Cutting the costs of fertility treatment

drowningnotwaving_2

Hi guys, I have done a search on fertility treatment/IVF but have not found anything on MSE so thought I'd start a new thread: this either means that you are all very fertile people (In which case you are lucky !!!!!!s who should be eternally grateful!! ) or that there is no way of cutting the cost or that no one else has tried it!!

I know that I cannot cut my clinic costs (except by going to another clinic or egg-sharing which neither of us want to do) but I was wondering whether anyone knows how I can cut the cost of the drugs involved.

If anyone has any good tips or can point us in the direction of anyone who knows we would be very grateful. It is an enormously stressful time for us and having to remortgage the house for every cycle is just adding to that stress.

Thank you. x

sparklymessygirl

hi DNW,

When you get your private prescription for the drugs do ring round lots of pharmacies for a quote - the costs vary greatly. Some people get good prices from the pharmacy2u website (can't quite remember the web address)

On some fertility website forums people with leftover drugs give them away - it is quite common to have leftover drugs. Obviously I'm not recommending this just letting you know what goes on.

Good luck
Sparkly x

Cazzywazzywoo

I would agree -ring around pharmacies as they all charge different amounts.
If you talk to the pharmacist you may be able to take your prescription in stages to spread the cost.
Unfortunately most of the drugs are expensive and there aren't any cheap generics that I am aware of -but it may be worth asking for cheaper brands or generics if they are available.
Also some hospitals do home delivery services of fertility drugs and these often work out a bit cheaper.

Hope this helps
Cazzy

ailuro2

And- you probably already know this - eat a very healthy diet, lots of vitamin rich foods with many variations to provide trace elements too. This could cut down the cost of drugs by improving your chances.

Best of luck to you.:D

Nicki

If you haven't done so already ask your GP whether they will cover the cost of the drugs. Our practice didn't cover the costs of the actual procedure but did agree to prescribe the drugs for us (but we were lucky enough to conceive on the first attempt at IVF so don't know how many times they would have done this) The drugs for us would have cost in excess of £1,000 so this was a big help. Also our consultant would share left over drugs from successful couples with his other patients rather than throwing them away so may be worth asking yours to do the same, or if he is not prepared to organise this, he might let you put up a card in the clinic asking for successful couples to consider donating their left over drugs to you.

Good luck, I know what a stressful process this is, and I wish you success on your next attempt.

thriftmummy

Hi there - I don't really know of any actual ways to cut costs on IVF apart from egg share. I just really wanted to give my support and wish you good luck as I know IVF can be stressful enough without worrying about money.

Just wondered are you eligable for treatment on the NHS?

BlondieE

Hi, I was fortunate enough to have a sympathetic GP who gave the drugs to us on prescription = a saving of over £1000. We were successful on our first attempt at private hospital. We all go through enough trauma with this treatment without having financial trauma also. Good luck to you both.

fsdss

i had a gp who also would give me a prescription for the drugs, when i had finished my course i donated the remainder (a big carrier bag full) back to my consultant who recycled them for someone else's use.

also worth popping your name on the NHS list for IVF. ask your consultant to do this.

good luck and hope everything goes well, but please be prepared for the emotional roller coaster which goes with IVF. and prepare yourself for disapppointment. this is very important as it will save your sanity.

drowningnotwaving_2

Hi guys, thanks for all your replies. Especially from those who have been through it themselves.

Should have said we have actually been through a cycle already and were incredibly lucky enough to conceive twins - but tragically lost them both at seven weeks.

We're not eligible for NHS treatment where we live because I'm too young (34). I have to be 36 to get free treatment - so I have to wait until I'm less likely to conceive before the NHS will fund me! Go figure! Oh yes, and if I have two privately-funded treatments before my 36th birthday I rule myself ineligible for NHS treatment permanently! To say this makes my blood boil is and understatement.

Thanks for the tips on healthy eating - tried all that for 3 years while the NHS faffed around trying to work out what was wrong with me. Had one private appt cos we were so sick of our NHS consultant not knowing his a**e from his elbow and the private consultant did a simple test and diagnosed I have totally blocked tubes, so IVF is our only option. NHS still refused to treat me even when I pointed out it would be a nice apology for 3 years of wasting our time.

Anyway, sorry rant over. Sometimes I need to get it off my chest. I'll try ringing the pharmacies and see if that brings anything to light.

Thank you x

BlondieE

Makes my blood boil to read your story. We had the same hassle with the NHS. Only when we went to private hospital did anything get done with speed and enthusiasm. I got called for my NHS Fertility treatment when I was 8 months pregnant! NHS should give much more support to couples, the age thing is absolutely ridiculous.

Good luck to you, keep your chin up and think positive.

starlite_2

Have you considered travelling abroad for treatment?
I understand it is probably best to not have the hassle, but it can cut your costs in half.
My friend had it twice in Istanbul after 1 failed attempt here, and is now 8 months and doing fine.