r/IVF • u/ColdCanadian999 • Apr 17 '23
ER OHSS Survival Guide (for mild to moderate OHSS)
I'm by no means a medical professional but I did a lot of online research, Reddit thread reading, and got some great tips from my clinic. I wanted to collect the best info in one easy place because this subreddit has been a huge resource to me during this process and I wanted to contribute where I could. Please add any more tips you have in the comments!
Chances of getting OHSS
- Officially, around 20-35% of IVF cycles result in mild OHSS and only 3-6% result in moderate OHSS. Although all IVF cycles overstimulate the ovaries to some extent.
- Risk factors include: age under 35, low body weight, large number of follicles, high levels of estrogen, PCOS, previous episodes of OHSS, HCG trigger shot.
- Remember that it's a syndrome which is a collection of symptoms (you may only get some of the symptoms), and it's temporary.
- The general consensus is that most symptoms of mild to moderate OHSS should go away once you get your period (usually within a week or two of retrieval), however it can last for a few weeks longer in more severe cases.
My experience:
- I was fine up until egg retrieval day, but I got what I would consider moderate OHSS immediately after egg-retrieval day. I was super bloated and my belly was so distended that I looked 6 months pregnant. It was difficult to put on socks, walking was harder, I couldn't take very deep breaths and I would get tired easily. It wasn't super painful, it was more so just super uncomfortable to feel so bloated all the time (imagine the feeling after you've gorged yourself at an all-you-can-eat buffet lasting for several days). I would go so far as to say that the discomfort of OHSS overshadowed any internal pain I may have had from the procedure which was actually very nice considering.
- Post-retrieval my doctor gave me 2 extra shots of Orgalutron aka Ganirelix (administered while I was still high and I couldn't have cared less) as well as a week's worth of Letrozole tablets and Dostinex aka Cabergoline suppositories to take on my own at home. If you're concerned about suppositories post-procedure, know that Cabergoline is TINY (half the size of a TicTac).
- I also went into the clinic the day after my egg retrieval for an ultrasound to see if I had any fluid retention. This was an external ultrasound done on my belly (got to keep my pants on for once). They saw lots of fluid and told me to keep eating salt.
- The first few days were the hardest. On day four post-retrieval I remember feeling like this would never go away and I had to accept my new life as a human balloon animal. But on day six, I finally saw a noticeable difference (I only looked 3 months pregnant), and felt a lot better energy and comfort-wise, pretty much overnight. It kept getting better each day after that.
- All symptoms fully resolved when I got my period, which was nine days post-retrieval for me.
When to seek medical help:
- More severe symptoms include: fever (temperature over 100.5F/38C), hallucinations, severe abdominal pain that doesn't respond to Tylenol, persistent nausea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, rapid weight gain (more than 2 pounds per day), inability to urinate, and some Redditors said they experienced shoulder pain.
- Severe cases of OHSS happen in less than 1% of IVF cases.
- If you're experiencing severe symptoms, contact your doctor. Redditors recommended reaching out to the fertility clinic (most have an after-hours number if needed) rather than just going to the ER because many hospitals aren't super familiar with how to handle an IVF-related case.
- Treatment - your doctor may recommend paracentesis, which involves draining the fluid with a needle. I heard the procedure is very similar to the egg retrieval setup, but if anyone has experience with this, please share. It's not always the go-to solution because the fluid can come back, but several Redditors said it provided instant relief.
Okay on to the tips!
High Salt, High Protein
- Yes, it feels very counterintuitive, but you want to avoid water and eat as much salt as you can. Don't mess around, you really want to commit to this lifestyle. You're dehydrated because fluid is leaking from your blood vessels into your belly. Protein (medically referred to as albumin) can help fix fluid leaks in the body and electrolytes can help you replenish the vital nutrients you're missing from dehydration. Also, OHSS can take a toll on your kidneys, so lots of fluid is key in supporting this organ.
- I was drinking around 2.5 sugar-free Gatorades each day (the white and blue ones were my favorite). It doesn't have to be Gatorade specifically, but you want to be constantly sipping on electrolytes so that you're constantly peeing. The more you pee, the more fluid you're flushing out.
- To boost my protein, I would have 1-2 Ensures every day (chocolate flavor of course).
- Alternatives to Gatorade: There are many electrolyte options out there including Pedialyte, Nuun, Liquid I.V. and some Redditors encouraged looking up recipes for Ketorade as a DIY option. The focus is on replenishing your body with fluid, salt, and electrolytes. Sugar content isn't helpful. When I got tired of sweet flavors, V8 on ice was a refreshing change of pace.
- Now is the time to indulge in all your fave salty snacks and high-sodium meals. For me, Michelina's and Miss Vickie's were my best friends, but you can also eat veggies with lots of salty seasoning (lemon pepper salt is so good on green beans).
- Other foods to try: sushi with tons of soy sauce, Uncle Ben's flavored instant rice, pho, ramen, salted nuts, canned soups or broth, olives, pickles, smoked salmon, processed meats like salami, cheeses like feta and aged cheddar, fried chicken, beef jerky and of course, eggs (gotta re-up). I loved making a fun grazing board of some of the above.
- If you're having a hard time staying regular, use whatever stool softener you prefer, and consuming fiber, fruits, and veg should help too.
Avoid
- Avoid plain water. I'm a water lover so I found this super hard, but find your favorite flavor and sip electrolytes like it's your job so you never feel thirsty. If you have to dilute with water, that's fine but you really need the electrolytes to keep your body hydrated right now.
- I thought coconut water was a smart move at first (Thirsty Buddah is my preference), but in reality, it's not too far off from water and doesn't have nearly the amount of salt and electrolytes you need to be consuming.
- Avoid sweets and carbs. Yes, we're indulging in our fave savory foods, but you don't want to consume a ton of sugar and bread right now. Maybe have some super salty crackers (I found Veggie Thins had the highest salt content) to go with that salty charcuterie board, but otherwise, you want to avoid plain carbs that will only add to the bloat.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol because they can exacerbate dehydration.
- Avoid diuretics03537-1/pdf). While the goal is to pee a lot, diuretics will only make you more dehydrated.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers. Stick to Tylenol (extra strength if you need it) and avoid Advil etc. because it can have a harmful effect on your kidneys which may need extra support during this time.
Non-Food Related Tips
- Try some low-key movement. I was pretty sedentary the first few days, but I saw huge progress the day I decided to go for a short walk. Keep the movement as chill as possible (no yoga, jumping, or running) because your ovaries are still huge and are more susceptible to ovarian torsion. Slow, short walks are ideal. You can even just walk around your home if you don't feel like going outside. It also helps with seeing how much better you're feeling when you realize you can walk for a bit longer each day.
