It's been such a roller coaster for me since my first FET didn't work in June. I've moved across country, gotten me and my dd used to the new place, new jobs, etc., etc. I had a really great consultation with an RE here in San Antonio, who was very positive about the FET working this time around. Before I do the FET, I will make sure my thyroid levels are normal (I was way hyperthyroid in June), and am also planning to consult with an RE at Sher Institute for an immunologic factors preventing implantation. I have 4 beautfiul blasts in NYC that were created with my fresh cycle resulting in DD, so I am very very lucky, and will be moving them down here to do the FET.
So far, so good. But I made the big mistake of having my FSH tested, just for fun (ha!). It is 10. I am devastated. When this RE did an ultrasound for me a month ago, he saw 6 follicles on each ovary, and seemed to be able to access all 12. I had been hopeful that a fresh cycle would be my backup if the FET didn't work out. Now it doesn't seem very hopeful at all, as I am dealing with diminished ovarian reserve and possibly "old" eggs. I am not opposed to DE, just the cost. Now I just feel so confused and devastated and inadequate, and I regret waiting as long as I have to try again. I know you ladies have been where I am, and can use all the support I can get. Please send Ps, Pts and any other thoughts you have. Thanks for listening...
An FSH of ten is borderline, and I know people who have succeeded with a much higher FSH. I believe that follicle count is an even more sensitive test of fertility and 12 is pretty good. And what with your four blasts, you should be able to have a mini-van full of kids.
Best wishes! Allison (also a '68 model)
Me: 40 10/12! Him: 40 1/4. Together 12 years, married 9, TTC#1. Day 3 FSH 8.9, 10.9, 9.4. Day 3 Estradiol 85, 52, 72. (Mar, June, & Dec 2008, respectively.) CCT sent FSH to 14. :-p SA < 1% morphology. Acupuncture: Not sure if it is helping my fertility, but it helped my 15-year-old shoulder injury the first day!!! Also, AF is redder and heavier, and my FSH didn't go up with my age. IVF/ICSI #1 Sept. 08 Ten follicles!, 12 eggs retrieved, 10 fertilized. Transferred 3 eight-cell embryos on 9/19. One made it to freeze. Beta #1 152 on 17 dpo. Beta #2 161 on 19 dpo. Karmen biopsy negative. It's officically ectopic. . . . . . Beta #15 <6. My first IVF cycle and first pregnancy, over at 10 weeks. IVF #2: Lupron flare protocol. Retrieved 9 eggs, 5 fertilized with ICSI. ET on 3/15: two 7-cells, and one 4-cell. None to freeze. BFN. Switched clinics. IVF #3 started June 12. Estrogen priming-antagonist protocol. Vivelle dots since 6/12, Ganirelix 6/13-15, Menopur (600U!) started 6/17, Ganirelix again. Nine eggs retrieved on 6/29. Five "suitable for ICSI". Four fertilized. On 7/1 transferred a six-cell with minimal fragmentation and a six-cell and two four-cells with moderate fragmentation. 7/14/09 BFN. August '09 Break for surgery for cervical stenosis: found a bunch of scar tissue. Where was that when I had a hysteroscopy in January. Hmm. Glad a switched clinics. IVF #4: Similar protocol to above except 450 Menopur and 150 Gonal F. From 12 follicles, retrieved only 8 eggs, but 7 of them fertilized and 4 were still kicking on day3. On Oct. 18, transferred 4 embryos: an 8-cell, grade 3, a 7-cell, grade 3, ,a 5-cell grade 3, and a 6-cell grade two. Those first two are considered "High implantation potential". (Grade 3 is top in this clinic.) AND transfer was a breeze thanks to surgery mentioned above. Soooo glad I switched clinics. Beta #1: 62.1 on 11dp3dt. Beta#2 135, 3 days later, for a doubling time of 68.59 hours. Beta #3, 371 3 days later, for a doubling time of exactly 48 hours. Finally something normal! First US Nov 12.
Thanks so much for your encouraging words; 10 no longer feels like the tragedy it did a few days ago!! Since you also posted your E2 levels, I'm a little concerned about mine, since it was only 49. Do you know anything about this?
Congratulations on your pregnancy, and I look forward to hearing all your updates!! You give me hope that I can have another! Mind if I ask what clinic you used?
If I recall correctly, a high E2 can artificially lower FSH, so I think you are good on both counts. I may be wrong about this, so you should look it up.
Best wishes! Allison
Me: 40 10/12! Him: 40 1/4. Together 12 years, married 9, TTC#1. Day 3 FSH 8.9, 10.9, 9.4. Day 3 Estradiol 85, 52, 72. (Mar, June, & Dec 2008, respectively.) CCT sent FSH to 14. :-p SA < 1% morphology. Acupuncture: Not sure if it is helping my fertility, but it helped my 15-year-old shoulder injury the first day!!! Also, AF is redder and heavier, and my FSH didn't go up with my age. IVF/ICSI #1 Sept. 08 Ten follicles!, 12 eggs retrieved, 10 fertilized. Transferred 3 eight-cell embryos on 9/19. One made it to freeze. Beta #1 152 on 17 dpo. Beta #2 161 on 19 dpo. Karmen biopsy negative. It's officically ectopic. . . . . . Beta #15 <6. My first IVF cycle and first pregnancy, over at 10 weeks. IVF #2: Lupron flare protocol. Retrieved 9 eggs, 5 fertilized with ICSI. ET on 3/15: two 7-cells, and one 4-cell. None to freeze. BFN. Switched clinics. IVF #3 started June 12. Estrogen priming-antagonist protocol. Vivelle dots since 6/12, Ganirelix 6/13-15, Menopur (600U!) started 6/17, Ganirelix again. Nine eggs retrieved on 6/29. Five "suitable for ICSI". Four fertilized. On 7/1 transferred a six-cell with minimal fragmentation and a six-cell and two four-cells with moderate fragmentation. 7/14/09 BFN. August '09 Break for surgery for cervical stenosis: found a bunch of scar tissue. Where was that when I had a hysteroscopy in January. Hmm. Glad a switched clinics. IVF #4: Similar protocol to above except 450 Menopur and 150 Gonal F. From 12 follicles, retrieved only 8 eggs, but 7 of them fertilized and 4 were still kicking on day3. On Oct. 18, transferred 4 embryos: an 8-cell, grade 3, a 7-cell, grade 3, ,a 5-cell grade 3, and a 6-cell grade two. Those first two are considered "High implantation potential". (Grade 3 is top in this clinic.) AND transfer was a breeze thanks to surgery mentioned above. Soooo glad I switched clinics. Beta #1: 62.1 on 11dp3dt. Beta#2 135, 3 days later, for a doubling time of 68.59 hours. Beta #3, 371 3 days later, for a doubling time of exactly 48 hours. Finally something normal! First US Nov 12.
I agree w/pp that an FSH of 10 is borderline and your antral follicle count matters almost as much. 12 is decent. My first cycle was 11. Though I never got nearly as many eggs as my antral follicle count - and never had anything left to freeze - I clearly got enough to work with! :) Chin up. Try not to get bogged down in the numbers. It'll drive you crazy, and they often mean very little. Great cycles sometimes fail, while seemingly terrible cycles succeed - at least this is my experience. LOL. It's the process that works, not necessarily any individual cycle. You'll be alright ;) Lots of luck!
