Is ARCG worth it? Should I stick with Kings?

[Sop76]

Hi all, I've had two rounds of IVF at Kings and am currently miscarrying at 8 weeks sadly. I also had brief success with an FET last cycle but it was ectopic (lost left tube). After a break to recover from this miscarriage I am going for one final IVF cycle (no money left or emotional energy and nearly 40!) There have been a few crap things at Kings and I don't think they are very individually tailored and I'm thinking of throwing everything at it and going to ARCG - can anyone tell me how expensive the average cycle is? Also can you do this and work full time - seems full on? Or should I stick with Kings as I am getting pregnant and may have just been unlucky with ectopic and miscarriage. Any advice?

[cheapredwine]

ARGC can be very expensive, mainly from immune treatment if you do it. One cycle cost us £27k give or take - but they got me pregnant and two embryos frozen. It's worth it IMHO, especially if it really is your last shot. That was the case with us. No, while you in the second week of stims you won't be able to work full time. If you're able to work remotely, you could muddle through at about 75% I'd say. But simply finding secure reliable wifi round there is quite tricky especially as you need to be close to clinic and somewhere with phone signal. Happy to answer any questions you have about ARGC, you're welcome to PM if you prefer. Good luck OP

[johendy]

I think if it's your last shot then you should change clinics. You don't want to look back with regrets and wish you'd tried something different. I've also heard that Kings are more formulaic than others.

From what I've learnt, ARGC is fabulous but perhaps more worth the money if your reason for infertility, or response to treatment, is particularly complex. Given you've responded well initially, that might not be you?

I was with the Lister who I really rate. That was about £8k for an ICSI cycle with a frostie. It worked second cycle and I'm going back next month for the frostie.

Sorry that is been so tough so far. All the best for a successful 3rd cycle!

[Mothersruin75]

I went to ARGC for my fifth round of Ivf (after 2 fresh icsi, 2 FETs). I responded very well to treatment at my first clinic, they just couldn't answer why I wasn't getting pregnant. I'd had enough of the well we'll try our standard protocol. There were no blood tests at all to check my hormone levels!

I can't rate ARGC highly enough, the cycle was specially tailored for me, they looked at every possible angle. I had humira before starting and then ivig whilst I was stimming. So with the icsi, humira & ivig on top of the normal treatment it came to around 17k.

I work full time, I was able to do my bloods for the first week of stims at 7am then would head into the office - am in the Home Counties. Took two weeks off as sick leave for the second week of stims and ec and transfer. Had a day 3 & day 5 transfer. I told my boss why I was having the time off and she was very understanding. I did manage some work in The Natural Kitchen on the Marylebone High Street. I also made a great bunch of friends who were all cycling at the same time and we're still in touch now.

My cycle with ARGC was successful, my beautiful twins are fast asleep in the next room. It must have been immune issues for me as 7 months after having them I fell pregnant naturally. My DH had v high levels of Antisperm Antibodies which is why we had icsi. I'm so very grateful to ARGC, literally send them a silent prayer daily. It was our very last attempt, financially and emotionally we felt if it didn't work there it wouldn't anywhere and we'd drawn a line at the end of this treatment.

[Mothersruin75]

Sop76 - I am so very sorry about your miscarriage