HGH (human growth hormone)? I need to decide if I'm using it. HELP. Also my new plan! LONG

babydreams13

6 IUIs, 2 IVFs, 1 FET. BFNs and 2 chemicals from the last two. We are unexplained. I switched to SIRM for my 3rd and probably final IVF. The highest grade of our embryos were 3 BBs. I also had an AC and for IVF 1 transferred 2 early blasts. I had lots of embryos still going on day 5 and 6 but they couldn't freeze many due to low quality. So egg quality is probably our issue. We are 32. 

Dr. T at SIRM suggested HGH as an option. He said it MAY help. He basically said it helps some people and others it doesn't. When I spoke to my nurse on Friday she said I had to decide if I want to use it asap so she can order my meds. I asked her if she saw it help people. She said maybe 20% of people. Thats kinda low, right? Dr. T basically sounded like it was a crap shoot. He said it has only been studied in older woman than myself. 

The plan is to do a CD 21 start. Lupron, ganirelix, Gonal F, Menopur. If I do the HGH I will be on 300 of Gonal F and 1 vial of menopur. If I don't do the HGH I will be on 450 of Gonal F and then be lowered probably down to 300 and 1 vial of menopur. His goal is to get 15 mature eggs. I got 14 from IVF 2 on 300 Gonal F for 12 days. I have never used Lupron.  

The HGH is $500-$800. Another person told me it could be even more $.  I will be doing way more injections this month so trying to decide if I want to add another one in and if its even worth it.

Have you done HGH? If so please share your experience. What would you do if you were me? 

Thanks ladies!

STL34

I did HGH for all of my cycles.  So, I don't know how quality would have been without it.  If you do it, I would call around for pricing.  I got it at a better price that way. 

FishyMom

I don't have any experience, but wanted to say hi and that I am pulling for you! When will you start your cycle?

RunCC37

I did HGH for IVF #2 which was by far our worst cycle, so it didn't help us. I don't really know if it hurt us any, so I'm sorry I can't offer you more than that. Good luck!!

katib77

For my IVF#2 cycle we were given the suggestion to add HGH, but I am AMA - where the research is stunning.  The study my RE's office did on women over 40 and had at least one failed IVF cycle showed vast improvement on both BFPs and Live Births.  Granted I'm 36 but still, the research behind it and the outcomes of their study was enough for me to say yes.

I can't give you info on it for me personally, because this was just talk two weeks ago for our upcoming cycle in May.  But I agree from most I've heard it costs around $500.  And in the grand scheme of cost for IVF OOP I'm looking at spending about $15K, what is another $500? I'd hate to have "Oh, I should have done X" especially since this will be out last attempt at our rainbow.  

babydreams13

STL34 said:

I did HGH for all of my cycles.  So, I don't know how quality would have been without it.  If you do it, I would call around for pricing.  I got it at a better price that way. 

Thanks for the info.  Uhh this is a hard decision for me.  I'm willing to pay for it but IDK if I necessarily need it.   Another injection to add into the mix does not sound fun.  

babydreams13

Ashris13 said:

I don't have any experience, but wanted to say hi and that I am pulling for you! When will you start your cycle?

HI. Thank you, I am pulling for you as well.  I can't believe we are still trying since being September Sunflowers....uhhh.  I never would of thought I would still be here.  UHHH.  Let's hope for good news soon.  I am on CD 11 and I'm supposed to be doing a CD 21 start. I go in for BW and Sono on CD 21 to confirm I ovulated and then start Lupron.  Then I get a bleed and start stimming.  So its gonna be a long road of injects. This protocol requires way more shots.  I'm having a hard time deciding about the HGH....uhhh.  

babydreams13

katib77 said:

For my IVF#2 cycle we were given the suggestion to add HGH, but I am AMA - where the research is stunning.  The study my RE's office did on women over 40 and had at least one failed IVF cycle showed vast improvement on both BFPs and Live Births.  Granted I'm 36 but still, the research behind it and the outcomes of their study was enough for me to say yes.

