Failed IVF

tasha3188 · 02-04-2009, 05:12 PM

Hello everyone. I am new here. I have done three IUIs and finally started IVF this January when we were able to get on new insurance that paid for some of it. I was so excited to start and was so hopefuly it would work. The egg retrieval was last Monday morning and they called Monday evening to say they had gotten only 4 eggs and none were mature. I was on the highest dose of medication my RE practice uses (10 units lupron 2 x's day, i vial menopur and 450 follistim) and this was the result. I am in such despair... People keep saying- Well you can just use donor eggs like that is so easy. Just wanted to hear from some people who have felt the same b/c I feel really alone.
To make matters worse, I am very sick physically from all the meds...

Peonies8 · 02-05-2009, 08:13 AM

Tasha3188 - Something similar happened to me. I understand how you feel. It took me a few days to get over the shock. Not to sound overly dramatic, but it hit me really hard. I too was in despair, which has worn off a little since I've decided to start over and hope for the best with a new RE.

I had 7 follicles, two were bigger than the others all along. By the time of my trigger I had 2 follicles that were over 30 mm and five in the range of 14 - 18 mm. They retrieved only 3 eggs on Saturday and called me the next day to say that two were bad (atretic - which I'm sure were the large ones) and one was immature, and that the other four folllicles were too small to retrieve eggs from them - the eggs were too immature! I was shocked to say the least. This was my second IVF. The first one I had 6 eggs which were retrieved, only two fertilized and I had a chemical preg. My meds both times were 5 units of Lupron each day, 2 vials of menopur and 4 vials of bravelle each day. The doctors said that at the last retrieval, the four immature follicles were smaller than at my last u/s. They haven't explained this yet. I've read that retrieving immature eggs can be common, and it could have to do with the HCG shot, or perhaps you were overly suppressed. Did they explain why you were on 10 units of Lupron twice a day? Don't feel alone. I'm with you on your frustration. Did your doctor have an explanation? Mine hasn't yet but I'm going to call today. I have a feeling in my case that the trigger was not timed correctly. Either way too late for the giant ones, or too early for the rest. I think it's way too early for people to be talking about donor eggs for you. Did you respond well to meds during your IUIs?

**BC-pepper** · 02-05-2009, 10:20 AM

I am so sorry about your failed cycle. I had 1 IUI and 3 IVFs fail. There was really no good explanation. I did not respond as well as other women my age (mid 20's) and ended up with very few mature eggs, which became embryos that were fragmented and probably stopped developing before they even got a chance to implant. Never had any to freeze.

Our story is this: we couldn't take the IF anymore - too stressful, emotionally and physically. We decided to adopt. Our son was born a year later. We then had a surprise pregnancy and now have a 3 year old daughter from that. I honestly don't know how she could have happened, with all those failed cycles, but she's here.

Don't give up on your dreams. Take a break, regroup, and then come back stronger, ready to fight.

tasha3188 · 02-05-2009, 01:22 PM

Thanks so much for responding! I am so sad that we all went through this. It is such a different kind of pain that no one can understand until you have been through it as well. Peonies8- That is the same that happened to me. I had two very large follicles and the rest btw 14-20-- I think they saw about 8-10 follicles in all. I have high FSH (15.5) even though I am 32- I just found out in October after all the IUIs. The FSH is some untouchable thing that has become the doctors excuse for everything. MY RE said they wanted to give me the highest doses of meds b/c of this-
I have not even gotten in for my post IVF consult yet which I find completely ridiculous and is part of the reason we are switching REs. I had the lab doctor call me after the egg retrieval and basically tell me it was due to high FSH. I dont go back to my actual doctor until 2/10. We met with a new doctor and he said given my high FSH (there it is again) he would have done the same thing first but would now try a much less aggressive protocal. The new RE said the old RE would probably tell me to use donor eggs when I go on 2/10 given what he has seen from there practice. My husband and i have decided to try the less aggressive protocal with IVF in a couple of months-
I am frustrated and angry today. How did I end up with high FSH? and WHY?
-- I went to target last night and EVERYONE was pregnant or had a least 2-3 kids- I really dont think I saw anyone there who was "alone" like me...
Thanks again for responding ladies- It does make me feel better

hanna1 · 02-05-2009, 01:24 PM

You definitely do not need to go to donor eggs at your age. You need to find a new RE who is experienced with higher FSH women. Check out this link for starters: www.highfshinfo.com. Sorry you had such a bad experience.

