Infertility investigations/IVF in Scotland - thread 2

[Kitekat81]

A thread for those who are undergoing infertility investigations / IVF in Scotland 🙂

No need to apologise for negativity. If there's one place you should be able to get that out without issue it's here. I'm just sorry I have nothing to contribute. I wish they weren't so quick to class people as unexplained. We're unexplained but I've only ever had blood tests and one scan before treatment so there could be a clear reason that they just didn't bother looking for.

@Scirocco that's really frustrating but hopefully you won't have to wait too long. When we initially tried the NHS years ago they said up to a year but 3 months later were starting the process... But me being a fatso put a stop to it cos I couldn't get my BMI sorted. I have everything crossed you won't have to wait long.

I w as on here before and just popping back up as we are now looking at GCRM for treatment (they take bmi up to 40...yey!)

What's everyone's experience with them and also can anyone remind me what is included with one cycle? Would I better doing the access fertility for 3 cycles? Just incase it does work?

When we were going to NHS they said 1 cycle would include whatever eggs they retrieve so if they got 10 eggs they could try 10 times before that cycle was used if that makes sense. I just wanted to check if it's the same for GCRM or what their rules are.

Thanks lovelies xx

I had some investigations done with GCRM and everyone I met was lovely. However, as mentioned above, there seem to be some issues with clinics accepting each other's test results.

@Ttcforever2021 Hey! I cant comment on GCRN, I'm just about to start self funded through NHS. I'm sure some of the ladies here can help.

When you say "NHS they said 1 cycle would include whatever eggs they retrieve so if they got 10 eggs they could try 10 times before that cycle was used." Do you mean an IVF/ICSI cycle is not just the process of putting ONE embryo in to the womb?? I always assumed even if they got 3 or 4 or 5 you would need to pay a full cycle again (if private) each time they placed an egg whether they were taken in one cycle or not.

@Lulabelle03 my understanding (I could be wrong though) is that for NHS entitlement, they consider a 'cycle' to be one process of stimulation, egg collection and (hopefully) fertilisation, and transfer of any resulting embryos, until either a new cycle is needed or there is a successful pregnancy. Privately, a frozen embryo transfer costs less than a new cycle of IVF, as you're not having to pay for stims, egg collection, etc. So your cycle would be the stims, collection and initial transfer, with subsequent transfers of any embryos that were frozen costing significantly less. You can also get private funding packages which include frozen transfers within them, which can save money overall.
I think...

@Lulabelle03 I'm sure NHS funded definitely said that with 1 cycle you would basically use your eggs collected (if they are suitable) before you started your next cycle.

@Scirocco we have the information evening tonight so maybe that can clarify. Either that or I'll just ask what they define 1 cycle as.

I had a look at the finance packages and think that may be a good option as it includes unlimited FET. This is basically our last chance so we need to make the most if it. Xx

@Ttcforever2021 We are with GCRM, it doesn't include any FET and you pay for meds separately too. We decided to go with Access for our financing, one of the reasons were that all the transfers were included as one cycle. I've since found out I'm unlikely to have anything to freeze, we're transferring 2 if we get that many and I'm unlikely to get more than that. Despite that I find it better knowing that I have 2 cycles paid for before I start, it has taken the pressure off. We can also withdraw and get most of our money back if it turns out I don't respond to stims and don't make it as far as egg collection. In general I like GCRM, we had a few issues with them getting back in touch last year but I think they were inundated due to COVID as it's much better now.

@Kamiros that's great to know. Thanks. What a shame you may not be able to freeze anything. I have everything crossed for you xx

@Ttcforever2021 Thanks. I'm managing my expectations but still hopeful - you just never know.

@Kamiros hopefully you respond better than expected, or you don't need the frozen anyway 🤞

@LabradorMum how you getting on with the injections?

@willithappen did you call about your appointment?

Hi @pixelflower, getting on fine thank you. How you doing?

@pixelflower @willithappen do you know if you got Propofol for the egg retrieval sedation? Was a drip through the back of your hand? Heard mixed reviews of what people get, someone said they were weighed before the process and the sedation was per their kg 🤷🏼‍♀️

@LabradorMum I was given Tamazepam pills and Fentanyl IV, but it was just one small syringe rather than a drip. I haven't been weighed since I got my bloods in January.

Hey everyone! Hope everyone is doing well.

@Scirocco so sorry to hear how long you've been on the waiting list and that the NHS isn't taking your results from GCRM.

