IVF Long Protocol

[Applepie7]

Hello Ladies Just looking for some advice, after 3 failed IUI 's and 2 failed IVF's Im about to start my 3rd IVF but this time I will be on the long protocol. Just wanted to get advice on what to expect as the clinc has advised it's tough and if there are any success stories with long protocol in your 40's. Thanks.

[Ranchu90]

Most of the clinics will advise you to start with long protocol and not the other way round unless there is a specific reason for choosing the short one. I had 4 IVF cycles so far and 3 of them on long protocol. It is nothing to be scared of as long protocol can start with birth control pills for few weeks and after that moving to stim cycle. There are other clinics that are offering instead of birth control pills injections like Buserelin starting with cycle day 21 for 2 weeks. I prefer to be on long protocol rather than short as I had a better response and more eggs.Good luck and don't be scared, you might see better results 🤞🍀🤗

[Applepie7 in reply to Ranchu90]

Thank you x

[Purpledoggy]

I’m no testament to its success in getting a BFP but I found downreg far less hard than I thought it would be. The odd night sweat and some heart palpitations (I’m prone to those anyway) and that was it. I didn’t try to murder the other half once! I wondered if older women find it less hard as we have fewer hormones in the first place but I’m sure that won’t be true for everyone and I have heard second time around can be worse so not looking forward to my next round! I was worried the buserelin was doing nothing but I downregged just fine 🙂 xx

[Applepie7 in reply to Purpledoggy]

Thanks!

[Pugster]

Hiya,

I have not quite finished my cycle, just wanted to share with you some info on the long protocol.

I am 40 and have a low ovarian reserve, so it was decided that the long protocol would be the best option for me.

I started on the nasal sprays at the beginning of Dec for the first 3 weeks and then injections were introduced along with the nasal spray for further 12 days. To be honest I didn’t find this protocol too difficult, the worst part for me was the nasal spray! They are not pleasant, so, if I had the choice again to choose either nasal spray or injections, then for me it would be injections all the way.

My journey on the long protocol has resulted so far in 8 follicles, 7 eggs retrieved and 3 fertilised. 2 eggs made it to day 5 transfer, unfortunately my eggs didn’t make it to blastocyst, which means our chances of convincing have been reduced again (this news was a shock) as we didn’t fully understand the importance of blastocyst. Having said this, I am aware that ladies have still conceived when eggs are not at blast on day 5.

The consultant and embryologist agreed that I was able to have a double embryo transfer and both me and hubby agreed that we wanted to do this.

Back at the hospital on Monday for pregnancy/blood tests. Just praying..🙏🏻🙏🏻 it’s the waiting now that’s probably the toughest part of it all and you would have this wait on long or short protocol.

Hope this helps a little. Good luck in your journey X

PS.. just read another response.. yes night sweats as well! I’m still having those from the progesterone injections.. not sure if that’s normal as it’s not listed in the side effects.. 🤔

[Purpledoggy in reply to Pugster]

I think night sweats are listed for Lubion. I have had dreadful night sweats starting 5dp5dt, worst at 7d, like constant cold sweating. I was also flushing on and off all weekend during the day to the point I thought I was coming down with something but then they started to subside and are a little better at 10dp5dt. I never had a fever. I am 99.9% sure the round has failed (won’t bore with details) and the sweats seemed to sync with how much I have been bleeding. OTD tomorrow and looking forward to stopping the progesterone! Xx

[Applepie7 in reply to Pugster]

Thank you so much. I wish you all the best in your journey ❤

[Pugster]

Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes, it’s Lubion I’m on. Honestly I was wet through last night, had to take everything off and our bedroom is quite cool.. and I was like a radiator, it’s happened on quite a number of occasions.. I just googled progesterone injections... and didn’t see hot flushes/night sweats.

Yes I’ve been flushing most of the day too, I’m 6dpt. Thanks for sharing that with me X I’ve felt like I am going to start bleeding and noticed a period like smell (don’t mean to sound disgusting) but there is nothing there... and my boobs are no longer sore. I hope you are ok? Yeah those injections are not great, my belly is black and blue and very sore now. Xx

[Purpledoggy in reply to Pugster]

I’m surprised it’s worse than the buserelin! I mentioned it to the nurse when I discussed the bleeding and she said she had not heard about sweats on progesterone, suggesting I was coming down with something. I haven’t left the house since acupuncture on xmas eve other than walking dog and going to the clinic, and hubby also barely goes in to work, so I’m ruling out a bug. Considering it’s a listed side effect I was surprised she did not know but hey ho. Hope your cycle works out xx

[Pugster]

Yeah I was using an injection pen for my first set of injections and they were absolutely fine.. couldn’t even feel anything. These needles are different .. takes a while to get the liquid into my belly, got lumps everywhere. Feels like bee stings. Well it’s strange we are both having the same symptoms from it and I definitely haven’t got a bug or a cold either. Thanks hun, good luck with your journey too xx

[Sweatsour]

Hi Applepie7, I was 39 when I started my IVF journey and currently I am 37 weeks pregnant. As my results were reassuring i was put on short protocol first however after 8 days of injections i have only grow 6 eggs. My consultant said that he is confident I can produce more and he advised me to abandon this short cycle and start again on long protocol. I didnt find it to be difficult to be honest but I understand that everyone is different. I was on the pill for 16 or 18 days, then the first set of injections were introduced and I started to bleed a little bit few days later which is exactly what should happened. Then I started second set of injections, I am not sure but I think it was around 10 days later when the second injection was introduced. I cant remember exactly but I think in total I was taking the injections for maybe 20 days. I didnt find it difficult or painful at all. I was a little bit bloated towards the end but that was it. I produced 17 eggs, 9 were matured, 5 fertilised (ICSI), 2 made it to 5 days transfer, 1 baby due in 3 weeks time at age 40 I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Best of luck and try to think positive!

[Applepie7 in reply to Sweatsour]

Thank you for your reply. Congratulations on your pregnancy that is amazing news 😃After all my initial tests my consultant thought IUI would be best even it at my age as that failed he suggested short protocol but again no luck he said i responded well to the medication both times I jad between 19 to 24 eggs collected 9 fertilised and two made it to the end. This time he has suggested the long protocol. I wish you all the best in the next chapter of your journey not long now!!

[kumkums]

Hi,

I had success with long protocol and I have an almost 2 years old child. However, my long protocol wasn't to harvest eggs, it was just for transfer because the success I had was the third try, so the short protocol to harvest eggs and two frozen transfers, then the long protocol for the third transfer.

[Applepie7 in reply to kumkums]

Thank you