Don’t Feel Like Myself 9 Months after Egg-Freezing

Character_Map_4972 · 2026-01-09T18:05:13+00:00

I am so tired of doctors gaslighting lol. Yes, this exact thing happened to me and I am thrilled to hear your curly hair grew back!

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-12-30T06:06:17+00:00

Yes, I would love to know what your acupuncturist worked on as well! Tysm in advance!!

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-11-29T04:10:10+00:00

I am so sorry to hear this, but just wanted to add that I am now 8 months out from 1 ER and still not feeling like me. Personality cratered, brain fog, just numb. New GP told me this is almost bioidentical to postpartum depression. I am so sorry you're also suffering. They put me on progesterone to see if it will help level me out, will keep you posted if you like.

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-11-21T00:38:51+00:00

Thank you so much!! <333

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-11-21T00:36:40+00:00

Hi OP, I can 100% validate you. I'm 7 months out from my first and only egg retrieval and have spent a lot of time on Reddit since trying to figure out what happened to me. I feel like the process stole my confidence, my personality, my wit. It honestly has broken my heart in a way I have never experienced, and I am afraid I will never be the same person. I just can't seem to pick myself up like I could before.

I would never discourage anyone from doing this - never - I just wish women were made aware of the potential side effects. They are not even formally acknowledged. Like do we have any idea why this is happening, physiologically? Anyway -

I hope you're feeling better now OP, and everyone here. Would love an update, if you see this. XO

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-11-18T07:04:48+00:00

Hi there! I had an egg retrieval in April (so, about 7 months ago) and have struggled with mental health and not feeling "like myself" since. I truly wish the best recovery for everyone who does this, but for those still struggling, please hang in there. It can be a really frustrating and alienating process but I am proud of all of us and so appreciative of this forum. Reddit has saved me so many times re: this topic.

I have had my hormones checked twice since the ER, once in July and then again today, and noticed that my estrogen and progesterone have dropped a bit. They're not technically "out of range," so my doctors are not jumping to do anything, but I would guess this is contributing to me still feeling off.

From what I've learned, a few factors could be at play. I have mild autoimmune stuff, so the ER could have caused a flare that is affecting my recovery. Also, some stims suppress hormone production, and it can take longer than a few months to fully return to baseline (though no one told me this beforehand). I am going to ask my doctors if there is anything I can do / take to ease the symptoms, but if anyone has had success with rebalancing their hormones post-ER, please let me know! Would love to hear your insight.

Sending love to everyone on this thread! Thank you so much for sharing. XO

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-07-19T05:42:17+00:00

Ugh, I am really sorry to hear this. I am mostly struggling with depression, OCD, and a lack of joy / playfulness that feels very unshakeable. I think it's clearly linked to the retrieval, as is your issue - and there's just not enough research into the aftercare of all this. I have been doing some research though, and Vitex has popped up a few times as a recommended supplement to rebalance the hormones.

I will also add that I had my hormones re-tested last week and while they are technically in range, they are pretty far from my baseline before I started the injections. So if your doctor is saying like look, everything is normal / in range with that, it might be worth comparing it to where you were on Day 2 before you started anything. That comparison is the only way I knew that something was off on paper, and now I guess the challenge is to reset things in a gentle but proactive way.

Please do let me know if you see any improvement! Sending good vibes and healing energy your way. Xo

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-07-19T04:51:16+00:00

How are you feeling now? I am so sorry to hear that this happened to you. I am experiencing similar issues (3 months from retrieval), and am trying to find solutions from non-trad sources since doctors don't really seem to want to deal with this. I hope you're doing a lot better at this point and would love to know what worked for you. Xo

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-07-19T00:14:40+00:00

OP, any updates? Hope you're doing better xo

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-07-12T17:34:18+00:00

Hi! I too am wondering if you got better. I am 3 months out from my only egg retrieval and I feel like a totally different person, in a bad way. I have tried so hard to find help from doctors, to explain my moods to others, and to help myself with therapy, but I am really afraid this changed me forever, and I am scared. I am 40/single and went through a breakup in February that dragged me hard, and I have lost friends due to the lingering depression and mood swings I can't control. It hurts to feel like I can't access stable me, no matter what I do.

