Ganirelix Protocol vs. Lupron Protocol for first IVF Cycle

[allie_44107]

Hi Ladies-
I will be starting my first IVF cycle in August.  While I don't yet know the full schedule of meds, I do know I will not be using lupron.  I will instead by using Ganirelix followed by Follistism for stims.  From what I understand this protocol is shorter than lupron.  Anyone have any experience with this?  Also, I am not sure I will be using birth control pills at the start, which I thought was common practice.  Any advice you have would be great.  Thanks!

[rxyrxx919]

allie:  Nope wasn't as bad as I thought!!! People would freak when I said I get shots in my stomach :o)  They are small shots so I would ice the area really good (before all shots) and it was't bad!  It went by fast!  I did though do birth control pills for 2mo. before I started the stims.  

[babywanted556]

I'm going to have IVF in August as well.  I did 5 IUI's-all failed.  3IVFs which 2 result in 1 early miscarriage and 1 etopic one that remove my right tube.  Today is my day 3 and still waiting for the call back from nurse.  Maybe I will have lupron on day 21 for 7 days then stims. for 9-12 days.  I had birth control pills on my second IVF and yes, it's shorter cycle compared to lupron protocol.

[allie_44107]

Hi!  Thanks so much for the response..you have eased some of my anxiety.  I thought the same thing about not using lupron.  I am crossing every finger and toe for your BFP on Wednesday!!  So overall was it not as bad as you thought it would be?  We did 4 IUI's-all failed.  I don't have any tubal blockages but I do have a tipped uterus.  Other than that, all is fine with us.  Nothing has been more frustrating.  So you didn't do birth control pills before?  I am so relieved to hear you did 2 weeks of meds and then the retrieval-I was so afraid it was going to take longer.  I will feel much better once I get my actual schedule of meds.  I thank you so much for your time and sending you SSBD!!!!!

[rxyrxx919]

Hello :o)  So I am currently going thru a ivf using ganirelix and not lupron.  I will find out Wed. if it worked... keeping my fingers crossed.  :o)  I've read good things about it.  My re says that ganirelix is supposed to replace lupron...???  I was actually worried that I wasn't doing lupron since it seemed soooo common here on this board.  I also have a blocked fallopian tube and a tilted uterus, we did a few IUI's and finally moved to ivf... The schedule had me on meds for about 2 weeks before the retrieval so that wasn't horrible since I hate shots.  :o)  I am still doing progesterone injections which i really really hate, those other stims were WAY easier!!! My protocol wasn't called ganerilx it was the antagonist protcol so it could be a little different.  Good luck!