I just joined in hopes to further educate my self through the experience of others, to gain a little hope through the success stories of others and for a little encouragement through this process with women that have and are going through the same troubles as myself and my partner in this journey of started a family. A little about me and my thus far journey...
I just turned 38 years old 3 weeks ago, I was diagnosed with endometriosis years ago (2005) and was never told by my doctors (I had 3 opinions) that I should think of freezing eggs because of the infertility issues that endometriosis could cause. Yes I knew it could cause infertility but they always seemed so non-chalant about it so I didn't pay much attention to it until I was ready to be a mother. I had been seing Dr. Caryn Selick in NYC for the past 2 years. I had a 5cm cyst on my right ovary that was removed July 2012, since than my doctor was just checking blood and doing sono's but that was all, she never put me on any meds to start IUI or IVF, from day 1 of visiting her office she said I had to do IVF to get pregnant. Never did she discuss what FSH, AMH, LH or E2 blood levels were up until just last week. Meanwhile I've been going to her for nearly 2 years and discussing pregnancy. Nor had she ever checked to see how many follicles I produced, meanwhile she's done a couple of sonograms, you would think knowing that I wanted to get pregnant that this would be something she would want to look into. Well just last week she tells me, IVF is off the table for you, looks like the only way you can get pregnant is with a Donor Egg because you have poor ovarian reserve, I just sat there and couldn't believe what she had said. How did that happen all of a sudden when she was so gun ho about IVF from the moment I went to her. MY FSH level was 23.4, AMH <0.16, How come she never mentioned these levels to me in the past, in December the FSH was normal, I never knew she even did that blood test in the past because she never mentioned it she just sent me for multiple blood tests and never told me what she was looking for. Well after crying in front of her and hearing the news that I would never have a child that would look like me, act like me etc... I decided that there was no way I was going to just let this go. First off I couldn't believe how cold hearted she was and her response was well this is why you can choose a donor that looks like you. Seriously?? Go to hell lady is what I wanted to say but out of respect I just simply left her office in tears. I decided to get a second opinion and went to Dr. Zhang from New Hope Fertility I read on his site that they don't concern themselves much with FSH and AMH and that one good egg is all it takes was somewhat their motto and that FSH could be lowered. I had my first appointment last week, a much better experience. He sat down with me and discussed all my options and due to my endometriosis, possible scar tissue from the surgery and low ovarian reserve he said Mini IVF or Natural IVF would be the way for me to go. I was lucky enough to get an appointment right away with him and low and behold it just so happened my appt was on Day 3 of my period so he was able to do an FSH level and a sono to see how many follicles I had. Unfortunately I only had 1 follicle on either ovary....
and the next day was called and told my FSH level was now 36! how in just 3 weeks did it go from 23.4 to 36??? So Dr. Zhang called and wants me to undergo Natural IVF, all I can think about is, is this even going to work with my blood levels being poor, are their even eggs in the follicles, will they mature enough by the time I go back for extration? will they fertilize? Im very scared being a mother is something I will never achieve because my chances are so low. Ive been reading about acupuncture and chinese herbs that help lower fsh also, has anyone tried this? Does it work? Has anyone gotten pregnant with Natural IVF? My insurance covers 3 cycles of IVF in a lifetime and I could never afford anything else....Super scared that its the end of the road for me