37 yo...highest FSH 16 CD3...ttc since 2003 via IVF + ICSI due to MF. Succeeded on 6th IVF, 4th completed IVF, 5th MDL protocol, this was my first with aggressive tx of thyroid problem, which is I think is what made the difference.
Couldn't bring myself to post on the PG board until now. It is just starting to sink in. Found out two days ago that one of my twins isn't going to make it--lost the heartbeat sometime in the 8th week. The other is going strong though and I feel lucky and thrilled to still be in the game after 5 chemical pregnancies.
Dr. Davis is very willing to work with high FSH patients. If he offers you co-culture, definitely go for it. It made a huge difference in my embryo quality.
I only had three embryos each time so PGD was not an option. When I say that the embryos were better quality at Cornell, I mean that their morphology looked much better. At NYU I had two 6-celled and one 5-celled embryos on day 3 (all had significant fragmentation). At Cornell I had two 8-celled embryos with very little fragmentation and one 5-celled embryo that didn't look so good. I don't actually know if they were of better quality genetically but I did have two implant at Cornell (presumably the 8-celled ones?)and zero at NYU. I did lose one of my twins during the 8th week so that one was probably abnormal. The remaining one looks great so far (9weeks,3days).
-Amy
Amy, this is really interesting.. I have a question..
August 3 2006, 10:33 PM
Why do you think that the embryos are better quality at Cornell? Are they doing something diff than other clinics?
I am considering ivf with Cooper because I am concerned about high stims, but I have heard so many great things about Cornell that I might change my mind. I am financing the ivf out of my own pocket so i really want a better chance at this..
By the way, congrats on your pregnancy. How old are you? Does Cornell have an age cutt-off?
best,
jadu
Hi Jadu,
I turned 38 in April. I don't think Cornell has an age cutoff but I'm not totally sure. I do know someone who goes there and is 45 or 46. She doesn't have high FSH though and produces a lot of eggs.
Every clinic's lab probably uses slightly different culture conditions and methods of embryo handling so that may account for some of the differences between clinics. But the major thing that Cornell does that other places don't is endometrial co-culture. That is when they take tissue from your uterine lining in a cycle (luteal phase) prior to your IVF and freeze it. Just before your embryo retrieval, they thaw the tissue and grow your endometrial cells into a nice layer in culture. They will then place your fertilized embryos onto this bed of your own cells, which may help the embryos grow and divide better. Co-culture doesn't help everyone and they don't offer it to everyone right off the bat. It is usually offered if you have had a few failed IVFs elsewhere or at least one cycle that produced poor quality embryos. The extra costs for the co-culture amounted to about $1500.
Age 36
Highest fsh 42
Endo, Low motility
TTC 3 years
Treatment to get this miracle: BFP on the first IVF try with Dr. Zouves,
MDL protocol, ICSI
450 units of Bravelle. One egg fertilezed, One transferred BFP
IVIG treatment (high NK's)
Age: 39
Highest fsh: 29.7 on CD3 >2y ago
TTC: Wasn't actively trying, but also was not actively trying to prevent it!!
Treatment to get this miracle: surprise, natural miracle!!
Highest FSH 14.3
Conceived natural cycle, after giving birth to my daughter in Jan06(natural pregnancy also)
Male factor
Age 28
4 failed IVF's and 2 failed IUI's in past
Not sure if i belong here or in 3rd trimester but...
August 2 2006, 1:24 PM
I've read so many conflicting statistics about when the months actually start & when you start the 3rd trimester (some say it starts at 25 weeks!). But i'll just go by the 4 week month so i'll keep myself in 2nd trimster for a few more weeks!
Age 35 (36 11/2/06)
Highest fsh 17
TTC 3 yrs
Treatment to get this miracle: SIRM highest protocol LA10E2V, lots of herbs, acupuncture, supplements, nightly foot soaks, nightly castor oil packs & a lot of prayer!
highest fsh 16.5
age 32 in november 8th.
ttc: 4 years.
ivf with high dose of lupron, 300 of folistim ,
have all kind og immune issues , zero LAD ( did lit) , mtfhr (taking folgard) .
was on : prometrium 3 months ,progestron oil , vidal patch, dexamatazone,
i'm now on lovonox , ba, slow iron fe,calcium,
what a long road but thank God for everything .
lia
I have started to relax a little although I find it hard to wait for the next OB appointment. I guess all is well though. No movement yet and we think we will wait for the suprise as far as the sex goes.
Love,
Riwa
33 y/o
3/4 years TTC#1
1st IUI with 25 IUI of follistim day 5 to 9 followed by 50 after that.
Highest fsh 19.6 in July 2005.
Started to take wheatgrass, stopped caffeine and moved country.
FSH was around 5 or so when we conceived (April 2006).
Treatment to get this miracle: Laporoscopy, Hysteroscopy, natural pg (ended in m/c in 12/05), D&C, two cancelled cycles, 1st IVF successful, Super-high protocol - odd combination of drugs...no real name to the protocol. Transferred all 4 embies that fertilized and the magic one stuck!
Treatment to get this miracle - IVF #2 used E2 patch and antagon shots to prep for cycle, then high stims (Follistim and Menopur) and lupron in cycle, but cycle cancelled due to poor response (1 follie) - got pg naturally in this cycle so you never know!!!
Due date - 12/5/06, can't wait for our little boy to join us!
