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Viewing 1 to (19 Total) PCOS IVF versus IUI |
lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Hi everyone, would be really grateful to hear some success stories/ game plans of people who have PCOS and TTC.
Im 25 yo, had irregular periods since they started. Since the birth of my daughter 4 years ago to a previous relationship (a miracle, i'm told) I stopped ovulating completely. My BMI is only 25 - losing weight never helped the PCOS.
I tried clomid at numerous doses and didn't respond.
I'm with Fertility Associates in Hamilton and we are told the next step is IUI or IVF. We went into our last appointment prepared and ready to go with IUI. After a big discussion, we got the impression that IVF would be a better option for us because IUI is very demanding on out-of-towners (3hrs travel each way) with generally repeated attempts and very intensive monitoring. We are also told "it is not that uncommon" for cycles to be cancelled because of an over response. That would be a waste of $3000 for a cancelled cycle.
So we made the decision to do IVF as we definitely got the impression from the doctor that we would have more chance of success. I've been doing lots of reading on the net, now Im scared more than ever. I've read a lot about PCOS women having poor quality eggs, there maybe lots but they are more immature, poor fertilisation rates, low survival rates. I cant believe we are about to spend upwards of $12000 for something with no guarantee (we are not eligible for public funding for another 2 years) . We just really want a baby! And now that I understand the "cumulative birth rate" for IVF, I see the 80% success rate means if you do 3 complete cycles and not just 3 egg transfers from one cycle, as I previously thought and got all excited about.
If you know anything that could be helpful to me, or have your own similar experience, I would be really grateful to hear it.
Thankyou,
lilly
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Posted on August 20, 2013 at 4:21 PM
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bluey
Total Posts: 10
Joined: September 12, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi lilly
I also have pcos and I'm 26 years old. I was on the pill for many years and after stopping the pill to TTC my period never came at all after 6 months so off we went to fertility associates (in Hamilton too). We tried 3 cycles of clomiphene with no result whatsoever.
Then we started FSH injections (Puregon), which resulted in me producing one egg (follicle) but sadly no pregnancy after natural intercourse. This is our second cycle of Puregon injections and we have decided to do IUI this time around. Hopefully we produce an egg as easily as last time, but who knows right?! We might do maybe up to 3 cycles of IUI and if not successful then look at IVF.
I understand that travelling would be hard for all the monitoring required for puregon and IUI, that must be frustrating for you  I have to have bloods every 3-4 days as well as scans every 2-3 days as the egg starts to mature. So that's the main reason you chose to go straight to IVF?
I'm not sure if my story helps you in any way but I always think its just nice to know that you aren't alone in this fertility journey 
Look forward to hearing from you
Posted on September 12, 2013 at 9:48 PM
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lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi Bluey.
We are going straight to IVF because it gives us the best chance. Im not really seeing it as a "last resort" as some might think it is. I'm just seeing at as the best chance for success... We dont want to wait for public funding. And it is apparently less stressful than IUI... nearly did do IUI though...was a fine line in choosing. Waiting for AF early October, will induce it if it doesnt come(I have anovulatory cycles). Cant wait to get started. How is your second treatment going? Do you also have a normal BMI? We were both one of the unlucky 20% of women that dont respond to clomiphene. That process was very drawn out and stressful. It is such a rollercoaster as they say.
If IVF doesnt work this time I've decided to have ovarian drilling done. Has high success rate but a small risk of dimishing ovarian reserve. Had my AMH result come back. 125! So thats great. Was yours high also?
Posted on September 21, 2013 at 1:27 PM
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bluey
Total Posts: 10
Joined: September 12, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi lilly,
I can understand what you are saying about choosing IVF because it will give you the best possible chance of success. Unfortunately we found out last week that we had to cancel my current cycle because I overstimulated
My scan showed at least 5 follies that were well on their way to maturing and ovulating. It's so frustrating knowing that in our first cycle we produced one single follie, and this cycle we used exactly the same doseage of Puregon but produced way too many follies. The dr said it looked like an IVF picture during the scan! It did cross my mind just to tell her to take the eggs and go ahead with IVF!
