GCRM V GRI - Scotland

[RMS0209]

Hi all! 👋
I'm just looking for any comments/opinions on either
TFP GCRM Fertility or Glasgow Royal Fertility clinic?
I am looking to book some self funded testing but read some pretty negative reviews for the GCRM.
Thanks in advance! X

I've been assessed by private GCRM and now under treatment in NHS GRI. Some notes that will apply from my experience:

Found GCRM responsive. Professional staff members, quick scheduling of assessments. Easy to get to as is on a non busy road just motorways. Quite pricey.

GRI nurses are all lovely. Response rate is good - never got a call back later than 6 hours after I called. Absolute nightmare to get to and park at, the roads there are always gridlocked and from Glasgow west end the drive has taken approx 40 min every time.

As I said, I didn't have intervention at GCRM but I understand GRI has the better IVF success rate.

Hope this helps @RMS0209 - you might want to post in infertility as well as here.

Hi @TheDaydreamBelievers
Thank you so much for replying to me! Was worried this post wasn't coming up for others.

So sorry just to help make sense... you went private for assessment but have went via NHS for treatment?

GCRM - filled in a self referral on Monday, chased it on Thursday (didn't get a very helpful man) but on Friday a lovely lady phoned and booked in my appointments and talked me through things.

GRI- filled in an application on Saturday and the lady got back to me within 2 hrs and is phoning me on Monday to discuss.

Sounds like you have been quite lucky with both, which is great.
I read some pretty bad/scary reviews for GCRM which is giving me the fear.

A plus side of GCRM is they have a satalie clinic where I live (3.5hrs from Glasgow)
But a plus side of GRI is I've read more positive reviews...

If you had the choice to go to either for treatment would you still choose GRI?

I have posted in that section too. Hopefully hear back from others too

Thanks again! X

@RMS0209 yes, the NHS wait times for assessment were massive even though I have clear issues. We had a miscarriage Nov 2020 and that restarts the NHS wait before they will refer you. The estimated wait list for one assessment procedure was 9months. Getting private assessment has meant when that year was up and we could be referred (Nov 2021), we went straight to treatment (first appt Feb 2022, March 2022 started on letrozole). We will stick with NHS until the 3 rounds of IVF are up then go private if it hasn't worked.

Interestingly, when I first requested private assessment GCRM replied within 2 hours and GRI private arm never responded to either email or telephone call. Very variable experience! There are people on the infertility board having treatment at each private base who can give you more experiences than me ☺️

@TheDaydreamBelievers
I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage.
But I am really happy to hear you are starting to get help now... how are you getting on with the letrozole?

That is interesting we both had different experiences, I just want to make the best decision and finding it so hard to know which one to do.
I have commented on a few posts but if you see any of interest can you tag me in them please.
Thank you so much for replying to me though, means a lot
I'll be sure to let you know what GRI say when they call back tomorrow x

Hi@RMS0209 , can I ask you how did you get on with your IVF journey? I am currently trying to pick between GCRM and GRI, I think I go with GRI as it seems less pricey, I would appreciate if you share your experience. Thanks a lot 🤗x

Hi @TheDaydreamBelievers

I hope all is well with you. Could you please let me know how did everything go with GRI? I am trying to pick between them and GCRM, the second one seems quite expensive, after my last miscarriage tests were done at GRI so I thought it would make sense to go rather with them... Now the things like "waiting list, or failed eggs retrieval or failed everything else" starts scaring the heck out of me.
I would really like some tiny reassurance that they are good? I am about to book the initial consultation with them tomorrow.... Thanks for your input! xx

Hi! @ForeverYoungMe

I am still on this very long journey.
I have picked GCRM, my embryos are currently in storage and I am looking to have my first medicated FET in February.
I never heard back from GRI so I can't comment on them.

