Very upset after visit to docs!

[tansey]

DF and I have just been to the docs.
After a MC in Feb we are on our 9th cycle with no luck and I am now 36. When showed up again I got my bottle up and made the appointment.
Doc basically said that because we live in North Staffordshire and there is no funding for fertlity treatment (hasn't been for 4/6 years) there is nothing he can do - sorry! DF and I bothed stunned - they won't even do preliminary tests such as SA! No options for us or nothing, just keep trying, oh but don't leave it too long!

 

[Vickie]

That's awful and incredibly unfair that you should be denied just because of where you live!

 

[JayleighAnn]

OMG thats so unfair! I feel for you babe

 

[FEDup1981]

OMG thats shocking, and so bloody wrong, postcode lottery again. I would be fuming. Get writing to the PCT to lodge a complaint.
to you hun xxx

 

[Laura0786]

OMG, postcode lotto again!!

 

[lola]

Tansy that is awful! I can't believe they won't even do preliminary tests like SA, FSH and CD21 as they are done at your GP surgery and (from what we were told by fertility consultant) come under regular treatment/investigation guidelines, not specialist! That is completely appauling. I know many places do not give funding for IVF now (we are one of those Lincs) but that seems like a load of rubbish to me! Sorry thats not much bl##dy help me saying that but definitely look into this, they cannot treat you like this!

Sorry for ranting I hope you are okay

 

[**angel**]

omg wat a piss take xxxxxxx

 

[Gemma Lou]

Thats so awful, I cannot believe it! I hope someone comes up with something to help you. Thinking of you x

 

[Omi]

Tansey,

I can just repeat what everyone else has said: OMG!! I am so sorry that he didnt even look into ANY options for you but set on your way with a pat on the back! WTF!! Thats horrendous! Im shocked and i can very much understand your huge dissapointment....

Im p***d off on your behalf!!!

 

[lola]

Okay just had a quick look around and although it seems correct that they have 'suspended' fertility services it seems they should still investigate and diagnose. See extract from BBC news below;

Ms Brown said she had not heard before of doctors getting this advice.

"Everywhere, as far as I know, you can get at least investigations and the diagnosis," she said.

North Staffordshire PCT said although it had stopped fertility services it did not mean patients' general health would not be investigated, "just that specific fertility treatments should not be commenced with no prospect of them being continued."

It added it would clarify its position to GPs "as a matter of urgency".

It is also looking at which services to prioritise in its budget.

Stoke-on-Trent PCT said it had re-introduced one IVF cycle in January after an improvement in its finances.

"We feel that reflects the clinical needs of the city. The Nice guideline is a recommendation, it is not prescriptive," its statement said.

The link to the article is here; https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7525505.stm

 

[Sinead]

OMG - that is disgraceful. They should at the very least do the investigations. What do you plan to do next hun?

 

[Chris77]

WTF?!?!?!?! I am so sorry you didn't get anywhere with the doctor. I don't know anything about England, but can you drive to another doctor out of town?

 

[jonnanne3]

Tansey, I am so sorry to hear about the doctors visit. But just a little info, if you and you OH got pregnant in Jan, a SA really wouldn't be nessacary. My doctor (who also is a fertility specialist) said that if there were a problem with the mans sperm, it would not make it to fertilize the egg. Hopefully that helps a little. I hope you are able to find some help elsewhere. Good luck and

 

[Rumpskin]

How unsupportive is that. I am sorry to you have hit a brick wall Tansey.

What an insensitive p**ck.

 

[bebe]

I think you should speak to the PCT direct and explain what your GP said and ask about the news article.
I can't believe he dismissed it like that, they should at least investigate.

I am so sorry it is such a nightmare for you, no one should have to fight the system just to get answers even if the won't help.

 

[tillymum]

OMG Tansey, I bet you're fuming! First thing you should do is change doctors, and make sure it's a female doctor! That is the most rubbish crap advice, I can't believe he said that and finished it with don't leave it too long!!!! WTF!!! They can at least do some tests!! I'm fuming here on your behalf!!

If you can afford it ask to go private to see a consultant, at least for one initial consultation, then go back down the NHS route, they will see you straight away and I bet they will be 100% more pro active! In fact another doctor will probably be 100% more proactive!

Given your age (i'm the same age as you and also trying for #1) they should be taking your concerns seriously and doing something about it!
Sorry for the rant but that just makes me mad! Hope you're ok!

 

[tansey]

Thanks ladies. I had seen that news article before i went to the docs, in fact it was while looking into what tests i could ask for that I started panicking about the age that IVF is offered up to (I know that we might never need it and we have been trying less than a year but you have to look ahead just in case at my age).
The doc was looking up his latest info on his computer and explained that there was nothing he could do. He had just refused another guy a SA as that was on the list of things they won't pay for.
Don't know what we are going to do. My mum lives in Cheshire so i might look into what we can get if we register from her address (if this is allowed? Don't want to get into trouble?). THis would meaning explaining everything to mum though.
Private is not an option at the moment as we have the wedding to pay for in 4months. However after the wedding I might have to go back to full time work if private is our only option and start saving.
After the wedding the family is going to be expecting a baby - there has already been talk of it.
I know it could still happen but i just wish there was more i could do, i need to feel like i'm doing something more towards TTC.
We have the family car, 3 spare bedrooms, I have gone part-time and most importantly a family with a lot of love to give. Why haven't we been blessed with one yet?

 

[Farie]

Oh honey, that's awful
OMG what an awful situation. Personally I would get registered with a different surgery ASAP - I'm not sure about 'protocol' but if you can I'd get registered from your mums area.
Perhaps tell you mum the minimum, just that your local surgery doesnt offer the services you need and you'd like provisional tests run?
The biggest chick, I'm so so sorry

 

[tansey]

Just found this article about the postcode lottery:

https://www.shapps.com/reports/The-NHS-IVF-Lottery.pdf

 

[miel]

i am so sorry sweetie ......