Do you think its worth a shot?

[Annabel]

Okay, quick bit of background on me,

I was diagnosed with PCOS and Endo 2 years ago. It took over a year for them to actually believe me when I told them there was something wrong with me, as i didn't tick all the boxes...ie, Im not overweight, so because of this the doc was 99.9% sure that I wouldn't have PCOS....Anyway, going off topic now, the 'treatment' I got, 2 1/2 years ago, was ovarian drilling, burning off the endo and putting in a merina coil. Didn't have a period for the entire time I had the coil in..

So had this taken out early June, the GP said, try for a year see how it goes, if nothing they will look at treatment..

The thing is I've moved house, so changed GP, they seem better there than my previous GP, and was wondering, if they know I have PCOS and Endo, and we haven't had any luck so far, is it worth me going, say, in January and asking for treatment before the 12 months are up??

Hubby and I know we want a baby, we know I have disadvantages to achieving this.. Is there some kind of ruling that says, ' a couple have to try for 1 year before commencing treatment' Surely they cant say NO come back in June, can they?!

I do know that 6 months isn't long at all, but I wasn't sure where else to post this type of questions, I thought that some ladies here may have had similar experiences..

Thanks in advance
xx

 

[emilyjean]

Hi Annabel

I actually just went to the gyne yesterday, for the first time since I started TTC about 3.5 months ago. I have PCOS, he was the one that diagnosed me. I just told him that I didn't think I was ovulating, and wanted to know what my options were.

He didn't even think about it before putting me on clomid. No steps in between, just told me how/when to take it, and gave me the provera to make my period come. I was like 'don't we have to be trying for a year before that?' And he said 'No, we know what's wrong, and we know how to fix it, if there were no underlying problems, I'd make you wait a year.'

So no, not all doctors will make you wait, though it might be slightly different out of the country. Maybe seeing a gynecologist instead of your GP might make a difference?

Good luck!

 

[Smurfette]

Hi Annabel,

We were referred to our FS after 6 months of trying because I was diagnosed with PCOS (completely randomly when they did an internal scan to see if I had scarring on my kidneys). My GP said a similar thing to EmilyJean's, that they may as well refer me after 6 months as we had known issues and the waiting list to see a FS was about 6 months long anyway.

I'd at least ask the question to your new GP and see what they say. Being on a waiting list doesn't cost them anything and in the time you're waiting to be seen you could end up getting that amazing in the meantime.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[muncho]

i was told we have a 3month wait as we are both 38 and dont have any kids.

the waiting lists depend on these factors, how old are you?

 

[beauty]

Surley waiting lists cant go on ages, its not fair if it does, someone as young as 30 cud of been trying for a baby for 5 yrs and because a lady is nearly 40 and been trying for a yr she wud get treatment first?????
Not sure this is the case or is it, cause if so that isnt fair! I thought it personally went on a waiting list and you get seen when your time is. No matter how old you are, or how long you been ttc, its a list and you get added and when your at the top thats when its your turn!

xx

 

[beauty]

I know the NHS have a 12 week rule to stick to now from getting referred to getting an appointment or follow up appointment so if you got referred to a gyno in Jan from your doctor you cud be expected to have an appointment through within 12 weeks..

xxxx

 

[Dilek]

SOrry i havnt read all the posts, but I have severe endo and in an out of ops. To get help, DH and I did fib that we have tried for more than a yr. It didnt matter in the end as i cannot ttc naturally as my endo grows really quickly matter of months. My case was quite severe that i missed the waiting list but i was put on Zoladex for 4 months. So you could say i waited 4 months.

 

[susan_1981]

I'd say it's worth a go. I'd been trying for 10 months after my miscarriage and my doctor said that she will generally refer people for tests after they've been trying for 6/7 months. So definitely worth a go I'd say x

 

[Annabel]

Thanks ladies for you replies

Its good to know that there are doctors out there that are willing to go ahead with treatment instead of waiting.. If it is 6 months to see a FS, then I will definately ask now rather than wait. I just didn't want to make a fool of myself going to the GP asking for help when they would just turn me away.

muncho, im 26, hubby 33, I agree with beauty, that they cant discriminate against someone if their younger, but I do understand what your saying.. As my GP who took the coil out, when he said 'give it a year' he also added, 'your only young, you have time' but then I think, I have time for what?? Waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting? Not to mention that now I have no active treatment im starting to feel worse, and just know that every period I do get may be making my endo worse, and so affecting me in my daily life..

