Cycle cancelled - poor response to stims

[ColinCat19]

Hi

Day 11 scan showed by 3 follicles still very small despite maximum Pergoveris dose (11,9, 7) so we cancelled the cycle. I have a review with the consultant next month before trying again. Any advice re what I should be asking in this review? So far they have suggested to go on 450 from the beginning (I was in 250, then 350, then 450).

I also felt that my body didn’t like norethisterone and didn’t recover enough after taking it for scheduling. I asked if I could do a cycle without but clinic seem to think this had nothing to do with it.

Any advice gratefully received. Thank you

[Skittles11]

Hello I'm sorry to hear this. I know you must be disappointed (it's happened to me too).

Were you using norethisterone to down regulate from something like Day 21 of the previous cycle? Also what is your ovarian reserve (AMH, FSH and number of baseline follicles)? X x

[ColinCat19 in reply to Skittles11]

Hi, thanks for replying! Yes, I used it from day 21 but the clinic were very adamant this was for scheduling and not down regulating (not sure what they mean by that?)

AMH is low at 4.8 and AFC was 8 (4 in each ovary) but with this round one ovary showed nothing. I had 5 follicles in the right ovary but 2 disappeared between day 5 and 8).

I’m sorry you’ve experienced this too xx

[Skittles11 in reply to ColinCat19]

In my first cycle I down regulated and my ovaries wouldn't wake up at all. This is a separate occasion to the one where I mentioned my cycle was cancelled! Anyhow it was disastrous and very upsetting as no eggs were collected in the cycle. The clinic said they would not down regulate me again and would do short cycles only. Even if the clinic have said they have done this protocol for scheduling reasons and not for down regulation reasons, the effect is the same as you have been down regulated. Short cycles can work better for some people who have less ovarian reserve so if this were me I would be pushing for that. Also maybe a change to the stimulation drugs. I started with Gonal F and was then swapped to Menopur for the next cycle which had a more favourable outcome (still no live birth but I had 6 eggs collected as opposed to zero from round 1) x x

[ColinCat19 in reply to Skittles11]

Thank you, that is such helpful advice.

I’m so sorry you have gone through so much. I’m sending you so much luck and love for this year xx

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Must be a disappointment - thinking of you . Hope being on higher dose from the start next will make all the difference

Sending a hug and good luck wishes

Janet-Partner

[ColinCat19 in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you so much Janet, that means a lot xx

[Flare90]

Dont give up, I know it must be hard to go through this whole process again. I did 3 IVF last year and my ovarian response is slow. First thing, get your self "It starts with the Egg" book, It has so many valuable information that you would need before starting the second round. Step two, Continue taking supplements non stop, I take Coq10 + Folic Acid + DHEA + Vitamin D every day. Last cycle they gave me gonal F 300 then 450 then 150 and the reason behind it that they want to push the follicles to grow but yet not too hard as the follicles are fragile.

[ColinCat19 in reply to Flare90]

Hi, thanks for replying and your encouraging words. I have the book and take the supplements. Best of luck in your journey! Xx

[Twiglet2]

I’m so sorry 😢 unless you need down reg for treatment of something else I would ask about short protocol just starting stims form day 2/3 of natural period without any noristherone or burselin etc (that’s what our clinic do for standard short protocol) and yes would ah e suggested max dose from day 1. You might also want to try a different stimulation some people react differently to the synthetic vs natural one (I seem to react best on a combo of them menopur and gonal F) defo push to shake things up as that can be used as a learning experience for sure! Xx

[ColinCat19 in reply to Twiglet2]

Thank you for your advice, I am going to ask for this at my review! Wishing you all the best xx