I was just wondering if any of you ladies have done Follistim? My re wants me to do a combo of femara and follistim for six days. My insurance does not cover any fert. meds I was wondering what everyone else has had to pay for follistim, results, s/e? anything.

I have been ttc 3 years, 6 rounds clomids, pcos, femara~ 2nd round and now follistim. Any input is greatly appreciated I am leaving tomorrow for Orlando. I will check in tomorrow afternoon thanks again

__________________
Vanessa (25) DH~Matthew (26)
Six rounds of Clomid BFN!
3/20/07 First appt. RE (PCOS)~One month just Metformin 1000 mgs
First round Femara- 15.5 follicle (not big enough)
Second round Femara 5mgs/Follistim 75iu/Novarel-hcg/1000mgs met (4 follicles)-BFN!
Lap surgery August 15, 2007~NO ENDO/CYST Covered in "SCAR TISSUE" from infection? that was removed, HSG tubes cleared out again.
Waiting for post op appt with RE- "CLEAR" and ready to go again~1000 mgs Metformin, 2.5 mgs Femara 2x a day(five days), 75 iu of follistim(six days),Novarel (trigger) w/FOUR mature follicles ~ BFP 10/26!!!! Miscarriage @ Five weeks
Af 12/26-(63 day cycle-Provera induced)-40 mm cyst--Currently on BCP-
Starting Femara/follistim/Metformin 1/22/08-SIX mature follicles-BFP-2/17/08~M/C #2
April 16-HSG-ALL CLEAR! Some scar tissue on left side..but CLEAR!
Diagonsed with autoimmune disease will need Levenox and baby aspirin a day starting on cd 16...

I'll post this on the other thread and tell them to come respond if they have had experience with it.

__________________

Nessa - I am very fortunate to have insurance coverage for my meds so I can't tell you how much it costs, but I'm an expert at Follistim otherwise! I personally really liked it - had very few side effects and I respond really well to it, sometimes too well. My lining and E2 levels were always fantastic as well on it. You'll likely be monitored much more closely on it than just plain Femara or Clomid - I started having daily u/s after 5 days on the meds, so normally cycle day 8. The nice thing about it is that they can tweak the dose, sometimes daily to help control or improve your response, unlike with Clomid also. The needles are nothing to be scared of either - they are tiny like insulin needles and the pen is super easy to use - just dial the dosage and shoot. I have always given myself all my own shots and it is a piece of cake. Anyway, I hope that answers some of your questions at least. Good luck!!!

__________________
Jennifer 31 Brad 32

TTC #1 since 8/04

Miscarriage/D&C - 8/05

IVF #1 - BFP!! Our precious baby girl arrived 6 1/2 weeks early and came home after 16 days in the NICU!

I haven't used Follistim but I know lots who have and who have had great results. I used Repronex and I think its about $20 an amp, but I went through ivfmeds.com in Great Britain and got it for $6 an amp.

The Follistim pen is wonderful from what I hear, not mixing, just turn the dial and go.

I did clomid and repornex combines, called a mini stim cycle since you are not on full injectibl;es. I had pretty good results as well.

I want to say that the Follistin pen can range from $300-$600 per pen, but I am not positive on that, I just remember people talking about it and I don't recall if theyhad insurance or not. Insurance did not cover any of my meds.

Either way...good luck!!! You might also check on the IUI or IVF boards, there are lots of follistim experts over there.

__________________

I did follistem and menopur combo w/ HCG and it was over a year ago but if I remember correctly (my ins covered 50%) I paid 600.00 - 800.00 for everything depending on what pharm I got them from (my ins. required me to use a more expencive pharm after 2 times; I thought that was stupid but you know ins rules). That was my out of pocket expense.