Anyone else out there difficult to stim?

[pattieh]

Our first IVF cycle, I only made 7 eggs (3 of which were able to be transferred - negative result in the end). During our second IVF cycle, I transferred to another clinic and was given their most aggressive protocol and ended up making only 3 eggs (1 of which was able to be transferred - negative result in the end).

Is anyone else not making a lot of eggs with the meds? What did your doctor suggest for you the next time around?

I had a friend who's over age 40 at work who had the same protocol and ended up making close to 30 eggs and they transferred 3 (I think she even had extra to freeze). What would cause other people to make more eggs than others?

[Mellie_1233]

It's so frustrating! My doc said it was just genetics. Some of us are programmed to go through menopause earlier than others. I learned after I finally became pregnant with my daughter that my grandmother went through menopause at age 39. No one told me before.

Maybe Ghost will pop on here with a better explanation.

Anyway, it is so very frustrating when you go in every time for those ultrasounds and just get terrible news. My husband eventually started going with me b/c I would just get so upset when I left the clinic. I hope things get better for you.

[amysbabies]

Did the doc start you off with BCP's? I had a friend who did a cycle w/o BCP and she ended up with only a few eggs and then for her 2nd cycle she started with BCP and ended with many more to work with.

[deftonesmo]

Some of us are just low responders . . .
no use beating your head against a table . . .
and remember, it only takes one =)
Quality, not quantity . . .

[deftonesmo]

Some of us are just low responders . . .
no use beating your head against a table . . .
and remember, it only takes one =)
Quality, not quantity . . .

[to_have_fun08]

I am considered a poor responder. 2 canceled cycles due to poor response, and 3 other pretty sucky cycles. My clinic does estrogen priming for older ladies and poor responders. It doesn't give you more eggs but supposed to be better quality. Who know if it works. Didn't help me with my last cycle when I didn't have any to transfer. I know it sucks especially when you cycle with ladies that have lots of eggs and all you get is 3 and 4. There is nothing we can do to get more eggs, it is just genetics. As it was mention in PP, it only takes 1 so we just have to set our sights on getting that 1 good egg.

Good Luck!!!

[deftonesmo]

good points . . .
My RE put me on a growth hormone this cycle . . .
Got 11 eggs today on my ER . . .
I also ate lots of salmon, black beans, and eggs . . .
Not sure if the GH helped, but 11 is a pretty good number for me!

[pattieh]

11 sounds like a lot to me. I'd be happy with that. = )

I was taking estradiol for awhile I think before the retrieval. Can't say that it worked brilliantly.

Now I'm just afraid - what if I run out of eggs for the next cycle or two? Aren't we just born with a set number of eggs?

[deftonesmo]

I believe that when we are born, we are born with all the eggs we'll ever have . . . don't think you'll run out of eggs . . . your body just may not respond to the stims . . . there's always egg donors/donation . . .

[rayofsunshine]

Hey all-

I am going through cycle #2 because we had a canceled cycle due to no response. I am 32 so I feel the frustration and shock that I have this problem. It doesn't help that those around constantly say, "How is that possible? That doesn't seem right." I know...

This time around my doctor is starting me on BCPs and then go right to stims. I will not being taking Lupron this time around and he is putting me on higher doses of all stim meds.

I am hoping for better results this time. I agree that we have to focus on quality, not quantity and keep the faith that we will be the success stories!

[jogrego]

Hi,

I am on my 2nd cycle of Ivf. My first round was almost canceled, I only had 2 eggs to retrieve. Dr let me make the choice. I wanted to go ahead and try. Good thing I did! There were 4 total. I have stage 4 endo and tons of scare tissue and endometriomas all over one ovary. That is why they did not know about the extra 2. All 4 fertilized. We placed 3 and I did have a BPP but ended up loosing it pretty soon after.
My Dr thought I would never respond well to the drugs... He never thought we would get this far. So you just never really know.

This time they changed my dose. I took BC, Lupron (micro dose) and more stimulation drugs. I do think it helped, I had about 9 follicles this time. We were able to retrieve 5.... We had 4 eggs fertilize and placed 3 again. I am now on my 2ww...ugh I know it is hard..but try and hang in there. We are human and everyone does not respond to the same treatment. Like everyone says... It only takes one!!

Good luck!!

[teachermom]

Hi everyone, I am 38 years old and am starting my 2nd IVF cycle. I have a 1 year old daughter from my 1st cycle. I had difficulty stimulating the last time. I only made 3 eggs and transferred the only 2 embryos that survived. The result was my beautiful baby girl. I am worried because now I am at day 6 of stim meds and have only 1 very small follicle in my left ovary- NOTHING in the right! I have low ovary reserves and already am on high dose hormones. Our protocol was BCP then right to gonal f and menopure. Anyone have any suggestions??

[Mellie_1233]

I was put on an estrogen priming protocol at CCRM. It's worked for me twice!

BCPs don't work for me. My lead follicle just grows and grows until it's a cyst. I tried that twice before. Once at my original clinic and once at CCRM. Then, they switched me to estrogen priming and high doses of meds.

Good luck!

[teachermom]

Hi! Thanks for the info. If this cycle doesn't work I will ask about the estrogen priming protocol. Congrats on the twins!