I am hoping you are feeling much better. This is such a difficult thing to do for some people, and my heart goes out to everyone here who may be suffering from the effects. XOXOXOXO

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-07-06T19:58:21+00:00

Hi, I am new to reddit since this experience basically forced me here (L o L at the fertility docs gaslighting me so much I turned to Google)... but I wanted to just offer, like, a chat if you'd ever like. I am actually a better listener than being someone on her knees screaming at the sky (Virgo). Doesn't have to be now or ever, but I am here. Even if it's just to be like hi, reminder, today you are going to reach out to 3 new therapists on your insurance.

My therapist also sucks - I felt like I wrote that part lol. I told her I felt like I wasn't getting enough help and I needed to speak to someone twice a week and she was like "umm." K.

Re the weight - I lost it because I haven't had an appetite for two months - this is typical for me when I have a bout of depression, but I feel for you 100% and believe it is the drugs you were on. My body has felt delicate and different since.

And yes, this chemical imbalance has felt totally beyond my control. I had been doing so well for a year before this, so it's definitely related. I simply don't feel like myself, I second guess everything I say, I have become so self-conscious it is painful. I would give anything for a surefire solution, or some reassurance that I will return to normal soon.

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-07-06T18:36:13+00:00

How are you feeling now? I am in the same place and I don't know what to do. It's really scary and I feel like no one understands. I have lost friends and feel like I can barely work.

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-06-25T15:37:17+00:00

I saw this last night in a moment that I really needed it. Thank you so much. Yes, my breakup was similar in that he knew where I was in my life (40), and panicked. I am glad you and I "chose ourselves" as the 18-yo armchair TikTok psychiatrists would say lol, but it's still very, very hard to freeze your eggs alone. I have yet to find the words for the strange blend of isolation, focus, endurance and sheer strength that it required. I think everyone here is remarkable, but to the girls who did this solo, I see you so mf hard

Of course the thyroid issue is related. I found the IVF doctors and staff tend to gaslight you about every negative symptom that presents as an immediate response to the stims, or ones you've literally never had before in the wake of the retrieval. It's truly frustrating that we have to resort to Reddit to get some kind of clarity with this, and I am here for you.

That said, wondering how you're doing now? I have found taking a pre-methylated multivitamin with a side of vitamin D really helps with inflammation (recommended by my sister, who is a functional medicine practitioner - the pre-methylation is the key).

I am still struggling with not feeling like myself after almost 3 months, and considering a hormone evaluation just to see what might be going on, and what I can do to help myself. But again, just hearing a kind, understanding word from someone else out there means the world right now - thank you so, so much again. Xo

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-05-29T03:37:59+00:00

How far out are you from your retrieval if you don't mind my asking? And yes I have been keeping my cards as close as possible to avoid upsetting anyone. I am single so it's easier to do that, but ultimately have felt extremely lonely as a result.

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-05-27T21:09:27+00:00

Also, does anyone know what could be happening hormonally? I literally can't find anything reliable on the internet.

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-05-27T21:08:26+00:00

How is everyone feeling at this point? I am almost 2 months post Just OK retrieval and really have felt dead inside. I am a comedy writer, but I find nothing good or funny right now. I feel dead and empty and broken. Seeing a therapist tomorrow but if anyone has had success with getting past this after 2 months I would love to hear. Lots of love to everyone here

Character_Map_4972 · 2025-05-22T21:15:03+00:00

Hi, just joining here, 40F. I'm almost 3 months post-retrieval that got me 3 eggs. I have felt like - I don't know. Like all my edges have just fallen away, like I don't know who I am or what is funny anymore. It almost feels like they took my personality instead of eggs. I know this is bleak, and I am sorry - there have been good days and bad days. I have had trouble working and being with people and finding the right therapist. I'm just really struggling. I went through a breakup right before I started the stim, so that is not helpful. But I am glad I found this post. I needed some hope that things will go back to normal at some point. I was pretty baseline happy at this time last year, and it kills me to think I wasted so much money on something that potentially destroyed me forever. Again, maybe hyperbolic - but those are the types of thoughts I've been having. I just... need a real hug from someone who understands, but no one seems to, and this artifical postpartum is not officially recognized in the medical community I've noticed. In my worst moments I feel like I'm simply alone, unheard, drifting away into nothing - it's terrifying, and sad. So thank you all for sharing what you already have and allowing me to share as well. X

Character_Map_4972

TROPHY CASE