Moving up to Gonal-F. Any tips/ experiences to share?

MoreTacosPlease

After 7 tries at IUI with our RE, he's ready to upgrade me to Gonal-F injectables in hopes that with a few more eggs I might up my odds (with the usual warnings about multiples and the possibility of hyperstim, as well as daily monitoring to prevent both). If we could afford it right now, I think he'd actually prefer for us to move on to IVF, but we'll need a while to get that money together...

Anyone have any experience with Gonal-F- anything I should prepare for? I've done Ovidrel self-injections for four rounds, so I've given myself shots before, but just once per month. 

Fingers crossed that this will do the trick!

Davie813

I've done 2 cycles with Follistim (same medication, and it looks like it comes in a similar injection pen).  It's honestly pretty painless, pretty side-effect free (for me, at least), and pretty hard to mess up. 

The one thing I did not like was the aftermath.  I got AF 9 days after ovulation (not normal, obviously, but apparently it happens on injectables), and I think my progesterone must have crashed hard.  I don't usually get PMS, but the day before AF's early and unexpected appearance, I felt like a crazy person.  I posted about it, in fact.  So, you might consider asking your doctor for progesterone.  I'm taking it this time around.

Good luck!

MoreTacosPlease

Thanks Davie813! I'll keep an eye out for the crash. I should have progesterone again this month, so maybe that will help even me out. 

bearfootz

My first IUI was with the follistim. I thought the shots were rather painless, especially compared to the trigger shot. I do not recall having any side effects.

bearfootz

Oh, and good luck!

MoreTacosPlease

Thanks bearfootz! Glad to see someone with positive results from an IUI. Keeps me hopeful!