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Original poster

Buserelin shortage

29 replies

FlowerFanatic · 19/02/2023 13:58

Hi all

I am new here and also new to the IVF world.

I have endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes so I will need IVF to conceive.

I have NHS funding and would be able to get going immediately but everything is being held up due to a UK shortage of buserelin.

Due to my high AMH and low BMI I have been told the clinic won't do a cycle unless it's short protocol with buserelin trigger as I am at high risk of OHSS.

However apparently it's out of stock everywhere in the UK and the clinic have no idea when it will be back!

I've had a look online and it seems there were some shortages last year but I thought it was sorted out by now.

Is anyone going through something similar and able to commiserate or does anyone have any advice?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
FlowerFanatic · 19/02/2023 18:45

Bump :)

OP posts:
Original poster
FlowerFanatic · 20/02/2023 14:14

Anyone??

OP posts:
Marie7194 · 21/02/2023 23:05

Hi there, I'm having the exact same issue with my clinic. I'm high risk of over stimulation so they won't let me start without Buserelin. :-( My clinic have no idea how long the wait will be.

Marie7194 · 21/02/2023 23:11

I'm also new to IVF, and the wait is agonising.

Original poster
FlowerFanatic · 22/02/2023 07:17

@Marie7194 it's so frustrating isn't it. If there was at least a timeline it would make it so much easier.

I really hope it's sorted soon for both of us and everyone else waiting!

OP posts:
Marie7194 · 22/02/2023 07:26

Yes fingers crossed. I'm exploring IUI in the meantime privately to see whether it could work for me. The main reason I've been suggested IVF is due to use of donor sperm. I'm also trying to source it myself with a private prescription but so far no luck. Good luck to you.

Original poster
FlowerFanatic · 22/02/2023 07:36

@Marie7194 I can't conceive without IVF as both of my tubes are blocked so it's very frustrating!

I'm also going to try and source myself

OP posts:
Ktrillion · 22/02/2023 10:10

I'm in the exact same situation. Very annoying to not be able to progress or plan around it. Have you been able to find out ways to track availability? All I can do is ask my clinic if they've received shipment, can't seem to find any other info online about general shortage.

Original poster
FlowerFanatic · 22/02/2023 12:03

@Ktrillion no I haven't, last time I spoke to the clinic they wouldn't even give a timeline as they said the manufacturer keeps "moving the goalposts" so they don't want to raise hopes.

There is another thread where someone who works in a clinic responded and said they got an email yesterday saying still no stock.

I was going to try and source myself but rang a load of pharmacies this morning including fertility2u etc... and no one has any!

I'm with Kings in London where are you?

It's very frustrating but Kings won't offer me an alternative treatment due to my high risk of OHSS they say it would be unsafe. So I guess I'll just have to wait it out!

Online it does mention shortages but that was last summer so not sure what's going on now.

Good luck!

OP posts:
Ktrillion · 22/02/2023 12:05

@FlowerFanatic I'm with Kings too and have the same information. When they first mentioned the shortage to me back in Jan they said they were expecting a shipment in February, but I emailed them yesterday and they had no news so I'm not super hopeful.

I'm also wanting to do all blood tests etc so I'm ready when they do get back in stock but the tests expire after 3 months so would be annoying to have to pay twice. Hmm.. Anyway, keep me posted if you hear anything and I'll do the same!

Original poster
FlowerFanatic · 22/02/2023 12:09

@Ktrillion I'm on NHS with Kings so they won't let me do the blood tests etc... which makes me a bit nervous they think it won't be here within 3 months as the NHS doesn't want to fund them twice....

I was also told 1 month in February but called on Monday and no news!

Will deffo keep you posted. I'm going to go off the forum for a bit as getting a bit stressed out by it all but will return to this thread with any updates and sending you lots of luck and good wishes!

OP posts:
Ktrillion · 22/02/2023 12:14

Best of luck to you too, and yes good to take a break from it all! It will happen eventually, and I think Kings are one of the best places for treatment, so we're in good hands I'm sure!

katiesj · 24/02/2023 09:20

Hi, hope it’s okay if I join.
We have also been held up due to the shortage, we had our nurses appointment scheduled for February 14th but it got cancelled as we can’t proceed with treatment until the Buserelin is back in stock.
We have waited 2 years on the NHS so pretty gutted when it was all cancelled.
sorry you are all going through this too, it will get better I’m sure but it’s hard to stay positive through this journey with so many obstacles on the way.
Good luck to you all x

