Support thread for ladies who have had 3+ failed IVF cycles

[bubumaci]

Hi there :wave: do you know when you will be getting the results? It is great that you have had it done. Though, I did also have all the testing done and was found to be perfectly healthy ... we never did know why the other 8 tries didn't work / what was wrong with all those many embryos we had ..

 

[ashknowsbest]

Hi girls! I had my endometrial biopsy done yesterday. It was pretty painful I'm not going to lie. It's over now though thank god and I sent out the cells for testing. I'm guessing the results will be here in about a week or so. I'm looking forward to getting started again but I'm not getting happy about it yet because I don't want to be let down by the outcome. My hubby and I also decided that we're going to wait for the actual transfer for about a year or two.

My emotions about it are pretty clear but it was a hard thing to tell my DH I wanted to wait because we have tried for so long and so hard to have a baby I felt bad putting it off.

The bottom line is this ... I don't want my eggs to age anymore than they already are because I'm already having issues getting pregnant and I'm 27 tomorrow. I don't want to turn 30 and find that I have even more problems. After we get the eggs out we will fertilize them but I want to travel the world! I put off traveling for so long. 5 years this October to be exact. We wanted to have a baby that was the priority so I put everything else off but I'm sick of waiting to travel. And yes, I could travel with a baby when he/she is born but I'd rather just wait and do it in about a year or so when I'm done traveling.

We're going to Europe next year for a month and we've taken so many trips this year already. I'm happy with life right now. We're also testing the embryos for genetic issues so we wouldn't be able to have the transfer right away anyway. It would happen a month later so ... that's the plan.

I hope everyone else is doing well. I will let you girls know the results of the e-tegrity test when I get the results. I will be traveling to CO at the end of this month or the beginning/middle of May to do the cycle. I will keep you updated.

I hope everyone is doing well and good luck in all of your upcoming cycles!

 

[eveclo]

Hi there :wave: do you know when you will be getting the results? It is great that you have had it done. Though, I did also have all the testing done and was found to be perfectly healthy ... we never did know why the other 8 tries didn't work / what was wrong with all those many embryos we had ..

Probably about 2 weeks, hopefully it goes fast! I am so impatient although much more patient than I used to be thanks to this journey. Wow, well that kind of thing makes me feel a lot better if I don't have anything immunologically wrong with me. You have such an amazing success story Bubu i absolutely love hearing it. I will make sure I update when I get the results though, just to see if we can compare stories or situations.

How is your little baby boy? I can't believe he is 5 months old already. Are you getting much sleep? hehe.

 

[eveclo]

Hi girls! I had my endometrial biopsy done yesterday. It was pretty painful I'm not going to lie. It's over now though thank god and I sent out the cells for testing. I'm guessing the results will be here in about a week or so. I'm looking forward to getting started again but I'm not getting happy about it yet because I don't want to be let down by the outcome. My hubby and I also decided that we're going to wait for the actual transfer for about a year or two.

My emotions about it are pretty clear but it was a hard thing to tell my DH I wanted to wait because we have tried for so long and so hard to have a baby I felt bad putting it off.

The bottom line is this ... I don't want my eggs to age anymore than they already are because I'm already having issues getting pregnant and I'm 27 tomorrow. I don't want to turn 30 and find that I have even more problems. After we get the eggs out we will fertilize them but I want to travel the world! I put off traveling for so long. 5 years this October to be exact. We wanted to have a baby that was the priority so I put everything else off but I'm sick of waiting to travel. And yes, I could travel with a baby when he/she is born but I'd rather just wait and do it in about a year or so when I'm done traveling.

We're going to Europe next year for a month and we've taken so many trips this year already. I'm happy with life right now. We're also testing the embryos for genetic issues so we wouldn't be able to have the transfer right away anyway. It would happen a month later so ... that's the plan.

I hope everyone else is doing well. I will let you girls know the results of the e-tegrity test when I get the results. I will be traveling to CO at the end of this month or the beginning/middle of May to do the cycle. I will keep you updated.

I hope everyone is doing well and good luck in all of your upcoming cycles!

