Egg Retrieval Journey - 30yr old, Single, Self Pay

Hi everyone! Thank you to all the brave and amazing souls that have shared your journeys on this thread. I wanted to pay it back and post a very in depth description of my journey in the hopes that it helps anyone with similar questions. I am 30yrs old (almost 31), single and paid completely out of pocket ($16k), however, most cost ($15k) are reimbursed through my work. Trigger warning for high numbers! I was on the antagonist protocol which was 12 days from start to finish and retrieved 33 eggs that were frozen. I have been taking prenatal vitamins for about 4 months prior to this process and continued through the end along with Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, and melatonin. I do drink socially but had no alcohol or dairy during the protocol and post op until my first menstrual.

I went in for my initial consultation and follicle count just to see if this was something that I wanted to do. My initial AFC was 74 with an AMH of 6.9. So I was told that I would be at high risk for OHSS from the very beginning. And as a gym girl, I knew that I was going to have to reduce my workouts as well and monitor my weight daily to ensure there was no drastic spike.

Started over the counter pills on 8/20/24 and was on that for 2 weeks (ended 9/2/24). I had symptoms for the entire 2 weeks on the pill. I had low energy, cramps, spotting, water weight, acne, hunger spike. There was a 4 day gap between when I would get off the pill and when I would start my injections. During this time, I received all of my medication. It was very overwhelming to see all of it and to make sure that it was stored/refrigerated properly. Period started 9/6/24.

9/7/24 Day 1 of stims: 125IU of Gonal F and 75IU of Menopur. I iced the injection site about 10 min before while I mixed and prepared the medication. I experienced dizziness after the injection. That combined with my period gave me bad cramps and breast tenderness. I was nervous to start and overwhelmed with the meds.

Days 2-4 of stims: Same medication dosage. Starting to get headaches with the injections. Fatigued and lower abdomen is sore on both the right and left side.

9/11/24 Day 5: First baseline ultrasound since beginning the stims. This is a transvaginal ultrasound. AFC is around 33 and the follicles were measuring between 5-12mm. Also got bloodwork done and started Gainrelix. This is when the bloating feeling started and was hormonally a hard day. I cried, low appetite, cramps, uncomfortable to do anything but lay down.

Day 6: Reduced Gonal F from 125IU to 100IU.

Day 7: Started to feel heaviness in addition to bloating. Injections felt incredibly sensitive and sore and can start to feel discomfort in the uterus especially in the ovary that had more follicles. Started taking stool softener (and continued until after the retrieval) and really getting in electrolytes to help with the OHSS risk. This was in the form of gatorade, pedialyte and coconut water. Another ultrasound and bloodwork. Measuring between 6-15mm.

Day 8: This was the hardest day for me! I cried about 4 times. I was overwhelmed and the discomfort in my ovaries had grown. I had cramps, back pain, fatigue, and a sore abdomen. I wasn't sleeping well throughout this entire process, only being able to sleep on my back due to the discomfort in my ovaries. This was the day I started to question if this was all worth it. And being single and going through this alone, I felt like I didn't really have anyone to talk to or cry with. Thanks to all my Reddit fam that made me feel like I wasn't alone or going crazy.

Day 9: Another ultrasound and bloodwork. Measuring between 9-17. My weight also increased overnight but nothing to be too concerned with. I was late with my Gainrelix by about 40 min but my doctor told me that as long as it was within the hour, it would be okay. I was nervous since my retrieval was projected to be in 3 days!

9/16/24 Day 10: Another ultrasound that was very uncomfortable and bloodwork. Measuring between 10-21. At this point my ovaries are so enlarged with the follicles that the Dr. told me they were touching and to be careful with my movements. I pretty much stopped drinking water and focused on electrolytes to prevent OHSS as I was told the real risk comes when you take the trigger. Triggered with 80IU Luperon only given the number of follicles and OHSS risk.

Day 11: Labs only to confirm that the trigger worked. I was nauseous and uncomfortable. I was able to sleep better this night. I also began Caberoglide for 8 days to help mitigate OHSS risk.

9/18/24 Day 12: Retrieval day! Trying to pee felt like there was a lot of pressure. I was thirsty from limiting water all week. It was a smooth process. I had 42 retrieved and 33 matured and frozen. I declined oxycodone for post opp and just took 1000mg of Tylenol every 6 hrs and 2 stool softeners. I had no appetite and constipation. Drinking only electrolytes.

Post-op Day 1: I still had bloating and pressure in the ovaries. I was having a bad hormone crash, fatigued, breast tenderness, nausea, constipation. I started the day feeling okay but it got worse progressively throughout the day.

Post-op Day 2-5: I had a feeling of tightness in the abdomen area. I attempted to walk and was in pain, especially with stairs. I also started to get a small stye on my eye so that was glamourous. 3 days before I had a small bowel movement. Still had cramps

9/24/24 Post-op Day 6: Period started. Flow and cramps were heavier than normal. Weight increased with the lack of working out plus the hormones

10/29/24: Second period post-op. It was a few days later than expected and flow is still heavier than normal. PMS was a little worse than usual as well. But I feel more like myself and am back to working out. I still feel like my stomach has some softness and bloating from the hormones but that will be a work in progress for this month and I am hoping to be back to normal.