She's pessimistic because she thinks that there are very few good eggs in there - she thinks that the bad cycles were more representative of the state of my eggs than the 1 good cycle.
We would think of other FS in Aus ... but I don't know where to start. Do you know if anyone from Melb has gone to Sydney? is this covered the same under Medicare as the Melb treatments. I think one of the reasons we'd somewhat "rush" to NY if things go pear-shaped is that the ticking biological clock can't get any louder - I feel like every month is so important. In fact, my FS recommended not waiting a month to start this clomid thing as she too thinks every month counts at this point.
All that being said I'd be very interested in hearing about any IVF clinics in Australia who really have expertise with older women. I'm not sure where to post this...maybe I'll start a thread in one of the more general sections.
Sara - I am really sorry to hear of your FSH levels. What does your FS think? I am pretty sure I have heard ladies on BB with higher FSH levels go on to have good egg numbers.
Buliej - Oh what a horrible shock! I guess your FS is just trying to be realistic but it would be nice to have some more optimism in there. I do think trying a more "natural" approach is certainly worth a go. I have a very good GF who did 8 yrs of IVF without a hint of HCG on any cycle. She also had very poor egg numbers no matter how high a dose of FSH she was on. Never got frosties. Her last cycle, she was told she would have to go the donor egg option. She decided to have some time off to consider things. Started doing acupuncture only. She did always cycle quite regularly on her own so obviously had at least one egg each mth. I am pleased to say she is now the mum of a 3yr old and a 1yr old both concievead without any ART or really trying that hard.She is 40yrs old. I know these miracle stories can sometimes make you think "that would never be me" but it does point out that the Drs are NOT always right and all the IVF drugs may not be the greatest solution to every woman.
Whilst you still have some eggs then there is still hope darl.
I would also defnitely consider a 2nd opinion even within Melb. I know my FS ( with Monash IVF) thinks i am "very young" in IVF terms ( i'll be 38 this yr). She is also very open to try anything and everything if it might work.
PM me if you want to know her details
AFM - the rollercoaster continues. Bleeding and pain eased off yesterday and early this morning i felt a bit more positive. Went to clinic as was due BT anyway. As soon as i got there, was hit with horrific pain and HEAVY bleeding again. Got a scan straight away. Twins again!! They both had HB and both measuring on track at 6w. No sign of where bleeding/pain coming from but can be hard to tell when its only just started. Obviously I am happy to still have some hope but still very, very scared about how long this will last. My last pg was almost exactly the same at first scan but 1 week later they just couldn't survive a massive bleed.
Last edited by dusty; February 25th, 2009 at 01:49 PM.
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Meredith - this is such a rollercoaster for you But a positive result is something to focus on. Hoping that those two little heartbeats continue to get stronger.
Last edited by dusty; February 25th, 2009 at 02:12 PM.
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Thanks Meredith - I too have heard stories (and I think Sayata (is that the right user name) is one of the good stories). I am going to PM you for details of your FS. I posted to you in another thread, but I am thrilled to hear that you have seen 2 heartbeats. I can't imagine the anxiety and totally understand, but so long as the hearts are beating you are pregnant with twins. I am sending you the strongest sticky vibes and wishes for two H&Hs. Are they willing to let you come back weekly for scans just to put your mind at ease and monitor the bleed in case the source becomes visible?
Merideth : Is complete bed rest an option for you, I know Bel had heavy bleeding early on and she was ordered complete bed rest, and she is well and truelly into a H & H pregnancy. I was reading an "old" pregnancy book, last night and even they suggested complete bed rest at any sign of bleeding. Apart from that I cannot offer any other advice, a wonderful sight to see twins and their little hearts beating, try and rest up Merideth (Hugs)
BullieJ : What a day for you as well, I think you should ring the clinic that Gavin Sacks works out of in Sydney, he seems pretty up with different approaches, so they may have info in file to help. I know of some girls in America on a TTC thread, I will email them now to see if they have any answers, and you could make some phoen calls from there...Will pm you as soon as I hear.. Dont worry its not over for you, we will find a place to help you.
