Question for Ghost

[tali]

Hi, I am a poor responder on my 3rd cycle of IVF after 5 months on DHEA. I am currently on day 9 and only have 2 follies less than 7mm each.

I have been taking 4 amps of Brevelle and 4 amps of Menepour each day. It seems that there is a shortage of Menepour and none of the pharmacies in my area have any in stock. My RE is advising me to take 8 amps of Brevelle instead.

What are the differences in the drug? and why would they just double up on drug. Would not taking Mempour have any implications.

We are not that hopful for this cycle which is our last cycle, but wanted to make sure that we give it all we have. I just don't know if not taking Mempour would limit our chances any.

Thank you in advance.

Tali

[Ghost]

Hi, I am a poor responder on my 3rd cycle of IVF after 5 months on DHEA. I am currently on day 9 and only have 2 follies less than 7mm each.

I have been taking 4 amps of Brevelle and 4 amps of Menepour each day. It seems that there is a shortage of Menepour and none of the pharmacies in my area have any in stock. My RE is advising me to take 8 amps of Brevelle instead.

What are the differences in the drug? and why would they just double up on drug. Would not taking Mempour have any implications.

We are not that hopful for this cycle which is our last cycle, but wanted to make sure that we give it all we have. I just don't know if not taking Mempour would limit our chances any.

Thank you in advance.

Tali

Menopur is in short supply right now. I don't know why.

Menopur and Bravelle are both FSH products, and both are purified from the same source. The biggest difference is that Menopur is fortified with a little LH (I've been told that it's actually hCG, not true LH, in equivalent dose to 75IU of LH. LH and hCG have nearly identical physiological effects, but hCG lasts much longer.)

The LH (or equivalent hCG) is a benefit to developing follicles, especially late in their development. In fact, once the follicles get to about 14mm, they can be further developed on hCG or LH alone, with no FSH.

I'd strongly prefer Menopur to Bravelle, especially late in follicular development.

An alternative you might ask your doctor about is to supplement the Bravelle with a little LH or hCG. Of course, the dose has to be kept very small. Too much and you will ovulate immediately. Typical doses of LH for this purpose are around 75IU (marketed as Luveris, in 75 IU vials). With hCG, I have heard of doses around 50 IU for this purpose (note: the typical dose for ovulation is 5,000 to 10,000 IU).