community

all boards


birth clubs



my blog

Sort:
01-24-2013 at 1:33 PM
stephlacke...
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-19-2012
147 Points
stephlacker is not online. Last active: 04-11-2013, 2:44 PMNewbie

Am I CRAZY...

Apologies upfront, I don't do so well with the acronyms...

I am looking for some advice. This August will be two years that we have been trying (under DR supervision). We had our 11th, yes 11th, IUI, yesterday. This cycle was the first time with FolliStem injections and Femara. Among a slew of other meds helping the cause. Are we CRAZY to keep at the IUI for this long? We follow the rule of 3 and keeps adding in additional helpers, but I don't know at what point we should start thinking about the IVF. All of our testing has left the DR's confident we can get pregnant with IUI, but I'm starting to lose my MIND, FAITH, PATIENTS and trust that this is the right path. Wondering if it's time to request the move to IVF. I know no one can give me the right answers, but just looking for some opinions. 

 
01-24-2013 at 1:46 PM
BootsOrHea...
Not Ranked
Joined on 02-25-2012
71,975 Points
BootsOrHearts is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 8:30 PMSilver

The guidelines I've seen are that after 6 failed IUIs, it's time to move onto IVF. But, I think that's just a rule of thumb and ultimately you and your RE need to decide on what to do next.



 BabyFruit Ticker
TTC since January, 2011 | Me: 39, DH: 38 |DX: DOR and Uterine Fibroids | Natural BFP#1 January 31, 2012 | Harrison Gray born sleeping @ 18w6d on May 11, 2012 | Three surgeries and 26 fibroids later. . . | Natural cycle = BFN | 2 medicated cycles = BFN | IUI#1 = BFN | IUI#2 = Cancelled due to poor response | IVF#1=BFP#2 EDD Oct. 29, 2013, C/P 2/25/13, Bye little Ish | Natural cycle = BFP#3, Beta 1=1250, Beta 2=2230, EDD 12/21/13, Hello Izzy!|
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” ― Helen Keller
 
01-24-2013 at 1:47 PM
katekat872...
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-03-2010
5,796 Points
katekat8721 is not online. Last active: 04-20-2013, 5:52 PMBronze
1 do you have any IUI coverage?
2 do you have any IVF coverage?

If no IUI/IVF coverage, I'd stop the IUIs and just save for IVF.

If you do have IUI coverage, but no IVF, I would keep doing IUIs and save for IVF. This is what we're doing.

If you have both IUI and IVF coverage, I'd do IVF.

Hope that helps :

S/PAIF Welcome
Off BCP March 2010
TTC #1 since June 2011
BFP 12/10/11, M/C 12/16/11
DX: MFI - low count and lowish Testosterone, medium varicocele
July/Aug '12: 50 mg clomid + IUI#1 = BFN
Aug/Sept '12: 50 mg clomid + menopur + ovidrel + IUI#2 =BFN
Sept/Oct '12: Treatment break for vacation and to regroup
Oct/Nov '12: Natural IUI#3 - functional cyst on right side = BFN
Nov/Dec '12: Natural IUI#4 = BFFN
Dec/Jan '12: 50 mg clomid + menopur + ovidrel + IUI#5 = BFN
Jan '13: 50 mg clomid + menopur + ovidrel + IUI#6 = BFFN
Tired of all this crap. Taking a break. Plan: hubby on 50 mg clomid to try to raise count. T levels have tripled! Repeat SA in March.
My Ovulation Chart
 
01-24-2013 at 1:55 PM
tptbabe
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-12-2002
5,222 Points
tptbabe is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 11:21 PMBronze

katekat8721:
1 do you have any IUI coverage?

2 do you have any IVF coverage?

If no IUI/IVF coverage, I'd stop the IUIs and just save for IVF.

If you do have IUI coverage, but no IVF, I would keep doing IUIs and save for IVF. This is what we're doing.

If you have both IUI and IVF coverage, I'd do IVF. Hope that helps :

All of this exactly.

Out of curiosity though, you've done 11 IUIs since June last year? Dude!


