I am considered a poor responder (even though my FSH levels have always been under 10). My 2 Flare and 1 Antagonist cycles were all done on 450 of GonalF - I think that's the highest dose they will do. I'm kind of in the opposite boat - I wish they could give me less. There is a theory that all this stimulation reduces quality of the eggs - but when you aren't getting any eggs with less, there's no real choice. It also makes sense that a body may respond differently to the same levels of gonalF (or equivalent stimulating hormone) depending on what other hormones/drugs are being given at the same time. As the antagonist doesn't involve surpressing anything, it does make sense that a lower dose of gonalF is used than when doing the flare.
WTH - It will be very interesting to hear what my next cycle will require as it is with a new FS/new clinic and very, very different. And it does involve aspirin along with some other drugs which together make up something called the Colorado method although so far I haven't shown a positive test for a clotting disorder (still waiting for some of my test results to come back - I just can't keep track of them all - other than the fact that from what has come back, everything is normal...except for low vitamin D which I'm now taking)
As for the folic acid - I too was told 1000 is the max - but that's if you don't have other issues that may impact your folate levels. I can certainly see where if you know you have poor absorption, higher dosages make total sense. I think the dr's are all aware of this 1000 figure thus, they wouldn't be telling you this unless there is a reason and a good thing for you to do.
Sara - I would LOVE the email address of my FS - but I think she would put me in her banned senders list - I would have such a hard time restraining myself from sending over a question every time it popped into my mind. I've had to put the DHEA on hold until I get the tests result back from tissue from my m/c - given the possibility it may have been a molar pregnancy, I cannot take anything that stimulates growth. I am that all will be fine and I can re-start the DHEA. I am really petrified at the moment about my test results.
CPie - if the timing of my cycles allows, my new FS has agreed to do the NK testing on me. But we agreed not to delay my cycle it the timing of the NK test would interfere. I think you need to do the uterine test on day 21 of cycle and odds are I will be overseas - and when I return, I want to start my next IVF cycle. But given that I had a D&C today, who knows when my first AF will arrive - it may work out that I can have the test without delaying the start of next ivf cycle. Given that you have blastie(s?) waiting for you, I can see why you want to do all this testing first - I'd do the same. I also think it is brilliant that you are stockpiling embryos made with 38 year old eggs instead of waiting. My biggest regret is not doing the same - we were not ready then as we were still making sure we were right for each other (didn't marry until I was almost 40) - and I just didn't know all that I know now. However, based on my experience I would consider taking a break. I had my worst cycle when it was back-to-back - a complete waste of money and hard on the body.
Isn't it interesting how different all these FS are - they are all experts and yet they all differ but are so sure that their way is the right way! Just a reminder I guess that this is far from an exact science. Although, I do think that the fact that some of these cycles require more involvement by the FS and more monitoring/testing do impact their choices. Glad you pushed your FS Sara as it seems you may have made her realize this is about you and not her (although I have to say, your FS sounds really great - a phone consult after an established relationship when there's no real need for a visit is something I've thought about, but it has never been offered - did you ask for this?).
Silly me, before I started TTC & AC, I thought it was like baking a cake - take these drugs, mix egg & sperm...voila...baby. How really, really silly of me...the good old days of naivete.
Ladies I have removed some posts that are not appropriate for this forum. Please refrain from discussions about pregnancies, complications in pregnancies and birth in this forum. It is provided as a TTC support thread for those undergoing or considering IVF with PGD.
There are plenty of other areas in BB for such discussions to take place including PALTTTC, PAMC&L, and PMs.
If this happens again we will infract without warning.
Thanks for your understanding and continued support of those undergoing IVF with PGD.
Hi everyone, sorry for being MIA (again)! All is well, DH is back to normal (bless him), and all is full steam ahead. Thank you so much for helping me pick up the almighty bundle that I dropped the other week. I honestly don't know how I'd have survived most of this without you wonderful ladies.
Kel: glad to hear from you - all fine here. Just looked at your signature - so are you going for another cycle with your own eggs and where are you at?
Sara: I was just updating my signature as you posted. I'm not sure if I'll do another one or not; I really dropped my bundle last time, and I'm not sure that I've got it in me to put us through another round. I know lots of women persist with dozens of cycles of IVF, but when we had 36 eggs in two cycles and only one good embryo that didn't stick, it's been very confronting for me. We've been TTC for four and a half years now, I can't even count our miscarriages on both hands anymore, and I am tired of being the reason that my husband doesn't have a child. I want to have a baby, and I'll do whatever I need to do for us to start a family. Biological children obviously just aren't meant for me.
I'm just twiddling my thumbs now until June when we're going to advertise in the mags, etc., and until I can post an ad on AED (a week or so away now). I am SO excited that we're moving on to this. I haven't felt this hopeful in a very, very long time!
Kel, glad to hear your update. So happy for you that DH is on board and now exploring the new path is exciting after all these years heart-ache. You sounds at peace with your decision and very happy about it, that's all it matters.
Julie, hope today's test bring some long-waited answers hun...thinking of you...
Sara, WTH,
Some updates from me, after the mental melt-down, I finally got a call from FS and of course I missed it. It went to the voice mail. I just can't believe it, have been taking phone with me everywhere including toilet but then by 19.30pm on Friday, I thought well its not going to happen so went out with mum for an evening walk. When I came back, there is a mesg. What are the chances!!!! Just my luck! Anyway, he said all the b.t result came back normal and will discuss the rest options another time. After all the research and advices from BB girls, I've decided that I will give Antagonist protocol anther go, start when AF arrives. Hopefully the increased dosage will do the trick.
