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The forum has a new look and the Fairfax Team is so excited to create the best experience for our users.
To Note:
Private Donor Groups and Private Sibling Connection Groups are now located under the category "Groups". Search the donor number in the search box and you should find exactly what you're looking for!
Questions about your forum access? Email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Follow these steps to join a private donor group:
1) Press "Join" at the right of the group
2) Once prompted to confirm your request please list this information so we can verify your information:
Name (under which the vial was purchased)
Clinic Name
Donor number
Child Date of Birth
*If you are looking to start a private group for a PRS donor please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com with the above information and that you are looking for a PRS group*
If you have any questions about the verification process please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Failure with IVF?
Regan
Senior Member Senior Member
Me again. Totally confused... again. I have a few questions, here's a brief background:
Several IUI cycles unsuccessful, then I found out I have blocked tubes. Moved to IVF, found out I have a high FSH and low AMH. Started taking DHEA, and after removing a cyst, and a period, started stimulating. That was August 20. So, after 6 days, it appears I only have 3 follicles. All on the right side, nothing on the left. I'm taking Follistim and Menopur, along with dexamethasone, prenatals, Aspirin and the DHEA. They increased the Follistim to 450mg (from 300) after my first u/s and Estrogen levels.
What's "not enough of a response" in follicles, number wise? I hear about women who have 15 - 20 follicles, and about half of them fertilize, and then comes the BFP. I just want to know what questions I should be asking. Apparently, my estrogen level isn't rising high enough, either, which just confuses me. The nurse actually asked me if I was taking the shots properly.
I know no one can explain why my newly turned 36 ovaries are not producing the number of follicles I want (or think I should have to be successful), but has anyone ever responded like this, then turned around on a different protocol and had better results? I've never really read about other women's dosages, and as we all do, I really want this to work.
It's been so frustrating from that first month with IUI when I just knew I'd be one of the special ones who got it on the first try. You read how it isn't likely, but I still thought it would happen. Then the surgery, then more tests, more failures, and every month thinking, ok, this is the time. Then IVF, that works for almost everyone who can afford it, right? It's all science! :geek:
Thanks for listening, thanks for the support, and please, if anyone can tell me something else I should be doing, let me know!
~Regan (And for those of you in the northeast with me, stay dry and safe, my basement is already full of water, and I'm here typing because THIS is more important to me!)
Several IUI cycles unsuccessful, then I found out I have blocked tubes. Moved to IVF, found out I have a high FSH and low AMH. Started taking DHEA, and after removing a cyst, and a period, started stimulating. That was August 20. So, after 6 days, it appears I only have 3 follicles. All on the right side, nothing on the left. I'm taking Follistim and Menopur, along with dexamethasone, prenatals, Aspirin and the DHEA. They increased the Follistim to 450mg (from 300) after my first u/s and Estrogen levels.
What's "not enough of a response" in follicles, number wise? I hear about women who have 15 - 20 follicles, and about half of them fertilize, and then comes the BFP. I just want to know what questions I should be asking. Apparently, my estrogen level isn't rising high enough, either, which just confuses me. The nurse actually asked me if I was taking the shots properly.
I know no one can explain why my newly turned 36 ovaries are not producing the number of follicles I want (or think I should have to be successful), but has anyone ever responded like this, then turned around on a different protocol and had better results? I've never really read about other women's dosages, and as we all do, I really want this to work.
It's been so frustrating from that first month with IUI when I just knew I'd be one of the special ones who got it on the first try. You read how it isn't likely, but I still thought it would happen. Then the surgery, then more tests, more failures, and every month thinking, ok, this is the time. Then IVF, that works for almost everyone who can afford it, right? It's all science! :geek:
Thanks for listening, thanks for the support, and please, if anyone can tell me something else I should be doing, let me know!
~Regan (And for those of you in the northeast with me, stay dry and safe, my basement is already full of water, and I'm here typing because THIS is more important to me!)
Comments
I had 18 follicles on my last check...
I know I did not answer your question, so sorry for not being useful. It just seemed odd to me that your doc would put you through all that without first checking that everything "works".
Ivf is not 100%. I knew two women who went through it one became pregnant and is now in her 4th month and the other was unsuccessful. The success rates for IVF are higher than with IUI but I don't know the figures. It is science but they still don't know why one embryo sticks and the other doesn't. I know it os all very frustrating!
I do agree with kb, do you trust your doctor? Is this what he is saying is the best course?
Now to your numbers question. Those os us with a higher fsh and low reserve are going to start at higher doses of the injectible. This last time I started at 450! After 5 days I had 1 follicle that was ready and a second that was not. I have one ovary. My doctor told me that each month we would just see what happens. He said some months my ovary will respond like it did this month and some months it won't and we will just cancel the cycle. He said if my estrogen was not over 100 after a few days on the shots then the cycle would be cancelled. You can't expect 18 follicles.....its like comparing apples to oranges. Not sure how women get the 18 developed follies can't imagine how painful that is! The women I knew had like 7 or 8 so if you look at that number and than look at yours with the higher fsh, I don't think it looks that bad. I guess it depends on what youcan afford. I would ask your doc if he has had any success with IVF when he has retrieved just 3 follies. Has he seen it work? My doc has been honest with me about his success with fsh levels that are high and I appreciated his honesty about taking it month by month and I would have to be ready for disappointment some months. The only other option for those of us with higher fsh levels is donor eggs. Has your doc mentioned this to you? This is WAY more expensive then just IVF.
I guess those are some questions to ask. I hope this was helpful!
Robin
I didn't ask the nurse about proceeding with only 4 follicles, she just seemed to be wanting to move forward, and I guess I have to find the patience to see this first cycle through, successful or not. The percentage rates they gave me for my age group was about 40%, but now with the low ovarian reserve, I assume my percentages are lower. Again, the doctor was very positive, and I guess I just need to find more patience, and some prayers.
I am still wondering about this DHEA, the more research I do on it, the less positive results I see (that there were initial good results, but no new research to substantiate those claims). But it's not hurting me!
Thank you again for your support! I really like that people share their struggles and successes here, helps me to keep an open mind and get an idea of what to expect!
~Regan