Desperate for help and talk

[Rasa84]

Hi, i would like to share my story and looking for some advice help.
Few years ago i raised my infertility concerns with GP. They done some blood test and nothing after. After a year i came back and raised again my concerns. Again nothing done. I went to Lithuania to see private fertility clinics and they done some tests. Then went private for Operation were doc removed couple fibroids. Thought will issue will be solved but not. I went back to local GP and explained my problem and i been advice for IVF. After messing me about finally in 2018 November my GP agreed for referral. I had a hope that finally will going somewhere.. i was waited for letter for referral but nothing happened. Receptionist keep telling me she will leave a message to secretaries but still nothing . In 2019 November i emailed to GP and asked whats going on with my referral. After couple more weeks I received letter from GP and telling me that after my resent appointment they decided to refer me to fertility clinics. This gave me hope again. So we went to see doctor in fertility clinic. Had conversation with doctor nothing unusual thought it was great. Husband done sperm tests didn’t came very good and apparently they have to take sperm direct from testicles. Doctor said they will contact us and send a letter. Last appointment 24th nov. Now we in Jan and no sign of the letter. Rang to clinics and they where saying we had call from nurse on 9th Dec but we didn’t had any call and now we even don’t know where we stand. I am so tired and stressed about all of this and i am not getting younger. Next month i am 37. I really would like some advice and guidance what to do x

Sorry your feeling so stressed out, it’s a really horrible time and COVID is making everything worse with it delaying everything.

I know it’s not super helpful but the short answer is - the NHS can take quite a while. They have so many patients it just doesn’t work the same as private clinics. It’s annoying it took so long for you go to refer you though. I’ll give you an example of my timelines which sound quite similar... GP referral in the summer of 2019, fertility consultant appt in October where they did the analysis and other blood tests and HSG. The follow up appointment for that was end of November so a good 4-5 weeks after.
Our fertility service is currently closed to new patients until at least feb due to COVID as well. It’s really stressful but unfortunately we just have to wait as the NHS is under so much pressure at the moment. My periods came back so she sent us away to try naturally for 12 months But no luck which is why we’re back waiting)

If you are really anxious about time and you can afford it, it may well be worth going private as I think even once you’ve been referred for IVF with the NHS you still have a bit of a wait for the funding to be approved.
We’re considering private just because I don’t know how much Covid will have extended the wait times.

I hope that helps a little? X

So sorry to hear about your struggles : (

If I learned anything the past year, it is stay on top of things! Ring everyone to get appointments, ring everyone to confirm and then re-confirm appointments. Waiting for someone to call back or waiting for a letter in the mail can cause huge delays. Different administrators do different things and internal communication in the NHS seems not so great, so best to help them as much as possible.