844 replies to this topic

[returnable]

I know there are a couple of people out there already waiting to start an IVF in October, so I thought I would get the ball rolling on this group before we go on vacation on Friday.

 

For me, I have DOR and possibly blocked tubes, so IVF is our only chance to go. This will be my first time going through IVF. I know from other people's stories that not everyone gets through all the steps. IF is a tough journey, and I am trying to take this one step at a time. I wish all the best to all of you and I hope we can share our experiences, and support each other.

 

In terms of protocol, I will be doing an estrogen priming antagonist protocol due to advanced maternal age and low AMH. The doctor is hoping for good quality eggs, but probably will not get too many. We will only advance to ER if more than 4 eggs are available for retrieval. I start on estrogen about a week before my October cycle, and start stims on CD#3 when AF arrives in mid-October. My stims will be Gonal-F and Menopur, and eventually will add on Orgalutran. My trigger will be HCG and Suprefact. I expect ER at the end of October.

 

That is the plan, we'll see how it changes as we go along.

[Kadima]

Hi

 

i'm also scheduled for the estrogen priming protocol (along with gonal F, cetrotide and ovidrel for trigger). I should be starting my estrogen a few days before my next period, which should arrive in the next 3 weeks assuming my PCOS doesn't pull a 50 days cycle (this year i seem to have 23-25 days cycles with 7-10 day-long luteal phases).

 

From what i've read, i'm really not sure why my dr put me on the estrogen priming... i don't have low ovarian reserve (My AMH was normal) and i'm only 33. My only theory is that my doctor thinks my eggs are of poor quality (i had a termination for multiple fetal abnormalities along with 2 chemical pregnancies). Has anyone else had experience with this protocol?

 

Good luck to everyone!

[returnable]

Kadima this estrogen priming antagonist protocol is also used for PCOS to not overstimulate and cause OHSS. Good luck with your cycle. I hope AF is predictable for you this month.

[snootypup]

I am due to start meds around Oct 5th with a tentative retrieval date of Oct 18th. This will be our first cycle and we may or may not need to do ICSI, that will be determined nearer the time. We are being treated at the Regional Fertility Program in Calgary, AB

Going from excitement to worry then panic lol

[returnable]

Welcome snooty!

[Belles1010]

Hi ladies!

 

I start Superfact September 22 and if all goes as planned, retrieval will be October 18. This is my second fresh IVF cycle and am being treated at the Regional Fertility Clinic in Calgary! We had a successful IVF In 2014 and had a beautiful baby boy, had a chemical pregnancy with my FET and now doing a fresh again!

 

Good luck to everyone!

[dawnkey]

Hi everyone! I'm in the combined buddy group too but I think I'm the only one doing full IVF. This is our second try for a sibling for our daughter who just turned 4. My clinic is Victoria Fertility - we love them! 

 

I started BCP and baby aspirin yesterday, if all goes well, I start stims on Oct 9th. I'm a very quick responder so I'm guessing ER will be Oct 19th (like it was with my previous cycles, 10 days after starting stims) and a 3 day transfer. I've been taking some supplements - DHEA and CoQ10 as well PregVit Folic 5, vitamin D and Calcium. I'm older and my daughter was born with an isolated cleft of the soft palate so I'm taking a bit more folic. 

 

I received my protocol and I'm going to be taking Gonal F, Menopur and Cetrotide with a Pregnyl trigger.  

 

We fly to Victoria on day 7 of stims. I'm excited to hear everyone's story. 

[Belles1010]

Welcome Dawnkey

[returnable]

Welcome dawnkey. The combined group is a bit confusing as people are doing different procedures. I like the split ones for each month as it feels a bit more organized. Welcome to the group!

[dawnkey]

Thanks guys!! Where is everyone at with their cycle? 

[jmable]

I was wondering if I could join you. Were scheduled to start our first IVF full cycle here soon. AF is scheduled to arrive around Sept 22 which is when we will start our cycle. I am turning 39 shortly and I'm on month 11 of TTC so we've decided to be more aggressive and go straight to IVF because of my age and low AMH (0.28). I did try 3 cycles of clomid with no luck so we had to take 2 months off of meds before starting IVF.

 

We are cycling in Calgary. They didn't recommend ICSI or PGS since our first two were healthy but I'm nervous to not do it. We are doing the antagonist protocol with 450IU Gonal-F and 75IU of Luveris. I'm not super familiar with protocols so I have no idea what it all means. I do know I'm on higher doses because of my age/AMH.

