IVF at Guy's & St. Thomas' & general process/timeline

[Lill02]

Hi all,

This is my first ever post, but I've been following for a while. :)

After having all the usual tests, including a hycosy and hysteroscopy, we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility a while ago. We have now finally waited long enough to be eligible for IVF on the NHS. We've got an appointment back at Guy's & St. Thomas' tomorrow (we had to see the GP and ask to be referred back as we've now waited the required time frame).
I'm not 100% sure what will happen tomorrow, but I'm basically hoping they will agree we've waited the required time and suggest we get the ball rolling for IVF, i.e. fill in our funding application, etc. I'm really hoping this will happen, I can't face being sent away again after we've waited so long...
What have your experiences been? Does that sound like realistic next steps? Has anyone been at Guy's & St. Thomas' and can share their timeline?

Thank you!

Hi @Vparisi I asked as partner is in his 40s so figured he’d be coming up on the list soonish. The Dr said to take it if offered so he’s already booked in for his. Don’t know if that would be different if we were actually undergoing treatment at the time but the Dr didn’t say so if that’s the case.

@thislittlebird What a nightmare. I know NHS IVF is a lottery but crikey they’re not bloody wrong! I really hope you get some answers and common sense soon.

@Vparisi I’m already double vaxxed. I didn’t worry about it really, I’m higher risk and don’t want covid so decided it was a no brainer.

I have a feeling my husband isn’t so keen to have it because he’s worried about his fertility with it. I don’t think there’s evidence of that, but he’s worried anyway.

@RiverRiot honestly it makes me so mad how random it all is. All comes down to whether you have a decent GP it seems. If you don’t you’re screwed. I really hope gynaecology reply soon. It’s making me stressed, I just want to start ivf in the coming months, I have done my waiting.

For anyone doing a long protocol here's what the drugs delivery looks like... I start injections next week 😬

@notyetamumbuttrying oh my, it’s very daunting isn’t it? I will eventually be on short protocol, I think, so hopefully a little less 😐

Since I last posted in this thread they’ve responded to my PALS complaint and moved my gynaecology appointment to fertility at another hospital with an assisted conception unit and we’re seeing the consultant (they stressed that on the phone!) next week. So maybe I won’t be at guys after all! I had no idea they’d refer me to one in the other direction, towards Kent, but I don’t mind as long as we’re moving towards. Hoping things will finally get moving after next week.

@thislittlebird best of luck lovely ☺️

@notyetamumbuttrying I’m living vicariously through you a few other assisted folks right now lol. Keep us updated!

@notyetamumbuttrying omg so exciting. I bet daunting but so good to start. I'm crossing my fingers so hard for you. Please keep us updated! Xx
Thanks @RiverRiot that is super helpful!
@thislittlebird glad you're finally getting somewhere...sounds like a nightmare :(

General question here on the protocols. Maybe this is a super dumb question but I literally know next to nothing about this and I'm not finding Google very helpful. How do they decide who goes on short or long protocol? Im confused that they are doing my first appointing post-funding approval on Tuesday where treatment is supposedly discussed because we haven't even done any scans or tests or anything so I'm not sure how they would know about which treatment. Unless it is really obvious if it is long or short? Just background I am 28, no tubes, tons of eggs but hard to access as they are covered by bowel from too much surgery. Does anyone know from that whether I would be long or short?

@thislittlebird lol 😂 will do!
@Vparisi exactly that! Thank you 😊 and I defo will.
So protocols are done on your amh I believe. Mine is on the low side so that's why it's long. They shut down my ovaries and take control of my cycle. You'll need your amh and afc scan done to determine yours. They'll do that at your appointment I would've thought. They scanned me at mine without even telling me that this would be done. It was the same appointment where we signed consent forms.

My (laymen’s) understanding is it’s decided by AMH and AFC @Vparisi. Have you had those tests yet?

I was told by a consultant privately that I’d need short protocol (so fewer days) because I have a higher AMH of 36 with 28 visible follicle and am at risk of OHSS so they wouldn’t give me LP. They can also change you from long to short or vice versa based on how you respond, but hard to say now any of us will respond exactly until after the first go.

