What Should I Do? Please Help

Currently I am on:

5mg of femara
150 of gonal-f every other day
trigger
back 2 back IUIs

After all of this medication, I only produced one egg- but it was a good size.

For next months cycle.... should I keep the medication the same or increase it a bit in order to produce more eggs?

DH from the beginning has said he is totally okay with twins..... me on the other hand was iffy because of the financial aspect...but now its like I feel like if its taking us this long to just have one baby- how long is it going to take us to have a 2nd baby?

Please help.... I dont know what to do. What would you guys do??

Message edited 7/15/2010 12:17:40 PM.

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

did your doctor (is it dr. b? i feel like it is based on the protocol and what i remember from this board) ask you what you want to do, or did they recommend being more aggressive? i think the doctor should make this decision for you.

as far as twins, just because you made one egg this cycle doesnt mean you will make only one every cycle with this protocol. each cycle is different, you could keep the same protocol and end up with two eggs next time, or you could increase and still end up with one. just like everything in fertility, its a crapshoot!!! so i would say if you and your doctor think you need to be more aggressive, then do it. if they think the current protocol is appropriate, stick with that. if you get two eggs or three eggs, at least you will know that cycle that theres a possibility of twins or multiples. the way fertility works, theres no guarantees so you could have 4 eggs and end up with no pregnancy, or you could have 1 egg and end up with 2 babies!! so what im saying is dont try to overplan what you cant control. it will just drive you nuts!!

good luck either way!!!

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

Posted by FlowerWife

did your doctor (is it dr. b? i feel like it is based on the protocol and what i remember from this board) ask you what you want to do, or did they recommend being more aggressive? i think the doctor should make this decision for you.

as far as twins, just because you made one egg this cycle doesnt mean you will make only one every cycle with this protocol. each cycle is different, you could keep the same protocol and end up with two eggs next time, or you could increase and still end up with one. just like everything in fertility, its a crapshoot!!! so i would say if you and your doctor think you need to be more aggressive, then do it. if they think the current protocol is appropriate, stick with that. if you get two eggs or three eggs, at least you will know that cycle that theres a possibility of twins or multiples. the way fertility works, theres no guarantees so you could have 4 eggs and end up with no pregnancy, or you could have 1 egg and end up with 2 babies!! so what im saying is dont try to overplan what you cant control. it will just drive you nuts!!

good luck either way!!!

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

Posted by FlowerWife

did your doctor (is it dr. b? i feel like it is based on the protocol and what i remember from this board) ask you what you want to do, or did they recommend being more aggressive? i think the doctor should make this decision for you.

as far as twins, just because you made one egg this cycle doesnt mean you will make only one every cycle with this protocol. each cycle is different, you could keep the same protocol and end up with two eggs next time, or you could increase and still end up with one. just like everything in fertility, its a crapshoot!!! so i would say if you and your doctor think you need to be more aggressive, then do it. if they think the current protocol is appropriate, stick with that. if you get two eggs or three eggs, at least you will know that cycle that theres a possibility of twins or multiples. the way fertility works, theres no guarantees so you could have 4 eggs and end up with no pregnancy, or you could have 1 egg and end up with 2 babies!! so what im saying is dont try to overplan what you cant control. it will just drive you nuts!!

good luck either way!!!

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

This is a personal decision with so many factors to consider....but this is what i did. I did the exact same protocol 2x before i moved on. 2 timed bd'ing, 2 femara, 2 femara with gonal etc...What is your dx, and age? Those would probaly be the two biggest things i would consider. If i was 35+ i would jump to IVF after 1 or 2 IUIs. But again, thats just me and what i have taken from the long a$$ journey have already been on.

