Supposedly it relaxes the uterus to prevent contractions. Iโm pretty sure this falls in the category of โnot much evidence that it makes a difference but wonโt hurt anything so we will do it just in case.โ
Yea, exactly. I actually didn't want it but they insisted. I took good naps after the last 2 transfers. I probably needed it for my transfer this past February because I was such a ball of nerves.
Other things in the "doesn't hurt, may help" list: bedrest after transfer, baby aspirin in those without a loss history...
Speaking of baby aspirin. Hypothetically if one were to take it (Iโd check with my doctor first) when would you start? I feel like Iโve read conflicting things about taking it around retrieval time. Is day after retrieval too early (or too late?) to start? Does it mess up your recovery?
Post by seeyalater52 on Jun 18, 2018 21:21:44 GMT -5
In other news, Iโm pretty sure Iโm going to be a dose short on cetrotide. Damnit. If I take it daily in the morning, and as of right now am planning to trigger on Saturday (not sure what time) for a Monday retrieval (not sure what time) isnโt it pretty likely Iโll need a dose for Saturday morning? What about Sunday?
I can only imagine what a collossal mess itโs going to be trying to get that approved on short notice by insurance.
Yea, exactly. I actually didn't want it but they insisted. I took good naps after the last 2 transfers. I probably needed it for my transfer this past February because I was such a ball of nerves.
Other things in the "doesn't hurt, may help" list: bedrest after transfer, baby aspirin in those without a loss history...
Speaking of baby aspirin. Hypothetically if one were to take it (Iโd check with my doctor first) when would you start? I feel like Iโve read conflicting things about taking it around retrieval time. Is day after retrieval too early (or too late?) to start? Does it mess up your recovery?
It is confusing and conflicting. The research I've read leans in favor of taking it.
My first cycle, I think I started it after retrieval (it's been almost 4 years though, I'd have to look up my recordsto know for sure).
My second cycle, the RE doesn't believe in using it, so we didn't do it for retrieval or any of the transfers. I did bring up the research I found.
This current cycle, my RE is offering it to me, to start day after transfer. I don't have to take it, but I can. I was the one who brought up aspirin to my doctor. I plan to take it.
Speaking of baby aspirin. Hypothetically if one were to take it (Iโd check with my doctor first) when would you start? I feel like Iโve read conflicting things about taking it around retrieval time. Is day after retrieval too early (or too late?) to start? Does it mess up your recovery?
It is confusing and conflicting. The research I've read leans in favor of taking it.
My first cycle, I think I started it after retrieval (it's been almost 4 years though, I'd have to look up my recordsto know for sure).
My second cycle, the RE doesn't believe in using it, so we didn't do it for retrieval or any of the transfers. I did bring up the research I found.
This current cycle, my RE is offering it to me, to start day after transfer. I don't have to take it, but I can. I was the one who brought up aspirin to my doctor. I plan to take it.
Thanks, this is very helpful. I think Iโm going to ask about it and see what she thinks.
seeyalater52 , I was in the same boat with my Ganirelix. I'm pretty sure I didn't need to take it the morning of the trigger, though.
I just heard back and while they do think I'd need to take it the morning of the trigger, CVS caremark swears they don't need another authorization since I have refills on my account. Sooooo in theory I should be able to get it in time if they tell me I need it at my appointment tomorrow. Phew. (I'm hoping they didn't just flat out lie to me. Because they are evil.)
Last monitoring appointment this morning. A few follies are 20+, multiple are 16+. She said probably 10 mature in each side. Lining looks beautiful.
Trigger tonight. It's IM, ugh.
She said to HYDRATE today and tomorrow and they'll hydrate me in retrieval too. Then start my high salt diet after retrieval.
Awaiting estradiol but it will be high.
I told her that my first goal is fresh embryo transfer, and preventing OHSS is secondary to me. She agreed with me, yay. But we are taking the OHSS seriously, of course.
