IVF London or Surrey clinic - Newlife ARGC Lister

[IVF123]

Hi,

I had a failed IVF cycle with Newlife Epsom last month and was told to call again for day 1 bloods for my next cycle. I did that last week and have been told they're full and short-staffed so will not be accepting any more IVF rounds before the new year at which point I'll be on a waiting list for January... I'm over 40 and with a high FSH and low AMH I feel like time isn't on my side and the blow of having to wait at least another 3 months is devastating.

I'm tempted to look elsewhere and considering ARGC and Lister - from what I've heard ARGC are v intense and Lister are almost the other way and don't do enough testing throughout (which is why we liked Newlife for the combination of both aspects)...

Does anyone have any guidance on any of this? Equally think I could be patient and just wait until Jan/Feb and make sure I'm in top shape for then...

Thanks in advance

Hi @IVF123 sorry about your first cycle. I've been at ARGC, Guys and CRGH. I have had positive experiences at ARGC and CRGH.

You need deep pockets for both but especially ARGC. There is no way to keep the costs down so don't go there unless you have £15k to spend on a cycle plus double that if you get pregnant. They are intense but they are also very warm and supportive.

Also, you mention having high FSH. ARGC won't start a cycle unless your FSH is below 12 because they don't feel you would respond well to the meds in this case. FSH can fluctuate so they would suggest trying a different month and trying to lower it (or just hope for a better month)

CRGH are more clinical, less chaotic but still offer the add ons. They do enough monitoring but not daily. I would recommend them too.

Best of luck x

Ps you might get more responses if this thread was moved to the infertility section. You can ask Mumsnet to do this xxx

I am shocked! How can they be full? They should have booked a place for you, given you priority, something! It's not fair...

Sorry for my outburst but "waiting" is a sensitive issue for me at the moment. I just turned 40 too :)

Thanks for the info @Janefx40. And really helpful heads up re ARGC - out of interest when you say double it if you get pregnant - what do they do from that point (assuming intense monitoring and meds?)?

FSH was 15 previous round (cancelled mid cycle due to not responding to stims) but this month had dropped to 8 but with estradiol of over 300 so guessing this would have been a no for them anyway. Not sure if there's anything to proactively do to lower FSH levels apart from relax (and reverse the aging process...)??

@IsabelHerna this was my immediate response. Have taken a deep breath knowing that I've now had to miss this month and trying to positively make a plan for next month and not freak out too much...!

Hi @IVF123. How very, very frustrating for you. We had a good experience overall at Lister. I found they were very transparent about costs, no surprises. Care was good (we were with James Nicopollous and I would definitely recommend him). Their admin is a bit chaotic at times although has improved. They also take anyone unlike some others. Have had a lot of friends go there and everyone has been happy.

We met with CRGH and I didn’t warm to them, although others I know who went there have had a good experience.

@IVF123 I'm not sure high estrogen would stop you doing a cycle or not but it would be an indicator that you might need to be cautious about OHSS. ARGC will work with anyone too but they won't start a cycle on a month where it won't have success due to FSH. I personally think this is a really good thing because although it is upsetting for women to not be able to start a cycle, I'm on quite a lot of forums and FB groups and just constantly hear of women having cycles cancelled for non-response and it's often people with high FSH. I think it's unfair of clinics to waste people's time and start cycles when they won't respond.

The pregnancy costs are because they do immune tests every 3 weeks followed by treatment plus scans and other meds. You don't have to do any of that, of course. You are free to turn down immunes but that is their recommended treatment.

People talk about taking wheatgrass to lower FSH but I've no idea if this works. For me, DHEA lowered mine (it wasn't high anyway but it did lower from about 10 to 5) but DHEA is a tricky drug and has to be prescribed following tests that you need it. It can have negative effects if used in the wrong situation and not all women respond the same way).

@Shamoo totally agree about CRGH. We didn't warm to them either but wanted to make a change from ARGC and the Lister was too far travel wise. Actually my criticism of CRGH is that although they are all nice people, because it is so clinical you don't feel emotionally supported the way I did at ARGC.

@IVF123 LOVE your calmness! I wish I could be that way more often!