Low AMH Level

bakerstreetboys · September 2018

I finally got our start date for the next round of IVF! We were told we’d have to wait 2-3 months because of the wait list, but I called on my day one and a nurse called me back the next day! We’ll be starting the patch in a little over a week, and then start stimming for an ER around the second week in October. We’re doing the same protocol as last time, which is a little worrisome, but the RE said that none of things I suggested (asprin, HGH, steroids, etc) would make a difference. She would be to trying MDL but doesn’t think it will improve our chances. We will try it though if this round isn’t successful. I’m excited to finally have a plan again

i hope everyone else is doing well. The board has been slow... summer vacation I guess!

hopefuljj · September 2018

@bakerstreeboys it always feels great to have a plan! So great that you didn’t have to wait as long as you had thought you would!!

hopefuljj · September 2018

@hopeful_mom hi!!!!! Thank you so much!! Can you believe she is already 1?!!! I can NOT! it feels like I wasn’t just sharing all the details with you ladies about her baby shower! It makes me pretty sad that I’m still here in the same situation:-/ but I sure hope this works. I’ve been a little unhinged on this wait. Crunching numbers and just panicking. It took over a year of IVF to get 7 (or was it 8?!!) day 5 embryos..only 2 were normal...baby girl didn’t work....so now If this doesn’t work, then what!!?? DH just wants this to be over, I mean, so do I but I want it to end with a child! I feel like he doesn’t want to keep doing this which makes me so sad and angry because I go through so so so much and try really hard to not subject him to any of it he doesn’t absolutely have to be a part of. I do all my own shots, PIO included and i go to all the appointments alone (not ER or FET) and coordinate all things medicine alone so it just doesn’t feel fair, but I get it, our lives have been sort of on hold but what am I supposed to do? So anyway, nothing I can do but just wait and see what happens and deal with what to do next if I end up there. Anyway, how are you doing?? How’s the babe?!!!!!

Imajin99 · September 2018

Hope all you ladies are doing well. Looking forward to reading all the updates and catching up. It’s been a super busy trip so far and haven’t had a moment to even see how everyone is doing. Hope all is well. I’ve been waiting to hear from my clinic so we can set up an follow up and talk to RE for next steps. I do have an appointment with the other clinic for2nd opinion in mid October. So thinking we may not be trying anything till November.

Hopeful_mom · September 2018

@hopefuljj keep thinking of u sending sticky vibes ur way!!! So u know the sex of the baby now? Praying that u have to deal with eating for two as in what's next

im sorry men make things so difficult and really become selfish!! I TOTALLY get it as I was like u doing it all solo except those days. My first transfer I actually did solo as he was Kate shocker

and now I'm pretty much doing it without him so I guess it's good I got used to it....thank goodness for family!!
Anyhoo I'm sure u have a great hubby on your hands and he is just sad seeing everything you have to go through!!! Does he realize all the extras u do have to go through??? I can say others in ivf land don't go through nearly as much!! You're such a rockstar and even though u do keep a lot from him maybe u need to remind him of it so he just continues to support u and that's it! You've come to far and need to make that playmate for your niece!!
my life totally became focused on this one goal and that was really it! And my brother GD bless him kept saying what about adoption and things that I didn't need or want to hear at the time. My OH also said how many times are u going to keep at this, he knew I wasn't giving up till I was pregnant again. It's a scary tough process where ur DH should get that and you need to not think about that and just focus on ur Lil embaby right now!! PM anytime lady and vent away we're all here for u

hopefuljj · September 2018

@hopeful_mom thank you so much for your kind words. All my tests are negative. I took 3 today. Will go in for beta tomorrow but this looks like it is what it is. And here I am. But I’m out of ideas and definitely out of hope. So not sure what happens next.

