IVF/ICSI Support Group
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Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
Where to get the dhea? Did it help u?
Marshmallow_BB
Active Member
@Benny33, thanks for the infor dearie. 
1. Any idea how many mg DHEA is optimal?
2. For Royal Jelly, which brand did u buy? How many mg?
1. Any idea how many mg DHEA is optimal?
2. For Royal Jelly, which brand did u buy? How many mg?
21st century n natrol can get from iherbs. It didn't help me but there are many good reviews from others. Pls consult your dr before taking.
muff
Active Member
bunny, picture very small lei. can enlarge?
@Benny33, thanks for the infor dearie.
1. Any idea how many mg DHEA is optimal?
2. For Royal Jelly, which brand did u buy? How many mg?
Previously my dr suggest 25mg morning n 25mg night. Pls don't take without consulting your dr.
Royal jelly I cannot remember which type i took.
bunny, picture very small lei. can enlarge?
I tried cannot leh. They don't allow me adjust size
Marshmallow_BB
Active Member
DawnBB
Well-Known Member
There is no additional charges regardless of the treatment methods per session. When I started seeing dr Seah, I was still working de. TMC was nearer to my office and also near to TFC where I did Ivf. I took time off for acupuncture or tried to arrange it same day as my consultations at Ivf when I would take leave. After failing FET in Feb/mar, I resigned in April but continued with Dr Seah partly because I'm very comfortable with her, she's already familiar with my body response and she's an avenue I turn to for listening ears on my Ivf challenge.
After bfp and pregnancy stable, she advised that there is no need for me to see her for acupuncture during pregnancy le. I have 4-5 sessions of the last package left and she advised that I can start seeing tcm again starting week 34 if I like as they can apply treatments maybe acupressure or massage etc depending on my needs to help relieve the pregnancy symptoms like swollen feet, water retention, or help relaxation etc that usually occurs nearer to due date. She even agreed that I can follow up with Dr Gee at Katong i12 branch instead as its near my home and will be easier for me by then.
muff
Active Member
alamak, so you eat coQ10, L-arg, DHEA and whats the other one?
The other is just normal supplements. Fertility blend. U can find from iherbs
Hey muff, same here I ma glad that I am alive... Baby is a bonus... of course the ppl around us will be happy if we got the bonus but our family will be the saddest if they lose us don't you agree...
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
I see.. Any idea what time is the last appointment?
DawnBB
Well-Known Member
I think the TMC main branch closes like 5plus or 6pm coz I rem that's why hubby cannot go there and went to Katong i12 branch which opens till 8pm or 8.30pm as well as open on Sat. Dr Seah doesn't see patients everyday. She used to do 3 days a week but I'm not sure of her schedule now. There are other physicians at the clinic too. Best to call up and ask the assistants to be sure.
Sorry to know that you are going through this crazy roller coaster ride... Hope the levels are dropping fast... so you can recover and move on asap...Just got back from KKH, initially thought already miscarried on Monday (11 April) after getting clots, but my hormone levels went mad.
6 April - 321.5
10 April - 1746
12 April - 1403.8
14 April - 2563.4
Did scans on the 10, 11, April but was diagnosed as having PUL (pregnancy of unknown location). Did another repeat scan today and they finally found what looks like the sac, measuring 1.3cm. I had my right tube removed last year after an ectopic. This time it's at the right side again but at the muscular layer of the uterus, also know as interstitial pregnancy which is considered a type of ectopic pregnancy.
Doctor suggested to take the MTX injection but me and husband want to wait to see if the levels will drop on its own. So I will have to go down for repeat blood test in a few days. However if in the next few days I do feel pain or bleed even more I have to go down immediately to hospital.
Never knew we'd have to go through so much.
I took royal jelly from honeyworld. Bought it at around half price during Robinson sale.
http://honeyworld.sg/index.php?page...category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=57
Hi dear i am also scheduled for ivf in may this month at kkh w dr sadhana priv. My boss knows i will be trying in May but i haven let her know the possible HL. I wonder how to break the news to her. Right. I sympathize w you.
