[Deb72]

Were any of you diagnosed with low ovarian reserve and/or high FSH and went on to have a successful IVF? If so, can you please tell me how many IVFs it took, what meds you took, and what, if anything, you did to improve your chances?

I'm feeling very discouraged going into my 4th IVF after 6 failed IUIs, 2 failed IVFs and 1 chemical preg from my 3rd IVF.

ANY RESPONSES ARE APPRECIATED!

[Deb72]

Does no response mean that nobody has had success with low ovarian reserve or high FSH??

[lalla]

Well, in my case I had the highest Fsh reading of 11.4 and a history of cancelled cycles for poor response (never produced more than 4 mature follicles) which were unsuccessfully converted into IUIs. I was dismissed by my local RE and given less than 3% of chances of ever conceiving through ART.
I went to Cornell and was put on EPP. First cycle there they retrieved 13 eggs, 6 mature, 5 fertilized, put back 4 embryos and am currently 33 weeks pregnant...
Your response does not seem so bad to me..nor your Fsh is super high.
I'll be happy to give you further info if you'd like...

[MissKris]

Hi Deb,
My story is atypical, since I never had a successful IVF, but since I was diagnosed with both, I hope it helps to give you hope.

My FSH is 14, and my first IVF cycle was cancelled due to having only two dominant follies and 4 that were too small. I was awaiting the start of cycle two with Microdose Lupron when we got our surprise.

I took Royal Jelly for a couple months (two tsp daily), COQ10 daily, herbs, fish oil twice daily, raspberry/nettle tea daily and another anti-oxidant recomended by my acupuncturist. At the time I conceived, I had been going to my accpuncturist twice a week, as we were prepping for IVF. I was trying to eat the fertility diet, organic only, and had given up caffeine for two years. I had also been going to yoga regularly, but not the month of my pregnancy.

I had also gotten so upset that I was completely hopeless. I no longer believed that the process could work for us. I was drinking wine that month and running hard, against my accunpuncturist's orders. The week I conceived, I climbed two mountains! I often wonder if, by letting go, that played into it. But I hate that crap of "just relaxing and it will happen" because I could have never conciously chosen to do so. It was the process, our odds, and the time we'd been trying that made me feel so dejected.

I am so sorry you've gone through so much. It's just rotten, but I think there is always a chance.

[Amanda]

Yes you can have success with high FSH. Mine tested different months between 13 and 10. So similar to yours, our first Ivf produced 8 follicles 5 fertilized. Transfered 3 embies on day 3, we got a BFP, one vanashing twin and we are having a boy in 9 weeks! I wish you all the luck in the world, the emotional pain is worth it don't give up!

The only thing I did to improve chances was eating pinapple, taking Expecta and vitamins + taking it easy after transfer!! I did go to acupunture 1 time, it was great I just couldn't afford to go twice a week like they wanted. Sending you a prayer!!

[azariah08]

I have a pretty high FSH - see my signature. However, looking at your previous IVF results it seems like perhaps you might have more of an egg quality issue than quantity. Having so many eggs retrieved is quite good for your age - I only had 4 retrieved and 3 fertilize. Most of my friends in their 30s had far less than you. Just a thought.

I was on Lupron and max Follistim.

[hopeful2bmom]

Deb- I am not sure if my wonderful friend Kelly has told you about me or not. Look at my sig.
I also had high FSH which I feel was lowered just prior to my last cycle by acupuncture, royal jelly and bee pollen. I was successful on my 5th cycle.
you can definitely do this girl!
pm me anytime.

[HollisG]

My FSH was 14, but I always produced really good eggs, although I didn't produce a lot of them. during my two fresh cycles, I took menopur and bravelle and I stimmed for about 7-10 days. Remember, it is not about quanity, but quality.

[MissBish]

Susan....I was telling Deb all about your "success" story last night.

Deb - PM Susan...she can give you great advice and hope!!!

[teagan]

I have high FSH (12-13) with a poor response my first IVF (no follie growth!) and months of failed Clomid and IUI. This cycle however they doubled my dose of meds, Gonal F 300 units and Menopur 150. I am not sure if stress had anything to do with my first cycle but with the second I took time off work to make sure I was relaxed. I wish you the best and sending a prayer your way.

[scrappyqban]

Hi Deb,
I was diagnosed with Low ovarian reserve and my husband is a post-chemo & raidation patient.

I went thru every test imaginable. My FSH was 7.1. Not what my doctor wanted to see.

They told us we would have to do IVF w/ ICSI. We knew we needed to save so we postponed it for a year to save up.

I started taking DHEA for about 3 months 50 mg a day. I strated working out and lost 22lbs and my DH would eat almonds about 4 ounces a day. Surprise, surprise we got pregnant naturally. When I stopped tracking my ovulation and stopped trying to time our sex and positions, it happened. I never thought it would be possible.

[mimosa72]

Hi there!

My highest fsh was a 16.5. I have my first BFP. Crossing fingers that things go well and praying - but this is progress for me!!!!!!

[Aries]

Hi,

I have high FSH 13.I did several rounds of IUI's with injectibles cos my doc said we needed to be aggressive.After that I did 2 rounds of IVF one was converted to IUI cos I already ovulated and another cycle I had 6 eggs 3 retrieved and only one was put back.That cycle was a bust too.So I changed RE's and the new doc put me on clmid for the clomid challenge and along wit IUI and that's when I got pregnant.I'm 22 weeks along now.Check out my siggy for furthur details.For my IVF cycles I was on Menopur,Ganirellix and Gonal -F.I guess all I needed was clomid.I just want to give you some hope that miracles do happen.Good luck.

[lisa37]

I was put on DHEA 100 mg a day for 2-3 months prior to IVF. I also had cranked up doses up Gonal F during the IVF.

I only had one FSH prior to the DHEA and the 2nd one was within the range that they would attempt IVF.

best wishes

[Deb72]

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR RESPONDING!!! I have read these over and over again and I can't tell you how much better I feel. Hearing the success stories helps SO MUCH, and I have felt so down lately.

I do think my issue is bad egg quality which is "suggested" by the high FSH and the fact that I haven't gotten pregnant (successfuly) after 1 year of TTC naturally, 6 IUIs and 3 IVFs! But according to some of you who have had similar issues, that doesn't mean I don't have at least ONE good egg left!!! Just maybe, I do!!! I will keep trying.

Thank you so much to everyone.