Do I need to be pushier with my GP?

[stouffer]

Hi there,
This is my first post. I hope someone can give me their opinion.

I've been seeing the same GP for the last 8 months. At first it was because of irregular periods but now it is because we've been TTC for 12 cycles and think it's time to seek treatment.

The Dr has ruled out PCOS through hormonal tests and ultrasound. Husband's SA has also come back normal.

My GP is unconcerned that my periods, which were regular before the pill, have not regulated since coming off the pill. I also told him my LP was short (8-10 days) and he seems to think it has no effect. He tells me if I'm getting periods then I'm ovulating so it "should happen eventually", and because of my age (I'm 28) we have plenty of time and not to worry about it too much.

I think his attitude is too relaxed but I'm crap at being persistent so I end up leaving appointments with no answers.

It's been almost a year now and no positive pregnancy test. I'm fed up with this wait-and-see approach!


I'm going to make an appointment for during my next period so I can have blood tests done but I feel I need to go in armed with some requests and stand my ground until he agrees to do something.

What do I need to ask for? What other tests will they run before referring me to a specialist? Any tips for getting the GP to take you seriously?

 

[MariaF]

Ooooh, thos GPs make my blood boil Mine's the same. So every time I go to see her I actually don't ask questions but tell her what she needs to do for me

How "irregular" are you? If af is MIA for more than 2-3 months I think you definitely need further tests. But if you get af every 1-2 months then actually I would just keep trying - because it can take up to 12 months to conceive and if you only have 6 cycles in those 12 months, it will take you a bit longer.
Have you had your prolactin levels checked?

Im also 28 and was told No to any NHS fertility treatment. Im in Sussex. So we are going private. They run all the tests you want - till your heart's content!

So if I were you Id probably wait another 4-6 months (may be do some cheap OPKs to catch ovulation) and then go back to the GP demanding. I know waiting sucks but the time will fly by! After that you can actually remind her that you are due some further tests such as HSG to check your tubes and uterus. And ask for a referral to an FS...although like I said all Trusts seem to be running out of funding for fertility treatment....

 

[stouffer]

Thanks Maria

This might sound a bit stupid, but how did you go about going private? I don't think we're quite at that stage but it would be good to know in case we end up doing that.

My cycles aren't too irregular compared to some of the women on here.
They were varying quite a lot though, one month it was 24 days, the next 38. That was 5-6 months after stopping the pill. I used to have regular 28 day cycles before the pill so it seemed very unusual for me.

Thankfully they seem to be levelling out at 28-31 day cycles so I'm a lot less worried about that now. My LP seems to be increasing too.

I've been using OPKs for the last 6 cycles and have started temping to be doubly sure we're doing it at the right time.

I just kind of feel at a loss now. It's like we're doing everything right and getting nowhere with it. Maybe I'm just being impatient

 

[Monsterpops]

Maria - SERIOUSLY they refused you nhs treatment because you're 28???? how rude!! Im 28 and in kent and about to start ivf after losing one tubes to endometrial cyst (17kg/40lbs and my doctor kept telling me i was just fat - i looked 9 months preg and it was rock hard!!!) and then having an ectopic in remaining tube thus damaged. I have had to lose nearly 3 stone to get my ivf referral tho - there is no lower age limit is there??

Souffer - apparently a LP of less than 10 days cannot sustain a pregnancy - go back and let your doctor know this (tell them to google it - i swear thats all they do nowadays) for a doctor not too know this is disgusting - fair enough they dont specialise in fertility but they are supposed to know some stuff! Its called a luteal phase defect.

AND as for 'if you're getting periods youre ovulating' this is total BS!!!!! I stopped ovulating after my ectopic for 6 months and still bled IRREGULARLY - idiot doctors! You will bleed even when not ovulating as the weight of your womb lining eventually causes a bleed - which is why your cycles will be longer. Again - tell him to google it!!! (try annovulatory cycles)

Seriously - doctors make me so angry sometimes. TTC for 9 years has admittedly increased my knowledge somewhat but they are supposed to know the answers! Last time i went to see my consultant her step-in (she was ill) prescribed me a drug that was made illegal and banned 2 YEARS AGO!!!

My advice would be to do ovulation tests aswell as bbt temping - this is because even positive opks dont mean you ovulated, it just means the egg is ready and trying to therefore you are having an lh surge. Whereas combining with bbt will show your temps go up if you have ovulated (see fertility friend website - gives you much better info than me)

Definately by more pushy but go armed with info and they should refer you - even if it just requires clomid etc your regular gp is not allowed to prescribe this.

Sorry for the rant - its just i'm a bit frustrated with NHS lol! sometimes they're fantastic and others well........

