Anyone with Sydney IVF and do an antagonist cycle?

Hi all, I am with SIVF (at a regional clinic, with the nurse as my main point of contact). I am reasonably happy with the clinic and very happy with my nurse, but even if I wasn't I don't have the option of shopping around.

Unfortunately I just had a cycle cancelled, as I did not respond to synarel at all this time. Last stim cycle I responded slowly, and had to stay on it for an extra week before starting injections. I am just concerned that if we go into another long cycle, the same thing might happen.

I know some of you do antagonist cycles, and I have read about them (though don't remember the specifics justnow)... are any of you doing an antogonist cycle with SIVF? At what point did the clinic decide that was the best approach?

Thanks :)

Hi Possums,

I am with SIVF in Sydney - my doctor decided after my downregulated cycle was cancelled that the best approach for me was an antagonist cycle - the other option was a flare cycle but in my doctor's opinion you need to go on the pill before a flare cycle - since I am a slow responder (to FSH I think you mean somthing different when you call yourself a slow responder) I don't want to go on the pill before a cycle.

If I understand correctly you were doing a down-regulated cycle with Synarel - the other option for a down-regulated cycle is Lucrin - it did cost me about $250 - with the Antagonist cycle you use Orgalutran, my doctor starts it at Day 5 which meant that I had to take it both times 8 shots, it costs between $75 - $90 per shot depending on the pharmacy. There are a number of other girls on BB doing antagonist cycles at SIVF.

Obviously I don't know if that is possible for you but it seems that you may not have the best support possible from your doctor. Is it perhaps possible for you to see someone else perhaps in Brisbane and then still have the treatment back at your clinic but supported by a second opinion?

Sara

Sara- thanks for explaining that. And yes, I was referring to the fact I responded slowly to the synarel last time too- other than that, the results for us were OK (7 mature eggs, 3 fertilised, 2 blastocysts)

And I do sometimes find it hard that my FS is 3 hours away in Newcastle. Basically my nurse said, "Ok, you aren't responding and your oestrogen is too high, so stop the synarel, wait for a period, call me when it starts, and you can start the pill again then".

So I wasn't really given other options. I did ask about lucrin, and she said that given I did have success last cycle, this could just be a one off lack of response to synarel.

Doing an antogonist cycle was not mentioned. After reading things on this site, it makes me just want to ask a few more questions. I think when it comes to IVF I really am a novice. Thanks again.

Hi Possums, no probs: this thread might be helpful as well:

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ion-cycle.html

thanks Sara will read that too

Hi Emma,
I am so sorry to hear that you have had your cycle cancelled, I know how frustrating it can be, and this endless waiting is the most exhausting of all, especially when you just want to get into it, have your cycle planned out, and if you are like me, have already worked out EDD (crazy I know).

I hope you get some answers from your FS re perhaps trying a different protocol, and hope you can get started soon. All the best xx

Thanks BDT...and yes, I do the EDD thing too :redface:

Hi Possums

I was wondering how you got on this cycle and was sorry to read it had been cancelled. I know you must be feeling frustrated :wall: and deflated right now :comfort:.

Like Sara my first IVF cycle was cancelled. It was a down-reg with Lucrin. We had increased my dose of Puregon from 200 to 300 units, but it was too little too late. Even though I had a good number of follicles, there was one crazy lead one and most did not mature. The thought was that I might have been over-suppressed by the Lucrin. I had learned about the Orgalutron cycle and read it sometimes suits "mature" ladies and that it may also possibly improve egg quality. I requested the Orgalutron protocol for my second cycle and we increased the Puregon to 375. I came straight off the cancelled cycle, so my follicle numbers dropped a little. I did however manage one blast that also passed the 8 chromosonal PGD tests I had requested. BFN. I commenced DHEA, in the hope of improving egg numbers and quality. Next month I had a natural chemical PG, so had a month "off" before trying again with IVF cycle 3. We went for the Orgalutron protocol and switched to Gonal-F. This time - success. A BFP + 2 frozen. I do not know completely why it worked this time, but do believe the Orgalutron protocol/increased FSH stims/DHEA were the right combination for my body. I was also advised that every monthly cycle is different. Hope some of the information in here is helpful to you, hun.

WTH x

thanks WTH- the info helps, and this site and ladies like you have encouraged me along the way to ask more questions, ask for tests etc

Hi Possom, sorry to hear that your cycle has been cancelled. I do hear people didn't response to syneral can have different result with Lucrin. Given last time, your responded slowly, maybe its worth while to change to another drug altogether rather than risk anther cycle?

I find in this journey, even we rely on their professional advice, sometimes, we do need to push to be heard. Twice I have to insist on the tests, both time we found problems. This time, I also have to suggest my FS to increase my dose after last Antagonist cycle (although I got 1 blastcyst frozen as a result). My point is - Never afraid of asking questions and when feel right insist on what you feel right.

Back to the Antagonist cycle, as WTH and Sara said, it is for people who are 'older' and also understimulate when having down-reg. It is the closest to your body's rhythem and suggest to have better egg quality with the suppressive drugs. Last cycle was my first Antagonist cycle after 3 down-reg cycles, although I stim well with down-reg, my FS suggested changing to Antagonist hoping to get more eggs but the result is not my best, I am currently giving it another try with increased dose. If its not working well, I will be back to down-reg.

thanks CP- I wish you luck with your next cycle.

My thinking is just as you said- both times I have had a less than ideal response to synarel...this time basically no response. So I am reluctant to follow the same path again.

Maybe lucrin will be the go.
Will see what they come back to me with.

Thanks again everyone. I am learning to speak up more now.

Just wanted to update where I am at...I asked my FS, and I am going to stick with a long down-reg cycle next time, but use lucrin instead of synarel. So I feel more comfortable with that, I was anxious about having the same result on synarel.
Thanks again everyone.

Possum that sounds like a realy good decision :goodluck: with the new protocol and keep us up-to-date.

Sara