Doctor Clueless!????

[Kayleigh Lou]

Today i visited my gp and explained that i didn't think i was ovulating. I asked him if he could do tests to see if i was and perhaps help me if i wasn't as its been nearly 11months of trying.

He then proceeded to tell me would i like to be referred for IVF!!!!

I told him i dont think my fertility was that much of an issue and didnt want to be wasting his or my own time as once i was referred i know i would be told that i wouldnt need it (well maybe i would but i doubt it)

I explained that i take my temperatures and do my ovulation tests at the same time each day he looked totally confused. The look on his face when i mentioned clomid!!!!!

He even googled it on Wikepiedia (sorry sp) .

He did say that he was going to speak to his partners within the surgery to see if he can do the tests and at the same time refer me to our local hospital.

But i felt like i was talking to a 7yr old

 

[LJaydow]

I feel your pain!

When I went to my GP to ask about Clomid, I was told that they would not give it to me as it is a hormone and would make my cycles even more erratic?!

 

[Kayleigh Lou]

And they call themselves professionals

I can understand that maybe fertility isnt his field but to not know what clomid is then google it infront of me. I didnt know whether to laugh or cry!!!

I felt like saying, go on Baby and Bump, do a read up and get back to me!!!

Ive never had a doctor say to me 'you tell me what you want and ill see if i can prescribe it' before. Okay he didnt say it in them words but in a round about way that what he was saying!!!!

 

[DillyC]

Hi Kayleigh Lou.... i don't mean to be rude, but I am a Nurse in general practice and most GPs don't specialise in fertility and can't memorise everything in the BNF, they will all have their specialist areas in different fields.

Most GPs think Temp monitoring is not a clear indication of ovulation, therefore don't recommend it necessarily.

The reason your GP suggested referring you is probably so you could see someone who specialises in fertility and they can then start clomid if you are not ovulating, i am aware we all know our bodies better than anyone else, but the GP has to rule out other reasons and clearly didn't feel they had the knowledge to do this.

If you do want blood tests done then ask specifically for D1-4 FSH/LH/Oestrogen/Prolactin/Testosterone/Thyroid Function tests. Then a D21 progesterone. If you are not having periods at all then just do all the tests together on any day. Also it would be a good idea to have a pelvic ultrasound scan, During this time if you are referred you will have these results available for the clinic, also should get your partner to do a Semen Analysis, as they will always ask for this.

GP needs to know why you are not ovulating ? PCOS. This can only be diagnosed via USS and bloods.


Good luck

 

[FBbaby]

Although I agree with you in principle Dilly, I still find it quite shocking that a GP would never have heard of clomid which is not a rare drug and anyone who knows basics about fertility has heard of it. Although a GP is not a specialist, you expect a minimum knowledge of the main specialities in medicine. Not ovulating is not a rare disorder and one a general practitioner should have some knowledge of.

His suggesting a referral to a FS at this stage is just a waste of time to everyone as the consultant want be able to recommend anything until he has some blood results to interprete.

 

[Sambatiki]

Tbh I think when the referal is put into place they will tell the GP what they need in order for you to go ahead. I know when my doc did it... he said right we need to do XYZ and send the results on. So perhaps thats why.

 

[DillyC]

Hi FBbaby....

I agree ....they should know about Clomid... but there you are!

I worked in a Fertility clinic for 4 years, a few years back and we were referred the simplest things, but personally i would rather see a specialist if my GP is not fully informed, in most cases the GPs doing any type of tests for fertility had no idea about timings and they all had to be repeated in our ACU.

It just might be more informative, unless straightforward PCOS or similar.

 

[Kayleigh Lou]

Thank you ladies and i apologise for my late reply.

Thank you DillyC, that information is very valuable. But i received a phone call off my doctor explaining they will not refer me for anything as in the West Sussex county they do not deal with these tests or clomid on the NHS and i would have to go private.

Im abit confused as if there were something wrong with me (although i do think its just depo) they are just going to shrug it off. I asked should i come back in another year and they said the answer would be the same.

Im upset but i best get saving and i suppose 'relax' (that sentence really irritates me)

Thank you ladies for all your information.

xxxx

 

[Sambatiki]

Hi hun,

How long have you been off the depo???

 

[Kayleigh Lou]

Almost a year now. I only had one shot (not that it matters how many you have one is the same as ten from what ive read!)

 

[Sambatiki]

Yup its a nasty shot!!! I think docs should make you more aware of the consequences!

I hope that you dont have to go down the private IVF route

 

[Kayleigh Lou]

I had no idea of the consequences. Doctors told me that it was the best thing since sliced bread!!! Taking the shot is what makes me read up on absolutely everything i do now!!!

I hope i dont have to go private, in all honesty i dont think my husband would want us too.

to you also xxxxx

 

[FBbaby]

ummm, I'm not sure you were provided accurate information. It is true that you wouldn't be entitled to funding for assisted conception on the basis that you already have two children, however, that doesn't apply for funding to explore issues with your fertility. You should still be entitled to have blood tests done, and even be referred to a gyneacologist if you have been trying to conceive for more than a year without success. You should be able to get some tests done such as hsg or lapo on the NHS (although the consultant might say that the fact you've had two children already means it is unlikely there is a problem there). However, if problems are found, you wouldn't be able to be referred on the NHS to their fertility clinic to be considered for iui/ivf.

I am writing this on the basis of how it works in East Sussex (the policy on assisted conception is the same across Sussex as a whole). It is possible that West Sussex have different rules in terms of treatment in primary care and local hospital, but if I were you, I would call your PCT pal office to double check that what your GP is telling you is right.