 

[KittyCat82]

Hiya Hun-I know how you feel-I am 28 and been ttc 11 cycles now (NTNP 2 cycles before but was a bit out with timing so I say 11!) My GP basically said the same and made me feel impatient-I was however suffering with stress at the time so I think she felt sorry and referred me-that was in October and we have now had all tests done (inc HSG and SA) and everything good so they prescibed clomid this month and I am being tracked-back at the hospital in the morning for the third time this week! The only thing I have is my periods slightly irregular (ie 31-35 days) so timing can be a bit difficult but that is all. I think it sucks how different PCT can treat people differently-Maria-why were you refused any?? I know where I live you only get one shot at IVF on NHS (and down the road its 3!) but apart from that I really cant complain.

I think 12 cycles is average-our FS told us anything up to 2 years is normal! I keep thinking there MUST be something wrong if it hasnt happened yet and have a horrible feeling I am heading for IVF-but a lot of people find it hard to keep faith after a while! It may be your area's policy to have to be ttc for 18months-2years?

However if you are unhappy you are entitled to a second opinion x

 

[Tarkwa]

Hey stouffer, defo be more pushy! Doesn't sound like your doctor fully understands 'womens stuff' and appreciates how it affects us . Honestly, to say because you're having periods does NOT necessarily mean you are O'ing. Ask for a referral to a Fertility Specialist (FS) to have the tests done. They'll take blood around CD21 (7dpo) to check progesterone levels - if they are high enough then it usually indicates you are ovulating - it's the only way they can tell for sure. I usually end up in tears whenever I talk to anyone medical about our TTC journey and how long it's taking and that helps in most cases (I'm not recommending you cry though! I saw one FS who couldn't give a toss how much HE had upset me, and left a nurse to 'deal' with me as I was so distraught ). And always take support with you - preferably your OH/DH. If you bring OH/DH into your GP appt that will show him how serious you are.
Best of luck chick
xxx

 

[Tarkwa]

Sorry, had problems with internet connection and ended up posting twice!

 

[stouffer]

Thanks everyone. I think I needed a bit of encouragement.

I'll go at the beginning of my next cycle and ask to see a different doctor. I might try the female doctor at the surgery in the hope she'll be more sympathetic, plus there's the added benefit of a second opinion.

By then it will have been 1 year so I think I'll feel more confident about asking for a referral.

 

[MariaF]

I was told there's no budget until at least April and even then its very long waiting lists and priority to older women

I did get referred to the hospital that does do NHS treatments. But you can just find a completely private hospital and just turn up! Trouble is that outside of London private clinics are far and few between

 

[wifey29]

Hi,

If you have one at your surgery, go with a doctor with DRCOG after their name. This means that they have a diploma in obstetrics and gynocology.

I have regular AF too and I have just found out that I don't ovulate, so being regular doesn't always mean anything.

Good luck xx

 

[leasap]

Im also 28 and was told No to any NHS fertility treatment. Im in Sussex. So we are going private. They run all the tests you want - till your heart's content!

hi ya, im in west sussex (lancing) im 31 and got reffered last year for treatment thro NHS done by the limetree surgery. we could have IUI and IVF thro the NHS but because my BMI is 33 it needs to be under 30 to get it.

why have they not given you treatment as were in same areas xx

 

[BobDog]

yes you need to be more pushy, tell him her that you are worried about underlying issues regarding your fertility. i have PCOS and all my blood work was normal when i was tested. but i have dozens of cysts on my ovaries and now have the common side effects of pcos such as the hair growth and spots and not to mention the pain when af here. but worst of all is i am currently on my 5th month with no AF.

but when we started TTC i went to my GP and asked for a referral to the gyno right away. i had to wait 7 months (having gone back and fourth telling her that i have not yet had a letter saying they have my referral - only to find that she never referred me in the first or second place.) you really do have to let them know that you are not going to take their crap nor their brush off's. they need to know that you are serious and they like to push you are far as they can.

so get confident, print off your charts and take a note of when you had your postive opk's and when you did the deed (i know you may think that is to personal, but get used to it lol) prove to them that everything is as it should be but you are not getting those beautiful hpt lines.

i wish you so much luck and hope you get heard finally.
xx

 

[stouffer]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement!

I think I'll bring my husband to the next appointment. He's a lot pushier than me and 2 people are harder to brush off than 1

It won't be for a couple of weeks but I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[cs2001a]

I have had the same GP since….forever. My sister went through IVF and had triplets. I always knew it there was a higher than normal chance that I could have PCOS. When my finance and I had been trying for 10 mths I seen my GP, he did some blood test and when I called up to get the result the response I got was “all ok, you are female”. I was disappointed and confused. He said just keep trying. I knew something was not right as I wasn’t getting my period regularly. The frustration was growing and one day I had a kidney infection and went the first Dr I could see as I was in so much pain. I got some antibiotics and I had to go back to get some results. I just thought I would try my luck so I asked this Dr to get a second opinion and didn’t really think the Dr would do anything, but she sent me for another blood test, to test my insulin and hormones. They came back normal and she gave me a referral to the FS. Following more tests I was finally told I wasn’t ovulating.

When the FS told me that I was soooo frustrated and regretted not doing something sooner. Following a lap, ovarian drilling and taking Clomid I am now ovulating. So my advise would try and push for something to be done. Good luck