IVF questions....

[Mrs R]

So now that we've decided to meet with a consultant about possible IVF, we have a million questions and hoping maybe you ladies can fill us in a bit

We feel a bit like we are jumping in at the deep end, but can't see any other way round it.

For a start, I've never had a HSG or a Lap & Dye done. I've asked and my consultant just tells me I don't need one coz I'm young and healthy. Won't a half decent IVF consultant expect this to have already been done?

We're also jumping the gun as we're not on the NHS waiting list for IVF. The clinic have told me this doesn't matter, but I don't want them thinking I'm some crazy person who is too impatient to wait a bit longer for a less invasive treatment (even though I am, I don't want them thinking that!)

Also, we've been ttc for 26 months now - does this sound like a reasonable amount of time to try before going down the IVF route in ur opinion?

I've seen people having IVF after a year of TTC, and then I've seen people wait 4 or 5 years.

Just looking for some opinions on these things.... any response is welcome x

P.S Could somebody explain the long and short protocol thing to me? Obviously I've read a bit about them, but why are there 2 options? I have PCOS and am wondering which I am likely to need if I'm accepted for treatment (sorry for being stupid but you ladies can explain it in plain English)

 

[Crypto1976]

Can I ask why not try clomid for a few cycles? Seems to be quite effective for pcos patients and you will probably get it when you start ivf anyway (apologies if you have had it...?)

 

[maz]

The long and short drug regime is down to how you are likely to respond to stimming drugs. If they think you respond poorly, you'll most likely be placed on a shorter protocol, if they think you will respond within normal parameters you will be on a longer protocol, and if they think there is a chance of overstimulation, you will be on a longer protocol with less stimming drugs.

I don't get how they put you on clomid without checking the quality of your tubes in the first place? Just because you're young and generally healthy doesn't mean that your tubes can't be blocked. Hope that helps ...

 

[Mrs R]

Can I ask why not try clomid for a few cycles? Seems to be quite effective for pcos patients and you will probably get it when you start ivf anyway (apologies if you have had it...?)

Tried clomid for 5 cycles and it didn't even make me ovulate!

The appointment next week is to see if I've lost enough weight in order to get FSH injections to try to induce ovulation. I know I haven't lost enough weight and will most likely come away empty handed.

If by some miracle if I do get the injections, as you rightly say Maz, what's the point if I've got problems with my tubes etc. Doesn't make sense.

I don't really understand the short protocol bit. I presumed if you responded poorly, you would need the long protocol and if you responded well, it would be the short protocol. That's my logic (I'm not a very logical person lol)

 

[Steph63]

I am surprised you haven't had a HSG now, even by the RFC's crappy standards, I was referred for one after 5 or 6 failed cycles on tamoxifen. Totally agree with Maz in that it is pointless in prescribing clomid etc when we don't know whether the tubes are clear or not.

Don't think it will matter for IVF, by my very limited knowledge, IVF isn't affected whether tubes are blocked or not so you should be grand.

I've only had intermitent internet recently so am just catching up, when is you apt?

 

[Mrs R]

I have my appointment at the Royal next Tuesday and I'm dreading it!

We're patiently waiting on our private appointment to come in the post for our IVF consultation Manchester - fingers crossed it arrives tomorrow x

 

[reallyready]

If you want to go directly to IVF it seems your HSG wouldn't matter but does seem odd you wouldn't have had one done as a standard check already. Tubes can be blocked at any age. Also HSG has been known to flush out the tubes and some people get PG right after.
Obviously you have a lot on your plate to think about and I'd like to keep up with your progress. Please keep us posted and good luck sweety!

 

[Steph63]

Oh Mrs R, just a quick question, at Origin, to do the egg-sharing IVF, you must have had one previous cycle of IVF, I take it this isnt a requirement at CARE? If not would be a definite option for me too...

 

[Blue12]

I just want to add - I recently found out that not only are my tubes blocked - but they are infected (hydrosalpinx) and the fluid in them kills eggs and kills embryos - so even if by ivf they could get me preg - the fluid will eventually kill the embryo and cause a mc - I think it is critical to have an hsg before ivf!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best wishes.

 

[maz]

In the long protocol they use a down regulating drug that basically switches off your pituitary gland and stops hormone production, so they are literally relying on the stimming drugs. During a short protocol they don't switch off your own hormone production but rather boost it with stimming drugs and then give you another drug to take to stop spontaneous ovulation. Hope that makes sense.

I'm going to be considering egg sharing if this upcoming cycle doesn't work... fingers crossed I won't need to though.

 

[Dancingkaty1]

hi blue 12.......hope no one minds me jumping in here & joining u??/

was wondering what the treatment is for the infected tube you have?? i am due to have a hycosy on mon & am scared that something is wrong...i only have the 1 tube so i need it to be ok!!!! when i had an internal scan done in june the report showed some 'fluid' in my uterus but they didnt seem bothered...nothing was mentioned....is this a sign that i too could have fluid in my tube???

katyxx

 

[Mrs R]

Oh Mrs R, just a quick question, at Origin, to do the egg-sharing IVF, you must have had one previous cycle of IVF, I take it this isnt a requirement at CARE? If not would be a definite option for me too...

No, not a requirement at Care They know it's my first cycle and that I have PCOS and they still want my eggs lol (well dependant on my FSH levels - have no idea what they are)

The egg donation nurse I was speaking with on Monday from CARE sent me an email yesterday advising me to get a load of blood tests done by my G.P if possible, as if they have to do it, it will cost me £285! They're looking for HIV, hep B & C, chlamydia, gonorrrhoea, syphilis, cytomegalovirus, rubella, blood group, cystic fibrosis and karyotype. Haven't even heard of some of those, but me and hubby have a joint appointment with our GP next Wednesday and will ask.

Anybody else had all these done by a G.P? She said if the GP can't do them all, not to get any of them done as it costs alot more to get them done individually rather than althogether. Make sense?

Maz, think I get all this protocol business now! It's all very confusing so I had better get some research done. But thanks for the 'normal person' explanation

Still no appointment from Care

 

[maz]

My GP did my rubella for me and then I got the HIV, Hep B & C done at the clinic and also again at the RFC. For egg sharing you need to have more bloods done as they check to see if you are a carrier of any genetic abnormalities - not sure if your GP will be happy to do these as it'll be their practice that has to bear the cost.

Good luck and fingers crossed you don't need to go to Care - hopefully the crappy Royal will get their finger out of their arse ...

 

[Mrs R]

TBH Maz, I've lost all faith in the Royal and my consultant.

I don't want to go through another 6 months of running up to Belfast for scans, being seen by any random passing doctor, balling my eyes out in the car when it hasn't worked etc etc.

Even if I do get FSH injections, I don't know how I'm going to get round going to the Royal for 2 scans a week (if not more). I have a pretty heavy going job, with meetings that are scheduled by other people that I have to attend. The dentist / doctor / family emergency excuse will only work so many times before they want to know what's going on. ** BIG SIGH**

And to make matters worse, I phoned Care to ask where my appointment was (so I can book flights) and was told they won't send me one out for another 2 weeks. I wanted to go to my consultant next week armed with an appointment for Care so that I won't mind so much when he sends me home with nothing. This is not going to plan...........

As for my GP carrying out tests, I suppose it won't hurt to ask how many they can do. We've factored screening and tests into our finances anyway and were happy to cover them if need be.

Can't stand any more of this waiting..... The only upside is that I'm working from home today and tomorrow so I won't be back to work til Monday and my appointment in the shitty Royal is Tuesday.

My dog has never been walked so many times in her life as I'm trying to fill up all my evenings and weekends with any activity I can think of lol