Gonal F vs. Follisim vs. Bravelle

[Anonymous]

My RE is letting me decide which FSH to use, and I'm self-pay so will I likely be going by price. But I don't want to be foolish and use something more uncomfortable or complicated if my cost savings are that much.

I've used Gonal-f pens in the past, and like those, but they are not the least expensive. I was told Follisim comes in a cartridge which is like the Gonal-F pen, as that is less expensive - anyone have experience with that? And I know nothing about Bravelle - how is that used? does that need to be mixed?

Also, if anyone has any experience with overage with any of these, I'd love to hear about that. I know the Gonal pens have some, and was told that the Follisim has even more.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

I just went through my 1st IVF and my insurance covered the Gonal F and not the Follistem. I ended up shelling out the cash for the Follistem, though, because my doc said she sees better results with that over Gonal F. I'm sure every doc is different reasons for making the suggestions. As far as ease of use, I am a total wimp and had no trouble with the injections...the pen makes it very easy, and yes, there was always some additional in the vial, but not sure how much. Maybe 50-75 IUs?

[Anonymous]

I am just about to have my retrieval for my first (and hopefully only!) cycle of IVF. I have been using Gonal-F and Follistim (pen and vials). My doctor prefers Gonal-F, but let me use Follistim since I had some leftover from an IUI cycle and I am self-paying. The only difference I have found is that the pens are easiest to use, but the follistim (especially in the vials) stings more when it is injected. It only last a second or two, but it is still annoying. Gonal-F seems to be a smaller injection, in terms of volume, but honestly I can't tell a difference --a needle is a needle in my book. Also, my nurse has been able to give me several doses of follistim that the drug reps gave her and she hasn't ever had gonalf to give away. It might be worth asking your nurse, if she has any donated drugs, since you are self-paying.

Good luck making the right decision for you. I had good experiences ordering from Freedom and horrible ones ordering from Schraft's. My friend had the exact opposite! I am picking up one additional dose from Prosperity Pharmacy today, which seems to be a reasonably priced local option.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure they're all interchangeable. If people notice different reactions, it's probably due more to cycle variation than the efficacy of the drugs. These small sample sizes make anecdotal evidence pretty inaccurate.

[Anonymous]

I was on Bravelle. It was mixed with menopure, but in the same vial with the same water. It was pretty easy. It was the only one I used, it worked on the first try. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all. I ordered up the Bravelle - I think it was $400 less than the Gonal. I start stimming tomorrow, but now I'm used to dealing with the vials and needles from the Lupron so I think it should be fine.

[Anonymous]

Good Luck! I also had luck with Bravelle/IVF on my first try.