DHEA success? 40+

[CNizzle]

Hi all,
After our 1st round of IVF/ICSI ended in miscarriage at 6 weeks, the consultant has advised we start taking DHEA. I've managed to source some online (amazon usa) but I'm just looking to see if anyone's had success with it? Any hints for taking it?
For reference we are classed as unexplained infertility after trying for 5 yrs. 1 previous mmc last year, and one failed icsi cycle (mmc, last week) age 42, with pretty good AMH for age.
Thanks

@CNizzle wow!!! Three eggs with fairly good quality is a great outcome!! Very happy for you ☺️. I keep fingers crossed they will fertilize well in the next step. Good luck! Xx

Hi @IVFlife
Thanks for sharing! Could you tell us what your AMH and follicle count are? How old are you if you don't mind me asking? Good luck!! :)

Thanks @Aprilsunnyday !!

Hi @CNizzle
Very good news about the 3eggs!! How many follicles did you have at egg collection? How about your previous cycles? Did any eggs fertilise so far? I wouldn't be worried about the empty follicles, as far as I know DHEA improves the quality of the eggs and that's so critical in our age group! Please keep us informed and good luck!! :)

@CNizzle fab news about the collection. How are you feeling?

@Summerishere83 I am 37 and my AMH is less than 1. They usually only see I or 2 follicles I think. My AMH has been this low since I was at least 34 as rhats when I had test (but have been told that given symptoms it likely has been like that for a while) I have a diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency. In hindsight that has been a very long time in the making and has been missed. My FSH fluctuates from very high to normal. When we try my egg collection it will be with a flare antagonist protocol. It's really an attempt for my closure before accepting donor eggs is what needs to happen. Was set to go before with nhs then covid hit and had consents etc but then covid. And when I was allowed to see them again (I have health issues that made it risky with covid) then the co militant was much less optimistic and I agreed to cancel. But I havent been able to move on emotionally and after a lot of counselling and soul searching I've decided to try privately. They have flagged a whole lot of things. Today I need to try and ask if my NHS gynae that I see for POI will agree to some tests. (Private thinks I might carry a genetic condition)

Hi @IVFlife
Sorry to hear you have been through so much! Well done for deciding to try with your own eggs first and for trying to address other issues! Hopefully whatever comes up, genetic or not, could be resolved/ helped.
Would making changes to your life style be helpful, have you tried something?
When will your egg collection be?

@Summerishere83 I had about 8 follicles of over 17mm two day before collection, there was one that they said was probably a bit too large, last time I has 6 if I remember correctly.
Overnight we heard that only 2 were fully mature and both fertilizes normally. Just waiting now. Should hear tomorrow morning if they want us in for a 3 day transfer, if not we're booked in for 5 day transfer on Sunday.
Eek!

@IVFlife I'm feeling ok. Wasn't sore at all after collection, just a bit dazed and tired. But I'm starting to get quite anxious for the transfer. I've been using the mindful IVF app which is definitely helping

Hi @CNizzle

Sounds like a very good number of follicles and 2 healthy eggs, great news! Exciting!!
Is it the embryo grading that informs whether the embryos can be transferred on day 3 or 5? Have you got news already? 🙂

Could you tell us what your AMH is if you don't mind?

Fingers crossed for some sticky embryos:)))

Hey @Summerishere83 ,
My clinic will do a day 3 transfer if you're only left with one embryo or they're not looking perfect I think, there is a small amount of evidence that some embryos do better back in their natural environment, than in a Petri dish.
Had a call to say that both have reached 8 cells (although one is a little "uneven", but they're hoping this rights itself), so we're all set for a day 5 transfer, again better than last time where one had arrested at day3, and the other hadn't quite made it to 8 cells.
Overall I'm fairly happy with this... Nervous, but happy so far!

Hi @CNizzle

That's interesting thanks! Sorry to ask again but could you tell us what your AMH is? Has your protocol been changed at each attempt? Just wondering whether that made a difference to the number and quality of eggs they collected. Are they going to implant both embryos? Are you doing preimplantation genetic testing?

Fingers crossed for a BFN soon🤞🤞🤞 it is happy news, totally understand the nervousness too:)))

@CNizzle congratulations!!! Very happy for you on the egg making it to good condition and the transfer on DAY 5!!! Hopefully they will be perfect blayocycsts and can land:) You must be so excited yet nervous!!
I have all fingers and toes crossed for you!
One question I wanted to ask is did you go through normal protocol or was it more of a mild version?
Xx

Sorry I totally forgot to add my AMH is 9.
Protocol was broadly the same, standard antagonist protocol... Menopur/ cetrotide last time, and added in an increase of the Meno & gonal-f this time. Stimmed for about 16 days both times.

@Summerishere83 still undecided on one or two... Depends mostly on the quality of them on Sunday, happy to be guided by the embryologist & consultant, I'm pleased that that could even be an option right now!
After having a miscarriage 18 months ago, & the last round implant, but then miscarry again, I'm hesitant, but not completely averse to 2 going back in. Not sure how many more losses i could take.

Thanks for the sharing and I hope you are both calm and happy for tomorrow @CNizzle!
Amh 9 is a wonderful figure I wish we all have it!! (mine is less than 1/9 of it!! Please lend me some. 😁)
Jokes aside we are excited for you!! It's difficult to make a choice between one and two maybe but like you say I think it's great to have the options!!
I have a friend who went like I want two and she got two beautiful girls!! So all the very best for yours too. X

Hey. Had a double transfer of 4AA & 3CC this morning. Wasn't really much to think about one or two... they suggested to transfer the 4aa, and the 3cc wasn't suitable for freezing, so the consultant advised this was on-balance, the best option.
Last time we transferred only a cavitating morula, so the consultant thinks the dhea definitely helped my egg quality, to get 2 blasts from 2 mature eggs.
I'm apprehensively buzzing!

Hi @CNizzle

That's amazing about the embryo quality! And super exciting to have 2 healthy embrys transferred!!! The countdown is on:))) keep us posted, especially if you have any symptoms around ovulation time!! I suppose you're taking your BBT? That would be interesting too xx

Hope you are feeling calm enough, continuing with your daily routine and time passes quickly enough after the transfer till the test. Congratulations you got here no matter what comes next!
We have our fingers crossed for you. X

Hi there #CNizzle :)
How's everything going? When are you thinking of doing a test?

Hi@Summerishere83 I ts 8dp5dt today, I did a FRER this morning and there the absolute faintest of lines. I'm convinced this is a chemical. OTD is Wednesday. Need to hold off til then to confirm ☹️

Hi @CNizzle
The faintest of lines is still a line:))) hopefully you'll manage not to test anymore until Wednesday when they will know for a fact!!! For now it's more positive news than negative :))) try not to convince yourself of either outcomes, keeping fingers crossed for you xx
Do you mind sharing which clinic you are with?

@CNizzle thats amazing news, keeping everything crossed over here for you. Keep us posted on Wednesday xxx

@Summerishere83 I'm with GRFC in Glasgow

@CNizzle i really keep my fingers crossed for you on the line getting darker!! It is still a bit early to say its an implantation or chemical, I d rather think and definitely hope it is the former. Is there a way to know for sure soon? Xx

@CNizzle ahh sorry you mentioned OTD on Wednesday and I suppose it's a doctor's appointment!

@Aprilsunnyday it's just the official test day, I have to take a home preg test and send the result to the clinic, nothing more fancy than that.

Hello @CNizzle
How are you today? Have you done a test today yet? 🙂🤞🪷