The Over 40 Crowd

[Gracielope2]

Hi - I was looking for some hope with woman who are my age - over 40. I just turned 41 last Thursday. My DH and I have been TTC for a year now. Before we got married we knew we wanted to start a family right away, due to my age, the RE said we should go straight to IVF. We have had 4 failed IVF's. My Dr. does not know why it is not working, so I guess its safe to say we have unexplained infertility. I'm taking medication for high prolactin. We ran genetic testing which came back normal, only one minor thing which is my follic acid came back on the low side, I'm taking an additional vitamin for it. I recently had the Laparoscopy and Hysto surgery done. Everything came back normal.

I'm a pretty good responder.

1st cycle: Oct 2006 - 13 follicles were retrieved. 4 embroys transferred = 2 (4Cell), 2 (6cell) - BFN
2nd cycle: Feb. 2007 - We switched to NYU. 15 follicles were retrieved, 4 embroys transferred - 1 (6 cell) 2(8cell) and 1 (10 cell). BFN
3rd cycle: April 2007 - RE changed protocol to lupron microdose. 29 follicles were retrieved, 17 fertilized - 8 made it to blastocycst. 4 transferred, with fragmentation. Embroys were graded 4BB
4th cycle: July 2007 - 19 embroys retrieved - 4 made it to blastocyst - 4 transferred, with frangmentation - graded 4BB.

We are about to start our 5th cycle - November 5th, 2007 - I'm not looking foward to taking the Lupron.

I just don't get why the embroys wouldn't attach. I feel they have to be heathy enough to reach blastocyst. The highest grade at NYU for blastocyst is a 5AA. I had 4BB which isn't bad.

Has anyone had this problem? I've asked several woman who got a BFP if they did anything different, as far as eating and diet, and they said No.

We are really nervous this time around, because we are paying out of pocket for this one, insurance doesn't cover anymore.

BTW: I have left over 2 boxes of Ganirelix Injection , exp. 04/2008 (refrigerated) and packaged. If anyone around the NYC area needs this medication please let me know. No charge....

[Gracielope2]

Hi - I was looking for some hope with woman who are my age - over 40. I just turned 41 last Thursday. My DH and I have been TTC for a year now. Before we got married we knew we wanted to start a family right away, due to my age, the RE said we should go straight to IVF. We have had 4 failed IVF's. My Dr. does not know why it is not working, so I guess its safe to say we have unexplained infertility. I'm taking medication for high prolactin. We ran genetic testing which came back normal, only one minor thing which is my follic acid came back on the low side, I'm taking an additional vitamin for it. I recently had the Laparoscopy and Hysto surgery done. Everything came back normal.

I'm a pretty good responder.

1st cycle: Oct 2006 - 13 follicles were retrieved. 4 embroys transferred = 2 (4Cell), 2 (6cell) - BFN
2nd cycle: Feb. 2007 - We switched to NYU. 15 follicles were retrieved, 4 embroys transferred - 1 (6 cell) 2(8cell) and 1 (10 cell). BFN
3rd cycle: April 2007 - RE changed protocol to lupron microdose. 29 follicles were retrieved, 17 fertilized - 8 made it to blastocycst. 4 transferred, with fragmentation. Embroys were graded 4BB
4th cycle: July 2007 - 19 embroys retrieved - 4 made it to blastocyst - 4 transferred, with frangmentation - graded 4BB.

We are about to start our 5th cycle - November 5th, 2007 - I'm not looking foward to taking the Lupron.

I just don't get why the embroys wouldn't attach. I feel they have to be heathy enough to reach blastocyst. The highest grade at NYU for blastocyst is a 5AA. I had 4BB which isn't bad.

Has anyone had this problem? I've asked several woman who got a BFP if they did anything different, as far as eating and diet, and they said No.

We are really nervous this time around, because we are paying out of pocket for this one, insurance doesn't cover anymore.

