Gonal F 225iu side effects ??

[basejump]

Hello

I am due to start my first IVF cycle at Create. I'll be on an antagonist protocol apparently.

Not sure why it's marketed as "mild ivf" - apart from no down regulation - as the stimm drugs seem to the same as normal ivf. Have queried this and just been talked into carrying on.

Having a bit of a freak out as I HATE drugs and want to avoid feeling like shit if at all possible. Probably isn't is it ?

Has anyone had this protocol and what was your experience ?

Thanks x

[MiniH]

Hi basejump - just had my ET at Create so may see you/have seen you in the waiting room! I had Gonal F 112 units, so less than you, but that's because I was always going to respond very quickly to it as I have lots of follicles, and I did in fact respond quickly and they had to bring egg collection forward. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that dose depends on how well you are likely to respond, so I wouldn't worry too much about dose itself, as you shouldn't respond any more on that dose than I did on my dose (if that makes any sense). Do phone again though if you're not happy with the answer - and I may be totally wrong on my assumptions. In terms of side effects, I got quite uncomfortable just before egg collection, but apart from that was fine, and carried on completely as normal until day before (including going to the gym until day 7/8). really wish you the best of luck

[basejump]

Thank you !! I am somewhat reassured.

[KnackeredCow]

I did an antagonist short protocol - Gonal F dose 200 units daily. I responded well and the only side effects were tiredness and bloating, but I believe you can get those symptoms on any form of FSH. To be honest, the tiredness could have been due to stress. My clinic considered the stimulation I was on as non-aggressive. They got 12 mature eggs on my first cycle, and 11 on my second.

The antagonist protocol - as well as being shorter - has a lower risk of OHSS than the long protocol, and a lower risk of cycle cancellation.

Gonal F comes in a pre-filled pen, and I believe some clinics choose it because patients find it easier to administer. It's manufactured in a different way to Menopur (which is a human menopausal gonadotropin) and so is highly purified so that's also why some clinics prefer it.

HTH and good luck!

[basejump]

Thanks, that is good to know. I wonder why they have put me on Gonal F instead of the cheaper one - oh well I've paid for it now !
Best of luck to you, fingers crossed.

[lozster]

I just finished this protocol but with Menopur (375 then to 300 plus Luverin) rather than gonal F as it's cheaper by quite some! I experienced no side effects. Zip. I've previously down reg'd on another cycle and had some twinges around the ovaries and a couple of occurrences where my heart seemed to be racing but that was it.

I live the life of a monk though (think of something bad/enjoyable and I won't be doing/eating/drinking it) so don't know if that has any impact. Also, I am a low responder due to my AMH, so it may not have the impact on me that it has on others.

The plus to this protocol is that it's shorter - with down reg it took a few weeks more particularly as I didn't bleed as I was meant to. I was quite relieved this time to avoid the anxiety that that caused at the time as it extended my treatment and caused a problem with my schedule at work.