Support during Investigations Journey and beyond 2021

[Belle2210]

Decided to start this thread for people just starting out with infertility investigations as I am. Be great to have a thread from the beginning onwards to support each other through everything and learn as we go.
Feel free to join!

Sorry I didn’t see this @DNpink82 oh amazing January isn’t too far either! Let me know how you get you!

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Infertility treatment journey/process4
Yesterday 18:33selinakylewayne

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice or their own journeys so I have some perspective...

My partner and I have been trying to conceive since May 2020 and have done testing to determine any issues after a year through the GP. Unfortunately my parter has a low speed count, whilst my tests have come back fine.

Today the GP has said that they will not put us forward until it has been 2 years and that once we do it's straight to IVF.

I was under the impression the NHS would do more tests beforehand, like checking for blocked tubes, and then some medication (I hear so many people talk about clomid even for men?) and not just telling us to go straight to IVF...

I have gotten hold of the CCG policy for my council and it says couples with sub fertility should be referred for treatment straight away... so not sure why the doctor is saying 2 years either.

I am devastated for multiple reasons but struggling with the idea that it might be 2 years or more till we get going with any sort of process... not to mention then facing the waiting lists....

Any advice?
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Yesterday 18:37kaylsd

It depends on the actual number of the low count to be classed as male infertile for earlier IVF before 2 years I think in accordance to my IVF clinic, below 5 million volume I think? But don't quote me on it

I only know as the IVF clinic tried rejecting me and DH for being referred before 2 years trying for male factor infertility as he has physical impairments which are contributing to his poor numbers but they rejected us at first as his volume was 9 million and we would only be classed as male infertility below 5 x
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Yesterday 18:53tiggerwhocamefortea

Hi I'd be surprised if your CCG said it was automatic referral ie no wait time as a blanket policy ie no medical need identified - I think that's only if a serious issue is found in the GPs tests - otherwise the wait time is 6 months if you are over 35 or 2 years if you are younger

Low sperm count doesn't make him infertile - it only takes 1 sperm out of millions

You only get scans for blocked tubes once you have the fertility treatment referral and the same with clomid which is really only for women who don't ovulate - that would have been identified already in the tests you'd had?

If you started in may 2020 then you've only got another 5 months really to wait and then it will be the 2 years. Are you doing OPKs and taking multi vitamins etc?
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Today 01:15WeeMela

Hi all

This is such a great thread and I'm so grateful to every one of you for sharing your stories.
I'm 34, haven't used any female contraception for a few years so thought I would conceive quickly (naively).. My partner and I have been together for four years and having cancelled our wedding due to Covid last year - we started trying.
I'm in Belfast and waiting times for fertility investigations are terrible! I was referred in January and only got my first letter from the NHS to get the ball rolling this month (November)! However, in July we decided to go private to start the investigations before going back on NHS.
I got my scan and everything looked great with the exception of a small cyst on one ovary and potential endo..
I should mention, my own nhs gp did do my blood work and everything was fine. My partner found out he had a low count and deformed sperm but was told it wasn't a hopeless case and with lifestyle improvements, could also improve his sperm quality
Anyway, after my private initial exam, the doctor referred me back to the NHS for the hystero and I only waited 2 months to get an appointment following this referral (back to the NHS). Didn't have a pleasant experience with this but the doctor here removed the polyp, which was helpful. Annoyingly, 4 weeks later, I'm still waiting on the results, despite the fact I've been told they're ready... But we'll not go there..

Today has been the hardest day in my journey. I track my ovulation with the app and sticks, because they're both close enough. I'm a latey and ovulate every 30-35 days. Following the hystero, I think it may have interfered with my ovulation this month, as the scan took place during my window and now my period is late. Day 44 to be precise. I really thought this time i was pregnant. I took a clear blue test yesterday I thought was positive only to discover it was the evaporation line. I took another test this morn, which was negative and another at my GP's which was also negative. My partner and I had spent all of yesterday believing I was pregnant. Today was such a blow, yet somehow I knew it too good to be true.
I'm pretty level headed and have managed to keep it together quite well on this journey but today rocked me. I'm here with all you wonderful people on these painful and enlightening journeys. Sending you all love and hope and my gratitude ❤️

How did you get on. I know that feeling all to well. Its tge mix of hope wishing and apprehension

@WeeMela

Was reading through your post. So sorry you've had that happen 💕 it really is awful when you feel like you can see a line of any type 😔.

I was in the same boat with feeling like IVF was just thrown in straight away due to my age and totally surprised that they weren't really to interested in further tests. I had asked for the Hycosy appointment to check prior to IVF.

I have some unbelievable news....

So over New Year I not only caught Covid for the first time but also a baby 😳. Never been so shocked in my life as I was convinced that the witch was on route and after she didn't turn up in the morning I did a test with no real inkling at 3 weeks + 3 (around 13dpo). Test came up positive straight away darker than the control line on a FRER.

I've no idea which cycle this is with them being between 25/27 days and being off contraception since Sept 2019. I also hadn't changed a thing. I wasn't on any supplements, using lube, extra time DTD.... Like nothing different. If anything I would say I've eaten worse and put on weight 🙈.

It's still early days with being 4 weeks tomorrow. I've no idea how I'll carry or if I'll reach the finish line but just to have that first BFP was amazing.

I've now to get in touch with fertility clinic to etc today. Will have a blocked tube and more at risk for ectopic I'm not sure whether they'd do bloods/early scan to check or not. 🙈

Want this to give you guys hope 💕.

@Belle2210 oh I am so sorry to hear about Covid I hope its only mild. And…. CONGRATULATIONS that is amazing news!!! You must be over the moon!

