Failed 3rd IVF, looking for perspective/advice

boston_couple · 12-13-2008, 08:40 AM

Me: 36, DH: 38, unexplained fertility. No issues found with him or me in any testing, except for a small septum I had (< 1cm). Did 2 IUIs in 2007. BFN.

IVF #1 in April 08, got 16 eggs, 11 fertilized. Put 1 in live transfer, got 7 "Grade A" frozen 5-6 day blasts. So that part was good. But got BFN.

In between, ovulated while on Lupron, had to skip IVF.

IVF #2, August, 2008, FET, 2 embies, BFN. RE told me to consider removing the septum as no other explanation for not even getting chemical pregnancy. So we did the surgery, removed septum.

IVF #3: Transferred 2 gorgeous blasts, 12/1. BFN again.

So first of all, we are switching REs. Many great clinics in our area, but this one seems slow, slow between cycles and too rigid on protocol. Have appt. with the new place this week. Had 2nd opinion with this new place before doing IVF #3 and made appt. then as "back up." Dr. there said, given all he sees, "eventually likely we'd end up on the right side of the fence..." but of course who knows.

So our next course is a live cycle at the new place. Hopefully we can start in January. The old place used to make us wait 1-2 months in between, and it draws things WAY out. This will be IVF #4 for us inside of one year. I hope we are doing the right thing.

drag5_0s · 12-13-2008, 09:42 AM

First of all I wanted to say that I'm sorry for all that you and your DH have been through. I think that its a great idea to move on to another RE that will be a little more aggressive with your IVF treatment, since time is critical. I wish you the best with your new RE!!

boston_couple · 12-13-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks drag for your kind thoughts.

OK, twists and turns!

Turns out my beta WAS BFP, but very very low--like 15. So have to retest Monday 12/15. I know this is an impossibly low number. I know this is probably a chemical pregnancy--but even that is something better than a total BFN I guess...

mendota33 · 12-13-2008, 03:12 PM

I am in a very similar place as you are, and I definitely understand your frustration. I have also had 3 failed IVFs, with my most recent one in August. I definitely think switching REs is a good first step. We are going to pursue a fourth cycle starting in January with a new RE. I could kick myself for not getting a second opinion sooner. Our new RE is fantastic - so much more personal, not to mention she provided us with an actual cause of our infertility, something which our old RE hadn't done in almost 2 years... So I think getting a fresh perspective at a new clinic is definitely the way to go. We decided to take some time off after our third before our fourth cycle (in fact, we were not sure we would do a fourth cycle until we met and loved this new RE). My third cycle was extra hard because my sister told me she was pregnant with twins during my cycle which was pretty hard to deal with (she conceived after being married for only 4 months). But even putting that aside, having the time to recover emotionally has really helped me. I guess one other thing to mention is that we got 2 second opinions and went with the one we were most comfortable with. I didn't realize how bad my old RE was until I satrted going to a new one.

drag5_0s · 12-14-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boston_couple

Thanks drag for your kind thoughts.

OK, twists and turns!

Turns out my beta WAS BFP, but very very low--like 15. So have to retest Monday 12/15. I know this is an impossibly low number. I know this is probably a chemical pregnancy--but even that is something better than a total BFN I guess...

Wow!! Congrats on the BFP!! I know that 15 may seem like such a low number, but I have a friend who's beta was only 11 at 14dpo and went on to have a successful pregnancy!! You might of had late implantation. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for rising numbers tomorrow!!

boston_couple · 12-15-2008, 08:58 AM

Thanks Drag5. I went in for re-beta this AM, but I got NO lines on a sensitive HPT today and yesterday, so I'm pretty sure it's just chemical. However, I guess even that is a "step forward" compared to my last cycles, it's my first one. I see you had one also, so I'm sure you know the mixed feelings it comes with...

drag5_0s · 12-15-2008, 09:57 AM

I'm so sorry!

Yes, I completely understand where you're comming from. When I got my BFP, DH and I called all of our families and told them the great news. I took another HPT the next day and it was still a BFP, so we figured it was all good. The next day we went for b/w and the beta number was only a 5!

I couldn't believe it!! I did another IUI, but that was a BFN. We then decided to move on to IVF/ICSI, but that was a BFN!!

The RE had no explaination to why it didn't work. I then had a lap done, and they couldn't find nothing at all!! So, DH and I have decided to do a couple at home IVI's before we do another IVF cycle. I surely hope that the new RE that you're seeing is what you need. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Lisa Marie

NorthernGirl · 12-19-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drag5_0s

I'm so sorry!

Yes, I completely understand where you're comming from. When I got my BFP, DH and I called all of our families and told them the great news. I took another HPT the next day and it was still a BFP, so we figured it was all good. The next day we went for b/w and the beta number was only a 5!

I couldn't believe it!! I did another IUI, but that was a BFN. We then decided to move on to IVF/ICSI, but that was a BFN!!

The RE had no explaination to why it didn't work. I then had a lap done, and they couldn't find nothing at all!! So, DH and I have decided to do a couple at home IVI's before we do another IVF cycle. I surely hope that the new RE that you're seeing is what you need. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Lisa Marie

If you don't mind me asking what is an IVI? My Dh and I did an IUI in sept and got our BFP after 7 years of trying, with twins, and lost them both at 6 wks. We are now going to have and IVF done, but our clinic is 8 hours from us and I have to be away from home for at least 2 weeks throughout all of this for monitoring, b/w and u/s. Maybe this is something that we could look into as an alternative in between treatments.

