FSH, AMH, AFC

[MrsT8509]

Hi all!

Had referral to fertility clinic through NHS. Had day 3 bloods and TV ultrasound.

Results:

AMH 2.4
FSH 13.4
AFC 8
Age 38

Consultant said very low to no chance of conceiving with donor egg ivf. I'm ovulating each month comfirmed with bbt, and opk's. Got pregnant last year but ended in early loss about 5.5 weeks.

Any info, opinions, success stories will all be welcome! I honestly don't think donor eggs is a route either me or my husband want to go down.

Hi @smashedbanana Thanks so much for your messages and sorry I've been rubbish on here recently. I think I needed to check out for a while, as it was a lot with the failed cycle then we've had another cancelled cycle since then. We've been away on a week's break with our little boy this week, and that's done wonders!

How are you getting on with the letrozole? Wishing you luck xx

@GingerRCD I'm so pleased you got away and got some headspace. The TTC journey is a brutal one and sometimes we forget all the good stuff we have to be grateful for.
Sorry to hear about the failed cycles. That's just rubbish. What's the next step in terms of charging protocol?
I started the Letrozole a few weeks ago. I had my first scan last Friday and had 2 good sized follicles. Another scan tomorrow morning to see if I can trigger. It seems like my body has responded though. I'll report back tomorrow.
I'm still on the 25 DHEA and really feel like that's making a difference overall. Are you still taking it? Xx

Yeah, it's been so good for me to get away. Spending such quality time with my little boy and having lots of fun together this week definitely helped put things into perspective for me a bit and appreciate what I already have.

That's great that you seem to be responding well to it. Two decent follicles is brilliant. I hope tomorrow goes well, definitely keep me posted.

I've asked to try mild ivf if I have four or more follicles visible on the first scan next time and to try a slightly higher dose stimulant. I was a bit annoyed because when I had four follicles on my egg collection cycle, I kept asking could I switch to mild (because four follicles is a good number for me), but they resisted it every time and didn't seem to want to deviate from their plan. Then, when I asked for it in the next cycle (if i have four or more follicles), they said yes right away. Typically, that cycle I had 0-1 follicles and that was cancelled before I started any drugs. I felt so frustrated because I felt like I wasted my potentially decent follicles in the previous cycle, as they focused on just getting one egg.

I hope you've had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend. Wishing you all the best for tomorrow xx

Oh yes, I've still been taking that as well as my other supplements. I have to say that I'm finding it hard to be really strict with my diet all the time, and do have sweet treats, coffee and the occasional glass of wine. I get annoyed with myself but then it's hard enough already without making life miserable!

That seems crazy they wouldn't try and stimulate all 4 follicles. I don't understand it honestly. I know we're meant to trust the expects but women on their TTC journeys have so much more knowledge these days (partly thanks to these forums) so it's annoying when we're not listened to.
I'm just been for my scan and the dominant follicles have stopped growing after Friday and my lining had got very thin (I had a small bleed on Saturday). The sonographer was so rude (probably cos working on a bank holiday) and I feel so upset right now. The cycle is cancelled.
I'm not sure if they'll recommend I try Letrozole again next month at a higher dose or even if I want to. I'm on my way home to eat a lot of junk food today now! I've been really strict with my diet but it's clearly not helping.
When do you start your next round? Xx

Oh love, I'm really sorry to hear that. You'd think they'd deliver the news more sensitively, but they often don't. I hope you were gentle on yourself yesterday and that you're as OK as you can be. I know how disappointed you must feel. You may feel differently about trying again after a bit of time has passed, but try to push it put of your mind for now to give yourself a bit of a mental break. I hope you enjoyed all of the junk food yesterday, you deserved it!

It is crazy, isn't it. I still feel so frustrated by that cycle. I've definitely learned the hard way now that if you want to change the plan, you have to speak to a consultant. It may not have made any difference but it nags away at me. I think my period will be any day now so I expect I'll be going on for a scan this week.

Well done on sticking to the diet. I think they say whatever you do now will benefit your eggs etc in three months' time, so don't feel despondent. I was very strict to begin with and definitely beat myself up for not being so much like that now, but I also think there's a balance to be struck as we still have to live through all of this and life's simple pleasures make it a bit easier.

Xx

Hi @smashedbanana

sorry to jump in on your post, I've just seen that you're also doing Letrozole. how thin was your lining? i'm on cycle 2 and have suffered thin lining last cycle
and on day 12 my lining was 4 but managed to get it 7.5mm by day 16.

Made loads of diet changes! Letrozole is not th answer i thought it would be! but fingers crossed your next cycle works better xxx

@GingerRCD

Thanks for your kinds words I really appreciate your reply. Yes, so frustrating isn’t it. They have no idea why I responded that way to the mediation but they are putting me on the injections next month, so gonal F I think it’s called. I’ll let you know how I get on. Just waiting for my cycle to start again, same as you…

Good luck with your scan this week, let me know how it goes. Did you sign up for the 6 months in the end? Other than the previous cycles, how are you finding Create overall? Good communications?

Definitely agree, you have to balance on the diet - I’m definitely off the wagon this week now, sometimes you just need a break!!

