Move from IUI to IVF?

shay062 · July 2014

Morning everyone,

Hubs and I, spent most of this weekend (our 1st wedding anniversary!) discussing the pros/cons of changing our plan from and IUI cycle to IVF. A bunch of you know I had Lymphoma last year, and am now in remission (YAY!) We were scheduled to begin our IUI cycle last week, but with a 4.5 uterine lining, my RE said I need to do Estrogen patches for a week/2 before injections can begin. Him and my oncologist speak regularly about the concerns that she has about pumping extra estrogen into my body with the high likelihood that cancer could return.

We are fortunate to have 100% insurance coverage for IVF cycles, and have been discussing as to whether or not we should go straight into an IVF cycle instead. My oncologist would like for us to do the most aggressive approach so that I could spend hopefully less time on all of the Estrogen and the injectables. Granted, no one knows how long this will be as the chemo has completely screwed up my egg reserve and all of my levels. On Friday, my FSH was 19, and my estrogen was <.2. I am going to call my RE tomorrow and speak with my nurse about the possibility of changing to IVF. Hubs SA came back completely normal, thank goodness, so we are just really working with my issues, which they aren't really sure what will actually work.

Has anyone gone straight to IVF, or had to convince their RE to not do an IUI first? I still have my Gonal-F and Ovidrel injections that I think are used for IVF also. I am such a newbie with all of this, that I am having a difficult time wrapping my head around what would be the best course of action to do. I hear so many different stories, that we are trying to figure out what would be best for my body! Thanks for your tips, or experiences. Happy Sunday ladies!

ronniesgirl1981 · July 2014

I moved to IVF after only 2 IUIs. Your rational makes perfect sense to me. When my RE went through the success rates for each, it was very eye-opening and IVF made sense for us. My RE has also been very clear that these are our decisions. While he of course makes recommendations for us, he leaves it up to us. Also, I wanted to suggest checking out some alternative therapies for your lining. Some people swear by acupuncture, pineapple core, and brazil nuts. Also, I wanted to suggest posting about your lining issue over on IF and you'll probably get more feedback. Good luck!

shay062 · July 2014

Thanks for the response! I have been doing SO MUCH pineapple core, I am surprised I haven't actually turned into a pineapple. I have been doing acupuncture for chemotherapy neuropathy too, and they have been working on infertility while I have been there. I have my fingers crossed for good news from my RE tomorrow. He is a very smart man, but always makes me feel uncomfortable when asking questions. Hopefully I don't feel like an idiot when I ask tomorrow, but we just want to know pros/cons. Thanks again!

KT416 · July 2014

We went to straight to IVF because we didn't qualify for IUI with my DH's sperm count.

The success rates for IVF are much higher than IUI and you may need to try a few IUI cycles for it to work, or may need to move to IVF anyway. I think a big reason why people start with IUI first is because it's a lot cheaper compared to IVF.

Your rationale makes perfect sense to me, and it's awesome that you have great insurance coverage. I would also go directly to IVF in your shoes.

Every protocol is different but I did use gonal-f and I think a ovidrel or a similar brand. I haven't done an IUI so I'm not sure how many meds, but I used gonal-f every night until trigger, menopur every night until trigger starting on CD4 and then an antagonist the last few nights right before trigger, and then the trigger shot. You may have a little more meds during the cycle than IUI, but you have a much better chance of being done after one cycle.

Also, if a few eggs are fertilized and leftover, you have a chance to do FET, which actually have higher success rates (because your body gets a chance to relax from less meds) and is much cheaper with less meds.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

shay062 · July 2014

Thanks everyone for your responses. I am anxiously waiting to call tomorrow and to hopefully persuade into a straight IVF cycle. Fingers and toes crossed he feels the same way!

Hollowvic · July 2014

I'm doing 1 IUI next month (unless by some miracle I got pregnant this month). I'm not wasting my time and $ on a bunch of IUIs at my age (38). If I was younger I would feel differently though.

ash_16 · July 2014

We decided to move onto IVF after only one IUI try, I just knew it in my gut that IUI would not work for us. Our doc said it was up to us what we wanted to do, it was our decision and how we felt. Hopefully they let you go right to IVF! FX

shay062 · July 2014

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I am looking forward to calling tomorrow to see what he thinks. Otherwise, I still go on Weds for another bw/us and to begin Estrogen patches. I would probably still do the patches whether or not we start with IUI or IVF.

jaco0207 · July 2014

We are also encouraged to go straight to ivf, for us because of age and dx. I fought it for awhile because we are 100% oop, however after failed iui cycles, we have decided to go for it later this year. That is amazing you are covered on it, good luck!

siempre595 · July 2014

If you have IVF coverage, in your situation, I would go straight to IVF. It's most likely to get you to your goal quickly and if your doctor is worried about the stim exposure, take it seriously and eliminate what you can.

I've done 3 IUIs and had that gut feeling from the beginning it wasn't going to work. I went through the motions and I guess we learned a bit about how I responded. But ultimately, I'm going to end up with IVF and I've spent probably $4k already that I wish I had used for IVF.

BunnyBerry · July 2014

That sounds like a great plan! It would be awesome to reduce the time you're on estrogen. I hope your RE's office is on board with what you decide.

shay062 · July 2014

Thanks ladies, I will be calling promptly at 8:00 am. Can anyone tell me how to update the thread tomorrow, so that I can let y'all know what we decide? Sorry- such a newbie question!

Pintobean39 · July 2014

I never did an IUI just TI on injectables. You can look at my signature and see getting pregnant wasn't my problem it's egg quality because I'm 40 now, I started treatments at 39. We did 2 cycles of which I got preg my second but it ended in a cp and that's when my RE decided IVF was my best option. I did do 1 more injectable cycle after that. I don't regret the cycles I did because my RE learned how I'd respond to the med. He upped my dose every time because I needed a lot for a better response. If I were in your shoes I'd go straight to IVF and I can't imagine h fighting you on this because of your history of cancer. Good luck!

shay062 · July 2014

Hi everyone, just got off the phone with my nurse about converting from an IUI to IVF cycle. She said it was "a great idea with just one wrench in the plan" they are taking August off from IVFs to reconstruct the lab and will start again in September. So we are going to do our IUI in Aug and if it is unsuccessful we will go straight to IVF. She said everyone would be on board with that decision too. All in all, good news I think. Estrogen patches begin on Wednesday! Thanks for the sup

shay062 · July 2014

support. Sorry on mobile!

TTCBabyJ · July 2014

Great news! Good luck with your IUI!

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