Hopeful_mom · September 2018

@hopefuljj was coming to wish u luck for beta tomorrow and I wanted to dislike ur post

I'm hoping u just have bad eyes and couldn't see the squinter that's there BUT it is all about the beta so I'm hoping u just have a late implanter on your hands!! Sending big hugs ur way

JamieH2000 · September 2018

@hopefuljj- I was just coming to wish you goodluck as well! I am so sorry for the negative tests... my heart is just broken for you. I won't say to hold out for hope for the beta... but if anyone deserves a miracle its you! For now, I would just do whatever you need to do to make it through today and the next few days, but know we are here for you always and happy to help you figure out next steps if that time comes...

bakerstreetboys · September 2018

@hopefuljj I'm sorry to see your update. I hope you can take some time for yourself and then have a new plan when you're ready.

emmasemm · September 2018

@hopefuljj oh my heart is truly breaking for you. I keep checking to see if maybe Your beta showed something...

And sorry all, I’ve taken a bit of a break the last few weeks to try to manage my anxiety having a cycle doing nothing. It’s worse for me than the rollercoaster of stimming etc.

Hopeful_mom · September 2018

@emmasemm was wondering where u are and I was hoping the same!

JamieH2000 · September 2018

@emmasemm- good to hear from yoU! Sometimes breaks are good thing. I hope your next cycle starts sooN!

JamieH2000 · September 2018

How is everyone doing?! @hopefulljj- I have been thinking of yoU!

Hopeful_mom · September 2018

Me too!! @hopefuljj

Imajin99 · September 2018

Hi everyone, how are you all doing? I am doing pretty good, getting back into routine after travelling for 4 weeks. I have an apt with RE this week for next steps/protocol. During the last cycle he hinted on a more natural cycle but is there another approach with high dose of meds that may produce better results was hoping to get more than 1 which would happen during the natural IVF cycle.

1st cycle: EPS Priming, Puregon (225) in AM & Menopur (225) in PM & Orgalutron = 2 follicles, E2 level dropped, converted to IUI

2nd cycle: EPS priming, Puregon (300) & Lupron (0.2) in AM & Menopur (150) & Lupron (0.2) in PM & Saizen (HGC) for 5 days = 1 follicle, quite small at first ultrasound and converted to IUI.

Let me know your thoughts and will let you know what the RE says. We have an appointment in 3 weeks at the other clinic and will speak with them as well before starting another cycle.

bakerstreetboys · September 2018

I've been checking in for updates too

@Imajin99 I hope you get some answers to your question!

I started on patches today for round 2. Not feeling as hopeful or excited as I did for round 1. Natural I guess.

JamieH2000 · September 2018

@lmajin99- It looks like you tried the two standard protocols for lower responder- estrogen priming with antagonist and estrogen priming with microdose lupron. Perhaps a lower med dose may work better? I have heard of some ladies doing either clomid or letrozole with small amounts of gonal F/follistim. What is your baseline AFC? if its only 1-2 follicles, I am not sure a different protocol will help. If its higher and you are only getting 1 follicle to grow, maybe a different combination of meds would get more follicles to grow.

@bakerstreetboys- yes its hard to get excited for a second round, but from seeing many girls on here go through multiple rounds, it just seems like you never know which one will be THE one that works good!

Imajin99 · September 2018

@bakerstreetboys- I hear you but try to stay positive or more busy at least so your not spending too much time thinking about it.

JamieH2000 Thanks for the advice. My clinic didnt do AFC for the first round of IVF, for the 2nd round they did and there was 4 but they said they never know if they are coming or going....(not entirely sure what that means). In the past the highest AFC was 7 but that was 2 years ago and at a random ultrasound.

I went in for bloodwork as requested by the new clinic and my FSH is 9. First time it was tested it was 10 and considered borderline. My Estradiol level is 58 and I cant seem to find any information on if that is normal for day 3 of testing. Guess I will find out at my appt. They did not send me to test my AMH though and not sure if I want it retested as the unsuccessful IVF kinda show the big picture *Sigh*

emmasemm · September 2018

Hey everyone! Sorry for being so completely awol these last weeks. I think you all know there are just some times you need to step away.

In that time I’ve had a big birthday which DH arranged - including flying my parents over in complete secrecy!
Then it was perfect timing as yesterday was CD2 baseline and we started stims again last night.
We’re doing just a slight modification on the last cycle with straight to Menopur (no FSH only days at the start) and MDL. Of course HGH and baby aspirin too. And low dose prednisone as an adder just to see.
Baseline scan didn’t have much to see yesterday, so just keeping fingers crossed that by Monday we have a good group of follicles on each ovary.
They’ve increased my Lupron dose however so I imagine I will be sweating buckets every afternoon!!!

