Experiences with NHS Treatment

[nlk]

I just wanted to say that the nhs and fertility services in my area have been pretty good. I had a lot of issues with the gyn though, and had to absolutely shout and scream at them to take me seriously, and get the help I needed. It initially took me about 4 years to get a diagnosis of what I was going through, and then when I got it, I was just brushed aside like I wasn't important. So i kicked up a massive fuss, and got a lot of treatment in a very short space of time.

I just saw that a few people who had posted on here who were about to go to their first FS appt, and just wanted to say that you really do need to kick up a fuss, and make it very clear what you want to do.

I hope you don't mind me posting

I'm also from the northamptonshire and can honestly say that my experience with FS has not been the best. This my second attempt to get treatment and the first time i didn't have all the tests done which i now have to have to have done... if EVER get my appointment! They have one more week to contact me or i will be back on the phone (if i can get them on the phone and not have to leave a million messages again!)

xx

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that

What testing are you waiting on? The only issue I have with them currently is that I have gone through six months of failed drugs, and they are only now looking for endo, and checking if my tubes are ok. If they aren't, then I feel as though I went through all that for nothing, because I begged them to check all that first, so that I had the best chance of the drugs working.

I can't believe that you're struggling to just get through to them though. Reading all this makes me so mad..I can't believe how badly some of you are being treated by the nhs.

I didn't even try for a year. It took me a few doctors, but because of my pcos I found one who agreed that if I came back in three months and hadn't had any AF, then I would be declared as not ovulating at all. I didn't, so was referred straight into a FS clearly I slipped through the net on that one.

 

[Tinkerbell3]

I'm glad things have moved quickly for you huni, i just wish the rest of the country would follow suit!!

Are you going to do anymore ivf hun?

We are giving IUI a try in a couple of months because on our IVF cycle hubby's count was actually normal which means IUI is now an option rather than just ICSI.
If it doesn't work I'm not sure how long it will be before we try IVF/ICSI again because we only got one cycle funded so need to save the £4000-5000 to pay ourselves.

 

[laustiredttc]

i thought the nhs funds for three cycles? I do hope the iui works for you huni fx sending lots of your way

why is the system soooo screwed that people don't know whether they are coming or going? I know that there are some great practices out there that help alot and i do think that its great we get help on the nhs but i just dont get that they make it soooo hard for some people and easy for others. It's like a fricken lottery sometimes. The rules apply to some but not to others I am worrying because i have to move soon and i am not sure whether the new area funds help with treatment? i guess i'll just wait and see

 

[crisfca]

I agree, the UK NHS is like playing the lottery. And I have plenty of experience cause I'm epileptic so I have to go through at least 4 appointments a year for that, prescriptions, medications etc etc, and I get to know all their tricks... I had lots of problems with my GP and I want to change but now they've refered me to the sub fertility clinic I'm worried it will mess everything up and make the process even longer if I change so I'm going to stay with them and see.
At the hospital on Tuesday I was seen by a doctor that is not even named on the hospital website or NHS choices. He was just behaving like a robot, hearing me but not listening, trying to get rid of me as soon as possible cause the couple before me had a longer than usual appointment so he needed to catch up.
Most of these doctors work also for private clinics, and that's not only in this country but also where I'm from (Spain), it's difficult to find a good one, that is really vocational and not money driven.
I'm 36 and impatient, I don't want to have to wait unnecessarily, they hate me cause I really make a fuss of everything and I ask so many questions, but it is the only way I've learnt, being a pain in the buttttt!

 

[XJessicaX]

One of my friends is going through the IVF process and the treatment she has received from Oxford fertility unit has been second to none. She only had to wait 4 months for the process to start! Very short waiting list there. She lives in Cambridge (about 2 hours away) and the wait for IVF here is over 15 months.
If any of you live nearish Oxford then maybe ask for a referral there.

