NHS IVF Glasgow Royal Infirmary

[heatherandhares]

Hi

Does anyone have experience of the NHS IVF service in Glasgow and specifically how long it took from their first consultation to start of treatment cycle?

We are on the waiting list for NHS funded IVF via NHSGGC Assisted Conception Service at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. We have had two semen analyses (one private, one NHS) and I have had an antral follicle count and AMH privately. We had a private consultation after these results (via GCRM) which diagnosed MFI and recommended ICSI.

We were referred in October and have a consultant appointment in April but are unsure whether we should just go for the self funded option instead, as I'm in my late thirties and concerned about success rates declining. Apparently there's a 3 month wait for start of cycles in the Glasgow Royal self funded service just now, so am a bit concerned it will be ages before we start if going via NHS route. Equally, as things are in train with NHS, would rather not pay thousands of pounds if don't have to!

When I rang the NHS waiting list coordinator and was given the April appointment, I asked about rough timescales for starting treatment, she said something about a six months target but it depends when the doctor decided when the clock had started - which was all a bit confusing.

Would be grateful if anyone has any recent experience of their timescales between referral - consultant appointment - starting treatment.

Thanks

Hi @Monyb thank you so much for the response.

Sending all the luck to you - please update us if you feel comfortable doing so. Xx

Hi @Sabrinafive , I feel the same as you - I haven't told anyone. Only me and my partner know. We don't want to share disappointment if things are not successful and we also want to be able to share surprise if they are.

My first consultation is next week and I've written down quite a few questions about the hormone injections, wait times between consultation and treatment and whether I can do anything to help my chances in the mean time.

Good luck xx

Hi everyone, really pleased to have found this thread!

My first in person appointment is next week in the Royal. I am an nhs patient and have been on the IVF waiting list for approx 6 months after being diagnosed with low AMH/low egg reserve, I am 33.

At this stage I'm mostly interested in the timeline of appointments and how long of a wait it is from initial consult to treatment/first round. I can see from previous posts that some have been taken on the next period, I assume it will be longer for nhs patients? Am I optimistic to think I may be going ahead in January?

@Ziggy553 I'd love to hear how you got on as it sounds like we are only a few weeks apart for appointments xx

Hi @Clarabelle10 ,

thats great you have your appointment next week!

i joined the IVF waiting list in October 2023 and was told I would be starting February/March 2024. I have my ART appointment in January 2024 after getting a letter that I’m at the top of the waiting list about a week ago. I believe the next appointment is 2/3 weeks after that and then depends when period starts. I’m the same and have a low AMH so need down regulation but dont know if you still start when your period comes.

I was going to go private but was only due to start IVF a month early.

do you know if your partner needs to be at your ART appointment?

@Ziggy553 That’s great that you’re at the top of the list already! I’ve heard that private wait lists are also quite long.

No, your partner does not attend the ART appointment from what I can see on the letter. They are invited to attend the next appointment after that, which is called a “Post Screen” appointment. It states that they should bring photographic ID to this appointment and that results of your bloods/swabs taken at the ART appointment will be discussed.

I haven’t heard about down regulation before. I wonder if this is something I might need too. I’ll add this to my questions! Xx

Thank you! Thats really helpful!

i got told I’m on a long protocol as I have a AMH of 2.2 so I think thats why. I think its 3 weeks of injections before I start stimulation. Hopefully cause they havnt mentioned it you dont need it

Hi Ladies, good luck with your journey. From the ART appointment I started about 2 months later and that was going private as not eliblgible for funded treatment.

After the art appointment my hubby and inhad a zoom appointment and the explained all the results of the test we had already had done and what protocol they were starting with. They said to call up the day of my next period but it was likely I wouldn't be taken until the second period but that they would pencil me in for th period after , which they did.

So first period I was told to call back next period but for a rough date I thought that would be and hopefully I'd be taken then. So the second period I called up and the booked me in for bloods to be taken which is routine for everyone to ensure no hiv or blood borne diseases both of you go to that. Then call the next period and got take up day 3 to get internal scan, bloods and first injection. . . This was it really starting. I was on injections for 13 days then egg transfer, unfortunately I only got 4 eggs only 3 mature and only 1 fertilised but was told it may not get to day 3 to transfer. Luckily it did and I got transfer day 3 which unfortunately resulted in a negative test on test day. I'm due a follow up consultation on 20th December.

I'm 39 and had amh of 7.7 which I'm told isn't too bad for my age. I was on antagonist protocol as opposed to the down regulation. I believe the antagonist is slightly quicker as after bloods your next period it starts I think with down it may be slightly different but not sure.

