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?

I assume it means specifically for IVF, rather then the clinic itself which would only be a few months less than we've waited since referred.
I hadn't really thought many people would defer treatment because of Covid, even though the option is there. I was optimisticly thinking maybe there are people who working from home who the change in circumstances had benefited and no longer needed treatment.
What ever the reason I'm glad we're at a stage where things are happening, and not just waiting.

@LabradorMum I don't know if I read that as they would have an initial appointment with the clinic by that time?

I do believe those of us with nurses appointments right now will be starting on our periods in January though! That's not confirmed though, just something I am thinking. We'll maybe know a bit better once pixelflower has had her meeting too

Waiting times seem vastly different in different places. I've just been given a rough date of "around October next year" for getting to the top of the list, with the proviso that it may be longer.

That's rubbish @Scirocco Hopefully it's a lot quicker than that for you 🤞

Wow @Scirocco where is that for? Had you had all your tests etc?

Hi folks, hope you’re all ok. I’m in Dundee - referred in July told 6 months pre covid now more likely 9 months. Had first clinic appointment in October (was nurse, bloods, consents) consultant was in December and been told we will start IVF in Feb, so that’s 7 months from referral to starting treatment. I thought it was going to be 6 months until we were seen at all, so it was a lot quicker than I anticipated. Clinic are still saying a generic 1 year - but we’ve been a lot quicker.

Oh my goodness what a stress! Kept getting missed calls from a guest house while on the video waiting room on my phone. Eventually listened to the message left and it was the nurse calling cause there was a problem with the video 🤦
Got a call back though and got my dates. I have to phone when I get my period in January as I'm due to early in December. Start Norethisterone day 21 then stop, baseline scan, start injections and scans. Looking at egg recovery the first week of March.
Whole call took about 8 minutes including speaking about the video issues.
I have to cancel my bloods and rebook for the beginning of January as won't be within the three months. Said I'm done to get TSH checked then too. So much information in a short time 😶

@pixelflower oh technology is just amazing when it works eh 🤦🏼‍♀️

That’s amazing news though you have a date to look forward too so you can at least prepare for then!

Looks like I might be Feb then as I have my consent forms to sign on Wed won’t get an appointment before then and I’m due my period on Friday! Will need my thyroid again too as I had mine in Sep! Imagine if we start together!

You must be quite excited!

I actually feel weirdly deflated and sad to be honest. I think I thought that the process would start sooner, but really not actually doing anything till around the end of January. Feel like I'm back in the waiting game and still not got control if that makes any sense?
Sorry to be so negative, I'm sure once it's sunk in I'll be more excited, just want to be honest here at least.
Silver lining, if I'm not actually going to be seen until February then can maybe relax about a few extra pounds over Christmas.

@pixelflower I totally get what you mean and you can be as honest as you want here we are all here to listen and help! Your feelings are your own and if that’s how you feel that’s ok.

When is your period due if you don’t mind me asking!

I am totally with you there relax a little of Christmas as it will probably do you the world of good! I need to loose a few more pounds as I want to be the healthiest I can be so only going to have a few days off for Christmas but it will be worth it just to chill out a bit.

@pixelflower
Good to have some dates but I totally get how you feel. March still feels some time away

Did they tell you which protocol you are on?

@LabradorMum I'm in Glasgow, NHS. All tests done ages ago and nothing found other than mild PCOS (although ovulation and cycles are regular). Referred in December 2019 after 6yrs TTC. Not optimistic of my chances anymore.

@Scirocco aww you sound so deflated, you have waited such a long time and COVID has just gotten in the way! Fingers crossed that your timeline improves and you get some traction it might help you to feel a little more positive about the situation. Are you being offered counselling through NHS Glasgow?

@LabradorMum due about the 7th of January according to the app right now, although think I said the 10th on the phone 🤦 I'm due this week so stupidly was hoping if I was going to be doing the 21 day thing they might have started with this period.
@willithappenshe said something at the start that was something 225 but missed it exactly. I think if I've picked things up right it's short but they've added control of my period to manage timings better.
@Scirocco the postcode lottery with IVF is so unfair. Sorry you've had such a wait already ☹️
@Pumpkinspice77 that's great that they're moving quicker than expected. Do you have more appointments before February or do you get in touch with them then?

