Only 3 follicles at IVF scan. Do you think I stand a chance?

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum. I am 42 years old and doing my first cycle of IVF which started 21st November. I had my follicle scan yesterday which showed 3 follicles on my left ovary but nothing at all on my right ovary. Because of my age, I am on a 450 dose of Gonal F, along with luveris. I am not having any side effects at all except for the occasional twinge in the ovaries. The strange thing is thought that I am feeling more activity and more twinges in my right ovary even though the scan showed no follicles. How can this be? My other questions are that do you think I have any chance with just 3 follicles at age 42 and also I have another ivf follicle scan tomorrow, so do you think there is any chance of them finding any more follicles or even picking up any on my right ovary that they missed? thanks x

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks everyone :). Today is 4 days past embryo transfer and I don't feel too good at all. I actually feel like my period is due. I feel grouchy, a bit fed up and having cramps exactly like when I have my period every month. My usual period would be due in 4 days time and I am afraid I will come on and have my period before my pregnancy test. I wish I had more positive news for you all, but that's how I feel today and only time will tell x

[SoonToBeSix]

Hope things go well hoping, early pregnant symptoms can feel the same as pre period.

[Pipbin]

I had cramps exactly like pre period ones before my bfp. When is your test date?

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks SoontoBeSix and Pipbin. My test date is not until the 18th Dec, so 9 days away yet. I really feel like I am due on my period. I have had cramps all day and this feeling of premenstrual tension if you know what I mean. I can often feel the build up before I come on and that's how I feel right now. I really hope it isn't but the feeling is exactly the same as the other months I come on.

[strawberry1202]

Yes I would second what others have said, bear in mind that all these symptoms can be similar, and also all the ivf drugs have side effects which feel v similar to early pregnancy, pre menstrual stress and goodness knows what else. much easier to say than do, but try to distract yourself from it, one day at a time. Really do have everything crossed for you as I remember driving myself mad at this stage. Xx

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks Strawberry, update today, most of the premenstrual symptoms have gone, just feeling it very slight today. My theory right now is that the symptoms I have felt for the last few days could be one of two things. 1 - the embryo is starting to implant or 2 - the embryo was trying to implant but my immune system started to attack it and prevented it, reason why I felt all those symptoms but am feeling ok today. Only time will tell though and like you said the 2ww is so difficult. I know some people can have blood, immunity issues and I also have a bit of an underactive thyroid for which I am on the lowest does of levothyroxine for. I have not been test for killer cells though or hashimotos which is the main cause of thyroid issues, which means your own immune system attacks your thyroid gland thinking it is a foreign invader. If it is that, this could be what stops the embryo implanting but I haven't been tested for this and every other test for infertility has come back fine. If this ivf fails, I am going to get my immunity testing done straight away and find out exactly whats going on xx

[Guin1]

Hi hoping. Thinking of you and hoping things are going OK. Just thought I'd let you know that I have hashimotos thyroid - diagnosed nearly 20 years ago! I am on 200mcg levothyroxine daily, have been for years. No-one at my clinic or my obstetrician has ever mentioned it as a possible issue that might affect implantation. It is more something that has to be monitored during pregnancy, just to make sure that your thyroxine/TSH levels stay normal. I haven't ever had testing for Natural Killer Cells though, and know that this is an issue for some women.

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks Guin, its good to know that I am not the only one that suffers with hashimotos thyroid. I was diagnosed earlier this year after feeling run down and like crap. I was only put o 25mcg of Levothyroxine and its made a huge difference so far. I need another test January though and they may increase my dose. I read this article last night that 50% people with hashimotos can trigger killer cells, it cells to go hand in hand. So maybe that's my problem. Will have to arrange to have these tests done. Update for today also, I am spotting blood, like period blood and all the premenstrual symptoms are now gone. I feel I will be on a fully blown menstrual period in the next couple of days and I now feel this cycle has definitely failed. If it has, I will try to accept and learn from this ready for next time. I have plenty of chocolates in for Christmas and drink, so if its negative, I will treat myself to lots of goodies.

[Guin1]

I hope you're wrong about this cycle failing, but I know what you mean. After my second FET, I felt exactly like I was building up to my period and I was right. Have a look on this forum for advice on NK cell testing - I know I've read a few posts on it. But sometimes cycles do fail for no obvious reasons, like my second FET - that was a top quality 5 day blastocyst and had even been genetically tested before freezing.

Good to hear that you have some things to look forward to if it turns out to be a bfn. Have some brie, camembert, salami and good coffee for me - really missing them! And good to know that you are planning your next try, although fingers crossed that you won't need a second go.

[strawberry1202]

Hi, I really hope you are wrong on this cycle failing, but either way really thinking of you. Xx

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi Guin and Strawberry. I just took one of the pregnancy tests that the clinic gave me and I know it is a week early to test but the result was a clear negative. There was one strong line only indicating not pregnant. I will keep the other test though and test Christmas day to doubly make sure but now I am almost convinced this ivf cycle failed and that I will be on my period within the next few days. I think our bodies tell us yes or no as well and I don't feel pregnant at all. The earliest I will be able to do another ivf cycle is next april time now as my partner is away with work until then. x

[SoonToBeSix]

Hoping please don't give up, you won't get a positive a whole week early. Honestly the test you took was meaningless.

