Lymphatic drainage massage pre-treatment?

[Darcy1996]

Hi all - hoping someone might know more about this than I do.

I am due to have my baseline scan this Friday (11th) and then subject to their agreement, start our next round of stims on Monday 14th.

I have been working super hard with my diet between rounds so since June , and worked with an acupuncturist for inflammation and relaxation, and a nutritionist on my supplements, inflammation and managing my IBS, so I am trying to stay in a hopeful place and know that I've worked hard for this next round 💜

I am still super bloated - although way better than I was, as I no longer feel like bubble wrap to pop or the Stay Puff Marshmallow man - and my algorithms must be telling the social media overlords this, as I keep seeing a high profile lymphatic drainage masseur advertised. They're pretty punchy price-wise 🥊so I have researched locally and found someone with good reviews and a better price for my budget. I have booked for this weekend, ahead of starting stims.

So, the Internet expert - you know them, Doctor Google - seems to say - as does the therapist - that a lymphatic drainage massage is not only ok for IVF but potentially good - my hope is that it'll shift any remaining toxins in my system before going into pumping-up-these-follicles-stage. Does anyone have any experience trying one - did you like it/hate it? find it beneficial?

Best,

Natalie

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. Do you actually have lymphedema. I have only heard of it post surgery and trauma. Speak to your specialist to enlighten you. Good luck with rhe cycle.Diame

[Darcy1996 in reply to DianeArnold]

I don't no - it was suggested to help with toxin-flushing. I absolutely might be grabbing at straws and Micky Mouse hocus pocus thanks Diane

[Rubylou01]

Hi Natalie - never heard of a lymphatic masseuse but hope the appointment goes well - and if you're willing to share your experience I'd be keen to hear as a fellow IBS IVFer! Thank you xx

[Darcy1996 in reply to Rubylou01]

Definitely! I’ll let you know as I feel like we’ve got double bloating to cope with! 💜

[Merrybrickhelper]

Hello! I am currently in my second cycle of IVF; transfer is going to be Saturday all being well.

I had LMD just as I started to down regulate and then another session one day after egg collection.

Both times I found it incredibly relaxing and maybe placebo but it I feel it helped my body manage the stress of down regulation and stimming (ended up with 26 eggs collected, my first round was 9) and also post collection; no OHSS yet currently! I’ve also got a lot less pain from recovery this time even though they collected more eggs. I’m not as bloated either after it.

For me, I’m glad I had it and all the research I read said it can be really beneficial! Good luck x

[Darcy1996 in reply to Merrybrickhelper]

Hi and thanks for your reply - best of luck for transfer day! My goodness, 26 eggs and no OHSS? 👏🏻 well done your strong ovaries & strong you! Did you have a course during down regs or am individual session? We are having PGTA testing so have time between EC & any FET so if I like it, I’m hoping to also use it as a way to help my body clear the stims drugs as I felt like a hormonal water balloon after EC, 🎈 felt like it took such a long time for my withdrawal bleed to come so my body could recover.

Sorry one last question- was your practitioner someone with ivf knowledge/specialism?

Thanks so much & everything crossed for your transfer!

[Merrybrickhelper in reply to Darcy1996]

Hello,

I just had a session. She’s pretty booked up and both times I was on the waiting list and managed to get the spot on what I felt was perfect timing! I particularly enjoyed the one I had on Tuesday (my egg collection was Monday!) she is not a specialist but knows a lot about it and has treated women in the past.

Water balloon is how I felt after my first ivf cycle - but I don’t know if it was have LMD or my body knowing what to expect this time but I feel like I’ve coped much better this time round despite the fact I had a lot of eggs. My baseline scan before I started stimming showed 16 on my left follicle and 8 on my right before I had even started stimming. 26 were collected, 6 eggs were immature. All 20 fertilised but two eggs had two sperm enter so they couldn’t use. I found out yesterday that I have 16 still going. Cried and cried because my first cycle was so different, this feels a lot more positive.

My clinic doesn’t contact now (once they’ve decided it’s definitely going to be a day 5 transfer) So all I know is 16 made it to day 2 and nothing else! Hopefully they’ll be still fine for Saturday.

Good luck to you too! Hope the scan and starting stimming goes well! Xxxx

[Darcy1996 in reply to Merrybrickhelper]

just phenomenal numbers so to have 16 still going is amazing! <3