All the staff I spoke to were absolutely lovely and I would highly recommend Glasgow Royal despite it not working for us.

I would say make sure you have proof of MMR vaccine or get that done ASAP as they won't proceed with treatment before you have it and it you need a second dose you need to wait at least 4 weeks after getting it to start as its a live vaccine.

Good luck girls xx

Hi @Clarabelle10 @Ziggy553 <3 really excited for you both!

We ended up telling our parents a couple of weekends ago just due to some other factors meaning we might need to lean on them. Both sets were amazing and so incredibly supportive and we both really do feel like a weights been lifted off our shoulders. A bit gutted that the element of surprise has now gone WHEN (fingers crossed) it happens but for us I think this was the best option for us. If you’re looking to tell them and are worried about it, hopefully this makes you feel better!

We’re moving forward privately as same as @Monyb we are not eligible for NHS funded at the moment. Can I ask what an ART appointment is? I’m terrible with remembering! We just had our final consultation at the beginning of the month, I have a swab appointment at the beginning of January then myself and my husband have a telephone appointment mid Jan. After that, we were told we’d begin our first cycle.

I’d echo @Monyb and make sure you have your MMR vaccine history available :) I asked the exact same thing which was could I do anything to help the process - alongside the usual things like eat well etc I was told to keep my stress levels at the very minimum (easier said than done!!) and to try and eat a good amount of oily fish around your collection and transfer. I’m going to look into acupuncture.

wishing all 3 of you the very best of luck - please keep me updated on how you all get on, it’s nice to know there are others in the same boat feeling the same feelings x

Hi there, I’ve never joined a forum before so this is very new to me. I have severe endometriosis and I am now on the waiting list for IVF (NHS). I was told I would be added to the list from 13th Oct 2023 as this is when they received my referral from my local hospital. I’ve seen Dr Vani as he wanted to scan me himself & I’m sure he told me it is about a 6-8month wait to get to the top of the list but looking at some recent posts here I’m hoping it’ll be sooner rather than later!

Hi all,

Nice to hear from people in the same boat. I’m with the GRI via the NHS route. I was referred for IVF in June and was prescribed letrozole for 5 months while waiting, no luck there sadly. I had my first ART appointment in November and was assigned protocol 1 as I have an elevated AMH due to PCOS. I also have suspected endo which my GP brushed off before hand. I paid for a private HYCOSY ahead of my appointment with the NHS at GRCM which showed a small chocolate cyst and fibroid too. It’ll be my second month calling with my period and I’m hoping to be allowed to get things rolling this month. My acupuncturist has warned me it seems common to have to wait 4 months at the moment (I hear private is faster).

In terms of telling people, I’ve been quite open with close friends, family and some colleagues and it helped stop people assuming I’m pregnant because I’m off the drink. They’ve also been very supportive on the whole and I have found a good friend is actually in a similar position. I absolutely respect any decisions to be more private though. I also feel like I have exploded my brain listening to IVF related podcasts (BFN in particular) and reading books, so am very much ready to get on with it. 🤞🤞🤞 soon! Good luck everyone x

Hi @rayray28 I was added to the list at the end of June 2023. I was given a telephone appointment with the gynaecologist in around September to talk me through my diagnosis of low egg reserve. Then my first in person appointment (ART) was the week before Christmas. We have been given an online video call appointment for the end of January to explain the IVF treatment plan we will follow (either long or short protocol) and we will commence our first cycle of IVF on my next period after that call - probably around the end of February. Hope that gives you an idea of timescales as I know it's one of the main things you'll wonder about! 😊

Hi @Sandyisadog I hope things get going for you this time. Fingers crossed! Do you mind me asking what protocol 1 is? And do you call up on the actual day your period starts or the days beforehand? I love your approach to telling those around you, it must feel a bit lighter without the secrecy. I've also just listened to "It starts with the Egg" which gives lots of information about supplements which can help with egg quality and maturation. So I've ended up buying a whole catalogue of vitamins and supplements 😂

It's really lovely to hear about others experiences, wishing you all the best x

@Sandyisadog private was not any quicker for us. The initial waiting time was, but it still took 4 cycles to get booked in 😞 I know how that feels, it just starts to consume you and you want to get started ASAP!

@Clarabelle10 just a warning - you may not get booked in first month of trying. It took us 4 cycles and we were paying privately!

@itsmschanandlerbong was this recently? We have our last consent appointment next week and were told to call on first day of period to get going, she did say that we might not get booked in first month but then it would be the 2nd - I’m struggling with the thought of having to wait another 4 months! ☹️

does anyone know what the ‘antagonist’ protocol is? I will be on this but have no other info… would this be discussed in our consent call next week? Any help would be much appreciated!

