New to Board, not to IF. IVF planned Jan./Feb. '16

Cmartin6706 · January 2016

@babyexpress How exciting! Is this your first IVF? DW's blood work and lining look perfect. Apparently estrogen over 3000 reduces the IVF working to less than 10%. Our RE said it has to do with implantation. Our research agrees. DW estrogen was at ~300 yesterday and lining was ~9.5. If this continues and we get at least a few good embryos, we plan a fresh transfer a week from tomorrow. That'll be 5dpr.

babyexpress · January 2016

@Cmartin6706 Yes, this is 1st IVF cycle. My fresh transfer was scheduled for 1/15, but I don't think that is going to happen. My lining is at 10 and rest of my b/w has been good so far, so I'll know more this afternoon if I have to wait when my b/w from this morning comes back. If progesterone is still up, then I'll wait til mid Feb. I'm fine with waiting, it will give my body some time to recover. At least the hard part will be over.

GL to you on Monday!

Cmartin6706 · January 2016

@babyexpress That's a good number of follicles. My wife is starting to feel sore with our 15ish. That's normal for her though. Last time she has 22 and it was tough. Good idea re waiting, if needed. Fresh transfers are a double edged sword with a high follicle count. My wife says the ET wasn't bad at all. In fact, she's not worried about it at all this time around.

Keep us updated!

sassysd7 · January 2016

I love how everyone is progressing! I feel so far behind! I talked to Mandell's about our meds but they were outside of our network so they transferred us to Freedom Pharmacy. Mandell's quoted us out of pocket $3100-3200. I am waiting to hear back from Freedom. They are looking to ship the meds and have them here by Wed the 13th for my 15th start of Lupron.

Those follicle numbers are looking good! I hope to get as many as 15+!

@babyexpress What is a good number to determine if the lining is good? Amazing follicle numbers! What happens if you have to postpone the transfer? If you paid it all up front do you have to pay more or they just move the date and honor your payment?

sassysd7 · January 2016

@twomommiestobe We are really close in schedule! Maybe you will know your results before I have my transfer or close after!!! I know you can never tell fully until beta but I plan to test my trigger out and see if I can get an early surprise!

babyexpress · January 2016

@sassysd7 It turns out the transfer date has changed. I will have to wait til mid Feb. because of my progesterone levels being slightly high (1.43). You never know what your body will do, but I want to have the best success rates possible so I'm willing to wait it out and have my levels perfect. Yes, I have paid for everything at this point, just my date has changed. I think I paid for them to freeze also, just covering me if I had extras. I paid $300 for my hubby's sperm to be frozen also. I didn't want that stress of needing him on the spot, especially never knowing exact dates and times. As far as lining, my RE likes to see around 9 or 10.

Your pharmacy quote was better than mine. I paid $4200.00. I did buy everything needed though, including all meds I will need after ER. I can attach quote of all meds if anyone wants to compare.

sassysd7 · January 2016

@babyexpress Thank you for your response! I am so scared that I will end up with OHSS and was worried about the cost to postpone. It makes sense that they would honor the payment after you already paid up front for everything! It is very important to have the perfect environment. I would be willing to wait too. My tentative transfer is 2/14 so maybe we will be the same! It was a great idea to freeze his sperm! I am glad that my husband could make it.

Yeah I was preparing to have $5000 for meds but was pleasantly surprised that it was so low. Our insurance covers some of the meds too so I am wanting on them to run the insurance. I also have coupons from online to use. What pharmacy did you use?

Cmartin6706 · January 2016

@sassysd7 What are you scheduled to trigger with? If it's Lupron there is very little chance of OHSS per our RE. One of the reasons my DW is triggering with it. They also said even if you do get OHSS it'll be very mild.

sassysd7 · January 2016

@Cmartin6706 I am triggering with Pregnyl 10,000 IU. I also have a low dose HCG vial but no idea why I have it. We will be going over all my meds at our next appointment on the 12th!

twomommiestobe · January 2016

@sassysd7 I started my lupron on Fri. It was tough the first few times to get up the nerve, but I did it! I am glad we are close in schedule! I want to test the trigger out too, but our RE goes on and on and on about not doing any testing at home or trying to test out the trigger. So we will see what I actually end up doing haha

Cmartin6706 · January 2016

@twomommiestobe Can you test out Lupron? Our understanding is that it's not a HCG based trigger but maybe we're misunderstanding. It causes a surge through the pituitary gland instead of the ovaries which helps reduce the chance of OHSS drastically.

