Advice for next FET and medication

[Blue2006]

Hi ladies ,

Couple of questions if you could possibly help .

1) I’m hoping to have a FET soon following a long period of 3 cycles of IVF , managed to get 4 eggs , 4 blasts from 3 cycles none yet transferred . ( private )

I have previously had 5 transfers , 4 frozen 1 fresh fresh . First two positive yet didn’t last , others negative . ( different clinic to the current ) ( funded )

Should there be any tests / medication to support the next FET , I have a follow up over the phone tomorrow with the Dr .

We did previously discuss steroids which was agreed I could have.

2) when talking to someone from the clinic over the phone yesterday she mentioned

Paying for meds progynova and pessaries , my clinic use fertility 2U , estimated at around £120 for these . She then mentioned a private prescription , I asked if this could be cheaper which I didn’t get a definite answer to nor did I ask how to go about this . Would anyone know what she meant by this ? Is there another way I can get these meds without going through fertility 2U .

TIA

[Cinderella5]

Hi Tia, for my FET I found it cheaper to get a private prescription and take it to Asda as they dont make any profit on IVF meds. I got a few quotes from different companys and they were the best at that time....think that was back in Feb. You've kind of answered your first question with your second.....progynova is used to increase the lining thickness and pessaries are the progesterone to be taken to prepare your lining for transfer once its thick enough. Good luck.xx

[Blue2006]

Thanks for your response , so my consultant would provide me with the script is what you’re saying ?

Did you call your local Asda pharmacy or is there a national line ? I’ve just always used meds from the pharmacy my clinic signposted me too.

Thanks

[Cinderella5 in reply to Blue2006]

I had a private script from my clinic (not even a UK clinic) so yes I presume your clinic could either post you a script or you could pick one up. I called the local Asda pharmacy store to ask how much everything was and once I knew the prices I handed my script in. Its was all really easy.xx

[Libsie3103]

My clinic provide me with a private prescription and you can then call / email round and get quotes. It’s really straightforward and I’ve found it to not be much different to an NHS prescription you just need to pay!! I would ask your Dr about steroids as I’m not sure many clinics are using them due to Covid as they lower your immunity - yours maybe, ours isn’t. Good luck!

[jengi]

I used fertility2u and they were great both times. Regarding steroids, these are immunosuppressants and the professional advice from the British Fertility Society, the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is that the use of empirical immunosuppressive treatments should be avoided during the Covid 19 pandemic. You’ll find more info on their various websites including the HFEA hfea.gov.uk/treatments/covi...

Best of luck Xx

[leo1980 in reply to jengi]

I with jengi on this. I used to take dexamethasone for both cycles but since Covid they have been dropped from next protocol.

[Blue2006]

I use them too but only because my clinic uses them . Just wanted to see if I could save myself some money with the amount I’ve spent so far .

I’ve heard that about steroids due to the pandemic , not something I think I would rule out if my clinic agreed as I’ve never used them before and I’m willing to try anything at this point .

[Chel91]

Hi, I'm also having additional testing after having failed transfers. I'm doing the ERA biopsy lining test (I do medicated FET cycles), a blood clotting panel (to see whether aspirin / clexane is need or not), also talking about taking steroids. I also take progesterone injections as well as pessaries to prevent low levels. Do you have your progesterone levels tested the day of transfer and the days / weeks after transfer? If not, it's definitely something to check or bring up. Best of luck hun xxxx

[Blue2006]

Thank you for this , just the kind of questions I was looking for .

With regards to the ERA , would you say this is similar to the NK cells testing ?

Would the ERA be something that your own clinic performed ?

Thanks again

[Chel91 in reply to Blue2006]

The ERA test is to make sure your lining is receptive when you transfer your embryo, so it's not the same I believe. My clinic did mine in their office, it costs about 1.3k though 😣 I just hope it will be worth it xx

[leo1980 in reply to Chel91]

Hi Chel! Just jumping on this - what is ERA. I want it too😉. I have had two transfers - 1 frozen and 1 fresh = epic failures. Did the ERA improve your success rate?

[Chel91 in reply to leo1980]

Glad to help! 😁 They basically do a mock medicated FET (not sure if they can do it natural?), then on the mock embryo transfer day they take a biopsy of your endometrial lining instead and send it to a specialist lab for testing. Then they can check if it was receptive or not, and alter your plan for the real FET by changing the number of days of progesterone given before transfer. I still haven't had my results back, and my next cycle isn't until October, so I can only wait and see 🤞 xx

[leo1980 in reply to Chel91]

Thank you so much! Let me know how you get on!

[Blue2006]

Wow , that’s so expensive . And is there medication depending on results ? What happens with the outcome either way ? Xx

[leo1980]

Like Cinderella said below. Go to Any ASDA that has a pharmacy to order your medication - it was the cheapest quote I Ever got.