Alternating Daily Meriofert Dosage

[Westielover16]

Hi All,

We are currently doing our 5th cycle of IVF/ICSI and this time are trying a long protocol. I have PCOS but am nearly 40 and my AMH is around 25. The hope was that the long protocol would provide the doctors with more control and an ability to mature the follicles at a consistent rate. We know there is a higher risk of OHSS for me with the long protocol but my consultant felt it was safe due to my AMH now being in a normal range.

We had our first scan today and are over the moon that we currently have 25 follicles well on their way! Just a little worried that with this number at out first scan it may mean we are risking OHSS and possibly reduced quality. Has anyone else with PCOS had something similar at this stage without getting OHSS?

Also the clinic have called and asked me to change my stim meds. We had been on 150 Meriofert daily but now they want us to do 75 tonight and then alternate daily between 150 and 75. Has anyone had experience of this?

Trying to stay focused on the positives but really nervous as this is our last go and the aim was to bring on the follicles at a consistent rate but this doesn’t feel like it’s working out. On my first round we were on 75 for our stim dose and no embryos made it to transfer. So just a bit apprehensive of the lower dose working.

Thanks and fingers crossed 🤞

[Shirazlover2013]

Hi 👋 I’m going to be doing the same as you in about 3 weeks time so can’t offer any advice but will follow your journey and 🤞🤞🤞 for a strong finish for you. I think if the concern is getting the follicles to start and then grow consistently then you’re off to a fabulous start so far!! They should now just continue to grow, the reduced stimm meds will hopefully even out their growth so they don’t get too big too soon and edge towards OHSS, that’s just my opinion. In my 4th cycle which was short protocol I had to reduce my stim meds in the last few days as my hormones were getting a bit too high. I couldn’t tell if it made any difference to the outcome as there’s so many moving parts (potential egg quality vs known male factor who knows eh 🤷‍♀️) and the outcome was essentially the same as our previous 3 cycles hence the need to go back yet again for more ivf roulette 🤪🤑😭.

Try to stay positive, you’ve got lots of follicles in the running so as I said it’s a strong start and pretty much as you’d planned with the consultant which is good. Trust that they have got your hormone levels under control with the monitoring and stim recommendations. They want a good outcome for you just as much as you do (helps their stats). It’s hard to not be emotionally wounded from prior rounds but this one is a new round and a totally different protocol so lots of potential upside. Good luck and keep us posted on your journey. Xx

[Westielover16 in reply to Shirazlover2013]

Hi! Thanks so much for your message. Feeling better today and more positive! You are totally right and think my anxieties just got the better of me the other day with the shock of so many follicles and the meds change.

Have been today for a second scan and fewer have grown to the expected size which is par for the course with PCOS and for me is a good thing as hopefully will mean less likely to get OHSS. Seems the change in meds has done the trick. Still about18 follicles on track so that is fabulous. Just so hard to trust the process after so many past failures. Fingers crossed for this round though! 🤞🤞

Also wishing you all the best luck for your round in a few weeks. Sounds like you have been through a lot on this IVF rollercoaster too and hoping this round is successful for you! We have some male factor issues too with DNA fragmentation and inconsistent egg quality due to my PCOS so sounds like we have similar issues. So like you say with so many moving parts it’s hard to know what will make the difference.

Sending you loads of positivity for your cycle in a few weeks! 🤞🤞 xx