[Lisa72]

Lysergic77- I am sorry you are also going through this. It is tough and emotionally draining! I am going for my first IUI with injectables next month. I am hoping it works but I am researching women with DOR and IUI, and I am not optimistic. If it doesn't work then I will move onto IVF with CGH. I am on another board (Sher Institute) and you are able to ask the RE's questions. WHen I told them about my situation, they all told me that IVF is the only way to go. I think a lot of it has to do with my age. I am 36 and my AFC was an 11. My FSH fluctuates between a 7.1 and 9.7.
Since I haven't gone through it yet, I cannot give you advice but if you decide to do IVF, look into the Sher Institute (SIRM). Their website has a lot of information. It seems like they are optimistic and have a lot of success. I am planning on going there if my IUI fails. They give free phone consultations so give them a call and see what they say...it can't hurt! I truly believe that it is not the end of the road for us women with DOR! Good Luck!!

[lysergic77]

Thank u Lisa, i have put down my info in their web site, lets c when i will get call from them. my doctor is pushing towards doner eggs, which i can not afford at this point. I love kids, never knew it would happen to me. My husband is tired of my depressive episodes every month.

[Lisa72]

Originally Posted by lysergic77

Thank u Lisa, i have put down my info in their web site, lets c when i will get call from them. my doctor is pushing towards doner eggs, which i can not afford at this point. I love kids, never knew it would happen to me. My husband is tired of my depressive episodes every month.

I know what you mean. I have good days and bad days. I don't think you should give up on your own eggs yet. I hope SIRM can help you. Keep me posted and let me know what they say. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[2ndteacher]

Hi everyone! Wow, I started this thread forever ago, and I haven't been back on for a long time! I am so glad you all found it!

I had decided to take a break from the forums because I was just getting too wrapped up -kind of addicted - on one hand they are wonderful because I find others who I can learn from and who are in the same boat as me (it doesn't seem like anyone I know has infertility) but at the same time I was glued to the forums and not getting out and making myself think about other things (I know, what's that like, right???) I was also taking a 2 month break from treatments which really felt like a vacation - I am telling you guys, if you are feeling super depressed, emotionally and physically spent from the shots and poking and prodding, sick of arguing with your DHs for no apparent reason because your hormones are insane - TAKE A BREAK!!!! I am serious -it was the best decision I have ever made. It gave me time to get back to have normal discussions with my husband and really think things through. I loved not having to go in to the doctor every few days, just for more disappointing news. Anyway, I am back on the treatment train, but just remember when you feel like you are at your wits end, take a break, then jump back on.

So, I am back. I had IUI #9 this past Monday. I know, I have been told that is crazy. But we have been lucky enough to get some free drugs from the RE, plus my doc wanted to run the EFORT test to check out whether or not I am a good candidate for IVF. So since I was already jacked up on Gonal F, I went ahead with the IUI. Results: she says yes, I say no. I am a bit confused because I only produced 2 follies, as opposed to my regular 1 follie. So how does that make me a contender?? If I am paying that much $$$ I want more than 2 eggs. But I am thinking, do the other drugs (lupron, etc) slow down the follies so that they are all the same size and maturity at the same time, that's how you get more??? My RE also told me that with DOR I have more of a 30% success rate with IVF, not the usual 50%. She said IUI w/ injectibles may be a better option....

I guess my big question this time is, has anyone else done the EFORT test, and if so, how were the results measured, what do they mean, and am I better off just not doing any of this anymore???

Sorry to ramble, ladies, like I said it's been a while since I've checked in!!!

[2ndteacher]

Hello? Anyone out there? How are my fellow DOR ladies doing??

[Lisa72]

Originally Posted by 2ndteacher

Hello? Anyone out there? How are my fellow DOR ladies doing??

I a here. I don't think anyone has DOR because these boards are VERY slow. I haven't started my injectables or IUI yet. I am getting anxious!!! It has been over two months that I found out that my reserve is diminishing. My antral follicle count was an 11 and my FSH was just a 7.1 and two months ago it was a 9.7. I am very scared that my IUI is not going to work. I never really got a chance to discuss everything with my RE because I had to do an HSG and get bloodwork...Now everything is fine. I was put on thyroid medicine two months ago but it seems it has become normal with meds.
I don't know anything about the EFFORT test, I wish I could help but I can't...still new here. What is your AFC and FSH? When is your next IUI? GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

[shanna0618]