Oh Ash that is fantastic. I know the feels about putting off your other dreams and desires because you want a family, but sometimes you just have to do what the moment is telling you to do. You sound as though you are in a really good place at the moment and I think that is really important. How did your Husband take the news?

Good luck with your cycle! I can't remember if i have asked but are you on Royal Jelly at all ? I have recently started taking it just to see if it makes a difference but a lot of ladies have said it has helped with their egg quality. I figure it was worth a try

 

[ashknowsbest]

Eveclo, I'm not taking royal jelly right now as I'm doing a study with CCRM and they have me on Acai berry supplements for egg quality improvement. It's not a for sure thing but I figured I'd participate in the study to help them out. Since I'm in the study I can't take anything else for egg quality since it will skew the results of the effects of the acai berry. As far as being in a good place I absolutely am. I still want a family but ... maybe now I'm just not willing to give up everything else for that. I've accepted that and when I'm ready we'll move forward.

How did my husband take it? He was GREAT! I started crying and he just told me that he's not mad and that he would love to take a break too. He's been wanting to go to Europe as well and ... he's pursuing a promotion at work so it's sort of a good time for us both to take a break. We also found out in December that his father has stage 4 esophageal cancer so ... we're also dealing with that and will have to travel back and forth to Pennsylvania (where he lives) for him .... the doctor gave him 11 months with chemotherapy so ... yeah. We sort of have a lot on our plate right now as it is. His dad really wants us to continue on with our cycle .. I think he hopes he can at least see us get pregnant before he passes. We'll see.

Since I had the uterine biopsy my DH and I are going to go hard core and try to have a baby naturally this month. OPKs and all. I know it works for some people and I would love the chance to try naturally before going onto another cycle. I have a post testing consult with my doctor at CCRM this upcoming Tuesday ... I guess at that point he'll look at all of the tests and we'll come up with a plan for the cycle. I won't get my calendar until I pay the $25,000!! but I'll pay that at the end of this month and then we can get started. Fun times .....

Anyways, thanks for reading!

 

[bubumaci]

Eve ... he is just amazing! Nope, still not getting much sleep, but I don't mind in the slightest. Since I am breastfeeding and he refuses the bottle, I am needed every 2-3 hours around the clock. He does sleep fantastically (has done from very early on) though and will only wake to feed and then carries on sleeping. He will sleep 12-13 hours in the night and takes his naps during the day too
I can't believe he's 5 months either!

Here, a couple of photos (I just love his smile, it warms the cockles of my heart)

Ash - I think that is great that you are in a good place right now. And yes, definitely get that travelling done, it is an excellent idea. You guys need a break!

 

[eveclo]

Eve ... he is just amazing! Nope, still not getting much sleep, but I don't mind in the slightest. Since I am breastfeeding and he refuses the bottle, I am needed every 2-3 hours around the clock. He does sleep fantastically (has done from very early on) though and will only wake to feed and then carries on sleeping. He will sleep 12-13 hours in the night and takes his naps during the day too
I can't believe he's 5 months either!

Here, a couple of photos (I just love his smile, it warms the cockles of my heart)

Ash - I think that is great that you are in a good place right now. And yes, definitely get that travelling done, it is an excellent idea. You guys need a break!

Oh my goodness, I can see why you don't mind! He is so gorgeous. Such a contagious little smile. He's a hungry little growing man, you are doing a fantastic job. It's so wonderful to see such a happy little human. Thank you for the update!

 

[eveclo]

Eveclo, I'm not taking royal jelly right now as I'm doing a study with CCRM and they have me on Acai berry supplements for egg quality improvement. It's not a for sure thing but I figured I'd participate in the study to help them out. Since I'm in the study I can't take anything else for egg quality since it will skew the results of the effects of the acai berry. As far as being in a good place I absolutely am. I still want a family but ... maybe now I'm just not willing to give up everything else for that. I've accepted that and when I'm ready we'll move forward.

