Duo stim month!

[goinbonkies]

Hi all,

Anyone done duo (dual?) stimulation before? I've done 4 cycles now and going to do one last duo cycle before I throw in the towel - wanting to know what to expect with the additional stimulation. How many days between egg collection and second stim? How many eggs collected? Duration of duo stimulation?

My AMH is 14.1.

I started injections yesterday and after an IVF-free Nov/Dec, I'm weirdly looking forward to the injections each night!

Thanks for reading :)

How did it go OP? Mine doesn't seem to be sticking and we didn't get any for the freezer but I do think it's a better protocol for me and wish I had done it this way years ago.

Similar AmH to you, 40 with a DS from IVF. We tend to not make good embryos but numbers were
7, ICSI, 4 normal, 2 embryos but not good enough to freeze
Then
14, IVF not ICSI, 9 fertilise, 3 embryos to in and one not good enough to freeze

Early bleed after 1st and Lining rebuilt quickly so was allowed fresh transfer given our freeze challenges

4BC and 3BB

TWW no line and test date Wed

Still recommend the duo!

My thoughts last night were “I’m running out of tummy to poke!” 😅but wished I had known about this (DuoStim) sooner really, given my age. The first retrieval produced 2 blasts - 5AB and 4BB. I’m getting scanned today to confirm second retrieval date, hopefully this Wednesday.

We usually get 2-3 good blasts from each cycle but I have had 2 transfers and they didn’t stick either. I will be doing a Hysteroscopy next and also to check implantation window before next (frozen) transfer. We have decided not to test the embryos too.

Also to add - we did MACS ICSI this time. It separates out the bad sperm so I’m hoping this means the sperm used for ICSI is normal.

How many days past transfer are you? Will you be trying again?

Those are very good blasts. Fingers crossed!

I am 9 days post transfer, not testing tomorrow and then will test the final Wed.

We are done and I'm working through that pre-emotively.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏼did you use a FRER?

Today was test day and still negative. We haven't made quality embryos for several cycles despite a very good number of follicles. So we are done now.

I told my friend who had a failed IVF and was post 40 not to stop trying those first few months after- even though that might be what you feel like- because there can be increased fertility right after.

She's pregnant at 42 and due in a few months. So while I think our chances are slim I won't get rid of the baby stuff just yet because these things can and do happen.

How's yours going? 🤞

Sorry about that, it is indeed disappointing. I’m 42 later this year and I am really hoping there is at least one successful round for me. How old were you when you had your DS? Did you test your embryos?

It’s egg collection day tmr 🤞🏼I was chatting with my parents this morning and they said one of my aunties tried for a long time and finally fell pregnant when she was in her late 30s; I think naturally, and after that first one, out popped 2 more subsequent years! Always good to know there are good news stories as such.

I had free NHS ivf at 36 and my son was born at 37. It was 6 years of trying, a failed marriage and a round of IVF. He was the perfect waterbirth labour I had hoped for because I wanted no interventions after IVF. We waited a bit and then drew down the frozen and did other rounds.

I never tested embryos as you can't with a fresh transfer and haven't made enough to test- you usually send off 3 or more because they can be damaged in testing. I assume this last lot would have been abnormal if tested.

Tomorrow you may have less collected than you hope as they may leave some behind for the second collection. Duostim is unique like that, so if you have an amount you normally get don't let this knock you.

I bled quickly after the first collection and that's why I had lining ready for the fresh transfer but they will tell you the whole way it's a likely freeze all and re-evaluate based on your progress. The nurse said they are finding a lot more flexibility in duostim.

As you make quality embryos it might be worth recovering a bit before transfer. By the time you get the second round you might be feeling it!

Mine were a bit slow growing in round 2 and the second collection was delayed twice but we had a strong number in the end. I'm glad we waited to collect and didn't just go to schedule and get the few that were ready. I think we ended up stimming an extra five days! 😵‍💫

Just reread- this is your second retrieval.

You're nearly done now!!!

Thanks for the information, very helpful 🙂. No one told me (not even Google!) I was going to bleed after the first retrieval and I don’t know why I assumed I won’t have my period that month because of the meds 😁I also bled longer than usual.. the doctor said my body is confused as I’m making it do the opposite of what it’s supposed to do.

He’s advised I do the hysteroscopy next cycle and then the FET the following one. I wanted to transfer ASAP but it hadn’t stuck in the past so I will listen to the experts this time.

I have good embryos but none of them worked, not even an euploid. I have had an untested 2AA implanted but failed, an euploid failure and an untested 5AA failure. Really hoping this next transfer sticks 🤞🏼

Bleeding properly now but my ovaries hurt like I'm going to ovulate soon. I suspect confused is very apt to describe my body after this!

It will recover with time. I hope you take care of yourself and have some nice things planned. It’s such a difficult journey. I have been so disciplined with my food intake, and all I’m thinking of now is what I want to eat after retrieval tomorrow! And after that, I’ll start stressing about day 5 embryos!

@goinbonkies i know this is an old thread but how did the Duostim cycle go for you?