[Tippy]

I'm back! It's been a few months since I've been active on the boards. I took a little break because I was thinking too much about IF and I wanted to just enjoy my time and not dwell on it.

Let me give you a brief summary of what's going on (some of this is in my signature) I've tried, 2 IUI's with clomid, 1 with Femara and Repronex. I was supposed to start my 4th IUI, but had a cyst and had to stop. The next month, the cyst went away (horray!) but then couldn't do that cycle, because the medicine they prescribed (Brand name Repronex) had been discontinued and I couldn't find medicine in time to start the injections. So we took that month off... so here is where we are today:

I just started my Follistim injections on CD 3 and will continue those until CD 9. The only known problems for my DH and I is that I have mild to moderate endometriosis. I ovulate fine, I have regular cycles, nothing is blocked, my DH's count is great.

Here's the dilemma. We are extremely blessed because my insurance pays for my infertility treatments. They cover up to 6 IUI's in my lifetime, and 3 IVF's in my lifetime. They also cover all my injections and pills. Since I have already done 3 cycles of IUI's, should I do all 6 that I am allowed, or skip straight to IVF since it is covered?

Our original plan was to do all 6 cycles of IUI, then the 3 cycles of IVF, and if that all fails, then to move onto adoption. However, with the success rates of IVF, I wonder if we should just skip straight to that? If those 3 cycles of IVF don't work, we can go back to IUI for the last 3 cycles.

I just feel like everything should work, nothing seems to be standing in the way, but yet... I still get a everytime.

What would you guys do??

[skyhope]

Hi Tippy- I'm in a similar boat as you - I have mild endo and just found out my 3rd IUI was a bust. I think I will do at least one more IUI and then think about moving on to IVF. I only get $10k lifetime max on any fertility treatments and I've already used up about 1k for IUI's.

Since you get 6 IUI's covered I would just say stick with the IUI's until you use up your benefits and then move on to IVF! There quite a few success stories out there for women who have had 3+IUI's.

I think I will be doing IVF#1 sometime in Feb if i don't get with IUI's! Good luck!

[bistro]

Hi tippy! Welcome back!

Funny - if I had the option to go straight to IVF without paying, I totally would! I am on IUI #4 and we are now paying out of pocket. Rather than continue with IUI which will cost us less money, we have decided to go to IVF if this does not work. It is more money, yes, but the success rates are sooo much higher!

Good luck!

[racheldee]

I'm also in the same decision making stage with IUI; I've done 3 cycles and just found out my 3rd didn't work. I believe I've decided to do one more IUI as a combination cycle with Clomid and injectibles (don't know which drug yet) and if that doesn't work I'm going to move on to IVF.

One reason I have to wait a couple of cycles is because insurance won't pay for IVF (or any other fertility treatment) until a year after the date of my miscarriage. Very frustrating!

I've also decided to see an acupuncturist because I heard that can help. And hey if it can reduce my stress level I'm all for it. My first appointment is this weekend.

I'm really interested to see what others think about when to switch from IUI to IVF.

[Tippy]

Thanks for all of your comments! It was so kind of you to respond everyone.

I think we're leaning towards doing whatever IUI's we can before the end of the year. Then after the holidays, we have a lot of time we need to start the IVF process. We still need to decide if that's for sure what we want to do.

I'm going to the dr. tomorrow so I'll ask him what he thinks.

Rachel - That totally stinks you have to wait! but if they're going to pay for it, it'll be worth it!

Bistro - Yeah, that's true... success rates are really high! That's why I'm leaning so much towards that. But I guess what is holidng me back, is if IUI will work and is less invasive, maybe I should do that? AHHHH... so many choices and decisions.

Any other thoughts out there?

[ladyki]

Originally Posted by Tippy

Thanks for all of your comments! It was so kind of you to respond everyone.

I think we're leaning towards doing whatever IUI's we can before the end of the year. Then after the holidays, we have a lot of time we need to start the IVF process. We still need to decide if that's for sure what we want to do.

I'm going to the dr. tomorrow so I'll ask him what he thinks.

Rachel - That totally stinks you have to wait! but if they're going to pay for it, it'll be worth it!

Bistro - Yeah, that's true... success rates are really high! That's why I'm leaning so much towards that. But I guess what is holidng me back, is if IUI will work and is less invasive, maybe I should do that? AHHHH... so many choices and decisions.

Any other thoughts out there?

My insurance does not pay for anything, I also have endometriosis but mine is severe. My RE has explained that with my condition, IVF would be the best route because embryos have a harder time during implantation when someone has endo because of all of the scar tissue. I am paying everything out of pocket, I have done one IUI with meds, if it does not work I will do one more and then got to IVF.

In my opinion, I think that you should just got directly to IVF.

[rebwim76]

We only have coverage for part of the IUI and zero coverage for IVF. So far we've had 2 failed IUIs. If we had IVF coverage then I would be doing IVF the next cycle.

[Aimers1]

I was wondering if you have the choice with your insurance to move straight to the IVF? My insurance covers IF because I'm in a mandated state, but I do have some restrictions because of the insurance. I'm on my 3rd IUI and would love to just move to IVF because of the higher success rates, but I don't know if my insurance would allow it because my treatment is partially dictated by insurance. Like, I had to have an hsg, even though I had already had an SIS and knew I was clear. I pretty much had to start off with Clomid...that kind of thing. That said, if you can, I would move on. I've heard too that after the 4th IUI, your success rates drop.

[KatKat]

I had only 2 IUIs and I am thinking about moving to IVF. My insurance pays nothing or infertility

[Kris79]

I think since your insurance pays for your IUI's and IVF, I would just wait it out through the IUI's and see what happens. I have no known fertility issues other than my DH not having sperm and it still took five IUI's to get pregnant. We have insurance coverage also and would not have gone beyond six IUI's, but we felt it was worth it to give IUI's a fair shot at working before moving on to something more invasive and stressful, even though there is a greater success rate.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!