Actually its up to you if you want to take the full 2weeks HL depending on your work nature... Like my job is more desk bound so i only took 1 week and went back to work after that to keep my mind off the anxiety... As how to inform your boss, i think its good to let her know about this 2weeks HL thingy but you would need to confirm nearer the date if you are taking all of it or part of it.... since already know you going for fertility treatment then she should understand... hope this helps...
my HCG increased this morning to 6505. after further scanning and consultation with doctors, we proceeded to take the MTX jab this afternoon. hopefully the HCG will drop, next follow up on friday with dr jessie phoon.
been going up and down KKH for one week straight. hopefully the MTX is effective.
the_spinsterella
Well-Known Member
Me! Dr said it shouldn't affect. Just that for ET, it may be a bit tricky to put the embryo. But so far for mine, ET was fast.
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
Anyone here feels that FET success rate is higher compared to fresh or vice versa?
DawnBB
Well-Known Member
I read many studies confirm FET has as good if not better live birth success rates as fresh ET if embryos are normal and there are no maternal physiological issues affecting implantation. I asked Dr Loh and his opinion is that each has its own advantages and different considerations affecting success so can't be compared fairly. I myself have done 3 fresh ETs and 2 FETs. All 3 fresh ETs and 1 of the ETs with excellent grade day2 or 3 embryos but bfn. I succeeded with FET but it was also my first try with day-5 blastocysts. I do feel whether or not the embryo is likely chromosomally normal when transferred regardless fresh or frozen cycle is a very critical factor to achieve a viable pregnancy.
muff
Active Member
I agree with Dawnbb. I have done both processes myself. It really depends on the embryo and most importantly, what is your lab specialized in? I have been with labs that only do Frozen cycles because they are very competent in FET. Most lab does fresh, but has competencies in FET as well.
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
How do we know what the lab specialise in?
muff
Active Member
For Mount E - FET - competency is to bring embryos to blast. very high success rates due to their machinery and lab skills. they really focus on blastocysts.
TFC - Mainly fresh but FET also ok - culture to blast skills to me is not really their forte
KKH is competent in both from what I see but I havent really checked with them.
the rest of the labs, no experience. perhaps other sisters have knowledge.
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
For my case, first fresh they decide grow my 6 embryos to blast.. But only 3 managed to stay alive till day 5. 2nd fresh 3 embryos and they decide to transfer at day 4 as day 3 was Sunday, transferred 1 and they managed to grow the other 2 to blast and freeze. I must say they are very daring to try blast with the small number of embryos
Goingcircles
Active Member
Agreed with @DawnBB and @muff.
But also have to depend on your uterus condition too. I did 2 fresh (2 day embies) & 1 FET (a good grade 5 day blastocyst). Failed on my first fresh & FET. Succeeded in my 2nd fresh with a 2 day embies, 1 grade 4 and 1 grade 3. I can't comment much on the success rate on fresh and FET. For me, I feel I do better in fresh as the supports instead of the inserts, I requested for the hcg japs all the way till BT. For my FET, doc don't allow me to have japs for my support after my ET.
I'm going for my 3rd fresh this June using the same protocol as my succeeded fresh (in highest dosage). Hopefully I can response well to the meds, stim, etc as my body condition may not be the same as 3 years ago. So fingers crossed.
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
What do u mean by the condition of the uterus? Which hosp are u with? U mean you're on progesterone jab all the way till BT?
Goingcircles
Active Member
For my case, I did 2 surgeries for endo & fibroids. First one in key hole, 2nd one in open cut (c-sect) before I embarked my ivf journey in 2012.
I did my ivf in KKH. I have placenta previa in my last preganancy and almost removed my womb 3 years ago. I was ordered to do a SIS to make sure it's cleared before doing my FET in last dec. I feel my uterine lining or womb condition is more or less affected or weaken tho my SIS shows nothing abnormal & lining is ok. i feel that my womb condition is as good as before.
