IVF possibly our next option...advice? thoughts ? experience?

ddvj79 · June 2014

Hi Everyone,

I am 13 dpIUI (#4) today & a very clear & obvious BFN today. We have our IVF consult with our RE on the 2nd. There were few questions I had & I thought I would post them here to get some insight into IVF.

1. My BMI is 37, my RE hasn't said anything about this being an issue yet, but I wanted to ask real patients like me about their experience & if IVF is worth trying for someone in with my BMI ?

2. I seem to be a poor responder, even with Femara & Bravelle my last 2 cycles I had just one follicle. Has anyone else with a similar IUI experience tried IVF stims & get enough eggs retrieved ?

3. I am in the Seattle area & I am told that it costs around $20,000 per IVF cycle here (be it SRM/PNWF/ORH). If anyone has other suggestions, would love to get that information.

4. Any pointers on IVF or questions I should be asking during my IVF consult ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

ddvj79 · June 2014

@CaterinaC :-) I have heard of Poma & I think its quite close to Kirkland. I'll check it out.

I have to lose weight to be Kidney Donor anyways, so maybe hitting the gym is the best idea for me...

jencity9 · June 2014

At my IVF seminar they said recommended BMI is 18-24 as ideal (I looked it up and that is the average "healthy weight") BUT I am higher than that and this had NEVER been mentioned. The other day the nurse told me that if bmi is 40 or higher they have to do the ER at the hospital but under that they can do in their office. Those are the only two things I've ever been told regarding bmi. I am teetering between 31 and 32 myself.

I haven't typically had issues with responding, but what were the ius for the Bravelle? Maybe they can increase them? Plus you'd be doing all injects so it would probably be stronger. I responded well to Letrozole (which I think is same as Femara) but I am going straight to Follistim for IVF.

BunnyBerry · June 2014

Sorry no IVF advice, but I wanted to add that you might find more answers to your question on the Infertility board where most members are going through IVF.

ronniesgirl1981 · June 2014

My clinic also has a BMI limit of 40. I think you'll be okay. You might get a little more feedback on the Infertility board as most of the women there are going through IVF. I am fortunate to have IVF coverage, but I know a lot of when look into multi-cycle, guarantee programs when totally OOP. For instance, I know that SG has this option. Good luck!

SweetieShellieH · June 2014

I haven't done IVF yet, but was never told I had to lose weight when we started at the RE's in October (My BMI is 34.7). Here's a link for scientific journal on the subject of BMI and IVF Elevated body mass index (BMI) does not adversely affect in vitro fertilization outcome in young women

emmuffy · June 2014

There was a really good list of IVF questions for your first consult posted not too long ago, which I will repost for you below.

1.How soon can we start our IVF cycle?

2.Will you be doing the egg retrieval/embryo transfer yourself, or will it be another doctor?

3.What protocol do you suggest for us, and why? What medications will we be on, and at what dosages?

4.What number of follicles are you hoping for in a cycle? At what point would you cancel?

5.How many embryos would you transfer in our situation?

6.Who decides what happens to our embryos that aren’t selected for transfer?

7.What day would you normally transfer on, or does this depend on embryo quality?

8.What are your success rates for our age group? Per embryo transferred? For our type of infertility? What do you anticipate our success rate being? What is your live birth rate?

9.How many cycles would we need, realistically?

10.How much information do you give as we go through our cycle? (ie: follicle size, count, E2, P4 etc… while stimming. What about fertilization and embryo reports?)

11.How will I be sedated for egg retrieval?

12.Do you perform “natural IVF”?

13.Do you recommend bed rest after embryo transfer? For how long?

14.What will my physical limitations be while cycling?

15.When will we be released to an OB?

Medication/Supplements Questions 1.When should I be stopping supplements, and is there anything in particular that you would suggest, or that we should stay away from? (ie: Melatonin, DHEA, Tribulus Forte, CoQ10…)2.Do you use PIO, Crinone, or suppositories?3.Can we purchase our meds at an independent pharmacy?4.Do you allow us to work with a ND for acupuncture in-office after transfer?5.What medications will we be on, and at what dosages? Testing Questions 1.What testing needs to be repeated?2.What new tests do you recommend?3.If you are unable to bill Blue Cross directly, can the testing be ordered here, but done at another clinic? What about it being billed to [DHs] OHIP coverage?4.Will you do all testing in the same cycle, or can it be done over two cycles? (I will be on day six.)5.What immune testing will you do?6.Do you test for NK cells? (K-562 target cell test)7.How soon do you expect testing to be completed? Will you re-do certain tests (ie: hormone panels) after other treatments are complete?8.Will you test for endometriosis? (CA 125) – ND suspects I may have it. Lifestyle Questions 1.What lifestyle changes do I need to make prior to cycling?2.What will my physical limitations be while cycling? Monitoring Questions 1.How available is a nurse/doctor while cycling? (via phone or email)2.How often do you do monitoring?3.What are your monitoring hours?4.Can monitoring be done off-site and results sent to you? Financial Questions 1.How much will this cost?2.Do you have a price list? Detailed cost list?3.What is not included on the cost list, or must be paid to an outside agency?4.What are some “extra” costs that might pop up during a cycle?5.Do you have a shared risk or multiple cycle program?6.What about other types of discounts?

ddvj79 · June 2014

Thank you so much folks! This is great information for us, I am very grateful!

I will also try the infertility board like some of you suggested :-) Thanks again so much!!!

DharmaChick · July 2014

Thank you for posting these questions, and thank you for all who responded. We are looking at IVF now, too, and I am also a slow responder.

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