Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland

[justbeingelle]

Just thought I'd start a thread for those who are undergoing infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland because it seems as though it can vary from the rest of the UK.

DH and I have been TTC since June 2018. Started investigations around July 2019. I have a large ovarian cyst which will be removed, hopefully after Christmas. Getting a laparoscopy and dye to check tubes too. I have very regular periods and I am ovulating. DH has a low sperm count, but the ones he has are good quality. Still awaiting results from ultrasounds, genetic tests etc so still feel like we're at the beginning of our journey. This is our first time TTC and we've not had a hint of a BFP.

Anyone else?

@willithappen We're not at that stage yet, we're still on the waiting list, but from speaking to a friend of a friend who had IVF in Aberdeen I believe that you do get invited to some sort of information event just prior to starting treatment. How did your appointment go last month?

@nextweek ah that makes sense. They hadn't mentioned anything about it to us so I wasn't sure
It was good! They were friendly enough, nothing too scary. Knew the internal vaginal scan was coming and that was fine enough, no issues brought up.
We discussed me getting tubes checked because I have had chlamydia in the past and they assume maybe that's an issue so will see soon!

@willithappen Yeah I've found them all quite friendly so far, we've seen two different doctors but both were nice. I had the scan and like you no issues found. We have MFI so they didn't suggest checking my tubes as we'll be getting IVF/ICSI so it all bypasses the tubes anyway I guess!

@nextweek my partner has 1% morphology but everything else fine so they said it wasn't an issue and wouldn't be treated as MFI
I want my tubes checked just to be sure!

They said I could bypass if I wanted because we'll be on IVF list either way but for peace of mind I wanna know

@willithappen my husband had low morphology and count so that's our issue, but all my tests have been 'normal'. I did wonder about asking them to check my tubes just to be sure, but I guess with our MFI it's unlikely we'll conceive naturally anyway so not much point!

Welcome @tillopeas!

@willithappen that makes sense just to get checked but hopefully all will be ok.

Hi all, thanks for the welcome. Do any of you know whether if you already have diagnosed MFI issues before TTC, whether you still have to try for 2 years prior to accessing ICSI - or can you immediately be referred for treatment? We're just starting TTC 'in case' - we're actually not wanting to conceive immediately, but are doing so being aware of when we'd ideally like to start a family. I realise this is a bit unusual and sorry if it is insensitive in any way, but we're just trying to get a plan together so we don't end up leaving things too late (we might move out of Scotland in a few years, where provision is lacking!). If no-one knows my OH will ask at the GP and go from there. Thanks

@tillogen I'm in Scotland, we went to the GP after 12 months of trying, had some tests done which identified MFI and are now on the wait list for IVF, all in less than 2 years of trying. I think criteria for referral very much depends on the area you're in so if I were you I'd go to the GP to see where you stand.
When you say 'provision is lacking' do you mean the NHS provision for IVF?

@tillogen we were 12 months too, after tests now on the waiting list for ICSI.

@justbeingelle It is so hard when friend are preg/have wee ones. My bf has a newborn and I was insanely jealous but finding it easier now I have met her.

I had my 2nd appt at the royal and AMH is less than 1, so so upset. ANyone else have amh this low? Hoping to do egg collection soon - Dr said she thinks will be in full menopause soon. I'm 34 and just gutted.

Been really useful to read about how people got on with injections and stuff.

@nextweek and @justbeingelle thanks for replying, that's really interesting and good to hear. Sounds like if we discuss with the doctor (bearing in mind my OH has fertility results already) we may be able to access treatment sooner. And yes, I meant regarding poor provision in England. Where we're from only 1 cycle is provided, so it's quite a blessing we ended up in Scotland for work!