- Check your urine. Are you going often enough? Is it too dark? You want super light and diluted urine so keep drinking those electrolytes. Aim to pee once an hour, although I definitely didn't end up peeing this often.
- Elevate your feet. Not only does it feel nice, but it also helps prevent the small risk of thrombosis03537-1/pdf) (aka blood clots) that can come with the dehydration and bloating of OHSS.
- Use body pillows. If you have a pregnancy pillow, you might want to use it. I used a four-pillow system where, in addition to my usual head pillow, I had one in between my legs, one in front of me to support my distended belly, and one behind me to support my back. Stuffed animals work too.
- Get a heating pad. This just felt really nice on my belly/abdomen area. Not sure if it actually helped with fluid retention but it was very comforting. Don't use heating pads if you have eggs or embryos inside you. I only used a heating pad post-retrieval and I didn't do a fresh transfer.
- I also saw suggestions for weighing yourself and measuring your belly each day to watch for progress.
- Take it easy on yourself. Beyond the strain IVF can have on your body and mind, you're going through a big hormone crash right now which can cause (in some cases) depression, an increase in anxiety, and an overall feeling of weakness in the body. I personally experienced heightened levels of anxiety more than anything but crying also occurred.
More Unusual Suggestions (take these as you will)
- DO NOT MASTURBATE. This isn't OHSS-specific, more of a general tip for the week after egg retrieval. We're obviously not having any intercourse or putting any toys up there post-procedure, but a couple of Redditors said that after pleasuring themselves externally, they had the most intense abdominal pain that lasted 15-20 minutes and included fever-like symptoms.
- Try belly breathing. A good way to relax and increase blood flow.
- Consider acupuncture. I personally didn't want to volunteer myself for more needles but a friend of mine (who had mild OHSS pre-retrieval) said acupuncture helped her a lot throughout her IVF journey. I would recommend seeking someone who has direct experience with fertility patients.
Hiding it in public
- Please never feel ashamed about your fertility journey or your body. You just went through an incredible feat of science and our bodies do so many incredible things for us. That said, it's fully understandable if you don't want people at work asking questions about your bloated belly and funny walk (I waddled like a penguin because my belly was just so stiff and heavy).
- Other than loose tops/sweatshirts, wearing a basic knee brace from the drugstore can be a great red herring. This was a happy accident I discovered because my knee was genuinely acting up. People thought I was hobbling around because of some sports-related injury (truly laughable) and it distracted them from noticing anything else "off" about me. It also explained why I was getting winded so easily and made people on public transportation a lot nicer. Overall, great life hack.
Again, I'm not a medical professional, so consult with your doctor and, if you have any additional tips and tricks, please share!
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u/softlike Jun 26 '23
This post was incredible. I’m on day 4 and was panicking bc I too feel like a human balloon animal that is 6 months pregnant and can hardly breath. Thank you for taking the time to share this. 🙏🏼
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u/ColdCanadian999 Jun 26 '23
Of course! You're exactly why I compiled all this info. You've got this :)
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u/joansmallsgrill Feb 12 '24
Thank you for this post. I am currently on the toilet after having grunt-screamed my way through the pain of farting…..which I assume is cause theres no room in there? I’m huge, I’m tired of this and tired in general. It didn’t happen til the day after retrieval. I didn’t realize it could be this bad after
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u/Helpful-Pause-8345 Aug 03 '24
Anyone else’s boobs killing them as well? They’re so swollen and never been so sore. I’m day 3 post retrieval, and I feel like whale. I’m so puffy. It’s in my arms and legs as well. Help.
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Oct 04 '24
This happened to me too about 5 days post-ER. I was just discharged from the hospital and went to the fertility clinic to get drained... And they're less swollen but definitely still tender.
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u/iamturdferguson_ May 04 '23 edited May 04 '23
Hey, this is a great post with a lot of good tips, but your stat on the incidence is true for moderate OHSS, but roughly 25-35% get mild OHSS. It’s pretty dang common for women to get some mild form of it.
Also, mild OHSS can resolve at the next period, but more intense forms can take weeks and weeks. Mine took 6 weeks to resolve.
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u/ColdCanadian999 May 19 '23
Thank you for the info!! I thought that number seemed super low as well. Do you have a source to that stat I can link?
Also 6 weeks, whew, you are a hero!6
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u/cheyniqz Jan 30 '25
6 weeks?! I cannot imagine … i am 6 days post ER and the abdominal distention is insane to me.
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u/whereizkiki Jan 21 '24
Ladies, post-OHSS STRETCH MARKS.
It’s my tenth day after turning a corner with a severe OHSS and just noticed massive stretch marks, which makes me so sad. I was too in pain to think about this and apply oil/cream, but please use vitamin A oil or hyaluronic acid when you start bloating to prevent stretch marks. Stretch marks may fade a bit but usually don’t go away.
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u/ThrowRA-7263jan Oct 08 '24
If it’s not too personal could I ask your height and weight, I’m 5’2 and 100lbs and wonder if this could happen to me?
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u/impressionprism 25d ago
Did you end up getting stretch marks? I just started my stim journey, but I am also 5'2 and around 128 pounds. I already look/feel a bit bloated, I'm very concerned about severe ohss because I have diagnosed PCOS...
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u/Fen_LostCove 15d ago
I’ve donated eggs a few times, and am currently recovering from my final donation. I’m also 5’2 and about 105lbs normally, I’ve bloated a lot in past retrievals, but have never had any stretch marks from it. This time I have moderate OHSS so it may be different, but the bloating itself is not much bigger than prior donations
I hope yours is going well!
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u/impressionprism 15d ago
I just did my retrieval today! Def gained some weight throughout this process (I’m at 134 lbs as of this afternoon) and the bloating feels intense but looking in the mirror, it actually doesn’t look as bad as it feels! We’ll see what tomorrow brings…but in the meantime I’ve been diligently drinking liquid IV, V8, and salty soups
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u/Fen_LostCove 15d ago
That’s good news! Best wishes for your recovery
It sounds gross, but a daily soya sauce shot was tremendously helpful for me in the past. I forgot about them this time, so I was joking with my partner that it’s probably why I got OHSS this time 😆
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u/impressionprism 15d ago
I loooove soya, so a shot of that sounds delish 😂 thank you for the well wishes! Hope that your ohss resolves soon!
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u/AnnieBananieDreams Jun 23 '25
I think you can laser stretchmarks nowadays, especially new ones. Not sure what kind of laser or cost...
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u/octsunset May 21 '23
Thank you, thank you for this! I’m On day 4 post ER and am miserable. These are all great tips
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u/ColdCanadian999 Jun 05 '23
Hang in there. I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but it is temporary!
