[Skogies]

Originally Posted by rosewater

Well, I said I wasn't going to post again until it was closer to my next IVF, but then I saw this - and was so happy to see some of my friends from the March IVF thread (hi Skogies, Shari & Adk!!!) that I just had to pop in.

I just had my consult for IVF #2 today. It was not very encouraging, to say the least. RE said that based on my response last time, I have poor egg quality. The embryologist's report said my eggs were dark and "lutenized." He told me that I can try IVF again but will have less than 10% chance of success. He was strongly suggesting donor eggs. But I'm just not ready to go there, yet.

We're going to go ahead and try IVF again in June anyway. I'm insisting we use the Estrogen Priming Protocol this time b/c I've read that Lupron can cause poor egg quality in older women - that it exposes the eggs to too much LH which can damage them. Well, couldn't THAT be why my eggs appeared "lutenized"?? My RE thinks that I just have poor egg quality b/c of my age (thanks, doc!) and refuses to acknowledge that maybe last round's protocol was responsible. Also, in January I had an abdominal myomectomy and as a result of that surgery and my return to the hospital with complications 10 days later, I took a LOT of morphine and other drugs. Couldn't THAT have adversely affected egg quality a month and a half later? Maybe I'm just grasping at straws here, but I simply refuse to give up hope and just accept that I have inherently and irrevocably "bad eggs."


I don't have any idea of my timeline yet. I'll have a better idea after shows up sometime early to mid-May.

Anyway, I don't mean to ramble on. I'm looking forward to following my "old friends" progress and getting to know the rest of you as we journey through IVF together. to everyone!

Rosewater,
I am glad to see you on the boards...I know then the healing has begun for you. And I think your right, you did have some things going on that could have effected egg quality so why not give it one more try. Your RE should allow you to follow your dream....it is your time, emotions and money after all .
Well just wanted to say Hi and welcome...I am just waiting for to rear her ugly head then I should be getting started again.
Take care, Tara

[adkwmn39]

Originally Posted by JustOneMore

Hey Rosewater, I am so happy to be cycling with you again. As a fellow AMAer, I am totally with you on the refusing to give up and not being ready for donor eggs! It sounds like there were lots of outside influencers that could have contributed so trying again sounds very promising to me. I am just wondering, are you doing any supplements? I started RJ w/ BP, CoQ10 and Resveratrol...hoping to improve my egg quality too!

My RE suggested taking DHEA three times a day. It is in the vitamin isle and is supposed to help with egg quality.

[JustOneMore]

Originally Posted by adkwmn39

My RE suggested taking DHEA three times a day. It is in the vitamin isle and is supposed to help with egg quality.

Yes, I have heard that DHEA does help with egg quality but it actually doesn't impact my particular quality issues. My issues have to do with the way the chromosomes split and not the typical AMA issues of having few eggs or poor quality eggs.

Are you having any side effects? I have read some posts of women who haven't done well with DHEA

[rosewater]

Justonemore & Adk:

There's a thread going about DHEA right now - not a lot of repsonses, but I posted my story there. I've read all the studies and all the anecdotal evidence in support of it (and there's a LOT of it out there) and decided to start taking it after I got my BFN. So that's been 25mg 3x day for 3 wks now. I haven't had any awful side effects, besides my skin being a bit more oily and breakout prone, but I just found out I should be using the "micronized" type, which I haven't been taking, (gonna order some today) so maybe when I switch to that I'll have different/more side effects.

BUT - when I finally had my follow-up appt with my RE yesterday I asked about DHEA and he was against it. Said there's not enough evidence to support it and that it might even have a negative impact. So of course I spent ALL DAY yesterday doing even more research on DHEA and no matter how hard I looked I couldn't find ANY evidence of it doing harm, except if you have PCOS (which I don't) or if you take it while pregnant (which I'm very obviously NOT). So, I'm going to keep taking it. My DH is not happy about that, he's a "do what the dr. says" kind of guy, but I'm all about questioning what the dr says and making my own decisions. I know lots of drs are just resistant to new ideas and "alternative" therapies.

Besides, you ladies know how it is, if there's even the slightest evidence that standing on our heads naked in the rain will get us pregnant, there we'll be, upside down and soaking wet in our birthday suits!

I'm also going to try RJ/BP (keep forgetting to get it) and have been taking CoQ10. What's Resveratrol?

[bridge2baby]

Rosewater-- What is RJ/BP?

JustOneMore-- How did you find out what "quality" issues you have with your eggs? Are there tests?

We don't know what went wrong with our past IVF, so I'm just curious what the different egg issues could be?

Part of me thinks it's all been just luck of the draw, but the other part fears there is something hidden that they just haven't found yet.

[rosewater]

Originally Posted by bridge2baby

Rosewater-- What is RJ/BP?

Royal Jelly/Bee Pollen - it's supposed to help improve egg quality.

[JustOneMore]

Originally Posted by bridge2baby

Rosewater-- What is RJ/BP?

JustOneMore-- How did you find out what "quality" issues you have with your eggs? Are there tests?

We don't know what went wrong with our past IVF, so I'm just curious what the different egg issues could be?

