NHS say I'm too old at 36...

[BROWNB]

What a smack in the face. I went to my doctor yesterday and said that I have been ttc for a year, and she said that I am too old for fertility assistance on the NHS. Apparently this changed in April this year. I don't know the full extent of this ban on assisting women over 34 (!) with fertility issues, as I was too upset to ask intelligent questions at this point.

I was also complaining of some diffuse lower abdominal pain and super heavy periods however, and so she has signed me up for:

1. Pelvic ultrasound
2. A visit to the gynaecology unit
3. Late cycle hormone test
4. Early cycle hormone test

She also said that when I go see the specialist I should pop into the surgery and collect copies of all my test results... I may have missed a nudge and a wink here as this all sounds like the beginning episodes on exploration of a fertility problem to me...

Although this being "too old" thing is upsetting, am remembering a conversation I had with a friend from the USA about her health insurance. US$1,200 per month, for 80% cover for her, her husband and adult son. OMG.

Oh dear I've just turned 36 and we've just started TTC. Obviously I hope (fervently!) that we won't need assistance, but not great to know it's not available.

However isn't this sort of thing done on a regional basis, ie decided by each local NHS Trust independantly?

Either way, not great, but at least your doctor is helping with your - ahem - other problems :) Good luck with all of it!

Oh No. What a shock for you. That does sound like a very young cut off age. I'm glad your GP is being helpful about your other problems though.

ould self funding assieted fertilty treatments be an option for you?

Can I ask where you live?

I believe it varies from healthcare trust to healthcare trust. Where I live, you can't get IVF until you're 39!

Ah... I see. I will be moving soon too! Too upset to form that question yesterday!

Self funding fertility treatments are something that will be explored in due course I guess. It does help that my doctor is getting me prelim testing done - my guess is that this all adds to the final cost should I need to go private. Ugh! Tick tock.

FetchezLaVache - where do you live...?!

Fetches: where do you live out of interest? Sounds weird that things can vary so enormously between different PCTs.

That can't be right.

No treatment or investigations for fertility-related issues after the age of 34?

I think you could probably take them to court.

You might not be entitled to IVF, but to refuse to investigate health problems on the basis of your age is clear discrimination.

Your GP must have this wrong.

Am not sure what the extent of the ban is... As I say - I didn't ask too many questions as I was shocked and ... crying. Am guessing that the investigation is okay, but the IVF is not. But, as I say, I didn't ask all these sensible questions.

Well then you need to go back with a list of the sensible questions and ask them.

You are a long way from IVF - there are other investigations and treatments before you would attempt that.

Best of luck with everything.

When my sister was in your situation she decided that all was bleak and so she and her DH got a car and a convertible.

She was treated with Clomid and now has two toddlers squashed into the damn convertible and a cat that doesn't know what happened to his nice quiet life.

It's early days. Don't assume worst case scenario yet.

(I say this as someone who has a cancer ? at the moment, so I'm really trying to take my own advice).

Skidoodly - I am awfully sorry to hear that.

Am new to mn and am finding so many positive and intelligent suggestions, that I wouldn't have considered.

Very grateful to all..

Hi Brown, excuse the french but your GP is talking utter bollox!! The NICE guidelines state that ..."all infertile women aged between 23 and 39 should be offered three cycles of treatment for free on the NHS" However, the catch is that pct's get to determine how they operate within those guidelines! You will need to contact your local PCT and ask for a copy of their service level agreement for infertility!

In the meantime, this article released June this year (after the alleged change in the guidelines)... may be of comfort to you and many others!

click here

good luck hon x

Don't worry, it's not all positivity and intelligence around here :o

Received!!

Sent an email to the PCT requesting more information.

I hope that the PCT are helpful in giving you further clarification. Would also have a look at the NICE guidelines too.

