Tell me about EPP protocol

J&D2007

This is the only protocol I haven't been on yet. I've done long lupron, MD lupron, and antagon. I'm really hoping ccrm suggests EPP. For those of you who have tried it, does everyone do the estrogen patch? When do you typically start it? I've read CD14 or some on CD21. When is ganirelix added in there? I was really hoping to cycle in October and get it done with but I'm CD 14 now and ccrm can't locate my cd3 blood I sent and I haven't been able to speak with the dr on protocol and calendar until they get the cd3 results. So... I'm holding out hope it is still possible to cycle but its not looking good. How did you respond to EPP compared to other protocols?

zazu13

** sig warning **

 

I did EPP for my last (successful) attempt after two early losses with antagonist and a BFN with MDL.  No bcp and I used oral estrace (2mg morning and night) starting after ovulation the cycle before I stimmed. I don't recall the exact date, but it would have been between CD 14 and 21. I was supposed to stop estrace with my stims, but I messed up on that part and kept taking them. It didn't affect my cycle, just the RE's ability to get reliable blood results while I stimmed. Ganirelix was added on stim days 7, 8 and 9. I had always had eggs and even decent fertilization before that, but the goal was to get more mature eggs, which I did.

 

Also, I made several other changes in addition to the protocol including an endo scratch, HGH during stims, intrauterine neupogen and lovenox after bfp. I think the protocol made a big difference, but any of these could have also contributed to our success.  Best of luck! 

J&D2007

Thanks Zazu! What is intrauterine neupogen for?

zazu13

J&D2007 said:

Thanks Zazu! What is intrauterine neupogen for?

It is suggested to improve the lining thickness and receptivity. There isn't any solid research behind it, but it was easy and inexpensive and my RE suggested it couldn't hurt. She did it while I was under after egg retrieval.

JSM0801

Hey J&D!

As you know, the EPP was definitely the most successful protocol for me. Hopefully this is what they will try with you too. I assume they will, especially since you have already done a bunch of the others. Anyway, here is how mine went...

I started Estrace 10 days after getting my LH surge (cd 24) and was on it for 7 days. I was on Ganirelix cd 25, 26 & 27. Then I was on stims for 11 days (starting cd 5 of new cycle), and Ganirelix was added back into my cocktail on day 6 of stims. 

That stinks that they can't find your b/w. Wtf? I'm sorry things haven't been going smoothly for you with them so far. Unfortunately, I think you will have to wait until your next cycle, b/c you have to start testing for your surge on cd10. Or, maybe you have been testing & know when you surged? If so, you should be able to start! 

Good luck, and let me know if you have any more questions! 

J&D2007

JSM0801 said:

Hey J&D!

As you know, the EPP was definitely the most successful protocol for me. Hopefully this is what they will try with you too. I assume they will, especially since you have already done a bunch of the others. Anyway, here is how mine went...

I started Estrace 10 days after getting my LH surge (cd 24) and was on it for 7 days. I was on Ganirelix cd 25, 26 & 27. Then I was on stims for 11 days (starting cd 5 of new cycle), and Ganirelix was added back into my cocktail on day 6 of stims. 

That stinks that they can't find your b/w. Wtf? I'm sorry things haven't been going smoothly for you with them so far. Unfortunately, I think you will have to wait until your next cycle, b/c you have to start testing for your surge on cd10. Or, maybe you have been testing & know when you surged? If so, you should be able to start! 

Good luck, and let me know if you have any more questions! 

Thanks JSM, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I actually have been testing for lh surge this month, but stopped yesterday when it probably occurred b/c DH was leaving town so I figured it didn't matter at that point! So, I guess I won't know for sure and will have to wait it out. And, yes, I am a bit frustrated with them as whenever I call they never seem to call back or get the message messed up. Quite honestly, they seem very scattered and I feel like they have no idea what's going on with me. They send orders for b/w that I already did and they already have at their lab, they don't call with test results, etc. Frustrated.

rockpaperlove

I did EPP with CCRM. As you can see in my siggy - so far so good! I think it was a combination of this protocol and their lab that gave me the best numbers yet. I think the LD was a big attributing factor to implantation for me. I did Estrace pills leading up to stims and I did estrogen patches for my FET. I hope you get the blood work issue resolved so you can move forward! I have nothing, but good things to say about EPP! GL!

J&D2007

rockpaperlove said:

I did EPP with CCRM. As you can see in my siggy - so far so good! I think it was a combination of this protocol and their lab that gave me the best numbers yet. I think the LD was a big attributing factor to implantation for me. I did Estrace pills leading up to stims and I did estrogen patches for my FET. I hope you get the blood work issue resolved so you can move forward! I have nothing, but good things to say about EPP! GL!

Thanks RPL for the good report. I bet you are very excited for Tuesday to come! Can't wait to hear an update! May I ask what the result of your etegrity test was? Was it a negative result? Mine was inconclusive and they left it up to me whether or not to do depot lupron. How many months did you do it for?

jenn0620

I'm glad you asked this J&D, I think I'm going to discuss this protocol with the new Dr next week.

JSM0801

J&D2007 said:

JSM0801 said:

Hey J&D!

As you know, the EPP was definitely the most successful protocol for me. Hopefully this is what they will try with you too. I assume they will, especially since you have already done a bunch of the others. Anyway, here is how mine went...

