In need of some support-Warning V Long Message

[Franjipan]

Warning Very Long Message!!!
Hey Ladies. Havent been on to the ttc forum for a couple of months as was trying to take a break for a bit as it was all getting too much. Anyways in the meantime have been to docs after 12 months of ttc without success and was over the moon as the gp was so nice and helpful, referred us for all our tests etc. OH's tests came back all ok, I ended up having an ultrasound a week ago and was told I have polycystic ovaries and have been referred to fertility clinic and theres about 4-6 months waiting list. Am gutted.
So been a bit of a stressful time as have also just found out im losing my job and am finding it hard to cope with all this going on at once. Think its the fact that weve already waited the 12 months ttc and now the thought of having to wait even longer , just to be seen, has got too much for me. I thought when my results came back maybe gp would have treated me but he said hes sent on my scan results to fertility clinic, so itll be them treating me. I don't gte it why is that?

Anyway to try and get a bit more info, I eventually mananged to contact the fertlitly clinic myself as wanted to ask them if now knowing that im polycystic would make any difference to my wait and the guy I spoke to was soooo rude, he really upset me. Its kind of a sensitive situation for most people anyway isnt it but he was just sooo rude. He couldint understand why my gp had sent the scan results to the clinic and said i was meant to take them with me to my appt??? Surely my gp knows what he's doing?!! God knows who this guy was i spoke to, I mean he didn't even answer the phone properly, just answered 'hello' in a really rude abrupt voice, not like good morning fertility clinic or anything like youd expect. I asked him if it would make any difference to my wait, being polycystic and he was like 'unfortunately not'. Just put me in a really bad mood and said the earliest id get seen would be september and that they havent even got any notes on me yet. I really feel like complaining, he just had such a horrible manner. Its made me dread going there now to be honest if thats what they are like.
Someone else recommended i ring the consultant's ive been referred to's secretary and ask her instead. What you guys think, am i being ultra sensitive or what?? Just what to know where to go from here. Just feel in limbo land as have been diagnosed with something and dont know anything about it other than what ive read on the internet.

 

[Loula]

Hi Franjipan,

Sounds like you need one of these>>>

Your GP has referred you because it's beyond their capabilities, unless they have a special interest in a subject they will always refer you on up as they simply don't know enough about it - so this is a good thing!

I know it's all a waiting game, we've all been there I'm afraid, and would like to tell you it'll fly by, but if often doesn't - try to keep busy as you can.

As for rude man on phone - no excuse for his harshness - but he is probably used to people trying to jump the list thining they should have preferential treatment and he probably just sick of it all - but as i said no excuse for him being rude.

Are you in a position to pay for a private appointment to cut down your wait ( although there still may be a few weeks?) if so by all means ring up the cons. sec.

And before i go, here have another

 

[Franjipan]

Thanks Chick. Yeah I guess you are right. They did send me a price list for the private treatment and i think the initial consultation incl all bloods to be done was £100 -150.00 ish. I thought of paying that as could afford that but then i cant afford to pay for any further treatment, so what you reckon by paying that initial fee would that jump me up the list to get seen and then have rest of treatment done on nhs?? I dont get it?

 

[wilbrabeany]

If you can afford to pay for what you can i think that would definately push you up the waiting list for the next stage. I would also def ring the secretary, after your experience with the rude man. and she might be able to talk you through more options as well.xxxx

 

[Franjipan]

Thanks chick. Think i might do that tomorrow x

 

[Crobsonrobson]

My sister has PCOS and after a lot of trying (but without IVF help) gave birth to Jamie 9 pounds and 8 in May.

Keep the faith. I am sure that guy was just a rude one off and when you do get your appointment will be lovely and helpful.

Take care

 

[waiting4u]

This is why this site is so great, you can vent, ask questions and get some clear thoughts! We are all in this together, you are not alone with your frustrations. Here are my thoughts:

Your Dr sounds great, getting your blood work sorted etc and referring you. GP's are that, General Practitioners so they must refer you to the hospital. In my experience ( and I am not excusing the rude man tone of voice or lack of sensitivity) my NHS clinic saw couples and booked in for 15 minute slots. They take out all the emotion and only deal with facts. They have very limited resource and my clinic in particular told me that they receive over 200 calls per day. In my opinion, IVF is not high on the NHS budget agenda!

I did a combination of private appointments and NHS. I had a few procedures, scans etc done privately and I am afraid it complicated the issue. I stuck with my NHS clinic and made myself known to a great nurse ( I got more luck with a response if I e mailed her)....but that did take time and I too have PCO - it makes no difference at my clinic.

Four years later, we are finally about to start IVF. Yep, 4 years...we had to fight for our free go on the NHS. I had to write to my local PCT, beg, wrote to my MP, I did what it took. We are at a private clinic now but the NHS will pay for one go. It is a post code lottery, let me tell you.

This is a long journey, so many down days and my best advise is to really look after yourself. You will get there. You will get answers. You will see somebody who job it is to help you. I often got upset when I got a letter through saying, "try this drug for 6 months then call us." He would always tell me that at least we are one step closer. ( Sometimes I could have gone mad at him but he was/is right)

Take care, sorry to go on!

 

[waiting4u]

Just reread my post. I am not saying that you will need IVF nor have to wait, I was just saying in my experience. Many, many, many people with PCO just need a little time or something like Clomid for success, or nothing at all! Didn't want you to think I was saying that you too will need IVF. Sorry if it sounds like that!

