How long did you stay on BCP before IVF?

missmarypoppins

This is my 5th week on the pill and I'm kind of starting to freak out. I keep reading that too long on it before an IVF cycle can over suppress you and I do not need that!
And they had me start a 2nd pack last week without having a period to avoid any bleeding before my hysteroscopy. Has anyone else done this, taken back to back packs?
I just don't like the way they are handling this cycle and feel like no one cares about our case. It's giving me such anxiety and not a positive feeling about IVF #2. I keep asking and the nurses aren't giving me straight answers, so frustrating!!

Any input to calm me down is appreciated!

Twinkie0612

I was on BCP for 4-6 weeks with IVF #1 and #2, taking active pills only.  For my current cycle I was only on the pill for just over 3 weeks (I needed the second pack for two pills).  My clinic does batch cycling so how long you are on BCP depends on when your period falls in relation to the  IVF cycle start date.  You have to be on BCP for a minimum of 1 week and I don't know if they have a max.

missmarypoppins

Thanks @Twinkie0612! I think part of it is I just feel so stagnant on the pill for so long, and I feel like they won't tell me the next step!

pblge

I was on it for freaking ever. Same amount of time and reasons as Twinkie. I don't think it's good that they haven't told you the next steps. I would start calling to ask that. Do you have the option to switch clinic's if you're not liking this one?

missmarypoppins

I feel like at this point were so close to starting our protocol id hate to switch clinics and have to wait forever to get all the initial consults and tests out of the way with a new dr. But if (god forbid!!) #2 doesn't work we are for sure going somewhere else.

BankerBSN

missmarypoppins said:

I feel like at this point were so close to starting our protocol id hate to switch clinics and have to wait forever to get all the initial consults and tests out of the way with a new dr. But if (god forbid!!) #2 doesn't work we are for sure going somewhere else.

Poppins, if I recall correctly from the GTKY thread we go to the same clinic.  I am surprised that they are not giving you the plan.  I assume you are at the location in the northern burbs.  That is the only location that cycles on a set schedule.

missmarypoppins

@BankerBSN I was thinking we are at the same clinic too! I go to the river north location though. I feel like it's a combo of my Dr using the highland park office as more of her home base and her main nurse has a newborn at home and is out of the office a lot.

Have you been happy with your care?
If we had to do IVF #3

BankerBSN

missmarypoppins said:

@BankerBSN I was thinking we are at the same clinic too! I go to the river north location though. I feel like it's a combo of my Dr using the highland park office as more of her home base and her main nurse has a newborn at home and is out of the office a lot. Have you been happy with your care? If we had to do IVF #3

My "home clinic" is Orland Park but all weekend monitoring, ET and ER are at the river north location.  My MD was very eager to get me going (2 weeks of birth control then stims) and I was told if we need FET it would take about 2 months for suppression and stimming.  I have been very happy with my care but I in the OB/GYNE business and it is a very small world.  I know many of the providers and nurses. (Not that it should make a difference ).

I am sorry you are going through this.  So much is out of our control and information should be provided.  I am not sure where you live but maybe transfer home clinics?  Maybe a smaller location will give you more personalized care.

LooneyLife

I was on BCP for 3 weeks with each IVF.  But they were pretty standard protocols.  I didn't need to "hold" for any reason, but they said I could if we needed to.

healz413

I was on the BCP for six months before our first try at IVF to control my endo while we got ready to start the cycle (we had to wait for me to become eligible for Ontario Heath insurance). We had to cancel that cycle because I didn't respond well enough to the stims. One of my RE's theories is that I was oversuppressed from being on BCPs for so long. That said, 6 months is a lot longer than you're doing so I hope you will not be in the same situation.
Good luck!

CameraBug131

I took a pack and a half before my IVF - 6 weeks. I had a decent number of eggs. 

absolutelymaybe

I was on BCP (active only) for about 5 weeks prior to IVF and I had a really good response to the meds during my cycle. 

missmarypoppins

Thanks for all the help and support ladies! I really thought it was crazy to be on bcp for so long, but apparently not!

Laurenrdh18

I was on BCP, active pills only, for almost 6 1/2 weeks. We were just cancelled because I had one follicle that was taking charge & stealing all the hormones! We switched & did IUI today & the nurse said they would probably want me on BCP again for 5 weeks, they want a minimum of 3 weeks. She also said they would do Lupron next time where this time I did Ganirelix. Good Luck!! The last pack of BCP I had to get I only took 3 pills out of! At least my insurance covered these, probably the least expensive thing I've ever bought throughout my IF journey lol!! Best of luck to you!!!!

badrianne

Thanks for asking, I had the same concern. I am guessing I'll be on BCP for 6 weeks before I start stimming for an early March cycle. 

Hels

Siggy warning ....



Due to timing issues, I was on the pill for like forever. I was literally staring my 3rd pack of pills before I started lupron. So total of about 8 weeks on the pill. My RE was happy to keep me on it for 3 months if need be. My stims started off slow but I eventually caught up and ended up overstimming. Go figure. Ended up with 18 eggs. We did a freeze all cycle in october and a FET in November. I'm 12 weeks pg with that FET baby. So for me, the extended birth control was not a problem at all.

Good luck!!!

khanley1980

Siggy warning

Anywhere from 6 weeks to 10 days.......

keziah23

First IVF I was on the pill almost 2 months and I was canceled due to poor response and I put a lot of blame on the pill even though my RE says that is not what it was. This time, I'm on it 11 days. 

Good luck!

STL34

I was on BCPs for short periods of time for my first two IVF cycles and then the third cycle (which kept getting cancelled for cysts), I was on them for a short period and then cycle cancelled and I was immediatly put back on them.  That happened several times in a row so I was pretty much on BCPs or similar from March through mid August!  I did have a few short breaks (think 4-5 days) when they tried to start a cycle and I ended up with cysts, though.  Because of the cysts, I didn't have withdrawal bleeds during those breaks.

Good luck!!

SKLH

I know this thread was from a few days ago but for my first IVF cycle I was on bcp for over 2 months and got SO worried about suppression. I didn't have a issue at all. 17 eggs retrevied. This time I've been on it for about 2 months also and just started lupron. I will say, I was on it b/c it controls my endo from spreading but just wnated you to know that is IS possible that you don't become oversuppressed. Good Luck!