@LabradorMum, nope, and I'm scared to ask for any in case they use it as another reason to justify not treating me.

@Scirocco I could see how you would feel like that but that’s against all kind of laws, the counselling is there to help this has been a very stressful time with COVID. AFC are offering it for free you should look into it and ask the question, don’t feel like you would be judged by the NHS mental health at anytime is paramount but especially during this time.

@pixelflower I’ve to wait for the
to contact me once I’m officially at the very top of the waiting list and then I wait until the start of my next period after that! I’ve had all my tests and know what protocol/meds etc but I feel the same as you described, kind of deflated and I’m just like “how will i get through the waiting” honestly it’s horrible. I’m not heart broken anymore but just want to move on to the next step.
@Scirocco all clinics by law have to offer counselling and it’s confidential. I have my third appointment next week and really recommend it. I look forward to it each time.

@pixelflower I think I might set up my phone and record it all while it's going on as well as take some notes. Sounds like a lot all at once!

I'm due in 8 days so I reckon I will be on the same sort of time line as you again

@Scirocco I'm so sorry you're feeling like this, no one should feel like they'll be penalised for struggling with this. I'm sure that Aberdeen used to have the contact details for counselling on their main page but can't see it now. Maybe worth looking up and talking to the counsellor about meeting you can't ask for sessions?

@Pumpkinspice77 glad I'm not alone/weird for feeling like this. We'll get there though, the speed this year has gone by it'll be here before we know it!

@willithappen good plan! Or just ask her to slow down. She was very nice so sure she would have repeated stuff, I was just in such a flap from the tech issues. On that note, if you get a call come through while you're waiting from Registry Guest House you should probably answer 🤦

@Scirocco you should definitely reach out and ask about counselling. AFC were actively encouraging us to book counselling during lockdown and it ended up being one of the best things I did. Not just for this but for my overall state mentally in general.

@pixelflower I'm really feeling for you just now. I know I'm gonna be the same. For some reason I thought maybe by end of Jan we'd be doing egg collection but I didn't realise how much goes into it and how long it takes :( I guess it means we can go into Xmas/new year and relax a little then go into it all going after new year. I'm here if you need to chat and happy to message personally if you want/need more regular discussion with someone. Will update re mine first thing tomorrow. I'm 15th Dec period but I can't imagine me getting started earlier than you.

The way this year is going it will be here before you know it. I am grateful I can get funding on the NHS and it is going a lot quicker than I thought it would, some people are going to have to wait around a year.

We can’t change anything so there is no point in stressing it will make you ill.

I am by no means taking anything away from anyone everyone is entitled to their own feelings and how you feel is how you feel.

We are all on here to help each other and for me I’m trying to stay positive for myself and others, positivity is a great helper. I going to use the time to loose more weight and to concentrate on strengthening my core.

I only get one round of IVF on the NHS so I am not pinning my hopes on it for me what will be is what will be I can’t change anything.

Oh of course, but it's been longer than a year of waiting for me already. Oct 2019 is when we were referred.

Las quarter of 2017 for us, few things happened in between that time then appointment in November last year for all the tests etc, January to sign forms weight etc then we were told treatment in July where I would have still only got one round but was even more worried after COVID because of my birthday that I wouldn’t get any treatment. So for me I am just going with it 🤷🏼‍♀️

Sorry meant 2018 🤣

Oh that is a long wait. What happened that delayed things in July 2019 may I ask? It's okay if you don't want to say

It seems you have had a lot of setbacks. Of course I am more than grateful for this opportunity and just sometimes let emotions get overwhelmed. It often feels like we are left hanging a bit when it comes to dates and as someone who struggles with uncertainty it can be a bit stressful and anxiety inducing for me unfortunately.