Peonies8 · 02-05-2009, 01:35 PM

Tasha3188 - I'm hoping the doctor will call me tomorrow. He said he was going to discuss what happened at a "case" meeting with other doctors. I will share with you whatever he says. Did they happen to say what happened with your other 4 - 6 follicles? I bet we both should have triggered sooner with the larger ones. You're young (I'm 35) and - -I don't know as much I should on all of this - - but I would think that having 8 - 10 follicles shows that you responded well to the meds. I'm determined to find out about the immature egg issue. Thanks other ladies for your advice and insight!

hopefull09 · 03-04-2009, 10:18 PM

Hi Tasha I have had 4 failed IVFs but the last 2 times make 19 to 22 eggs before I changed RE I was only making 6 or 7. Your problem may be the Lupron that is surpressing the stimulation of follicles. My last 2 cycles the used Lupron late in the cycle and I had way more eggs of better quality. I just need to see if I can get em to stick now. Goodluck

tasha3188 · 03-05-2009, 05:21 AM

Hopefull99- Hi- What protocal did you use? I am leaning towards the estrogen priming protocal at Sher Institute right now. I know a couple of you have had success at the one in NY. Thanks

hopefull09 · 03-05-2009, 05:40 AM

Good luck at Sher. The doctor I saw was extremely nice and the great thing is that you can reach them via email at all times. I ended up feeling like just a number though because all mothers to be are placed on the same cycle so its like group IVF. Didnt like that because I ended up loosing 4 mature eggs. I ended with 19 follicles. 9 fertilized and only 2 made it to 5 day. Personally they wasted my time. I felt overstimulated and of 19 follicles all I got was 2. SO that means the others were not mature enough. You see I only have 1 ovary and everyones situation is different. I was told I have a high FSh but that can also be caused by the stimulation protocol you are placed on. I did the whole birth control estrogen deal to wait for all the other women so we could cycle together. Then FOllistem 450 meno 5. for 11 days. My cycle failed while I may have another underlying problem I just wasnt comfortable there. I changed to Genesis Fertility last year. Much better response produced 22 follicles, 17 fertilized. Transfered 2 blas failed to implant froze 6 6-day embies.( which I am counting on after I complete my immune research). Let me know if this helped.

sally0415 · 05-20-2009, 09:05 AM

hello, i am new to this site and hopeful .... i have had 3 failed iui's and i just recently did my first ivf.... i had a bfp on 05/15 and a confirming bfp 05/18 (this is thru the hcg blood test)... today i went to the bathroom as soon as i came into work and i saw some red blood ........as u can imagine i am going out of my mind ........anxious, nervous ........scared ..... depressed .....so i called my RE and he told me that it is not good to see red blood .... so i need to see him on 05/22 ... can anyone offer any advice or hope please....................(anxious to be a mom)

02-04-2009, 05:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
tasha3188 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: roswell, ga Posts: 16	Failed IVF Hello everyone. I am new here. I have done three IUIs and finally started IVF this January when we were able to get on new insurance that paid for some of it. I was so excited to start and was so hopefuly it would work. The egg retrieval was last Monday morning and they called Monday evening to say they had gotten only 4 eggs and none were mature. I was on the highest dose of medication my RE practice uses (10 units lupron 2 x's day, i vial menopur and 450 follistim) and this was the result. I am in such despair... People keep saying- Well you can just use donor eggs like that is so easy. Just wanted to hear from some people who have felt the same b/c I feel really alone. To make matters worse, I am very sick physically from all the meds...

02-05-2009, 10:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
BC-pepper 5000-9999 post king of hearts Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: GA Posts: 8,922 Blog Entries: 100	children mentioned I am so sorry about your failed cycle. I had 1 IUI and 3 IVFs fail. There was really no good explanation. I did not respond as well as other women my age (mid 20's) and ended up with very few mature eggs, which became embryos that were fragmented and probably stopped developing before they even got a chance to implant. Never had any to freeze. Our story is this: we couldn't take the IF anymore - too stressful, emotionally and physically. We decided to adopt. Our son was born a year later. We then had a surprise pregnancy and now have a 3 year old daughter from that. I honestly don't know how she could have happened, with all those failed cycles, but she's here. Don't give up on your dreams. Take a break, regroup, and then come back stronger, ready to fight.

02-05-2009, 01:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
tasha3188 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: roswell, ga Posts: 16	Thanks for responding Thanks so much for responding! I am so sad that we all went through this. It is such a different kind of pain that no one can understand until you have been through it as well. Peonies8- That is the same that happened to me. I had two very large follicles and the rest btw 14-20-- I think they saw about 8-10 follicles in all. I have high FSH (15.5) even though I am 32- I just found out in October after all the IUIs. The FSH is some untouchable thing that has become the doctors excuse for everything. MY RE said they wanted to give me the highest doses of meds b/c of this- I have not even gotten in for my post IVF consult yet which I find completely ridiculous and is part of the reason we are switching REs. I had the lab doctor call me after the egg retrieval and basically tell me it was due to high FSH. I dont go back to my actual doctor until 2/10. We met with a new doctor and he said given my high FSH (there it is again) he would have done the same thing first but would now try a much less aggressive protocal. The new RE said the old RE would probably tell me to use donor eggs when I go on 2/10 given what he has seen from there practice. My husband and i have decided to try the less aggressive protocal with IVF in a couple of months- I am frustrated and angry today. How did I end up with high FSH? and WHY? -- I went to target last night and EVERYONE was pregnant or had a least 2-3 kids- I really dont think I saw anyone there who was "alone" like me... Thanks again for responding ladies- It does make me feel better