[Pipbin]

Firstly, the test you took was far too early, ignore it.
Secondly, assuming that this has failed then you and your clinic will learn a lot from it. My clinic pretty much told me to expect the first one to fail as they guess at so much stuff.

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks SoonToBeSiz and Pipbin. I will test again on Christmas day, the day they told me too test and then I will know for sure. You are right Pipbin in saying that a lot can be learned from this. The clinic is great but they do not do any immune or killer cell testing and there are only a few others in the UK that offer that service. However my clinic does offer certain treatments for this like intralipid infusion and prednisolone so I will have to look in to all of it if it fails. I wont be able to even consider another cycle until next April anyway and I will be 43 by then. Time is ticking and if this one does definitely fail, I will have to doubly make sure that immune tests and treatment done before I consider having the next one. It costs so much and I don't want to keep having ivf failures. I have heard so many stories of people who have tried over 10 times and keep failing, it was be awful.

[hopingformiracle1]

I mean't to say it would be awful, typo error xx

[BumWad]

Been following your thread and have got my fingers crossed for you hoping

[strawberry1202]

Please disregard that test result, you really won't get an accurate result until the allotted day because (i think?) The test is looking for particular hormones that wouldn't be present yet either way. I'm really hoping that its good news, but if not there will still be lots to learn from this round, just please take care of yourself between now and Christmas and try not to take any more tests until then. And we are all here for you.

[hopingformiracle1]

Aww thanks everyone, I just feel so fed up right now. I was so positive and hopeful throughout the IVF cycle process. This time of year is worse for women trying to conceive. That's all you see is families with children all excited for Christmas. People toy shopping for their kids. I was out yesterday and all I seen were couples with their beautiful children. The tears were building up in my eyes, wishing I was them. I will keep trying though and I wont give up even if it fails this time, thanks for being there for me everyone xxx

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi everyone, an update for you. I started my full period today. Not spotting but full period. I have felt premenstrual tension for the last week or so and knew it was going to happen. I know the IVF has definitely failed this time. I will however do the other test on Christmas day to doubly confirm this but I already know.

[Pipbin]

Hoping. Sorry to hear that. I understand how hard it is.

Look to the next round though. You will know what to expect so it will be less stressful. Your clinic will have learned from this too so will adjust your dosage accordingly.
Start eating well and exercising and get your body ready for round two.

[hopingformiracle1]

Thanks Pipbin, feeling a bit numb at the moment, feels a bit like someone has died, a sort of loss, if that makes sense, but you are right. I need to focus now on round two. I wont be able to do this until next April, but in the mean time, I can get myself prepared and ready for it. I will arrange to get some killer cell tests done after Christmas, eat well and start exercising. Right now, I just feel like doing nothing.

[Nyyadee]

Hello ladies!
I m new and I m hopping u can help me!
I just had a call from my clinic saying they are going to cancel my Ivf cycle as I only had 3 follicles and they were not growing, also the uterus lining wasn't thick enough! I only have 1 ovary and blocked tubes! Have been trying to conceive for 10 years! I m 36 years old! It's a funded cycle! What can I expect from the clinic when I see them next week? What can I do to prepare for the next cycle? How long till I can start my next cycle? I was on 375 menopur?
Please help? I have been signed off work till the 4th of Jan! I read something abt aspirin,pineapple!

[Nyyadee]

Hi hoping
I m sorry to hear that this didn't work! I too started my cycle same day as you but unfortunately we had to cancel the cycle on Friday as I only had 3 follicles that were not growing! I am devastated to say the least after all the injections and side effects! I m waiting to see the consultant next week to hear what they say! No one can ever tell u they know what u r going thru unless they have gone thru it??!
You said you hv to wait until April why 4 months?
You need to cry about it, and try and prepare for the next round!
I will say a little prayer for u!??

[Pipbin]

You need to allow yourself time to grieve.

[hopingformiracle1]

Hi Nyyadee, nice to meet you. Sorry to hear that they cancelled your cycle, seems like the Stimulation drugs did not work for you. When you see your clinic next, the consultant may discuss other treatment options with you and give you a realistic opinion of whether they think you stand a chance or not. That's what they did for me and then its your decision proceed or not. My 1st cycle of IVF has just failed a few weeks after embryo transfer. I had 2 eggs, one fertilised. Like Pipbin just said to me, start eating well and exercising and even taking multi vitamins and folic acid tablets. I wouldn't bother with aspirin or pineapple to be honest. Cut down on caffeine and try to get your immune system in balance. Try accupunture, some people say it has worked for them. The main thing is not to give up hope whatever the clinic says, and if you need to, find another clinic that specialises in your type of case. Look for the success rates and all the testing they do beforehand. Research as much as you can and gain knowledge, that will save you a lot of money on failed IVF