Too many follicles?? Advice needed...

[nevaeh222]

I had an ultrasound today to check to see the growth of my follicles. I had 8 on my left ovary and 5 on my right ovary. I have about 5 that are 12-14 milimeters. My nurse was kind of concerned that I had that many follicles. They lowered my dose of follistim to 75 and I go in again on Wednesday. Is 13 way too many to be concerned? Some of them are not very big. I'm just worried that I'll have too many that are mature and they will cancel my IUI's. Any advice? How many mature follicles are too many before they cancel?

[Marietta2000]

Hi all!
I have a son, 3 years, born from my first cycle of IUI - natural - no drugs.  A 12 month old daughter, born from IUI using 75 - 100iu of puregon.  Am now trying for third child.  My first cycle using 75iu of puregon was cancelled last June, as I produced too many large follicles (about six large ones, 16mm to 26mm) and clinic was worried I would have high order mulitples.  I've just turned 37 years old.  I'm now on my second cycle, this time started on 50iu of puregon. However, estrogen didn't rise, so a week ago I was increased to 75iu.  I was worried about this, and today, I went for my first ultrasound, and the doctor is not keen, as I have three follicles on my right, 16mm, 14mm and 13mm, and another two follicles on my left, both 14mm.  He only wants me to have one large follicle, as I'm a single parent, and is concerned about me having multiples (the clinic doesn't like multiples anyway, as they carry more risk).   Anyway, I'm a bit annoyed, because I wonder why they just decided to zap the puregon up to 75iu again, when it was on that does that I produced too many follicles last time.   I thought they could have tried maybe alternating between 50iu and 75iu.  Anyway, my doctor told me to wait for the blood test, to check the estrogen level, but it's not good, as my estrogen came back at 1457, when he only wanted to see around 600.  I've been told tonight to not take any puregon, and to get another blood test in the morning, and he's hoping that the smaller follicles 'drop' away, and the estrogen goes down.  I'm not too happy about this.  I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar situation.  I could accept that my first cycle being cancelled wasn't the fault of the clinic, but this time I'm wondering about their decisions.  I said to my doctor that I thought the chances of me getting pregnant with twins or triplets was low, as I'm 37, but he said no, and that as I have a good history with regards to getting pregnant, he is of the another opinion.  I'm just wondering how many more cycles will be cancelled before the doctors can come up with a plan to suit me.  I'm having to pay for all my drugs and treatment, so it really is eating up finances, and also my emotions.
Marietta:0)

[nevaeh222]

Well I go in again for another ultrasound to check to see how many have matured. They were a little less concerned with them all rupturing because we are doing IUI because there is no way to conceive through BDing because my husband cannot have kids. This lessens the chance of having multiple eggs be fertilized.

I really cannot afford to cancel this cycle or do IVF. Hopefully everything looks good tomorrow and we only have 3-4 that matured!!!

[Stacey1718]

Just another note:  Not sure where you are in your cycle but your smaller follicles may not mature so you could be ok.  

[Stacey1718]

Yes....they would cancel for all of the reasons above. It's a shame to waste all of those good eggs though.  Maybe they can retrieve?  I had 6 mature follies for my first iui and the doctor was nervous but we went ahead anyway - I was nervous too.  Anymore and they definitely would have cancelled.  Since then they have altered the drug dosage.  For my second iui I had 3 follies, and for my third there were 2.  Good luck to you.

[alikat1205]

my re would cancel if there are more than 4 mature or offer to switch to ivf.  

[Heather5]

Ho nevaeh! Would you consider converting this cycle to IVF? Maybe something to think about while you wait to see how the eggs mature. Best of luck!

[GUESITO]

Good luck!!!  Keep us posted,

[kaprovea]

I have about 40 follies 20 on each side and they are not cancelling my cycle.  We are actually going for retrieval today!!  Good luck!!

[feather2e]

I had 4 cycles cancelled due to multiple follices. You are also at risk for OHSS. When doing IVF it is not an issue but for IUI it is safer to cancel.

[Tanker Chic]

My RE will cancel IUI if there are more than 3 also and will sometimes advise against it with 3.  I know it will break your heart to have to cancel, but really it is the right thing to do.. It is reckless...  high order multiples has high risks of birth defects and all kinds of other problems..

My RE also says often when you see couples who have had high order multiples it is because even tho their Dr canceled, people will still do the trigger and bd.. I would advise against doing that also...

I'm sorry hon..

[Helen72]

Many RE's will cancel IUI if you have more than 3 mature follicles.  It's considered reckless since the risk of high order multiplies would be high.  The # of mature follicles your RE considers acceptable for IUI would depend on your history as well.
Good luck!

[jennyfer976]

I have never heard of them cancelling for too many? I think ultimately its your call anyways right? if you want them to proceed they will? I think its up to you. they shouldn't cancel your cycle if they are all mature, they may be concerned because there are so many and if they weren't maturing i could see concern...hmmm. i am not sure what to tell you except give the nurse or doc a call and ask. I wish you the best of luck and hope they don't cancel on you! i will keep my fingers crossed it all works out:)

[nevaeh222]

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