??? about # of follies

[Lisa555]

Hey girls...

I am going in for my first u/s to check on my follies tomorrow.. This is my 2nd IVF. The first time I was on lupron, gonal-f and got only 8 follies and 5 mature eggs. Two fertilized and only had one decent embie that they transferred -BFN

This time they put me on Repronex, no lupron and gonal-f and will be starting antagon soon. I am SO PARANOID that I will have the same response.. Is there anyone out there who has had a drastic change in response with a change in meds? I just don't know a lot about this and am worried that I am wasting my time...

Any input I'd appreciate!! Thanks!

Lisa

[archie2]

Lisa,

I am in the 2ww of my 2nd IVF. Last time I used lupron, follistim and Hcg. I got 13 eggs, 6 fertilized and I got a BFN. This time I used lupron, gonal-f and luveris. I got 17 eggs they all fertilized and I'm hoping for better news this time.

A new protocol can make a big difference. It also made me feel better about my RE. It would have made me nervous if she hadn't changed anything.

I also ate lots and lots of protein. I think it helped. Have a good cycle.

KIm

[AmyLeigh]

Just wanted to wish you +++++ follie luck for tomorrows u/s !!!!

[MegSD]

I switched from a combination of long lupron, repronex, and follistim for my first 3 failed cycles to a protocol of micro-dose lupron and straight follistim (no repronex at all - seems like the exact opposite of you!) for my success.

The successful cycle didn't yield that many additional eggs (maybe 2-3 more?), but the quality was greatly improved. Everyone always says "quality not quantity", but that's hard to swallow when you're only starting out with 5-7 eggs. I hear of women here with 20-30 retrieved and 90% go on to fertilize and I think "My God, it would take me 5-6 fresh cycles to get that many"!!

The antagon switch may prove to be the most beneficial to you as your ovaries aren't completely shut down. I can't say that I've ever heard of a straight repronex cycle before, but then again, I'm no RE either! I hope it does the trick…

Good luck and I'll pray you get a few more to work with this time,
Meg

[Lisa555]

Thanks for the input...

I went into this blindly and don't think that I've asked enough questions when I see the dr... I don't even know what these specific drugs are for...

Anyone know what antagon is supposed to do? Repronex?

[SomedayMommy]

Hi Lisa! The antagon will suppress the system, but not in the same way that Lupron does. The Repronex is an ovarian stimulant. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

But yes, it's amazing what a new protocol can do.

[MegSD]

Just wanted to add, that I also (like Kim) ate TONS of protein that cycle - not sure if that had any impact on the quality, but just thought I'd share that...

-Meg

[MegSD]

SomedayMommy has it right - the antagon, lupron, or micro-dose lupron shuts down the ovaries and lets your RE be "in control" of the entire process from beginning to ovulation.

The stim drug Repronex is a combination of both LH/FSH, while Follistim and Gonal-f are strictly FSH drugs. Some women need the LH to make good quality eggs and some (like me) already have too much and only need the FSH...

Does that help at all?
Meg

[Lisa555]

Yes, that does help... I will be sure to ask more questions when I go tomorrow... but everyone here is very knowledgable - so thank you...

I am eating LOTS of protein and no sugar (just fruit). The last cycle I ate mostly sugar, so we'll see if this has an effect!

Lisa