anyone over 35 going for fertility treatments this year? IUI, IVF etc

[DaisyQ]

Update - I just got home from another scan and more blood work. My doctor is on the fence about what to do with me - cancel or push forward. I have two big ones - 17mm, I think one at 14, a few at 12, maybe one or two at 11, and 4 or more are under ten. I don't know the total count. Overall she is just not happy at the way they are scattered all over the place in terms of growth.

She said that if I was 40, she'd conclude this is the best we can hope for and move forward. But since I'm 34, and this is our first try, she said she think we can do better. She said that if this happens AGAIN next time, that we will just assume this is how my body reacts, and will push forward anyway. She also said she's not expecting to get 15 eggs out of me - (this is disappointing) - based on my AMH and AFC, but that she's hoping we can do better than this. She is also aware that we have a limited fertility benefit which will only (partially) cover one try, and then we are 100% out of pocket - so she doesn't want to possibly waste our fertility benefit on this cycle which is looking suboptimal.

We discussed converting to IUI, and also starting me on Estrace during my luteal phase so that if it is a BFN, we can move right into a new stim cycle. I am hoping the dates work out with the cruise we are supposed to take the week of July first. My husband also has some business travel planned in mid-late June that he says he cannot move (we'll see about that). I know we could always have his sperm frozen, but this is suboptimal, no? Fresh is better? So it's all up in the air. I will know more after talking to my nurse later today.

Nervous about canceling, and having the same (or worse) response next time... And worried the timing won't work out.

My doctor is also not thrilled about me traveling so soon after possible ET. Ugh.

 

[DaisyQ]

Quick question ladies - do you continue taking CoQ10 and DHEA after ovulation? Or do you stop... thanks!

 

[sarahincanada]

Quick question ladies - do you continue taking CoQ10 and DHEA after ovulation? Or do you stop... thanks!

coq10 is for egg quality so I stopped at egg retrieval.....however perhaps you want to stay on it incase you do need to continue with the next cycle?
dhea Im not sure about sorry

 

[crystal443]

You stay on DHEA all the time my FS said not to come off of it until 6-7 weeks pregnant...I'm going over to your journal now

 

[DaisyQ]

Thanks lady.

I asked the nurse today when we were there for the IUI and she advised me to stay on DHEA and CoQ10 in preparation for the (possibly) upcoming IVF - and only go off if I get a BFP. So I'm staying on!

Got to say, the DHEA is wreaking havoc with my skin. Oh well..

 

[tiatammy]

Hello ladies I am new here had a tubal reversal in april of last year and still no BFP. well hubby had all test done, and all came back good. as for me well doc. is saying IUI, I quess getting the tubes checked first then that. I am 40 hubby is 50, and I am soooo scared it is to late for me,and may be no eggs, cyles are 26 to 28 days, temp charts are normal, lh serge comes always on time right on scedule, I dont know what is going on. anyone have the same exsprience, please calm me. I dont feel very hopeful at this point. HUGS HUGS FRIENDS

 

[hockey24]

Welcome Tiatammy! I understand your fears but don't give up hope and ask lots of questions to your doctors!!

I had what I thought were normal periods - 27 days like clockwork. Normal surge, etc. I have low AMH so thought that was the reason why I couldn't conceive naturally. Turns out after a hysteroscopy last month that I have endometriosis and severe scar tissue and the doctors thinks that is why I couldn't conceive naturally. Glad there is an answer but sure wish I knew that a year ago!

Anyway - good luck!! Keep us posted to your progress!!

AFM - just got my IVF calendar and my meds ordered. Looks like I will start stimming June 9th. So excited and ready to move forward!!

 

[tiatammy]

Welcome Tiatammy! I understand your fears but don't give up hope and ask lots of questions to your doctors!!

I had what I thought were normal periods - 27 days like clockwork. Normal surge, etc. I have low AMH so thought that was the reason why I couldn't conceive naturally. Turns out after a hysteroscopy last month that I have endometriosis and severe scar tissue and the doctors thinks that is why I couldn't conceive naturally. Glad there is an answer but sure wish I knew that a year ago!

Anyway - good luck!! Keep us posted to your progress!!

AFM - just got my IVF calendar and my meds ordered. Looks like I will start stimming June 9th. So excited and ready to move forward!!

Hockey 24 thanks, the doc that did my tubal reversal said everything looked great when I had the sergery,but I am sure anything can transpire in a year, I had the tubal reversal last april sooo I quess we will see, Do hope all works out for you we all have had a long struggle thats for sure. FRIENDS

 

[crystal443]

Welcome Tiatammy! I understand your fears but don't give up hope and ask lots of questions to your doctors!!

I had what I thought were normal periods - 27 days like clockwork. Normal surge, etc. I have low AMH so thought that was the reason why I couldn't conceive naturally. Turns out after a hysteroscopy last month that I have endometriosis and severe scar tissue and the doctors thinks that is why I couldn't conceive naturally. Glad there is an answer but sure wish I knew that a year ago!

Anyway - good luck!! Keep us posted to your progress!!

AFM - just got my IVF calendar and my meds ordered. Looks like I will start stimming June 9th. So excited and ready to move forward!!

YAAAHHHH Hockey...not long now

 

[Milty]

Oh Hockey I'm excited for you

 

[sarahincanada]

AFM - just got my IVF calendar and my meds ordered. Looks like I will start stimming June 9th. So excited and ready to move forward!!

yeahhhhh! thats not long to wait!

