How was your experience with Michael Sullivan at Buffalo Infertility & IVF Associates?
Dr Sullivan and Dr griffin are a team. So I sometimes see dr Griffin, whom I trust and care for equal to dr Sullivan. My frustration lies in being "unexplained". But i do feel that the Drs are trying everything they know to do.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Michael Sullivan at Buffalo Infertility & IVF Associates?
Be patient, it is a long journey. Every time you think "this is going to be the answer". That's not always the case. But the Drs truly care ans are willing to try and suffest whatever it takes to reach your goals.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Michael Sullivan at Buffalo Infertility & IVF Associates?
He thoroughly answers all of my questions. He spends the time necessary at every appt. He does all of my US, not a nurse. He is willing to try and suggest different test or treatments to figure out why nothing is working for us. When things dont work i can see his genuine frustration and concern.
Describe the protocols Michael Sullivan used in your cycles at Buffalo Infertility & IVF Associates and their degree of success.
We started with birth control, lupron, a baseline scan and bloodwork, added follistim with regular scans and bloodwork (sometimes daily) then trigged with ovidrel. I had 18 eggs, 10 mature, 8 fertalize and 2 make it to 5 day blast. I did a fresh transfer of one embryo, using endometrin tabs and froze the 2nd. This resulted in a chemical pregnancy.
I then prepped for a FET. There was a shortage of PIO, so again I did BC, lupron and a light, monitored stimulatuon with follistim. I triggered and fm5 days later transferred my frozen blast. This resulted in a BFN.
I did a miscarriage BW panel checking for blood clotting disorders and autoimmine diseases. My husband and I both did BW to check for chromosomal abnormalities. Everything came back normal.
We proceeded for our second retrieval. We followed the same protocol. We retrieved 12 eggs, 6 fertalized and 2 made it to 5 day blast. We did a fresh 5 day transfer. Transferring both embryos. Resulting in another chemical.
We proceeded with another consult. We decided in a hysteroscopy. I had that done, he scraped my lining to smooth it out, but didnt find anything suspect. I then prepped for my 3rd retrieval. He felt like the lupron supressed me to much. So we started with birth control, I did a baseline apt and proceeded with follistim, we also added in a low dose of HCG. I did regular bloodwork and US and added in ganirelix. I triggered with ovidrel. We retrieved 24 follicles. I can't remember how many fertalized and all that jazz, but again, we wound up with 2 blast. Which was very disappointing. I did a fresh transfer, with endometrin, both blast. And it resulted in my 3rd chemical or a possible ectopic. My hcg slowly raised before dropping.
At a loss, we decided for another retrieval. The next plan was to do a freeze all and let my body rest before transferring. We were lining up for our best retrieval yet. Same protocol, BC, follistim and LDHCG, bloodwork, US, ganirelix. My bloodwork showed my progesterone rising. So they had me trigger and brought me in the next day for retrieval, hoping I didn't ovulate prematurely. During retrieval, the embryologist stopped the doctor and said the follicles were empty. I lost one ovary of follicles. He convinced me to come back the next day and retrieve the second side. We got 19 eggs and 16 fertalized. And sadly, we only ended up with two blast again. I froze both. After a few month break, we started prep for FET. Birth control, lupron, estradiol, PIO. Transferred one blast. Ended in a chemical pregnancy. Compeletely defeated at this point, I opted for the ERA test which just became available in NY. So i took all the same FET meds. I am currently awaiting the results and prepping for my FET of my last embryo.
During all,of this it was suggested that I take prenatal, vitamin D, baby asprin and CoQ10.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Buffalo Infertility & IVF Associates.
I typically have two of the same nurses, but everyone is extremely friendly, caring and compassionate. They answer all of my queations and are prompt about returning phone calls.
Describe your experience with Buffalo Infertility & IVF Associates.
The only issue i have ever come across (im a travel patient, I live 90 miles away) I sometimes go to a local hospital for bloodwork. Im supposed to be drawn before 9 am for same day results and they fax the order. Whether its the doctor office or my local facility, the paperwork isn't always there. I have to wait for the office to start answering phones at 9 am.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Michael Sullivan at Buffalo Infertility & IVF Associates.
I believe it is $7200 for retrieval, monitoring and freezing. And roughly 1800 for FET.
Describe Michael Sullivan's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Buffalo Infertility & IVF Associates.
When 2 single transfers didnt work, we got more aggressive with transferring two embryos. And after that failed twice, we felt like we were blowing through our embryos so we decided to go back to single embryo transfers. And they supported our decision.