Ghost or anyone-BCP and Antagonist Protocol?

[Klm]

Hello all. I am recovering from a laprascopy. My dr found 15 spots of endometriosis and performed ovarian diathermy. He thinks it will increase our chances of IVF being successful since we have to do it anyway for my husband. This summer when we tried IVF (never made it to retrieval), I was using BCP and Lupron. My estradiol was always high and then when I began FSH my estradiol went crazy high (over 6000) and I produced 32 follicles/was on track to produce many more so I was cancelled. Now after my post op appt in a week and a half we are ready to try again. I've been on BCP for 5 weeks and will continue them. My doctor wants to use the antagonist protocol this time since I didn't seem to react well to Lupron. I was just curious when I'll stop my BCP and if I will have to get a period. I know the antagonist starts on the sixth day of FSH. If anyone has done this protocol could you give me a quick timeline? Thanks!

[Lauren]

kim-I did the antagonist protocol..I was on BCP stopped and got a period..went in for a baseline u/s and bw and the started stims..then about 5 days in I started the ganirelix. That was my first cycle...this time around I used NO bcp...went in on day 20 of my cycle for u/s and bw started estradiol tablets for 7-10 days basically until I got a period once that period came I went in on day 2 or 3 for another u/s and bw and started my stims! I am actually going in the morning for my ER..hope that helps!!

[Ghost]

Hello all. I am recovering from a laprascopy. My dr found 15 spots of endometriosis and performed ovarian diathermy. He thinks it will increase our chances of IVF being successful since we have to do it anyway for my husband. This summer when we tried IVF (never made it to retrieval), I was using BCP and Lupron. My estradiol was always high and then when I began FSH my estradiol went crazy high (over 6000) and I produced 32 follicles/was on track to produce many more so I was cancelled. Now after my post op appt in a week and a half we are ready to try again. I've been on BCP for 5 weeks and will continue them. My doctor wants to use the antagonist protocol this time since I didn't seem to react well to Lupron. I was just curious when I'll stop my BCP and if I will have to get a period. I know the antagonist starts on the sixth day of FSH. If anyone has done this protocol could you give me a quick timeline? Thanks!

The antagonist protocol might get a greater ovarian response, but it sounds like you had a major response already.

One advantage of the antagonist protocol is that they can then use Lupron as the trigger instead of using hCG. This eliminates OHSS risk. No need to cancel for too many follicles or too much estradiol ever again.

Yes, you will still need to get a period at the start of the stimulated cycle. At least I know my clinic requires it.

The timeline is generally like this:

Stop OCP
Period starts (day 1)
Begin stims (day 1 or 2)
Start antagonist (day 5 or 6 of stim)
Trigger when a good follicle cohort develops (day 8 to 12, typically)
Retrieval 35 hours later
Fertilize
Transfer 3 or 5 days later, depending on clinical practice

[Klm]

Thank you ghost and Lauren. That really helps. Will I most likely start my period pretty soon after BCP? I've been taking them straight through, of course, without the sugar pills. I am starting my 6th week. Will I have to finish a pack before waiting for my period or can I just stop whenever he tells me to, which I am guessing will be at the post op appt in a week and a half?

Good luck with your ER Lauren!