Feeling terrible 3 days after egg retrieval

[Noodleone]

No one told me this part would be so horrendous- I can’t remember a time when I have felt more unwell. Went into my FS to get an OHSS blood test today and have cancelled my fresh transfer as I can’t bear the thought of another medical procedure at this stage and am convinced my body is in no shape to welcome an embryo.

We’ve yet to find out how our 5 fertilised embryos are tracking and, if it’s bad news, I feel like I might not be able to bear it. Even with my needle phobia the injections were a breeze but this stage post EPU has made me think this will be our one and only attempt at IVF. Ugh.

[Hidden]

Hi, i havent posted on here before but felt i needed to comment since i had my first EC yesterday. Saw so many posts about it being a breeze. I wasnt given much pain relief during the procedure but it was manageable. Afterwards i felt a little crampy, popped my clothes on and was strutting around thinking i was hard as nails, with the nurses telling me what a good patient i was. It was a different story once i got home and the drugs wore off. I was in pain just sat still and couldn't manage without pain killers. Taking tiny steps to move around hunched over. Although i am still a little uncomfortable i cant believe the improvement overnight! I have some bleeding which was scary but apparently normal and i feel like i will recover quickly which i couldn't see yesterday. Im sure most people are fine afterwards. I had 19 follicles, 18 eggs collected and 16 injected (icsi). After some discomfort i am now focused on the next steps and if all works out it will have been worth every twinge. I feel like i have pulled lots of muscles in my stomach. You have put so much into this and i know it can feel overwhelming but you should feel proud that you have got to this point. It takes a lot of mental strength. I am not worried about transfer as it sounds pretty simple and it is what this whole process has built up to, a step closer to achieving your dream. I was browsing this forum as i cant sleep and glad to come accross your post knowing im not alone. I hope you feel better about things in a day or two xx

[Noodleone in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x unfortunately I have felt worse each day after. I was like you - came out of the anaesthetic feeling like it had been a breeze and was fine that day. Now feel like I’ve been hit by a truck and have had to take extra time off work as I feel so terrible.

[Hidden in reply to Noodleone]

I know, i was on my knees yesterday, not what i was expecting at all. I had skived off work and had the extra stress of my boss trying to phone me while we waited for the embryoligist. I am still uncomfortable this morning and not actually out of bed yet so will see when i get up. I was advised to try sticking with paracetamol but i was tearing the box of codeine open once i got home. I am drinking lots of water which may be what has helped improve things. I am still not ready to go to work however. This journey often fills you with negative thoughts that you cant see past. Despite the number of eggs yesterday my husbands sample couldnt be used and we had to wait to hear if the frozen was suiatable. I was concinved we were out of the game and it had all been for nothing. Turns out it was fine but im now anxious to hear how many if any have fertilised. I will deal with whatever comes as im sure you will. I hope you start to feel better soon and you get positive news. Keep taking those pain killers and lots of water xx

[Noodleone in reply to Hidden]

Good luck with fertilisation. We went from 10 to 7 mature to 5 fertilising but I just found out all 5 are holding on at day 3. Currently lying on the couch with my water bottle!

[Hidden in reply to Noodleone]

Good luck and thank you. im no expert but 5 sounds good! I will drag myself up and onto the couch now where i will be for the day acting like a princess while my husband runs around after me 😂 xxx

[Noodleone in reply to Hidden]

I think it’s good for us as I am 41 so quality was always going to be an issue for us. Let me know how you go!

[Hidden in reply to Noodleone]

Excellent, im sure that news makes the pain a little more bareable. Will do and thank you, goodluck xx

[MissSaoPaulo]

I got mild OHSS and felt really sh*tty after EC. It was a freeze all cycle and definitely for the best. Drink loads of water and stick to light food (not pepperoni pizza!!). Bloating took over a week to go down but I felt better, but still not 100%, within about 3 days

Hope you feel better soon xxx

[Noodleone in reply to MissSaoPaulo]

Thank you. Just got a call from the nursing team to say my bloodwork wasn’t great so am back in for another assessment tomorrow 😬 ugh what I would give to feel well again!

[Alexa3]

Hi,

Sounds like great results on your EC!! Especially for our age, I’ve never done so well, fingers crossed the last 5 make it to full blasts! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Very sorry to hear how unwell you’re feeling though. It’s not always the case that people have pain after...but yes some women do. I would just make sure your clinic is very aware so they are monitoring you. Do they give you pain medication after the procedure? At my clinic, everyone is sedated so they sleep through it and at the end of the procedure we’re given (with prior consent) a suppository -muscle relaxant and pain killer. They tell you in advance that if you don’t opt for it, you will experience severe cramping. I usually take it so have never suffered after the procedure. They should have given you some options.

Make sure they keep an eye on you. With 5 embryos doing well though, let’s hope you never have to do egg collection again!!! Sending you healing vibes xx

[Noodleone in reply to Alexa3]

Thank you! Yes I am not sure I am do this again now and have all fingers and toes crossed they make it to blast stage tomorrow or Sunday! Am back in the clinic today for another assessment - they’ve been great so far. I don’t a huge amount of specific pain but lots of discomfort, nausea and verbally feeling crap! How is your cycle going?

[Alexa3 in reply to Noodleone]

How did the assessment go at your clinic? Hope they were able to identify the problem?!

I’m alright- in the purgatory of the 2ww. I made it to transfer with only 2 eggs left out of an original 6 but that’s normal for me so I’m not surprised. I just have to take it easy now and cross everything 🤞🏻

How are you feeling today, do you think you are a bit better? I really hope this discomfort subsides soon!

Sending more healing vibes to you xx

[hifer]

Hi,

I really feel for you. My second round of IVF was really tough and felt awful afterwards. My clinic knew I was on the cusp of OHSS so I had a week of more meds to control it. It did take me a while to recover but drank a tonne of water (you know that already) and checked in with my clinic who kept assessing me. I had headaches until 2 weeks after but they did go. Sending lots of love for a speedy recovery. I promise you it will get better xx

[Noodleone in reply to hifer]

Thank you! Yeah they’ve said today I’m definitely in the throes of OHSS - I’ve never felt so unwell or so unable to do anything! They haven’t given me any meds other than low level pain killers so I’m taking it super easy.

[hifer in reply to Noodleone]

Oh you poor thing. Definitely take it easy and lots of rest. I had stacks of hot water bottles and pain killers too. Keep us posted and just keep an eye on your recovery please x

[Tiddly1984]

Hi, really sorry to hear about your experience. I had a difficult egg collection too and I wish I had waited a cycle before having my egg transferred after putting my body through that trauma. I just felt like my body didn’t cooperate after going through that and the meds. Next cycle was a natural cycle frozen egg transfer and was a success. No meds, no procedures just my egg transferred 5 days after I ovulated naturally. My body prepared itself and for me I felt it made all the difference. That and the meds being out of my system. Good luck and if you feel too unwell consider waiting until your next ovulation if that’s an option. Either way I’m sure things will work out for you. Best of luck....x

[Noodleone in reply to Tiddly1984]

Thank you. Yes I am so glad we didn’t go ahead with fresh on Friday! Best of luck to you x

[Tiddly1984 in reply to Noodleone]

In my opinion that was a good decision. Good luck with your next transfer. I really wish you so much success...x