Hi am a newby and sorry posting is so long.
Hello everyone
I have been reading the postings on this site now for the last few days. Found the site by chance.
I was wondering if anyone could offer me any guidance on my experience so far.
I am 41 years old and began the whole process of IVF in Nov. 2005. After consultation with the advisor/coordinator/registrar, my husband and I were informed that the cost would be about £3,500. I’m not at all sure whether she mentioned anything about drugs and any extra charges for them. I naturally assumed that price was for everything!! At the time we were both very nervous and feeling very vulnerable (as you can imagine). There should have been so many questions that we should have asked her.
Anyway, we were enrolled.
My blood tests were fine. I was asked to administer the syneral spray which did not work for me. I had to start the whole process again a month later.
This time they found that because I didn’t respond so well last time, I was put on max dosage (600 units) puregon. This was at a cost of about £400 pounds at a time, I needed about 6 bottles of this. I was having a blood test everyday for nine days. Each time three different tests were done. )LH, proj, oest? Each at a cost of £90. (£270x9 days!!)
Four embryos were finally achieved. Three transferred. I will find out on Friday (7th April 06) if I’m pregnant.
The whole process has ended up costing me £10,000. couldn’t believe it when the final balance was calculated. Now, I never ever thought that I would fall pregnant the first time round so we had put aside enough money for three attempts. This is impossible for us now!
Where did it all go wrong. Naturally, if this first attempt works out for us, It’s not as bad-but what happens if it doesn’t?
Kacey
Have I really been so naive?
Hi,
I had a very similar experience in the US. I just finished my 1st IVF cycle. The very first time I walked through the door and discussed my options with my RE, I asked very pointed questions regarding cost and was given an approximately 12K, exlusive of the donor fees. However, the meds that were estimated between 2-5K, but I was told that ours probably wouldn't be as much since we were using young donor eggs. Wrong, meds were 8K and climbing. Blood tests and ultrasounds were 3 times the estimate. Donor fees ended up being 12K. So far we have expended over 32K. This amount is over 8K more than we were originally told we could expect to spend. We felt like they get you in and then incrementally increase the charge. We kept looking at ourselves and saying "we have come this far what else can we do but proceed." We couldn't very well just stop after 24K we had to see it through. We were lucky our circumstances where such that we were able to continue.
I had my blood test just today & I got a BFP, so I have no regrets at this point. I was truely amazed, I know they have done hundreds of these so they have to have a better idea of what it will truely cost then what they share with us. Maybe they think if they tell you 30K right off the bat that it will scare you away, I don't know.
Good luck with your test.
Darby
I had a very similar experience in the US. I just finished my 1st IVF cycle. The very first time I walked through the door and discussed my options with my RE, I asked very pointed questions regarding cost and was given an approximately 12K, exlusive of the donor fees. However, the meds that were estimated between 2-5K, but I was told that ours probably wouldn't be as much since we were using young donor eggs. Wrong, meds were 8K and climbing. Blood tests and ultrasounds were 3 times the estimate. Donor fees ended up being 12K. So far we have expended over 32K. This amount is over 8K more than we were originally told we could expect to spend. We felt like they get you in and then incrementally increase the charge. We kept looking at ourselves and saying "we have come this far what else can we do but proceed." We couldn't very well just stop after 24K we had to see it through. We were lucky our circumstances where such that we were able to continue.
I had my blood test just today & I got a BFP, so I have no regrets at this point. I was truely amazed, I know they have done hundreds of these so they have to have a better idea of what it will truely cost then what they share with us. Maybe they think if they tell you 30K right off the bat that it will scare you away, I don't know.
Good luck with your test.
Darby
Hi Kacey,
Sorry to hear of the extra financial stresses. The whole thing is such a roller coaster without any of that. Impossible I imagine put try put this whole financial worry on the backburner and focus on having sending your little embby positive vibes to make her/him stick for a couple of days! And dont worry about this until after your result.
Even with a BFP I would try and talk to someone at the clinic and possibly even find out what your consumer rights are. Its important they know how stressful and crap this has been for you either way!
It seems absolutely unfair that the whole thing could rack up this cost, and for you to not know until the invoice date.
Why weren't they responsible enough at the beginning to give you a range of ACTUAL costs, even if its a range which accounts for some different scenarios. The least you could have expected is that they would indicate clearly what the cost of 3500 k covered, how on earth is someone new to IVF supposed to know and ask whether there are other costs not included? Especially when you feel so vunerable, which they should expect many woman to be.
With costs spiralling out of control from their first quote, I am so suprised that you werent officially kept in the loop with updated costs cited for you on paper, and having someone discuss with you in advance what financial implications your additional drugs would cost.
I wish you heaps of luck and tonnes of baby dust for your test date.
M
Sorry to hear of the extra financial stresses. The whole thing is such a roller coaster without any of that. Impossible I imagine put try put this whole financial worry on the backburner and focus on having sending your little embby positive vibes to make her/him stick for a couple of days! And dont worry about this until after your result.
Even with a BFP I would try and talk to someone at the clinic and possibly even find out what your consumer rights are. Its important they know how stressful and crap this has been for you either way!
