Feeling off after egg retrieval?

[fairfax]

Hi all,

I had my egg retreival on Saturday and I’m just feeling a little off. I’m still quite bloated and feeling very tired. I’m also having some intestinal issues (sorry TMI!). Is this normal? Previous retrievals I have felt back to normal almost immediately. But, this was my highest medication protocol and largest follicle size and count so maybe it’s just taking longer to adjust?


No fever, nausea or severe pain (more like pressure) so I don’t think it’s OHSS.

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

[pooh8402]

I didn't have fever or nausea when I had OHSS. Lots of pressure. In fact, I was quite hungry and wanted to eat but couldn't because all the fluid in ny abdomen was compressing my stomach.

It's not a bad idea to call. With a higher follicle count, you're likely leaking more fluid than in the past.

Get lots of salty fluids and lots of protein! Add salt to Gatorade, eat canned soups and veggies, eat sausages, stuff like that. I took shots of soy sauce like 3 times a day with my last retrieval (also my biggest count ever) and didn't get OHSS.

ETA: I had my last retrieval on a Thursday, and was feeling better on Monday. By Tuesday, when I had my transfer, I was feeling back to normal. When I had the bad OHSS was my first IVF cycle, and I didn't start feeling bad until after transfer, once the embryo implanted and started secreting HCG. So keep that in mind.

[icedcoffee]

I felt like shit run over twice after my first retrieval. It took me about a week to be able to stand up completely straight when I walked. The more follicles they get the worse it is. I drank a ton of gatorade, ate a ton of protein and just took it easy. I'd do these things and if you're not better by like Thursday I'd call your doctor. I'd also start Colace if you haven't already. That might help with any GI issues. I didn't have OHSS.

My last retrieval was so much easier because they didn't get as many eggs.

[fairfax]

Dec 4, 2018 11:58:56 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

I didn't have fever or nausea when I had OHSS. Lots of pressure. In fact, I was quite hungry and wanted to eat but couldn't because all the fluid in ny abdomen was compressing my stomach.

It's not a bad idea to call. With a higher follicle count, you're likely leaking more fluid than in the past.

Get lots of salty fluids and lots of protein! Add salt to Gatorade, eat canned soups and veggies, eat sausages, stuff like that. I took shots of soy sauce like 3 times a day with my last retrieval (also my biggest count ever) and didn't get OHSS.

ETA: I had my last retrieval on a Thursday, and was feeling better on Monday. By Tuesday, when I had my transfer, I was feeling back to normal. When I had the bad OHSS was my first IVF cycle, and I didn't start feeling bad until after transfer, once the embryo implanted and started secreting HCG. So keep that in mind.

Interesting - I do feel “full” and a lot of pressure. I am a salt addict so I plan on taking full advantage of this advice - thank you!

[fairfax]

Dec 4, 2018 12:30:55 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I felt like shit run over twice after my first retrieval. It took me about a week to be able to stand up completely straight when I walked. The more follicles they get the worse it is. I drank a ton of gatorade, ate a ton of protein and just took it easy. I'd do these things and if you're not better by like Thursday I'd call your doctor. I'd also start Colace if you haven't already. That might help with any GI issues. I didn't have OHSS.

My last retrieval was so much easier because they didn't get as many eggs.

Thank you! Sorry your first experience was so awful. Maybe I just got really lucky the first two times! I’ll give it another day or two.

[icedcoffee]

Dec 4, 2018 13:25:52 GMT -5 fairfax said:

Dec 4, 2018 12:30:55 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I felt like shit run over twice after my first retrieval. It took me about a week to be able to stand up completely straight when I walked. The more follicles they get the worse it is. I drank a ton of gatorade, ate a ton of protein and just took it easy. I'd do these things and if you're not better by like Thursday I'd call your doctor. I'd also start Colace if you haven't already. That might help with any GI issues. I didn't have OHSS.

My last retrieval was so much easier because they didn't get as many eggs.

Thank you! Sorry your first experience was so awful. Maybe I just got really lucky the first two times! I’ll give it another day or two.

I think rapid weight gain is a big sign of OHSS so maybe start tracking your weight and call your doctor if it's more than just the regular infertility bloat.

I hope you feel better soon!

[fairfax]

Dec 4, 2018 13:27:40 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Dec 4, 2018 13:25:52 GMT -5 fairfax said:

Thank you! Sorry your first experience was so awful. Maybe I just got really lucky the first two times! I’ll give it another day or two.

I think rapid weight gain is a big sign of OHSS so maybe start tracking your weight and call your doctor if it's more than just the regular infertility bloat.

I hope you feel better soon!

I have only gained a pound or so - but frankly I have also been eating all the things I stayed away from during the cycle!

[ilovecandy]

I felt like shit after my retrieval and had pain longer than I thought I would. I remember going in for my transfer (fresh cycle) and still feeling a twinge of pain from the retrieval. But we did a day 3 transfer because that is what my Dr at the time preferred.

[fairfax]

Dec 4, 2018 11:58:56 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

I didn't have fever or nausea when I had OHSS. Lots of pressure. In fact, I was quite hungry and wanted to eat but couldn't because all the fluid in ny abdomen was compressing my stomach.

It's not a bad idea to call. With a higher follicle count, you're likely leaking more fluid than in the past.

Get lots of salty fluids and lots of protein! Add salt to Gatorade, eat canned soups and veggies, eat sausages, stuff like that. I took shots of soy sauce like 3 times a day with my last retrieval (also my biggest count ever) and didn't get OHSS.

ETA: I had my last retrieval on a Thursday, and was feeling better on Monday. By Tuesday, when I had my transfer, I was feeling back to normal. When I had the bad OHSS was my first IVF cycle, and I didn't start feeling bad until after transfer, once the embryo implanted and started secreting HCG. So keep that in mind.

Omg thank you for this advice! I had ramen and come chicken for lunch, more chicken and canned soup for dinner, a Gatorade and I feel better already! Phew!

[kellikans]

I felt horrible after both of my retrievals. Very similar to what you're describing. The first day after was usually okay, but then the bloating would set in and it was horrible. It would hurt to move. And I would also have GI upset. Both times it took about 6 days for me to start feeling back to normal.

Hope you start feeling better soon.

[fairfax]

Dec 5, 2018 0:33:46 GMT -5 kellikans said:

I felt horrible after both of my retrievals. Very similar to what you're describing. The first day after was usually okay, but then the bloating would set in and it was horrible. It would hurt to move. And I would also have GI upset. Both times it took about 6 days for me to start feeling back to normal.

Hope you start feeling better soon.

Good to know! I think it did take me by surprise because the day of and day after I felt mostly fine, then day 2/3 it hit me hard.

[pooh8402]

Dec 5, 2018 13:48:46 GMT -5 fairfax said:

Dec 5, 2018 0:33:46 GMT -5 kellikans said:

I felt horrible after both of my retrievals. Very similar to what you're describing. The first day after was usually okay, but then the bloating would set in and it was horrible. It would hurt to move. And I would also have GI upset. Both times it took about 6 days for me to start feeling back to normal.

Hope you start feeling better soon.

Good to know! I think it did take me by surprise because the day of and day after I felt mostly fine, then day 2/3 it hit me hard.

Yes, day 2/3 after retrieval was always the worst.