Yap I was on progesterone japs (not the oil type) during my 2ww. 3 japs on alternate days for the first week of 2ww. The remaining 1 week is just the waiting game till BT. But for the progesterone japs do consult your doc before ET. But if you are risk of ohss then the japs will not be suitable for you.
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muff
Active Member
Goingcircles
Active Member
Im so envious you get to do jabs and not inserts !!
I requested for it during my ET. Dr reviewed my condition and agreed to it eventually. But then I'm not sure if the dr (there's a change of doc) allows it for my fresh in June anot. See how it goes. Actually my last FET I requested for the protestrone japs but doc say it's the oil based type and my hubby scare very painful for me so we opt for crinone instead. I'm ok with the oil japs for my next fresh even tho it's very painful if the dr allows.
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
Oh I didn't know there's subcutaneous progesterone jab. U Rem what's the drug name call? What protocol are u on?
Goingcircles
Active Member
If I remember correctly it's pregnyl. Same as my trigger shot. Except for trigger shot is in 10,000iu while the dosage for post ET is 5000iu or lower (I can't remember the exact dosage) but think I took 2 or 3 japs that is spread out within the one week as there's a time frame to stop the japs during the 2ww. To what I knw it takes 1 day for every 1000iu of pregnyl to leave the body. HPT may not be accurate if you tested before your BT due to the hcg levels from the jap.
I'm in short protocol using Puregon, menopur and I forgot what's the other 2 drugs name as I rem I took 4 japs during stim for that cycle.
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
I see, then after u stop the jab, what other supports are u on? Do u still remember how many matured ovum so u got out of the follicles? Why I asked is I heard from sf Loh that trigger with pregnyl can yield higher % of matured ovum out of the follicles we have.. I don't know how true is this
Goingcircles
Active Member
Definitely no more nserts but can't remember if I take any oral med after that. I only remember taking duperston after my bfp. Guess I can only ask for my pass records when I start my cycle in June.
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
Anyway spoke to prof abt fresh vs FET, to him both have equal success rate.. Don't know is it him being so optimistic, but no doubt he say the thawing process is not 100% successful.
I told him cos I got BFP via FET, so I thought it works better for me.. However he did mention that if do a fresh cycle but ET only via FET, then will be utilizing 2 grants... This makes me think twice whether I should do that... It's going to be my 3rd fresh cycle, the last cycle that can use govt grant and medisave...
I told him cos I got BFP via FET, so I thought it works better for me.. However he did mention that if do a fresh cycle but ET only via FET, then will be utilizing 2 grants... This makes me think twice whether I should do that... It's going to be my 3rd fresh cycle, the last cycle that can use govt grant and medisave...
Goingcircles
Active Member
I have super low overian reserve for my age (can't rem what's the figure but I only have one working ovary). I retrieved only 5 matured eggs & out of the 5, 4 fertilized. Transfer 2 & managed to freeze 2. But I was on max dosage on puregon and high dosage on the remaining 3 japs during my stims.
DawnBB
Well-Known Member
Actually I spoke directly with the senior embryologist at TFC twice at length to understand their process and I was convinced of the lab's expertise to go ahead with culturing my frozen thawed day2 embryos to day 5. I was glad to have done so as I finally got my bfp with my first attempt at blastocysts FET. They are well versed in using both the single culture (requires no change in medium from day 3 to day 5) as well as the multi-cultures and the reason they maintain both types or rather key brands of cultures is to sustain the supplier for either brand. This is to ensure there is no reliance on either brand.
Unfortunately I didn't note down or remember the names of the various culture medium. As I understand, there isn't much complex technique in culturing the embryos once they have been able to fertilize the eggs via ICSI. The skill is more critical in ICSI which they do for all retrieved eggs as default anyway unless there is a very high number of eggs where they will then do partial ivf and partial ICSI provided the patient agrees.
