Learning to draw the saline and mix was not the easiest for me. David had to initially help. I remember him pulling the syringe back too far, and as a result the medicine was lost. Between the two of us, I think we lost 2 vials. Two vials may not seem like much. But, for anyone who has gone through IVF (or is getting ready to), they would understand- each vial retails for approximately $80!
Drawing up the menopur was not the only hard part. Injecting it was. The instructions had not been that clear, and I had to use a 1 1/2" needle to inject it. The result- blood everywhere.
We later learned that I was supposed to switch out the "needle" part for a 1/2" needle. Once we learned that, the process was much easier.
In addition to follistim and menopur, Dr. Buyalos had me take omnitrope. Omnitrope is a human growth hormone and is used (experimentally) to help with egg development. A lot of pharmacies sell it for approximately $800, and I was able to get it through my mail order program for $490. I had to take the omnitrope every two days for a total of four injections.
I stayed on follistim (300) and menopur (150) for 9 days. David and I also took the ZPac for 6 days. I had two days of ganirelix to hold off ovulation (02/27 and 02/28). On the 9th day, I triggered with Novarel (HCG).
Egg retrieval was on Wednesday, 03/02/2011. The next day, I received a call from Dr. Buylos that we had 6 fertilized embryos. Three days later, 3 were transferred. Of the three remaining embryos, we were only able to freeze one.
Here is a pic of our embroys from our first IVF cycle (3 were IVF and 3 were ICSI):
Hi Jessica
ReplyDeleteI see Dr. Buyalos as well. I have had 3 unsuccessfull iuis. Dr Buyalos is suggesting ivf for me. My husband and I are unsure about this process just because we pay for everything out of pocket. I go in tomorrow to speak with a nurse as well as the finical department. We are a little worried about the cost to the percentage of success. I noticed you have not been back to up date your profile. How are you doing?
Hi, Lisa. For some reason, my computer won't allow me to add new posts, so I grabbed my hubby's computer :-)
ReplyDeleteWe're actually in the middle of our second IVF (I had a transfer last Thursday afternoon and go back to work tomorrow). We went back to Dr. Buyalos about 3 weeks after my negative pregnancy test. I was straight up with him and told him we had little insurance coverage left. He was reassuring and told us that they "would help us". Neither hubby nor I asked what that meant.
However, I can tell you that the surgery center fee is usually $4,000 or $4,500 (that is for the egg retrieval) and insurance doesn't cover it at all. Dr. Buyalos' office gives their cash paying patients a cash discount- we have now paid $2,500 twice. There are also his professional fees (which I can not remember off the top of my head) and the cost for the nurse anesthestist is about $600.
In addition to those fees, the medications can be the bulk of the expense for many people. Our first go around, my insurance paid almost $6,000 for the medications alone. Dr. B's office mentioned to me that a lot of times people will either donate or sell (at a much lower cost) their unused/unopened meds. That was the route we chose for IVF #2, and I can certainly tell you more about it.
I spent hours doing google searches, such as "free follistim", "follistim for sale", "free IVF meds", etc. There are several sites where people do donate or sell the meds- such as topix.com (search their infertility forum), freegaragesale.com (search their medical section), and even craigslist. I plan to eventually post later on about some of the amazing women I've met along the way (including one woman who lives near me and gave me $600 worth of medication for FREE).
Also, if you are on facebook, their is a person you can search and friend request named "Give Away Acosta" where people do donate and sell their meds at much lower prices. I am on facebook under "Jessica Held Rome".
Best of luck tomorrow at your appointment!
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ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. I'll be seeing Dr. B next Friday, 05/27. I hope you and your hubby are able to come up with a plan for IVF and will be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteHi, Lisa. I just wondered how you're doing. I hope you are well :-)
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