Part of me thinks it's all been just luck of the draw, but the other part fears there is something hidden that they just haven't found yet.

Oh yes, there are tests. With my last cycle we did PGD which stands for Preimplantation Genetics Diagnostics. They biopsy the 3 day old embryos and send a single cell to the lab for testing. This seemed like a wonderful option for us since we know the m/cs were caused by chromosal abnormalities. I had 22 embryos but only one tested normal. Hence, we know that I am having a problem creating healthy eggs and according to my RE, there is nothing but nothing I can do that will impact that. I was so down after my BFN that I seriously considering tying my tubes and calling it a day BUT my RE is convinced that there are healthy eggs inside and he believes we can get them so we will try again....in June.

But the story doesn't end there. I recently reconnected with an old friend who just so happens to be an IVF nurse. She had me fax her my report and put me on the phone with her embryologist. She told me that they don't even offer PGD to their patients b/c the science is unproven and the success rates do not improve. She told me that an embryo that tests abnormal on day 3 could actually correct itself on day 5 by either fragmenting off the abnormal cells or sending them to become placenta and not baby. Also, given the microscopic size of what they are testing, there are false positivies and embryos that cannot be tested which means we probably destroyed embryos that could have resulted in a healthy live birth!

I am now totally confused by all of this but I decided to sit tight until I see my RE after AF arrives in mid-May. So, while the testing is out there, it is questionable if it should be used. Most problematic embryos won't implant or will result in blighted ovum (empty sac). Of course, it is possible for some to survive and then the amnio would indicate if there is a problem -- that is my worst fear and the reason I selected the testeing. We wanted to avoid another m/c and ensure that we weren't in a situation where we had to face terminating a pregnancy so this sounded right to us. Now, I'm not so sure. I feel like I could just implant a small litter and see what happens...I will let you know what I learn next month.

[bridge2baby]

Originally Posted by JustOneMore

Oh yes, there are tests. With my last cycle we did PGD which stands for Preimplantation Genetics Diagnostics...Now, I'm not so sure. I feel like I could just implant a small litter and see what happens...I will let you know what I learn next month.

Wow. That is a lot for you to have to take in. It's so hard to know when RE's (and really doctors in general) are pushing unproven tests -- or to even know if it's worth it to take the tests in the first place.

We had a miscarriage with IUI/Clomid in October and while that could be completely normal and part of the natural process, it has obviously got me worried. We had 2 perfect day 5 blastos transferred last month and when we left transfer we still had 3 blastos left -- then all of a sudden none to freeze and nothing implanted.

I know it could just be luck of the draw...but of course our minds just go a mile a minute trying to figure out what went wrong, what we can do to make this work, if it ever will work , etc. etc.

I'm not read to give up, that's for sure. But I also want to feel like I'm leaving no stone unturned for answers so that we can make this baby!

Thanks for sharing you story with me.

[jdg7141]

Hello ladies!

Candice-I am so sorry your cycle has been postponed. Good Luck with your upcoming cycle. Keep us posted.

Well I went for my education day today. The nurse went over all of my meds. I will be doing an antagonist protocol taking Bravelle and Menopur for my stims and Ganirelix for suppression. I will also be using Crinone 8% Gel for progesterone supplementation. Has anyone ever used this before? I used prometrium last cycle 3 times a day. When I heard this was just once a day I was so excited. They also said that it isn't as messy as the others. I was wanting to see if you all had any opinions on it.
They also ordered all of the meds for me today. Shortly after my appt Shraft's pharmacy called to set up shipping. It is all going so fast. My meds will be here tomorrow. I was also very excited when the lady at Shraft's told me that the total cost of all of my meds would be about $150. I guess I am blessed that my insurance will cover some things.
Now I am just waiting on . I stopped the bcp on tuesday like they said to. Hopefully she will show up tomorrow or Saturday. At that point I will call with my day 1 and then start bcp again on day 3 after my FSH is drawn. I should know after that when I will start my stims.

I have updated the list with information and our new ladies. I tried to go back through the posts to get everyone. Please let me know if I missed anyone. If I did I am so sorry.




Waiting to start

TAP
Jess-trying41
ginalfish
Shari-shari.gonzo
Julie-jmfong76
southerngirl
Ana-bb42ofus
Skogies
Ola-purpledta
Nicole-mysillyoldbear
Kelly-KelB
Cathy-caty561
adkwmn39
hopingindc
southerngirl
stephanielllll
kellay
Erin-ecox03
JustOneMore
Bridget-bridge2baby
Waiting
Jessica-jdg7141

BCP's (Oh the irony!)

Lupron

Stims (start date)Grow Follies Grow

ER

ET/FET

Waiting for BETA (PUPO)

Pregnant

Needs A Hug
Candice(hoping4another)-cycle postponed

[mysillyoldbear]

Hello ladies!


Well, good news for me... AF finally arrived so I go for my baseline tomorrow.

Bad news is..... my clinic told me this morning that financing is no longer avaliable, so it is a cash only basis now. And with the economy we may be out. We have no coverage with insurance, and it will be $20K. We just don't have that. So it's been an emotional day for me.

Hope all is well for everyone else! I need to read a bit to catch up.

