I went back in this morning and still have one giant follicle and 5 tiny (<10mm) ones. At least I didn't ovulate? I'm not sure what they are going to do-- try to sacrifice the big one or just cancel.
Oh man, I'm sorry for the uncertainty @bumblebee0210 I don't have much experience, but if they are really that tiny and still under 10, I *<i>might</i>* want to brace myself for it being cancelled. Again, not an expert, but I think they would still want to see Some growth on those smaller ones, like if they were in the 12-14 range, 15, then they know they are responding and can expect them to keep growing. How many days of stims are you on so far? I'm not sure what they will do since the rest are literally under 10. :/ Fx you get that call quickly and at least can end the limbo! 😬
@bumblebee0210 aw dang i'm so sorry about the misbehaving follicles. as @BusinessWife says, i hope you get a call soon and a plan so you at least know what's going to happen. Fingers crossed they'll have a way to keep this cycle afloat for you. And if not, at least the docs know what they're dealing with and will be hopefully able to proactively address your ovaries' propensity for premature selection. I'm trying to tell myself (regarding my own semi-derailed cycle this month) that at least now the doctor knows that this is a thing.
History
I am doing this on my own. Left ovary and fallopian tube removed due to cyst/necrosis just after birth. Right ovary and tube still purport to function.
Began TTC in Aug '18 @ age 35
5 or 6 (or 7?!) cycles using frozen donor sperm, ICI. All BFN
Mar-Jun '19 IUIs, all BFN
Began process of referral for RE in spring of '19, blood tests confirm low AMH (.54) but all else is good.
May '19 HSG shows open tube, but ultrasound suggests fibroids
MRI in June '19 confirms two large fibroids, one growing through wall of uterus
In June '19 I move from California to Oregon, disrupting my insurance, referrals, etc. 5 months spent piecing it all back together.
Nov. '19 attempted myomectomy (vaginal approach) failed. 2nd surgery using laparoscopic method in Jan '20 is successful.
April '20 --> June '20, natural IUIs, all BFN.
July? saline ultrasound and bubble test demonstrate open tube
July '20 clomid cycle cancelled for thin lining
Aug-Oct, 3 femara cycles, all BFN
RE referral. While waiting to set up an appointment Nov-Jan,I continue with natural cycles and ICI, using a known donor, BFN...
Jan '21 more bloodwork, AMH is worse (.30), FSH high albeit not catastrophic at 13.2. hysteroscopy all good. "looks cozy!" says the RE.
Feb '21, injectables (menopur, novarel), iui, BFN (doc said the frozen donor sperm sample had the "best numbers she'd ever seen!")
Mar '21, injectables, iui cancelled due to lack of follicles, converted to at home-insem. BFN
May '21, first IVF round cancelled due to cyst.
July '21 IVF: standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 7; 6 days of stims. 8 eggs retrieved, 7 mature, 5 fertilize, 4 made it to blast. 3 are 4AB, 1 is 4BB. PGT-A results all abnormal. Oct '21 somewhat improved AMH (.51) and significantly improved FSH (8.9). Maybe it's all the pills I swallow. Dec -21, standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 5; 11 days of stims. retrieval yields 5, 4M, 2 reach day-6 blast (4AB & 4BB). 1 low-level mosaic (chr. 3 deletion), 1 complex abnormal. Feb '22 FET (low-level mosaic): CP. May '22 egg retrieval, lupron flare protocol. HGH priming for 1 month before stims; md lupron 20/20u daily; menopur 225, follistim 225, 10k trigger after 8 days of stims; AFC 10; 13 retrieved; 10 mature; 8 fertilized. All frozen at 2PN for later thaw, grow, and biopsy. July '22 egg retrieval same protocol: 9 days of stims; AFC 8; 10 retrieved, 8 mature, 4 fertilized and frozen. Sept '22 ER same protocol: AFC 10; 12 retrieved, 11 mature, 11 fertilized. From the 3 retrievals, 7 survived to day 5-6 blastocyst, from which I have 2 normal embryos! Jan 20, Fully medicated FET, baby aspirin, dexamethasone, acupuncture, and as much woo as I can stand (which isn't very much). BFN. July 23, Natural FET + baby aspirin. BFN.
@BusinessWife@optimistgardener. Yeah I'm thinking it may be cancelled, which is a bummer, but I'm trying to just wait and see what the doctor says. I'm feeling pretty frustrated. Even though I know this happens, and I was already prepared for multiple ERs, I just want to know that this can work for me, and it's not all for nothing. @optimistgardener. I'll keep you in the loop on what they decide for this cycle and next, since you are having such a similar experience.
**lurking** @keikilove I did 3 medicated IUI's, with 2 of them using injectables. I typically ovulate early in my cycle (like CD 10), and they never had the issue of me ovulating early. Hopefully that helps!
Update: they didn't cancel it! (yet). They are upping my stims even more, and having me come back Saturday. I'm only on day 6 of stims, so I think they are hoping it's early enough to just let the big one go and grow the little guys. Here's hoping...
@bumblebee0210 So the IVF rollercoaster continues for you! Well, glad to hear is still early and they haven’t cancelled. FX that all continues to go in the right direction for this cycle.
@shoogapoff Thank you for the input! That is very helpful information to keep me from stressing out. I used to ovulate as early as CD10, but with all the additions to my routine, it’s now around CD13-14. Hoping my body decides to stick with the latter timing!
@BusinessWife Thanks for the flowers, they’re lovely.😄 Seriously, that was very kind of you. I completely get all your thoughts & emotions about your upcoming transfer too. All we can do is pray & hope for the best outcome!
@keikilove I'm so excited that we're "treatment twins"! I can relate to the "just OK" feeling; I've definitely experienced it. Regarding your question, there isn't really a risk of early ovulation in the same sense as IVF. If you do ovulate early (and that happens to me when I'm doing medicated cycles; usually around Day 10-12), they'll just have you do timed intercourse. So, while not as effective as an IUI (though research shows if sperm parameters are normal, IUI vs TI doesn't make a statistically signifiant difference), you're still getting the benefit of all those follicles that might develop. This is also a good lesson about your body in that if you do ovulate early, for next cycle, the doctor can add ganerelix to prevent it from happening.
