March IVF

MMD1986

@HottLemonade2886 and @famiylgrl86 thanks I will check them out.  For my IUIs my RE chose the pharmacy but this time he is letting me buy from wherever, so just trying to get a few so I can shop around for the best prices.

PoeMasque

@MMD1986 my RE uses a pharmacy in Israel called IVF Pharmacy. Meds were $2400 vs $4000 if bought in the US. Don't know if it's an option for you, I think all they need is the script from your RE. 

kyersten

Still waiting for my cycle to start so I can start BCP! Does anyone know about how often you have to visit the RE (typically) for monitoring once you start stims?

PennStateCait

@kyersten This is how it worked for me- I started stims and did a day 4 monitoring, day 6 monitoring, day 8 monitoring and then every day from day 9-13.
The amount of monitoring you receive will depend on how you respond to the meds but I hope that gives you a good idea of what to expect.

rainbowwishes5

@kyersten it will vary based off of you, your protocol and your RE. But, I expect about 9 visits in this ER cycle.

mandasd

I get mine through the military hospital in San Diego. Tricare meds get preferred pricing and I am not sure what the retail is. Mine are covered 100% not because of Tricare but because I'm being treated at the military hospital. I believe Tricare covers IUI but not IVF (military infertility program is only offered in DC and San Diego and there's a long waiting list). For those of you that have Tricare and at a private clinic, I've always wondered if your doctor could order your meds as an IUI cycle but then convert you to IVF, so you can get meds covered. 

rainbowwishes5

@mandasand my RE was down at the hospital in San Diego before he became a civilian Doctor. He said he was amazed at some random very expensive treatments that got approved.... So even with a wait it can be worth it.

mandasd

@rainbowwishes5 yeah, random is the key word here. I think at first they were annoyed with me because I spent 2 years at civilian clinics and didn't allow them to jack me around. Now I think the two docs have grown to like me - I provide them a challenge and forced them to think outside their standard protocols. I did the same thing with my husband - and eventually won him over too! Haha! 

caseyw8784

@MMD1986 - I had to order through insurance, and they also used CVS Caremark/Specialty. Didn't have a choice, but since insurance covered all but the copay, I'm not complaining! 

caseyw8784

@mandasand - welcome! my baseline US/bloodwork is on the 26th, so I'll be just a couple days behind you...yay cycle buddies!

kyersten

@PennStateCait and @rainbowwishes5 That helps a lot, thank you! Trying to work with my boss to figure out tentative scheduling for this process. 

mandasd

My job is pretty stressful with lots of responsibilities (I'm in charge of the marketing department at a global biotech), so this round I'll be taking up to 3 weeks off work. Since I have to run a couple training sessions next week, I won't be able to take all the days consecutively but it will be better than having to do this and handle my insane work schedule. I just can't have any delays this time since I have travel planned at the end of March. My work has been pretty flexible with me and I can't get out of another work trip. The doctor didn't say I needed to take time off work but I can't focus with what I call "injection fog," it's like I'm here but no one is home! 

laurad75

@MMD1986 last cycle I used Freedom Pharmacy bc they were the preferred pharmacy for my insurance. This next cycle my meds will be self-pay so my nurse recommended we use Apothecary by Design in Maine. My quote from them was less than half of what they cost at freedom using insurance.  My clinic apparently gets a discount but I highly recommend checking them out. 

DungeonTrollMel

Trying to catch up but very behind. @PoeMasque I actually got my PGS results the very next day. I was told 1-2 weeks so the call was a shock. I don't know if it's because there is a genesis lab where I live that and shipping  wasn't needed it why. I know they can do done day turn around if needed. My RE told us if we ended up not biopsying all at once, and none were normal, they could thaw, biopsy and have results for FET the next day as a last resort 

mtele

@MMD1986- I had some meds covered by insurance which I had to order from CVS Caremark but my maximum coverage on the insurance didn't cover everything so I had to order a bunch from IVF Meds in Europe which was much cheaper. They were very friendly and easier to work with than CVS but the shipping was slower- took about 10 days to arrive (although I think you can pay extra for rush shipping)

Rachel_leigh22

We ordered from freedom fertility, also used SMP pharmacy before but found freedom fertility a little cheaper 

DungeonTrollMel

I ordered all my stim medication from MDR because one of their bundles worked well for us as completely OOP. 

When i ordered all my FET medication, most went to my work pharmacy since insurance covers a certain amount of the estrogen prep, the prednisone and lovenox. My PIO, progesterone cream and ganirelix went to Avella since they are local. I actually learned they have a discount worked out with my REs office of 25%. 

Short version:  check to see if your office partners with anyone. May end up better 

PoeMasque

I forgot to mention, I believe the website needymeds has some discounts on IVF meds. I looked a long time ago, but none of the discounts worked for our situation. 

MMD1986

Thank you to everyone who made a suggestion.  Good to know there are a lot of options to look into.