@imajin99 good to see you’re progressing with appointments. My RE won’t let me start at all with stims if my estrogen is over 50 as he says it means at least one follicle is already well on its way on its own by then. Maybe they will lightly prime you or get you to do a CD2 baseline and start then (which is what I do) - you get most effect from the meds if the follicles haven’t already been exposed to too much FSH and aren’t already producing too much E2.
i agree with @jamieh2000 if you only have 1-2 follicles at baseline then no protocol is likely to give you dramatically different results.

@bakerstreetboys sounds like you’re about ten days behind me or so I guess? The patches make me crazy tired each time but otherwise they are ok. It’s normal to not be as excited as the first time. When I think back now to my first round last September... I was sooooooo naive... and whilst I thought I was realistic (especially compared to my DH who just assumed IVF=success immediately) I was definitely still over optimistic.
Just remember that your clinic has your last cycle to use to guide them more in this cycle. And do not be afraid to push and ask questions. I’ve really decided I’m not here to make myself popular with any clinic, I’m here for one purpose only. Though the funny thing is the clearer I have become and more I’ve taken ownership of organizing the hell out of them the more they do seem to love me!

@hopefuljj I hope you are holding up. I would say holding up well but I think that’s too much to ask right now.
Please know I am here if you want to reach out also by pm.

@kp214 how are you doing too? Hope at the very least your back is stable

@jamieh2000 hope all is good with you?

@hopeful_mom always thinking of you too

bakerstreetboys · September 2018

@emmasemm It sounds like you had a good break Happy belated birthday. I was definitely pushier this time with asking questions, but we're still doing the same protocol. My RE disregarded my questions about baby aspirin, HGH, etc, saying it wouldn't help me get a baby. I wonder if I could just take the baby aspirin anyway, I'm sure it can't hurt. If this cycle doesn't work, I will ask to switch REs. The patches make me tired too, and give me headaches. What I really miss is being able to take Advil! It does sound like I'm about a week behind; assuming my cycle is on time, I'll start stimming next Wednesday. ER should be around Thanksgiving (Canadian )I'm definitely more pragmatic than my husband, who was so sure that transferring two embryos last time meant we'd have twins. He's being a bit more reserved this time around

I hope your protocol works as well as, or better than last time. It must be exciting to bank!

@imajin99 What province are you in? I'm in a major city in Ontario, but we still only have one clinic here

@kp214 I have also been wondering how your back is doing. Hopefully you aren't in too much pain.

Imajin99 · September 2018

@emmasemm Happy happy birthday, that sounds so lovely of your husband to organize and keep it a secret. Hoping you have the best cycle yet! Thanks for the advice, I think I do need to ask more questions and will do so at my appointment tomorrow. I feel more prepared for the apt at the new clinic as well and hoping they can find a good protocol if we choose to change to them.

@bakerstreetboys What are the patches? Is it estrogen? Wishing you lots of good luck with the stimming and hoping you have some good results to share with us. I am in BC - Vancouver, there are 3 clinics here which is good. Plus being close to the border there are quite a few people that I know that have travelled to Washington and there a few clinics there as well.

bakerstreetboys · September 2018

@Imajin99 Oh, I love Vancouver! I lived in BC for three years; love it

That's great you have a choice of clinics, even if it means going across the border. The patches are estrogen, they're to make sure I don't get a lead follicle. I pushed to start both the patches and the injections earlier this time, so hopefully we get a couple of more eggs. Good luck at your appointment tomorrow. Ask all the questions!

Kp214 · September 2018

@emmasemm sounds like you had a great birthday! Happy belated birthday! Thanks for checking on me. I needed a break with everything that was happening. @bakerstreetboys My back is better after having the epidural finally start working. It is starting to feel like it did prior to going out, which worries me so I’m doing core strengthening exercises. It looks like I’m prediabetic, possibly due to the steroids for my back. I’ve had some other health issues that I’ve been dealing with that may or may not be due to the FET cycle and my back. I’m glad you both are prepping/starting another storm cycle. I just know you’ll have success. Hang in there.