@deaf_girl I believe @mvt2003's H also did Clomid treatment. Question though: has your H seen a urologist / done a physical exam to check for varicocele? You'd want to find the root cause of the low T first before starting treatment.
@bumblebee0210 as long as the other 5 are growing, you should be good to go for this cycle with the big follie being the sacrificial lamb. It happens. It's a good lesson for your doctors for your subsequent ERs. Btw what are the medication doses that you're taking?
Update from me: went in for my first follicle check today and my ovaries had recruited 4 follicles (all between 9 and 11mm) with Letrazole only! Woot! I start Gonal-F tonight and the doctor actually upped the amount from what she originally was going to have me take to make sure those recruited follies keep chugging along (now 225IU instead of just 150IU)! Next follicle check in on Sunday, and if they all keep growing, they should be in the 15-17mm range which likely means trigger either on Monday or Tuesday or next week, with inseminations on Tue-Thu.
I also ended up having a frank convo with her about IVF and how her costs are what's preventing us from pulling the proverbial trigger (obviously this is not news to her; her boutique approach costs a lot of money and she knows it. But you get what you pay for). She was so nice and said she would support our journey (i.e. provide advice) even if it's with another provider.
Finally, I asked her about the impact of the rising FSH, and she said that it would impact medication dosages in IVF; we've previously discussed a totaly of 450-500IU of meds; but now she's saying she would start me off with a much higher dose. This is supported by the fact that with 10mg of Letrazole (essentially, this is a mini-IVF cycle), I had only recruited 4 out of 16 follicles (she thought I might recruit as many as 6). So, in IVF, she'd have to BLAST my follicles with FSH in order to make sure more are recruited. Very interesting / rewarding and also alleviating conversation. I'm so thankful that she's in our area, even if we do have to drive 45min each way to get to her (and pay a $6 bridge toll.)
@acleverusername. That's so exciting! And I think it's good you're having the convo about IVF. I am an economist, so bear with me, but in thinking about the costs, it might be helpful to consider them in terms of tradeoffs. Like what would you have to give up? A longer maternity leave? Another bedroom? Daycare vs. nanny? The whole procreation thing is expensive, even when conception is free, so maybe viewing these costs as a part of the whole child-having endeavor puts them more in perspective?
Also-- wow those are super high doses! I started out on 300IU Follistim. Last night (day 5) they added 75IU Menopur, and tonight I am going up to 350IU Follistim. MH likes to say that the difference between generalists and specialists is "same drugs, higher doses", so you are probably in good hands! I still can't tell if I am a "poor responder" or not because it seems like I am just more of an "uneven responder"? So I don't know if super-stimming will help my little follies grow. I also don't know whether this lead follicle problem is likely to happen again or if it's just a weird one-off type thing.
@bumblebee0210 LOL your husband is a doctor so he'd know! Although I have read somewhere that higher doses may impact egg quality. Then again, if higher doses are needed to stimulate more follicles, then egg quality is likely already an issue.
In terms of you being uneven responder, once again, this cycle is an opportunity to learn how your body reacts. There are definitely ways to sync your follicles into more even production through changes to protocols. Just this past weekend, I helped a friend compile data on her 4 ER cycles. Graph included in spoiler. 2 things to notice: 1) each cycle, she had more follicles / eggs; 2) each cycles the growth was more in sync. The last cycle isn't very visible, but she had 16 follicles in that one (14 eggs retrieved) with the range being 7mm. That last cycle she did in a different clinic, but that clinic took the learnings from the 3 previous cycles to create the right protocol for her (she also had DOR).
As for trade-offs, we've certainly thought of it that way in our areas of our life, but I don't think we did a deep dive into it vis-a-vis conception/birth/raising children. Good idea though! At this point, MH and I have agreed that we'll do at most 2 IUI with TEW and then move on to IVF. Where, is TBD though. The clinic in Arizona doesn't do PICSI or Zymot for sperm sorting, and I feel like that's a real differentiator because sperm with no DNA fragmentation enhances changes of fertilization. And I also need to check if the doctor there is willing to do Omnitrope (HGH) for egg quality improvement. If not, then it might make sense to bite the bullet and have a cycle with TEW.
@acleverusername. Yeah-- the whole "cost" thing is a multifaceted, because there is like (a) Do IVF at all, (b) Do IVF now vs. more IUIs, (c) If IVF, then which clinic. For (c), the real tradeoff is whether the marginal cost of TEW (which I think you said is on the order of like 75% more for a cycle?) is worth not having to travel, really trusting your doctor, and maybe fewer regrets if the cycle doesn't work. It's a hard call for sure. If the AZ clinic got you 3 or 4 great embryos fro one cycle you would be super glad you did it, but if not, you may wonder if TEW would have gotten more.
@bumblebee0210 and @acleverusername I feel like I've gotten the financial side of this whole project totally wrong from the very beginning! At every stage I've chosen the "seems cheaper in the short run" option, doing too many rounds of natural cycles, self-inseminations, and iuis before getting the specialists involved who diagnosed me with having monster-sized fibroids, and then after the surgery, too many months (again!) of natural or lightly medicated cycles and iuis before realizing again that I really needed the big guns. In retrospect, doing all the testing early on, getting all my ducks in a row on that front, and then investing in 2 or 3 rounds of ivf would have been a far better use of my money and time. I'm trying not to beat myself up too badly for making decisions that seemed reasonable at the time (after all, how could i have known i would not be as effortlessly fertile as i imagined myself to be?), but it's definitely a thing in my life that I wish were subject to do-overs.
Anyway, that doesn't answer anyone else's questions about how to make decisions going forward.
History
I am doing this on my own. Left ovary and fallopian tube removed due to cyst/necrosis just after birth. Right ovary and tube still purport to function.
