I'm not sure how similar my situation is to yours, but I wanted to share with you our success in 2007.
I was assessed as having low antral follicles (Grade D). My first two attempts were IUI and unfortunately failed. My first IVF they put me on a Puregon dose of 175, bumped up to 250, and I produced only two eggs. They were only able to collect one, fertilised with ICSI (injected the sperm into the egg), and at the time of day 3 transfer the embryo was graded as quality 1.5 / 4 (meaning it was slow to pick up, it was 6 cells at the time). So I don't think the doctors were overly optimistic - However, regardless of all that, IT WORKED. I now have the most beautiful, funny little baby boy (now 15 months old).
This time, two years later, they put me on a dose of 325, and they collected only 4 eggs (two embryos eventuated), I'm still waiting on my result but even if it doesn't work this time, I'm still amazed and uplifted from our first time IVF success, when everything wasn't looking in our favour.
So I wish you every bit of egg-growing and sticky vibes, and big hugs to you !!
Not sure if i had the same problem as you they never used the same terminology but if you are talking about having to have a lot of Puregon to get your eggs going then mine is a success story. From about the second stim cycle onwards (total 7 stim cycles) I had 450 IU of Puregon daily to get my one 1 little ovary to produce some decent eggs. The best cycle we ever had was the last cycle which we did combined with the Colarado protocol (prenisolone, clexane, antibiotics etc) and second daily pregnyl (very small dose). i cant remember how many eggs we collected but for the first time ever 2 made it to blastocyst. I had 1 transferred fresh which resulted in my gorgeous little smiley girl who is now 1 year old and 1 frozen which I hope to have transferred soonish.
Not sure if I have the same problem, but my last IVF attempt which was in 2008 was cancelled as my levels were not increasing as they were supposed to. And my first IVF attempt I did manage to get to EPU but only got three eggs none of which fertilised. I haven't really been given an explanation as to why any of this happened, especially the last attempt. I mean I know everyone reacts differently to the IVF treatment but I am hoping to try another cycle in Feb/March. I guess I want to know what they are going to do differently this time as was wondering if anyone has any good questions to ask my Gyno when I go to see him in a few weeks.
Emma, sorry to hear things weren't successful for you. Regarding the eggs not fertilising, you could ask the doctor - assuming you didn't have ICSI that time - if the embryologist commented on sperm morphology (shape) not being optimum for fertilisation? my embryologist told me that the head of the sperm has to be the right shape to burrow in, and there's a few other things about the sperm also that they can check. If you don't have any objections to ICSI, maybe you could ask to try ICSI next time if you have less than 5 eggs collectecd (that's what my clinic does automatically unless you request not to). (ICSI is when they inject a sperm into egg).
They will probably also adjust your medication levels to try and produce more eggs for collection. In my experience they always seem to change the protocol slightly for each new attempt, that always made me feel better anyway, that they were trying somethign slightly different.
I know this is an old thread, but I thought I bump it up again, as it would be nice to hear some more experience from low responders / low AMH.
I am just about to start my 1st cycle and I am very nervous, as I have recently been diagnosed with very low AMH. Not sure yet how I will respond, but I am on a very high dose of puregon and really hope that I will have some sort of response.
Anyway, if someone would like to share some success stories or just some experience, that would be nice.
Hi Kristine, just wanted to wish you all the very best for this cycle - hope your first is a success!! It was in my case - our first IVF produced only 1 collected egg, but we now have a beautiful 2 year old boy from that.
Where are you up to? I'm starting a new cycle too, tomorrow. I'm on a 325 puregon / and possibly growth hormone (unknown as I'm taking part in a trial).
Hi
I recently started ivf treatment. The first 5 days, I was put on Gonal F 300, due to my age (39). Had a scan after 5 days on it and was told am a poor responder with only 4 follicules of decent size. Was strongly advised to stop treatment. I was devastated but i insisted on going ahead. Doctor put me on Cetrotide 0.25mg, Menotropin 150 and Gonal F 300 for another 4 days. Tomorrow is ultrasound day. Fingers crossed. Have been praying that there will be more good follicules tomorrow. Has anyone else been in similar situation? What are the chances of more follicules growing in 4 days? My husband is away and I am alone. No-one else knows that we are doing ivf.
sorry to hear your cycle isn't going to plan. However, I think 4 follicles is not that bad at all. I am suprised that you have been strongly advised to cancel the cycle. I had 3 follicles and no one talked about cancellation. I guess in my case we knew we wouldn't get that many follicles. Which clinic are you with?
Maybe you can talk to your FS and ask his/her opinion and if it would be better to cancel and do a different protocol.
There are heaps of success stories with low number of eggs. Qunatity is not everything, quality is more important. I hope the scan tomorrow is better. A lot can happen in 4 days.
Good luck!
The first IVF cycle is always a bit of an unknown for everyone as people respond so differently to the different protocols.
Fingers crossed that your ultrasound tomorrow shows a improvement, but as Kristine says 4 follicles is still 4 follicles so there is always hope.
IVF is so hard, specially if your husband is away at the moment. Pop on over Here to the assisted conception thread and have a chat with people who are going through the same things - you will find that they are an enormously friendly bunch
Hi Pitterpatter,
my clinic/s have never cancelled my collection and I have only ever had a maximum of 2 follicles - but maybe they were talking about cancelling it if your oestrogen levels weren't high enough to indicate that there were eggs in the follicles? (as sometimes there are empty follicles or immature eggs)? But if it wasn't your hormone levels, then ask them for more info. It is upsetting if you go through collection and then don't get to transfer, so they might have reason to believe that's the case? My first IVF they only collected 1 egg (from 2 follicles) and that one worked for us, son is 2yrs now. Best of luck !
My husband was also away during a lot of my IVF planning, he often worked fly in/fly out (for mining) - it's hard to be alone during the hard decisions stuff (not to mention doing all the medications and not having a shoulder to cry on or a sounding board!) Sending a your way
Hi Pitterpatter i am in exactly the same situation as you right now! My FS wanted to cancel my cycle on Monday i have 7 follicles but they are really slow in growing which could mean they are not great quality.. I think roughly they are around 15mm
i am on 900 gonal f daily plus lots of other things as well. I was devastated as my last cyle was cancelled and the one before was no success so feel like wasted 6 months, so i rang my FS as he is in Brisbane and i am in Syd and said that i didnt want to cancel and if possible could i continue to see if there is any growth or change so Friday i have another ultrasound to check! Could be wasting my time and money but i really didnt want to give up on these 7 just incase there is one good one amongst them.. He basically said it was due to my age unfortunately and i have a sydnrome which affects egg production and quality as well so that is not helping either!
Fingers crossed for us both, sending you lots of babydust!
Good luck
Any Low Responders had IVF Success?
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It only takes one and Im thankful every day for our miracle baby boy.
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