I have some questions about IVF

I am really sorry if this is repetitive, I'm sure it has been asked before, but I'm not too saavy with the search function on here.

If you've been through it, or are going through it now, can you tell me exactly what meds you were on during stimming? How many shots per day, and of what? At what times did you have to take the shots?

And what about the ER? What does that entail? Do they put you under with an IV? How long does the whole procedure take? How long do you have to stay out of work?

Thanks

Message edited 7/18/2008 9:02:44 AM.

Re: I have some questions about IVF

the meds- there are a million different protocols...it all depends on how you respond, your diagnosis, your RE, etc...some people can do 75 ius of gonal or follistim for 7 days, and then there are people like me that do 450 of follistim and 150 of repro for 14 days...so its hard to answer that

again, depending on your RE/clinic/protocol...shots are done in the morning and or in the evening...my clinic says from 7-10

as for ER- it only takes about 15 minutes- they give you an IV and you go out...very light anesthesia...just feels like a nice nap...you are up in no time. You can go to work the next day

Message edited 7/18/2008 9:07:27 AM.

Re: I have some questions about IVF

Posted by Bxgell2

I am really sorry if this is repetitive, I'm sure it has been asked before, but I'm not too saavy with the search function on here.

If you've been through it, or are going through it now, can you tell me exactly what meds you were on during stimming? How many shots per day, and of what? At what times did you have to take the shots?

And what about the ER? What does that entail? Do they put you under with an IV? How long does the whole procedure take? How long do you have to stay out of work?

Thanks

Message edited 7/18/2008 9:09:29 AM.

Re: I have some questions about IVF

Keep in mind I did 3 cycles, and my meds were different....but I'll give you what I was on last cycle....

Follistim and Menopur (I mixed them together for one injection) into my stomach. I was also put on Ganirelix, which is premixed in its own syringe. That went in my stomach also. I took my shots about the same time every night (between 7 and 8pm). After about 4 days, I went in for an U/S to see how follies were doing. 4-5 days after that, went in for another U/S, follies just about ready.....Took my trigger shot of HCG (in my muscle in my butt) that night. Had ER 2 days later.

For the ER, I was put under with IV anesthesia. Took about 1/2 hour. I woke up feeling GREAT (they give Ketamine at my clinic, good stuff! LOL). Then, I did get cramps, which I took codeine for. Was bloated and crampy for a few days. I only stayed out of work that one day.

Transfer was like getting a pap. They put in a speculum and insert the embies. Nothing to it....

Re: I have some questions about IVF

Ladies, thank you SO much!

Re: I have some questions about IVF

As the above poster stated... everyone's protocol is usually different.

Here's mine....

Start with 10 units Lupron after ovulation is confirmed. On CD3 start stims - 225 Gonal-F in the am and 3 menopur powders in the pm. I stimmed for 11 days. HCG shot 36 hours before retrieval. All other shots stop Nothing the day after HCG. Retrieval - start progesterone shots begin, also take medrol (steroid) & doxicyclene (antibiotic). for a week. Progesterone continues until beta - if positive - stay on for another four weeks. If negative stop.

Retrieval - Not a big deal. Show up, anesthesiologist asks you a few questions. Walked into operating room, lay down. Start intravenous. Drugs kick in and you are out. You wake up in recover. Whole procedure takes about 20 minutes. You need to take day of retrieval off - you'll be a little out of it and might be sore. Tylenol only.

HTH!

Re: I have some questions about IVF

Like Lisa said, protocols can vary so much from person to person.

My last IVF protocol was:

BCPs for 2 weeks

15 units of Lupron for 10 days, then dropped to 10 units once I started stims

450IU of Gonal-F (225 in the am, 225 in the pm) In the evening I would also take 10 unitls of Lupron and 5 units of Low Dose HCG

I stimmed for 9 days (my first cycle, I stimmed for 12).

36 hours before ER, I took two shots of Ovidrel

That night after ER, I started the medrol and the doxicyclene. Progesterone shots were started the day after ER once my Fert report was in.

Day of ER - Same as all the other ladies said. It's really scarier in your head then it is in reality.

Re: I have some questions about IVF

If you've been through it, or are going through it now, can you tell me exactly what meds you were on during stimming?
As Lisa said - everyone's protocol is different. I was on two stim cycles and they were COMPLETELY different. The first was just Menopur and Gonal-F at night, the second was Menopur in the a.m./Menopur/Ganirelex and Ovidrel at night. But lower doses of everything.

