DHEA and IVF

[Ovary]

hi all.  has anyone who had prior failed IVF, used DHEA after that and become pregnant.  Im almost 40 and had a failed IVF.  I've read on other forums that DHEA helps when you are aging.  Any suceess stories out there please.

thanks
Ovary

[RobstersMama]

Rita!
Great newws!!!!!! I am so glad to hear a good result. Keep us informed, OK? Fingers crossed for you.

[Ritaz1964]

Well, day 8 scan revealed 8 follicles, twice as many as last time..... the DHEA must be making a big difference cos my E2 was pretty good also.... day 7 bloods E2 1600..... was 700 last cycle with only 4 follicles.

I look and feel dreadful, swollen, tender have some MASSIVE zits and the grease on my skin and hair, you could fry an egg!

My follicles have grown quicker also, they were expecting 10-12mm diameter and Ive got them from 20mm down to 7mm, and the 7mm more than likely reach maturity egg pick up scheduled this Friday!  I have another scan this wednesday but am fairly confident that trigger will be wednesday night. Only had 2 small ones 7 & mm,the rest were 14mm and higher (max 20mm).

Im doing assisted hatching again on day 3 embies and if we have enough to go on will let them go to blastocyst and transfer at day 5.

I have been taking the 100mg instead of the 75mg but havent advised the doctor yet..... I know, naughty, but my testosterone wasnt changing, but if my skin condition is anyting to go by, its doing SOMETHING!  Will ensure I add Testosterone to the next bloods to see whats the go!

So, so far the DHEA and modified protocol have made a big impact.... lets see what the eggs look like after fertilisation!

Cheers, Rita

[babylove777]

Hi Anita,

Hopefully i can get thru to the right blog this time. I've been following all your posts since beginning of this year. I'm 36, tagged as POR. I've had 2 iui's & 1 ivf last year but to no avail. With iui's i only produced 1 mature follicle & with IVF 1 mature, i trying to catch up on the left ovary & 2 on right below 10. Since then I took a year off, have been going regularly for accupuncture, herbs, supplements. Changed my lifestyle & eating habits etc etc. Started taking dhea in april at 75 mg a day but jumped it up to 125 mg a day for the past few months. Just started my 2nd cycle of ivf on Nov 1st. My RE has put me on lupron flare protocol. For some reason i don't like lupron suppressing.... Anyways, I was very disappointed on my day 6 scan (after 5 days of stims). I only had 2 follies on the left - 1 about 10 & the 2nd one around 8. Two follies on the left around 7.5. Two more on right but very little & won't catch up. My antral count at baseline was only 6. I am devastated that after a whole year of preparation & hard work, I am getting the same results as if i wasn't doing anything at all???? Another thing - my e2 is rising reaallllyyyy slowly. I am wondering if i should stop dhea compeletely for the next week or so so that the follies can grow as my RE is really concerned & is saying he might cancel the cycle after tomorrow day 8 scan. Pls note that i haven't told him that i'm taking dhea as he is really against it especially during an ivf cycle... I am really in the dumps, any advice would be appreciated... I just hope the follies on the right catch up with the ones on the left.... thx for your help & advice in advance.

Babylove777

[RobstersMama]

Pyar,

Sorry to say (or glad to say!) that I have never had anything like that. I don't have any idea what could cause that. Cycles can be so weird, can't they?! You are sure that you had a negative test on your last cycle, right? If so, I don't know whether you should pay any attention to the spotting or not. I would have said that you might be pregnant but it sounds like you are sure that you are not. I think you should ask your doctor about it.

[pyar]

hi everybody just checking in well after my last failed iui i have been waiting for af to come to go again my last period was 08/10 so i should be due any time now yesterday would have been 28 days but i can go anything from 25 to 35 days so i'm not too worried the weired thing was last week i had a kind of none period i basically spotted all week and one day of blood but not enough for a pad just when i wiped sorry if thats tmi i was just wandering has anyone else had this kind of 'none period '

[RobstersMama]

Hi Everybody,

Nothing new to add. Just in the middle of the two-week nightmare wait and I wanted to check in. I sure hate being on these hormones and feeling pregnant from the day of ovulation on! Ridiculous.

Anitasto, I am sorry to hear about the weight gain. I have not noticed this--I have lost a litte fat and gained a little muscle, if anything, but nothing dramatic. I am not sure that I would worry about weight gain at this stage in the game. Perhaps time on DHEA before your last cycle is the most important thing. You will look like hell when you are pregnant, anyway!  :) Ha Ha!

I have already considered your point on the Vit D. I suspect in my case there is no negative effect. I am judging this solely on symptoms as I won't be tested.

Nothing else to suggest here. And I can't contribute any ideas about specific lab values. Good luck, Everybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!