Reducing PIO Concern...Any advice?

[Rach97]

I questioned the nurse about progesterone support and then received directions that it would be okay to use 1cc of PIO every other day along with two suppositories (100mg ea.) daily.

We are nervous over the fact that I had to ask about reducing the progesterone. This feedback wasn't provided to us immediatly when beta#3 results were given. So we figured that I should continue 1cc PIO each day until the u\s, but then they called back and replied suggested every other day.

We're somewhat concerned about my prog. level dropping to low and we don't understand average levels. At beta #2 my prog. level was 305 (on 2cc PIO and 200mg suppositories. Then I reduced PIO down to 1cc each day and continued 200 mg suppositories daily.

We decided not to stop taking the 1cc of PIO everyday until I can talk with a nurse again tomorrow about avg.\stable levels. I'm sure they know what they are talking about, but we're overly concerned about everything considering past losses.

Please share any knowledge about stable prog. levels or provide feedback for comparison purposes.

Thank you so much for your help.

34 yrs TTC 4 yrs, DH is 39
IUI#1 pg\mc 9w
IUI#2, 3, 4, 5 All BFN
IUI-IVF#1
IVF#2,3
FET#1,2
Natural Chem. pg\loss
IVF#4 BFP 3/6
3/18 12dp3dt: 337 (p4=191)
3/22 16dp3dt:1452 (p4=305)
3/28 22dp3dt 11,536 (p4=205)

[Nan75]

Hi Rach,
Sorry - I don't have any info for you regarding this as I'm pretty new to IF. I just wanted to pass along my congrats to you. I have been reading many of your posts b.c we have similar diagnoses (unexplained) and I haven't found that many people who are under 35 and just aren't getting pg for no reason. I was SO thrilled to see that you are pregnant!!

Any major changes to your protocol that you think may have helped? Did you ever have a lap? I'm trying to decide whether to push for one or not - my RE doesn't think its necc. Would rather just go to IVF.

My best wishes to you and your DH for a healthy and uneventful 9 months.

[Rach97]

I decided to reduce the PIO shots to every other day and will continue on 100mg suppositories twice a day. My prog. seem fairly high considering other posts, but we are just nervous to do anything that could work against us. Our first u/s happens on Monday and we're praying for great feedback.

Nan75--I've been saying for the last two years that my lining is not as ready as it should be when it comes time to transfer. I barely made it 7-9mm by time of transfer. We changed RE's three times and finally found a wonderful man that was willing to treat my lining empirically with triple progesterone, estrogen, and baby aspirin. It's sometimes hard to find a creative RE, but we had gone through enough standard protocols to ask the right questions. So let me know if you need any advice.

[BunterBear]

Ok...first, please listen to your RE...your progesterone levels should be 15....so 300 is VERY good. The reason they will start to take you down or wean you off the meds is b/c your ovaries are starting to compensate and produce the necessary hormones that are needed to sustain a pg. You can't be on meds your entire pg. LOL...Once the ovaries are aspirated (egg retrieval) they lose the ability to send a signal to the pituitary gland which tells the body to boost your E2 (estrogen) and P4 (progesterone) levels. Those of us who IVF...our ovaries take anywhere from 8-12weeks to start working on their own again. IF your RE tells you to lessen the medication it's b/c your ovaries are starting to do some of the work they are suppose to do. DO NOT EVER self medicate. Remember, they are the DR. and they will do everything necessary to keep your uterine enviornment at the levels it should be. I know you are concerned, but you need to trust your RE and do what they tell you...other wise you throw off the tests that they run to check your hormone levels. Hope this helps.

Good luck...

[Rach97]

After the second beta, our RE first told us to drop down to 1cc of PIO. Then no one told us anything after the 3rd beta when it was 205. I was going to continue the same PIO dose every day because nobody told me otherwise, but we questioned it after comparing numbers with several ladies on the FT boards.

I'm a big fan of following RE instructions, but this time our nurses weren't on top of giving us feedback to maintain or adjust progesterone. So we asked and they casually told us that---yeah, we could starting taking PIO every other day if we wanted. DH and I were sort of confused because the nurses came across as if it was our choice.

It's hard to believe that our RE (great guy) would overlook adjusting down progesterone after beta#3. I questioned it because FT ladies kept responded with comments that my levels were high. That just goes to show you how great it is to have support from everyone on these boards.

All the support and comparison data is wonderful. Thank you.

[buttons99]

With my ds, at 14 dp3dt, my progesterone came back in the 300's. They told me to immediately stop my progesterone shot as my body obviously knew what to do and had kicked in making progesterone alone (my shot was only 1cc). My second beta and progesterone results came back with me progesterone in the 200's; this was one week after my first result.

With this pregnancy, 12 dp3dt, my progesterone came back at 170. The told me again to immediately stop my 1cc progesterone shot. Exactly one week later, my next prog. result came back at 140. They said they the doctor was pleased that the level had come down and wasn't too high anymore, and it was at a strong enough level that indicated my body was making plenty of it on it's own.

HTH... congrats!!!

[Rach97]

Today was my first big u\s and we discovered two heartbeats (131 and 119 bpm!). Lord, please give me the confidence and blessing for continued health and happiness.

We are so happy in a causiously optimistic way. I didn't get much feedback from the nursing staff today at the clinic. My prog. level was 146 and I forgot to ask about HCG or estrogen levels.

Our RE will call us directly tomorrow to discuss weaning me off of the prog. and estrogen support. So far the nurses asked me to stay on 1cc of PIO every other day along with two p-4 (100mg) suppositories and e-2 patches.




34 yrs TTC 4 yrs, DH is 39
IUI#1 pg\mc 9w
IUI#2, 3, 4, 5 All BFN
IUI-IVF#1
IVF#2,3
FET#1,2
Natural Chem. pg\loss
IVF#4 BFP 3/6
3/18 12dp3dt: 337 (p4=191)
3/22 16dp3dt:1452 (p4=305)
3/28 22dp3dt 11,536 (p4=205)

[BunterBear]

Congrats!!!! That is wonderful news...hope you have a healthy and wonderful 8 more months...or would that be 7 now????