Began TTC in Aug '18 @ age 35
5 or 6 (or 7?!) cycles using frozen donor sperm, ICI. All BFN
Mar-Jun '19 IUIs, all BFN
Began process of referral for RE in spring of '19, blood tests confirm low AMH (.54) but all else is good.
May '19 HSG shows open tube, but ultrasound suggests fibroids
MRI in June '19 confirms two large fibroids, one growing through wall of uterus
In June '19 I move from California to Oregon, disrupting my insurance, referrals, etc. 5 months spent piecing it all back together.
Nov. '19 attempted myomectomy (vaginal approach) failed. 2nd surgery using laparoscopic method in Jan '20 is successful.
April '20 --> June '20, natural IUIs, all BFN.
July? saline ultrasound and bubble test demonstrate open tube
July '20 clomid cycle cancelled for thin lining
Aug-Oct, 3 femara cycles, all BFN
RE referral. While waiting to set up an appointment Nov-Jan,I continue with natural cycles and ICI, using a known donor, BFN...
Jan '21 more bloodwork, AMH is worse (.30), FSH high albeit not catastrophic at 13.2. hysteroscopy all good. "looks cozy!" says the RE.
Feb '21, injectables (menopur, novarel), iui, BFN (doc said the frozen donor sperm sample had the "best numbers she'd ever seen!")
Mar '21, injectables, iui cancelled due to lack of follicles, converted to at home-insem. BFN
May '21, first IVF round cancelled due to cyst.
July '21 IVF: standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 7; 6 days of stims. 8 eggs retrieved, 7 mature, 5 fertilize, 4 made it to blast. 3 are 4AB, 1 is 4BB. PGT-A results all abnormal. Oct '21 somewhat improved AMH (.51) and significantly improved FSH (8.9). Maybe it's all the pills I swallow. Dec -21, standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 5; 11 days of stims. retrieval yields 5, 4M, 2 reach day-6 blast (4AB & 4BB). 1 low-level mosaic (chr. 3 deletion), 1 complex abnormal. Feb '22 FET (low-level mosaic): CP. May '22 egg retrieval, lupron flare protocol. HGH priming for 1 month before stims; md lupron 20/20u daily; menopur 225, follistim 225, 10k trigger after 8 days of stims; AFC 10; 13 retrieved; 10 mature; 8 fertilized. All frozen at 2PN for later thaw, grow, and biopsy. July '22 egg retrieval same protocol: 9 days of stims; AFC 8; 10 retrieved, 8 mature, 4 fertilized and frozen. Sept '22 ER same protocol: AFC 10; 12 retrieved, 11 mature, 11 fertilized. From the 3 retrievals, 7 survived to day 5-6 blastocyst, from which I have 2 normal embryos! Jan 20, Fully medicated FET, baby aspirin, dexamethasone, acupuncture, and as much woo as I can stand (which isn't very much). BFN. July 23, Natural FET + baby aspirin. BFN.
Well today is day 24 out of my cycle...and I just noticed brown blood that was tinged pink...so I don't know what is going on as this has never happened before....
@deaf_girl how long are your cycles normally? Maybe you're having a short cycle? I've had a couple lately that went something like spotting on days 24, 25 ish, and then AF on day 26 or so... :/
@acleverusername Glad that you were able to have that direct conversation with TEW. Very nice to know she will support cycles that you do with other REs if it comes to that choice. Also interesting about blasting you with a lot more FSH to recruit more follies early on. Hopefully the 4 that you have now keep growing strong before next week’s trigger!
Also, re: your concerns about costs, which are completely legit. For HGH: can you just have TEW write you a script now for future use? Then you don’t have to let that factor into the decision of whether to switch to the AZ RE. (FWIW, some pharmacies accept the Omnitrope(HGH) coupon card that gets you the meds for free. This saves about $350 per tiny vial. Integrity Pharmacy in Phoenix is one place that accepts the coupon. They can ship to you for free or you could pick it up if you ended up going with the RE in AZ.) I know you mentioned *maybe* looking into Vida clinic in TJ. They do PICSI & ICSI, but I’m not sure whether they have the Zymot machine.
@optimistgardener Oh yes, the shoulda-woulda-coulda of all of this can make a person crazy. You definitely should not beat yourself up for any prior decisions. Like you said, you were operating from the information you had available to you at the time. How could you know to do things any differently ? (I also cringe when I look back at the time & money spent. I waited a year after my infertility drama started to get thoroughly tested with a specialist, but that’s because she had a 6-month wait for new patients. It was another year before I could do IVF (thanks to insurance drama & then Covid). I keep trying to remind myself that there’s a reason for the delays & timing, and that everything will line up perfectly exactly when it’s supposed to. It’s the only way to not drive myself nuts.)
@bumblebee0210 I’m not sure how young you are, but my REs have told me that the older we get, the more likely we are to have follies that grow unevenly. This is because of our higher FSH working even earlier to recruit follies, and some of them being ready to grow before others receive the signal. The doctors may try to stop this from happening in future by prescribing bcp or estradiol or other down-regulators to “quiet” the ovaries until you’re ready to start your next cycle. (But hoping for you that you won’t need a next cycle!)
@optimistgardener I definitely second what @keikilove said: don't beat yourself up. Hindsight is, after all, 20/20. And it's also hard advice to give to someone else because everyone is working with different circumstances! So everyone has to do their own thing, but it's obviously good to share one's own experience as a way to inform others' decision making. So I definitely appreciate your perspective.
@keikilove how's your cycle going? When's your follicle check?
@deaf_girl have you ever had your luteal phase progesterone checked? Maybe it's breakthrough bleeding which might be a sign of low progesterone. Or, it could be a short cycle as @BusinessWife suggested; that's happened to me before as well.
