The Over 40 Crowd

debbieed · Post by **debbieed** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:08 pm

Hello All,
Hope everyone is doing ok.
Randa - I think someone else answered the question you asked me about sniffing. I have been on the downregging drug Synarel which my clinic seem to favour. This is inhaled twice a day (hence sniffing). I stay on this until 36 hours before EC. I also started injections of Menopur on Tuesday to stimulate my ovaries. Next appointment is Tuesday to see how I have reacted. On my last cycle I only produced 6 eggs (which the nurses said was good 'for someone my age'!!!!! - 40) so this time my consultant wanted to change the drug (I was on puregon last time) and as I was given a high dose they didn't think it would help by increaseing it. The nurses wanted to keep me on puregon but the consultant thought it was better to try this other one - I just hope she is right! To complicte things even more I've now developed a urine infection so am now on antibiotics too - the clinic says this is ok but I have a real dread that they will cancel the treatment when I go for my scan next week. I REALLY hope they don't.
We have decided that we'll go down the adoption route if IVF doesn't work for us after 3 attempts but even that might be difficult given our ages. Seems very unfair that we could now provide a really nice life for a child but we may be denied it because we waited. It does seem so unfair.

Love
Debbie

randa2006 · Post by **randa2006** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:35 pm

Debbie,
From everything my docs are saying and I've read... 6 eggs was good for someone our age! Your experts are doing things differently than the process I am on (some things are similar). Thanks for explaining the sniffing thing.
Think positive. I pray it happens for you this time!!
My Mom was reminding me last night how often women "used to" get pregnant in their 40s - before BC. She said all families had at least one and sometimes two children that were menopause babies! She was one herself. Her Mom had her at age 40 and then got pregnant again at 45!!!! That one she lost, but we have such better medical care these days. Who knows, had it happened now, she might have been able to have it. (?) It was her 8th, so I don't think they wanted any more.
Anyway, I've run across what she is saying in my readings on this.
Keep us posted on your progress.
All My Best,
Randa

Alette · Post by **Alette** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:47 pm

Debra, my FSH is 4.4

startscan they make (I do not like these scans, you have your period and the next day a internal scan) to see whether there are no cystes, if yes, you may not start.

it was no, and I am on day 2 of Gonal F.
Boy what an effect this already has.... I am on the edge of crying all the time (and laughing because it is so silly).

A 40+ thread, I had to think about it.. do I like it or not?
All emotions we have are the same as women in their twenties or thirties.
The big difference is the timepressure.
But on the other hand... I am happy not to be 25 anymore...
And on the other other hand... if I were 25 I still could adopt...
but on the other hand... I never wanted to adopt...

The emotions are the same....

randa2006 · Post by **randa2006** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:30 pm

Alette,
Good there were no cysts! I had one we had to let dissolve.

You are right. Even though I'm new to this, I agree that the emotions we are all having with hope, failure, success, fear.... are the same.

But, biologically speaking - I was hoping to learn all I could from others in my age group... and share what I'm learning. We do have a little bit different set of issues. For instance, my dh and I went to one clinic that wouldn't take anyone over 42! Some of these places are protecting their success rates, and older women bring down their averages. Plus, the doctor told us that he would just be wasting our money, and that at my age any clinic who would proceed with me was not doing the right thing for themselves or for us! WOW! He said an 15 fsh even further sealed my fate! Now remember, we were just getting started.
I'm glad we didn't give up.
Our new doctor/clinic have been very positive all the way. They have improved their skills to the point that they are excited to take on the older women, because they think they understand what they need more to have success.
Now, even if we fail, we will know we gave it the best try possible.
One more thing and then I'll shut up. I think it's important that we are all sharing information about drugs and processes. You can bet that anything you say that seems different from what my docs are doing, I'm going to ask them about it just in case the medicine there is ahead of the medicine here or vice versa.
Best of luck to you with this next try!!!
Oh, and I'm happy I'm not 25 anymore also!!!
Randa

Alette · Post by **Alette** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 9:03 am

I see what you mean Randa.

Age.
I had to fight to get this last IVF.
(see; life after IVF, hard to accept).
the reason they gave me: my age; after 40 it is hard to get pregnant and stay pregnant.
and in a way, yes, it is hard but it is true.
this will be my last attempt.
after this I give up, I did everything I could to make it work.
And then it is time to go on with my life and make plans.
But... it is the time yet. I still have hope!

Docters look at the average...
but they forget that a small chance in their eyes is an opportunity for us!

so lets grab this opportunity as long as we have the courage!!

debbieed · Post by **debbieed** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 9:59 am

Hello All,
I have been horrified to read all of the post about clinics not accepting people over 42 etc. Our clinic didn't seem to mind our age (I'm 40 but was 39 when begining this journey). We had a private referal from a consultant and are private patients - does this make a difference? We knew that our local Health Authority would not agree to fund us for treatment as they don't fund anyone regardless of age - except in exceptional circumstances and after several years of waiting (which we don't have time for). Private treatment was our only option so now we are on our second attempt. Because of my age I can have up to 3 embies put back (which is what happened on our first attempt). Hoping to do the same this time - although I don't know how many follicles I have this time as my next scan is on Tuesday. Last tiem I didn't respond too well to the drugs so am on different ones this time so hoping for a better response and hopefully will have enough to freeze some embies.
Are there different views on age in different countries or does it vary? I'm so glad to have found a clinic first time that will treat us - perhaps we should be putting pressure on clinics who are not treating older people as they may be discriminating unfairly?
Keep on fighting girls - I'm sure many of us will make great Mums.

