IVF questions - side effects

I am going to be starting my first IVF cycle soon and i'm really nervous it; actually, nervous is probably an understatement!!

I undersatnd the process, but what can I expect in terms of side effects of medications? I know bloating is going to occure, but is it really bad? what abuot weight gain? What's it like after ER?

how many days were you out of work for ER and then transfer? Did you have any restrictions afterwards?

TIA

Re: IVF questions - side effects

that's a hard question to answer bc everyone and every experience is different. My first time around, I had no pain and some bloat during stim time. I triggered with HSG and hyper stimulated. The pain after the RE was TERRIBLE!!!! I couldn't stand up straight for days and when I tried to, it felt like my insides were stretching.

This time around same pre ER experience. Some bloating around my belly during stim but nothing too uncomfortable that kept me from working or doing the things I would normally do. (just don't do any hard exercise or lift anything too heavy bc your overies are expanding) I started to hyperstim again, so my dr triggered me with lupron. I was out of work the day of my ER and again for my ET but other than that only minor discomfort and didn't miss any work. They should tell you no rigorous exercise for a bit after the retrieval and transfer.


good luck!!!

Message edited 1/12/2013 8:35:48 AM.

Re: IVF questions - side effects

Everyone's experience is going to be different. I had no major side effects. I only became bloated at the very end of stimming. The bloat was not that bad. I had no real weight gain. Maybe 1-2 pounds, but that is a normal fluctuation for me.

The only time I felt awful was after the ER. I was more bloated after the ER. My clothes still fit, but they were uncomfortable - like how you feel when you eat too much food. For three days, I was very uncomfortable - I had elevated E2 levels and had borderline OHSS. I had my ER over the weekend. I definitely would have had to take off 2 days for my ER - I probably should have taken Monday, but I went in. I took off the day of the ET and then the next day as well per my RE's instructions.

Good Luck! I will say the entire experience was better than I thought it was going to be...

ETA: When I was stimming, I stopped my usual running routine and did moderate cycling with a heart rate monitor and some walking. Between the ER and my BETA test I walked. Sitting around doing nothing drove me insane!

Message edited 1/12/2013 8:57:33 AM.

Re: IVF questions - side effects

As the previous posters said, every experience is different. For me, IvF was fairly easy in the physical sense.

I had almost no side effects during stimming. By the end I felt a tiny bit bloated, but nothing uncomfortable. All of my clothes still fit fine and it was not noticeable at all.

I took 1 day off for my ER and was fine day day of. But the next day I was a bit uncomfortable, but I was able to go to work fine. By 3 or 4 days post-ER I felt totally normal again. My ET was on a weekend but I went out to a family dinner that night without any problems.

Re: IVF questions - side effects

Like everyone has said, everyone's experience is different. I have done 3 fresh cycles and though I had bloating in each of them (of varying amounts) I didn't have much real weight gain in any of them. I would say my first IVF I was the most bloated and my other two weren't as bad, especially my most recent one.

As far as side effects.. everyone is different here too. You may get nauseous .. a headache.. bloating .. but honestly you're so consumed by your appts and looking forward to the ER/ET that you barely notice. That's what my experience was like anyway ... I guess I set my expectations to feel much worse than I ever really did.

I was only working during my first IVF. My ER was on a Friday so I took that day off and was able to rest through the weekend. On Monday I had a day 3 transfer so I didn't go in that day either. It's up to you how much time you want to spend bed-resting after. I did IVF with two different doctors, both who agreed to stay in bed the day of the transfer but just take it easy but do what I want the days after.

Re: IVF questions - side effects

I know everyone will respond differentlu, but it helps to hear what everyone's gone through. I think i've made much more of it in my head than it needs to be...but of course I do that with everything! LOL

Re: IVF questions - side effects

I am now on my second IVF cycle. The first one was not 1/2 as bad as I thought it would be. I don't think I was bloated at all from the stims, and doing the shots were so easy after my initial fear. I had my husband do the first shot and then I did the rest on my own.

The only problem I had was the egg retrieval. They had to go through my abdomen to get to my left ovary and I was in pain for about 4 days after. I think it was more painful b/c they went through the abdomen. Once that pain was gone everything else was a piece of cake. Unfortunately I did not get a bfp and I am now starting my second ivf cycle. I am hoping this egg retrieval is a little easier, but I keep saying if it gets me a baby I can handle anything! Good luck!

Re: IVF questions - side effects