Multiple IVFers

BRSaugust20 · January 2009

I know some of you lurk on TTTC but I always forget to put SAIFW in my subject (although it always is!). I just posted that IVF #4 is a chemical. I am running out of things to ask my RE at my WTF appointments.

This time we did EPP with assissted hatching. I also had a hysteroscopy prior to IVF #4. It looks like the only protocol I haven't tried is microdose lupron. Although my RE chose to do EPP over MDL for #4 because I have responded better to antagonist types and lupron suppressed me too much.

The only thing I can think of is that I tend to get off to a slow start and maybe adding more Menopur in the beginning would help? We had 11 follicles this time around but only got 6 eggs. So PGD is out because I won't have enough to wait around for a 5 day transfer.

Any insight or advice would be appreciated.

- Beth

GretchenlovesMichael · January 2009

hi beth... first of all i am so incredibly sorry that you are going through this. it is beyond words how difficult and unfair IF and m/c are...

i only did 2 IVFs, but we had done 4 injectable IUIs beforehand, and i agree with your theory re: menopur. when i started out on a higher dosage of menopur and/or raised it quickly, i produced way more follies. (details are in my blog, along the left side - link below.)

for IVF #1 we did antagonist protocol (very similar to all my IUI cycles) and i produced several mature eggs but our quality was poor. for IVF #2 we did MDL, and upped my dosages a ton. this, in addition to the herbs/acu i added, and maybe just luck (?) led me to produce tons of follies, and we had great quality embryos.

i hope your RE can find the right answer for you. i am SO sorry you've gone through so much of this crap. i will be thinking of you.... GL sweetie.

EverAfterinMi · January 2009

What stims are you on from the beginning? You should definitely add more Menopur right from the start. Not only does it help with the number of follies you'll get but the quality as well. And also ask about upping the dose for sure. If you are a slow responder, better to start big and reduce. For my first IVF, I did Bravelle/Menopur and for the 2nd and successful one, I switched to Gonal F/Menopur. I think another key thing I did was to do a stim shot every 12 hours. So I did Menopur in the morning and Gonal F at night. That way I kept the ovaries pumping all 24/7. Have you tried that?

I am so sorry you are at #5. There just are no words. It sucks.

BRSaugust20 · January 2009

Thanks for your replies. For this IVF I was on 450 Bravelle / 75 Menopur. For #3 we started with 75 Menopur but then bumped it up to 150 because my E2 wasn't really rising the way it should. My RE has had me do all of my shots at night - maybe twice a day isn't a bad idea to ask about either.

trilady2 · January 2009

First, I am so very sorry you are going through this. I know how painful TTC with mult iple failed IVFs can be. I've done six IVFs in my lifetime.

It sounds like these other ladies are on the right track re: questions to ask about meds. How many eggs do they usually get? Do your embies usually look pretty good? What about your thyroid, is it functioning normally?

I ask this because there is something you could think about. It's controvercial so you may want to do your own research and think about it before you try. IFor me, we were on IVF #4, I always made enough eggs but we always had crappy embie quality. Never had more than a few that even looked decent on day three and I was getting really frustrated since our only dx is male factor.

I started looking into DHEA suppliments, usually women who are "poor responders" look at taking it - it's an over the counter suppliment that is a precursor to estrogen and testosterone - it's an adreanal gland suppliment. Because I have a slightly underactive thyroid the research pointed to a good chance that I had an underactive adreanal gland too. So, without telling my RE I decided to try it. I took the suppliments (got them at Wal-Mart) for two and a half months prior to my cycle. We also did change my protocol too, so I'm guessing our success is a combo of the two - the DHEA and the new protocol. But honestly, it was the most successful cycle I'd ever had. Not only did I get pregnant, but we got to do a five day transfer and we even had six blasts to freeze.

Now, I know this is very controvercial, most REs would tell you not to try it. I am, by no means, saying "run out and buy this stuff..." but I didn't want to let your question go by without admitting I did more than change my protocol. If you have DHEA questions please email me at jcoffman@socket.net

GL.

BRSaugust20 · January 2009

trilady - thank you for your response. I have asked my RE about DHEA and his response was that there was too little research on the impact of embryo quality.

I am going to send you an email if you don't mind providing more info that would be great. I will put my nest name in the subject.

Thanks!

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