Long IVF Protocol

Hi ladies,

I was on a short protocol for my first ivf cycle and my embryo didn't take last month. My consultant has advised me to have a long protocol which means my ovaries will be switched off for two weeks before I start my stimulation injections.Does anyone have similar experiences or positive stories please? Thanks very much for your feedback in advance!!!

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This is what I'm doing this time round. I had short protocol last time and although we got 4 blastocysts only one was suitable for FET due to aneuploid screening and another test. They've decided to do long protocol this time round as I responded discordantly last time meaning that some follicles were big, some were medium and some never got the chance to catch up in stimming. The consultant hopes that the switching off of down reg will give me an even playing field to start from and then I'll be starting stronger doses of menopur in combination with gonal f for the stimming. I should get more eggs but am at a higher risk of OHSS by doing it this way.

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Also I'm ever so sorry to hear that your embryo didn't make it. That was my experience too and it is heartbreaking. Look after yourself. x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi runuphill, thanks for your nice messages! It was great you got four blastocysts last time. I also got one pgs testing embryo last cycle. So sorry to hear your embryo did not take. It was so upsetting. Hope you have taken time off to recover from this. Are you feeling better?

My consultant has given me the same reason why I should do the long protocol. I need to get a polp removed before I start this protocol. I am worried about the side effects of the long protocol eg insomnia and hot flushes etc. When will you start your protocol?

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Best of luck with your new cycle! X

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I started this week so am already on the buserelin. I used it for the FET and don't remember night sweats but I do remember lying awake a lot at night. Never know whether it's a side effect though or just worrying in general!

[ttcemmie]

Hi Dreambaby. I have had both short and long protocols. They both have their positives and negatives, although I got more eggs from the long protocol. I did get pregnant from the long protocol (although, sadly the baby stopped developing). I would say I was sicker on the long protocol. I assume this is because it is a longer period over which you have to take drugs.

[Hidden in reply to ttcemmie]

Hi ttcemmie, thanks for sharing your story with me. So sorry to hear that you had a miscarriage. It is so sad. Sending you big hugs and good vibes! Are you thinking of starting a new cycle? X

[ttcemmie in reply to Hidden]

Desperately waiting to start a new cycle. Just had a hysteroscopy on Tuesday. Waiting for the clinic to review the results and let us know when we can start again.

[Hidden in reply to ttcemmie]

Thanks! I hope you can start your next cycle soon. I am also waiting for my polp procedure to be done before I start my new cycle.

[Lowamh]

Long protocol worked for me after 2 failed cycles on short protocol. Good luck x

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Thanks for sharing your experience with me and good vibes. I am so happy to know it worked for you! X

[J3nna]

I was on a long down cycle throughout December taking Burserelin injection each morning for 24 days. Had a few hot flushes and headaches but that was all really. I worried I was guna be really menopausal lol but all was ok!!

Then did meriofert alongside Burserelin for over a week, took my trigger on Wednesday at midnight and off for my egg collection today at 12 😬

[Hidden in reply to J3nna]

Thanks! Glad you haven't had much side effects! Exciting times ahead for you! Best of luck for today!!! X

[J3nna in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I got 10eggs!! Here’s hoping for positive a phone call tomorrow x

[Hidden in reply to J3nna]

Wow! Great news! Hope you get more positive news today! X

[Shelleybean]

Long protocol worked for me after a mmc and then 2x failed cycles on short protocol. Got 13 eggs where-as before had been between 5 and 9. Good luck! xx

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Thanks for your good vibes and message. So sorry to hear about the mmc but am so happy to hear the long protocol has worked for you!!! It has given me hope! X

[Mogwai_2]

I do better on the long protocol, and for the same reason your doc is saying...more uniform and controlled growth of eggs.

First long cycle resulted in 3 pregnancies (2 of which were MMC and 1 was my son - no PGS testing was done) and my second resulted in a similar number of blasts (6 vs 7 previously) and 3 were PGS normal. Planning a FET in the coming months.

Down reg gave me hot flushes and headaches, but worth it as I’ve previously had 2 short cycles that produced loads of eggs but no PGS normal and lower conversion rate to blasts.

Good luck.

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So sorry to hear about your MMC but am so glad to know you had such positive results after the long protocol. Thanks for this!!! It has given me hope! Best of luck with your FET! X

[Mogwai_2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. MMC while horrible is so much easier to handle once you already have a child I’ve realised. 1 pre and 1 post Jack.

There are no guarantees with PGS normal embryos but chances are higher certainly and our embryologist and consultant are very positive. I have my fingers crossed that 2020 might be our year for baby #2.

Also, PGS normal were achieved age 41, so it shows anything’s possible! I’m no spring chicken!

Good luck to you :0)

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Thanks! You have done really well. Hope you get your baby 2 this year. X

[kitscat]

I have had the long protocol twice. The second time I had a higher dose of supracur and I had a hatching blastocyst. I am currently 6weeks pregnant!

The flushes and night sweats are pretty bad but it’s not for long. I had a fan and took it easy. Best of luck to you xxxx

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Thanks for your encouraging story! You have done so well! Congratulations! Wishing you a healthy pregnancy! Xxx

[Pancakexox]

Hey, I had long protocol for my first round and found it absolutely fine. I had 17eggs collected, 13 fertilised, 11 made it to day 5 and most were top grade so only had 1 put back in and had the other 10 frozen and I am now 6weeks + 3 pregnant 😀 my only advice would be drink at least 3 litres of water a day as this is what will circulate the hormone round your body, I did and had a very good response to my cycle!

All the best!! Xx

[J3nna in reply to Pancakexox]

3 litres of water throughout the whole process? X

[Pancakexox in reply to J3nna]

Yes, I started drinking as much water as I could before I started so my body was kind of use to it. I had no side effects apart the odd night sweat x

[Hidden in reply to Pancakexox]

Thanks for sharing your positive story! Wow your protocol results were amazing!!! I will definitely drink tons of water as my bladder wasnt full during my last transfer!

Wishing you a healthy and happy pregnancy! Xx

[Pancakexox in reply to Hidden]

Yes, even my nurses were amazed we had 10 frozen! Ahh thank you and all the very very best for your cycle!! Xx

[Hidden in reply to Pancakexox]

Thanks! Yes, it was wonderful! Did you do anything to prepare for your first cycle, eg acupuncture or supplements etc?

[Pancakexox in reply to Hidden]

I took Severn seas trying for a baby, folic acid, vitamin D and B12 and that was it, no acupuncture x

[Hidden in reply to Pancakexox]

Thanks for sharing your good tips! X