So now we are looking ahead to the next cycle... which sounds easy right? But I cant help but think about what went wrong for this past cycle and what we could do differently next time. I feel like I have no control whatsoever and its the most annoying thing, as I'm sure you know. And I keep thinking are we doing the right thing? Continuing to try IUI when its so unpredictable?
The dr rang yesterday to evaluate the last cycle and mentioned that IVF could be our next option but i told him that we still wanted to give IUI a proper go. IVF is so much more expensive. But then, like you said in your other post, its much more emotional to go through cancelled or unsuccessful cycles of IUI then to go straight to IVF. We are also paying privately because we dont qualify for funding...I'm not sure of the exact criteria for funding, do you know how it all works?
Yes I have a normal BMI of 23 and also have anovulatory cycles. Apparently I will get a period on my own this time though because of my cancelled cycle. I guess because my eggs matured and will ovulate and I just have to wait for the lining to shed sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Fingers crossed for you when AF arrives. Im guessing you will be using Puregon to stimulate for your IVF cycle? Do you know what dose they will start you on? and how many eggs you need to produce? I'll be interested to hear about it because we will probably end up going down that same track sooner rather than later.
Hear from you soon
Posted on September 21, 2013 at 3:26 PM
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bluey
Total Posts: 10
Joined: September 12, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Oh and I'm not sure what my AMH was. Is that a predictor of how many eggs you have left? I think I remember them saying that because I was young, my AMH was good. The dr did mention ovarian drilling to us too, but i was not so keen. Not at this stage anyway. What would be the benefit of you doing ovarian drilling? Would it be so that you can ovulate on your own and try to conceive naturally?
Posted on September 21, 2013 at 3:31 PM
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lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi Bluey,
Thats a jump, from 1 to 5 follicles. Did they offer to do IVF instead? I don't think 5 eggs is ideal for IVF though. I think they like about 10. Im interested to know what they said when you wanted to do timed intercourse the first time. Thats what we planned to do because stats show not much difference in success comparing TI and IUI. But they talked us out of it but interesting there are couples thinking the same about this. I really don't think you could have done anything different. Just try eat healthy and exercise a bit...thats another battle in itself!
I will be taking 100mg puregon daily. I know that is a lower dose than average but normal for PCOSers and based on the AMH result. AMH indicates ovarian reserve. Women with PCOS usually have a great AMH. Also, its known that PCOS women often reach menopause later than average (because we're keeping our eggs). And after age 30, women with PCOS experience better menstrual regularity. There is hope if all else fails. I believe I will get pregnant naturally at some stage in my life.
Ovarian drilling sounds bad doesnt it. Apparently it gives you like a 6month window of getting pregnant naturally. I asked the Dr if clomiphene is used with this, and she said it wasnt necessary. But she definitely didnt recommend it as a first line treatment.
What dose were you on for your IUIs? What will it be next cycle? How long did it take your 1 egg to mature on your first cycle?
Posted on September 21, 2013 at 8:17 PM
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bluey
Total Posts: 10
Joined: September 12, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi lilly,
They didnt exactly offer IVF during my last cycle when I overstimulated, I think it was just more of a statement about what my ovaries were looking like on the ultrasound. But it truely did make me think, take the eggs while they are there and make the most of having any eggs at all!
The dr never had a problem with us wanting to do timed intercourse. We know its my PCOS that is the issue as DH doesnt have any problem with his swimmers. So we decided the first round of injections that once the egg was there we could give it a shot with normal intercourse, but when that ended in a BFN, we made the call to stop mucking around and try to get this baby made in the most direct (??) way possible. You kind of know what I mean? It feels like each month we dont get our BFP is more time wasted. I feel like being a mum and having a baby is all I have ever really wanted, and now the time has come to have one, its just not happening for us. Its so hard.
The healthy eating and exercise can be tough. I work out at least three times a week and I have been trying my best to decrease my sugar intake. I recently finished the I quit Sugar 8 week programme, and I found it fantastic. In fact that was the cycle where I grew one straight forward follicle. SO it really makes me think that cutting out sugar really is one major way to help deal with PCOS and the likelyhood of being insulin resistant.