BTW: I have left over 2 boxes of Ganirelix Injection , exp. 04/2008 (refrigerated) and packaged. If anyone around the NYC area needs this medication please let me know. No charge....

[children]

Gracielope2,


Welcome! Looking at your history, one thing jumped into my mind is that your clinic has not worked out a good strategy for you! You are at NY area, have you checked with Cornell? My RE was trained there and he gave me a live baby on the first fresh IVF cycle, third try (frozen embryos). Why did your clinic go for 4 fresh cycles while you had responded so well? Didn’t you have any frozen embryos for frozen cycles? I think embryos grading is not very meaningful since we grade them when they are in dishes, we can not grade them anymore when they are in the womb. Have they checked whether you have Leiden factor V which cause blood clot? How about antibody screening? Have they checked anything at all for any factors which are not permissive to implantation? "unexplained infertility" to me could be "insufficient blood circulations at reproductive area". If you have time, check this link out: http://www.clearpassage.com/

Hi to everyone else. JenB, hang in there, hope the pinky thing comes from active implantation! Sonia, Amy and Chriss, wish you have a smooth coming cycle. Tammy, rest well for a new week ahead.

OK, back to work now.

Yasmina

[teachertam]

Gracielope2:

Welcome to our site. I had good blastocysts transferred with both of my IVF's, but still got BFN's. We were going to do a frozen cycle and had a HSG x-ray before the procedure. That is the procedure where they shoot dye though your tubes to check for a blockage. I did not have a blockage, but I think this test helped clean out my uterus and may have helped with implantation. My RE said that this test increases your changes to get pregnant for the next couple of cycles following it. While we were waiting for my AF so we could proceed with the frozen cycle, I got pregnant naturally! My doctors could not believe it. Andrew James was born 8 months ago.

Good luck,
Tammy

[Gracielope2]

Yasmina - I'm not sure if they did the Leiden Factor V. I've never heard of it. The genetic testing that was done they took 21 vials from me- I think Re requested a antibody screening. I'm constantly asking Re questions. With the 3rd and 4th IVF - we were told that the embroys that were left wouldn't make it past freezing, so they were just disgarded. Which really upset me.

I'm giving NYU one more shot - if it doesn't work - we were thinking of trying a differnt place, Cornell or Columbia. Paying out of pocket is a killer.

Thanks for the website - I'll check it out.

Tammy - I had the HSG done as well. Before having the laproscopy and the hysteroscopy, I had the HSG with the dye stuff and everything was clear. Great News that you got pregnant on your own....Actually AWESOME!

I'm thinking maybe it has something to do with the uterus, even though RE said my lining is a 10. I do get really anxious and stressed out during the 2WW - it's horrible. I'm sure that's not helping.

I'm really trying to remain positive this time around.

Thanks for your reply. Very much appreciated.

[LuAnne41]

JEN
I had pink spotting twice during my 2ww, which might have been implantation bleeding. I then had to have my meds upped after my BFP because the progesterone level was a bit low. I was also having more than just spotting there for awhile! According to both my fertility docs & the OB, those little embyros can do havoc to the endometrial lining more than once just trying to get a good grip & then again while building their placenta into the wall. As for the AF feeling, I had AF cramps for several days leading up to and after my BFP! I still have them now & then. Who knows? Anyway, just keep up the PMA because you may very well be pregnant!

CHRISS
I remember the horror I felt when asked if I was pregnant when I wasn't. It was so hard we decided not to tell anyone, not even our closest friends or family members during these last 3 cycles. When I got the last 2 BFN's, it still sucked, but at least I didn't have to deal w/all those innappropriate remarks & questions at what was already such a difficult time. I realize many people are well intentioned, but some are just plain thoughtless, nosy &/or rude. Just remember to keep your sights set on the goal ahead, because when you get that ultimate prize, any heartache will have been worth it all.

SONYA & AMY
Looks like you two will be very close in your cycles. Getting excited for you both!

