Last go....

[Hope76]

So tomorrow I have an Appt with my clinic to go over my next protocol. It wasn’t discussed in detail last time and it was a complete disaster. I accepted the changes they made as it was advised would be best for ‘quality’ although that has never been an issue for me. I have had 2 pregnancies, 1 live birth. Both of which were short protocols using ‘Gonal F and Cetrorelix ‘ however the failed cycle earlier this year was with ‘Menopur’ and ‘buserelin’. When I had a very poor response (only 2 measurable follicles, 1 egg collected, no transfer as not viable) I questioned my consultant’s decision and was advised the change of drugs was due to results of thousands of women from ‘case studies’. It was felt now at 43 these were going to best for me. In the past had 5-8 eggs collected and 3 viable embryos with gonal f.

So basically tomorrow am allowed to choose the drugs. Obviously and especially as this will be our last attempt with my own eggs then we will go for gonal f. Going to question also why they used buserelin last time instead of Cetrorelix as forgot to ask in my follow up appt.

I guess am just wanting some advice, is there anything else I should be asking for? I know financially and emotionally this may very well be our last ‘ever’ attempt for a sibling for my son and just feel so desperate. I have never questioned the drugs before but I am so confused as to why any DR would look at my history and not just keep me on what worked previously !?!

Feel so drained emotionally and financially, it’s taking its toll on our relationship now and arguing a lot. I think we are just so scared of more heartache.

I have asked if they would consider mixing gonal f plus Menopur but it is not their policy to mix FSH drugs. I also enquired about Clexane injections or Baby Aspirin and the endo scratch. ( after some very helpful advise from Diane) NO was the answer to all of these as my clinic do not feel there are enough studies proving they work. Although I have read plenty on here about them. I do feel they are a bit behind the times as they have only just introduced using embryo glue with every transfer. I have had 2 x failed FETs and feel gutted that despite asking for glue at that time they did not offer it or recommend it then. My son is 3 and we have been trying since he was 1 this will be our 3rd fresh ‘private cycle’ so just hoping 3rd time lucky 🤞🏼🙏🏻🍀

Any advise appreciated. 👍 Soz for essay 🙈

[Hidden]

Ask them if there is any medical reason they can give to you not to take baby aspirin? Also, what blood type are you and your husband? And have you had your bloods and proteins checked? Your thyroid levels? Fsh etc tested again recently? Xx

[Hope76 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I will ask today what the reason is last time was just told ‘it’s not something they do’. Regarding my bloods. They don’t feel necessary as done earlier this year.

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hope76]

You can buy baby aspirin for pennies over the counter if you decide you want to do it yourself.

[Hope76 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Really, I had no idea what does it actually do ?

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hope76]

It’s for anti clotting. I’ve no idea whether it is any good in terms of fertility (my clinic doesn’t recommend it) but I was prescribed it from week 12 of pregnancy to support my placenta. It’s just 75mg aspirin so it has a thinning effect on your blood.

[Hope76 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Thanks, enquired again about baby aspirin and they only recommend if blood clotting which I don’t have. They said if I took it and didn’t need it could have detrimental effects.....

[Hidden in reply to Hope76]

So what blood type are you and your husband? More relevant if you are o-neg and your husband o-pos. Then you need to make sure that you don't have antibodies created to mean your body will be fighting against any embryo. You can get a thing called anti-d to counter this if that is the case.

With regards to your bloods, the thrombophilia panel will let you know of any blood clotting issues which can have huge impacts on the early days, also proteins etc.

The thyroid test is something that may be healthy, but for fertility it needs to be much tighter.

You may need to pay for these privately but definitely worth it.

Xx

[Hope76 in reply to Hidden]

We are both A positive x

[Hope76 in reply to Hidden]

Hi so had appt today as my bloods all taken earlier this year they said up to date and all fine and no need to do again. I enquired again about baby aspirin was told only recommended if I had blood clotting which I don’t. They said of taken and not needed can have detrimental effects.....

[Bear78]

Were looking at our second cycle and looking abroad. I've been reaching out to a few clinics to guage how they would change our treatment. Maybe it would be helpful to do those initial enquiries and essentially be getting second opinions for free from clinics abroad? I was not happy at all with my treatment in the UK on the whole - especially considering it cost £6000. What I've noticed already is that they seem much more detailed on pretests - for example they want to test my next period blood for any uterine bacteria. They also want to check my thyroid as whilst it may look 'normal' to a GP even the smallest change can really affect and IVF cycle. Also - I'm reading 'It starts with the egg' - really empowering and so much advise on supplements and diet. Hope that helps. I'm 41 so my reserves are depleted etc. Xx

[Hope76]

Hi thanks, my first private fresh cycle in UK did get me pregnant but I miscarried 😕 I was really unhappy this last time though as don’t feel they should’ve changed my drugs at this stage.

Thanks we may look at abroad but after today we will have spent close to 15k so I very much doubt we can afford any more after this. I know treatment abroad can be cheaper but then you have flights etc too so just feel it’s more expense.

Are you trying again abroad with your own eggs ? I always felt this may be a last resort if we decide to try with donor eggs. It is so hard now I think we shoulda just went abroad at start but initially I was very happy with the Clinic not so much now x

[Lowamh]

We had embryo glue on our first 2 NHS transfers included as standard as there are studies that suggest it helps implantation. We then went private for a 3rd cycle. Our private clinic offer it as an add on but the embryologist was very up front and honest when she called with the day 2 update and said they have offered it for years and their own assessment shows it makes no difference to outcomes. That was the determining factor for me - and that 3rd transfer worked. Sometimes the original studies are biased or commissioned undertaken by the manufacturer. As for meds, if you want to change back to gonal f, you should as it will help you feel more positive and potentially give you a better outcome x

[Hope76 in reply to Lowamh]

Thanks, this has made me think twice about embryo glue. This will be our 3rd private cycle so hoping I have same luck as you, 3rd time lucky 🍀