Does this sound right to you? (long story)

[Snizuitz]

Hi all,

I'm a sometime poster in Trying to Conceive, but haven't visited this subforum until today. Seems like a perfect fit for this post. (And I apologize in advance, it's going to be long!)

A little about me: We've been actively trying for just a year now and have just been seeing the gyno (no RE). Two months ago, doc put me on Clomid (50mg, CD 3-7) and I am in my second cycle with it. First cycle we didn't have scans or anything.

Now, here's the story: my doc was out of town, but wanted me to get a scan on CD 12 (yesterday) to see how the follicles were doing. She recommended her colleague and said that if the follicles were good, we'll stay on Clomid, but if they weren't great, she'd put me on Femara.

I had one dominant follicle on each side-- right side 2.2 cm and left side 2.4 cm. Uterine lining looked "ok". The sub doctor came in to talk it over and said, "Everything looks ok for this cycle, but I want you to go to an RE. Specifically, the doctor who trained me."

We were floored! We've only been on Clomid for two cycles and things look ok. Why would she send us to a specialist like that? Especially when she's not my usual doctor? I'm still kind of upset about it. I guess her saying we need to go to the next step felt like she thought the current treatment is not going to work.

Well, hubby was perturbed so he asked her a bunch of questions. The sub doc kind of backed down and said, "Well, this cycle does look good, so maybe one more cycle on Clomid and come back for another scan CD 12. But seriously, call my friend."

So, is it just me, or was she basically just out to make the referral? Hubby wants to act like it never happened and go back next month for another scan and see what my regular doc says. What do you all think?

 

[readyformore]

Ob/gyns are excellent at women's health and pregnancy. They are NOT fertility specialists.

I have had to tell ob/gyns how to use opks and temp.

I have done multiple fertility treatments and every time, I drive past my ob/gyn, plus an additional half hour. It's worth the effort to see someone that specializes in the field.

Good luck.

 

[Snizuitz]

Thanks, readyformore, for your honest reply. I guess I wasn't prepared at the doc's to wrap my head around where we are in this journey.

As an update, hubby and I have decided to wait until Fall because this summer is crazy for us, but we are looking into seeing an RE then. We'll be more than ready to get this show on the road!

 

[Moorebetter]

sorry to laugh... because it isnt funny, but the same exact thing happened to me yesterday on the phone and I go in tomorrow for my OBGYN to tell me the same exact thing.

Question: why are you on Clomid?
how long have you been trying?
Have you had a HSG?
Hows DH SA?

these should be checked off first please keep me updated Id love to see how I compare to you. She basically told me on the phone and will tomorrow in person that I am a great candiate for IUI and that she has checked everything she can. so right now as it stands we are 100% unexplained.

 

[Snizuitz]

Moorebetter,

I'm sorry you had to have a similar experience! In my case, the doc's attitude just sucked. I ended up comparing notes with my sister who used to go to the same practice before she moved. The first thing she said when I told her the story was, "Oh, yeah. That place... it's great when they really know you and your situation, but if you see someone who doesn't really know what's going on they usually give you the brush off." It's like a little culture of rude they have going on!

But I think we have a plan of attack now. I will definitely check back in here and let you know how it goes. But here's hoping we all get our BFPs this month!

 

[popchick75]

If you are younger than 35, the general rule is to go to an RE after a year of trying....over 35, 6 months.

The RE can do so many more things than the OBGYN. Plus, Clomid won't do you any good if your DH has a sperm issue or if your tubes are blocked. After a year, if only for your peace of mind, it's probably time to start looking into those things.

Good luck!

a.

 

[Snizuitz]

I am younger than 35 (just). So, I guess we're right at the point that we should be thinking RE then.

This whole process has been really draining. Worse than I thought it would be! We were so hopeful a couple months ago when I started Clomid because the doctor was so positive. We had gotten pregnant once by accident about a year and a half ago (early miscarriage), so she was saying that this should be simple. Also, I had regular periods up until about 6 months ago. But maybe my age is catching up with me!

Still, I'm holding out hope and willing to give Clomid one more month. After that, we'll have to see what we are willing to spend on fertility treatments since our insurance won't cover it. I just don't want to have to enter that discussion! Lol.

 

[popchick75]

The idea of taking that step is very scary. When people think 'fertility treatments' they immediately think of IVF and everything that goes with it. You can't think of it that way or else you get totally overwhelmed. Start slow, simple, and non-invasive....test DH sperm and have some blood tests done.
Check your insurance. Many of the big insurance companies don't cover fertility treatments *but* if you read the fine print, they will cover diagnostics... (they will pay to find the problem, but not to fix it.)

 

[Snizuitz]

Check your insurance. Many of the big insurance companies don't cover fertility treatments *but* if you read the fine print, they will cover diagnostics... (they will pay to find the problem, but not to fix it.)

That would be awesome! I'll check that for sure. Thanks, popchick! You just gave me a little hope for the day!

I agree, too, that I need to start slow and not try to get my head around the whole process-- too much! You're right.

Breathe in.... Breathe out... Ok... starting to calm down more.

 

[Snizuitz]

Update for you all--

It was BFN for us last month and we decided to try one more month on Clomid. So, I did that and then headed back to the doctor for an ultrasound CD12-- two good follicles.
We did a trigger shot (first one for me) and we're crossing fingers again that maybe it will do the trick.

While we at the office, she had to go check on something and I overheard her talking to the other doctor who was adamant about going to a specialist. The other doctor was saying, "I just think they need to go to Dr. Blahblah now." Our doc came back in and said that we have two options: go to the RE or try Femara for a few months.

Hubby and I have had some good discussions about where we are in the whole process and feel like we want to try a few months on Femara first. She nodded and said, "I really think you might as well."

Isn't it nice to have a doctor agree with you? Lol.

We fully realize that RE might be in our future and this whole experience has helped us face that and talk about it more. So, in the end, I can't be too mad at the other doc!

 

[popchick75]

I'm so glad things turned out ok for you! You sound a lot calmer

*hugs*

 

[Snizuitz]

Indeed, popchick! I am much calmer.

Thanks for the support!!