Failed Cycle, next steps

[Delaina]

Friends,

Just got the results from my 1st FET, BFN. Our history Me 34(hypothyroid on medication for several years), DH 36 (Low Morphology), everything else is fine for us both. Tried first IVF/ICSI, very good response. 21 eggs retrieved, 10 fertilized, 4 made it to Day 5. Good quality embryos AA's and AB's. Transferred 2 embryos and kept 2 in store. Cycle failed. Doctor suggested we try the ones in store as he thought everything is fine and just take another chance. Did FET transferred the 2 embryos and it failed again. We are consulting one of the best doc/hospital in the city.

1. What do we expect next from doc?
2. Do we just think this as a number game and try another attempt or do we do additional testing? If so what do we need to test?
3. Anyone with similar issues?

Appreciate all your comments and good luck to everyone out there.

[LKds]

I can relate, almost indentical scenario, but I am older (37). First, fresh IVF went great and had text book response, BFN. Then did a FET with 3 blasts....again BFN. I feel like offing myself!

[km1973]

I can relate to you Delaina I just went through my first FET and it failed received a BFN. My Fresh cycle this past April I received a BFP, but unfortunately the pregnancy did not progress and I had to get a D&C. I had a tubal issue in which I was born with tubes that did not attach to the ovaries. However, the RE said that I was an excellent candidate for IVF. We have good quality eggs, but for some reason the pregnancy did not progress with the Fresh and with FET the eggs did not implant. I believe that I have a hormonal issue, since both my sister and mother had early menopause symptoms. My sister had symptoms before she was 35 and I also have symptoms. I am just hoping that my RE will staff my case with other doctors to figure out what is going on. I am like you very frustrated since initially the only issue was my tubes. We have 3 more eggs left and I can't afford to do another cycle with the same protocol if it's not working for me. I am at a loss on what to do. Sometimes I feel that the fertility clinics just treat us like they cattle, heard us in and out without any real explanation to why the cycles are failing.

[annie12350]

I am with you guys too. Totally depressing. Delaina I have hypothyroid and am thinking that is what is doing it....I have hashimotos which is an autoimmune disease. I think that the antibodies are also attacking the embies. I am so sad.

[km1973]

The holidays are hard for me. I see so many families that are happy, shopping for toys,etc. I hate feeling the way I do soooooooooooo depressed, like Scrooge at Christmas. I have not wanted to do much, but cry and wallow in my self pity. I am going to push myself to watch some upbeat Christmas movies in hopes that it will change my mood. I myself feel hopeless as I stated in a previous post the doctors LOVE to say "You're an excellent candidate for IVF", but then it doesn't work, even with A and B quality eggs!!! I like many of you have a range of emotions going on from angry to sadness, because it was supposed to only be my tubes, but now it's something else that I believe is hormonal. I believe I have Adrenal Fatigue that causes hormonal imbalance. However, I researched and I couldn't find any treatments the doctors use to help the condition. I just say try to hang in there ladies, you're not alone.

[MRG]

I just found out today we failed our 1st IVF cycle. We had no embies to freeze, and the two blasts that made it to transfer had a thick zona (I'm 32 w/normal fsh) which they did AH on right before transferring on day 5 (a last minute decision by me RE and embryologist)...I am trying to collect my thoughts and regroup.

The holidays are going to really suck this year. I have some annoying sister-in-laws that are about as sensitive as a brick that just had new babies...It makes me cringe to even think about it having to get together with them...

We are pressing on for a next cycle ASAP. I am not sure if that is best, but I feel like I need to keep pressing on.

KM1973 - I have never heard of Adrenal Fatigue, but I am goint to look into this...I think I have subclinical hormonal issues b/c I have these symptoms that are not completely normal, but not abnormal enough that anyone wants to do anything about them(SORRY THIS MAY BE TMI but...eg, small amount facial hair on chin and areolas, yet not over weight or any classic PCOS symptoms, hyperhydrosis of the armpits, flushing...I will almost breakout in hives or a rash on my chest and face when I get nervous or under stress)...Sometimes I just feel like a freak!! Like I am some androgenous freakish person who looks like a woman but is something else...IT sounds crazy, but it is how I feel...

[km1973]

MRG- I am deeply sorry to hear about your loss. I can relate to the disappointment and frustration from friends and family who unfortunately do not "get it" how much goes into the journey of infertility. The holidays are hard for me as well and although I want to keep pressing on. I want my RE to really care enough to figure out what is going on with me. I am not overweight, actually I am considered pretty small framed. I eat healthy and I don't smoke or drink. My DH and I have good quality eggs, but nothing seems to stick and this last cycle that ended Nov. 12th the eggs did not implant at all. I decided that I would look into what could be the problem. So, I searched hormonal imbalance in women and I actually had several of the symptoms. This made me think.....hmm could that be my problem, as the research states that hormonal imbalance can cause miscarriage and embryos to not implant. I know the doctors check your FSH levels, estrogen and so forth, but I think they fall short in looking at other hormone levels that can be out of wack or immune issues. I just got so fed up this last time that I decided that I will not do another cycle until the RE can give me more answers and a different protocol vs the one they give to most IVF'rs doing frozen cycles. I am hoping that we get some answers so that we can try again after the New Year. BTW I can relate to how your stress causes rashes on your face. I get the same thing when I am stressed out. I also have some hair around my areolas that I pluck all the time. One of the things I found out about Adrenal Fatigue is that it is caused by stress and many of the women have extra hair on face, other body parts and allergies. Do some research it is quite interesting. I am no doctor so I can't say definitely I have this, but I strongly believe I have a hormonal imbalance that is causing the cycles to fail. BTW never worry about TMI , heck we are all going through this CRAZY journey and the more we discuss issues and information we have/ learn from our RE's we could be helping each other be more successful in the next cycle.

Hang in There