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?

[nextweek]

For those that have MFI can I ask what supplements vitamins you're husbands are taking or he's been recommended to take? My husband is taking a male fertility supplement plus vitamin D. I've heard Zinc is good to, but not sure if he should be taking that in addition or if the fertility supplement is enough?
Also, any recommendations for supplements I can take, figure it wont do any harm to try and make sure my eggs are in as best shapes as possible!? Thanks

[justbeingelle]

@nextweek we've just been taking the seven seas conception ones. We really need to research the best things to take. We're also trying to alter our diet so we're healthier and fitter in general. I am around 1 stone over the bmi limit for ivf so I know that's something I need to address.

[NG9876]

Thanks @justbeingelle and @nextweek. Good info on the scan, just hope everything is fine. We've had everything else done so this is the last thing before an IVF referral.

[justbeingelle]

@NG9876 good luck for next week, it's mad how it differs between local authorities.

[NG9876]

Hi ladies, how are things with you? I had my ultrasound a couple of weeks ago and everything was fine. We had a meeting with a consultant this week so that's us being referred for IVF. He said people are reaching the top within 6 months. Fingers crossed something happens before then.

[Pinecone88]

@NG9876 Hey, hope you don't have to wait long. For us it took 4 months I believe to receive the lettet that we are at the top of the list.

We are still waiting for our letter with the protocol and start date. We were previously told ot will be less than a month for the letter, but it has been 5 weeks now. I called them and was told it should be soon as our file is on doctor's desk basically 😁

[NG9876]

@Pinecone88 Pleased you have reached the top! Bet it has been a stressful 5 weeks waiting for the details though. Hopefully you will hear soon. Can I ask which area you are in?

[Pinecone88]

@NG9876 We are in Dundee. I will call them this week again, I am not very patient 😅

[NG9876]

@Pinecone88 Quite right! Nothing worse than hanging about waiting.

[justbeingelle]

@pinecone88 that's fantastic, hopefully you won't be waiting much longer now!

[justbeingelle]

@NG9876 that's good the scan went well, just a waiting game now! Hopefully will be less than 6 months but at least you have a rough timescale.

Not much to update here, I've been told I'll need to be in hospital overnight with a 2 - 4 week recovery for the operation I need to remove this ovarian cyst. No date for the operation yet but we have an appointment next week with the fertility consultant so hopefully I'll have a date then and a plan for ivf. I've been unwell with a kidney infection and the cold that's doing it's rounds, on the plus side I've lost almost 1 stone in 5 weeks so I'm closer to the BMI target I need to hit 🤣 1 stone to go 🙈

[Pinecone88]

@justbeingelle thank you! Fingers crossed 🤞

[NG9876]

@justbeingelle glad you're seeing the positives 🤣 Hope you get your op soon xx

[Thissucks1]

I've had a read through all your comments and my heads frazzled. I've no idea what half the words mean, Google will be taking a hit shortly.

My husband and I have a beautiful daughter and conceived naturally after 8 months. We've now been trying for number 2, for just under three years with no luck. As we are blessed already we didnt see a need to go see a dr. I also felt that including a dr in the process, it becomes so medical and that puts more strain on. However a few weeks ago, I went to see the gp and bloods were arranged for day 21. Waiting patiently for those results now but already I feel this weight on me and as you do, googling what might be the reason for no conception is never a good idea.
So im at the start of the process and the fear of the unknown is awful. If it turns out that we can't, I don't know if IVF will be even more stressful for us.
I should note, we weren't the type of people to be fixated on when the best time to try was or ovulation sticks etc. Of course I knew what time of the month it was but I didnt make that the reason to jump into bed.
The upcoming weeks/months are terrifying.

[NG9876]

@Thissucks1 You're right, it does suck. Google is my worst enemy and has been for the past 2 years - I've been constantly worried that something will show up in tests but nothing ever has - then that annoys me more because I wonder why it hasn't happened yet. I hope it gives you some reassurance that you have conceived naturally before. I was the same with ov tests, then got a bit obsessed with them for a while so off them again. I hope you get all the tests done quickly to help put your mind at rest. Have they organised tests for your other half too?

[Pinecone88]

@Thissucks1 Oh it is annoying and tiring all the waiting. I do find that googling and finding out everything I can about the process helps.. to a certain level.
I also find that keeping busy helps and not stressing about what will or won't happen. Not easy of course 😬

[Thissucks1]

NG9876
It did give me the reassurance until the dr told me there is a possibility I have 2nd baby infertility.
Being a bit obsessed with them isn't a bad thing, at least you'll learn exactly what your body is up to.
No not yet, they didnt even mention him, just spoke of testing me. He'll get his tests if we are referred to nine wells I assume, after all my bloods come back.

Pinecone88
That's exactly what I've been doing. I'm self employed so I'm always rushed off my feet anyway which is good..and bad.

I hope it all works out for you guys too. ❤

[Thissucks1]

Got my results back today. Low vit b12 but ridiculously high progesterone at 38.6. Cant confirm 100% but based on the levels of all combined dr believes I cant conceive because I'm in perimenapause. I'm only 31, absolutely crushed!

[NG9876]

@Thissucks1 I don't know what to say, that's rubbish news. Can they do anything to help you? Xx

[Thissucks1]

NG9876
He said that they'll still refer me as the gynecology people can definitely confirm one way or the other but they cant do that till my b12 is up to acceptable levels so that's 3 months of meds first and then a referral which presumably means more months of waiting, tests, more waiting. If his thoughts are correct, that's time I dont have, that ridiculous thing people say about biological clock, is correct. My mum was only just in her 30's too so i think his thinking wont be far away.

Looking at the positive, I may not be able to give my daughter a brother or sister but at least I'm blessed enough to have one. My heart breaks for those who don't have that.

Some of you ladies are much further along in the process. Can any of you remember how long it taken from referral to being seen, to diagnosis? And further if anyone has gotten further still?

[NG9876]

I hope they can do something for you. How annoying you have to wait for the B12 first. We went to docs in Jan, some tests done then first appt at fertility clinic in March, more tests (tube scan, ultrasound) then last clinic appt was last week. Feel likes there's been lots of waiting in between but I know they're busy.
I'm 30 but by husband is 40. Although the biological clock is not the same for a man, the psychological aspect is different - he doesn't want to be an 'old' Dad xx

[Thissucks1]

NG9876
That seems like a quick start but a wee while inbetween march and nov there. What's happening now though?

40 isn't even old, I'm sure he can still run around like he used to.

[Pinecone88]

@Thissucks1 Sorry to hear about your test results. I hope it is still possible for you to have another baby and it's not too late.🙏

I called the hospital today and the doctor in charge of my protocol is on Holiday 😃 so no news. They promised to call me on Monday though 🤞..more waiting.

[NG9876]

I agree!
Because it's undiagnosed infertility we're just on the IVF waiting list now so the next time we'll hear from them is when we're at the top. The last meeting there only lasted about 15 mins, just discussing the ultrasound (which was fine) and telling us about the IVF process.

[Thissucks1]

Pinecone88
Are you further down the process?

NG9876
I naively didnt think there would be "a list". That's quite harsh, surely everyone should be treated within thr same timescales. Hopefully not much longer.

Have any of you looked in going private?