Anyone else had these sorts of numbers and had IVF success?????

[nothing2lose]

Hello all,

This is my first post in the IVF/ICSI pages (at least I am pretty sure it is!) I havent started IVF yet but am scheduled to begin in February (prelim counselling, etc in Jan). I hope no-one minds me popping in to ask a question! (i have been stalking for a while!)

I am currently on my 5th clomid cycle (100mg cd 4-8). It is getting me ovulating each time with nice big follicles(yay!) but no BFPs

My medical issues (in short) are PCOS, adenomyosis, slight endometriosis (unproven but highly likely according to FS), possible endometrial hyperplasia (again, unproven but suspected). My tubes are fine (at least that's one thing going for me!) but my uterus is enlarged due to the adenomyosis. I am also old (39) and fat (BMI 38)

My DP has okay sperm (but not brilliant) - morphology 92% abnormal

My prelim blood tests came back as FSH 5.5 and AMH 17.9 (not sure what other tests are relevant so I wont bother with them!)

I also like long walks on the beach and my favourite color is green - but I guess that's not relevant

Okay, sorry for the long winded medical rundown, I promise I am getting to the question...

As the time gets closer, I am getting more nervous and less optimistic about the success of IVF/ICSI given my age, weight and "issues". I dont want to spend $10,000+ just to be even more heartbroken than I am now. Is there anyone out there who has similar numbers/issues to me and had success??????

Am I wasting my time (and money)? How many times should I try before I call it quits? How do I decide?

I know that by posting here I really am looking for someone to say, 'I had exactly the same scenario and IVF worked for me first time!!' Extremely unlikely, but if you are out there, give me a hoy!!

Given my age, time is fast running out , if it hasnt already. I need this to work quickly otherwise...well, you know....nothing

thanks for listening

n2l

PS I will be doing an antagonist cycle on gonal f (262.5)

[onthefly]

Oh, it would be nice if someone could tell you before you started.
The best person to ask is your FS - they can probably give you a rough idea based on their experiences with other patients. But no guarantees of course.
It's a leap, but I guess you have to weigh the possibility of failure against the regret of never having tried. All the best ~~

[Aimee]

Hi nothing2lose

Sorry you haven't had much luck yet! I'm not a whole help as my situation is a little different but I think you are def in with a chance. I'm not sure what adenomyosis is though. But I have PCOS, some endo and some sperm issues (and 1 tube missing, ectopic) and we have managed to have to DD's with assisted conception.

I know there are heaps of ladies with positive stories but I'm not sure where they are atm. My dietician has told me to try to eat low GI foods to help with my PCOS and to get better quality eggs I think.

Goodluck for you ivf/icsi next year!!!

[Janie71]

Oh, it would be nice if someone could tell you before you started.
The best person to ask is your FS - they can probably give you a rough idea based on their experiences with other patients. But no guarantees of course.
It's a leap, but I guess you have to weigh the possibility of failure against the regret of never having tried. All the best ~~

I agree with Marcellus. Ask your FS, but at the end of the day it is a leap of faith.

I have PCOS and tried Clomid, then injectables OI and then IVF/ICSI. My DH also has OK sperm, but not great. I had one failed stimulated cycle, but managed to get some frozen embryos. I fell pregnant with my DD (now 20 months old) on our first HRT FET at the age of 36 - (2 months off 37).

It can be a hard decision to make, although for me it was a decision I was willing to risk. In my mind I had to try everything I could and I was willing to deal with that decision if it did not work. I got my longed for baby so will never know the pain of having to deal with not getting her (if that makes sense). Being able to look into the future when making this decision would be great, but unfortunately we don't have that option.

I really hope that you come to a decision that you feel comfortable with. And of course ultimately I hope that you get to hold your longed for baby.

Janie xxx

[MummaSue]

It's a scary journey hey? And unfortunately there isn't a one size fits all answer to any of our questions.

I agree with the PPs, your FS is the very best person to talk to about all of this.

Huge hugs

Keep us posted xxxx

[Melindaann]

Hey, I know myself that if I didnt do everything I could within my power, Id be concerned about regret, you cant regret is you exausted all avenues. BUT, thats me. At the end of the day, you FS is the bed person to speak with, your DH and yourself. You learn alot about yourself through IVF, your limits, and when you get there, Im sure you'll know.