Post by compassrose on Jun 19, 2018 13:38:41 GMT -5
Thatโs great on the follicles pooh8402! I hope your retrieval goes smoothly!
I had my first monitoring appt this morning. They measured 19 follicles in the 7-12 mm range, lining was 5.5, and my tentative retrieval is set for Monday.
The plan is still for a fresh transfer. And I'm not super uncomfortable, yet. No fluid in my abdomen at today's appointment. So I guess we'll see? I did say that if I needed to do paracentesis again (drain my abdomen), then I would. Totally worth it.
My estradiol is already at 1200. When do they start to worry about OHSS? Maybe this will be a freeze all cycle for me regardless of my preference...
We started talking about it once my levels were over 2000. The absolute cutoff was 5000 at my old doctor. We didn't discuss a cutoff with my current doctor.
Remind me, how many days of stims are you on today?
My estradiol is already at 1200. When do they start to worry about OHSS? Maybe this will be a freeze all cycle for me regardless of my preference...
We started talking about it once my levels were over 2000. The absolute cutoff was 5000 at my old doctor. We didn't discuss a cutoff with my current doctor.
Remind me, how many days of stims are you on today?
We started talking about it once my levels were over 2000. The absolute cutoff was 5000 at my old doctor. We didn't discuss a cutoff with my current doctor.
Remind me, how many days of stims are you on today?
It's been 4 days for me. Today is day 5.
Eesh. I would have been at that level about day 9. However, it looks like your follicles have made good progress. Any discussion about lowering your stim doses or coasting?
Eesh. I would have been at that level about day 9. However, it looks like your follicles have made good progress. Any discussion about lowering your stim doses or coasting?
No, I'm staying where I am, but I started the cetrotide (antagonist) already. I suppose it's possible they'll move up my retrieval, but if my monitoring appt is Friday, I think the soonest it could be is Monday anyway with the trigger.
seeyalater52 , I was in the same boat with my Ganirelix. I'm pretty sure I didn't need to take it the morning of the trigger, though.
I just heard back and while they do think I'd need to take it the morning of the trigger, CVS caremark swears they don't need another authorization since I have refills on my account. Sooooo in theory I should be able to get it in time if they tell me I need it at my appointment tomorrow. Phew. (I'm hoping they didn't just flat out lie to me. Because they are evil.)
For once, I think CVS Caremark is right - at least that's been true for me, and I hate them with the fire of a thousand suns.
My CVS Caremark story: this year my insurance covers Gonal F at 15% copay and Follistim at 80% copay. Last year, only Follistim was covered, so I have a Follistim prior auth. I called CVS on Friday to ask them to send me the prior auth form, so I could hand carry to my RE's office, to get the Gonal-F prior auth completed. They refused. Said the blank prior auth form is a medical record so they couldn't send it to the patient. Said it was against the law to send it to the patient. When I asked which law, they finally said it was against their policy, but they'd fax it to my RE right then.
Called back today. They still had not faxed it, but said they'd take care of it today. At 3:59 pm they actually call me back and tell me my meds can be scheduled! I'm excited until they inform me that they discovered that I already have a follistim prior auth on record, so they called my doctor and had my doctor change the prescription from Gonal F to Follistim. FUCKERS!
They also told me that once I had the Follistim prior auth, I probably wouldn't be able to get a Gonal prior auth. So if you've got your cetrotide prior auth, I think you're pretty much good until it expires!
Speaking of baby aspirin. Hypothetically if one were to take it (Iโd check with my doctor first) when would you start? I feel like Iโve read conflicting things about taking it around retrieval time. Is day after retrieval too early (or too late?) to start? Does it mess up your recovery?
It is confusing and conflicting. The research I've read leans in favor of taking it.
My first cycle, I think I started it after retrieval (it's been almost 4 years though, I'd have to look up my recordsto know for sure).
My second cycle, the RE doesn't believe in using it, so we didn't do it for retrieval or any of the transfers. I did bring up the research I found.
