Any Aussie ladies starting IVF?

[eveclo]

Hi Ladies,

Congratulations on all of the new pregnancies!

I'm still not pregnant, but have moved to Regional VIC and hoping to do a cycle here. The new doctor (we are in Albury-Wodonga) has suggested we do a cycle with a higher dosage of Gonal F and also do that longer cycle where i sniff that stuff (great description) and i'm on the pill etc. Also suggested I have a hysteroscopy and after ET take prednisolone and clexane (if my bloods indicate that this is necessary). So we will see how that goes. Hoping for a cycle soon just depending on work schedules.

Sorry not hoping for the pity party but more to try and meet some more australian ivfers on this journey for some moral support!

 

[Take2]

Hi eveclo, are you seeing Scott Giltrap? The staff down there are lovely, is the nurse June still there? I did the long one with the syneral spray, that stuff gave me the worst hot flushes. Good luck and if you need any advice I will try my best to help

 

[Maddy40]

Oh Take boy do I know that 'what if' feeling At least you know you don't have to make an immediate decision (2 cents worth from the 43 year old ).

Eveclo sounds like a long down-reg cycle, that's how we got our boy. Worst bit of all is Clexane (I had to have it for 6 weeks after his birth, not as part of IVF) it's yuk

Miss Red 10.5kg wow you must have great arm and back muscles L is 7.5kg and that is enough for me

 

[eveclo]

Hi eveclo, are you seeing Scott Giltrap? The staff down there are lovely, is the nurse June still there? I did the long one with the syneral spray, that stuff gave me the worst hot flushes. Good luck and if you need any advice I will try my best to help

Yes Take!!! I believe it was you who recommended me to him. I had the appointment recently and was impressed. He's different to what i am used to but it may be just what i need. I just find it hard to find strength and belief in IVF after our 2 fresh failed/2 failed fet's. Especially considering I'm only early 20's! Just find it a bit hard to keep going when everything has been good previously, if that makes sense. June is definitely still there, she was very helpful in explaining what the cycle would entail. I have the syneral in my cupboard just waiting for me to start the cycle when i choose to. I also have the script for the pill too. I hope i don't get many symptoms!!! Have you only ever done the down-reg? What difference does it usually make to a cycle? My doctor in Brissy never even mentioned it, apart from just to say we won't be doing it. Interesting

Oh Take boy do I know that 'what if' feeling At least you know you don't have to make an immediate decision (2 cents worth from the 43 year old ).

Eveclo sounds like a long down-reg cycle, that's how we got our boy. Worst bit of all is Clexane (I had to have it for 6 weeks after his birth, not as part of IVF) it's yuk

Miss Red 10.5kg wow you must have great arm and back muscles L is 7.5kg and that is enough for me

Hi Maddy, how did you find the down-reg? I'm trying to keep an open mind, just a bit nervous to have that hysteroscopy and scatch, can't remember if i will be knocked out or just chillin'!

Clexane was mentioned in my appointment, i believe it was only necessary for me if i had a blood clotting factor - does that sound about right?

thanks for the replies!! 4

 

[Take2]

Eveclo- Yes Scott is a character, he is part time specialist part time cattle breeder, he has the biggest hands I have ever seen, seems more suited to cows then women lol. Very down to earth and a straight shooter tho so you know where you stand. So long since I did my down reg cycle, I only did IVF once so I have never done a short protocol, I believe the long protocol produces better quality eggs. I think the risk of hyper stim is higher tho so make sure you follow all the advice. I found the spray gave me headaches and hot flushes and it burns the hell out of your nose, I called it the fire spray lol. My only complaint about Albury reproductive was their method for determining ovulation, I was advised to do the LH urine test in the morning which gave me a positive but I was sure I wasn't ovulating. I looked up the manufacturers website and it said not to test with the first morning urine as it can give false positives. I debated this over the phone with the nurse who finally agreed to have me do a blood test, and sure enough my LH wasn't elevated so the urine test was wrong. This was only an issue for our IUI and frozen transfer because obviously for the fresh cycle they transferred the embryo 2 days later but I was annoyed that their advice contradicted the test manufacturers instruction. It pays to be proactive and listen to your intuition sometimes. Good luck with it all

 

[eveclo]

Eveclo- Yes Scott is a character, he is part time specialist part time cattle breeder, he has the biggest hands I have ever seen, seems more suited to cows then women lol. Very down to earth and a straight shooter tho so you know where you stand. So long since I did my down reg cycle, I only did IVF once so I have never done a short protocol, I believe the long protocol produces better quality eggs. I think the risk of hyper stim is higher tho so make sure you follow all the advice. I found the spray gave me headaches and hot flushes and it burns the hell out of your nose, I called it the fire spray lol. My only complaint about Albury reproductive was their method for determining ovulation, I was advised to do the LH urine test in the morning which gave me a positive but I was sure I wasn't ovulating. I looked up the manufacturers website and it said not to test with the first morning urine as it can give false positives. I debated this over the phone with the nurse who finally agreed to have me do a blood test, and sure enough my LH wasn't elevated so the urine test was wrong. This was only an issue for our IUI and frozen transfer because obviously for the fresh cycle they transferred the embryo 2 days later but I was annoyed that their advice contradicted the test manufacturers instruction. It pays to be proactive and listen to your intuition sometimes. Good luck with it all

