1 EGG on 450 Gonal?

[dusty]

I also only produced 1 egg with 450iu. My eggs are poor & reserve is low due to endo & now age, tho I was 38 @ the time. I think it can be a range of factors. They made me go on the pill before down reg on lucrin & I think my body just switched off & no matter what the stim level I wasn't go to grow follicles. I stimmed for 17 days on 450iu to get that one egg. I fared much better on flare cycles previously where I didn't down reg & that was on 350iu stim. If we had tried again I would have insisted on an antagonist cycle with a new FS as mine wouldn't listen to me or test my response earlier than day 10. As it was my sister took over by doing IVF & donating her eggs to us.
Best of luck & ask questions and look at alterate cycle options if things don't improve.
There is also a body of thought that too high stim levels can fry the eggs, may be worth considering if egg quality also becomes an issue.

[shazbub]

Thanks Dusty for the info. I'm currently on day 3 of 600 Gonal and syranel and I'll see how this cycle tracks. I tend to always have blood tests on day 8. I've never been fully explained as to what an antagonist or flare cycle is and what is down reg? Are you able to explain? The nurse has mentioned briefly about a flare and I think she said it was when you start syranel/lucrin at the same time as Gonal - so there is no need to start earlier? Not sure exactly what this does though....

Thanks

[sevie]

Hi Shazbub, firstly, and truly, good luck with everything.
Similar to you, I've been on high doses of FSH. I started on 450 Gonal F since half way through my 1st cycle (I've done 4 now). My FS says that studies show that administering more than 450 of FSH is like trying to soak an already saturated sponge. It won't change your result. In saying that, my identical twin sister has often administered around 600units of Gonal F (ignoring the 450 order of her FS!) and does do better than me, but I truly think that's not related to her extra dosage. You see, we are both poor stimulators, and have started early menopause ( along process though), and I simply just do worse than she does. My last cycle I only managed 1 egg, which fertilised, and I amazingly got pregnant! sadly the baby died at 12 weeks and she was genetically tested and had Trisomy 18. I now sometimes think that the Gently Gently approach is better, and that the ovaries don't like harrassment! But in saying that, everybody's body is unique AND a mystery!
Stay positive but realistic. Such good things can happen!

[sevie]

Oh, I forgot to answer a couple of your questions! I'll just be quick but an antagonist cycle is designed to supress your own FSH (rather than a Boost cycle that works with your own FSH response), and down regulating is used to control (or supress) your own FSH, meaning that the FS expects you to do well with the FSH injections.
good luck!!