shall I move clinics? Please help!

Sheepsheeps · 2023-04-01T08:48:20+00:00

Hi everyone I'm 42 and have a low amh and afc. I'm currently on day 10 of my 4th round and it's not looking good with only one folical growing and the clinic are already pushing to cancel.... Treatment so far: 1st standard ivf protocol 150 = 4 eggs 1 day 6 blast 2nd higher dose 225 = 2 eggs 1 day 6 blast 3rd higher dose 225 = 1 egg clinic binned on day 6 as they said it was too slow growing.... 4th mild protocol but with lots of different drugs!!! (Norethisterone, progynova, Meriofert, Fostimon) only one folical growing at day 10.... My current clinic CRGH seem to be very knowledgeable as we have male issues (TESE extracted sperm) and their embryologist use calcium ionophore and IMSI to do their best but i just dont feel that chucking all these drugs at me works?! Ive been looking into Create that have a completely different approach but they dont use calcium ionophore or and other processes to help with ICSI. What do I do? Stay with current clinic that have basically said they can't do any more other than put me on an even higher dose of drugs and hope or move clinics to try different drugs but risk less experienced embryologist teams? If I move I will also miss my next cycle due to all the paperwork etc required and I'm worried this will affect my chances too as every month counts. I'm so torn 😔

Fox01 · 01/04/2023 16:07

I would move. I think you'd regret not trying. You're clearly still getting eggs but it doesn't really sound very well tailored. I have only been nhs so I cannot comment but we plan on going private if they won't change things and the same things happen

Rosemarypots · 01/04/2023 17:10

It's really hard. It sounds like it could be worth exploring moving clinics so you can feel in yourself that you've given yourself the best chance. I would also suggest doing some soul searching about what the outcomes might be. So on the one hand you might move clinics, land on the right protocol and you get that embryo that works and gives you your baby, which would be amazing. But it's also possible that you move clinics, you do a round and the result is no better. This might give you some closure, or it might not. I say this from a place of kindness and empathy, as I'm now moving to donor eggs following several failed rounds.

If you get on with your CRGH consultant then I would ask them what they'd recommend you do next if you were their sister or friend - it can really focus minds. Wishing you all the best - I know this is a really hard place to be in

GreyZebra · 01/04/2023 19:24

I would move because if you don’t you’ll always wonder. However, I’d caution against Create if you’ve got male factor. Just my experience and I’m sure there’ll be many success stories but we found they lacked knowledge/interest in male factor. We had two total fertilisation failures with them which we hadn’t had with our previous clinic (although our fertilisation rates weren’t very good with them either) and they just kept saying how poor my husband’s sperm was. We already knew that (that’s why we’re doing ivf!) but it was their job to find a good one! My perception was they lacked ICSI experience / expertise and as you say, they don’t do any add-ons like the calcium ionophore. They certainly didn’t have any suggestions as to how we could improve things after our two disastrous cycles so we cut our losses and left after two cycles of a three cycle package. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Original poster

Sheepsheeps · 01/04/2023 21:45

GreyZebra · 01/04/2023 19:24

I would move because if you don’t you’ll always wonder. However, I’d caution against Create if you’ve got male factor. Just my experience and I’m sure there’ll be many success stories but we found they lacked knowledge/interest in male factor. We had two total fertilisation failures with them which we hadn’t had with our previous clinic (although our fertilisation rates weren’t very good with them either) and they just kept saying how poor my husband’s sperm was. We already knew that (that’s why we’re doing ivf!) but it was their job to find a good one! My perception was they lacked ICSI experience / expertise and as you say, they don’t do any add-ons like the calcium ionophore. They certainly didn’t have any suggestions as to how we could improve things after our two disastrous cycles so we cut our losses and left after two cycles of a three cycle package. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Thank you that's very interesting and you've confirmed my hunch regarding their complete lack of understanding regard male factor.
Please can I ask which clinic you chose to move to after Create and if they were any good?

OP posts:

Original poster

Sheepsheeps · 01/04/2023 21:45

Rosemarypots · 01/04/2023 17:10

It's really hard. It sounds like it could be worth exploring moving clinics so you can feel in yourself that you've given yourself the best chance. I would also suggest doing some soul searching about what the outcomes might be. So on the one hand you might move clinics, land on the right protocol and you get that embryo that works and gives you your baby, which would be amazing. But it's also possible that you move clinics, you do a round and the result is no better. This might give you some closure, or it might not. I say this from a place of kindness and empathy, as I'm now moving to donor eggs following several failed rounds.

If you get on with your CRGH consultant then I would ask them what they'd recommend you do next if you were their sister or friend - it can really focus minds. Wishing you all the best - I know this is a really hard place to be in

Thank you, you're advice is most helpful!

OP posts:

Original poster

Sheepsheeps · 01/04/2023 21:47

Fox01 · 01/04/2023 16:07

I would move. I think you'd regret not trying. You're clearly still getting eggs but it doesn't really sound very well tailored. I have only been nhs so I cannot comment but we plan on going private if they won't change things and the same things happen

Thank you but it's so hard to know where to go as every clinic seems to want to have a consultation first which means you have to wait several weeks, then they want to do their own scans etc and before you know it you're 6 weeks down the line

OP posts:

Fox01 · 02/04/2023 09:34

I know it's not easy but it's better than waiting less and it not working again and then seeking it all out. My friend looked into abroad. They paid and had meetings and arranged their own bloods and scans here and they will start ivf within 3 months of all that. There is no quick fix. I've had to wait 2.5 years for nhs due to being unexplained and a waitlist and we will go private after the next round because I know they won't tailor anything.

Koalie · 04/04/2023 11:52

Hello :)
Seems like you respond better to a lower dose of stims so why do they keep increasing it? Can you not try another round back at 150? x

Original poster

Sheepsheeps · 04/04/2023 13:33

Koalie · 04/04/2023 11:52

Hello :)
Seems like you respond better to a lower dose of stims so why do they keep increasing it? Can you not try another round back at 150? x

You'd have thought that would be sensible!
I'm currently on a mild protocol (different drugs to the first round) but only have one folical and tomorrow is egg collection day xx

OP posts:

Koalie · 04/04/2023 13:39

@Sheepsheeps sorry to hear that! Will they cancel the round or keep going? You never know, could be ‘the one’ 🙏🏼 x

Original poster

Sheepsheeps · 04/04/2023 13:41

We will go ahead regardless x

OP posts:

Koalie · 04/04/2023 13:42

@Sheepsheeps good luck! 🍀🤞🏼x

Original poster

Sheepsheeps · 04/04/2023 13:44

@Koalie thank you 😊 xx

OP posts:

Gioobs · 02/09/2024 19:39

I have been with Create Wimbledon for an NHS cycle. Male factor here - it should suffice to say that they don't even have an urologist/andrologist working there.

cosyleafcafe · 03/09/2024 06:38

Sheepsheeps · 01/04/2023 21:47

Thank you but it's so hard to know where to go as every clinic seems to want to have a consultation first which means you have to wait several weeks, then they want to do their own scans etc and before you know it you're 6 weeks down the line

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I understand the fear about time passing OP, every moment must feel so precious when you get to this stage.

I would highly recommend The Lister in London. I've just had treatment there and they were absolutely spectacular in every way, and got the ball rolling very quickly.

We switched from a clinic who, in hindsight, were horrendous - they were lacking in both knowledge and patient care - but only realised once we'd had a very good experience at the Lister (we are also male factor).

The Lister really know what they are doing and carefully tailor everything to you.

Even if it's far away for you, it's worth the travel and extra cost, in my opinion - and if you are going private anyway, you'll be spending a lot anyway.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.