I hate to always sound like it is about money (because it really isn't) but I do want to spend our money wisely and without any insurance coverage, every little bit ends up adding up SO fast. That being said, I found out today that with clomid, Ovidrel and progesterone supplements I will be paying over $200 for this cycle in prescription drugs. I did fill the generic form of clomid which ended up only being $25. I do have some questions about the other two though.
First - what is the difference or is there a difference between Ovidrel and a generic form of HCG? I do have a call into my RE's office to ask this but I'm not holding my breath on a call back. I'm just wondering...if I can save $50 by getting the generic form, is that okay? Are they the same?
Second - progesterone suppositories. The nurse(s) said that taking these was standard procedure when doing a medicated IUI cycle. Is this true?? I have already sustained a healthy pregnancy and have no history of miscarriage or pre-term labor. I also have never been told there is a progesterone concern. For those of you who have had IUI, were you told it is standard also? This would save me $100 and if it is necessary, I am totally fine with spending the money but if there is no real reason for me to take them - I'd rather not. Not to mention, they sound disgusting! But seriously, do I need progesterone? I am also thinking of calling my regular gyno to get her opinion because I love and trust her.
Any thoughts would be so very appreciated!!
I start Clomid in about an hour. Keep your fingers crossed for me...
7 comments:
I have no idea if there is a generic hCG trigger shot, but it doesn't sound like a bad idea to look into it. I have been prescribed Ovidrel, as has almost everyone else I've read about.
As for the progesterone suppositories, progesterone treatment seems to be completely typical for all forms of ART. Some people do progesterone in oil shots, some (like me) do the suppositories, but yes, it is standard as far as I can tell. I have a feeling it may not be necessary in certain individual cases, but the problem is that you never know when it will be necessary, and it's an added precaution. I think it's sort of like, you know, not drinking alcohol during the 2ww. If you are pregnant, it might not hurt baby to drink, but most people wouldn't take the risk. Same with not doing progesterone--you might be able to stay pregnant without it, but there's a good chance it will help, so why take the risk?
The progesterone suppositories were not that bad for me at all. There was some leakage (a little gross, sorry), so you need pantyliners. But they're small and easy to insert (well, I used Endometrin, not sure what you're using) and I wouldn't stress about them.
I understand about the cost. My insurance doesn't cover it either, and it's horrible, and I feel like I have to hold my breath every time I pay for the stuff. And gonadotropin therapy (stimming with FSH shots) is even more expensive. I think my meds for this next cycle will probably cost around $800, perhaps more.
Good luck. Hopefully this will be the last time you have to pay for this stuff.
I'm not sure about the HCG. However, having done one clomid cycle and one with injectables, I was advised to use progesterone with both. I don't have any issues with a short luteal phase either. I've been using crinone, which isn't particularly pleasant (leaky and doesn't absorb well - basically messy and pretty gross!). I heard that the endometrin is less messy (more absorbant as its a pessary and crinone is a gel; I've no experience though, this was what my nurse said), but my insurance only covers crinone, so unfortunately I'm stuck with that. Best of luck with this cycle.
Just as an addition to my comment about the progesterone - I've never heard/seen anything about whether the different forms (shots, pessaries, gel etc) work better or worse than one another. Good luck!
I was always given the pregesterone-but then again with the PCOS, I probably needed it. If you decide to go with it, stock up on pantyliners. Yes, it's messy, but if it helps keep those levels up, it's worth it. If anything, it can't hurt, and they may be hedging their bets against some sort of luteal phase defect. The E2 is a safety check-since you ovulate on your own, they want to make sure that you don't overstimulate and end up a litter-which is why unmonitored clomid cycles should scare the bejesus out of everybody.
I'm so sorry about the clinic being a bad experience-I feel horrible that I even told you about them. Some of the stuff that you are going through with them just flat out never happened with me. I never had to deal with the financials either, since my insurance covered most of the diagnostic stuff, and my FSA covered the rest.
I keep praying that this will be the cycle!
I hope you get all the call-backs you need this cycle. Good Luck!
I don't know about IUI, b/c we did IVF, but there must be some sort of difference between the different hCG triggers, b/c with my last cycle I was prescribed Ovidrel and they changed it at the last second to something else so I wouldn't hyperstimulate.
As far as progesterone...I've never heard of anyone doing an IUI or IVF without some sort of progesterone.
I wasn't on progesterone for either of my IUI cycles. Of course neither of those cycles worked but I doubt it would have made a big difference. My doctor does do an hcg booster though which is supposed to lengthen your luteal phase to give more time for implantation.
Just how things go with my doctor, but I have no advice as to what you should do.
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