Next steps after 1st IVF consultation? When do you Start to take meds in your cycle advice…

[Ree_Laine]

Hey lovelies,

So any advice would really help me. I’ve had such a long ride to get to this point. My partner and I were approved NHS ivf funding in March 2021 (male factor Azoospermia) and it was a long waiting list (9 month wait). We, get to December and my partners sperm retrieval surgery is unsuccessful so we have to go down the donor route. This delays treatment as now we have to look for our donor. We move in to 2022 and our clinic tells us they’re shutting down due to a lack of staff and more importantly they’re down to 1-2 embryologists in the whole hospital. So after an additional 6 month wait this year we have finally been transferred to another clinic that will be fast tracking us to start treatment ASAP. All in all it’s been about a year and a half just waiting and my mental health has been on an awful roller coaster. My partner and I went to our 1st consultation at the new clinic 10 days ago, they have all our notes from the previous clinic and they said yep we’re ready to go and start next month. They said a nurse would phone to go over my treatment plan. I’m so anxious it’s been nearly 2 weeks and no one has phoned me. I’ve been calling and leaving messages to ask if I could have an update and as you can imagine with the NHS it’s just been super slow. I don’t know what to expect now 😔I’ve got it in my head that we’re not ever going to start this process. Surely someone should contact you to let you know what protocol you’re having and I would think I’d have to let them know when day 1 of my next period is etc. I’m feeling so helpless I’m just having to wait now until someone dares to care and replies to me with a phone call or email. Can anyone advise what protocol is commonly used and how soon I’d start taking medication or injections? Thanks xx

[LizzieBW]

Oh gosh what a stress all the waiting plus being moved around. It's the stop, start that gets your hopes up and then usual lack of comms from clinic can just so easily cause anxiety so it's no wonder you're having a tough time.

No-one will be able to help advise with your protocol question though unfortunately as there are so many variations and different clinics so tbings differently too. Some people do a long protocol with a down regulation phase where they take meds to suppress natural hormones for x amount of weeks before their stimulation meds then might be on stim meds for 2ish weeks from say day 7 of the next cycle, some are on short protocol and just begin their cycle from day 1 of a period, all will include personalised doses of stimulation meds where some are on +2 different kinds of meds that compliment one another, sometimes they add a medication to stop you ovulating prematurely. That's all even before you think about treating specific factors for infertility from blood results.

Hope this sheds a little light that it's such a minefield. However, there's a fab website that talks you through the ivf process so possibly parts of that might help inform. The Duff - theduff.co.uk/ivf-process-s...

I so hope your clinic return your calls asap to put your mind at ease. Knowing what's to come in treatment can help a little. Good luck xx

[Ree_Laine in reply to LizzieBW]

Hi Lizzie, thanks for your reply. Yes it’s just that! I’ve had so much anxiety before even starting treatment and it’s the uncertainty every step of the way. Whilst I’m thankful we have the ivf funding I wish we could have gone private because the stress is very overwhelming on top of facing infertility. Now that you mention the short protocol it does ring a bell. The doctor also mentioned that a particular drug was out of stock worldwide and that the protocol that the previous clinic were advising was a freeze all but they will be going down a less harsh route in terms of medication and a fresh cycle. If it gets to a week without hearing back from the nurse I’ll get PALS involved to assist. Thank you again and I’m going to read the link you provided I really appreciate it xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to LizzieBW]

Hi Lizzie. Please no advertising unless by DM/PM. The site you mentioned is not fully regulated. Take care. Diane

[LizzieBW in reply to DianeArnold]

Oh sorry, Diane. I've seem many women recommended it on here before so honestly didn't realise it wasn't permitted. My sincere apologies. X

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Ree_Laine. Your clinic will obviously clarify this for you, but usually you tell them the day your period starts and commence treatment on Day 21. Good luck! Diane

[Ree_Laine in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi Diane, thank you for replying and giving me your advice. I wasn’t sure if I’d start treatment on day 1 or day 21 so really wanted a nurse to advise me of my next steps. I start my period in 2 days so it was worrying as I’ve not been given any instructions as of yet on when to contact them. I’m assuming I may start on my next period next month instead?

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Ree_Laine]

Hi. Yes, but you must get clinic to clarify so you understand what you are doing. Good luck! Diane