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Infertility
Knottie34543584
member
IVF Journey
Knottie34543584
member
in Infertility
Hello
I basically just want to reach out and see if anybody has had any similar experiences. Thank you so much for any replies in advance.
I am 27 years old, and after not having a period for over 6 months after coming off the pill, I was diagnosed with 50/50 (thin) PCOS and Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea. I was started on Metformin and referred to a FS. Husband has a completely normal sperm count.
I started on a few months worth of Femara, and ovulated beautifully each time, but still did not fall pregnant. My next step was to have a HSG/Laproscopy, but my FS pointed out that doing these investigations would be a similar out of pocket amount to IVF, and that we could consider that instead.
We ended up commencing IVF, with a very low dose of stims as my AMH is 113. On my first few scans, the FS was gobsmacked at how many follicles I had forming (over 40), and reduced my dose further. As I was at a very high risk of OHSS, my FS changed my trigger from Ovidrel to Decapeptyl as he was concerned I could end up very unwell.
All looked great, and my egg retrieval was scheduled. Upon waking, I was told the news that unfortunately there weren't any eggs retrieved. This was obviously devastating and confusing, after the FS suspected we would get quite an abundance of eggs. Apparently I am in the small minority of people who do not respond to this trigger; the FS has been in the game a long time and said this happens in generally less than 2% of women, so it was quite unexpected.
Luckily things settled down quickly and we started another cycle, a little different this time; a few days at a high dose, then cutting right back. Again a lot of follicles were forming, but otherwise things looked well and egg retrieval was scheduled for today. When I woke, I was told that 6 eggs had been collected. FS said this number was quite good overall, but he was surprised to find he didn't get many eggs compared to follicles and requested I do a blood test. He said the scientists were a bit concerned as the eggs looked "unusual" and we should give them ICSI to give them the best chance. I was then to await a phone call. Phone call a bit later from scientist to say actually they retrieved 5 eggs (1 they thought was an egg didn't end up being an egg). She said 1 of the 5 was immature, and she suspected there'd be 3-4 for ICSI, but another might be immature. I asked in what way did they look unusual, and she said the outer layer of the egg looked unusual, as though it possibly hadn't formed properly. FS said this could be due to a low level of LH, which prevents the eggs from forming properly, and is usually why the Decapeptyl trigger doesn't work as well.
I know this is normal feeling during an infertility journey, but I am feeling just a bit disheartened with the whole process as it seems my outcome on both occasions is not something that they see regularly. The FS said if we do another cycle he will add some LH, but I'm not feeling as confident about the whole IVF process anymore. I am just wondering if anybody has any similar experiences to share?
Thank you so much
I basically just want to reach out and see if anybody has had any similar experiences. Thank you so much for any replies in advance.
I am 27 years old, and after not having a period for over 6 months after coming off the pill, I was diagnosed with 50/50 (thin) PCOS and Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea. I was started on Metformin and referred to a FS. Husband has a completely normal sperm count.
I started on a few months worth of Femara, and ovulated beautifully each time, but still did not fall pregnant. My next step was to have a HSG/Laproscopy, but my FS pointed out that doing these investigations would be a similar out of pocket amount to IVF, and that we could consider that instead.
We ended up commencing IVF, with a very low dose of stims as my AMH is 113. On my first few scans, the FS was gobsmacked at how many follicles I had forming (over 40), and reduced my dose further. As I was at a very high risk of OHSS, my FS changed my trigger from Ovidrel to Decapeptyl as he was concerned I could end up very unwell.
All looked great, and my egg retrieval was scheduled. Upon waking, I was told the news that unfortunately there weren't any eggs retrieved. This was obviously devastating and confusing, after the FS suspected we would get quite an abundance of eggs. Apparently I am in the small minority of people who do not respond to this trigger; the FS has been in the game a long time and said this happens in generally less than 2% of women, so it was quite unexpected.
