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

chocoholic_chick

Hello ladies

Been AWOL a little while, haven't had anything to update you all on up to now really and have felt a bit down so have stayed away from the forum for a while.

Firstly congratulations to PM :j so pleased for you x

So in our news we went for the presentation evening last week, a little overwhelming but useful to know exactly what we'll be going through. Our next appointment is 28th July and we've been told at that appointment we'll be given our treatment timetable and injections and told when to start them etc Is this normally the case? Does anyone know how long it takes from this kind of appointment to the end of your first cycle of treatments? Feeling a little scared of it all now

frozenpenguin

chocoholic - are you on the long protocol or the short protocol?

LP usually starts on CD19 (or thereabouts) and will take about 6-8 weeks from start to finish (finish being when you know whether it's worked or not).

SP usually starts about CD2 or 3 I think? I've always been on the LP so hopefully someone else will be able to help with SP info xx

ETA: It's completely and utterly normal to feel scared! I know it's different for everyone but the only bit of advice I can give is that nothing is as bad as you'll be imagining. It's a pretty trite sentiment but it was kind of true. And remember, you've always got all of us here anytime you need a chat/cry/hug/moan/rant/creme egg xx

chocoholic_chick

They never said anything about long or short protocol to be honest ( and I don't really understand what it is ). Just feels more real and I'm a bit scared about how clinical it now all seems. I know its our only option but still find it hard to accept I guess. Not looking forward to all the potential side effects either, it never even occurred to me they're basically simulating the menopause for some of it!

danielley

Hi all!


I have been off thread since Feb, I just needed some time away from thinking and reading about TTC


First things first OMG PM Congratulations!!!!!


I will do an update later, but just wanted to say hi!


I'm currently down regging and feeling very much in limbo, but this news has cheered me right up!

frozenpenguin

Ooh exciting times danielley! When did you start DR-ing? I can add you to the list of 'cycles currently ongoing' if you like


chocoholic - it sounds like you might be on the long protocol.
The 'long protocol' (LP) and 'short protocol' (SP) are just the names given to two of the most common routes of getting to the same end result (ie. egg collection) .


The way it was explained to us at our clinic was:

SP - for people who have a regular cycle and/or ovulate reliably, starting on CD2 or 3 with drugs to stimulate the lining and follicles in conjunction with your own hormones doing exactly the same as they usually would normally.

LP - for people (like myself) who don't have a regular cycle and/or can't predict ovulation, starting on CD19 usually with drugs to induce a period. From CD21 you'll also be 'down-regulating' (ie. switching off your hormones - the menopause bit) so that by the time AF has come and gone, your body is completely clean of natural hormones and then you can start the stimulating drugs to get a nice thick lining and lots of follicles for egg collection

I know that each clinic is different though and in theory your protocol/plan will be tailored to yourself anyway. All the other lovely ladies - feel free to add/correct stuff or tell me I'm completely wrong


ETA: Not sure whether this'll help at all but I did write a post about what it's like to have IVF on my blog back in March (just after our first failed ICSI cycle). I tried to summarise the science-y stuff into a more readable and understandable format. It's here if you fancy a nosy (or just are curious to see what I look like) http://duck-in-a-dress.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/what-its-like-to-have-ivf.html

danielley

Hi frozenpenguin

Yes please, add me to 'cycles currently ongoing'.

I will catch up on reading over the week, I can imagine there are lots of changes!

tea_lover

I think SP is also used more if you have PCOS, although it seems to vary so much by clinic/doctor. I'm pretty sure we've all been told something completely different

I have completely irregular cycles (anything from 30 to 60 days) and had SP both times as they were worried about over-stimulation (which happened the first time).

frozenpenguin

tea_lover wrote: »

I think SP is also used more if you have PCOS, although it seems to vary so much by clinic/doctor. I'm pretty sure we've all been told something completely different

I have completely irregular cycles (anything from 30 to 60 days) and had SP both times as they were worried about over-stimulation (which happened the first time).

I know, it's so weird how each clinic can vary so differently!

