Drugs and Insurance

It's on to the next cycle. Dr. S decided to skip right over 200mg of Clomid to 250mg a day for five days. She also warned that even if I hadn't experienced much in the way of side effects before, I more than likely will now. I guess I've been fairly lucky. I have gotten hot flashes and some mood swings, but it looks like I might be in for a real roller coaster this month. In addition to the Clomid, I will again get a shot of HCG to ensure ovulation.

The thrilling part of all that? Neither Clomid nor HCG is covered by insurance. Nor is either one cheap. Today's grand total for both of these? $143. That is unreal. While I know great strides have been taken in recent years for insurance to cover fertility-related doctors visits, for the most part drugs are not covered.

We really are very lucky with our health insurance. We don't pay for it, our co-pays are only $15, and when it comes to fertility coverage, we don't pay anything for IUI's and we are entitled to an unlimited number of them until I turn 44 years old. I recently added up what our insurance company was billed from my RE in July and August, and it was just under $10,000. Our out of pocket expenses for the same period were probably $200, excluding drugs.

Given the medical treatment I'm allowed to have I really shouldn't complain about drugs not being covered, but at the same time for all that has been paid out for me over the last few months, are drugs just a cost that would put it all over the top?

I can't take this anymore

I'm not pregnant again. I can't take what these drugs to do me. For the last 2 weeks I've been exhausted, and I had morning sickness for the last week. I really should get a job because I'm bored out of my fucking mind, but how do I tell a new employer that I need to be late 3 days a week for 3 weeks a month? Yeah, doesn't work.

Nothing new

I've been feeling exhausted the last few days... Like falling asleep an hour after getting up in the morning and having a solid 7-8 hours of sleep. I'm also nauseous all the time, and have little to no appetite. Threw up in the bathroom sink this morning.

Hmmm.....

Must resist the urge to pee on a sick!

Progesterone time again!

I started my 400mg of progesterone last night. It doesn't seem to be as messy this time, but I'm sure it's just because I didn't sleep well last night, so everything is just a blur.

IUI #2

We arrived at the lab this morning to "produce" before they even opened. The building where the office is is creepy on Sunday. Most of the lights in the halls are off, and there's no one in the parking garage.

We waited a bit, then he went in to do his thing. They told us to come back in an hour. I really hoped that didn't mean 3 hours like the last time. We went to get breakfast, then were back in the office at 9:15. Just a little after 9:30 they were ready for us.

We went in and confirmed it was JB's sample, and the nurse said the count was excellent this time. More than twice last time. Awesome!

A few minutes later my doctor came in and we were ready to go. Before it started I was mentally telling myself to relax, just let it happen. I knew that if I relaxed it would be a lot easier. The last time I was so nervous and tense I kept cramping. It hurt a lot, and seemed to take forever. The doc was done before I even knew it started. She said, "Ok good luck!" and I was all "that's it?!" I could barely walk last time I was shaking so much. I drove us home this time.

Two more days until I begin the progesterone again. Yuck!

HCG

I had one nice big follicle today, so I got my HCG shot. I also have one smaller follicle, something like 16mm maybe? The big one was 20.5. The injection site just started to burn and ache... more than 12 hours later.

IUI tomorrow morning!

Two eggs on tap

As of this morning I have a 16mm follicle, and a 10mm follicle. Back on Saturday for another sonogram, and if either of the follicles are big enough, I'll also get an HCG trigger injection. This will trigger a sure ovulation of those follicles.