How do people do this (ivf related)?

[Anonymous]

I am about 4 days away from egg retrieval and am so bloated and uncomfortable I just want to cry. I totally thought they were going to trigger me tonight, but noooo, they are keeping me going at least two more days and upped my follistim. I don't know how I am going to keep going till Saturday or Sunday. This is miserable. Any tips on how to get through these last few days?

[Anonymous]

I know it is not pleasant at all. Just try to drink as much water as possible and very little salt. Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Good lord I know exactly what you're going through. I was miserable and actually refused the last night of shots because I physically could not take it anymore. I was so sensitive that even clothes on my body hurt me. I don't know what to say to you other than that I know exactly how you feel.

What clinic are you at if you don't mind my asking? I'm curious if the "one more day" thing is from the same place I went to. I figured they could estimate a little better instead of giving false hope.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, it is GOOD that they change their estimations because they are giving the BEST scenario by your most recent bw/us. With fertility, blood levels/lining/ovulation are subject to change at a fast rate, that is why there are so many monitoring appointments, especially after stimming for a few days. Also, I would rather have a little discomfort, max my follicle development, to have the best chance of success. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

To oo 21:43, I am at SG. We are doing shared risk, so I have had moments where I wonder if they are pushing this as far as they can in an attempt to get a successful pregnancy (which is of course my goal as well) in order to make their profit. I totally have the "skin so sensitive clothes hurt" thing. I have a rash that has developed on my stomach and my skin just hurts. And I thought about refusing my shots tonight. my DH had to make me do it. I burst into tears the minute I got home from work b/c I knew what was waiting for me. I am even wearing maternity pants to work right now. A friend loaned them to me to wear during the bloated days and omg I couldn't get a pair of my regular pants on right now if you paid me. PP 21:48, I do think the daily monitoring and changing of meds is good. And I want success, but the discomfort is more than I expected. I am trying to drink gatorade and water and cut my sodium. and i am eating mainly protein. but i am still in pain. Oh well....

[Anonymous]

I underwent 2 IVF cycles and hyperstimulated both times. I am 29 years old so apparently this is not uncommon at my age (?). I am now scheduled to do natural cycle IVF because I won't have to go through all of the shots and feel that crumby again...

[Anonymous]

I also went through this and even had Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. The only thing that helped me the last week before retrieveal and the two week waiting hell....is A GOOD BOOK!!! I also worked on a cool puzzle and my friend taught me how to crochet. I was making baby blankets "for a friend"....when in reality I was hoping it would be for me.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP who is wearing maternity pants. I did that too and it made me more comfortable. And drink Gatorade G2 (the low-cal version). I don't know why, but it really helps with the bloating. It made a huge difference for me. I went through two IVF cycles and, trust me, it is all worth it in the end if/when you finally get a good outcome. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To oo 21:43, I am at SG. We are doing shared risk, so I have had moments where I wonder if they are pushing this as far as they can in an attempt to get a successful pregnancy (which is of course my goal as well) in order to make their profit. I totally have the "skin so sensitive clothes hurt" thing. I have a rash that has developed on my stomach and my skin just hurts. And I thought about refusing my shots tonight. my DH had to make me do it. I burst into tears the minute I got home from work b/c I knew what was waiting for me. I am even wearing maternity pants to work right now. A friend loaned them to me to wear during the bloated days and omg I couldn't get a pair of my regular pants on right now if you paid me. PP 21:48, I do think the daily monitoring and changing of meds is good. And I want success, but the discomfort is more than I expected. I am trying to drink gatorade and water and cut my sodium. and i am eating mainly protein. but i am still in pain. Oh well....

Hey, that PP was me. I'm at SG now too, but know your pain and will be going through it again soon. Sadly I picked a really sub-par place recommended to me and they got a ton of eggs and I have no idea what happened. 13 fertilized - none divided. ???? Anyway, that was the real slap in the face, that all the pain was for nothing. I see these tiny little girls in the waiting rooms at these docs offices and I have no clue how they don't turn into beached whales like I did, and will again soon. Good luck.

I wish this board had a PM feature so you could communicate with people off-board because how will I find you again to check up on you?

[Anonymous]

PP 11:38 -- are you on the resolve board? I'm over there as llewilli.

[Anonymous]

11:38 here. I'm not. I don't even know what that is. Okay, going to look.

I have to be 100% honest right now - I have avoided msg boards at all costs b/c during my first IVF the codes people use drove me nuts. Still do. I can't follow what people are saying. Then I did another IVF (no meds) - both were colossal disasters to the point that the medical board and attorney's were contacted. This post just resonated with me so much because this was how I felt during my first IVF and the doc basically told me to pound sand. Actually, he really said, "your husband is begging you to continue." Liar. My husband was in tears like I was.

[Anonymous]

http://www.inspire.com/groups/finding-a-resolution-for-infertility/

It's a good board. Check it out.