poor responders and poor egg quality

[volley]

Hi everyone,
Can I ask all the poor responders and/ or poor egg quality cyclers how long it took for your RE to say you fell in this category? Was it based on your FSH and estradiol levels prior to the cycle or was it after the result of one failed IVF?

I had my first cycle end in a BFN. I was on the micro-flare protocol and produced only 3 eggs for retrieval. Of the three, 2 were mature and 1 immature. They were all ICSI'd and produced one good egg for transfer. My FSH was >9 and estradiol <20 at baseline. Did anyone have this type of situation? What was your next step/ protocol and did it result in BFP? I appreciate any input you may have.

[BC-tnahope]

Volley, Hello, How are you?? I am right with you! Poor responder and now that I met with RE about BFN he feels we have quality issues. My FSH was 16 in Feb.My RE did give me the donor egg speech. I am just trying to figure out what is going to be the best route for me to take Have you met with RE yet? Good Luck

[jpoo]

Hi fellow Septembies...(((hugs)))

I won't meet with RE for another two weeks. I am not a poor responder...but I have a feeling that he might say something about quality. Remember...out of 17 fertilized, only one was genetically normal? What else would cause that other than egg quality. Sperm quality I guess...but we all know that it is more likely me.

Volley have you thought/talked about egg donor? Tnahope...I know that you and I have discussed it. Any closer to making a decision? I haven't made a decision yet. I want to talk to the RE first. But I'm leaning more towards doing it if that will be my only hope for having a baby. One of the directors here was telling me that she doesn't feel connected to her children b/c they are genetically from her. She said that she is so connected to them b/c of the people that they are and the personalities that they have and the love that they share. NOT b/c they have brown eyes! It helped to hear that.

[MegSD]

How old are you and what was your protocol?? Long lupron?? How much stim drugs?? I'm a "poor responder" and also have "crappy quality" embies - but all tests come back "fine". I guess semi-"unexplained"...

It took us 3 fresh attempts (never any left to freeze - of course), and several different protocols (and several DE speeches - at the tender age of 28) to have success... It's a lot of trial & error...

-Meg

[Lisa555]

I also am a poor responder and have bad eggs... however, after 3 failed IVF's and a recommendation to move to donor eggs, we decided to try once more. I had a different protocol and much improved results.. and my DS is now 6 months old! Sometimes it just takes the right meds and maybe a little luck... Don't give up!

[jpoo]

Lisa...how did they change your protocol? When I spoke to Debbie the nurse the other day, she told me that Dr. Nulsen has a plan for a different protocol for me. Last time I did BCPs, Follistim, Ganirelix and triggered with Lupron. What did you do?

[bluerug23]

Can each of you who have responded also tell a bit more about the protocols they tried on you (the ones that failed, the one that eventually succeeded, and how many follicles/eggs you had on each?) Thank you!

[volley]

Meg and Lisa,
What protocol finally worked? I was on micro-flare protocol w/ BCPs for 21 days, then lupron and bravelle (like gonal-f/ follistim), then trigger... I didn't have any to freeze as I mentioned. I heard about an "estrogen priming" protocol on the "sher institute for reproductive medicine" website. I read on the thread for "SIRM..." that women had the highest number of eggs w/ good quality after using that protocol. I have a consultation scheduled with their RE on November 1st. I will see my RE after that. My RE said he wasn't sure I was necessarily either a poor responder or have poor egg quality based on one cycle, but I can't get over the fact that my FSH and my response to first IVF appears to meet the criteria.

Hi JPOO and TNAHOPE, maybe we'll be cycling together again. I have to take one month off so I won't start until ~11/22 since AF just came today. What are you guys thinking to do?

Volley

[jpoo]

Volley I would LOVE to be cycling with you again! Unfortunately we are not going to be able to do anything until at least the Spring, maybe longer. We are just starting to pay off the loans from this last cycle and we need to be able to pay those and save for the next one. My DH refuses to go bankrupt with this...I on the other hand, would sell the house! I hate our insurance!

[t2tranch]

I am curious as well about other the protocols other poor responders have used and gotten better results.

I am a poor responder and have some egg quality issues as well. Only 35 y/o and FSH is borderline at 9.

1st IVF: Long lupron only produced 2 follies (dominant follie issue and maybe oversuppression as well.)
2nd IVF: Micro-flare, only produced 3 follies
3rd IVF: Estrogen priming, just started EPP as AF was very late.

My estrogen priming protocol is also tweaked for my lower progestrone levels..

*Lupron 10 units and baby aspirin from CD 21.
*CD 3 start Estrace 2mg twice daily and drop Lupron to 5 units.
*Around CD 7 or 10,start stims meds (Menopur 2 vials & Follistim 150 units in AM and Follistim 300 units in PM) and lower lupron to 2.5 units.
*CD14/15 day, u/s, if lead follie is 13 to 14mm discontinue lupron and take Cetrotide .125 mg or half dose. Continue stim meds as well until trigger.
After ER start Estrace 2mg again and of course Progestrone.