I didn't realize there was a spot here for diminished ovarian reserve....so glad I found this! A little about me...I will try and make this short. I was dx with cancer when I was 9. Because of all of the treatments I had, I knew there may be problems with me conceiving. So, in Novemeber 2006 I went off BC, which I was on for 10 years straight, and I got pregnant with my son in Feb 07. My son was born in July of 07 at 21 weeks because of an incompetent cervix. He lived for 95 minutes but because of his gestational age there was no medical intervention to save him.
After doing tons of research on IC and healing from the loss of our son, we began TTC again in December. I thought this won't be any problem...boy was I wrong. We tried on our own for 10 months before I demanded that I get a referal to an RE.
In Novemeber of 2008, I was dx with diminished ovarian reserve. I was completely devestated. I always knew there "may" be a problem but after getting pregnant so quick last time..I thought I was in the clear.
I can't even imagine my life without a child here on earth. I know my son will be waiting for me when my time comes, but I want to be a mommy here.
I did my first round of injections/clomid with some injections that were donated to me this month. They ended up calling off my cycle because my follicles were not responding. They called today to tell me that the RE wants me to start injections next month. Now the whole financial side of it comes into play. I am having the AMH test done tomorrow to see where I am at. I don't know if this test can pin point the amount of time I have left...but if anything I know it can give us some sort of time frame.
I look forward to getting to know the ladies on this board. It is always nice to be able to have someone to relate to with this. As we all know people who don't have problems conceiving have no clue what it is like to have endure this issue not only emotionally but financially as well.

[shanna0618]

2ndteacher~ I have not heard of the EFFORT test. Have you ever had the AMH test done. You can find a lot info on line about it. From what I understand it is a fairly new test that is out.

[Lisa72]

Hi Shanna,
I am glad you found us over here. I am so sorry for the loss of your son. It must have been devastating. I am also sorry that you also have DOR. It is a very difficult diagnosid to handle. I also was surprised to find out that I have DOR. I had my son three years ago and didn't have a problem. I just found out in January so they have been running a lot of tests on me. I also changed my RE because the first one that told me said there was nothing he could do for me. I knew this couldn't be true so I researched and found my second RE who I am currently with. I am planning an IUI this month. If that doesn't work, I am switching RE's again and moving onto IVF. I am willing to do anything to have another child and I believe I will eventually.
You are still young and will be a Mommy here. There is so much they can do these days and at your age, it WILL happen...don't give up!! I know the financial part of this is difficult. My insurance covers NOTHING!!
How was you AMH test? I haven't taken one yet. Did they tell you your FSH and AFC count? I know the AMH is more accurate then any other test. I hope you heard good news today!!!

[shanna0618]

Thanks Lisa for your welcome! I had the blood work done today. I takes 2 weeks to get the results. I think this will be the slowest 2 weeks of my life! lol
When I had my FSh level done it was 10, and I wasn't given my AFC count.
After speaking with the doc office yesterday, we are taking a break and will re-evaluate when we get the results. Unfortunately, I cannot afford $960 for the next cycle. My insurance doesn't cover this at all either. My husband is a general contractor, and we own our own business. With work the way it is, we can't afford to do much of anything right now. So, I am hoping by chance, a miracle, I will be able to conceive on my own during this break. I have done it before...so I know it is possible.

[Lisa72]

Shanna,
I was told by my first RE to go home and take Robustussin. I did take it when I conceived my first son so it does work. It doesn't hurt to give it a try. It thins out your CM so the sperm can get their faster. Take it for a few days leading up to Ovulation. Good Luck!! I know times are tough but you will get through this! Let us know when your results come back.

[lysergic77]

hey ladies, hope every one i doing fine, i have my appointment with RE on 24th of this month. Me and my husband are fighting all the time about this issue of IVF, He doesnt want me to under go this procedure as its really costly and chances of success are so low. My infertility and his non supportability has made my life miserable. He thinks i am over reacting in this .Any one of you going through the same situation. Is it normal to react like this or you really thing that i am over reacting

[shanna0618]

lysergic77~ I don't think you are over reacting at all. I think for women, we yearn to have children and for men they just don't think the way we do. They don't process things the way we do. Yes, IVF is very costly and it is not 100% gauranteed that it will work but there is a chance!
I am sorry that your husband isn't more supportive in all of this. I know how hard TTC is and to feel like your alone in all of this must be even harder! I hope your appt goes well on the 24th. Keep us updated!

Lisa~ Thanks for the robitussin idea. I have tried that in the past for a few cycles and no luck! I guess it wouldn't hurt to give it another shot!

[sophealy]

Hi Ladies,

I am new to this thread. I have been diagnosed with DOR. My FSh level varies from 6.1 to 15.9. I have never tried IUI. My gyno just recommended me straight to IVF. The cycle failed. I had 5 eggs retrieved but only 1 transferred. I am looking for a new RE right now. Does anyone know which protocol is best for DOR. Is it MDL or antagonist.

[KSB]

Hi! I'm new here too. I'm 30 and was diagnosed about 4 months ago. We had been trying for a year and my hubby's results came back with poor morphology and lowish count. I never even considered that I would have an issue as I've never had any period issues whatsoever. I've been regular since my 1st period at age 13....Anyway, you know how it goes.

My AMH is 1.0. My AFC was 11. My FSH was normal, 6.4 but my E2 was 52.

I'm just thankful we are doing IVF now and not 2 years from now, as I might not have any good eggies left.

As far as my protocol, I was on BCP 4 weeks, I'm starting my Lupron tonight and was just told at my appointment this afternoon that they are going with a pretty agressive dose of Follistim and Menapur. They are giving me 450 of Follistim and I'm not sure on the menapur. This was all new info today, as I was supposed to only do 225 of follistmi.

Does anyone know anything about Menapur?

Well hoping to have a success first time out.

Good luck to everyone!!