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Am I CRAZY...

stephlackerstephlacker
in Infertility

Apologies upfront, I don't do so well with the acronyms...

I am looking for some advice. This August will be two years that we have been trying (under DR supervision). We had our 11th, yes 11th, IUI, yesterday. This cycle was the first time with FolliStem injections and Femara. Among a slew of other meds helping the cause. Are we CRAZY to keep at the IUI for this long? We follow the rule of 3 and keeps adding in additional helpers, but I don't know at what point we should start thinking about the IVF. All of our testing has left the DR's confident we can get pregnant with IUI, but I'm starting to lose my MIND, FAITH, PATIENTS and trust that this is the right path. Wondering if it's time to request the move to IVF. I know no one can give me the right answers, but just looking for some opinions. 

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Re: Am I CRAZY...

  • BootsOrHeartsBootsOrHearts member

    The guidelines I've seen are that after 6 failed IUIs, it's time to move onto IVF. But, I think that's just a rule of thumb and ultimately you and your RE need to decide on what to do next.

    **Warning: Losses and living child mentioned**
    BFP#1 1/31/12, EDD 10/6/12 Harrison Gray born sleeping @ 18w6d. You changed our lives little guy.
    BFP#2 EDD 10/29/13, C/P 2/25/13, Bye little Ish, we barely got to know you.
    BFP#3 EDD 12/21/13, Baby Boots born 11/23/13 My rainbow baby!
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  • katekat8721katekat8721 member
    1 do you have any IUI coverage?
    2 do you have any IVF coverage?

    If no IUI/IVF coverage, I'd stop the IUIs and just save for IVF.

    If you do have IUI coverage, but no IVF, I would keep doing IUIs and save for IVF. This is what we're doing.

    If you have both IUI and IVF coverage, I'd do IVF.

    Hope that helps :

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  • tptbabetptbabe member

    imagekatekat8721:
    1 do you have any IUI coverage?

    2 do you have any IVF coverage?

    If no IUI/IVF coverage, I'd stop the IUIs and just save for IVF.

    If you do have IUI coverage, but no IVF, I would keep doing IUIs and save for IVF. This is what we're doing.

    If you have both IUI and IVF coverage, I'd do IVF. Hope that helps :

    All of this exactly.

    Out of curiosity though, you've done 11 IUIs since June last year? Dude!

    image imageimage
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    ***EVERYONE WELCOME***
    TTC #2 with assistance since 03/11
    Me: 33, Autoimmune (Hashimotos and FMS/CFS)
    Treated with Synthroid, acupuncture, TCM and supplements
    DH: 33, MFI (very low on all counts, high antibodies, hemochromatosis)
    Many treatments tried, none successful

    IVF/ICSI #1 05/14 - EPP/Antagonist, Gonal-F and Luveris, 18R, 14M, 13F - SET of 1BC, all arrested on day 5 - C/P
    Genetic testing = normal, DNA Frag = excellent
    IVF #2 03/15 - Long protocol with Suprefact, Gonal-F, and possibly Luveris, adding in PICSI
     
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  • Crystal120410Crystal120410 member
    Holy moly thats a lot of IUI's. I agree with pp that it depends on how your paying for all of this. I believe that the pregnancy rate with IUI is 30 percent and IVF takes you up to 50 to 55 percent. If it was me I would move on. I attempted 4 but three were cancelled and I finally got to do one IUI. It failed and I moved on, but I was paying around 3k per IUI. My husband has Michael Phelps in his pants so no issues with his swimmers. The dr that did my back to back IUI actually commented both days about how excellent his little guys were. So dont think that it has to work just because he has good fish. You have better odds than soemone with MFI but a BFP still isnt gauranteed. This is just my opinion, I hope it helps. Good luck to you.
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  • JewelsW1980JewelsW1980 member

    Mine recommends you move on after 6.  After 6 I was ready to move on...11 is A LOT.

    Me- 32, DH- 32- TTC for 4 Years
    IUIs 1-6 BFN
    IVF #1= BFP- M/C
    FET- Beta#1: 69, #2: 482, #3: 1088, #4: 28,318, Ultrasound- 1 beautiful heartbeat
    It's a boy!

     BabyFruit Ticker

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  • stephlackerstephlacker

    Yes 11 is a TON! We're mentally exhausted. And VERY fortunate that both procedures are covered. I think because after 3 tries, we would change up the meds, I just had high hopes that the next stage would work. But after reading around, sounds like most people don't do as many attempts at IUI that we have. :( In all honesty, the IVF scares me. I don't know enough about it, but it just does and although we are well aware multiples are a big possibility at this stage, that scares the heck out of me as well.

    The other part is, I love...LOVE my Dr's. And I whole heartedly trust them and believe they are working as hard as they can to get us pregnant, so I'm not sure why they haven't suggested IVF. My husband and I are both 29, so I feel like maybe that's why. 

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  • jezebel57jezebel57 member

    I had only done 3 IUI's.  1 with femara and 2 with follistim, all BFN's. 

    How is all your bloodwork/testing?  I think at some point I would just take the IVF because there is a better shot.  My 3 IUI's were not covered but we just switched insurance so both IUI and IVF is now covered so it was an easier move to choose IVF (RE said we could try one more IUI if we wanted). 

    If it were me, I would definitely move on.  There may be egg or other issues that would only be found out after an IVF. 

