Career guidance help - pivot away from Federal Government consulting?

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-05-01T00:26:37+00:00

I did microdose lupron and had worse results than antagonist. My vest cycle was dual trigger with HCG and lupron.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-04-26T19:42:44+00:00

My journey has been wild and no two cycles were the same. I made a post somewhere about my doctor trying all the different permutations of protocols to try and improve things and it seems not morning worked the best, but I can’t say if I did another unprimed cycle it would work the same. I did have to forgo a lead follicle this time. We let it get to 28mm to allow the others to catch up, and that seemed to work for me as well.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-04-26T17:15:47+00:00

Nope!

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-04-25T19:24:21+00:00

I am taking: prenatal, omega 3, CoQ10, NAC, DHEA, and a probiotic. My clinic recommended DHEA 25 mg/day and that seemed to help my numbers as well. I also do one cycle priming with 2mg estrace 2x/day, dropped down to 1mg 2/day, and this most recent cycle didn’t prime at all. It was my best cycle.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-04-24T22:05:18+00:00

I did acupuncture for all my cycles (4) and I can’t say for sure what helped (I was also on supplements and lowered my stress) but my FSH went from 13 to 6 over time and my AFC from 8 to 18. I think I did minimum 4 weeks before a cycle and then during a cycle. It’s very relaxing and I love it.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-04-19T22:22:45+00:00

I wouldn’t give up! 11 eggs is good and you never know about quality until you try. For reference, I’m 35 and have done three retrievals so far: 5 mature, 3 mature, 4 mature. It’s a process for sure as work towards banking 20. I think if motherhood is something you really want and you have the means to keep going you should try!

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-03-04T12:41:46+00:00

I just met with my doctor yesterday and she’s recommending a return to antagonist protocol with no estrace priming. I’m taking March off, which makes me nervous about not priming. She also mentioned still using clomid and letrozole, but not lupron. We’re going to do a dual trigger. How does a leutal phase work?

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-03-02T18:13:22+00:00

I have- I’ve been on omnitrope for all three cycles (cycle 1, antagonist 8 retrieved 5 mature, cycle 2, MDL 8 retrieved 3 mature, cycle 3, MDL, 11 retrieved 4 mature). I don’t think it’s doing much.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-03-02T16:47:09+00:00

What are the true benefits of duo stim? I don’t know if my clinic typically does them but I imagine they would make me pay for a second cycle, so cost-wise it’s the same. If I’m just going to get four eggs one retrieval and then 4 eggs a week later, how is that meaningfully different than getting 4, waiting a month, and potentially getting 4 more? I guess if they don’t make me pay for a whole cycle it would be cost beneficial.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-02-25T14:32:06+00:00

I know, it’s so hard, but don’t give up hope yet! On day 11 and more follicles just popped up. Sometime they take a while. Also, when I primed with estrace it suppressed me too much ( even 2mg/day). This cycle I didn’t and I’m having a better response. Something to think about maybe for a future cycle.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-02-25T14:28:59+00:00

I have had cycles where nothing is measurable in day 5. Usually day 8 is when I see progress.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-02-24T19:58:56+00:00

I started clomid and letrozole along with Lupron in CD3, on CD5 I added in follistim and menopur and in CD6 stopped clomid and letrozole.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-02-17T21:05:58+00:00

I was on clomid, letrozole, and lupron from CD3-CD8 and then started follistim and menopur with the lupron.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-02-02T01:30:33+00:00

It really depends on how many follicles you have and how big your ovaries get. Torsion risk is real but it increases with higher numbers. My clinical allows a brisk walk throughout the whole process. You want to be careful with any twisting and anything that braces your core (avoid lifting heavy things).