@Imajin99 I took baby aspirin even when I wasn’t stimming. I stopped it when they said to, but I had read on another forum about adding it in to the list of supplements to take daily. I did tell my re I was doing it. She just went along with it. I also did lower dose stims, which really means different things to different re’s. It’s good to get another opinion. Maybe ask at the appointment what would they do differently. Advocate for yourself. My re mentioned donor eggs after the second failed cycle. I politely told her no and then started researching other protocols, which led me to the one that worked for me. Hang in there. You are all tough ladies.

JamieH2000 · September 2018

@lmajin99- my clinic was fine with anything under 80 for estrogen on day 3 I think! Hopefully you can get started!

@emmasemm- good to hear from you and your birthday sounds just perfect!! But glad you are getting going again, and i hope its the start of another great cycle like last time!! Things are going good here... just waiting for my anatomy scan in 2 weeks

@kp214- glad to hear you are some better! I am sorry to hear you have other health issues now too

I really hope they can resolve very soon and you can transfer again, if that is your wish!

Imajin99 · September 2018

@kp214- Thank you for the information, I have been taking the Baby Aspirin along with my other supplements. Sorry to hear about these health issues, hope they sort out before long. Glad your back is a bit better and I think the core exercises are great and will help build up the strength in your back.

Which protocol worked best for you?

@JamieH2000- Thank you, glad to hear things are well with you!

@bakerstreetboys Thanks for the information on the patches, think I was taking some pills rather than patches.

Met with the RE today, I brought up donor eggs and he said we can talk about that but he really is hopefully we can try for another cycle and see where it takes us. He said he does not recommend another high medication stimulation and wants to see if what I had done for my previous IUI works better which was pure Menopur at a medium dose, I was getting 3-4 follicles at that time - however I was one year younger as well. I think we will try the lose dose medication cycle with this clinic next month but still go for our 2nd opinion during that time and see what the suggestions are from the clinic. Then decided after this cycle to move to the other clinic.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend! Heading out of town for work next week but look forward to hearing how the stimming is going for you @bakerstreetboys & @emmasemm

Hopeful_mom · September 2018

Hi ladies! Glad to see everyone is doing well and gearing up for new cycles!! Best of luck to everyone!!

@Imajin99 sounds like u had a great appt!! It's good to have an RE that's hopeful!! I took low dose aspirin during my whole pregnancy after I had my TW (MC) smart to bring up!

@emmasemm awww JAPPY BIRTHDAY lady! Let this tear be the best one year yet!! I truly know how awful birthdays can be during IF so I'm thrilled hibbybwas able to make it fun for u!!! Looking forward to another great cycle for u! Glad u took a break for u!! I'm still not great and need to probably go see a urologist

(come on body..,can we move out of that area already good grief!)

@kp214 glad ur on the mend sort of...really hope some extra exercise will have u feeling much better!!

@bakerstreetboys please see above what I wrote about baby aspirin....I don't necessarily agree with ur RE statement about that not helping get a baby as that's the only thing different I did including PIO when the time comes for u! I know you'll get there!

bakerstreetboys · September 2018

Day one of stims for me. AF came three days early, so I had to push to start stims earlier than originally planned. They said it would be "fine" to wait until CD4 or 5, but I wasn't happy with that, so we're starting today. I also took a low dose aspirin this morning, I figure it can't hurt. My first u/s and bloodwork will be on Saturday. I hope everyone else is having a good week. Our started with a tornado, so that was interesting!

Kp214 · September 2018

@Imajin99 I did EPP with ganirelix, lower dose follistim and lower dose of menopur. I also was able to add hgh and triggered with pregnyl. It was my best cycle ever. I hope you get some answers and lots of good eggs!

purpleviolet9 · September 2018

Hi everyone...been waiting to post an update. Trigger warning, but overall not successful...

After an IUI with 2 mature follicles on 9/1, I decided to take an HPT on 9/16. For the first time ever....BFP! I went on 9/17 and HCG was 67. Went on 9/20..HCG was 395. On 9/24 HCG was 1001, with nothing on ultrasound. They kept reassuring me that it was too early to tell. We went with really high hopes yesterday but they did not see anything on the ultrasound and were afraid it was a chemical pregnancy. They called yesterday afternoon and confirmed my HCG levels already started dropping.