GCRM are good, I only find it difficult sometimes to get a nurse to talk to but they always do phone you back but I sometimes it's just not as quick as you'd like it to be! X

If you have any other questions I can try help as best as I can. X

Hi @RMS0209
Thanks a bunch for your reply, appreciated.
Apologies in advance, but I do have so many questions to ask...I would understand if you didn't want to ask them all...
Do you think you could share your age and the reason for treatment, how many eggs/ embryos did they manage to retrieve? I had multiple miscarriages and I am over 40 years old, so I an my partner have decided to stop chancing it and seek for medical support.
What doctor you are with at GCRM? I have booked the initial consultation with scans and blood tests package, but again, so paranoid as there are so many stages where anything can fail... Have all this been stressing you out, how are you coping?
Thank you and I wish you very best luck in this emotional roller-coaster❤.xx

Hi @ForeverYoungMe no problem! I will answer as much as I can.

I am 29, the reason I am getting treatement is from initial scans and blood tests it shows I have PCOS, where I still have a small chance of falling naturally I opted for the IVF to take the stress out of it all. We retrieved 35 eggs, but 15 embryos made it to the freezer, 7 A's and 2B's and 5c's (don't ask me about the grades I'm not sure how that all works) but I take the A's to be good 😊
I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriages, how sad. You are so strong.
The DR I had for egg retrieval was Dr Marco the big boss, I've only spoke to 2 dr's normally I speak to nurses. We had dr Tam for our video call of our results but never spoke to him again.
I started off the exact same as you initial scans and bloods best place to start..once you get the first part done you will honestly be so surprised how fast it all moves,
I'm not so stressed now, I find the waiting most stressful. we attempted a "natrual" cycle in November for transfer but my body didn't respond so we have had to (and are still waiting) for my next cycle as we couldn't do anything over my December cycle with Christmas etc. we are doing a medicated cycle this time around, I am due cycle day 1 around 21st jan. All my medication has arrived so I'm a little more happy that the end goal is in sight. X
If you have any other questions I will help as best as I can/be as honest as I can.
When are your scans and bloods? I am sending you so much luck ❤️ xx

Hi @RMS0209 ,

Thank you for your kind words, appreciated. Omg, you are so young and this amount of retrieved good quality eggs does sound very promising! Have you been TTC before considering the treatment? My bloods and scans are tomorrow (supposed to be like in 2 weeks due to their Christmas backlog but I have asked the call centre lady for any cancellations this Monday and heyho they said someone cancelled theirs tomorrow! ( I guess it's a sign of a good start)). Consultation though is only on Feb the 8th, that's a bit to wait for, it is also with big boss Dr. Marco, I had a look up on him online and he sounds like a miracle doctor.
All articles I read online are shouting Age Age Age issue...I have been pretty fertile, it is just this quality of eggs that I am not able to control... It is hard to keep hoping without keeping your hopes up, if you know what I mean.
I am all finger crossed here that a medicated cycle will help you better, you are a fighter and a very brave one too! Keep it up girl, you got this!❤

@ForeverYoungMe sending you lots of luck today, please do keep me updated xx

Hi @RMS0209 ,
Thank you for checking in with me, that's super kind of you. I went today for the first time to GCRM. Pretty cosy place, very nice lady nurse ( she got the bloods from me no bother the very first time (usually they pierce me like 3 times at least...)) She said that the scan results was normal too (again, for my age), bloods result will come back in a week, I have asked the receptionist to get me on cancellation list for consultation (hoping I could see Dr Marco any earlier, just can't wait to talk to him!⏳) Could you please tell me what medication and for how long you had to do for eggs retrieval?❤xx

Hi there, sorry to jump in but keen to hear how you both go on? I've found the same dilemma between Glasgow Royal and GCRM. I'm 39 approaching 40 with endometriosis and TTC since having my son (naturally he's now 9) TTC on and off from 7 years . I'm in the process of deciding where to go and book in tests... I've no idea how long the journey is following all the initial consultations, however, don't want to get ahead of myself in case I don't have a decent enough egg count. Any information or advice would be great.