adding CoQ10 and HGH

AMShark

We had our WTF appointment n 13-June.  We had a low fertilization rate for IVF cycle #1, with 3 of 7 mature follicles fertilizing, and only 2 splitting.  For round 2, our RE is recommending ICSI (which I expected), but also stated I should start taking Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - 300 mg 2x/day.  When I begin my stims (which should be Gonal F and menopur again), she'll also have me injecting Human Growth Hormone (HGH).

Does anyone else have experience with either CoQ10 or HGH?  Did it noticeably improve your results?  Any unpleasant side effects (other than all of the other unpleasant side effects associated with IVF)?

Thanks in advance for any information.

ExoticAntibiotic

I tried CoQ10 for a week but those burps made me want to die. I burped that coating up all day long and it tasted so, so bad.

Mozzarella13

I recently found coq10 (ubiquinone) peach flavored gummies that are 100mg per gummy at Walmart. I can't speak to any results, but I can say no side effects so far, and they are tasty!

AMShark

@Mozarella13 - good to know CoQ10 comes in gummies.  I'll have to check Sam's club to see if they have it.

sweetpotato123

I took 800mg coq10 daily and had the 200mg pills from target. I took 2 at lunch and 2 at dinner and never noticed any side effects. I think my ivf was successful with our frozen results, but can't speak to what they may have been without it.

siempre595

I take the GNC Ubiquinol (supposedly ubiquinol is better than uniquinone for absorption).  I take 400 mg in the morning and 400 mg at night, per my RE. I don't notice it at all.  

scooteriste

I agree, the peach flavored gummy CoQ10 from Target is pretty tasty! No side effects here.

pblge

My doc recommended 600 mg a day. I've used a variety of brands, but never had a problem with taste or burping (yikes!). I bought this most recently:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00852IIEA/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I actually have a bunch left and no longer need it, so PM me if you want my leftovers. Those gummies are delicious, but I decided it was 3/day was a bit much.

As for whether it's helped, I was using it before IVF #1 so I don't have any comparison, but my egg quality is good, especially for my age (37 in September).

AMShark

@pblge Thanks - I'm actually taking 600 mg daily, but my RE has me taking 300 mg 2x/day.  I'll ask the next time I'm in whether I can just take 600 all at once, and then, I very well may take those off of your hands.

Carol77B

What's the HGH supposed to help with? My RE had me start 600 COQ10 (I take the CVS brand) and 25mg 3X a day of DHEA after my first IVF fail. They told me I could take the CoQ10 all at once, but not the DHEA.

AMShark

@Carol77B, the HGH is supposed to improve egg quality in old ladies like me.  My RE shared an article on a study done with HGH.  I would attach it here, but it comes from a scholarly journal, and I don't want to violate the distribution rules.  The abstract, however, is available on-line - though, not very helpful.

megwill126

Mozzarella13 said:

I recently found coq10 (ubiquinone) peach flavored gummies that are 100mg per gummy at Walmart. I can't speak to any results, but I can say no side effects so far, and they are tasty!

Agreed! I take the same ones.

Carol77B

Thanks, @AMShark I'm giong to ask my RE about adding that at my WTF.

kz's_girlygirl

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Our first IVF we only had 7 retrieved, 4 mature and 1 fertilize normally. We added HGH to IVF #2. I took coq10 and dhea during both. For #2 we changed up the protocol by doing an EPP before starting the antagonist so that probably also contributed, but my response was much better! 4x the # retrieved, and 3x the number mature with some to freeze that cycle.

I hope the change works for you! fx for a better outcome!!

lizzielou80

Those that used HGH- where did you get it from?  The cheapest place I found was costco but my doctor said we'd do that last resort because the cost would be SO high.  But yet I see lots of girls doing it- so wondering if there is another place I should turn to for the HGH- or if they are all just forking over thousands for it.  Thanks for any tips ladies!!

kz's_girlygirl

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I used omnitrope and was really lucky to get one vial donated to me, and I got the other two through Walgreens Specialty for under $400/vial (I can't remember the exact cost but if you call with the brand/amount you will need they will give you a quote.). It's definitely costly.

relawrence

Kz's_girlygirl, do you mind me asking your age? We are doing our 2nd cycle starting this week and adding Omnitroup. I am really hoping for a better response last time we have 9 eggs, 6 mature and 3 fertilized.BFN. Adding hgh to this cycle. Did I read that right that you had 28 eggs retrieved? And 12 mature? I mean I could only dream of those results!!! Did you do anything else differently? You are giving me so much hope! I've also been taking dhea and coq10 for about 5 months.