My Ovulation Chart
TTC with MFI and poor ovulation since 03/11
TCM and progesterone supplements
Early loss in 08/11
MFI Dx in 03/12 Low count, low motility, poor morphology and high levels of anti-sperm antibodies
Treated with supplements and TCM. Much lower on all factors. Count too low to test for anti-bodies
Met with new urologist 11/12
IUI #1 12/12: Letrozole + Gonal-F = BFN
DH started Clomid 01/13
New SA shows 33 million sperm! Thank you Clomid!!!
Discovered I am hypothyroid 04/13 waiting for specialist appointment
Hoping to try IUI again in July?
 
01-24-2013 at 2:03 PM
Crystal120...
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-24-2011
29,868 Points
Crystal120410 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 9:12 PMBronze
Holy moly thats a lot of IUI's. I agree with pp that it depends on how your paying for all of this. I believe that the pregnancy rate with IUI is 30 percent and IVF takes you up to 50 to 55 percent. If it was me I would move on. I attempted 4 but three were cancelled and I finally got to do one IUI. It failed and I moved on, but I was paying around 3k per IUI. My husband has Michael Phelps in his pants so no issues with his swimmers. The dr that did my back to back IUI actually commented both days about how excellent his little guys were. So dont think that it has to work just because he has good fish. You have better odds than soemone with MFI but a BFP still isnt gauranteed. This is just my opinion, I hope it helps. Good luck to you.

Married 9-10-11
Together 6 years before marriage
Me 26 DH 28
TTC since 9/2011
Dx endo 2007 Sx laparoscopy
End bcp 9/2011
Dx annovulatory, DOR, Low AMH
Hysteroscopy due to polyp 2-1-12
IUI#1-3 Cancelled due to low response
IUI#4 BFFN
IVF#1 8/30 Beta#1 256, 8/31 Beta#2 482 BFP!! M/C 5w3d
FET#1 Cancelled due to uterine fluid and thin lining
FET#1.2Cancelled due to abnormal bleeding
Hysteroscopy 12/28/12 All clear
FET#1.3 2/2013 Cancelled
FET #1.4 3/19 BFFN
Good Luck to All!!
Crystal
Image and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPic Daisypath Anniversary tickers
 
01-24-2013 at 2:23 PM
JewelsW198...
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-27-2008
Central Virginia
19,920 Points
JewelsW1980 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 3:22 PMBronze

Mine recommends you move on after 6.  After 6 I was ready to move on...11 is A LOT.


* Me- 32 * DH- 32 * TTC for 4 Years
* *IUIs 1-6 BFN*
*IVF #1= BFP- M/C *FET- * *Beta#1: 69 *Beta#2:482 *Beta#3 1088
*Beta#4 28,318 * Ultrasound- 1 beautiful heartbeat
IT'S A BOY!!! MAX LIAM
 
01-24-2013 at 2:39 PM
stephlacke...
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-19-2012
147 Points
stephlacker is not online. Last active: 04-11-2013, 2:44 PMNewbie

Yes 11 is a TON! We're mentally exhausted. And VERY fortunate that both procedures are covered. I think because after 3 tries, we would change up the meds, I just had high hopes that the next stage would work. But after reading around, sounds like most people don't do as many attempts at IUI that we have. :( In all honesty, the IVF scares me. I don't know enough about it, but it just does and although we are well aware multiples are a big possibility at this stage, that scares the heck out of me as well.

The other part is, I love...LOVE my Dr's. And I whole heartedly trust them and believe they are working as hard as they can to get us pregnant, so I'm not sure why they haven't suggested IVF. My husband and I are both 29, so I feel like maybe that's why. 

 
01-24-2013 at 4:06 PM
jezebel57
Not Ranked
Joined on 12-20-2012
21,618 Points
jezebel57 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 5:32 PMBronze

I had only done 3 IUI's.  1 with femara and 2 with follistim, all BFN's. 

How is all your bloodwork/testing?  I think at some point I would just take the IVF because there is a better shot.  My 3 IUI's were not covered but we just switched insurance so both IUI and IVF is now covered so it was an easier move to choose IVF (RE said we could try one more IUI if we wanted). 

