GP stalling on FS referral??

[dan-o]

In a little over a month, I will be at my EDD for the second time, but I'm still not pregnant. We have been TTC our first for over 2 years now.

We don't know what's wrong, as our preliminary bloods/SA came back within the new WHO acceptable ranges, so we can't get a FS referral based on that.

My GP informed me that we need to have been trying for 1 year since any MC to be elegible.

As I medically didn't get the all clear to TTC again until the end of September 2009, I was not elegible for referral until after this date in 2010.

Unfortunately for me, I conceived again, last month & MC very early, so the clock has once again been reset & my referral put back to April 2011

Is this right? Or am I being fobbed off?

 

[teapot]

I think you are being fobbed off to be honest. And given your age (same as me) I would go back & insist on further investigations.

In spite of getting your bfp's, after 2 years you are still TTC#1, so that totally qualifies you for investigations. The procedure won't necessarily go straight to FS, you may be referred to a gynae first. ...this is why you should go now, as all these things take time/months. At the ripe old age of 33, the clock is ticking! ...some PCT's will only fund IVF to age 35 (some are 39) and the older you get, egg quality can fall.

Re the 'time' thing, Our bloods & SA came back fine, so the next step for me was an internal scan & then a hysteroscopy. The Hysteroscopy showed endo & a polyp in my womb, so the next step was a lap & dye. It was only after all of this that we were referred to the actual FS.
The investigations were relatively quick looking back - the whole lot was done in 7mths, then 4mth wait for IVF waiting list in our area, we now have a 4 week wait for a group appt, then I assume a 4-6 week wait for a clinic appt & then it's Christmas & We're another year older!!!

Is you GP part of a practice? If so, ask to see a different doc. Otherwise, you'll just have to stamp your feet to get further investigations.

Hope I've made sense - I've rambled a bit. Best of luck. x

 

[dan-o]

Thanks teapot, that's really helpful. Sorry to hear you are also taking a long time to TTC.

Yes my age is a concern, for sure!
I have 18 months before I turn 35 & my FSH is at 9.3 already!

Did the polyp & endo give you any symptoms?

I have booked to see a different GP next week, but wanted to go with as much ammunition as possible in case they try to knock me back again!

 

[MariaF]

I have heard about the clock being reset after a m/c - BUT I think in your case it's been taking a long time!! I mean 2 years!!!

Also, they MUST refer you to FS after 3 m/c to be investigated for recurring m/c. Hopefully you won't need that!!

Good luck with the GP xxx

I think it is such a lottery in England. Speaking from experiences I don't think there are any clear rules or guidelines. Ive been complaining about absent periods and constant cramps to one GP for months and was told nothing could be done till the year's mark (even though I didn't have periods!!!). Went to see another GP at the same clinic - was referred to gyni straight away! And diagnosed with PCOS and mild endo!!

 

[Aphrodite]

dan-o GPs are notoriously ignorant when it comes to fertility issues. We had to push to be referred to. All our GP kept saying was 'it only takes one' as if that was a satisfactory answer to our problems. It sucks u have to fight to get what u should be offerred straight away but dont let them fob u off. If I have to become mega crazy bitch to get it I will! Good luck Honey x

 

[teapot]

Did the polyp & endo give you any symptoms?

I had a lot of random bleeding throughout my cycle & Very heavy (flooding) AF.
...much better now, although it's 5 mths since the Lap now & this cycle I've been spotting & bleeding again when I shouldn't be, so I'm a bit worried the endo's come back already

Best of luck for your next appt. x

 

[maaybe2010]

Hmmm . . .

After our MC we are being treated exactly the same as before.
However we have already been reffered for about two weeks
Also we got refered on the first Drs appointment and we were 20 and 22, with your age (I don't mean this in a bad way! ) I would of thought they would have already sent you

The only thing I can imagine is that they're thinking that because you did actually get pregnant that they won't send you
But I don't see how ANYONE could be like that

x x x x x x

 

[DillyC]

I agree..... I think you have to be a little bit demanding...however difficult it might be for you.... unfortunately PCTs all have their own protocol to follow but this is not set in stone, I would suggest seeing another GP if possible and pushing to see a specialist, like you say your FSH is at the higher end of the range and if for some reason you might need treatment there can be a long waiting list....

A friend of mine was in exactly the same situation as you ... x1 miscarriage May 2008 then a second in Sept 2008... referred to FS in Nov 2008 and ended up having ICSI in June 2009... now got 2 beautiful boys.... they weren't sure if her OHs sperm quality (which was poor) had contributed.

Hope you manage to get an appointment xx