IVF before Chemo!

h0pe

Hi - I am in the middle of my IVF cycle. My follicle growth is not synchronizing. I'm on day 6 of shots and my lead follicle is 19mm, with 11, 11, and 15 following. I'm so stressed and upset. Clinic just said it is not typical to have such a variance in follicle sizes. Anybody have any experience/success with IVF before chemo?

sakura73

Hi h0pe - I tried IVF before chemo but my egg harvesting cycle was a dismal failure. I still count the day of egg retrieval as the lowest point in my cancer journey. So I don't blame you for feeling anxious. But for me the story ended well because with the help of Zoladex shots during chemo my fertility was preserved naturally and I was able to conceive on my own.

So, while things may well sort themselves out for you in this cycle, if they don't, it doesn't mean all is lost, so keep your chin up!

h0pe

sakura73 - thank you for your reply. I'm trying not to stress as it is not good for me. I'm just so frustrated. Were you able to get any embryos? I am BRCA 1 so they want me to take out my ovaries soon. Just keeping my fingers crossed at this point...

sakura73

I got 2 eggs, which I froze. I also froze part of one ovary. So I didn't make any embryos.  If your doctors want you to have your ovaries removed I can see the additional impetus for you to get a good result now. I know ovarian removal carries its own health consequences so I am sure you are taking advice on that. 

Best of luck!!!

laura_ingalls

hi ladies. I was just diagnosed 8 days ago. I am expecting my period within the next day and I am all set up for a fertility preservation cycle of ivf. Basically I will be using ivf to get frozen embryos to be used later. I already have a son but I love children and I don't want my son be an only child. I am one of 5 children. On the day of my diagnoses I told each of my siblings and it was wonderful how much they rallied around me. I want the same support for my son.

Please let me know if you have any advice or tips for me.

Finally I am so sorry for what all of you have gone through. Hugs.

Laura*

Nwkgoldfinch

Hey Laura - How did your cycle end up going? I was diagnosed a few days after you, and also had to make choices about fertility. I don't have any kids, am 33, and married. I was really overwhelmed by having to make the decision to do the fertility preservation at first. It made me really angry that I had to do this on top of everything else, and that was fueled by fear that putting off treatment would cause me harm. But, all my doctors said it was okay to do wait a few weeks. I was put on tamoxifen a couple days ago and I start my injections tonight.

I hope you are doing okay.

- Liz

heidi16

Hi girls, I know this is an old thread but just wondering if any of you did two ivf cycles before chemo and how long was the delay between surgery and start of chemo?

Liz: I just finished a cycle and none of my embryos made it to Day 6 I hope your cycle will be going better! When was your surgery?

laura_ingalls

dear Nwkgoldfinch and heidi16,

i am sorry i didn't reply earlier, i got caught up with all the appointments and follow-ups! and of course there is always work...

just to update on the ivf: so far i have 2 frozen embryos saved for the future. of course God is the Creator and He will do what is best.

Nwkgoldfinch: how did your cycle go?

heidi16: please message me for personal details on the two ivf cycles. i haven't had surgery or chemo yet, i had to have more testing.

please keep me in your prayers!

love and hugs!

*

ParakeetsRule

This topic is a little old but I'll revive it! I'm doing the IVF cycle right now! It will just be eggs since I'm not married and my current relationship is not at a place where embryos are an option, if you know what I mean. But I'm okay with that. The process itself stinks though because I really hate giving myself shots and am seriously considering going back every morning so they can do them for me. Ugh.

El_Tigre

Hi Parakeets,

I was DX at 36 and did egg and embryo harvesting. We had a small window but had great results. I gave myself the shots, and hated it but told myself it was only temporary. The pinch and press technique helped with the pain and I had mild bruising. I also asked to be put on Letrozole to make sure my estrogen didn't go through the roof since i am ER+. We found out about letrozole on these boards.

Livestrong helped us a great deal through the process. The egg harvesting day couldn't come soon enough. I felt like a pin cushion and bloated as hell.

The procedure went smoothly and I was awake and in no pain what so ever.

We did 1 cycle between a BMX and chemo. OHSU Dr. Wu

ParakeetsRule

I'm on Letrozole too, I actually started that even before the shots. I didn't have to ask they just told me to start taking it and why, so I did, and then began the shots the next day. During this morning's appointment the doctor said she might trigger me tomorrow!! Yay!

El_Tigre

Sweet! that's great you didn't even have to ask. I hope they trigger you tomorrow!

ParakeetsRule

Forget to mention that I hope I'm awake for it too! They said "under anesthesia" but didn't clarify exactly what type and I'm nervous about being completely unconcious!

El_Tigre

I hope you are too. I remember the drugs are nice and comfortable. Don't forget the "patch" for nauseousness after, I forgot and it was like a bad hangover.

ParakeetsRule

Triggering today!! How did you feel after the harvesting procedure? Was there any pain?

El_Tigre

YES!!!! Congrats!!!

No more pelvic Ultrasounds every few days LOL

I had a little cramping/bleeding, I think I was on some for of pain med whether it was advil or tylenoyl I can't remember. The majority of my pain was the IV in the hand and the hangover due to forgetting the nausea patch .

Although the drugs were nice, apparently I was a comedian during my procedure. I had every one laughing, I don't remember most of it so I'm not sure how many deep dark secrets I confessed to or joked about. I felt bloated and little cramping for about a week afterwards.

I think if you have the patch and some pain meds you should be good.

ParakeetsRule

I actually didn't mind the daily (every day this week!!) ultrasounds only because it meant I could get the nurses to do the two morning shots for me. I felt like I was cheating but it made it bearable since I only had to do the one evening shot myself! They gave me Percocet to have after the procedure which is why I asked about pain! That made me think it would be really painful so I feel a little better knowing you were only taking OTC meds.

El_Tigre

yeah from what I remember it was not too bad, but better to have the pain meds than not. I know I still had percocet from my mastectomy as well just in case.

Ha not cheating, I'd totally do that. Who expects us to poke ourselves with sharp objects after years of being told not to run with scissors. 😁

I hope your procedure is quick, painless and you're on cloud 9. Good thoughts and vibes for lots off eggs! Please let us know how you are doing. Its a rather unique experience to go through this. Definitely not how I pictured the birds and bees.

ParakeetsRule

All done!! The worst part was putting the dumb IV in my arm. I think they gave me anti-nausea meds through the IV because I never took anything else and haven't felt even a tiny hint of nausea. So far I also haven't felt like I needed any pain meds at all, my guts don't really hurt that much, it's more like an annoying soreness so far! Now a two-week break before starting chemo!

El_Tigre

that's great parakeet! So happy your experience went well, except for that IV. Always sucks getting one.

Yeah, rest up and eat those tasty foods before chemo. I hope you breeze through it. I'm glad you are in these boards for support, I've found it very comforting when I went through chemo. Like having a dozen women supporting you and a dozen oncologists!

El_Tigre

Parakeet and anyone out there on this thread, this is a camp for young survivors, they have a Maui and a Mt Hood, OR camp.

http://www.athletes4cancer.org/programs/adolescents-young-adults