from Clomid to Injectibles

[StacyKP]

I've had 4 IUIs w/Clomid and HCG trigger....all failed (AF about to arrive any darn minute). I was a tad bit irritated that my RE made me feel defective by saying...."hmm....most girls conceive in 3 or 4 cycles." She said my next step is to move on to injectibles at 150 (units??) for 8-14 days. Then an hcg trigger and IUI. She said it didn't matter if I used Gonal-f or Follistim or whatever...she said they're all the same. My insurance, thank God, covers most of them.

Soooooo.....has anyone finally had luck moving on to injectibles? I know everyone is different but how many days did you inject? I'm terrified to do it.

OH and she stated an additional $350 "maintenance fee" charge for the injectibles "program." Anyone had that experience? It's the same $ for an IUI so it's like paying double. They don't even do the injections! Ugh.....frustration has become my life!

[lakergirl95]

Stacy-
Sorry for your frustrations...unfortunately, it's all too common.
I did not start with Clomid (just started with injections + IUI due to my "issues"), but a friend of mine got her BFP with first medicated IUI cycle after 3 or 4 Clomid cycles. Her last cycle she was at the highest dose and felt terrible. However, she did injections one month and has twin boys. Her only diagnosis was anovulation.
IMO, the follistim is really easy to use. The needle is super thin - you don't even feel it. I always started my injections on day 3, triggered on 12, and had IUI on 14. Good luck to you! Hope you see your BFP soon!

[Ljsmom]

I was on clomid for a long time and now I'm starting my second cycle of injectons. I like the injections better because I have less side effects than I did with clomid. I also wasn't being monitored on clomid like I am on injections. Clomid worked for me 3 years ago with my DS, but no luck this time. Hopefully the injections will do the trick! Good luck to you

[rysmom]

I agree - When I was 29 I did 3 rounds of clomid, got pg on my 3rd, then had a m/c at 6 weeks.....Waited a few months then tried again, clomid 3 cycles got pg with my ds on the 3rd cycle.

Fast forward - I am 36 now, did 2 cycles of clomid (no IUI)- BFN, this is my 3rd cycle on injectibles & IUI - hoping for a BFP, if not, then we go to IVF.

My clinic does 3 IUI then they move on.

My side effects from injectibles are so much more bearable than the clomid - I hated being on it.

[LemonadeGlugger]

btw, do you NEED a trigger with injectible stims? wn't the eggs ovulate on their own? or its just for timing purposes. i'm curious about this one. i always triggered, but just curious.

[lakergirl95]

dietpepsi - I believe that the trigger is needed in order for all follies to release. Otherwise, I think only the biggest one would release (and you'd have to do OPK to find out when that would be). So, the trigger helps all follies through the final growth & release process, and of course helps with timing.

[svm12]

Iam about to start the injectibles for the first time any advice?

[Ljsmom]

Are you on Follistim? If so, it is really easy and doesn't hurt at all. The first time is the hardest time. Once you get over that it's a piece of cake! I always did mine in the stomach (more fat there!!) and after I took the needle out I pressed a cotton pad on the injection site and rubbed it around a little bit to get the meds moving. I had no problems with it. Good Luck!

[svm12]

I am on follistem. but when AF first came I was alright. but i am really starting to lose it. I wanna cry and scream! UI just dont know what 2 do. Y is this so hard i have a 2yr old and had no problems. i few months ago i thought was going to have a nervous breakdown with each cycle. i thougght I had gotten numb. but i hurt sooooo much right now

[Ljsmom]

I know it's hard. I got pg with my DS on 4 rounds of 50mg clomid. He's 2 now. We tried clomid this time, but it didn't work after a YEAR! So we moved on to injectables and iui, which was fine. The thought of taking injections took a little getting used to, but once I did it, it was fine. My first iui was BFN and I overstimmed on my 2nd iui and my RE wanted to cancel. So, we converted the cycle to ivf. All of this happened on Monday and today I had my egg retrieval. Talk about scary! I swore I would never do ivf and here I was smack dab in the middle of it without time to even comprehend what I was about to do. Up until I finished the egg retrieval this morning I was second guessing myself about even having more kids becuase the whole process was so much to handle. After the procedure (which is not as scary as people make it sound) I had a peace about my decision and now I am back to being excited. It's hard to see all the BFN's and see everyone else having babies. This is how I get through it...when I get a BFN or af I spend one day feeling however I feel. I allow myself to cry, scream, be angry, jealous, or whatever emotions come out that day. The next day is a fresh day. I look to the next cycle with optimism, even though it's hard. You have to try to stay positive, because it does have an effect on your reproductive system, even though it is sooooo hard to do. You should join the baby miracles prayer line if you haven't already. There are so many wonderful women there who understand exactly what you are going through, can answer your questions, and will support you through it all.

Sorry so long..good luck and try to keep the faith
Kara