45yo blocked tubes IVF any real life advice for me?

[Monkeypuzzle32]

Hi, sorry if I've broken any of the rules so far, its been awhile since I've posted on any forum and this is my 1st post,so hello!

I'm 45 my husband is 50, he has 3 children from a previous relationship and I have none. We started ttc about 3 years ago, pretty much as soon as we got together (we knew each other previously) and nothing. We went to see our GP who sent me for an AMH test (?) and my OH for a sperm test, both normal.
We asked to be referred to a fertility clinic which we are attending now, Ive had a dye test-not sure what they are called! which showed I have blocked tubes, I wasnt expecting them to find anything so that was a surprise even though it shouldnt have been I suppose, next step is having another AMH test to see if the count is more than 3, if so they've told us that we can have IVF on the NHS but we'll have to pay for it.

I wondered if anyone has any real life advice for us, I know our ages are against us but I see this as my one last chance to have a baby and think I owe it to myself to try and find out if there's anything additional I can do ror ask for whilst Ive got a glimmer of a chance. TIA

[suzylee73]

Hi :)

Sorry you have had bad news but all is not lost, you still have options.

I had blocked tubes and they had to be removed before IVF as they were fluid filled and that fluid could leak into the womb and cause miscarriage. Obviously yours might just be blocked and that will save you the time and trouble of surgery :)

You need to do some research on egg quality in over 40's. It might be that you need to consider a donor egg, which sounds like an horrendous idea at first but it can be an excellent choice.

There's a lot for you consider and you may need to accept that your eggs aren't up to the job at 45 or you may be one of the lucky ones and have good eggs still.

Good luck with the rest of your tests and keep us posting :D

[Monkeypuzzle32]

thank you for your reply, we've been told about egg donors but its not for us. I have 3/3 eggs -no idea what the test was called, compared to a woman of 30 who would be about 10 apparently so I dont think thats too bad. I think the NHS is waiting to hear what the AMH results are before they'll move to the next step.
Just wish our GP had been more proactive sooner and wish I'd flippin known about blocked tubes sooner!

[rainbowinmyroom]

I would be very surprised at any clinic using a 45-year-old woman's eggs for IVF, tbh. Haven't heard of one using non-DE past the age of 43, tbh.

[Monkeypuzzle32]

Ive been told they will if the AMH count is high enough.

[rainbowinmyroom]

I think they are leading you a song and dance, but it's your money . . . Far cheaper to use donor eggs from abroad.

[Monkeypuzzle32]

thats a bit harsh for such a sensitive subject! I'm under no illusions here but wanted some last minute practical advice for my LAST EVER minuscule chance to conceive, not someone having a go.

[rainbowinmyroom]

It's the truth. You have a less than 2% chance of conceiving with your own eggs. It is very irresponsible of a clinic to subject a person to the drugs and procedures needed for IVF when it had next to no chance of resulting in a live birth. The upper limit for non-paying patients on the NHS is 42 for very good reason, and why private clinics usually have 43 age limit for own eggs.

[rainbowinmyroom]

It's not having a go. It's very unkind to be so unrealistic to a person, IMO.

[Monkeypuzzle32]

I dont think I am -hence my OP

dont think I'll bother again

[mrsmaturin]

Rainbow isn't being unkind. It would be unkind to let you spend a lot of time, effort and money and risk your health all fruitlessly. At your age and with 3 years of ttc behind you without luck and with a known problem you have next to no chance of even conceiving, let alone having a baby. That is my advice - look at donor eggs or try and start to think about other things to do with your life. There are some stats on treatment in the UK here - as you will see the chances at your age are statistically very, very small.

[suzylee73]

In my family its historically common for the women to have kids up to 45 with natural conception, I'm letting the side down. So I know that it happens.

I tried using my own eggs at 40 and produced 12 eggs, 11 good, 8 fertilised and 1 made it to a 5 day blastocyst. Sadly it didn't implant but I feel like I gave it a good go.

I think you should try with your own eggs, you know the odds are against you but you have to try at least. If the money isn't a major issue and your aware of all the facts then why not?

Rainbowinmyroom has made some valid points and I think the cold hard truth always has a place here.

