1 EGG on 450 Gonal?

[shazbub]

Hi
This is my first time on a forum and wanted to know of anyone's response to Gonal F. This IVF cycle I was on 450 Gonal and on lucrin both starting on Day 2 of my cycle. Unbelievably I only managed to produce one egg! Also no sight of overstimulation either. Apparently I have ovaries of steel!! Has anyone else had this experience? I discovered this on Day 8 and immediately stopped the cycle. The next cycle I'm due to start the lucrin/synarel (it's my choice so decided to stick with synarel so I have less bruising from the needles) in the next 4 days (about a week prior to my next due cycle)This is our #3 IVF. Also did anyone do back to back stim cycles and had a better response on the 2nd?

Me: 33, DH: 30
DH: motility issues
Plus potential antibody - either me or hubby

Our TTC history so far:

- 4 x IUI's - all negative
- #1 IVF (150 Gonal, Synarel 1wk prior to injection start)- 7 eggs - 2 fully matured to 5 day blast
Low HCG
- FET - implant but dropped off within 4-5days
- #2 IVF - 3 eggs (150 Gonal and Lucrin - start same time - day 2 of cycle) -
None fertlised.
- #3 IVF - 1 egg (450 Gonal and Lucrin - start same time - day 2 of cycle) - Treatment cancelled
- just about to attempt #4.


Your experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Shazbub
x

[Loula]

Sorry i cant help you with your direct question but wanted to wish you the best for your next cycle.

Although i usually over respond on a small dose i have heard that Royal jelly may hel and also zinc. Are you trying any ither threapies?

[onthefly]

I don't know either, sorry, but also want to wish you good luck!
Maybe if you try a dose in the middle it'll work better....

[ZigZag]

Hi Shazbub,
I haven't really got much experience behind me but had my first ever assisted conception cycle in November with ICSI. I had gonal-F and started on 300 units. At my first blood test my levels were still base line and I'd bleed for about 2 days, so they increased the dose to 450 units. 3 days later I had another blood test and went for scan to only find 2 mature enough eggs to think about collection and the other ovary had 3 well underdeveloped, and not worth considering. The FS said if the bloods came back at really high levels he would collect them. As expected though, my bloods had gone up slightly from base line but not enough to allow collection, so my cycle got cancelled. I was on Lucrin from CD5 and started the Gonal-F around a week later.

After the cycle was cancelled I decided to ovulate naturally but had another 2 days of unusual bleeding in the following weeks and continuing discomfort around one of my ovaries so am going to have it investigated next month with a lap. Provided everything is all clear, I'll be starting our next ICSI cycle straight after but starting straight up with 450units, which is the maximum dose our clinic will administer. I've heard in the past they used to allow 600 units but apparently there is sufficient research to state the ovaries don't really work any harder on anything past 450 units so its not worth it.

A friend had her second child with IVF and the first cycle she did was apparently very similar to mine. Her levels were ridiculously low and she wasn't responding to the drugs so the next cycle they started with high levels and got enough eggs to fertilise a few and the first fresh transfer resulted in her son.

So my fingers, legs, toes and hair fibres are all crossed that this next cycle produces some eggs for us to work with, and that your #4 cycle is a winner!

A bit on our history...

Me: 36
DH: 41
DD#1 2005: naturally 1st go (go figure!!)
TTC#2 since Dec 07
Him: 4% good swimmers, needs ICSI
Me: endo history, lg fibroids removed 09, going for 3rd lap surgery next month
ICSI #1 cancelled
ICSI #2 due to start Feb

All the best!
Zig

[shazbub]

Thanks everyone for your well wishes.

I'm looking forward to the next treatment cycle and am endeavouring to be positive.

Zig I wish you all the best with ICSI #2 and hopefully the levels are right for you. From what I have read I think the drug protocol (particularly the timing) is very important in terms of egg numbers and quality.

I'm also due to start an ICSI cycle in Feb. This time I'm on syranel (same as the Lucrin) but a week before my period is due (tomorrow) and then I'm on 600 units on Day 2 of my period. They haven't advised anything else at this point. Did you feel headachey, foggy like on 450units?? I'm a little worried to how I'm going to be on 600 units as I did notice a difference between 150 and 450 units.

Hubby and I are also doing acupuncture and are taking all the stuff we could possibly take!

Fingers crossed that the next one is winner for everyone.

Regards

Shazbub

[ZigZag]

Did you feel headachey, foggy like on 450units?? I'm a little worried to how I'm going to be on 600 units as I did notice a difference between 150 and 450 units.

I actually had no side effects from the drugs at all and didn't notice a difference going from 300 units to 450 units. Having had no side effects has me worried that I'm not going to respond to the drugs at all...what do you do then?

All the best for a positive and successful cycle. Let us know how you go on 600 units.

Zig

[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!!

[Sim Smith]

Hi shazbub,

How are you? Good luck and Best Wishes to you.

We are new to this and am finding it a bit stressful. If possible, could we please have your details so we can talk to you.

We have just had two quick cycles and it sounds similar to yours.

Thank you very much, we look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes.

[shazbub]

Hi Sim Smith

Yes - by all means. I understand how stressful and frustrating it can be. The weekend might be best to call me. I'm in Perth.

My mobile number is 0407 776 622.

Regards