Ghost & everyone

[sunny]

Hello everyone,
When do u think it is time to change RE? After how many ivf failures?
I know that it is good to stay with the same RE when he starts to know how ur body reacts with the meds abd the whole ivf procedures, but after how many failed cycles u should change RE?
And do u believe that having multiple failed cycles in a row with the same RE is due to the RE protocols used on ur case (even though he has high success rates with other patients) or if u were going to have success u should have got it with him and no need to keep searching and trying new RE??

I really appreciate all ur feed back.

[leorira11]

Sunny- I don't have an answer for you, but I thought I'd share my experience.

I've been with the same clinic since the beginning. I've had pretty good results (4 pregnancies from 7 transfers, 2 miscarriages - 2 pre-term deliveries that have nothing to do with the IVF clinic).

But I'm switching clinics now. Why? Just to get a fresh perspective on things. There is a saying in Hebrew "משנה מקום משנה מזל" which means "change your location, change your luck" (sounds better in Hebrew!)

My current RE asked why I was switching clinics and I told him just for a change of scenery. I've been with my current clinic though so much, that even just going into the building makes me stress out. He totally understood and encouraged me to switch (and my new RE is a former colleague of his, and he highly recommends him).

Maybe shop around for a new clinic, just to make a change. Even if there is no MEDICAL reason, an EMOTIONAL reason is a good reason too.

[Ghost]

Hello everyone,
When do u think it is time to change RE? After how many ivf failures?
I know that it is good to stay with the same RE when he starts to know how ur body reacts with the meds abd the whole ivf procedures, but after how many failed cycles u should change RE?
And do u believe that having multiple failed cycles in a row with the same RE is due to the RE protocols used on ur case (even though he has high success rates with other patients) or if u were going to have success u should have got it with him and no need to keep searching and trying new RE??

I really appreciate all ur feed back.

If under age 35 with no special problems, I would think about it after two failures, and assess the circumstances. An older patient might give it one or two more cycles. If using donor eggs, two cycles total.

It could be the protocols. It might be the lab. These are not the most likely problems, but after some failures, they may become more of a potential concern.

As for one RE getting to know your body, that has some merit, but your records would be forwarded to the next RE, and he/she would then be familiar with your history.

[sunny]

Leorira- thanks for sharing ur experience, and the quote is really nice to hear, yes maybe my luck will change if i change clinic...
I know how it feels about a clinic and a doctor where u've been through a lot with them…

[sunny]

Ghost- thanks a lot for ur reply, i really needed to hear ur opinion about that.
Actually, im under 30 years and have no known issues, we only have male factor.
I've been with the same RE through 7 failed cycles and even though he has very high success rates and he is making most of his patients with severe problems get pregnant, i still dont know why i didnt get a BFP with him...

[Sunshine1576]

sunny, Have you already scheduled a consultation to see what else he could recommend and is he changing up your protocal much, maybe transfer 2-3 embryos if you haven't already? Does he suggest alternatives such as donor or pgd testing possibly for chromosome abnormalities? I feel there are still alternatives out there and there is nothing ever wrong with changing doctors for a second opinion. Keep the faith, it's the ones who believe that will go the farthest in this journey to making their dream happen!

[sunny]

Sunshine- we changed protocols 3 times, we transferred 3 very good embies, i feel like he has nothing to say to me, he has no answers to my BFNs, and im starting to feel like an alien when i go to his clinic where they r all getting pregnant but not me…

[to_have_fun08]

Some clinics give free consultations. I would suggest having another RE look at your records and see what he/she recommends.. If you don't get a good vibe then stick where you are at. After several failed cycle, i would move. There could be some tests that you haven't done. In my case i was unexplained infertility at one clinic all my test were in the normal range.. I went to another clinic and they did AMH testing and inhibin b testing which my other clinic didn't test for. with those tests found that i had diminished ovarian reserve. In my 3 years of doing IVF i went through 4 different dr's. in the end none of them could help.. i just had crappy eggs.

Good Luck!!

[sunny]

To-Have-Fun- thanks for the feedback, may i ask how did u discover the bad quality eggs issue? Was it pgd or another test?
Thanks

[to_have_fun08]

bad egg quality is associated with Diminished ovarian reserve. they found i had DOR that with AMH and inhibin b testing. My AFC and FSH levels were good. When i did IVF's i usually had eggs that weren't were they were supposed to be on day 3.. I did transfer a couple of 8cell and 7 cell eggs but none of them took. I also had issue with empty follicles and ovulating before ER.. I had a lot of issues.

[Warren Dew]

My wife was in her late 30s and we went for 3 IVF cycles hoping for good luck, but without a pregnancy. At that point we were ready to change. However we visited our RE one more time, and she suggested substantial changes to the protocol that were in line with what we thought we needed and what another clinic might do. We went with her one more time and had a successful pregnancy. When we tried for baby #2, the revised protocol worked the first time.

I would say that when your RE has run out of ideas - can no longer suggest a plan that addresses all the data from failed cycles to date and how they might be addressed - it's time to change.

[sunny]

Tohavefun- thanks for sharing, i will adk for theses tests.

[sunny]

Warren Dew - i guess u r totally right, when RE runs out of ideas and protocols it is time to change and have a fresh eye...
The thing is that i always wonder if it is ME or the protocol that aint working...