So frustrated/No clue what next step should be

ellenchris0506 · April 2012

I talked to my doctor today about my DH's DNA fragmentation testing. She basically said that all testing done on us has been normal and she doesn't know why IVF hasn't worked. She said the only thing was that I was over 35, and that is decreasing my chances a little.

She said using a donor egg would definitely increase pregnancy chances. But she also said she wouldn't be opposed to me trying again with a more aggressive protocol. I mean, lots of people my age become pregnant on their own.

I am not quite 100% on board with using donor egg, yet I am not sure I want to take a $12000 gamble on my own eggs, knowing there is another chance of failure.

Gosh, I hate IF and the unknown!

theworms · April 2012

what protocols have you done w/ previous IVF's? have you had ama tested?

mdluv21 · April 2012

Have you done all the immune testing???

Sorry hon - that is hard.

ellenchris0506 · April 2012

theworms:
what protocols have you done w/ previous IVF's? have you had ama tested?

I don't know protocol names.

1st IVF: BCP, Lupron, Follistim, Menopur (6R, 3F)

2nd IVF: BCP, Microdose Lupron, Follistim, Menopur (4R, 1F)

3rd IVF: BCP, Ganirelix, Follistim, Menopur (5R, 1F)

4th IVF: Back to the first protocol (9R, 8F)

She said with another IVF, she'd try estrogen instead of lupron, as she has seen that help egg quality. My FSH and AMH levels are normal.

meganfauer · April 2012

ellenchris0506:
theworms:
what protocols have you done w/ previous IVF's? have you had ama tested?

I don't know protocol names.
1st IVF: BCP, Lupron, Follistim, Menopur (6R, 3F)
2nd IVF: BCP, Microdose Lupron, Follistim, Menopur (4R, 1F)
3rd IVF: BCP, Ganirelix, Follistim, Menopur (5R, 1F)
4th IVF: Back to the first protocol (9R, 8F)
She said with another IVF, she'd try estrogen instead of lupron, as she has seen that help egg quality. My FSH and AMH levels are normal.

I have DOR and though I am only 32 I think they look at me like I am "older" I have not done IVF since my DOR diagnosis but I will say that I did Estrogen priming to help my eggs grow for my last IUI and it really helped. I responded much better, my linking did great and my RE was happy with my follicles. Now i did not get pregnant but from what I have read and see I think it can help.

But I know how you feel about the DE thing. I am in the same boat right now and just not there yet.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU

reb259 · April 2012

Hey Ellen!

It sucks and I know it is hard to make that decision. My numbers are not super high, they are in the normal-high range. Both RE I talked to about DE said they will be willing to cycle me with my OE's as well and be very aggressive. There were a few things that made me nervous about this...

1- I am 38 and even if I did get pregnant with my OE I was/am at such a higher risk of mc, downs, and other related issues due to age

2- I know this will be our last attempt and the idea of spending all the $ for a low % of working was/is an issue for me. I know that using DEs (especially after my first DE cycle) is not a sure bet but it is way better than using my OEs.

3- I want a baby...using DE gives best opportunity to be able to have that. I have always been open to adoption so it has not been hard for me to accept this route. I do feel a sense of sadness that we won't have our own bio child and it did take me some time to mourn the bio child that will never be. But as an adoptee myself, I know that genetics do not matter.

Take your time this is a huge decision. What does your H think/feel? If you want me to add to to the private FB group let me know, there is lots of good info and you can also ask questions to those cycling and to those who have found success.

Hugs!

Roxie5739 · April 2012

ellenchris0506:
theworms:

what protocols have you done w/ previous IVF's? have you had ama tested?

I don't know protocol names.

1st IVF: BCP, Lupron, Follistim, Menopur (6R, 3F)

2nd IVF: BCP, Microdose Lupron, Follistim, Menopur (4R, 1F)

3rd IVF: BCP, Ganirelix, Follistim, Menopur (5R, 1F)

4th IVF: Back to the first protocol (9R, 8F)

She said with another IVF, she'd try estrogen instead of lupron, as she has seen that help egg quality. My FSH and AMH levels are normal.

I just did a cycle with EPP (estrogen) and not lupron and got 25 eggs (11 last time), 15 fertilized (6 last time) and 5 made it to PGD. I also was on DHEA and other supps so not sure what worked but something did.

Sorry for your issues but hoping you find a solution.

ellenchris0506 · April 2012

reb259:
Hey Ellen!

It sucks and I know it is hard to make that decision. My numbers are not super high, they are in the normal-high range. Both RE I talked to about DE said they will be willing to cycle me with my OE's as well and be very aggressive. There were a few things that made me nervous about this...

1- I am 38 and even if I did get pregnant with my OE I was/am at such a higher risk of mc, downs, and other related issues due to age

2- I know this will be our last attempt and the idea of spending all the $ for a low % of working was/is an issue for me. I know that using DEs (especially after my first DE cycle) is not a sure bet but it is way better than using my OEs.

3- I want a baby...using DE gives best opportunity to be able to have that. I have always been open to adoption so it has not been hard for me to accept this route. I do feel a sense of sadness that we won't have our own bio child and it did take me some time to mourn the bio child that will never be. But as an adoptee myself, I know that genetics do not matter.

Take your time this is a huge decision. What does your H think/feel? If you want me to add to to the private FB group let me know, there is lots of good info and you can also ask questions to those cycling and to those who have found success.