Hi to Sara - still waiting on Endo to email me results so I can help you with dhea results sweets, make sure you ask for a copy of yours as well, so we can compare differnent info we receive...
I was going to mention the same Meredith, like WLAB said, Bel had complete bed rest until 14/15 weeks and the bleeding was so scary for her as well but she is now truely in the safe zone with two cheeky little bubs. Hope this will be the same for you hun!
Julie, I am so sorry to hear FS's view, that would be a shock! I think 'second opion' would be in order. Instead of going all the way to NY, maybe Sydney is a lot more convenient! Hope the natural cycle will work a lot better. I always feel that it really depends on the person how this IVF thing works, drugs can work on some people like wonders but does nothing (maybe reverse effect) on some people. I have also started to realize I am probably not among those lucky ones. Everything seems perfect but it just doesn't work for me. So I will be very interested to see how this cycle work it out for you.
That's right - Bel stayed in bed and is now doing fine. I remember how scared she was at the time.
I will google Dr Sacks - I've seen his name on BB - mostly associated with implementation and m/c issues, but he sounds like he really knows his stuff and maybe make a trip up to Sydney (Sydney is really easy for me because we have an office there and I wouldn't even have to take off a day of work).
CP - I will definitely be posting as I move into the next cycle - right now, still waiting for AF - she's not due for a week. I agree about the drugs - especially since my FSH levels haven't been that bad for my age (6.6 this last cycle - they bounce around a bit, but my highest was 9.7 and the one other one I had was in the 7's).
Meredith: two heartbeats - that's brillant, can understand that you're anxious and would also suggest what others have said earlier.
Buliej: you know what you're saying about the FSH makes me really doubt on how much meaning the levels actually have. Agree with you that second opinion is a really good idea, great that it's easy for you to go up to Sydney, let me know how this goes as I am also thinking about changing FS.
Now talked to my FS, and have decided to wait for a month feeling much better with this. She thinks that my FSH is probably going to come down next month, since she is usually pessimistic, it reliefs me greatly.
My DHEA results cam back and my levels are slightly below what they should be at 7 (apparently they should be in between 7.9 and 57 - WLAB this is DHEA, my FS says it's the first time she has seen actually DHEA results usually they get DHEAS), so she said she'll fax the script to the pharmacy and I've already talked to them to pick it up tomorrow.
Glad you made the decision Sara...and thanks for remembering the meeting...it actually went really well, I was stressing myself yesterday about what to say and half of my speech didn't get used. The director is happy to talk to MD about 4 days a week for me so we will see...
Sorry I've been AWOL; I've had a bit of the doldrums for the last few weeks. The Pill has knocked me around a bit this time as far as my emotions are concerned.
Meredith: I am so sorry that things aren't running smoothly for you. I pray that your TWO little ones are alright. Is full bed rest an option for you?
Julie: I got a second opinion after the debacle with our last FS (FS2), and went to see Dr. David Molloy at QFG; he used to be the Director of the Queensland branch of the Australian Medical Association, and has one of the highest IVF live birth rates in Australia (his pregnancy rate is more than 47%). Sydney IVF is apparently statistically the most successful IVF clinic in Australia, though, and much more convenient to you.
Sara: Cycle buddies again, it would seem. What's the difference between DHEA and DHEA-S? My DHEA-S levels were low (2.8 umol/L, normal range 2.7-9.2 umol/L), especially for my age; what is the implication on fertility?
AFM, still waiting for appointment with FS on the ninth. At least it's less than two weeks away now. My DH is going to be away for two months from the 21st of next month so we're going to have to use a frozen semen sample; has anyone else done this?
Hi to everyone I missed.
Last edited by Kel81; February 24th, 2009 at 10:28 AM.
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Meredith: Hang in there honey, you can only look after yourself and your 2 munchkins, and unfortunately the rest is out of your control. Sucks hey
ATM: No results in yet, hopefully should be within a couple of weeks. Feeling pretty crap today DH and I had our first argument (5 years) last night. He was trying to teach my DD 15 maths and of course it ended with him getting annoyed and her in tears. I honestly believe that parents should never try to teach their kids anything.