I'm devastated

I know and want to continue on but it is so hard. I was so afraid the past two weeks that something would go wrong and just had a bad feeling from the beginning. I'm so scared this will happen again. For those who have been in this position, how do you get the strength to keep going?

Kp214 · September 2018

@purpleviolet9 I’m so sorry for this. It’s really hard to go through that. ***tw** I had a chemical pregnancy after my first ivf cycle. It was very difficult to keep going. It took awhile for me to grieve and for my body to be ready to try again. Some feel better going on to another cycle while others need a little time. It depends on you and your DH. ***tw*** I had a negative in August after transferring a pgs normal embryo. We don’t know if we can go through that again while after the other, I was ready to cycle again within a month. Do what you need to do.

emmasemm · October 2018

@purpleviolet9 so sorry to hear your update

@kp214 like you say, if you’re not ready you’re just not ready. And Fx your back and other health issues calm down.

@bakerstreetboys how did your monitoring go?

@hopeful_mom oh come on fire vag! It’s time for a break now!

@imajin99 when is your next cycle due to start? It’s just about trying things until you find what works for you.

@jamieh2000 so AS is this week or next? I can’t believe that’s come around already!!!

@hopefuljj miss you

AFM well life has been crazy between DHs birthday, a big party at our house and year end at work.
Oh yeah, and of course daily monitoring and trying to book flights amongst a cabin crew strike and a public holiday week...
Last week I wasn’t sure we would get to ER - my follicles we’re doing their own individual things, they were all over the place and disappearing and reappearing from day today. At one point I had 3 OBs in the room trying to figure out if something was a follicle or not - all the time me with my legs akimbo.....!
But today we had 4 follicles 20-25mm and maybe a fifth. And an E2 of more than 1500. Which should suggest at least 4...
We are doing an MDL cycle again and I’m a little nervous they might ovulate on their own after trigger tonight... but nothing much we can do now! So it’s hopping on a plane tomorrow for ER Wednesday.

bakerstreetboys · October 2018

@emmasemm Already at ER in two days, yay! Fx that you have at least five follicles in there with beautiful eggs

Thanks for asking about me...check wasn't so great today. Only two mature follies with a potential third. I go back in tomorrow morning and if they don't cancel the cycle, I'll trigger Tuesday night for ER on Thursday. Really not the outcome I was hoping for

JamieH2000 · October 2018

@emmasemm- that sounds very promising but yet another stressful cycle! Hoping you get some more amazing embabies from this cycle

@bakerstreetboys- I’m hoping things look better tomorrow!

@purpleviolet9- so sorry to hear about your loss

hang in there, sending love!

Imajin99 · October 2018

@emmasemm- Hoping that the 5th one appeared and you get 5 wonderful eggs. Looks like this is a good protocol for you.

I will be going for my 2nd opinion on October 10 and will take a copy of the protocols I have done with my current clinic. Thinking we will proceed with our current clinic one more time and this will be the low stim procedure with no priming before hand. That should be around October 14.

@bakerstreetboys- How are you doing? Has the ER been scheduled for tomorrow? Wishing you the best of luck for ER, remember it only takes 1!

@purpleviolet9- Sending you hugs and positive thoughts, it is a tough journey but you will get there. How are you feeling? Did you see the RE to discuss next steps?

hopefuljj · October 2018

Hi friends, Sorry for being MIA.

@emmasemm Hiiiiii! Was ER today??? How did it go?! I’m sorry I missed your hearing up for ER this time:-/ And happy belated Birthday!!

@bakerstreetboys
how are you doing lady? Did you trigger? I’ve been canceled in that situation twice:( I know it’s a hard position to be in. Thinking of you.

@purpleviolet9 I’m so sorry for your loss lady:( my heart aches for you:(

@kp214 I’m very sad to hear about the medical isssues you are dealing with:( are you feeling any better??

@jamieH2000 how you doing lady?? I’m sorry for not checking in on you, I meant to DM you so many times and kept not doing it:-/ Are you starting to feel relaxed and really enjoy the pregnancy yet?!