@keikilove That makes sense. I'm 34 but I have low AMH. My FSH is borderline high (9.2), so this could definitely be a factor. I'm curious to see how the doctor changes things up next cycle (while I appreciate your optimism there is basically no way we won't do another cycle. Even if we get 3 or 4 good embryos we will prob go for at least one more go, and hope it will be the last we ever have to do. MH last night was like "if we have to do ten retrievals, we will do ten retrievals" and I was just like )
Update: I had my appointment with my Reproductive Immunologist this morning. My main concern was whether my body has been too suppressed with all the meds I’m on (since we need to have a little inflammation for implantation to be successful). She did agree to lower the dose of steroids I’m on. She also said that all of my tests look good and it isn’t clear what might be halting implantation. She said I have to do 1 more endometrial biopsy 5-7 days after ovulation and not to TTC during that cycle. So this cycle is out since we are doing medicated IUI, then may lose next month to the biopsy if this cycle isn’t successful. She said the biopsy will tell her if I’m over-suppressed, under-suppressed, etc. I feel like it’s another stumbling block/delay, but if it will give answers then I guess it’s worth it.
@acleverusername sorry if it sounded like I was trying to offer advice. I definitely was not. Just bemoaning my own choices. I agree that everyone's journey is theirs alone, and we can only make the decisions that seem right to us when we face them.
I am doing this on my own. Left ovary and fallopian tube removed due to cyst/necrosis just after birth. Right ovary and tube still purport to function.
Began TTC in Aug '18 @ age 35
5 or 6 (or 7?!) cycles using frozen donor sperm, ICI. All BFN
Mar-Jun '19 IUIs, all BFN
Began process of referral for RE in spring of '19, blood tests confirm low AMH (.54) but all else is good.
May '19 HSG shows open tube, but ultrasound suggests fibroids
MRI in June '19 confirms two large fibroids, one growing through wall of uterus
In June '19 I move from California to Oregon, disrupting my insurance, referrals, etc. 5 months spent piecing it all back together.
Nov. '19 attempted myomectomy (vaginal approach) failed. 2nd surgery using laparoscopic method in Jan '20 is successful.
April '20 --> June '20, natural IUIs, all BFN.
July? saline ultrasound and bubble test demonstrate open tube
July '20 clomid cycle cancelled for thin lining
Aug-Oct, 3 femara cycles, all BFN
RE referral. While waiting to set up an appointment Nov-Jan,I continue with natural cycles and ICI, using a known donor, BFN...
Jan '21 more bloodwork, AMH is worse (.30), FSH high albeit not catastrophic at 13.2. hysteroscopy all good. "looks cozy!" says the RE.
Feb '21, injectables (menopur, novarel), iui, BFN (doc said the frozen donor sperm sample had the "best numbers she'd ever seen!")
Mar '21, injectables, iui cancelled due to lack of follicles, converted to at home-insem. BFN
May '21, first IVF round cancelled due to cyst.
July '21 IVF: standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 7; 6 days of stims. 8 eggs retrieved, 7 mature, 5 fertilize, 4 made it to blast. 3 are 4AB, 1 is 4BB. PGT-A results all abnormal. Oct '21 somewhat improved AMH (.51) and significantly improved FSH (8.9). Maybe it's all the pills I swallow. Dec -21, standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 5; 11 days of stims. retrieval yields 5, 4M, 2 reach day-6 blast (4AB & 4BB). 1 low-level mosaic (chr. 3 deletion), 1 complex abnormal. Feb '22 FET (low-level mosaic): CP. May '22 egg retrieval, lupron flare protocol. HGH priming for 1 month before stims; md lupron 20/20u daily; menopur 225, follistim 225, 10k trigger after 8 days of stims; AFC 10; 13 retrieved; 10 mature; 8 fertilized. All frozen at 2PN for later thaw, grow, and biopsy. July '22 egg retrieval same protocol: 9 days of stims; AFC 8; 10 retrieved, 8 mature, 4 fertilized and frozen. Sept '22 ER same protocol: AFC 10; 12 retrieved, 11 mature, 11 fertilized. From the 3 retrievals, 7 survived to day 5-6 blastocyst, from which I have 2 normal embryos! Jan 20, Fully medicated FET, baby aspirin, dexamethasone, acupuncture, and as much woo as I can stand (which isn't very much). BFN. July 23, Natural FET + baby aspirin. BFN.
Lurking @keikilove I did injectables all 5 of my IUIs. I typically ovulate around day 16 of cycle, with injectables I ovulated around 12-14. BUT that was the goal of my RE, she didn’t want my follies “sitting on the shelf” too long because there is a theory it affects quality. She said injectables are easier to “fine tune” than other meds, so as long as you are monitored they should be able to pretty much pick the day they want you to ovulate. The benefit of IUI vs ER is that they only want 1 follie so they don’t need to try to get multiples to the same size, so it is much easier to manage. Good luck! I hope the injectables are your answer with the reduced steroids!
@BusinessWife Hey girl! I am lurking and wishing the best for you!
Quick update: I went back in today and the little follies are growing! I now have 4 follies 9-12mm, and 4 more <10, plus the giant one still hanging on and hogging everything at 29mm (!). E2 is 1015, so it seems like “sacrificing the lead” is working, and I’m hoping maybe we can get 6 or so eggs this cycle. I’m just relieved we aren’t canceling!
Me: 34 DH: 36 | Together since 2007 | Married July 2016
TTC #1 since 7.2017 Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3| all BFN IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name" RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer 2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20 Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21 Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023 Consultation with RI | 6.6.23 Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56 Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox Repeat labs in 8 weeks Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues TTC put on pause
@bumblebee0210 yay for little follies! Hopefully you get a half decent crop. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 And hopefully that giant follie doesn’t turn into a cyst. The ovaries have many ways to füçk you over.
@deaf_girl forgot to mention... just Google Proov and you can either buy them on their website (usually they have a discount code you can use) or on Amazon.
@ramzlau Thank you for the input re: how injectables affected your cycles. It’s good info to have. I guess all we can do is wait & see how I respond to this first round.🤞🏽
@bumblebee0210 Yay, so glad to hear things are moving ahead!! What an exciting cycle🙃
@inthewoods23 Love that your adorable favorite gif has made another appearance🥰
@deaf_girl Sorry that you’re out this cycle. Hopefully the temping will go smoothly and help you have a better sense of what’s happening next cycle.