Amber209 · 01-12-2009, 07:25 AM

boston_couple - I was just wondering what place you were at and where you decided to switch to (I am also in the Boston area). I have had 2 failed IVF's and will probably do IVF #3 in Feb/March. I still like my current RE but if this next one doesn't work I might switch. Currently I am going to RSC in Lexington.

whitley · 01-17-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernGirl

If you don't mind me asking what is an IVI? My Dh and I did an IUI in sept and got our BFP after 7 years of trying, with twins, and lost them both at 6 wks. We are now going to have and IVF done, but our clinic is 8 hours from us and I have to be away from home for at least 2 weeks throughout all of this for monitoring, b/w and u/s. Maybe this is something that we could look into as an alternative in between treatments.

I was wondering if she meant IVIG which is an infusion typically used for people with immune issues because I've never heard of IVI either.

12-13-2008, 08:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
boston_couple 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston Area Posts: 95	Failed 3rd IVF, looking for perspective/advice Me: 36, DH: 38, unexplained fertility. No issues found with him or me in any testing, except for a small septum I had (< 1cm). Did 2 IUIs in 2007. BFN. IVF #1 in April 08, got 16 eggs, 11 fertilized. Put 1 in live transfer, got 7 "Grade A" frozen 5-6 day blasts. So that part was good. But got BFN. In between, ovulated while on Lupron, had to skip IVF. IVF #2, August, 2008, FET, 2 embies, BFN. RE told me to consider removing the septum as no other explanation for not even getting chemical pregnancy. So we did the surgery, removed septum. IVF #3: Transferred 2 gorgeous blasts, 12/1. BFN again. So first of all, we are switching REs. Many great clinics in our area, but this one seems slow, slow between cycles and too rigid on protocol. Have appt. with the new place this week. Had 2nd opinion with this new place before doing IVF #3 and made appt. then as "back up." Dr. there said, given all he sees, "eventually likely we'd end up on the right side of the fence..." but of course who knows. So our next course is a live cycle at the new place. Hopefully we can start in January. The old place used to make us wait 1-2 months in between, and it draws things WAY out. This will be IVF #4 for us inside of one year. I hope we are doing the right thing.

12-13-2008, 09:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
drag5_0s 900-999 post jack of hearts Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Moving to Ft. Lee Virginia!! Posts: 913	First of all I wanted to say that I'm sorry for all that you and your DH have been through. I think that its a great idea to move on to another RE that will be a little more aggressive with your IVF treatment, since time is critical. I wish you the best with your new RE!! __________________ Me (26) DH (27) married 5yrs!! Initial appt in May @ Womack! Hopefully starting 7th d/s IUI in June @ Womack

12-13-2008, 02:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
boston_couple 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston Area Posts: 95	Thanks drag for your kind thoughts. OK, twists and turns! Turns out my beta WAS BFP, but very very low--like 15. So have to retest Monday 12/15. I know this is an impossibly low number. I know this is probably a chemical pregnancy--but even that is something better than a total BFN I guess... Last edited by boston_couple; 12-13-2008 at 03:21 PM.

12-15-2008, 09:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
drag5_0s 900-999 post jack of hearts Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Moving to Ft. Lee Virginia!! Posts: 913	I'm so sorry! Yes, I completely understand where you're comming from. When I got my BFP, DH and I called all of our families and told them the great news. I took another HPT the next day and it was still a BFP, so we figured it was all good. The next day we went for b/w and the beta number was only a 5! I couldn't believe it!! I did another IUI, but that was a BFN. We then decided to move on to IVF/ICSI, but that was a BFN!! The RE had no explaination to why it didn't work. I then had a lap done, and they couldn't find nothing at all!! So, DH and I have decided to do a couple at home IVI's before we do another IVF cycle. I surely hope that the new RE that you're seeing is what you need. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Lisa Marie __________________ Me (26) DH (27) married 5yrs!! Initial appt in May @ Womack! Hopefully starting 7th d/s IUI in June @ Womack

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12-13-2008, 03:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
mendota33 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1	I am in a very similar place as you are, and I definitely understand your frustration. I have also had 3 failed IVFs, with my most recent one in August. I definitely think switching REs is a good first step. We are going to pursue a fourth cycle starting in January with a new RE. I could kick myself for not getting a second opinion sooner. Our new RE is fantastic - so much more personal, not to mention she provided us with an actual cause of our infertility, something which our old RE hadn't done in almost 2 years... So I think getting a fresh perspective at a new clinic is definitely the way to go. We decided to take some time off after our third before our fourth cycle (in fact, we were not sure we would do a fourth cycle until we met and loved this new RE). My third cycle was extra hard because my sister told me she was pregnant with twins during my cycle which was pretty hard to deal with (she conceived after being married for only 4 months). But even putting that aside, having the time to recover emotionally has really helped me. I guess one other thing to mention is that we got 2 second opinions and went with the one we were most comfortable with. I didn't realize how bad my old RE was until I satrted going to a new one.

12-15-2008, 08:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
boston_couple 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boston Area Posts: 95	Thanks Drag5. I went in for re-beta this AM, but I got NO lines on a sensitive HPT today and yesterday, so I'm pretty sure it's just chemical. However, I guess even that is a "step forward" compared to my last cycles, it's my first one. I see you had one also, so I'm sure you know the mixed feelings it comes with...

01-12-2009, 07:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
Amber209 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,039	boston_couple - I was just wondering what place you were at and where you decided to switch to (I am also in the Boston area). I have had 2 failed IVF's and will probably do IVF #3 in Feb/March. I still like my current RE but if this next one doesn't work I might switch. Currently I am going to RSC in Lexington.