Anyone had to order MORE meds after the initial outlay....

[boo1]

for the same IVF cycle? I've already spent a LOT, a LOT, on the meds I'm to take. The nurse told me today that, depending on my blood levels, I might have to order more. I hope not, of course, but the possibility kind of threw me for a loop! I have naively assumed that what I ordered was going to be at least enough.

Just wondering if anyone has had to add more meds during their first cycle and if so, how much more did you spend (if that's not too nosy).



Laura

[kholtan]

I had to order about $800 more at the end after spending almost $5000!!!! I wasn't happy and then I only used a couple viles! Bummer but I now have two beautiful babies!

[kellym]

Hi Boo1,

With each cycle I've had to order more and more meds. They will assess you part way through your stim to determine whether you are on the correct dose (which could impact whether you need more meds). The other factor is how long it takes for your follicles to grow which they can't predict until further along in the u/s process.

Originally my RE said that meds can cost (in Canada) anywhere between $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the stimulation protocol, the size and age of the patient. She said that given my size and age I would be around $1,500. I was for my first cycle but every cycle there after it has increased. In my last 5 cycles I've been at the $3,000 end, so unfortunately they can't predict how your body is going to respond before you start.

I hope that you don't have to spend too much more!

[ARG]

Hi, Im in the UK so not sure how different things are from you over there. However on my first IVF Cycle I had 1 delivery which I thought was everything, being naive, then I was told I needed more and had to take a further delivery and also pay for it. My first cycle wasnt successful and I had quite a lot of Menopur left over as well as my Ultragestran Pesseries.

I am now on my 2ww of my 2nd IVF. This time I had one delivery and I immediately noticed that I had too much of one of my drugs, bruserilin, and I was right. I had a complete bottle unopened and unused. I phoned up my drug supplier and asked if I couldhave a refund and I was told no because the drugs had been prescribed to me and it was illegal to give these drugs to anyone else once they had been prescribed to me (even though they hadnt been touched).. I dont know, we dont have much choice do we.

I am waiting to find the outcome of my 2nd IVF. If this doesnt work then we wont go again due to funding. We have spent a total of 10,000.00 to date (GBP) thats about 20,000.00 $.

All the very best to you.

[2ndtimer]

Hi Boo,
It's very, very common to have to get refills on the meds. Last time I spent about $2000 on meds, then had to get a refill on the follistim which is close to $900 for a 600 unit cartridge. I also got put on ganerelix for 3 doses at close to$100 each.
This time, I didn't use all my meds & have a cartridge of follistim left over.
The meds are really expensive paying out of pocket, which unfortunately most of us Americans have to do. My insurance paid for $5000 lifetime for infertility meds, but that got used up the 1st IVF & FET. Does your insurance allow for any type of coverage? Hopefully so. Have the pharmacy run everything through your insurance, even if they say they wont' pay for infertility. Some of them may go through.
Good Luck to you. This whole thing is a VERY stressful journey. I highly recommend acupuncture, aromatherapy, getting plenty of rest, eating right, & daily meditation. I know it sounds a little loopy, but when you start all this & everything is up in the air & out of your control every single day, ie-your hopes for a child, your savings, how your body is responding to the meds, it can just all add up to a lot of unhealthy stress.
2ndtimer

[boo1]

I start the meds one week from Sunday.

Thanks!


Laura

[ICSI GIRL]

boo --- YEP, it happend to me as well in my first round......had my entire pharmacy delivered to my door and was VERY overwhelmed (but ya figure it out in a hurry and it's all good )......but then as i went in for my bw/us --- needed more/different meds.....i think they try their best to roll with the punches and medicate you according to all your bw --- especially w/ a round ONE -- is very much a learning platform for you and your RE as nobody knows how YOU will respond to meds...... my doc followed all protocol by the book in terms of how much and what meds i needed and like i said --- we STILL had to get more......unfortunately, is all part of the world of IVF!!!


****GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!*****

[dream_baby]

I am not sure where you are getting your meds. My Dr gave a list of pharmacies that they thought had lower prices. I used Freedom Drug which is a mail order only pharmacy just for fertility meds in the US. They seemed to be the best pricing that I found, however it is all outrageous. If you have a couple days notice that might be an option.They don't charge to overnight ship you if you let them know you need it ASAP and you will have it by 10am, you just have to be there to sign for it
Also, if they think you will only need a day or two, it doesn't hurt to ask if they have any in their office that other women have donated back when they had extra. The worse they can do is say no.
I went nuts last year when my mail order shipment got stuck on a snowed in plane and I didn't think I would get it in time for my shot that night. The Dr said I should have called and they would have had me come in, that they always seem to have some meds around that have been given to them from patients that didn't use it all.
Good Luck!

[4ourbaby]

I have used Freedom Pharmacy also. They have been very nice and helpful and prices were reasonable. (As reasonable as they can be, I guess!) But definitely cheaper than other places I've seen.

They do ship overnight for free, which is great. They've taken an order from me at 7pm and had it to me the next day by 9am. They are located in MA and I am in NY.

They also have a plan called FertilityAssist where they will give you free Serono medication. Serono makes things like Gonal F. There is a set of criteria, of course...but it's worth taking a look at. Go to www.freedomdrug.com and then click on FertilityAssist.

Good luck to you!