It seems absolutely unfair that the whole thing could rack up this cost, and for you to not know until the invoice date.
Why weren't they responsible enough at the beginning to give you a range of ACTUAL costs, even if its a range which accounts for some different scenarios. The least you could have expected is that they would indicate clearly what the cost of 3500 k covered, how on earth is someone new to IVF supposed to know and ask whether there are other costs not included? Especially when you feel so vunerable, which they should expect many woman to be.
With costs spiralling out of control from their first quote, I am so suprised that you werent officially kept in the loop with updated costs cited for you on paper, and having someone discuss with you in advance what financial implications your additional drugs would cost.
I wish you heaps of luck and tonnes of baby dust for your test date.
M
ME: 31 DP: 36
TTC: 6 yrs
Tubal damage - failed surgery Aug 04
1st IVF: Nov 05 -ive
1st FET: Mar 06 BFP!
Maia Ella Rennie, born 8 nov 9.49am
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;4;96/st/20061108/n/Maia+Ella/dt/-6/k/9f21/age.png[/img]
TTC: 6 yrs
Tubal damage - failed surgery Aug 04
1st IVF: Nov 05 -ive
1st FET: Mar 06 BFP!
Maia Ella Rennie, born 8 nov 9.49am
[img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/2;4;96/st/20061108/n/Maia+Ella/dt/-6/k/9f21/age.png[/img]
Thanks Darby and CONGRATULATIONS!! :-)
Yes a BFN!! Got my results yesterday.It was really hard to deal with. Still don't know how to handle the cost issue.
I am a little confused at the mo. I will go for a follow up next week sometime and get them to answer some of my questions.
Why didn't they consult with me earlier to tell me that the cost was going to sky rocket for the treatment that i was going to be on??? Where do I find more money! Do I consider India??
Did you get pregnant on your first cycle? Did it cost you £32 on one cycle, Darby or have I missed something?
Kx
I am a little confused at the mo. I will go for a follow up next week sometime and get them to answer some of my questions.
Why didn't they consult with me earlier to tell me that the cost was going to sky rocket for the treatment that i was going to be on??? Where do I find more money! Do I consider India??
Did you get pregnant on your first cycle? Did it cost you £32 on one cycle, Darby or have I missed something?
Kx
Kacey,
Yes, it cost me 32K for one cycle, but I was totally self pay in the USA. My insurance didn't cover anything, not even the meds. Yes, I got pregnant on my first cycle. I just had my second blood test yesterday that came back with great counts. I am extremely optimistic that all will continue to go well. My understanding is that up to 60% of people my age 43 (okay 44 in 20 days) have miscarrages if they use their own eggs, even if they are successful getting pregnant. After digesting all of the statistical and medical information, I elected to go with a donor egg my first try. A large part of my decision was based on the economics of repeated self pay cycles only to end up paying for a donor anyway. I decided to take my best chance the 1st time. We paid extra for a donor that had previously donated before and who also had prior successful pregnancies of her own. I wanted to make sure she knew what she was getting into and wouldn't abandon the cycle half way through because she didn't fully understand what it entailed.
My doctor did not push me either way and I had pretty much came to the realization that I would need a donor before I saw him for my first appointment. My doctor had indicated my odds would increase from anywhere between 5-15% to 50% if I used a donor egg. We liked those odds much better. He also indicated that with younger donor eggs, it would be likely that he could perform a 5 day transfer in lieu of a 3 day, therefore he believed that I would have better chances with a higher quality embryo.
I hope some of this info might help you. We raised the majority of the money selling things on Ebay. It was amazing how much stuff we had accumulated over our lifetimes. I guess that was the one advantage of being older.
Darby
Yes, it cost me 32K for one cycle, but I was totally self pay in the USA. My insurance didn't cover anything, not even the meds. Yes, I got pregnant on my first cycle. I just had my second blood test yesterday that came back with great counts. I am extremely optimistic that all will continue to go well. My understanding is that up to 60% of people my age 43 (okay 44 in 20 days) have miscarrages if they use their own eggs, even if they are successful getting pregnant. After digesting all of the statistical and medical information, I elected to go with a donor egg my first try. A large part of my decision was based on the economics of repeated self pay cycles only to end up paying for a donor anyway. I decided to take my best chance the 1st time. We paid extra for a donor that had previously donated before and who also had prior successful pregnancies of her own. I wanted to make sure she knew what she was getting into and wouldn't abandon the cycle half way through because she didn't fully understand what it entailed.
My doctor did not push me either way and I had pretty much came to the realization that I would need a donor before I saw him for my first appointment. My doctor had indicated my odds would increase from anywhere between 5-15% to 50% if I used a donor egg. We liked those odds much better. He also indicated that with younger donor eggs, it would be likely that he could perform a 5 day transfer in lieu of a 3 day, therefore he believed that I would have better chances with a higher quality embryo.
I hope some of this info might help you. We raised the majority of the money selling things on Ebay. It was amazing how much stuff we had accumulated over our lifetimes. I guess that was the one advantage of being older.
Darby
Thanks Mel
Thanrks for the reassuring words Mel.
K
K