 

[crisfca]

One of my friends is going through the IVF process and the treatment she has received from Oxford fertility unit has been second to none. She only had to wait 4 months for the process to start! Very short waiting list there. She lives in Cambridge (about 2 hours away) and the wait for IVF here is over 15 months.
If any of you live nearish Oxford then maybe ask for a referral there.

wow, that's good. I wonder what the waiting list is like in London... anyone knows?

 

[xxshellsxx]

I just wanted to say that the nhs and fertility services in my area have been pretty good. I had a lot of issues with the gyn though, and had to absolutely shout and scream at them to take me seriously, and get the help I needed. It initially took me about 4 years to get a diagnosis of what I was going through, and then when I got it, I was just brushed aside like I wasn't important. So i kicked up a massive fuss, and got a lot of treatment in a very short space of time.

I just saw that a few people who had posted on here who were about to go to their first FS appt, and just wanted to say that you really do need to kick up a fuss, and make it very clear what you want to do.

I hope you don't mind me posting

I'm also from the northamptonshire and can honestly say that my experience with FS has not been the best. This my second attempt to get treatment and the first time i didn't have all the tests done which i now have to have to have done... if EVER get my appointment! They have one more week to contact me or i will be back on the phone (if i can get them on the phone and not have to leave a million messages again!)

xx

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that

What testing are you waiting on? The only issue I have with them currently is that I have gone through six months of failed drugs, and they are only now looking for endo, and checking if my tubes are ok. If they aren't, then I feel as though I went through all that for nothing, because I begged them to check all that first, so that I had the best chance of the drugs working.

I can't believe that you're struggling to just get through to them though. Reading all this makes me so mad..I can't believe how badly some of you are being treated by the nhs.

I didn't even try for a year. It took me a few doctors, but because of my pcos I found one who agreed that if I came back in three months and hadn't had any AF, then I would be declared as not ovulating at all. I didn't, so was referred straight into a FS clearly I slipped through the net on that one.

When i was first referred about 9 yrs ago my EX's results were so bad that my missing ovulation wasn't ever followed up, just told to lose weight, wait til i was 30 then could join the ICSI waiting list! We had 1 appointment and never heard from them again!!

We separated 5 yrs ago (when i was 29) and i've been through blood tests from GP, who told me because DH has 2 kids from a previous relationship we couldn't access ANYTHING on the NHS!! We were devastated!

Thankfully very helpful ladies here encouraged me to argue her decision and i rang NGH FS and she told me the GP was wrong! I contacted said GP (who was 5 months PG telling me all this btw!) She said she's found a way back into my Gynae at KGH (like she was doing me a favour!) and i was referred back may time - told i'd get an appointment through in 6 wks.... i rang after 6wks to be told they only had half my paperwork, i chased that up, i then got a request for more bloods done on CD3 (already had these done twice this year) Paperwork says appointment will be issued once they have the results.... which they have had since July!

When i spoke to FS nurse, she told me due to my weight i can only have HSG done to check my tubes, but can't have the Laparoscopy to check for ENDO (which i believe i have!) because of my weight!

I also can't have clomid... because of my weight!

I also can't have IUI, IVF or ICSI because DH has 2 kids!

 

[laustiredttc]

oh my gosh huni thats terrible my heart goes out to you it really does. wish i could give you a freal one Whats the next step for you now hun?

 

[xxshellsxx]

oh my gosh huni thats terrible my heart goes out to you it really does. wish i could give you a freal one Whats the next step for you now hun?

For me it's getting this appointment through! As much as i want a child, We're not putting our lives on hold anymore as i've done that for so long! We're 95% certain we'll be working on a cruise next year and will find out if it's 100% by end of September... which means i can't be more than 26wks PG (yeah like that's going to happen!) So on a break till we know one way or the other, if the cruise is on then we'll get back TTC in Feb, and hopefully have had all my testing done by then, If it's not on, then we'll be back TTC very very soon... and hope the testing comes quickly.
(i'm hoping it's the last option if i'm honest)

 

[laustiredttc]

i know what you mean with the putting your life on hold. I know this is no what you wan to hear hun but maybe try the cruise? Go live your life for a little while and maybe try to enjoy yourself. I cant help but still wish you get a before you go though. That would be amazing.