Re: Infertility Testing & Treatment w/o 03.15
BFP 11/30/2017 | MMC 12/31/2017
BFP 6/22/2018 | CP 6/27/2018
BFP 10/5/2018 | EDD 6/14/2019
Baby girl born 6/19/19
TTC #2 May 2020-November 2021
BFP 7/18/2020 | MonoDi Twins | MMC 9/10/2020
BFP 11/7/2020 | CP 11/9/2020
RE Consult January 2021 | Dx "borderline DOR"/RPL
IVF with PGT:
Standard Antagonist:
ER #1 3/27/2021 7R | 5M | 3F | 2B | 1 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic
ER #2 4/22/2021 10R | 7M | 3F | 2B | 0 normal, 2 aneuploid
ER #3 5/19/2021 2R | 1M | 0F
Estrogen Priming Antagonist:
ER #4 7/10/2021 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
Duostim (Standard Antagonist):
ER #5 9/22/2021 13R | 11M | 8F | 5B | 2 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic, 2 aneuploid
ER #6 10/9/2021 9R | 6M | 4 F | 1B | 1 aneuploid
FET #1 11/5/2021 | EDD 7/24/2022
Baby boy born 7/19/22
TTC #3 since May 2023 (ntnp)
IVF Started Fall 2023 (Standard Antagonist)
ER #7 10/6/2023 | 9R | 6M | 5F | 3B | 2 aneuploid, 1 high-level mosaic
ER #8 10/31/2023 | 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
FET #2 11/27/23 | CP (bHCG = 8)
FET #3 planned Jan 2024
Oct '21 somewhat improved AMH (.51) and significantly improved FSH (8.9). Maybe it's all the pills I swallow.
Dec -21, standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 5; 11 days of stims. retrieval yields 5, 4M, 2 reach day-6 blast (4AB & 4BB). 1 low-level mosaic (chr. 3 deletion), 1 complex abnormal.
Feb '22 FET (low-level mosaic): CP.
May '22 egg retrieval, lupron flare protocol. HGH priming for 1 month before stims; md lupron 20/20u daily; menopur 225, follistim 225, 10k trigger after 8 days of stims; AFC 10; 13 retrieved; 10 mature; 8 fertilized. All frozen at 2PN for later thaw, grow, and biopsy.
July '22 egg retrieval same protocol: 9 days of stims; AFC 8; 10 retrieved, 8 mature, 4 fertilized and frozen.
Sept '22 ER same protocol: AFC 10; 12 retrieved, 11 mature, 11 fertilized.
From the 3 retrievals, 7 survived to day 5-6 blastocyst, from which I have 2 normal embryos!
Jan 20, Fully medicated FET, baby aspirin, dexamethasone, acupuncture, and as much woo as I can stand (which isn't very much). BFN.
July 23, Natural FET + baby aspirin. BFN.
@optimistgardener. I'll keep you in the loop on what they decide for this cycle and next, since you are having such a similar experience.
BFP 11/30/2017 | MMC 12/31/2017
BFP 6/22/2018 | CP 6/27/2018
BFP 10/5/2018 | EDD 6/14/2019
Baby girl born 6/19/19
TTC #2 May 2020-November 2021
BFP 7/18/2020 | MonoDi Twins | MMC 9/10/2020
BFP 11/7/2020 | CP 11/9/2020
RE Consult January 2021 | Dx "borderline DOR"/RPL
IVF with PGT:
Standard Antagonist:
ER #1 3/27/2021 7R | 5M | 3F | 2B | 1 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic
ER #2 4/22/2021 10R | 7M | 3F | 2B | 0 normal, 2 aneuploid
ER #3 5/19/2021 2R | 1M | 0F
Estrogen Priming Antagonist:
ER #4 7/10/2021 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
Duostim (Standard Antagonist):
ER #5 9/22/2021 13R | 11M | 8F | 5B | 2 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic, 2 aneuploid
ER #6 10/9/2021 9R | 6M | 4 F | 1B | 1 aneuploid
FET #1 11/5/2021 | EDD 7/24/2022
Baby boy born 7/19/22
TTC #3 since May 2023 (ntnp)
IVF Started Fall 2023 (Standard Antagonist)
ER #7 10/6/2023 | 9R | 6M | 5F | 3B | 2 aneuploid, 1 high-level mosaic
ER #8 10/31/2023 | 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
FET #2 11/27/23 | CP (bHCG = 8)
FET #3 planned Jan 2024
@keikilove I did 3 medicated IUI's, with 2 of them using injectables. I typically ovulate early in my cycle (like CD 10), and they never had the issue of me ovulating early. Hopefully that helps!
BFP 11/30/2017 | MMC 12/31/2017
BFP 6/22/2018 | CP 6/27/2018
BFP 10/5/2018 | EDD 6/14/2019
Baby girl born 6/19/19
TTC #2 May 2020-November 2021
BFP 7/18/2020 | MonoDi Twins | MMC 9/10/2020
BFP 11/7/2020 | CP 11/9/2020
RE Consult January 2021 | Dx "borderline DOR"/RPL
IVF with PGT:
Standard Antagonist:
ER #1 3/27/2021 7R | 5M | 3F | 2B | 1 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic
ER #2 4/22/2021 10R | 7M | 3F | 2B | 0 normal, 2 aneuploid
ER #3 5/19/2021 2R | 1M | 0F
Estrogen Priming Antagonist:
ER #4 7/10/2021 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
Duostim (Standard Antagonist):
ER #5 9/22/2021 13R | 11M | 8F | 5B | 2 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic, 2 aneuploid
ER #6 10/9/2021 9R | 6M | 4 F | 1B | 1 aneuploid
FET #1 11/5/2021 | EDD 7/24/2022
Baby boy born 7/19/22
TTC #3 since May 2023 (ntnp)
IVF Started Fall 2023 (Standard Antagonist)
ER #7 10/6/2023 | 9R | 6M | 5F | 3B | 2 aneuploid, 1 high-level mosaic
ER #8 10/31/2023 | 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
FET #2 11/27/23 | CP (bHCG = 8)
FET #3 planned Jan 2024
@BusinessWife Thanks for the flowers, they’re lovely.😄 Seriously, that was very kind of you. I completely get all your thoughts & emotions about your upcoming transfer too. All we can do is pray & hope for the best outcome!