I started Estrace 10 days after getting my LH surge (cd 24) and was on it for 7 days. I was on Ganirelix cd 25, 26 & 27. Then I was on stims for 11 days (starting cd 5 of new cycle), and Ganirelix was added back into my cocktail on day 6 of stims. 

That stinks that they can't find your b/w. Wtf? I'm sorry things haven't been going smoothly for you with them so far. Unfortunately, I think you will have to wait until your next cycle, b/c you have to start testing for your surge on cd10. Or, maybe you have been testing & know when you surged? If so, you should be able to start! 

Good luck, and let me know if you have any more questions! 

Thanks JSM, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I actually have been testing for lh surge this month, but stopped yesterday when it probably occurred b/c DH was leaving town so I figured it didn't matter at that point! So, I guess I won't know for sure and will have to wait it out. And, yes, I am a bit frustrated with them as whenever I call they never seem to call back or get the message messed up. Quite honestly, they seem very scattered and I feel like they have no idea what's going on with me. They send orders for b/w that I already did and they already have at their lab, they don't call with test results, etc. Frustrated.

What the hell is going on with them? That's terrible that they are messing things up so badly. You are paying way too much $ to cycle out there for them to be so scattered. I hope you express your concerns and let them know your expectations. Maybe you could ask to switch nurses? There is no excuse for any of this!! 

rockpaperlove

J&D2007 said:

rockpaperlove said:

I did EPP with CCRM. As you can see in my siggy - so far so good! I think it was a combination of this protocol and their lab that gave me the best numbers yet. I think the LD was a big attributing factor to implantation for me. I did Estrace pills leading up to stims and I did estrogen patches for my FET. I hope you get the blood work issue resolved so you can move forward! I have nothing, but good things to say about EPP! GL!

Thanks RPL for the good report. I bet you are very excited for Tuesday to come! Can't wait to hear an update! May I ask what the result of your etegrity test was? Was it a negative result? Mine was inconclusive and they left it up to me whether or not to do depot lupron. How many months did you do it for?

To my surprise, it was positive.  I had to have a bilateral tubal ligation following the findings at my ODWU.  That was when they found the stage IV endometriosis.  I had suspected I had endo for quite some time and I figured the etegrity test would come back negative since that often indicates endo, but it did not. 

Doctor Schoolcraft did not remove the endo because he feared losing ovarian reserve.  He said we needed to get me pregnant before we removed the extensive endo.  He did take care of the hydrosalpinx/tubal issues, but pretty much left the endo findings alone.

We did an ER followed with three months of LD.  It actually turned into four months of LD due to scheduling on my end.  Then, I went back for the ET.  I hope this helps.  I am happy to answer any other questions in more detail - good luck!  I thank my lucky stars for CCRM and all they did to make things right instead of just cycling me through with another BFN at the end. You are in good hands!

rockpaperlove

JSM0801 said:

J&D2007 said:

JSM0801 said:

Hey J&D!

As you know, the EPP was definitely the most successful protocol for me. Hopefully this is what they will try with you too. I assume they will, especially since you have already done a bunch of the others. Anyway, here is how mine went...

I started Estrace 10 days after getting my LH surge (cd 24) and was on it for 7 days. I was on Ganirelix cd 25, 26 & 27. Then I was on stims for 11 days (starting cd 5 of new cycle), and Ganirelix was added back into my cocktail on day 6 of stims. 

That stinks that they can't find your b/w. Wtf? I'm sorry things haven't been going smoothly for you with them so far. Unfortunately, I think you will have to wait until your next cycle, b/c you have to start testing for your surge on cd10. Or, maybe you have been testing & know when you surged? If so, you should be able to start! 

Good luck, and let me know if you have any more questions! 

Thanks JSM, that's exactly what I wanted to know. I actually have been testing for lh surge this month, but stopped yesterday when it probably occurred b/c DH was leaving town so I figured it didn't matter at that point! So, I guess I won't know for sure and will have to wait it out. And, yes, I am a bit frustrated with them as whenever I call they never seem to call back or get the message messed up. Quite honestly, they seem very scattered and I feel like they have no idea what's going on with me. They send orders for b/w that I already did and they already have at their lab, they don't call with test results, etc. Frustrated.

What the hell is going on with them? That's terrible that they are messing things up so badly. You are paying way too much $ to cycle out there for them to be so scattered. I hope you express your concerns and let them know your expectations. Maybe you could ask to switch nurses? There is no excuse for any of this!! 

I am so sorry you are dealing with so much unnecessary confusion on their end.  I have not had any issues from day one and I feel like that should be your experience as well.  PM, if you want to discuss in greater detail.  Something needs to change so you keep your sanity!

J&D2007

I'm not sure what's up either. For instance, I've now called 3 times for my cd3 test results. First time a week ago, they sent instructions to get it drawn (and it was already in their lab), second one my blood couldnt be found and they were going to call me back the next morning. (Never called back). Now, I called again today 3 days after they promised to call asap to see what is going on. Of course, they will call back once they get off the other line...3 hours later, still nothing. I hurried to get everything done so I could cycle and now we are too late to cycle in October. Just irritated.

rockpaperlove

That is really beyond frustrating.  Have you called the main line to speak with the front desk?  You could explain the urgency to them and they might be able to connect you to a nurse right away.  I have done that a couple of times.  Be persistent where it counts.