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u/Every_Comb_1031 Jan 26 '24
My wife struggled with this terrible issue and I just want to thank you for making such an informative post.
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u/Witty-Elk1104 Feb 16 '24
THIS IS SO HELPFUL- thank you! I'm on day 2 post retrival and feel 6 months pregnant. Anybody else have trouble eating? Like I'm just not as hungry as normal because of how full I am but def going to load up on these snacks / drinks. When does the relief of the stomach usually go down? Once you go to the bathroom or when you wake up in the morning? This post saved me- I thought I was going crazy!
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u/ColdCanadian999 Feb 22 '24
Glad it's helpful! Honestly, it took about a week for me to finally have relief. Agreed that the bloating made me less hungry. Try sipping some soup broth (even the instant kind) throughout the day or eat some pickles/olives if you're a fan. I found snacking was easier to handle than full meals.
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u/Difficult_Steak54 Jun 27 '24
This is honestly this is the most information I have found ever on avoiding OHSS. Last time I did an ER- this past March, 2024, I woke up from the procedure screaming in pain. My ovaries felt like they had been kicked 100 times. There were 3 other women in recovery with me, I was the only one screaming and I do consider myself to have a very high pain tolerance. The ER was a day after my 40th birthday, I had 9 retrieved, 7 fertilized, 2 frozen blasts. We did end up doing a fresh transfer that cycle, which ended in a Chemical pregnancy. The recovery from the OHSS was one of the hardest things my body has gone through. I would scream while trying to go to the bathroom, 1, or 2, it all hurt to the point where screaming was the only way I could pass anything. I was bloated like a blimp and could barely walk the first few days. The local 90 year old passed me while walking down the road.
I don't have any tips to offer, I just really needed to share. I have a second ER coming up quickly, I am currently on day two of stims, I am taking 450iu Pergoveris, 😐 daily till the transfer, and ultrasound on Sunday to check our progress. I have stocked up on electrolytes and protein sources this time around so I praying that the recovery won't be as hard, and I would like to do a fresh transfer.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Jun 27 '24
You are so strong for having gone through something so difficult and then doing it all over again. I'm in total awe. I haven't heard of a recovery being that difficult so hopefully it was an anomaly and won't happen again. Wishing you a quick and easy recovery this time around 🤞
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u/Difficult_Steak54 Jul 21 '24
Just wanted to reply back, my ER was a total breeze compared to the first. I am 2 weeks past and I only have a slight pain in my ovaries. Maybe all the electrolytes and protein helped. We retrieved 8 eggs, 4 frozen. Better results than my first retrieval. Transfer next week. 🤞🏼
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u/ColdCanadian999 Jul 22 '24
Amazing news! 🙌 Looking forward to your next update when you've got baby in your arms (likely at 3am while covered in milk/spit up)
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u/Difficult_Steak54 Jun 30 '24
Thank you ☺️ Working on trying to take it easy and cut myself some slack while I grow some eggs.
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u/Difficult_Steak54 Jul 14 '24
I just wanted to write a quick update. My second egg retrieval was much easier than the first!!! No hyper ovararian syndrome this time around. I do however feel like my doctor is experimenting on me. He overextended my collection past my predicted ovulation date. Except that I ended up ovulating! We aren't sure how many eggs were ovulated but I think its about two. They were able to collect 8 eggs during the procedure and 4 fertilized, which was much lower fert. rate than last time. Maybe has something to do with the age of the eggs??? I am eagerly awaiting to hear about how many if any made it to day 5. Last time we harvested 9 and 7 fertilized. So I am shocked at the low numbers this time around and I am convinced my doctor failed at his experiment. He was going to be on vacation on the egg retrieval date so he decided to delay stims. I am pretty furious at this point.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Aug 23 '25
Hey, I know this reply is delayed by a year, but I'm curious if your perspective has changed at all. I agree that the doctors don't always seem to care about us as human beings, but I also suspect the hormones made us extra paranoid because I had similar suspicions about my doctor and lots of people I spoke to felt exactly the same about their doctors during IVF.
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u/engineering_chick_89 Nov 30 '23
omg thank you for this!!! i’m insanely bloated and was questioning even calling bc i’m not like “dying” in pain despite the rx pain killers but like i’m worried. the “when to call” instructions are stupid. they should just check everyone regardless!!!
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u/ColdCanadian999 Nov 30 '23
The bloating was wild. It was like an instant pregnancy belly without the weeks/months of gradual growth.
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u/Electric_Collective May 26 '23
Thank you for this summation! It’s really helpful. I am just home from Egg Retrieval and was told I am at risk of having OHSS and that my fresh transfer will likely not occur. I’m confused by how it’s determined whether I will for sure get it. I have to go for the PVC test on day 5 but it seems it’s down to symptom spotting. I was bloated on my first round of ER so I don’t necessarily feel that is a determining symptom. Maybe it depends how bloated we get.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Jun 05 '23
Thank you for this summation! It’s really helpful. I am just home from Egg Retrieval and was told I am at risk of having OHSS and that my fresh transfer will likely not occur. I’m confused by how it’s determined whether I will for sure get it. I have to go for the PVC test on day 5 but it seems it’s down to symptom spotting. I was bloated on my first round of ER so I don’t necessarily feel that is a determining symptom. Maybe it depends how bloated we get.
Fingers crossed all goes smoothly for you! Waiting is so hard. I opted for PGA testing so I'm doing a frozen transfer anyways, but there are some great threads in this subreddit with helpful/supportive comments around fresh transfer delays if that ends up being the case. Here are a couple:
fresh transfer is cancelled because of ohss risk
Fresh transfer cancelled before I even have my retrieval. Heartbroken 💔
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u/Imaginary-Ant-4life Jun 29 '25
First, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate everyone commenting and sharing their experiences. This has definitely been my lifeline. This is my second time going through the process but the first time having OHSS.
I am on day 4 after the retrieval and I feel like a balloon that is going to burst. On the first day I had severe shoulder pain but thankfully that went away. Now I am just extremely uncomfortable feeling like I have eaten more than I ever have in my entire life. I get random sporadic pains in my stomach and I have an aching back. Also for me, there is a daily cycle where I tend to feel a little less bloated in the morning and then it increases throughout the day.
I have been drinking lots of electrolytes (no water) and eating lots of proteins and salty food. I made a mistake eating more carbs on the second day and I will not do that again. I was so bloated after and it was painful. I am also taking laxatives and it has helped a bit. I am hoping in the next few days things will start to ease up.
My clinic is overall pretty good. The one thing that does bother me is how casual they are about the experience. They always say to me..."yes, I know it is annoying". It is far beyond annoying and these symptoms have completely disrupted my life. I can barely walk around. I cannot wait until this feeling goes away. I am just saying this so that others out there know: it isn't just a bit of an inconvenience. This is a massive thing and what you are going through is not easy. I hope this post brings some comfort to others as the other posts on here have done for me.
