FSH - Upcoming IVf referral

[Becki2019]

Hi all!

I have just found out my FSH bloods are acceptable to move forward for IVF referral which is amazing news but now onto the next step.

I am due my initial appointment starting in August, can anyone share their experience, length and success along with tips and advice?

I have been preparing myself in regards to upping the accupuncture, Keto diet, high antioxidants etc and I had a much longer period this month so putting it down to that which is fab! Any other tips would much be appreciated,

Becki

[EmGLA]

Hello Becki

This is great that you can move forward I know when I finally got the go-ahead it was such a relief. Well done for making such positive life changes!

I know you asked about the time but I think it really depends on the clinic. I'm just waiting for my period (now overdue) to start my first cycle and I got told I was on the waiting list in November, but I did also have 3 months delay (my choice to get my head in the right place). I think it can vary quite widely.

I think its important to get as informed as you can. I've done loads of reading and research so I know when the clinic throws numbers at you-AMH, AFC, 21 day progesterone- I have a little more insight into what that actually means. There are loads of helpful blogs- preggers kitchen, the Duff and books such as 'Get a Life'. It sounds like you have the diet aspects nailed. The other thing is mental health- I have been using the Mindful IVF app, and exercising (yoga, pilates) to get in the right frame of mind.

Best of luck!!!!

xxxx

[Becki2019 in reply to EmGLA]

Hi Emma

Thank you so much for your reply.

Its the biggest relief in the world. Have had 3.5 years of negative results so to have something positive is just amazing, clomid didn't work, neither did tamoxifen, ovarian drilling etc etc so its great news.

I have been trying to read up more about it but there is just so much information so thank you for your tips its really useful.

I did read that taking 3 months to prepare your body for the IVF is the best thing that can be done, hence the big changes and i really feel its made such a big impact!

What steps have you taken so far with the clinic? As am i right in thinking after the period that's when they medically "shut the ovaries" down so they can intervene?

Good luck with your cycle!!

Becki

[EmGLA in reply to Becki2019]

Hi Becki,

I can relate to the frustration its now been 2.5 years for us we tried letrozole but I didn't ovulate despite crazy high doses.

That's exactly why I took 3 months out just to get myself in the zone and make positive lifestyle changes.

If you like podcasts the Big Fat Negative podcast is really funny, relatable and informative too.

You are totally correct you would usually be on down-reg in most cases but I'm on the short protocol so I go straight into stimms. I have PCOS and my AMH is on the higher side so the clinic think I'm likely to over-respond and get OHSS so I don't have a down-regulation phase to try and avoid the complications.

In terms of pre-treatment clinic things you and your OH will no doubt have a million consent forms to sign, yet another weigh in as well as a HIV and hepatitis test.

Thanks for the luck!

Keep us updated on your treatment, your inspiring me to go keto haha

xx

[Becki2019 in reply to EmGLA]

That's amazing you took 3 months off to get your self together! When did you have your consultant appointment compared to where you are now? How short is the short protocol? I also have PCOS too so i wonder if it would be shorter.

I 100 percent recommend the keto, i have lost 7.5 lbs in 3 weeks and coincidently having longer periods, also acupuncture has been incredible and i honestly think that has been a massive contributing factor for the lower FSH result. As was worrying about that for months! Cant believe they only tell you about that towards the upcoming IVF referral date instead of at the start of your journey it makes no sense!

We moved mid way through our process which made it difficult as the terms of Hertfordshire where we now live is that they cant refer you until you live here for a year! A complete nightmare!!

Crossing fingers and toes! xx

[EmGLA in reply to Becki2019]

Thanks Becki, yeah I definitely think it was the right decision to wait those three months to get my head around it. I have been treated by the fertility clinic since April 2018, I was told in November that IVF would be the next step and then in April I got told I could start and the protocol/forms etc. I really rate acupuncture too, it definitely keeps me calm.

With the short protocol you miss out on the down regulation part, you just move on to ovarian stimulation straight away. They recommend it for PCOS ladies, so you might be on it. Each clinic has different protocols and criteria for them my protocol is for amenorrhoeic women with an AMH between 16 and 25. That's my main symptom of my PCOS I don't ovulate and therefore don't have periods. I'm still waiting on AF despite 7 days of norethisterone!! so frustrating when you just want to start the process!

The keto diet sounds amazing! I def need to have a look.

That's so frustrating you have to wait a year!! what does your area offer for IVF on the NHS?

xxxxxxxxx

xx

[Becki2019 in reply to EmGLA]

We have been with Hertfordshire Hospital Fertility clinic since Jan 2019, and before that a hospital in Surrey for 12 months. Chose our IVF clinic (as our NHS hospital don't do it here) for one in London so hoping all goes well with the official referral tomorrow! They have estimated we will get our first appointment mid August so i am hoping that we can kick start it sooner rather than later!!

What a shame you don't have periods at all, if it gives you any hope a friend was in the similar boat, her periods were extremely rare and she became pregnant before IVF started - lucky lady!

I tend to only ovulate for 12-24 hours max so its always difficult. I have given up ovulation sticks now - waiting on edge for a smiley face is frustrating!

Our area follows FSH instead of AMH, you have to have a result of 5 > 9 any lower or any higher you have to re take the blood tests (you can only re take 3 times) then after that you are rejected. So you can imagine how happy i was with a result of 6.1! You get 1 fresh IVF cycle and 1 frozen with 12 months storage on our area.

What about yours?

xx

[EmGLA in reply to Becki2019]

Fingers crossed you get an appointment through quickly.

Yeah I maybe have a period two or three times a year if I'm not taking fertility meds and even when I do I don't actually ovulate. I think 12-24 hour ovulation is pretty normal the fertile window of like 5 days is more to do with the lifespan of sperm. I think the OPKs were messing with my head when I used them and they aren't always accurate with PCOS too.

Your clinic are a lot stricter than mine I think! well done on progressing to IVF!! I'm in Scotland, we are really lucky if you are under 40 you get 3 fully funded rounds with all embryos being transferred back.