New to board - starting IVF/ICSI soon

PrincessSabert

So, this is my first post on any baby-related message boards, though I have lurked on a few from time to time.  We've been TTC for a little over a year now.  I've had an HSG, laparoscopy, etc. - found one tube is partially blocked, other than that "unexplained infertility" (a frustrating phrase, as I'm sure you ladies understand).  DH (hope I'm using the right shorthand lol - my husband) has low testosterone and sperm count and was on meds to boost it, but got blood clots ( apparently a really rare side effect), so rather than do IUI as we'd hoped/planned, we're looking at IVF or ICSI. 

We have been looking around, trying to find a place with good results and lower costs, but so far, my RE seems pretty good in terms of experience and price.  However, any recommendations would be welcome - we'd spend a few hundred travelling to save a few thousand, if that sort of thing is possible.  Other than that daunting aspect, the amount of hormones needed for IVF is SCARY.  I know everyone is different, but can you ladies with experience give me some idea what to expect?  Do you have to give yourselves shots?  Will it be like your period, only worse?  I am also debating whether to do single or multi (package) IVF.  It seems a lot of people end up doing multiple cycles (*respect to you ladies*), or maybe that would allow for a frozen cycle for kid #2 (assuming I'm lucky enough to get to kid #1 lol).  My AMH is 1.8, which apparently means I have lots of eggs, as my RE put it, so at least that's some positive news.    I'm also curious about timing - I know you get meds to shut down your cycle, then meds to stimulate egg production, so when in your cycle does all this start?  Any more fun to look forward to, besides meds, ultrasounds, blood draws, egg retrieval, hopeful eventual implantation/CP?  Fingers crossed - here's hoping we all get what we want at the end of this roller coaster ride TTC.     

MR449

Hi @PrincessSabert -- I'm new to IVF too (but not new to infertility unfortunately!). I just had my appointment with the clinic today (there's really only one in our area so there wasn't much shopping around) and got a general timeline for what to expect:

- Current cycle (I'm on CD 2 right now): meeting with IVF nurse; doing testing before IVF (checking levels for AMH, doing mock transfer, etc); getting paperwork and financing in order; partner's sperm analysis (already had one but they check extra things before ivf)
- Next cycle (in one month/ around Feb 23) - I go on birth control pills and antibiotics
- Baseline info around March 8
- Stims for 7-14 days
- Retrieval around March 21
- Transfer around end of March

Don't know what to expect with everything yet! Currently I'm reviewing the IVF paperwork and I've created a pricing sheet for meds because they're SO. EXPENSIVE! and I want to make sure I shop around and save some $!

PrincessSabert

@mr449 thanks for the info.  Yeah, the cost is making my head spin lol.  I'll be meeting the nurses soon.  Good luck to you.   

twomommiestobe

I used conception and mdr pharmacies. Look into first steps or compassionate care. They are discount programs for follistim or gonal f (whichever you end up on). Save all your med receipts bc there are also mail in rebates on some of the meds. Our meds were about $6000 for me and my wife, but we got it down to about $5000. Ask for a list of meds (even if they won't give you the prescription yet) and call around. We waited until we got the actual prescription and were under a time crunch trying to male all the calls and decide where to order. Good luck!

dragonfaerie

We are going through Braun Pharmacy which is part of DesignRX and our meds are about $5500. @twomommiestobe Will the mail in rebates be in the boxes, or do I need to do some research?

twomommiestobe

@dragonfaerie look up each med and rebates. Wait until you are completely done to send them in. Some you can only do once and if your doses get upped and you need to order more, you want to make sure you get rebates on those too! 

dragonfaerie

Great, thanks! I will do that. I've been saving all my receipts for taxes anyway, so I'll just start a new envelope.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

Unknown

This content has been removed.