THE TRIGGER INJECTION FOR OVULATION | SIDE EFFECTS

As I said in a previous post I had to have an ovulation injection (Ovitrelle) on Sunday 11th July specifically at 9.30pm. This was 36-38 hours before my planned egg collection to ensure that ovulation was triggered at the correct time. 

As far as side effects go I didn't really have any other than slightly sore nipples. This is a side effect that hasn't gone but isn't bothering me in the slightest. 

In terms of having the drug itself, my finance administered it via an injection in my stomach which didn't hurt at all. However, I was left with a tiny bruise which is to be expected when you have so many injections in the same place. We stuck to the stomach throughout IVF as that's where I have the most fat (compared to my thighs which was the other suggested area to inject).

Have you had Ovitrelle before? If so, did you get any side effects?

Jess. xx

IVF BLOG DAY 32 | BUSERELIN INJECTION #32 & THE OVULATING INJECTION

Yesterday I had the last Gonal-F injection (so I had it for 10 days in total). Yay! I can't say I'm sorry to see it go. I feel like I got on really well with Buserelin, having had barely any side-effects. Buserelin seems to make me very tired but far more chilled than normal. I'm quite an anxious person at times and it was nice not to feel like that for a change. Although feeling so tired that you don't trust yourself to drive isn't ideal, I definitely enjoyed being more relaxed. Gonal-F seemed to change that feeling and I was on edge sometimes. But I also had no energy at all. 

Today was also the last day of Buserelin injections too so there's now only one more injection to go! That's the ovulating injection (Ovitrelle) which I'll be having at 9.30pm tonight. I have to have this 36-38 hours before my planned egg collection which is Tues morning, so stay tuned to find out what happens with that!

Today I'm feeling: Happy and pretty alert if I say so myself! High five to no more injections. I def got off lightly as far as side effects go and none of the injections have hurt at all (maybe the odd little prick here and there but nothing noticeable). My fiance has been brilliant at giving them. 

Jess. xx

IVF BLOG DAY 30 | GONAL-F INJECTION #9, BUSERELIN INJECTION #30 & PROGRESS ASSESSMENT 2

We had our second progress scan today. Egg Collection is going ahead as planned on Tues. Some of you might remember they found 16 follicles on Wed. Well I now have 5 that are 14, 15, 15.5, 16 and 18mm and 2 that are currently 12mm. The rest are below 10. I don't know what to think, but have to stay positive as good quality eggs are what we are aiming for rather than lots of follicles.

According to the consultant, they are looking for follicles that are 14mm at least, so I currently have 5. It doesn't seem like very many to me, however we still have 4 days to go and it only takes 1 egg. 

Today I'm feeling: A bit flat. Trying to remain positive.

Jess. xx

IVF BLOG DAY 28 | GONAL-F INJECTION #7, BUSERELIN INJECTION #28 & PROGRESS ASSESSMENT 1

Time seems to be flying by really fast now. We had our first progress assessment today and the consultant said things are looking good. As usual I had to have a transvaginal ultrasound which took a little bit longer than before as they had to count how many follicles I have. 

They found 16 altogether. 3 are very good. 2 are okay and the rest need to grow. So I've had to up my dosage of Gonal-F to 450 IU (previously I was on 300). As we don't have enough of the drug I'm having an urgent delivery some time tomorrow morning. According to our consultant this result is spot on as we don't want anymore than 20. That's when you're at risk of getting OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome). Let me tell you, there isn't anyone in the world that's going to be wanting that. It sounds awful!

My next progress scan is on Friday so be sure to check back here and I'll tell you all about what happens with that. By this time next week I should have had my eggs collected (under general anesthetic) and be waiting for implantation if all goes well!

Today I'm feeling: Alright! I was tired. Had a 1 hour sleep in the afternoon and was pretty good after that. I definitely struggle to think when I'm taking this stuff though. I had to write something this morning and what should have taken me 15 mins took me about 2 hours! I honestly don't know how people get on when they're employed and can't choose when they want to work. Still, I guess everyone reacts differently?

Jess. xx

IVF BLOG DAY 20 | THE BUSERELIN INJECTION #20 & THE BASELINE SCAN

After Saturday's crying episode I thought my week might get a bit better. How wrong was I? Sadly on Sunday night my nan passed away. I'm heartbroken. She had cancer and Alzheimer's so we knew it was coming at some point soon. Still, that doesn't make it any less upsetting as we were really close. RIP my beautiful nan.

On a more positive note, I had my baseline scan today (which was a transvaginal ultrasound) to check that my ovaries are not active and that the lining of my uterus is thin. The consultant said it all looks good and couldn't be any better. This is great news for us as it means we now get to go onto the next stage - superovulation.

Superovulation is a process that aims to make the ovaries release more than 1 egg and it means I'll be having an extra injection each day. They say I may experience tender breasts and low abdominal discomfort or a dragging sensation as the ovarian follicles develop. 

So on Thurs I'll be starting Gonal-F injections as well as continuing with the Buserelin. They estimate I'll be on Gonal-F for about 10 days. Next week I'll have 2 progress assessments which include more transvaginal ultrasounds to check the response of my ovaries to the stimulation and to assess the development of the lining of the uterus. After these visits they might have to modify my treatment by altering the dosage of drugs. They'll also be able to tell me when my last Buserelin injection will be.

It's going to be really interesting to see how many eggs I manage to produce. When reading other people's stories online I can see that it varies a lot! Anyway, I'll keep you all posted with how I get on!

Today I'm feeling: Exhausted from crying and not sleeping that well because of what's happened to my poor nan. I miss her already! Going through grief and the IVF process is hard. : (

Jess. xx