I don’t know where to go next if I don’t respond to the injections tbh… we have discounted IVF now due to the costs and % success rate for us personally. Also I'm 40 next year so this is really the last attempt. All feels so hopeless and sad...

@Optimistic66 I've seen you on the other Letrozole thread! On my day 9 scan it was 6 something which they said was ok. Then I had a bleed the next day and it went down to 2 on cycle day 12. Also my dominant follicles had gone so they wondered if I ovulated?
Basically I didn't respond well to Letrozole so they are trying the gonal F injections next month to support my lining. They might be worth looking at for you to. X

You're so welcome. Support on here, from someone who truly gets it, definitely helps.

That's great that they're going to put you on gonal F. That's what they used to stimulate me for ivf. Is the plan that they will do an artificial insemination or do you just have to time intersperse? Is this with the NHS or one of the clinics?

Thanks for the good luck! Yes, we signed up for 6 cycles. Cancelled cycles don’t count, we just get charged for the scans, so we've still got 5 cycles left. Yes, I find them good overall. Everyone in the clinic is friendly and I appreciate being able to follow up with a consultant in between cycles. The theatre team were great too. I think with any of these clinics, though, you really have to push for what you want, otherwise they follow a bit of a paint-by-numbers approach.

I'm sorry you've been feeling like that. I really dip between feeling optimistic and feeling despondent. I would do anything to be 5 years younger right now. It's so hard when we want a baby so much. One of my friends had a baby yesterday and it really makes me yearn for those early days again.

Take it easy on yourself this week xx

@GingerRCD

Yes, great to have these forums. I personally don’t discuss with friends as i find it adds to the pressure. Family are great but they don’t really understand what it’s like and ask basic questions or make unhelpful suggestions which I find annoying!!

I think we’re trying naturally with the injections for the first month or so, maybe add IUI after, I’m waiting to hear back from them on it. We are paying for all treatment as we already have our daughter but it’s an NHS clinic who take private patients too.

5 cycles left seems like good odds - really hope your next scan goes well. Crazy how it varies so much each month. Do you have to travel far for appointments? It’s hard fitting it all in around work and childcare isn’t it.

Also very hard when friends have babies. I try and be happy for them but i struggle not to feel jealous of their comparatively easy journeys. Our friends had a baby this year on the day our miscarried baby was due - we had confided in them about our pregnancy at the time and the whole thing was so tough - I actively tried not to see them for ages. Feels less painful now but very hard to cope with at the time.

Praying for good outcomes for us both - always nice to hear from you, thank so much for the support xx

Hi @smashedbanana,

I hope you had a great weekend in the sunshine and that you were able to do something nice to help take your mind off of things.

I know, it can be hard to discuss with friends as they don't always get it. My mum made the "helpful" suggestion a few months ago that if this doesn't work, I should just get on with adopting, which I've never said I wanted to do!

That sounds really tough with what happened with you and your friend. I'm sorry for your loss. I've had similar experiences with my two losses, and it's so hard.

I've finally started my period so I will call the clinic this morning to book in for a scan tomorrow. It's in London and I live in Cambridgeshire, so it takes just over an hour to get there. The logistics can he tricky and you have to be willing to change plans at the drop of a hat. We will do what it takes this year, though. Thanks for the good luck wishes, it means a lot. I'm praying for us both too, I really hope we get our happy endings so much.

When will you find out how they plan to proceed next month? Is it a case of waiting for your period and doing a scan to see what's what?

I'm Chantal, by the way. Only seems right to introduce myself when I've been chatting to you for a while now! I totally appreciate if you don't want to share your name on here, though.

Take care xx

Hi @smashedbanana,

Just been to CREATE and slightly weird results today. I'm on day 2 (but my last cycle was longer than recent ones have been, at 32 days) and I have 3 follicles - 22mm, 20mm and 11mm. These are very big for this stage of my cycle and the doctor thinks I may not have ovulated/these may be defunct. Got to wait for the blood results later, but it's possible I'll have to skip this cycle, too. Will let you know.

@SPR40 Did you ever have something like this happen? Hope you and baby are doing well!

Xx

@GingerRCD

Oh that’s crazy. Can they give you a trigger shot to release them and you try naturally at least? How are you feeling? That must have been a shock. 2 bigs ones too… did they give you any idea why this might have happened?

I’ve signs my period might be on its way (CD 20 but after the strange reaction to Letrozole they said it could arrive anytime) so I went and collected the medication today to start injections whenever I get my period… I think I get a scan about CD 9 to check how they’re growing, not a scan at the start like with ivf. I’ll keep you posted.

Hope you’re feeling ok after this news you weren’t expecting today. It’s all such a rough ride isn’t it… praying for us both.

I’m Lucy btw xx

Did you have any signs you did ovulate last month?

Hi Lucy

Argh, I feel so stressed about what to do! The doctor called and said their recommendation would be to cancel this cycle. They seem focused on the small follicle and said it might not respond to stimulation because of the big ones and it would be harder to track hormones. The thing is, they also said my LH was normal and my estrogen was high for Day 2, and I my mind I'm thinking is that because the 2 big follicles are good ones and are producing estrogen. They think it would be risky to proceed with an egg collection this week because they suspect they're dysfunctional follicles but there's no way of knowing.