I have PCOS and have been on the LP each time - the reasoning from the consultant was that my body doesn't produce enough of it's own hormones to work with the SP.

It really is a complete mystery how each clinic and doctor can come to different conclusions about the same things

tea_lover

Mad isn't it?! No wonder the results vary so much when we're all being told totally different things.

I reckon they're just making it up as they go along!

frozenpenguin

IVF/ICSI/IUI/FET cycles currently ongoing

• Danielley: Currently down-regging

Picklekin: IVF in June
pinkteapot: IVF LP around 17th July
Fairy dust: Endo scratch in July, IVF in August
frozenpenguin: FET Sept/Oct
Goodvibes: Further treatment Oct/Nov, working on improved SA at present
Isla_red: Further treatment Jan 2015



Ovulation induction
Floaty: Started Clomid (50mg) April while on IVF waiting list. Appointment 31/7/14.
cwtw: Started Clomid March 2014
Jammy26: Started Clomid (50mg) Jan 14. Diagnosed Fibroids, possible hysteroscopy, to be discussed at next appointment 24/7/14
Littleme82: Clomid. HSG looks fine, FS appointment 04/03/14, extended for 3 months.
MrsDavo: Clomid (150mg) and Metformin (1500mg) to try and induce ovulation, Next appt 7/8/14.


Awaiting FS/other appointment or making alternative plans
becks92: Planning to lose 5kg and then get IVF referral
Bigmomma: Referred to Gynae, appt 21/3/14
Carrot34: Waiting to TTC again
Chocoholic_chic: Waiting for ICSI referral appointment
Clevernamehere: Fibroid operation in February, taking a break from TTC.
FairyDiamond: IVF Consultation 3/2/14
Gelly123: Trying naturally
Gettingthereslowly: Appointment 24/6/14
GlasweJen: Surrogacy preparation.
lisawood78: Surrogacy consultation 12/5/14
Lucyloo77: Hysteroscopy. 28/2/14
mrsvicx: Trying naturally
Ruth26: Waiting for a scan then referral to FS. Chasing up DH's SA.
Skaps: Appointment in July
Skint_Catt: Awaiting referral for pituitary growth
Smookle: IVF/ICSI referral Jan 2014
vesper: Appt July 2014.
Wonder_Woman: Investigating drugs for DH


Recent graduates:

• Part Mouse: IUI. Stims (Menopur) 24/4. IUI 31/5 12/06/14 (and 13/06/14 & 14/06/14! )
• emmaj30: Natural 21/05/14
• loveactually: LP. DR (Buserelin) 14/2. Stims 10/03. EC 26/3, 8 eggs collected, 2 fertilised. 1x5d ET 31/3. 11/04/14
• Star02: ICSI SP. Stims 5/3. EC 17/3, 17 eggs collected, 14 fertilised. 1x5d ET 22/3. 31/03/14
• Angeltreats: Natural 28/03/14
• Tinkwings: Monitored cycle. 23/03/14
• Chickpea: Natural 21/03/14
• Sewit: IVF LP. DR 13/1 Prostap. AMH4, Gonal F 375. Endo Scratch 3/1 (CD12). EC 10/02. 17 eggs, 8 embies. ET 13/2. 2x3dET 13/2. 26/02/14
• Whattodonow: IVF LP. DR 15/12. Stims 4/1. EC 17/1. 19 eggs collected, 16 fertilised. 1x5dET 22/1. 225iu Merional 02/02/14
• Time2deal: ICSI SP. Stims 3/1. EC 15/1. 9 eggs collected. 5 fertilised. 1x5dET 20/01 AMH 6.6. 450iu Menopur + Centrotide. 01/02/14
• Peonie: IVF SP. Stim 1/1. EC 15/1. 13 eggs collected. 8 fertilized. 1x5dET 20/01. 31/01/14
• teaandcakeordeath: Natural from 'just relaxing'! 26/01/14
• Purcy81: Natural 7/12/2013
• Derby2: Long Protocol IVF 1/12/2013