I have an appointment at the end of the month with my gyno. I'm happy that my BMI is now under 30, it's sitting at 29.7 I'm not happy with that but hoping I'll be able to get it down. It's a phone consultation that I have with the gyno. I'm trying not to feel too hopeful right now though, I've had difficulties with the gyno in the past in regards to other things so I'm concerned that if she doesn't see my weight loss for herself that she won't move me on to the next stage. My concern now is though is once I speak to the clinic it's how long is it going to take to even begin IVF. I know due to COVID the list is unfortunately backlogged for a lot of people so wait times now for new patients will be much longer than originally but I was hoping that stupidly we'd be starting at some point this year. I've discussed with DH about going private but the prices are astronomical for us (and I'm sure a lot of other people!) and we don't feel like we are in a financial position to be able to do it right now, we discussed this earlier and we were crunching down the time frame if we waited on the NHS and it looks like from time we could possibly get seen and the hope of it working first round it could be 2 years! 🤯 I'm just hoping that the gyno can give me some information when I speak to her, she doesn't work at the clinic so I don't know how much she will know about time frame but im trying not to get my hopes up. Sorry for being on a downer! I was so excited when I got my letter a couple of weeks ago and now when I'm thinking about it, I think this is going to take a lot longer! Prior to COVID we got told the waitlist was about 3-6 months and now, who knows! I know I'm not the only one in this situation though and it's hard for everyone but I'm hoping for the best for us all! 🤞🏻

@LabradorMum I wasn't sedated, although I don't remember a lot.
I was also given tamazapan and the fentanyl. A small tube was put in my hand and they just put whatever needed through that. I had to be topped up just before they did egg collection though because I was very aware of everything going on and not as relaxed as they wanted

Any update on when EC will be for you?

We just made our 1st appointment with GCRM and I'm a little excited... Not excited at the prices 😂 but it really is a small price to pay if it works.

We went on the info call last night and wait time for initial appointment and consultation is 2-4 weeks and I'm sure he said 4-5 months for treatment to start. I can't believe we're actually putting things in motion to have this happen now.

We were always so worried we'd be rejected due to my weight issues and honestly I was starting to get depressed about it. I wish I could have got under the 30 BMI threshold but it just wasn't happening so I'm glad we found them.

Anyway I'm excited and a little apprehensive and I'll no doubt be on here asking a bazillion questions. I'm also aware that it's not always successful 1st time so I'm managing those expectations too.

Just wanted to share.

So happy for you @Ttcforever2021! That's a huge step and we are all hoping for the best for you ☺️

@conall Good luck with your appointment. Hopefully they will be able to give you some information.

@Ttcforever2021 how exciting! I'm not sure I'm any better equipped to answer questions now than before I started but I give it a go 🤣

@Ttcforever2021 Great news. We've been 6 months since our initial consultation but I know they were a lot busier at the end of last year so it shouldn't be as long for you. Waiting (im)patiently for my phone call from them today to say my bloods are fine so I can start the norethisterone.

@Kamirosfingets crossed for you. I'm hoping we don't have to wait long but equally I don't mind too much because eit will let us get out finances back in order before we start.

@conall good luck.

@pixelflower thanks.... I'm just g lad I've somewhere to go for info. Cos let's face it husbands /boyfriends are crap with this sort of thing. They only have to do their bit into a cup after all 😂

@Kamiros fingers crossed everything is good and you can start this cycle!
@Ttcforever2021 Yay!! Exciting! We had our first consultation in november, and are waiting for our consents appointment in April with the GCRM, with some changes in between, hopefully it won't be too long for you! They are quite busy but so far they've been lovely to us, and every query (all the thousands of them!) have been answered pretty fast.
@conall the waiting to appointments, getting started, etc, is what put me down, our GP was meant to refer us to the NHS over a year ago but never finished things and then covid happened, so we decided to go private as we didn't want to wait any more. Hopefully it will be fast for you!

@GemmTryTTC I've been under my gyno for 3 years now but my weight was a big issue - I've just hit under 30 BMI thankfully but now with the wait times that's making me nervous! Who are you going private with? I think it's definitely going to have to be a bigger discussion once I've spoken to my gyno because I can't wait any longer!

@conall We are going private through GCRM but changed our minds half way our waiting period - meaning an extra month was added as we decided to do an egg share (IVF cheaper while donating half the eggs they collect) and extra bloods (long ones!) had to be done (cystic fibrosis, karotype, etc).
Hopefully now you will get everything started! The wait is what takes longer, I find it easier to focus on certain things: getting my teeth healthy (dentist visits....), taking vitamins, doing exercise, etc. It helped, but I am still very impatient!

@GemmTryTTC I did have a look at GCRM after noticing a lot of people were going private with them so it's definitely a conversation I'm going to have to have with DH after I speak to the gyno and ask what her thoughts with the waitlist is going to be. I'd rather go private though if I'm honest, I know GCRM have a payment plan but I don't know what the price would be monthly for that and I'm concerned about would it effect my chances with the NHS if I needed to do IVF via them at some point as well? It's all questions I'm going to have to ask. I'm like you - I'm impatient! 😂 can be a good thing and a bad thing sometimes though. I'm wishing you well!

@conall Thanks :) Hopefully not too long for us after the consents app in April!
Yeah you might need to ask all this to the NHS.. I am not sure about eligibility, we are a 2 woman couple so ours is different than yours (and I am still not sure about ours haha). Some of the other girls in here are having treatment through NHS so they will know better waiting times, eligibility, etc.
Keep us posted :)