43 Yrs old - 1st IVF ended with 5 follies-no eggs at ER

[Macntuck]

Hi-
I am 43 yrs old with 1 ovary and just lived through my IVF experience. It ended very sadly in 5 follicles, but no eggs found at retrieval. The RE says it could have been caused by a late trigger or it could be empty follicle syndrome - they just don't know.

As I do research to try to figure out what happened, I am seeing a lot of evidence that perhaps I was not on the right protocol.

My protocol was Microdose Lupron. It started with BCP for 23 days starting on cycle day 3. 2 days of no meds then 20 units of Lupron 2x day for 2 days then add 2 vials of Bravelle and 2 vials of Menopur 2X day.

What I am reading is the Lupron and perhaps Menopur caused too much Lupron which could have caused premature ovulation or poor egg quality.

With my age and only 1 ovary, I have been simply devastated with this result.

Do any of you have a recommendation based on your experience. I visit the RE tomorrow for a follow up and to determine next steps.

Thank you for anything you can offer.

[Sisi1]

This is not much but an indication of what can be done with persistence.

A 48 year old woman was on an antagonist protocol and had no follicles at all after 10 days of stimming. Her Dr order her to continue to stimm for 3 more days and after 5 more days she had 2 mature follicles. One egg was fertilized and was put back today! I am keeping a close eye on this story because if it works it would be a world record as the currently the oldest women to have a successful IVF with own eggs is 47.

The moral of the story is this, be assertive ask for what you think may work for you and when things go wrong go with your gut and don't give up!

Good luck and don't let the Dr demoralize you, they are all pretty concentrated on their success #!

[sprouthaus]

macntuck - Good luck with your discussion with the RE. At your age, an antagonist cycle should be considered - this involves no lupron and has good success rates for older women or women with diminished ovarian reserve. This would involve a drug like Ganirelix to prevent you from ovulating.

Don't worry about having been "on the wrong" protocol. IVF is very much an art, not a science and every woman reacts differently to the protocols. I'm sure you RE has very good reasons for starting you on the MDL protocol. I have done a long lupron protocol, MDL, and am only now moving on to the antagonist protocol.

Good luck!

[Rinnie]

I was on Microdose Lupron / 225 Follistim & 3 vials of Menopur. My 3rd IVF they mis-dosed me & gave me reg Lupron instead of microdose so that doesn't count, but the other 2 rounds were ok . I did Accupuncture 2x a week, and herbs for 3 months before my 2nd IVF & that made a world of difference to my old eggs and I stimmed much better. I truly believe I'm pregnant now because of Chinese medicine....especially after the clinic screw-up.
It takes dedication but it works.


Rin

[Macntuck]

Thank you for your responses, words of wisdom and encouragement. I met with my RE today. He was so apologetic for what happened although he can't explain it. He thinks perhaps we did wait too long to trigger, but can't know for sure.

The good news is that he thought my response to the stims was good and this no egg thing was an anomoly. I was afraid he would tell me that this result was due to my age and I should stop trying. He didn't tell me that at all, but instead was encouraging about trying again. His words were "you have a shot at this".

I have a majorly blocked tube with adhesions on my left side with my only ovary. He recommends getting that removed and out of there to keep a clear path to my one good ovary. Will do that surgery in a couple weeks and rest for a month then try again.

I feel like I have to give it another shot before moving to DE and it seems my RE is on the same page.

This is such a roller coaster after only 1 IVF attempt. I truly admire you gals out there who have done IVF a number of times. You are so strong and I feed off your strength.

Thank you, Debbi

Me - 43 - 1 ovary, blocked/diseased tube on the ovary side, and 43
DH - 45 - perfect
IVF #1 - stims good, 5 follicles, no eggs retrieved

[sprouthaus]

Good luck to you as you move forward macntuck! Sounds like you have a really good RE - being open to dialogue is so important.