First FS appt coming up...what can I expect?

[Mommyagain]

We've been ttc since June 2010. We've had six failed clomid cycles. Now moving onto a FS. What can I expect at my first consultation? Any advice? What questions should I be prepared for? How long after first visit does it take to get to treatment?

Any stories or advice appreciated.

Im so ready to hold my baby!!!!

 

[wanting2010]

I'm so sorry the Clomid didn't work for you. That's so disappointing and frustrating! =(

What kind of testing have you had done? I started out seeing my OB/GYN who did 5 rounds of Clomid with me. She had done a bunch of bloodwork prior to starting me on Clomid- thyroid, prolaction, FSH, testosterone, progesterone, glucose, insulin, etc., so all the basics had already been done before my initial consultation with my specialist. I did end up getting pregnant on the Clomid and then had a m/c, so my RE didn't require me to have an HSG or my DH to have a SA. If you haven't had those done your doctor may want you to.

My initial appointment didn't take much time at all since I'd already been diagnosed with PCOS and we knew the issue was me not ovulating. I had to fill out a bunch of paperwork and answer a lot of medical history questions, and then my DH and I sat down with the RE and discussed a game plan. He basically gave me some options and let me decide what I wanted to do- 1) try Clomid again, 2) try Femara starting at 5 mg and going up to 7.5 mg, 3) go straight to injectables, 4) go straight to IVF.

I decided to go with Femara (which unfortunately also didn't work for me, but my RE said he has a lot of success with it.) Since I'd already had all the testing done, I started the new treatment right away with my next cycle. My RE gave me a script for Provera and Femara at my first appointment, I started the Provera that same day, and when AF showed I started the Femara. When the first cycle of Femara didn't work, I moved on to the second and when that didn't work, I moved on to my first cycle of injectables right away. It's been a very straightforward process and my RE has been happy to move along at the pace I want.

Good luck!!

 

[Mommyagain]

I've had the basic bloodwork but that was back in 2007. So far it seems my problem is not ovulating. I've never had my tubes checked and my hubby has never had his sperm checked.

Thank you for the info.

 

[TeddyBearPug]

I had 4 rounds of clomid with my obgyn that were unsuccessful, hsg, ultrasounds and bloodwork. At the initial appt my FS asked me and husband tons of questions regarding our health and sexual history. He did a vaginal ultrasound and redid all the bloodwork i had taken a year before. He found that some of my bloodwork was borderline and did not go with the newest research as being normal and started me on thyroid meds. He did tell me that i should never had been on clomid! But now i'm going natural cycles until we get my thyroid numbers in the right spot and then we are going from there. If you take your bbt, take your charts in for the FS to see along with any other info you have on your body. My FS was very impressed with how well i knew my body! Good luck!

 

[SweetJennie]

My first appointment was on Oct 5 and she checked my bloodwork my OBGYN had done and took a medical history of me and my OH. She set a goal weight she wants me to reach. She got a family history from both sides. Then she sent me and OH for genetic testing and ran a bunch of tests for recurrent miscarriages (I've only had one so I was happily surprised). As well she tested my hormone levels again. I have to call her office in about two weeks time (nearest FS is like an 8-9 hr drive away) and discuss the results and develop a game plan. Based on the info she already has she said her recommendation will most likely be IVF which me and OH are not keen on as it is so expensive. Guess we will have to wait and see!

Hope your FS appointment goes well.

 

[Mommyagain]

Thank you ladies for your stories. I'm excited and nervous about my appt. I'm a little overweight. So do you think I will be asked to lose weight?

I hope there isn't a huge gap in diagnosing me and treating me.

 

[SweetJennie]

I was asked to lose 40 lbs to start treatment but even 40 still puts me in the overweight category. I guess it depends on you FS and how overweight you are. I've lost 40 so far and another 40 will be a total of 80 lbs gone to start treatment.

 

[wanting2010]

I could definitely stand to lose some weight, but my RE has never said anything about wanting me to lose weight. In fact, he pretty much told me that he didn't consider my weight to be an issue. I guess it will just depend on your doctor.

 

[TeddyBearPug]

Thank you ladies for your stories. I'm excited and nervous about my appt. I'm a little overweight. So do you think I will be asked to lose weight?

I hope there isn't a huge gap in diagnosing me and treating me.

I was worried that my FS would say i needed to lose weight, but he didn't. I'm 5'3 1/2" lol and weigh 165. They did calculate my bmi while there and it was 26, so overweight but i'm glad he didn't tell me i had to lose weight. But i am really trying to put in the effort now to lose weight because it will help my chances.

 

[Mommyagain]

That's about my height and weight as well teddybearpug. I don't think my weight is my issue though. I had problems conceiving my son (took about 2 years) and I was a very healthy weight.

I filled out my FS paperwork yesterday! I can't wait to get this ball rolling!

 

[Mommyagain]

SweetJennie: That's awesome!! Have you been exercising and dieting? Any tips?

 

[SweetJennie]

Not a lot of tips really. I have a hard time losing weight so I need to stick to my calorie allotment very carefully and I exercise at least 3 times a week. We've been doing renovations for the last couple of months so it's been more like exercising 7 days a week.

 

[Mommyagain]

FS appt went okay. I'm getting bloodwork on cd3 and an u/s on cd14. (cd35 today and waiting for af) DH SA was normal. They think I will be starting with Femera and IUI. I'm excited and nervous. These are going to be a long few months.

 

[wanting2010]

I'm glad it went okay. It's kind of scary, at least I think so, to take that next step. For me moving to more intensive fertility treatments has been a source of anxiety, but at the same time I've been glad to have the options and the expertise of my RE. Good luck with everything!!

 

[Mommyagain]

It is scary isn't it! I'm also excited though. I'm SO ready for this. I have my maternity clothes washed and hung. The spare room with the empty crib. I want a baby so bad. I pray these treatments work for me.

 

[wanting2010]

I have heard SO many good things about Femara. I hope it does the trick for you!