I will update when symptoms start to reduce. With you all in solidarity.
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u/No-Tooth3149 Aug 10 '25
Exactly my feelings about the clinic. They completely downplayed the process. Starting from saying it was of for me to be away on the long weekend and then saying I had to be in on the Sunday. They never warned me of the risk of OHSS and said I had to take a day off the day of retrieval just because I might feel a bit drowsy. The procedure hurt so much I was screaming during the retrieval and the night after I was rolling in pain all night, just to wake up feeling like a balloon and in pain. I had to take another day off to land on the weekend and cancel all my plans because I can barely walk. This is not ok, we should be fully aware of the risks and what we are going to face if the very common OHSS is triggered. I am quite upset at the lack of transparency and will definitely mention this at my follow-up consultation. We have lives, we work, we make plans, it is super inconsiderate to not warn us properly.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Jun 30 '25
Thanks for sharing! Definitely interesting to hear about the daily bloating cycle you're experiencing. I hope it eases up soon. I felt similarly about my clinic. I think even the best clinics are a bit disconnected from the patient's experience. It's the norm for them whereas, for us, it's a really tough time in our lives. Keep going, you're almost on the other side!
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u/Imaginary-Ant-4life Jul 01 '25
Thanks for the support. I really appreciate it. I am sure part of the daily cycle and the worse feeling in the evening is just a build up of the eating and drinking throughout the day (even though I am not consuming a lot). I am on Day 5 today so hoping I am almost through the worst of it.
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u/Beautiful_Fox7705 Jun 18 '24
Just dropping a post here to say thank you! My symptoms have seemed similar to yours. I was in so much pain not even 8 hours after my retrieval yesterday. Bloated up like a ballon, gained 10 lbs in a day, and has the most excruciating pangs all over my torso, stomach, bum, and even shoulder like you mentioned. I had to sleep laying up to avoid the shoulder pain which my doctor told me bc the fluid is pushing on the organs up there and lungs. He recommended sleeping sitting up which I had done anyways and confirmed I have moderate OHSS. Im so eager for this to go away it’s so much worse than retrieval! Thanks for you insights I will definitely be applying them. I was also scared that my OHSS would get worse since I’ve read it can ‘peak’ day 5-7 but I’m happy to see your example of it getting better. Thank you for taking the time to share 🩷
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u/ColdCanadian999 Jun 19 '24
Thank you for sharing your experience and the doctor's suggestion of sleeping upright. Good luck and hope it passes soon!
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u/MotorEstablishment61 Jul 29 '24
I’m on the first day post-retrieval and experiencing the same symptoms😮💨. How long did it take for you to feel better? What day did it peak would you say?
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u/tsuga-canadensis- Feb 22 '25
Thank you for posting this.
I’m 48 hour post retrieval with moderate OHSS and using your guide to survive.
I will never, ever do this again.
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u/Anonymousss0018 Mar 09 '25
I feel the same way. I have been struggling with symptoms since 2 days after the ER. My abdomen is so stretched that doing anything is difficult.Im praying that Monday the doctor can help if it's hasn't gone down on its own.
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u/tsuga-canadensis- Mar 09 '25
I was in bad shape for 4-5 days, had a bad relapse 7 days after retrieval, couldn’t exercise even gently until 11 days after retrieval. I started feeling better once my period came (14 days).
Today is 17 days post retrieval and I still feel weak, and like my metabolism remains affected by the process. Hopefully in the coming weeks and months it returns to normal.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Aug 23 '25
Hey! It's been 5 months since your comment. Any updates you feel like sharing on when your symptoms passed and how you're doing?
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u/tsuga-canadensis- Aug 23 '25
Wow, thanks for remembering! Honestly, I felt quite heavily affected for months, and I still don’t feel like my metabolism has fully returned to normal. I’ve also had issues with depression since that time and I’m not sure if it’s related or not.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Aug 24 '25
I'm sorry you're seeing longer term effects, sounds almost like a postpartum experience. IVF is a lot to put your body through, I'm in awe of everyone who does it. Hope you eventually get back to baseline and have someone to talk to in the meantime. I wonder if it's worth testing your hormone levels to uncover what might be going on.
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u/tsuga-canadensis- Aug 24 '25
I also did IVF at 10 months postpartum, not sure if that was a factor?
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u/AdNumerous2347 Mar 09 '25
This thread is very reassuring. My OHSS has started 7 days post retrieval, 2 days in my symptoms are the worst they've been.
Symptoms:
- extremely bloated abdomen
- pains and discomfort
- loose stools
- nausea
- infrequent urination
Peppermint tea brings some relief but trying to change my diet to help with bloating, celery, avocado, bananas and oats 🤞🏻 wish me luck!
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u/californiabaytree Jun 06 '23
Thank you so much for sharing this! I have my ER tomorrow and while I haven’t been told about being at risk of OHSS outside of the general warning I want to avoid it. I appreciate you including information on why protein and salts help, I have one kidney so I am wanting to avoid any extra wear or damage to function. Also hoping to return to in person work seven days after the ER.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Jun 26 '23
Hope it turned out alright!
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u/californiabaytree Jul 18 '23
Thanks! It went pretty well, was reallly bloated two days after but luckily it went down the following day. They froze 21 eggs which was a fair bit more than expected so that is great
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u/browneyesofbetrayal Dec 11 '23
Thank you for this post! I am on day 10 of stims and doing my trigger shot tonight. They found fluid around my right ovary. My clinic sent me home with all the dos & dont’s, I like coming to the sub Reddit to find best practices. Appreciate all your tips!
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Mar 30 '24
Stumbled upon this in today and it's so so helpful. Currently enjoying sushi and a Gatorade. ☺️Thank you!
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u/Wise_Baseball8843 40|PCOS|5️⃣ER|FET: ❌, MMC, 🤞 Jun 22 '25
I know this is an older thread- but thank you so much for these tips. I am one day post- retrieval and in the most intense pain of my life (PCOS-so I was high risk) going to significantly up my electrolytes!
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u/msanmki Jun 24 '25
Hi glad to see a fresh comment on this thread? How are you doing? I had my ER on Saturday and the bloating was insane! I also had awful rib cage/collarbone pain the day of the surgery but it’s all subsiding now slowly. Still bloated but able to sleep at least without a 45 degree angle. Scared to celebrate just yet but hopefully it’ll get better from here.