How did my husband take it? He was GREAT! I started crying and he just told me that he's not mad and that he would love to take a break too. He's been wanting to go to Europe as well and ... he's pursuing a promotion at work so it's sort of a good time for us both to take a break. We also found out in December that his father has stage 4 esophageal cancer so ... we're also dealing with that and will have to travel back and forth to Pennsylvania (where he lives) for him .... the doctor gave him 11 months with chemotherapy so ... yeah. We sort of have a lot on our plate right now as it is. His dad really wants us to continue on with our cycle .. I think he hopes he can at least see us get pregnant before he passes. We'll see.

Since I had the uterine biopsy my DH and I are going to go hard core and try to have a baby naturally this month. OPKs and all. I know it works for some people and I would love the chance to try naturally before going onto another cycle. I have a post testing consult with my doctor at CCRM this upcoming Tuesday ... I guess at that point he'll look at all of the tests and we'll come up with a plan for the cycle. I won't get my calendar until I pay the $25,000!! but I'll pay that at the end of this month and then we can get started. Fun times .....

Anyways, thanks for reading!

Oh wonderful, I hope that the Acai Berry helps you, is it a tablet or like the powder? It is all the rage over here in Australia at the moment - everybody is having those acai bowls hehe. Good luck with this month, i so hope it surprises you! Man, IVF is so expensive isn't it. Good luck with it all, I hope for lots of fantastic updates!

 

[ashknowsbest]

Got the results of my beta-3 integrin test back and I do not have the protein that's required for implantation. For more information please read my baby and bump journal. It's not make it or break it but it does provide some insight and I'm really looking forward to seeing how this works out for me.

 

[Unlucky41]

Ash just want to say all the best for the travels. Also I hope you get pregnant naturally it can happen. My friend is 39 and only gets her period once every quarter now pregnant with a boy!

Bub so happy for you! He is a very happy boy!

 

[bubumaci]

Ash - finally, perhaps some insight that will help. I am sure, now that they know that this protein is missing, that they can support with implantation?! You will be a Mama

 

[eveclo]

Got the results of my beta-3 integrin test back and I do not have the protein that's required for implantation. For more information please read my baby and bump journal. It's not make it or break it but it does provide some insight and I'm really looking forward to seeing how this works out for me.

Very interesting Ash, thank you so much for sharing. I will bring this up with my next appointment when we are preparing for the next cycle.

 

[ashknowsbest]

bubu - they can help implantation by giving depot lupron once a month 2 months before transfer. I'm really looking forward to doing this cycle. I was telling my hubby that a trip to Europe would be AMAZING but now that I may have an answer I feel this yearning to have a baby again ... like immediately! We're both going to write a pros and cons list and then talk about it together once we have our separate lists. I think that will help us come to a good decision about doing it now or waiting...

eve - A good amount of doctors don't believe in the test but that's why I wanted to do our final cycle with CCRM .... they do all of the new/cutting edge tests that other doesn't aren't sure really have benefits. I'm happy I did mine but after research I found that a lot of women get a normal result ... so it was worth it for me (hopefully! I guess we'll find out if I get pregnant) but for other women it hasn't really indicated anything helpful. Also, it's not covered by insurance at all .... and it's a $615 test. That's what I paid anyways.

Definitely worth so far in my opinion but like I said if your doctor looks at you like your crazy ... it's because it's fairly new and not a lot of doctors are doing it! You can always join me at CCRM though

 

[eveclo]

bubu - they can help implantation by giving depot lupron once a month 2 months before transfer. I'm really looking forward to doing this cycle. I was telling my hubby that a trip to Europe would be AMAZING but now that I may have an answer I feel this yearning to have a baby again ... like immediately! We're both going to write a pros and cons list and then talk about it together once we have our separate lists. I think that will help us come to a good decision about doing it now or waiting...

eve - A good amount of doctors don't believe in the test but that's why I wanted to do our final cycle with CCRM .... they do all of the new/cutting edge tests that other doesn't aren't sure really have benefits. I'm happy I did mine but after research I found that a lot of women get a normal result ... so it was worth it for me (hopefully! I guess we'll find out if I get pregnant) but for other women it hasn't really indicated anything helpful. Also, it's not covered by insurance at all .... and it's a $615 test. That's what I paid anyways.

