Dr. Expert left me a message on Monday that he wanted to try a new protocol and told me to call his nurse and she would explain it to me. That may sound really impersonal to some, but, I've been through this enough that I don't really need the crying WTF appointment anymore. So, this was fine. I called her and she didn't get back to me until Tuesday. She explained that he wanted to do a protocol called co-flare. As she reviewed the details, it sounded quite similar to the microflare protocol I did in IVF's #2 and 3 that failed miserably (although I think there are extenuating circumstances as to why both failed and not necessarily the protocols fault).
The thing is, I just feel too far along in this to, by my perception, take a step backwards and "try" things. So, I put in a call to Dr. Expert. I just wanted to hear from him that there is enough of a difference in this protocol to warrant trying it.
He called me back yesterday and explained the whole thing to me again. I told him my concern and he said that he realized I had done microflare (although he could only recall me having done it once, not the twice that I did it) but he does feel this is significantly different. There will be no pre-cycle suppressants at all. My best cycles have been with no suppressants. So, I'll start full strength lupron (as opposed to diluted like you do in microflare) on day 2, scaling back the dose on day 4. And, on day 3 I'll start, are you ready for this, 600 iu of Follistim a day!! Holy meds! Some people take that amount in total their whole cycle!
He said that if this doesn't work, there are other avenues (basically his way of saying this is probably the end of the line for my eggs) and he knows that we have explored donor egg, but, he felt that he wanted one more shot to get me to ER. He said that he thinks we might be able to get back to 4 eggs, my best cycle, but, that he knows me may eat those words in 6 weeks, something neither of us wants to happen! I like and appreciate his honesty.
So, this protocol starts on Day 2. Unfortunately, today is Day 4, so, I have to wait a whole month, but, he wanted me to wait anyway to give my body a chance to calm down. I don't know. My best cycle came right on the tails of a failed IUI cycle, but, it's a moot point because it's too late to start this protocol anyway. I know it's only a month, but, I still have to get through Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (I had my ER on Yom Kippur last year for the cycle that resulted in a pregnancy....) and the thought of getting through another holiday season is tough. The good news is that I should get started shortly after.
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25 comments:
That is alot of follistim in one day! I am hoping the Dr. Expert is completly right about this you will get your BFP by the end of the year.
I hope he's right too!!!
xoxo
I'm sorry that you have to wait another cycle, that is always frustrating, take the time to just enjoy not cycling! no worrying about any of it! It'll be here before no time.
You are so strong to go through this again and again. I think you were smart to call your doc and get some better answers. I always feel better talking to my RE than a message through the nurses. Anyway, I hope the new protocol does the trick. If you do explore donor eggs, a fellow blogger (shiner, who comments on my blog a lot) is now pg with donor eggs. Best wishes for next month, though!
Hi Lisa,
I've been reading your blog for awhile and just never commented. Our issues were somewhat similar and I was finally successful on IVF #3...also after being told to go for donor eggs.
My last protocol was a micro dose lupron. I didn't have lupron for my first 2 cycles. Supposedly in this microdose it works the opposite way. I then had 300 iu of follitism (Bravelle & Gonal F) in the am in an IM shot in the butt. And 75iu of Menopur also in the butt. Adn 20 iu lupron Sub Q. Menopur & Follitism went in one shot. I repeated this again in the evening. Somewhere in there I think the lupron stopped but i don't have that written down. I stimmed for 13 days, triggered on day 13, retrieval on day 15. They were able to retrieve 10 eggs the most I ever had...and the big difference too was 9 were mature & good. My E2 was 1159 on day of retrieval. I had a 3 day transfer with 3 embryos. 8 cell Grade B, 5 cell Grade c, and 4 cell Grade C. We have severe MF so I also had fertilization issues. Anyway it worked & I am 23 weeks pg with a singleton.
My first 2 protocols were anagonist but always with IM shots. I had 6 eggs the first time, only 3 mature. And 9 eggs the second, only 4 mature, and only 1 fertilized.
