This has to be done gradually as it is a very strong medication and my Dad warned me not to take them on an empty stomach. Once I was up to the recommended dose of 2000mg a day that meant I had the greatest protection against developing OHSS.
However these tablets did not agree with me, as I suffered with diarrhoea on numerous occasions, so I dropped it back by 500mg and was taking 1500mg a day instead. (The IVF nurses said this was ok to do if I developed side effects.)
Waiting for my period to arrive is like my Mum waiting for a bus, always late. Mid October 2020 it finally arrives after a 70 day wait. I call the hospital to request treatment and one of the nurses call back later that day to confirm I can start my injections the next morning.
I find the instructional videos again and watch so I am ready to prepare the first set of injections. The first of the injections I had to take was Menopur in a 150 IU dose. Before doing this I had to prepare the vile of powder with the water and mix.
I then drew up the 150 units and swapped the mixing needle for the injecting needle. I cleaned my stomach with a swab wipe, pinched my flab and injected my first dose of Menopur. This whole process took me around 30 minutes first time round as I didn't want to get anything wrong.
I repeated this same process of drawing up 150 units of Menopur for the next 5 days. Then on day 5 I had to add second injection of Cetrotide into my routine. The preparation for this was similar to before although this needed to be mixed daily and drawn up into the needle. I would then inject Menopur and Cetrotide daily for the next two weeks.
On day 10 I attend the hospital for a routine internal scan to see how my follicles are growing. On the first occasion they cannot see much change and ask me to return 2 days later. This happens a further 4 times, as my follicles are growing, but slowly. After the second scan, they send my for a blood test to see if it's possible to increase my dose of Menopur. They come back fine and the dose is increased to 225 units daily.
On day 18 of stimulation I take my last dose of Menopur 225, may scan shows my follicles are finally at optimum size and I have another blood test. They want to take my eggs on day 20 - this Friday. I have a Covid test to confirm I am clear.
(Those little bumps at the bottom of this image are my follicles)
Later on that afternoon they change their mind they want to give it another couple of days. I needed to return the next day for another blood test - but they only want me to take Cetrotide that morning. The same again the day after with another dose of Cetrotide and another blood test.
That is now 5 blood tests within 9 days. My arms are shot, I have bruises everywhere, my stomach is bloated, I am beginning to become fed up and I tell the nurse so. She explains my egg retrieval should be in the next few days. I drive home in pain from every bump in the road. I receive another phone call - I can take my trigger injection of Buserelin on Saturday evening ready for my egg retrieval Monday morning.
Over the last 22 days of stimulation I have given myself 38 injections, been to 5 internal scan appointments, had 5 blood tests and Covid swab tests. My waist has increased from 90cm to 97cm, I am struggling to walk, move and generally go about my day-to-day life. I just want these eggs removed now. Monday morning can't come soon enough.
Comments