Shady Grove - Shared Risk

vibeee

I was not accepted at my local IVF clinic to do IVF.  They said I don't have enough eggs and too low of AMH.

It looks like I'm going to consult with Shady Grove and see if I can qualify for their shared risk program.  If my eggs fail me after 1-2 tries I am ready to transition to donor eggs.

My question is,  did any of you Shady Grove ladies have low AMH and had a rather low antral follicles count on CD3?  My AMH is 0.64, FSH 12 and I had 6 follicles on CD3 during my evaluation cycle.

I'm gathering my medical records and will send it in next week to schedule a consult.  I don't want to get my hopes up.  I would rather find out here that I may not be a good candidate to use my own eggs.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you ladies!

vibeee

That's good news! Congrats on your continued pregnancy! Did you change your protocol the second time around? Have you heard of Dr.O'Brien?

Justone13

***cp mentioned***

We are in the shared risk program with shady grove. Not sure about the amh but I'm a terrible responder to the stims. First cycle I had 11 retrieved but only had 2 to transfer BFN. Second cycle 18 retrieved 1 to transfer BFP (ending in a chemical pregnancy). Almost none of the retrieved were mature both times. My RE believes that it might be due to the BCP that I took prior to starting my stims. He thinks that they are to oppressing for my body so when I start stimming my body doesn't know what to do. This is my 3rd fresh cycle (due to not having any leftover to freeze) and I am doing the Viville protocol. I got AF and started to do the OPK every day starting on CD10 to CD 15 calling when I had a surge. Once I surged, 10 days later I started the Viville patch (which was today) changing it every other day. Tomorrow I start Ganarelix for 3 days and wait for my next AF. Once Af shows up I go back for my check and then start my stims as normal. My first 2 cycles I was up to 4 vials of Bravelle and 3 of Menopur. This cycle they have switched me to Gonal F and Menopur. We are OOP for everything minus MEDS (thank god for small blessings). Might be a protocol worth looking into. My heart goes out to you... I know exactly how you feel. Hopefully they will let you into it and you have better results. Sending you a big hug sweets.. xo

vibeee

@Justone13 

Thank you so much for big hugs!  I could use one now!  The unknown is just scary...

I am going to gather my medical records this week and hope to schedule a consult with them. 

The protocol you mentioned sounds interesting.  It seems like less meds which sounds better already.  I am also 100% OOP.  I was able to collect most of the meds for one full cycle from some internet friends.  I will re-gift them it I don't' end up using them.

If I don't go with my own eggs I'll definitely go for donor eggs.  I want to be done with my journey.  I need an end to this.

I really hope this protocol works for you! Keep us posted!

Bi:)

zeynsom

My AMH was 0.7 and FSH 16 and had 5 follicles throughout the stims, but they retrieved all, fertilized 4, transferred 3 and froze one. Unfortunately none of them stuck. 

Now, my AMH is 0.43 and FSH dropped to 9.5, although my doctor still uses 16 for some reason. They encouraged me to think about DE but they agreed to go with another IVF cycle. I know people with much lower AMH and follicle numbers who continued with IVF and got pregnant. Do not lose hope!

I am a slow responder as well. I was on microdose lupron flare protocol during my first cycle. Basically 0.2cc lupron and 300 follistim every am and pm for about 12 days. Prior that they put me on BCP for a month and my new RE thinks that I might be over-suppressed because of the lengthy BCP use. We are doing something very similar to @Justone13 for this cycle. Estrogen priming between days 17-25 of the cycle (not patches but pills instead), and then 225 Follistim, 75 menapur, 0.2 lupron am and pm. 

Good luck!

vibeee

zeynsom

Thank you for your words of encouragement.  I really hope they will let me try my eggs.  If not then I'll move straight to donor eggs.  I'm ready.  I want it to be over with.

I know I am pretty consistent in making eggs - usually 6-8 per cycle.  Not a lot but something to work with.  I also have been pretty aggressive with the supplements in hope of boosting both egg quality and quantity.

I just noticed you are taking a bunch of supplements also.  Did you start after you found out your AMH got lower or were you taking them through out the whole IVF process?

I hope your second cycle gives you better outcome!

zeynsom

@vibeee I have been on iron and selenium for the past five years (long before my infertility issues) due to anemia and an autoimmune disease I have. I have started taking CoQ10 (600mg) and vitamin D in January (when we learnt about AMH levels), which was about three months before my first IVF cycle. I have started on folic acid and prenatals in March upon starting BCP for the cycle. I am not very good with fish oil-- some day totally forget them. And my new RE started me on DHEA last week, which I hear is good to increase the numbers (but you need to be on it for 3-4 months)

What is really good I found is acupuncture. I have been going to a community acupuncture centre (cheaper compared to regular acupuncturist), and seeing somebody there who is specialized on infertility. Unfortunately there are no real numbers out there for whether acupuncture helps but first it does not hurt and second I feel like it helped me. I had only five eggs during the stims and four of them were fertilized. That is a great number according to my RE and the success rate suggests that they were high quality. Acupuncture does not increase the number of your eggs but I have heard that it helps their quality. I believe that mine benefited from acupuncture. 

Good luck!

vibeee

zeynsom

I am so torn whether I should start IVF now or wait 2-3 more months to boost the eggs.  I just started DHEA 2 weeks ago.  

I am also 37 and time is running out...

I did acupuncture during on of my 'successful' pregnancies.  I only got to the 8th week with a HB though and they it went away.  I found a community acupuncture here in town and I'll start going as soon as i know we are going for it.

I am also taking a slew of other more natural supplements: Vitamineral Green(2 months) and waiting for their Antioxidant mix and Liver Rescue(it is supposed to help with possible hormonal imbalances).  

I will be crushed if they tell me I can't use my own eggs or that I only have 10-15% chance. Ugh..

Good luck to you with everything!  I'll keep an eye on your progress.