Going abroad but can only do a short protocol. Any experience with short protocol?

[Mahriya]

Hi everyone.

After 4 failed transfers with top grade embryos, I’m planning to go abroad for embryo banking next month to see if I get any good blastocysts (due to work I’m not able to go for long durations)

I’ve been on two icsi long protocols in the past and first one they only got one C grade embryo from 11 eggs. Second time i got 4 blastocysts from 15 eggs.

I had my clinic follow up consultation today and the doctor said they can’t think of any testing but maybe consider genetic testing if i go back for a fresh cycle. I’m not going back to them but when I asked about the short protocol, she said a long protocol is better for me and they already had great results in my second cycle. Obviously I don’t see it as great results cause none of them worked so must have been abnormal despite good grading.

I really want to know your thoughts on a short protocol and if you think it might be worth it. I’m 39 now but my AMH in 2020 was 17.9. I seem to have a good ovarian reserve for my age.

She also said to take DHEA, melatonin and coq10. I’m already taking solgar ubiquinol but not sure about the other two. A different private consultant told me it will be waste of money and supplements cannot reverse egg quality. I’m on a healthy diet etc and take the usual vitamins.

I’ve done auto immune testing, thyroid, Nk cell biopsy and everything been normal.

I’d appreciate it if any of you could share your thoughts xxx

[Hidden]

Hi Mabriya Im sorry to hear your experiences. Im in a similar situation to you.

I have just (yesterday) had my 3rd failed icso cycle from a top 5AB hatching blastocyst.

All 3 cycles I’ve had short protocol, short was chosen for me as i think it focuses more on quality than quantity and risk of ohss It’s a lot less stressful on you and your body. All in all I think from start to finish it takes about 4 weeks including 2ww. I’m not long 36 Amh level 27.7 and we are unexplained. My 2nd cycle was a CP

This 3rd cycle just failed to implant and AF showed up. So I think it’s down to quality. I don’t even know where to go from here. This 3rd cycle was the only cycle we managed to have a top grade 5AA go in freezer. Only change I made was taking Zita west Ivf meds. However I’m not holding much hope on the one in the freezer.

Can I ask where your going abroad? I’m also open to other options as this is clearly not working for me either.

Hope you get your bfp soon my love x

[Mahriya in reply to Hidden]

Hey Sammy. I’m sorry to hear you’re going through the same difficult journey. The worst part is not knowing what the issue is, I totally get you. I’m considering short protocol because i can only stay abroad for about 3 weeks. My second icsi gave me some good blastocysts but then I’m thinking they weren’t good quality in the end so maybe I should try a short protocol rather than repeating the exact same thing. My family lives in Tehran so I’m planning to have a collection there as the whole thing cost less than £2000 including everything. I heard a lot of good things about Spain Greece and even Turkey but don’t have any experience myself.

I think if you’re not tied down with work, might be worth looking into non uk options.

Fingers crossed we both get our bfp soon. Good luck xxx

[Positivechangeplease]

Hmm I’ve read that egg quality can be turned around. And taking those supplements isn’t going to hurt is it? I know you have to be careful with the amount of DHEA but not the other two. If it were me and I’d checked out what effect they can have and that there’d be no negative effect then I’d have taken anything I thought could help

[Mahriya in reply to Positivechangeplease]

Thanks for your comment hun. I can’t seem to find Dhea and melatonin online in the uk shops. Read somewhere Dhea is now classified as a drug and buying from abroad could cause some issues. The clinic consultant was so sure that I can buy them in health shops, seems not!!! xx

[Positivechangeplease in reply to Mahriya]

Oh maybe you can’t I don’t know. I didn’t take any extra drugs. Maybe you need it on prescription?

[Ivfgotadream]

I had better results the lower the protocol - rubbish results with short protocol but had twins from natural modified which is even shorter and less drugs

[Mahriya in reply to Ivfgotadream]

I guess it works differently for each person. Congratulations on your twins xx