So thanks ladies for your replies, you have given me hope that maybe I might get treatment sooner than I think. We have both decided to not TTC this month, we're going on holiday next week, then we'll have a nice relaxing christmas with family, then I'll head to the GP in the new year to see what he has to say..

I will keep you updated!

xx xx

 

[muncho]

Thanks ladies for you replies

Its good to know that there are doctors out there that are willing to go ahead with treatment instead of waiting.. If it is 6 months to see a FS, then I will definately ask now rather than wait. I just didn't want to make a fool of myself going to the GP asking for help when they would just turn me away.

muncho, im 26, hubby 33, I agree with beauty, that they cant discriminate against someone if their younger, but I do understand what your saying.. As my GP who took the coil out, when he said 'give it a year' he also added, 'your only young, you have time' but then I think, I have time for what?? Waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting? Not to mention that now I have no active treatment im starting to feel worse, and just know that every period I do get may be making my endo worse, and so affecting me in my daily life..

I agree with you about being unfair about the age..sadly thats the NHS and its doenst just stop at that! depening on where you live depends on how may cyles you get free. i live in Hertfordshire , i get 3 fresh and 3 frozen cycles free.
if you live in london ( not that from me) you get the standard 1 cycle

we all pay our NHS. HAving said that if you are younger and you have problems that have been identified then you should get referred quicker, it may be different if you have unexplained

good luck xx

 

[beauty]

I rang my PCT and they said its a list and your added on it, but you get 3 goes at IVF depending on conditions that are met, i.e kids already, age and how long you been ttc for thats in my area coverage tho depends on where you live..

Not like im thinking IVF but im glad to know i wont be pushed back cause im like 27 cause i have been trying for like well over a year now more like 16months!!

They said that your placed on a list and waited to be called like everyone else.. (so in a way thats kind of fair) I dont agree with pushing people forward just cause of age..

They said that people over 30 get referred normally to see a FS after ttc for 6 months so that does get them pushed forward in terms of seeing a FS first and getting tests run etc.

I think its worth being referred to a gyno etc if your doctor will do huni, get the ball rolling, my doctor referred me after 8 months of ttc and long irregular cycles since then tho the system hasnt been the best its slow but im slowly getting there!!

I have had all the tests done nearly HSG all clear, ultrasound confirmed pcos and now on my 16 month of ttc and only just got clomid to try last month from my gyno 3 months supply. I am waiting for AF to show to begin taking the medication..

The gyno said after that clomid i will need to be referred to a FS who will be able to help us get a pregnancy and be able to do alot more treatment wise.. Gyno can only do so many tests before referring you to a fertility specialist!! SO hoping i dont need to be referred and i get that BFP i am so waiting for!!

However good thing is, most tests have been done by gyno so no idea wot FS would need to do other than maybe place me on the list for IUI to try first as i dont have anything wrong on pcos which is causing these long cycles and not ovulating as often as i should..

Muncho cause your in a rush to get your BFP and you gone private for some tests already wouldnt you do some private treatment doing IUI first before IVF? If your producing eggs still and your partners sperms ok then IUI is alot cheaper i think private its about £900 a go, which is alot cheaper than IVF


Annabel, i would ask the doc to refer you to gyno who can help with some treatment to help with your pcos and maybe give you some clomid to try, some doctors even give clomid out but mine wouldnt..Might be worth going in for a chat with your new doctor..
xxx

 

[Crypto1976]

It depends on your pct.

To be honest I think this is the right approach. On average most couples with no fertility issues will take a year to get pregnant. If everyone joined the queue at three months the waiting this would be even longer than they are already.

Of course gps can use discretion in extreme circumstances, however on the whole some form of rationing is required and I dont think a year is unreasonable.

Plus for older women who have less time it is entirely appropriate that they are seen with greater urgency, given that most PCTs IVF lists are in excess of a year and very often two years.

So in answer to you question, if the protocol in your area is that you will not be referred for a year then thats what will happen, and in my opinion rightly so!

 

[beauty]

I dont think older women should get pushed in front on IVF waiting list just because they decided to wait longer to have a child.. I mean some people are younger and been trying for a lot longer..

