Cetrotide to lower E2 level?

[gem5280]

My DH and I have been trying to start an IVF cycle since July. We live abroad-- we're Americans, but he's working in Europe. He could only get two weeks off in late August for a trip home (plus 3 days for the ER. We're not doing transfer right away-- with 25 resting follicles, I'm at high risk for hyperstimulation, so we're freezing and hope to do ET in December or January). I, however, have been here since July (thankfully staying with my mother; I can't imagine this many months on my own in a hotel). It's now been more than a month since I've seen DH, and we've been way too long TTC! I adore my RE-- she understands how totally frustrated and axious this is making me, and she knows I would like, if possibly, to return to my DH sometime before next year!

I've had complications with cysts-- the missed periods/irregular cycle, acne, and, obviously, infertility. I'm 28 and am otherwise very healthy. DH is 23 and is also very healthy. We consulted with the RE in June and decided to try an IVF cycle. After several frustrating months (cysts and a missed period), the RE put me on BCP in September (she would have tried it sooner, but they needed CD3 hormone levels). She put me on Yaz. I've never tried a BCP-- DH and I got married and had hoped to start a family shortly thereafter. I can't say I loved the way I felt on Yaz-- it caused bad nausea, moodness/irritability, and breast swelling/tenderness.

Here is a summary of events, followed by my questions:
9/20 (day 3 of my cycle): started the Yaz. E2 was within the normal range, ultrasound looked good (no cysts!)
10/3: stopped Yaz, was supposed to start stims on 10/8
10/6: spotting
10/7: went for an ultrasound and hormone check. Somehow, I managed to develop a cyst on the Yaz. E2 close to 400. Nurse coordinator called and told me I couldn't start the stims; we needed to wait and re-group on Monday. Much later on 10/7, AF arrived.
10/8: I spoke to RE's office several times (hate their reception!) and finally got my nurse coordinator. I explained that since AF hadn't arrived when I had the ultrasound and hormones, maybe the results were inaccurate. She spoke to the RE, who agreed to let me come back in morning (if only to calm my nerves and reassure me there was no mistake) for another ultrasound and E2 checked again.
10/9: Ultrasound (still have the cyst) and E2 checked again. Nurse coordinator called me with my E2 level and the RE's new plan. My E2 has gone up to 632 (way too high!). Instead of cancelling this cycle, the RE has a new plan: she has put me on three days of Cetrotide (0.25mg). She wants me to come back in on Monday to see if it's lowering the E2, which would help the cyst resolve.

Has anyone ever heard of this? Or tried it? How likely do you think it is the Cetrotide will help lower my E2? This is our first attempt at IVF. I know Lupron is knowing for lowering estrogen levels, but I also know that takes almost an entire cycle. My protocol was going to be with BCP, no lupron. Right now the Cetrotide is preferable a) because it doesn't take a month to be effective, and b) I had it already, as I was going to start it on day 5 of the stims. I've tried to find information on the internet about Cetrotide and E2, but I can't seem to come up with anything.

My last question. Yaz, obviously, didn't do its job too well. If this cycle has to be cancelled and I need to take a BCP again, which other pills are known for keeping cysts at bay? Was it just a fluke that I developed a cyst on Yaz? I'm not sure I understand how it happened-- the whole point of the BCP was to keep my system quiet for two weeks! I'm sad that this cycle could be cancelled...and I could be forced into waiting yet another month. A month feels like forever when you're TTC.

[WifeyC]

I don't know much about Yaz or Cetrotide, but I wanted to offer my encouragement. I went on Wednesday (10/7) for baselines and there was a cyst, my E2 was over 250. So I'm on Apri (bcp) for the next month. I googled Apri last night to read the FDA facts. One of the noncontraceptive uses, as specified by the FDA, is to eliminate cysts in the body. Maybe google Yaz to see what the noncontraceptive uses are. I have a consult on Friday to discuss where to go from here, basically a regrouping meeting. I'll let you know what my doctor comes up with. We can take notes from each other.

[gem5280]

Thanks-- that's a good idea. I hadn't thought to google noncontraceptive uses. This is so frustrating. My RE sounded very positive about Yaz preventing cysts (and it's worked for my sister, who has PCOS more severely than I do), so I never dreamed this cycle might be cancelled due to a cyst. I was so excited to go ahead with this, and it felt like the end of the world on Wednesday when I saw that all-too familiar black bubble on the ultasound. I'll keep you updated after my Monday appointment-- I'm really nervous. If the Cetrotide didn't work, I'll ask about trying Apri instead of going back on the Yaz. Thanks for the encouragement, and I hope next month will be the month for both of us!

[WifeyC]

Gem, I hope so! It's so frustrating having a cycle canceled right at the beginning. Ugh...we'll have to be a support for each other.

[gem5280]

I got rather promising news this morning! The cyst, on the ultrasound, has collapsed-- definitely good news. My E2 is down to 95! It's not ideal, but it appears the Cetrotide has done its job well. My RE is very optimistic. I'm off the Cetrotide for the next three nights-- the dose I've taken for the past three nights should keep the estrogen level down (especially with the cyst collapsed). And the best news-- I'm supposed to start stimulating on Thursday! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you on Wednesday-- I hope you'll be able to start a new cycle next month (and if you have a cyst then, I hope you won't!, maybe you want to ask about the Cetrotide. It's expensive-- what part of this isn't-- but it did work for me).

[WifeyC]

Expensive isn't an issue, as my insurance is great and covers all fertility related drugs, all injectables, all IUIs, and 4 IVF attempts. I can't complain. I have my consult on Friday, we'll see what the RE has to say. I'm on the bcp, started it Wednesday night, so I have two more weeks left with that before moving on. But that's great news about your estrogen levels! And the cyst collapsing is also very good news.