At what times did you have to take the shots?
Most of the time it's just nights, but sometimes you have to do morning and nights

And what about the ER? What does that entail? Do they put you under with an IV? How long does the whole procedure take? How long do you have to stay out of work?
ER is a matter of them giving you anesthesia for approx. an hour, they go in through your cervix and take as many eggs as they can from your ovaries. You usually go in the a.m., have the retrieval and are told to take it easy for the rest of the day. No driving of course. You can go back to work the next day.
Depending on your RE, you can have the transfer 3 days or 5 days after the retrieval. That is exactly like an IUI, you are awake, have a comfortably full bladder and go home. Some RE's tell you to resume your activities and others say to take it easy. It's another personal decision of your RE.

HTH

Re: I have some questions about IVF

I have PCOS...

Was on Ortho-Novum BCP for 3 weeks

Started Lupron 20 units - was on that for 5 days and then lowered to 10 units

Now I am doing 150 units Gonal-f in the AM, then 150 Gonal -f in the evening, along with 10 Lupron and 15 units Low Dose Hcg.

Re: I have some questions about IVF

Here was my stim protocol:

Days 1 - 5: 3 vials of Gonal-F + 1 vial of Repronex mixed into one shot at night (around 8:30/9:00). Dexamethasone pill at bedtime.

Days 6 & 7: 3 vials of Gonal-F + 1 vial of Repronex mixed into one shot at night, plus one shot at night of Ganerelix (all at around 8:30/9:00). Dexamethasone pill at bedtime.

Day 8: HCG shot at exact time.

PIO shots for 3 days.


ER was a breeze. Some pre-op stuff (blood pressure, etc.) then IV put in. Speak to dr. about fert report. Once in OR, IV sedation started - best nap EVER! According to DH I was out of the OR in 20 minutes. I would say the longest part is waking up and getting un-groggy. I'd say we hung around there another 45 minutes or so, drank some juice, then picked up and walked out. I spent the rest of that day lying around because your ovaries will feel sore and I did have some cramps. But by the next day I was back up and around like nothing happened. I did have some pain and pulling and twingy feelings for quite some time after ER, but nothing that required down time or time off of work.

Re: I have some questions about IVF

I did BCPs for 3 weeks first. Then once I got the ok, I started stimming on menopur (first subq- then switched to IM) and took dexamethasone every night so far. The last 2 nights I've taken an injection of ganirelix as well (subq). I am on my 11th night of stimming, and as of now have no clue when my ER will be- I'm hoping by early next week though. I'll update you when I can!

Re: I have some questions about IVF

As others have said, everyone's protocol is different.

The only thing I want to mention is, you will definatley have to take off of work on the day of the retrieval. They don't want you driving after that. For the transfer, that's up to you. I've always taken off and rested but, the doctor said I could have gone to work and I know some people do. It's up to you.

So, does this mean you've made your decision????!!!!!

Re: I have some questions about IVF

Posted by myson220

As others have said, everyone's protocol is different.

The only thing I want to mention is, you will definatley have to take off of work on the day of the retrieval. They don't want you driving after that. For the transfer, that's up to you. I've always taken off and rested but, the doctor said I could have gone to work and I know some people do. It's up to you.

So, does this mean you've made your decision????!!!!!

Re: I have some questions about IVF

Posted by Bxgell2
And yes, I think we've made our decision

Re: I have some questions about IVF

For me it's 3 weeks of BCP during which time I had a water sono and endo biopsy. I will be on Gonal F and Repronex (a single mixed shot). Then I will add Ganirelix to that same shot for a few days. Then the HCG shot, ER, ET. Then PIO shots for a while followed by progesterone suppositories and estraderm patches if needed. The whole process from BCP to beta is 6 weeks for me.

Re: I have some questions about IVF

Me too, 2 IVF's totally different both for poor responders and high FSH, both did not work for me.

#1=MDL (micro dose lupron protocol) - BCP's for 21days, Lupron (10 units per day, 5 in AM, 5 in PM), Gonal-F (300 in the AM), menopur (2 vials in the PM) and Ovidrel. Stimmed for 9 days.

#2=EPP (estrogen priming protocol) - estrogen patch CD21, changing every other day (i still have a mark from it, I'm v. sensitive with adhesives), ganirelix started day after patch until I got AF. Patch stays on until it falls off (mine never fell off), CD2 started Gonal-f (300 in the AM) and Menopur (2 vials then upped 3 vials in the PM), Ganirelix for suppression when follies hit 12'ish, Ovidrel. I stimmed for 14 days.

Re: I have some questions about IVF

Good luck Beth! I am excited for you