Question for IVF-ers

Sharon216 · June 2013

Hi, all. I usually post on the Secondary IF board but thought I might have better luck here. I have a 3 and a half year old DD, conceived naturally in 2009 after trying 3 months. We've been TTC #2 since August 2010. All of our testing came back normal. My Ob/Gyn prescribed Chlomid for 6 or 7 cycles and then referred us to an RE. Since then, we've done 6 IUIs and have had 2 cancelled IVF cycles.

IVF Attempts: The first time, I was on Menapur and Follistim. I only produced 2 follicles so RE recommended cancelling the cycle (we did the HSG shot and then an IUI instead). The next cycle, there was a cyst on my ovary so we couldn't proceed. This time around, I started Estrace on day 21 of my last cycle. Got my period 2 days later (CD23), went for baseline testing on CD4, took Clomid (100 mg) CD 5-9 and Follistim (200 iu) on CD 8-14. I didn't respond at all to this protocol so my cycle was cancelled (again).

I'm really starting to get discouraged and hoping someone might be able to share a positive story about success with IVF after a cancelled cycle. I knew IVF would not be a sure thing but I didn't really consider not even making it to retrieval.

Thanks in advance for anything you can offer and best of luck to everyone with your pregnancies!!

jensahokie · June 2013

I haven't had a cancelled cycle, but I just wanted to say GL! It stinks when the typical protocol doesn't work. Hopefully your RE is going to sit down with you and go over the options and the evidence on what might be best to try next?

Dragonfly1226 · June 2013

I am so sorry! I would be beyond frustrated after two cancelled IVF cycles. I don't have any personal experience (although we had a few cancelled FET cycles when TTC #2) but I wanted to say that if it was me I would be grilling my RE at my WTF appt. I would want to know exactly why he/she thinks you haven't responded to previous protocols, what exactly would be done differently next time, and why this new approach will work better. I also think this is a good time to look for a second opinion. Again, I don't have any personal experience with not responding to stims, but to not respond to two different IVF protocols seems to suggest that there might be something else going on here. I hope you get some answers and your sticky BFP very soon.

ccam · June 2013

I don't have much advice for you, but I personally might look for a second opinion. Good luck in whatever you decide. I'm sure this must be so frustrating for you!!

kmc84 · June 2013

How frustrating! I agree with pp's; time to look for a second opinion. Best of luck with your next move!

mnj05 · June 2013

I also think its time for a second opinion and to really question you're current RE. I'm sorry you've been through this and I hope your next go is a successful one!

CallMeAl · June 2013

I agree with PPs. Sounds like it is time to see a new RE. I wish you the best of luck!

TJ1979 · June 2013

I agree with PPs. It's obvious at this point that you just aren't going to respond to clomid so move on already. Have you taken femara/letrozole before? Do you have an IF diagnosis?

I'm really sorry for your canceled cycles. Wishing you lots Of luck.

ETA: oops, reading comprehension fail, you said your tests came back normal. Unexplained is so hard. Big hugs.

Mr. & Mrs. Woodtick · June 2013

CallMeAl:

I agree with PPs. Sounds like it is time to see a new RE. I wish you the best of luck!

This. Good Luck!

Ruthie04 · June 2013

I was also unexplained. Such a frustrating dx!! It sounds like your first cycle was an antagonist protocol and your second was estrogen priming...is that right? I overstimmed easily on Follistim during my IUIs, so I was put on a high responder antagonist protocol for my first IVF. I developed a dominant follicle, which kept the others from growing. I was cancelled on the day of anticipated trigger. My second cycle was Lupron Stop, which seems to be a very uncommon choice. I had a good response, but it took awhile for my ovaries to "wake up" from suppression. My next cycle was also Lupron Stop, but we lowered the Lupron and upped my stims. I had 17 eggs retrieved, 16 fertilized and we transferred two embryos on day five. My boys are the result of that cycle.

I agree with PPs in that it is probably time to have a serious chat with your RE. I really credit my success with my RE's tenacity and willingness to think outside of the box. My clinic is huge and they tend to use a lot of cookie cutter protocols. I was such a tricky case that my RE ended up staffing me with some other REs and managing 100% of my care (he wouldn't let the on-call weekend REs touch my file and had the nurses call him at home). My meds were continuously adjusted and my RE would call me on Sat evenings to discuss my concerns/ answer my email questions. He was fabulous. I think it is time to do some research into different protocols and ask your RE to be a little creative with your care. Some women respond beautifully to the typical protocols, but some of us are more challenging cases.

Best of luck to you!!

Sharon216 · June 2013

Thank you all very much for your replies and support. I just talked to my RE and I agree that's it's time to seek a second opinion. We have always been very happy with our doctor but I really get the sense he's given up. He told me we could try another time with Estrace and Follistim/Menapur since I had a better (although still not good - only 2 follicles) response with that. The Estrace would be new this time and instead of microdose Lupron, we'd do Ganorelix. He said, "I wouldn't be too optimistic though." My FSH level is high (17-18) and he said that although there are ways to lower it, a higher FSH level is indicative of ovaries that aren't easily stimulated.

I'm not ready to give up on giving DD a sibling but this whole process is just so hard, as I'm sure all of you know.

Thanks again for the kind words.

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