DH is now suggesting we hold off doing this cycle with them, and just find someone I feel comfortable with first...think DH may be wise.
UPDATE to the Addendum
Talked to a couple of other clinics already today, and I'm in love with one I found that is over 40 minutes from my house (a shlep compared to the other places but not terrible and well worth it I think). Within seconds of calling, I was transferred over to a nurse who patiently listened to me, and talked to me for about 10-15 minutes before we decided to set up an appointment for a consult with the doc. She was so nice, and she actually listened to me and answered my questions with full explanations of the different possibilities and options and reasons she felt the doctor would probably discuss with me later on - including the fact that though they also shy away from injectibles for women with PCOS, they would be open to trying it with me so long as I'm aware of all the risks and potential for over-stimulation and willing to cancel the cycle if necessary. I seriously choked back tears while thanking her for being so honest and chatting with me do so long. I couldn't help it...to be treated like a human being, and a grown-up one at that; it brought me to tears. She even explained to me something I hadn't heard before, which is that Metformin can often be used to reduce the number of antral follicles in women with PCO prior to stimulation. Being a relatively "lean" PCOS woman without evidence of insulin resistance, I hadn't really thought of using it, but now I'm intrigued.
They had a cancellation for Thursday, and I snatched it up. DH won't be able to make it, but I didn't want to miss out, especially as Thursday is supposed to be Day 1 of my next cycle (according to Fertility Friend, and FF is rarely wrong about that in my case). My hope beacon is shining brightly once more!
UPDATE to the Addendum
Talked to a couple of other clinics already today, and I'm in love with one I found that is over 40 minutes from my house (a shlep compared to the other places but not terrible and well worth it I think). Within seconds of calling, I was transferred over to a nurse who patiently listened to me, and talked to me for about 10-15 minutes before we decided to set up an appointment for a consult with the doc. She was so nice, and she actually listened to me and answered my questions with full explanations of the different possibilities and options and reasons she felt the doctor would probably discuss with me later on - including the fact that though they also shy away from injectibles for women with PCOS, they would be open to trying it with me so long as I'm aware of all the risks and potential for over-stimulation and willing to cancel the cycle if necessary. I seriously choked back tears while thanking her for being so honest and chatting with me do so long. I couldn't help it...to be treated like a human being, and a grown-up one at that; it brought me to tears. She even explained to me something I hadn't heard before, which is that Metformin can often be used to reduce the number of antral follicles in women with PCO prior to stimulation. Being a relatively "lean" PCOS woman without evidence of insulin resistance, I hadn't really thought of using it, but now I'm intrigued.
They had a cancellation for Thursday, and I snatched it up. DH won't be able to make it, but I didn't want to miss out, especially as Thursday is supposed to be Day 1 of my next cycle (according to Fertility Friend, and FF is rarely wrong about that in my case). My hope beacon is shining brightly once more!
Ugh, this is so difficult! I think I would agree with your husband, though. It's hard to take the advice and do what someone tells you when you don't trust them/aren't comfortable with them.
ReplyDeleteI think your DH is right. I just read your other entry. Congrats for taking charge, I know you said you have had bad luck with doctors but it's so much better to be an informed patient and a pain in their butt if needed to get the results you want. A good nurse/doctor won't judge you or look at it like you are "pushing against the wall" if you just want to make sure you are getting the best treatment.
ReplyDeleteI will say, most nurses can't change or add anything to the protocol without talking to the doctor so that's why the nurse wasn't helpful but her attitude was unnecessary. I'm glad you asked about the Estradiol. To be completely honest, Clomid is just bad all around. It has severe side effects and is bad for lining. Most people these days believe it's a waste to spend money on a RE who is prescribing it still. Femara has been used for last 10 years and has much less side effects than Clomid, so I wouldn't waste your money doing a monitored around with the RE for Clomid. (Oh and my clinic does the same thing with protocols, they have the same ones they use with each person and then if the first cycle isn't successful, they change yours to individualize off how the last cycle went. If this makes sense. They use the protocol they've had the most success with so that's probably why they wanted you to start on day 5... I was annoyed at first with my clinic about this too, till I found out it's very common.)
