over 40

NY4thtry · Post by **NY4thtry** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 11:33 pm

I would love to start a thread for those of us over 40.

I have just undergone IVF no 4.. my beta is tuesday but my numbers were low friday so i think it is unlikely that it worked this time..

EAch time we have had good eggs beautiful embryos no fragmentation etc....and then nothing..

Has anyone else had similar experience?

Any advice on what to do .. As i am only just 4o i am going to definately try number 5..

i have given up caffeine went to acupuncture( but no herbs) hav slowed my work down..

and i have been pregnant twice before although younger....

I think it is my hrmone levels and that perhaps cornell isnt being aggresive enough

its just hard on some of the other posts because over 40 is definately diffferent

NY

Much Hope · Post by **Much Hope** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:27 am

HI NY:

I am 41 and about to start my 1st IVF cycle at Sher. They are on the leading edge of new IVF techniques and have been able to help older women like us with much success. Their LA office has hd 10 pregnancies out of 12 ET in the past 2 weeks.

I did alot of research before choosing Sher. I think it might be worth your time to look into them. They also are the only center in the country since they developed the technique to do CGH. which increases the odds of implantation.

2003: First to measure soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (sHLA-G) in the media surrounding early individual embryos and use this genetic marker to identify the "best individual embryos" (the ones that are most likely to implant and produce a viable pregnancy) for transfer to the uterus.

2005: First to show, by using a new genetic test, that an embryo resulting from fertilization of a euploid egg (i.e. an egg that has all of its chromosomes present), has a much improved ability to implant successfully and produce a normal baby. This method which tests egg/embryo "competence" is likely to vastly improve IVF results and lead to single embryo transfers, thereby minimizing the risk of multiple pregnancies.

I am a patient in their manhattan office which is on 38th and 5th avenue. I hope all works out for you this time around. I will have you in my thoughts and prayers.

much baby dust
Elida

NY4thtry · Post by **NY4thtry** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:43 am

elida

thansk fr your reply.. you may be righ sher may be the answer a colleague of mine has had two babies with them and she was older than us..and she has lining problems embryo fragmentation everthing

crazy thing though.. and one thing that worries me (would never tell her) her first son has been very sickly ....

i ak definitaley going to condult woth sher before i try again

thanks

suzhan · Post by **suzhan** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:47 pm

Sher has a web page too, btw, that allows you to do Q&A with their MDs, rather helpful. Even though I'm not with a SHER clinic, I do use their web page to ask their REs questions from time to time. I find it helpful. They also will do free consultations, even over the phone, but since you're near one of their office, probably not necessary - you could see one of them there. Since you make so many eggs/embies, perhaps you'd be able to use their CGH (?) process - it's like pgd, but apparently more thorough, to really test the quality of the embies.

I was also going to ask if you'd been tested for immune issues. That might be something to consider at this point - the book "Is Your Body Baby Unfriendly" is a good resource to understand this issue thoroughly (kinda technical, but complete.)

Another question - have you have tried a frozen cycle? I've also seen ladies with good embies and never gotten a bfp on this page try 100% frozen embies (do a major cycle, get lots of embies, freeze them all and then use a FET cycle to better prepare the uterus for transfer.) GHOST has talked about this as well.

Anyway, I think a fresh perspective with a new RE is definitely warranted if this cycle doens't work out. That said, you have a few more days, so try to hang in there.

I'm just starting my 4th ivf cycle now too and do notice less response to the meds than when I was 37-38 - kinda a bummer....But it only takes one good egg, as they say.

NY4thtry · Post by **NY4thtry** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:18 pm

Suz,

I knew about the website shich is very good..

i havent been tested for immmune issues.. i am told that Sher does do that.

My firsts set up Drs said that the tests were a waste and to just go ahead and do IVIG which is controversial. At that point i decided to change Drs and go to cornell.. may have been a mistake.

Thanks for the name of the book.. Ill try and pick it up

i wouldloveto try a frozen cycle but need to get there the three embies i had left over this time didnt make it to be frozen sadly. I plan to make an appointment at Sher tomorrow.. maybe i will have to cancel and that would be good news but i need to get right back on this horse..

I will keep good thoughts for you in your cycle.

Much Hope · Post by **Much Hope** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:08 pm

Dear NY:

I am so glad you are going to call Sher for a consultation. Please keep me posted on the outcome. Maybe our babies will meet one day never knowing they started out so wanted that we would do anything to bring them to us.

