Entering the world of Assisted Conception...like it or not...

[Hiker1]

Tulip, I'm sorry I can't offer you any help with your question either, and I've never had a thickness issue. I'm so sorry to hear your cycle was cancelled and you have to wait. Seems like we have waited already so long, and then to have more roadblocks once we think we are on the surefire path...it just stinks, and I'm so sorry. What can they do for something like that? Hopefully it's not too difficult to rectify, and like Bronte said, the doctors do learn more about you after each cycle.

Afm, today I did talk to the doctor about our next plan. She is recommending we take a break this month - good in general to do, as well as the fact we are doing the insurance switcharoo July 1 - and that... wait for it... I go on birth control again! The clinic shuts its embryology lab down in August for cleaning so no IVF happens then. So I either do BCPs again and time it so I can have my period so I can do July IVF or wait until September, which, sorry, I just don't want to do if I don't have to.

She also said "well it was your belief that the birth control suppressed your response the last month" and I interrupted her and said, "yes it is my belief but I am not a doctor. At the time, that was my only factor that had changed from the other months when I had excellent response to less meds." She told me that birth control has nothing to do with egg/follicle production and there is no research that has ever indicated that BCPs suppress response to meds. (SO WHY DIDN'T SHE TELL ME THAT BEFORE?) Anyway I politely said "you are the doctor so if you don't think it will be a problem, then let's try it again." As far as any adjustment of meds, she said I was at the max amount, and that after so much, "you essentially end up peeing out the excess meds" so she basically said bumping the meds up won't do anything because they can't make follicles grow that aren't there at the beginning of the cycle anyway. The number varies from cycle to cycle but meds can't change that. So I'll be on the same protocol.

She reiterated about my chances for success using my own eggs is unlikely and my chances for miscarriage are higher, and that the only other thing to help our chances is to use a donor egg, to which I said I realize that but neither my husband nor I are nowhere near the point of giving up on trying to make our own babies with our own eggs.

I did give the donor egg thing a thought today, just to toy with that idea, and I am starting to become somewhat ok with the idea. I really don't want to but maybe it will turn out to be one of those things that happen in life that you just cant control, and if that winds up to be our only resort, then we will explore it then. I guess it gives me a glimmer of hope that while maybe not ideal, there are still options out there for me to bear children, should I prove to not be able to make good eggs.

 

[BronteForever]

Hiker - that sounds promising all of it. I wasn't sure of the BCP either, since many people doing IVF are given them regardless to try to calm the body before stimming starts. I wonder if it was more of the timing aspect and where you fell with certain pills since your previous doctor was using it to line you up with other patients and sort of bring on a cycle. Maybe with extending it and calming it they will do what they are supposed to. There's all so much unknown and you have to trust your docs based on the knowledge they have. But a short break sounds like it's ideal.

Why does she think you responded well before then when doing IUIs? It seems like they are pushing you towards donor eggs already when you had a decent response at least one time. Or is her thinking that the quality won't be good? It's a tough decision and only you and your husband can make it. I'd definitely try at least two full cycles with the retrieval before you give up hope though. Some people just take longer for success. Especially since you have coverage, which makes it a bit easier to entertain the idea of multiple tries. And it's great that donor eggs are an option then if it doesn't work.

Good luck!

 

[Hiker1]

Hi all,
Been quiet since there isn't much to say. I'm on BCPs again...reluctantly. I did a bunch of research and even found a support group for those with DOR! I found that many of them have had luck with a protocol with Microdose Lupron. I asked my doctor and she is on board, so we will be trying that next month! Best news is I don't have to ruin another (the only!) trip we have planned to the beach, as I'll be starting stims the week of July 11th. I'm so happy we have another round coming up very soon, and that it's during the summer when i am off work. I have acupuncture lined up, taking all my supplements, trying to be healthy...I really have a good feeling this time we have a good shot. hoping you all are doing well too! Bronte, how are you? Did you start yet??

 

[BronteForever]

Hiker - this is great news. So glad you found that support group and found out about Microdose Lupron. Don't know anything about it, but I really hope it works for you! Yay. And July 11th is coming up quickly.

I'm on CD1 today actually, so I have my baseline ultrasound tomorrow and as long as everything looks good, then I'll start stims on Saturday. I'm excited to finally be starting.

 

[lemon_tree]

Oh hiker that's awesome! I'm so excited for you to start that. I'll have to look it up.

And Bronte - this is it!!! I can't wait to hear all about how it's going. How are you feeling about everything?

 

[BronteForever]

Lemon - I'm super excited, scared, happy, anxious, curious, and nervous. So...pretty much every emotion. I lost hope of it happening naturally many years ago but I wasn't ready to pursue assisted conception. Now that we are finally started it's exciting to actually be TTC again.