After my failed IVF I found that my opinions on things changed and in my desperation to have a child I have used a donor egg from a 30 year old abroad. Its not what I wanted for myself but I no longer care how I get a baby tbh.

Good luck x

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Generally clinics advise a woman of your age to use doner eggs as a better chance of success

Im 41 have a blocked tube and was told by my clinic that after 43 they wouldn't use my eggs even tho ' good for a bird my age ' as odds against me and if going to try again (first private ivf failed) to do sooner rather then later

Is donor eggs a total no no?

Costs vary but looking at £5k+ for normal ivf drugs depending and think another few thousand for donor but all clinics esp abroad vary in price

Rainbow was being truthful

[Lauren83]

I agree Rainbow is correct if a little blunt

I'm 31 with 1 tube as low AMH, I have no children and have moved onto donor eggs as I don't have much chance with mine

[Octonaut333]

Have a look at the Fertility Friends Site (Over 40s board). There's a wealth of information from women currently trying to conceive over 40 and success stories.

As other posters have mentioned, women over 43 tend to be advised to try donor eggs to boost success rates. However, you'll find advice on clinics that have higher over 40 success rates with your own eggs and lifestyle or dietary tips to boost chances. You'll find all the members to be very helpful and supportive. Wish you the best of luck

[ChewyGiraffe]

Don't know if you're still there OP?

Sorry you've had some nasty replies - I disagree that such 'realism' is warranted. There may be some truth for some women, perhaps even most women, but certainly not all, as you can still find reports of successes at your age. So if donor eggs is not an option for you, I think its important to have a go with your own eggs.

First of all, you'll need a sympathetic clinic. I'd love to stand corrected on this but I haven't heard of any outside London. In London, I'd try the Lister, or Create.

I'd also try taking DHEA (25mg x 3 daily). The ultra micronised versions are best. DHEA is supposed to increase egg quality. Lots of studies (e.g. by Center for Human Reproduction, CHR, in New York) have shown a decrease in miscarriage rates (thought to result from decrease in aneuploidy) and increase in AMH after supplementation for at least approx 2 months, ideally for 4 months. I understand that CHR routinely supplement all women after age 40.

You can buy DHEA online from e.g.
www.dhea-uk.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=1
or
www.ivfprescriptions.com/product/fertinatal-dhea-prescription-not-required/

This is a useful document from the Lister which shows some stats and recommendations - including their recommendation for DHEA
www.ivf.org.uk/media/54653/Low-Reserve-or-poor-response-what-can-we-do.pdf

On the other hand - there have been reports of the diagnostic dye test unblocking tubes, so maybe you'll even get lucky naturally.

I wish you all the best x

[ChewyGiraffe]

mrsmaturin "with 3 years of ttc behind you without luck and with a known problem you have next to no chance of even conceiving"

Sorry, I'm not sure what your point is - the 3 years of 'failed' TTC were due to a 'known problem' i.e. the blocked tubes and nothing to do with the quality of OP's eggs. That doesn't say anything about OP's chances at IVF, except that she's got a little older meanwhile.

[juneavrile]

I had 2 OE cycles, one at 44 and one at 45. No fertility problems other than old age! Good response to drugs, plenty of eggs and fertilisation on both rounds and 2 blasts xfered each time. None left to freeze. Chemical pregnancy first time and bfn the second. Treatment was at CRGH.
Looking back on it, I think that the first round was worth a try but the second a bit foolish. I tried to get information on the number of LIVE BIRTHS for my age for this country / specific clinics, but it was impossible. I think the figure of 2% quoted above is for getting a positive pregnancy test / scan, but not a live birth. At our age you also have scary miscarriage rates to get through. If money is no object, then you might be happy to give it a go, knowing that there's a, say, 1/100 or 1/500 chance of ending up with a child.
I second the advice above about looking at some of the older women threads on fertility friends for specific advice and stories - with an eye on finding out success rates over 44 for a baby not just a pregnancy. Ideally it would be good to hear success stories from the clinic or the 'horse's mouth', as stories about friends and colleagues can easily be DE IVF!
You might also look into Serum in Greece. They have an interesting reputation and give a rather personal service.
I wish you luck and a cool head.