IF I decide to go to an RE?

Hi ladies...

I have been TTC for 1 year and 2 months. On the one year mark I went to see a new GYN (my GYN and his nurse practitioner left the practice) and told her my history. She sent me for CD 3 bloodwork, HSG, midcycle sonogram and DH did a semen analysis.

My LH level was higher than my FSH which can indicate PCOS:
FSH - 5.5
LH - 6.80

Everything else was in normal range including DH semen analysis. The sonogram showed some follies but not the "string of pearls" of PCOS. My cycles were 41 days consistently for 7 months until recently where I have had 2 cycles not back to back that were 34 and 31 days.

My GYN suggested I use OPKs for 6 cycles and then come back if I don't get pregnant. This is my third cycle. The first one I got a surge early (CD11) and then I stopped testing then AF showed up on CD 42. Last cycle I got a surge on CD 13 and then again on CD 24 and then AF showed up on CD 31.

I called the GYN and she said to continue testing for the next 4 cycles and then come in...I don't know if I should just bypass this and go see an RE...

1) should I?
2) Will I have to do the same tests again?

Thanks girls.

Message edited 6/19/2007 9:20:05 AM.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

you mean your LH was higher than your fsh? She did not give you a glucose tolerance test?

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

I also had to make the decision recently to try for a while longer (suggested by my former obgyn) or go to a specialist. I chose the specialist and I've only been TTC #2 for 3 months. I have very long and irregular cycles and many symptoms of PCOS yet I ovulate on my own and my bloodwork came back completely normal. The symptoms and irregular cycles were enough for me to decide that I didn't want to waste any time only to find out later down the line that I should have sought help sooner. I recently had a consultation with a specialist and he is 99% sure that I have PCOS based on my cycles and symptoms. I will go in for further testing soon.

I am not a patient person and I knew there was something wrong, so I decided to act sooner, rather then later. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

Honestly I would go to an RE if I were you. Technically if you have been TTC for one year or more you are "infertile" according to most insurance plans, etc. I don't think that after 14 months you should spend 4 more months just doing the OPKs since, from what you describe, you are getting multiple surges,etc. If you do have (or even if you don't have) PCOS sometimes the OPK results can be screwed up.
And yes an RE would do those same tests but your Ob/Gyn should send the results to your RE so you won't have to re-do them. If it is the case that you need an RE eventually (like after four months of the OPKs like your doc says) to try other things like Clomid or IUI then you might as well go for it now IMO.
Good luck!!!

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

If I want to go to a RE....do I tell my GYN and she refers me? or Do I find one on my own?

Is this something you do with your GYN or do you go without telling them? I feel bad going over her head...am I stupid for feeling this way?

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

I think it depends on your insurance. I went to an RE about 2 years ago before TTC, I asked my Gyn for a reco and she was fine with it. At that time I needed a referral for my insurance.

After that my insurance changed and I don't need a referral anymore - so I recently chose a new RE, went to him and haven't told my Gyn yet about it. I will tell her at my next appointment but I figure since she sent me to a different one in the first place she shouldn't care either way.

My personal feeling is that Ob/Gyn's are great when you don't have problems TTC and for seeing through pregnancy and childbirth, etc. But when there may be a problem TTCing, I feel that someone who has been through extensive special training can be more of a help. If you feel uncomfortable talking to your Gyn about seeing an RE (and believe me I understand that b/c you think they might feel like you don't trust them or that they're not doing the right thing or something), can you just say that you want a consultation just in case you may need it down the road? Your gyn is someone you will need forever, I don't think they should be bothered by you wanting some extra help for this one part of your life.

Good luck!

ETA: Glucose tolerance test is different from regular bloodwork. I had a 2 hour glucose test - you fast, then go to the lab, drink some sugary stuff and they take your blood a bunch of times to see how you process the glucose. Many people who have PCOS also have blood sugar problems, although mine was normal. The test was annoying but not bad.

Message edited 6/19/2007 11:01:06 AM.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

Thank you Carolyn for all of the info.

You are so right...I really like my GYN and I felt she did what she was suppose to by sending me for all the tests. And I understand why she wants me to use the OPKs because since my periods are irregular I don't know when I am ovulating and it could just be timing. And she told me the next step would be taking Clomid.

But I've been reading a lot of the threads here and a RE seems to be the smart way to go since there job is to deal with infertility.

I don't need a referral to see a doctor...so maybe I should start going on my own..

any suggestions for an RE that is in the Garden City, Mineola, area? Winthrop affiliated.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

You have FM.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

Posted by calendargrl

Posted by LovingLife

If I want to go to a RE....do I tell my GYN and she refers me? or Do I find one on my own?

Is this something you do with your GYN or do you go without telling them? I feel bad going over her head...am I stupid for feeling this way?

It wouldn't hurt if you ask your gyn to refer you to one. Don't feel bad, you have to do what's best for you. I hope you get your bfp soon.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

I agree with the other girls. I think you should see an RE. Even though you "normally" have periods that are 41 days, that is not "normal." Sometimes Clomid and other fertility medications can assist with that, but it sounds like there's more to it. It sounds like a luteal phase defect if you're Oing on day 11 or 12 or even 14 and getting periods at 41 days. After you O, you should get your period within 14-16 days, otherwise you're considered to have a LPD. This is just what I've read since it seems that I have the same thing.

Just wanted to wish you lots of luck on whatever you decide to do. Let us know if you have any questions or need referrals, but I think the best bet is to ask your regular GYN for a doctor s/he recommends.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

If I were you yes I would definately go to an RE, don't waste any time. I would imagine that the RE may well want you to repeat some tests, depends how long ago the tests were run. Good luck to you

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

Loving Life,
I recently started seeing Dr. Braverman. He is part of SIRM. They have a Garden City office and are affiliated with Winthrop. Dr. Braverman isn't an RE, but an obgyn that specializes in infertility. He recently retired from his obgyn practice and just deals with infertility. I liked him a lot.

www.haveababy.com

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

That's so funny! You know what? I have no idea who else works in his office! I only saw Dr. Braverman for a consultation. I'll probably meet everyone else when I go back for testing this weekend.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

I just left a message for my doctor asking her for a referral. I also left her the names of 4 different doctors that I have read good things about on here.

1) Dr. Flisser
2) Dr. Brenner
3) Dr. Rosenfeld
4) Dr. Braverman

So girls...I hope you don't mind me joining you on this side.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

Posted by GabsMom

That's so funny! You know what? I have no idea who else works in his office! I only saw Dr. Braverman for a consultation. I'll probably meet everyone else when I go back for testing this weekend.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

It seems you've already gotten good advice.
I would definitely see an RE - they will be much more aggressive with treatment than an OB-GYN.
I hope your stay here is short!!!

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

I just got back from my RE visit. we have been trying to conceive for 8 months and he said that even though infertility is defined after a year, if i have regular cycles and have not gotten pregnant during the 8 months the probability that something is wrong is high. and sure enough something is wrong, now i at least know what it is and can do something about it.

anyway i would definitely make an appointment. i bipassed my regular gyn and went right to a specialist.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

Thanks again ladies....I am scared to take this step..scared of the things I am going to find out, scared of the road I am going to take, scared of just about everything right now. But its so comforting to know I have people to talk to, ask questions to, or just get support from here.

Re: IF I decide to go to an RE?

I agree, you should go now. I requested copies of all my records and test results from my gyn and brought them to the RE. He did not repeat the tests my gyn did (blood tests, sonohysterogram). When I called for my records I told the receptionist that is has been a year so I was moving on to a specialist.