What should I expect from an RE?

KAB · #1 July 16th, 2010, 03:18 PM

After 4 years of TTC, my very stubborn DH is finally ready to go see an RE. I'm having mixed feeling about this cause I'm just so drained and am ready to give up. DH however, is super sad that we don't have a baby yet, he's been against medical assistance from the get go, but now he's been getting more and more depressed since our loss and is willing to try anything to get pg. If I do decide to go see an RE, can any of you ladies tell me what I should expect?

brandimomof2 · #2 July 16th, 2010, 03:58 PM

When I went they just ran some basic test,we talked and then he did a u/s to look at everything. That was about it, the rest has been just talking back and forth and he thinks we should try IUI.

I think the first visit would be just doing blood work and trying to figure out if there is a problem they can see. If its unexplained I am sure they will suggest IUI or IVF. Of course it all depends on your situation.

Glad you dh is open to going now.

Oh they will also want to do a sperm count on your dh to rule that out.

~InHisHands~ · #3 July 16th, 2010, 04:54 PM

My first appt they just went over my medical history & he asked a bunch of questions. They did draw some blood but of course my OB had done enough that the RE probably already knew my issue... anovulatory. I didn't have any kind of physical exam during my first visit though I know several others have/do. Here is something I found that might help... Your First Visit - Fertility LifeLines

Also don't forget to check out the TTCMA board here on JM... the ladies there are awesome!

missy123 · #4 July 16th, 2010, 06:27 PM

You should definitely check out the TTCWMA board! I found tons of information and support there!

I hope you get a surprise BFP in the next few days and don't have to go to an RE

KAB · #5 July 16th, 2010, 11:12 PM

Thanks ladies, that helped. I talked with DH about possibly doing an IUI, and at least he is open to it, but of course is concerned about $$. My insurance doesn't cover any fertility treatment, but I'm just going to make the appointment and see what the RE has to say. I'm still praying that we can get a BFP on our own though!

missy123 · #6 July 17th, 2010, 03:52 AM

Many RE's can offer financing options. I don't have health insurance and got care credit. It is a credit card that is only for medical purposes. Celena has care credit as well. While you do have to pay it back, it does allow you to open up your options at an RE. I had an IUI, it is pretty painless and has a decent success rate. I am older and have high FSH which is why I am struggling with fertility.

Also, while some insurance plans do not cover infertility, they will cover the medications or portions of it.

Kary♥RN · #7 July 17th, 2010, 06:53 AM

HUGS...

When I went to the RE...

I called to make the Appt.. They sent out a stack of paperwork that needed to be filled put by You and DH. I was in the process of going through my third loss.. So I brought with me all the Paperwork and got copies of the Bloodwork my OB did. Along with all the information on my three losses.

I was brought into the office with my dh, he went over all the Paper work I had filled out, and my blood work. He wanted to run additional blood tests.. and run tests on DH. Since we had, had one confirmed loss due to chromosomal that was a test he was very persistant on running. Since I had two other unknown losses. He wanted to do a quick u/s.. to one.. make sure anatomy looked good, and since I was on the end of a m/c make sure I had no tissue retained. since i was still spotting.

He brought me into another room that had the u/s machine... And said everything looked good. He told me about two other tests.. one to check my tubes, and one to check the lining.. and the blood work on Me and DH, and a SA on DH.

So I was than put into a room with a nurse who went over the SA with DH, all the blood work, and when to call for CD3 Bloodwork, and the two tests.. that would have to be done at the Hospital Same day surgery.

DH and I left, went right to the hospital and got blood work done. DH that week brought in his swimmers.. for his SA... and then the problems started with the insurance. Since my insurance dosent cover "infertility" but do cover the tests... to diaignose it.... Well my blood work was coverd right off the back.. since my billing code was multiple miscarriage.... DH blood work was billed under infertility. his bill was $8,600 (yes just for bloodwork!!!) So I never sceduled the tests.. since we were fighting to get that paid! It was finally paid in Nov... By that time I had gone back to my OB.. to see what options... he had for me. We talked and he felt.. since I have gotten pregnant and my second loss had implanted.. and would have probably been ok... it was not my Anotomy or tubes. He felt it was egg/sperm or just egg issue. So that is why I was put on Clomid to "bust my eggs"..... And he drew the CD3 and did the CD12 U/S... and then monitored me while on Clomid.. I went in for CD13 U/S every month. That went on for 3 cycles.. before I got my BFP. (So far sticky one!!!)

