First ivf cycle and it cancelled

[mwilson]

Hey!

We have two kids (1 boy, 1 special needs girl). We have tried over a year for number three and no luck (1 miscarriage). Turns out I have low ovarian reserve. We just started our first ivf cycle but cancelled bc of low response. Anyone ever have low response but then did another cycle with different protocol and have success? I said I wanted to try again and dr is doing a different protocol and having me start bc pills right away.

[nuthinbutpink]

I'm sorry. Same thing happened to me. I did take DHEA for 8-9 months to help my reserve. I do believe that it helped me out because all my pretesting got better. It is hard to wait though.

I changed my protocol for the second cycle. I did not use BCP. Only lupron for suppression. I was on a very high dose of FSH and LH but got 20 eggs, 10 of which fertilized. That was after the DHEA though.

[mwilson]

I didn’t have bcp on the first round, I did have lupron. I’ll ask about the dhea.

[nuthinbutpink]

Where did you cycle? What was your protocol?

[mwilson]

What do you mean where did I cycle? Like my location? I started with 20u lupron for a couple days then down to .5 lupron, 20u low dose hcg, and 300 global f twice a day.

[nuthinbutpink]

So you used 300 gonal and HCG for stims?

[anne.d]

I think your dose of Lupron is way too high and it probably oversuppressed you. I have DOR and only one ovary. AMH 0.97 and AFC 7. Cycled with Dr P and put on a microdose Lupron flare protocol. May be an option you want to discuss with your doctor. Perhaps a protocol change may help.

[mwilson]

Yes hcg and 300 gonal in morning and then another 300 gonal in evening.

[mwilson]

I think your dose of Lupron is way too high and it probably oversuppressed you. I have DOR and only one ovary. AMH 0.97 and AFC 7. Cycled with Dr P and put on a microdose Lupron flare protocol. May be an option you want to discuss with your doctor. Perhaps a protocol change may help.

I’ll remember the lupron flare. I havent received the new protocol for the next cycle yet. I only know I start bcp on day one of my next period for 2 weeks. I did order dhea and should be here tomorrow so I’ll start taking that. I read 75 is recommended, is that correct?

[anne.d]

75mg is usually the dose but I would urge you to run that by your clinic. I ran it by my clinic when I was cycling and it was an absolute no. The reason I was given is that they developed a protocol for me based on my pretesting right now. DHEA may cause your pretesting to improve or worsen and you will need to take it for at least 6 months with frequent hormone level checks before you see any effect. The frequent hormone checks is to check testoserone levels as elevated levels can affect egg quality. Just some things to consider and run by your doctor. Good luck.



I’ll remember the lupron flare. I havent received the new protocol for the next cycle yet. I only know I start bcp on day one of my next period for 2 weeks. I did order dhea and should be here tomorrow so I’ll start taking that. I read 75 is recommended, is that correct?

[nuthinbutpink]

600 FSH is up there.

It's really trial and error. My situation was if I can't get my ovaries to respond, I can't do IVF and I had nothing to lose by trying DHEA personally. It does take a while to work IF it will help at all.

I think protocols can always be adjusted. Hopefully, that will do the trick.

[mwilson]

I messaged them to see the new protocol. Never thought at 34 and 2 kids already that I’d have this type of issue. And I didn’t think with aggressive treatment I’d have 1 egg. I didn’t expect 20 but 10 would be nice.

[nuthinbutpink]

What was your AFC at pretesting? AMH?

I know exactly how you feel. If you don't get the response you want with this second cycle, I would keep on the DHEA for a few months. Ask if you can redo pretesting and see if it has made a difference.

If you ask you doctor about it, they won't believe in it. They haven't studied it or read about it most likely but the way it came onto the scene was because a women just like us chose to be her own advocate, did her own reasearch and tried it. CNY is where she cycled. The info on it is there.

I had nothing to lose. There's no guarantee of it helping but it is something you can try. I was 33 with 3 kids conceived on first/second try. IVF is just a different beast. Your body knows what to do on its own. How is your BMI? Any changes since you had your daughter?

[mwilson]

I don't know what the afc was. AMH was around .2 or .3 I think. I asked about DHEA and he actually said he was fine with that, so I started 25mg a day. I dont know my bmi. I have gained more weight since my daughter, but nothing drastic. No one has mentioned a weight issue. Im 5'4'' and 145lbs. I have cut back caffeine and sugars. I know that its not an instant change but maybe it will help some. I dont expect huge amount of reaction, like 30 eggs. But id love at least 10. We are doing genetic testing so the more the better since not all make it through the process.