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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Anyone experienced IVF at Guys?

11 replies

Janefx40 · 02/03/2018 16:18

We have just been offered an NHS cycle of ICSI which is great. We have previously done one privately funded cycle elsewhere.

Anyone got any experience of Guys who can fill me in? I'm trying to work out whether to take this cycle or pay again for private (I know that sounds mad but we are short on time). Also would be good to know whether they move quickly enough on the NHS side to catch my next cycle in April!

Thanks xxx

OP posts:
wombats · 02/03/2018 17:17

Hi Jane, I've had a cycle with Guy's. My CCG didn't have a waiting list so I was seen fairly quickly (referred by GP in Dec, intake appt Jan, repeat SA and HSG in Feb, EC April). They told us we could actually start sooner but we waited as I didn't feel ready. I'm not sure whether that might be slow compared to private, and whether you might be able to speed the process along as you've already had a cycle and presumably some of the preliminary testing. But if you're worried about time, you might want to ring them and ask as they'll be able to tell you how long it might take with your CCG.

I found the experience to be pretty straightforward. Wasn't too personalised but felt we were well taken-care of when we had some complications (unrelated to their care). Only thing that was a bit of a palaver was when they told us (incorrectly) we had lost our NHS funding, mid-cycle! Was a good few days of panic and back and forth before it was corrected but otherwise found them to be fine. Their success rates on HFEA are comparable with other clinics in London though I believe they do turn away some NHS funded patients if you have a lower chance of success (age, BMI, AMH etc.) Thought some of the consultants were fab, others a bit patronising, but all are active in IVF research so we felt they were making good recommendations, though it is a bit one size fits all.

The one drawback, and I'm not entirely certain if it's true, is that they seem to have a bit of a two tier system, and I believe private patients are given more options (will see lead consultant for all visits, earlier/later appointment times, etc.). I suspect this based on waiting area observations but don't have any actual proof!

Feel free to PM me if you've got more questions. xx

Janefx40 · 02/03/2018 17:56

Thanks @wombats it's really good to hear from someone who's actually been there.

I've done all the tests as you say. I think it's just a question of waiting for my CCG to stamp the paperwork. Nightmare for them to say you have lost funding mid-cycle but glad they changed their mind!

I may well PM you when I think of more questions

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Summerloving17 · 02/03/2018 17:59

Hi,

I’ve been with Guys for over 3 years now, as an NHS and now private patient and actually the service isn’t any different (apart from now I have to pay!!). The lead consultant option the previous poster mentioned is like the top tier of private that you pay extra for and I didn’t do. The appointment times are actually the same for everyone and they don’t answer the phone quicker either!!!

It is very busy and I have had mixed experiences, however most of the staff are really caring and I guess as it is an NHS clinic it means they aren’t just in it for the money!! PM me if you have any specific questions. I am planning to have a FET in May and am meeting with CRGH before deciding whether to stay at Guys or move Xx

Janefx40 · 02/03/2018 18:05

Thanks @Summerloving17 it's great to hear from someone else who's experienced it (and put the NHS/private question to rest!). Sorry you've been there so long tho...

Can I ask how often they saw you during stims and what sort of times the appts are? I've a feeling that I may need more time off work at Guys even tho my other clinic (ARGC) saw me more often

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Summerloving17 · 02/03/2018 18:12

@janefx40 I went in after stimming for 4 days (Saturday morning for bloods) then every two days before egg collection the following Monday. I would say they were insanely busy on a Friday - I ended up staying there for 4 hours to get my bloods and scan done, however that was a one off. My egg collection was on time and embryo transfer only 30mins late. I’m not sure how that compares to ARGC xx

Summerloving17 · 02/03/2018 18:13

The appointment times were always in the day- between 8 and 6pm, weekends were always am. They aren’t very flexible with the slots as they are so busy! xx

wombats · 02/03/2018 18:26

Summer, I hope you don't mind my asking, but what was your ET like? The other drawback with Guy's was that some of the medics we saw were still in training (high level specialty training but...) so our ET was done by one of the trainees. It felt so quick and I've worried that perhaps it wasn't done correctly.

Janefx40 · 03/03/2018 09:05

Thanks for all the info. At ARGC they see you daily but they do all bloods and scans 7:30-8:30am so you can get to work on time afterwards. I feel a bit nervous about a one size fits all approach as I reacted really strongly to the drugs last time and they had to drastically reduce the doses. Hoping Guys don't miss that if they check less often.

But then they have the data from my last cycle so hopefully will be aware of that.

The clinic downstairs have been slow sending my paperwork over so I think I will miss my April cycle since they haven't been able to apply for funding yet. Not sure how I feel about missing a cycle. Also hoping they don't insist on an hsg as not had one previously and that would delay me further

Just desperate to get on as I'm nearly 41!

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JaimesGoldenHand · 03/03/2018 09:16

I had 1 x IVF and 2 x FET at Guys. All initially successful although the first FET didn't ultimately work out. I did have the consultant-led care. It was great and the consultant was brilliant.

I have to say I didn't fully understand the options when I first went or I might have gone for a different option. But by then of course we were desperate and we could afford it so thought why not pay extra and never worry, if it didn't work out, if things would have been different if we'd paid.

The team as a whole were excellent IME.

Janefx40 · 03/03/2018 09:41

Thanks @JaimesGoldenHand it's reassuring to hear such positive feedback! And I'm glad it has worked for you too

X

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Summerloving17 · 03/03/2018 10:36

@jaimes that’s great and gives me hope too! I am actually going to switch to consultant led care if I stay there as do think it seems worth paying the extra.

@janefx40 I have hypothalamic amenorhhea and have reacted quite differently but they were very good at tailoring it to me and I did get three frozen blasts (one of which I’m praying will work!). Will see you there in May 😜

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