IVF with PGD #4

Hello ladies, sorry haven't been posting much lately because all the options seriously doing my head in...

Had two FS appt in the last week or so, first with my own FS and the other with Dr. S. The result with my own FS, we have decided to do a Flare cycle, just for a change because of my poor response from the last Antagonist cycle. However, FS did pointed out that each cycle is different, the poor response might not because of the protocle itself which I tend to agree. He ordered me the intensive b/t as you knew and still waiting for result atm.

Then went onto to see Dr. S, he sent me to do a NK cell b/t which is his specialty and suggested a uterus biopsy if result came back positive or on border line. He has also brought up a good point - wanting to check the womb after my last D&C, because there is basically no success after that, he just wants to make sure there is no scaring inside etc. This can be done together with the biopsy. So I will have to schedule that in the next month or so.

One thing he said about Flare cycle is IVF Aust has done some research and this protocle has the lowest success rate, hence the clinic now tend to use either down-reg or Antagonist cycle. So that kind of giving me doubt of my decision with FS of doing a Flare cycle next month. Have been research onlin but can't really see much of the concrete result. Any opinions girls?

Dr. S also concerned about my current FSH dose (150iu), he said it is really low for my age. Now I am thinking of it, I was on it since 2007 when I was 36. My last Antagonist cycle was a poor response could possiblly because of the lower dose? My E2 was a bit low to start with, so even the increased dose on Day 9 to 175iu probably is too late.

All these are doing my head and I am a bit lost at the moment just thinking of it....I thought I'd put it out here so any suggestion would be grateful.

Sara, your list seems really comprehensive and hope you will get some solid answers to move forward. Seems we are both in the process of deciding Antagonist or Flare cycle atm.

:hello: to BDT, WTH and anyone who is lurking...

Hi everyone

WTH, I have done tones of research on MTHFR and read a lot of the forums, particularly in the UK there are extensive threads just on this topic. From what I have read there is an indication that even though homocysteine levels don't register as elevated, there is still a link to increased clotting. A lot are saying that even though they did not have high levels, they still benefited from aspirin. My FS has recommended low dose aspirin, and Clexane from ET, though I am in a different situation from you in never having conceived.

CP, it is great you are trying to get answers. I am really interested in the FSH dose for down reg, versus antagonist, versus flare, and agree with Dr S re revisiting your FSH dose. I will need to do some more research, but from what I have always heard, antagonist and flare cycles are better for poor responders, but the contradictory idea is that antagonist cycles will give less follies but better quality, so not quite sure what is going on. Last cycle my FS put me on a lower dose FSH for the antagonist cycle compared to down reg, assuming because I wasn't down regulated I would respond better, but it was the opposite. I spoke with a friend yesterday who is having EPU today on her first antagonist cycle. She had done down reg in the past, hyperstimed on FSH 150, but reponded perfectly on FSH 150 for this antagonist cycle. So by that rational you should up your dose slightly on antagonist to get slightly less follies and ensure no hyperstim.

Does this makes sense? I can't find any info on FSH dose for down reg versus antagonist cycle. Any ideas?

Hi to everyone else.

Cuddlepie - I can understand why your brain is going to mush! On a bright note, it sounds like Dr S is willing to try things a little differently - certainly at least raise your FSH dose. If your existing FS wants to use the same ol' dose, would you consider moving over to Dr S for one or two cycles?? Also, have you tried switching between Puregon and Gonal-F? My FS said some women respond better to one than the other (though I can't see the logic behind this).

Baby Dreamtime - very interesting! From the research I did, the Clexane and aspirin were the standard everywhere. I have taken this up with my OB a few times, and he just won't budge :rolleyes: He just looks at my homocysteine result and says it's not necessary. That's why I started taking the garlic tabs and drinking tomato juice daily - natural blood thinners. TBH, this has been lingering in the back of my mind, particularly more now as you've read that with normal homocysteine levels there is still a link with clotting. Is there any chance you could PM me the link of the article mentioning this point about normal levels and clotting? I am meeting with my OB next week and would like to talk to him further about it. Do you think this is a real threat throughout all three trimesters of PG?

THANX

Hi Cpie,

Wrote a long response to you yesterday but lost it - basically I'd talk to Dr Lok about dosage and ask him if SIVF has statistics on flare vs antagonist. I've googled it and found a number on studies which were done on "poor responders" in down regulated cycles, sometimes they found antagonist was better but other studies found flare was better, so not sure.

The thing is that you aren't a "poor responder" so if you ahve doubt about going flare you could always consider a normal down regulated cycle instead.

Otherwise I thought Dr S suggestions soudned good especially to check on scarring - could you do the fibroid at the same time?