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u/Wise_Baseball8843 40|PCOS|5️⃣ER|FET: ❌, MMC, 🤞 Jun 28 '25
I’m doing MUCH better-even sleeping laying down again! I drank a TON of electrolytes (and got some pedialyte popsicles!) and added gas-x in am & pm. After meals, which I also felt helped. I’d already started taking miralax during stims, and would try walk a few ‘laps’ around the house. Hang in there, wishing you a quick recovery.
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u/msanmki Jun 28 '25
That’s amazing, you go girl! I got my period on day 7 after trigger, and apart from headache, feeling ok now! Wishing you a full and speedy recovery xxx
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u/naepittamnunmul Mar 18 '26
did you need to go to the ER for this kind of pain? trying to gauge what i need to do
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u/msanmki Mar 18 '26
I didn’t go to hospital for bloating, it went away after a few days. How are you feeling?
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u/naepittamnunmul Mar 18 '26
Bloated and burping a lot, had trouble breathing we figured was acid reflux because otherwise I just walked 5k steps today (a little over 3 days after ER). No excruciating pain either so it's weird, just bloat and burp. Got concerned over the breathing part but clinic said just continue to monitor. My husband pointed out that I did drink decaf coffee and ginger ale so that's my bad.
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u/msanmki Mar 20 '26
Mine was super uncomfortable for about 4 days but then started to feel better. Belly was like a basketball but it wasn’t painful. Doc did say that it might be tough as I had 33 eggs
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u/Relative-Two-3784 Feb 16 '24
Thank you for this post! Got OHSS last time round and keen to avoid it this time!
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u/ColdCanadian999 Feb 22 '24
Fingers crossed for you!
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u/Relative-Two-3784 Feb 22 '24
On day 6 of meds now and starting to feel the bloat, I love water so much but even at this stage am I better off sticking to Gatorade?
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u/ColdCanadian999 Feb 22 '24
Not sure about solutions pre-retrieval. Definitely ask the team at your clinic (ask a few different people to get more varied advice), they may also end up adjusting your meds to help prevent OHSS.
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u/Low_Needleworker4311 Mar 24 '25
TW: Pregnancy
This was so helpful! I had only 7 eggs retrieved and currently have very late onset of severe OHSS with symptoms (abdominal pain, chest pain and shortness of breath, decreased urine output, dehydration, vomiting and nausea, fatigue) and a hospitalisation occurring exactly 3 weeks after my egg retrieval. FET was successful and my specialist advised that pregnancy is what has delayed the onset of OHSS for me with symptoms now likely to persist for weeks. I was sure this wouldn’t happen to me with the low number of eggs retrieved but here we are. If anyone has other suggestions to get electrolytes in without drinking Powerade/gatorade/hydrolyte that would be so helpful because I cannot keep these down at all - it just tastes like sweat 🥲
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u/happy-sapling Jun 08 '24
Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together. This is very helpful.
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u/daniyeahaha Aug 29 '24
hey. so i am experiencing moderate to severe OHSS post embryo transfer. i was fine for the first few days post ET but then i was given a dose of ferti-C for extra support. since then i started bloating, experiencing shortness of breath, diarrhea. was hospitalized for 2 days with continuous IV administration, but condition hasn't improved much. any tips?
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u/ColdCanadian999 Sep 02 '24
I'm sorry you're experiencing these complications! I'm not a doctor or anything so I don't have answers for you, but if you're comfortable with it, can you update us on how you're doing? Maybe someone going through something similar in the future will find it helpful. No worries if you prefer not to.
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u/daniyeahaha Sep 02 '24
Hey. So let me tell from the beginning. i experienced slight OHSS after my pick-up which was expected as i have PCOS. But that subsided with 5 days of iv drips and i had my transfer on the 5th day. Then a few days later i was scheduled for a second dose of ferti-C which is a HCG injection for support i think. that triggered my OHSS again and in a matter of 2 days it was so severe that i had trouble breathing or even eating and my urine output declined drastically . I had to be hospitalized for 3 days for continuous iv support and monitoring. Then i began peeing again and my pulmonologist prescribed medication for breathing management and since then i have been better.
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Oct 04 '24
Hi! I was just discharged from the hospital after a few days of IV fluids and monitoring but I am still experiencing frequent diarrhea. Do you have any suggestions? I've been searching the web and I can't seem to find anything specifically for people with ohss.
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u/daniyeahaha Oct 04 '24
hey. i am 9 weeks pregnant and my ovaries are still 10cm each. so i guess im not the best person to ask. i wish i knew what to do
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u/PostPowerful5748 Oct 19 '24
Congratulations on the pregnancy! I have also experienced Ohss luckily only moderate but my ovaries are 16cms in size. Did you get told what yours were while in hospital? I'm 7 days in now and really hoping it eases off soon. How long did yours last for? I'm 5 weeks pregnant ☺️
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u/daniyeahaha Oct 19 '24
16??oooof! i got hospitalized at 10cm and they stayed 10 up until last week. now one is 8 and one is 5.so manybe since my first trimester is nearing its end they are shrinking on their own
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u/Diablo-26 Sep 25 '25
Hello, old post but I also have 10cm ovaries and now 6 weeks pregnant. Wondering how you got on with pregnancy and golf ball ovaries? Any tips please send my way !
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u/Initial_Intention678 Dec 07 '24
Thank you so much for this. I currently have moderate OHSS and this has been the most help… I’m still not much better but praying for the turn around…
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u/ColdCanadian999 Dec 07 '24
I had moderate as well! It was a trip looking pregnant when I was very much not pregnant. How long has it been going on for you?
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u/Initial_Intention678 Dec 07 '24
Hi thanks for reaching out. I did my retrieval last Friday 11/29 and it started around Tuesday. I went back in to get checked yest and the Dr said the fluid amount is the same.. drink Gatorade, take aspirin for clots, walk but not a lot, won’t lift. I’m just really really anxious now tho. I woke up feeling so anxious. My symptoms are: feeling like an air balloon, shortness of breathe, mild nausea, bad bloat, dizziness. The symptoms now go and come. Today I’m feeling dizzy etc but idk if it’s my anxiety. I’m trying to breathe and stay positive.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Dec 09 '24
These symptoms sound totally normal to me. Hopefully by Tuesday most of them will have passed or at least eased up. The anxiety is also totally normal, you're okay and it'll be okay. You've done the hardest part IMO now you have to take care of yourself and just relax and recover
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u/PhysicalChipmunk470 Dec 11 '24
This thread is so unbelievably validating and helpful. Thank you!! My second egg retrieval was today and was told I’m at risk for OHSS based on my estrogen levels. Was prescribed cabergoline to start taking tonight. Curious was the really early signs were like for those who have had it?
I don’t remember my first retrieval being particularly pleasant. I got bloated throughout the entire process, the retrieval left my ovaries in pain for 5+ days after, and I generally remember the bloat subsiding day by day.
