OHSS Recovery - IVF

[Hopelilly]

Hi all,

I got OHSS, 5 days after fresh transfer and hospitalised for 6 days and then it is two weeks I stayed at home, they drained 4 liters of water, after almost 3 weeks my ovaries are still big and i have pain, it still looks like i am 6 months pregnant, now my HCG is high and ultrasound shows I am pregnant, However I am really struggling with the pain and the size, has anyone had similar experiences? If so, how long recovery time was for you? Appreciate any advice

Thanks

P.S: I am 38 and I only had 6 eggs and as doctor said I had no sign of OhSS before the transfer

[Tashaw1325]

congratulations on positive test 🎉.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but it is draining. I had severe ohss, I was hospitalised for 12 days, fluid in my abdomen and lungs, at the time I thought I couldn’t do it anymore! I looked 6 months pregnant at 5 weeks, people in the hospital were asking me how long I had left 🥴. When I was discharged and finally left the house (I didn’t want to go anywhere, cos I didn’t want people to think I was pregnant) I felt like I had to hide my stomach, we ended up announcing pregnancy earlier that we hoped so I didn’t have to hide anymore. I’m now 13 weeks pregnant, my ovaries are still big and I still don’t know if I’m recovered or if it’s pregnancy symptoms, I still can’t sleep properly but the pain has subsided.

In the hospital and fertility clinic after I’d been discharged I felt like nobody was listening to me about how I was feeling and felt like I was on my own (obviously had partner and family support), but I was scared and didn’t know who to turn to professionally, nobody seemed to care. If it’s still painful with you just keep on to the hospital that you were in or your fertility clinic, and make sure they listen to you!

But it does get better, hang in there. I don’t recommend ohss, it’s no fun ☹️. Xx

[Hopelilly in reply to Tashaw1325]

Thank you so much for your reply, congratulations also to you for the pregnancy hope you will have smooth and healthy pregnancy till the last day,

Sorry to hear you also had that difficult situation, i feel you ☹️ hearing someone had the same situation is at least give that feeling I am not alone…I exactly have the same feeling that dont want anyone see mee, each day i think it will gone by tomorrow, my doctor said first, it lasts for 2 weeks and now she says wait for 2 more weeks, but hearing from you I should face with the reality and accept the situation,

I am so tired of this OhSS that even I can’t celebrate being pregnant, never thought it goes to this direction ☹️

Thanks again

[Blahblahblahxxx]

I'm so sorry OHSS is no joke! I didn't get it as bad, I had moderate OHSS and managed to stay out of hospital but my goodness was it uncomfortable. The HCG makes it worse so bitter sweet I know.

For me the OHSS symptoms just gradually just merged into pregnancy symptoms/bump so I'm not really sure when the change was. I was told my ovaries were still enlarged on my 12 week scan but by that point you couldn't really tell the difference between baby or ovaries.

It does gradually subside so just hang in there!

[Hopelilly in reply to Blahblahblahxxx]

thanks a lot for your reply, hearing what is the reality help me to prepare myself better and accept the situation as in my mind i think suddenly I become better and all will gone… but that is not true

Wishing you healthy days ahead

[Doivf2024]

so sorry to hear this! I hope you feel better soon! ❤️ I also had a similar experience, I’ve just got out of hospital with OHSS! I’m 5 weeks 4 days, but terrified because when I was on the gynae ward they checked my HCG and it barely increased at all in 3 days… i’m physically much better now but emotionally really struggling. Apparently OHSS can throw off your HCG results? But I don’t know if I dare be hopeful or not! Did anyone mention anything about HCG levels to you guys? Xxx

[Hopelilly in reply to Doivf2024]

They have not checked my HCG daily so i cannot comment properly but weekly they checked and they said it is incresed, my doctor said OHSS does not have any bad effect on the pregnancy and the baby, all risks are for the mother and her health-

I hope all will be OK for you in your next check up

[Doivf2024 in reply to Hopelilly]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate you sharing your experience.

Wishing you all the best too! X

[AB2795]

Hi! It’s been helpful to read your recent experiences of OHSS, I’m currently suffering with it too and it started 5 days post transfer for me. Feeling very lucky to have a positive test (which appears to have caused the OHSS).

I have been in and out of hospital twice and i am being monitored carefully.

Do you mind me asking if you have experienced the severe stomach cramps at night time? The only way I can describe the feeling is like extreme trapped wind or the stomach cramps you get with food poisoning/serious sickness bug. I’m having to sleep sat up to prevent it, but I still find it can become excruciating.

I’ve been reading up and have seen recommendations for electrolyte drinks, has anyone else tried these?

Wishing you all the best with your recovery for OHSS and congratulations on your pregnancy!

[Hopelilly in reply to AB2795]

Hi!

also congratulations to you for your positive pregnancy,

Yes i had and still have this stomach cramp and pain it is getting slowly better, but i also cannot sleep well… Yesterday my doctor said my ovaries are still big but there is very low amount of water in my abdomen, she said all the pain is beacuse of the size of ovaries- (now 4 weeks passed after transfer) she said it may take more weeks- maybe 4- that ovaries back to the notmal size and we cannot do anything for that to speed up the situation …

I never tried electrolytes drinks but protein shake and drinking water a lot and natural juice, just to help my body to not get worse,

Wishing you also fast recovery, we feel each other… it is hard

[AB2795 in reply to Hopelilly]

Thanks for your reply, it’s reassuring to hear from someone else who is experiencing this too, and to know that things will get better in time.

I’m the same as you with the fluid, in my abdomen area too, they said that this, alongside the swollen ovaries can cause the pain. It just feels a bit worrying alongside a pregnancy doesn’t it!

Good to know about the protein shakes, I’ll have some of these and I’ll ask the fertility clinic about the electrolytes.

Did you experience the shoulder pain too?

I just keep reminding myself how all of this will be so worth it and thinking of the end result 🤞👶

[Hopelilly in reply to AB2795]

No I dont have shoulders pain- but back pain specifically when I sleep,

Yes you are right! With all difficulties we have, thinking about the end result and positive part is healing and hopefully we pass all these weeks safe, 🤞🤞