First Protocol

[Howarth10]

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re all well. I’ve just been given my protocol today in preparation for our ICSI treatment. I’m feeling a bit unsure around what all the different medications listed are and the dosage etc. I know that it says I’m on a short protocol. Can anyone explain what that actually means and any information on the medication etc would be really helpful. I’m unsure if I can list the medication or dosage on here.

Thanks in advance for all your support.

[Ranchu90]

Hi,

Clinics usually are having a standard procedure for those who are having IVF for the first time either long or short protocol. Mine (NHS) they started with long protocol, now of course there can be some exceptions. If your clinic did some tests and decided that you should start with short protocol trust them, for sure they know what they are doing. Short protocols are not bad, you can have better quality eggs and a much more shorter treatment (in some occasions less injections 🙄).

Regarding dosage you can share the units if you like (e.g 150iu- is the lowest dosage).

Finger crossed, hope you will be first time lucky! ❤️🤗🤞

[Howarth10 in reply to Ranchu90]

Thank you so much for your kind reply. I really appreciate it. 💗

[rainbow_123]

I received my protocol last week after it was delayed due to covid19 (should have had it in March right as we went into lockdown). Also short protocol ICSI and first round. From what I understand there's no down regulation to stop the ovaries beforehand like there is with the long protocol. That means it doesn't take as long and it's supposed to be a bit easier as less meds (not that any of this is easy). My consultant had wanted to put me on long protocol but we agreed that short would be better as I have a needle phobia. They're now trying to put people on the short protocol as standard anyway at my clinic because of covid19. I was told there wasn't a great deal of difference in results between long or short for most women. Not really got any idea about the meds either, I've been googling things myself. I'm to take tablets from day 18 of this cycle to delay my next period so I can start the stims when they want me to. It's all getting a bit real now. I've had a couple of long phonecalls with a nurse so I've bombarded them with questions. I have a notebook I write anything else I think of down in. They've been lovely about it, I'm sure they're used to it.

Good luck. Hopefully we both get lucky first time. 🤞

[Howarth10 in reply to rainbow_123]

Thank you so much for your reply. Wishing you all the luck in the world for your treatment 💗

[Florencenightingale]

I was on short protocol...basically they give you meds to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple follicles hopefully with eggs in (its basically nuns urine that they use 🤣 i had Menopur)

I had 11 days of stims.

They scan you after a certain time and check how many follicles u have and how big they are. At this point they may increase or reduce your medication dose. And then rescan you.

At day 5 I started another medication (but cant remember what for lol...Fyremadel)

Then you have a trigger shot to mature the eggs and prevent you from releasing the eggs prematurely.

In between all this I had...

A baseline US scan to check for cysts etc, lining of the womb for thickness,

A mock embryo transfer (to foresee any problems on the day),

An endometrial scratch (to help the embro stick...but this is not proven to work...it was an optional extra as we were private).

Hope this helps. You are allowed to mention meds and doses etc xxx

[KiboXX in reply to Florencenightingale]

Fyremadel is the one that stops you from ovulating 😊 x

[Florencenightingale in reply to KiboXX]

I thought it was but I didnt want to put it if I was making it up Haha. Thanks xx

[Howarth10 in reply to Florencenightingale]

Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it 💕

[farfalle15]

As far as I understand, long protocol involves meds that temporarily prevent the ovaries working by putting your body into temporary menopause, whereas short protocol just blocks natural ovulation for the month. Short protocol means you don't have to down regulate, so it takes less time. You'll probably have meds to prevent natural ovulation (maybe fyremadel), meds to stimulate egg production (maybe menopur or gonal f), a trigger shot to trigger ovulation at the right time and progesterone to prepare your womb for pregnancy. Lots of meds! If you're not sure, ask your clinic to explain it all. I always feel bad about asking too many questions, but that's what they're there for. Good luck with it all xx

[Howarth10 in reply to farfalle15]

Thank you very much. All these messages are making things loads clearer. 😀

[Florencenightingale in reply to Howarth10]

Just to show you how short it is...I started injections on 31st jan and had embryo transferred 17th feb and had a BFP 27th feb. Now 20 weeks 💞 xx

[Howarth10 in reply to Florencenightingale]

Congratulations xxx

[Canadawaterchick]

Hiya, I was on a short protocol too, which meant birth control for 2 weeks, period, then day 3 scan to start the ivf injections, it’s all for a short time and you’re done in a month. Your natural body doesn’t close down on you as much as the long protocol would! You’re on the right path, stay positive xx

[Howarth10 in reply to Canadawaterchick]

Thank you very much for your reply. It’s so very helpful 💗

[Howarth10]

Hi, sorry to ask again but the medication is called, Meriofert 375 iu and Fyremadel 0.25 along with Utrogestan. Has anyone ever had any of this medication? Unsure what to expect etc.

Thanks again