Going through Guy’s ACU as a donor

[AlisonKeymaster]

When you are donating eggs there will come a stage when you will receive the drugs from the drug company. Before you feel totally overwhelmed, I thought that I’d give a ‘heads up’ about what you might be getting and a few pics of what they’ll look like. There is A LOT of flashy packaging, so see these rather like Easter eggs – a lot of show but not that much inside!! Cathy and I are both here to help talk you through this but so is Rachel at Guy’s and each step will be explained as you go along. Sometimes there may be more or less drugs, or slightly different types of boxes but generally this is what to expect.

So here goes, as you will get:

1. 2 - 3 boxes of Gonal F (GF). (Red/white) Each pen holds about 4 days worth of medication. You’re unlikely to need all that is in the pen as it goes up to about 450mgs and you will be on a lot less, so some will be wasted. Keep these in the fridge but about ½ hour before you use it, take it out to reach room temperature so it’s less cold! Each time you have a dose, take it in the evening before bedtime (unless told otherwise by GSTT). You take GF for 12 days or so. This drug makes the follicles develop.
2. 8 boxes of Cetrotide. 1 box = 1 day’s supply, so you have 8 days worth here, and you usually start this half way through and you’ll be told when to start and this will be after a scan. Cetrotide is usually taken in the morning first thing, (Gonal F before bed). This drug stops you ovulating.
3. 1 box of Ovitrelle. This comes at the final 36 hours before you have egg collection. You have this instead of the Gonal F as it ripens up the eggs. You’ll be told by GSTT when you should have this (which day and which time) as it is time sensitive. You’ll have this about 10-12pm at night, the exact time being dependent on the time that egg collection is scheduled for.
4. 1 box Buserelin. Sometimes people are asked to have this. It stops you from being too bloated and uncomfortable afterwards. Not everyone is prescribed this, as it depends on how you respond to the Gonal F. You give this at the same time as the Ovitrelle. It stops any follicles that are left behind at egg collection (because they are missed or too small) from growing.

You will be at an increased risk of pregnancy after the Egg Collection as there might be an egg/s that slips through the net, so if you don’t want to get pregnant, I suggest that you use barrier contraception for a couple of weeks. You can go straight back on the pill at your next period, have the implant put back or whatever you are used to. If you are used to the coil, then you can ask Guy’s to put it back at egg collection.

Don’t forget to drink AT LEAST 2 litres of water a day This decreases/minimises any side effects (headaches, discomfort etc)

The ‘Sharps’ box is for you to put the used needles in, as you will need to change the needles on the barrel with both the Gonal F and the Cetrotide after each use (we can talk you through this, but you’ll be shown how). When you go for egg collection, take the sharps box with you and any unused medication, but if you forget just take it to a chemist who’ll dispose of it for you.

I hope this makes sense, but don’t forget we’re here to help.

 

• This topic was modified 4 weeks, 1 day ago by  Alison.

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