Stimming Conundrums

4/20/2017

So last night made it officially 5 nights of stimming. I went in earlier in the day for monitoring and my follicle  results were 1-12, 2 or 3 11's a few 9's and some 7's which aren't  encouraging considering I had about 20 to 22 at baselines. Anyway I was told I am doing great to start Cetrotide the next morning ( today) and that's when the worry set in.........well a new worry.

So in this post I talked about how I saved on medications, but had some reservations. I found something to worry about and I went to full on panic mode. *sigh*

So far I can tell you there has been no doubt with the Gonal-F and the Menopur, they came as packaged and correctly plus heck my follies are growing, the issue is the cetrotide.

It is supposed to remain refrigerated continuously and when I received it, it was not cold. It was packaged in an insulated pack well however it while it was not hot it was not cold and ice pack melted. I thought to myself won't worry "it's still good".  As I started to get ready to cycle I started to worry and I just couldn't shake it.  It's either my intuition or the crazy lady inside me...pick one.

The what if's have been  driving me crazy and I wanted off the crazy ride.  After my injection this morning I did not feel the sting or burning everyone else said they got with it so naturally.......

I LOST IT.

All day long I have been googling and freaking out  that I didn't bruise, no stinging, & it didn't help that the bloat is gone and I no longer feel uncomfortable. Cue the meltdown.

I am trying my HARDEST not to worry, to rest in God's perfect peace but being human I am not doing a great job of it today.

In the end my nerves got the best of me & I spent money I probably didn't need to and bought 3 additional shots from Freedom Fertility.

*Grimace* I did not want to use this pharmacy because of the negative posts, wrong billing warnings, etc. but I wanted to put my mind at ease and get them here tomorrow at the lowest cost with the Compassionate Care savings I had. They were $235 for 3 not too bad considering they are $200 each else where but the kicker is................I bought all 6 for $280.00 a few weeks ago.

Anyway  they should be arriving tomorrow right here at work.  Believe me I am aware that I am a complete nut job. I am sure the ones I have are perfectly fine heck I used it but I can't shake my doubts so here we are.

Here’s the good news .......I will have more than enough and I can always donate/sell cheaply if they aren't used. Also I have a pounding headache which is a side effect so it appears it was working after all. I am a glorious effing idiot I need a glass of wine.

 

Game On, CD 5 & Day 3 of Stims

4/17/2017

The last few days have been a whirlwind.

Let me start by saying that AF ( Aunt Flow) came on late Wednesday night so Cycle Day 1 was Thursday that had me running around trying to get baselines to start this cycle. Keep in mind it was not only good Friday but my R/E would be closed early for the holiday so I was freaking out. Wondering if they would get the results in time. Ultrasound they received within an hour, the blood work was received when they closed. At the end of the day it was all accomplished and I didn't have to kill anyone. The on call nurse called me Friday to let me know the offices were closed BUT she would call me Saturday if all were a go.

 

Then came Saturday and I think I willed the dang phone to ring, and heard those beautiful words. Do you have your meds? Yes then you begin tonight and I will outline what to do in your patient portal.

Hallelujah it has begun.

Tonight will be Stim Day 3.
For the sake of documenting this is what I am taking

• 300 iu Gonal F ( Pen)
• 150 iu Menopur
• Zpac
• Prednisone

So far I am feeling slightly bloated, pressure sensation and well also gassy. I have been loading up on water and coconut water in an effort to keep the weight gain from meds at a minimum.

My first monitor check will be on Wednesday 4/19th and the second will be 4/21. I will try to stay updated to see if I am doing anything different than I did before.

I mentioned to hubby that I think I want to do a freeze all and then transfer the following month, he asked why and really my only thought process is, my first and only pregnancy came from a FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) so why not?  I am hoping that I stim for no more than 10 days but looking at tickets right now yikes for last minute travel but hey....it's worth it right?

How I saved on IVF Meds

 

Pic from here

 

I mentioned  that eventually I would say where I got my medications and I wanted to stay true to my word.

I was able to cut my ivf medication cost by about 70% because I got the major ones from previous ivf cyclers as well as using goodrx.com for price comparison in your area. I really love this tool, tons of savings.

A few of the ladies were/are patients of the clinic I will be cycling. I found them through a Facebook group. I wont provide the name here but if you are interested you can comment below and I will email it privately.

 

• Pros- I was able to get all the prescribed Gonal F's, my Menopur, Cetrotide, & Lupron. One of the ladies  sent me free syringes, needles, and alcohol prep pads. All of the items purchased were unopened, prescribed, unexpired.

• Cons-While they shipped them correctly. I am slightly nervous anyway. I suppose because worrying is just what we do with infertility & IVF. The meds are not even close to expiration, there is no reason to feel this way but anxiety will do it to you. I think the only thing that will expire this year is the Menopur 8/2017. Everything else is 2018 plus I did call & I did research all meds are still good up to 6 months after expiration.
• 

*All things are risky but on 4/3  a scammer got into the group and said she was selling a few things. I sent her payment via paypal of $143 for Endometrin ( 3 boxes), after she received the payment  & sent me a fake tracking number she promptly closed her Facebook account. While it sucks and I am completely out of pocket, the admins are aware and she is blocked.

In the grand scheme of things it could be worse but I am filing a claim through the bank. As hubby said "If that is all you lost through this process, I still say you won & if she is that pressed for money she would do it in this sensitive group then let it go" My response " You are right but no thank you, scamming is not ok on any level"

 

Right now I am still missing 2 major meds, the Endometrin at $250 per box ( need 3) & Cleocin ( $243 without discount)....those alone may very well be another $1000 *Gasp*
 I never threw out the Endometrin that expired and Hubby thinks I should keep them as back up. Holy crap what am I going to do? I will not cancel another month so living on a prayer the ladies will have this for purchase in the group or just convince the clinicI can double up the Progesterone in Oil.
 

I printed a coupon from goodrx.com for Cleocin & Progesterone in oil. Neither of these are covered by insurance, which reminds me....crap I need to fill the intralipids and that's another $80.00 *sigh*

Looks Like I have some more things to check off the list before Aunt Flow is here but overall I have spent close to $2000 and the quote from Freedom was $5600. Take that bastard infertility and stupid insurance companies.

 

Prescription Nightmare

 

If I were to write about my current ordeal with filling my prescription with Walgreens it would take me 3 long separate posts so in summary- "Nightmare". I am more mad at myself for going through them in the first place.  Publix is perfectly fine, and I also needed some groceries so win win and less stress. *Sigh*

What pharmacist does not fill a prescription and not tell the patient that they didn't?

 Good thing for the portal so I had a check list & was able to catch & call them out on their errors.

 

FYI -you can order needles and syringes through Amazon and that may be where I get any additional I need with my prime account. It is more costly through Walgreens plus the one closest to me may not have the brightest people in the bunch.