[natalie28]

I am new here so I may have just missed when some of you have already talked about this, but I have an FSH of 51. I was diagnosed with cancer (Hodgkin's Disease) two years ago and have completed chemo and radiation now. I questioned 12 doctors including my gyno about saving eggs and was told that it was not needed. Now it turns out that it was. A couple of months ago I was diagnosed with POV. Has anyone had any luck dispite a high FSH level? My age is the only thing my specialist thinks that I have going for me(28).

[sunshine]

I'm sooo sorry to hear how your cancer may have affected your fertility. As if you haven't gone through enough.

My iui cycle for this month was just cancelled due to high FSH levels (36). I have a consult scheduled with RE on 1/10 and I'm assuming some more testing in the future. Let me know how things go for you?

[natalie28]

Thanks Shelli! I am sorry that I have not checked back in a couple of weeks. The DH and I have decided that we want to try a DE with IVF. The RE thinks that is our best option. We are going to try round one in April so wish us luck.
natalie28

me-28
DH-28
2 Dogs- Butter and Maggie
- 2 cats- Josie and Scruffy
2005- diagnosed with Hodgkin’s
9/06 - Finished chemo and radiation
10/07- First meeting with RE to find out that the chemo caused me to go into early menopause and have POF (even though I asked about saving eggs)
10/07 FSH at 51
12/21- FSH at my lowest- 38

[sunshine]

Natalie- Last week at my counsult we discussed DE with IVF also since this would be my best chance. I've been reading alot about POF and infertility and have found some forums where women have had success with their own eggs. In fact, my RE recommended I take an over the counter hormone, DHEA, b/c they found that it helps the ovaries produce higher quantity and quality eggs. I go back in a few months to see if that makes a difference and we can maybe do one more IUI b4 moving on to IVF. Good Luck with your IVF. At least our uterus is ok !

[biggsista]

Hi Ladies,
My high was 20.1 and am pregnant using doner sperm (my husband had some low numbers)-

I too was told our chances would be slim unless using doner everything...WRONG
I say if you have the money at least try your own first.. remember low supply does not mean all the time that whats left is bad..I also believe that living healthy helps as well..diet, no alchohol, excercise, no smoking etc..helps with the quality of your eggs..

[sunshine]

That's great that you were able to get pg with your own eggs! I'm hoping to get at least one more try in. I'm trying to start a "fertility diet" as well but I'm dreading giving up cafeine- the headaches will not be fun. Thanks for the encouragement and congrats!

[ScootiesGirl]

In addition to lifestyle changes consider acupuncture as well. I'm hoping it has helped both myself and DH. DH goes for his SA tomorrow and I'm waiting for AF so I can get my FSH testing. We're on our third try with hopes that all our changes have helped. Good luck to you on your journey.

[sunshine]

I've noticed quite a few girls have been trying accupunture. I will definitely look in to it. Good luck to you too.

[DeannaRN]

I've heard that acupuncture and chinese medicine is the way to go when you have high FSH. Many women have been successful at decreasing their FSH levels with herbs, acupuncture, diet changes, exercise, stress managegment, etc. My highest FSH is 28 and I was devestated to hear that news. I'm still hoping that I will get pregnant. It seems that high FSH makes you less responsive to the medications they give you to produce many follicles. My thoughts are that it only takes ONE good egg. It can happen even if the doctors tell you the chances are slim. Don't give up.

[sunshine]

I'm doing the diet thing now and hoping for the best. I looked a little into accupunture, but I didn't find too much in my area and it seems a little pricey. I know it's nothing compared to what IVF will be if we have to go that route, but it's just not in the budget right now. I really hope you'll be getting a BFP soon, good luck!

[chickycran]

Hi. I've recently been diagnosed with POF, my highest FSH was 24.3. I just got the official diagnosis yesterday and I'm devestated. I've been reading a lot about naturally lowering FSH and I've been drinking the Naked Juice Green Machine daily since it has wheat grass juice in it. What is the "fertility diet" Sunshine? I'm curious and would like to try it.

Do you all still have hope of conceiving with your own egg? I'm feeling pretty hopeless right now. It was good to read Bigsista's story.

[sunshine]

I'm so sorry about your most recent #s. This just plain sucks. The Fertility Diet is by Jorge E. Chavarro and Walter C. Willett. I ordered it from Amazon for about $15 and got it in about 2 or 3 days (ground shipping!) It's all about how to make food work for you to boost ovulation. It also tells you what foods actually hurt ovulation. Pretty interesting stuff. I also have The Fertility Cure, but haven't started on that one yet.

I was extemely devastated when I first got the diagnosis and I did alot of reading online about it, which did not help me at all -they make it sound like the kiss of death. I'm still hopeful that I can get pg with my own eggs and I'm not going to give up yet. I hope you feel better once you are able to process everything.

[DeannaRN]

It's so great to see some ladies on here that have high FSH. When I tell some people, they have no idea what I'm talking about, but you ladies all understand it. Biggsista's story is inspirational. I think I will look into that Fertility Diet.

[sunshine]

Deanna- I saw in your signature that you are planning another IUI, so your RE must think you have a good chance, which it GREAT! My old RE cancelled my 5th cycle after he saw my # and didn't seem to think I would have any success at all with IUI and I should move straight into IVF with donor eggs, so I got a 2nd opinion. My new RE ran a bunch of tests and they all came back normal (yea!), so I'm just waiting for AF so we can do another 3 day FSH test. I'm not expecting my #s to drop to like 4 or anything, but I'm hoping my diet and exercise changes will show some improvement. I am also inspired by Biggsistas story and I hope we will all have our own story too.

[DeannaRN]

Shelli, my RE does think I have a chance with IUI's. We haven't even discussed IVF at this point. I've been doing acupuncture twice a week for 3 months. I haven't had my FSH tested since October when it was 28. But my antral follicle count increased from 7 to 11, so I'm encouraged by that. I kinda feel like I may be more successful with natural IUI's then with IVF.

That's great news about your test results. I hope your next FSH is lower too. I just started AF this morning so I'll be seeing my RE in a couple days and hoping my estradiol level is low. It was too high this last cycle to do injections but if it's low, I'll start Follistim in a couple days.