 

[DaisyQ]

That's very exciting hockey! I think I will be just a few days ahead of you - I expect to start on June 4th (or so).

 

[hockey24]

Yeah DaisyQ! Will be more fun to have someone to follow in the process!!

 

[l8bloomer]

I'm so disappointed. I'm Day 5 of my stims and the blood test shows that my Estrogen levels are low; indicating a poor response. The nurse said that if they're still low in 2 days time, they will have to cancel my cycle. In the meantime, they've increased the dosage from 2 vials Menopur and 2 vials Bravelle to 3 of each.

I asked the nurse if there's another protocol I can go on if this one doesn't work and she said that this was their most aggressive protocol and if this doesn't work, then I may not have any options other than donor egg. She said that the poor response is due to my age.

I have a decent AMH for my age (1.8). I am 44 and the baseline U/S showed 9 follicles. I don't know why she's saying that the poor response is due to my age. And I don't know why she would say that another protocol with different meds won't be an option. I don't know what to do, how to feel.

 

[DaisyQ]

L8bloomer, what was your protocol, if I may ask??

Your amh is better than mine, and your afc is good too.

 

[l8bloomer]

L8bloomer, what was your protocol, if I may ask??

Your amh is better than mine, and your afc is good too.

Daisy, I'm on short antagonist protocol. Estrogen priming on CD21 until AF. Then stims from CD2. I was on 2 vials each (150 iu) of Menopur and Bravelle. They've upped it to 3 vials (225 iu) each now and I'm to take the increased dosage until my next blood test on Saturday.

I was quite upset earlier but now I feel resigned. There's nothing I can do about it and getting stressed won't change anything.

 

[sarahincanada]

I was on 2 vials each (150 iu) of Menopur and Bravelle. They've upped it to 3 vials (225 iu) each now and I'm to take the increased dosage until my next blood test on Saturday.

so what was your total dose before and now? Im not sure what you mean by the above....was it 300 and now you are on 675? I hope the increased dose does the trick

 

[l8bloomer]

I was on 2 vials each (150 iu) of Menopur and Bravelle. They've upped it to 3 vials (225 iu) each now and I'm to take the increased dosage until my next blood test on Saturday.

so what was your total dose before and now? Im not sure what you mean by the above....was it 300 and now you are on 675? I hope the increased dose does the trick

Hi Sarah,I was on 150 iu Menopur and 150 iu Bravelle. Now I'm on 225 iu Menopur and 225 iu Bravelle. I hope the increased dosages does the trick also. Although it's hard to see how it can with only 2 days to go. But, it doesn't hurt to try.

 

[DaisyQ]

L8Bloomer - that's a very similar protocol to the one I will be doing shortly.

Why do you only have 2 days? I've seen some women stim for quite a while to finally get to where they need to be. If you are on day 5, why is there a day 7 deadline?? Can't you go longer and see what happens?

That said, if your cycle IS canceled (welcome to the club), things might be different another month - some months are just better than others (so I hear). Also, perhaps they can tweak your meds. Is bravelle pure FSH? I know menopur is FSH and LH.

I had been on gonal F (pure FSH) and menopur, and I've been switched to gonal F and low dose Hcg instead. I'm also going to ask my doctor about HGH (human growth hormone). Being over 40, you should ask about this. Are you taking supplements (coQ10, DHEA etc.?) I know the folks at CCRM (best clinic in the US) are taking a cocktail of a bunch of different things... coQ10, melatonin, folic acid, myo-inisitol, L-arginine, vitamin C, vitamin E... the list goes on. All of these though can take ~ 3 months to have an effect.

I hope the upped dose works for you!!!

How many follicles have you got growing so far? Will they do IVF if you have 3-4? What's the cut off?

 

[l8bloomer]

L8Bloomer - that's a very similar protocol to the one I will be doing shortly.

Why do you only have 2 days? I've seen some women stim for quite a while to finally get to where they need to be. If you are on day 5, why is there a day 7 deadline?? Can't you go longer and see what happens?

That said, if your cycle IS canceled (welcome to the club), things might be different another month - some months are just better than others (so I hear). Also, perhaps they can tweak your meds. Is bravelle pure FSH? I know menopur is FSH and LH.

I had been on gonal F (pure FSH) and menopur, and I've been switched to gonal F and low dose Hcg instead. I'm also going to ask my doctor about HGH (human growth hormone). Being over 40, you should ask about this. Are you taking supplements (coQ10, DHEA etc.?) I know the folks at CCRM (best clinic in the US) are taking a cocktail of a bunch of different things... coQ10, melatonin, folic acid, myo-inisitol, L-arginine, vitamin C, vitamin E... the list goes on. All of these though can take ~ 3 months to have an effect.

I hope the upped dose works for you!!!

How many follicles have you got growing so far? Will they do IVF if you have 3-4? What's the cut off?

Hi Daisy, Bravelle is indeed pure FSH. I'm now on 225 Menopur and Bravelle as well as Orgalutran. I went to the clinic today and was informed that my cycle is not cancelled. The ultrasound shows many follicles. They didn't count them all because they were only interested in making sure there was 5 > 10mm. And there was. I meant to make a note of the measurements but I was too excited and forgot everything when they said that I'm ok to go at least until the next scan.

I am taking Coq10 but not DHEA. I may go back on it but like you said, it takes 3 months to take effect Being 44, time is not on my side.

I'm praying that this cycle goes all the way. Hope you're doing well while you're waiting for to start your next cycle.