CATHERINE
Good luck at your follow up consultation. What day is your appt?

JEN & KIM
Baby Dust to you 2 ladies. Praying for BFPs for you!

GRACIELOPE
Some ladies take DHEA for a few months (ideally 4 or more) prior to cycling to hopefully produce better quality eggs. Some also try "mini IVF". It sounds as if you are an excellent responder, but in "mini IVF" they concentrate on quality, not quantity. It is much less expensive, the stims are not as strong, thus they produce fewer, although theoretically better quality eggs. However in mini IVF, the embryos are frozen & the transfer is done the following month. Unlike traditional cryopreservation, the embryos are frozen using a process called vitrification, which results in virtually no embryonic damage/loss. I know this procedure is currently done by Dr. Silber in St. Louis, but surely NYC offers every available technology in existence. I obviously am not qualified to say DHEA or mini IVF is right for you, but you may want to look into these options. Good Luck!

THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT ASKED ABOUT ME OR THOUGHT ABOUT ME
Here's my latest...I went to the maternal fetal medicine specialists yesterday for a Nuchial Translucency UltraSound. They measure an area within the fetuses' necks & if they measure w/in normal parameters (they did) the likelihood of chromosomal defects is low. We skipped bloodwork at my OB's recommendation because of a high incidence of false positive results in twin pregnancies. I have refused CVS & amnio since they are somewhat invasive (pose a m/c risk) so we will have a more comprehensive u/s later. Baby "A" measured 12w1d w/hb of 161bpm. Baby "B" measured 12w6d w/hb of 166 bpm. It was very exciting to actually know what I was looking at on the U/S screen w/out it needing to be pointed out by the doctor or technician. The babies were moving their little arms around and I almost lost it. It was breathtaking to see those little ones on that screen. I was wanting to both laugh & cry when I needed to be still for the technician. I go for a routine OB visit on Monday the 5th, and then for another U/S on the 16th.

[jen babes]

Hi everyone

Welcome graceilope... see the wise womb-en here have already given you sound advice...x x good lcuk with ll that info x x and wecome to the thread.

thank you everyone for your mega words of encouragement...i stopped staining/spotting today finally the meds have kicked in agin and i am resting up...3 days to go and am getting excited as seeing my PG tomorrow to book BETA test...If i can get the info on bloods back the same day then good ...if not and i have to wait until Monday i will do a HPT. ( home preg test) the Main DOc at IM did say tho that an htp doesnt register beta <16 so you could still be preggers and have a neg test.o only blood work will confirm...Hoping and praying that this spotting is a good thing x x and i have a little beanie on board. x x x 3 more sleeps
love to ya all

jen B
xxxxxxxx

[Kiwi expat]

Hi ladies - been a bit quiet lately as I'm at a bit of a cross roads in my treatment plan.

This year was a make or break one for me. I've been 'priming' myself for one last mega cycle using my own eggs this Nov or Dec. I've been on DHEA for 11 weeks, and taking Chinese herbs for 6 months.

Now all of a sudden we're considering donor egg. I actually hadn't really thought about this until my Chinese TCM doc suggested it only a couple of weeks ago. The problem is, I have to make my decision soon as my clinic is expecting me to start my next cycle using my own eggs in the next month or so... If we go with donor eggs, I will have to change clinics as the one I'm currently at does not offer donors. All this preparation (herbs and DHEA) will have been wasted if I don't go through icsi now. (I have to stop the herbs in a couple of months as I've been on them for too long now). The donor waiting lists are quite long so any health benefits from the last 6 months will not necessarily be there when a suitable donor is ready. If I go straight to DE now and get put on the wait list, (and it works 1st try!), then I will still be a 42 yr old 1st time mum! If I use my own eggs, there's a much lesser chance of live birth, and I'm not sure I can go down the whole pregnancy and threat of a mc again.

Hmm - quite a decision!

