IVF Support, Advice & Friends

It's official. We are gearing up for our first cycle of IVF. I had my consult yesterday and got my protocol. I will be doing an antagonist protocol with Follistim 200IU and Menopur 75IU +ganirelix and an ovidrel trigger with endometrin suppositories for progesterone support. Depending on my cycle I expect I will start BCP right around New years or a couple days before. I think I will be on BCP's for 3 weeks but I can't remember for sure if she said 2 or 3 weeks.. Based on this I am guessing I will start stims some time around Jan 21st with ER in the first couple days of February..

I do have a couple of questions. Is there a difference between endometrin and prometrium? A friend of mine has a whole unopened bottle of prometrium she said I could have but if endometrin is better I will just suck it up and pay for it.

Do the doses sound about right for a first cycle? I have no ideas what's a high dose vs a low dose so I wasn't sure.

I am sure I will have tons more questions as it draws closer. I have my education day on Nov 20th so I am guessing. I will get more info then

Thanks

Kristen

a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/"> [ Vasectomy 10/2001 VR #1 10/2007-bilateral VV none seen x 3 VR#2 01/2009-bilateral VE none seen (as of 9/2009) IVF consult Nov 2, 2009

Kristen,

That's great that you have had your consult and are all set to go.

Wishing you loads of luck

Julie

Julie and Steven are TTC # 1 - Cycle 20 - Waiting for IVF 

My IVF Blog: http://ivfblogger.blogspot.com/
My Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/IVFBlogger

Congratulations!  Your protocal sounds very similar to my last two... though my follistim started at 125 and 100... then dosed down as the cycle progressed.  But, I was hyper-senstive and my E2 rose quickly.  Despite my strong response to the meds, surprisingly, I never got a boat load of eggs... though clearly enough to work with :)  I also did estrogen priming.  I've seen much higher starting doses, so i'm guessing your numbers are decent.  And, in any event, your RE will be adjusting your doses almost daily as your cycle progresses depending on what your u/s and bw show... a little more, a little less.  I also started in January - of this year - and I'm due in February! 

Though I'm full of advice, lol, i'll just warn you that things don't always make sense during a cycle.  And, while the internet can be a great source of information, it can also paint a very bleak picture at times.  NEVER let it dampen your spirits.  Text book cycles sometimes don't work, while terrible cycles do.  It's not always if this, then that... if you know what I mean.  The good news is, if you have a super cycle that doesn't work then you just keep trying.  It will work.  As for bad cycles, I got pregnant during what appeared to be my worst cycle... only 3 eggs retrieved but all excellent quality embryos!  Try to let go and just be excited that you're in the process.  Don't focus too much on the individual cycle.  It's a trial and error process... you definately learn from each cycle.  But, of course, I'm hoping yours works the first time!  A lot of them do :)  3rd time was a charm for me :)  

Many doctors perfer endometrin.  It has a more well-define history of success... at least that's what I was told.  Plus, there's apparently less "build up" w/endometrin than other suppositories - which can cause terrible yeast infections.  I used endometrin :) 

Feel free to message me if you ever have any questions... no matter how small.  I'm a member of the February 2010 EC.  Lots of luck!

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