Anybody IVF progesterone ring study in Texas?

[IndieBlue]

Glad that you're so upbeat about it The more BFN's I see the more aware I become....mostly of the fact that even women who have no apparent reason for infertility still don't get a BFP on the first try. I have tubal issues....so we know why I'm not pregnant naturally but still....if I have absolutely no other factors, that still doesn't grant me some kind of 'front of the line' pass LOL so I guess I'm just trying to keep things in perspective.

I am so glad that I found the study though...makes it easier to go ahead and start a cycle, since we were going to have to wait till the end of this year or first of 2009. I pray that I get that BFP and that you do too!

[Knrjack]

That is exactly our thinking as well. We had saved up to do IVF #1 for full price and was on that track when they called and said we were in a study. Prayers answered.. This gives us the chance to do this with care free attitude and view it as this is going to work for us. This is our time. The chance that it doesn't we will have frozen embryos with IVF/ICSI so we will be able to do FET later if it is needed. This opportunity just opens more doors and options that we did not have before. We will only be able to really afford one full price IVF on our own after this so this is our shot. We will evaluate the road blocks if they should happen as they come. But, THIS IS IT I am going to be a mommy. lol. no reason not to be.

We have Male factor, low numbers.. So we have to do IVF/ICSI. I have had a laporoscopy (sp) january 2007 to make sure I was clear. I have no problems on my side at all. So I am positive there. I have no family history on my side either. Infact my sister & mom are fertile mertiles think it and they are.. I just have faith and confidence things will work out.

Took me awhile to get to this point but it feels very invigurating (sp). OH BOY I can not spell for the life of me. Please forgive me.

[IndieBlue]

LOL, I kept trying to say a word the other night and finally gave up. Can't even remember what it was now but my husband said it and I just said "yep, that word" LOL I was VERY upbeat when we first started this. I kept thinking...well my only problem is my tubes, no other issues and I had NO problem getting pregnant with my 2 bio children (before the tubal). Then I kept reading about how precise it has to be, and sometimes for some unknown reason they just don't attach I just don't want to set myself up too high and then be disappointed I guess but at the same time, I feel like this was an answer to our prayers too....so that we could concentrate more on the process and less on what it was costing us.

[Knrjack]

I picked up my meds on Saturday. All set.. Have my shot class on next monday 3-31-08. HERE WE GO.. I am trying to get myself into an walking routine now so that it helps with the long hall. I was going to get up early today and walk on my treadmill. No such luck. YIKES, it is just to darn comfy.

[IndieBlue]

We have shot classes either this week or next week....trying to coordinate it with AF so I can have my other test while I'm there. So how much were your meds? I see that the Portia BCP is included in the study as well as the Progesterone but nothing else is included in mine....so they told me it would be anywhere from 2000-2500.

I totally know what you mean about being comfy and not wanting to walk LOL We've had 70 degree weather and then all of a sudden it's snowing today...OUCH! Can't get out and about today....but I do need to.

Wonder what happened to the other ladies that started this thread? It would be nice to have a lot of us on the same program....different points in the study, that would be nice Maybe they'll come back soon....until then it's nice to have a study buddy, especially one that is a step ahead of me. LOL

[stressball]

Hi,
nice to know that I have some people in my boat....Sorry buddies..I got lost for some time....actually I had decided to not think about all this until the get the green signal from the prelim test results...well I am still waiting on the results....I got my bloodwork done..According to the nurse if everything is okay then we will start the cycle from my next periods which is supposed to start from today...so waiting on AF....

[IndieBlue]

Hey Stress Nice to see you back. So what test did you have run? The test seem to be neverending on my side.....CRAZY. My first appointment was supposed to be a consult but that day I ended up having vial after vial of blood drawn for all sorts of stuff, which resulted in Iron supplements YUCK! Then I had another Pap, even though my other one from my regular gyne was only a few months old. Then had my STD test, watched the video on the study and signed that 20 something page consent form. Oh and I got the wonderful vag ultrasound that day too, since it was day 9 of my cycle....why they didn't do the saline ultrasound that day I have no idea They actually gave me the pink book that day too...did you already get that? That is kind of misleading I think, since I'm not accepted in to the study until after FSH and Saline Ultrasound.

I'm supposed to start AF tomorrow and then I'll go for my FSH and a regular vag. ultrasound on day 3. After that, I have to wait till day 6 through 11 and go for the mock transfer and the saline ultrasound. Then HOPEFULLY I'll be able to start with my April AF (end of April or first of May). Oh and somewhere in there I have to make a visit for the Psychologist consult and husband has to do a SA.....which we'll fit in on one of my appointments so we won't have to make the trip again.

Our RE's office is 3 hours there and roughly 2 hours home....so with gas prices going up it's hectic scheduling all these appointments. I like the way the study broke down everything by visits....but there are many more that aren't included in that, as deemed necessary by your RE so we'll be running up the mileage for sure.

Well, glad to see you're back.....maybe our other poster will come back too

[Knrjack]

Good to see you again Stress ~ I don't blame you wanting to lay low till you are sure.


Indie ~ Wow you have done a lot more than I ever had. Make sure to track all your mileage & Gas receipts for your appointments. TAX WRITE OFFS.


Well, it is very interesting to learn about all of us in different areas who are on the study. I have a blog http://www.jackson1995.blogspot.com/ as well where I have been documenting my experience as well. I received a post from a gal in Chicago that foung me from my blog. She called her clinic and each clinic who is participating in the study have their own criteria as well that must be completed. It is just so strange. I just assumed we all were covered the same.

Thank you again for keeping in touch. I really do enjoy it to talk with you girls each day.

[JNIGRL]

Hey ladies,

Who is visiting the Webster TX location for this study?

