cancelled cycle with lots of follicles??? Anyone else?

[EmGLA]

Hello

I am now day 14 into ovarian stimulation in my first IVF round. I am 32, have PCOS, relatively high AMH and lots of follicles. However, I don’t seem to be responding to menopur as expected, granted the clinic did forget to tell me to increase my dose on day 5, I’m still lagging behind nearly 10 days later. At my scan today I only had a handful of follicles measuring around 12mm and about 20 follicles all still around 6mm. Since day 8 when the under-dose mix-up was discovered I have been told this cycle may be cancelled due to lack of response, I am just waiting for the consultant to give me a ring after my blood results have been reported in case they have decided to halt treatment. Throughout all of my research I’ve never really heard of someone with lots of follicles having their cycle cancelled with poor response. Is there anyone else out there??

I’m looking for any advice around how to improve it for the next cycle?

Thank you!

xxx

[AnnieAnnie]

Oh wow so your follicles still haven't caught up then?! Sorry to hear this. It's a shame and frustrating that your clinic messed up with your dose. Have your clinic been able to offer any answers at the mo as to why your follicles have not increased in size? I suppose it will be good to have a follow up after this so that your consultant can explain what happened with this cycle and why and what can/needs/should be changed with your protocol for your next cycle. On my last cycle I tried a different stim, gonal-f but that didn't improve my cycle, if anything it was worse as I didn't get to transfer, but glad I was able to try it and rule it out for any future cycles xx

[EmGLA in reply to AnnieAnnie]

No 😭it’s been a bit of a nightmare really. No no one has really had any answers but I haven’t spoken to the doctor yet. Yes I completely agree I’ll need to have a chat about what we have learned to take to the next cycle.

I think the whole thing has taken me by surprise as this was never spoken about as a potential consequence, I was only ever really warned about OHSS never about not responding. The whole thing is getting me down.

Xx

[amandac84 in reply to EmGLA]

This is the same with me was a complete surprise the focus was all on OHSS X

[Peony85]

Sorry to hear about this. I have PCO, and was on menopur 150 first round. I responded OK but not nearly as well as my consultant expected given AMH and PCO. I ended up not making it to transfer that cycle which was a huge blow - I just wasn’t mentally ready for that. Next cycle I was switched to gonal f at a higher dose (225) which I had a much better response to. I also did other things like increase vitamins so will never know what made the big difference but made it to transfer that time. Unfortunately the embryo didn’t take but they think it’s due to my husband’s sperm which we found had high DNA fragmentation following cycle 2. So now we’re addressing that. It’s frustrating because of all of the trial and error but at least it feels like we’re learning and moving forward. After my first cycle I did a lot of research into menopur vs gonal f for PCOS and unfortunately the evidence isn’t conclusive but was enough for me to go with the switch when my consultant suggested it, and I would have asked for it if he hadn’t. Best of luck with your cycle.

[EmGLA in reply to Peony85]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my comment, I definitely don’t feel as alone and isolated as I did. My cycle has now been cancelled so I’ve to wait for the withdrawal bleed then wait 4 weeks to book back in. Hopefully like you say the failures this cycle can inform the next. What vitamins did you up?? Good luck with your journey.

Xx

[Peony85 in reply to EmGLA]

Thanks, best of luck to you as well. I have been taking 600mg ubiquinol, myo-inositol, and omega 3 and then added on vit c, d,in the last cycle plus a multivitamin. Not sure the vit c and d made a big difference but hard to tell. The other thing I had in my first cycle was I started stims in day 3 based on when I could get a baseline scan and one follicle took off ahead of the others leading to uneven growth. So for cycles 2 and 3 my consultant had me start on day 2 regardless of when I could get a baseline booked in and I had much more even growth. I think it’s potentially risky for people prone to cysts or on the long protocol but since it on short and haven’t had that issue he was happy to go ahead.

[DanniiJean]

I had exactly the same. I also have PCOS and despite having lots of follicles they didn’t grow that much, despite increasing the dose of menopur in day 5. I was heartbroken, I got that far to be told I needed to make a decision to abandon or carry on and risk having none collected. I had to abandon the cycle. Started again few months later with a higher dose of menopur and then overstimulated so all had to be frozen. Got them thawed out when my body had recovered and got to transfer and BFP unfortunately miscarried at 6 weeks. Going through another cycle in October, doctor is looking at menopur again but a dosage between my first and second cycle so I can hopefully have a fresh transfer. It’s so difficult getting to that stage to potentially have to start again x

[EmGLA in reply to DanniiJean]

Thanks so much for getting in touch. I’m so sorry for your loss. My clinic have now told me that the cycle has been cancelled. I’ve been told they will be starting me in the higher menopur dose on this go. Hopefully I don’t over stimulate. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your October cycle!!

Xx

[amandac84]

Meeeeeeeee just happened had about 25 one got the the right level the rest didn’t grow even though we increased dosage twice! I’m currently waiting AF and next steps so no real advice at this stage just I’m with you!! Xx

[EmGLA in reply to amandac84]

I got the call this afternoon that it’s been cancelled so we are in the same boat! Thanks for reaching out, it means a lot. I’ll keep in touch if I discover anything.

Xx

[amandac84 in reply to EmGLA]

Oh I’m so sorry. Keep strong honestly I cried for 2 days last week as I never expected to “fall at the first hurdle” I didn’t expected follicle growth to be a hurdle. We learn lessons. Take time and cry or scream and shout. Keep in touch. Thinking of you xx

[EmGLA in reply to amandac84]

Right back at you! Honestly thank you so much for your kind words it really means a lot! Xx

[Gailmx]

Hello I’m sorry to here that. I am in exact same boat. First 2 cycles cancelled then I was referred for ovarian drilling. Apparently it’s good for pcos and stopping over stimulation. Maybe ask you doctor about that? Xx