Kel: nice to hear from you I was a bit concerned about you. I am absolutely not the expert in terms of DHEA, my doctor was surprised that she got a result for DHEA for me she said it's the first time she has seen it before she only got DHEAS results - if my DHEAS result would have been low she would have put me on DHEA as she has now done. Ia mnot sure if you want to consider it as an option, you have much more time as you are younger. I am at a stage where I try anything as my next option would have to be egg donor and I dont really want to take that step now.
WLAB: Saw your question in the other thread: DHEA is a steriod, it's supposed to increase egg numbers and quality, for me it's numbers game so really hope it works. It has side effects my doctor meniton possibility of facial hair and deeper voice, ther phamacist talked about tummy upset, so basically it's a big gun. It also is not proven as there haven't been any double blind studies, google it and you'll find info on American IVF sites - aparently they use a much higher does in the US then here, I am using 25mg twice daily. It's also know as a youth hormone.....
Lisa: Good to hear from you, hope the results come soon.
Meredith hope things are going okay
CP: How was your FS appointment?
Buliej: have send you a PM.
AFM have now started the DHEA, also will go sailing this weekend, have a massage next weekend and go to a health resort the weekend after, then starting Acupuncture again and trying to do lots of exercise and meditation in between - really hope this all will help.....
I googled DHEA vs. DHEAS and wikipedia had a decent explanation if anyone is interested in finding it. I also was told about the side effects - most typically oilier skin (breakouts) and facial hair. The dr I spoke to said they were temporary. Thus when you go off the DHEA they should go away (and they do not happen to everyone)
Sara - your plans sound great. I was looking at a couple of "health resorts" and thought, hmm, maybe that's exactly what I need!
Thanks Sara for your answer re the DHEA, I am glad your FS decided to go with it, and you have a plan sorted. I must say your relaxation teqniques over the next few weeks sound devine. I am sure they will work wonders.
Julie: Did I miss a post on how you went yesterday with dhea gp, are you going to take it as well ?
I asked FS about the difference this morning, I wont even try to post what she told me, b/c I will
muck it up.
HI ladies, thanks for all your thoughts. I am still hanging in there. Bleeding as settled (for now). I have had 3-4 days of almost total rest but not really an option! Am just trying to do as little as possible. The house is a total shambles but I am trying to ignore it all right now. Only doing the basic necessities. The end of this week marks the same time I had a massive bleed and lost our last angels so very, very anxious just to make it through these next few days.
Sara - well done on making the choice to wait a mth. I think that is very brave of you. I hope the DHEA and all your other "wellness" tactics pay off big time
Kel - sorry things have been a bit down lately. These hormones really do stuff us up. I hope your appt goes well on the 9th and you get a good plan of attack for next cycle. I have never done the frozen semen thing but I know lots of people do and still get good sucess
CP - hope you are doing ok darl.
Lisa - man those results are taking an age. You must have the paience of a saint. Sorry about your argument with DH. Hopefully it will all be forgotten soon
Last edited by dusty; February 25th, 2009 at 01:44 PM.
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Hi ladies, I am still lurking this thread but haven't been actively posting.
Meredith, so glad everything is going ok for you.
AFM, had an appt with FS about the fibriod and protocle for next cycle. Had a scan/sono to have a better look of the fibriods yesterday and now still waiting for FS to call whether it is removable or not. But just by what Gnynocologist mentioned yesterday, the one we have concern about was on the uterine cavity, but it actually didn't look as bad. Now I am having second thought about surgery to remove it. Who knows whether it is the reason that last two cycles weren't successful. I might give it another cycle to try my luck before jump into an invasive sugery.
As for next cycle, I am going to try Antagonist cycle. So just post a new thread to gather some information there, so if any of you have anything to share, I'd love to hear from you.
But a positive result is something to focus on. Hoping that those two little heartbeats continue to get stronger.
What's the difference between DHEA and DHEA-S? My DHEA-S levels were low (2.8 umol/L, normal range 2.7-9.2 umol/L), especially for my age; what is the implication on fertility?
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