IVF again or IUI?

[msshino]

Hi ladies,

I need your opinion. After long research and many many tests, I had a problem with my adrenal glands which were failing and my DHEA levels were so low they were undetectable. With this my first IVF failed and the 4-5 donor IUIs fails as well.

Now that we know what the problem is and supplementing with DHEA, I was told to stop with the IUIs and go straight to IVF. I have a hard time dealing with the idea of another IVF and it's failure. Somehow it's easier for me to swallow a failed IUI instead. The costs are way different and the chances are really small with IUI but it's less painful for my body.

Would it really hurt to do another IUI before doing another IVF? My Re will not allow injectables with my IUI becuase he says it's unethical so I would only get about 2-3 follicles at most and use donor sperm.

Any thoughts?

Shino

[4cats]

This is terrible to say but.... I would go to another RE and do a DS IUI with injectibles cycle first if you don't want to do the IVF yet. IVF is hard on the body AND expensive! If you think an injectible IUI cycle might work who is your RE to tell you it's 'unethical'? If previous IUIs have failed it wouldn't be extreme to do an IUI with 4 or 5 eggs vs 2 or 3. Good luck!

[MaggieMay]

Shino,

Not to stress you out any further, but do you have any clue as to why your RE would consider an inj IUI with DS unethical? Did I miss something?

Anyhow, I am really sorry to hear that you're having a hard time of it. I'm on CD 8 of my 4th dIUI right now, and it's like every time a chunk of your hope gets broken off forever.

~Maggie

[msshino]

Hi Maggie,

I should elaborate. My RE thinks it's unethical to use injectibles with donor sperm because he is risking multiples. He says that since he is board certified RE he will not do that. He will do IVF but not an IUI. If I use a oral drug such as letrozole or Clomid, he would let me do another IUI but he says it's a waste of time.

I just feel that it's better to get fewer follicles and get better quality than quantity with IVF. If that makes sense.
The reason I don't want to do IVF again is becuase I had so many issues last time and it was really hard on my body. However, I guess I am left without a choice.

The only way I can do an IUI with injectibles is if I start with an IVF procedure and do not produce enough follicles, then they would stop the retrieval and do an IUI cycle instead. So I have to hope for a failure in order to get the IUI I want.

My RE said that he gets a lot of patients that say that they want to do injectibles with IUIs thinking they won't get multiples but if they do, he doesn't want them to go through a reduction. He believes that multiples are risky and rough on the mother along with the babies. I agree but what are the chances of getting multiples when I couldn't even get pregnant with 2 follicles.

I wonder if I'm making sense. So I guess the true question is, do I stick to my guns and do the procedure that I want or something that my RE thinks is best for me.

Thanks ladies for your thoughts. I feel like I am going to go through hell if I do another IVF.

Shino

[MaggieMay]

Sorry to seem so dense, but is it only DONOR sperm that he won't do injectible IUI's with? Seems a little off....

And I am with you that, what are the odds of having multiples when you can't even get pg with two follies? (My third cycle was like that, but I really think only one follie ovulated because my e2 was only 299 the day before IUI)

This cycle I feel like everything is coming more into it's place, so maybe it will happen for me. But hell, I'm hoping for SIX good follies. Your RE would hate me.

If I were you, I might get a second opinion. Just a thought. I'm also not ready for IVF though, and it isn't just about the money. It seems to be so much more of a commitment -- emotionally and physically.

~Maggie

[C.J.]

Hi Shino-
A little off the subject, but if you don't mind my asking, what tests were done to determine adrenal problems and DHEA levels for you? I've been dealing with similar issues using a naturopathic Dr. (who thinks IVF drugs 'fried' my adrenals), but I'm not feeling completely better.

Thanks!
C.J.

[bebeblues]

Shino-pg ment'd******I just lost an entire post to you-anyway-I' m thinking of you-I would go IVF-Dr B is a good re. I know if I had stayed w/ my previous RE, i would not be pg now-he was very conservative and more worried abt getting sued than getting me or anyone esle pg. My new RE was williong to do 3 dsiuis in a row w/ 5 eggs-now that was risky, but I ended up w/ a singleton and maybe nothing if I wouldn;t have had 5 eggs, so i have no regrets. The DHEA will helkp w/ egg quality, so that will enhance the outcome of an ivf-you have been at this for so long and its draining. Stay w/ Dr B b/c he understands your adrenal stuff and do ivf.
I will be praying for you,
Bebe

[BC-donor]

I'm sorry, but I completely disagree with your RE that using injectibles is unethical! If it were truly unethical, then you'd be hard pressed to find a reputable RE who would do injectible IUI's & that's not the case!

Honestly, I'd get another opinion before moving to IVF. What he's saying just doesn't seem reasonable. If another RE looks over your records/history & suggests the same thing, then choose between the new one & your current one, but I wouldn't just hop into an IVF with your current RE- especially since you have some serious reservations.

Good luck & let us know what you decide to do, ok?

[msshino]

I agree! I have called many RE's and they do injectible DIUIs. So I will call around and look for other RE's. I may even go back to last one to see what he can do for me.

I do have serious reservations since my adrenals are shot and are finally starting to recover. Also the fact that the cost and risk is just way too high for me to not feel the pressure. We are also looking into adoption which is really costly as well so the added costs just makes me not want to do IVF too.

Ah the saga continues. I have to decide soon whether to to IVF again or just focus in adoption. I wish there was a halfway point where we all can compromise but it doesn't seem possible.

i 'll keep you all posted.

Shino

[msshino]

Hi ladies,

I am thinking of doing more donor IUIs again with DHEA supplementation. Will DhEA increase the number of follicles too? I only get 2 and 3 at most with clomid or letrozole.

I can't get my heart set on IVF just yet. Perhaps with time I might go that way but for now I just feel that with IVf I will either find myself let down without any more money for more treatments or be told that my eggs are bad again. I don't think I can handle either.

I think I'm going to go with my gut for the time being. I hope it's the right decision.

Shino