Hugs!

Thanks, Reb!! I just turned 38 this week and am feeling so old :-(

How do I PM you? lol...I have no clue how to do that!

reb259 · April 2012

ellenchris0506:
reb259:

Hey Ellen!

It sucks and I know it is hard to make that decision. My numbers are not super high, they are in the normal-high range. Both RE I talked to about DE said they will be willing to cycle me with my OE's as well and be very aggressive. There were a few things that made me nervous about this...

1- I am 38 and even if I did get pregnant with my OE I was/am at such a higher risk of mc, downs, and other related issues due to age

2- I know this will be our last attempt and the idea of spending all the $ for a low % of working was/is an issue for me. I know that using DEs (especially after my first DE cycle) is not a sure bet but it is way better than using my OEs.

3- I want a baby...using DE gives best opportunity to be able to have that. I have always been open to adoption so it has not been hard for me to accept this route. I do feel a sense of sadness that we won't have our own bio child and it did take me some time to mourn the bio child that will never be. But as an adoptee myself, I know that genetics do not matter.

Take your time this is a huge decision. What does your H think/feel? If you want me to add to to the private FB group let me know, there is lots of good info and you can also ask questions to those cycling and to those who have found success.

Hugs!

Thanks, Reb!! I just turned 38 this week and am feeling so old :-(

How do I PM you? lol...I have no clue how to do that!

Click on the contact at the bottom...I sent you a PM.

theworms · April 2012

ellenchris0506:
theworms:
what protocols have you done w/ previous IVF's? have you had ama tested?

I don't know protocol names.
1st IVF: BCP, Lupron, Follistim, Menopur (6R, 3F)
2nd IVF: BCP, Microdose Lupron, Follistim, Menopur (4R, 1F)
3rd IVF: BCP, Ganirelix, Follistim, Menopur (5R, 1F)
4th IVF: Back to the first protocol (9R, 8F)
She said with another IVF, she'd try estrogen instead of lupron, as she has seen that help egg quality. My FSH and AMH levels are normal.

i would suggest an estrogen priming protocol if you want to give your own eggs another try.

GL

vanessagorc · April 2012

I was kind of in the same boat. My numbers were great, and DH had normal frag....although very little sperm I am 36 btw.

Of 36 eggs retrieved, i made ONLY ONE good embie. There was no reason they could see. Just looking for that one good embie. It took me 4 cycles, but my RE told me to be prepared for it to take several.

I had told myself id do 6 before looking at other options, but i got lucky. I think a lot comes down to how much u can endure, u know?

FWIW, estrogen priming was my worst protocol by far. And i really started to feel like i was just donating $ to the clinic.

GL deciding on how to move forward. HUGS

SweetDahlia · April 2012

Hugs. It sucks being lost. I feel better about having made an appt with a new RE, but have afraid of what he will say.

I hope you find some path that leads to a BFP.

Mrs.McIrish · April 2012

I'm also 38 and have the same fears that Reb mentioned. But DE isn't a financial option for us right now so I am going to try again with my OE (covered mostly by insurance so easier for me to just do it since it isn't my $$) Anyway, have all your IVFs been with the RE? Have you sought out another opinion? I am severely DOR and never get more than 2 eggs but I agree with the others about an estrogen priming protocol. It is a numbers game when you get to AMA and it is hard to find one good one in the bunch.

Gregermis · April 2012

mdluv21:

Have you done all the immune testing???

Sorry hon - that is hard.

This... also make sure they check for celiac's

reb259 · April 2012

I added you to the FB group

BeeBee08 · April 2012

I don't have a lot of advice, just a lot of support. I hope all works out for you.

amethystgrrl · April 2012

Hey Ellen,

I just want to chime in to wish you luck with your next steps, whatever you choose them to be.

sarahtoledo · April 2012

Another 30-something here (turning 38 in a month), just chiming in to lend a little support. I've had miscarriages and they think it's due to old eggs. :::sigh::: My docs have implied it's a numbers game.

PoeticJustice · April 2012

Wanted to say best wishes on your nest steps ....

KarlsSweetie05 · April 2012

*********** TICKER WARNING ************

I just posted to your other post about RI.

Have you cycled at the same clinic this whole time? Have you checked your clinic's success rates at https://www.sartcorsonline.com/rptCSR_PublicMultYear.aspx?ClinicPKID=0

Have you gotten second opinions both locally and out of state? I consulted from coast to coast (phone calls) with at least 10 different clinics to get 2nd opinions. It was very interesting to hear other RE's opinions on how they would handle my next cycle. Gave me lots of food for thought.

Do you belong to a local Resolve group? https://www.resolve.org/support-and-services/support-group/western-pennsylvania-support-groups.html They can offer support and advice to help you talk through other family building options like donor egg.

A lot of us in my local Resolve group end up going out of state to finally have successful cycles. It seems crazy at first to travel to another location (oftentimes across the country) to get pg, but you do what you have to do.

My husband did the special sperm fragmentation testing out of South Dakota lab. Is that what you are refering to in your post? https://www.scsadiagnostics.com/home

What is your Day 3 FSH? Has it been rising over the course of treatments?

Wishing you luck.

So frustrated/No clue what next step should be

Re: So frustrated/No clue what next step should be

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