Another Cancelled IVF Cycle

[AthenaD]

I am going through my second failed cycle of IVF due to stimulation failure. The first cycle was cancelled on day 7 with only two follicles. During this cycle day 5 (Easter morning) I had no follicles. I am sure that I will be cancelled tomorrow. The first cycle meds were 75 iu Lupron, 225 Follistim, and 75 Repronex. This cycle we removed the Lupron (dr thought it was suppressing me too much), 300 Follistim and 50 Repronex.

Has anyone else had this problem? The RE told me after the first cycle that maybe I didn't have "enough" eggs left. I'm 37. She totally made me feel like it was all my fault. Other than the initial consult, it's the only time I've ever spoken to her. It's always a host of different nurses. Every time my stim starts to fail, they all get very rude and won't answer any questions.

I have an appointment with another RE on Monday morning for a consult. Are there other drugs that may work or am I doomed to always fail to stim?

This is really hard because the reason dh and I even did IVF was because he had an irreversible vasectomy. Now I'm finding out that I have problems too. My sister had a successful IUI three years ago. Could that be an option for me? Has anyone else had this problem with eventual success? I'd appreciate any input. I'm dreading being told tomorrow that I'm being cancelled. I hate the way the dr talks to me.

Thank you for listening. I'm praying for you all!

[robynmark]

This is my 2nd full IVF cycle. I did one when I was 32 and have 24 eggs retrived. At my U/S yesterday I only had 5 follicles. I had probably another 5 small ones. I am going to be 37 next week and I don't know if its my age or not. I was on 225 follistim and 5u of lupron. They upped it to 300 follistim and I go back on Monday for another u/s. I am hoping the small ones grow bigger.

I don't know if other drugs change anything or not. I just wanted to say I am the same age and am frustrated with this cycle as well. Email me if you need to talk.

Robyn

[AthenaD]

Hi Robyn,

If this cycle doesn't work for you (though I hope it will!), you might suggest next time that you don't use the Lupron and add Repronex. I ended up cancelling the IVF cycle and had my first IUI this morning. I had three follicles, two big and one small. I figured it was worth trying IUI instead of just scrapping the whole cycle.

I don't know how much your age has to do with it. I didn't stimulate at all the first IVF cycle, but I did somewhat on the second with a change in meds. The two cycles were only two months apart.

I don't see your e-mail address. Please email me at crvogue@optonline.net and we'll talk.

Best wishes,
Athena

[june0703bride]

hi gals,
i had a failed ivf last month. We did retrieve 4 follicles. 3 fert & we transferred back 2... Mine is likely due to age, 42.5 yr. Both of you are way younger than me. On my IUI I was on 225 follistim once a day. for this IVF they upped me to 300 follistim twice a day and we got only 4 mature ones. I think I may have had 6 other smaller ones hanging out but only 4 made the size range. So I would if I were you both ask about higher doses. For the IUI they did put me on lupron and for the IVF they did not put me on lupron. I did the repronex after the 4 started to grow big (I think). Do ask if you can go on higher doses.
Best of luck and hope we all are pg together!

[AthenaD]

Hello June!

Thanks for your response. Yes, that'd be GREAT if we were all pregnant together!

If this IUI didn't work, I am going to change RE's. The facility I've been going to is fairly large and I almost never see or talk to my doctor. A nurse actually did my IUI. I think I'm going to keep going with IUI's if necessary. We could only have afforded one IVF, but the IUI's are significantly cheaper and we can keep going if we have to.

I will definitely ask the new RE about upping the meds. I only went into the IUI with two large follicles. I would have liked to have gone in with four. You might want to ask your RE about starting you with Follistim AND Repronex together. I did much better without the Lupron, though I can't be sure that the Lupron was really suppressing me or I needed more FSH.

I'm SO sorry that your IVF failed. I know how crushing that is. Do you have children already? My husband has two, 17 and 21. I don't have any.

Please keep me updated on your progress. I will be praying for you. Feel free to email me at crvogue@optonline.net.

Best wishes,
Athena

[robynmark]

Hi Athena and June!

I had my 2nd U/S today and my follicles grew. I have about 10 now and they are good size. I am still on 300 Units of Follistim. I think the reason I am not on even higher is that when I did it 4 years ago at this time I had 18 follicles and over stimualted thus had my transfer cancelled. This time I am doing great. My estrodial level was 902 so they think my retrieval will be Friday. Hopefully each follicle will have a good egg. I can't do insemination becuase my tubes are scarred from 2 major surgeries so IVF is my only hope. Keep your fingers crossed girls.

Robyn

[AthenaD]

Congratulations June! I truly hope this is successful for you. Sounds like you responded great. I had my IVF changed to an IUI and they did it yesterday morning. I'm now in the 2ww! I'll say prayers for all of us! Sending oodles of baby dust! Please let me know how you do!

[june0703bride]

Robyn, good luck! Praying for you and your follies!
Athena, thanks. Best of luck to you too!

Lots of positive thoughts and virtual hugs gals!!