:hello: WTH & BDT

Sara

WTH, will have a look and find the links and PM, I guess just something to consider. xx

Baby Dreamtime - I really appreciate it. (Don't feel bad - you are helping) but I am now quite worried...

BDT, I had a similar assumption about the dosage on Antagonist cycle vs down-reg. That's why I was a bit worried to over stim initially with the same dose as down-reg, obviously that didn't happen but the contrarory. To me, this doesn't make logical sense really. Maybe because I am not a poor responder on down-reg, so the opposite result? It also made me wondering if I should give Flare cycle a try, seems all these protocols really gives different result on each individual. Even when we look at stats/research, we are not exactly comparing apple to apple, you won't know until you try it?! It sucks thought, no short cut just have to go through it. Your friends' case made perfect sense, if you find any other examples, I'd also like to hear it, its so helpful.

I've sent an email to Dr. Lok last night asking to increase dose, Im sure he will take on board. I am thinking it should be around 200iu. (half a doctor am I? :lol:)

Sara, I would do a down-reg cycle if I could this month, but given now my strategy for this year is 'to accumulated more snow-bubs in the frozen bank with my 38-year-old eggs', I am trying to fit in more cycles as I could. I am now on my D20 and going to do NK cell b/t next week, so can't start a down-reg. Timing wise, a short cycle fit in better so I won't waste a month in between. Although my mind is still battling between Antagonist or Flare atm. On the other hand, I don't feel super healthy this month, my temp chart is all over the place and hardly take a hike after O, so this morning I am also doubting if I should go into a cycle straight away. It might not be the best thing to do anyway. So again, I am confused.

Fibriod issue has now been put on the back burner, I sensed that Dr. S is thinking checking other issues more important than this although he didn't make it very clear. He just said its a tricky issue but many women got pregnant when having much larger fibroid than 5mm. So my plan is to do a Uterus biopsy and checking inside of it at one go, this also need to be done at D23-26 of the cycle, which means down-reg is out again. Once I eliminate all other possibilities, maybe I will have to consider this. I hate the sound of key-hole surgery and that will put me out of action for at least 3 months, so I want to get most use of my 'young' eggs before I have to IYKWIM.

Sorry for the long post, but just need to get this out because I know your guys would understand.

Ah, desicion time is tough girls....sigh...

Hi Girls,

Buliej: You are in my thoughts today :hug:

Cpie: Sorry now may confuse you even more - my FS is deadset against Flare without pill. She says if you do that one hormone (and I again can't remember which one I think it's progesterone) can get too high which has a negative effect on implantation - so if you wanted to do a truly frozen only cycle you should be fine. In case you go for antagonist, she said the smaller dosage Pregnyl will soon be no longer be available, I'll be going in to pick some up from SIVF, hopefully enough for two cycles as the alternative is another medication which seems to be $140 per shot !

Otherwise:

DHEA - she said to stay on 50mg as otherwise the side effects will get worse, she thinks 75mg is a really high dosage but didn't really have a real reason for it, admitting that all studies available have been done with 75mg, she also said it's very important for me - I have now decided for myself to go up to 75mg for now, if I can't got next cycle I may go down to 50mg again as I don't want to take a large dosage for a long period.

Supplements, she said to go down to 110mg CoQ10 altogether (Blackmores plus one extra) and put DP on 100mg as well.

Egg donor: to my great relief she thinks I should go with my own eggs for now.

Colorado protocol: She said it's more one you do after recurrent miscarriages or real implantation problems and does not think it is of benefit for me at this stage.

Empty follicles: She is 100% sure I haven't ovulated, she doesn't really have an answer but would give me a much larger dosage of the trigger shot hoping to mature the eggs.
Orgalutran: that was interesting, she starts this on Day 5 of the cycle day for everyone - I asked if it wouldn't be better to look at people individually she said that in my case she started it last cycle on Day 4 as I already was at 1100 E2 and that especially with women with lower egg numbers she is really conservative with it as she does not want to lose any eggs, which kind of makes sense.

FSH: She thinks I will have a cylce with a 12 or lower FSH number at some point and thinks I should probably wait for it but is happy to go with higher number if i want that.

Dr Lok: that also was very interesting, she said she is happy for me to get a second opinion and he can have access to all my files. I asked her if she thinks he may say something different and I think I got her thinking, she suggested to possibly start Orgalutran later than last time and said that would mean I need to get even closer monitored - I guess that may mean daily BT which I don't have a problem with if it gives me a better outcoesm. She also now wants DP to go to another SDSA test, if that turns out his DNA damage has not imporved she wants to do the sperm extraction operation - so far I have only told DP about the other test, don't think I need to worry him with the operation until we have the numbers.....

