please help - am i doing the right thing...

Let me first say that I am totally overwhelmed so I'm sorry if I ramble...

DH and I have been TTC for a while now...DS #1 was unplanned so we really can not reference how long we TTC with baby #1.

I finally found a high risk OB that I loved - Victor Klein in Great Neck...he ran some basic bloodwork and a few things came back out of whack - prolactin levels and TSH (thyroid). We never got to do CD3 bloodwork...so I can't speak for that...

We continued to try on our own but my cycles are rather irregular so he referred me to East Coast Fertility... I lucked out and got an appt right away due to a cancellation. I received my "packet" today and I am totally overwhelmed. We have some very mild fertility issues but it seems as though East Coast Fert is really BIG on IVF - something we are just not ready for. It would take A LOT of consideration before we even go that route.

I guess what I'm asking is - is an office like East Coast Fert purely for those with large scale fertility issues? Will they be able to treat my hormone issues and irregular ovulation or would I be better off with an OB that is willing to do this?

Thank you for any advice...

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

I don't know particulars of EastCoast b/c I don't go there. But I just wanted to wish you luck, and you need to find a RE that YOU and your DH feel comfortable with.

Good luck and I hope you stay is short!

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

Can I ask why they haven't done any CD3 bloods before he's referring you to an RE that seems to specialize in IVF?
I would either seek a second opinion or tell him you'd like CD3 bloods before moving on.
Did they do any tests on your DH to see if you're dealing w/ MF as well? GL!

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

DH had a SA done and we are awaiting the results on that...I should have them next week...

Dr Klein's words to me when I saw him last week were "you have a hormone problem - i can tell u that, but I can't treat that..." I don't know why he was so quick to brush me off to a RE - I would have liked him to run more tests but in the end he said anything he runs will be rerun by the RE anyways and we already know there is a hormone issue...

Dr Klein casually said at the end you're not an IVF candidate...then when East Coast Fert? I have to call on Monday b/c at this point I feel like that is all they do...

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

ABSOLUTELY go get a second opinion

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

You have FM.h

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

It sounds like they are planning to kill a fly with a sledgehammer.

There are lots of things they can try before IVF.

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

I have never been to that RE... but what made you think that they are very big on IVF?

I know that for my RE, we had to fill out a TON of paperwork and have many tests done and IVF was definitely not the first step in terms of treatment.

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

I got the packet today which is about as thick as a small phone book and everything regarding billing/charges relates to IVF...

Maybe b/c that is the most expensive aspect of infertility...

Maybe you are right and I am just being anxious and on edge b/c of everything going on...

I have to talk to them on Monday to find out whether any blood tests they run will come out of the lifetime max my insurance allots for IVF or if the labs/bloodwork just count as reg stuff...does anyone know?

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

Yeah, definitely talk to them. I kinda felt that way at mine at the beginning, but I think sometimes b/c like you said - the expense and insurance, they try to be up front and educate you on everything and they're numb to the fact that you may not want to hear or learn about it unless necessary. Have your appt. and see, it would be surprising if they jumped right to IVF. Good luck to you!!!

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

From past experience, I do think East Coast tends more towards IVF.
But I also think they are bypassing some very significant testing.
You must have a CD3 blood test before doing anything. That's the quantitive test regarding all your levels. Any other time in your cycle is just not definitive enough.
I would definitely go for another opinion. There are enough RE's on LI that you should be able to get an appointment in the near future.
They should be explaining what tests they will run, what procedures they will start with and what the progression will be from one procedure to the next BEFORE they start handing you booklets to fill out. The point of meeting with the RE is to find out how he is going to address your issues and what exactly your issues may be.

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

I never went to East Coast but did get their "packet". It was very overwhelming but I have found most of the larger practices have these pre-visit packets for you to fill out. It gives the RE something to look at just before/while meeting with you. I think all the financial stuff is just CYA for them and has nothing to do with what kind of treatment they are leaning toward. That can't be determined until they meet with you and start running tests.
I agree that the paperwork itself can put you over the edge...hang in there, the anticipation of that first RE visit is much worse then how it actually goes!!


Shawnna

Re: please help - am i doing the right thing...

i do believe that an RE is best for hormonal issues but i do think you should get an another opinion from an RE. I definitely recommend dr rosenfeld at NSUH