Age: 33
TTC: 5 years
Highest FSH: 35.9
Conceived Naturally with lots of prayer
History: Stage IV Endometriosis
3 Laparoscopies
Hydrosalphinx
High FSH
4 Miscarriages
MFI as well
Many failed IUI's and cancelled cycles
Partial Hysterectomy last August
Age: 33
TTC: 5 years
Highest FSH: 35.9
Conceived Naturally with lots of prayer
History: Stage IV Endometriosis
3 Laparoscopies
Hydrosalphinx
High FSH
4 Miscarriages
MFI as well
Many failed IUI's and cancelled cycles
Partial Hysterectomy last August
...at 13 weeks, but I'm not sure. Maybe it's one more week? Anyway...
Age at time of conception: 40 (will be 41 at delivery)
Highest FSH: 17.8 (on CCCT)
Success: natural cycle month before 1st IVF scheduled. Acupuncture, herbs, supplements for 6+ months (still doing acu)
Did a round of IVIG for high NK cells at 5 weeks and also taking arixtra for clotting issues. These immune issues were discovered by RE prior to the conception and I decided to follow through on the treatments. This may have made all the difference.
Age: 41 (conceived at 40)
Highest FSH: 15.9 on day 10 after clomid challenge
TTC: For more years than I can count; been married 13yrs and this is our 1st
Treatment: PG on a natural cycle but have tried most everything.
Here is my BFP post: http://www.network54.com/Forum/53068/thread/1142357791/
Girl due 11/20/06
Best wishes to all!
29 weeks today officially in the third trimester!!
August 2 2006, 1:16 PM
Still having the swelling of feet and hands... and feel the movement a lot....
Satya
Age 29
Highest fsh = 13.5 Avg fsh 7
TTC #1 since last 5 years!!
2002 IUI with 6 clomid cycles (all BFN)
2003 lap diagnosed with blocked tube
2004 IVF # 1 no transfer (BFN)
2005 lap for removal of blocked tube
2006 IVF # 2 (BFP)!!! ITS A BOY!!!
I lost my CM plug today...at last check I was 80% effaced and a bit more than 1 cm. Going in for another check on Friday...Hopefully it will happen naturally. If not getting induced on Aug. 14th.
Having Girl
highest FSH 18.9
Preg naturally month after failed DE cycle.
Could you kindly let me know what herbs did you take and how many times a day and for how long? I have just been diagnosed with high FSH my last reading is 24.5..i need help to keep the hope..God bless you and your baby.
thanks
Hi Hope,
I used
evening primrose oil (to increase cervical mucus)
Wheatgrass (ostensibly to lower FSH)
DHEA (just for one cycle, because I got pregnant that cycle)
More importantly, I used a host of chinese herbs (made into a tea) prescribed by my chinese acupuncturist/TCM doctor. I have no idea what was in there, but she designed it specifically for me after reviewing my history, charts, etc. I had been seeing her for several weeks of acupuncture (and medical testing for recurrent m/c) before she started me on herbs, in part because she didn't want to add anything that would alter the test results.
I'm one of those who are reluctant to self-medicate because if you're treating the wrong thing, you could make things worse.
Thank you Susan, could you kindly let me know how often did you take the wheat grass? i found the ice cubes and I am taking 2 every morning. I will start acupuncture, but not sure about the chinese herbs, does your acupuncturist know somebody here in Washington DC for the herbs? pls advise.
I am feeling better now that I am back in the air conditioned comfort of my parents apartment. We have been on vacation for 10 days - feeling fine but my feet are swollen and look like the ankles of elephants at the zoo ! I can not wait to get home and sleep in my own bed. Baby is moving - lots of kicking on my bladder - not sure of the sex, I think it is a girl, but no medical knowledge to confirm that.
Natural cycle - kind of. Was doing the CCT so I had 50 mg of clomid in me.
FSH was 15.6 - got the DE speech the same month I got the BFP.
Amnio showed all is fine
Age: 36 at conception, 37 now
Highest FSH: 17ish plus severe MF
TTC 3 years
Attempts: This was the 2nd IVF attempt. Used a low-dose protocol, with 1 follicle produced, + ICSI. Happened to have an HSG during the successful cycle. Tried 2 previous IUIs.
Dye is injected into the uterus and x-rays are taken to see if there are any blockages. Not a fun procedure, but anecdotal evidence is that some women tend to get pregnant that month or the month after--maybe it cleans out your pipes!
Getting close. My doctor is monitoring me closely because I had some spotting a few weeks ago. Originally he said he wanted to induce by 38 weeks but now we are waiting and seeing how my testing is going and trying to hold off until he comes naturally. But either way, not too long now.
me = highest fsh 15
DH = mild male factor
3 failed clomid cycles; 3 failed stim + IUI; 2 failed IVF (long lupron, antagon)
Successful on 3rd IVF = MDL flare protocol; ICSI; Taking DHEA for 4 months prior to this cycle; 4 transfered; pregnant with a singleton, boy.
TTC = 3+ years
38 years old
Treatment to get this miracle: Laporoscopy, Hysteroscopy, natural pg (ended in m/c in 12/05), D&C, two cancelled cycles, 1st IVF successful, Super-high protocol - odd combination of drugs...no real name to the protocol. Transferred all 4 embies that fertilized and the magic one stuck!
