Thursday, January 21, 2010

A Fresh Perspective Goes A Long Way

Hello to ICLW folks...If you're new to my blog, "welcome and thanks for stopping by". I'm going to skip overview of me (you can see a little to the side or read my previous posts), and just go straight to what's on my mind...

This week I had an appointment with a new RE (I've been seeing my old RE for three years). I was really nervous about the appointment (i.e. worried getting sad or flustered), but I left with my spirits raised. She was very kind and knowledgeable. More importantly, she was decisive and optimistic. There is something about a "fresh start" that makes me feel more hopeful.

Overall, she says she is not that worried about my egg quality, whereas my old RE seems quite concerned. She thinks I'm young enough and my other test results look good. And, she reminded me that I have a 75-80% of carrying my next pregnancy to full term. The odds are still on my side if I can get pregnant again. I did it once in 2008, and once in 2009 ....

After reviewing my previous IVF cycles, she wants to do things a bit differently. She wants to do the transfer on day 3 rather than day 5. This is because we tend to have lots of top quality embryos on day 3 and only a few on day 5. She said some people's embryos don't do as well in the lab, and the lab is not as good as the body. I like this idea because it will probably mean there are more embies to freeze for FET, which is so much easier than a fresh cycle. She also wants to go a little easier on the stimulation and aim for 10-12 eggs rather than close to 20. She thinks by pushing as hard as we did on the ovaries/eggs, my eggs and body were not in peak form (this is my lame attempt at a much more scientific explanation).

I'm very willing to try this new IVF protocol. But, first, here's the kicker, she wants me to go back to Clomid + IUI for three cycles. It seems funny that in my fourth year of trying (I am a veteran people!), I'm back to "basics". But, I understand her rationale. After my natural pregnancy last summer, it shows my tubes, etc. work so IVF shouldn't necessarily be required. And, I only did one IUI (with follistim) before IVF. And, I only tried Clomid one cycle. But, I am skeptical of taking Clomid. The one time I took it, I ended up developing ovarian cysts that lasted for like 4 months. I never wanted to try it again because it delayed the process. And, my old RE always said we could skip it. But, I talked to her about this and she still wants to try. So, in the spirit of exhausting all our options, we'll give it another go.

So, we'll start a Clomid-IUI cycle in a month. In the meantime, I'm going to get a few more tests, but nothing too invasive.

Oh, and I'll just bury this in here, I'm not pregnant per HPT today. But, I was already moving on...

So, I look at the new plan on paper, and I see what is sure to be no fun at all. I see that I am sort of stepping backwards in terms of protocols and wonder how Clomid will work when the "big guns" have failed. I know that despite the new RE's optimism, this is not going to be easy. I remember how many times I've been disappointed and crushed throughout this process and how it's likely to continue. I know all this yet I feel hopeful. And, that counts for something, right?

20 comments:

  1. Strange that the new RE wants you to do IUI cycles. My personal opinion would be go to straight to IVF. But of course, I'm sure she has her reasons for wanting you to do a few cycles of IUI.

    Good luck. I hope that IUI cycle willw ork for you!!!

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  2. Glad the appointment went well. I'm sure it is reassuring to get another opinion on all this after being with your former RE for so long. It's interesting she's having you try Clomid, hope that's all it takes!! How cool would that be?!

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  3. I think hope most definitely counts for something. I'm so glad you're happy with your new RE. It's so important to feel safe and confident with the decisions your doctor is making. And even if it seems strange, you're still taking steps to get pregnant - and that's something too.

    And we should totally chat about our local RE's! If you get a chance my email is bloggyme027 at gmail dotcom. =)

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  4. I hope that whatever pathway you end up going down that you end up with a BFFP at the end of it and a babe in your arms!

    ICLW
    Rach
    www.thegalwho.wordpress.com

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  5. I actually think it's kinda refreshing that your new doc wants to use IUI instead of IVF. She's a good egg! (no pun intended) I am of the mindset that RE's always push IVF's bc that's where they make the majority of their money. At least, that's my own experience with it. So, your new doc sounds like the perfect doc to me. =) Good luck!

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  6. Hey Marla, I like how you think! :)

    I agree, this doc sounds good. Give the Clomid a shot...if one round of it = cysts/side effects, perhaps she would be willing to change the plan at that point. But here's hoping plain 'ol Clomid is going to get you that 2010 BFP!

    PS I feel your pain: I develop a cyst after each round of Clomid and have to sit out a month...it suuuuuucks.

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  7. This doc sounds like she has a good plan in place. I don't blame her for wanting to at least try Clomid + IUIs first. She could have easily pushed IVF on you, but the fact that she didn't means that she does think you have a chance with IUIs.

    But I totally get your hesitations about Clomid. I feel the same way. Is there anything else she would consider putting you on besides Clomid?

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  8. I'm glad the appointment went well and I think it's great that the doc wants to go back to basics with you. If you don't respond well, I'm sure she'll move you promptly up to the big guns, but it's worth a shot. And you'll have peace of mind that the big guns are necessary.

    Good luck!

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  9. Hi!

    It sounds like you have a plan! I hope you feel better about the step back but it also sounds like you can communicate wasily with this RE.

    ICLW
    http://daega99-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/

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  10. I'm glad that things went well today. It sounds like this is a great plan to move on and you're right, a "fresh start" is a good thing.

    KUP on how things go! :)

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  11. Hello! Happy ICLW! I am new but wanted to say that I am glad your appt went well today. I agree that hearing a new perspective is helpful. I hope moving back to the basics will work perfectly and you will not have to think about IVF ever again!!

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  12. I recently started with a new RE and I'm also going back to IUI and meds. After 7.5 years so I can see how it can be strange but I agree with marla that I like when a dr. starts with a different angle.
    ICLW

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  13. I am glad to hear that you have a plan, but I am sure it is frustrating to feel like you are going back a few steps instead of moving forward. GL and happy ICLW!

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  14. I felt the same way after switching REs. It's nice to have a new perspective and it's amazing how much they can differ in their treatment plans.

    Best of luck to you!

    Christina
    the subfertile frugalista
    iclw

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  15. How nice to have a fresh start! I hope this new RE is the magic ticket for you.

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  16. Good to have a fresh start. Even though IVF is considered the 'big guns', each procedure has its own pros and cons. Clomid and IUI might be just what you need. I hope it is.

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  17. I can see why you would feel hesitant about going back to Clomid/IUI - it seems like it would be a step back. On the other hand, I can see where she's coming from, and it seems good that she's recommending it. I hope this is all you need!

    ~ICLW
    http://tryingagian.blogspot.com

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  18. I'm glad that you have a new plan. I hope that you get your BFP this year! Thank you so very much for joining my blog, I really appreciate it. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be making my blog private after ICLW, so if you would like to continue to follow it, please email me at suzannesteward69@yahoo.com. Thanks!

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  19. Hopefully the IUI works, and you don't have to go through the hassle (and payment, ugh) of another IVF!!!

    ICLW

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  20. I feel like we're very much in the same boat--I too just started seeing a new RE recently, and unlike my old RE, he seems to have lots of faith in me & my eggs, which has been very encouraging! We've been TTC for over 3 years as well, and the last couple of cycles have been injections + IUI which, as you say, feels weird after having gone thru IVF almost 2 years ago, but really does feel like a fresh start that could (finally!) lead to a happy ending! Good luck to you!

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