 

[Kayleigh Lou]

Oh gosh,

I told my doctor i didnt want IVF/IUI in the first place and he kept suggesting that what he put me through for. Maybe he got the wrong end of the stick. I asked him if i could have tests done to see if i was ovulating or not as my tests and temps suggest i dont. (or they contradict themselves).

If i wasnt ovulating would they not fund for clomid???

Maybe i should ask to see a different doctor and explain again.

 

[DillyC]

Thank you ladies and i apologise for my late reply.

Thank you DillyC, that information is very valuable. But i received a phone call off my doctor explaining they will not refer me for anything as in the West Sussex county they do not deal with these tests or clomid on the NHS and i would have to go private.

Im abit confused as if there were something wrong with me (although i do think its just depo) they are just going to shrug it off. I asked should i come back in another year and they said the answer would be the same.

Im upset but i best get saving and i suppose 'relax' (that sentence really irritates me)

Thank you ladies for all your information.

xxxx

Hey Kayleigh Lou...

Ahhh yes Depo can be a nightmare....are you having any periods??

I can't believe they won't fund anything for you on the NHS....That's just rubbish.

If I were you I would be a little demanding and ask for the blood tests anyway, If I see someone who has been trying for over 6m or not regulated since coming off Depo then the tests are a must.

The GP does not sound very helpful..... are there others in the practice that you can go to, it might be worth asking the receptionist if any of the GPs specialise in Gynaecology/ Family planning or Womens health as they might have a better clue???

Good luck xx

 

[Kayleigh Lou]

Yes i am having periods, they differ from month to month. 35 days - 49 days. Although this month was 29 days which is better i guess.

There are lots of GPs in the surgery so i can see another one if needs be. I did tell him i was on depo but he wasnt concerned. Im going into town today for some bits so i shall make another appointment if i can.


Thank you x

 

[FBbaby]

Most likely your GP (or any other at your surgery) won't be able to prescribe clomid as it has now been accepted that proper use of it requires to be monitored and therefore you should be under the care of a consultant. Saying that, I think there are still a number of GPs happy to prescibe it regardless.

I would definitely go back and say you don't want to be referred to the fertility clinic, just want blood tests and if these show concern (better come here to check than rely on your GP's assessment!), ask to be referred to the local gynaecologist.

Just one thought, have you tried soy isoflavones? It is supposed to be a natural sort of clomid and works really well for many ladies. It is available at Boots and Holland and Barrett.

 

[Kayleigh Lou]

Most likely your GP (or any other at your surgery) won't be able to prescribe clomid as it has now been accepted that proper use of it requires to be monitored and therefore you should be under the care of a consultant. Saying that, I think there are still a number of GPs happy to prescibe it regardless.

I would definitely go back and say you don't want to be referred to the fertility clinic, just want blood tests and if these show concern (better come here to check than rely on your GP's assessment!), ask to be referred to the local gynaecologist.

Just one thought, have you tried soy isoflavones? It is supposed to be a natural sort of clomid and works really well for many ladies. It is available at Boots and Holland and Barrett.

Funny you should say this, i have just started taking 150mg soy for three days then tking 200mg for the last two days

Will reply more once i get home from picking kiddies up from school

 

[Kayleigh Lou]

Okay just got back,

As i said before this is my second day of taking Soy, ive also decided to use opks EVERY day (mad i know) at the same time just to make sure i dont miss ovulation and also use pre seed when (and if) ovulation occurs.

I was told by B'n'B ladies in TTC soy group to take 150mg for three days, then onto 200mg for the remaining days. Totalling in five days. SO i decided to take it from CD3-7.

Ive said it before in a another thread that id much rather ask you ladies what sounds right as most of my experience with GPs hasn't been good. I think if you hear other peoples stories and experiences is gives you better perspective of things.

I didnt end up going into town but i will ring my GP in the morning to book another appointment with a different GP just to see if they will do the blood work.

I emailed Pals PCT and this was there response (my email is first in blue, their response in red)

Hello,

I recently went to my doctors and explained that i fear i am not ovulating due to having a depo shot nearly a year ago. I asked if there was anything they could do to check if i was or not as we have been trying for a baby for almost a year now.

My doctor explained that it was not his field of expertise and that he would like to refer me but would first have to talk to the partners within the surgery. He asked if i knew of anything that would help ovulation and i told him i had come across clomid. I think my doctor assumed i wanted to be prescribed clomid as when i received a phone call later in the day he told me that the NHS in Sussex would not fund Clomid or any fertility treatment for me.

I want just the D1-4 FSH/LH/Oestrogen/Prolactin/Testosterone/Thyroid Function tests done. I was wondering if the information my doctor told me is correct and that i will have to go private for these tests?

We may have got our wires crossed and he thought i wanted IVF on the NHS and clomid without being tested first but i do not. I would just like the blood work done. I do not want to go back to my GP to ask for a second opinion if the information he told me was correct in the first place.


Thank you for your time

Mrs Rose


Dear Mrs Rose

Thank you for your email. Any appropriate referral process for these tests would be through your GP. I would therefore suggest that you discuss this with your GP who will be able to advise whether it is appropriate to refer you.

Kind regards

Carol McGowan

So that hasnt really yielded any results for me either Maybe i worded my email wrong. Im not very good at writing letters??????

 

[DillyC]

Oh no, your letter is absolutely fine.... The reply is not helpful in any way. Flippin heck I do get frustrated by the NHS sometimes...even though I am one of them!!

I agree, go for another GP, explain that you would like the tests you have written down, as your cycle is irregular and has been erratic since finishing Depo, you have every right to have these on the NHS... Good Luck xx