If it were me, I would definitely move on.  There may be egg or other issues that would only be found out after an IVF. 

 


Me (37) DH (39); Finally correctly diagnosed with DOR in 2012; Started TTC 2009; RE 2009/2010- RE cycle #1 clomid+ ovidrel + TI = BFN; RE cycle #2 clomid + ovidrel + TI=BFN; RE cycle #3 femara + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #4 75iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI= BFN; RE cycle #5 150iu follistim + ovidrel + IUI = BFN ; Took a break and had Weight loss surgery in 2011, back to new RE in 2012 ; AMH 0.43 IVF #1 /ICSI and AH; MDL protocol - ER 2/11 5R, 3M, 2F Three day transfer of 8 cell grade 3 and 8 cell grade 2 embryos. BFN. RPL testing shows homo MTHFR and hetero PAI-1. IVF #2 antagonist-ER 5/14 8R 6M 5F. Three day transfer of 3 embies. 6 cell grade 3, 4 cell grade 2, 5 cell grade 3. Hoping and praying. Image and video hosting by TinyPic  
01-24-2013 at 4:16 PM
Cypress82
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-01-2011
9,112 Points
Cypress82 is not online. Last active: 05-03-2013, 10:08 PMNewbie
I would move on. After 4 failed IUIs, I finally said "okay, this is obviously not working. Time to move on!" and made the big leap! Esp since the success rate with IVF is so much higher than IUI. Couldn't take the dissapointment anymore.

**TTC #1 since Sep 2009** Me: 31 DH: 29 (healthy, SA = normal)

DX (May 2010) = Lap #1 showed Stage I-II endometriosis. HSG normal. Tx with 6 mo Lupron (which did nothing...) Lap #2 June 2011 to remove endo, uterine fibroid, and polyp

IUI #1-#3 (July-Sep 2011): All Clomid 50 mg + unmonitored IUI = All BFN

October 2011 - April 2012: Outta $$$ (no insurance coverage) = back to tryin' on our own

May 2012 - August 2012: Mental break from trying

October 2012: New OB. Bloodwork normal aside from slightly low progesterone

November 2012: IUI #4: Letrozole 2.5 mg + Novarel trigger + monitored IUI + progesterone = BFN

IVF #1: Long Lupron Protocol,Menopur,Follistim, ER = 2/12/13 27R/26M/23F

2/17/13 Transferred 1 perfect Grade 1 blast. 17 frostbabies.

HPT 7dp5dt: BFP!!! Beta #1 9dp5dt: 108 Beta #2 11dp5dt: 368

U/S #1 3/19: One little bumpkin with a perfect HB!! EDD: 11/5/13

Daisypath Anniversary tickers Lilypie Trying to Conceive Event tickers  IAmPregnant Ticker 
01-24-2013 at 4:38 PM
stephlacke...
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-19-2012
147 Points
stephlacker is not online. Last active: 04-11-2013, 2:44 PMNewbie

Thank you all for your honesty and guidance. I think I just need to mentally come to terms with the IVF. I'm going to hope for the best for this cycle and then tell them we are ready for the IVF.

As always, thank you ladies for listening and for making me (us) feel like we're not alone. :) 

 
01-24-2013 at 6:36 PM
NYCGal276
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-09-2013
7,279 Points
NYCGal276 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 9:02 PMNewbie
i agree with all the "move on"ers - GOOD LUCK!  and lucky you that insurance covers your fertility treatment!!!