 

[Hiker1]

Well hello everyone! Just wanted to pop in for an update. It's been a roller coaster 2 weeks...so my brother called (whose wife is pregnant) to tell me that both she AND he were found to be carriers of a rare genetic disorder. She had an amnio to test the baby and still haven't heard back. Very sad and scary time for them for sure.

What this means for me is because he is a carrier, I could be too. SO I called my doctor to let them know, and she said let's get you checked out with testing as well just to make sure. Fine, I say. Let me add that my husband and I discussed and felt no hesitation at all with proceeding - the likelihood that both of us would also be carriers would be nearly impossible. Add the challenges I've had conceiving in the first place, with the volatility of pregnancy...we just aren't the kind of people that need every single thing perfect to move ahead...but we did want to do the test just so we know.

Next thing I know, the nurse messages me to tell me they are cancelling my cycle until I can get the testing done and back. The lab is closed in August, so this would mean we'd have to wait until September, when I'm back at work and stressed out, to try again. I nearly flipped out - considering, and I feel strongly, that this is OUR decision. Certainly we have the right to not do testing at all, so the fact that they were withholding our treatment as an ultimatum to doing genetic testing just infuriated me. We eventually got a phone appointment with the doc who agreed to proceed if we at least will get an appointment with a genetic counselor prior to this next cycle.

I was able to get in first thing tomorrow to get the counseling and blood draw, and hopefully that will be enough to appease her for me to move ahead with my next cycle. My baseline is wednesday, and I also start my Microdose Lupron then too. The test should take 2 weeks to get results, so we should know prior/around the time of my retrieval/transfer. I'm feeling hopeful but still afraid there might be a few monkey wrenches that might get thrown in here in the next few days. I will be REALLY mad if I have to wait until September to try again!!

In the meantime we have switched to my hubby's insurance - a bit more $$ per pay for us, but overall way better Infertility coverage. I also read the book "It Starts with the Egg" and have gotten better quality supplements, got rid of lots of plastic and other household toxins in my home. Hoping those things, combined with less stress, and a different protocol might do the trick!

Hope the rest of you are all well!

Bronte, I read you have 8 eggs fertilized! Great!! Anyone else have any updates? I miss hearing from you all.

 

[BronteForever]

Wow Hiker - I agree it should be you and your husbands decision and not the doctors. So glad you were able to convince them to proceed. So sorry to hear about your brother and his wife. Really hope the baby is alright.

And yes we had one more fertilize overnight so we had 9 totally. I'm so curious and hopeful they survive the next few days. Have no idea what to really expect since we have never been to this point.

Good luck as you start your new cycle.

 

[miranda007]

Bronte - they're good egg numbers!

Hiker - lots of ladies on te Inconcievable and beyond thread have lots of experience with DOR

 

[Hiker1]

Bronte! 9 is fantastic! Have they continued to progress? How many days are they so far? I think I read you are doing a frozen transfer?

Afm, we had our genetics counseling and blood draw Monday. Will know results in 2-3 weeks. I had my baseline bloods and ultrasound today and started my microdose Lupron. We were officially given the green light to continue so I will start stims Friday and bloodwork again morning. Next week will be the busy week of more stims and lots of frequent checks.

Oh and side note, my BFF from childhood who is 36, just told me she found out yesterday she's pregnant with her boyfriend of under 2 months. She is a chain smoker and total pothead and she's freaking out because this wasn't planned. I tried to tell her it's a blessing but wow, nothing surprises me anymore with others getting knocked up. :-/

 

[Hiker1]

PS lemon thanks! I will go check that thread. I'm also on a DOR page on FB which is fabulous

 

[BronteForever]

We were day 5 today and only two have survived. I was expecting losing a lot but still took it pretty hard since I was hoping for more. They are pretty confident one will make it to blastocyst stage tomorrow and the other could go either way. We decided that regardless we are going to do another stim round and fresh transfer. We paid for two cycles upfront and will just need to pay for meds which isn't horrible since we imported them and I responded decently before. This will give us the best chance for this child and hopefully future ones down the road. So we should hopefully start that in late August. But we will see.

That's so wonderful you are starting another round Hiker. Best wishes!!

 

[Hiker1]

Hey guys! Just popping in again to say things seem to be going well with this new protocol. Today I had an ultrasound and bloodwork. I have 2 larger follicles and 3 smaller ones so far. Compared to last cycle at this time, I only had 2 smaller this day. So not sure if I am responding any better, or maybe just at a faster rate? I am to continue the meds and go back in Saturday morning for a recheck.

