The Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Conceive when its just not happening (12m+)

Runnerduck

tea_lover wrote: »

Ladies I am freaking out - please help me!!

The hospital have just called and said as I have PCOS they're worried about the possibility of OHSS, so think short protocol might be a good idea. So far so good - but I've been down regging for 2 weeks already and am on CD2 (after AF turned up yesterday in truly spectacular fashion).

How does that work? We only get one go at this and I feel like it's been wrecked already. Am so upset. And tbh a bit annoyed at the hospital, it's not like the PCOS is new. Why didn't they think about this before I started the injections?!

Have got an appt tomorrow afternoon to discuss it but am so confused. I'll be seeing the nurse I spoke to today (who also did our intro session) and she doesn't explain things too well. She's lovely, but I guess she thinks we all know what's going on and she rushes through it a bit.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom? Can I change protocols half-way through? Will I need to scrap this cycle altogether? Which protocol gives me the best chance of good quality eggs? How high is the OHSS risk?

Don't know what to do!

hi, i don't know if its ay help but i have done both protocols and the short was much better for us, as i started stimming on day 3 of AF with no downregging first. I know the short protocol is used on older ladies or if you have low amh or are a poor responder usually. i got more eggs and a better result on the short, but i'm afraid i know very little about PCOS as it one thing i havent got good luck tomorrow

time2deal

Hi TL,
Can't really advise, other than a lady on another forum I go on got OHSS and said it really was horrific, so I would listen to them.

You should ask tomorrow if there are lower chances of success with the short protocol. Ask the risk of OHSS, and be clear to them that this is your only chance, so if you have to wait to recover between EC and implantation then you are ok with that.

It may be better to wait and do a FET if it's possible (bear in mind there is a risk in freezing and defrosting, so only do it if you have a number of embryos) so that you can go as 'hard' as possible for this cycle. I have heard someone say FET's are included in your IVF cycle.

This sounds like I know what I am talking about, but I'm just saying what I would ask. Bring a notebook with you, and write down what the nurse says. That forces her to slow down, as you say 'wait, let me write that - can you confirm spelling.' pause 'ok, I think I understand that, now tell me the next bit again'. or ask a question, as you will have had a moment to think.

tea_lover

Runnerduck wrote: »

hi, i don't know if its ay help but i have done both protocols and the short was much better for us, as i started stimming on day 3 of AF with no downregging first. I know the short protocol is used on older ladies or if you have low amh or are a poor responder usually. i got more eggs and a better result on the short, but i'm afraid i know very little about PCOS as it one thing i havent got good luck tomorrow

Thank you so much for the info, feel v out of my depth. It really means a lot that you've taken the time to post, particularly with how things are for you at the moment xx.

Am 34, not sure if that's old or not really. Have never had amh tested so not sure on that. I didn't really respond to clomid, but this is the first ICSI so no idea what my response to this will be.

If they'd suggested short to start with I'd have thought it was great - less injections! Am just a bit (well, a lot) annoyed that they didn't mention it until I'd done 15 days of down-regging and was already bleeding.

Will just have to wait and see what they say tomorrow. I think the most annoying thing tbh is that this has wrecked my trust in them. I just don't feel confident anymore that they know what they're doing.

time2deal

TL,

I'm going to say the most useless, hated comment ever, which is - you need to relax.

You can't change your hospital now, and you are reliant on the advice of experienced professionals. IVF does work for many people, and they will know what is best, and you stressing and worrying (especially googling) won't help now.

I'm not saying they are perfect, but this is one of those 'accept the things you cannot change' times.

Can I recommend Acupuncture? Or anything that helps you relax. Long walks in the cold to wear yourself out, good (non BD) s3x... I'd love to say wine, but probably not a good idea!

Sorry if this sounds condescending, but stress is a real problem with IVF, and hopefully you can work out how best you can cope with these few weeks. We are here to help!

fluffnutter

I echo t2d's comments, tea lover. Trust your clinic - if they think you're better off with a short protocol cycle then that's what they'll shift you to, even if it means a short break and starting again. All is not lost.

My clinic always went for the short protocol first because they felt it was hormonally kinder. Both long and short protocol have similar success rates - it really does depend on the woman and how she responds.

Have faith that they'll do what's right for you. Because they will. You really want to avoid OHSS at all costs - it's nasty.

QQuaver

Mrs.Happy, yay for the eggy!:j

tea_lover wrote: »

How high is the OHSS risk?

I had short protocol when I was 39, but had OHSS with that anyway:silenced:

I was old, and my PCOS was only a PCO, but my AMH was high. Nasty thing OHSS, never want to go through that again.

Primmer

MrsHappy - that's good news, wishing you every luck with embryo transfer and the wait.

TL - I know it is frustrating but it is usual for things to change through the treatment and the clinic will be acting in your best interest. I do understand how you feel though when do much is riding on it you want it to be right but try to relax.

mrshappy

Thanks ladies, I am doing my best to keep calm and relaxed.

TL- I don't have any advice for you, and can only imagine your frustration. I think that a lot of treatment is "go with the flow" type and things can change-I was given a sheet with expected timings of my treatment and ended up with the collection being a week earlier than expected due to my hormone levels and the follicle sizes.

Derby2

Good afternoon everyone-happy Friday!

How are you doing MrsH? When are you expecting to hear from them?

TL-when's your appointment today? I hope you manage to get all the info you want!

Lilymay-Moan away...we all have our moments and we're here to support and understand each other through good and bad!

I've think AF will be coming very soon-I'm feeling bubbly and crampy. I just wish she would arrive, as I treated myself to a CBFM yesterday. It's nice to do something different!

VK-2008

What is cbmf? And ohss
I'm so bad at these things