gonal-F
(41 posts) (16 voices)-
I just started my first cycle of gonal-F and was wondering the success rate on it??? Each time I go back to the Dr, she increases my dose. It is getting discouraging...wondering if it will work?!? Any comments on your experience would be encouraging for me. Thanks -
I did read about it on-line It was FDA approved in 1998, so there should be more news about it, but I haven't found much. I start my first cycle with it next week. What does have you used? -
I have tried gonal-f only once. I started with 2 amps, then to 3 and then to 4...over a 2 week period. The dr. didn't think I was responding to it the way she wanted, so we ended the treatment for that cycle. She wants me to try a higher dose next time. I decided to go back to clomid for 1-2 months (until spring) and then I'll try gonal-f again. I'm hoping that someone will respond with a success story. Good luck to you!! (Carrie-I also sent this message to you.) -
I have used gonal f for IUIs twice. The first time it worked okay -- two follicles instead of the usual one. The second time, on an increased dose, I had no reponse at all, and my doctor increasd the dose once -- still no response. At that point, she recommended cancelling the cycle -- she didn't think it made sense to keep upping the dose, better to bag it and try again another cycle. I decided to move on to IVF and to spend several months working with an acupuncturist in the hopes of improving my response.My sense is that if you need a higher dose of a medication, it's best to start on it from the beginning of the cycle. That's when the follicles "get recruited".
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I have used gonal-f for "ovulation induction" and for one IUI. Had a good response but not what the doctor expected. I think the drug is fine but maybe age is a factor for response. I am now starting an IVF cycle and the RE is using Follistm. It is a similiar drug. I think one has to put trust in the RE and of course in yourself and the good Lord.
Wishing you luck and blessings. -
Your sense confirms what my RE suggested -- that it is not useful to raise the dose as the cycle continues, but only to start a certain level and keep with it... -
Thanks for sharing your experience. It is helpful to know what others are doing. Starting with a higher dose seems to be what everyone is saying. That is what my dr. said too. I'll give it a try -
My RE said that there is only a 15-20% chance of success each month. I was surprised and not impressed by the low odds. -
My FSH was high 21 and through diet, acupuncture, yoga, ect... It dropped down in two months to 10.4.. Yeah, I thought..I began the Gonal F, 6 amps.. Max dose last Weds..
My day 3 showed four folicals on right ovary, 5-6 on left...
Doctor waited until yesterday to administer my sonogram.. said he was not concerned about overstimulation because of my age (40) and my high FSH previous test?
Cycle was cancelled yesterday because of two dominant follicals taking all the FSH and growing too quickly... AND the other folicals not growing at all..
It's so frustrating..
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If there are dominant follicles, they may be able to give you "antigon" (has a new name now, I forget what it is), which will keep you from ovulating (suppresses LH), so you can keep being stimulated, until more follicles are ready, and you're ready to take the HCG shot.Depends on what your E2 (estradiol) levels are, if rising, this means the other smaller follicles are growing (have eggs).
I just did an IVF cycle, and had 1 dominant follicle, and my E2 levels were not that high Tuesday, and they said they'd probably cancel the cycle.
Later that Tuesday morning, I took a guided imagery class on stimulation, and the next day, Wednesday, my E2 levels doubled!! and they ended up retrieving 5 eggs, resulting in 4 embryos. (still waiting....)
I had started on Antigon the Monday before this (cd 8). They said that they sometimes just let the dominant follicle get "overcooked" and try to get more of the smaller ones to mature, resulting in multiple eggs.
I don't have the details of which follicles resulted in eggs, but I would like to know that (size of follicles, and which side, I like to keep score...).
I think the dominant one got to be about 25 by the time of the last US (cd 12). They said that sometimes they are able to retrieve eggs from that size, anyway.
Levels of E2 tell them which follicles have an egg (purportedly), something like 200-300 of E2 per egg (I may have that all wrong, numbers wise. This is my version of the story, always best to ask your dr. or call Resolve for info.).
Also, I had a 13.5 size follicle on day 2 of this cycle, I thought they would cancel it because of that. Apparently, a "leftover" cyst from the previous cycle can "interfere" with an ART cycle, I had a previous one canceled a few years ago by another dr. for that reason, but I don't remember the size. (and a dr. previous to that did NOT cancel a cycle, and I ended up kind of sore from this follicle).
I thought that maybe the 13.5 was the one that kept growing into a 25, but the dr. said, no, that the corpus luteum doesn't grow, so I guess he thought this was a new (domineering( follicle.
In 2003, I was on Gonal-F and had 1 dominant follicle, and they didn't even use Antigon, and now that I've been on it, I have to wonder about whether I had the best treatment back then.
Now I'm going to NYU, a really wonderful place, and I had a sense that everything was done right, and not rushed, and I had the best possible chances.