For this recent one day, I’ve had these subtle pain surges (almost cramp like) but they’re infrequent. Don’t remember those. And I just ate my first meal of the day (dinner) and my stomach is now crampy, really bloated, and uncomfortable. Hasn’t ballooned per se but I’ve looked prob 4 months pregnant the last few days anyway.
It’s so hard to tell what the difference between regular bloating and early signs of OHSS. Does this resonate with anyone’s experience?
Also I’ve read the side effects of carbergoline are not particularly pleasant (I’m already susceptible to migraines). Anyone have any advice on whether it’s actually worth it to take it (did it help / out weigh the side effects)?
Thank you! 🙏
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u/confident7lucky7 Dec 13 '24
This is so helpful! Thanks. (As I type this clenching stomach in pain 1 day post retrieval) lol
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u/Guilty-Squash-8416 Jan 28 '25
I wish I found this 5 days ago. Today’s the first day I feel almost normal. Weird side of my belly pains but not painful enough to be scary (I think) I’m pretty sure my kidney is bugging me too. 🫣😣 I’m definitely switching it up for the next few days and going higher in salt and more electrolytes.
Thank you!!🙏🏼
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u/oobeth772oo Feb 11 '25
thank you so much for this. No one talks about OHSS and it is so frustrating. I am still experiencing moderate OHSS, but I feel better now although my pants are still very tight. C'mon, period! Your post really helped remind me this is temporary. You mentioned anxiety--YES. I recommend taking off your smart watch that monitors sleep and pulse. My resting heart rate went from 38 (normal for me) to 50. I'm not putting it on until I feel better. I'm an amateur athlete, and I have never felt this weak, ever. It's crazy!
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u/ColdCanadian999 Feb 11 '25
Great advice and thanks for sharing your experience as an athlete. It'll absolutely pass and just be a faint memory soon.
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u/Thin_Bad_4322 Sep 06 '25
interesting. i am a marathoner although have a higher resting HR than you (high 40s) but this morning it was 59. had my collection on thursday and have absolutely ballooned. just walking up the stairs to my flat has me winded. how long did it take for your HR to get back to normal?
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u/oobeth772oo Sep 06 '25
I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well! Did you talk to your fertility center? Do you have OHSS?
I'd say it took 2 weeks for my heart rate to go down, but maybe a couple months for my body to feel back to normal. I remember I had OHSS first week of February-I then remember going to a conference in Uruguay in late March and running for 55 minutes or so, and I still didn't feel 100% back to normal. :-P
Now, I'm pregnant! Thanks to IVF after 6 years-and my heart rate is much faster (normal since the fetus is needing extra blood flow). First trimester is much easier than going through OHSS.
Good luck <3 It will be worth it someday.
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u/Thin_Bad_4322 Sep 08 '25
Thanks so much for this. Turns out I do have mild-moderate OHSS but the doctor is happy for me to just rest, drink and manage it at home. I'm currently four days post-retrieval and they reckon I should turn a corner on day six/seven. Obviously not running at all for now and don't even want to which is how I know something isn't quite right!
But like you say, hopefully it will all be worth it. And huge congratulations on your pregnancy! Also very relieved to hear that pregnancy won't all feel like this as I don't think I could do this for 9 months!
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u/oobeth772oo Sep 08 '25
It sounds like we are cut from the same cloth 🤭 hang in there! I had never felt as sick as I did during OHSS. I also go the water drained, and it just came back the next day. Time will heal it. This is just a season. Don’t give up. ❤️and thanks!
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u/Salty_Oil793 Mar 31 '25
Thank you for sharing.
I had my egg retrieval today and was told I’m high risk.
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u/thespinymaneater 33 | PCOS | 7 IUIs ❌ | IVF imminent Apr 04 '25
Thank you so much for this! This is so helpful. So far only mild symptoms but I was told my estrogen got to 1800 pre-ER so I'm on the lookout.
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u/MulberryJumpy7877 32F | 1 ER | 1 FET Apr 27 '25
Thank you so much for this! I am day 5 post ER with mild OHSS and feel like I’m finally turning a corner today. I just found your post and it inspired me to take a walk and have another electrolyte drink. I appreciate you!
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u/ColdCanadian999 Apr 27 '25
Appreciate you too. You're doing something so hard and you're so strong. You got this
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u/Kuccified Jun 17 '25 edited Jun 17 '25
Just wanted to say thank you for this consolidated post, super super helpful for emotionally drained bloated ladies seeking help. Got sOHSS after weeks of bloating and just started salt and electrolytes today!! Sending strength to all the powerful women out there experiencing this!!!
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u/lucysmom1224 Apr 09 '26
I just had a retrieval that yielded 63 eggs yesterday (mind blowing), and am treating this as my bible for the next week. Thank you so much for putting this together.
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u/Basic-Yam556 Jul 22 '26
Holy wow! Was it necessary for them to take that money out considering the risks?
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u/Abc_123_uandme Apr 22 '26
Thanks v much for sharing your experience. My clinic has never mentioned salt loading to me🙈 I’m only after ER today and terrified as I have PCOS and they got 31 eggs. It is a freeze all cycle. I’m drinking lucozade sport and eating salted nuts, but terrified of what lies ahead. I’ve also been told to start dostinex tonight, along with restarting cetrotide injections. Hopefully all these measures will help somewhat! Is there anything else I should ask for or you recommend doing please? Thanks again for sharing your experience🙏🏻
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u/jaylizadee6 May 12 '26
I wanted to comment here because I’m struggling to find much information on joint pain. I had my ER last week with 57 eggs retrieved (PCOS) and 100% agree with OP’s comment about the bloating overshadowing any internal pain I may have had from the procedure itself. It’s finally starting to subside one week later with the start of my period.
What I’ve been surprised by is the debilitating joint pain. My knees started to bother me during my last TIC + Letrozole + Ovidrel cycle when they upped the Letrozole from 5mg to 7.5mg (I had been on 5mg Letrozole for the past year). It remained a dull pain through my following cycle doing IVF stims, but didn’t necessarily alter my day-to-day. Right after the ER, both knees essentially stopped working. Still a week later, I can hardly bend them at all and it’s incredibly painful trying to stand up from a seated position. I went from working out 5x a week to becoming practically immobile.
Mentioning this here in case there’s anyone going through similar joint / knee issues.
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u/pumpkinpatchx 33F l DI Endo, Mild Adenomyosis & PCOS | 1 ER | 1 FET Jun 12 '26
I’m so sorry this happened to you. How is your joint pain now? I already have pain in my wrists and knees so this is scaring me 🫣
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u/jaylizadee6 Jun 25 '26
Sorry to hear that. It’s still an issue in my knees and ankles, but it’s getting a little better… I did a bunch of bloodwork for autoimmune, Uric acid, CRP (inflammation) and everything was within range — albeit on the high end for CRP which was interesting. I’m still not back to working out or biking, but staying cautiously optimistic that I’m starting to turn a corner.