The dose of Puregon I have started on for both cycles was 50 units. During both cycles, the dose was increased to 75 units around day 14-16 as my bloods showed that my levels were dropping off (I think it was oestrogen? or progesterone? I get the two mixed up).
On my first stim cycle I started to grow a lead follicle on day 22, it was 19mm. The following day I had a trigger shot and away we went! I was so excited, it all seemed too easy... too good to be true
Yesterday I added up the cost of our fertility treatment so far... and it was over $7000. Ouch. Are you also paying privately, or do you qualify for funding?
Posted on September 22, 2013 at 12:37 PM
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lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
We are paying privately because we aren't eligible for another 18months. Thats because I have a child already. So I got less points. You can ask for a copy of your CPAC form. They would have asked you how long you've been trying, and by what the problems are you are given points. I think the biggest area we lost points on was how long we had been trying. And you get less points for having a child already...obviously. Once we have been trying for 3 years we get enough points to be eligible. Only then can we go on the waiting list!
We have paid less than $1000 so far. IUI can be just as expensive as IVF, or a heap cheaper if you're lucky. Who knows? I just keep telling myself, you cant put a price on a baby. But i'll be honest, if I wasnt so impatient we probably would have tried IUI first. When does your next cycle begin? Hoping "AF" (as they call it) arrives early Oct on its own.
Posted on September 22, 2013 at 1:29 PM
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bluey
Total Posts: 10
Joined: September 12, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi lilly
You're exactly right, you cannot put a price on a baby it's hard but it's so going to be worth it! My next cycle will start when I get my period, which they said could take up to three weeks from when I had my last scan (when my cycle got cancelled). But it's been one week and I have started to spot so I think AF is on its way. I'll see what it's like tomorrow. The clinic said I might need to get some bloods done to see if it is my proper period. If it is then I will probably start injections again on day 2.
I love the excitement at the beginning of a new cycle! Knowing its a fresh start, and having high hopes I bet you are looking forward to your cycle too?
Posted on September 25, 2013 at 1:09 PM
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lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi Bluey,
yes really excited to finally get going with this. Start provera next week if no AF before then. I had tiny bit of spotting on 26th and again today. Keep hoping it means AF is on its way but then it goes away! How frustrating it is! Anyway time seems to be going fast...or maybe I've finally adjusted to the huge drag this has been. Got my medications the other day. Did AF arrive?
Posted on September 29, 2013 at 9:01 PM
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bluey
Total Posts: 10
Joined: September 12, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi lilly,
Yea it did, I had one day of spotting then proper bleeding the following day so then I had blood tests done. The clinic rang to say that my blood results showed that I had "completely down-regulated" which confirmed it was my period and I could start a new cycle, YAY! So it was a pleasant surprise to get AF earlier than expected...haha who would have thought a person trying so hard for a baby would be so excited to get her period!
I started injecting Puregon on Friday night, starting at my usual dose of 50 units. Blood test on Wednesday to see how my levels are and when to have a scan. I hope we have a better cycle than the last one!
Did you tell the clinic you had been spotting? Do you think it is AF yet? Maybe they might suggest you do a blood test like I did?
FIngers crossed you get a period on your own, but at least you have the back up option of taking Provera if you need to. That's usually what I have to do too
Posted on September 29, 2013 at 9:24 PM
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lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi bluey, hope your bloodtest result is good tomorrow. I haven't phoned the clinic because i get just one spot then nothing more. Definitely not AF. Will call them on Thursday to start provera. How are you feeling so far?
Posted on October 1, 2013 at 7:23 PM
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bluey
Total Posts: 10
Joined: September 12, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi lilly
Looking forward to hearing my results tomorrow, although I always tend to start off quite slowly. I'll be sure to ask what exactly my results are tomorrow because it was around this time last cycle that I started to get spotting and I think it messed up my cycle a bit.
I feel fine, the injections don't tend to have an effect on me, maybe because I'm on quite a low dose. I've had a couple of twinges on my left side so I'm hoping that my old follicles haven't turned into cysts which I have read about on other forums.
I'm looking forward to hearing about your cycle when you get started!
Posted on October 1, 2013 at 9:01 PM
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lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi bluey,
How did your test go? Compared to yr others?