Article: https://www.advancedfertility.com/lupron-trigger-prevent-hyperstimulation.htm

@sassysd7 I would suggest you talk to your RE about your concern about OHSS. Maybe bring up the type of trigger you have, although DW told me the clinic gives her the Pregnly to trigger with in case the cycle is downgraded to an IUI.

sassysd7 · January 2016

So ladies who have used Freedom Fertility what was your process? I initially had my order at Mandell's but they were out of network for our prescription insurance so they transfered me over to Freedom on the 8th. We went over the order and the lady said that it would be sent to I think processing and they would give me call about quote and payment. I have not received a call and when I called they said they probably with call tomorrow for payment to ship it and have the medication here on Wed the 13th. I start Lupron the 15th. It is normal to wait until the day before to ship and have it by the set delivery day? Please let me know about your experience.

mskeenan · January 2016

Hey @sassysd7 I think that happened with my first order as well . It took them a little bit to get my insurance processed but they let me know the cost before I actually placed my order . I've always gotten my meds from them on time ! I've been impressed with their service .

MelD17011 · January 2016

Hi All – just getting started with IVF for the first time. Started the shots (gonal f & menopur) 3 days ago - Had my first ultrasound today….. 9 follicle per side (no idea if that is good or bad!) . Feeling fine on the shots….. really only nervous about the im trigger shot!

sassysd7 · January 2016

mskeenan said:

Hey @sassysd7 I think that happened with my first order as well . It took them a little bit to get my insurance processed but they let me know the cost before I actually placed my order . I've always gotten my meds from them on time ! I've been impressed with their service .

Thanks for your response! Yes I just called a third time and got a quote finally. They never gave me a quote but were going to process it. It seems really low to me for some reason especially being before insurance. She quoted me for $1117.62.

sassysd7 · January 2016

@MelD17011 welcome, this is my first IVF too! I can not wait to get where you are lol. I just want to spend my thousands and have them ship my meds lol. I am so impatient.

MelD17011 · January 2016

@sassysd7 dealing with insurance and getting my meds has been an ordeal! I thought I finally had everything arranged and found out the day they were suppose to be deliverable (and the day I was suppose to start them) that the right one's weren't showing up! Luckily my doc had some samples they could give me to get started until I got everything in order.... I feel your pain! ha

TWWAB · January 2016

@sassysd7 yes the day before is standard. I paid on Monday and meds showed up Tuesday. I think it was because the Gonal comes on ice packs so any longer than a day travel time might jeopardize the meds. Don't worry they are very efficient. I had my meds fiasco during Christmas and New Years and it didn't effect the process one bit.

sassysd7 · January 2016

@TWWAB thank you so much for reassurance!

sassysd7 · January 2016

I'm here for sonohysterogram and trial transfer! I'm excited one step closer!

twomommiestobe · January 2016

Cmartin6706 said:
@twomommiestobe Can you test out Lupron? Our understanding is that it's not a HCG based trigger but maybe we're misunderstanding. It causes a surge through the pituitary gland instead of the ovaries which helps reduce the chance of OHSS drastically.

Article: https://www.advancedfertility.com/lupron-trigger-prevent-hyperstimulation.htm

@sassysd7 I would suggest you talk to your RE about your concern about OHSS. Maybe bring up the type of trigger you have, although DW told me the clinic gives her the Pregnly to trigger with in case the cycle is downgraded to an IUI.

Maybe I'm confused about your question. This isn't our trigger shot, it is to suppress until you start stims. I don't understand testing it out?

Cmartin6706 · January 2016

@twomommiestobe my wife just triggered with Lupron this weekend but we know it can be used for other things.

twomommiestobe · January 2016

@Cmartin6706 oh ok. Yeah, we aren't using it as a trigger.

sassysd7 · January 2016

So Freedom called and my out of pocket cost after our insurance and everything was $180.53. The initial cost was $3362.57 and was applied to our infertility lifetime balance of $35,000. The gonal-f, pregnyl, and leuprolide (Lupron) were approved. They are shipping them tonight and should be here tomorrow but it is snowing there. I hope there are no hold ups! I still need to buy my low dose hcg since they didn't have it in stock! I was super excited to have almost all of the medications covered!

MelD17011 · January 2016

@sassysd7 it's a relief to have them on hand! - good luck getting started with the shots!

babyexpress · January 2016

@sassysd7 That's amazing! I'm super jealous.

Minnie1155 · January 2016

@sassysd7 I used freedom as well, I had a really good experience. Medication was delivered exactly when they said it would be. I don't think the weather ended up being too bad in that area so hopefully no hold ups for you!

twomommiestobe · January 2016

We are currently trying to shop pharmacies. We bought our lupron, but our remaining meds are still around $5000. We had more expenses come up from the RE (unexpected ) so we are desperately trying to save money on the meds. All I can find is rebates, which are great but we need the savings now.
Has anyone found discounts for lower income? We actually make a small income, so we might qualify. We have just been saving for a really long time and also took out a loan for ivf. I am scared we don't have enough!

sassysd7 · January 2016

twomommiestobe said:

We are currently trying to shop pharmacies. We bought our lupron, but our remaining meds are still around $5000. We had more expenses come up from the RE (unexpected ) so we are desperately trying to save money on the meds. All I can find is rebates, which are great but we need the savings now. Has anyone found discounts for lower income? We actually make a small income, so we might qualify. We have just been saving for a really long time and also took out a loan for ivf. I am scared we don't have enough!

