***Been There, Done That*** 3/3 Check-in

Carol77B

Welcome to the Been There, Done That Check-in!!! (For ladies who have gone through two or more IVFs/transfers and would the support of others who have also had multiple failures.) Check-ins are every Tuesday. Your check-in leader is @Carol77B

Question of the Week: It seems like winter is never going to end!!! What's your favorite hot beverage to sip on to heat up?

Cycling:

@berries555     IVF #3 (PUPO!!!)

@tabbytown IVF#4

In between cycles:       

@beingr FET #1

@BostonGayGal IVF #4

@Carol77B       IVF #4.1

@fayth4one       IVF #2

@mm29           IVF #7

@nowthatsalady  IVF #2

@ronniesgirl1981 IVF #2.2

@Twinkie0612 IVF #4 FET #2

BFPs/ Grads

@zeynsom IVF 2.2 FET #1

berries555

Beta was yesterday....and it was only a 4.  I am done, but RE is having me come back tomorrow to get another beta.  I realize it will likely be 0 tomorrow...but I have to stay on meds.  BOO.  I am sick of that PIO needle.  

I was really hopeful this cycle.  I am starting to think we might be running out of time.  I am going to try to cycle again as soon as I can.  However, I am going to start taking some supplements to try to improve egg quality.  So I would love any suggestions of any of you have any.  

Carol77B

berries555 I'm so sorry, that is so disappointing and yes, it is unfair to have keep up with the shots if it isn't hopeful.

Have you read "It Starts with the Egg?" (ISWTE) I'm following most of the recommendations for DOR/multiple failures. I was very hopeful when I had promising results with retesting, after I'd been on the recommended supplements for about 6-8 weeks, but more recent testing hasn't been as positive, so I'm not sure what's up; if my results would be worse if I wasn't taking the supplements, or if there is a supplement(s) that is messing with my levels, or something else effecting my hormones (I've lost more than 60lbs). Both my REs recommended the CoQ10 and the DHEA. I had dropped the DHEA, but have recently started taking it again, 25 mg/2 times a day instead of the three, they recommended. And I'm following the recommendations regarding CoQ10 formulation in ISWTE. I'm also taking extra folate (prescription Folgard), Vitamin D, C, E, B6, and B12, DHA, a probiotic and another supplement recommended in ISWTE that I can't remember right now.

I was taking Melatonin, too, as recommended by the book, and was regularly taking 1 mg (and had been for several months), with no side effects, but upped to the recommended 3 mg when I was starting to cycle back in late Jan/Feb and never stopped after we cancelled, and I think the Melatonin may have messed with my ovulation, which was a potential side effect listed in ISWTE- I didn't ovulated until CD 31/32 (I'm usually CD 16 or so). So, I've stopped the Melatonin and won't start that up until I'm stimming, which is looking like April, since I'm going to wait for AF and another ovualtion before starting the Lupron Stop Protocol.

I am really sorry that your beta was so low and that you aren't hopeful.

Twinkie0612

@berries555 I'm sorry for the low beta. ((hugs))

I took the following supplements, but I'm not sure if they really made a difference in our cycle since we still only got 2 blasts out of it and we are still trying to transfer them.

Melatonin 3mg (only during cycle and don't take it without talking to your doc if you have thyroid issues)

L-Arginine 2000mg (I broke it into 2 doses)

Vitamin D 2000IU

Ubiquinol (advanced active CoQ10) 300mg

Myo-Inositol (3g I think, it was recommended dosage)

Vitamin E 400IU (prescribed by RI)

Vitamin C (recommended dose)

Calcium supplement (prescribed by RI) This was because I was on steroids and blood thinners

Fish Oil (prescribed by RI)

Folic Acid 1mg (prescribed by RE)

PNV

 

 

berries555

Thank you ladies for the advise.  

Well, today's beta came back at 0.  However, I am okay with that.  RE called me at 830 am to talk.  They are so sweet to DH and I.  They said that they would be happy to move forward with a new cycle if we are ready.  DH and I already talked about it.  We would like to try another cycle...and then maybe go down the road of donor eggs.  We will see though.  DH is not 100% on donor eggs.  

So I should be starting IVF #4 stims in April.  They will be doing another E2 protocol.  I just need AF to start again.  Then I will start OPKs on CD9 again.  

As you can probably notice....I am not too upset about the BFN this cycle.  I just felt before I even started stimming that this was going to be a bad round.  I don't know why.  Anyone else ever have that feeling?  

I feel good...I am gong to start the supplements that It Starts with An Egg suggests (I bought the book right after I read your message @Carol77B).  

Hoping all is going okay with you @Twinkie0612 and @Carol77B  Thank you again for your advise on supplements.  

Carol77B

@berries555 yes, I have exactly had that same "feeling" about some of cycles. So I know where you are coming from. It still really, really sucks when it doesn't work.

It looks like I'll be attempting another cycle again in April, too! So hopefully your AF comes like it should so you can move forward.

I hope you find the book helpful. I found that identifying things that I can do that will potentially increase my chances for successful has given me a great sense of control in the process which has helped me keep moving forward.