My head is spinning. Can't decide what to do! It is stressful.

That's good that you've got your medication so that you're ready to go when you need to. It's weird kind of willing your next period along to start the next cycle, but it's what I find myself doing!

Definitely keep me updated xx

I didn't do ovulation testa as we were on holiday, but I felt like I probably did ovulate last cycle.

@GingerRCD

I don’t understand how any follicle can be that big on day 2… could they be cysts? How totally frustrating for you. Is even at 10mm follicle likely at day 2? Does it seem like a normal period or light? Do you have another scan booked?

When do you need to make a decision? I’m sorry it’s not worked out again as you’d hoped. It’s all so emotional, I can imagine how you feel right now.

Yes exactly - willing my period to start so I can start with the medication! Although I feel worried my body will behave strangely again. I might stop the DHEA once my period starts as wondering if that stopped the Letrozole doing its thing…

Hope your ok xx

@GingerRCD just checking to see if you're ok x

Thanks for your reply and for checking in on me. That's so thoughtful and so appreciated. I started typing a reply the other night but then it all just hit me and I felt pretty low all of Weds. It's so hard, as I get my hopes up all month waiting for the new cycle to start and then, bam, it's over in an instant. And, it doesn't get any easier hearing the bad news about my body each month, it still hits every time, as you're just hoping that month will be different.

I'm feeling better now. It's helped as me and my husband had a night away booked last night and we're going for a lovely afternoon tea today. It's come at the right time for sure. I needed a break from "normal" life to clear my head a bit and get away from all of the ivf, etc.

How are you getting on? Xx

@GingerRCD

Lovely that you’ve been away, great timing. Hope you guys enjoyed the afternoon tea today ❤️ sounds like a hell of a week. Did the clinic advise that you can try naturally again this month? When can you expect your period given the follicle size? Do they have any idea why they were so big or no further information?
Yes, despite years of trying I always have hope every month too. I still believe the final outcome of this looooong journey will be another child, that’s what keeps me going. I can’t imagine going through all this with nothing to show at the end of it.
Of course I know the odds are against me but I’m still clinging to the hope of it working.
I’m still waiting for my period to arrive. Feels like it's due asap as I feel rubbish!!
Feeling nervous about starting the injections but also just want to get on with it and see how my body responds…
Hope you have a nice weekend ahead xxx

Hi @smashedbanana, sorry for the late reply. How are you? Have you started the injections yet? If so, how's it going? Wishing you all the best with it.

They think they were cysts. My acupuncturist thinks I may have had a very early pregnancy loss in the last cycle, which I suspect too. I had an acupuncture session about 5 days before the scan. She asked if I might be pregnant (which she's never said before) because I had a slippery pulse. I'd actually started to suspect that too because period was late and I hadn't had any PMS, which is usually how I know I'm pregnant. A few days late, I suddenly had very intense abdominal pains, which I had to breathe through and then lie down for a couple of hours in the afternoon (not like me at all) and I wondered at the time if that was my body "dealing with" the very early loss of a pregnancy. I'll never know for sure, but that's my gut. She thinks one or two of the big "follicles" could be the corpus luteum.

We are trying naturally. The clinic wouldn't advise that, as I'm sure they'd prefer to have our money!! But, I always think that it's worth a try and I can't let a month slip by without giving ourselves a chance.

Thinking of you and really hope it's going well xx

@GingerRCD Hello - hope you’re having a nice weekend!
I thought I was about to get my period and then got signs of ovulation/positive ovulation test. This Letrozole has seriously messed up my cycle :( so back to waiting to start the injections. It’s so emotionally exhausting. I feel like the months are running out as I get older/ the odds are getting less likely.

Oh wow, it does sound very likely you had an early loss. I'm so sorry to learn that. I’m guessing you weren’t testing then? That must be hard to deal with but at least it explains the large follicles early in your cycle. How are you feeling about it all now?

Ah yes I’m the same - always worth a go isn’t it! My partner isn’t fussed about another child so not very fun for me, especially after all these years! Agree the clinic seem to actively advise against trying naturally! How much do you pay for your scans each time? The costs are crazy aren’t they…

Thinking of you and wishing you all the luck for the next cycle xxx keep in touch, always nice to hear from you

Hi Lucy @smashedbanana

Sorry again for being sloe on here - weve had a busy few weeks. We were hust away at a wedding in Provence!

How are you? I did wonder whether the late ovulation signs were maybe implantation? Gosh, that would be good. Let me know how you're getting on and whether your next letrozole cycle has started. Keeping everything crossed for you.

I'm doing OK thanks. I've put the last cycle behind me now, and still just in the waiting period. I never really know when my period will be these days as cycle is not predictable any more. I expect it will be within this next week, though. I got a bit tearful the other day, thinking it's June, almost 39 and a half, and I've got nowhere, while the clock continues it tick. It's so hard isn't it.

Thinking of you xx

Slow-- not "sloe" like gin!