Ok, this was a novel. Hope you don't mind ;) Good luck and I hope you find a new RE ASAP!
Hey there, i'm new in the blogosphere but wanted to say hi *waves.
ReplyDeleteAhrg what is it with the medical profession IF in particular? Have they forgotten how to be human? Considering the God complex many (but not all) of them adopt perhaps they should do a refresher course in human interaction Gah!! I'm sorry that you're not having a good time with them. Your DH is wise, stress is the last thing you need, I hope you find a stellar RE real soon x
Thanks again ladies for your amazing comments and advice. Internalplumbing - welcome!
ReplyDeleteThere is some good news. I just talked to a nurse at another clinic out a ways in Gurnee, IL. She was so nice, and really listened, to the extent that I almost started crying right there on the phone. I was able to pick up a canceled appointment slot, and I'm going in this Thursday for a consult with the head RE there. Wish me luck!
YAY!!! I'm so excited you get to see them Thursday!!! Only three days and in time for a new cycle! SWEET!! Glad they were so nice and listened to you.
ReplyDeleteJust read the addendum to the addendum. I'm so glad you decided to look elsewhere. There is just no excuse for rudeness, espcially in a situation where emotions are always heightened.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about your move to Boston this summer and wanted to pass along an idea incase you hadn't thought about it. I know you said your husband would be travelling a lot. Well, the other day when I was going over IVF consent forms with a nurse at my clinic, she mentioned something about if my husband was away and we were using his frozen sperm...so maybe he doesn't need to be there. Just wanted to apass that along in case it helps ease some worry about the unknown.
Oh good!
ReplyDeleteI was worrying about you. Thank goodness for nice nurses.
Hope to hear all about your consult after Thursday. Good luck!
I'm so glad that you've found someone that seems to be much nicer than your previous RE. It sounds like it will be a totally different experience for you. It's so important to have a good relationship with your RE/Nurse. Good luck on Thursday!! :)
ReplyDeleteI just posted a comment on your last post and then came here and it made me smile to see you and your hubby might treat yourself to a more desirable RE. Yay! No one needs to be treated like crap or feel like their opinions are not valued at a doctor's office - especially when you already are dealing with so much!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you are dealing with all of this, but the new clinic sounds like a much better fit for you! I hope everything goes well on Thursday! By the way, I am a pcos patient and I'm currently doing my first injectable cycle. According to my doctor (and what I've seen this cycle) as long as you start off slow with a low dose of injectables you have a pretty good chance of making it to trigger. After tonight I will have stimmed 10 days on 75iu of follistim and I ended up with just one juicy follie... so it IS possible!!! Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteOh I really hope this new place is fantastic!! It sounds like the nurse you talked with was so helpful to you. Hopefully the doctor will be the same way :)
ReplyDeleteOh good, I'm glad you found a better route! GOOD LUCK!!
ReplyDeleteAm from IL and just wondering which clinic you liked ?
ReplyDeleteYou ladies are so wonderful. I seriously don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found this community. Thanks so much for you support, and I will let you all know how Thursday goes!
ReplyDelete@Keya: The clinic I spoke with is called Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago http://www.advancedfertility.com/
I haven't met the doctor yet, but I've heard he is very thorough, knowledgeable, and straight-forward (sometimes to a fault) as well as being widely respected in his field. Also, AFC has an incredibly educational/informative website (which I take to mean they like their patients to be educated) and some of the best IVF statistics around. They have an office in Gurnee, which is about an hour from Chicago, and just South of the WI border, and another satellite office in Crystal Lake, IL. I'm north of Chicago, so I'm going to the Gurnee office.
Hey there, new follower here! Hope you have better luck with the new doctor. Always trust your gut when it comes to questioning what a doctor is telling you to do (which you are fabulously doing). I learned the hard way that everyone is different and your doctor should be trying to 'taylor-make' your treatment to fit you and your body's needs!
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