Might be worth asking dr. Expert about the mdl protocol & IM shots for Follitism.
In the evening I had the same 375 iu of follitism & 150 iu of menopur IM shots.
Let me know if you would like more info. my email is nmblue814 at aol dot com.
Best of luck to you! I am hoping it works soon!!! You are a strong woman...stronger then many.
I hope he is right and this works for you. ((((HUGS)))))
I'm so glad to hear that Dr Expert still has some tricks up his sleeve, but sorry that you have to wait a whole month to get started. Here's hoping that this protocol brings better results.
And 600iu of follistim a day - wow!
Hi again. I just wanted to let you know that the last time I did IVF with my own eggs I was taking 350 of Follistem in the AM and 350 in the PM. The time before that I took 450 in the AM and 450 in the PM, so don't let the huge amounts of meds discourage you. It was extremely expensive but it worked the second time. I always hated waiting inbetween, too. Like I wasn't already far enough behind but it usually ended up for the best. I really really hope this works for you.
I'm visiting for the first time from ICLW. I hope that this new protocol gives you a BFP. Best of Luck with it all.
I feel your pain on the wait. After waiting so many years another month does feel like a big deal. I'm a big baby so I usually cry right there in the office when they tell me to wait. I'm on a six month wait which is news I did not handle well. I wish you the best of luck next month.
Here via ICLW.
Wow...what a protocol! I hope Dr. Expert is right and you have success on this cycle.
ICLW
Here from ICLW - and I have to say you are so strong. I suffered the loss of a stillborn baby, but the getting pregnant part was not the problem. The way you are working so hard, inside and out, to create a life is inspirational. I can't wait to hear of a pregnancy!
I really hope this protocol make the difference!
Hoping that Dr. Expert is right. Wishing you the very best.
Here from ICLW.
I'm so sorry you have to wait another cycle. I'd be chomping at the bit to get going again, too.
Here from ICLW to wish you good luck, and I'll be back to check in.
Oh my! Making these protocol decisions is a toughie...seems that when we 'try' mega cycles to end all mega cycles they often fail to measure up in the end. It just is so difficult to know which way to go! I wish you well in your next cycle and hope the month goes quickly for you!
Hi Lisa,
So sorry to hear that the most recent IVF for you had a negative result.... I've just had a negative result on my first IVF cycle, and am contemplating (and saving up for) a 2nd cycle, possibly before the end of this year. Do you have any suggestions/advice, or what have you been advised, about helping to make the embryos implant once they are placed into your uterus? I keep thinking there must be something that I can do next time to help those little friends implant properly... have you been told anything about what foods or behavior is helpful? For instance no carbs, or more lying horizontal? I know that may sound a bit silly, but you're more experienced at this point than I am and I'm curious to hear what advice you've received for this key step...
Best Wishes, Meryl
Good luck. Got everything crossed for you.
(ICLW)
I am hoping this works for you!!! Wishing you all the best and sending lots of ((HUGS))
I wish you the best this cycle. I hope you are doing okay, I read your background on all the trials and losses you and Glen have been through. Jersey girls are tough! Take care, visiting from ILCW.
Here from ICLW
I am saying many prayers that this new protocol works! And, you're right... holy meds!!! Good luck to you!!!
Waiting is so hard, I know. My worst cycle was my second, which I did right after my first. I really feel I didn't give my body enough time in between. Third time was our charm, when we used donor embryos.
Good luck!
I'm sorry about waiting another cycle. That's always rough. I hope this one goes well for you.
ICLW
Trying new stuff when you're at the end of the road--I know the feeling. Sometimes I think that if this was going to work, why the hell didn't we try it a year ago?!?! Sometimes I wonder if this is the equivalent of my RE throwing a Hail Mary pass.
I'm sorry you have to wait another cycle to start. I really really HATE that. I know my body needs a break, but more than a month or two off and I get all crazy inside. But this will at least give you a chance to sort of brace yourself for a bit of a hormone roller coaster. I think "flare" is totally the right word.
Good luck!
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