I read through all the documents thoroughly and there were no "surprises" in there. The only thing I really had to consider is IF I have frozen embryos, what do I do with them after I am finished building my family. Options: 1) discard, 2) donate to science, 3) put them up for "adoption" to another family. I don't think I could live with myself to discard them or donate to science. So, for now - I've opted for choice #3.
Costs
The costs are a "tricky" thing. My insurance is currently covering 80/20 of all costs (since I met my deductible). However, I have about $442 left to reach my out-of-pocket maximum for the year. So, the RE's office can't provide me with the "exact" estimate until I reach that out-of-pocket maximum. I should hit it after my medications get ordered. Some costs are covered and some are not (like ICSI). I've decided not to do PGS testing for now.
I will update this when I have a more accurate idea, but here's what it looks like right now:
| Line Item | Price | Price - Estimated after meeting Out of Pocket Max | NOTE |
| Estimated Co-Payments or Co-Insurance | $1,600.00 | $0.00 | Will go down when I meet Out of Pocket Maximum. |
| Estimated Deductible | $0.00 | $0.00 | Already Met |
| Professional Fees | $0.00 | $0.00 | Billed to Insurance |
| Laboratory Fees | $0.00 | $0.00 | Billed to Insurance |
| Anesthesia Fees | $0.00 | $0.00 | Billed to Insurance |
| ICSI | $1,525.00 | $1,525.00 | Not covered by insurance. |
| Embryo Cryopreservation | $500.00 | $500.00 | Up to 5 embryos. Need to verify if this is covered by Insurance. |
| HCG Pregnancy Test | $35.00 | $35.00 | Collected at time of service. |
| Total Amount Due to RE Office | $3,660.00 | $2,060.00 | |
| Medication - TBD | $4,000.00 | $442.31 | Approximately, pending costs |
| Total Out of Pocket | $7,660.00 | $2,502.31 | |
| Donor Sperm | $530.00 | $530.00 | Donor#4 |
| $8,190.00 | $3,032.31 | ||
| Out of Pocket Remaining | $442.31 | A/O: 11/10/15 |
IVF Protocol: Luteal Lupron (OCP) Protocol (Day 5 Transfer)
Medications: Here is a list and explanation of all the medications that I'm going to be taking. I'm hoping my side-effects are limited on these drugs... we shall see.
GnRH-agonists (leuprolide acetate): Lurpon. This medication is taken by injection. There are two forms of the medication: a short acting mediation requiring daily injections and a long-acting preparation lasting 1-3 months. The primary role of this medication is to prevent a premature LH surge, which could result in the release of eggs before they are ready to be retrieved. Since GnRH-agonists initially cause a release of FSH and LH from the pituitary, they can also be used to start the growth of the follicles or initiate the final stages of egg maturation. Though leuprolide acetate is an FDA approved medication, it has not been approved for use in IVF, although it has routinely been used in this way for more than 20 years. Potential side effects usually experienced with long-term use include, but not limited to: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, bone loss, nausea, vomiting, skin reactions at the injection site, fluid retention, muscle aches, headaches, and depression. No long term or serious side effects are known.
Gonadotropins, or injectable "fertility drugs": Gonal-F and Menopur. These natural hormones stimulate the ovary in hopes of inducing the simultaneous growth of several oocytes (eggs) over the span of 8 or more days. All injectable fertility drugs have FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), a hormone that will stimulate the growth of your ovarian follicles (which contain the eggs). Some of them also contain LH (luteinizing hormone) or LH-like activity LH is a hormone that may work with FSH to increase the production of estrogen and growth of the follicles. Low-dose hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) can be used in lieu of LH. These medications are given by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Proper dosage of these drugs and the timing of egg recovery require monitoring of the ovarian response, usually by way of blood tests and ultrasound examinations during the ovarian stimulation. As with all injectable medications, bruising, redness, swelling, or discomfort can occur at the injection site. Rarely, there can be an allergic reaction to these drugs. Many women experience some bloating and minor discomfort as the follicles grow and the ovaries become temporarily enlarged. The risks and side effects include fatigue, headaches, weight gain, mood swings, nausea, and clots in blood vessels.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): Novarel, Pregnyl, Ovidrel. hCG is a natural hormone used in IVF to induce the eggs to become mature and fertilizable. the timing of this medication is critical to retrieve mature eggs. Potential side effects include: breast tenderness, bloating, and pelvic discomfort.
Progesterone or estradiol: Progesterone and estradiol are hormones normally produced by the ovaries after ovulation. After egg retrieval in some women, the ovaries will not produce adequate amounts of these hormones for long enough to fully support a pregnancy. Accordingly, supplemental progesterone, and in some cases estradiol, are given to ensure adequate hormonal support of the uterine lining. Progesterone is usually given by injection or by the vaginal route after egg retrieval. Progesterone is often continued for some weeks after a pregnancy has been confirmed. progesterone has not been associate with an increase in fetal abnormalities. Side effects include depression, sleepiness, allergic reaction, and if given by intra-muscular injection, includes the additional risk of infection or pain at the injection site.
Oral Contraceptive Pills: some treatment protocols include oral contraceptive pills to be taken for 2 to 4 weeks before gonadotropin injections are started in order to suppress hormone production or to schedule a cycle. Side effects include unscheduled bleeding, headache, breast tenderness, nausea, swelling and the risk of blood clots or, very rarely, stroke.
Zithromax Tri-Pak: AZITHROMYCIN (az ith roe MYE sin) is a macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat or prevent certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
Baby Aspirin (81 mg): helps with uterine lining.
Medrol: A steroid which is sometimes given to transiently suppress immune function during the interval following retrieval and transfer up to the time of implantation.
Estrogen Patches: Estrogen may be administered late in the IVF cycle, usually by skin patches, in order to support the development of the embryo and stabilize the uterine lining.
Next Step: 11/16/15 @ 10am, Sonohysterogram and Mock Transfer.
For more details on my IVF process, see IVF Calendar/Timeline.
No comments:
Post a Comment