I'm starting provera tomorrow. Yaaay!
Posted on October 2, 2013 at 7:31 PM
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bluey
Total Posts: 10
Joined: September 12, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi lilly
My results from today were good thanks! The nurse left a message (because I was busy at work) saying that my levels are looking great, higher than what they were this time last cycle so she said we could have better luck this time. I'm so happy. Trying not to get my hopes up too much but it is very encouraging to hear. So I continue on my same dose and have another blood test Friday.
Yay for you! Getting the ball rolling tomorrow! Will you be taking Provera twice a day for 7 days then waiting for AF?
Posted on October 2, 2013 at 9:20 PM
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lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Hi Bluey
Hi Bluey,
I have received the most shocking news..... I can't believe it still. I found out on Thursday I am pregnant! I had to do the routine hcg bloodtest before starting provera. Got a phone call from the nurse later that day. Congratulations, she said. My hcg was 51! I did another one the following day to make sure it was going up, and it had nearly doubled in one day! How can this have happened, I keep asking myself. It is a miracle! We are over the moon. I really thought my body was broken! I didnt respond to clomiphene so how how could I do it all by myself? I feel so much relief. I wanted to keep it hush for 12 weeks... couldnt do it. I just want to shout it from the roof top. I have a scan on the 17th to hopefully see a little heartbeat. Today I am 4 weeks + 2 days, guessing by my hcg level. Last month I felt devastated that we had to wait another month to start treatment because the amh test hadn't been done and it would take 2 weeks to get the result. Good thing that happened. We've just saved $10,000! (the least of our joy!) I feel like this has all meant to be exactly as its turned out. You know that spotting I was having the other day? Implantation bleeding! I did see a naturopath a month ago in Tauranga. She prescribed me some herbs and supplements and advice. Around the time I would have been growing my follicle, I was drinking lots of water, heaps more than I normally do. I also had a few days early in the cycle of eating tablespoons of ground flaxseed (mixed with water ... quite revolting) and had some cups of spearmint tea when I remembered. A combination of all this + God's perfect timing has made this happen. I know PCOS women often get pregnant naturally, but I thought I was a severe case and i could never be that lucky (again). I feel very very blessed I really would love to hear how you are getting on with your cycle and hopefully hear you have the same wonderful news soon. How are you getting on?
Posted on October 6, 2013 at 8:47 PM
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bluey
Total Posts: 10
Joined: September 12, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi lilly
OMG! That is amazing news! Congratulations! This is the kind of thing you hear about but think it would never happen to you. Incredible! I can understand how surprised and excited you are, and why you would be wanting to shout it from the rooftops. Do you think it was the naturopath that helped? I have often thought about going down the natural path myself but always seem to get talked into another medicated cycle. Are you feeling well with the pregnancy? When's your due date? I bet you are looking forward to seeing the scan.
I'm still chugging along with my puregon and blood tests. Nothing to really report yet.
All the best hun, you are so lucky!
Posted on October 7, 2013 at 9:18 AM
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lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi Bluey,
Im really worried now. I am one of those people that, at every stage, obsesses & googles everything. I wish I hadn't done another hcg today. It was 260, I put it into an online calculator which gave it a "doubling time" of 50 hours. Hcg needs to double every 48 to 72 hours right? But everything I've read says that normal pregnancies, in the very early stages (like me) usually have a faster doubling time. At this time, it should be about 40 hours. Gosh, looking at what I'm writing shows me I am stressing way too much. Looking too much into this. I know there is a variation of normal, I guess I was hoping it to have increased at a faster rate, like it did between the first two. I cant believe I am worrying so much. Im just need to let it go. What will be will be.
Posted on October 7, 2013 at 8:20 PM
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lilly
Total Posts: 14
Joined: August 20, 2013
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Re: PCOS IVF versus IUI
Hi bluey,
How is yr cycle going? I'm sorry I sounded stupid in my last post. I'm feeling more relaxed about everything now. I haven't even had another hcg done yet. I'm sure everything is alright. Hope yr ok and it's going good for you.
Posted on October 12, 2013 at 1:17 PM
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