TTC#1
Dx PCOS @ 16y.o
9/2011: unplanned natural conception and MC @ 6weeks (sac never seen)
12/2012: Cycle 1: TI & 2000MG Metformin & 100MG Clomid = CP
Functional Cyst - fixed with 2wks BCP
1/31/13: Cycle 2: IUI #1 & 2000MG Metformin, 100MG Clomid, HSG/Trigger, Provera 400mg 2DPIUI = MC @ 7w4d
Cycle 3: Lady In Waiting! Planning for IUI
PAIF/SAIF Welcome! You girls give me HOPE! <3
Herbal Supplements: 1800mg NAC, Fish Oil, Vitamin D, Baby Asprin, Folguard, Multivitamin  
01-24-2013 at 7:44 PM
jadwedd
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-29-2003
21,356 Points
jadwedd is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 8:01 PMBronze
11 seems crazy high to me.  If everything is covered and I were you I would move on to IVF.  It is honestly not as bad as I thought it would be and I had every single side effect to every medication :P  Honestly, it is not that bad at all.   I do not understand how your doctor could put you through 11 in such a short amount of time.  Maybe you should get a second opinion. Because I am always skeptical so maybe I am way off base but it seems like you have good insurance and they might be trying to get everything they can out of it.  I hope that I am wrong but 11 seems shady to me.

Married 12-12-04
TTC since 07
me-36 PCOS, Tubal Problems, and polyps removed 7-12
DH - 36 extremely handsome and no fertility problems
IUI 8-12 and 9-12 failed
IVF 12-21-2012 - 2 I think perfect no matter what the dr graded them (2B)embryos transferred Beta on 12-31-12 Positve - Beta is 21
Beta 2 1-2-13 - 31
Beta 3 1-4-13 - 53
Beta 4 1/9 - 212!
Ultrasound 1/10 - Nothing completely empty uterus Beta 1/14 - 743; Beta 1/17 - 1704 ultrasound shows nothing. Officially a miscarriage. 1/21 Beta 3900 Dr. says it ectopic. Ultrasound shows a miracle heartbeat right in the uterus where it belongs! Dr. says I can be cautiously optomistic!!! Hang in there baby!

 
01-24-2013 at 8:11 PM
Happy_Yaho...
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-01-2013
33,388 Points
Happy_Yahoo_Personaler is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 1:37 AMBronze

***sig warning***

 I would move on to IVF, if I were you.  There could be other factors that you aren't even aware of, which could prevent pregnancy.  For me, we couldn't do IUI.  But we found out when we did our IVF that I have thick eggshells.  They had to do AH on all of our embryos.  Without that, they wouldn't have been able to develop, let alone implant in my uterus.

Yes, IVF is scary - until you actually go through it.  Then, after each step, it's like "wow, I can't believe I was worried about that."  And as for multiples, you don't have to transfer in a whole bunch at a time.  Your doctor will guide you on what will give you the best chance of getting a baby.  But (depending on age and health), they often suggest 1-2 embryos. 

Best of luck to you, no matter what you decide.


4/12/10 - Began TTC 8/2012 - IFV #1 - 18 follicles retrieved, 11 usable, 10 fertilized, 9 continued to grow, 2 tranferred, BFN :( 9/2012 - Treated for uterine infection 10/2012 - Uterine infection cleared up 11/12/12- Began IVF #2 12/19/12 - 2 embryos tranferred 12/24/12 - Tested Christmas Eve morning - BFP!!! :) 12/28/12 - Beta #1 - 193 12/31/12 - Beta #2 - 624 1/7/13 - Beta #3 - 7544 1/14/13 - Beta #4 - 31,067 1/16/13 - IT'S TWINS!!!! Two healthy heartbeats! Due Date - 9/6/13 Lilypie Pregnancy tickers  
01-26-2013 at 4:51 PM
Scarlet614
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-16-2011
30 Points
Scarlet614 is not online. Last active: 01-26-2013, 4:55 PMNewbie
Lots of unknowns with your post BUT please see someone else. 11 IUIs is NOT right for anyone. If you are seeing an OBGYN for this care please make an appointment with a board certified fertility specialist ASAP. 
 
01-28-2013 at 10:40 AM
stephlacke...
Not Ranked
Joined on 06-19-2012
147 Points
stephlacker is not online. Last active: 04-11-2013, 2:44 PMNewbie
I wish I had posted sooner!!! Thank you all AGAIN! My husband and I did a lot of talking about this over the weekend and I think once we get through this cycle, we will be moving toward the IVF. :)
 
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board

From The Nest Boards:
"Finding couple friends?"
marinomelissa on Relationships

"Favorite pumpkin recipes?"
laurasr1984 on What's Cooking?