@deaf_girl I believe @mvt2003's H also did Clomid treatment. Question though: has your H seen a urologist / done a physical exam to check for varicocele? You'd want to find the root cause of the low T first before starting treatment.
@bumblebee0210 as long as the other 5 are growing, you should be good to go for this cycle with the big follie being the sacrificial lamb. It happens. It's a good lesson for your doctors for your subsequent ERs. Btw what are the medication doses that you're taking?
Update from me: went in for my first follicle check today and my ovaries had recruited 4 follicles (all between 9 and 11mm) with Letrazole only! Woot! I start Gonal-F tonight and the doctor actually upped the amount from what she originally was going to have me take to make sure those recruited follies keep chugging along (now 225IU instead of just 150IU)! Next follicle check in on Sunday, and if they all keep growing, they should be in the 15-17mm range which likely means trigger either on Monday or Tuesday or next week, with inseminations on Tue-Thu.
I also ended up having a frank convo with her about IVF and how her costs are what's preventing us from pulling the proverbial trigger (obviously this is not news to her; her boutique approach costs a lot of money and she knows it. But you get what you pay for). She was so nice and said she would support our journey (i.e. provide advice) even if it's with another provider.
Finally, I asked her about the impact of the rising FSH, and she said that it would impact medication dosages in IVF; we've previously discussed a totaly of 450-500IU of meds; but now she's saying she would start me off with a much higher dose. This is supported by the fact that with 10mg of Letrazole (essentially, this is a mini-IVF cycle), I had only recruited 4 out of 16 follicles (she thought I might recruit as many as 6). So, in IVF, she'd have to BLAST my follicles with FSH in order to make sure more are recruited. Very interesting / rewarding and also alleviating conversation. I'm so thankful that she's in our area, even if we do have to drive 45min each way to get to her (and pay a $6 bridge toll.)
TTC#2
TTC #2 ... preparing as of March 2024
TTC #1
TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022
2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis
07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis
07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment
07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS
08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA
09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required
10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN
10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic
11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN
11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN
01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN
02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing
03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️
04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN
04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance
05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF
05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH.
06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded
07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid
08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d
09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid
11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation
12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN
01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN
02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity
03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022
05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering...
06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022
07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023
Also-- wow those are super high doses! I started out on 300IU Follistim. Last night (day 5) they added 75IU Menopur, and tonight I am going up to 350IU Follistim. MH likes to say that the difference between generalists and specialists is "same drugs, higher doses", so you are probably in good hands! I still can't tell if I am a "poor responder" or not because it seems like I am just more of an "uneven responder"? So I don't know if super-stimming will help my little follies grow. I also don't know whether this lead follicle problem is likely to happen again or if it's just a weird one-off type thing.
BFP 11/30/2017 | MMC 12/31/2017
BFP 6/22/2018 | CP 6/27/2018
BFP 10/5/2018 | EDD 6/14/2019
Baby girl born 6/19/19
TTC #2 May 2020-November 2021
BFP 7/18/2020 | MonoDi Twins | MMC 9/10/2020
BFP 11/7/2020 | CP 11/9/2020
RE Consult January 2021 | Dx "borderline DOR"/RPL
IVF with PGT:
Standard Antagonist:
ER #1 3/27/2021 7R | 5M | 3F | 2B | 1 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic
ER #2 4/22/2021 10R | 7M | 3F | 2B | 0 normal, 2 aneuploid
ER #3 5/19/2021 2R | 1M | 0F
Estrogen Priming Antagonist:
ER #4 7/10/2021 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
Duostim (Standard Antagonist):
ER #5 9/22/2021 13R | 11M | 8F | 5B | 2 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic, 2 aneuploid
ER #6 10/9/2021 9R | 6M | 4 F | 1B | 1 aneuploid
FET #1 11/5/2021 | EDD 7/24/2022
Baby boy born 7/19/22
TTC #3 since May 2023 (ntnp)
IVF Started Fall 2023 (Standard Antagonist)
ER #7 10/6/2023 | 9R | 6M | 5F | 3B | 2 aneuploid, 1 high-level mosaic
ER #8 10/31/2023 | 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
FET #2 11/27/23 | CP (bHCG = 8)
FET #3 planned Jan 2024
In terms of you being uneven responder, once again, this cycle is an opportunity to learn how your body reacts. There are definitely ways to sync your follicles into more even production through changes to protocols. Just this past weekend, I helped a friend compile data on her 4 ER cycles. Graph included in spoiler. 2 things to notice: 1) each cycle, she had more follicles / eggs; 2) each cycles the growth was more in sync. The last cycle isn't very visible, but she had 16 follicles in that one (14 eggs retrieved) with the range being 7mm. That last cycle she did in a different clinic, but that clinic took the learnings from the 3 previous cycles to create the right protocol for her (she also had DOR).
As for trade-offs, we've certainly thought of it that way in our areas of our life, but I don't think we did a deep dive into it vis-a-vis conception/birth/raising children. Good idea though! At this point, MH and I have agreed that we'll do at most 2 IUI with TEW and then move on to IVF. Where, is TBD though. The clinic in Arizona doesn't do PICSI or Zymot for sperm sorting, and I feel like that's a real differentiator because sperm with no DNA fragmentation enhances changes of fertilization. And I also need to check if the doctor there is willing to do Omnitrope (HGH) for egg quality improvement. If not, then it might make sense to bite the bullet and have a cycle with TEW.
TTC#2
TTC #2 ... preparing as of March 2024
TTC #1
TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022
2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis
07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis
07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment
07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS
08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA
09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required
10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN
10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic
11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN
11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN
01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN
02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing
03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️
04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN
04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance
05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF
05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH.
