Worried about Gonal F symptoms

[Kittykat88]

Hi everyone,

I’ve just started my second round of IVF, after a failed first round. This time I did down regulation for two weeks and started on 300 Gonal F per day, 3 days ago. I’m so happy to be starting again but the Gonal F dose is 100 higher than last time and I’m already feeling very bloated and sore 3 days in. Has anyone else had similar symptoms so early on? Just trying to put my mind at rest as I’m over thinking about the possibly of OHSS . Any advice would be amazing! Xxx

[ZiggyandBC]

Hello! I also did down reg and then 300 Gonal F so sounds pretty similar to my protocol. I did find the Gonal F injections more painful than the down reg and it left my stomach looking like a pin cushion and quite sore but apart from that I only had a few twitches in my ovaries. Hopefully you won’t get any more side effects but it did make me sore too so I feel for you! That protocol worked really well for me, I hope it does for you too. Sending lots of love ❤️

[Kittykat88 in reply to ZiggyandBC]

Hi! Thanks so much for your reply, I’m really pleased to hear the protocol worked well for you, that gives me lots of motivation 🥰Yes the injections are a bit rough aren’t they. Thankfully things seem to have calmed down a bit symptom wise today. It’s crazy how you are so aware of every small twinge and feeling going through this and your mind goes a bit overdrive 😅 Really appreciate your support! All the best xx

[JoyfulStar]

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. I was on a higher dose of Gonal F- 375 over 3 cycles and it usually took over 5 days for me to feel bloated. I never had OHSS even with an extra 25 ius of menopur.

I was only ever on a short protocol and being over 40 my AMH whilst good for my age was quite low. Perhaps your symptoms are a combination of the down regulation meds and the follicle stimulation hormones or maybe you are a great responder?

You could bring up your concerns at your next scan. Some clinics will monitor you closely for OHSS by even carrying out blood tests.

All the best with your cycle

[Kittykat88 in reply to JoyfulStar]

Hi! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. That’s quite a high dose so it’s good to hear you didn’t suffer from too many symptoms. Yes I think you are right about it being a combo of the down reg and then the stims. Perhaps it just hit me a bit hard in the first few days as I don’t feel as uncomfortable today thankfully. I’ll bring it up with the clinic anyway just to be safe and try to remember they know what they are doing haha. Thanks for all your advice, much appreciated 🥰 take care xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Kittykat. Oh dear! Try drinking some extra water just in case your ovaries are working overtime. Hope you soon feel better and all ends well. Diane

[Kittykat88 in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi! Thanks so much ☺️ good advice on the water, have upped my intake now!