@tillogen I didn't realise until I started looking at these boards that different areas have different criteria, number of rounds, cut of age etc. We're really very lucky in Scotland that we get three rounds. Good luck with the GP, hopefully they'll be able to advise you

Hi everyone, hope you are all doing well. I haven't been getting messages through on this chat for a while for some reason. I got a phone call this morning to say we have reached the top of the list and have to go on Monday for Carbon Monoxide screening, unsure what else. Excited and very nervous all at the same time!

@NG9876 eek, that's so exciting! Great that things are moving forward for you.
@MelAndShoe sorry to hear about the outcome of your AMH test, I can't actually remember what mine was. Did the Doctor advise of any medication or treatment that could help to improve it? Will you have to wait long for the egg collection?

Hi @tillogen we had MFI and once it got confirmed we were put on the waiting list right away and didn't have to wait. However getting the confirmation about MFI took about 5months as at first they referred him for SA then had to wait for 3weeks for the results to come back. Then we had to wait for 3months and he had to have another SA and another 3weeks until the results came back. At the end we got there though and I am sure you will too.

@nextweek @Lily999 thanks for your responses. That gives me some hope if we potentially don't have to be (fruitlessly) trying for a couple of extra years. Yeh, it really sucks that provision is so patchy - just one cycle, only under 35 etc. in some places. Why certain NHS authorities ignore the NICE guidelines is just ridiculous when 3 cycles is proven to be more effective! My partner is going to call the GP so let's see what they say. Sounds like it will be a long road anyway so might as well get started while we're in Scotland for the foreseeable future!

@NG9876 this is brilliant news! I just looked back and we got put on the waiting list the exact same day Hoping I get my call soon too! That’s so quick! I done the carbon monoxide test at my first appointment. Did you? Xx

@MelAndShoe Sorry to hear about your AMH, that sucks. How soon will your egg collection be?

@NG9876 That's great news! Things are moving forwards.

@Scotgirl1 fingers crossed you hear soon! No, havent had it done before. Woman at our hospital thinks theres been a gap and we've got in sooner as they can do the screening at our own hospital instead of at The Royal itself. I got such a shock when she phoned - wasnt expecting it at all!

Have any of you requested clomid before and been given? I'm in a week today and considering asking for it as they wrote on my letter that I'm 'borderline ovulation' so wondering if it's worth giving that a shot? Can they prescribe it and have you on it whilst also on IVF waiting list?

Hi @willithappen, I did ask for it, but didn't succeed as I didn't have ovulation issues plus the doctor has never heard of Clomid (that was very strange, I know... so I had to spell it for her and she looked it up then called me back).
Hopefully if you can justify it they will prescribe it for you.

Hi everyone, hope it's ok to join in.

I have found this thread so helpful and hope you are all doing well? (as well as we can under the circumstances)

My DH and I have been ttc since 2015 and after all investigations and ssr for mfi we have our protocol!! I cant believe things are finally happening! I have to phone the acs with my period to get started so really hoping they have space for me with this one.

I was a little surprised - but not unhappy - to find I am doing short protocol. My amh is 34 and i'm 32. Does anyone else have experience of this?

Hi @SheepytheDuck, I was also on the short protocol, I was very happy with it! My AMH was 20.1 and I got 14 follicles, so didn't end up in the OHSS bracket, hopefully you won't overstimulate either. It is very difficult to predict how your body will react, they will probably put you on a low dose, make sure you call them on the first day immediately and hope they can squeeze you in for this month.

SheepytheDuck My AMH is 24.7 and we also have MFI and we are on the long protocol. I honestly have no idea how they decide that and I feel like they are just trying it out and change it if it doesn't work. 🤷

Thanks @Lily999, thats reassuring, i'm glad it worked well for you. Yeah I will, I don't think i've ever been so eager to get my period. How are you getting on? Am I right in thinking you're in your tww just now?

Hi @Pinecone88, thanks for responding. Yeah I was thinking that too, sometimes I've read that short protocol is used if the expect a high response, and sometimes if they expect a low response. I suppose loads of other factors are considered too though. It doesn't help that you overthink every tiny detail in this process. How are you getting on with your cycle?