Injectables or Orals...the ?

ForTheLoveOf Pink · January 2011

Afternoon All:

After our most recent RE appt and finally getting to hear some action words like IUI, I'm sort of questionning my initial thoughts or rather my DH frugality. The RE asked about insurance for meds. and I know that NOTHING will be covered so at that point it was suggested to use oral meds based on cost. Now since I've had time to obsess at little more I wonder hmmmm should we bite the bullet pay $$$$ for injectables or just work with the more cost effective solution? Me, I'd pay everything that I have to get a positive outcome, but the DH is a little less inclined to spend on "no guarantees". What are your experiences? Did anyone start on oral meds then move to injectables or get right to it?

madelyn07 · January 2011

Depending on your diagnosis, most people do start on the oral meds. Injects are a lot more expensive, require more monitoring (although you still should be monitored on orals), are more invasive and have a higher rate of multiples.

Of course oral meds don't always work with every diagnosis but since your RE said its fine, if I were you, I'd start out with that. At least give it a cycle or two.

Edwina.McDunnough · January 2011

I was advised against orals as they are less effective for AMA 40+. Depending on how aggressive you want to be, and your diagnosis, injectable drugs can get very expensive for us AMA/DOR ladies. We did 2 injectable IUIs before moving on to IVF. Good luck with your decision.

inlovewithB · January 2011

My RE had me take both oral and injectable medications(see siggy) for our 1st IUI. It was pricey, but he went over the odds of pregnancy in an oral cycle vs. injectable and he recommended injectables.

For us- we wanted to give our selves the best chance of getting pregnant. At that point we had already wasted 14 months TTC and we didn't want to wait a moment longer than we had to.

MBfromBMC · January 2011

You may not necessarily have a choice... My RE starts everyone on oral meds unless there is some medical reason not to. She wanted us to start with Clomid and see how well we responded because it is the "least invasive and least risky method." You never know, you may respond well to oral meds!

dolphinsmakemesmile · January 2011

I started on clomid but then moved onto injectables. I was 29 went we went to the RE. I am 31 now and still no baby. I know he told me if I was over 35 he would've started me on the injectables right away. I know how expensive they are, but the one time I did get ku it was wi injectables. I'm sorry. I know it's not easy esp. when time is not your friend. GL!!!

itsmevkb · January 2011

I hope you don't mind me responding.

I am 39 and so age is certainly a factor. Knowing that we were completely out of pocket, my RE said we'd be super aggressive using oral meds and doing IUI. I took a HUGE dose of femara (12.5 each day) and ended up with only one follicle.

The next cycle I used the same dose of femara but added in 150 of follistim for cd 8-10. The follistim is spendy, but I only had to buy 450 of it so it wasn't horrible. That cycle I had three follicles and I got pregnant.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that oral meds can work but you may want to ask your RE how aggressive they are willing to be. Also, ask about perhaps doing a hybrid cycle where you're using both oral meds and a small about of injectables. That can up your chances without skyrocketing the cost.

Best of luck to you.

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