How tiring is an IVF cycle?

[JViti]

Hey guys. I have an appt with my RE on Sept 5, and were going to start doing IVF therapy. Doctors always sugar coat the process--I wanna know first hand from women who experienced it...

What goes on in a typical IVF cycle....starting with Day 1 of AF??? I dunno if UK and US do things differently, but I'm in US. However I am happy to hear EVERYTHING. Be honest...I hate sugar coats. I know there are a lot of pills and injectables and pain...but I'm tired of being frightened on the internet...so I am turning to women I trust...Thanks!!!

 

[Pinkie 33]

The length of the process and the drugs that you are on will depend on what protocol they put you on. I was on long protocol so in a nutshell:

- start down regulating at CD21 by injecting Buserelin. IVF 1 DF did this for me but I got over my needle phobia and did them myself in IVF 2. You may or may not have side effects from this drug. I was tired and got the most horrific headaches
- CD28 AF arrives. Both times this was the mother of all AFs as your body effectively behaves as if you are in menopause. I wasn't too bad with hormones but mostly because I knew any irrational thoughts were just the process
- after scan to check fully down regulated, stims drugs are injected as well as Bserelin so 2 jabs/day. These ease the effects of the Buserelin however towards the end of stimming, ovaries are like melons, uncomfortable and tired
- EC is by operation whilst sedated (totally unaware of what is happening)
- ET is without any sedation. The day you have this will depend on how your embies do (day 3 or 5 post EC)
- TWW -

The whole process is 6 weeks or so. Our clinic is an hour and a half drive and sans are at 7am Scans are regular throughout the stimming to monitor follicle size.

So I found it draining, tiring, painful (jabs) and long. But others don't experience side effects at all so you wont know until you get started. You need a supportive OH and you need to avoid stress throughout the process. I work for myself so I'm lucky, I took almost the whole TWW off both times but I realise most cant. I would certainly have a few days off after EC/ET.

There is no avoiding it, the process (for me) is grim but that's not enough to stop me trying again until we get there.

Good luck, I hope IVF 1 is successful for you

 

[AngelWonder]

Totally honest - I am half way there.
Took bcp for nearly 3 weeks, not injecting for a week. Gonal-F Pen (super easy to use) and something I started today which stops ovulation from occuring. ER is next week wednesday and I think it is all what you make of it (plus the luck of feeling well - some get headaches and such). I am totally "eyes on the prize" and therefore shots I do (funnily enough) happily myself (DH looking scared at me) and nothing really bothers me. I really look forward to next appointments at the doctors office etc. I think if U take it real and easy - "I need to do this, I am strong and I have great support" - then U are totally fine and go through it nicely. Some have said this too: avoid too much googleing. I agree!

 

[YearningHeart]

JViti - Hi. I am currently doing IVF.

1. I was on pills (I think birth control pills) for roughly 25 days
2. Scan to check ovaries
3. Started Gonal F injections (7th August)
4. Scan few days after Gonal F
5. Started Cetrotide injections (12th August)
and after that I had 2 scans, I have another one tomorrow. All these scans are to see the size of the follicles. Then on Monday hopefully is my egg collection.

The medication varies slightly from person to person, the length also varies too. My injection phase is lasting me long time but for some people its just few days, it all depends on everyone's body. Dont get frightened from google, avoid reading up too much even though it is very tempting. Remember everyones experience is NOT the same so for someone who finds certain things difficult, it might not be like that for you!

Best of luck. xx

 

[YearningHeart]

AngelWonder - What injection are you taking for not ovulating? I got headache from the injections, it was awful for the first few days but now I think my body is used to it.
Good luck with your IVF. x