I need some positive thoughts - anyone else felt like this?

[KarenSmiff]

I am soooo unsure what to do. Did everyone else keep saying "this is our last go" then keep on going and going.....

Since I typed footer had another go back in November 2005- negative, also one additional go cancelled - 1 embie didnt make it to transfer. 1 Positive though, on 3rd attempt. So here we are £20,000 out of pocket and no baby. Started treatment aged 29 (4 yrs ago), and at 33 the drs still keep saying there isnt any urgency with me, not to panic...I am still young?????

Half of me wants to keep on going for it - we said maybe next summer, and it must be our last attempt, I am 33 now, dh 39. I am also scared that if I did manage to get a positive, what if I m/c again. Arrrhh

Did anyone else have similar experiences and go on to have baby.

Acupunture? yes/no? Never tried it before.


Good luck everyone
Karenx

[Ghost]

Sorry to hear that. Repeated failure is the second saddest situation to see in a chart.

I've seen patients that succeed on their 4th attempt. But the emotional cost is often so high that most don't go that far after three failures.

I see you are a low responder. Were your previous cycles agonist cycles (long protocol, using a GnRH agonist for pituitary suppression) or antagonist cycles? If they were agonist cycles (the most common type), you might want to try the antagonist. Many patients get a somewhat higher response that way.

There is also the donor option, with good chance of success.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Terri2]

Hi Karen

I would recommend acupuncture. I have been trying for 2 1/2 years and really feel my new acupuncturist helped. Where abouts do you live? The lady I go to was recommended by my clinic.......Walsgrave Hospital, coventry. She has told me many stories of women who have had so many failed IVF's, some of them 9 IVF's! Then they have been to see her and got pregnant naturally! She's such a positive person, apart from the treatment its also like having counselling as well.

If you live in this area, let me know and I'll send you a PM with her details.

Last week she had 3 clients get pregnant.

I'm still seeing her just to make sure the pregnancy continues without problems.

Terri

[Zed2003]

Karen,

I hope you are feeling better. I'm sure most people have said 'never again' at some point. Only those of us who have gone through the process really know the hardships and the delights. I know that when I miscarried on my second IVF, it took almost 7 months to pick myself up - but thankfully my clinic knew me well enough to keep me on their lists and to ignore my cries of 'that's it'. Only you can decide and you'll know when you're ready.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Take care.

Zoe

[KarenSmiff]

Thanks so much for your replies.

Ghost: I have been on a short (2 week) protocol on each cycle - so no hope for me really! The first ever go got abandoned on a long protocol, only about 1 follie after 7 days,3 amps - useless ovaries!

I think next year will be one more then thats it, most probably using donor egg at £5k a go...., along with acupuncture at more expense, but I have to say "I Tried every avenue"

Thanks
Kx

[CarolynB]

Karen

Read your post and made me feel sick for whinging when I have only had to live through 1 BFN. I really feel for you.

Had to say that I have started acupuncture since I got my BFN. As you say, I wanted to sling everything at it as given my 'mature' age I know that I may not be able to attempt that many times. I was always really offish about such things thinking that they were a load of baloney. My best friend (who knows that I am having tmt) saw an article the day after I tested negative saying that acu could boost success rates by like 10%. I took it as a sign.

I researched for somebody who specialised in helping ivf ladies and did not cost a total arm & a leg. £60 for initial consultation (1 hr 15 mins) and £45 for follow ups (40 mins).

He is specifically working with me on my lining based on all the data he took from me on my 1st cycle plus AFs as well. But he works with other ladies to help boost egg numbers and/or lower FSH levels.

I was a non-believer. I have seen him now 4 times. I saw him a week ago on Thursday and he told me that AF would arrive on Sunday (2 days late) - it did. I got no signs like I would usually, it just kicked-in which was what he thought would happen. He told me how my AF would alter - it did! He helped one lady who was on her 15th attempt and she got a +ve. Can you believe it.

If it does nothing else then it has certainly calmed me down. I asked my consultant what he thought and he said cannot do any harm and might do some good. He thought that the stress relief would be a big benefit, even if he could not help me physically.

My guy claims that he has not treated anyone who has not fallen pregnant - although it has taken some 3 attempts with acu.

Good Luck with whatever you decide.
Love Carolyn xxx