[IndieBlue]

GA here JNIGrl

KNr: Isn't it funny how much or little they ask you to do. It's CRAZY I tell ya! My RE nurse said a while ago that they'd schedule me for a pap on the 3rd....ummm, no you won't. LOL Been there and done that twice within the past 6 months! I think she didn't have my chart in front of her and forgot that I had it done already. She then said I could wait till next month to have my FSH done...ummm, NO! Haven't I waited long enough to get started...LOL Schedule that NOW....so I'm going in Friday YAY for AF showing up a day early

Oh and how much did your husbands have to do? My husband has to of course do a Semen analysis but they also mentioned blood work....yay, NOT! So looks like another full day for us on the 3rd and hopefully we won't be there all day Friday since it's just an ultrasound and FSH testing

[JNIGRL]

All DH had to do (so far) is SA. Then when the ER happens, he gets to leave another "deposit"..LOL No mention of BW to be done on him.

We meet with Dr. this week,sign consent forms and mock ER.....
I have to admit, I was totally caught off guard today with a message from the pharmacy stating they had my meds ready and needed payment. I "thought" I clarified this with the coordinator with DH and God above as my witness. She tells me that all I have to pay is the facility fee, confirming that my med ins. DOES NOT COVER ANY procedures or meds.. she said all I would have to worry about it the "regular everyday prescrips...i.e., antibiotics...and so far that's been $100. Well bummer, my meds are going to cost $2000.00 - OK OK, I know, it's plenty cheaper than the $20K or whatever the price it costs now, but please..I contacted them for the reason that I am not a walking bank of unlimited funds.... Makes me ponder on how we will be "treated" further along as study subjects... Feel free to vent on me! I promise I am grateful to be participating, I wish the coordinator would get all the details straight in the beginning.

[Knrjack]

Jnigrl ~ For them to forget a minor thing such as oh I don't know 2 grand. That is huge. I agree it is a lot less than 20k but still a shock none the less. Did they order your meds from Shrafs too? Boy that is a strange name.

Indieblue ~ Dh had to do the initial blood work when we began at the clinic before we got in the study. Normal pre lab stuff. Oh, I forgot I did have the once over exam as well for the study. They had me do another pap and the nurse was funny. She said I don't want you back in later because we didn't do this in "their" the study's time frame. She said besides the study covers the cost. So go for it.

I have a really great team up here in Boise. I am wondering about all the other clinics and how the treatment will be for us. I am going to Reno for my ET. My RE here in Boise founded the clinic in Reno, NV so my suspicions are that he is somehow directly connected to this study. I don't know for sure ofcourse. What do you think????

So lets see if I can post a pic of my meds... I am scared of the needles I must say though. I have my shot class on Monday. YIKES>

[IndieBlue]

Is that only the first round of stuff too? Or is that everything for the whole cycle? I know that I start with Portia BCPs and Lupron...but haven't gotten a full schedule yet based on FSH...etc so I'm not sure what else will be added.

So how much did all that run you? My RE's office was very clear from day one that the meds were not covered in the study amount of 3500, well except the study drug and the BCPs. They quoted me a cost of around 2000-2500 for all of that in addition to the 3500, but then you get money back at the end of the study (per how many visits you make). Is that how your studies are set up?

I've seen on in IL? that was completely FREE!!!! The study didn't charge to participate and I think that meds might have been included....even if they weren't, the free study is GREAT! I haven't had to pay the 3500 yet, I guess they wait till after my FSH comes back and they make sure my saline ultrasound before officially accepting me in to the study....which I think is nice since I'd hate to lose 3500. My insurance also covers the diagnostic testing, so I don't think I'd have paid the 3500 yet anyway.....since my insurance would have covered all of these test and then I could have joined the study after that point.

Sorry that you got caught off guard JNIGRL, that's cruddy!!!! But then again, I keep getting mixed messages from different people in the office so I can totally see how they may not all be on the same page and not understand questions/explanations or what someone else might have already told you...etc. I really hope that I get treated as well as the other patients though. I'm sure they get paid for these studies, so we shouldn't be treated poorly just because we're not paying the full amount of a regular IVF cycle.

I'll be glad to recoup some of the money after the study though....and of course I'll be saving receipts and mileage reports for the taxes too, since we're traveling so far for the appointments.

So glad you all are going through it too even if our protocol is a bit different, it's nice to have someone who knows what the study is

[Knrjack]

Indie ~ This is all the meds for me up to Egg Retrieval. Everything after that will be covered by the study. They cost 2,680.00 total. I had to pay 500.00 for blood work lab fees (for entire study time). The only thing left for me to pay now is Lodging and Traveling to Reno and back. TAX WRITE OFF FOR SURE>

I am gestimating my total out of pocket to be around 3700.00. Not too bad compariable to a normal IVF/ICSI.

I have a pic of my color coded calendar too. I know I am obsessing. I am having fun and enjoying the process. If I can remember everything I am good.



Green where I start a med, Red where I stop. Yellow where I have appointments scheduled. It is very detailed. lol

[IndieBlue]

Wow, lucky you.....I have to pay 3500 plus the 2500 for meds, so OOP cost around 6000 to participate in the study. That doesn't include the 200.00 in bloodwork/SA for husband or the 300.00 for the psychologist visit (Local clinic offered 1 fresh and 1 frozen cycle for 14000 plus meds, so again...quite a bit cheaper ....just praying it works.

Oh meant to add that I LOVE the calendar I actually carry 6 different color mini sharpie highlighters for my calendar that I carry with me. I highlight everyones appointments, birthdays...etc in different colors so just by glancing I can tell who's extra curricular activity it is, or who's appointment we're headed off too, or if it's a birthday or anniversary LOL I LOVE calendars , I'll have to remember yours when I get my schedule and meds.