1st timer

[akdelp]

This is our 1st attempt at IVF. I had my tubes tied when I was very young (21) with the military and I now regret that! We are just waiting for my next cycle to start the pill/injections. But, while in our last appointment with Dr. he told me that I have "over-achiver ovaries" and in other words, it was very likely that I would develop OHSS. I am SOOOO stressed about this. I have 30+ in my ovaries and just don't know what to expect. My husband and I otherwise have great bloodwork/sprem count and are in our 30's. It is making me second guess what I am about to go through. Seems my hormones are getting the best of me and I haven't even started the injections/pills! UGH. Not to mention that we are keeping the IVF to ourselves in the event this doesn't work out. Most of the info out there is very negative about OHSS. Anyone know really what the triggers are? Is it just the count? Hospitilization? How many does that realy affect? So many questions....mostly fear thou...

[LYD10]

After your retrieval drink lots of gatorade. it helps draw the water out of your body - should help with OHSS.

[leorira11]

Maybe you could ask your doctor about an antagonisty cycle. Instaed of taking Lupron (agonist) to prevent the LH surge (ie, premature ovulation), you start the stims and add ganirelix or cetrocide (antagonists) when your follies reach a certain size. Accomplishes the same goal (preventing ovulation) but in a different pharamcological way. The advantage of the antagonist is that you can trigger with either hCg or Lupron. It's the hCg combined with the high e2 levels from the follicles that leads to OHSS.

I have PCO, so my doctors are worried about me getting OHSS also. If my e2 levels get too high, I can trigger with Lupron instead of hCG. The disadvantage is that if you trigger with Lupron, usually you can't do a fresh transfer (instead, you freeze all and do a FET). So far, I've always triggered with hCG, but doing the antagonist cycle gives me more options. If you do an agonist (Lupron) cycle, you can ONLY trigger with hCG, so if you are too close to OHSS, you can miss out.

PM me if you have any questions about what I just said (I'm sure I didn't explain myself well!)

Also - we all chat on the "Winter Board" - come join us for some friendship and support during this difficult time.

Cheers!

[sorcet]

I also have PCOS and experienced OHSS. my protocol was the antagonist protocol with ganarelix. I did trigger with HCG but half the dose of normal. I had 34 eggs retrieved with an E2 of over 6000. it was miserable iw as in bed for a few weeks lots of fluids helped. I did end up having a fresh transfer and did get a baby out of it ! alot of women at risk and with numbers like mine do not have a fresh transfer though and ive seen many of those also result in a healthy baby ! good luck

[brit1612]

I think that the OHSS is related to how high your e2 levels get. They should be monitoring these as you go. I am pretty sure that this number is typically high when you have a lot of follicles, but I don't produce a lot of follicles at all and somehow managed to get OHSS one time! I'm not going to lie, it does suck, but there are a lot of people who get it and get pregnant, so it does not have to stand in your way of getting pregnant. If you are not sharing IVF with your friends or family this is a great place to come! Let us know if you have any questions! Check out my blog if you have a chance!

[debbiefrip]

I was very worried about OHSS, I have heard that it can be awful. The doctor told me that OHSS is very common but rarely a serious problem. He said that even if I did get OHSS that it shouldn't affect my chances of pregnancy. My doctor said one of the best things to do is just staying positive. A positive attitude reduces stress levels making everything go a lot easier.