 

[Franjipan]

Thanks for taking the time reply, no I understand what you are saying. I think this is the prob with PCOS you dont know from case to case what treatment will entail, think thats why im getting so down about it. I havent even got my head round fertiltiy treatment yet let along IVF but im trying to keep open minded about it in case that will be us. Cant believe its taken you 4 years, oh my god you must be soo strong and may I say you deserve a medal! Just wanted to say thanks and the best of luck to you on IVF and hope you get a result xxx

 

[Coffee]

Hey Franjipan! Really good to see you back!
On the private health front - I've had some private healthcare for a medical issue (nothing whatsoever to do with TTC i must add but it all works in the same way!). Basically you could just go and pay for these tests to get them done quicker, then you can get transferred straight back into the NHS system, continue with them. Then if in the future you want more tests done quicker - again, go private, then just transfer back.
That's what i have done anyway - just kept transferring between the two and paying for the tests that i wanted done quicker. I was a bit worried that the NHS dr's might be a bit funny with me, but no- it just seems to be the done thing these days and noone has battered an eyelid at my queue jumping!!

 

[akcher]

I can't offer advice about NHS since I live in US but I wanted to offer you some

 

[pixielou]

Hi, I had a situation last week but with the consultant. I also have pco. Read my new post as I will explain it more!

 

[FJL]

Oh I just wish I could bundle all you LTTC'ers put you on a plane and stay with me in Australia where you rarely have to wait anymore than a month for an appt, treatment (after tests) moves fast and the government pays for around 1/2 the cost of most treatments!

I cannot believe the times some of you girls have to wait, not fair

I agree hun, I think if you can go private that would be better with less waiting time. Over here, some specialists like to do HSG to make sure your tubes aren't blocked, then straight to metformin + clomid (from girls I know that have PCOS thats what has happened).

I have a box of clomid as well as as 4 scripts, if only I could send it to you LOL Yes, yes, i'm kidding but wouldn't it be nice?!?

 

[loopylew]

Oh I just wish I could bundle all you LTTC'ers put you on a plane and stay with me in Australia where you rarely have to wait anymore than a month for an appt, treatment (after tests) moves fast and the government pays for around 1/2 the cost of most treatments!

I cannot believe the times some of you girls have to wait, not fair

I agree hun, I think if you can go private that would be better with less waiting time. Over here, some specialists like to do HSG to make sure your tubes aren't blocked, then straight to metformin + clomid (from girls I know that have PCOS thats what has happened).

I have a box of clomid as well as as 4 scripts, if only I could send it to you LOL Yes, yes, i'm kidding but wouldn't it be nice?!?

I can't believe the difference between Australia and here, its shocking really, feel like moving there already!!

 

[oOKayOo]

I do to have PCOS it is awful but i managed to concive even when docs said i wouldnt as easy. But i did took time with my first but with my second it only took a month Just thought id post to give you hope that it wil happen

 

[FJL]

I can't believe the difference between Australia and here, its shocking really, feel like moving there already!!

I know, it is a disgrace really.

I mean, we had only been TTC 7 months when we went to the Dr for preliminary testing which was a 21 day prog test and a sperm analysis. I'm pretty sure in the UK you have to be TTC at least a year for that right?

Then we got offered a referal straight away with the results of the SA, but GP wanted us to do 1 more to be sure.

We didn't go to a specialist for a further 6 months because we wanted to try some holistic medicine first.

BUT when we did go to FS, the first guy we saw took 4 weeks to get into, then when we dumped him for another one, the 2nd guy took 3 weeks.

THEN when we saw him and he said IVF ICSI, we were able to start right away. As soon as AF came I was on the pill and down regging.

The clinic we're going to charges just over $9,000 for ICSI cycle. That includes everything except for down reg drugs and FS appointments. We will get about $4500 of that back on medicare (from the government). If we were in a private health fund we'd get even more back.

If, for us it were as simple as getting say clomid, then you'd wait 1 month to see gyno, maybe get a BT or other tests then you'd get your script right after the Dr had decided that clomid was the best approach.

So I just can't believe that some of you girls have to wait like 6 months to get a script for clomid!!!

Appointments and treatments seem to take ages when things move fast let alone when they move at snails pace

Sooooooo sorry to hijack your thread Frangipan just thought the Auzzie system might be of interest to some of you girls.

 

[Kerryanne]

Oh I just wish I could bundle all you LTTC'ers put you on a plane and stay with me in Australia where you rarely have to wait anymore than a month for an appt, treatment (after tests) moves fast and the government pays for around 1/2 the cost of most treatments!

I cannot believe the times some of you girls have to wait, not fair

I agree hun, I think if you can go private that would be better with less waiting time. Over here, some specialists like to do HSG to make sure your tubes aren't blocked, then straight to metformin + clomid (from girls I know that have PCOS thats what has happened).

I have a box of clomid as well as as 4 scripts, if only I could send it to you LOL Yes, yes, i'm kidding but wouldn't it be nice?!?

Australia is one of the best place for this, and also giving birth is alot better in Australia and NZ, as you can choose your own midwife and have her throughout your pregnancy.
Alot of midwives and other people are trying to get our goverment to take note out of Australia and have the same over here.