[kayakr]

My FSH is a 6.2 and I am 41 years old. I just can't beleive they are pushing me into a IVF/donor egg just cause of my age. I know the odds are greater with a 20 some year old egg. But doesn't this FSH of 6.2 signify anything?

From my understanding anything under 10 is great.

[BeckyM]

I would think that is a good number, and doesn't spell out that you must use donor eggs/IVF. I remember being told the normal numbers are between 3-20 but under 10 is ideal. Under 6 was excellent, 6-9 is good, 9-10 fair, 10-13 diminished reserve, 13+ very hard to stimulate. (yes those numbers still stick in my head even after a few years) If this current doc keeps pushing you, I would recommend searching for another. Not that there's anything wrong with going the donor route (as we used donor sperm, so definitely not anti-donor here ) - I just think the doc is being premature in saying you need to go that route right now.

Good luck sweetie!!

[kayakr]

Thank you BeckyM. I am not against donor egg either. I just so much more expensive. Infact, I wouldn't mind missing out on the retreival process, you know. I would think a 6.2 and for 8,000 less maybe we should try my own eggs.

Question... did you guys have extra embro to freeze? If so can you give me some insight on how you handle that? My DH is having an issue with the thought of having extra frozen embros and either discarding them or donating them is really bothering him. Bothering him so much he is even thinking of not doing IVF at all. He doesn't want the decsion of discarding a baby.

[BeckyM]

We only had to do the IUI (was successful the 2nd cycle), and not IVF so no retrieval or those decisions to make. Good luck!!

[kayakr]

Well that is good! I am glad you didnt' have to make these decisions. I wouldn't wish this stuff on anyone!

[*SamF*]

That sounds like an awesome number. I really think you should get a second opinion. It seems like they are pushing you into the most expensive treatment for no reason.

[kayakr]

They say the m/c rate is 50% for anyone over 40 no matter what the FSH number is. So to cut the m/c rate just go straight donor. ugh!

We are getting a second opinion next week.

[BeckyM]

Those m/c rates are depressing, also the pg rates are too. I remember being shocked that the numbers were so low for me to even get pg with IUI. It's 10-20% for average women, I believe the doc said my odds were closer to the 10-15% range but I don't remember that number (silly I know since I did remember the FSH levels ). I had a lower response then the RE expected with only having 1 mature egg each cycle (medicated using clomid & HCG trigger), but 1 was all we needed.

I am glad you're getting a second opinion.

[*SamF*]

Sounds like they are basically saying that anyone over 40 shouldn't use their own eggs.
There are so many options, and less expensive and less invasive that you can try first before IVF especially with a good FSH level. I guess I don't get why not try with your eggs first- not IVF but a medicated IUI cycle. You can always move on to the other stuff after that.
The m/c rate is over 25% for EVERYBODY, the fact that its elevated after your 40 is no big surprise, but no one is safe from it, and donor eggs are not a guarantee against m/c either.
Sorry to be so opinionated. Like I said before I hate it when it seems like Dr's are forcing expensive treatments down people’s throats.

[kayakr]

Well IUI isn't a good option for us since DH has 2% morphology, so they tell me.

I also feel IUI would be worth a shot cause he has some that are normal shaped so I would think IUI would help them get closer to better help them catch the eggie. That would cost us about 700.00. So hard to decide!

[BeckyM]

I forgot that your DH had the morphology issue. Like Sam though, I don't like that this doc is immediately pushing the more expensive option. IVF is expensive, but to start off using donor eggs I just don't see the point. And with IVF, I don't know about the area you live in, but here several fertility centers offer assistance, guaranteed results (where you pay a flat fee and get your money back if you don't have a baby), and I've heard of grants and stuff that can help offset some of the costs. I'm glad you're getting a second opinion, and hope you can find some of these other options too. I know it is so expensive and I've not seen many insurance plans that cover everything. Good luck!!

[pepper73]

6.2 FSH is a GREAT number! I don't know why they're pushing you for donor eggs. That seems like they are way jumping the gun and quite frankly, trying to rip you off! I think it's a good idea that you are getting a second opinion. Who knows, maybe IUI would work, even with your DH's issues. I think it's worth exploring the less expensive options first. Doctors can be so frustrating sometimes!

[kayakr]

RE said if I want to use my own eggs (which he doesn't recommend) for either IVF or IUI he wants to do Laproscopy proceedure on me first. I have zero symptoms though of endo or anything else. I think it's been my DH morphology issues this whole time.

I have regular periods, no pain always regular, normal 14-16 day LP. I guess I just don't see why he wants to do surgery on me when I have no signs of anything being wrong. He said - you do have sign - " you're not pregnant". Jerk face!!!

[BeckyM]

I would be livid with this doc. You not being pg, when your DH clearly has MFI, is not the "sign" that you need surgery and to use donor eggs. Grrrrrrr!! The RE brought that up to me, but it was a future distance to consider if the 1st tries didn't work. With that good number, it is absolutely ridiculous to think about it now. And why would you need a Laproscopy? I could see a HSG test, where they inject dye to see if your tubes have any blockages, but not laproscopy.

[kayakr]

He said cause my insurance would pay for the Lapo so If should do it. I am really not up for a surgery when I have no symptoms. I asked about the HSG and he said he could check my tubes the same time he does the lapo so I didn't need the HSG. If I want to skip to IVF with Donor egg though I don't need lapo.

He did do a Sonogram thingy on me and said my uterus was fine.
I think going to see a second RE next week for a different opinion will help.

So emotionally taxing..... ugh! Thanks for your help ladies.

One last thought - why isnt' he don't a 3day FSH test on me every month cause of my age? I mean last month it was 6.2 but maybe this months it's 20 and then back down to 6.2. I would think if it was consistantly low that is even more of a reason to use my own eggs.

Heck, I better get back to work I have IVF to pay for.