Re your comment:-

"I was also complaining of some diffuse lower abdominal pain and super heavy periods however, and so she has signed me up for:

1. Pelvic ultrasound
2. A visit to the gynaecology unit
3. Late cycle hormone test
4. Early cycle hormone test"

If your diffuse lower abdominal pain is cyclical this certainly should be investigated further. However, if for example endometriosis is the root cause of the pain neither the blood tests or ultrasound scans will detect this. Bear that in mind if the blood tests and ultrasound scans do not reveal anything like fibroids (these can cause heavy bleeding).

Couple of other points:

1. our local authority (at the time) did not fund any IVF - however, my GP wrote me a prescription for the drugs. This saved about £800 and then meant we just paid for the treatment cycle (about £800). Always worth asking if GP would be willing to do this. (However, we then missed out when IVF became free as no one who had completed a cycle of IVF was eligible - grrr.)

2)Appeal - it is a young age and you might just get it paid for on a case by case basis so that you do not complain of lottery postcode discrimination.

3. Consider egg share - you will get very cheap treatment and you sound a good candidate.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Harrogate. You are eligible from 39 to 39 and a half. No exceptions. Great, eh? My BF has a condition that means every cycle counts and they won't relax the rules for her, even though they've told her she'll have virtually nae chance by the time she's 39.

Sorry to hijack the thread, btw...

Hmm, really ?? What area do you live in, you could check with your PCT as to their guidelines re assistance? I am 37, when I went to my Dr (in Essex) (I was 36 then) she told me it was 36 - 40 in Essex but (at the time, don't know if its changed) 30 - 36 in Suffolk (and we are only a few minutes from Suffolk, phew), so each PCT may have different guidelines.

Don't let them fob you off, keep investigating.

Thanks guys. Am looking forward to see the gynaecologist next month. Will play it by braille.

I've received the guidelines from the PCT and they make depressing reading. Here's the excerpt that scuppers me for good even if the age thing could be argued:

"IVF (NHS Sutton & Merton Specific Policy)
Couples will be eligible for one fresh cycle (NHS funded) only

"Neither partner must have any living children from this or
previous relationships (including adopted children)

"As funding for assisted conception is limited, priority will be given to couples with the greatest need."

My DP has a son from a previous relationship. Ugh.

Anyway - two points. I'm only just starting the investigations here. Hopefully I won't need IVF.

And - I'm moving soon. Maybe to Essex?

BrownB that's awful and so unfair and very worrying to those of us that left TCC until later on. I'm almost 32 and have also just started TCC... I wish you lots of luck and hope you get the help you need.

Please don't worry too much Bats. Obviously you have time left - even on the NHS clock!! I think your best bet is to make a few plans now. Like for instance, if you don't fall immediately, go to the doctor in (for instance) month three and LIE!! (Say you've been trying for a year I reckon.) Then you can start all the nonsense we're all up to - BBT charts, OPK's (do you even know what these acronyms mean..?!) and endless pregnancy tests..!

You probably won't need it though. Whatever you do though - don't fret...!

I'm learning quickly that it's a whole new world and language. As far as OH is concerned we're not trying for baby we're just seeing what happens, so for now i'm all relaxed but give me a couple more months and I'm sure the frustration and fretting with kick in!

Good luck! To everyone...!!

Brown - seems like your gp is getting you the testing started, and if you can get paper copy of your results you can use them if you go privately for further testing or treatment,which will save you a lot of money! Having an uptodate smear and chlymdia test is needed to before fertility clinic will do much more - all of which you can get from your nurses at gp clinic.

Brown, sorry to hear you are ttcing for so long, and are facing such difficulty..

My health insurance is 2000 euros a year and we pay 110 euros max in any month for any prescribed meds.

All IVF and ICSI and IUI are private if you earn over 36K here.

Which is why most of my friends have gone to Spain for very cheap cycles (some with donated eggs).

Best of luck with it - maybe investigate moving - I hear things vary quite a bit across the UK. And investigate going to Spain for your IVF cycles, if you can't find a cheap one in the UK?