I can't give you info on it for me personally, because this was just talk two weeks ago for our upcoming cycle in May.  But I agree from most I've heard it costs around $500.  And in the grand scheme of cost for IVF OOP I'm looking at spending about $15K, what is another $500? I'd hate to have "Oh, I should have done X" especially since this will be out last attempt at our rainbow.  

I hear you. Thanks for sharing.  I guess I just get worried it could mess something up.  I make blasts so quality may or may not be our issue.  Uhh always so many decisions.  I hope both of our final IVFs bring us our take home babies.  GL

SKLH

I know it's " a friend of mine" story but a girlfriend of mine did 2 IVF cycles, lots of eggs retreived (over 20) BFN all of them and only 1 to freeze... went for her 3rd, added HGH and is preggo! No ultrasound yet but super high beta so maybe even twins. She's not sure if it was the HGH but he took the risk. Personally, I'd take the risk. I was SO undecided about my recent IVF cycle since it's my second one and I just switched docs. Thank GOD I listened to him. Our results were night and day from my previous clinic. I say trust your doctor, if they suggest it as something that could help, I'd do it.

ekc0630

I added HGH to this cycle.  Not sure of the effects of it yet.  I did get omnitrope from Apothecary by Design for $330.  I only did it for the first 4 days of my cycle.  I couldn't really afford another vial or 2.  I will keep you posted on my progress with the HGH.

zazu13

***PAIF***

I used it on my 5th (successful) cycle. I don't know if it made the difference, but I have no regrets. I paid $900 for 3 days of Omnitrope.  Best of luck!

Tenyearwait

I am adding it for my cycle in June. Pushed back my next IVF from April to June so I can afford the HGH. Considering I have never made it to ER, I am hoping this will make a difference.

babydreams13

zazu13 said:

***PAIF***

I used it on my 5th (successful) cycle. I don't know if it made the difference, but I have no regrets. I paid $900 for 3 days of Omnitrope.  Best of luck!

Congrats. I have some questions.  Interesting you did it for 3 days, I am supposed to do it for all days of stimming.  Did you notice a difference in embryo quality?  I'm worried about it having a negative effect since its so new in the use on IVF.  What did your RE say about it increasing your chances? Mine said it MAY help but it has only been studied in people in an older age group than me.  How were the shots? Where did you inject them?  Also I think is weird but my RE is saying he would put me on lower stims if I was using HGH.  He would start me at 300 of Gonal with HGH and if I don;t do it he would put me on 450 Gonal.  This worried me bc with my last cycle I had a decent amount of mature-14- but that was 300 Gonal and 150 Menopur. This RE wants me on 300 Gonal and 75 Menopur and the HGH and to get 15 mature.  I guess I have to talk to him.  Thanks for your help!

ttc23

I'm on HGH for 8 days while stimming and only 112.5 gonal and 75 Menopur. I also did testosterone priming though which I think is supposed to reduce the amount of stims I need. This is my first cycle with this protocol so can't give advice on whether it was worthwhile yet. I'll try anything at this stage. I take it subcutaneously in my abdomen. Best of luck with your decision

babydreams13

@ttc23 Thebump is acting up right now. Thanks for sharing your info. I see you are on IVF 3 also. Have you stimmed on a low dose like this in the past, or are you just stimming low bc of the HGH? I worry about stimming too low bc this is my last IVF and if we get none to freeze then we loose the 2 FETs. Are you doing intralipids this time as well? I should be getting my immune testing back tomorrow. I have to call them. Thats good to know the HGH is in the stomach. I have been trying to find people or stories of success but there isn't much out there. I watched a video with the doctor in France who did the trial with HGH and basically he is saying it needs to be studied more. How much did your HGH cost? Ahh decisions, decisions.

ttc23

babydreams13 said:

@ttc23 Thebump is acting up right now. Thanks for sharing your info. I see you are on IVF 3 also. Have you stimmed on a low dose like this in the past, or are you just stimming low bc of the HGH? I worry about stimming too low bc this is my last IVF and if we get none to freeze then we loose the 2 FETs. Are you doing intralipids this time as well? I should be getting my immune testing back tomorrow. I have to call them. Thats good to know the HGH is in the stomach. I have been trying to find people or stories of success but there isn't much out there. I watched a video with the doctor in France who did the trial with HGH and basically he is saying it needs to be studied more. How much did your HGH cost? Ahh decisions, decisions.