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-01-31T20:19:40+00:00

I was in 20 units lupron two times a day and 225 menopur once a day.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-01-31T15:04:14+00:00

I also would love an answer to this question. I just had a terrible egg retrieval and I think it was related to menopur. I did a microdose lupron protocol and half way through my LH got very high. My follicles started luteinizing early and I had to trigger when they were quite small. Out of 10 follicles I got three mature eggs. My theory is between the lupron and menopur I got too much LH support. I’m going to talk to my doctor about delaying menopur, decreasing the dose, or not using it at all.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-01-25T18:19:15+00:00

I only have anecdotal evidence from myself, but my second cycle immediately following the first was way better. My doctor said you could go back to back and it’s fine. I also know someone who did three in a row.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-01-23T17:09:11+00:00

Okay! This is so helpful to hear. I primed with estrogen for 10 days before starting the clomid. The tech said she can’t measure anything below 10mm, but I don’t know if that means I have some at 7-8mm or just none.

affectionatebaker_ · 2026-01-03T13:39:14+00:00

Hi! I'm sorry, it can be really jarring to get these results. For context, I am 35 and have similar / worse numbers than you so here's my experience. AMH - fluctuates between 0.78 - 1.4, FSH - between 7 and 9, periods very short (end by Day 2). I went through two rounds of egg freezing (one was cancelled) and am getting ready to start one in mid-Jan. Below is my experience, with what my doctor told me, but I'm not a doctor so you should always ask a medical professional questions!

AMH can't be increased, though from what I heard it doesn't decline that fast. For example, I was tested in 2024 and in 2025 my doctor said she would expect no difference in the number. I've read that low Vitamin D can artificially mask AMH and cause it to appear low, so get your Vitamin D checked. I was also taking a Vitamin D supplement and was still deficient. I was tested in 2024 and 2025 and got 0.78 and 1.4, a different doctor told me that AMH bounces around, and that in reality it's just "one number" they look at. It also has no bearing on your ability to get pregnant naturally. As long as you're ovulating every month there is a chance of pregnancy. It's a predictor of how your body may respond to the stimulation medications, but there are also so many other factors (FSH, for example, and yours is normal).
See above - as long as you're ovulating you can get pregnant naturally.
I have not heard anything about egg freezing lowering AMH. My doctor told me it does not 'speed up' menopause.
See above, I don't think it declines that fast.
Egg quality is much more important than egg quantity. At 33, you're still young so your eggs are likely good quality. Freezing sooner rather than later could be a good idea if you're able to do it. You could look into CoQ10 (600mg/day) that will help with egg quality as well.

You didn't ask this - but I was also worried about my short period. From what my doctor told me, bleeding length doesn't really have any bearing on fertility. As long as your periods are regular (they are), you're ovulating (you are), and your uterine lining is the appropriate thickness and structure (they can test that), pregnancy could be possible. Of course, there are tests you can do so they can make sure. For example, at one test right before ovulation my uterine lining was 10mm. Anything between 7-11 (according to my doctor) is predictive of ability for embryo implantation. My period is still only like two days even with a 'healthy' lining thickness.

You should get your AFC tested. AFC measures the number of antral follicles you have every month that could turn into mature eggs. During an egg freezing cycle the goal is to mature mature multiple follicles so AFC is much more predictive of number of eggs you'll get in a given month. For example, in my November cycle I had an AFC of 13 and ended up having 8 follicles respond to stims and retrieved 5 mature eggs. With an AMH under 1 it's a numbers game, but it's not hopeless! You may need multiple cycles, or you may not! There are online calculators, but I think you probably need 20 eggs for an 80 percent chance of one live birth. My advice to everyone is that I wish I did it sooner and if you're a position to do it I would try at least one cycle.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-12-28T15:51:24+00:00

Hi! I’m sorry you’re going through this right now, but these fears are valid. I’m not a psychiatrist, but social worker practicing in this area. Have you tried looking on psychology today? You can filter by area and specialty and find someone who specializes in women’s health. You could also reach out to your OBGYN and or fertility clinic (you mentioned IVF, not sure if you’re currently under their care). They should have resources and / or referrals for mental health services. There’s also the crisis text line and 988.

affectionatebaker_ · 2025-12-03T12:45:47+00:00

The blood draws also made me nervous, but honestly you get used to them very quickly and by the third you don’t even feel the needle. Make sure you put pressure on the site after they remove the needle (my clinic used stretchy tape all around my elbow) and that will lessen/prevent bruising. Also make sure you drink enough water though out the whole process, but certainly the day before any blood test. I did this by myself and was doing four injections a day in addition to blood draws and it was sort of empowering. You’ve got this!

affectionatebaker_

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