This thread has been closed by the original poster.
pear / 1986 posts
@NorthStar: Great news! Hoping for a wonderful report on Monday and a transfer on Thursday, right?!
pear / 1881 posts
@GreenThumb: @jaguar: thanks! Took a nap and now watching a movie. Yes, goal is Thursday transfer as long as we have more than two that make it that long
nectarine / 2192 posts
@NorthStar: that's great! Hoping for a great report tomorrow!
Our two who matured in the lab didn't fertilize. We just have one and day 3 report is tomorrow. I'm really angry with my doc, who Tuesday said 8-10 mature eggs, the after we got 5 at retrieval, said all five looked good and mature and predicted 3-5 would fertilize. He had assured us at the start we'd get 2-6 to freeze and now we're looking at 0-1. I'm angry he wouldn't do the agonist/antagonist protocol I requested and I raised issues about increasing the menopur. He's talking about bad eggs and poor prognosis, when two months ago, I had 6 mature, 5 fertilize and 2 good looking ones at day 3. Round 1 was follistim 375 and Menopur 75, stimmed 10 days. Round 2 was follistim 300 and Menopur 150 first three days, then follistim 375 and Menopur 150 along with HGH 2.9mg daily starting 4 days before stims, going through trigger. I think this is a protocol issue. DH thinks it's an autoimmune issue hurting my eggs, and that. I did much better when I had taken prednisone (NK cells and antiphospholipid antibodies) more recently. All the IUIs I had a good response, but was taking prednisone after ovulation until BFN. The. The first ivf I didn't respond as well as we expected. (I'd only been on two rounds of prednisone in the 90 days prior and it was about 35 days prior). This time I only had taken prednisone in the last three months was once, finishing about 38 days ago. The only other thing was I haven't taken DHEA in the past two months but my doc said that wouldn't cause this. So I'd love anyone's answer to why this cycle was so much worse than the one only two months ago, especially when my doc said the esteogen rose better and my ultrasounds looked better. Either: too high of Menopur, lack of prednisone, stopping DHEA, or something else?
I have made an appointment 4/1 with a new doc in town who has been in practice for 20 years. His coordinator said he has "tons of protocols and always gets the toughest cases." I'm going to tak to him about the agonist/antagonist protocol plus doing prednisone to lead in, plus any other ideas you all have. I'm also trying to make peace with adoption as I fear we are getting closer to that.
apricot / 344 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: I'm so sorry to hear that this is not going as anticipated or as the doctor, and you, had hoped. My doctor always said the he wouldn't give estimates because you truly have no idea what you're working with till ER.
A few things, what was the reason for letting some of the eggs fertilize naturally? My dr was adamant that unless we had 10 or more eggs that all mature would immediately be fertilized via ICSI right away. Said if our eggs were going to fertilize naturally they would have done so on their own (when we were trying pre-if diagnosis) or during the 2 IUI's.
I can't speak on any of the autoimmune issues since we didn't run into any of that along the way.
I do wonder how the balance of follitisim and menopur played into it all. When we had egg quality issues the first time he had me on high doses of follitisim and low of menopur. The second round when the HGH was added, it was almost the reverse...low follitisim and high menopur. Not sure what protocol this falls under but it had my estrogen levels rise much higher than the first round (more than double) and follicle size was more consistent vs more follicles/eggs.
I also wonder if the super high dose of HGH was necessary. From what I've read and been told it's usually a small amount.
My last question would be....does your body just need a break? These meds can linger for a long time and as we all know cause all kinds of crazy things to go on inside. Maybe the back to back procedures and "changes" weren't, and couldn't, be calculated correctly given you may have still had high doses of meds hanging out in your body. Maybe results could be different/ better after waiting a good 4-6 months and letting your body "chill". Maybe there's some over/under correcting going on.
Again, I'm so so sorry that this isn't going how you'd hoped. My heart breaks to hear stories like this. I hope your next report is positive and you find peace in whatever your next steps are. Remeber, it only takes one!!! Fingers crossed for you and big hugs.
pear / 1986 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: The whole thing just totally sucks and I am so sad that you didn't have a better outcome this time around in terms of # of embryos! I'm sorry I don't have any additional advice to give on the protocol (I did basically the same antagonist protocol both times, just different dosages/length of time). I think it is good to seek the other RE's opinion and maybe take a break (like @waiting4you: suggested) to figure out a different direction, whether that is another IVF protocol or another direction all together. Maybe a consult with someplace like CCRM could be helpful since they seem to deal with the most difficult of difficult cases. Let your body and your heart heal a little bit before taking another step forward.