Shall I skip the icsi and go straight to donor? I don't have an issue with using donor eggs, but I do have an issue with giving up the possibility of using my own eggs forever as once I go down the DE route, there will be no looking back for me. (I 've already posted on the DE board as I'm sure those lovely ladies over there will have some good advice... )

DH wants to adopt but is quite excited about the advantages of using a younger woman's eggs, but says it's up to me and will support any decision I make (talk about sitting on the fence!). Doc at clinics (my current clinic and possible DE clinic) say it's up to me and I can still use my own eggs if I wanted to.

Apologies for the rave... A Happy Halloween to all!

Andrea

PS: Welcome Gracielope2. BFP's for Jen B and Kim!!

[jen babes]

Andrea i have posted on eggheads to your question...it is a dificult one but as you can use donor eggs well into your 40's i wuld give your own eggs 1 last chance. ( thats if they are ok in quality and you have enough in reserve)...don't kno what others think???? good luck hun it is a difficult one tho...much love x x

Hi to everone else
i am off ot my GP this afternoon to see if i can get the meds i nedd if i have a BFP!!!! also to sort out a beta test for Friday...
I feel really low and PMT'ed today as if it is already all over...The symptoms i had have now gone ( bloating sore boobs etc) so have that crazy 2ww too-ing and fro-ing of am i or arnt I???
just as well i have acu this afternoon i need it to chill x x x2 days to go
love jen
xxxx

[Gracielope2]

Andrea - IVF is such a journey. I'm going to offer you my opinion. I would try one more time with my own eggs. You have been taking herbs, and the DHEA - maybe you'll get the perfect egg this time around.

My DH said we will consider DE - when it's our very last resort. I feel it's better than adoption, because I would get to experience the birth and also I feel like I would have more of a connection with the baby since it's me who is keeping it alive. Just my thoughts.

Jen - I pray that you get BFP - so far everything sounds postive. I agree with LuAnne spotting before is a sign of implantation. My sister got spotting with each of her pregnancies.

LuAnne - God Bless....I was teary eyed when reading about the babies moving their little arms. How precious.....:0)

I'm uncomfortable with taking herbs. I go for acupuncture 2x a week, and he wants me to take this herbal tea. The problem, I'm on bromocriptine, because I have high prolactin. So, I don't want to mix anything since I'm on meds. I start my Lupron injections on Tuesday. This time around my RE changed my protocol. It feels like foreever - I have to take the BC for 28 days total. On the 21st day which is Tuesday, I take Lurpon with the BC - BC for 7 more days. BTW: Thanks for information on the mini-IVF. I'll ask my RE about it.

KIM & JEN - Babydust to you ladies. May you both have BFP....!

[chriss]

Hello everyone.
LuAnne, so good to hear from you! Glad things are going so well. I can't even imagine what it's like to see those babies during the sonogram. Enjoy every minute of it. You deserve it so much! Stay well and keep posting. We love good news around here.

Andrea, I feel like we are living some kind of parallel lives here. I too posted on the eggheads thread a little while ago. I was so discouraged when I got my second BFN doing IVF. I was on the fence too about using my own eggs or going to DE until I spoke with my doctor. He suggested giving my eggs a couple more tries before going to DE. My husband and I agreed with him. Once you go to DE, age is not as critical so we have time for that. Since we are both 40, we are really at a critical time here. I figure, why not give it a go for a couple more tries while I am still 40. My DH and I are willing to try it for a bit longer with my own eggs. DE will be there if we need them. Of course, the DE are not covered by our insurance, but we really want this experience. So we are willing to do whatever it takes. I can't say what is right for you, trust your gutt.

Welcome Gracielope2, I hope that this thread is helpful to you. It has become such an important part of my life and the people here have helped me to find the courage to go on. They've made me laugh, they've made me cry and they are always here to listen. And many of them have actually had success doing this, so they know what they are talking about. I am glad that you found us.

JenBabes, thinking of you my friend. Wishing you the very best.