Ooo very interesting and thank you for the advice! Can't believe about the LH strips, after years of TTC we usually know our own bodies better than anyone else anyway! Just gotta follow your gut i guess

I literally just checked the mail and had a letter from them, Apparently my thyroid Free T4 level has come back a little low, its 10.5 and apparently the normal is pmol/L 12.0-22.0. I have tried googling it but all the levels are saying different things/that it is normal. I don't know if my old clinic did this test or not. Hmm. They are closed now but I will ring tomorrow to double check what the go is. Hope it's nothing too serious! Doesn't seem too far off the 12.0 mark so hopefully all is good! My TSH is good though so i guess that is a bonus.

Wonderful about the better quality eggs, we always seem to have crappy quality embryos. Our old clinic used a grading scale of 1-5 with 1 being the best 5 being the worst and ours were always a 3. (With 3 day transfers) Which is pretty disappointing! Hopefully we get answers though that are Easily fixed

Thank you so much for your help, it really helps to know that you have been through it all with the same clinic.

 

[Miss Redknob]

:wave: Eveclo, So nice to hear from you

I did a long down reg cycle BCP, Syneral, Stimming, EPU, Clexane and Aspirin. I found it so hard as I spotting the whole time, which they said was breakthrough bleeding, and the Syneral spray was a killer with the headaches, but I don't regret it one bit

I have also started taking CoQ10 for better egg quality I have read heaps about it and a lot of people have success with it I am going in for EPU on the 14th Nov, so I'm in it with you xx

 

[Maddy40]

Eveclo, so lots of us have down long down-regs. In my case a looooonnnng down-reg because I was a bit slow in responding I had no major side effects from the meds, didn't even put on weight. But I didn't sniff- Syneral is apparently the headachey one as others have noted. The Clexane gave me huge bruises, it's a very 'stingy' med and I found the injection site hurt for a few minutes. I looked like a pincushion after a few days! Yes it's an anti-clotting med - I had surgery after my son was born and took Clexane to alleviate the risk of post-surgical clots.

 

[eveclo]

Eveclo, so lots of us have down long down-regs. In my case a looooonnnng down-reg because I was a bit slow in responding I had no major side effects from the meds, didn't even put on weight. But I didn't sniff- Syneral is apparently the headachey one as others have noted. The Clexane gave me huge bruises, it's a very 'stingy' med and I found the injection site hurt for a few minutes. I looked like a pincushion after a few days! Yes it's an anti-clotting med - I had surgery after my son was born and took Clexane to alleviate the risk of post-surgical clots.

They gave me a blood test to see if i would 'require' clexane, and i haven't heard back. I'll ask at the next appointment. Oh god, i hope i don't get headaches! (I already get really awful migraines- but it's worth it in the long run i'm sure!)

:wave: Eveclo, So nice to hear from you

I did a long down reg cycle BCP, Syneral, Stimming, EPU, Clexane and Aspirin. I found it so hard as I spotting the whole time, which they said was breakthrough bleeding, and the Syneral spray was a killer with the headaches, but I don't regret it one bit

I have also started taking CoQ10 for better egg quality I have read heaps about it and a lot of people have success with it I am going in for EPU on the 14th Nov, so I'm in it with you xx

Okay that sounds almost exactly the same minus the aspirin, I have some CoQ10 actually, i take it when i can remember ahha! i will have to be more on the ball with it! Ok looks like headaches are the common denominator here, i will grin and bear! Hopefully this whole down-reg mix up will be the change we need

Ladies... can i ask what dosage of Gonal F you were on when you had your stim? xx

 

[Miss Redknob]

My FS has me on Puregon. My first cycle I was on 150iu and after my first scan and bloods I was put on 300iu as my overies were doing nothing This cycle they are starting me on 250iu

 

[Kirs_t]

I think i was on 250 of gonal f evclo. I have low reserve so I assume I started a little higher? What are you on?

Red when does your cycle start?

Have loved catching up on how everyone's going!

Wish- I'm feeling terrified about having 2 kids! Especially two 16 months apart how about you? How are you going being pregnant with little yo?

 

[eveclo]

My FS has me on Puregon. My first cycle I was on 150iu and after my first scan and bloods I was put on 300iu as my overies were doing nothing This cycle they are starting me on 250iu

Haha ! That sounds like a good starting dose for the next cycle! Hopefully we can be cycle sisters

I think i was on 250 of gonal f evclo. I have low reserve so I assume I started a little higher? What are you on?

Red when does your cycle start?

