First post - Newbie

CTinNV

First, let me say that I am so grateful this group exists. Although I have a supportive DH and a few close friends who know of our situation, I still feel like I am alone because I don't have anyone to talk to that has walked this path before. So here goes...

I had my DS with my first husband when I was 31. I am now 35 and remarried TTC my second child (but my DH's first). Our first two pregnancies and losses came fast last year. After that happened, my OB and RE both recommended TTC again (with a randomly occurring egg) via IUI since it is so rare to lose a third in a row. Those efforts didn't work, but honestly I was OK because I felt IVF with PGD/AS testing would a great solution for our issues. I expected to produce a normal amount of eggs, and several people I know successfully overcame IF with IVF.

Our first cycle was a total failure. It turns out I have diminished reserve and the quality of my eggs appears to be unusually poor for my age. The first cycle was a standard long protocol (Lupron, Follistim, and Menopur) with bumped up doses of Follistim in the beginning. Not one of the four fertilized embies made it to blast, let alone freezing and testing. My heart broke.

Round 2 starts on March 20th. It's the shorter microflare protocol with HGH. This time I'm on micro Lupron, max doses of Brevelle and Menopur, and six days of HGH (omnitrope). My RE said protocol is known to be better for people like me. He also said we may have serious cause for concern if this doesn't yield quality embies.

Have any of you had success or better results with a similar evolution in protocols? I'm also very curious if any of you took HGH and what your results were.

My heart is open to anything you can share—experiences, support, thoughts, anything. Thank you for reading this.

P.S. I'm still learning the lingo and acronyms associated to all this. Please excuse me if I misused a term or feel free to point out one I should know.

fuzzbumble

Hi and welcome. We kind of have a similar story, unfortunately. Our first children are only three month apart even!

You can see my stuff in my signature, but losses, failed cycles, failed ivf. I responded not as well as they expected although I was lucky enough to get two blasts that were perfect that STILL didn't stick. Given that, I will be on a microdose flare soon. Waiting for my period to start birth control. Although no HGH.

I wish you all the best, keep us updated on your progress. I hope you won't be here long.

CTinNV

Hi, @fuzzbumble ! Thank you so much for responding to me. I do see that we have a lot of similarities from our path here to our experiences so far. Do you mind me asking if you have DOR? I will definitely keep you updated, and I would like for you to do the same. It will be nice to be going through this with someone else.

jen4ny

Welcome and good luck. 

fuzzbumble

I don't have DOR according to my test results (amh 3.1, FSH 7.8). However I responded like it. So...I don't know? No? Maybe? Lol.

CTinNV

My AMH is 1.1. I'm not sure of my FSH but they told me it was "normal". Supposedly, the HGH this cycle may improve the quality of my eggs. Fingers crossed...

I'm hoping someone responds who has used HGH before. I am curious about their real-life experiences, versus what I've been reading online.

fuzzbumble

interesting. You AMH is lower normal right? I think less that 1 is abnormal but it might be 1.5? I can't remember.
I would love to hear more too about the HGH. I've read a little and heard people who swear by it and people for whom it didn't help. So we'll see.

CTinNV

My RE told me less than 1.2 was low, so I was on the high end of low. The devil is in the details of these things. I will definitely keep you updated.

If anyone else has experience with HGH, please feel free to share. Thanks!

pdxveg

Welcome and sorry for your losses.  I hope your new protocol is successful!

NB817

Welcome. Sorry for your losses and that you've found yourself here but I hope your stay is short and that you have success with your next protocol.

Frenchteachermama

Welcome! I did the micro flare protocol in August (my AMH is super crappy at .20) and I got 9 eggs, 7 mature 7 fertilized. My first FET will be later this month so I'm not a success story (yet). I didn't use HGH but I know a woman who went through 4 rounds of iVf, multiple FETs and the cycle with HGH was a success. Good lucky!

CTinNV

Hi @Frenchteachermama ! Thank you for sharing your microflare protocol experience (and that of the woman you know with the HGH). I am thinking good thoughts for you and your FET soon! Did you do PGD/AS testing?

Kelley421

Welcome and GL on your next cycle!

efhoping2010

Hello and Welcome

I have DOR and am on an EPP with MDLF protocol for IVF/ICSI #4, see siggie for losses, failed cycles, etc.

We have issues with embryo quality as well.

We will not transfer right away but are doing CCS testing and later FET if we have any normals.

I am also a big fan of acupuncture

Wishing you well!

Frenchteachermama

Trying4Baby2 said:

Hi @Frenchteachermama ! Thank you for sharing your microflare protocol experience (and that of the woman you know with the HGH). I am thinking good thoughts for you and your FET soon! Did you do PGD/AS testing?

Because of the cost we said we would do PGD testing if I had more than 8 embies, we only had 7 so we decided not to do it. At that point we didn't realize that I had a c-scar defect which was causing a ton of fluid to build up in my ute. So we froze all of them at day 2. So I'm not sure how many (if any) will make the thaw.

fuzzbumble

We are also not doing a fresh transfer next time, we will retrieve, biopsy and freeze any embryos we get and chromosome test them. With my first IVF resulting in a miscarriage, (plus the previous two miscarriages) my RE doesn't want to transfer an untested embryo.

ellebelle2384

Welcome and good luck!

CTinNV

Thank you, @ellebelle2384 I see you've got a consult tomorrow. Good luck with that!

Jodee37

I have a craptastic AMH, DOR, and tons of m/c. And a failed IVF antagonist cycle. I have now tried TWICE to start a micro-lupron flare IVF cycle but have had dom follies pop up.  I am curious to see how your HGH goes, I have heard of that protocol but it doesn't seem to be one that my RE does/knows about as he's never mentioned it.

I'm sorry for your losses. This shit never gets easier. Wishing you luck. This board is full of amazing women with lots of support and help.