Hi Yasmina & Tam and all of you that I did not mention. Hope all is well.

I am taking this month off from IVF. Right now I am expecting to be ovulating any day now. My DH and I are going to do a natural cycle IUI just for the heck of it. Then next month we will head on back into IVF. I can't wait to get started again. Crazy, huh? Enjoy the rest of the day. Thanks for being here. -chriss

[chriss]

Hello everyone.
LuAnne, so good to hear from you! Glad things are going so well. I can't even imagine what it's like to see those babies during the sonogram. Enjoy every minute of it. You deserve it so much! Stay well and keep posting. We love good news around here.

Andrea, I feel like we are living some kind of parallel lives here. I too posted on the eggheads thread a little while ago. I was so discouraged when I got my second BFN doing IVF. I was on the fence too about using my own eggs or going to DE until I spoke with my doctor. He suggested giving my eggs a couple more tries before going to DE. My husband and I agreed with him. Once you go to DE, age is not as critical so we have time for that. Since we are both 40, we are really at a critical time here. I figure, why not give it a go for a couple more tries while I am still 40. My DH and I are willing to try it for a bit longer with my own eggs. DE will be there if we need them. Of course, the DE are not covered by our insurance, but we really want this experience. So we are willing to do whatever it takes. I can't say what is right for you, trust your gutt.

Welcome Gracielope2, I hope that this thread is helpful to you. It has become such an important part of my life and the people here have helped me to find the courage to go on. They've made me laugh, they've made me cry and they are always here to listen. And many of them have actually had success doing this, so they know what they are talking about. I am glad that you found us.

JenBabes, thinking of you my friend. Wishing you the very best.

Hi Yasmina & Tam and all of you that I did not mention. Hope all is well.

I am taking this month off from IVF. Right now I am expecting to be ovulating any day now. My DH and I are going to do a natural cycle IUI just for the heck of it. Then next month we will head on back into IVF. I can't wait to get started again. Crazy, huh? Enjoy the rest of the day. Thanks for being here. -chriss

[children]

Hi all,

I am getting a headache in writing my grant. Coming to read few posts.

About donor egg, I feel all of your concerns. I basically agree to use DEs anytime, but as Chriss said, they are there when you are ready, no rush to go down that road unless you are convinced that your own eggs won't work or you are a poor responder who does not produce enough eggs.

About the % of success, in my humble experience, 10% in my age (43 at that time of producing them) - I mean if you can produce more than 10 eggs each cycle, go for your own eggs. I am a good responder and having a low FSH. I don’t know much, but I know regardless DE or your own eggs, you will feel exactly the same once you are holding a newborn life!

About adoption, both DH and I were highly motivated to adopt one before Eloise – I even wanted to adopt 2. We were told the cost of adoption was not lower than ivf and we had decided to give ivf a try first. Now, we’ve found that Eloise is a handful and we don’t think we will go down that route anytime soon.

OK, back to work again, continue the discussion. Happy Halloween, everyone.

Yasmina

[jen babes]

thank you everyone for the baby wishes and posts on my test thread...you girls are the best x x x

to tell you the truth its my last day and i am struggling...feel like af is around the corner but also like i am coming down with flu...Totally weak and tired , hot hot sweats, and back ache cramps. Counldn't sleep last night as i wass getting my bloods done today a day early. GP wass so good about that ass it means we SHOULD get the results before the weekend. if not it would have been monday /tuesday!!!!!

trying to be strong...so hanging in there until test day for result x x love to you all i will post news when i get it...i am off to my parents ( 4hrs away) this weekend to relax and get away from house. not back to work until wed so can chill...

love to ya all
jen
xxxx

[teachertam]

Jen: I hope you get feeling better. I feel like I'm coming down with a cold this evening, so I took some vitamin C. Andrew just got over his cold.

Good luck tomorrow on your test!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a BFP!!!!

Take care all,
Tammy