What to expect with injections???

Sheera1801 · 09-15-2009, 12:07 AM

So, I start my first round with injections this month. I start them on Wednesday. I am just courious about what to expect and how to feel. I get a little moody with the femara and trigger combo, I am just praying it doesn't get much worse.

AnotherDreamer · 09-15-2009, 12:44 AM

I've done Gonal-f, and I'm doing Bravelle this time around...

I never really noticed much, to be honest. I get extra CM, a little head-achy, and I can definitely feel my ovaries working out... almost to discomfort as the follicles reach maturity. The trigger is a mean beast, depending on how many follicles you have... lots of bloating and discomfort there.

The shots aren't so bad... Gonal-f I felt nothing -tiny needle on the pens, medicine didn't bother me- but the Bravelle stings me pretty bad going in, and the needle is a little larger since I'm using syringes from my doc's office and mixing it myself. I make sure to ice up before and after, it helps some.

Just my experience though
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Sheera1801 · 09-15-2009, 01:00 AM

Oh thanks. With just the Femara I get tons and tons of pain in my ovaries and I have only had two follies the last two cycles. GREAT I hope its not too much worse. Oh well I guess it will be all worth it in the end.

AnotherDreamer · 09-15-2009, 02:03 AM

Yeah, I had discomfort with Clomid from my ovaries trying to work, whether I made mature follicles or not. I have sensitive ovaries too, lol.

But, the more follicles you have, the more enlarged your ovaries are... therefore, the more you notice them. I mean, it's bearable- it's just so uncomfortable at times.

worthit · 09-15-2009, 08:58 PM

I'm curious what to expect, too, as my injectibles have been sitting in the fridge since last Wednesday! (waiting for Provera-invited AF, who is taking her sweet a$$ time). I was prescribed Follistim Pen, Novarel (which says IntraMuscular ONLY on the package, which terrifies me) and Prometrium suppositories. I'm going to assume that the Prometrium is going to hurt going in b/c it's so cold??? I wish AF would hurry up, it's been almost 8 days since Provera...

worthit · 09-15-2009, 09:00 PM

okay great, just looked at the box of Endometrin (not Prometrium) and it says to store at Room Temp - do you think a week of refrigeration has hurt them??

Sheera1801 · 09-15-2009, 10:19 PM

I am doing the follistim pen as well. Hopefully its not too painful. I start them in the morning

misshope · 09-15-2009, 11:18 PM

Hi Ladies,

You guys are a little ahead of me--the RE put me on bcp for two weeks before the injectables. I can't wait to get my hands on the meds. I had no SE from Clomid--I did feel ovulating though. I was wondering what you are paying for your injectable cycle. My insurance does not cover it---The RE's office gave me a list of the costs but when I spoke to the financial person to day==she told me something different. She said 1875 for the monitoring, blood tests and IUI and 285 additional for a baseline ultrasound and almost 2000 on the average for meds!!! I can't believe the meds will cost 2000 average. On the cost page that they gave me initially--it says 1000 approx for meds. Can anyone give me some guidance on this. What she told me today--it would cost over 4000 dollars for an injectable cycle--Please guide me if you can.

AnotherDreamer · 09-15-2009, 11:27 PM

Misshope: It really depends on what meds you use, and how much you end up needing. Some women respond well to a low dose, some of us need much higher doses. I need higher doses, so I pay anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 for one cycle, if you include the cost of my meds (I got lucky, and used all donated meds... but I still have to pay for u/s and b/w, which adds up a lot). Other women only pay like $2,000 out-of-pocket for an entire injectable cycle (I am so envious of them!)

However, you can let your clinic know about your financing issues. Then, look into if your clinic offers any donated meds, find out about any money saving programs (ask about fertility lifelines at your clinic) and also shop around- you can get better prices on certain meds at certian pharmacies. Like, freedom drug is an online mail-order pharmacy, and they are a lot cheaper than other places.

Worthit: Not sure, when in doubt call your pharmacy or clinc.

Sheera: Good luck
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If it was anything like the Gonal-f I used, it shouldn't be bad at all. I heard Follistim can sting though, you may want to try ising it up.

worthit · 09-15-2009, 11:52 PM

misshope: my insurance covers nothing but about 2/3 of the Endometrin suppositories. My RE charges $1800 for a monitored cycle (with IUI, I think), and the first supply of meds was about $500 (I only ordered 1 vial of Follistim, as I got a voucher for 1 free vial at my baseline). I'm not sure how many vials I will have to purchase throughout the month, but RE is letting me order as needed. They're about $250 each from Schraft's pharmacy. The Novarel was about 70, and that will only be needed once. The Endometrin was quite expensive due to the volume needed, but I think my copay was $70 for 42 suppositories.

Thanks for the advice, dreamer: i think I will call the pharmacy tomorrow because now I'm worried that I've messed them up!!

HTH

worthit · 09-16-2009, 12:03 AM

and, I JUST STARTED!!! yay!!! finally! onto a new cycle! baseline tomorrow or Thursday!

Sheera1801 · 09-16-2009, 12:34 AM

I have AWESOME insurance and they cover everything up to $20000.00 per person per life time. So when DH goes in to do his stuff for the IUI that is billed under his portion. I got my follistim for $72 which was the copay. I don't know what we will do once this insurance money runs out. Hopefully we don't have to be doing all of this that long.

geek1976 · 09-16-2009, 02:17 AM

Thanks for this thread. I may start injectibles next cycle if I get a BFN (either injections/iui or IVF). Thanks to all the posters for the great info.

DiamondPrincess · 09-16-2009, 09:29 PM

Hey all im on femara this cycle (Last few days). And if no BFP then i might be starting Gonal-F. I'll be takin Femara on cycle days 3-7 and gonal-f cycle days 7-10. I just wanted to know. What cycle days any of u have took gonal-f. and how did it make u feel.
The best of luck 2 U all
and tons of sticky baby dust 2 all TTC

Sheera1801 · 09-16-2009, 09:34 PM

I am taking follistim cd 6, 8, and 10 along with femara cd 3-7. I just did my first injection this am. I am feeling a lot going on in my ovaries but have felt that starting the day after I started the femara.