kz's_girlygirl

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relawrence said:

Kz's_girlygirl, do you mind me asking your age? We are doing our 2nd cycle starting this week and adding Omnitroup. I am really hoping for a better response last time we have 9 eggs, 6 mature and 3 fertilized.BFN. Adding hgh to this cycle. Did I read that right that you had 28 eggs retrieved? And 12 mature? I mean I could only dream of those results!!! Did you do anything else differently? You are giving me so much hope! I've also been taking dhea and coq10 for about 5 months.

I am 31 and have always had low AFC.  The max I have had  during any cycle throughout treatment was 7 at baseline.   I remember crying after my baseline for our most recent cycle b/c there were 6- but so many more popped up after a couple of days and I really think that had to do with the HGH.  We ended us having 21 retrieved, 16 mature and 15 fertilized normally compared to cycle one with 7 retrieved, 4 mature and only 1 fertilized normally (math is hard, lol.  I switched the numbers around).  DH and I were absolutely over the moon with the response and fert rates, and the fact that we ended up having 6 that were high enough quality to freeze.

My first cycle was a typical antagonist cycle with gonal+menopur, then adding ganirelix before trigger with crinone after ER. I took Coq10 and DHEA, plus did acupuncture once/week, and immediately before and after transfer. 

Cycle 2 we did luteal phase lupron+estrace for 1 week, I got my period, then we did antagonist again- gonal+menopur+HGH, adding in ganirelix before trigger, and then lovenox and PIO after ER.  I took CoQ10, DHEA, Vit C, and a probiotic.  I also tried to increase my protein intake.  I did acupuncture 1x/week and immediately before and after transfer again. 

IDK what your DX is, but I have a chromosomal inversion which basically allows fertilization to occur, but no growth will follow-my clinic categorizes those eggs impacted by my inversion as fertilized abnormally.  I also have endo and am mildly hypo thyroid.  POF/DOR runs in my family and like I said, I have always had low AFC's. 

I think the lupron/EPP really helped my ovaries get prepped to produce more follicles, and the HGH helped growth/quality.   My RE described the lupron/estrace combo as putting a race care in neutral (the lupron) and revving the engine (the estrace).  That way once I started stims my ovaries were ready to go. 

I hope adding in the HGH helps you get a good number of mature follicles of great quality, and you have a successful cycle this time!!

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relawrence

OMG, thank you so much for your post. I have borderline low amh/ high fsh. I had an AFC of like 10-12 at most our first round. I also have double blocked tubes from endometriosis and scar tissue.

Our first cycle was micro flare lupron. With menopur and gonal-f. We had 9 eggs, 6 mature and 3 fertilized. 1 stopped growing at day 5 and we put the other two back. BFN.

This cycle we are doing lupron down protocol. I've been on Bc and lupron for about 1 week. I will start bravelle and Manipur on Saturday. Adding in the hgh on day 7. I really hope this helps.

I've also been taking dhea, coq10, prenatal victims. Also doing acupunture 1x a week. I've been juicing, drinking wheatgrass and drinking crazy daikon radish broth that my acupunturest recommends.

Have you had your bfp yet?!? Thank you so much for your response! You give me so much hope that we will have a better outcome!

AMShark

@kz's_girlygirl - I'm with @relawrence - I find your result extremely encouraging.  

I produced plenty of follicles for my 1st IVF (28 follicles retrieved), but the majority were immature (just 7 mature) and the fert rate was very low (3).  

Since it looks like its a quality issue with me, I am hopeful that I"ll be getting results like yours when I finally get to start my 2nd round.  

I can't remember the last time I looked forward to getting my period, but seriously, AF, we're waiting on you here!  Anytime you're ready, lady.

ekc0630

***Pregnancy mentioned***

For my successful cycle I added coq10 and HGH to my cycle.  I only did one vial of HGH for cost reasons.  And I am currently pregnant with twins.  Can I say for sure what helped me get pregnant no but I suffered with IF for 7 years.  So I went all out this cycle.  GOOD LUCK

RunCC37

I've been on CoQ10 since October 2013. Ubiquinol is superior to ubiquinone. We also tried HGH with IVF #2.... I wish we had a better story to go along with it, but it turned out to be our worst cycle