 

I also like a monthly group dedicated to IVF too. The big one is just too much to keep track of!

 

Good luck everyone!!

[returnable]

Welcome jmable. What units is your AMH in? I'm around 1.07 pmol/L.

Dawnkey I'm waiting for AF to go in for cd3 blood work and AFC. Hope it comes Saturday or later as we are overseas and can only make cd3 on Monday. Would start stims next cycle in October.

[jmable]

returnable - It was 0.28 ng/mL. Not sure how the conversion works! Hopefully the timing works before you go on vacation! Have you had an AFC done recently? I had mine done at our consult about a month and a half ago and I had 13 follicles on CD2. I was totally expecting you see like 1-2 so I was relieved to see more than that! Although it doesn't always mean anything. :-/

[Adrian555]

Hi All. I am also starting my first IVF cycle this month. I started Suprefact yesterday and so far so good. This has been a 5 year long road and I have had both my tubes removed in the process due to ectopic pregnancies so we are hoping for some good news. I start my stims on Sept 26th with an estimated retrieval date of October 9th. I am really glad I stumbled upon this forum

[returnable]

Welcome Adrian.

Jmable. You divide the ng/ml value by 7.4 to get the pmol value. My last AFC was 14. AMH does not predict how many eggs will be retrieved this cycle, rather it is an indicator of how close you are to having no eggs.

AFM we are on vacation right now and flying home on Sunday. AF is expected on Saturday, but my last cycle I was a bit early so generally I would rebalance on this cycle. We'll see...definitely on vacation I am worrying a lot less about IF.

[jmable]

Welcome Adrian! I'm starting my stims around the same time as you!

Returnable - Then my AMH is .037. Super low!! Hmm, I thought a low AMH was indicative of how you will respond to stimulation meds which then would impact how many eggs could be retrieved. :-/ Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!

[Adrian555]

jmable - I see you are also at the Calgary clinic, which doctor do you see? I am also on the antagonist protocol but with Suprefact... Also I believe I will only be doing 150 IU of each to start. I am 30 and believe all my numbers are relatively normal (as far as I know). They did mention possibly requiring ICSI though. I am still learning as I go here. Good Luck To Everyone!

[jmable]

Adrian - I see Dr. Foonf (not sure on spelling)! What doctor do you see? Did they mention any issues with the semen analysis? That would be one reason they might recommend ICSI.

[Adrian555]

jmable - I see Dr Phoong as well, have been seeing her for 5 years and We really like her. They did mention something about the morphology? He is getting another analysis done on Monday so we will see what comes out of that. The suprefact is starting to kick my butt a bit but I am excited that we are getting closer to starting our Stims. I also have an acupuncture consult and treatment on Sunday.. Willing to try anything that may help.

[Belles1010]

Adrian- where are you going for acupuncture? I went to holistic institute and they are amazing!

[returnable]

Adrian how long are you on Suprefact? What is your protocol? Is it an injection? I know for me it is part of my trigger shot.

[jmable]

Adrian - Thas good to know you guys like her! We didn't spend a lot of time with her but she seemed to know her stuff. I'd love to know where you're going for acupuncture too so I can make some appointments!

[Belles1010]

Jmable - The Holistic Institute is near the clinic and they specialize in fertility! They will fit you in the day of your transfer before and after!

[Adrian555]

Laurabelle / jmable - Yes I did book at the holistic institute but the south location as I live in Langdon and the north location is a little far for me. Glad to hear you were happy with them, I figure why not? My benefits cover the cost and it cant hurt. 

 

Returnable - I am on Suprefact 5 times a day now until I start my stims on the 26th (Gonal / Luveris) and then I go down to 3 times a day, it is the nasal spray.  I just know they want to prevent premature egg release. I am really not sure why this is required in my case. I also made a mistake before, I am actually on the Conventional Agonist IVF cycle. To confirm trigger shot is the one 35 hours before retrieval? I believe mine is just the HCG injection.

[Adrian555]

Returnable - I just read that when you take suprefact at first it has a flare response- and then after a couple days it depletes all the chemicals and then has a suppressive effect.. so I am wondering in my case because I have irregular cycles, they wanted to control my ovulation and then supress release during my cycle? Even if I am wrong, it was an interesting read.