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Conception

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Original poster

Denied Clomid because PCT say I am overweight

114 replies

heartmoonshadow · 10/07/2008 16:13

I am really upset my GP thinks Clomid is the answer to my infertility. Shesent me to an infertility clinic who took one look at me and said go away and lose 4 stone come back in 6 months. I had a bit of an arguement with the doctor asking him about equal opportunity laws - he said it is PCT decision. Which reading between the lines means it is a way of saving money. Anyone know a PCT who will allow Clomid to overweight women. If so I will ask doc to refer me to them.

thanks

OP posts:
witchandchips · 10/07/2008 16:18

my guess is it could have been a clinical decision based on safety and chances of success rather than simply saying that large women do not deserve help. I do think you've a right to more information though

lulumama · 10/07/2008 16:20

weight does affect fertility? the PCT cannot fund everything for everyone, and must have to make decisions every day about who gets what. i am so sorry, must be so disappointing.

Dropdeadfred · 10/07/2008 16:21

Gives you a great incentive though..so that if you do get help you will be so much fitter and healthier when Pg

lauralou1 · 10/07/2008 16:24

hi heartmoonshadow

i am over weight and my consultant said i cant have it then i went back to him 3 weeks later and demanded it and he gave me it i am now waiting to start my second course of clomid what weight are you if you dont mind me asking

Original poster
heartmoonshadow · 10/07/2008 16:33

Hi laura lou,

I am 4 stone above the 'ideal' for the treatment - interesting that you demanded it which centre did you use? I am hopeful that as he said 6 months and made the appointment there and then that he may move slightly on the actual final weight as it is impossible to lose 4 stone in a healthy manner in such a short time. I am also fed up because he has not taken family trends into consideration - in comparison to my cousins and aunts I am Twiggy!

OP posts:
Dropdeadfred · 10/07/2008 16:37

Do you want to lose weight any way or would you be doing it purely on his instructions?

lauralou1 · 10/07/2008 16:38

hi hms

i am in liverpool arrowe park hospital my bmi is 39 and they said it needs to be 35 is that what they said to you have you got any kids ?
i have got pcos aswell

CaptainKarvol · 10/07/2008 16:38

hms, I know it sounds harsh, but comparison to your family or any one else is not the point. Why you are overweight is not an issue. Your own weight and health is the point. Being overweight affects the chances of the treatment working, and of a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Beetroot · 10/07/2008 16:40

6 months is not long - and what a fabulous incentive.

do you need/want help in losing the weight?

what are you thoughts in how lyou are going to do it?

Lighterlife is a good way to lose it fast adn be supported.

Original poster
heartmoonshadow · 10/07/2008 16:40

Hi Lauralou,

They did not say anything about BMI pureply told me what weight I need to get to. I also have pcos. I asked for help with the wieght loss and got short shrift. I don't have any kids.

Also Drop dead fred I would be doing the weight loss purely on his instructions, of course I would like to be slimmer but to be honest it is not easy for me to lose weight. Unlike if I smoked I cannot just stop eating.

OP posts:
hanaflowerisnothana · 10/07/2008 16:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dropdeadfred · 10/07/2008 16:42

I wasn't suggesting it was easy Heartmoonshadow - but you do have a really strong reason for aiming to lose it..unlike the somewhat nore shallow reasons we often lose weight for like a new dress or a bikini for holidays....

Original poster
heartmoonshadow · 10/07/2008 16:44

Basically my husband (who is ideal weight BMI perfect by the way) who eats what he wants when he wants loads of cheese, chocolate and other fattening things. Says he will help me (the one who eats fresh fruit, salads vegetables and a fairly heathly diet, I don't drink or smoke either!) by cutting out stuff. But I think this is unfair - I think I need to excercise we are going to go for a walk every night at 730 instead of watching a soap. I am also going to diary what I eat to see where I go wrong. I am also going to go to GP and ask her advice.

OP posts:
wannaBe · 10/07/2008 16:45

weight affects fertility though. And it can also affect your cycle so it is entirely possible that if you were to lose weight you may be likely to fall pregnant naturally.

Unless you have a medical condition which means you are overweight and unable to diet I think they are well within their rights to refuse tbh.

They can't fund everything, and if there are certain factors which limit the chances of success then I see nothing wrong with refusing on those grounds. It's good insentive to lose the weight and be fitter and healthier for any upcoming pregnancy.

Beetroot · 10/07/2008 16:45

well you need ot get support

lighterlife
your doctor
weight watchers

you can do it
and you will feel so much beter for it

lauralou1 · 10/07/2008 16:45

hms my consultant has refered me to a dietician one on one as he doesnt think group sessions agood enough i have my first consultation with her on wednesday why dont you phone you fertility clinic and ask about something like that they dont seem to understand that it is a lot harder for people with pcos to lose wght

hoold are you ?

Beetroot · 10/07/2008 16:46

lighterlife

Beetroot · 10/07/2008 16:47

weightwatchers

NorthernLurker · 10/07/2008 16:47

I suspect the PCT have this as a criteria because being overweight can affect fertility. Why would you expect them to pay for a drug - which is not without side effects - when there is another factor that you could tun in your favour instead. You should get support with this though - ask your GP to refer you to a dietician. What about exercise? I find cycling a fabulous way of exercising - I get to sit down and I get everywhere much quicker!! Good Luck - I hope you get pregnant very, very soon

Original poster
heartmoonshadow · 10/07/2008 16:48

Hi girls,

I know what you are saying about a healthy pregnancy etc. But I have to say recently I have had a myriad of tests done blood etc as we all probably have and they have all come back perfectly within a normal range for cholestrol etc. I think my GP was upset she could not call me a diabetic - she was shocked at how clear the bloods were for Cholestrol etc and redid them. So inside I am pretty healthy. I also have according the specialist today a perfect hip to waist to bust ratio - by no means a perfect weight but a very good chance that I do not store fat on my major organs - I am hour glass shaped. There is just a case of a me being half a day instead of 1 hour!

I am just depressed and the problem with that is ........ it makes me want to eat chocolate!

OP posts:
Beetroot · 10/07/2008 16:50

you need to stop being in denial!

go on - start today!

minouminou · 10/07/2008 16:50

Just think, this is something which is at least partly under your control, no consultant telling you what to do...you lose your weight by yourself for yourself
start today, and who knows...you may not need any intervention at all by the time the 6 months are up.

Dropdeadfred · 10/07/2008 16:52

Nothing wrong with eating choccy if you exercise to burn it off...

lauralou1 · 10/07/2008 16:53

hi hannahflowerisnahana

are you on clomid ?

bran · 10/07/2008 16:56

Lauralou1, if you have PCOS has your GP mentioned Metformin to you? It's a drug that is used for type 2 diabetes but it has been used in the last few years for women with PCOS who have trouble loosing weight. It doesn't actually make you loose weight but does help your body respond better to dieting.