[kashimama]

It's been months since I was told my hubby and I would have to do ICSI to conceive a baby, and a year now since we first started trying. The IVF process finally started in earnest August 1st. I was so excited! I've slogged through injections for almost 3 weeks now, have had numerous vaginal ultrasounds and blood tests, and have slowly gotten sick. For the past 3 days I've been so nauseus to the point of dry heaving at the smell of food, I haven't eaten a "real" in weeks. I'm living on dry toast and rice. I have to hold my abdomen when I walk because it's so uncomfortable.
After my ultrasound today, the doctor came in and I could tell by the look on her face that she had bad news. She said she has to cancel the cycle. That I'm at risk for severe ovarian hyperstim. That I could land in the hospital if they give me the Hcg. She said my estradiol level is in the stratosphere, and that even though I produced a tremendous amount of follicles quickly, they still need to grow, so I'd have to be on the gonadotripins for at least 2-3 more days. And, she said, it only gets worse from here. Apparently they gave me too high a dose for the stimulation hormones to start with.
So no egg retrieval, no embryo transfer, no nothing. It'll be at least a month for my ovaries "quiet down" enough to start over.
I don't know ANYBODY who's going through IVF/ICSI. It's really lonely. So I thought I'd post something. Honestly, I just need a hug.

 

[vermonttaylors]

I am so sorry. I hope you feel better soon and that the next cycle goes perfectly!

 

[Dena]

I got overmedicated our first two IVF/ICSI cycles too. I didn't hyperstimulate, but I did get crappy looking eggs and ended up with a m/c on the second cycle. The good news is that once they got my meds right, we got some very pretty embryos.

This is a horrible, lonely, frustrating process at times, but you came to the right place. I don't know what I would have done without the support I had from my online friends our first two cycles.

Hoping you feel better soon and your next cycle is magic.

 

[tuck]

BIG HUGS from Boston! I've been there too...my first cycle was also cancelled. The only good news really is that you were very carefully monitored and your ovaries werent damaged. Hopefully the next cycle will go fine. Unfortunately this fertility roller coaster is a crazy ride, but you are not alone. Many of us have been through several cycles so understand like nobody else can. My son was conceived on our second cycle ( the first complete one) and hopefully your child will be too. Hang in there!

 

[kashimama]

It's such a relief to be able to tell this stuff to people who get it. And to hear other people's stories is a relief too. I find that I have so many unanswered questions all of the time. The hospital is great, but whenever I go in for an u/s or b/w there's always a different IVF nurse with me. And the IVF doctors are always rotating, so there's just never a constant figure around. And then when I started getting the really bad nausea, I wasn't prepared for it. Same with all the abdominal pain. And when they put me on one cycle of BCP to overlap with the lupron, I had no idea the progesterone would give me such mood swings. Now I'm just complaining, but I do think I would have tolerated that first cycle better had I been better prepared. Frankly, this is hard as hell to go through, and I'm really glad I thought to post yesterday.
Jess

 

[F and L]

Big hugs to you. I know you must be so disappointed, but it's great that you are being properly monitored and treated. I promise that severe ovarian hyperstimulation is not fun. I was in hospital for two weeks with it, off work for nearly two months, and took months to get healthy again. Thank goodness they caught yours in time. The good news is that you stimulate well, which can be managed. Women who are prone to this condition even on moderate doses of stimulants ultimately have higher pregnancy rates once their cycle and doses are controlled. Best of luck.