Have you tried compassionate care and first steps? Apply for those. You will need your w2 and 1040 or whatever you used to file taxes. Also check out help rx website for coupons on meds. I know that Freedom will take those coupons. Did your doctor right your prescriptions so that you can get substitutions instead of the higher priced meds?

@babyexpressIt took us by surprise! I don't know how it is that cheap. My husband was concerned about not getting all the medications. It should be there today when I get out of class by 4pm. I have a tracking number so I keep looking to see where my package is lol.

sassysd7 · January 2016

@Minnie1155 No delay at all it should be here! I am so excited!

sassysd7 · January 2016

@MelD17011 Thank you so much I need the luck lol. I am so ready to get started so that I can be where you all are!

laur2835 · January 2016

@sassysd7 I have to use freedom as well....they have been great. My copay for my menopur is $500 after a certain cost regardless of how many vials I get and my md office was unware...they actually called freedom and explained and freedom was able to ship me another 30 vials for free....should be here today. I'm a pharmacist so I know all the ins and outs and they definitely didn't HAVE to do that....so I'm thrilled with their service!!!

twomommiestobe · January 2016

@sassysd7 ok, I got all the coupons!!! Thanks. I will call conception (who we were uusing) and freedom and see if it saves anything! So far, freedom and conception seemed about the same. I heard about mandells and I need to call them today.
I did do compassionate care last, but it can take 5 days and we are in a time crunch. I don't know if I'll get it back in time

I am going to call my nurse today. If we can substitute follistim, it is cheaper from what I can tell. I can't tell if they gave me generics or not.

sassysd7 · January 2016

@twomommiestobe good! I did compassionate care, called them same day and they emailed me the 50% approval that same night! I submitted it around noon on a Thursday through fax from Home depot! Yes do anything to save! Mandell's was out of our network for our insurance. we did gonal-f instead of follistim it was cheaper this way and if not then we could have used the compassionate care.

sassysd7 · January 2016

laur2444 said:

@sassysd7 I have to use freedom as well....they have been great. My copay for my menopur is $500 after a certain cost regardless of how many vials I get and my md office was unware...they actually called freedom and explained and freedom was able to ship me another 30 vials for free....should be here today. I'm a pharmacist so I know all the ins and outs and they definitely didn't HAVE to do that....so I'm thrilled with their service!!!

Wow that must be helpful to be a pharmacist! I am so lost when they name all the meds lol. I am so glad that they sent you the vials that you needed. They have been very helpful and efficient. It took forever to get my meds that they ordered and the original cost but other than that no complaints!

wenikilina · January 2016

babyblue13077 Yay! Cycle buddies! You must be getting close now. I will be starting meds next week! I am getting excited (and nervous again)! Haha. This is cycle #2 for me as well. Hoping for success for both of us!!

Foxy8609 · January 2016

Hi Everyone, Just checking in. So it looks like we will be doing a FET in March. My retrieval will be in February though. My nurse will be calling me tomorrow and I will need to call next week once my period starts. I really hope it comes early. I do not like this waiting game. I didnt know when you do a PGD test they have to freeze the embryos after. I thought I could do that and a fresh cycle. I just misunderstood.

How is everyone doing with the waiting game?

sassysd7 · January 2016

@Foxy8609 Thanks for checking in. I have joined another board that has more chatter but with work and school, I have not been able to be on either! An update for me is: today is my last day of BCP. I am on day 6 of Lupron. My med education class is Tuesday and I start stims on Thursday. I will be taking 150 of gonal-f, I believe continuing with Lupron, and then adding low dose HCG. Retrieval is still looking like the 9th and transfer the 14th. I hope it is the best Valentine's day ever!

Foxy8609 · January 2016

@sassysd7 How long has everything taken so far? I need to speak with my nurse tomorrow but Im sure next week after my period starts I will be put on BC but Im trying to find a mock schedule somewhere to see how long someone is on those before the egg retrieval. Im just so tired of waiting. And now we are doing a FET.

ladylove90 · January 2016

Hi, everyone I would love to be buddies. Im going to doing IVF this month and a possible transfer in the middle of February.

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New to Board, not to IF. IVF planned Jan./Feb. '16

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