concerned about OHSS with IVF

Hi there,

I am about to try IVF for the first time - I have had 6 failed IUIs so
far, 3 with 50 mg Clomid, and three with Gonal F.  My concern is
that I had mild OHSS with my first round of Gonal F.  I took 112.5 IU
for 4 days, then 75 IU for one day, and then the cycle got canceled
due to 12 moderate follicles.  My estrogen after 4 days of meds
was 789.   The next couple of cycles were better, using doses between
37.5 and 75 IU.  I do not have PCOS and I am 39.

My question is:  How am I going to get through an IVF cycle without
OHSS?  I seem to get it pretty easily.

Thanks.  :)

[ALT76]

I know it's extremely uncomfortable to deal with, but you never know what's gonna happen and just have to brace yourself.  I actually had terrible OHSS with my IUI, then with my IVF, even though my estrogen was THROUGH THE ROOF (almost 4000!), it went by much quicker.  With my IUI I had it for over a week, and with IVF I was getting better after 2 days.  Those have been my only two procedures and it happened both times, but each was totally different.  So I think you never really know what's going to happen or how your body will respond.  The best thing you can do is prepare yourself in case it does and make sure you don't have too many obligations to work or anything else, in case you need that time to rest.

I will say that I've heard and read that the OHSS tends to last longer if you get pregnant (not always, but often), and I personally found that to be the case.  With my IUI, when it lasted over a week, I was pregnant but it ended quickly in miscarriage.  With my IVF, when it only lasted a couple days, the IVF didn't take at all.  So one thing you can tell yourself when it's dragging on is that it may all be for a very good reason!

Best of luck to you!

[pls353]

Hi Alt76,

Thanks for that info.  You seem to be susceptible to the OHSS too.  Just out of curiosity, do you have allergies/immune issues?  I keep wondering if my allergies/asthma/immune problems are making me overreact to the fertility drugs.

I think that you are right that we have to grit our teeth and just do it.  It can't be worse than childbirth (from what I hear).

Thanks again.
:)