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02-05-2009, 08:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Peonies8 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 53	Tasha3188 - Something similar happened to me. I understand how you feel. It took me a few days to get over the shock. Not to sound overly dramatic, but it hit me really hard. I too was in despair, which has worn off a little since I've decided to start over and hope for the best with a new RE. I had 7 follicles, two were bigger than the others all along. By the time of my trigger I had 2 follicles that were over 30 mm and five in the range of 14 - 18 mm. They retrieved only 3 eggs on Saturday and called me the next day to say that two were bad (atretic - which I'm sure were the large ones) and one was immature, and that the other four folllicles were too small to retrieve eggs from them - the eggs were too immature! I was shocked to say the least. This was my second IVF. The first one I had 6 eggs which were retrieved, only two fertilized and I had a chemical preg. My meds both times were 5 units of Lupron each day, 2 vials of menopur and 4 vials of bravelle each day. The doctors said that at the last retrieval, the four immature follicles were smaller than at my last u/s. They haven't explained this yet. I've read that retrieving immature eggs can be common, and it could have to do with the HCG shot, or perhaps you were overly suppressed. Did they explain why you were on 10 units of Lupron twice a day? Don't feel alone. I'm with you on your frustration. Did your doctor have an explanation? Mine hasn't yet but I'm going to call today. I have a feeling in my case that the trigger was not timed correctly. Either way too late for the giant ones, or too early for the rest. I think it's way too early for people to be talking about donor eggs for you. Did you respond well to meds during your IUIs?

02-05-2009, 01:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
hanna1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: new york Posts: 374	You definitely do not need to go to donor eggs at your age. You need to find a new RE who is experienced with higher FSH women. Check out this link for starters: www.highfshinfo.com. Sorry you had such a bad experience.

02-05-2009, 01:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Peonies8 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 53	Tasha3188 - I'm hoping the doctor will call me tomorrow. He said he was going to discuss what happened at a "case" meeting with other doctors. I will share with you whatever he says. Did they happen to say what happened with your other 4 - 6 follicles? I bet we both should have triggered sooner with the larger ones. You're young (I'm 35) and - -I don't know as much I should on all of this - - but I would think that having 8 - 10 follicles shows that you responded well to the meds. I'm determined to find out about the immature egg issue. Thanks other ladies for your advice and insight!

03-04-2009, 10:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
hopefull09 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brooklyn ny Posts: 13	Hi Tasha I have had 4 failed IVFs but the last 2 times make 19 to 22 eggs before I changed RE I was only making 6 or 7. Your problem may be the Lupron that is surpressing the stimulation of follicles. My last 2 cycles the used Lupron late in the cycle and I had way more eggs of better quality. I just need to see if I can get em to stick now. Goodluck

03-05-2009, 05:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
tasha3188 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: roswell, ga Posts: 16	Hopefull99- Hi- What protocal did you use? I am leaning towards the estrogen priming protocal at Sher Institute right now. I know a couple of you have had success at the one in NY. Thanks

03-05-2009, 05:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
hopefull09 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brooklyn ny Posts: 13	Good luck at Sher. The doctor I saw was extremely nice and the great thing is that you can reach them via email at all times. I ended up feeling like just a number though because all mothers to be are placed on the same cycle so its like group IVF. Didnt like that because I ended up loosing 4 mature eggs. I ended with 19 follicles. 9 fertilized and only 2 made it to 5 day. Personally they wasted my time. I felt overstimulated and of 19 follicles all I got was 2. SO that means the others were not mature enough. You see I only have 1 ovary and everyones situation is different. I was told I have a high FSh but that can also be caused by the stimulation protocol you are placed on. I did the whole birth control estrogen deal to wait for all the other women so we could cycle together. Then FOllistem 450 meno 5. for 11 days. My cycle failed while I may have another underlying problem I just wasnt comfortable there. I changed to Genesis Fertility last year. Much better response produced 22 follicles, 17 fertilized. Transfered 2 blas failed to implant froze 6 6-day embies.( which I am counting on after I complete my immune research). Let me know if this helped.

05-20-2009, 09:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
sally0415 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: May 2009 Location: new york city Posts: 1	hello, i am new to this site and hopeful .... i have had 3 failed iui's and i just recently did my first ivf.... i had a bfp on 05/15 and a confirming bfp 05/18 (this is thru the hcg blood test)... today i went to the bathroom as soon as i came into work and i saw some red blood ........as u can imagine i am going out of my mind ........anxious, nervous ........scared ..... depressed .....so i called my RE and he told me that it is not good to see red blood .... so i need to see him on 05/22 ... can anyone offer any advice or hope please....................(anxious to be a mom)