chat" this evening, and decided we're never going to have another IVF cycle again. The stabbing myself with needles and the scans: fine... the bloating, the tiredness, the general feeling of unwellness, the pain and the risk to my health: we feel it's just not worth it. We've got so lucky with how many eggs we've had retrieved and if none of those are successful then that's our cue to say nope it's not for us, we will adopt.

I'm sorry if this is a bit pessimistic to some and I take my hat off to those who have OHSS and then go through another IVF cycle, personally, for me I couldn't do this again. I think you're all heroes.

[MissSaoPaulo]

I had mild OHSS and it really is the pits. Hope you're feeling better soon and good luck with getting plenty of frosties to transfer when you're feeling 100% again xxx

[kirstyblue]

I had ohss too and it was just awful. Never experienced discomfort like it. With a freeze all and such high numbers hopefully you have a really good chance of this working first time.

Did they give you medication to reduce the amount of fluid you have around your ovaries?

Good luck x

[Megaleg]

I had similar numbers (33 eggs) and really wish they hadn’t proceeded with the transfer on my fresh cycle. I was so poorly after the egg collection that my body just needed a chance to recover. I know exactly how you feel with regards to doing another cycle - from experience, frozen transfer cycles are a walk in the park in comparison! My motto at the moment is “we didn’t come this far just to come this far!” And hopefully our little miracle is just waiting on ice for when the time is right xxx All the best for recovery - Lots of hydration and getting up and moving gently when you feel able helped me x

[Tugsgirl]

I was borderline ohss on my first round and that was a tad uncomfortable so I can’t imagine how bad it is for you. I hope you’ll feel better soon. Well done on the numbers xx

[Nuszkahope]

I have experienced OHSS on my first round too, I was in a terrible pain and discomfort, very scary indeed.

Get better soon and hopefully everything will work out for you with the frozen transfers xx Good luck

[Hidden]

Oh dear! Yes I had similar experience with a few more eggs collected, automatic freeze all and OHSS. Moany post is totally justified - it’s horrible. I was off work for 6 days after with the enormous bloating m, breathing difficulties etc. Went back to work but was still feeling poorly. The accute phase then passed and while I’m now 7 weeks post EC and fluid in abdo is long gone I’m still emotionally up and down (what I would say is a bit hormonal) and still quite tired. My consultant (cause I need surgery before ET) said I need 3 month’s post OHSS to be fit for surgery - so that gives you an idea of how slow things can be to settle. Anyway, that first bit is the worst - it gets much easier once that’s over. Chances are with your numbers you won’t need to do the EC phase again but I’d hope if you did they would alter meds to try and avoid OHSS!

Well done for getting to this point - you’ve been through a lot! X

[ZessB]

How I can sympathised with your pain! I had OHSS twice before and on both of those cycles proceeded with a fresh cycle which made symptoms worsen. I had a false sense of hope back then but soon crashed back down when the embryologist called to say only one made it to day 5 on both occasions... It has been awful both physically and mentally.

We then changed clinics and avoided OHSS completely and now have an 8 month old home. Don’t lose hope. It can still happen xx

[Jenjen84]

The title couldn’t have been any truer (apart from the moany bit, you are totally allowed to shout it out after OHSS, it’s horrible). I’ve just started getting over late onset OHSS, was in hospital for 3 days after being on a drip for 24 hours.. It’s taken 2 weeks from start to finish for the bloat to go down and I seriously think that the hospital stay stopped my moderate diagnosis turn into a severe one. It was horrible so I totally feel your pain. Take time out, rest as much as you can and hopefully soon you’ll see the symptoms start to die down. I did eat high protein as the consultant said protein will help to draw fluid back into the blood? Not sure if this has helped but I feel lots better. Take care xxx

[Amandaholland85]

Hi glt01

I have OHSS and when i did ivf in the uk was never told or tried for it i found the NHS in the UK not very helpful i only found out last year when i decided that i would go to Greece and have ivf there that all the information was given to me i was over responding to the ivf medication and my doctor said thay would have to change the medication to suit me and give me something so i stop making all thes eggs and it did i still got 18 eggs and i was not over producing and i am now 24 weeks and 4 days pregnant and freeing the eggs has a better chance of survival.

i wish you all the best of luck xxx

[NancyRN]

Did u have the HPV vaxx?