Thoughts anyone!

[piscean4]

I went to see a new Dr yesterday since I was not very happy with my current RE. Till date i have done two cycles of clomid (100mg) and I ovulated on the first cycle ..waiting for ovulation for the second one.....
He had one look at my reports and said I had unexplained Infertility and I should stop Clomid, skip the IUI entirely and go for IVF directly.

I felt it was a bit drastic but am so confused now on what to do?

Anyone ever faced this kindof situation?

[piscean4]

wow!! Congratulations!!!

[PatientGal312]

update - blood test today showed my HCG at 184 and progesterone at 26 for 2 weeks past egg retrieval (4 weeks pregnant they say!).  Good numbers?

[Kricket212]

I think many girls use HPT even though most dr's say not to. If you wait until about 8 days after transfer the HPT will most likely be an accurate result.  

[PatientGal312]

Sally - curious...how do you think it may have worked???  Do you have a magic potion of early detection?  If so, please do share! :)

[Mystery77]

My first IVF was successful, although still very early days.  Let us know what you decide to do!

[PatientGal312]

We're waiting for our blood test next wednesday to know if IVF round 1 worked.  both HPTs have been negative for me so far, but i know that is normal...somewhat.  The IVF process was overall easier than I thought.  The transfer was the hardest part for me, believe it or not.  I'd be happy to chat more - message me.

[piscean4]

@ PatientGal312 --- I agree! its frustrating .... did you get any success with IVF yet? How was the whole process for you?


@Mystery77 --- how many cycles of IVF did it take fro you? I am 30 yrs so the Dr is not really worried about the age I think!

[PatientGal312]

i did 4-5 rounds of clomid at varying doses - with or without IUI, then moved onto Gonal f instead of clomid before finally moving onto IVF.  my drs told my insurance company "polycystic ovarian disease", yet I've never been told that to my face.  unexplained infertility is my middle name - i'm only 29 and very frustrated.  i can completely relate to your frustration with "drastic" measures to move onto IVF without explanation.  good luck!

[Mystery77]

We also have unexplained infertility.  I was on Clomid for 8 months to regulate my cycles as although I was ovulating naturally, it was a bit irregular.  No luck.  At this point we moved house and changed RE.  We were actually considering the idea of going straight to IVF but our RE has very strong views that IVF should only be used as a last resort (having recently been through the process I can now see why).  So we tried 3 IUI's but no success.  He said that 60% of his patients get pregnant after 3 attempts, but unfortunately we fell into the other 40% and therefore moved onto IVF which worked.  My personal opinion is that if you've got age on your side it is worth trying IUI - it is such a simple procedure compared to IVF although the success rates are obviously lower.  Good luck!

[piscean4]

Thanks for sharing your experience!
Good luck for Wednesday..

I m thinking maybe I should try 1-2 IUI ...and then do the IVF..will talk to my Dr again and discuss...

[trh0819]

My RE said the same thing--- small margin of success but the friend who recommended me to this RE got pregnant twice on 2nd round of clomid and IUI each time. I know it works but my RE was convinced it wasn't going to work for us and unfortunately he was right. We even did double insemination each time to slightly increase chances and no luck. BFNs. It's significantly less expensive and obviously less intrusive but also allows for little control unlike IVF.

When we started the IVF cycle, I actually found I liked it more as there were check points along the way and adjustments could be made quickly. Honestly, the waiting is the worst part. The injections were nothing after I got through the first one. I was scared to death but couldn't believe how easy and painless it was. I suppose everyone has different experiences, but basically I had a baseline prior to starting injections. Began on Lupron while completing BC. Then added Gonal F and Menopur. So I was injecting 3 meds once a day. had tests along the way to check progress and RE adjusted only once. Then I went in for what we thought would be second to last check. Turns out I was ready. Had 16 follicles that measured well. Trigger shot that evening followed by retrieval (you're out for this) and a transfer 5 days later. Totally awake for transfer., No pain whatsoever. DH was in surgical room with me.  My RE retrieved 10 eggs. Nine were mature. Eight fertilized through ICSI. We were able to freeze five. One of the embies didn't make it. So that's it for the actual procedure part. Started progesterone injections. 2ww was difficult. I wasn't planning to test at home but I did and got my first BFP ever. That was exciting but nerve racking. First beta was 600; second was 2000. had 6 week u/s last week but was early. Saw sac but couldn't get heartbeat yet. Beta that day was over 17000, so numbers were continuing to double. Next appointment is Wednesday.

[nshapland]

I've been told standard protocol is 3 iuis and then move on to ivf. But I started trying a year ago and I'm exactly where I was a year ago. If I had it to do over, I'd go straight to IVF. Everyone is different, though. I know someone who got pregnant on her second iui--two times (she has two sons now). So for her, going straight to ivf would've been a waste of money.
I'd also say it depends on your age (if you're under 35 you have a lot more time than someone who is 39 or 40) and if you are ready to pay for ivf.
Good luck!

[piscean4]

thanks for the input ladies!

@mhv -- I am trying naturally with Clomid since none of the doctors suggested IUI yet / fortunately my insurance covers it..so no worries there.

@trh0819 -- my old RE wants me to try naturally with Clomid for 4 cycles (no IUI again!) and she is not even monitoring me to check numbr of follicles or thickness of lining ....what the new Dr said to me is there is a very little margin of success on IUI (though its the most common approach most of the doctors take) and it would be better to skip it and move to IVF...
but I am freaking out ..can you tell me a bit abt the IVF procedure?

[trh0819]

Been there! My DH and I saw our first doc last summer. Did some testing and started meds but we just didn't love the RE or the nurses. No real reason... just not a great vibe. My DH wasn't on board with the whole fertility treatment idea anyway so this just made it worse. I decided to see another RE. We loved him immediately but were shocked in our second meeting when he reviewed all lab work and said exactly what you were told: Let's go straight for IVF. I am certain I can get you two pregnant.

I freaked out. I wasn't anywhere near wanting to do IVF and my DH was still warming up to meds in general. We talked about other options and he went back to IVF each time. At the end of the appointment, he said he would follow whatever protocol we were most comfortable with, so we stuck with Clomid and IUI. 4 failed IUIs later, the RE asked if we were ready to follow his advice. Reluctantly we agreed and started our first IVF cycle in May. I'm 6w5d pregnant and all is going well.

So he was right about IVF working, but he also allowed us the time to get there. We weren't ready to jump in. Of course now I think back and torture myself knowing I'd be 5 months further along had we listened to him in the beginning; however, this whole process is highly emotional and I do think you have to be ready to take each step.

Hope that's helpful in some way.  Good luck to you!

[mhv]

I would think if you are in mid-cycle, what could it hurt to finish out the month of clomid and do the iui?  I guess maybe for financial reasons?  It seems like the reason your doing the IUI is because of unexplained infertility right?  If not, you'd get preggers on your own :)

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

Melissa