Poor Response to Stim Drugs (IVF)

okmama · 10-23-2008, 11:12 AM

My 1st IVF cycle was canceled today due to poor response to my stim meds (300 Follistim, 2x/day). Today is cd9 and i had only 2 mature eggs. Dr said we will change over to do IUI this weekend which is hugely disappointing but I suppose there's a chance. If not we'll change up the meds for another IVF cycle.

Has anyone had poor response to meds and then changed protocols and had better luck? My dr said that being overweight (I am about 40lbs overweight) also contributes to poor response. Infuriating! I am doing South Beach now to try to get the BMI down.

Thanks and cheers --

sweetgirl1981 · 10-24-2008, 08:51 AM

Sorry just getting back to you!!

I have heard of several people having to change from IVF/IUI because of the swing of things.

I guess you are luck in the fact that you still get a chance, given it's a smaller chance then it would have been otherwise!! As anyone/everyone says it only takes one!

I am gearing up and kicking myself for not trying to lose weight these past few cycles but with the mood swings, it's VERY hard! I have to lose at least 10-15 lbs before he will do IVF. They only do 4 IUI's before moving on and this month will be my third so I gotta work on things.

This board is VERY helpful always something to read or someone to respond to, take some time read around on the different forums.

HUGSSSSSSS and Welcome!

melanie832 · 10-26-2008, 05:43 PM

I can't believe you are only 40 Lbs overweight and they blamed the response on your weight. I am FAR heavier than you (I could stand to lose at least 80 Lbs) and I responded well to stims. I was on 4 Bravelle and 1 Menopur for my first cycle and I produced 15 eggs, 13 fertilized and we transferred 3. It ended in a negative. The RE lowered my stims for the second cycle, 3 Bravelle and 1 Menopur. He was looking for quality over quantity. I produced 10 eggs and 5 fertilized. They transferred 3 and it ended in an ectopic. I have two frozen since they were all grade 2. Don't believe your RE when they blame your weight...it's just an excuse for "I don't know what's wrong." They really need to change your meds first.

okmama · 10-26-2008, 07:54 PM

Thx for responses. It's frustrating, huh? I did 3 IUIs with Letrozole last winter but this is our first with injectibles. So we'll see. I think in the end this time I had 3 follicles over 15 in size so hopefully that will give us another chance for at least 1. I start prog tomorrow. Not sure when I go back for blood test (prog) but surely it will be in a wk or so.

I had the second IUI this morning (1st one yest) and have tried to take it easy. My abdomen feels full and bloated ... hope that's normal and not hyperstimulation. I'm confused about that -- does that come from the ovidrel trigger shot or from the follistim (fsh) meds? Going to google that a bit more now. Sorry for train of thought post! Good luck to y'all as well.

melanie832 · 10-27-2008, 07:33 PM

The trigger shot causes the worst of the OHSS. Drink Gatorade and eat high protein foods.

10-23-2008, 11:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
okmama 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: georgia Posts: 11	Poor Response to Stim Drugs (IVF) My 1st IVF cycle was canceled today due to poor response to my stim meds (300 Follistim, 2x/day). Today is cd9 and i had only 2 mature eggs. Dr said we will change over to do IUI this weekend which is hugely disappointing but I suppose there's a chance. If not we'll change up the meds for another IVF cycle. Has anyone had poor response to meds and then changed protocols and had better luck? My dr said that being overweight (I am about 40lbs overweight) also contributes to poor response. Infuriating! I am doing South Beach now to try to get the BMI down. Thanks and cheers --

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10-24-2008, 08:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
sweetgirl1981 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 75	Sorry just getting back to you!! I have heard of several people having to change from IVF/IUI because of the swing of things. I guess you are luck in the fact that you still get a chance, given it's a smaller chance then it would have been otherwise!! As anyone/everyone says it only takes one! I am gearing up and kicking myself for not trying to lose weight these past few cycles but with the mood swings, it's VERY hard! I have to lose at least 10-15 lbs before he will do IVF. They only do 4 IUI's before moving on and this month will be my third so I gotta work on things. This board is VERY helpful always something to read or someone to respond to, take some time read around on the different forums. HUGSSSSSSS and Welcome!

10-26-2008, 05:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
melanie832 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FL Posts: 29	I can't believe you are only 40 Lbs overweight and they blamed the response on your weight. I am FAR heavier than you (I could stand to lose at least 80 Lbs) and I responded well to stims. I was on 4 Bravelle and 1 Menopur for my first cycle and I produced 15 eggs, 13 fertilized and we transferred 3. It ended in a negative. The RE lowered my stims for the second cycle, 3 Bravelle and 1 Menopur. He was looking for quality over quantity. I produced 10 eggs and 5 fertilized. They transferred 3 and it ended in an ectopic. I have two frozen since they were all grade 2. Don't believe your RE when they blame your weight...it's just an excuse for "I don't know what's wrong." They really need to change your meds first.

10-26-2008, 07:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
okmama 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: georgia Posts: 11	Thx for responses. It's frustrating, huh? I did 3 IUIs with Letrozole last winter but this is our first with injectibles. So we'll see. I think in the end this time I had 3 follicles over 15 in size so hopefully that will give us another chance for at least 1. I start prog tomorrow. Not sure when I go back for blood test (prog) but surely it will be in a wk or so. I had the second IUI this morning (1st one yest) and have tried to take it easy. My abdomen feels full and bloated ... hope that's normal and not hyperstimulation. I'm confused about that -- does that come from the ovidrel trigger shot or from the follistim (fsh) meds? Going to google that a bit more now. Sorry for train of thought post! Good luck to y'all as well.

10-27-2008, 07:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
melanie832 0-99 post 2 of hearts Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: FL Posts: 29	The trigger shot causes the worst of the OHSS. Drink Gatorade and eat high protein foods.