@Clarabelle10 thanks for that it is helpful😊.

We were very private and told no one until I had an U/S which showed endometriosis and because I needed surgery we decided we should tell our close family and friends. I need another surgery to clip my left fallopian tube but they said they’ll still start IVF and freeze my eggs if not had surgery by the time I reach top of the list (which is unlikely). I feel like we’ve just had bad news after bad news which is even harder when everyone around us is falling pregnant but we’re trying to stay positive as much as possible.

Hi everyone,
Found this thread after doing some googling after consultation with my gp today. Stay in Glasgow - I’m 32 and partner 35 and been ttc for 1 year. 21 day progesterone normal, waiting for semen analysis. I was under impression that GP can refer to fertility service after 1 year ttc for further investigations ie ultrasound and HSG but gp says can only be referred after 2 years ttc if all bloods and SA normal. Just wanted to check this is correct? And wondering whether it’s worth going privately for ultrasound / HSG? Think I just want some reassurance that everything looks ok - feels pointless to keep trying for another year if there’s an issue which is preventing conception!
TIA

KestrelW, wait until you get semen analysis back. If this is normal then yes you need to be ttc for 2 years for nhs. If abnormal, can be referred. You could consider priv scan also if you wanted.

@Sabrinafive this was from May this year, we did eventually get booked in August. I think it's because we were affected by the summer shut down initially, then they had a waiting list after that. Hopefully you won't be as long! But no one prepared me for it, and when I done my two cycles to have my son I got booked in first time. Antagonist is a short protocol which is the fastest. I was 11 days on stims.

So, after being very confident it would take 4 attempts calling- I got booked in for my first IVF appointment on my second month. Bad news is I currently have Covid. I’ve made the mistake of googling whether Covid can impact embryo in the 3 month run up to egg retrieval and of course the internet says it can. Does anyone have any experience of this? I’ve gone ahead and booked myself in so any reassuring stories are particularly welcome! Haha. The ASC nurse said they didn’t have an opinion on it which I decided to take as a positive!

@Clarabelle10 hello! I think @itsmschanandlerbong (hello @itsmschanandlerbong your comments above are really helpful!) already answered the protocol 1 question. I’m on that protocol due to high AMH (50) due to PCOS. As for telling people, it does feel lighter but I think I’ve set myself up for a lot of boundary setting down the line which may be tricky! I think there’s strong plus/minus points whichever you choose to go with it. I haven’t read it starts with the egg but have read about it and very similarly have gathered a lot of supplements these past months!!!!

@KestrelW i had a private hycosy before I was referred to the ACS to check if my tubes were blocked. They also look at your Uterus and ovaries and it definitely helped with my anxiety at the time and made it feel like it was worth continuing to try naturally when it was beginning to feel a bit futile.

@Sandyisadog Thank you that’s helpful! Where did you get your hycosy done and would you mind saying how much it cost?

I went to GRCM. It was pretty expensive- £500 😬 Personally it was worth it for piece of mind at the time. The NHS accepted the result so I haven’t had to have it done again. I don’t know whether it sped things up at all once I got reffered, but it makes me feel a bit less gutted at the cost to think I might have!

@Sandyisadog no experience of covid effecting us, but when we had initial tests for our sibling round it was about 1 month after my husband had a viral infection with a high fever. His sperm analysis came back with zero sperm. Whilst his sperm was always low, he had at least some sperm so this was a huge shock. We waited 6 weeks and they done a repeat analysis and found some sperm again. The only explanation the doctor could give was the fever had impacted on his sperm count. Apparently sperm can take 12 weeks to regenerate. So that's the only thing I would say is to try and isolate from your partner so he doesn't catch it, assuming you're not in a same sex relationship of course!

Hey all sorry for another post but wondering if anyone can help me on what number I’m supposed to be phoning to initially book to try and get an appointment on day 1 of period (after consent appointments) - I was told to call the usual number 0141 956 0509 and leave a voicemail if OOH… I did today and there’s no option to leave a voicemail lol…. Now seen someone saying we’ve to call 0141 201 3478 (which u CAN leave a voicemail on) so now I’m worried I’ve just wasted a full day and will be further down the line than I should have been… any advice much appreciated x

Hi @Sandyisadog aw no what a nightmare. I have a letter with a list of numbers on which I have attached a photo of. The number I was told to call with questions at my ART Appointment was 0141 211 8545 and someone called me straight back in the morning. Hope this helps xx

@Sabrinafive sorry, the above messages I meant to tag you but made a mistake. Was late at night and I had the phone dimmed down so didn’t read the names properly! 😅

hope you got all sorted with your call x