Keeping everything crossed for good health and a wonderful pregnancy...I'm over the moon for you. Stay safe.. And massive congratulations ❤️

@Bellwells

Thanks so much. Yeah I had completely accepted that it would likely be IVF if I'd ever be pregnant and being pessimistic that wouldn't work either 🙈 but here I am. Still in shock. Covid was just like a bad cold thankfully so nothing major. Do wonder now if I had it more in my nose for other reasons.

How are you? 💕

@Belle2210 so many people have it at the moment my husband caught is Christmas Eve I which was rubbish buy bless him he thought I was angry with him that he got it.

I’m well thanks just waiting for my parents to have their blood work done so that we can see if I inherited the genetic condition or not, I have to do this before my PGD work up can be done. I was really hoping to have it done by the end of this month with results mid Feb but I am not holding my breath any more.

@WeeMela
Thank you so much💕. What will be will be but fingers crossed ☺️.

@Bellwells

Oh no 😔 Christmas Eve is a sore one. I was pretty annoyed that my 10 days isolation ran over my entire holidays but atleast we had Christmas.

Hope there's not too much of a delay for you with Covid kicking off too. Waiting is the worst 💕.

@Belle2210 that's fab news 🥳 I've also had covid all Christmas and new year, I was starting to get hopeful as AF is 3 days late but nope, I was planning to test tomorrow but she's turned up this afternoon. I'm still waiting to here from the clinic about applying for funding so looks like it'll be a while for us yet

[quote DNpink82]@Belle2210 that's fab news 🥳 I've also had covid all Christmas and new year, I was starting to get hopeful as AF is 3 days late but nope, I was planning to test tomorrow but she's turned up this afternoon. I'm still waiting to here from the clinic about applying for funding so looks like it'll be a while for us yet [/quote]
Aww no! Hope you weren't too bad with it. Crazy how many people have had it over Christmas. Did you have a vaccine this cycle? With the 2 I've had my TOTM has either been early or late. So annoying 💕. Hopefully not too long for you 🤞. I was asked to email yesterday when I phoned as alot of the IVF team were still on holiday so hoping I ll hear today whether I get an early scan/bloods. Probably not id imagine. Seen alot of people on about an Early Pregnancy Unit. Doesn't seem to be such a thing up here 🙄. Doctors said to contact the midwife when I'm 8/9 weeks. I've booked in a private scan at 7 weeks+2.

Hope everyone's doing well 💕.

So after phoning the fertility clinic twice and sending an email I was shocked to get a phonecall today to say we were at the top of the IVF waiting list 🙈. Explained everything so the woman was surprised there was nothing written into my notes.

My review appointment was only the 22nd Nov and we were told 4-6 months waiting time and thats only been just over a month and a half. That was at Aberdeen Fertility Clinic. Just wanted to say for anyone waiting that starting might come much sooner that you expect! 💕

Heyy @Belle2210 @CDMH @HJen22 @ChristmasJumpers @DNpink82 @IsabelHerna
@Amzy86

I just thought to touch base and see how everyone is doing

@Bellwells thanks! How are you getting on? We had our treatment postponed at the very last minute. We were supposed to start in Feb but were told a week before a holiday to Florida that we'd have to wait 3 months due to Zika virus risk. We were crushed because the clinic knew about the holiday right from our initial referral in August and had told us it was fine to start straight after 😞

@ChristmasJumpers oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that! Why did they tell you that it was okay then change their mind?! It is so silly! Have they given you a new treatment date?

My parents are having their blood taken for the genetic test tomorrow (to see if they carry the same gene as me), it should then take 8weeks for their results to come back and once I have that I can email my PGD/IVF clinic so they can start the work up which will take approx. 4 weeks then I am all ready to start.
My anticipated start date is July

@ChristmasJumpers aww no! I am sorry, how are you? did they tell you when are you going to start?

@Bellwells good luck with the tests. Have you made any plans for the 4week waiting period?

@IsabelHerna no, no plans.

I think I’m just going ti occupy myself with the normal stuff (work, cook dinner, house work, pilates, see family/friends).
I’m coming up to a deadline at work too so I am hoping it will keep me distracted.

How are you getting on with everything? What stage are you now at?

@Bellwells that's good, you have enough things to keep you distracted. Fingers crossed this month will go by before you notice it and you'll get good results.

I'm flying over to cyprus on Monday for my ivf, so... you know, totally freakin out! 😅 I actually have everything ready, all my suitcases etc, got my pcr results today, so the final thing I've got to do is to fill a plf form tomorrow.

@Belle2210 it's been a rough few months, my nhs clinic is so slow so I've transferred my funding to a private clinic. They rang me yesterday to say they had my referral and have booked me in for a 3D tomorrow and consultation next Friday. We've had bloods and semen analysis at the nhs hospital so don't need them redoing hopefully and depending on Scan results we could be starting IVF on my next cycle 🤞🏼 How is everyone else getting on?

@DNpink82 what clinic have you moved your funding to?

I’m waiting for my parents genetics results to come through hopefully we will have it in 4 weeks time.

@Bellwells Care fertility Manchester, I can't believe how much quicker and nicer they are

3D scan done today and apparently I have a T shaped uterus 🤷‍♀️ consultation next Friday so we'll go from there. I'd definitely recommend checking if your CCG covers a private clinic if your going nhs, I've gotten further with private in 3 days than I have with the nhs in 6 months

@DNpink82 yeah private clinics are definitely much quicker! I’m with a private clinic in London with my NHS funding.
What is the next stage of your process?

@Bellwells we have our consultation on Friday and hoping they'll say we can start treatment and sort out the plan etc