New to the boards-some background and asking for advice

amh1979

HI Ladies! I?ve been lurking on these boards for the past few  weeks and am looking for advice/feedback.

Here?s a brief history:

?         TTC for 2 years- me 31, DH 37

?         First diagnosed with MFI-antisperm antibodies

?         3 IUI?s- all BFN

?         Diagnosed with DOR- due to my response to injectable IUI?s (highest day 3 FSH 9.6 /E2- 110)

?         IVF #1 (7/10) produced 6 follicles, retrieved 4 eggs only 2 mature which stopped dividing at 4 cells. Had nothing to transfer.

 

We went in for a follow-up appointment with the RE a few weeks ago and he indicated that not only do I have DOR but also an egg quality issue. He said we have a slim chance of this working with my eggs and suggested donor egg. This is really hard for me to accept given that I am 31 and otherwise healthy. We have no insurance coverage for IVF and don?t have an endless supply of cash and really only have enough $$ to pursue one more option at this time. Part of me thinks I should just go the donor egg route given that the success is higher but another part of me thinks that if we used a different protocol maybe we could get different results with my eggs. I?m so torn about this and I don?t want to regret my decision. Any advice or similar stories out there?

 

 

 

 

patchen30

I'm sorry for what you've been through.  Where are you located and which RE are you seeing?  I would suggest at the least a phone consult (or in person if possible) at one of the top clinics like CCRM or Cornell.  I would bet that they may have suggestions for you using your OE since you've only done 1 IVF.  Have you had your AMH tested?  That would be an important predictor for your reserve.

lovemymonkey

Definitely get a second, even third, opinion! I wouldn't cycle again with a doctor who felt that DE was my only option after only one IVF cycle.

An FSH of 9.6 is on the high end of normal, but it's still within a normal range. Find another RE!!!

GL!!

deputysgirl

Ditto what the other girls said.  I don't have specific experience, but it certainly couldn't hurt to get other opinions!  Good Luck!

Stuckinthemiddle

I agree.  I have a similar situation going on at age 34 and I figure that people like you and me have all the time in the world to do DE. (If and when you look into it, there are shared risk programs out there) I would get a second opinion.  Even if the second doc has the same opinion (like mine did) you will feel much better knowing the hand you and DH are playing with. 

Welcome to the board! 

grazy

I don't have advice for your situation, but I want to say welcome and good luck. The girls here are great.?

Married071709

I don't have any advice as we're still doing IUI's but I wanted to say welcome!!  Hope you stay is short.  Lots of luck to you!

may2806

I'm sorry for what you've been through - I know how hard having nothing to transfer is. I agree with pps though, you should definitely seek a second opinion. I'm at the point where I'm making the decision whether or not to use DE, but I've been through quite a few IVF cycles. It is true that DE always has the highest success rate (that's true for anyone really), so it's just how many IF treatments with your own eggs do you want to go through/can afford (so hard that money plays into this). But if you are not ready you should definitely get a second opinion.

Good luck! 

 

Faith722

Welcome!  I agree with pp -- get a second opinion.  The decision to use DE is a big deal.  I wouldn't feel comfortable with it after only one IVF.  If finances are an issue (as they always are), maybe you could do phone consults with a couple of other REs and get their opinions of what they would do differently.  Best of luck to you!

octbride1234

Hi, I would suggest seeking another opinion before making a decision. I  was 31 when I found out my level was at 10.1.  I underwent many IVF cycles and all of them failing due to poor egg quality.  Each cycle is different and my doctor would make adjustments with my medication and it finally happened for us. I never thought I would make it this far. I feel that having a doctor that is not going to give up on you after one failed cycle in IVF and is determined to see this work is so important because it is so hard to live IF issues, I gave up on myself a few times but my doctor was the one who gave me hope and gave me that little push of confidence I needed.  I feel it is important to have a doc that is going to support, encourage and not give up so quickly.  Good luck with everything.

rachel06

Welcome. I agree with pp in that you should get a second opinion.  I am not sure where you are located but there are lots of ladies on here from all over so I am sure someone could guide you in the right direction as to some great RE's. Good luck with everything!

Dragonfly1226

I agree with PPS who suggested a second (or third) opinion. If I was in your shoes, I would definitely at least get a phone consult at CCRM to hear their ideas (You can always take what they say to another RE.)

I would also post on PAIF to see what protocols worked for ladies in similar situations. I might be wrong, but I think Nikinikinine was dx DOR and is now pregnant with twins without using a donor. I think there are others too.

Good luck!!! 

 

vanessagorc

Ditto...

Welcome and good luck.

Bella2u07

I'm sorry, I don't have any advice for you.  Just wanted to say, Hello and Welcome to the board!!!!

Hope your stay is short and good luck!!!!

njohnson1972

I need closure before moving to DE.  I will be doing one more cycle with my own eggs before doing DE.  I am trying Estrogen Priming Protocol which is said to help improve egg quality.  I did get pregnant doing EPP, only to m/c right away. 

I totally understand the odds game.  It is hard getting geared up for IVF when I only have a 25% chance of success with my own eggs and could have 70% chance of success with DE. But I am getting to a point where the failed IVF cycles are wearing me down.

I would definitely consider a second opinion and an RE that is good with DOR.

Good luck!

 

amh1979

Patchen 30- I live in Michigana and am going to the clinic here with the best stats for the state. I really do like my RE but I also know he's really into stats. I'm going to make an appointment with another RE in my area also. Do you know about how much a consult costs at somewhere like CCRM? If I've had my AMH tested I've never been given the results.

Stuckinthemiddle- are you considering DE now?

 

Octbride- congrats on the twins! If you don?t mind me asking, how many IVF?s did you go through before your BFP and what protocol did you use?

 

Njohnson- I completely agree. I feel worn down after 1 IVF. Good luck on your next cycle!

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback and warm welcomes!