FSH, IUI but not IVF confused please help!

Hi I am hoping that someone will be able to answer a few questions for me!


I saw my Dr last week for results of scan and blood test as I have been unable to get pregnant. For the scan he couldn't see any immature egg follicles and my FSH blood test result was 28.9. He told me that anything over 9 is bad so mine are terrible. Means that my body is running out of eggs rapidly. Told me my chances of a natural pregnancy are 2% or I can consider IUI with FSH injections to double our chances. He says IVF wouldn't work but that confused me as not sure why.


Need to go back to see him on day 2 of my next cycle to start injections but the gloomy news is he is not sure if I will have another period. I am just 40 and have a 21 month old who was conceived naturally and quickly. he says that because of that pregnancy only 2 years ago then he thinks my fertilty has just started to decline and rapidly.


All very depressing news as I love being a Mum and want another so badly it hurts! Anyone have any comments, news or advice, I would really appreciate it.

What devastating news HKC...about as sad as it gets when one would love another baby...I sympathize too, we're in much the same situation. Our first was conceived naturally and quickly and now I'm experiencing FSH spikes and egg quality issues too.


One thing your doctor should be telling you is that FSH levels fluctuate, next month they might be high again, they might also drop to something well under 9. You may already know this, but the problem with trying to stimulate egg production during a cycle with high FSH levels is that the drug used to stimulate is FSH. If you start off the month with naturally high FSH, your body won't be able to respond to the injected hormones and won't produce the additional eggs you're hoping/paying for. You could spend a fortune on drugs and only get one (or less) egg out of it. But if you wait for a month when your Day 2 levels are normal, you should get decent results with stimulation.


I don't understand either why he would recommend IUI with FSH stimulation but not IVF, unless it's because he doesn't think you would be able to produce enough eggs to make IVF worthwhile?


In a situation like yours, especially where you may have only a very short window to work with, I think I'd get a second opinion. It can't hurt and might help your treatment protocol. And if you want a referral, I highly recommend Dr Ho (2526-3322). He's also had all four of the oldest patients to concieve by IVF in Hong Kong (two delivered healthy babies and two miscarried).


Someone mentioned a donor egg alternative to us a while back, in a sort of insensitive way which threw me for a loop, but egg donation IS a more reliable strategy for those with poor egg quality. Something you might tuck away and think about, especially if you have a younger sister, cousin, or other close friend you could turn to...(with a donor egg, you become as likely to conceive as the woman who donated the egg to you.)


It's all so sad HKC. I wish you hope and clarity as you try to sort out what makes the most sense for you and your family.

Thanks My Thoughts you have cheered me up! Just to know that someone else understands how I feel! If my period does come I will go back to the original Dr for IUI but if that does not work I will try Dr Ho.


I don't think many people really understand how I feel because I already have one but I always wanted a big family and would love a baby in my arms. My LO is the best thing that ever happened to me and I am so glad that we didn't leave it too late to have her. I can't stop hugging her at the moment. I know she would love a sibling.


Thanks for clarifying a few things for me and for your good wishes. I hope that things also work out for you as well.

I know just how you feel about your daughter HKC :-) The last year's worth of progressing through fertility treatments has made me/us all the more appreciative of what a miracle it was to have our daughter...she's the best thing that's ever happened to us.


And you know, having a toddler around when your spirits might not otherwise be the best, is great medicine. There's nothing like being with child to help you put some sadness aside for a bit :-)


Be as proactive as you're able to, that you won't regret.

hi,


May I know preparations for IUI, you need to have FSH shot to boost your eggs release from ovulation right ?


May I know how is it go for the cost & how many shots you need ?


Is it because of PCOS we unlikely to get another child after having 1 ?


Regards

hi HKC,

i know exactly how u feel...i conceived my 3yr old girl naturally but been TTC #2 since a m/c early 2005.am on my 5th cycle of clomid with some herbs regiment...now in my 2ww period.


just wondering,Mythoughts...how much does Dr Ho charges for t injections?will try to look into other areas if clomid does not work for me..

hi poseidon

i can't clarify all your questions, but regarding the PCOS, if your PCOS just developed after the birth of your first child, that could be the cause of your secondary infertility. but it is doubtful that pcos would develop after the birth of your first child.


hkc - i am so sorry for your devastating news, and that you will run into people who tell you to just be grateful that you have one. of course you are thrilled to be a parent to that one incredible blessing, but the ache to have another child still continues. i agree with my thoughts that dr ho is an excellent doctor and will see you quickly. he is a very good, down to earth doctor.


good luck to all the posters here.

Thanks everyone for the posts. I have done 4 rounds of clomid which didn't work so my Dr wants to try FSH injections with IUI, I have to ring him when my period starts and start injecting day 2 or 3. Just waiting now for my period if iy comes! I am in a better mood now as my hubby says he would consider adoption if we can't have another one naturally. My LO would love a brother or sister so hopefully one day she will get one, anyway how! Good wishes to everyone!

hi HKC,

i'm on my 5th round of clomid with some herbs but no luck coz i think my period just came.as i'm new to the terms of FSH & IUI,could u explain how these process takes place.how much are you paying for the injections and which doc are you seeing in hk?plan to look into it since clomid does not seems to work.my friend get pregnant aft t injection and another aft 6 months taking a clomid break!!isn't it funny how thgs work??perhaps we shud just take it easy but then again i dont want age to catch up and my children's gap to get any bigger...just so tired of tkg my temp and charting my fertility.actually i'm also an adopted child and i agree that it'll be a blessing to have another,anyway how!good luck!

I will start FSH injections on day 2 or 3 of my cycle, whenever that will be! Then on or around day 14 (I think the Dr will check to make sure they have worked first) my husband will have to give a sample that day, its washed and then injected straight into my uterus. The Dr says isa around $12,000 in total each time. There is a higher chance of mulitple pregnancy which I wouldn't mind about!


Clomid didn't work for me, I think my FSH levels were too high for it to have an effect. Good luck cync with everything!

thanks for t info..i will try clomid for another few more cycles and get my FSH levels tested to see if they r normal.t pharmacist at watson told me he and his wife are also hvg difficulties conceiving aft their 5 yr old son when i went to get a basal body thermometer today-really,there's so many ppl out there trying!!


good luck to you too and let me know t good news soon!

Dear HKC,

So you will be start injections for about 12 days ? keep us posted for the BFP news....


My doc also saying that if this clomid x2 tabs doesn't seen anything after 14 days to implant....AF will come.

Then, I got 1 more chance of clomid x3 tabs before moving on to injectibles (PCO) what will I be getting ? FSH also to release eggs properly ?


Regards,

I am so nervous.

Hi Poseidon, I am not really sure what injections you would get with PCOS I think there are several injections that can be given depending on your problem


Good luck as well!

Thanks HKC....

lots of baby dust to all.