really high fsh & disappointed.

[kbata]

I did 6 IVF cycles that pretty much failed (my old name under this site was kbat, but then I had to switch it). I was comptemplating doing a 7th at a totatlly different clinic since I was really unhappy with the ones I went to. I did the research, contacted different ones, called my insurance to see what's covered (100% if I go to in-network)--even paid $$ to get copies of my records. Unfortunately, the one I really wanted to go to, the doctors were in network, but the clinic was not (which btw didn't make sense to me). It was suggested by a couple of clinics that I a clomid challenge test through my ob/gyn due to my age and because my fsh levels were borderline last time I took this test. Last time I took this test was in late Sept/early Oct of 2007. Back then, my day 3 number was like 11.7 and my day 10 number was about 7.8--good enough to proceed. I did have one sort of success-where I had an etopic pregnancy during ivf cycle #5. I was told we would do everything the same for cycle #6, which of course wasn't entirely the same--they did change some stuff up on me. I really stopped because one I didn't think the new health insurance would cover it at 100% since it was out of NY (but did find later it was covered) and two, I really thought I could move on. In the end I didn't think a break would matter that much.

So I call up my ob/gyn's office. I don't think they do a lot of this sort of stuff b/c I was basically on my own. I just had to mark on the calendar when I got my period, when my day #3 was when to start taking clomid, calling for results, etc. The one thing I did differently is that I did acupuncture well before the test. I had done it for cycle #5 (the only cycle that I technically got pregnant for) and cycle #6 and felt that it was helpful. So I did acupuncture about 3 or 4 weeks before the test started and then while I had my period and did the test.

Needless to say I was shocked that my day #3 number was extremely high at 22.8 and that my day #10 was even higher at 31.5. I didn't realize that they could rise so fast in about a year and a half, and I also figured that the clomid would have helped a little bit and made it go down a little even if was still high. I am 42 and thought I would have had at least one more shot. I was almost 41 for my last test, and I guess I just didn't expect for it to spike so high in a year and a half. I've always responded to the clomid. I guess I was just so surprised after doing the acupuncture that my numbers weren't better and that I didn't respond to the clomid when in the past I always did.

So even though I was kind of wishy-washy about it, I have no options that I am aware of. No clinic will even look at anyone w/ an fsh over 15.... And even if I find one who will, then it's not an option if it's not an in-network clinic with my insurance so they would cover it at 100%.

Just really disappointed because I have gotten pregnant in the past. And although I am not necessarily expecting it to work a 7th time, I just wanted to go to a clinic where things really ran smoothly and where I felt that I got great care without the clinic just looking at the stats and where they didn't dismiss you because of your age--you know the over 40 crowd. since adoption and donor eggs out of the question, either naturally (which would be very difficult since I had a tube blocked and later removed) or IVF is really the only option for me.

I know that this is a long post and I understand that you really can't get your fsh numbers down (thought the acupuncture would help with that), but can't help to feel disappointed to see my dream is really over and I've had such a rude awakening.

[Ghost]

My clinic will accept any patient with ovaries and a uterus. FSH of 22, or even double that, would not be rejected. We advise patients of their chances and let them decide. It's their money and their potential child. Who are we to say it's not worth it? Most opt for a donor cycle, but some give it a shot with their own, and it's great to see when those do succeed.

You might consider seeing a Dr. Gleicher at the Center for Human Reproduction in Manhattan. From his published research, he seems to specialize in poor responders.

But I don't know what he accepts. No clue about the insurance.

[lynniecat]

I used Dr. Obrien at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD and I do not think they have a cut off. I was allowed to cycle with an elevated FSH and very low numbers of antral follicles. CCRM told me they did not have cut-offs, but they do and I was told the thing about 15 as an upper limit (after I paid 3K for their one day work up) so don't even darken there door with those results.

I think a lot of clinics will take you, you just will have to do some research...

[kbata]

thanks for responding. I will have to check some additional places out. I am really looking to say in Northeast primarily because of the difficulty of traveling.

[Mellie_1233]

You may be able to get a "out of network waiver" for the clinic. I went to CCRM and the clinic was in network but the lab and surgical center were out of network. My DH talked to our insurace company and they provided a waiver. They don't tell you about it but it may exist. So, the waiver means that they treat it like it's in-network in terms of the percent of coverage but I think they can still exclude some of the expenses.

It helped us tremendously and we just stumbled upon it during a conversation between my DH and an insurance rep. I don't know why they never tell you about it. Also, I don't know if every company has this or not.

Good luck!

[kbata]

Thanks for the responses... I guess I was just so surprised with the results, I'm sort of in a tail spin and just in shock.

