Afternoon all
Gosh it's been very busy on here over the last week! Apologies again for going AWOL. I managed to contract the vomiting bug that's doing the rounds and have been rather incapacitated since the weekend! Anyway, I'll attempt to catch up!
Josie What devastating news. Absolutely awful 
. I really hope you are just taking a long time to respond. Why won't they try again? Sorry but I don't know what your reason is for subfertility. Is it possible to try a different protocol or something? Could you get a second opinion?
Your question is spot on about the stims and buserelin working against each other. You need to down reg to stop premature release of any eggs from the follicles. However, in the long protocol (which uses an analogue to shut down the pituitary gland) you down-reg first, I think, then start stimming. In the short (antagonist protocol) you start stimming on day 3 of your cycle and later add in an antagonist drug that binds to the LH stopping the surge (and premature ovulation). Therefore you don't shut down your pituitary gland. The short protocol capitalises on the fact that your normal hormones are still running in the background, so it's possible to mildly stimulate on it or aggressively stimulate. At least I think that's roughly how it works. The short antagonist protocol isn't suitable for all, but a recent Cochrane Review showed it to be as effective as the long protocol in terms of live birth rates, but with a lower risk of cycle cancellation and OHSS. Many clinics avoided it until recently in the false belief that the live-birth rate was lower, which isn't the case. Of course, it's not suitable for all and I am sure your clinician has picked the best protocol for you. But sometimes clinicians get set in their ways. Just saying.
Also, from what I've read on Google,there are two main reasons that clinics haven't adopted the antagonist protocol (although remember that it may not be appropriate for you anyway ? I don't know). First, conservatism of an individual clinic's consultants, and second the hours over which the clinic operates. I believe planning is harder for clinics using the antagonist protocol and so more difficult for a small clinic operating a five-day service to offer it. I was on the short (antagonist) protocol for my first cycle as an NHS patient (with good ovarian reserve). Although I'm now a private patient, I'm still with the same clinic, which is NHS managed. I don't think there's much difference in the cost of the two protocols, it's more down to scheduling rather than NHS vs private (as Jumping said).
Lumili How are you doing? Feeling any better at all, or still low? I'm still very much in the dumps.
We did have our review appointment with the clinic on Thursday. We discussed doing a number of further tests. One of the registrars at the clinic is writing an MD on recurrent implantation failure, so they offer a pretty comprehensive service. However, it takes months to get some of the results back AND they stressed that they probably would find nothing. This would delay us doing another round of IVF until September. Because I got pregnant on the first cycle and then miscarried, they seem to think if we persevere we'll get there. They did say that they would recommend further investigation after a third failed attempt. So, after much thought, we've decided to give it another bash in May / June and then investigate if that fails.
After some thought, DH and I have decided to change strategy next cycle and have what appears to be the best two embryos transferred at day 3, and any left over cultured to day 5. If on day 5 there are some beautiful blastocysts, we'll freeze them and attempt to transfer on a subsequent frozen cycle should the fresh one fail. To date all our embryos have failed at blastocyst stage, and our hope is they might do a little better if popped back inside me earlier. Might not work, but we're desperate! Clinic is being supportive if we want to do this.
CareBear Glad to hear your transfer went well. How's the 2ww progressing? Agonising, isn't it? Wishing you lots of luck.
We've decided not to do egg donation next time, but only because PiL have been superstars. They didn't realise we didn't get NHS funding and have ?lent? money, to pay back when we can afford 
which will cover us for another round. I would like to egg share though; it would be great to give another woman the chance of having a baby. I do think I might get timed out though - I'm already 33! DH is considering sperm share too, although is asthmatic so not sure if he'll be rejected?
Karbea Your drug regime sounded really complicated, but 8 eggs is fantastic and 5 fertilising is a superb result. Fingers crossed for you!
Jumping Yes, you definitely have to give it a try. I don't think you can leave the frosty in the freezer. You'd simply think ?what if?. Good luck for your transfer. Has the date been confirmed yet?
Zeebee Sorry to hear your lining isn't progressing so quickly. How frustrating.
Lizzie I'm seeing the counsellor at my clinic and have also found it really useful. It's good to have somewhere to vent and cry. A bit llike this thread, really 
Well sorry for mega post. Again. I promise I will attempt shorter but more frequent posts in the future.
to everybody that I haven't namechecked. Sorry - no offence intended.