06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded
07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid
08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d
09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid
11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation
12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN
01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN
02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity
03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022
05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering...
06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022
07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023
BFP 11/30/2017 | MMC 12/31/2017
BFP 6/22/2018 | CP 6/27/2018
BFP 10/5/2018 | EDD 6/14/2019
Baby girl born 6/19/19
TTC #2 May 2020-November 2021
BFP 7/18/2020 | MonoDi Twins | MMC 9/10/2020
BFP 11/7/2020 | CP 11/9/2020
RE Consult January 2021 | Dx "borderline DOR"/RPL
IVF with PGT:
Standard Antagonist:
ER #1 3/27/2021 7R | 5M | 3F | 2B | 1 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic
ER #2 4/22/2021 10R | 7M | 3F | 2B | 0 normal, 2 aneuploid
ER #3 5/19/2021 2R | 1M | 0F
Estrogen Priming Antagonist:
ER #4 7/10/2021 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
Duostim (Standard Antagonist):
ER #5 9/22/2021 13R | 11M | 8F | 5B | 2 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic, 2 aneuploid
ER #6 10/9/2021 9R | 6M | 4 F | 1B | 1 aneuploid
FET #1 11/5/2021 | EDD 7/24/2022
Baby boy born 7/19/22
TTC #3 since May 2023 (ntnp)
IVF Started Fall 2023 (Standard Antagonist)
ER #7 10/6/2023 | 9R | 6M | 5F | 3B | 2 aneuploid, 1 high-level mosaic
ER #8 10/31/2023 | 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
FET #2 11/27/23 | CP (bHCG = 8)
FET #3 planned Jan 2024
Oct '21 somewhat improved AMH (.51) and significantly improved FSH (8.9). Maybe it's all the pills I swallow.
Dec -21, standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 5; 11 days of stims. retrieval yields 5, 4M, 2 reach day-6 blast (4AB & 4BB). 1 low-level mosaic (chr. 3 deletion), 1 complex abnormal.
Feb '22 FET (low-level mosaic): CP.
May '22 egg retrieval, lupron flare protocol. HGH priming for 1 month before stims; md lupron 20/20u daily; menopur 225, follistim 225, 10k trigger after 8 days of stims; AFC 10; 13 retrieved; 10 mature; 8 fertilized. All frozen at 2PN for later thaw, grow, and biopsy.
July '22 egg retrieval same protocol: 9 days of stims; AFC 8; 10 retrieved, 8 mature, 4 fertilized and frozen.
Sept '22 ER same protocol: AFC 10; 12 retrieved, 11 mature, 11 fertilized.
From the 3 retrievals, 7 survived to day 5-6 blastocyst, from which I have 2 normal embryos!
Jan 20, Fully medicated FET, baby aspirin, dexamethasone, acupuncture, and as much woo as I can stand (which isn't very much). BFN.
July 23, Natural FET + baby aspirin. BFN.
@bumblebee0210 I’m not sure how young you are, but my REs have told me that the older we get, the more likely we are to have follies that grow unevenly. This is because of our higher FSH working even earlier to recruit follies, and some of them being ready to grow before others receive the signal. The doctors may try to stop this from happening in future by prescribing bcp or estradiol or other down-regulators to “quiet” the ovaries until you’re ready to start your next cycle. (But hoping for you that you won’t need a next cycle!)
@keikilove how's your cycle going? When's your follicle check?
@deaf_girl have you ever had your luteal phase progesterone checked? Maybe it's breakthrough bleeding which might be a sign of low progesterone. Or, it could be a short cycle as @BusinessWife suggested; that's happened to me before as well.
TTC#2
TTC #2 ... preparing as of March 2024
TTC #1
TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022
2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis
07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis
07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment
07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS
08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA
09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required
10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN
10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic
11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN
11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN
01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN
02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing
03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️
04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN
04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance
05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF
05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH.
06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded
07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid
08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d
09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid
11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation
12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN
01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN
02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity
03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022
05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering...
06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022
07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023
@acleverusername no I haven't, but last time I used OPKs my luteal phase was either 13 or 14 days, can't remember which, it's been so long lol
TTC#2
TTC #2 ... preparing as of March 2024
TTC #1
TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022
2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis
07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis
07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment
07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS
08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA
09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required
10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN
10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic
11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN
11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN
01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN
02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing
03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️
04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN
04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance
05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF
05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH.
06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded
07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid
08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d
09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid
11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation
12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN
01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN
02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity
03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022
05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering...
06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022
07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023
BFP 11/30/2017 | MMC 12/31/2017
BFP 6/22/2018 | CP 6/27/2018
BFP 10/5/2018 | EDD 6/14/2019
Baby girl born 6/19/19
TTC #2 May 2020-November 2021
BFP 7/18/2020 | MonoDi Twins | MMC 9/10/2020
BFP 11/7/2020 | CP 11/9/2020
RE Consult January 2021 | Dx "borderline DOR"/RPL
IVF with PGT:
Standard Antagonist:
ER #1 3/27/2021 7R | 5M | 3F | 2B | 1 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic
ER #2 4/22/2021 10R | 7M | 3F | 2B | 0 normal, 2 aneuploid
ER #3 5/19/2021 2R | 1M | 0F
Estrogen Priming Antagonist:
ER #4 7/10/2021 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
Duostim (Standard Antagonist):
ER #5 9/22/2021 13R | 11M | 8F | 5B | 2 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic, 2 aneuploid
ER #6 10/9/2021 9R | 6M | 4 F | 1B | 1 aneuploid
FET #1 11/5/2021 | EDD 7/24/2022
Baby boy born 7/19/22
TTC #3 since May 2023 (ntnp)
IVF Started Fall 2023 (Standard Antagonist)
ER #7 10/6/2023 | 9R | 6M | 5F | 3B | 2 aneuploid, 1 high-level mosaic
ER #8 10/31/2023 | 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
FET #2 11/27/23 | CP (bHCG = 8)
FET #3 planned Jan 2024
inflammation for implantation to be successful). She did agree to lower the dose of steroids I’m on. She also said that all of my tests look good and it isn’t clear what might be halting implantation. She said I have to do 1 more endometrial biopsy 5-7 days after ovulation and not to TTC during that cycle. So this cycle is out since we are doing medicated IUI, then may lose next month to the biopsy if this cycle isn’t successful. She said the biopsy will tell her if I’m over-suppressed, under-suppressed, etc. I feel like it’s another stumbling block/delay, but if it will give answers then I guess it’s worth it.
