IVF not responding to the drug

Posted by joyce_f (351 days ago)

We started the IVF treatment (because of the low sperm counts) on 10 May (Day 20) have the suppression injection for 10days, then started the stimulation injections (mixture of Bravelle and Manopur) from 20 May (Day 1) for another 10days, in the meantime, the doctor kept checking my response to the drug, and did add dosage afer the first scan and blood test, but still not responding very well. Yesterday we did the final check, doctor decided to stop this cycle and asked us to rest for 3 months and come back again. We were so frustrated, as that's something we did not expect at all. Doctor could not figure it out why I was not responding to the drugs, as I am 34 and healthy. Anyone has the similar experience?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by buz (351 days ago)

Hi Joyce, sorry to hear things haven't gone so well. My first IVF cycle wasn't that great. I used the stim drugs for about 16 days before my follicles reached the required size. H/ever I'm not familiar with the stim drugs that you mention in your post. I was given the max. dosage of Gonal f (450). I ended up with 5 eggs. It might be that you were over suppressed. Sometimes this does happen. On my other 2 IVF cycles, I didn't use any suppression drugs, I started on the stim drugs on day 2 of my cycle. My response was slightly better.
Did you doctor explain why u had such a poor reponse? Did u have any follicles growing during the 10 days? Understand your doctor told you to come back in 3 months but did he explain to you what he would do differently for the next cycle?
Did they test your FSH level before you started the stim drugs?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Havefaith (351 days ago)

Joyce,

Did your doc check your FSH before starting the injections? I had a similar experience in March when we wanted to start our IVF treatment. However, when my doc found that my FSH was too high he told us not to try that month.

Did you ask your doc why you had 10 days of meds before he came to the conclusion that you were not responding well?

Havefaith

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by joyce_f (351 days ago)

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for your replies. Yes, I did have the blood test after the suppression injections, and it was low enough to continue the stimulation injections. After 4 days (from Day 1) stimulation injections, I had another blood test and scan (Day 4), and dr found out I was not responding well, then he increased the dosage on Day 4. After another 3days (Day 7), we did scan, I had about 3 to 4 eggs, I had another 3 days injection, Day 10 dr said, the eggs were not really growing, so he stopped the cycle.

I remembered the nurse told me that dr prescribed a longer treatment cycle for me, as I am not too old, longer cycle will be less invasive to my body. Even the dr found very strange I was responding so badly. I never had any problems of my period, I had checked BBT for 6 months, and proved that I am ovulating regularly. My tubes are not blocked.

He asked me to take some supplements (DHEA) which may help my ovaries to response better. He may change the drug and switch to a more aggressive injection cycle in Sept.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by abitnaive (351 days ago)

hi joyce
possibly your dr might want to try you on a combination of menopur and another drug, such as lupron, ganirelix & or cetrotide.

who is your dr? i saw dr ho when i was in my early 30's (fair enough, no spring chicken), but he put me on cetrotide starting right off on cd2. we had male if issues as well.

good luck to you, joyce.

(I am based in Hong Kong)