Are supplements worth it?

[Jessy1280]

So cycle 1 I got 18 eggs on long protocol. 16 mature, 13 of which fertilised (good fertilisation rate) but only 3 made it to day 5. I was only taking folic acid first round and developed OHSS. I finally got to fet which failed with a 1x4AB. I was and still am devastated. I have high amh 45.2 at age 38. No pcos or endometriosis. I have 2 good embies in the freezer.

I start cycle 2 tomorrow. Norethisterone for 9 days. It's been a long time coming. I'm doing antagonist this time so hopefully avoiding ohss. I've been taking inofolic, high strength vitamin D, c and e, high strength coq10, folic acid, dhea and melatonin religiously. My clinic told me I do not need dhea as I have high amh and plenty of eggs but I've been taking it anyway to improve egg quality hopefully. I've stopped caffeine and high sugar diet and been on salads for weeks.

My question is has anyone seen major improvements from taking supplements compared to their previous cycles??

I've tried everything in my power to improve egg quality this time so they don't run out of steam by day 5. I'm terrified antagonist (short protocol) will give me less eggs to play with. I'm scared all these supplements could be detrimental too. I'm having Endometrial scratch this time too and also cajoling my oh to take supplements every day do he's been taking them infrequently really. Im also trying to get my clinic to transfer 2 embryos next time. They're really reluctant to transfer more than one as there's literally nothing wrong with me. Fsh 4.4, amh 45.2

Never been pregnant before so I'm questioning is there something actually wrong with me. My oh fathered 2 children during his marriage before his vasectomy. I'm also scared could my low blood pressure and poor circulation be the cause of implantation failure during my last cycle. I'm really small at 5'2 and 49kg. I'm within healthy bmi but my brains got me thinking all sorts since it failed at the start of August xx

[jwhalen1]

Hi,. I'm so sorry for your failed cycle Were you tested for your dhea and testasterone levels? I wouldn't go on dhea without testing especially with your levels...dhea can wreak havoc with egg quality if you don't need it (have high testasterone or high dhea) there are many other supplements that help with egg quality

[jwhalen1 in reply to jwhalen1]

*levels of amh etc sounds like all is normal

[SharlyWarly]

You have 2 good embies in the freezer - brilliant!!! your first cycle failed which is devastating and it's hard - every failed cycle is hard to take. I'm no doctor but it looks like you were just unlucky. Your AMH is great for your age and I would be really happy if mine was that good!! I'm taking lots of supplements but then I'm older and have a low AMH and don't respond that well to IVF. You have so many things working well for you - just hang on in there, it doesn't sound like there is anything wrong. I bet you will have success soon, you have so many things that are positively working in your favour

Best of luck to you

[Jessy1280 in reply to SharlyWarly]

Thank you so much. Its been so heartbreaking as there's literally nothing wrong with me. I have fsh 4.4, progesterone 32 (at day 21), estrogen 274 (at day 21). Plus an amazing high amh 45.2 and no reason for it. We have male factor infertility. My oh had VR which has been successful but a year on were still waiting for motility to improve. His count is very up and down from normal, borderline normal and sub optimal. Everything indicates I'm ovulating but even with ICSI it still failed. I'm so grateful for my amazing results but they kinda gave me false hope. I pray mine and everyone else's next cycles work x

[SharlyWarly in reply to Jessy1280]

You know sometimes I think it's nothing to do with anything - fate is either with you or not. But honestly, you sound like you are in a great position for fate to be with you next time. My partner had vasectomy reversal twice and it didn't work and they only ever find a few sperms each time we do IVF. We still managed to have a daughter even with lots of things against us, so really you just never know.

If you were trying naturally you would be very lucky for it to work the first time you had sex so be kind on yourself, there doesn't have to be anything seriously wrong with either of you, it just wasn't fate. That being said, it might be worth looking into your partner having acupuncture and keep on at him to take whichever supplements you've got him on! Mine won't remember unless I literally put them in his hand and watch over him!!!

I really wish you lots of luck on this crazy IVF journey x

[Jessy1280 in reply to SharlyWarly]

🤗. My oh was on wellman but I've got him on more expensive superdrug Male Fertility sachets as I've read great things about it. He's also on high strength vitamin c as I've read that's awesome for motility but he only takes them when it suits him. I darent mention it too much or he digs his heels in. The only thing that really goes against me is my age (nearly 39) and I've been in recovery for 2 years from a 20 year eating disorder. My body is back to normal now thankfully and my periods are totally normal.

Does your clinic do imsi? I've insisted on it this time to hopefully identify better sperm. I'm also going to insist on 2 embryos transfered. They refused last time because all my results are so amazing. Even they were disappointed to see us back after my first failed FET. Total Russian roulette. It takes it out of you doesn't it.

Fingers totally crossed 🤞 for your third cycle. Sounds like you need a little baby dust 🤗 xx

[SharlyWarly in reply to Jessy1280]

Yeah it's hard to get them to take it I know!! I've been trying to get him to have fish every day for the protein (even though I'm vegan, so it is weird for me to push him to eat it) but I think I've totally put him off it instead, woops! I laid out all the supplements that I take in front of him and said that him taking a few is really nothing in comparison, plus all the actual IVF meds that I take too. That seemed to work!!! He's taking 300mg ubiquinol as well as general fertility supplements, no vit c as he doesn't have any swimmers anyway!

No, my clinic don't do IMSI but there are so few that I don't think we can be that choosy.

Wow, well done you for coming out of your eating disorder without any long lasting damage to your fertility, I bet that has been a relief even with a failed cycle.

Your AMH is so good that as long as the egg quality is also good, which it seems to be, I would ignore it totally. There are much younger women with much lower AMH, so you're doing great!

We are on cycle 5 (technically 6 as one was cancelled).

Baby dust to us both xx

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Apparently development beyond day 3 is down to male factor. I see you've got your other half on good supplements so hopefully you'll see an improvement this time. Good luck x