A few questions about IVF - help!

[luthien]

So I'm a complete newbie here! I have posted before; giving an intro on myself. I'll summarise.

I am 36, been diagnosed with endometriosis about three years ago, had symptoms I suspect as endometriosis for about 20 years. I've just recovered from my third surgery, and had my 3 week post op follow up. My specialist excised all the endometriosis, dye in tubes all fine, ovaries fine (once an endometrial cyst was removed). This surgery was to check how everything was looking in preparation for possible IVF as we've been trying naturally for over 2 years ish. My cycles are regular (until my op which makes sense). My GP has only just noticed that my TSH levels are high, my endometriosis specialist has highlighted this could be Hashimoto's so I have pushed for my GP to do further tests.

My hubby is doing his sperm test thingy tomorrow morning, we have our consultation with our fertility specialist tomorrow afternoon. My endometriosis specialist says he's good friends (workplace) with her so they'll have a meeting about my case if required. I'll take my letters from him. What will be talked about in my consultation with the fertility specialist tomorrow? She won't have any results yet from the sperm test, or my additional thyroid ones from my GP as annoyingly I can't have those done until the end of this week. I'm worried and scared of IVF as it feels so final, I hate needles, I don't want to make my endometriosis come back (it needed repeat surgery in under 3 years), the egg collection sounds scary; mini op and half a day to recover. Help, any advice / tips / help to calm nerves would be much appreciated.

We're having this all done privately, our fertility specialist does have interests in endometriosis etc, hormone problems etc, so hopefully that's good. How long will it take from first consultation to starting the process? I had my excision laparoscopy about three weeks ago, just on my first period which is awful but I knew that. So I've not had a full cycle after my lap, will they want to wait for a few normal cycles.

I have an app which I log cycles, basal temp, symptoms, sex, lh tests, pregnancy tests, periods etc, would it be useful to mention that? It's an approved ttc and tta app (depending on a user setting).

Should we have any questions planned to ask?

Help!

[SR90]

Hey, so I can’t really comment on anything about your surgery or endometriosis I’m afraid as I haven’t experienced that.

From what I remember, my first consultation was to talk about any tests results you do have, the treatment they would recommend for you and what medication/protocol. It’s also a perfect time to ask questions.

I can’t say I’m a fan of needles but I don’t hate them. I got my partner to do my first few but then I had to start doing them myself, it was really straight forward so please don’t panic.

Having time off- I have side effects with meds but nothing I couldn’t carry on everyday life with. I had the day of egg collection off but honestly, it was a breeze! I was so nervous but I left the clinic feeling like they hadn’t even done anything. I had minor cramping and nauseous feeling the rest of the day but I went to back to work the following day.

I had my consultation at the end of August and didn’t actually start treatment until December but that was my choice. This is something you can ask at your consultation.

I don’t think they will want the info from your app. Once they have seen tests results they will understand why you’re having ivf and advise you what to do.

They may advise you to start taking supplements prior to starting any treatment, my clinic recommended this.

I would write a full list of questions but you will probably find they will cover everything anyway.

Good luck x

[McQueeny]

Hello I have no experience with endometriosis, so can’t comment on any of that.

But as for IVF, though I completely understand the anxiety, try not to think of it as final - it’s the opposite, it’s the next step in your journey to a new beginning....?

As for the process itself, it will obviously depend on your personal protocol, but I didn’t find it that bad physically. Needles aren’t fun but I got used to them very quickly, and after the first couple of days started doing them on my own. We each react to the hormones differently, but in my case I just felt bloated rather than unwell in any way.

The egg collection itself is scary when you think about it, but it’s really not that bad - yes, they put you under sedation, but you recuperate quickly and don’t remember anything, and I just found I felt a bit nauseous from the section drugs and needed to have an easy day....

Try and focus on each step at a time - and be good to yourself, try and relax. And keep busy as much as you can - it’s impossible not to obsess (at least it was for me!) but try and distract yourself as much as possible .... good luck 🤞 x