For those who aren't familiar with me here is a little background. IVF#1: antagonist protocol, stimmed for 9 days, 13 R, 9M, 8F. Day 3 8 "good looking" embryos, day 5 transferred one grade1cc blast and 1 morula (had 2 extra morulas that did not make it to freeze). Full period came 9dp5dt despite progesterone suppositories.
I had my WTF appointment today. They did not have an explanation for why we had "poor" quality embryos. She said everything looked normal until day 5. They are recommending switching to the long-lupron protocol simply to make a change and starting with higher dose stims to try to get more eggs. She also recommends pre-genetic testing IF our embryos make it far enough to qualify. She thinks it is a good idea since we have an "unexplained" IVF failure. She also recommends adding assisted hatching if we have to do a day 3 transfer. I also have to switch to IM progesterone.
After listening to their recommendations, I asked about my weight. I know that I have a very unhealthy weight and fall into the "obese" category by BMI calculations. She did tell me that there are studies showing higher success rates with decreasing BMIs until the healthy weight. BMI>35 has lower rates than BMI 30-35, and BMI 30-35 has lower rates than BMI<30. I would have to lose 20 lbs or 50 lbs to reach those BMIs.
We applied for the shared risk program and will find out something within a week. I also applied for a loan, but am about $5000 short of being able to pay for the shared risk with meds and genetic testing.
So, here are the two things I can't decide. Should I take 1-1.5 years to try to loose weight before IVF#2? I kind of wanted to try at least once in 2014 so I will meet the 10% required for tax deduction as we are just a few thousand short. Second, should I try one more time without genetic testing? I am only considering this option since we have been approved for a loan that would give us enough to pay for the shared risk and meds for 1 round.
Sorry this is so long.
Me 27 DH 29 Married since 2007, together since 2001
Off BC since Febuary 2006
3 Clomid Cycles in 2008- symptomatic, US just showed a tilted uterus, otherwise normal, HSG normal. DH has an ejaculatory duct obstruction and a congenital absence of the vas deferens. This is common with cystic fibrosis carriers, but he doesn't have cystic fibrosis. IVF #1 with TESE/ICSI (Antagonist protocol) Aug 2014=BFN (poor embryo quality) IVF #2 ICSI long lupron protocol November 2014
Re: WTF appointment... more decisions to make (update in reply)
2013 summary: Diagnosed with Hypothyroid; Cervical polyp removed (benign);
2 rounds ovidrel with timed intercourse (no result): 3 rounds IUI with clomid + ovidrel (no result)
2014 summary (to date):
IVF cycle 1 - ER: 4/17 (28 follicles, 3 fertilized, 2 survived to day 3);
ET: 4/20 (3rd day, 2 embryos - 1 @ 6 cells & 1 @ 4 cells); Beta 5/1 - BFP!;
1st scan 5/13 - development behind, no heartbeat detected; D&C 6/2; WTF 6/13
IVF cycle 2 - BCP begun 7/12; stims w/ HGH begun 7/26;
ER: 8/6, 12 follicles, 7 fertilized w/ ICSI; ET: 8/11, 3 blastocysts left, 2 transferred, 3rd arrested 8/12 - none to freeze
1st beta 8/19 - BFP! 294; 2nd beta 8/26 - 4976; 1st u/s 9/2; 2nd u/s 9/9 - two little heartbeats at 140 each!!!
EDD: 29-April-2015
Other Meds: Synthroid 100 mcg/daily
Hope that helps in any way. Good luck with your decision!
