Follistim Pen Question

I need some help/advice from anyone that has used the Follistim pen. So, you turn the pen to show the prescribed dosage, when injecting it you push the button down and when it stops double check the window to ensure it reads "0." The videos say if it does not say "0" then there was not enough medicine to complete the dosage and you need to complete it with another vial.

Based on how much is in the vial and how much I've taken the past few days, there should NOT have been enough left to complete the dosage so I rewatched the video on how to do it and had my extra vial ready. But, when pushing the button, it did hit "0." So now I'm in a panic! What went wrong?? Did I take an earlier dosage incorrectly? Was the vial empty tonight and so the button pushed down but wouldn't have it I had taken a partial dosage?? Ugh! This is all so overwhelming. I also took Lupron again tonight and started Menopur for the first time and was nervous about the mixing. I'm going to my RE for u/s and bloodwork tomorrow AM and will ask them. But, I wanted to see if anyone else had this happen to them. I guess I have to assume I got the full dose and not take anymore. Like I wasn't nervous enough already....

Re: Follistim Pen Question

I don't think I've ever used follistim (I've used gonal-f though). Did you prep the pen before your first dose? I think most of the pens have a little extra in them in order for you to "prep" the pen before you start (or prime the pen? I forget what it's called... it's been a while). HTH!

Re: Follistim Pen Question

I never used follistim, but I think gonal has a similar design. Were you supposed to prime the pen before you used it the first time? You have to do this with gonal.. if you never did, that may explain why there's some leftover

Otherwise, I'm sorry I am no help!!

Re: Follistim Pen Question

Posted by MrsMessina

I don't think I've ever used follistim (I've used gonal-f though). Did you prep the pen before your first dose? I think most of the pens have a little extra in them in order for you to "prep" the pen before you start (or prime the pen? I forget what it's called... it's been a while). HTH!

Re: Follistim Pen Question

I went through this my first round of IVF. Are you using 900 IU cartridges? There is more than that amount in them. I take 300IU. After three doses, there was still a little left. I thought I messed up, but found out that there is extra in there. Not sure exactly how much though. This is probably why you had enough for the entire shot and did not need a new cartridge.

Re: Follistim Pen Question

theres always extra in the vial. i have def heard people can get a last shot in when they think the vial should be empty. that being said, i was always too nervous to risk it so if i wasnt expecting to be able to complete an inject, id switch the cartridge. if nothing else it gave me piece of mind.

Re: Follistim Pen Question

there definitely is extra in the follistim. the nurse actually extracted it for me and put it in another syringe so I could add to the dose and not waste it.

Re: Follistim Pen Question

Re: Follistim Pen Question

Thank you all sooooo much!!! Yes, it was a 900 unit pen. I know I was so careful with all of the amounts and would swear that I did it correctly each night. Hearing several of you say that there is extra makes me feel a million times better! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!