I think my cycle might be cancelled

[Anonymous]

OP -- I'm the 20:00 poster. i loved rifka too (and it wasn't just because he called me 'my darling' all the time) and i'm also 41. but i went for 2 consults after 4 failed ivfs with him (and i have a child who i conceived naturally at 37); one with dr. gordon at dominion and the other with dr. schoolcraft at ccrm. both would not have done the long lupron protocol OR ICSI (no male factor issues with us). Rifka was recommending the antagonist protocol for me next round and both CCRM and Dominion said they wouldn't go that route. Also -- Rifka said they never do 3 day assisted hatching -- they only do it on 5 day frozen blasts; CCRM and dominion said that's crazy, they almost always do 3 day assisted hatching. So, keep an open mind. if it doesn't work with rifka this next go around i highly recommend you switch things up. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm sure you like Dr Rifka, but I would at least get some second opinions before cycling with him again. You deserve better than the way you were treated.

[Anonymous]

I think you never know what will happen. I don't know if the OP was "mistreated" per se. SG made two very big mistakes with my first IUI, which resulted in having the cycle refunded 100% to me. I stayed with them to have another two cycles, which also failed and ended up switching clinics. Medicine is not an exact science, and I think it is very likely that the first 1-2 cycles on a protocol are spent figuring out how your body reacts and what will work best for you. OP, if you are happy with your doctor, I would not run away due to this. It doesn't sound like the dr. or clinic made a gross error in how you were treated.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I don't think I was mistreated. The standard protocol that gets results in the majority of cases is what I did. I have a low FSH, have tested between 4.7 and 7.5 in the last year. Normal estrogen, LH etc. I responded just fine when I did Bravelle with the TI. There was no indication from all my initial testing that I wouldn't respond. Rifka doesn't take people off Lupron during the cycle because 1. he doesn't want you ovulating early (yes, I've heard your opinions on that) and 2. doesn't want uneven follicle growth, which he says is a danger with hyperstimulation.

I am switching insurance carriers and it looks like I will be covered on MD IPA immediately.(January) I will try one cycle with a different protocol and I won't hesitate to get a second opinion if I don't respond to that cycle.

[Anonymous]

PP 14:53 here, just wanted to add that I've found that the cycles get harder and harder emotionally the more you do - so I'd think hard about whether to stick with a doctor who uses an unorthodox approach that doesn't seem to be working. It would a shame to get burned out and spend a lot of money and them have less emotional reserves and money left for another RE who would do a better job.