Luckily things settled down quickly and we started another cycle, a little different this time; a few days at a high dose, then cutting right back. Again a lot of follicles were forming, but otherwise things looked well and egg retrieval was scheduled for today. When I woke, I was told that 6 eggs had been collected. FS said this number was quite good overall, but he was surprised to find he didn't get many eggs compared to follicles and requested I do a blood test. He said the scientists were a bit concerned as the eggs looked "unusual" and we should give them ICSI to give them the best chance. I was then to await a phone call. Phone call a bit later from scientist to say actually they retrieved 5 eggs (1 they thought was an egg didn't end up being an egg). She said 1 of the 5 was immature, and she suspected there'd be 3-4 for ICSI, but another might be immature. I asked in what way did they look unusual, and she said the outer layer of the egg looked unusual, as though it possibly hadn't formed properly. FS said this could be due to a low level of LH, which prevents the eggs from forming properly, and is usually why the Decapeptyl trigger doesn't work as well.
I know this is normal feeling during an infertility journey, but I am feeling just a bit disheartened with the whole process as it seems my outcome on both occasions is not something that they see regularly. The FS said if we do another cycle he will add some LH, but I'm not feeling as confident about the whole IVF process anymore. I am just wondering if anybody has any similar experiences to share?
Thank you so much
Re: IVF Journey
Diagnosis: Mild Endo, DOR (AMH of 1.5), Poor Quality Eggs/embryos, Displaced Window of Implantation (ERA Post Receptive)
March-May 2016: 1 TI and 2 IUIs- BFN
June 2016- Laproscopy- found/removed mild endo and confirmed only 1 normal healthy ovary.
August 2016- IVF #1 with Antagonist Protocol- Cancelled (2 lead follies), converted to IUI- BFN
Oct-Nov 2016- IVF #2 with Estrogen Priming Micro Lupron Protocol, 2 eggs retrieved, day 3 transfer of 1- BFN
January 2017- New RE, IVF#3 with Estrogen Priming Antagonist Protocol, 12 eggs, 8 mature, 6 fertilized, 2 day 5 early blasts transferred (none to freeze
May 2017- Sept 2017- Starting Donor Egg process! Waiting for donor to be available... and then she is pregnant at baseline
Oct 2017- Donor #2: 25R, 22M,18F, 12 blasts frozen! Fresh transfer cancelled due to thin lining with fluid
Nov 2017- Hysterscopy to remove polyp
Dec 2017- DE FET #1 on 12/8 on 2 perfect blasts- BFN and devastated
Jan-Mar 2018- ERA #1- Post receptive by 24 hours, ERA #2 RECEPTIVE with 4 days of Progesterone
Apr 2018- DE FET cancelled for lining issues
Jun 2018- DE FET #2 of two 1AA blasts- first BFP ever! Beta 10dp5dt- 378, Beta 14dp5dt- 2840, Beta 16dp5dt- 4035, beta 18dp5dt- 10916. Due on 2/20 with one baby after a vanishing twin
Baby Born born early @ 33.5 weeks due to Pre-e
Back for # 2!
I also have Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea, which started when I was 16.
Just like you, I respond abundantly to stims, and I'm also in a risk group for OHSS because of that.
I just did my first cycle last month. Did 150 UI GonalF + 75UI Menopure for 12 days (+ ovulation suppression the last 5 days and on a trigger day too so that my body don't add extra HCG). I had about 70 follicles growing, and I did ask my RE to switch my trigger from HCG to something like Decapeptyl, but she said that it might cause the "empty follicles" (in reality it means the eggs don't prepare for ovulation correctly and don't un-stick from the follicle wall for the retrieval). Instead, my HCG amount was cut in half, and I ended up with 13 eggs retrieved/ 10 mature / 7 fertilized.
I also ended up with moderate OHSS and I'm doing the freeze-all so that it doesn't get worse. My retrieval was on March 3rd, and I found out yesterday that we ended up with 3 frozen embryos, biopsied for genetic testing.