EY123 · 24/02/2023 17:39

Hey, I honestly didn’t even know anything about this medication until I called this morning to book my treatment in and was told the same story about the shortage (the receptionists need a little bit of compassion training at kings!). I went home and tried to research why I was being prescribed this drug and what is so important that it would bring my journey to a complete halt. I’ve since learned there are different protocols and this drug falls under the “long” one but there is another “short” option. I kinda feel a bit peeved for firstly never having these options discussed with me, and secondly my IVF being written off like there are no other options when there clearly is. My experience of kings has been pretty dreadful I’m sad to say.

may I ask anyone in here if you know why you’ve been prescribed this medication? I’ve got unexplained infertility. Im 37. Apparently there’s no issues that they can detect.

katiesj · 25/02/2023 10:53

Sorry to hear your experience has been rubbish!
We have male factor infertility so we will be doing IVF with ICSI. Due to my age and high AMH we are going to be doing a short protocol with buserelin as my trigger shot.
I'm with CRGW and the staff are lovely although they don't seems to give me too much information unless I ask a lot of questions! I spoke to a nurse on the phone and questioned why I need to use buserelin for my treatment and she said because I am at a high risk of OHSS it's the safest option for us. Could you possibly call your nurse and ask if there is a suitable alternative for you?
Good luck!

Original poster
FlowerFanatic · 27/02/2023 18:58

Rang the clinic today and they said still no update on the medication. They did say that some patients had sourced it abroad - how would you go about doing this and has anybody done that?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Marie7194 · 01/03/2023 19:08

Hi everyone, I have been successful in purchasing the Buserelin from Fertility 2U based in the UK. I sent them my prescription directly and got an email to say it was available. Once I confirmed the order, the clinic them a sent a copy electronically and h post.

I had previously rang Fertility 2U and been told they were out of stock, so I was surprised. I think it is worth emailing your prescription even when they say on the phone 'out of stock', so they prioritise it when they get stock it. I got the impression that they have been receiving a small amount of stock, which sells out quickly, because when i rang to confirm my order details, they said all medication had been allocated, and they are out of stock again. This was all in the space of 24 hours. Good luck everyone!

Marie7194 · 01/03/2023 19:09

*then
*by post

MsKay92 · 07/03/2023 14:10

Hiya ladies!

I am also with Kings and its been frustrating on the shortage wait. I have rang several companies and they are out of stock. I rang the last company on my list (Stork) who kings get medication from too. And a lady on the phone said later on today Stork will be sending and announcement out to all the clinics who use them on the update on Buserelin! So hopefully wont be too long 🤞🏻

Ktrillion · 09/03/2023 09:39

It seems it's back in stock with Stork, and Kings are working through the buserelin waitlist! Worth giving them a ring to get any remaining tests booked in and they may be able to prescribe you all the meds now. Best of luck to you all and thanks for starting this conversation @FlowerFanatic

Marie7194 · 09/03/2023 13:12

Great news

EY123 · 12/03/2023 21:19

Thanks for your responses. My disappointment with kings has reached new levels. After being told since Nov that I can’t start treatment due to this drug shortage, I decided to ask why I needed it in the first place. I received an email the other day saying that they were sorry for the confusions (two different people informed me of i couldn’t commence treatment) but looks like I don’t need it after all and I should go ahead and book my appointments. Nail in coffin, kings will not be getting my money. So frustrating and actually incredibly poor practice.

EY123 · 12/03/2023 21:21

does anyone have an experience with Care Fertility London?

Ktrillion · 11/04/2023 10:07

Hi, wondering how you're all getting on with your stims (if you've started?) I'm on day 10 (menopur and fyremadel) so far side effects have been ok, mainly bloating and I'm a bit tired. Wondering if anyones done their trigger shot yet with Buserelin, and how you felt after? I'll be doing mine in a few days (Ovitrelle + Buserelin) and wondering what to expect in terms of both emotional and physical side effects. Wishing you all best of luck wherever you are on your journey, it's a lot isn't it!

Marie7194 · 11/04/2023 15:02

Hiya, I was taking menopur and fyremodol, mostly felt bloated and uncomfortable sleeping. I dont think my mood swings were too bad. I took the trigger injections 💉 including Buserelin at the weekend and felt absolutely fine afterwards. Just had my eggs collected and moved to embroyo creation. The operation was fine, as sedated so i didnt feel a thing and dont remember a thung! Now I'm just waiting to see how many embryos progress over the coming days. Good luck everyone.