follistim & estridiol levels

I hope someone here can help me! I started low doses of Follistim (25 IU) on Oct. 26-Oct.30, an ultrasound on Oct. 31 showing no measurable follicles. My estridiol was 39.  I then started taking 50 IU that night, 25 IU the next night, 50 IU the next night. Ultrasound then showed no measurable follicles and my estridiol was 50. Then the next two nights I did 50 IU and ultrasound showed no measurable follicles and my estridiol level went up to 125. THEN I did 50 IU that night and the next night - and ultrasound again showed no measurable follicles but my estridiol levels dropped from 125 to 43!!! what does this mean? The nurse said this is pretty normal for patients with irregular cycles and PCOS. (which is me)  I was just told to take 75 IU tonight and 50 tomorrow, and then 75 the next night and then have another ultrasound.  As of today I am on CD 17 and getting pretty darn discouraged.  

Has anyone had this issue, with non measuring follicles (they say I have several on each side but all under 10 mm) and estridiol levels dropping?  I had an ectopic pregnancy last year and am working with only one tube the way it is. This is so frustrating. Not to mention expensive!

[scienceteacher79]

I can understand your frustration! I would be murdering someone by now! :) I assume this is your first cycle if Follistim, and the doc probably had no idea how you would respond so he started you out low (too low!). The very first month I did Follistim I started at 100 a night for 5 nights and still didn't see any measurable follies until day 7 or so of that cycle. Ended up with one egg that cycle and estradiol level of 250 something. That was a bust cycle. This cycle (only my second one on Follistim) he started me at 150iu a night and BOY did I respond. I have one bad tube so we were only looking at what the good side was doing anyway :) But my estradiol never went down - in either case. They don't seem to be stimming you well at all. You probably have two options: option one is to just stop this cycle and regroup with the RE and discuss the medication dosage. The second is to keep going and see if the bumping of the meds will result in any good follies. Please talk to your doc and let him know that you are very upset about the lack of results. Good luck sweetheart. I overstimmed a bit this cycle and it was no fun so I know RE is just trying to keep you safe :) HUGS!! and Good luck!!!!!!

[Jamers24]

Thanks for the response. Well I was on Clomid and Follistim last year (I don't see that RE anymore though) and was on 75 IU Follistim for 4 days and that's all I needed. I did get pregnant, but had an ectopic pregnancy.  My new RE is very cautious and since I'm young (25) and have PCOS he's just being on the safe side I guess. I've read stories about this happening to women so I'm going to continue and see how things go next Tuesday...hoping for a rise and measurable follies!!! I read a story about a lady who stimmed for 29 days......yikes!

[scienceteacher79]

YIKES! That's a LOT of stimming! WOW!! Good luck and let us know what happens!!

HUGS!

[feather2e]

On my first cycle they started me off on 75 IUI follistim and I ended up with so many follicles they had to cancel me, but still had a low estradiol level.They then had me do 25 IU fiollistim with an LH Luveris which worked and my estradiol levels were consistent with my follicle production.