IVF James Cook, Middlesbrough 2021?

[Pippya]

Is anyone currently or about to start IVF treatment at James Cook, Middlesbrough? We’ve just had our top of the waiting list appointment for Feb which was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances and is now end of March. 😩 Time is not on my side so feeling really anxious

@Pippya

I am awaiting my top of the list appointment in Feb, not had any correspondence yet but I am guessing like yours it will likely be cancelled and rearranged. Did they call or send you a letter?

Hi, I phoned them earlier in the week and she said they were running to schedule and my estimated time for starting treatment would be May after my initial top of the waiting list appointment in Feb. However, yesterday I received a letter explaining that this appointment had been cancelled. Which consultant are you with?

@LS14

Sorry forgot to tag you in the post

Oh, sorry to hear that it changed so quickly. It feels like we wait forever but hoping we get there in the end.
I actually don’t know who my consultant is, we have been referred over from another consultant as they don’t do IVF at our local unit, so this would by my first appointment at James Cook (already had all the tests and reviews etc). They told me my appointment details over the phone before Christmas but still waiting on any appointment letters. I’m going to call them on Monday.

@LS14

I called them today and she said there’s a batch of information packs ready to be sent out. I’m guessing they will be ours. After the top of the list appointment she said you have to book in for a phone call appointment to book in your IVF dates. Unfortunately these phone call appointments have been paused due to Covid so there might be a delay. Hopefully not for long!

@Pippya hopefully the Covid situation will improve soon and any delays will be minimal. I’d like to think the telephone appointments will be up and running again by the end of March (with any luck). I suspect it’s because they will have reduced theatre availability for egg retrieval with the number of patients with covid.
Trying hard to remain positive . Hope you’re doing ok x

@LS14

Yes you’re probably right. I need to be more positive! keep me posted on any updates

@pippya, will do, you too 🙂

Sorry to jump on, but I am awaiting our first appointment with Infertility at James Cook! Didn’t expect to see anyone posting about it on here! Hope your appointments are soon!
We’ve had a few tests with our GP and this will be the first appointment with a specialist. Having seen your messages I’m wondering if this might be postponed too!
It’s not clear yet what help we might need but I’m just wondering if you could give me any info on what to expect from the very first appointment? Thanks in advance 😊

@Ariel12345

Hi! I was referred to JC by my GP in June/July last year. We had our first appointment in October and he basically just went through all the tests we had done at our GP surgery to see if he could pinpoint any potential fertility issues. He then sent me off to have a hsg test and internal scan and I had a phone appointment in December with the results. I don’t see why your appointment wouldn’t go ahead. I think it’s probably just the egg retrieval side of things that they are having to keep to a minimum.

@Ariel12345 hi, no problem at all. I didn’t have my first appointment at James Cook, but my first fertility appointment was by telephone, lots of questions about medical history, social/family history, how long we had been trying etc. Then we were referred for some more tests including ultrasound and hysterosalpingogram (a test to check for any blockages in Fallopian tubes). They may also repeat your bloods and refer your OH for bloods and semen sample too. Hope that helps.

Haha, Sorry we must have been typing at the same time!
Hopefully they will keep your appointment as @Pippya said, I think it will be the egg retrieval and transfers that are mainly affected

Morning @Pippya and @LS14 thank you for your replies and information! Really helpful. It’s always good to know in advance isn’t it.
Hope your appointments aren’t delayed at all/ for too long, and best of luck for your future treatments xx

You too

Hi,

I see this thread from back in January. My treatment was due to start Feb but was also cancelled but it has just started up again and moving a long pretty quickly. Just wondering how you were getting on and if you got started with yours @Pippya. X

Hi! @Belle0508 I had my top of the waiting list appointment this week so we’ve signed all the paperwork and she said it’s looking like my treatment will start late summer so not too long to wait! When do you think you will start your treatment? X

How are you getting on @LS14?

Just had my plan appointment and starting on injections on Sunday. I'm feeling quite overwhelmed by it all but I'm sure I'll be ok once I start with them. Yes it will come round really quick even with the delay once they've done the paper work and give you the start date it seems to suddenly, all begin very quickly. X

Oh wow that’s exciting! You will have to let me know how you get on. I felt totally overwhelmed by the top of the waiting list appointment so god knows what I’ll be like when I start treatment! She didn’t really tell me what to expect next she just said a nurse will be ringing me then I guess they show me how to do injections etc?

@Pippya I wasn't sure exactly what the steps were either. I don't really know of anyone who has been through IVF at least in recent years and I think I get quite anxious I'm going to forget something or get something wrong. Once they said it was going ahead, I had to ring on the first day of my cycle and they booked me in for a blood test that week then I had to ring the same day for results and they booked me in for my appointment to go through my plan they gave me a bag with all the injections and things and I had to get a prescription for buserilin. (I'm on long protocol and I have regular periods so no other medication was needed at this point) I just have to start my injections on day 21 of my cycle and ring when my next period starts.

@Pippya they also showed me how to do the Buserilin injection while I was there.

Hi @Pippya, I’m good thanks, hope you are too. We have now had our plan agreed and signed the paperwork, I have to phone with my May cycle and then they will give me an appointment for us both to attend and have everything explained re injections etc. I’ve been told that appointment lasts an hour or so, which I’m pleased to know in advance so I can be prepared for it. Then all being well we will start treatment in June. I’m pleased to say time seems to be passing quickly (without wanting to wish time away!). It is an overwhelming process isn’t it, there’s a lot to take in at each stage. I’m just pleased to be moving forward.

@Belle0508 wishing you lots of luck. I hope it all goes well for you. Keep us updated x

Fantastic news! Things seem to be moving pretty quickly then. You can both fill me in on how everything goes! Wishing you both lots of luck! X

@Pippya thanks. do you know which protocol you’re going to be on? I’ll be on short protocol. x

@Pippya @LS14 Wishing you both lots of luck too. I will keep you updated 😊. X