I just got the call from the nurse working on my IVF calendar. Things are happening very quickly! This is due to a protocol without Lupron suppression. The nurse started giving me dates--start doxycycline tonight, stims on September 1, possible retrieval on the 10th-12th--and I kept thinking, "How is that enough time for Lupron??"
The answer was, "You will not be taking Lupron with this protocol." We will discuss the details of the calendar and the protocol on Thursday, when I go in for my SIS and IVF review teaching.
I guess that means I am on an Antagonist Protocol for IVF #2. Antagonist protocols are often used for patients with low ovarian reserve, or low responders who do not need Lupron suppression. I clearly don't know much about protocols.
So I have mixed feelings. Excited that this cycle will move quickly, that I will be starting stims in just a little over a week! Yet, unsure about this new protocol and what it means for my diagnosis. Have they been telling me all along that I am a poor responder, that I have low reserve and I just didn't hear them? Regardless, in a month from now we will be waiting for the results of the chromosome screening. It is probably best not to think much about that now. I'll have plenty of time to stress over that later.
P.S. If you have been prescribed the Antagonist Protocol for IVF, please let me know in the comments by sharing your experiences and successes, if you don't mind.
8 comments:
Hello from a fellow ICLW :)
I have never done IVF, but just wanted to wish you the best of luck!
I have done antagonist protocol since my second IVF cycle and I don't have any ovarian reserve issue. I remember at the time, I was also thinking about this so I did a lot of literature review and a part from the fact that it's a much easier protocol on the body, they have found that it may lead to better egg quality in general. I'd be very happy they switched protocol! It is also easier to tweak as you go along, I'm very optimistic for you!!
I was on an antagonist protocol for my IVF. I had no ovarian reserve issues and I was a good responder on my stim cycles. I was on Ganirelix for 5 days while all the follies would catch up to a 12-23 mm size range before ovulation induction. All the follies in that size range had a mature egg. This was a moderate stimulation, aimed for 8 eggs, had 6 good looking follies on ER day, got 8 (!) mature eggs, all fertilized and we ended up with 7 blasts from this cycle. It worked for us. We also have 4 frozen embryos from this cycle. I was 36.5 years then. Now, we are prepping for our FET for baby #2. Best luck with your cycle, i will be cheering along!
I reacted weirdly to Lupron, so I was on an antagonist protocol. And it worked! So I'm very hopeful for your cycle as well!!!
I will be cheering you on every step of this IVF!
I'm sorry I don't have anything to add about the antagonist protocol (our issue was RPL) but I am wishing you the best of luck and sending prayers for a successful cycle! :)
ICLW#7
I don't have any information or advice but I hope you get the answers you need and that your cycle goes well!
ICLW #41
Me! Me! I have very low AMH (I'm 35 years old, but it's far lower than it should be at my age). I was on a microdose of Lupron for one week (after 3 weeks of BCP) for my IVF cycle back in June. It had to be mixed at the hospital and when I went to pick it up they only gave me one week of meds instead of the prescribed two. So, I was switched to Orgalutran for the second week of stimming and it worked amazingly well, bringing my levels near zero. I was on high doses of Bravelle and Menopur as my stimming drugs. I started with 14 antral follicles, 9 follicles at retrieval, 6 eggs retrieved, 3 fertilized, lost one the morning of the 3 day transfer, put 2 perfect embryos back, and got my first ever positive pregnancy test at 8dp3dt. I am now 14 weeks and 2 days pregnant with one healthy little babe. I have had a number of ultrasounds (the ONLY benefit of infertility) and the babe looks perfect. So, there is hope. I wish you nothing but good luck!
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