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

[Ritaz1964]

Hiya, cant check my day 3 this time round cos Ive been on Puregon injections since day 21 and the synarel ovulation suppresant, so everything is now artifically chemically altered.  I did however get my period last Thursday, so have started on the big dose.... all set for approx 17th November egg retreival.  If enough embies, will do a day 5 blastocys transfer..... lets see what happens, this cycle is very different to anything Ive done before, so theres no knowing what will happen!  Without a doubt progesterone support is mandatory, mine has always been dodgy..... but with a full IVFstim cycle, progesterone is much more elevated.....

I havent tested my DHEA again, but will do so this Thursday cos Ive been on the 100mg dose longer..... also check to see how my oestrogen is rising... please pray its going up good!

If this dosnt work, Im not doing an IVF cycle again, will use an egg donor, Im not going to flog a dead horse.............. I've given it a fair go..... next year will be new beginnngs....... but lets hope this year has a srprise in store for us!

Cheers, Rita

[DEVISTATED]

Hi, I did not drink alcohol at all, I haven't had a drink since my wedding day 2 years ago.....Sometimes I wish I could get smashed, but I won't drink anything while on all of these meds...I am 37 in a few days. I was not tested before taking DHEA. I just asked my RE what I could do different to better my chances, due to this being my 4th IVF and maybe my last. (insurance coverage) In NJ insurance only covers 4 egg retrievals per lifetime. This will be my third, we did one frozen, but I need to do what I can to make this work, or at least die trying. I did acupuncture today and I LOOOOOOVED it. I am gonna go three times a week until my transfer and continue after my transfer, I swear it was wonderful and it was just my first time ever. A little freaky, putting needles in your ears and feet......but I don't care if they put them in my eyeballs just as long as it helps my chances...numbers of eggs were 12 last time and we froze three and put three back the others did not make it. I was told all three were good quality and my RE does not freeze unless they are good quality...and finally I think the elephant was just a pulled muscle, coincidence. Thanks for the advice, you are wonderful...Linda

[anitasto]

Robstersmama,

Hi Robster. Haven’t got y Vit D tested yet but will post for sure when I do. We haven’t started stimming yet and I’m having difficulty committing to a date because f the financials as well as weight gain that I resumed pretty quickly after restarting dhea. We’re planning to see family at Christmas for 2 weeks that we haven’t seen all year. I’m afraid I just won’t be all that happy if I think I look so much larger than usual. It’s taken all summer to lose ten poinds and I just put 5 pounds back on. Any thoughts you or anyone here has on this are most welcome.
What I have been focusing on is writing this book of my experiences and the dhea and other sciences that we’ve all talked about here. I hope to have a draft complete by the end of the year.

I have been thinking about one f your posts where you said that Vit D is used in PCOS women to manage their high testosterone. I hate to think this but is it possible that the Vit D is actually blocking your increase in T? Have you got the T level(s) tested? Just thinking. I am very sorry to hear there were just 2 BUT….I hope one of those little guys comes thru for you. ;)

Oh – and btw – I had a lazy left side too and used extensive acupuncture to increase blood flow along with electrical stimulation. It seemed to work for me. I’d have her stimulate only my lame left side. Hope this is helpful dahlink! ;)

Hi Jessny,

Sounds like a great strategy to get that consistent intake of dhea. And yes – your list of tests sounds very good. You are entirely welcome for any helpfulness. 

Hi Ritaz, 10/22

Thanks for posting your labs. These look really good for day 20 with the exception of the Progesterone. For healthy pregnancy the minimum desired level is 20 so I presume you’re on progesterone supplements when trying to get prego yes?
Also, your doc will surely be testing your day 3 levels of FSH and E2 before doing a cycle and if he doesn’t … well… don’t take this personally or tell him I said so…. But….he/her would just be an oddball.

Sounds like from those greasy posts you’re getting what you need on the dhea! I wish your T number was higher but for now – I am simply hoping this cycle is a wild success for you and nothing more is required. If things are not so wildly successful……xing fingers….I’ll post some suggestions which, of course will begin with some blood tests. ;)



DEVISTATED,

Sorry to hear of the elephant on your chest  and glad to hear your feeling better. I will say that while I was still on thyroid supplement that if I also drank alcohol I would have heart beats that felt it would pound out of my chest. Did you have any alcohol when you took your dhea…it also seemed like harder heart beats if I’d had a couple drinks. Also did you have your baseline dhea, dhea-s and Testosterone tested? I think this is very very important before starting these supplements.

Also, because of your recurrent failures in the IVF game – I really recommend looking into extended testing for autoimmunity to be sure you don’t have another issue that will simply not allow you to get pregnant without treatment. What were your numbers of eggs and quality? How old are you?

Hope you are well now and the elephant has left the building. (hehe)

Ilion,

Those are great numbers and yes – go up I think. Sounds like 75mg dhea will be perfect for you. You want a T at minimum of 80. Nice going on getting tests and checking to see what levels are corresponding with your dosage! Maybe I’ll join you for the Jan cycle. Still fumbling around with possible dates.


OK Ladies and Gents – ta ta for now.

[ilion]

HI All,

Finally got some blood results and we're looking for some feedback.  After two weeks on 50 mg of DHEA the DHEA level was 499, T was 58, Estradiol was 40, and FSH 5.9 (!)

Should we test again this month?  And I know most take at least 75mg.  Based on these levels, should we up it?  We are planning IVF for January which would be four months on DHEA.

Many thanks!

[Ritaz1964]

Acupuncture is gettng RAVE reviews here in Oz..... its like the next thing you MUST do for TTC! Very good results but you have to ge the right type of acupuncture for assistance with IVF.....  I want to give it a go, but honestly, Im running out of $$ and I need it al to support my IVF habit!

Yes, Im doing IVF +ICSI..... still no damn wicked witch, but she must be close, cos I can easily throttle the life out of anyone who annoys me!

I feel a twinge of a cramp.... perhaps the witch is coming?  OR perhps its just a bowel movement   ...gawd!!!  Fancy hoping for a period!  bizarre!!!

[DEVISTATED]

It's me again, I just wanted to know if anyone has any experience with acupuncture. I am going to start seeing a therapist on Saturday, I've read about it all day and my doctor suggested it. It sounds good to me. But we all know where to go to get the truth about something and that is on these sites. Any advice????? Thanks. Linda