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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I can’t speak to the Denver location, but I’m a current patient of the NOVA office.  I previously cycled with GW (many negative transfers and 3 miscarriages). My RE there suspected a quality issue, but in January, I cycled at CCRM and got 6 normal embryos. We’re planning to transfer next month. While I can’t say for sure why our results have been so different, I will say the communication and facilities at CCRM NOVA are excellent. I feel heard, which I didn’t always feel at GW. The entire process -- from the initial consultation to the retrieval -- has been so much easier and less stressful in my experience, and I’m very happy with CCRM NOVA so far. Good luck in your decision![/quote]
Did you use a different protocol at CCRM NOVA? Did they put you on any supplements? Just curious to know more details of what you think made the difference when you switched. Also, 6 normal embryos is amazing! What were you getting prior to that while at GW?[/quote]

Yes would love to know what made the difference?  I just finished a cycle at CCRM and only got one PGS normal, but it was better than the zero I’ve gotten before.  I would be over the moon with 6![/quote]

Thanks, everyone! While I’m most definitely still nervous due our recurrent miscarriage history, I’m feeling more hopeful than I have in a long time. My three cycles at GW were all over the place: 3 eggs retrieved, 0 blasts; 20 eggs retrieved, 6 blasts, 3 BFNs, 3 miscarriages; and a cancelled cycle. At CCRM, I had 9 blasts with 6 ultimately normal from 13 eggs retrieved.

Before my most recent cycle, I took a few of the supplements from CCRM’s cocktail list, including CoQ10, vitamin C, and DHA (Omega 3 Fatty Acids), plus a prenatal with folate. Though not on the official list, I also took Acai. A recent CCRM study from the fall suggested it could improve outcomes. My nurse recommended the NOW brand.

During my cycle, I followed a slightly different protocol than GW. CCRM stimmed harder and faster than GW ever did. I also took Clomid daily and added PICSI since my husband’s morphology is on the lower side. PICSI was an extra charge, but at this point, we were willing to try just about anything different. While I got less eggs than my “best” cycle at GW, I think CCRM found the sweet spot without jeopardizing quality. At the end of the day though, I mostly accredit the lab and just plain luck.

In the end, whenever it works, one could attribute it to anything they did in that cycle, making it seem like the secret. But since it's all such a mystery, I know many of us will try anything in hopes it can give the boost that's needed. I believe IVF is a game of persistence with some women getting extremely lucky on their first try. The more hands you play, the more chance you have of finding the winning hand. 
[/quote]
Thanks for sharing so many details about your past experience.  So excited for you that you got six normals and definitely hoping for the best for you moving forward!  If you don't mind sharing, what age range are you in?  Also, you mentioned that CCRM stimmed harder and faster than GW...  What were your protocols/doses at each place?  Did you PGS at GW?  Finally, what is it about that labs that people (or you!) feel makes the difference?  I often hear people say that, but just realized I'm not sure exactly what that means - is it related to more accurate PGS testing, how they handle the eggs and embryos, etc?  Would appreciate hearing your thoughts on that, as well as the other questions in as much as you want to share.

By the way... definitely appreciated reading your last bit/paragraph.  We're all searching for answers and hoping to find additional information that might help us.  I've really appreciated a lot of what I've read on this forum and the generous information/experiences others have been willing to share.  It's a lot of information to take in and sort through in hopes of making the best decisions, so thanks so much for being willing to share your experience![/quote]

You’re welcome, and thank you so much for the well wishes! I really appreciate them.

So I believe at the start of my best GW cycle, I started at 350 Follistim. With most my recent CCRM cycle, I started with 375 Follistim, 150 Menopur, and Clomid. For my case, CCRM preferred to put on the brakes later than pump the gas and play catch up. Keep in mind these are really high dosages, as my first bust of a cycle at GW showed I’m a poor responder. (Note: The first cycle is really all about trial and error and working out the right dose of medication. If it doesn’t go according to plan, try not to freak out, as hard as that may be!) I’m only 29 with normal numbers, but for whatever reason, I require a lot more medication than the average person.

I didn’t do PGS at GW. Hindsight is always 20/20 though. I had two D&Cs: one was normal and the other had Turner Syndrome. CCRM has an extremely low mosaicism rate, which was really attractive to me.  It’s also no secret the REs there rave about the labs. I think sometimes lab error/poor conditions can turn normal embryos abnormal. Not saying this is the case with GW at all, as I know many GW babies!

To answer 12:58’s question, CCRM has you discontinue any supplements while stimming.

Remember so many things need to align - uterine environment, fertilization, an excellent embryo. We never really know the magic behind the scenes, but I’m hopeful a new clinic with an expert lab will help me. You just have to go with your gut. Good luck! :) [/quote]
Does that include pre-natals (for discontinuing supplements)?[/quote]

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