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

Posted by Otherme

Posted by FlowerWife

did your doctor (is it dr. b? i feel like it is based on the protocol and what i remember from this board) ask you what you want to do, or did they recommend being more aggressive? i think the doctor should make this decision for you.

as far as twins, just because you made one egg this cycle doesnt mean you will make only one every cycle with this protocol. each cycle is different, you could keep the same protocol and end up with two eggs next time, or you could increase and still end up with one. just like everything in fertility, its a crapshoot!!! so i would say if you and your doctor think you need to be more aggressive, then do it. if they think the current protocol is appropriate, stick with that. if you get two eggs or three eggs, at least you will know that cycle that theres a possibility of twins or multiples. the way fertility works, theres no guarantees so you could have 4 eggs and end up with no pregnancy, or you could have 1 egg and end up with 2 babies!! so what im saying is dont try to overplan what you cant control. it will just drive you nuts!!

good luck either way!!!

you said it very well..

Sometimes we get so caught up in having control over this process, when in reality, we really don't! all we can do is try our best and follow recommended protocol. if Dr. B says its ok to be more aggressive but you are nervous, then don't do it this month. See what happens with keeping protocol the same for your next cycle and then re-evaluate what you want to do if it doesn't work this time.
Try not to over think and drive yourself nuts!

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

Posted by maybemommy10

This is a personal decision with so many factors to consider....but this is what i did. I did the exact same protocol 2x before i moved on. 2 timed bd'ing, 2 femara, 2 femara with gonal etc...What is your dx, and age? Those would probaly be the two biggest things i would consider. If i was 35+ i would jump to IVF after 1 or 2 IUIs. But again, thats just me and what i have taken from the long a$$ journey have already been on.

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

Posted by angel333

Posted by maybemommy10

This is a personal decision with so many factors to consider....but this is what i did. I did the exact same protocol 2x before i moved on. 2 timed bd'ing, 2 femara, 2 femara with gonal etc...What is your dx, and age? Those would probaly be the two biggest things i would consider. If i was 35+ i would jump to IVF after 1 or 2 IUIs. But again, thats just me and what i have taken from the long a$$ journey have already been on.

I totally agree. Also, if you want to get more aggressive about things you need to let Dr B know that. If there is one thing that I regret is wasting that first month of IUI without the injectables. It was a total waste of time since I am over 35 and don't have much time to beat around the bush Everybody's situation is different, and depending on one's age and diagnosis you, a desicion needs to be made on how aggressive you should be. Good Luck!

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

I was in your exact position 2 months ago. I asked dr b if we could be more aggressive and he suggested injectables with the risks being twins or possibly more. At that point the stress of trying to have one baby was getting to me and I thought just like you well if one is this hard maybe twins would be nice because we wouldn't have to go through this again for the second. With that being said I was freaked out by the financial aspect of it.

We decided to go for it! I had 4 follies and had back to back iuis and now im pregnant with twins. The first day we found out we were extremely nervous about the financial aspect. But I look around and everyone that has twins makes it work! I posted on the multiples section and they all assured me it all has a way of working out.

With that being said you have to go with what you are feeling. I think Dr B would tell you if he thought it was necessary to be more aggressive. For me at the time it was just an option but then we later found out I have egg quality issues and Dr. B said that he would def have rec the injectables. Good luck in whatever you choose. Im ing for you!

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

Posted by allIwant

I was in your exact position 2 months ago. I asked dr b if we could be more aggressive and he suggested injectables with the risks being twins or possibly more. At that point the stress of trying to have one baby was getting to me and I thought just like you well if one is this hard maybe twins would be nice because we wouldn't have to go through this again for the second. With that being said I was freaked out by the financial aspect of it.

We decided to go for it! I had 4 follies and had back to back iuis and now im pregnant with twins. The first day we found out we were extremely nervous about the financial aspect. But I look around and everyone that has twins makes it work! I posted on the multiples section and they all assured me it all has a way of working out.

With that being said you have to go with what you are feeling. I think Dr B would tell you if he thought it was necessary to be more aggressive. For me at the time it was just an option but then we later found out I have egg quality issues and Dr. B said that he would def have rec the injectables. Good luck in whatever you choose. Im ing for you!

Message edited 7/15/2010 3:44:27 PM.

