DH Balanced Robertsonian Translocation 13/14 and Me, low amh, looking for hope

[carly7]

Hi, this is my first ever post. I'm looking for hope because I'm feeling so alone. DH has a balanced translocation and our first IVF with ICSI failed. We didn't even have enough embryos to send off for PGD. RE recommended just transferring the 2 that were still growing by Day 3, but no luck.

We are getting ready to try IVF #2 with a different protocol in the hopes that we'll get more follicles...we only had 6 mature follicles retrieved last time, and only 4 fertilized. We did Ganirelix last time, and this time will be Lupron microflare.

Just looking for some hope/advice/support. Thanks so much.

[SC-Impatient_in_VA]

I think you should re-post this on the IVF cycle board because I do know several women dealing with the same issue (or very similar ones) who would probably be happy to talk to you about it. Good luck!

[carly7]

Thanks, will do.

[Meandhim]

Hi Carly,
I joined to respond to you to let you know that DH and I also found out about 13:14 after failed ICSI. It is frustrating not to get a BFP after waiting so long to even get to ICSI point and not to get 'as many' embies as others seem to. However, there is hope. After our 1st ICSI (6 months ago) we waited for PGD. In our 1st cycle (not PGD- didn't know about RT) we got 7 eggs, 5 fertilised, 2 to day 5, 1 transfer, no frosties, BFN. Then found translocation and did next down reg cycle and got 15 eggs, 13 fertilised, 4 to biopsy on day 5. We are going to wait and do another cycle (have to wait a month due to OHSS). From what I know 1) even without IVF plenty of RT couples fall pregnant (hence the 1/1000 who have it) 2) IVF may fail due to unbalanced embryos or other reasons but can still be successful without PGD and plenty of people on these sort of forums describe that 3) PGD can enhance that process but is expensive and a matter of waiting for the numbers to make it viable. We were really torn between the three options and doing PGD with a smaller number. I think we will wait even longer and try to get enough for PGD (6-10). I will be sure to let you know how it pans out. Don't be disheartened, it is hopefully "a numbers game". I wish you all the best.

[carly7]

Menadhim, thanks so much for writing back. It means so much to me. You're right, it does seem like a numbers game. At least now the Doctors know that I don't make as many embies so they can adjust the meds to hopefully improve those numbers. In fact, I go tomorrow morning for my baseline ultrasound and bloodwork for IVF #2. If this round goes the same as last round and we don't have enough to send off for PGD, we will just go ahead and (again) transfer the embies that make it to Day 3, if there are some, God willing. I'm all for PGD, but I agree, it could work without it. That's great that you have 4 to biopsy! Sorry about the OHSS, are you feeling better?

[Meandhim]

Hi Carly7, thank you, yes, I am feeling better. Unfortunately have to wait a bit longer for next IVF cycle as I still have lots of collapsing follicles even 1 month after. We have to send off the biopsied cells next month so will go ahead regardless. It sounds like you did really well to get so many eggs in this cycle! Any more would have been tough on your ovaries too! Hopefully you get a few embies that make it. Hopefully the good ones survive! It is sad to see them dwindle though. We seemed to have one "leader" the whole time and we wonder if we should have just transferred that one (except couldn't have anyway with the OHSS). My fingers are crossed for you. Hopefully this round works for you.

[carly7]

Meandhim: I hope you get a good report back on the embies that were biopsied. It is a miracle that I had so many eggs this cycle. We just found out that yesterday they were able to biopsy 8 and today at 2pm we find out results. If any are normal/balanced, we can transfer today. I'm just praying at least one little embie will be ok. I agree, it is sad to see the numbers drop off. We have some that she said are growing very quickly, I wonder if they will be the "normal" ones/one? I just hate all this waiting, but that's all we can do. Thank you so much for the support. I hope you continue to feel better and the follicles all collapse soon.

[Meandhim]

Dear Carly7- Congratulations on your BFP! I hope things keep going well for you. I am having stims at the moment and hoping in the next 2 months we also get our BFP. It is a good test of patience. Hopefully it is worth every minute. I have never had a BFP so can only imagine how over the moon you are. Isn't it funny- you have become the hope you were looking for?! Best wishes and congrats.

[carly7]

Thanks so much! I can't believe the emotional roller coaster this has been; I went from hopeless to hopeful in one cycle. It's amazing how everything can just come together with perfect timing. I'm still in a bit of disbelief. In fact, after my positive beta call, DH and I went upstairs to take a pee test. I was pretty surprised to see the BFP, even though I knew it would be there. I'm hopeful for you too, what protocol are you doing?

[Meandhim]

Hi Carly7,

So great things are going well for you- is it twins?! Just had my second collection on Gonal F/ orgalutran - got 18 so very happy! Wasn't looking that good through the week (lower dose to avoid another OHSS) not sure how many fertilized yet but fingers crossed its a few- as you know there is safety in numbers! It still seems like so long waiting for final numbers to biopsy and then PGD ... and then hopefully transfer next month. Fingers crossed it will all be worth it. Developing good patience skills! Sending you good wishes for your scans etc.