Oct '21 somewhat improved AMH (.51) and significantly improved FSH (8.9). Maybe it's all the pills I swallow.
Dec -21, standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 5; 11 days of stims. retrieval yields 5, 4M, 2 reach day-6 blast (4AB & 4BB). 1 low-level mosaic (chr. 3 deletion), 1 complex abnormal.
Feb '22 FET (low-level mosaic): CP.
May '22 egg retrieval, lupron flare protocol. HGH priming for 1 month before stims; md lupron 20/20u daily; menopur 225, follistim 225, 10k trigger after 8 days of stims; AFC 10; 13 retrieved; 10 mature; 8 fertilized. All frozen at 2PN for later thaw, grow, and biopsy.
July '22 egg retrieval same protocol: 9 days of stims; AFC 8; 10 retrieved, 8 mature, 4 fertilized and frozen.
Sept '22 ER same protocol: AFC 10; 12 retrieved, 11 mature, 11 fertilized.
From the 3 retrievals, 7 survived to day 5-6 blastocyst, from which I have 2 normal embryos!
Jan 20, Fully medicated FET, baby aspirin, dexamethasone, acupuncture, and as much woo as I can stand (which isn't very much). BFN.
July 23, Natural FET + baby aspirin. BFN.
@keikilove I did injectables all 5 of my IUIs. I typically ovulate around day 16 of cycle, with injectables I ovulated around 12-14. BUT that was the goal of my RE, she didn’t want my follies “sitting on the shelf” too long because there is a theory it affects quality. She said injectables are easier to “fine tune” than other meds, so as long as you are monitored they should be able to pretty much pick the day they want you to ovulate. The benefit of IUI vs ER is that they only want 1 follie so they don’t need to try to get multiples to the same size, so it is much easier to manage. Good luck! I hope the injectables are your answer with the reduced steroids!
TTC#2
TTC #2 ... preparing as of March 2024
TTC #1
TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022
2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis
07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis
07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment
07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS
08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA
09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required
10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN
10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic
11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN
11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN
01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN
02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing
03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️
04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN
04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance
05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF
05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH.
06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded
07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid
08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d
09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid
11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation
12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN
01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN
02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity
03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022
05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering...
06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022
07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023
BFP 11/30/2017 | MMC 12/31/2017
BFP 6/22/2018 | CP 6/27/2018
BFP 10/5/2018 | EDD 6/14/2019
Baby girl born 6/19/19
TTC #2 May 2020-November 2021
BFP 7/18/2020 | MonoDi Twins | MMC 9/10/2020
BFP 11/7/2020 | CP 11/9/2020
RE Consult January 2021 | Dx "borderline DOR"/RPL
IVF with PGT:
Standard Antagonist:
ER #1 3/27/2021 7R | 5M | 3F | 2B | 1 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic
ER #2 4/22/2021 10R | 7M | 3F | 2B | 0 normal, 2 aneuploid
ER #3 5/19/2021 2R | 1M | 0F
Estrogen Priming Antagonist:
ER #4 7/10/2021 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
Duostim (Standard Antagonist):
ER #5 9/22/2021 13R | 11M | 8F | 5B | 2 PGT-A Normal, 1 low-level mosaic, 2 aneuploid
ER #6 10/9/2021 9R | 6M | 4 F | 1B | 1 aneuploid
FET #1 11/5/2021 | EDD 7/24/2022
Baby boy born 7/19/22
TTC #3 since May 2023 (ntnp)
IVF Started Fall 2023 (Standard Antagonist)
ER #7 10/6/2023 | 9R | 6M | 5F | 3B | 2 aneuploid, 1 high-level mosaic
ER #8 10/31/2023 | 5R | 4M | 3F | 1B | 1 PGT-A Normal
FET #2 11/27/23 | CP (bHCG = 8)
FET #3 planned Jan 2024
@bumblebee0210 Grow little ones grow!
Edit: forgot tag
TTC #1 since 7.2017
Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
IUI #1-3 | all BFN
IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22
DS born 7.19.22 after induction
TTC #2 begins 6.2023
Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
Repeat labs in 8 weeks
Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
TTC put on pause
TTC#2
TTC #2 ... preparing as of March 2024
TTC #1
TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022
2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis
07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis
07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment
07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS
08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA
09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required
10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN
10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic
11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN
11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN
01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN
02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing
03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️
04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN
04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance
05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF
05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH.
06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded
07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid
08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d
09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid
11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation
12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN
01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN
02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity
03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022
05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering...
06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022
07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023
TTC#2
TTC #2 ... preparing as of March 2024
TTC #1
TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022
2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis
07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis
07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment
07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS
08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA
09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required
10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN
10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic
11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN
11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN
01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN
02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing
03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️
04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN
04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance
05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF
05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH.
06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded
07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid
08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d
09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid
11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation
12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN
01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN
02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity
03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022
05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering...
06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022
07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023
@BusinessWife it's ok, with so much against us, I tried not to get my hopes up.
I started taking my BBT this morning. Hopefully I can wake up on time each day...
I see ob on April 14th, so hopefully we will get some answers to my questions...
@inthewoods23 Love that your adorable favorite gif has made another appearance🥰
@deaf_girl Sorry that you’re out this cycle. Hopefully the temping will go smoothly and help you have a better sense of what’s happening next cycle.