All that said, you do have an embryo! And I'm hoping so much that your report is good tomorrow! Sending a lot of good wishes your way.
cherry / 107 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: I'd be pissed off too!. So sorry this cycle was so sucky. Only one thing that I see- everything I've read says that starting Menopur too early can lead to quality issues. My doc never starts it before day 4 for this reason. *hug* I'm in SE MI by the way, so we're relatively close, depending on where in OH you are.
@NorthStar: Thinking good thoughts for you!
@waiting4you: Holy cow! Glad to hear baby A is doing well. It's sad about babies B and C, if they don't continue to grow then it's safer for you and baby A, so maybe they're just giving up their chance so that their brother/sister has a the best chance possible.
@endymion4: That is awful. How the hell does that happen? I'm sorry about the time and the $ and the migraines. I feel you on all 3 unfortunately.
AFM, I've been following along occasionally but trying to avoid thinking about TTC stuff while I wait for my next cycle.
I start Lupron on Friday, and my stims a week after that assuming there's no baseline fiasco I got into a discount program for my Follistim and attempted my first overseas purchase for fertility meds for my Menopur. I've been really nervous about it because my doctor wasn't exactly cool with me getting my meds outside the US. to get around this I requested a physical copy of my Menopur prescription from the nurses and scanned it so I could email it to ivfpharmacy. Got an email today saying my prescription was approved!! I won't claim success until I have it in my hands, but assuming this works, I just took my meds from about $5K to about $2K!
apricot / 365 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: I'm so sorry. My fingers are crossed for a good report on your embryo I agree with the other ladies, wondering why not ICSI on all? I've gotten pregnant several times on my own and we still did all ICSI.
@Aqualov: Thanks! i don't know how it happens--apparently it's never happened for my doctor and only 2% of all samples sent to that lab. Just my luck in this process
Great deal on meds! here's to a great cycle!
nectarine / 2192 posts
@Aqualov: yea for ivf pharmacy! Other than sometimes being out of stock and slow to ship, it's worked great. Even with the delay of them shipping, it's been less than two weeks both times.
Thanks everyone for the support. Sorry my post was unclear. The two M1s were matured in the lab and then used ICSI, just a day later than the others. Those didn't take. I did get the cal today (though made DH take it) that our one embryo is 8 cells and looking good. Next update is Tuesday, which is also my birthday. Birthdays during IF are so much worse. Anyway, DH mentioned his autoimmune theory affecting my eggs, and RE thinks I might have lymphocytic oophoritis. Only way to clearly diagnose is take them out, and I official treatment but steroids have worked in some cases. Apparently it only affects the Antral follicles and beyond, so there is decent hope that doing prednisone for 2-3 months before retrieval will help significantly. RE is suggesting prednisone in addition to mini ivf, since two cycles will be similar in cost to one cycle and should get the same or more embryos. He also suggested I try to consult Richard Scott in New Jersey. I'm going to find out whether he will co-manage without requiring a trip there. I will get either his opinion, another local RE, or both.
My friend nicknamed our embaby"the little badass that could." Please send prayers! If he or she makes it to the freezer, I have a potential surrogate I will contact.
pear / 1881 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: I've been thinking about you all weekend, but agree that it might be a good idea to give your body a break. I'll respond more later once I get a chance.
AFM - 9 of the 12 were mature and 7 fertilized. As of a little while ago, 6 of those are growing. They rate them 1-3 (1 being best, but rarely are given this rating at this point). My 6 are rated a 2, with one of those being a 2- because it has some slight imperfections. She did say that they are growing as they should be and look good. Fingers crossed, but my transfer will be Thursday (St. Patty's day). I'll get another update on Wednesday.
pomelo / 5326 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: sending so many positive thoughts to your little embie. I'm sorry you did not get the results you were hoping for this cycle.
pomelo / 5326 posts
@NorthStar: good luck with your transfer! Hope all the luck of the Irish is with you
grapefruit / 4045 posts
@NorthStar: Great update! May the luck of the Irish be with you!
@AmeliaBedilia: I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and I'm hoping for the best with your one little badass embryo!
persimmon / 1132 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: Sending hugs and tons of well wishes to your "LBTC" ... I'm so sorry that this has been heart-breaking and gut-wrenching and just hope so hard that some light and hope is on it's way to you and your DH.
@NorthStar: Hope you get the fresh transfer and some snowbabies, too. Yay for a St. Patty's transfer!
@Aqualov: Hope some of the St. Patty's luck spreads over to the start of your cycle. Glad ivfpharmacy saved you a boatload! It's funny how $2K seems "cheap" in light of having to possibly pay tons more. Things get so relative in IVF-land.