This current cycle, my RE is offering it to me, to start day after transfer. I don't have to take it, but I can. I was the one who brought up aspirin to my doctor. I plan to take it.
Very interesting, and I wondered the same thing. My Dr had me on baby aspirin for my FET cycle (which was cancelled, along with taking the baby aspirin). But then we did a frozen embryo transfer right after a retrieval and he did not tell me to take it. I am almost 6 weeks pregnant now and have a history of repeat mcs, one of which was a missed mc, so I called my Dr to ask about it.
The Dr said "Eh, you probably dont need it. You used a PGS normal embryo and are on progesterone and estrogen, so you're probably fine." The nurse relayed this message to me, with her own advice of, "It certainly can't hurt, it might help, and if you want to take it even if the Dr said you don't need it, then go ahead and take it if it will make you feel better and that you are doing everything you can to make this work." She did say to tell my OB upon transfer to their care if I'm taking it, and to stop if I have any bleeding. So, I started baby aspirin at 5.5 weeks pg. Not sure if this is helpful, but that's my experience so far!
The plan is still for a fresh transfer. And I'm not super uncomfortable, yet. No fluid in my abdomen at today's appointment. So I guess we'll see? I did say that if I needed to do paracentesis again (drain my abdomen), then I would. Totally worth it.
Post by seeyalater52 on Jun 19, 2018 18:45:39 GMT -5
FishChicks that is nuts!!! They truly are the worst. I didnt realize the authorizations would outlive the cycle. Thatโs fascinating and useful. The woman I spoke with today told me she could schedule my delivery right then, so it seemed pretty legit. Iโm feeling waaaay better about it after calling.... a new experience when it comes to Caremark. One less thing to stress about.
Eesh. I would have been at that level about day 9. However, it looks like your follicles have made good progress. Any discussion about lowering your stim doses or coasting?
My estradiol was about 1500 at my Weds monitoring appointment (day 8 of stims), so I cant wait to see what itโs at on Friday. I have so many less follicles than you guys do, what the heck!?
Eesh. I would have been at that level about day 9. However, it looks like your follicles have made good progress. Any discussion about lowering your stim doses or coasting?
My estradiol was about 1500 at my Weds monitoring appointment (day 8 of stims), so I cant wait to see what itโs at on Friday. I have so many less follicles than you guys do, what the heck!?
Your dose is a lot lower than mine (300!), so I'm not surprised. But your RE seems to be going for low and slow, so maybe it will get there?
Post by cherryvalance on Jun 19, 2018 19:29:55 GMT -5
pooh8402, I've still got everything crossed for you.
seeyalater52, don't forget, my follicles exploded overnight a la Little Shop of Horrors. I always feel like I'm not making progress, turn around, and then we're talking about how to stall them because they're crazy. Fx they hurry along.
FishChicks that is nuts!!! They truly are the worst. I didnt realize the authorizations would outlive the cycle. Thatโs fascinating and useful. The woman I spoke with today told me she could schedule my delivery right then, so it seemed pretty legit. Iโm feeling waaaay better about it after calling.... a new experience when it comes to Caremark. One less thing to stress about.
They really hide it on the website, but somewhere on there, maybe on the main CVS site and not the specialty site, you can find a list of all your prior authorizations, with expiration dates. They should mail you a paper copy, too. The only thing that has ever gone smoothly with them was the prior auth being renewed by my RE's office after it expired for the first time because a year had passed. A single phone call and it was done and my meds shipped that day.
Do beware that they have a pretty early same day shipping cut-off. A phone rep once told me 4 pm, and later phone reps said that's BS and it's some time well before noon.
My estradiol was about 1500 at my Weds monitoring appointment (day 8 of stims), so I cant wait to see what itโs at on Friday. I have so many less follicles than you guys do, what the heck!?
Your dose is a lot lower than mine (300!), so I'm not surprised.ย But your RE seems to be going for low and slow, so maybe it will get there?