DHEA going spare : Hi, Hope everyone’s... - Fertility Network UK

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DHEA going spare

Purplecat1984 profile image
17 Replies

Hi,

Hope everyone’s doing as well as they can and keeping safe. Baby dust to all.

We’re now at the end of our journey with my eggs after a second failed cycle with no response to the meds. I have some open bottles of DHEA-a lot of the bottle of 25mg tablets is left and I have some 50mg capsules left over. They’re dated September 2021 and April 2021. If anyone can make use of them I’m more than happy to send them to you for free. Let me know if they can be of any use to you.

Wishing you all the best, Emma

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17 Replies
Hope76 profile image
Hope76

That is so very thoughtful of you. My clinic will not support my use of DHEA as claim not enough evidence etc etc ....

I just read your profile & am so sorry you have had a failed cycle. I had a really bad cycle 2 years ago & resulted in no transfer. Has you clinic changed your FSH drugs to see if you respond better to Menopur for example ? I found I had no response to Menopur but I have a good response to Gonal f. I hope this helps I think it’s so unfair you won’t get another NHS go due to Amh. Am 44 & been in the IVF game 6 years. My clinic do not test amh unless repeated failures. Reason is the policy of most clinic is to tell you not to proceed if too low. However they feel that is unfair & as long as your FSH test is satisfactory which mine is then it’s fine.

Please don’t give up trying again perhaps with another clinic ?

Wishing you good luck in the future 🍀

Purplecat1984 profile image
Purplecat1984 in reply to Hope76

Thanks so much for your lovely message, Hope76. This second cycle was private and I was put on Menopur this time rather than Gonal F, but equally bad (no) response. It was also a really high dose. I only had three follicles on baseline scan and have had hot flushes and night sweats on and off for a while so have always known it was a long shot unfortunately. Now we’ve tried the second time we feel in more of a position to think about donor eggs. I wasn’t ready to consider this before but now thinking of other options.

In terms of DHEA, my NHS doctor said there was no real evidence for it being helpful, but no evidence that it would be harmful for those of us with low AMH. Having said that she said that they don’t recommend trying it because of potential side effects. My private doctor, however, said it was worth a shot. Unfortunately it made no difference for me but I think perhaps my AMH was too low to start with, and I’ve read that for some people it seems to make quite a difference.

Sounds like you’ve had quite a journey-wishing you all the luck in the world for your current cycle! xx

Rumi40 profile image
Rumi40 in reply to Purplecat1984

hi purple cat may i ask where you brought your DHEA from. i too have low AMH 2.57 and was a poor responder on my first round of IVF. i a soon to be 41 and the doc said i should try IUI next. i am on ubiqunol and i need to find DHEA.. to improve my chances. i hope you do prove them wrong and become successful

Purplecat1984 profile image
Purplecat1984

Hi Rumi40, of course-I got it from biovea.com and took 25mg 3 times a day. I do have some spares left which I won’t be using and would be happy to send to you-they’re open bottles though so I understand if you’d rather not. Sorry you got a poor response too, I know how devastating it is. Fingers crossed you have lots more success with IUI xx

Rabbit89 profile image
Rabbit89

Hi,

Do you still have the DHEA that you didn’t want ??

My daughter has been waiting for ages for them to arrive from Biovea but nothing .

Thankyou

Purplecat1984 profile image
Purplecat1984 in reply to Rabbit89

Hi, oh no, that’s a shame. Yes I do and I’m happy to send them to her if she’d like them. Let me know her address if so x

Rabbit89 profile image
Rabbit89 in reply to Purplecat1984

That would be amazing.

Address is

Thankyou so much.......I so hope everything goes well for you xxx

Purplecat1984 profile image
Purplecat1984 in reply to Rabbit89

Thanks! And for your daughter. I’ll get that sorted. You might want to remove your message ASAP though as her address will be public. Emma xxx

Rabbit89 profile image
Rabbit89 in reply to Purplecat1984

Thankyou - done I think .....?? Hope it’s not there now xx

Rabbit89 profile image
Rabbit89

Her first round only collected 2 eggs and none fertilised. She has low eggs and only 31 😔.... they won’t do the next collection until she has these tablets so this is amazing you have some. She has had to have ICSI as husband has issues too. 😫..... it’s so expensive too as no NHS where we are. She has a chance now Thankyou so much xx

Purplecat1984 profile image
Purplecat1984 in reply to Rabbit89

Bless her. I wish her all the best and really hope the DHEA makes a difference. They didn’t help me but I think my egg reserve was just too low. We would have had to have ICSI too. It’s all rubbish isn’t it but everything crossed for her this time. Will try to get them posted on Monday or Tuesday at the latest. They are open bottles but use by dates are still good xx

Rabbit89 profile image
Rabbit89

It is rubbish you are right.......it’s so very sad that these are medical problems but the NHS won’t pay but fund other things that are not medical and caused by themselves 😔..... still look forwards not backwards is what I have been saying to her......

I so hope this all works out for you too.. xxx

Purplecat1984 profile image
Purplecat1984 in reply to Rabbit89

Yes it’s an expensive business isn’t it 😞 Thank you, it’s not going to work out with my eggs though unfortunately. Now thinking adoption or donor egg but am so exhausted with it all at the moment we having a bit of a break. Not that it’s really a break though as it’s all I think about! It’s lovely you’re on this forum and supporting your daughter so well xxx

Rabbit89 profile image
Rabbit89

That’s very sad for you......I must admit the donor eggs at least allows you to carry the baby.....if you have a sister maybe she could be a donor.....

I truly can appreciate how you feel and it’s sad to see people like yourself and my daughter going through this. Breaks my heart. I know it’s all she thinks about too 😔. I joined so I could see and appreciate the struggle you are all having. I wish I could wave a wand and make it all better. You are very kind xxx

Purplecat1984 profile image
Purplecat1984 in reply to Rabbit89

It is all heart breaking but there are lots of happy endings that we read about on here. There is still hope for your daughter and I really wish for a positive outcome this time for her. Yes, donor egg is still on the table. I couldn’t ask my sister as she hasn’t had any children herself yet and unfortunately has just split from her boyfriend. We will go for UK donor I think when the time feels right. I’ll let you know when I’ve posted the DHEA and do let me know that she receives it ok. Your daughter may benefit from joining on here too. Everyone is so lovely and understanding if she ever needs to chat or get any of it out of her system xxx

Rabbit89 profile image
Rabbit89

Aww Thankyou.......my daughter’s sister is currently 19weeks pregnant so can’t help her either 🤦🏼‍♀️.....difficult time but being positive. Of course I will let you know...🥰

Xx

Purplecat1984 profile image
Purplecat1984 in reply to Rabbit89

Aww I see. And must be tough for her having a pregnant sister, as much as she will be happy for her too. Yes, stay positive! Speak soon xx

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