Good luck.

Mel

[sunshine]

Hey,
I'm in a similiar situation...
We have just received our results - DF's were good, mine not so good.
My FS believes that I may have endometriosis & so I'm off for a laparoscopy next week After that, who knows - guess it depends on what he finds... Hopefully nothing & then IVF will start in Feb. (fingers & toes crossed)....
I turned 40 2 wks ago - gone into panic mode now....v anxious..
After googling, crying, googling some more, crying again...have decided to ignore the results, put on a brave face, focus on the positive & exhaust all avenues available. Oh - and also not to google!!
You just don't know until you try & I guess for me I don't want to have the regret of not trying everything...

[Smejam]

Hi nothingtoLose,

I am in a similar situation with a high BMI and having been on clomid for 6 months now heading down the IVF road.

My DH has very poor sprem morphology (96% abnormal) so given that we've been referred to Fertility SA and after our initial appointment last month, we're hoping to start our first IVF cycle next month.

We knew that if we didn't try we would regret that decision for the rest of our lives, so we're going to give it a go so we can give our daughter a sibling.

Don't give up if it's something you really want. As everyone has said here, talk it through with your FS, and if it's right, go for it.

I wish you the very best of luck.

[marie502]

Hi Nothing2lose,

I can't give you much info about knowing someone with all the same things as you (pcos, weight issues etc) but I can tell you a positive story about a 40 year old woman who went through ivf.

A friend who met her partner late in life made the decision at 40 years old to keep trying IVF until it worked, and in the end had to do 7 cycles to become pregnant. Obviously the journey she went on was incredibly emotional and heart breaking every time a negative result was given to her and her husband, but she was determined to keep trying until it worked. To cut a long story short, she now has an extremely gorgeous baby boy and has never been happier in her life.

We all wish for our 1st ivf to be 'the one that works' and there's no reason why yours shouldnt (yes miracles do happen and occassionally it does work the first time). But I really want to give you hope if it unfortuanately it doesnt. I personally tried Ivf for the first time last year and when the result was negative, my mind and body basically shut down. I didnt think I could do it again because the pain was so bad that at times i didnt even leave the house. When I finally picked up the courage to try again for the second time, it worked and I am still in a state of shock. It proves that sometimes just a change in protocol is all it takes. Please don't give up if it doesnt work the first time because as hard as it is to go through, the pleasure of finally getting a bfp makes it all worthwhile. (Plus your FS wouldnt even suggest you go through this if he/she didnt think you had a chance of it working!)

sorry for the extra long reply!

[Foxy77]

Hi N2l,
I had severe endometriosis, our sperm donor had 92% abnormal forms, my FSH was way above yours (14) - yours is normal and my AMH was lower too (about 13 - yours is great for 39!) and I'm 33. It took 4 fresh and 5 frozen cycles (mostly transferring 2 embryos except the first 3 cycles) and gee, the pain, heartbreak, cost etc etc are soooo worth it now. I wish I could have forseen the future before I started... I kept thinking the whole time, what if I go through all this and we don't get a baby. I went through many cycles of being pessimistic and the last cycle, I had decided I was just going to keep going until we got there, no matter what (don't know whether this would have lasted though!). If you make sure to get emotional support, you should be ok through the IVF drama - here is a great place to get the support you will need. Good luck with your decision!

[mellybelly81]

Hi

I just wanted to share my story. I am only 30 but have high BMI (36) and PCOS. DH has average motility but after doing 3 x OI with clomid (double doses ie 5 days then another 5 days in one cycle) with response only on first OI we redid DHs tests and found antisperm antibodies so went straight to IVF ICSI. We had to do a freeze all for the first IVF cycle as I over-responded to the IVF and got 23 eggs and developed OHSS. We too got very despondant about the whole process and wondered if we should still carry on, but with 8 embies on ice we went ahead with our first transfer and it worked for us.

I agree with others that your FS will let you know the real possibilities of the process working for you in your situation. I wish you all the best.