IVF Cycle Buddy

[Anonymous]

I am starting my first IVF (Fresh) cycle soon and thought it would be nice to have a cycle buddy. I should be starting Lupron around the 18th of June. Would be nice to find someone to talk with while going through the process. I also welcome any thoughts from people who have gone through this as it is a bit overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

I am not going through this, but am currently going through iuis.

I just wanted to wish you lots of baby dust!!

[Anonymous]

I am currently pregnant and due shortly with my first after one round of IVF (and many other attempts, treatments, etc....before that). I have to say, from my experience, the anxiety that I had BEFORE the process started was much worse than anything DURING the process. I was worried about the unknown, worried about the shots hurting, worried about being able to manage all the meds at the right time, worried about my body's reaction, etc....Honestly, it didn't take long at all to get into a pattern with the meds. I never even felt the shots. It was really helpful that I had other friends who had gone through it prior who were there for support and to answer any questions I had.

Best of luck to you! If it's at all possible, just take a few deep breaths. You'll do just fine.

[Anonymous]

Hello --

Veteran IFVer here. I recommend going to the INCIID Web site (www.inciid.org) and checking out the "IVF Waiting Room Forum." That bulletin board was really great for me during my time in treatment. People are very helpful and supportive and you'll probably find a cycle buddy there.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You can also check out ivfconnections.net. They've got cycle buddies there as well.

[Anonymous]

OP here - Thanks for all the word of encouragement. and list of sites to check out. This is actually my "first" fertility treatment. We just decided to go straight to IVF. Strangely the things that makes me most nervous is that they keep saying I will feel bloated and uncomfortable. On a regular basis I avoid everything I can to not get bloated and also I hate feeling full... I know it is strange but I just don't like the feeling. Does the stimulation phase really make you that bloated and uncomfortable? I am also worried about being really moody (bitchy). How did the drugs affect you guys?

[Anonymous]

Having been through 2 IVF cycles, I can say that the drugs didn't affect me too badly (except for Lupron which gave me an unbelievable migraine for around 5 days but I didn't take Lupron the second cycle) but I did feel very bloated by the end of stimming (both times I stimmed for close to the maximum) -- it's just a very heavy feeling as your ovaries are completely expanded. But it goes away pretty quickly after retrieval. It can be tough physically but it's manageable and so very worth it. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

I've been through 8 cycles -- 6 fresh and 2 frozen -- and yes I have kiddies to show for them. I agree with the PP that the Lupron did give me a headache. Not right away, but about 2 days before I stopped taking it. For me it wasn't terrible and I just treated it with tylenol. As for stimulation, some cycles I could really feel my ovaries towards the end because there were so many eggs; I'm guessing that is what people are equating to the bloated feeling. Luckily it does not last long -- just a few days and then they retrieve them. Best of luck! I never found anything with IVF painful, any discomfort I had was easily treated with tylenol (and trust me, I am a huge wimp). I did find that the shots (especially the progesterone) were better if you iced the area first.