Gonal F for embryo freezing - anyone know anything?

[rosepicture]

Hi

Not sure if this is the right topic but anyway...

Very long story, but I'm due to start chemo at the start of October for ovarian cancer. Very rare form, and I'm going to be fine. But we've been encouraged to try to put some embryos on ice in case the chemo messes up everything. We've already got a 14m DD whom we conceived first time, so don't seem to have any fertility issues. I'm also 'young' in IVF terms (29).

I've been put on antagonists and gonal f to try to get some eggs. My ovary (I had one removed) is quite polycystic so they put me on a low dose on gonal f to begin with to try to stop me overstimulating. At my day 5 scan I had about 8/9 follicles at about 5/6mm, then at my day 7 I had the same number of follicles at about 7-9mm. The clinic has since upped my gonal f dose a small amount (from 112.5 - 150). Don't know my blood results.

I'm starting to freak out - this is our one shot at this (I know it's just an insurance thing and we're very lucky to have the one child already, but it's still very upsetting to think it might not work).

Is it normal for the clinic to change dosages? Does it mean that things aren't going well?

Thanks

[eurochick]

I'm no expert but I think it is pretty normal. My friend is having IVF and she has polycycstic ovaries and like you they started her on a small dose so as not to overstimulate and then stepped it up. I'm really sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope it all works out for you.

[helenlouisey]

Hi, just wanted to wish you all the best for your treatment and reassure you that it's completely normal for dosages to be adjusted whilst stimming.

Best of luck

Helen x

[Gardenpixie]

Hi, yes it's totally normal for them to adjust the dose - I've just been through two lots of ivf and the first cycle was cancelled because my polycystic ovaries got overexcited on 150mg of gonal-f. The clinic is probably playing it safe to make sure you don't have a similar issue, it's much easier to start low and then increase the dose than to deal with overactive ovaries.

Very best of luck with it and with the chemo xxx

[rosepicture]

Thank you all - that's very reassuring - and thank you for your good wishes. This has all been a bit of a whirlwind, so we haven't really had time to get to grips with any of the procedures or terminology. We're hoping the chemo won't affect anything making this just an insurance option, but it's obviously yet another stress at a pretty horrible time already...

Thank you x

[freelancescientist]

Just wanted to wish you all the very best, and to reassure you this all sounds very normal. Good luck.

[Dannygirl]

Hi Rosie it's totally normal for dosages to be adjusted, as they don't know how your body will react to the gonal f until they start you on a dose and see what happens. It sounds like they are just being careful which is a good thing. I have had 2 cycles and doses were adjusted all the way through. Very best of luck with the embryo freezing and also your treatment x

[rosepicture]

Thank you x