Anyway lots of food for thought for me I think.

Have a great weekend

Sara

Sara, thanks for posting the response, that's very helpful and interesting. Glad you FS is able to do phone consult, I am in the middle of getting frustrated as I haven't heard anything from FS re the email I sent and my b/t result. :wall:

After all the information I've got so far (especially after read what your FS said), I am now leaning toward another Antagonist cycle, at least I know what can happen. I am hopeful that with an increased dosage, the result can be improved somehow. My strategy will still be aiming to freeze the best ones and transfer the viable ones to take my chances, with Dr. Lok fully agree and on my side.

Great that she thinks you can keep going with your own eggs, what a relief! Hope with some adjustment of the drugs and experience from the past two cycles, she will have better control over your cycle. (did you get my email? let me know)

CPie Oops, mail was in my junkfolder - have now emailed back.

Yes, I was quite impressed with the phone consult, this took about 30 minutes and didn't cost me anything.

Keeping everything crossed for your BT results, hoping something minor & easy to resolve is found.

Sara

Very impressive research everyone.

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 :pray: 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.

and, AFM...I've posted all about me here...https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...nderstand.html

Julie: So glad things went okay, keeping fingers crossed for test results :hug:

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.

Sara: Are you hangin' in there?

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

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!

Double post. Blasted dodgy server.

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, :hello:

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.

Sara

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 :redface: 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).

So glad its not molar preg Julie, bet you are relieved! Take care and recover and have a great holiday, looking forward to have you back in June...:hug:

CPie & Julie: So good to hear that both your test results were good - keeping fingers crossed for the other tests

Sara

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. :pray: give us all a bit more time....

Hope everyone else is ok!

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)

Well done for the good test results.

Sara

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!

Just needed to share that!! Thanks for listening!

Hi Melanie, thanks for all this - do you know the author and title of the book?

Sara

Hi Mel

Thanks for posting, nice to get to know you. I am off to google your book, and see what I come up with .

Hi to everyone

Quick post from me...

CP - I can completely understand where you are coming from - that you kind of want something to be wrong so you can say "ah ha", let's address that and then it will work. I really hope that Dr S can help you figure this out. He sounds amazing from what I've read.

melbel - good luck with this cycle. I just looked at my notes from my first meeting with a naturopath - she recommended that book as well - but I haven't had time to do anything about it yet. My notes ay "Is My Body Baby Friendly" by Alan Beer.

AFM - another trisomy! that was the reason for this m/c. So I've had a 2 different spontaneous trisomies. If I get enough embryos from this new method I am going to seriously consider PGD. I just can't go through another messy m/c situation - it's too hard mentally & physically (for me). Nor do I have the time to spare while my body recovers.

One more week, then we are away...working from home this morning so I can get some laundry done - ridiculous.

Buliej - it is good that you found the reason behind your recent MC. Like you, I had two confirmed spontaneous trisomies (most likely declining egg quality), which is why I turned to PGD. And also like you, I commenced DHEA in the hope of raising egg numbers for the IVF/PGD process. Wishing you all the best from here, hun :goodluck:

:hello: Sara, Cuddlepie, WLAB and Kel

Hi girls,

Very quiet in here.

CPie: Has AF shown up? Wishing you :goodluck: with this cycle.

WLAB: Keeping fingers crossed for IUI - where are you up to?

Buliej: Hope you have a great break and please don't think about the Safety Net.

Kel: Thinking of you, how are you going?

WTH: Hope you are well again.

Meredith: Thinking of you.

AFM - very upset about Safety Net but really relieved that the changes only come into effect on 1 Jan 2009 - have discussed it with DP this morning and I will take that as the deadline to stop trying with my own eggs. We have an appointment with Dr Lok on Tuesday for a second opinion, then awaiting AF at the end of that week and will test FSH. At the moment trying to be very healthy and doing hard bushwalks every weekend.

Sara

A little update for me, well, result for NK cell came back positive, very high actually. The range that Dr.S would like to be 12-18, mine is 30%. So I am a bit upset and scared and hard to get my FS, AF arrived today, seems my cycle for this month is off.

If you are interested, here is the thread I posted about it:
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...very-high.html

sorry no personals today....

CP - I'm so sorry that you have to deal with another issue...but is there a bright side to this (as much as there can be)? - meaning now that you know what the issue is, you can address this and hopefully use your frostie (I do hope I'm remembering the facts) to get a sticky bub! Well, I just read your thread and I do see that you have a number of decisions to make and that there are some uncertainties...I am so, so sorry :hug:. I hope that the other girls who have had positive NK test results can offer you guidance...and we are all here to support you. As an aside, I finally got the treatment plan for my next cycle - and it involves Prednisolne (the steriod) - 25mg for 5 nights commencing day after trigger - so it does seem that some FS are incorporating this into their treatment plan for reasons other than NK cells.