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

Posted by wants2bamom

Posted by allIwant

I was in your exact position 2 months ago. I asked dr b if we could be more aggressive and he suggested injectables with the risks being twins or possibly more. At that point the stress of trying to have one baby was getting to me and I thought just like you well if one is this hard maybe twins would be nice because we wouldn't have to go through this again for the second. With that being said I was freaked out by the financial aspect of it.

We decided to go for it! I had 4 follies and had back to back iuis and now im pregnant with twins. The first day we found out we were extremely nervous about the financial aspect. But I look around and everyone that has twins makes it work! I posted on the multiples section and they all assured me it all has a way of working out.

With that being said you have to go with what you are feeling. I think Dr B would tell you if he thought it was necessary to be more aggressive. For me at the time it was just an option but then we later found out I have egg quality issues and Dr. B said that he would def have rec the injectables. Good luck in whatever you choose. Im ing for you!

Thank you for sharing your experience Awwwww that is so wonderful you have twins!! Yes, thats what I have been recently thinking about too- that other people make it work....so we could make it work if we had twins too When I spoke to Dr. B, he basically told me that it was up to DH and I and it was up to us but that there would be a possibility of multiples. We took injectables last cycle and I only got one egg out of it. I just dont get it Im thinking of doing one last cycle with this protocol- with the femara, injectables, trigger, and back 2 back IUIs, and if its another bust.... Im going to ask Dr. B to get more aggressive. I thought for sure with the injectables I would have more than one egg and be pregnant It was the gonal- f 150 that was took last cycle.

I was wondering- how did they find out you had egg quality issues?

Last cycle one of the nurses asked me if I wanted to get more testing done- and that insurance would cover a bit, but I'd have to pay $80 for that test. I dont know what test she was talking about so I said no. Did anyone else get this testing done?? Should I also get it done this cycle?

Re: What Should I Do? Please Help

Posted by allIwant

Posted by wants2bamom

Posted by allIwant

I was in your exact position 2 months ago. I asked dr b if we could be more aggressive and he suggested injectables with the risks being twins or possibly more. At that point the stress of trying to have one baby was getting to me and I thought just like you well if one is this hard maybe twins would be nice because we wouldn't have to go through this again for the second. With that being said I was freaked out by the financial aspect of it.

We decided to go for it! I had 4 follies and had back to back iuis and now im pregnant with twins. The first day we found out we were extremely nervous about the financial aspect. But I look around and everyone that has twins makes it work! I posted on the multiples section and they all assured me it all has a way of working out.

With that being said you have to go with what you are feeling. I think Dr B would tell you if he thought it was necessary to be more aggressive. For me at the time it was just an option but then we later found out I have egg quality issues and Dr. B said that he would def have rec the injectables. Good luck in whatever you choose. Im ing for you!

Thank you for sharing your experience Awwwww that is so wonderful you have twins!! Yes, thats what I have been recently thinking about too- that other people make it work....so we could make it work if we had twins too When I spoke to Dr. B, he basically told me that it was up to DH and I and it was up to us but that there would be a possibility of multiples. We took injectables last cycle and I only got one egg out of it. I just dont get it Im thinking of doing one last cycle with this protocol- with the femara, injectables, trigger, and back 2 back IUIs, and if its another bust.... Im going to ask Dr. B to get more aggressive. I thought for sure with the injectables I would have more than one egg and be pregnant It was the gonal- f 150 that was took last cycle.

I was wondering- how did they find out you had egg quality issues?

Last cycle one of the nurses asked me if I wanted to get more testing done- and that insurance would cover a bit, but I'd have to pay $80 for that test. I dont know what test she was talking about so I said no. Did anyone else get this testing done?? Should I also get it done this cycle?

I can't remember what made Dr. B test but I had an ovarian assessment done which tells you egg quality. It was just bloodwork done on CD3 and it was sent out somewhere different than the regular bloodwork is sent. I don't know numbers or anything but DR. B called me with the results and told me my egg quality was in the low range of normal. When I asked him what you do for that he said...just what we did...be a little more aggressive!

I took follistim? I wonder why some patients take follistim and some take gonal f...I wonder if you would respond differently to a different med? Not sure though! Good luck and keep us posted!