Feeling like a balloon

[BlueTrip]

We just finished day 12 of stims and follicles seem to have responded ok (although I have no point of reference for what a good number is). I have 26 follicles at 17-25mm and around 10 smaller ones they said might catch up. I took my trigger injection last night and egg retrieval is booked for Monday. I’m feeling super bloated and getting some internal bladder irrritation too. Is there anything I can do to naturally un-balloon myself? The clinic say I’m at high risk of OHSS too so if anyone has any tips to deflate I’d really appreciate it🙏 or if anyone has a similar experience, how painful was OHSS and what should I watch out for?

[Buttonmoon84]

Sorry to hear you are feeling so uncomfortable. I’m assuming the clinic have advised a frozen transfer? Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and electrolyte drinks, try and move about when you can.

I’m no expert here, but have just been through late onset OHSS after a successful fresh transfer. For me it started at around 6 weeks with general bloating, burny feeling in my tummy and generally feeling unwell. But I knew it was serious with I developed a stabbing pain in my side, which radiated into my back. The pain got so bad I needed to be hospitalised and monitored for 3 nights. This happened again a week or so later. After a month of OHSS, I think (I hope) I’m over the worst and my ovaries have thankfully shrunk back down now. They were 15cm when I first admitted to hospital and now are around 8cm. I wasn’t necessarily a text book case, I only had 11 eggs retrieved, AMH 21, bmi 28 and I’m in 40.

I would advise you to keep a close eye on it, especially after egg collection and if you develop any pain, difficulty weeing, sudden bloating, vomiting, that you go to a&e straight away or call your early pregnancy/ gynaecology department. Tell them you think you have OHSS. I was discharged on my first visit and they said I was fine, but came back the next day as it was worse. I wish I had been more persistent with them on my first visit.

Good luck, I hope you feel better and egg collection goes well.

[BlueTrip in reply to Buttonmoon84]

Thanks so much this is really helpful - so sorry that you went through that, sounds very painful! Yes frozen transfer so just going to wait for everything to calm down before looking at next steps. Good luck on your journey xx

[Buttonmoon84 in reply to BlueTrip]

Thank you! Hopefully you will feel a bit better after the egg retrieval tomorrow, your ovaries are going to be massive right now, so it could just be that. Just keep your eye on it towards the end of the week. You might want to measure your tummy after the retrieval and every day and if you see a sudden increase then let the clinic know.

Good luck

[PinkLuck]

Hi BlueTrip, I’m sorry to hear you’re so uncomfortable! I had OHSS too. We decided to do a frozen transfer and skip the fresh for my safety! It feels like so a blow but having been admitted to hospital, I’m glad we skipped the fresh transfer!

I’d say the best advice I was given was to have a low threshold to go to the hospital. Drink water and then more water and then more! Manage your pain with paracetamol but if and when it gets too bad for paracetamol to dull the pain, head to the hospital and request a drip and some stronger pain relief! But remember to keep moving, short walks were great for me!

For reference, I’m 30 with AMH 24 and we collected 19 eggs.

Make sure you look after yourself and take it easy! I wish you all the best and a speedy debloat! Xx

[BlueTrip in reply to PinkLuck]

Thank you this is really helpful - so sorry to hear you ended up in hospital. Very reassuring to read your words and will definitely keep a low threshold. Wishing you all the best on your fertility journey too x

[PinkLuck in reply to BlueTrip]

How did you get on at your EC? I hope yourself feeling ok and resting lots! Eat lots of protein to help you heal!x

[BlueTrip in reply to PinkLuck]

Thanks so much for checking in. ER went well - was in quite a lot of pain yesterday but feeling miles better today. Got 19 eggs, 15 mature and 12 fertilised so now waiting the 5 days to see what grows. Going to eat lots of protein and rest - thanks for everything

[PinkLuck in reply to BlueTrip]

Amazing!! Sending growing vibes to your little embabies! Keep us all posted! X

[Eloquentia]

Hi! Similar to you, I had 26 follicles (they turned out to be 32 on egg collection day), PCOS and developed OHSS around day 5 after egg collection. The thing to watch out for is the abdominal pain getting worse after collection and there are quite characteristic painful cramps. My clinic told me to go on a protein-rich diet to help absorb the extra liquid and to take a few (3-5) protein shakes or protein yoghurts a day to help absorb the liquid that was building up. I also drank sports drinks with electrolytes. Hot water bottle helped, paracetamol less so. We did a freeze all and the OHSS resolves itself in a few days when my period came. As far as we were told, OHSS after stimulations tends to be mild to moderate and is not too worry some. The severe one develops after successful implantation due to the doubling HCG. So hang in there. Fingers crossed that you don't get it and seriously consider a freeze all to give yourself the best chance of conceiving later!

[BlueTrip in reply to Eloquentia]

Thank you so much for replying - and sorry to hear you developed OHSS. Egg collection today so going to watch out for these symptoms and will follow your tips for protein, electrolytes etc - thank you! We’re definitely going to freeze any we get today so hopefully will give my body enough time to rest pre FET in a few months - thanks for your advice and wishing you all the best on your fertility journey!

[Eloquentia in reply to BlueTrip]

Thank you! The many follicles and associated complications were worth it for us in the end. We have a baby girl from our second FET. Fingers crossed those eggs bring you your rainbow baby too!