No word yet on our genetics results but it's only been a week, and I guess it could take up to 3 weeks to get the results.

Bronte, when are you going to meet with the doc next?

 

[BronteForever]

I just posted in the other group, but I'm so glad this round seems to be going better for you. I'm going to be following closely with your protocol to see if it's something I want to talk to my clinic about. The fact it's working faster might be exactly what I need, because I think the two extra days they stimmed me for was overkill and if the follicles grew just a tad quicker it might have worked.

My next appointment is next Wednesday. I don't have an appointment with my doctor to talk about the next cycle until Aug. 10 though. At least I can get some answers on this failed cycle first!

 

[Hiker1]

Hey Bronte, I'm so glad you'll get to talk about what went wrong this cycle. I just can't believe how many you had and that none (none??) made it! You definitely deserve answers and what might be better protocol for next time.

As for the Microdose Lupron protocol, you can certainly ask, but I'd venture to say it wouldn't be appropriate considering you responded - and very well at that. From what I have learned, it is used for slow or poor responders typically: https://www.advancedfertility.com/ivf-low-response.htm. My doc actually was not the one to recommend it - she was going to use the same as before, as the nurse said, I responded, just not super well (which I'm not sure what the protocol was actually called. it was pretty standard from what I understand: Follistim + Menopur with the addition of Ganirelix toward the end). I had joined a DOR group and several women had success with the Microdose Lupron protocol so I asked about it and the doc was open to it. But had I not suggested it, I would not be doing this. So definitely worth asking about - if not this one, perhaps there's a different protocol they'd recommend for you.

And especially if quality was an issue, I'd recommend the "It Starts with the Egg" book so you can start now implementing the strategies now so there's time to make a difference. Your doc may or may not be on board with what's in there but know that none of the recommendations will hurt you. My last doc was of the mindset that no supplements, acupuncture, etc. was worth trying at all and they didn't recommend any of it. The new place recommends all that, and recommended many of the supplements in that book. The book just takes it a step further with exactly what you should be looking for when choosing supplement types as not all are created equal. It goes into lots of specifics and research about failed cycles too, which may be of interest to you. Please keep us posted!!

 

[BronteForever]

Thanks Hiker. I'll look into all of it. It might not be a good protocol for me. But I'm really trying to research everything I can right now.

In regards to supplements, I'm definitely open to trying stuff, but I'm not 100 percent sure if that's my issue. My lead follicle was 26.6 when I triggered and I think more than anything that's what messed it up. But I don't know. So I'm willing to try supplements and already started ubiquinol. But it's so hard to tell, because I don't feel like I got the answers I needed out of this cycle to tell me how my body normally responds.

I don't know. I hope they can tell me more. I'm just running in circles processing it all and would like more info.

 

[lemon_tree]

Glad things are going well, Hiker! I was thinking about you the other day. You're CD11 so egg retrieval is probably coming along soon, right??

 

[Hiker1]

I'm hoping retrieval will be soon Lemon! I go back tomorrow and will see how things are progressing. Yesterday I had: 16, 15, 11, 11, 11. I really hope those 11's catch up and can be full size. I had acupuncture again this morning and felt a lot of things going on in that area that I never did before - intense! I would assume it will be early next week sometime.

Bronte, definitely sounds like you had several that were oversized. But from what I understand, sometimes you have to "sacrifice" the bigger ones if say, you have 3 big ones and like 10 medium ones, they'll not use those overly big ones and let the medium ones get to the ideal size and use those instead. So it's likely that may be what they did with you. That's good you are taking ubiquinol. That's one of the examples in the book, where you might be told by a doctor, "take coq10" but not all coq10 is the same, and ubiquinol, specifically Kaneka, is going to work better. There are lots of reasons for failed cycles and the book goes into that in a lot of detail. Let us know how the appointment goes next week. I really hope you can get some answers and come up with a different plan for next round. I try to think of each failure as just more information for the doctors in terms of how to change things for next time. Unfortunately our wallets don't allow us to be so patient.

 

[lemon_tree]

That’s so exciting! What is considered full size for a follicle, at retrieval?

Acupuncture is amazing, I love that you’re doing it. Hope it helps you relax and heal and go into the retrieval (and transfer) with calmness and light.

 

[Hiker1]

Not 100% sure on what they're looking for, but from this site, looks like they want between 13-20mm: https://www.advancedfertility.com/ivfstim.htm

I've been getting acupuncture since March when I learned there was a connection to fertility. Obviously hasn't worked yet, but I switched to a Chinese doctor, and maybe it's me stereotyping, but I'm hoping because she's the "real deal" she knows exactly what she's doing. The board of baby pictures and gracious handwritten letters from patients in the waiting room is encouraging too