 

[xxshellsxx]

Thanks hun, best of both worlds would be great lol I'll hopefully have some answers soon and then can start my next episode... what ever path that is x

 

[Tinkerbell3]

i thought the nhs funds for three cycles? I do hope the iui works for you huni fx sending lots of your way

why is the system soooo screwed that people don't know whether they are coming or going? I know that there are some great practices out there that help alot and i do think that its great we get help on the nhs but i just dont get that they make it soooo hard for some people and easy for others. It's like a fricken lottery sometimes. The rules apply to some but not to others I am worrying because i have to move soon and i am not sure whether the new area funds help with treatment? i guess i'll just wait and see

It depends on your area but it can be 0-3, our area is 1 fresh and 2 frozen but if you have nothing to freeze from the fresh cycle then those frozen are pointless 3 miles away from me and they are entitled to 3 fresh cycle. This postcode lottery is so unfair and really needs sorting out.

Thank you, at £800 a cycle we're hoping we get lucky on our first IUI cycle but who knows, we were hoping the IVF would work.

One of my friends is going through the IVF process and the treatment she has received from Oxford fertility unit has been second to none. She only had to wait 4 months for the process to start! Very short waiting list there. She lives in Cambridge (about 2 hours away) and the wait for IVF here is over 15 months.
If any of you live nearish Oxford then maybe ask for a referral there.

wow, that's good. I wonder what the waiting list is like in London... anyone knows?

It completely depends on your postcodes/what PCT you're under and what hospital you get referred to.

 

[crisfca]

Yes, i sort of imagined that would be the case. Really unfair

 

[timeforababy]

Yes, i sort of imagined that would be the case. Really unfair

it gets worse. some pcts have much more stricter criteria than the nhs guidelines. we only get blood tests and a SA as OH has 2 children from a previous marriage.

I can't get scans/clomid. nothing.

 

[xxshellsxx]

Yes, i sort of imagined that would be the case. Really unfair

it gets worse. some pcts have much more stricter criteria than the nhs guidelines. we only get blood tests and a SA as OH has 2 children from a previous marriage.

I can't get scans/clomid. nothing.

Thats what i was told too... but questioned them by calling the FS directly and asking the questions there and was told that wasn't the case, have you tried that or was it them who told you that?

 

[timeforababy]

Yes, i sort of imagined that would be the case. Really unfair

it gets worse. some pcts have much more stricter criteria than the nhs guidelines. we only get blood tests and a SA as OH has 2 children from a previous marriage.

I can't get scans/clomid. nothing.

Thats what i was told too... but questioned them by calling the FS directly and asking the questions there and was told that wasn't the case, have you tried that or was it them who told you that?

I've had a letter from the referral "gatekeeper" service. Basically, we all get referred to a "specialised" GP who screens everyone before deciding if they meet a consultant. The second tier GP prescribes clomid. which they won't because the criteria here is that we have to be monitored. which they won't give me because OH has children

 

[laustiredttc]

oh huni im sorry it really is an unfair system

 

[xxshellsxx]

Well i got in from work today to find a letter on the door mat from the FS They must have heard me saying they had 1 week to give me an appointment or i'd be back on the phone harassing them lol

Tuesday October 16th @ 10.10am i finally get to see someone! Just hope DH can get the time off work!

 

[laustiredttc]

well done hun hope you get some answers fx

 

[kas22]

hi Imalia,

sorry u have had such a bad time with your hospital, I'm in hampshire and I i must say i have had no real probs etc, things have moved quickly, well I'm still not pregnant but hey lol.

Can i ask where you are getting your supposed treatment?

xx