IVF Response Question

wordslikeswords · April 2011

Hi ladies,

I know I haven't been around as much as I should be lately, but I'm not sure who else to turn to so I'm hoping someone might be able to help.

I started my first IVF cycle recently - injections started on Sunday. 75iu Follistim and 75iu menopur. I had 22 antral follicles at my last baseline. I went in today for my first ultrasound after 3 days of stims, and they said they saw 11 follicles, 6 measurable, one at 16mm. I'm a little nervous about having a dominant follicle, and they said they'd probably start me on ganirilex tonight. But I'm also nervous about only having 6 measurable. I know it's early, but it's my first cycle so I don't know what to expect. I was definitely hoping they could see more than 11 with 22 antrals. Is it possible some are hiding, or just starting later since I'm only 3 days in? I know I should stop worrying but it's hard with an IVF cycle!

Any responses would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading

Jezebell26 · April 2011

Hi sweetie. Its nice to hear from you! Best of luck this cycle. Im not much help

Sorry But id say you are responding quickly and the ganrilex will help you not O so the rest of the follies can catch up. GL and let us know how it goes!!!

OCW2010 · April 2011

I had about 20-22 antrals as well, and I didn't start really getting measurable follies until about 7 days of stims. Are you on lupron? I was told by my RE's office that sometimes on long lupron protocol, it takes a little longer to get a response. If you want to compare, after 3 and 5 days of stims, I didn't have any measurable. Actually, after 5 days of stims, I had like 2 follies that were almost 10mm. After 7 days of stims, I had more movement, these were my follie sizes:

Left follicles measurable: 11.5, 10, 10, 10

Right follicles measurable: 11.5, 11.5, 10.5, 10

After 9 days of stims, I had 14 measurable. And now after 10 days of stims, 18 measurable. So yes, some could definitely be hiding.

So, I think everyone is different, I wouldn't worry at all after only 3 days of stims. I'd be more interested in what your bloodwork/e2 levels are. My nurse said there is a rise in e2 usually before they see follicle growth.

OCW2010 · April 2011

And ditto Jezebell - the ganirilex should keep you from ovulating that lead follicle, and the smaller follies can catch up. I had 2 lead follies at my 4th monitoring appointment but the gap has closed up between them since then. All the details in my blog if you're interested.

Good luck and keep us posted!

wordslikeswords · April 2011

Thank you so much ladies! I'm trying so hard not to over-think, but it's kind of what I do.

I'm not on lupron, but they are starting ganirilex tonight. I guess the thing that made me nervous was that she could only see 11 total, and there were 22 a week ago. I didn't expect them all to be measurable, but... visible maybe? Lol. I just don't know what to expect so thank you so, so much for your responses. It's so nice to have a group of girls who understands all of what goes into this!

OCW2010 · April 2011

Yep, I felt the same as you. After 7 days of stims when they say 4 on each side, you could BARELY see the others on my right ovary, and on my left ovary, it was like there wasn't anything else there even though the baseline showed I had around 10 on that side. So, don't worry, at least not yet.

Keep us posted! There aren't very many IVF gals on this board but when there are questions, 3T posters are REALLY helpful.

Good luck hon!

missjul61 · April 2011

I agree with PP. I bet there are a few hiding in there that the can't see. My Dr saw 14 measurable during my last follie check but we retrieved 26 and 22 mature, which was a nice surprise. So don't be disappointed just yet. Good luck!

magnolia_femme · April 2011

I hope it's okay that I respond.

I did two cycles with Ganirelix, and I had dominant follicles both times. It doesn't mean that the others won't catch up, especially when you start Ganirelix.

Also, it is likely that others will catch up if you're only on day 3 of stims! There is a 1-2mm margin of error in measurement, so some of them might already be bigger. I know it's so hard not to worry, but you have lots of time! Things can change so much in just a day or so. It's definitely possible that some might be hiding, and you very well may end up with more than 6 on ER day.

Good luck, hon!

wordslikeswords · April 2011

Of course it's OK that you respond! Thank you! And congratulations, too! Success stories are always welcome to me!

I am trying to calm down some. I know they don't measure anything under 10mm, and on day 3, I feel like if they can slow down the big guy, at least a few more will show up. I think I had ridiculously high expectations because I really didn't know what to expect. I hope things improve, but for not even halfway through stims, I think 6 measurable is probably OK

wordslikeswords · April 2011

I just wanted to let everyone know that my nurse called and she was sort of really surprised. She said she didn't expect to see ANY measurable follicles after 3 nights of stims. My E2 was 336. She says I'm "responding really well" to the medication, and she expects more follies on Friday, and she doesn't expect me to stim for 10 full days.

She also said I did NOT have a lead follicle. The 6 she saw were mostly 13 and 14, and 2 16s, so they're all close in size, and with the ganirilex she thinks they'll slow and others will come up.

So... for right now it looks like I was cuasing myself ulcers for no reason. Thank you SO MUCH ladies for calming me down this morning!

Want a personalized experience?

IVF Response Question

Re: IVF Response Question

Choose Another Board

Search Boards