Love
Debbie

DebraP · Post by **DebraP** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 12:49 pm

Debbie, re. age restrictions outside of the UK. My clinic take people in their early 40s (no idea if they have a limit though) and have good success rates with them. Here the state pays for women under 38 to have upto 3 tmts but after that couples must go private or give up. We didn't start until I was 38 so went private immediately.

Debra.

longbaygirl · Post by **longbaygirl** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:41 pm

Hi Debbie, Yes age definately makes a difference if you are trying to get NHS funding. In my area you have to be 37 or under and have no children to get free IVF. If you pay and go private clinics like ARGC will take women upto 45.

Anyway, we fail on both criteria - so we pay.

Joy

scaredsharon · Post by **scaredsharon** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:46 pm

Hi All,

This is my first time for IVF and I'm scared. We just had our initial visit where we were told what will happen. This is my second marriage and as you can see I already have two children that were conceived naturally. This is DH's first marriage and first child. My fear comes from all the different shots and pills that you have to take.
My question is are there any side effects and what can I expect to experience from taking the injections and how long do you have to take them?

DebraP · Post by **DebraP** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 8:31 pm

Hi Sharon, welcome to the site. We're big on positive thinking so I might get all strict with you and suggest a quick name change to 'something more positive Sharon'!!!!

Re. the meds. They have different effects and are taken for differing lengths of time. Can you remember (or have notes) on which meds you'll be taking? My clinic use a combination of Synerela for the downregging (but many clinics use bc pills) and then Puregon for the stimulation, lastly one shot of Ovitrelle is used to trigger the final maturation of the follicles). Synerela can often cause hot flushes, headaches, mood swings (big time!) in fact the warning is that it's just like a menopause! The Puregon I personally don't find too bad (and is a cinch in inject as you use an auto-injector pen that just enters any handy roll of fat!) but after a while headaches, tiredness and bloating aren't uncommon. I should add that these symptoms differ from person to person and these are only my responses.

If it's not too personal a q. how long have you been ttc? or have you moved straight to ivf vs. ttc for years?

Debra.

ogr1 · Post by **ogr1** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:32 am

how the heck did i miss over 40..
dh is 42 and i will be 41 this summer......

for right now i am trying to find out what being me is...
and am thankful for all that i do have..
becky

randa2006 · Post by **randa2006** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 4:13 pm

Sharon in Colorado!
Welcome! You and I are in the exact same boat! I also have two older children (girls 21, 18) from previous marriage. And this is my DH's (also a younger man) first time married and trying to have children.
I was TOTALLY scared too. I'm a purist and usually throw Rxs away when I leave a dr office because I HATE drugs of any kind - I think America overmedicates! So, you can imagine how freaked out I was that I was going to be putting all these unnatural things in my body!!!!!!!!
First, be selective of where you get any info on these drugs. The shock and awe stories are out there, but my drs have assured me these drugs are safe for the patients they prescribe them to and they've been in use for many, many years. If something was seriously going on, the FDA would yank them off the shelf in a heartbeat!
Second, I just finished my first round and the shots weren't too bad. Toward the end, I began bruising a little (I don't have much fat to work with is the reason). The only side effects I had were night sweats (mild) and a mild headache on and off - that's it. The drugs I took were: Lupron, Repronex, Follistim and then one big shot 35 hours before egg retrieval (can't remember that drug), it is intramuscular and didn't hurt as the needle is very thin (long, but thin). I'll find out and post it for reference.
My dh gave me every dose and he was wonderful!
We said a little prayer before each one and asked God to please watch over my health and to help us have healthy babies.
The EC was also no big deal. Haven't done the transfer yet, as we are "banking" as many eggs as we can before going for that. At my age, never know when I'm going off the "cliff" and we won't get anymore or any of any quality.
Whew! Sorry to write so much, but you asked.
If you have any more questions, please don't hesistate.
The ladies on this board have soooooo much helpful info.
When do you start?

debbieed · Post by **debbieed** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 4:59 pm

Hello Sharon,
Don't be put off by the drugs. Like with any drugs there can be side effects but I really haven't found them a problem. I did have a few hot flushes while on Syneral but once I begin injections (with Puregon last tmt) and menopur this time the flushes have stopped. I didn't really get mood swings or headaches. I am now getting a bit sore from injections (am on day 7 today) and am begining to bloat a little but nothing too serious - I am really hoping that this bit of discomfort will be worth it in the end.
I have found this board to be really helpful for finding out what is likely to happen and for offering support when things don't feel great.
Welcome and try to be positive - I'm sure it helps.

Love
Debbie

randa2006 · Post by **randa2006** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 7:52 pm

Hi All,
I just realized that anytime I write my younger daughter's age numerically for some reason it creates a happy face on the board. I think it is the combo of the 8 and the ) symbol. She is eighteen - just for the record. Silly thing, but it bugged me to see it twice now.
Also, Sharon, you asked how long regarding the shots. Roughly 12-14 days. Only for me, not all of that was 4 shots a day. The first two days were only the Lupron w/ is a.m. and p.m. one each.
Then, we added the stimulation meds, which brought the count up to 4 shots per day.
Hope that helps paint the picture for what is ahead. Of course, bloodwork (and other factors) will tell your drs what your needs are and everyone is a little different.
My last drug was HCG. I have seen it referred to many times on the board, so it must be very common.
Be sure to tell us when you begin.

scaredsharon · Post by **scaredsharon** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:19 am

Thanks Randa and Debbie for your reply.

I am so happy to have found this message board. After reading some of the postings my fears have been eased a bit. I definetly will be keeping in touch.

Was it upon the advice from you Dr. to harvest eggs for future use or was that something you had decided? My Dr. did not mention anything about harvesting the eggs to us during our visit. To me that sounds like a good idea.

Look forward to more visits to the Over 40 group.

The Over 40 Crowd

First Timer

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