[Gemmabean]

Amy,

We did 2 Follistim, HCG trigger, Prometrium + IUI cycles.

We were planning on 4 to 6, but half way through the second cycle we found out that each cycle was costing more than DOUBLE what we'd originally been told. Yes, I fell apart that day.

The next cycle we did just the Follsitim, HCG trigger and Prometrium with "Natural Insemination."

Still no joy.

I went for my baseline US last week and they found that my right ovary hadn't returned to "normal" so we are only doing Natural Insemination" this month. *sigh*

I'm the biggest baby you can imagine! I can't bear the sight of blood. We got a DVD with our Follistim Pen kit, and a lesson from our nurse about how to do shots.

When it came time, DH said he just couldn't stick me so I HAD to do it. Ok, so now, TWENTY-FIVE Follistim shots later, I'm a pro! So you CAN do it if I CAN!

Did they tell you to get a "sharps" container to put the used needles in? They didn't tell me and the first shot I was like, ok, now what do I do with this. So, you can get a "sharps" container (a little red plastic container made for used needles) in the diabetic section of any drug store or Wal-Mart, I think they are about 3 bucks. My nurse told me to bring it to them when it's full. Couldn't understand why they never mentioned that I'd need one. Also, get alcohol pads to clean the counter, your tummy (easiest place for me to have shot) and the cartridge head. I also have gause pads handy because sometimes I have a little bleeding.

Take the Follistim out of the fridge a few hours before you do your shot, it hurts more when its cold, for me anyway.

Have you contacted Schraft's Pharmacy? My Follistim is $200 a cycle from them!!! You have to call for prices or have your nurse call. They also shipped mine for free since it was over a certain amount.

When we discussed IUI and drugs with our RE, he said that IUI would give us a little better chance of getting pregnant like 4-5% better chance, so we took it because we felt anything to add to our chance. But then when we found out they'd told us the wrong cost, by not having the sperm wash and IUI, it cut costs by more than half. So we figured that we could do more drug cycles and have more chances TTC.

It's all kind of a crap-shoot as much as I hate to say it, and what works for me may not work for you. And what works in your RE's office may not work in mine. It's a risk, trial and error. Yes, it's money and we try not to think about it as wasting money, it is going towards a good cause: BABY!

Hope this helps Amy, let me know I can help. Good luck! If I can stick me, you can do it!

Much love,
Julie

Originally Posted by ara79

i just got home from the dr. and feel a bit overwhelmed. so, this cycle i will begin follistim injections, hcg trigger shot and progesterone. the past 4 months i was on clomid w/ hcg and prog. here is the deal...did you all go for the iui directly or did you try to concieve naturally w/ all the meds for a cycle or 2 first? i feel like we should just go for the iui, but it will be $3,000 (w/ all meds) and that is so much. i am terrified that it won't work and then what? i don't know how many of these we can afford to do. i just would love to hear from all of you doing iui's and know what you think. also, i HATE needles and i am terrified of the follistim shots. did you guys do them in the stomach? any tips? thanks ladies.
amy