Have loved catching up on how everyone's going!

Wish- I'm feeling terrified about having 2 kids! Especially two 16 months apart how about you? How are you going being pregnant with little yo?

My first cycle (which was cancelled before EPU as I didn't respond well) was 100iu of Gonal F. Then I was on 150iu for my technical first cycle and second cycle. First cycle got 11 eggs, 10 mature and 8 fertilised. Second cycle 7 eggs and only 5 mature, but all 5 fertilised but they ended up being crappy and we only had one blast on day 5 (which wasn't a good one either). So this next cycle the FS said he would put me on 225iu which is a big jump up so i'm hopeful for a greater outcome!

 

[Miss Redknob]

Got a call from the clinic yesterday Start BCP on the 29th Sep (if AF is on time) then start Syneral 3 weeks later, then start stims on the 1st Nov, trigger the 12th Nov and EPU 14th Nov Getting excited even though it is a freeze all cycle

 

[Maddy40]

Yay Miss Red. Hope a golden egg or two are among that batch! I say it's time we had TWINS on here

AFM had a scare a week ago, discovered L is severely allergic to egg whites and ended up at the emergency room with a baby swollen up like the Michelin man. Thankfully his airway wasn't affected but it was a close call as his lips were terribly swollen. Got a referral to the allergy specialist, only to find the waitlist at the public hospital here is 2 years!

 

[eveclo]

Got a call from the clinic yesterday Start BCP on the 29th Sep (if AF is on time) then start Syneral 3 weeks later, then start stims on the 1st Nov, trigger the 12th Nov and EPU 14th Nov Getting excited even though it is a freeze all cycle

Ahh that's right- I remember you saying a while ago it would be freeze all. Is that to do the genetic testing? And when do you think you'll do a FET?

AF is due for me on 22nd September, and I am supposed to start BCP on CD5, I think, so depending on a few things we might go ahead! I'm having trouble commiting to this cycle- I need to make up my mind ASAP though! Hehe.

 

[Miss Redknob]

Oh Shit Maddy hope he is ok??

No our PGD testing is done on Day 3, and we get the results Day 5, when I would normally have a fresh transfer I am doing a freeze all cycle as we have a cruise booked for March and my OB said that he won't allow me to travel pregnant So we will be doing a FET mid April

That's strange that you start the BCP 5 days into AF?? I am due for AF on the 29th Sep

 

[Kirs_t]

Exciting that things are getting started ev and red! Evclo- how come you are unsure about the cycle? Are you thinking you might not go ahead?

Maddy- that us terrifying about Leo! Will you I private to see a specialist sooner? What did the hospital recommend you do in the mean time?

I'm 11 weeks today! First tri is nearly over and has completely kicked my butt so I am very glad we have all come down with gastro this week and on top of morning sickness - it's been tough! Hope the little bean is hanging in there!

 

[Miss Redknob]

Oh Maddy I would love twins Tempted to ask the clinic if they would transfer 2

Wow Kirst that is awesome xx

 

[eveclo]

Oh Shit Maddy hope he is ok??

No our PGD testing is done on Day 3, and we get the results Day 5, when I would normally have a fresh transfer I am doing a freeze all cycle as we have a cruise booked for March and my OB said that he won't allow me to travel pregnant So we will be doing a FET mid April

That's strange that you start the BCP 5 days into AF?? I am due for AF on the 29th Sep

Ohh that's fair enough! Great planning- plus your frozen embie worked better for you previously anyway! Yay.

I thought it was strange too- I might ring to double check!

Exciting that things are getting started ev and red! Evclo- how come you are unsure about the cycle? Are you thinking you might not go ahead?

Maddy- that us terrifying about Leo! Will you I private to see a specialist sooner? What did the hospital recommend you do in the mean time?

I'm 11 weeks today! First tri is nearly over and has completely kicked my butt so I am very glad we have all come down with gastro this week and on top of morning sickness - it's been tough! Hope the little bean is hanging in there!

I am mainly unsure because I am finding it really hard to have the 'faith' or keep it! I think I'm mainly just a bit scared if it doesn't work again; as I'm not sure where we would turn from there- if that makes sense. It's just a really daunting feeling, particularly having done cycles before & I'm already as young and healthy as I can be!

Congratulations on almost reaching 2nd trimester! Are you looking forward to your 12 week scan hope you start feeling better soon!

 

[Miss Redknob]

Hi Girls :wave:

Thought I would let you all know that my LLETZ procedure went great, but my OB/GYNO said that he has only taken a small amount of the cervix away as he doesn't want to increase my risk of miscarriage more. I should get the results at my 6 week check up

On another note my sister had her beautiful baby girl yesterday, by an assisted c-section (bub was frank breech) so once the OB got her out my sister reached down and pulled her up onto her chest Her name is Addison Jane born at 1:51pm weighing 2840grams (6lbs 2oz). She is absolutely gorgeous Makes me want another one now