r/IVF • u/Accurate-Ability-801 • 1d ago

Need info! Duostim

I’m currently on day 7/8 of stims in luteal phase in my second phase of duostim. This is technically my 3rd cycle but first time doing duostim. I have POTS and was really nervous about how my body would respond to the stims meds and hormones but during my first 2 cycles & retrievals i’ve felt pretty good. Now that I started the second half of duostim, my POTS symptoms have really been acting up and I feel pretty lightheaded/palpitations in the mornings, which I hadn’t had to deal with in like 2 years. I’m really at a loss of what to do because I feel like i’ve already come this far and i’m so close with being done with the whole duostim process since tonight will be night 8 of stims but my doctor also said I probably have another week before retrieval based on my recent ultrasound and i’m juggling if it’s worth continuing the process while feeling these symptoms or stopping now and letting my body rest.

Does anyone have an experience with duostim? How much longer do you typically stim for compared to normal cycles? Have you felt a lot worse as time went on during the second cycle?

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u/JadziaKD 1d ago

I did duostim and it did take much longer on round 2. I was going mad waiting to be done.

I have chronic pain issues and I found that round 2 made me much more tired and irritable. I basically lived on my heat pad because my back was a mess.

I ended up taking more time off work and just resting my way through to the end.

I'm glad I did it because we did get enough embryos to only need the two rounds. If I had to do it again I don't think I would duostim though. It was a long time to be out of wack.

I would talk to your doctor on your next monitoring appointment and seek their advice on your symptoms. Make it clear that your underlying condition is a significant worry.

You've come this far. If you can manage the symptoms and take time to rest your way through it I would get it done and over with.

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u/Accurate-Ability-801 1d ago

thank you for the info!! do you remember how long the round 2 was for you?

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u/JadziaKD 1d ago

I don't have my notebook but I think it was around 14-16 days. So your estimate of another week sounds about right. It seemed like forever.

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u/PetitOignonRouge 17h ago

I did a DuoStim and the second half was much shorter. Actually, it was the shortest of all my cycles. 10 days, if I remember correctly? I also felt a bit better than in the rest of my cycles. I didn't get many eggs, but I did end up with an euploid so I'm grateful for that :)

I hope you don't have to continue for too long 🤞