I hope this helped... if you have any questions.. Let me know!! Good Luck!!

~InHisHands~ · #8 July 17th, 2010, 07:06 AM

Oh & if I am not mistaken a lot of pharmacies have programs that if you don't have insurance, they will work with you on the price so that you can still get meds. I'm sure you can talk to them about this option if you discover that your insurance doesn't cover any of the meds either. Here's one such pharmacy... No insurance | Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy fertility support.

I know how scary it is (I think most of us do)... I'm still not sure what I'm gonna pay next cycle with injectables. I only have to buy 1 or 2 vials though since someone gave me their leftovers. Otherwise I probably would have tried one more round of Clomid. It shouldn't be this hard to have a baby.

(for you & me & all of us, for that matter

)

KAB · #9 July 17th, 2010, 11:20 AM

Thank you ladies! You have been SO helpful! I will have to look into the care credit, DH isn't working right now and I know we can't afford thousands of dollars in tests. It's just a scary step, because in someway it feels like failure, but I know that is not the case. I'm just going to call Monday morning and make the appointment, then we'll see how much everything is going to cost.

KDD · #10 July 17th, 2010, 12:17 PM

Prior to seeing the RE we had a ton of tests done that were ordered by my GP (CD3, CD 21, and SA) - the RE also had us complete a bunch of forms. At our first appt we went over the forms and then the RE re-ordered all of the tests plus added on an HSG (and possibly an u/s - I can't remember). They really want to know what they're working with before they suggest any forms of treatments.

I was actually disappointed with our first meeting with the RE. It seemed like she just wanted to read the forms. Thankfully by our next visit she was much more personable.

After we completed all of the tests, we went back to go over the results. All of our tests were normal, but given our ages she felt that IVF would be our best option. While we waited for our names to come up on the wait list, we tried Clomid and an IUI as well.

brandimomof2 · #11 July 17th, 2010, 06:44 PM

I just wanted to say that an IUI is anywhere from $800-1000 to do. Just so you know what your looking at if that is what your RE suggest. They did not require my dh to do any test except the SA which was covered by my insurance. Big shocker on that one because they dont cover infertility but do cover all testing up to the diagnosis.

KAB · #12 July 17th, 2010, 09:50 PM

Good to know, I think I can come up with $1,000, especially if it means finally getting a baby! Does anybody know how much a SE would cost? I hope the RE won't order too much because of the $$ issue and still be willing to help me.

missy123 · #13 July 18th, 2010, 07:39 AM

Be up front and tell your doctor about your financial concerns. To be honest, it is expensive. I did not want to go to an RE because of the money and my DF said to me "If you don't go and don't try everything possible to get pregnant then you will have regrets". He was right. We spent a little more than $3,000.00 in 2 months, did not get pregnant but I have no regrets in spending the money. It was worth every penny. You have to remember your chances are probably much better than mine. I am an old lady with high FSH

The SE cost us about $150.00

BrandiJeane · #14 July 19th, 2010, 10:39 AM

Looks like you wont be making a trip to the RE!!!

)
So exciting!!

missy123 · #15 July 19th, 2010, 10:44 AM

No Trip to the RE for you! Congratulations again!

Kary♥RN · #16 July 19th, 2010, 11:05 AM

LOL!!!! NOPE No RE for you!!!!

brandimomof2 · #17 July 19th, 2010, 11:22 AM

I am so happy for you and me. No RE procedures. Woohoo!!!

BeccaM · #18 July 19th, 2010, 12:19 PM

So happy you dont have to make that RE appt! Congrats again Kelly!!

KAB · #19 July 19th, 2010, 01:13 PM

Thank you ladies, you are all so wonderful and have been SO supportive. I would have gone crazy without you! DH and I had a long talk over the weekend and were totally prepared come up with the cash to see an RE. I'm grateful I don't have to make that step now. I'm still going to be around, and all of you ladies are in my prayers every day!