Maybe try changing RE clinic, a different kind of cycle.
Lots of hugs, and good luck! It's a good turn of events having all the eggs successfully fertilized, so maybe its time for more good news in the next few days. Waiting for the embryos to grow is both exciting and nerve-wrecking.
My story in signature spoiler. Children mentioned.
I don't produce FSH, so no natural menstrual cycle. DH has reduced morphology.
Summer 2014 IUI (with first husband): cancelled after almost a month of stims due to too many follicles
Time off to divorce, get back on my feet, find a new hubby and get married again 💑
March 2017 IVF#1: ~70 follicles, 13R, 10M, 7F, 3B = 2 PGS Normal (both XY) - no transfer due to ohss
Sept 2017 FET#1: BFP, Beta#1 (10dpt) - 253, Beta#2 (12dpt) - 528, DS born 05/31/2018 👨👩👦
Dec 2019 FET#2: BFN
Changed clinic, planning March 2020 IVF#2 - postponed due to the pandemic
April 2020 IVF #2: ~30 follicles, 24R, 12M, 8F, 4B = 2XY & 2XX, all normal
Sept 2020 FET#3: one XX embryo, BFP, Beta#1 (9dpt) - 161, Beta#2 (11dpt) - 519, Beta#3 (19dpt) - 7174, Due date 05/30/2021
DD born 05/23/2021 👨👩👧👦 - My family is now complete
@FuzzyDust 70 follicles! You just have been really uncomfortable and your ultrasounds must have taken forever! FX for strong pgs embabies!
TTC: April 2013
DOR: AMH .3 - 1.31 (it varies); FSH: 5.1
Clinic NMCSD
IUI #1 July/Aug 2016
IVF #1 Sep/Oct Microdose Lupron Protocol - IVF cancelled only 1 follicle
IVF #2 Feb/Mar Antagonist protocol w/estrogen priming - 0 eggs retrieved (empty follicle syndrome)
Donor Egg Cycle as soon as we find a match
My story in signature spoiler. Children mentioned.
I don't produce FSH, so no natural menstrual cycle. DH has reduced morphology.
Summer 2014 IUI (with first husband): cancelled after almost a month of stims due to too many follicles
Time off to divorce, get back on my feet, find a new hubby and get married again 💑
March 2017 IVF#1: ~70 follicles, 13R, 10M, 7F, 3B = 2 PGS Normal (both XY) - no transfer due to ohss
Sept 2017 FET#1: BFP, Beta#1 (10dpt) - 253, Beta#2 (12dpt) - 528, DS born 05/31/2018 👨👩👦
Dec 2019 FET#2: BFN
Changed clinic, planning March 2020 IVF#2 - postponed due to the pandemic
April 2020 IVF #2: ~30 follicles, 24R, 12M, 8F, 4B = 2XY & 2XX, all normal
Sept 2020 FET#3: one XX embryo, BFP, Beta#1 (9dpt) - 161, Beta#2 (11dpt) - 519, Beta#3 (19dpt) - 7174, Due date 05/30/2021
DD born 05/23/2021 👨👩👧👦 - My family is now complete
I think the most important thing for any of us to do during this process, is to do whatever we need to in order to take care of ourselves. We are pumped full of drugs and hormones, it's an emotional ride for us and our spouses/partners, it takes a toll on our relationship with family, friends, work, etc. so just be kind of yourself and know you are not alone in your feelings. We all want to fill that baby shaped hole in our hearts. Make you a priority and do something nice for yourself, big or small
*edited for typos
@Aera11 PCOS can be so confusing can't it, with a mixture of opinions on diagnosis. I'm sorry about your failed ivf, it's so hard! And you are right, it is so important to look after yourself and if there are little ways we can make ourselves feel better, then we just have to go for it! All the best to you X