2008: HSG (normal), couple rounds of clomid through gyno
2008 - 2010: dragging my feet out of fear and procrastination
October 2010: first consultation with RE, dx PCOS and fibroids (DH slightly low count/motility)
Oct. 2010 - Dec. 2012: In DENIAL! avoided the issue because I was scared of surgery
January 2013: returned to RE, fibroids grew significantly
February 2013: second HSG, fibroids pushed on tubes which blocked them somewhat
March 2013: MRI to determine what type of surgery may be necessary
July 29, 2013: fibroids (5) removed via robotic laparascopy
August 2013 - Nov 2013 : benched due to recent surgery
IUI #3, Feb. 25, 2014 BFN
IUI #4 canceled due to lack of response to letrozole
IUI #4.1 April 28, 2014, BFN
May 16, 2014: wtf consult, start prepping for IVF in June and add injects for one last IUI in the meantime
IUI #5 started letrozole and bravelle but canceled after HSG led to new diagnosis
May 21, 2014: third HSG, tubes blocked, one at the beginning, one hydrosalpinx??
IVF #1 August 8, 2014 - 3dt of 2 embryos, BFN
September 17, 2014 - 4th HSG, the right tube is very patent (open!!) dye went straight through this time. Weird!
October 2, 2014 - started metformin treatment
November 14, 2014 - blood work, brought A1C down from 5.8 to 5.5
November 26, 2014 - RE finally back from vaca and reviewed my chart, no more IVFs for rest of calendar year
December 1, 2014 - Right after Thanksgiving, I called a new clinic and got in right away! Plan for IVF
December 17, 2014 - ER! 29 retrieved (!!), 16 mature, all 16 fertilized (ICSI)
IVF #2 December 20, 2014 - 3dt of 3 embryos, BFN
We are done with treatment unsuccessfully.
2012-2013: 3 Clomid cycles, 3 IUIs, all BFNs
IVF #1 January 2014: 14R/12M/9F 1 transferred, 3 frozen = BFN
FET #1 March 2014: 1 transferred = BFFN · FET #2 May 2014: 2 transferred = BFFN
IVF #2 June 2014: 24R/11M/10F 6 PGS tested: 1 normal embryo, 1 with no result
FET #3 in March 2015: 2 transferred = BFFN
As for the losing weight, I had to lose 70 lbs before I could start IVF1. I HATED having to not move forward, but as I sit here 70 lbs lighter, I absolutely am so thankful for my RE's requirement. I actually did better when I had a deadline, so I went ahead and made an appointment with the RE for 6 months out, because then I knew I HAD to lose the weight before then. Decide how long it will take you to lose the 20 lbs and have that as your goal. Good luck with whatever you decide.
IVF #2: April 2014 Antagonist Protocol|12R 11M 10F|Transfer 2|BFP | m/c 5.8.14
U/S shows two beautiful heartbeats at 122!!
Baby A is our stubborn little fighter with a heartrate of 169!
Team BLUE!
A few thoughts...
First you said that you are close to the 10% threshold for tax deductions. You really need to spend 10% plus the standard deduction ($12,400 I believe for married filing jointly) to make itemizing worth while. If not you are better off just taking the standard deduction.
As for weight, I am actually working towards getting back into the normal BMI range as was recommended by my RI (reproductive immunologist). Luckily I only have about 10 more lbs to go, as I have already lost about 15 lbs.
I think genetic testing of the embryos is really a personal call. We have not done it because we usually have so few embryos by day 5, it just didn't seem worth the extra cost. My RI actually did not recommend genetic testing for us.
TTC #1 since August 2011
My Blog
September 2012: Start IF testing
DH (32): SA is ok, slightly low morph, normal SCSA Me (32): Slightly low progesterone, hostile CM, carrier for CF, Moderately high NKC, High TNFa, heterozyogous mutated Factor XIII, and +APA
October 2012-May 2014: 4 failed IUIs, 3 failed IVFs, and 1 failed FETw/donor embryos
November 2014: IVF w/ICSI #4 Agonist/Antagonist with EPP and Prednisone, Baby Aspirin, Lovenox, and IVIG for immune issues. Converted to freeze all due to lining issues. 2 blasts frozen on day 6!
January 2015: FET #2 Cancelled due to lining issues
April 2015: FET #2.1
PAIF/SAIF Welcome!