Do you take off between cycles? and mini rant

Tiko99 · July 2014

Hello Everyone:

I'm a bit depressed because I'm 12DPO and tested negative today and yesterday. I'm going in for my beta Tuesday, but feel like I'm out this cycle. I am frustrated that my RE does the B2B 24/48 hours IUI, instead of doing the 1 IUI at 36 hours after the trigger and I wonder if this is the issue. In my research it looks as though the one IUI timed correctly has more success rates. I'm thinking of asking the RE for a medicated cycle with clomid and a trigger, but timed intercourse. My DH has super sperm and I respond really well to clomid (3-4 mature follies that ovulated both cycles) so I figure why not try on our own so I can be certain we BD at 36 hours after the trigger.

I am also thinking of taking a month off of all meds. I'm in the middle of escrow and will hopefully be closing on the new house in two weeks and feel that maybe a rest would be good from all the doctors appointments, plus we will be able to save money.

How many of you go on breaks between cycles? Has anyone gone from IUI to TI with medication?

Thanks for listening to me complain, I feel better now

StacyLH24 · July 2014

***c/p mentioned***

I'm sorry that you're looking at a BFN. I can't speak to the TI, but I can to the break/no break. I never willingly took a break when we were doing IUIs. I did have to skip a cycle after surgery and as I was having my c/p. Once we moved to IVF I had to as well obviously.

Though I was getting tired of the 2 week cycle, whenever my period would come, I always wanted to try again. I didn't want to waste a cycle if I didn't have to. That's how I looked at it anyway. That being said, we did that for 10 months. It was exhausting to say the least.

ETA: we are a same sex couple using donor sperm, so IUI is one of our very limited options. If we took a break, then that meant absolutely no chance for that cycle. This is part of what kept me going without willing taking a break.

BunnyBerry · July 2014

I'm sorry your RE isn't using a protocol that you feel confident in. I would also be pushing for the 36 hour instead. I think if your RE is open to trying what you suggest for a cycle or two, that would be a great option. If you feel like using TI instead, with super sperm, why not - much less invasive, and cheaper!

As far as taking a break...I tried to plan ahead. I was going to give myself a break when the school year started up, but go all summer with IUIs (I'm a teacher). Then after one cycle (which ended up as an intracervical insemination), I'm on a break that I never asked for because of DH meds and a procedure I need now.

So, knowing what can happen, I'm kind of wary of taking a planned break during the school year. I feel like I want to take advantage of any month where the starts align just in case unforeseen circumstances mess things up again.

But I totally hear you on giving the body a break from meds! I just had one month with Femara/Letrozole and Estrace, and now a week on BC pills, and I feel like a mess. Can't imagine what it would be like having to deal with work every day, or even worse, with closing a house!! Sometimes I try to remind myself to take a long-term view of the process and remember that we'll have better chances if we do this in a way that keeps us trying rather than push ourselves up to a roadblock (like marital stress).

Whatever you choose, good luck. And I hope your RE is willing to try something new for you.

lebradford · July 2014

I don't personally choose to take planned break cycles, but I can definitely see why people do. I think it's just a personal decision. When I was benched last cycle, though I felt physically better, mentally it was much harder on me to "do nothing" than to be in treatment. I think breaks can be a great thing though.

I also don't think it would hurt to try a TI cycle even though you've already done some IUIs. Good luck deciding!

Tiko99 · July 2014

Thanks everyone for your responses. I think I will stick with TI unless it's a miracle and the IUIs are scheduled on a weekend. 3rd time a charm, right? Again, thanks for your responses I really love this site and all the feedback I receive as I don't have any one IRL that are struggling with fertility, so this is the only place I can vent

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