Regards,
Elida

NY4thtry · Post by **NY4thtry** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 5:07 pm

well i did another HPT today BFN.. beta is tomorrow i am not holding out much hope.

I do have a consult scheduled with DR Sher for next week.. so the beat goes on

suzhan · Post by **suzhan** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:08 pm

NY4thtry wrote:well i did another HPT today BFN.. beta is tomorrow i am not holding out much hope.

I do have a consult scheduled with DR Sher for next week.. so the beat goes on

I hope you get better news tomorrow and, if not, that you have a good consultation with Dr. Sher next week. KUP.

NY4thtry · Post by **NY4thtry** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 12:55 pm

How is everyone?

Well yesterday i got the official news BFN as expected. Had a long talk with my DR.. i think they are now getting really focused on me because i know a lot of senior people on the board of the hospital.

He was quite suprised it didnt take . said the embryos were the best of all 4 cycles and that they were all grade 1. He thinks that i should try the same protocol again.

I told him that i was going to have a consultation with anothr Dr. I asked him about some of the things Sher does.. for eexample use IVIG and he cautioned me against them. Said that it is possible to get Hepatitis from IVIG. I will discuss this with Dr SHer friday and then when i meet with my Dr Tuesday go over it again and share what i learn.

i am commited to trying again and know i will get there.

suzhan · Post by **suzhan** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:52 pm

NY4thtry wrote: I told him that i was going to have a consultation with anothr Dr. I asked him about some of the things Sher does.. for eexample use IVIG and he cautioned me against them. Said that it is possible to get Hepatitis from IVIG. I will discuss this with Dr SHer friday and then when i meet with my Dr Tuesday go over it again and share what i learn.

i am commited to trying again and know i will get there.

I'm soooo sorry about the bfn. But, I do think it's great that you're getting a second opinion. Were you able to get all your past medical records over to Dr. Sher in advance? That would probably really help him give you a good consultation.

Regarding IVIG and hepatitis - well, I suppose there is a risk with various communicable diseases (hiv, hepatitis, etc.) because it is a blood product, BUT, blood products in the united states are extensively screened so it's a pretty low risk.....It really comes down to whether the immune issues could be a problem because as I understand it, that's the only reason to use ivig.

http://womensportsmedicine.org/conditions_14271.asp

I hope Dr. Sher can answer these questions for you.

Let us know how it goes next week!

- suzhan

chenry4413 · Post by **chenry4413** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:48 pm

NY4thtry,
I've been tracking your progress and I am so sorry about the BFN. Please keep us updated on what you find out at Sher. The crazy thing about this "infertility" is that there are so many different causes.

I am also at Cornell. ER was 8/10. 12 mature, 8 fert. Dr. told me today that 4 looked better than others (he didn't mention quality). Normally, they would ET today but the main reason we are doing IVF is for PGD (which might help decrease chance of m/c) so I just have to hope and wait.

NY4thtry · Post by **NY4thtry** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:59 pm

Chenry,

Good luck with your transfer.. do you have a specific issue taht requires PGD?

Who is your Dr?
When is yor transfer? Is this your first attemt

chenry4413 · Post by **chenry4413** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:26 pm

I am fortunate in that I can get pregnant naturally but each one ends in m/c (8-12 week range). 2 of the 4 m/c's were tested and had chromosomal abnormalities. As a results, we are doing PGD to try and get a healthy embie... however, PGD is limited so we are basically just grasping at straws. It's gotta be worth a try.

My doc is Spandorfer. He knows my history and supports the PGD, but has warned me of the limits but he thinks it will decrease my chances of m/c (how could it not since I have a 100% m/c rate!). I got a 2nd opinion and that doc also recommended IVF with PGD. I think my eggs are not splitting correctly which leads to the chromosome probs. I think the problem is my eggs and their inability to split properly but I have not been diagnosed or anything.

I know people hate the 2ww but I think this is the hardest part for me (waiting to see if they pass PGD and make it to day 5).

My transfer is 8/15. This is my first IVF. I think my signature is attached this time! Who is your Doc?

NY4thtry · Post by **NY4thtry** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:29 pm

chenry in your case it sounds like PGD makes sense .. but no apparently not perfect..

You seemed to have good stimming results.. only two more days.. good luck and keep me posted

kimmysq · Post by **kimmysq** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:11 am

Hi Ladies:
Just found this thread and wanted you to know that I am 43. IVF is a rollercoaster, but it sounds like you have some great RE's. I do not know what IVIG is? Can someone explain it to me.
Baby dust,
Kim

over 40

over 40

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