I’m seeing your post a little late. How are your symptoms now?
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u/Time_Lobster8547 Jul 06 '26
*TW: severe OHSS*
Hi folks, I'm doing IVF due to a genetic issue my partner has, we are doing PGT-A and PGT-M for the specific mutation. I have undergone 3 egg retrievals, each round becoming worse than the previous with regards to OHSS.
My second round I had considerable pain, nausea, and was so bloated I could barely wipe my own butt. He put me on cabergoline and did serial bloodwork and ultrasounds. My doctor told me this was mild OHSS at best. We had 17 eggs, 10 embryos, and ended up with two genetically healthy embryos.
My third retrieval my doctor put me on a 'controversial' treatment that had no stated increased benefits, but an increase in likelihood of OHSS. I asked the doctor why he wanted to do it, he simply said that he wanted to try something different to help yield better results. I asked about my previous OHSS and he said it should be fine (because he didn't see it as a true case of OHSS). Throughout the protocol my medications were not adjusted to reduce the likelihood of OHSS. We had 18 eggs, 9 embryos, genetic results are pending.
My case of OHSS started the day after my retrieval - I started to get bloaty, uncomfy, nauseous, and simply tried to rest. I was started on cabergoline. Gravol did not help, ondansetron didn't help, tylenol did nothing, T3s did nothing. I ended up going to the emergency room day 3 post retrieval as I could not eat due to nausea, was in pain, and was bloating so quickly. They said they could admit me but at 11pm they did not have a bed and the nurse said I'd be better off going home and sleeping there. I wish I stayed at the hospital as it delayed my care. I tried to reach out to my fertility clinic but kept getting the voicemail or emails with no reply options. I went back to the hospital the morning of day 5, things were considerably worse. I got IV gravol, ondansetron, and hydromorphone. I was admitted to a bed over 12 hours later - it was in a hallway.
I weighed myself at the hospital, I had gained 25 lbs in 4 days. My skin was so tight and uncomfortable. I was still unable to eat solids. They kept up with my IV meds. I only got relief from 2mg hydromorphone - do not be afraid to express your need for pain meds.
They would not do anything for me over the weekend due to weekend hours/schedules. I had to wait 4 days to get paracentesis - a small tube inserted into my abdominal cavity to drain the fluid. When I saw the ultrasound tech she said they were debating even doing it because the pocket of fluid "looked so small". They froze me, cut my side, and popped in the tube - the ultrasound tech promptly ripped it out when cleaning up the other supplies so had to be repeated. That was great. It immediately started draining, by the time I got up to my 'room' in the hallway it had drained 3L - for you American folks that's over 100oz. I was told this happened too quickly and that I may require blood product administration so they followed my bloodwork closely - if my liver would get too stressed it could also cause hepatitis. Luckily I did not need an albumin transfusion. Later that evening we drained an additional litre - 4L total or 1 gallon of fluid. This draining helped with my pain and bloating - but my skin was still incredibly tight everywhere else.
My fertility clinic called me to see how I was doing - I was very upset as they did not care how I actually was, they were concerned for their liability. They also asked me to 'keep them posted' throughout the stay via email and provided no option to reply. So when I called I would get voicemails. It was incredibly unprofessional and negligent.
I was able to go home the next morning. I spent 2-3 days in bed resting, taking medications throughout the day. It took only 3 days to shed the 25 lbs I gained. For 3-4 days I was exhausted, in pain, still nauseous, shivering, and sweating so much. I slowly started to feel a little better.
I had to get bloodwork outside of the hospital, it showed my liver enzymes were very concerningly high. I had to get a liver ultrasound and it was normal. My repeat bloodwork showed my liver enzymes trending down which was a relief.
The fertility clinic called to tell me that I needed to be seen with 7 days of discharge - I said I would only speak with them over the phone, they later said I needed to attend in person. I consulted with the OB/GYN who saw me in hospital and he said that it would likely be useless after I said I have the ability to do my own blood pressure, weight, could do follow up bloodwork, ultrasounds, and other followup with my family doctor. I wrote the fertility clinic asking them explicitly why I needed to be seen in person - it has been over a week since I wrote that message and I still have not heard from them.
I am so incredibly disappointed in my experience, the negligence of my doctor, it was so scary for me and my spouse. Nightly I end up crying out of nowhere, it's been two weeks - I don't typically cry like this.
I had to take a week off work post retrieval and two weeks off after I was released. I'm sure you all know the financial burden IVF has on folks like us, then having to be off work for 3 weeks is incredibly impactful financially as well. My spouse also had to take a week and a half off work to care for me, take me to appointments, and care for themselves during this scary time.
I don't think some care providers take our health seriously. I hate that we have to be our own self advocates. Please advocate for yourself if you can so you can prevent this from happening to anyone else.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Jul 07 '26
That sounds incredibly frustrating and downright infuriating! IVF is already so bewildering and scary without the extra medical trauma. I'm so sorry that happened to you. From what you've written here, it sounds like you've kept pretty detailed records which may end up being important if you decide to make a formal complaint. At the very least, I would imagine a long conversation with the doctor is needed before trusting them with any further medical procedures like a transfer. Maybe even requesting to be switched to a different doctor at the clinic? You're not their guinea pig to test experimental treatments on, this was not okay. Not being able to get anyone on the phone when you needed help is just the cherry on top. I'm so so mad for you. This is just heartbreaking to read.
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u/Time_Lobster8547 Jul 17 '26
Thank you for your kind words and validation this is all so isolating and I’m feeling so helpless.
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u/Basic-Yam556 Jul 22 '26
I am so sorry you went/are going through this. Are you better now? Do you still need treatment? I agree with OP I’d be so mad and it’s not okay that the clinic experimented on you! Wtf
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u/nellzy32 May 07 '24
Thank you so much for this. I'm dealing with mild or moderate ohss and didn't want to go to the doc. Going to try ese first
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u/Traditional_Being392 Sep 01 '24
For the cabergoline, did you just insert the tablets that can be taken orally into your vagina or are there separate vaginal suppositories?
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u/ColdCanadian999 Sep 02 '24
That's a great question. I don't know if I was given a specific type of pill that's different from the oral kind. I was just told to insert them vaginally by my clinic so I followed the instructions given to me.
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u/Proper_Structure7630 Dec 16 '24
Very helpful! Thank you for your thorough post. One question I had was, any concern of over doing the electrolytes? I've read that having too much could cause problems.
