mild IVF? not great so far.

[finup0321]

Just an update on how mild IVF is going so far for anyone interested:

After multiple (7!) miserable attempts with traditional IVF (1-2 mature eggs retrieved each time), I finally switched to a mild protocol. I did a week of estrogen priming with provera in the previous luteal phase, then started Clomid on day 3 and Meriofert & Fostimon & Zomacton on alternating days.

Today was my day 6 scan and I was so disappointed to discover that I have 1 lead follicle at 11mm and 6 less than 6mm. This is as bad as a traditional IVF protocol for me, if a little worse actually. While it’s probably better for me to be on lower doses of hormones if the results are the same, I am still so disappointed that I have one dominant follicle and a bunch of stragglers.

Being a “poor responder” is really no fun.

[Koala365]

I am so sorry to hear this. I also did mild IVF for one of my 6 full IVF cycles (all of which were unsuccessful) and didn't respond so well to it either. They ended up having to increase my doses of the drugs towards the end and do them every day instead of every other day. I did eventually get 3 eggs but only 2 were mature and only 1 fertilised. I had it transferred at day 3 but I didn't get pregnant. I think I subsequently read that mild IVF wasn't right for women who don't get many eggs with traditional IVF (I tended to get 5 and once 6) as it produced fewer eggs but the idea is that they are better quality. I decided after doing it that it was all a bit "emporers new clothes" for me and that realistically the more eggs I could get the better my chances of finding that one good egg would be! Wishing you all the best with it. Hopefully this one lead follicle will be the one. Also, maybe ask them whether increasing the dose of drugs now could mean you get more eggs from the smaller follicles xx

[finup0321 in reply to Koala365]

Yeah perhaps the mild protocol is a bit overblown. That said, my consultant was really not keen on it. Since I performed worse and worse each cycle, we finally agreed after 7 cycles to try something totally different rather than tweaking. Now I want my old protocol back

Thanks so much for your input, it really helped.

[Koala365 in reply to finup0321]

Yes, I know that feeling! I went back to my old protocol after my 5th cycle got cancelled due to a poor response on some all singing all dancing flare protocol my new consultant had recommended. It was apparently designed for poor responders but wasn't really suitable for me - I decided based on that and on my mild IVF cycle that my ovaries need stimulation every day not every other day. I went back to my old protocol and proved them all wrong when I looked to be going to get 6 eggs and ended up with 4 rather than looking to get possibly 1 on their so called all singing all dancing protocol. If you do another round after this one, perhaps try what has worked for you previously again. Will still keep my fingers crossed that you don't need another round though! Xx

[Hidden]

I’m sorry but also thanks for sharing. I’ve had 3 fresh cycles getting 1 egg in 2 cycles and 3 eggs in one cycle. So was wondering about mild IVF. But maybe it’s not for me. It is hard spending £2500 on stim meds for such a low number of eggs tho.

You’re so right, being a poor responder sucks.

Sending hugs. Let me know if you find anything that works better!

[finup0321 in reply to Hidden]

I mean, maybe it could work for you. Never know until you try, but ugh, who has time to just “try” anything. In terms of cost, this really isn’t much cheaper. Maybe saves £500, and that’s assuming they don’t up the dosage at any point. I know that’s a lot of money but it’s not a really hefty discount. There are still plenty of meds plus the cost of retrieval etc. I’ll post the results of this cycle so folks can have more insight on mild IVF.

[Gerbear22]

Hi I was a ‘poor responder’ as well and did mild ivf.I got 5 eggs all mature over 2 cycles and 4 embryos.First double transfer didn’t take but my second double transfer did(all fresh transfers)I now have a beautiful 15 week old baby girl.I was 40 doing both cycles with endometriosis and under active thyroid.Wishing you the very best.x

[finup0321 in reply to Gerbear22]

Incredible, what a lucky journey you had. I appreciate you sharing and I’m genuinely happy for anyone who succeeds at this. May I just say that stories like this aren’t always helpful for those of us who are still running the full marathon. False hope has really messed with my expectations and I unfortunately can’t be optimistic about much. Thank you for your understanding and sharing your story.

[Avocado111]

hi, have you tried down reg? I’m a poor responder as well, my doctor changed the protocol straight away after we realised the conventional portable is not for me (only after 7 days stimulation), been under down reg for 1 month now, still haven’t start stim as doctor said not ready yet, had my period during down reg, waiting for next scan to see if it’s a right time to stimulate, it’s my 1st cycle, low folical count plus low AMH, also I consulted 3 clinics, all not keen on mild IVF, I have no idea if I’m worth to try mild?

[finup0321 in reply to Avocado111]

I have not tried down reg, my consultant did not recommend it and said that it would be too suppressing on my ovaries. We tried estrogen priming for the mild cycle, which didn’t help at all. I have done best with the microdose flare protocol, finally getting more mature eggs (4/4 retrieved were mature, all 4 became 3-day, then 2 blasts). I also physically felt better on the flare protocol, but I also started doing acupuncture 2x/week and that helped immensely.

[Cuppppatea]

hey - just looking at this ! This is what has been prescribed for me by crgh. What dose were you on? They are suggesting 450’ fostimon/ Meriofert. Did this not work for you then? What is the micro dose flare protocol ? Interested to know your story if you are able to share please x