One of the tricky parts of doing IVF in Mexico is getting your progesterone in oil (PIO) prescription filled. All other medications come from Mexico but the progesterone needs to be purchased in the States because of quality issues. PIO has to be used daily until your first pregnancy test. If you get a negative test, you can stop the PIO injections and allow your cycle to start. If, however, your test comes back positive, PIO is continued for twelve weeks. By twelves weeks the placenta takes over making progesterone and you no longer need supplementation.
Dr Garza prescribes three vials of PIO which is about thirty days worth. The trick is, once you're back in your home town/state, and if the IVF cycle is successful, you need a way of getting more PIO. Once you leave the valley, pharmacies stop accepting Mexican prescriptions. You could of course buy enough for the full twelve weeks before going home - but it's an expensive purchase that might end up wasted.
My solution to this problem, is my very kind and companionate OBGYN in Austin, Dr Breen. He has told me on numerous occasions that he'll support these IVF attempts in whatever way I need. He's happy to put in the order for more PIO if I need it. So I'm covered. Other patients aren't so lucky. Many of them have OBs that will not facilitate their treatment from Dr Garza. It's hard to understand.
PIO fun fact - there is often a scarcity of PIO so it's a good idea to order in advance. Interestingly enough, it's not the progesterone that causes the scarcity, but the sesame oil used.
To get back on track though, exceptional help and kindness was given to me by Brownsville's HEB Store 3, Adam Riezenman. He is the kindest and most helpful pharmacist/pharmacy manager I've ever met.
I found him when I went hunting for PIO during my last IVF attempt. At the time he had just three vials of the prescription and was able to run a special coupon that brought down the price significantly. He talked me through the injection process and reassured me that I was going to indeed hit muscle. As I was leaving, I saw him bound out from behind the counter and help an elderly women who was shopping nearby.
It's been several months since I've seen him but, when I went in with my prescription yesterday, he remembered me well. He asked follow up questions on how the injections went and gave me new advice to help with the pain. And, most brilliantly, he gave me a suggestion that lead to a real solution!
Adam suggested that Dr Garza write in refills on the prescription. The prescription can be processed in Brownsville but then transfered to my HEB pharmacy in San Marcos. While my pharmacy wouldn't accept the prescription order on its own, they will accept it if it's already been processed by a sister-store. This seems so obvious that I don't know why we, Dr Garza's other patients and myself, didn't think of it before.
Here's some information about Adam Riezenman I wanted to share. I've already talked to his store manager about my experience - next I'm emailing HEB.
https://pharmacy.tamhsc.edu/prescription/2013/fall/riezenman.html
Thank you Adam!
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