CPie, Just sending :hug: hope you get hold of Dr Lok soon and he can help to clarify things for you. Sorry that things are so hard, it's difficult if everything happpens at the same time.

Sara

Thanks Julie and Sara...I was glad that FS called late last night to put my mind at ease. He said no problem to start this cycle straight away and meanwhile, we can discuss about the treatment plan next Friday. Sounds like its not his first time to treat this and he mentioned the exact drug Dr.S mentioned, so I guess I have to have faith in him.

The good news is AF arrived yesterday and today had blood test, FSH is 7.1, so I can start on FSH injection tomorrow, dosage is now up to 200iu from 75iu last time. I hope the changes including the treatment of NK cells will make some difference.

Julie, it is interesting to hear that you are also starting Predisolone, although for a different reason. If you read my other thread, Melbel mentioned this can potentially increase egg quality, so I hope one way or another, the end result for your next cycle will be different. Well, we can compare our side effect after taking it. Fun!

Sara, hope all the exercise is helping you in every aspect, I have everything crossed for you that you will get a green light.

:hello: to everyone else...

Very quiet in here :)

CPie; How are you going, thinkint of you, hope the BT are going fine.

Hope evryone is going alright I am just awaiting AF later this week and meanwhile keep myself occupied with lots of bushwalk and some nice things with DP, we'll go into Shane Warne the Musical tonite. Will also see Dr Lok today.

Sara

It is quite in here...

Thanks Sara for thinking of me, I am just quietly ploding along and tomorrow will have my 1st u/s....will see...

Good luck with today hun and let us know how you go...

CP: goodluck: for Ultrasound tomorrow hope there is a nice number of follies there

WLAB: how is IUI going, just wondering at what stage you are?

Kel: Sorry to hear about your donor changing their mind. Hope you'll soon have success on AED

BDT: Cyclebuddy - has AF shown for you? I expect it later this week.

Buliej: hope you're having a relaxing break.

:hello: WTH & Meredith

AFM Appointment with Dr Lok was a lot of food for thought. He basically thinks that my FS should have triggered earlier and that I lost the four follies which were around 20-22mm. He also suggested to use Pregnyl as the trigger. Then he suggested DP to do another sperm test and to do surgical sperm extraction if the result wasn't good - poor DP is afraid of needles and didn't find it at all reassuring that the needle used would be smaller than the one for EPU - must say that I wouldn't have needed to see the very graphic picture about the EPU either - very glad that I've so far always done this under anaesthetic :)
The really good thing was that he is not really concerned about high FSH as long as it's below 20!
Also he said the other option for us are donor eggs and he doesn't think it's a problem to find a donor.
In any case at this stage I think I prefer my own FS, asked Dr Lok to email her with his suggestions as I thought they all make sense to me.

Have a great day,

Sara

Hi Ladies

CPie ; Gl for your scan tommorow, I hope you have just the right ingredients for your bfp

Sara; I am happy for you that Dr S, said FSH under 20 is good, and that you hava made a decision to stay with your current fs

Thanks for thinking of me, I felt completly dissapointed with my current FS, hence the change in procedure, then I had another change, and didn't bother to have the IUI with her either. It's a long story that I would rather not post on the threads, so I DTD naturally after the stims, so we will see what happens. Failing that, I have two new FS appointments schedueled, one tommorow morning, and one next week, depending on the outcome, I will go with either, and insist on the colorado, I have the exact same protocol as BullieJ, as we saw the same fs, for a second opintion, however, I have used the safety net to my advantage, and incuded an inital appointment, with two more FS's before I choose a FS, to give this year, our final shot, at ttc with IVF ...

Hi Girls,

WLAB: That sounds like a bad story with your FS it's all hard enough anyway so gettign disppointed by your FS is really not what you needs. Hope you are happy with one of the two FS you're meeting, it's a good Idea to see two as it gives you a number of different viewpoints and can find someone experienced with the issues you're facing.

CP: Hope your follies keep developing well and growing nicely - sounds like you're having a really good cylce. Looking forward to catching up on the weekend.

AFM - Already feeling some cramping so AF seems to be close - really hope she is not coming late on Saturday as I really don't want to go to a BT on Sunday as I have arranged to go up to he mountains with some friends for a 20km bushwalk - really looking forward to it. I'd go easy with the black tea as you don't want to get overstimulated.

I was talking to the nurse when picking up my meds earlier this week and she said it probably would be okay to come in Monday instead if that happens - has anyone done that before - just don't want to mess up my FSH reading.

Sara