IVF drug query

Discussion forum for those particularly interested in IVF and embryo transfer including frozen embryo transfer.
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IVFSwitzerland
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IVF drug query

Post by IVFSwitzerland »

does anyone know the difference between Fostimon and Gonal F? I was given Fostimon during my first IVF whilst another lady going through the treatment at the same time as me was given Gonal F and she produced more follicles ... I plan to ask at my next meeting with the dr. but if anyone knows....thanks......
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sassynlv
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Post by sassynlv »

IVFSwitzerland: i believe fostimon is a generic form of bravelle (urofollitropin) and is a purified form of FSH. Gonal-F (follitropin alpha) is a recombinant DNA preparation of FSH (in other words, i believe both are FSH, just different preparations). Just remember, each woman responds differently to the meds. There is no one protocol or med that works for everyone. I was on two different "standard" protocols (with 2 different sets of meds) and didn't do well, while other women on the same meds did fab. I was then switched to a very different protocol (although still included some of the old meds), and i did much better. Definately ask your RE, though, what their plans are for improving your response w/next cycle. Good luck!
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IVFSwitzerland
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IVF drugs query

Post by IVFSwitzerland »

thanks for that - very helpful. also, just read that aspirin is no longer recommended for IVF as doesnt help - ironic as my dr "forgot" to give me this for my first IVF and has now put me on it for preparation for my 2nd attempt. Anyone have any further knowledge about aspirin and its benefits or lack of ?!
Ghost
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Post by Ghost »

Sassy is very close.

If you really must know where your stim meds come from, well, they come from two main sources. Chinese hamster ovary cells and the urine of post-menopausal women (typically nuns).

They get recombinant FSH from Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell cultured in big incubators that look like really big refrigerators for wine bottles, except each bottle has a cell culture in it and is slowly turned 24x7.

hMG is extracted from the urine of old nuns. It's often called "purified FSH", but it's not pure FSH, but contains some LH and perhaps some other useful things. As the ovaries age, the pituitary responds with increasing FSH, and post-menopausal women have a lot in their urine. Not sure why they use nuns. Reduced chance of disease?

It seems there is some agreement that it's best to use both FSH and hMG. Certainly some publications say this.
IVFSwitzerland
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Post by IVFSwitzerland »

what are your thoughts on daily aspirin and its effectiveness?
amanda-jane
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Post by amanda-jane »

as far as i'm aware aspirin is indicated to prevent miscarriage caused by clotting problems, and if my info is correct the only people this would be beneficial for is for the above group, otherwise i would have thought the risks outweigh the benefits, i'll try and find out though through my job
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amanda-jane
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Post by amanda-jane »

as far as i'm aware aspirin is indicated to prevent miscarriage caused by clotting problems, and if my info is correct the only people this would be beneficial for is for the above group, otherwise i would have thought the risks outweigh the benefits, i'll try and find out though through my job
a.j.hewlett
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