It is true that Dr Loh prefers day 2 or 3 embryo transfers instead of day 5 blastocysts especially if there is fewer embryos but as in my case, when there is a good quantity of embryos after my 3rd fresh, he did support day5 blastocysts transfer too.
It may be worthwhile to initiate a request to speak to the embryologist to understand their expertise opinion about your eggs, sperms and embryo conditions as well as the lab process. At least I found it very insightful to hear their perspectives beyond the doctor.
DawnBB
Well-Known Member
I can't remember or am not sure if Pregnyl (i.e. HCG) trigger achieved better yield of matured eggs but it enables lining to be maintained and continue to fresh ET. If you use Lucrin trigger, it affects the lining so likely will have to do a freeze all and proceed with FET instead later.
In terms of support, the usual common one is progesterone and estrogen. Progesterone commonly given as inserts in SG but some doctors may prescribe progesterone in oil jabs (usually intramuscular). Inserts are effective and conveniently administered by the patient while PIO shots have to be taken at intervals of 3 days. Some docs in some cases will include hcg injections usually in fresh cycle as support which has the effect of 'tricking' your body to think there is a pregnancy and hence your body to produce progesterone. There are pro and cons as well as doc's preference to each type so it will be good to understand from your doc which suits you and why.
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DawnBB
Well-Known Member
You did have a very good fertilisation rate and it's the quality that counts. Stay positive and all the best for your upcoming June cycle!
DawnBB
Well-Known Member
Muff, next cycle can discuss with your doc on the options for your support medication?Im so envious you get to do jabs and not inserts !!
muff
Active Member
I agree, should speak to embryologist. I bug all of them from CARE to TFC to Mount E and now KKH. Of course KKH gives more political correct answers but i already know what to ask but they are still giving political correct answers!
muff
Active Member
ya i was exploring abt HCG supports as well. not sure how it can blend into the protocol but will ask THH after this pregnancy unknown location drama
I don't know if it's concidence but one of the cycle i trigger with Lucrin and got the worst number of mature eggs. I wouldn't blame entirely on not using Hcg trigger that causes it but Ofcourse when one result is bad I tend to analyse n feel that it may have affected the outcome. However I have frens who trigger with lucrin n still result in bfp so it's really hard to say.
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
Nuh uses either ovidrel or one more I can't rem the name to trigger.. Both via subcutaneous
Dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
How do u talk to the embryologist at kkh? The only time I see the embryologist is after ET..
Hi I triggered w lucrin for my second fresh and got 50 eggs retrieved, out of which 46 are matured eggs... So doesn't seem to impact maturity in my case. But the day before ER, during the scan, I was told my largest follicles are 28mm! Doc told me it's due to pcos. Will suddenly grow.
muff
Active Member
For kkh we can always go press the bell and ask to see them and speak to them. They are obliged to entertain. Ahha
Goingcircles
Active Member
ya i was exploring abt HCG supports as well. not sure how it can blend into the protocol but will ask THH after this pregnancy unknown location drama
Yah do check with the supports. For me the inserts and crinone no effect on me at all coz my AF arrives full force on time for both cycles. Only the hcg japs i responsed well. Maybe it makes your body feel like you are preg. I do have preg symptoms when I'm on the japs. Sore boobs (it hurts a lot when showering), feel nauseous, frequent urination & feels tire easily. But these symptoms slowly wears off (hcg slowly wears off too) when I'm into the 2nd week of 2ww except for the sore boobs. 3 days before my BT I got implantation spotting which triggers me to do a hpt though the nurse say even if I see 2 lines, it may be a false positive. True enough, I saw 2 very very faint lines. By this time there shld be not much hcg left inside my body. Then slowly for the subsequent days I tested till the day before my BT, the 2 lines slowly become stronger each day. So more or less I already knw that cycle succeed but still wanna the good news from the nurse. That's my experience with the hcg japs lah. Will request for the same supports since my new doc decided to use back the same protocol as my last fresh cycle. But subjected for changes which I got a feeling my dr will alter my treatment abit.