FSH Meds (Follistim/Bravelle/Gonal F)

[Anonymous]

Does it matter what type of FSH drug you use? I'm going on my 3rd IUI attempt all having used follistim with no luck. It seems I'm developing only 1 follie or possibly 2 follies on the follistim. I wanted to switch my meds just to change it up but wanted to know if that even matters? My nurse tells me it really doesn't and that they are all the same preparation of FSH. They are all covered under my insurance so price isn't an issue on which one I should use. I was thinking about trying gonal f or bravelle. Can anyone help with any advice on this?

[Anonymous]

I think most clinics will say it doesn't matter. I did read a chat transcript by an RE at the SHER institute stating that they see better results with Gonal F and Follitisim over bravelle, but I think the SHER docs are controversial, although cutting edge, so I don't know how that cuts.

How much are you using? My first iui I used 150 gonal and only had one follicle, but they upped me to 450 and I got 3 and 4 follies the next two cycles.

[Anonymous]

I used both Gonal F and Follitism with my IVF and am now 6 weeks 2 days pregnant with twins. It's OK to mix meds, I also mixed gonal and follitism with my 1st cycle and have a 21 month old as a resort.

[Anonymous]

I also used gonal-f and follistim (with menopur) for my first IVF cycle. I am 6 weeks 4 days pregnant with twins. (and I am not the previous poster!)

They really are all the same.

[Anonymous]

I used Bravelle with my first IVF -now 4 months pregnant with a singleton!

[Anonymous]

I do think it matters, but it depends on the person what works. For me, Follistim alone didn't help me much...I found this out through IUIs, so my doc tried me on Follistim and Menopur after a few crappy cycles, and that did the trick. My estrogen was also staying very flat, even though I would ovulate, it would be late or my estrogen would flat line and then spike. The addition of Menopur corrected that as well. I ended up getting pregnant from IVF, but asked my doc to be sure to include the Menopur in the mix. My doc also preferred Follistim over Gonal F or Bravelle....said she saw better results, especially in older patients (like myself).

I think switching it up is a good, proactive idea, and I'm honestly surprised your doc hasn't suggested this after several failed cycles with low response.

[Anonymous]

my nurse told me the only reason my doctor preferred follistim was because that sales rep took him out for a nicer dinner than the gonal F sales rep.