First of all, a huge THANK YOU to all of you for supporting us, praying for us, sending us good fertility vibes, and crying with us when this cycle failed. (Oh and sending chocolate to console us - that always helps!) You all have been amazing and it really does make a difference to know you have people who care. So, thank you.
We had our post-IVF consult today (or as someone else so eloquently put it - the "WTF happened?" meeting). We do have a plan for our next IVF. The doctor has no problem with taking a break, he just wants me to keep them informed about my thyroid (more on that later). There were 2 "issues" with this cycle - first, that I didn't produce many eggs and second, they obviously didn't implant. The doctor would like to focus on the egg issue because if we have more, better quality eggs, they will be more likely to implant. There are no obvious problems with my uterus or lining or anything, so that should be fine. As the doctor told us - even a 21 year old at peak fertility only has a 25% chance at implantation. (So why do I still get hopeful??) His point was that there isn't much we can do on the implantation side of things, so lets focus on egg quality.
So, the next cycle we won't do the Lupron (which apparently "quieted" my ovaries a little too much). Instead, we'll go straight from the birth control pills to the stimulation drugs at a higher dosage. I'll also take something called Ganirelix which will keep me from ovulating without suppressing my ovaries. I don't pretend to understand it all, but that's the plan. Hopefully that will result in lots of big, juicy follicles!
Okay - now for the latest on the thyroid. I had it tested in August and it was the best it's ever been (0.8), so we kept the dosage of Synthroid the same. I just had it tested last week (5 weeks later) and it was 19.8. Ummmm - excuse me? A 19-point jump?! Shouldn't I be comatose with a level that high? How / why in the heck did it spike like that? No one can tell me what happened - they just upped my Synthroid dosage. The highest it's ever been since we've been testing it is 5.2. The doctor does not seem to think it is the cause of the "negative outcome" from the IVF cycle, but he did confirm that I would NOT be able to maintain a pregnancy with that level. He asked that I keep them informed over the break about my thyroid levels and also gave me the name of an endocrinologist.
So, we're off on our merry way to a break. Hopefully, that will also allow us time to get my uncooperative thyroid in check. We'll take October and November off and then start birth control pills in December for a January IVF cycle. I don't think I'm cured of my control-freak ways - it sure feels good to have a plan.
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Way too many details about our quest for a child of our own.
The Follicle Report
About This Blog - I began this blog to have one place to inform friends and family about our fertility treatments. Eventually, I expanded it to others I met on-line who were struggling too. Now, there are links here from other blogs, so there are people I don't necessarily know reading this. I welcome anyone and everyone who's interested.
About Us - We've been trying to have a baby since May 2005 and are considered to have "unexplained infertility". The only test that has ever come back abnormal on either of us diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - which all the doctors say is not impacting my fertility. We have been through 4 unsuccessful Clomid cycles, 3 unsuccessful IUIs with injectables, three unsuccessful IVF attempts and one IVF cycle converted to an IUI, also unsuccessful. We have reached the end of the road.
This is my space to share our struggles with you and to try to keep my perspective on the whole thing. Thanks for reading.
About Us - We've been trying to have a baby since May 2005 and are considered to have "unexplained infertility". The only test that has ever come back abnormal on either of us diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - which all the doctors say is not impacting my fertility. We have been through 4 unsuccessful Clomid cycles, 3 unsuccessful IUIs with injectables, three unsuccessful IVF attempts and one IVF cycle converted to an IUI, also unsuccessful. We have reached the end of the road.
This is my space to share our struggles with you and to try to keep my perspective on the whole thing. Thanks for reading.
Resource List
- Center for Reproductive Psychology (from the authors of Unsung Lullabies)
- Stirrup Queens & Sperm Palace Jesters - blog of all IF blogs
- RESOLVE Info for Friends & Family
- Thyroid Disease & Fertility
- Shady Grove Fertility
- IVF Overview
- Hormone Level Chart
- Infertility Awareness - "Empty Arms" Slideshow
- NY Times Article on Infertility
Infertility Dictionary
- ART - Alternative Reproductive Technologies (for example IUI, IVF, etc.)
- ER - Egg Retrieval (surgery to remove the eggs from my ovaries for IVF)
- ET - Embryo Transfer (putting the embryo from the petri dish into my uterus)
- Follicle - sack that releases the egg
- HSG - Hysterosalpingogram (test to make sure tubes are clear)
- IF - Infertility (or Infertile)
- Injectables - shots in the tummy to stimulate my ovaries to produce more/better eggs
- IUI - Intrauterine Insemination (aka - turkey baster method)
- IVF - In Vitro Fertilization (aka Petri Dish method)
- RE - Reproductive Endocrinologist (fertility doctor)
- The Wand - Transvaginal Ultrasound
- TTC - Trying to conceive
7 comments:
Sounds like you have a plan and a good one at that! A lot of this seems like trial & error... as well as figuring out your body. Crazy about your thyroid levels?!? Anyway, I think a break will do you both some good. You continue to amaze me with your ability to deal with all of this, which seems overwhelming for those of us that are mere bystanders/supporters. I look up to and admire you more than words could ever express. Know that I'll be sending well wishes and love for the 2nd IVF cycle:) Love you!
GL chickie! Glad to see you back. Definitely keep us updated on your thyroid! That's insane!!! I'm dyin' here waiting for the endo to call me back. They did the whole.. "No don't call us.. we'll call YOU." crap, which I don't like b/c I'm a control freak too. ;-)
Sounds like you have a great plan. I hope that gives you plenty of time to get your thyroid in check.
I've got lots of hope for you.
xoxo
Do you see a regular endocrinologist for your thyroid problems? I would definitely seek out a resolution to that problem before trying again with another protocol. I'm glad you're excited about your plan.
i'm so glad you have a plan - and one that totally makes sense. i hope you keep writing here - i love reading your updates.
thinking of you! xoxox
God infertility sucks! I am sorry to read that your 1st IVF did not work. I am in the beginning of my 1st IVF cycle and am so worried that it wont work, unlike you we dont have a next plan. The Blogs are like an addiction to me, I tell myslef not to read them because it gets me down when things dont work for everyone,and then I read one that does and it lifts my spirits, so I cant not read them!LOL Good Luck with your next try and enjoy your break!
So sorry to hear that this cycle didn't work for you, even if it was a while back. I've heard from other gals with thyroid difficulties that fertility drugs can sometimes send their TSH through the roof. It's great that you RE acknowledges that the thyroid plays a role; mine doesn't care if I'm way hyper (where I am at the moment) or hypo (though I hope he'd be concerned about a TSH of 19).
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