Long cycle v's Short Cycle (IVF)

[Nicole S]

Hi Ladies, am just wanting to know how many of you have been offered a short cycle?
DH and I have been trying for #1 for 3 years. We have what's fondly known as unexplained infertility.
With 1MC and two rounds of IUI we are heading in to the world of IVF.
My FS has given me the option on either a long or short cycle, of which he said outcome wise there is no difference.
* For the Antagonist cycle (short cycle), using Peregon and either Cetrotide (u have to mix this yourself) or Orgalutran.
* For the long cycle, using Synarel or Lucrin and Puregon.

I just want to know if anyone can give me some further advise on what treatments may have worked best or just any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[~BecD~]

Hi Nicole

We used Synarel for our first IVF cycle which was cancelled - I didnt really like it all that much, and this we will be going for the Orgalutran instead. Although needles aren't my favourite thing, I'd much rather a couple of needles instead of weeks of Synarel sniffing! JMO thougj

[Chez67]

Hi Nicole

My first cycle was a full down reg cycle - pill, Synarel and GonalF. It turned me into an emotional basket case - everyting made me cry and I was very stressed about it because that is just not me! I ended up with a poor result - 1 egg no embie

My second cycle was a flare - no pill, only Synarel and GonalF for about 12-14 days. Much shorter which was great and not as much emotional stresses. Although I did things differently and had my GonalF at night, which may have helped. Result was still only 1 egg, one embie, BFN.

This time around we are with a new FS and have decided to stay with a flare (yay!) and using Synarel and Puregon at a much lower dose. My FS thinks that the high levels (450) I was on before may have been 'poisoning' my eggs. We will also use Human Growth Hormone from about day 6 or 7 to help with egg quality.

My experience of the down reg (long) cycle was horrible and I wouldn't want to do that again for really no change in end result. I also react badly to the pill after coming off it with migraines due to oestregon withdrawl.

Whatever you decide, I hope you are one of the success stories on the first attempt!
Take care
Chez

[MsPink]

Hi Nicole,

I have done both...

My very first cycle was the long one with Synarel and Puregon. I have a terrible memory and had to set my phone alarm from one sniff to the next, always stressing I would miss it.

Next cycle after turning up my most at the Synarel my FS offered me a short cycle using Puregon and Orgalutran. Now believe me when I say...I am soooo not into needles (but sadly...am now the Queen of them). Anyway...I find this cycle sooooo much easier for me. I dont stress with the alarm and do the 2 needles at the same time at night. I usually only start Orgalutran on Day 5 of needles depending on BT. I was told that some people have a little less success with egg numbers but it's pretty minimal.

I have now done all cycles bar my first the 'short' way and would highly recommend it if 4weeks spraying is not for you...

Best of luck for whichever cycle you choose...and I hope it's the last one you need to worry about..

[briggsy's girl]

i've tried both the long and the short cycle types - the long ones had to be cancelled for no response to the puregon after down regulation. the short ones, we've had an ideal response every time! the orgalutron/cetrotide might attract an extra fee (up to $100 per day for the injection , not claimable from medicare) - but they're pretty easy. much more user friendly - even if you're doing the injections twice a day instead of once. just keep in contact with the clinic - there has to be at least 24 hours between last antagonist shot and trigger - so don't do them too late at night.

good luck deciding - seems we're all on the same page with the antagonist cycle being the way to go!

[Nicole S]

Thanks so much ladies, all the information is greatly appreciated
I am heading to like more and more the short cycle, due to the fact that I suffer mildly from sinus and have been getting the odd headache from the weather change.
Well I have till Tuesday to decide as if I were to go down the long cycle path sniffing would start on Thursday.
If anyone else wants to share their experience, I would love to hear from you.