Doctor Appointments

[Sus09]

Complicated?

My brain hurts.

So does mine!!

All I want is to have some bloods drawn! Imagine if I wanted to have a full DNA analisys lol

 

[SWLondonMum]

Well, I really can't say much until we see the results; I do see the point about OV not being the issue, but things can change and I think your doc should cover all of the bases, just to be safe.

Has your OH had a semen analysis?

Yes exactly. My GP is calling the week after next when she'll have the letter from the FS and hopefully also my blood test results and DHs SA. She is a lot more helpful than the FS though she can't do anything if he doesn't recommend it other than possibly refer me to another FS. If he doesn't suggest Clomid or IUI then there's nothing the NHS can do for me anyway so we'll have to decide if we want any private treatment. We're going to stay as we are until Xmas (TTC naturally) and will decide what to do then.

DH has got forms for SA and will be doing next week (2 samples)

back

 

[dachsundmom]

Do you mind if I ask, how long were you told to abstain? There seems to be a lot of differing recommendations on this one.

Clomid isn't perfect; I have been on it and am still obviously TTC. It really will depend on what your blood work says, to know which drugs may work for you. I know Clomid gets thrown out there a lot, but please don't get too attached to the idea of it, just yet.

 

[SWLondonMum]

Ok, here is my process and it is different for different docs....

Call my doc and make an appt; I can usually get in next day. Tell him why I am there, when I get there and discuss the plan. Leave with script or some sort of treatment plan.

Left with test kit for SA...drop it at the lab whenever we want...just show up.

Call on CD1 for another HSG.

Call back for results...no appt needed.

Here is my UK process:

2007 - Saw FS due to missed periods. Had bloods and HSG, told 'a bit low', no SA, investigation stopped because I got pregnant with DS1 (oops they did my HSG when I was already pregnant), results not sent to GP
2010 start TTC #2
Dec 2010 miscarriage
Sept 2011 saw GP as been TTC for 15mths (8mth since m/c) - very sympathetic and referred me to FS
Nov 2011 Saw FS. As I had not had any tests I'm not sure what we'd have spoken about if I hadn't already been tested 4 yrs ago luckily he had my old results, told me my fertility was low then, would be lower now and my best bet is IVF. And by the way you can't have it free on the NHS from 39 (2 days before my 39th birthday). The same FS nearly forgot to give me the form for my scan, forgot my DHs SA forms, wrote my DOB on my DHs blood test and forgot to write my name etc on my blood test. His reason ' he'd seen so many people today that he forgot who he'd given what'
Booked scan for end Jan (3months) and follow up with FS end Feb (4months)
Nov 2011 saw nice GP who was horrified about how insensitive and uninformative the FS was. Agreed to follow up when results in. Gave me SA forms for DH.
So it's actually 6 months from when I saw my GP (early Sep) to my follow up with results with FS (end Feb).
It's

 

[dachsundmom]

That is truly a steaming pile of crap!

 

[foxykins]

Hi Ladies,

I have my doctor appointmet tomorrow, unfortunately is not the specialist, it is only the GP.

I am taking my charts, and I am going to ask them to start taking tests as I am not having any success TTC.

Any advice on what I must not forget to say?
Do I need to tell them I am taking COCK? (CoQ10)
Obviously I need to mention the ADs.

Ladies from The UK, what was your experience when you went to your GP about TTC issues?

hi,

im in the uk. i went to my docs just over 2 months ago as after 12 yrs of NTNP i kinda thought i should have got at least one pregnancy. my doctor was great the first thing she did was sent me off for all the tests which came back then. told me to try 6 months as TTC and then come back to her if i dint fall pregnant. im happy with that outcome. how long have u been trying?

 

[SWLondonMum]

Do you mind if I ask, how long were you told to abstain? There seems to be a lot of differing recommendations on this one.

Clomid isn't perfect; I have been on it and am still obviously TTC. It really will depend on what your blood work says, to know which drugs may work for you. I know Clomid gets thrown out there a lot, but please don't get too attached to the idea of it, just yet.

You mean my DH for the SA? We were told 3 days...

I know Clomid is not necessarily the answer but I was a bit annoyed that the FS didn't discuss at all it but when I raised it, said that it might help as it would increase the chance of a 'good' egg. But then he seemed vague about whether he was recommending it or not. My GP was surprised as she said he should have given me clear recommendations (or if he didn't have enough results then just say that). He told me that IVF was my best hope (without seeing any recent results) and I also don';t want to get too attached to that idea - apart from the cost, a close friend of mine went through it and it was so tough to see what she went through (she did get pregnant on her 3rd go but it wasn't an easy ride) - very tough emotionally.
At the end of the day I just want to know my choices and their likelihood of success so I can make an informed decision. I don;t want something to be dismissed without reason or to be pushed on me without reason.

 

[dachsundmom]

 

[Sus09]

I have TTC for 6 months now, NTNP a while before that, that is why I went to see the doctor, and it is now they are starting to do something about it.
I am just waiting for my first blood to come back.

 

[SWLondonMum]

That is truly a steaming pile of crap!

Yes, I know having a 'free' healthcare system has it's benefits and it's generally good if you are dying or have a lond term illness but it's basically a lowest common denominator system where for everything else you get a poor service mostly based on minimising short term cost. Having seen systems in a few other countries I know it's not easy to get it right but it seems we could learn from some of them.

 

[dachsundmom]

You know what, I say the same thing about your system...neither of them are perfect, but I do like the idea that you girls won't bankrupt yourselves or your family for basic medical care...but, I have no coverage for fertility treatment and my insurance doesn't even cover all forms of birth control, but will gladly cover Viagra.

In the end, I hope you get the answers that you deserve and I certainly want you to keep us updated.

 

[Sus09]

They cover Viagra? and not birth control? that is crazy!

 

[dachsundmom]

They cover Viagra? and not birth control? that is crazy!

Yep, really pisses me off.

 

[Sus09]

wrong priorities there! I don´t blame you, it would piss me off as well!! Birth Control is covered here, I think you do need to buy viagra thought.

 

[NorthStar]

Prescriptions are free in Scotland (not just for Viagra but for everything).

God knows how they are paying for it, but there you go.

Birth control has always been free.

 

[Sus09]

Prescriptions are free in Wales as well.
as you say, who knows how they are paying for all that!

 

[dachsundmom]

For instance, I take meds for acid reflux; without insurance, it would be over $220 a month, but I pay a $30 co-pay for it. Doc appts run anywhere from $10-35, depending on the type of doctor. I get 2 dental cleanings a year, but pay for anything else.

My DD's braces were denied by the insurance company and cost $6000.

 

[Natsby]

Fertility treatments used ot be free here, but not anymore and we don´t have health insurance, few people do, so I´m stuck between the two systems now.
I´ve been reading about IUI and I´m wondering why my clinic offered me iui with meds if they think I don´t have a problem. Couldn´t I just ovulate naturally and have it? Less chance of multiple births that way.

 

[NorthStar]

They want to control your cycle to optimise timing I'd think Nats?

 

[Sus09]

That is a good point Nats!