     

    Me (37) DH (39); PCOS changed to Unexplained, changed to DOR in 2012 (finally a correct diagnosis!); 
    Started TTC 2009 with RE after 6 months.  
    Clomid + Trigger x2; 
    IUI + Femara x1,
    IUI + Follistim x2;
    IVF #1 (MDL) February 2013- BFN.
    IVF #2 (antagonist) May 2013, First BFP of my life. 
    Identical twin miracle BOYS (!!) headed our way- due date is technically 2/4/14 but c section is scheduled for 1/7! 


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  • Cypress82Cypress82 member
    I would move on. After 4 failed IUIs, I finally said "okay, this is obviously not working. Time to move on!" and made the big leap! Esp since the success rate with IVF is so much higher than IUI. Couldn't take the dissapointment anymore.

    **TTC #1 Sep 2009-Feb 2013**   Me: 33 DH: 32 (healthy, SA = normal)

    DX (May 2010) = Lap #1 showed Stage I-II endometriosis. HSG normal. Tx with 6 mo Lupron (which did nothing...) Lap #2 June 2011 to remove endo, uterine fibroid, and polyp

    IUI #1-#3 (July-Sep 2011): All Clomid 50 mg + unmonitored IUI = All BFN

    October 2011 - April 2012: Outta $$$ (no insurance coverage) = back to tryin' on our own

    May 2012 - August 2012: Mental break from trying

    October 2012: New OB. Bloodwork normal aside from slightly low progesterone

    November 2012: IUI #4: Letrozole 2.5 mg + Novarel trigger + monitored IUI + progesterone = BFN

    IVF #1: Long Lupron Protocol,Menopur,Follistim, ER = 2/12/13 27R/26M/23F

    2/17/13 Transferred 1 perfect Grade 1 blast. 17 frostbabies.

    HPT 7dp5dt: BFP!!! Beta #1 9dp5dt: 108 Beta #2 11dp5dt: 368

    U/S #1 3/21: Heartbeat and one perfect bean!!  DS born 11/6/13 via c-section


    TTC #2 March - August 2015 = all BFNs

    Prep for FET #1: Aug 2015: found "mass" in uterus on saline sonogram; scheduled a hysteroscopy to remove. 

    Sept 2015: Hysteroscopy: mass turned out to be scar tissue(?), all removed. Recheck saline sonogram 2 weeks later showed "stuff" still in uterus (more scar tissue? remnants from surgery? Will see if clears with a period). Recheck saline sonogram 1 week later: all clear! Start Lupron and Estrace. Follow up u/s 2 weeks later: uterine lining only 5mm, add in patches. Follow up u/s 1 week later: uterine lining = 4.3mm (argh!), stop estrace and patches and start estradiol injections twice/week. Follow up u/s 2 weeks later: uterine lining = 5mm :/ Instructed to keep on estradiol injections and recheck in 5 days = lining still at 5mm. Need to make a decision - go for it? Or toss in the towel w/ this cycle and start all over again next year with a new protocol. Decided to go for it as we had 17 frosties; what have we got to lose?? 

    12/2/15 = transferred 1 perfect Grade B blast

    12/9/15 = HPT - BFP!!!!

    Beta #1 12/11/15: 236    Beta #2  12/14/15: 503   Please stick little one!!!!

    U/S scheduled for week of 1/4/16

    Daisypath Anniversary tickers  
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  • stephlackerstephlacker

    Thank you all for your honesty and guidance. I think I just need to mentally come to terms with the IVF. I'm going to hope for the best for this cycle and then tell them we are ready for the IVF.

    As always, thank you ladies for listening and for making me (us) feel like we're not alone. :) 

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  • NYCGal276NYCGal276 member
    i agree with all the "move on"ers - GOOD LUCK!  and lucky you that insurance covers your fertility treatment!!!
    TTC#1
    Dx PCOS @ 16y.o
    9/2011: unplanned natural conception and MC @ 6weeks Cycle 1: 12/2012: TI & 2000MG Metformin & 100MG Clomid = CP
    Functional Cyst - fixed with 2wks BCP
    Cycle 2: 1/31/13: IUI #1
    Meds:2000MG Metformin, 100MG Clomid, HSG/Trigger, Provera 400mg 2DPIUI
    Stats: SA 20mil & 63% mot/follicles (as per 1/30 u/s): 22, 13, 14
    BFP! Beta #1 13DPiui: 79! Beta #2 15DPiui: 164! Beta#3 19DPIUI: 773! First US scheduled 3/5! EDD Oct 23!
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
    S/PAIF Welcome - You girls give me HOPE!
    Herbal Supplements: 1800mg NAC, Fish Oil, Vitamin D, Baby Asprin, Folguard, Multivitamin
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  • jadweddjadwedd member
    11 seems crazy high to me.  If everything is covered and I were you I would move on to IVF.  It is honestly not as bad as I thought it would be and I had every single side effect to every medication :P  Honestly, it is not that bad at all.   I do not understand how your doctor could put you through 11 in such a short amount of time.  Maybe you should get a second opinion. Because I am always skeptical so maybe I am way off base but it seems like you have good insurance and they might be trying to get everything they can out of it.  I hope that I am wrong but 11 seems shady to me.
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  • Scarlet614Scarlet614
    Lots of unknowns with your post BUT please see someone else. 11 IUIs is NOT right for anyone. If you are seeing an OBGYN for this care please make an appointment with a board certified fertility specialist ASAP. 
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  • stephlackerstephlacker
    I wish I had posted sooner!!! Thank you all AGAIN! My husband and I did a lot of talking about this over the weekend and I think once we get through this cycle, we will be moving toward the IVF. :)
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