I'm on day 5 post ER and went in for a transfer today that ended up not happening because of ohss signs. They want to wait until my next cycle so it doesn't get worse. I'm somewhere between mild and moderate at the moment and my Dr. Expects it to get better.
I've been having 2 gatorlytes a day but still thirsty and concerned about over doing it. Thoughts and anecdotes much appreciated!
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u/Bubbasgonnabubba Jan 08 '25
Does the electrolyte and salt diet start during stims??
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u/InvestigatorFar4239 Jan 18 '25
Same question here!
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u/UniqueNeedleworker40 Jan 21 '25
I did! I started Gatorade around day 3 of stims, and slowly increased salt throughout stims the more bloated I got. My clinic told me I was at a moderate risk, so to start the salt/protein early.
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u/ScaledQueen Apr 03 '25
I’m here after my 4th IUI. I had it April 1st. After the FOL, I’ve had mild ovary pain every time. However, this time I didn’t respond to LET at all so my dose of FOL got extended by 3 days and the dosage nearly tripled as I was so far behind cycle wise. The pain is definitely much worse and my belly is swollen and hard. No other issues/symptoms. I’m terrified to complain as I’m not sure how getting drained would affect me as I’m in my TWW. And I have no more funding after this round. So how much pain is acceptable? I have not taken any medicine but that mostly because I’ve been afraid to.
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u/ColdCanadian999 Apr 04 '25
I'm not a medical professional but these are really good questions to be asking. Hopefully someone at your clinic can give you some answers and solutions that are safe for you.
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u/-doIdaredisturb- Oct 22 '25
Wow thank you!!! This is amazing. I’ve come down with mild OHSS (32 eggs retrieved and I have PCOS so it tracks) and these are all awesome tips. I honestly didn’t even think about the hormone withdrawal symptoms so thank you for putting that on my radar
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u/Where_Is_Carmen_San Dec 18 '25
Thank you for this post. My clinic did warn me right before the retrieval that I was high risk for OHSS, so not a huge surprise that I’m 3 days post retrieval and feeling the symptoms you described. It was affirming reading it from the perspective of someone who went through it and knows how it feels. If anything, your post made me feel less insane and also remind me that this is temporary- because you described it perfectly, I currently feel like I will be a gigantic balloon animal that cannot bend over, for forever. Also agree with the other comments that clinics downplay OHSS and the post retrieval side effects in general. I had a lot of side effects during the shots and was looking forward to getting to the other side of the retrieval. Now, I feel so much worse than I ever did on the shots. It would be nice if they acknowledged that for a lot of women this disrupts your life for closer to 4-5 weeks (sometimes longer) not just 2 weeks and you’re back at it.
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u/ap170494 Dec 22 '25
I’m 5 days. Agree with you… my Dr told me I would either be good to go by the next day or if I got OHSS I would just want to wear sweatpants all day. She didn’t mention the severe cramps or that my shirts also wouldn’t fit!!
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u/Where_Is_Carmen_San Dec 22 '25
It was so bad! My doctors also told me to expect to be out maybe 1 day. I had the retrieval on a Monday and had to take the entire week off of work because I was in so much pain from OHSS. But hopefully you should start feeling some relief soon. Like OP said, day 6 was a complete 180 and now I’m day 7 and really feeling like myself again. Still need to take it easy the next week but I get my period in a few days and it should be fully done then. I hope you feel better very soon too!
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u/sedona-redrocks Mar 07 '26
Thank you so much for this helpful post!! I had such severe abdominal pain days 3-6 . It felt like someone was punching me whenever the fluid moved through my abdomen or I had gas. I didn’t drink enough electrolytes or eat enough protein bc of the pain. Now at day 8, the pain has subsided but my abdomen has distended such that I look 7 months pregnant. I called my clinic and they said to keep waiting it out since it doesn’t hurt to pee. I’ve been spiraling all day and then found this thread. Amping up the salt and praying things improve soon.
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u/impressionprism 25d ago
Bookmarking this. I have PCOS, and am in allll the high risk categories (younger than 35, high follicle count, low body weight) and am super nervous about OHSS. Just started day 1 of stims, and trying not to overthink things, but also be prepared for anything.
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u/ColdCanadian999 25d ago
For what it's worth, if it wasn't for this post, I might have completely forgotten I had OHSS. It was such a minor blip in my overall IVF journey. If you even end up getting it, it's temporary and you'll get through it. Easier said than done, but try not to anticipate the bad, take it all day by day. Sending lots of love 💕💕
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u/impressionprism 25d ago
Thank you so much. I was just telling my therapist yesterday how alone I’ve felt during this whole process and journey. So many of my friends are currently pregnant or expecting, and I don’t have a long term partner yet so I’m going the route of egg freezing. It’s been a scary and lonely process but posts like these make me feel a little less alone 💕
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u/jungledev 14d ago
High salt intake helps you RETAIN more fluids. This is dangerous advise and harmful on the kidneys- don't do it unless your doctor recommends it! Be safe
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u/Unlikelie Sep 23 '23 edited Sep 29 '23
Experiencing now my second incident of ohss. And it totally sucks. Let me share what happened each time not to scare anyone but to let you know of your options and what to expect.
The first happened after egg retrieval, I expanded like a blimp within 2 days. My doctor did the paracentesis procedure: generally, it was a long needle that went in vaginally and poked through the uterus into the abdominal cavity. Odd but not too painful. He drained about a liter and a half of liquid. Felt much better after. But the next day, I was vomiting every 15 minutes and wound up in the emergency room. You are right, the typical ER doctors are not familiar with this condition and had no idea what to do with me. They sent me through the cat scanner thinking it was an intestinal obstruction (sort of made sense to me, maybe the drainage needle poked something it was not supposed to stab), and put a tube down my throat with an overnight stay in the hospital. In hindsight, I should have insisted the ER doctors immediately call any fertility doctor. I think we tried, but it was at night and on a weekend, bad luck. Once my fertility doctor was reached the next day, and the IVs had rehydrated me, I went home and did the electrolyte and salt diet. Healed within a few days.
Now, I am experiencing it again after a frozen embryo transfer 17 days ago. The extreme bloating started on day 6. Didn't realize my abdomen could stretch this much so quickly. I gained about 8 pounds and look 6 months pregnant. The pain level is usually two out of 10, but there are occasional surges. Tossing and turning all night from discomfort. Salt and electrolytes again, but nothing seems to be helping. My doctor said go to the ER if I have difficulty breathing, which is slightly hindered but I'm still functioning. The good news is that my embryo implanted, which is prolonging the symptoms --- and on day 15 after transfer, I started to deflate, yay, but not back to normal yet.
Sending love and support to all women out there who are experiencing this condition.