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I decided with my Doctor to try 4 cycles of gonol-f with IUI. The first cycle in January was with one shot/day for 7 days. I had one follicle but at least it was a good one. However my Estradial was very low (20’s) so I guess I probably did not even ovulate. The next cycle we did three shots/day with IUI. The ultrasound machine was broken so I don’t know how many follicles (zero, one, two, more?) We did the IUI and maybe it worked because my period is about 5 days late! (enter hope, fear, hope, fear..) I did a home preg test 3 days ago that was negative and I’m reluctant to test again.Anyway, one of the reasons we started with a lower dose was because of cost. The single shot per day was about $900 for the cycle. Three shots per day was three times that. I know that’s nothing compared with IVF, but it’s a concern.
The other reason we started lower was because of my reluctance to pump more hormones into my body than were required to do the job. I was concerned about side effects ( as I have two good friends who had strong adverse physical and emotional reactions to Clomid). I felt GREAT while getting the hormone shots. I had a better sense of well-being than I’ve had in years, maybe ever? I took that as a good sign that my body was drinking up and responding to the hormones.
We went with 4 cycles because I guess of averaging. One cycle is not enough, more than four I, well, I can’t really remember why. The recommendation of four sounded just right for me on an intuitive level.
Good Luck
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I posted this original message over a year ago and was surprised to see it here AND even more surprised that I am currently doing another gonal-f cycle this month...but on an increased dose. This is my last attempt with gonal-f. I am sooooo hoping that it works. Good luck to everyone out there who are also trying it. I'd like to hear some successful gonal-f stories. -
Baby Dust to you!!cj
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Dear Natalie, I would love to know more about your guided imagery re stimulation. I am in the 11th hour of a stimulated cycle (gonal-F) waiting to see tomorrow if a third follicle has grown enough to allow me to go to egg retrieval. Been doing lots of Julia's exercises but have never come across any for stimulation of follicle growth so a summary of yours would be great. Could probably come up with one myself of course but it's always nice to have one that's been tried & tested as it were! Thanks, Cat -
First attempt with Gonal-F instead of clomid and I have gained 6 pounds I'm so bloated! They said this is normal so we shall see.
I just keep thinking of my 39 yr old sister who had her 1st daughter at 18 and now being remarried hadn't been able to conceive due to "tubing" issues... 5 IVF's later and flying to a specialist in the field in Oregon,(they r from NY) she had twins. Healthy boy and girl! -
once about 3 years ago but unfortunately M/c.I used 300-475 mg of Gonal-f this cycle had 5 follicles 23.5, 20.5, 12.5, 11.5 and 9.
Hoping it worked (IUI).
Blessings!
cj
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My last attempt did result in a pregnancy, but am having some complications. I posted about them under the connections thread ( i used Jill from MI instead of jilldee). This has been an emotional and physical experience for me. This website has been so heldful. -
it due to lining issues it seems. -
I ended up having a miscarriage after taking the gonal-f this time. The dr. thought that it was most likely due to egg quality. I am going to consult with an RE on the 20th to see what might be a good next step. My ob/gyn feels that I should try gonal-f again since it worked. I guess I'll make a decision after my consult with the RE. I just want to be pregnant again!!!! -
Wow,,,there are so many who know the depths of this. My husband and I have been trying for a year and a half now and using fertility enhancers for 8. I tried the Chlomid for 3 cycles and nothing. We decided to move on and try the Gonal-F and Ovidrel combined with IUI. I am late (although my cycle is always off so I am never sure) and have had 3 confirmed pregnancy tests (1 by the DR). I have had some pains however which concerned me so we had an ultrasound done to see what is going on. Apparently, (it is only 4 weeks) they can't see the embryo just yet , but they did not suspect an ectopic because they did not see anything else. The pain is from cysts on my ovaries which are caused from the fertility enhancers. An dit does state on the Gonal-F and Ovidrel that this is common side effects of. I have another appt tomorrow and I am nervous. I hope all goes well for the rest of you! Much luck! -
We only used Gonal-F for one cycle in June and it worked. I am now 6 months pregnant and everything is going fine.
I do have one whole new box left that we bought in advance, if anyone is interested in purchasing please let me know. email me ruheen2000@yahoo.com
thanks -
I was wondering if you used Gonal F along with IUI or just the meds alone?Thank you.
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I went through my first IVF cycle this past June. As the cycle went along my dose went up and down. At retrieval I had 10 healthy eggs. I hope you keep your spirits up. -
hi new to message board. Today has been a sad day for us. We did our first round of clomid,but RE said not be hopeful since,my FSH 16.1. I had two follicles one 29 and one 16.5, but by the tenth day it was 18.5. We were told to go home a create, no iui. I have made many changes in the past months following a diet. No hormone food, organic food, lots of fruit and veg, herbal teas from the acupunture, vitamins, wheat grass, and acupunture. I know in my heart and in my soul GOD IS WORKING A MIRACLE. Reading the board helps but i would like to know if anyone knows of any meds that may work? We are going to see a new RE next month, I need a hopeful RE.
Good luck to all
erika
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