I'm normal...now what?

MelleTX · January 2012

I am having very mixed feelings here. My REs office called me back with the results of my recent CD3 Bloodwork. Last year, I didn't ask the numbers, I just trusted him when he said all was good. But now that we are planning on IVF in March I needed to know the exact numbers for my piece of mind.

AMH: 2.0
FSH: 6.1
Estradiol: 35.9
LH: 3.5
Prolactin: 5.1
TSH: 1.81
T4: 1.01

Ok, I am really not trying to brag. But WTH? I am normal. Don't get me wrong, I am completely thankful that I am normal, but I'm obviously not normal because I am not pregnant. 6 failed IUIs and I'm not pregnant.

I'm really struggling these days with the cost of IVF since I am all OOP. Its going to wipe out my savings, so I only have one shot at this. If there is a baby at the end of this, it will all have been worth it and I will be happy being broke.

But I am starting to second guess myself. Maybe I should do a few more IUIs. But then I ask again - where do you draw the line? All in, this IVF will cost me about $12k. I'm lucky that a good chunk of my meds were donated. And IUI, all in is about $2500 when you factor in sperm and shipping. For me, my RE says my IVF odds are 60-80% but only 10-20% with IUI.

I'm trying to be logical here and factor in % and $. IVF is the right way to go, isn't it? It's the greatest odds with a chance for future children too.

Most days, I am really good with my decision to be a single mom, but every now and then I wish there was someone here to help me make decisions who had just as much of an emotional stake in this as I do.

Anyway, now I am rambling. I'm just struggling.

folligirl · January 2012

Your numbers all look great!! Me myself I would do IVF and just up your chances. With those numbers I can't see it not working. GL

solarflare · January 2012

I'm sorry you are struggling. I know the feeling well.

I am in a similar boat as you being OOP although not normal so my decision is made a little easier, since the RE lit a fire under my ass and said I need to go to IVF sooner rather than later.

My thought is that while you do have great #'s, there is something else going on that is not quite working and IUI's are supposed to be less successful after 3-4. So while you could spend another $2500 on IUI, if it doesn't work that money would have been better spent on IVF which at least will give you a clearer picture of what is going on and a much higher percentage of success. I know it's a lot of money - I worry about being more in debt with nothing to show also. But you just have to power on and know that you are doing the right thing.

Good luck making your decision - it is always hard.

brooklynesque · January 2012

Congratulations on being normal! Unexplained IF is difficult to deal with. My numbers aren't as good as yours but don't quite qualify me as DOR either. Meanwhile, I've been trying for 2+ years, and haven't got a single (even short-lived) BFP. If I had a diagnosis I would at least have an explanation and, possibly, a more targeted treatment plan. So I hear you.

Good luck as you move towards IVF. It's pricey but if you don't do it you might always wonder what would have happened if you did. That said, your numbers are so good that you could probably put it off 6 months and save some more if that would make you more comfortable. (My numbers are much closer to borderline, so I'll probably plunge into IVF as soon as I flunk another IUI or two.)

Mrs.McIrish · January 2012

Here are my thoughts:

You know it can take a "healthy" person up to a year to get PG. With 6 IUI's, you aren't anywhere near the minimum "12" attempts that a person with a partner would get. It could totally just be a "bad" luck of the draw that you ran in to. I think you are totally fine whatever way you choose. If you want to be pregnant Sooner than later, you are fine to go the IVF route. If you want to save money, you are fine to go the IUI route. You just don't know.

Also, just because your numbers are ok, you don't know about the actual eggs. Just being our age, a lot of our eggs are simply bad or aneuploid.

Finally, did you use the same donor for all IUI's? If so, maybe you should try a different donor??

You will get PG. It's just a question of when.

mtlaurel · January 2012

These decisions are so difficult. I am not a gambler by nature, so throwing all of our savings at one attempt is very unsettling to me. I can only imagine how much more stressful it is to make these decisions by yourself.

Personally, I look at those odds (which are similar to our odds for pursuing IVF or DE IVF), and I think it's not worth throwing money at IUIs. I'd rather get wiped out in one blow, than slowly bleed to death. But, that's me.

And, yay for being normal!

MelleTX · January 2012

My REs thought is that if I keep doing IUI then it will eventually work. Could be one more try, could be 10 more tries. I put 6 out there as the number when I started all this because it seemed like a good benchmark. You try to find the point of diminishing return. When does IUI actually become more expensive than IVF.

I have two personal throughts as to why IUIs have failed thusfar:

1. Ovulation and LH surge can be random with me. My LH surge on my own was pretty weak. With the HCG trigger, sometimes I would O within 12 hours and sometimes after 36.

2. I think I have a good quantity and good quality of eggs, but they may have a thicker "shell" that is preventing fertilization, which is common in someone my age.

So, I am definitely turning to IVF which will work around both of those issues. I know it's the right thing to do. I just never thought it would come to this.

And really, I am only normal on paper! I'm all kinds of crazy in the real word. : )

pillowass · January 2012

Those numbers are amazing - I would kill for those odds with IUI or IVF. That said, I understand how frustrating it is to be unexplained, OOP, and wondering what the right direction is. I noticed you mentioned future children - that was a huge factor for me. I really didn't want to run out the clock trying with IUI's. I got to a point where I was just emotionally exhausted from the IUI's. I knew I was done.

IDK if that helps you, but I guess I just want you to know that you may be single but you're not alone in struggling with these questions!

Llamamama · January 2012

Yay for normal numbers! I know you have been given a lot of good advice and I don't think I can add much but look at the number thing as a positive. At least that is one thing you don't have to worry about during your next step. Good luck!

owlprof · January 2012

It sounds like you are getting good input from the other ladies on the board, but I wanted to add that I think that whatever decision you make is the right one. I also want to wish you good luck and peace with your decision.

Abeille · January 2012

I do agree with Mrs.McIrish...many healthy couple take up to a year, so maybe it just wasn't your "time". I'd probably lean a bit towards the IVF, if it were me. With the history of 6 failed IUIs I'd feel like it was time to move onto something new...and you would know you did everything you could. We're all OOP if we end up back at the RE, so I feel your pain, it's a tough decision.

Maybe Joleisa · January 2012

After 6 failed IUIs and the odds of IVF success at 60-80%, the choice seems clear to me, BUT I totally get where you are coming from on the financial front. I hate all the "what ifs" of IF...I'm not a gambling woman.

I met with my RE this morning after 3 failed IUIs. She plugged in my age and AFC into a program that gave us a 10-15% chance w/IUI and 29% chance w/IVF. We decided to do a couple more IUIs (this time using injectable meds only) before moving to IVF because of the cost. If I heard there was a 60-80% chance w/IVF, I think we would've moved forward today w/IVF.

Best of luck to you!!

Want a personalized experience?

I'm normal...now what?

Re: I'm normal...now what?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards