when do ivf side effects start?

[Anonymous]

I am on Day 6 of stims. So far I feel relatively normal physically and emotionally (minus stressed/anxious, of course). Do things kick in later, bloating, discomfort, fatigue, etc.? I am a bit overweight, so bloating might not be as obvious with me as for very thin women. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.

What were your experiences?

[Anonymous]

Side effects for me didn’t kick in til a couple days after starting progesterone.

[Anonymous]

I didn't have any side effects on my first and second retrievals, until after retrieval.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! What were the side effects? How extreme? I am building this up in my head.

[Anonymous]

I didn’t start feeling bloated until the day before my retrieval. Other than that, I had no side effects. The bloating feeling was gone 2 days after retrieval.
I was at risk for OHSS due to very high E2 and lots of mature follicles, so I triggered with Lipton instead of HCG, and we ended up freezing embryos for an FET 2 months later. So my experience may vary from women who were on more meds to support a fresh transfer.

[Anonymous]

I didn't feel any side effects until the 24 hrs leading up to my ER, when I was incredibly bloated & uncomfortable. That feeling went away pretty soon after the ER.

I also was switched to a Lupron trigger at the last minute, but I was able to continue with a fresh transfer that was successful.

[Anonymous]

I never had any side effects in 3 cycles. Maybe minor bloating but nothing memorable or debilitating.

[Anonymous]

I also started feeling bloated and uncomfortable a day before retrieval. Didn’t really feel the bloating during stims. I was at risk for OHSS so I’m experiencing minor symptoms now. Felt a little painful after retrieval (manageable with prescription Tylenol they gave me). Been 3 days since and I feel more bloated now than before, but not feeling pain anymore. Doctor said the bloating should lessen within a week.

[Anonymous]

I am on day 7 stims and besides being a little bloated I feel great. My skin is glowing from hormones.
I felt horrible during the prep and testosterone gel, I was tired by 3pm every day and has major acne breakouts.
Mood swings too. Now I am just extra emotional but feel happy for some reason. Weird.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you won't get any? Outside of hot flashes following progesterone, I didn't get any. I had one very successful retrieval and didn't need another so I wouldn't assume side effects determine success.