Is antagon protocol more or less than Lupron?

[IndieBlue]

My last cycle was a BFN (chemical) so my RE said she'd like to try antagon medicine this time. I'm thinking that is antagonist protocol....but the nurse if out of the office on Friday so my email to her asking this won't be answered till next week.

So is this a more expensive protocol? Why was I labeled a poor responder when I had 7 eggs retrieved, and 5 fertilized without ICSI. I'm 33, so that doesn't really seem poor to me? Anyhow....we've scraped together the money for a second cycle, and will have to scrape even more for the medicines so I'm trying to #1 figure out how much we'll need and #2 figure out if this protocol is going to help.

Oh and she also did a biopsy last month of my uterus, said that might help with implantation, and also to check for polyps...etc. Anyone have experience with that?

[CT_Michele]

I am not sure about the cost of lupron cycle versus antagon, my insurance covers most of my cycle. I am doing my second antagon cycle, my first was successful and I am hoping for baby number 2. My guess would be that it shouldn't be that much of a difference in cost because you will need to buy the antagon, but not lupron, so maybe they are close to the same cost???

I just wanted to comment on the polyps. My first cycle I did not have any, but when I went to cycle this second time, they found a polyp in my uterus. He said I could not cycle until it was removed because it reduces your chances of implantation. I had to have surgery to remove it. I was posting about it when I had the surgery and I got many stories from people who had failed ivf's, then had a polyp removed, and then had success. So if there is a polyp, and it is removed, it will definitely help your chances.

Good luck with everything.

[to_have_fun08]

Indieblue - Are you talking about the antagonist cycle. With the antagonist most people use follistim or gonal F, with menopure and ganirelix. I would say that if this is what you are going to do, then it would be more expensive. You probably already know how much the gonal f or follistim cost if you used that your last cycle. I believe without insurance the Ganirelix is $65 a shot and you would do this anywhere between 4 and 6 days. Then menopure is around $65 a vial. I don't know how many vials you will need. Each vial is 75u. Hope this helps but don't freak out or worry until you find out for sure what drugs you are on and how much of each drug.


Chris

[Ghost]

Antagon (ganirelix acetate) is much more expensive than Lupron. Expect an Antagon cycle to cost $200 to $400 more than a Lupron cycle.

[chriss]

Ghost, where have you been? It's so nice to see you are back

[IndieBlue]

Thanks. Last time as I said I started with BCP's then went to Lupron (just one kit) and then went to Menopur and GonalF, then trigger shot and progesterone gel.

I still have 5 vials of Menopur left and about 200iu of Gonal F, but I was guessing I wouldn't get to use those...what does Antagon replace exactly? I thought maybe it was a whole medicine change, but it sounds like it just replaces Lupron and I could still be on Menopur...etc?

Last time I think I spent close to 3000 for medicines, this time I've set aside 4000....I guess I'll ask more specifics on Monday when the nurse emails me back so I'm better prepared.

Thank you!

Oh and on the note of polyps. My RE did a biopsy but said it came back okay, but she did mention that the sonogram (saline) looked a little bumpy....so I have a bumpy uterus LOL Should I request that I have more indepth testing done? Request a polypectomy or whatever that is called where they remove the polyps? I want the best chance of course....so I'm even willing to go to my OB/GYN and request it, my insurance should cover something like....I would think.

[CT_Michele]

Indie- For my cycle, I use follistim and menopur, and about halfway through when my follies get decent size and there is a chance of ovulation, I start taking ganerelix to prevent ovulation.

As far as the polyp, they identified it during routine office testing, I think during the sonohystogram (saline u/s) and confirmed it with hysterocopy (camera in uterus). I think if you had one, your RE should know it.