If I don't respond well to meds for IUI, will I respond for IVF?

[Anonymous]

I've had a few IUI cycles (some canceled due to blocked tube side winning the race) with gonal-f and my response has been awful. Both to high-dose meds and low. Dr. is pushing IVF (which I'm considering only due to the tube and some minor DH issues).

My concern is the protocol. If it is obvious I don't respond well to meds then is there any point in an IVF cycle? I know the protocol would be different but it is a lot of money (and heartache) to go through if the chances are going to be slim for getting any good quality eggs (which I suspect will happen if they give me too much meds).

So if any of you have BTDT, good or bad, please let me know. I'm really looking for numbers - did you get 1 good follicle for IUI but got 5 for IVF? Any advice on the type of protocol I should discuss with the dr? I've tried suggesting a different medication only to be told gonal-f is the best. Great, but it isn't working all that well. So if anyone has done a combination protocol and found it worked better, please let me know. I want to go in to my next appointment armed with questions b/c so far I haven't really gotten much other than, we'll at least you responded at all.

We need to decide if we want to move to IVF asap and give up on these failed IUI attempts.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

I can't speak to the response, but I do know that one reason doctors have you start with IUI is to see how well you respond to stims before bringing out the big gun drugs and the five-figure procedures.

What kind of blockage is in your tube? Is it a hydrosalpinx? If so, you should have it removed laproscopically before starting IVF. (And most doctors will tell you that, too.) The fluid in there (really just bile) can wash back from the tube into the uterus, not only making it harder for them to implant because of wave action, but also because the fluid itself is toxic to embryos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to the response, but I do know that one reason doctors have you start with IUI is to see how well you respond to stims before bringing out the big gun drugs and the five-figure procedures.

This isn't true across all REs. I went straight to IVF from clomid/timed intercourse, never had an IUI or otherwise used stims any times previous in my life.

OP, I'm a slow responder to stims. How long were you stimming on your IUI meds? During my IVF cycles, I wouldn't have much activity for the first 7-8 days and then things would quickly escalate.

[Anonymous]

Again, can't give you a correct answer, but they do have different protocols, so if you don't respond well to certain meds, talk to your RE about other protocol options. Of course, the other considerations play an important role too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak to the response, but I do know that one reason doctors have you start with IUI is to see how well you respond to stims before bringing out the big gun drugs and the five-figure procedures.

This isn't true across all REs. I went straight to IVF from clomid/timed intercourse, never had an IUI or otherwise used stims any times previous in my life.

OP, I'm a slow responder to stims. How long were you stimming on your IUI meds? During my IVF cycles, I wouldn't have much activity for the first 7-8 days and then things would quickly escalate.

Right. You were on Clomid. That's what my RE used to accurately predict my response to IVF meds (I was a high responder).