JamieH2000 · October 2018

@hopefuljj- no worries at all! You take all the time off you need. I know its been a rough road. I'm doing good. My anatomy scan is tomorrow, so I have been anxious about that. Hopefuly everything will look good and I can finally relax and enjoy the pregnancy. I know I should after how long it took to get here, but the whole IF thing really gave me some PTSD, so still just struggling with anxiety. Any thoughts on next steps? I am always here to chat whenever you are ready!

hopefuljj · October 2018

@jamieH2000 !!!! Good luck with the anatomy scan!!!!!! I’m sure it’s going to go perfectly! I can’t even imagine the anxiety and stress you must feel after all you have been through. PTSD is most certainly playing a role in how you feel. Hoping to hear wonderful results from your scan tomorrow:) I’ll be thinking of you all day.

next steps over here for me are unclear. I can’t afford a fresh donor cycle which seems most ideal and don’t know if I can even carry a baby anyway so that is just too risky:-/ I have looked into frozen donor egg as a more affordable option and been trying to figure out what my options are. My sister really wanted to be a donor for me even though she is older but her AMH came back not great at all so that door has closed. Took a deeeep dive into researching adoption. There is tons to learn just like learning about infertility so been keeping me very busy. Still flip flopping between being really sad and angry, and feeling like I should probably just persue adoption now because that is suuuuch a long road too so the longer I wait to begin the process the longer that will be to become a mom....but also want to make sure I’m ready to close this door. Or let it close on me I should say.

so yeah, just hanging out over here and listening to podcasts about adoption and stuff. Feeling a bit blah.

bakerstreetboys · October 2018

@emmasemm How did ER go? I hope you get good news soon

@JamieH2000 How did the anatomy scan go? So exciting! Hopefully you can enjoy the rest of the pregnancy now.
@Imajin99 Good luck with the second opinion. It will be interesting to hear what they say and if they recommend something different, then why? Start date is coming up for you!
@hopefuljj I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time and that your sister wasn't able to be a donor. Can you start to pursue adoption while keeping the door open a little longer? It may be too much to deal with all at once though. I hope that you're doing ok, this emotional rollercoaster is so tough.

AFM, we had the ER yesterday and we were pleasantly surprised to get 5 eggs. The fert report this morning was another surprise; four mature and all fertilized! I'm pretty shocked actually, given that they told us to expect two eggs total. So we're on the board for a 5 day transfer, but they'll switch us to a 3 day if the embies don't do well overnight. I'm terrified of the phone ringing...this feels as bad as the tww and they aren't even in me yet!

Imajin99 · October 2018

@hopefuljj Sending you a virtual hug. You have gone through a lot on this journey and hope whichever choice you make works out well in the end.

@bakerstreetboys That is awesome!! Keep us posted on how they grow and how it is all going

emmasemm · October 2018

@bakerstreetboys see how a cycle can turn around? Which is why I think doctors shouldn’t be too hasty to cancel! I hope you get a great update on your four embryos today and don’t worry if they bring you back in day 3, I would want them back inside me as soon as possible if I was doing a fresh transfer. Would you put all back or freeze some?

@hopefuljj oh honey I am so sad for you. And angry. After everything that you’re in this position is so unfair.
I know you’re unsure about your body but have you also looked at embryo adoption?

@imajin99 hope your consult goes well this week

@jamieh2000 I’m on tenterhooks for your AS results

@hopeful_mom hope you managed to see a specialist about your fire vag!

AFM we have two awesome quality embryos frozen today! I’m so relieved!
From all the variation in the scans and then having three eggs retrieved we had the drama of a call a few hours later to say that the sperm hadn’t washed well for some reason and they were asking if they could do ICSI - we of course said yes!!! But knowing how my eggs don’t like ICSI we were very nervous.
The next morning I *may* have bitten a few people’s heads off waiting for the fert report. Two of the three fertilized normally, then it was the wait until this morning for the freeze call.
I started estrogen patches again today ready to prime for round 8 - most people are wondering why with four good quality and three poor quality embryos we still want to do another round, but I know all of you understand, especially my fellow banking heroes. Especially with my autoimmune issues and none of the embryos genetically tested (yet).

Low AMH Level

Re: Low AMH Level

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