The only thing need to do is 'NK cell' b/t which I am going tomorrow. Then seing Dr.S for result next week, I have also asked a copy of my b/t result so I can take them with me when seeing Dr.S. Well, at least I've done all these before this cycle starts, if this cycle doesn't work out, the next thing is going to be Uterus biopsy and check inside. That is my plan atm...so another cycle, here I come (with not much enthusiasm)
Kel This is really exiting that you are going down this road, so happy that your DH saw the light, please keep us up to date, hope that you find an ED soon. Will also cheer you on on AED. I'll probably do another one or two cycles with my own eggs depending on FSH levels but if I am not incredibly lucky may do the same, will post my next cycle on AED as well.
Kel - it's great to hear the happiness in your post - I'm so glad for you.
CP - sounds like a good plan. I know all about being 1 with your mobile phone - mine has been attached to me at ALL times for the past 4 days....really glad you test results were normal and good luck with Dr S.
My test results came back around noon today (had my phone next to me) - pregnancy wasn't a molar pregnancy - I was beyond relieved...now I just have to recover from d&c, rest up, eat right & take all my supplements and be ready to go again when I return from holiday - so hopefully a new cycle in mid-late June! I am still waiting for chromosomal test results. If they are abnormal like the first time - I'm going to push for PGD if we get enough embryos (that's a big IF for me).
Morning ladies, have finally got the hard copy clinic sent to me about my extensive b/t result and although I don't fully understand some of the items for, I can tell if the result is fitting in the normal range, so seems all good. DH's quote is 'top of the class'...
The only thing fall out of the range is B12 and Red cell Folate, seems I have too much of both. I have gone back to read some of the informative post, seems B12 is not harmful and obviously take 2 x 5mcg which is double the normal dose is too much for me. Or maybe because I've been taking B group Vitamins and they helped to obsorb the folate, but FS didn't think to have much concern about it. I think I will lower my Folate intake now...
Other than that, just waiting for NK-cell test, if that test is normal then we are back to square one again. Not that I am not happy about everything is normal, its just why its not happening to me?
And the reality is, I need it to happen FAST! The budget night about Medicare safety net now will be putting on an enormous pressure on all of us! Like that is what we need right now. I just hope the effective date is not immediately but from 1 Jan 2010. give us all a bit more time....
CP that is interesting, maybe I shoud check folate as well - my clinic recommends 1g and I've just gone down to 600mg (100mg from my iron supplement which also contains B12)
Hey there....I tend to lurk in this thread a bit as we have been saving up for ages to go for yet another PGD cycle for what seems like an eternity now. You know it wasn't so long ago I was on the only member on bellybelly doing PGD...it's great to be able to comein here and learn from all you wonderful ladies.
Hubby and I are off to stay at a hotel in the city tonight as we are doing an IUI cycle and he has to be at MIVF at 8pm to make a deposit but I dont have to be there till 10:30am too long to hang around but not enough time for him to drive all the way home and pick me up....plus I soooooo do not do mornings. To go from home we would have to be upp at 6am and after two of those starts this week for scans I really do not want another early start.
We have decided (and our specialist says okay shock horror!) to do a few IUI cycles and see how we go. After a few failed PGD cycles and the fact that the four times I have been prgenant have been natural conceptions we have decided that we would rather be able to fork out the cash for an IUI each month and take the risk that we may have another miscarriage due to dodgy embryos. Because at the moment to be honest having to wait twelve months to save up the required $8000 out of pocket for a PGD cycle is doing my head in. We had just saved up enough to go for a fresh PGD cycle and on Easter Sunday our 1 yr old fur baby got hit by a car and there went $2500 on vets bills in three days....grrrrr. So we will IUI for a while using an antagonist protocol and the added prednisone and clexane protocol advised by Dr. Sacks and see how we go......fingers crossed!!
Yes...I am also one of those who has flown to Sydney to see the illustrious Dr. Sacks.....I think he know Belly belly quite from all the referrals he gets from here. We found out via the biopsy not the blood test that we have an NK cell issue....my blood workup was completely normal but my biopsy showed a level 6 times higher than normal, so ladies if you are having the NK test my gut instinct is to say have the biopsy dones as well because the blood test is not necessarily indicative of what is happening in the uterus....just my input.
Anyways to the real reason I popped in....I have to share this amazing book I have been reading....it has just blown me away and really cemented my gut feelings on why we have yet to produce a take home baby.
Pasted from another thread: (cos I am lazy!!)
By the way I have just finished reading the most awesome book about the pioneering work done by Dr. Alan Beers in the area of repoductive immunology. He died in 2006 2 weeks before this book was published - I tell you, it is an awesome eye opening read and I highly recommend it for anyone who has been long term TTC.....It is called "Is your body baby friendly?" and was loaned to me by of all people my acupuncturist who had just got it as she now has two patients with immune related fertility issues.
It's a great read.....basically he is/was of the opinion that women with as little as one miscarriage should think about investigations and it goes in depth to explain how the immune system interacts in pregnancy and methods on how to deal with it...also some very interesting food for thought on egg quality and how to improve it etc etc.....very non mainstream but very interesting stuff!! The stuff on his belief that we may NOT be born with all our allocation of eggs but actually be able to grow new ones based on more modern research is fascinating. And his thoughts on improving egg quality are so simple but just seemed to gel with me...maybe they will with you too!
that all will be fine and I can re-start the DHEA. I am really petrified at the moment about my test results.
for the past 4 days....really glad you test results were normal and good luck with Dr S.
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