IVF#1 - Estrogen Priming Protocol

I met with my RE yesterday to discuss my first IVF. We're going to do an Estrogen Priming Protocol that, while not super-new (clinics started using it circa 2006), is not practiced at all clinics. My RE's goal is that with this protocol we might be able to eke out a few more eggs, but mostly that the eggs will be of a better quality overall. It's considered a very aggressive type of Antagonist protocol for low responders.

My RE would consider 5 eggs to be a success for me, which is pretty depressing, but it is what it is. I'm trying to focus on quality over quantity. Less than 3 and they'll convert to IUI. Regardless of how many fertilize, he's planning on transferring them all. Obviously if my ovaries surprise everyone with more than 5 eggs, he'll reconsider but we're not expecting that. I'm going to do a Day 3 transfer no matter what as we don't have the luxury of picking and choosing the most spectacular looking embie and he wants to get them into their natural environment asap to have the best chance.

I'm on CD4 now, we did a round of CD3-ish testing while I was there. As long my FSH is under 15 (it was 5.1 in Sept 08, but has fluctuated as high as 13, so we'll see) and my E2 is below 100 my insurance has us cleared for IVF. We'll hope that the paperwork is completed over the next 1-2 weeks, as the plan is to start me on the EPP mid-LP this cycle which should be @ CD19 for me (@ May 29th).

I asked about ICSI, because though there is no MF, with as few eggs as I'm expected to have, I want to make sure all those suckers have the maximum chance at fertilization. My RE totally agreed, but it would cost $2500 since insurance won't cover it for this first cycle without MF. However, he explained that if the first cycle fails, they'll probably cover ICSI for the next one. So, we'll go the old-fashioned way for IVF#1 and see what happens.

Here is the breakdown of my protocol:

No BCPs	Suppression as a way to take control of my cycle would be detrimental as I'm already too suppressed naturally.
CD MINUS-5	After b/w to confirm I am mid-LP, will start on estrogen patches to build up the egg quality. Will change them every 3 days.
CD MINUS-4 thru CD MINUS-2	Add daily ganirelix shots for 3 days. This quiets the ovaries and gets the receptors ready for the FSH to come in the stimming portion. Also to keep my body from getting confused by the excess estrogen and accidentally increasing LH.
CD1/AF	Call RE to schedule CD2 u/s.
CD2	Baseline u/s to confirm no cysts, resting follicle count. Stop ganirelix shots. Keep final estrogen patch on through trigger shot or until it falls off on its own.
CD3	Start stimming with Gonal-F and Menopur injections. Recombinant Gonal-f and purified "natural" Menopur have been shown to work well in combination. The FSH in both Gonal-f and Menopur should produce more follicles while the LH in the Menopur should help mature the eggs.
Stimming	Will continue with u/s and b/w as the follicles develop. Probably somewhere from 6-12 days. Will add ganirelix back in when the lead follicle reaches 14mm to prevent premature ovulation.
Triggering	Will trigger with Ovidrel (HCG) once I have more than 3 good follicles, hoping for more than 5.
Egg retrieval	The usual.
Fertilization	The usual.
Egg transfer	Transfer at Day 3.