In the post mentioned below, there is mention of the Kilman progesterone protocol. I looked at the link but it appears to be much less progesterone than most RE's use. For example, it says to start with 25mg on day 13. Usually with IVF cycles, the RE usually requires about 1 or 2cc IM. I know with Cooper, they have you do about 400mg twice a day. For those of you that did the step up progesterone protocol, did you only start off with 25mg?

I transfered two blasts (no PGC or CGH was performed) and had the highest beta I have ever acheived in six years of OE and DE IVF, including several transfers with tested embies. My second beta rose nicely. Third beta is on Monday 4/23.

As I mentioned before, I had the EFT biopsy in November. The first sample (before increasing progestrone) was normal. The second sample (after adding progesterone) included abnormal cells, therefore it was determined to try this method of a slower introduction of progesterone. I'm not a medical professional by any means, but was willing to try this because I have had soooooo many failures and extremely low betas/chemical pregnancies, indicating possible lingering attachment or lining issues, eveb after adding many of the tools that people use to treat possible immunity-related problems.

I started with 25 mg of progesterone vaginally the night before the donor's retreval.

Day of retrieval was 25 mg in the morning and at night.

Days 1 through 3 of fertilization was 25 mg twice per day.

Day 4 of fertilization was 100 mg twice per day.

Transfer day was 100 mg twice per day -- same dosage for the next 3 days.

Then 5 days post my day 5 transfer (or 10 DPO) the dose was increased to 200 mg twice per day.

In addition to this progesterone protocol are a number of things I had already used in past tranfers:
Intralipids via IV -- twice before transfer, once the day of transfer, and then more treatments after BFP.
Lovenox, 40 mg once a day.
Prednisone 10 mg for 5 days starting on retreival day.
Doxycycline 100 mg twice a dat for 5 days also starting on retreival day.


My clinic always tests estrogen and progesterone 2 days post transfer. That test did show my p levels were a little low so we also added crinone. I did almost panic at that news to increase my p dosage but ultimately I ended up in a great place with a beta of over 300 at 14 DPO.

as, like you, I've had so many pg losses along the way including a handful of DE chemicals. I know I've had success twice (finally) but I'm wondering if this is something I might try if we go down this road again . What form were you using before adding crinone - is it prometrium, used vaginally? Or compounded suppositories? I never did the EFT, though my first RE offered it. I didn't think it would become necessary at that point. Bwaaaaaahahaha.....

I'm SO FREAKING HAPPY for you, sister. It's about time this worked! I read each of your posts with a huge grin on my face . Keep 'em coming! Hugs,
Kenny

First, thanks for being the consumate cheerleader!!!!

Second, to answer your Q: the lower dosages (25 and 50 mg) were progesterone in oil gel capsules that were inserted vaginally. These needed to be stored in the refrigerator until use.

The 100 and 200 mg is prometrium also used vaginally.

If I can ever talk DH into trying an SET with our totsicles... I'll be taking this protocol with me to the RE . So, so happy for you! I don't know why some of us have to try so much harder, but I think it just may make it that much sweeter when it works. I am seriously itching to hear about your first u/s! And I think you have one more beta today - GL, not that you will need it. Hugs,
Kenny