I talked to a young girl this weekend whose DH works with mine. They have been trying for a year and she possibly has PCOS (DH has a LO from before). She is on Metformin for a few months to see what that does. I could tell she somehow knew we did IVF because she was really open and needed to talk. (My DH has told EVERYONE so it's not surprising that every co-worker and their spouse knows. ). She was telling me how hard it is to talk to her DH (aka "men just don't get it") and how everyone tells her to "stop stressing and let it happen." I'm going to give her my TCOYF book and pass along some internet resources. I just hate the thought of anyone shouldering this journey alone and it makes me so grateful that I found a wonderful support system in you all.
pomegranate / 3764 posts
@NorthStar: Sounding wonderful hun! x
@AmeliaBedilia: Come on, little fighter!
pear / 1881 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: Sending so many prayers to the little embaby that could! Is today the day that they will do the freeze? I believe that you have every right to be angry with how this cycle went and the information that you were given. I wish that we had a looking glass to see what the future would bring in order to save us from all this pain.
oh, and Happy Birthday!
@Amorini: it sounds like you were a wonderful resource for the lady at DH's work. Maybe also tell her about the app 'Beat Infertility'. It's just starting (used to be a private FB message prior), but is a group of women going through all parts of IF. She also might find the podcasts, especially those on PCOS, estremely helpful. It's so wonderful that she felt comfortable talking to you.
AFM - Thanks to everyone for the good wishes and luck. As luck would have it, we are supposed to get between 6-12 inches of snow tomorrow and into Thursday. We plan on going into Minneapolis tomorrow night, thank goodness, but wasn't planning on having to deal with a ton of snow. I'll be stressing the whole drive down there.
nectarine / 2192 posts
@NorthStar: thanks! I'm waiting on the call and jumping every time my phone vibrates, which is much more today with birthday messages. I really appreciate them, but I wish my doc would call me soon so I can enjoy the rest of the day. I'm hoping your embabies keep growing!
pear / 1986 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: Happy birthday! I hope that your wonderful little embaby is growing, growing, growing!!
nectarine / 2192 posts
@GreenThumb: @NorthStar: thanks! No updates. Why is it taking so long?!?
nectarine / 2192 posts
@NorthStar: every update has been in the morning. The latest was Sunday around 11:50.
pear / 1986 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: So annoying!! Can you give them a call? You deserve an update!!
nectarine / 2192 posts
I called and the receptionist relayed a message from the Medical assistant that last she heard it looked good and "it's hanging in there," but either she doesn't know or can't tell me for sure. They shouldn't have told me that- now I'm analyzing whether it's in the borderline and they're giving a little more time to decide, or whether it's fine and she was trying to put me at ease as much as she's allowed.
pear / 1881 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: I still cannot believe they haven't called you yet, even if to give you a small update. Not sure what timezone you are in, but there is only 1 or 2 hours until 5pm!
nectarine / 2192 posts
@NorthStar: eastern- 4:10. I'm so frustrated. I have an appointment 4/1 for a second opinion and right now, that's looking better and better.
pear / 1986 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: Ugh... I am just so frustrated for you. I think the info relayed from the MA must be good, otherwise, I'm not sure the receptionist would have said anything at all. FX!
nectarine / 2192 posts
The medical assistant called and said as of this morning, it was looking good and dividing, but hadn't gotten to blastocyst yet. She said this is not concerning, and that most of the time when they look like this, they make it to freeze. I will get the definitive answer tomorrow. I can't believe I'm praying for one at this point when the initial prediction was 2-6. I'm hopeful that not being on prednisone was much of the problem, and that if it hadn't been this bad, we might not have realized this.
She said they don't always call on day 5, but they did last time and DH says they told him they'd update us today. (I made DH answer on Sunday since I was too nervous.)
pear / 1986 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: Oh good, that's great news!! I'm so glad she called. Go little embaby go!
pomegranate / 3764 posts
@AmeliaBedilia: Glad you finally heard back. Is there definitely no way you could do a fresh transfer since this is the only fighter? x
nectarine / 2192 posts
@jaguar: @GreenThumb: no, my autoimmune issues are too great. We are going to bank with the hopes of enough for two kids, then a surrogate. Not my preference, but a healthy baby is more important than being pregnant.
pear / 1986 posts
Day 5 of Lupron and it is kicking my butt. I am exhausted and can't wait to crawl into bed! Last BCP tonight though!
@AmeliaBedilia: Got it - healthy baby, healthy mama is what is important!
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