I, too, have received meds from other women that have successfully negotiated the IVF process. For those of us paying out of pocket (and I am of this group) the gift of donated meds can make the difference about whether or not we even get to try IVF. Storage is certainly a consideration, but many of the meds can be stored without ice, etc as long as the temperatures do not soar above 77 degrees (read the specific packaging directions), and they are stored out of contact with direct light. Although my nurse didn't recommend the European meds (b/c of some of the reasons mentioned below) I have another friend who has been a nurse at a fertility clinic for 12 years now, and she said that many of her patients use the European meds and do fine (although she had to tell me this as a friend, and not a nurse). It's a hard call-if only we could all receive fresh meds from a local pharmacy with only a co-pay! Alas, it is worth digging a bit to find some affordable options. Check the meds carefully-you should be able to tell when they are in their original packaging, unopened with caps and plastic, etc still attached.

I have been the recipient of meds from some wonderful women on this board and have also given meds to others. I never had a problem with anything I received and I stored what I gave appropriately. I would think anyone offering meds here on this board would do the same. Ordering randomly from an online posting and paying for the meds is something else entirely and is not something I ever considered, as I know there are plenty of scammers out there and IF patients are easy prey.Without the help of others, I would not have had the opportunity to cycle the number of times I needed.

One more point - It is no more legal for your RE's office to give you donated meds than it is to receive them from others - a pharmacy is the only licensed entity to dispense meds. Period. My RE even acknowledged that they are not supposed to pass along meds, but nurses still do it as a favor to patients. So, receiving meds from your clinic is technically no different than receiving them from other IF patients. As with anything, people needs to weigh the risks in accepting donated meds and decide if it is right for them.

I'm so sorry for your loss and completely understand the financial burden that all of these meds place on a person, but "donating" prescription medicine to each other outside of the normal medical channels for doing so is illegal. Perhaps your doctor's office or a nearby hospital has some charity that can help you, but to get medicine from someone you don't know or from Europe via the internet or mail order is just extremely dangerous and not legal.

Thanks, 21.34. I see your poing on donated meds.
13.17 here. I did consider that but the meds were donated to me through my RE by other patients from the same practice. In my case, all the meds had been ordered by Shady Grove and came from reputable pharmacies. As for storage- you have a point. Thanks for your concerns.

Have heard bad things about ordering meds from other countries. They don't have the same standards we do.

At the risk of being hurtful to the previous poster, I would like to say that with all the money we spent on IVF, I just would not take donated meds (not sure if people store them properly) or bargain-hunt for my meds online. This is the trickiest part of the process, spend the money and be sure you are getting the proper meds.

I ordered my drugs from Europe which saved me about 50%. They took about 8 days to get here so you have to plan ahead but in my opinion worth the effort if paying oop.

Sorry, that's lilypie1900@gmail.com Also have no insurance coverage for infertiilty. Hope the women on tihs board are more emphathetic than other boards at DC urban mom! IF ou can't donate no biggie- but please avoid hurtful comments! Recurrent m/c hurts enough!

I also need meds donated and asked over on another board at DC URBAN moms and was told things like "if you can't afford the meds how will you afford the child". Quite hurtful. If you get meds, great. If others have A LOT of meds to donate please also consider me for donations. Also have had 3 miscarriages at age 37, Thanks. lilypie1900@gmakil.com

I don't have any coverage and after several miscarriages and ectopic, decided to try just one more time. I had extra meds but donated them when I got pregnant a few months ago. Unfortunately it ended in ectopic.

To ease the burden, my RE suggested that I reach out to fellow IVFers for lower cost meds. Unfortunately, they don't have any donated meds at this time.

I know - not exactly the right way to get meds, but this, as many of you know, has been an expensive endeavor and since it is my last time, I want to soften the monetary blow, esp. if it doesn't work out in the end.

I appreciate it. this is an alias account I can be reached at: hollydaly123 at yahoo dot com