@notyetamumbuttrying what you said! Yeah, which appointment was it that they did that for you?

I should also add women with very low AMH sometimes have natural or mild ivf because they aren’t expected to respond well to the drugs. Similarly with PCOS and very high AMH, too many follicles and over stimulation a worry.

@thislittlebird they did my amh on the 22nd feb and my afc on 6th April, the same appointment where I signed consent forms (funding approved by that point). I got a private afc done early March in anticipation of guys taking months on end to approve funding so have had two now and both came out with the same number. Hope that helps @Vparisi!

Thanks @notyetamumbuttrying and @thislittlebird ! I haven't had the AMH test yet so hopefully Tuesday!

@notyetamumbuttrying I won’t lie, I’m a little worried they’ll want to do my AMH or AFC again abs there will be a wait. Just printing mine off that I did with Care in Jan to take with me in the week.

@Vparisi oh are you having it Tuesday?

@thislittlebird I have my first appointment post funding approval tomorrow at 2:30 yes :) so I assume at this appointment they'll be doing the tests and scans for the first time, particularly given the funding letter from last month says I need to do treatment within 3 months so I assume they'll want to be doing all that asap. It is interesting as it seems others here had tests before the funding approval. I can't figure this place out!

@Vparisi keep us posted! huh, weird, because this is what I was wondering about the order of things. My appointment will be with a different hospital so I’ll have to see how they do it. I will be applying some pressure after our treatment to date that’s for sure. I’m happy to have more tests but I’m not happy to wait a long time to have them, can’t afford more delays I’m gonna be 38 soon.

@Vparisi good luck with your appointment tomorrow! I am currently really excited but think it will turn to nerves tomorrow morning, feels so good to finally be able to get to the next stage!!

@thislittlebird I think maybe it is because when it is something like no tubes they push you through straight away as there are no other options and don't bother with all the tests. I am pretty glad about it as I tried to go to ABC and they turned me down on the first appointment after doing the scan because they said it was going to be too tough. So I am glad the NHS didn't get the chance to do the same ha. Will definitely keep you posted! I'm so excited for tomorrow to get things kicked off I can't focus on anything else at the moment!

You should definitely try to pressure them! In the end this is your life and you need to get the best shot possible despite all the bureaucratic admin nonsense. I really hope you can get things moving faster.

@Etonmess20 good luck with yours too!! Might see you there haha. It is very exciting to get started. Keep us updated x

@thislittlebird have they transferred you for your whole care or just for the tests? I was at a different hospital for my tests then were referred to ACU at guys so you may end up coming back

@Vparisi I'll be the one with clean hair 😂 have some ridiculous need to have clean hair on important days like tomorrow, makes me feel better somehow!
I can't concentrate on anything else either, I just keep thinking about it! I've started a list for questions too so I don't forget anything!

@Vparisi on what grounds did ABC turn you down? I’m looking forward to hearing how you get on!

Yeah I am going to be on it now. Ask how long for everything and how to speed it up.

@Etonmess20 I’m really not sure, I’m going to add that to my list of Thursday questions. This hospital has an ACU, so I’ll see what they say.

I said I’d make sure to do my hair for Thursday, may even dress well lol. I don’t get out much these days!

@thislittlebird oh maybe you will end up staying there, just hope they stop messing you around!
Hahaha I am thinking the same, haven't been into London for ages 😂 like a day out!!

Good luck for tomorrow ladies! If it's the appointment post funding approval they'll do your afc scan and get you to sign consent forms. You'll also need to do a chlamydia test so make sure you don't wee beforehand! They never told me this so good job I needed to go! I think it was one more blood test as well for virology.

I start down reg injections on Wednesday😬

@notyetamumbuttrying how long did your appointment take? The letter says approx two hours but that seems like ages!

Best of luck this week, let us know how you get on! Are you injecting yourself or is DP able to do it for you?

@Etonmess20 definitely a day out!!!! We’re going to Ikea afterwards 😂.

I’ve added “where will our future tests and appointments be?” to my question list.

@notyetamumbuttrying mad how it’s come round so quick!

Is the two hours for tests as well, EM?