This is my first cycle with a new clinic. My first IVF I did 100 gonal f for first half of stims then 150 for second half. The second cycle I did 200 puregon plus 100 clomid (no idea why). First time I got 13 eggs (1 embryo) and second time 15 (5 embryos). This time the doctor explained the I would be on 187.5 units between gonal f and Menopur as with the HGH and testosterone priming I should not need as much. He actually originally had be on only 50 of Menopur but I questioned this so he raised it. i will be doing intralipids. i just did a few med related blog posts if that helps further with knowing my plan x

kz's_girlygirl

I am going to be using HGH during stims.  IDK the dose or frequency yet, but I know I will be using it during stims along with 350 Gonal and 75 menopur to start.   I don't produce many follicles despite normal levels, so we are adding HGH to hopefully help with that side of things as well as quality issues. 

(Last cycle I did 300 Gonal and 150 menopur for 12 days- we got 4 mature eggs, but only 1 fertilized normally.)

My RE had me get 3 vials (I'm using omnitrope) and they were about 350 each @ Walgreens Specialty.  Like PP mentioned, it will be sub-Q in the abdomen. 

babydreams13

ttc23 said:

babydreams13 said:

@ttc23 Thebump is acting up right now. Thanks for sharing your info. I see you are on IVF 3 also. Have you stimmed on a low dose like this in the past, or are you just stimming low bc of the HGH? I worry about stimming too low bc this is my last IVF and if we get none to freeze then we loose the 2 FETs. Are you doing intralipids this time as well? I should be getting my immune testing back tomorrow. I have to call them. Thats good to know the HGH is in the stomach. I have been trying to find people or stories of success but there isn't much out there. I watched a video with the doctor in France who did the trial with HGH and basically he is saying it needs to be studied more. How much did your HGH cost? Ahh decisions, decisions.

This is my first cycle with a new clinic. My first IVF I did 100 gonal f for first half of stims then 150 for second half. The second cycle I did 200 puregon plus 100 clomid (no idea why). First time I got 13 eggs (1 embryo) and second time 15 (5 embryos). This time the doctor explained the I would be on 187.5 units between gonal f and Menopur as with the HGH and testosterone priming I should not need as much. He actually originally had be on only 50 of Menopur but I questioned this so he raised it. i will be doing intralipids. i just did a few med related blog posts if that helps further with knowing my plan x

I'll check out your blog.  Thanks! Hopefully all these changes will work for you!

babydreams13

kz's_girlygirl said:

I am going to be using HGH during stims.  IDK the dose or frequency yet, but I know I will be using it during stims along with 350 Gonal and 75 menopur to start.   I don't produce many follicles despite normal levels, so we are adding HGH to hopefully help with that side of things as well as quality issues. 

(Last cycle I did 300 Gonal and 150 menopur for 12 days- we got 4 mature eggs, but only 1 fertilized normally.)

My RE had me get 3 vials (I'm using omnitrope) and they were about 350 each @ Walgreens Specialty.  Like PP mentioned, it will be sub-Q in the abdomen. 

Thanks for the info.  I hope this cycle brings you your take home baby.  I really have to decide about the HGH ASAP bc I'm starting Lupron at the end of the week if all looks good.  I wish there were more studies done with it. To drop another $1000 is a lot with all these costs.  

ekc0630

I got Omnitrope from Alexanders Twin for $340.  I used it the first 4 days of my cycle.  Retrieval is on Wednesday.  From what I can tell between the DHEA, Royal Jelly, CoQ10, Vitamin D and the HGH something seemed to work well.  They have found 5 more follies this time and they are all measuring larger than last time.  Wed I will know more about the quality.