[jdg7141]

Originally Posted by mysillyoldbear

Hello ladies!


Well, good news for me... AF finally arrived so I go for my baseline tomorrow.

Bad news is..... my clinic told me this morning that financing is no longer avaliable, so it is a cash only basis now. And with the economy we may be out. We have no coverage with insurance, and it will be $20K. We just don't have that. So it's been an emotional day for me.

Hope all is well for everyone else! I need to read a bit to catch up.

I am so sorry to hear about the financing. Were you financing through your clinic? I there anyway that you may be able to finance through someone else? I hope everything works out for you. Good Luck!

[jdg7141]

After I went back through the posts I realized I did leave someone off the list.

rosewater. I have added you now.


Waiting to start

TAP
Jess-trying41
ginalfish
Shari-shari.gonzo
Julie-jmfong76
southerngirl
Ana-bb42ofus
Skogies
Ola-purpledta
Nicole-mysillyoldbear
Kelly-KelB
Cathy-caty561
adkwmn39
hopingindc
southerngirl
stephanielllll
kellay
Erin-ecox03
JustOneMore
Bridget-bridge2baby
rosewater
Waiting
Jessica-jdg7141

BCP's (Oh the irony!)

Lupron

Stims (start date)Grow Follies Grow

ER

ET/FET

Waiting for BETA (PUPO)

Pregnant

Needs A Hug
Candice(hoping4another)-cycle postponed

[rosewater]

jdg - thanks for the welcome and for adding me!

Justonemore - I had asked my RE about PGD before the last IVF cycle. I thought he'd be all for it, b/c I found a video online of him talking about how it works. But it turned out that video was from a few years ago, and now he doesn't recommend it at all. Apparently new research has shown what you mentioned - a high incidence of false positives - plus they now believe that by removing cells to do PGD they risk damaging otherwise healthy embryos. He recommended doing amnio to screen for birth defects instead. I said, "but isn't there a risk of that harming the fetus?" and he said they believed it was less risky than PGD. I totally understand your frustration! This whole situation sucks and there are just no guarantees about any of it.

[JustOneMore]

Originally Posted by rosewater

jdg - thanks for the welcome and for adding me!

Justonemore - I had asked my RE about PGD before the last IVF cycle. I thought he'd be all for it, b/c I found a video online of him talking about how it works. But it turned out that video was from a few years ago, and now he doesn't recommend it at all. Apparently new research has shown what you mentioned - a high incidence of false positives - plus they now believe that by removing cells to do PGD they risk damaging otherwise healthy embryos. He recommended doing amnio to screen for birth defects instead. I said, "but isn't there a risk of that harming the fetus?" and he said they believed it was less risky than PGD. I totally understand your frustration! This whole situation sucks and there are just no guarantees about any of it.

Thanks, Rosewater, that's helpful to know. The embryologist I spoke to said that a few years ago PGD was all the rage but now REs are backing away from it. Here I thought my RE was so 'cutting edge' but maybe that is not the case. Humffffff

Right now, I am focusing on taking care of me...eating well, getting lost of exercise, sleep and (dare I say) sex! After the roller coaster of the last few months, it's nice not to think about all the babymaking stuff (dh and I don't even mention it right now) or stress about it too much for a brief while. I will go back to obsessing next month when AF returns but for now we kinda feel like we are on vacation and trying to just have fun and enjoy each other! I don't know about anyone else but I found that going through IVF (or any fertility treatment) really sucked all the energy out of our relationship. Every conversation and interaction somehow was centered around or overshadowed by what is going on with 'the cycle'. I am sure cycle 2 will be easier since I feel like I will be able to balance everything better now that I have been through it but the break is definitely a very good thing.

The only downer is that my original due date from the first m/c is coming up. Is it crazy that I still think about that? A good friend of mine was two weeks ahead of me so whenever we speak or spend time together it is a constant reminder of the pregnancy that I had and lost. If I am not preggers (with a healthy baby) by June 27th, I am going to visit a dark place I'm afraid. But for now, I am trying not to think about it and am staying positive that my June cycle will be the winner.

[bridge2baby]

Originally Posted by JustOneMore

The only downer is that my original due date from the first m/c is coming up. Is it crazy that I still think about that? A good friend of mine was two weeks ahead of me so whenever we speak or spend time together it is a constant reminder of the pregnancy that I had and lost. If I am not preggers (with a healthy baby) by June 27th, I am going to visit a dark place I'm afraid. But for now, I am trying not to think about it and am staying positive that my June cycle will be the winner.

JustOneMore-- I feel like we have a lot in common. My miscarriage was in October also. And my best friend in the world came to visit that weekend and I both found out on Saturday that I had miscarried and she also told me she was pregnant with her 2nd child (she got pregnant quickly with both). It's such an awful feeling to not be able to be 100% happy for her, she is an awesome person, and she felt so badly for her good news.

I know how you feel. We would have been around the same due date, as her and you and your friend. I'm right there with you.

Here's hoping we'll be and can also give our friends the love and respect they need during this beautiful time in their lives. It's just soooooooo hard not fall into the jealous/guilt cycle over and over.