Definitely worth so far in my opinion but like I said if your doctor looks at you like your crazy ... it's because it's fairly new and not a lot of doctors are doing it! You can always join me at CCRM though

I have private health insurance (in Australia) so usually hospital fees are covered. I have had a biopsy and hysteroscopy previously that was all covered but i don't think they would have done this test as I was already on synarel at the time of my hysteroscopy. So if i can get it done and have it partially subsidised it would be worth it for sure.

That's so interesting though, I can understand why you would want to rectify the issue and see if anything happens. I am so interested to see how it goes. How does the depot lupron help the issue? So good to know that there is a solution hopefully.

 

[ashknowsbest]

Well this felt like it came up very fast. Not sure I'm ready to move forward but that may just be because of the hectic schedule and the nerves of having another failed cycle.

I'm starting a new cycle ... yay? I got my period today so I start BCPs on Friday. I take those for I think my nurse said like 22-23 days or something like that and then off to Colorado we go not shortly after that.

Tentative Schedule:
Start BCPs April 24th
Last BCP May 16
May 20 I'll get a baseline scan - guessing I start the stims this day or a day after
May 24th I get a follicle/lining scan
May 25th I'm supposed to be in CO
May 26th I have a scan with CCRM
June 1st is my retrieval date as of right now.

Fun times. I'm not going to lie ... I have butterflies thinking about doing all of this again. I'm not sure they're good butterflies either, it's like that nervous stomach ache I get when I have to take a test that I'm not quite ready for. I haven't done this in so long it all feels sort of foreign to me. Oh well ... here we go!

Another little side note. My DH and I planned a trip to San Diego and we don't fly back to San Francisco until the 25th ... so figuring this out should be really interesting.

Oh and I also have to miss about a week or school .... not good but it is what it is.

Wish me luck!

 

[bubumaci]

Good luck!!!

 

[eveclo]

Oooo wow, so I have finally had my consult and blood results back from the Immunologist and I have ANA (Antinuclear antibodies) The antibodies that target “normal” proteins within the nucleus of a cell are called antinuclear antibodies. My levels were 1:160 and they should be about 1:20. I also have been diagnosed with high NKC's in my uterus and slightly in my blood too. The course of action is basically of the next cycle

CD1; start Prednisone (steroid) 15mg
1 week before ET: start Clexane and also have Intralipid infusion
Day of ET; increase dosage of Prednisone to 20mg, begin double dose of Progesterone.

It feels like such a relief to have some sort of an answer as to why our embryos have failed to implant but at the same time I am feeling scared that maybe we will never be able to fix this issue. Only time will tell but we will be transferring in mid June with our only frozen embryo.

 

[bubumaci]

eve - I think that sounds like a huge step forward! You have some very clear answers and it sounds like there is a definite solution. Of course IVF / FET etc. never comes with guarantees, but your chances have definitely been significantly increased by this new knowledge!

Not long to go, everything crossed for you! xoxo

 

[eveclo]

eve - I think that sounds like a huge step forward! You have some very clear answers and it sounds like there is a definite solution. Of course IVF / FET etc. never comes with guarantees, but your chances have definitely been significantly increased by this new knowledge!

Not long to go, everything crossed for you! xoxo

I hope these are the answers and that something can be done! I am so nervous and trying not to get my hopes up but this is the first time i've felt a little bit more hope regarding our chances. I just knew in my heart something wasn't right.

Someone said something like I have to take it like i'm starting all over again; so my embryos still have that 50/50 chance and not to be too let down if it doesn't work, just keep persisting until we have the right amount of meds and perfect embie.

Hope you and your little family are doing fabulously xx

 

[bubumaci]

Except that you are not quite starting all over again - but, as far as science has come in helping us with getting our little miracles, nature is still a huge factor. There just are no guarantees. That's, what makes it extra hard.
Our doctor did say (the one we switched to after 5 failures), that he did believe we would get pregnant - he just didn't know how long and how many tries it would take.

Thank you for asking, Fabi really is such a gem. I watch him with awe and wonder - still not quite comprehending, that he is here (despite going through the pregnancy and giving birth ... I am a Mother and I can't believe it!)