HottLemonade2886

Had my first appointment since starting stims and they said everything looks good. I'm already adding the ganirelix and increasing my menopur tonight. Yay for more shots!

famiylgrl86

@hottlemonade2886 yay! that's awesome! Im in the same boat. Had my 1st ultrasound Wednesday morning & they said my number looked great & had me add cetrotide to the mix. Having my next ultrasound tomorrow morning so fingers crossed that one goes as well. Did they estimate when they think you'll have your retrieval? They said mine would be anywhere between Sunday & Tuesday.

lizycs

Hello all,

I'm jumping into the March board since I am scheduled for my FET mid-March. This is my first run at IVF, and I was wondering if anyone can help answer a question. How often did you have to go in for monitoring during your week of FET? I am trying to schedule a quick trip out of town for a conference. Thank you in advance for your help!

Lots of love,
Liz

HottLemonade2886

@famiylgrl86 - They did give me an estimate of 3/2-3/9 before I started meds so I was guessing like 3/3 or 3/4 for retrieval but if you are just a day behind me and being told Sunday-Tuesday that makes me think Monday-Wednesday for me.

@lizycs - Welcome! Unfortunately  I haven't done an FET yet so can't provide any help there.

HottLemonade2886

Okay just got the call that my bloodwork this morning showed my estrogen was higher than they like so they are added the ganirelix but not increasing the menopur and lowering my Follistim.

lizycs

@HottLemonade2886 I had to keep a notebook to keep track of all the changing doses. I also only used my lower abdomen, and I was running out of space after a while. It was all over sooner than I expected though, and your retrieval day will be here before you know it!

HottLemonade2886

@lizycs - Yes I have been writing dosages on my wall calender so I can keep track of it all. So far my abdomen is fine but my arm looks like I'm a drug addict from the blood draws. Haha! I am starting to think my retrieval will be earlier than I was thinking so that's exciting but now maybe will fall during days I am busy at work so I have that to plan for.

lizycs

@HottLemonade2886 My retrieval came on the worst day possible in terms of my work. My workplace is very understanding though, and everyone pitched in to cover me. I was back to work with no problems the next day. 

cmiller73

Hello out there! This is my first cycle (DH and I trying for 2 years) and start stims tonight! EEEK! Depending on how I respond (pretty aggressive protocol from what the nurses tell me based on my age... but all signs point to a great egg reserve) we are looking at ER in very early March! Wondering how other folks baselines went and, well if you experienced a more painful AF from the suppressors? I usually don't cramp badly but boy oh boy, OUCH.  Excited to have a community out there and a thread to see who else is doing this crazy IVF at the same time.

DungeonTrollMel

Definitely try and adjust work if you can. My ER ended up being 4 days early so thankfully I took the entire week off knowing things could change at any time 

rainbowwishes5

@cmiller73 I have not experienced a worse AF. Not sure what you mean by how baselines went?? Usually baselines just "say" whether you are good to start stimming or not. 

AFM- started stims last night. I hate this so much. Trying to be positive!!!! But I hate it!!!!

gwinnyblack

Me! My donor was matched only recently and now she is waiting for me so we can start actively stimulating, we need to synchronize our cycles also so I am pretty much sure that the EC, the fertilization and ET will be performed at the end of March which still makes us buddies.
Good luck to everyone. Wishing you the best!!!!
xx
PS @mandasand I am going to take some time off too as my work is also very stressful... but I am not sure I will have the chance to have that much of free time. I think of going to some meeting or doing some calming practices so my work does not stress me that much. although I will be having at least a week off due to the complicated situation as I am flying abroad for the ET and I do not want to fly right after the ET bc it is not safe... 
@cmiller73 Good luck with your first IVF!

cmiller73

@rainbowwishes5 yes, just the ultrasound on day 2, seriously major cramps. Since I don't normally have, I figured it was just because I've been putting the suppressor in (don't generally take any sort of meds ever so my body is probably like 'what the-')
@gwinnyblack thank you

cmiller73

@gwinnyblack

caseyw8784

@cmiller73 - welcome! you're just a couple days ahead of me, so I should be having my egg retrieval right after you! Good luck with your cycle and hope the shots aren't too bad so far!

AFM, i stopped the BCPs yesterday! Baseline ultrasound and blood work is at 7 am Sunday morning, so keeping myself busy so it'll come quickly! No real plans for the weekend, so DH and I might go to the movies tomorrow and grab a nice dinner (it's rare when he doesn't have to work a 24 hour shift on either Saturday or Sunday!) Anyone else have any fun weekend things planned?

HottLemonade2886

@caseyw8784 - GL on Sunday! No plans for the weekend except another ultrasound and blood work tomorrow. Other than that just taking it easy.

laurad75

@caseyw8784 That's such a good feeling to stop the bc and get back to productivity.  

I'm starting bc for round 2 tonight but hopefully I will only be on them for a couple of weeks.  

GL to everyone with testing and treatment this weekend.  

PennStateCait

@laurad75 Yay for bcp! When do you think you'll start stims?

laurad75

@PennStateCait My best guess is mid-March.  I am going to hound the clinic to make sure I am not on bcp longer than I absolutely need to be.  What is your plan for IVF #2?

PennStateCait

@laurad75 I'm on bcp now for 2.5 weeks (much better than 4 weeks last time). so I start stims on the 13th of March. Sounds like we'll be close to each other!

laurad75

@PennStateCait I hope so.  I like having a cycle buddy.