Trouble TTC

Newbie ? about follistim

I normally post on thenest GP board but I am hoping that you ladies can answer this question for me.  I have been a long time lurker on this board and think you all have a great amount of insight. 

I took my first shot of follistim tonight (yay!) and am questioning something.  I loaded the cartridge, put on the needle and flicked it to release air bubbles.  Even before I did the 1 click and pushed the plunger there was a droplet at the top.  After I dialed my dose, did the injection and pulled the needle out there were 2 more droplets coming from the needle.  Is this normal or am I losing valuable meds??  Also, my RE has me taking 75IU for 5 days, but I only have an RX for 300IU, does that even make sense?  If they wanted me to do 75IU for 5 days, this vial is 75IU short.  Do they normally change your dosage as the days progress?  I plan on calling my RE office tomorrow and ask these questions, but wanted to see if anyone could give me any insight tonight. 

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Re: Newbie ? about follistim

  • I don't have any insight on the second part but I do know i have given hundreds of shots and always no matter how perfect have a couple of small drops caused from air bubbles pushing up. I think thats normal, I have never used fertility drugs though. GL
  • Hey there :)  My hubs does my shots so I'm not positive, but a few drops of leakage I think are normal.  You will probably be able to milk an extra dose from the cartridge.  There is always extra. :)  Good luck!
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  • I just started Follistim today myself, so unfortunately, I'm not an expert.  I just wanted to say good luck to you!  I have the 600IU viles, and I'm taking 150IU a day... until Saturday anyway and then that may change... We'll see how much I really get out of the vile.
    TTC #1 since October 2008. Dealing with MFI.
    IVF #1 w ICSI in July 2010 = BFN
    IVF #2.1 in Oct 2010 converted to IUI = BFN
    IVF #2.2 w ICSI in Dec 2010 = BFN
    Met with new RE in new city on 1/31/11.
    IVF #3 w ICSI in April 2011. HPT on 5/9 = BFP!
    Beta #1 on 5/10 (10dp5dt) = 99.4. Beta #2 on 5/12 = 284. First u/s on 5/26. = Fraternal TWINS!
    Twin boys born & lost on 8/16/11 at 18w1d due to PPROM & preterm labor.
    IVF #4.1 in Jan 2012 converted to IUI on 1/7/12 = BFN
    IVF #4.2 w ICSI in Feb 2012. Lupron on 2/10. Stims on 2/18. ER on 2/29- 7R,6F
    ET scheduled for 3/5/12- nothing to transfer :(
    Dh seeing new MFI uro & Dh starting meds- June 2012.
    IVF #5 in Dec 2012 = BFFN.
    IVF #6 planned for Spring 2013. Praying for our take home baby/ies.
    **P/SAIF and P/SAL always welcome!**

    Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers
  • I can't remember if I ever had drops on the needle after the injection, but a few drops isn't really a lot and you're really not wasting anything to be concerned about. One thing you can do is not pull it our right away. Count to 5 or so, that might help.

    I typically had about 100IUs of over fill in my 300IU cartridges. You should have enough for this cycle. If you don't I am sure that your RE has refills available for you. It is also very likely that  your dose could change.

    Good luck! 

    Our IVF Miracles! Lilypie Premature Baby tickers
  • Hi! The drops are definitely normal. Don't worry too much about that.

    I would definitely mentioned the dosage thing to your RE, and I would do it tomorrow. My RE was very strict on us running out of meds, so I always one extra cartridge availalbe. The girls are right, there is leftover every time, but I wasn't told to use that. They had me throw it away, so I'm not sure how much is left. If I were guesssing, I def think there is at least 25-50 units left in the cartridge. Call them to make sure :)

    IVF #1- BFP- DD 4/8/2011
    FET #1- 3BB and 3B-B
    Beta #1 (4w0d)- 504
    Beta #2 (4w4d)- 4,577
    Beta #3 (6w0d)- 78,399 HB 115 bpm
    U/S #2 7w0d- HB 155 bpm

    Lilypie First Birthday tickers Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers




  • Thanks for all the responses ladies!  I did call my RE office this morning and they said that there is always more meds in the cartridge, so I should have no problem with getting all 5 doses.  I would have to get more if they decided to increase my dose.  I hope that doesn't happen since I really don't want to have to deal with my insurance company and having them do another authorization for the meds.  The first time was stressful enough!
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  • The droplets at the top are definitely normal and I second the pp who said to leave the needle in for 5 seconds before you pull it out.  There is always a little extra medication in each vial, partly for this reason.  I've used follistim many many times and I've always had anywhere from 50 to 100 extra units in the vials (and I've purchased 300, 600, and 900iu cartridges throughout this lovely little journey!) and I use it every time.  It's a complete waste not to!  Whoever said to throw it away is completely off-base, that is money down the drain.  Anyway, I'd let your RE know about your question, but count on using that extra overfill.  For future reference, if you are trying to use the overfill and the pen stops before it gets to zero, then it ran out early.  For example, if it stopped at 25, that would mean you didn't get the last 25iu of the dose you were doing.  This is also good to know incase you need to move onto a new cartridge in the middle of a cycle.  Hope that makes sense!  GL!
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