New to IVF, tell me about your side effects during Stimming

[Anonymous]

I've been on birth control for about a week and next week I will be starting injections which I'm really nervous about. Please tell me about your side effects and what to expect from here on out until retrieval.

Also my DH and I plan to produce his sperm sample the day of....there are no male factor issues and his tests came back soaring, but should we consider freezing a sample earlier to make sure all is good? Or do most DH's produce samples the morning of retrieval?

[Anonymous]

Truthfully, I had more side effects with Clomid than I did with injectibles. I really felt fine -- no grouchiness or night sweats or anything.

I know there was some bloating but it was more of a visible side effect than something I could really feel. Everyone's different, though. I hope you have as easy a time of it.

Or do most DH's produce samples the morning of retrieval?

I think this is standard practice. Fresh is best. Not all men produce sperm that freezes well, so there's no need to add more variables to the process.

[Anonymous]

No side effects for me.

[Anonymous]

Obviously, your results will vary depending on which meds you're on and the dosages. I had a pretty high dosage of Follistim, along with Menopur and then eventually Ganirilex as the antagonist. I didn't really have any side effects, other than running out of places on my lower tummy that I hadn't yet stabbed myself with.

For me, the hardest parts were (1) the first day of stims, when it took me an hour to figure out how to mix up the Menopur, read all the directions for the meds, etc., and (2) mixing up the trigger shot and worrying about my spouse giving me the shot correctly. But all in all, it really was a lot easier than I was expecting to be.


Some clinics recommend that your male partner have a back-up sample frozen ahead of time if he has any issues with performance day anxiety, but otherwise, day Of is best.

[Anonymous]

Agreed with PP re timing for shots on first day of stimming. I sort of freaked out when I couldn't follow my directions from the orientation session that had occurred several days before stimming. Just take your time on the first night of shots. If you are planning on doing the shots at 9pm, go upstairs (or wherever you're doing your shots) 30-45 minutes before hand just so you can read through everything, line up the vials of meds, needles, alcohol swabs, etc., and prep it all. On my first night of stimming, I gave my shot probably just too high on my abdomen (you're supposed to go ~2 finger widths below your belly button) and landed on a blood vessel, so I swelled up badly and got a huge bruise. Not fun. The doctor and nurse both reassured me that it was fine, just uncomfortable. By the third night of self-administering shots, you will be FINE. Half the people on here probably have a story about (covertly) administering the shots in a bathroom at a friend's house or while out at dinner or something. I did both. Other than the first big bruise I got, I only ever had minor bruising, confined to the injection site, that lasted just a day or so. No other side effects. I too had more (bloating, abdomen discomfort) from clomid than from stimming. Good luck to you, OP.

[Anonymous]

Other than bloating and a little discomfort associated with it, I didn't really have any side effects. The low-cal Gatorade (G2) is really helpful for the bloating. There are videos on the Village Fertility Pharmacy website and on YouTube showing you in great detail how to mix the meds and administer the injections. I found them to be very helpful. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Bloating. Thats all. Much easier for me than Clomid.

[Anonymous]

I didn't have any bad side effects, but I did feel a bit odd while on the stims. Also a bit feverish sometimes, or just wired and exhausted at the same time, and sometimes I had trouble sleeping. I think it was the estrogen rising. I had moments in early pregnancy where I felt like that, too, which may also have had to do with the estrogen supplement.

[Anonymous]

I never had side effects from stimming. Feeling lousy from Prometrium and bloated/full after IUI's, definitely. IVF, once you have your meds and have a plan, is actually much easier than I thought it would be. The planning and pre-testing are the biggest hurtles and you are through those. Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

I have been through three cycles and the first cycle i had HORRIBLE nauseau during stimming, couldnt keep anything down. The second time around I did accupuncture and felt nauseuous at times but no vomitting, third time i had nauseau and vomitting near the very end. Emotional at times but no other side effects.

[Anonymous]

In the midst of my stims now....just bloating. But if I didn't step on the scale I wouldn't realize it. I have about 4 lbs of water weight right now. Thankfully I didn't have any other side effects from this cycle or the one I did 2 years ago. I've heard some are worse who are doing Clomid.

[Anonymous]

None

[Anonymous]

Thanks posters...

[Anonymous]

Another new to IVF poster. Is it normal to feel bloated after just 3 days of stims?

[Anonymous]

PP: It probably depends on how well you're responding to the meds. (i..e, if your ovaries are super-stimulated, I'd assume you'd have some bloating).
I'd ask the nurse when you go back in for your first sono.