Part of me really wants to make this work since I've gotten pregnant before--once naturally and one through IVF (etopic).

That's really interesting about the insurance--who would have known? We have BCBS, and this newer insurance we have seems really strange. They aren't as helpful as the last ones. Insurance coverage is a key if I decide to pursue it because I won't do it if the insurance won't cover it at 100% (which they do for in network). I am also limited in how far I can travel b/c of my husband's job and also partly due to the expense travel, etc. I am looking to stay in Northeast (i.e. Mass, CT or NYC area).

I am just not sure what to do. Part of me wants to hurry up and pursue it as I am going to be 43 in about 6.5 months. Part of me thinks this is a wake up call to reality and that even if I find a clinic to take me, the odds are against me. Seems like success rates for people who have high FSH levels are very slim, which is probably why clinics have a 15 cutoff--it'll mess up their success rates. I've been on SART to look at success rates and they are low for the 41-42 age group and even lower for the 43-44 age group. I don't know if people in that age group had high FSH levels like me or not?

Lots of things to think about at any rate. Thanks again for everyone's help and thoughts....

[Ghost]

Part of me thinks this is a wake up call to reality and that even if I find a clinic to take me, the odds are against me. Seems like success rates for people who have high FSH levels are very slim, which is probably why clinics have a 15 cutoff--it'll mess up their success rates. I've been on SART to look at success rates and they are low for the 41-42 age group and even lower for the 43-44 age group. I don't know if people in that age group had high FSH levels like me or not?

There is some screening in all age groups, and many centers reject the worst prognosis patients. So, for some centers, those SART statistics are misleading and optimistic.

Like I posted above, you might try Dr. Gleicher. He claims to have a treatment that improves ovarian response in poor responders. Maybe it works.

By the way, I have no affiliation with him or his clinic. Never even met him. I've read his research.

[kbata]

I do have a quick question regarding the clomid.... Does it make A/F arrive late? Normally, I have a 28 day cycle. This year I have fluctuated between 28-31 days--basically if it's not 28 days it seems like it's been 31 days. In the past, this may have happened once a year, but this year it's happened more frequently. I am now on day 35 and still no a/f. I do have some cramping and some pms signs, but actually no a/f. Day #1 of my last cycle was July 1.

It's been a while since I did the clomid challenge test and don't recall if I was late or not--but certainly not this late..... Just wondering if that's one of the side effects.

[Mrs Bunny]

My Clomid cycles were only slightly longer than my natural cycles.

However the Clomid cycle combined with HCG trigger shot made my cycle exactly 28 days, instead of the usual 26. The nurse told me the HCG would probably give me AF after Day 28 if there was no pregnancy, but I don't remember the reason for the timing.

[kbata]

I have tried to calling the Center of Human Reproduction in Manhattan. I was on their website and had sent them numerous e-mails and had taken me a long time to get a response just to be told to call them. When I did I was told that they were busy and to call back in 15 minutes. I called them several hours later and kept on being put on hold. I said I had insurance and that I believed they were out of network and the person told me to leave a message for the financial person. When they called me back all they said was that they didn't take my insurance and that I would have to pay up front and that I would have to submit everything to get reimbursed. No more info. I kind of complained in an e-mail and did get a follow up e-mail to give me a price that I would have to pay up front. Of course with the insurance they would pay 70% of the allowable amount and not the amount they bill, so I would most likely end up paying more than my 30% of going out of network. It was close to $12,000--that didn't cover meds or monitering. I would be able to find a place nearby that would do the monitering that would be in network and in theory be covered at 100%. But if they charge $12000, that's probably not what the allowable amount is for insurance. They really didnt' seem so helpful. I was a little disappointed because it seemed like there was some hope by seeing what they might have to say. But I went through enough stress with previous clinics and I was covered at 100%. I don't want to be bothered if there's no way I can afford to pay even the 30%. It was worth a shot to investigate it. not sure if anyone else went to this place and what their experiences were. But I guess I out for the count. Good luck to everyone out there!!!

[to_have_fun08]

kbata - Sorry that the clinic doesn't seem interested in helping you. I know working with insurances is a pain in the behind and even worse when a clinic doesn't go the extra step to try and help you out. Hope that you can find some means to cycle again. If you have the insurance coverage you might as well use it, you never know what might happen.


Good Luck!

[kbata]

I am not entirely sure if this new insurance would approve me because I have already have had 6 failed attempts with another insurance company. I was hoping that there would a clinic out there that had some new or different protocals for us "old" woman with diminished ovarian reserve.... Oh well worth a shot to check this out.

[jenice]

KBATA- have you ever done the antagonist protocol ? I think it is for poor responders