Well I had my consult. It went ok. To be honest I'm NOT thrilled. He wants to do the same protocol with minor tweaks. He wants to start me on a higher dosage of Gonal F (225) and gradually raise it. He is also going to start me on 150IU Repronex on day 4 of stims rather then 75 units of Repronex. He thinks I need more LH (I think it's the LH that made my embryo's suck). Other then that no changes. He wanted to do AH (assisted hatching-where they poke a hole in the shell of the embryo to help the embryo to "hatch" out of the shell and implant) but he changed his mind because apparently you can't do it on day 2 it has to be day 3+. I'm really bummed. He won't push me to a day 3 transfer because of my crappy embryo's. Odds are I don't need AH anyway. My embryo's don't even make it to the blast stage (the stage right before they hatch which is day 5)
He see's no point in any of the additional testing I want done. He says since I have not had any losses that I shouldn't need it. -the tests I want done are simple blood tests. It's not like I'm asking for surgery or anything.
I talked to the nurse at length after I met with him. She went over my protocol and time line. She then asked how I felt about this next cycle. I told her I wasn't feeling to positive about it. She asked if I told the doctor that and I said no. I'm assuming she will end up telling him. I explained to her that since I've had so many failures it's almost impossible for me to get excited about cycling again. I also explained to her how I think I should get the testing done if my insurance covers it.
They gave me a customer service survey to fill out and there was a comment section. The things I told them was Dr. H talked to fast and I feel rushed when I meet with him. I also explained (this is on the survey) that he shouldn't have told me about donor egg during my transfer. He should have waited till my follow up consult to discuss that with me. I also explained that I feel as though I should get the testing if my ins covered it. Who's to say that when if finally do get pregnant (yes I said finally) that I won't m/c? Who is to say I don't have any immunity/clotting disorders? The reason I'm not pregnant is embryo quality. We have no idea what will happen when I finally get an embryo to implant and to be honest if I'm that lucky I don't want to chance having a m/c because he didn't do the testing.
I fully plan on faxing that survey tomorrow and on the cover sheet asking her to check with my ins about the tests and that I want them done before I start stims. From my understanding these tests can take weeks to come back so I want them done now.
Anyhow, that is my 2 cents.
honestly I'm to tired of this process to argue with my doctor and at first I wasn't going to argue about the testing. I've had time to think and decided that I need to suck it up and push for the testing whether I like it or not.
Geesh This is my 5th IVF you'd think he'd want to do the testing. I shouldn't have to have a m/c to get it done. That is stupid!
9 comments:
I find it to be absolutely ignorant that he isn't trying to test for anything. Please tell me you've checked for TSH (you want 1-2) and Thyroid antibodies, ovarian reserve (inhibit B, AMH, or clomid challenge??). Personally, I am pushing for it now after my second failure. I totally get you. totally agree. if i fight long and hard and get graced by a BFP and then miscarry because I didn't take a bloodtest, I'll explode! If he doesn't want to do it, find an RE who will do it. You can always go back to yours after the tests are done. We are doing an endometrial biopsy, and HSG since I had surgery, and many of the blood tests. Let me know if you want more info. Push for it. Good luck!
Oh and by the way, my RE is making me take 5-6 months off to let my body clean of the meds, rebalance, and for more follies to be recruitable again. WHy doesn't your guy want to go again right away? I hope it isn't all out of pocket either.
I really, really hope you get to do the additional testing. Like you said, they are just simple blood tests. why not?? It's sad that patients have to beg and plead over something this simple.
From someone who just fell at the 4tries hurdle too, I get where you are at. I hope we both find a way through this mess!
Hello Shelly's friend. :) I wish you luck in your quest. I will have to read some more of your blog to catch up. But hang in there. And be the boss of your own body, baby! Don't ever forget who runs that ship!!
xox
I know how you are feeling- I started a blog too, just to vent, since I do not talk to even my closest friends about all of this. We are in the middle of our 1st IVF cycle- I had ER yesterday, and from the 7 mature eggs, only 3 fertilized. I am sooo trying to be happy and opimistic. Obviously, I would have wanted more to fertilize, but I'm TRYING to take comfort in the phrase, "IT ONLY TAKES ONE"..... Good luck to you!!
Thanks for responding to my comment- we have MFI (2% morphology) and, come to find out, my FSH of 10. So, maybe it's BOTH of us to some extent. I guess I HAVE to just wait until the report on Wednesday to know more what we're dealing with. In one minute, I really want to cry. In the next minute, I desperately try to be optimistic. This is so hard, we've been trying for 2 years- it's quite a roller coaster to be on for that long. Good luck and keep us posted...
Thanks for your positive words! Yes, I did the clomid challenge test...CD3: FSH 8.95. CD10: FSH of 10.4! YIKES. When I spoke with the nurse today about the fertilization report, she said by Wednesday (2 days from now), the embryologist may be able to give us clues about if it looks like a sperm issue or egg issue, etc. We "bought" the multi-cycle discount (with our RE, that means buy 3 at a discount of $20,000, meds not included). I do have SOME comfort knowing that 2 more cycles are already paid for. Still, that doesnt take away any disappointments that I may feel if this is not successful.
Only someone who has been through infertility knows how awful this is- no, we're not dying, but it is stressful and full of hopes that are constantly squashed. It's hard to keep picking yourself back up. I'll pray for you and for my 3 developing embryos!! Good luck!
Im 26 years old and went through my first round of in vitro with Dr. Niaraki in Burlington, MA. I ended up with only 5 eggs extracted,half of what he expected. Surgeon said ultrasound measurements Niaraki provided showed follicles to be larger than in reality and that it was not surprising given my medication dosage. Nurse said I was sent for surgery prematurely. Of those 5 eggs, only one was mature enough for insemination. We ultimately had one B grade embryo which unfortunately did not implant. Did I mention I'm only 26? Overall process was a fiasco and traumatizing. If only Niaraki would have waited a day more before sending me to surgery! What a waste of time, energy, money, hope!! I will definitly not be returning to Dr. Niaraki for ivf round 2. Good luck to everyone!
Post a Comment