Intro from Infertility and AFC question?

LuBirdie

Hi all... I'm popping over from the infertility board and thought you all may be able help answer this question for me. DH and I have been trying for almost 6 years (sigh) and are moving forward with IVF #4 next month. After 6 six years, six miscarriages, too many injections, its been a struggle to say the least. You all have been helpful with your posts and always insightful when I need answers... so thank you. A new question for those who have had multiple iui/ ivf: when you had your baseline, have you found that your afc (antral follicle count) fluctuates with cycles? I know from experience that mine has in fact gone down, but has anyone seen an improvement from month to month or several months? I thought I remember my RE saying that it could be better next month, but I can't seem to find that information anywhere. TIA. 

Guennie

I don't have any experience with IUI or IVF but I've also lost six pregnancies and I just want to say I'm so very sorry for your losses and your struggle. I wish you best of success with number four. Hugs.

kindershlitz

Hello and welcome! I have only done two iuis but yes, I had several more follicles at my second baseline than my first. However, at the trigger point I only ended up with one dominant at both.

hooligans4

Maybe @efhoping2010 can answer your question. Hopefully she will see this.

efhoping2010

Hello, sorry you are on IVF #4, I am a multipler IVFer too, wishing you well this cycle

My AFC has varied throughout IVF cycles, I think some variation is normal, huge variation is unusual.

I think my lowest AFC has been 5 and highest 12 with variations in between.

I have never retrieved more than 11 eggs at ER and usually have a lot less, least at ER was 3.

This time I have been trying to stay away from known hormone disruptors, which is tough, and am having weekly acupuncture too.

We might be on a similar time line, when is your projected ER?

LuBirdie

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments... 

@efhoping2010 if all goes well, I think retrieval will be around the 10th or 11th. Starting stim meds on the 30th. Your protocol looks amazing, not that I know what any of that means (I assume CCRM-specific protocol) and I feel like I've "been there done that" :-) 

efhoping2010

Yes!  Our last go, I guess go big or go home

My ER right now is projected for 4/10 but we shall see.

This is my first time with EPP, we shall see if that helps.

What type of protocol are you on?

My best to you!

LuBirdie

I'm on EPP as well, it seemed to work fine last time. We've eliminated Lupron this time for fear of over suppression, 1st time for that, we'll see. I'm also on lots of supplements (some that are just for my piece of mind to say that I've at least tried: this time its CoQ10, Fish Oil, Selenium, Royal Jelly, and Folate). And, I'm not on the max dose of gonal f/menopur... we're going mid-range. Im also trying hard to stay away from endocrine disruptors too - good for you! (yes, really hard I agree... I'm a vegetarian so eliminating soy has been tough!). 

Good luck, fx... thinking of you....

jilligan14

I just wanted to wish you good luck! Also, what are the endocrine disrupters? 

LuBirdie

Thanks @jilligan14 ... hoping for your success too. 

Endocrine disruptors are environmental toxins that in many studies have shown to cause infertility. Its not 100% proven but enough so that most known kitchen companies have eliminated BPA in their plastic products. Others are soy products (phytoestrogens), DDT (pesticides), phthlates, etc. Their all toxins, whether proven to cause infertility or not, eliminating them can only be good for you. Its just difficult to stay away all of them because they're found i soil, air, water...

jilligan14

I knew that plastics and soy weren't good. I've been mostly vegetarian but gave up soy last January when I read it wasn't helpful for women's hormones (and got pregnant twice afterwards, although both ended in m/c). I also try to eat all organic. I'll have to look into it more to see if there's anything else I'm doing/eating that has endocrine disruptors. Thanks for sharing!

efhoping2010

There is a great book called It Starts with the Egg

LuBirdie

I posted this on infertility as well but here's an update on my afc question. Had my baseline today. Apparently my afc went up from 10 last cycle to 12 this cycle (at baseline). So counts do vary and they dont always go down (because Im 42!). I know what really matters is how the follicles develop after you start stimming (around day 9). But at least the numbers didn't go down. So, there's that

dolphin012

Happy to hear you have a higher count to start this cycle. Fx the cycle goes well for you. 

efhoping2010

YAY!!!

LuBirdie

Quick update. I had my 9 day us this morning and had about 8-ish good sized follicles. A couple months back I had 2. Follicle numbers can change month to month, I'm proof! They didn't have me on Lupron this time, maybe that's it? I also have been heavy on supplements and meditation, maybe that's it? I went down in stim meds, maybe that's it? Who knows, I don't want to get excited because I've been there/ done that but it gives some hope again.

efhoping2010

LuBirdie will you trigger soon?

I am one day behind you!