In my eyes like the PCT explained to me its a waiting list you join and you wait your turn for your name to be called for treatment, to me this is fair.

I dont think just because your older you should get seen first (its your own decision to decide when you want a child) and i dont think because your older you should get IVF or IUI treatment first, if that was the case all us under 30 would never get seen because they be pushing everyone in front who over 30!!


I understand them being referred to a FS after 6 months TTC that is fine so they can run tests etc and get things picked up alot quicker. But i dont think anyone should be pushed on a list first for the fact that there older like i said its their own choice when you decide to have a baby!

 

[Annabel]

Im not thinking of IVF as an option now, (also, not sure if IVF would work for me, if the Endo is bad enough, surely there wouldn't be anywhere for the embryo to embed?)

As for the protocol for my PCT Im not sure what it is, I will go to the doc to see what they have to say, it'll be interesting to find out.. If it is the case that I would still have to wait a year before any intervention then so be it, but if you dont ask then you wont get! Or maybe ill have to move to an area where they have a system to suit me!! Or just end up going private?! Thats what I ended up doing to get the diagnoses of the PCOS and Endo initially!

 

[beauty]

Annabel i wud go docs and explain wot you have and see if he refers you, no harm in trying.. xx

 

[x_Rainbow_x]

the way i look at it is whats the worst they can say? no come back at a later date... just try you may be suprised. dare i say june isnt that long away babe

 

[x_Rainbow_x]

I dont think older women should get pushed in front on IVF waiting list just because they decided to wait longer to have a child.. I mean some people are younger and been trying for a lot longer..

In my eyes like the PCT explained to me its a waiting list you join and you wait your turn for your name to be called for treatment, to me this is fair.

I dont think just because your older you should get seen first (its your own decision to decide when you want a child) and i dont think because your older you should get IVF or IUI treatment first, if that was the case all us under 30 would never get seen because they be pushing everyone in front who over 30!!


I understand them being referred to a FS after 6 months TTC that is fine so they can run tests etc and get things picked up alot quicker. But i dont think anyone should be pushed on a list first for the fact that there older like i said its their own choice when you decide to have a baby!

did u no theres a minimum age that you cant have funding before.. iv been turned down twice because im not 23 yet! yet i hit 3 years this week and i have 2 problems that prevent me having a baby. still wont touch me until im 23

 

[FBbaby]

There are many stages in the process and however quickly you move from one to the other will depend on your symptoms and yes, up to a point your age.

If you have symptoms that suggest you are not ovulating normally, than a GP should offer to do blood tests right away. Some don't and that is not right. If however your periods are regular and opk show you are ovulating, then it is acceptable that the GP ask to continue trying for a few more months.

If tests comes back with abnormalities, then referral will depend on what they are. Regardless of the age, if fsh results are low, then he should refer to specialist. If LH is higher than fsh, that can be an indication of cysts and again, he should refer. If progesterone show no ovulation takes place, he can refer clomid if that is normal protocol locally or refer if only gyn prescribe. If all is normal, then age might be taken into account, if patient is close to 40 he might refer even if all comes normal but tell a 25 year old to keep trying, the reason being that 1- if there is an problem, but that hasn't yet been identified (ie. blocked tubes), it might be too late to do anything about it with a 40 year old, whereas the 25 is still with a good chance even if it is not detected for 3 years and 2/ if patient needs IVF, she might miss out on NHS access if she turns 40, so yes, in that case, they do tend to speed it out for an older woman. To some extent, it is at the discretion of the GP to refer when he wants to (even though there should be protocols) and the discretion of the consultant to accept the referral (they some time turn them down if the patient doesn't meet the criteria and ask the GP to re-refer later, which is fair enough especially if there is a long waiting list for first appointments)

But once on the waiting list, everyone is in the same queue and the only priority is clinical, if suddenly your situation deteriorate and you need urgent treatment. That is unlikely to happen in the case of IVF. IVF falls under the 18 weeks rules and all NHS providers in England should aim to that. However, 1- the rule is only 95%, so you can fall in the 5% and the hospital is still meeting its target, and 2- some hospitals just don't meet the target, which means they get a bad report, but that doesn't mean that they will be shut down. They just get a telling off for it.

In the South East (Kent Surrey Sussex), IVF providers are expected to meet the 18 week targets to be commissioned and most of them do.