Back from RE Consult-Moving to IVF!

racechick24 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 12:16 PM

Yep...the above title is correct. I'm offically moving to IVF!

First off, loved the RE. He said down with me and DH and went over everything in my chart. There isn't really anything else that he can think of that already hasn't been tested so he gave us 2 options: injectibles with IUI for a couple of cycles or straight to IVF. He said most likely the injectible/IUI won't produce a pg and if/by the time it does, we would have spend enough money for an IVF cycle, which has better success rates.

He's not a huge fan of Clomid and said that probably Clomid could be the cause of my m/c in February because Clomid produces such bad egg quality. DH's count isn't where he would like it to be either so it greatly reduces the chance of conception with IUI. He also believes the cervical stenosis is causing my endometriosis because it's not allowing anything to

to flow out as much as it should. He did another u/s to check the huge cyst and it's still there....

. He also wanted to measure my uterus (don't know exactly what that means...anyone who knows, feel free to enlighten me!) and tried to insert a small catheter again and it wouldn't go thru again. So, he thinks the combo with my cervix and DH's sperm is what's causing our infertility.

So, after talking everything over, we decided to go forward with IVF. He's given us a greater than 60% of conceiving. The total cost he said would be somewhere between $6000 to $8000...

. So, we're trying to figure out where we're going to pull that out of. The most he will transfer is 2 embryo's but will

the hopefully left over eggs for a FET, if the first IVF doesn't take.

I go in next Tuesday for a Financial Meeting with the Insurance lady and then a nurse's consult and I believe medication administration class. The RE also wants to try to manipulate the cervix again as he finds it very interesting. The RE is thinking we can move things along quickly and get it rolling in November.

Anyway, so for the long post...dont' really know how to react. I'm kind of relieved that DH agreed to move forward with it and we can try IVF and if it doesn't work, well, we can at least say we gave it our best and put all of this to a rest once and for all and I can start a new year not worrying about TTC and get on with the rest of our lives. I've had to hold in :cry all the way home in front of DH...I don't want him to think I'm a wimp and can't take this. I guess I've always known deep in my

that it would come to this and never wanted to let it get that far. I figured since I got pg in January that I'd be :pg again by now.

Thanks for the support, girls! I have a feeling I'm gonna need a lot more of it from all of you very soon!

juliesfirstbaby · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 12:24 PM

Kelli, congratulations on your decision to move forward to IVF! I know how hard that decision is, but it sounds like it is a really good choice for your situation.

As for the money side of it, when we did IVF we bit the bullet and took out a loan to cover the expenses that our insurance didn't cover. We hated to incur so much debt, but felt that it was worth it. Now we have a $ 200/month loan payment, but we also have a beautiful two month old baby boy.

I also hear you on the m/c issue. I got pregnant on my own and m/c both times. Then a year went by after the second m/c and nothing happened. Who knows why, I just know that I got tired of waiting.

I really hope that IVF works for you!

tarheelbaby2b · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 12:26 PM

what a wonderful appointment. I am sorry that you have to move on to IVF though. But if the doc thinks its better for you then go for it. Why not!!!
Just for all that watch you end up prego this cycle. That would be a great way to save $$$

hopeful gal · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 12:34 PM

Woohoo Kelli!! I am so glad you are moving to IVF and maybe we will be cycle buddies

I think going straight to IVF is a great decision and have a great feeling you will be preggo in no time!!! If you have any questions just ask away!!!

Janay

brownsuga · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 12:41 PM

Oh Kelli, so happy your appointment went well and you like your new RE. So great that you all decided to move right to IVF. I have a feeling I will probably have to go the same route, I just know it is my cervix that is preventing us from conceiving. There is no way DH is going to go along with IVF he is so against spending thousands of $$$ on fertility, I just don't know what to do if these IUI's don't work, I am just going to have to BEG BEG!! him to at least go to a IVF consult if these IUI's don't work.

Please keep us posted on everything and good luck. I am rooting for you girlie, this will defintely work.

racechick24 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 01:01 PM

Thanks, girls...you are just the most wonderful group of ladies a girl could ever ask for!

Julie...Thanks for the info on the loans...I'm researching them right now. We have some savings but not that much to cover the entire thing and it would completely drain our savings if we went that route. I believe our parents may be able to pitch in and give us some money, which would be great! Also, the RE said they work with a company to provide financial support/options for IVF costs but he thought the interest rates were too high. One other option: I work right now in the PERS retirement system (public employees retirement) and I'm considering switching jobs back to the private sector and I believe once I leave the PERS system I can cash out my retirement money, which would be around $7000. I'm going to call them in a little bit and request some info on that.

Lindsay...yeah, that's what I thought about this cycle...I thought maybe I could trick my body into getting pg by having the consult.

But the RE said our chances for conception is low (I guess the fact that I got pg the first time was a sheer miracle in itself!).

Janay...Thanks so much! Since you volunteered, do you have any advice on what I should be asking next week at the financial/nurse consult?

Angie...I never thought we'd get to this point either but I think me and Dh are so broken down yet determined after going thru the m/c and all the IUI's this year that we just want to get pg (or not) and get on with our lives. I can't live the rest of my life wondering "I wonder what would happen if I tried IVF?". It is quite possible that the cervical issue is causing you the same problem as me. I'd check with the RE again when you go back next time and really question them. My RE really thinks that is the issue with me not conceiving as did my OB for the most part (plus DH's count/motilty problem).

I really wish I wouldn't have been so scared and just went for this earlier in life and saw the RE sooner but I wanted to be sure that I had given everything I had to get pg before moving to the RE and IVF. (I'll admit...I was so scared when I walked thru that door this morning that I wanted to

but the staff and RE quickly calmed my nerves...it's a totally different place than the OB's office by far! I feel so loved!

)

...you all are the best!

hopeful gal · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 01:20 PM

Kelli...I don't have any advice for the financial part since my Ins covers it, but they will go over everything. The nurse part I will think about and let you know, and the ladies on the IVF board are great so you should come on over there

I am really excited you are going the IVF route!!

racechick24 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2006, 01:41 PM

Thanks, Janay! Let me know if you think of anything at all that I need to ask! I just joined the IVF thread on the IUI board but I'll put a post over on the IVF board here in a little while.

Good news...I called PERS to find out what amount of money I had and how I go about getting it after I quit my job (I just got contacted about the new job and they are proceeding with everything in the HR dept. and I hopefully will know something very soon...I'll post more about that on the Chatty thread!) and I can get almost $6000 after they take a 30% fee for taxes and an early withdrawl fee.

I feel better...at least that's an option!