Help me make a list

Lash · #1 February 20th, 2009, 10:58 PM

Appt is on Wed, so I need a good list to bring up with the RE. Clint cant go, he has class, but they said they will write an order for an SA when I am there, and he does it at another clinic/hospital

I know I am ovulating (99% sure, could always be wrong). Pee sticks and temping confirmed it, regular normal periods
Short Cycles, typical 25 days, at times shorter
Low progesterone (10.2 at last test on CD 21/8dpo)
OTC Progesterone resistant as well
Higher Prolactin (leaking fluid from boobs all the time, all times of the cycle, sticky, not painful)
Been pregnant once, miscarried
Thyroid tested, no problems (I believe it was at 1.8? Very close to that level)
Low temperatures when temping (typical coverline of 96.9, never going above 97.8 on any cycle)

chellerenee · #2 February 20th, 2009, 11:27 PM

I can't think of anything to add to your list, but I wanted to say I'm so glad you finally get to see an RE! I hope they can figure out what's going on!

Michelle

~Jess~ · #3 February 21st, 2009, 07:44 AM

Just wanted to wish you luck as well!

p.s. How's your cm?

Mod-LadyCoconut · #4 February 21st, 2009, 10:05 AM

I'm sure you already plan on bringing in print offs of your charts, but make sure to point out your dtd patterns.

soImarriedAnerd · #5 February 21st, 2009, 08:09 PM

Ditto everyone else, also what about DH? Make sure to bring his info also.

Will all your records be already sent? If not bring those! And if they say they were-VERIFY the RE got them!

IamMom · #6 February 22nd, 2009, 04:35 AM

Yeah I can't think of very much either - I was going to say something about DH - he hasn't had an SA yet or anything has he - you might want to mention that. They may want to test him just to rule that out. Also, you could mention the accupuncture thing.....I think most western doctors are for it now days but you never know what they'll think of you having done that. That's all I can think of - good luck hun!

bittersweet · #7 February 22nd, 2009, 05:27 AM

Only thing I have to add is to go with an open mind. I feel like a lot of people on the boards that go to REs think that b/c they've read TCOYF and been on JM for a while they know more than their Dr. They go to their appts saying I want this this and that, and then get upset if the Dr doesnt order certain meds/tests they want. It is good to be informed, but realize you are not hiring them for their authority to order tests and meds. You are hiring them for their expertise. And realize they may not be interested at all in your charts or may think they are a waste of time. They've went to many years of school and it is their job to get you knocked up. All I'm saying is let them do their job.

Angelaosaurus-rex · #8 February 22nd, 2009, 07:14 AM

Looks like you got every thing covered to me! Good luck!!!

#9 February 22nd, 2009, 08:06 AM

Sounds like you and everyone else has everything covered. Two things I thought of were not to be surprised if the RE doesn't think too much of your miscarriage since it was so early and chemicals are so common. Hopefully he/she is still sensitive about it though. And don't be surprised if he/she whips out the cooter cam. The cooter cam is your friend! I had a pap my first appt too but every doc is different. Good luck!

Lash · #10 February 22nd, 2009, 10:22 AM

Hey I'm kinda hoping for the cooter cam! I would like some insight into my inner workings

**Jenn** · #11 February 22nd, 2009, 10:27 AM

I don't have anything to add but I'm wishing you tons of luck with your appointment this week!

#12 February 22nd, 2009, 05:35 PM

I ditto Jess, ask about your CM.

I really, truly think that I got pregnant the cycle that I did because it was the only one in the 5 months that we TTC where I had good quality CM.

ShannonMVT · #13 February 22nd, 2009, 05:54 PM

I can't think of anything the other ladies haven't covered, but wanted to say good luck and hopefully you get some questions answered at your visit.

niknok · #14 February 23rd, 2009, 04:26 PM

Good luck hun!

Resi · #15 February 24th, 2009, 06:08 AM

GL!

*kyle* · #16 February 24th, 2009, 03:34 PM

What a coincidence. I just got home from my first RE appointment today! I am so glad we're doing this together, in a way. We can compare notes (even though our reasons for infertility are probably very different).

Here are the things my RE told me to have done and/or bring with us:
- Last pap results
- any bloodwork done (for us, included my entire workup for clotting factors/immunological factors/chromosomal abnormalities which showed my MTHFR, my homocystiene results, and Eric's blood test results showing his balanced translocation)
- any OB paperwork on your miscarriage - if you had any - including u/s scans, hCG and progesterone levels
- your charts so you can show ovulation patterns, short luteal phase patterns

Here's what I asked my RE:
- What is your experience with our specific type of situation?
- (In our case) Will my MTHFR interfere with undergoing IVF? How do you suggest we manage the MTHFR during a pregnancy?
- In your experience, what do you feel the odds are of us conceiving on our own? Odds of continuing miscarriage? Odds of success with (IUI/IVF etc)?
- What are the options and alternatives available to us? Are there options that might be less invasive versus more invasive? Do you start with one technique and if it fails, try a different one?
- What risks are there to continuing to try on our own? (In our case, what risks of birth defect, late miscarriage/stillbirth etc)
- What risks are there to the medical techniques you offer?
- What is your clinic's success rate with (IUI/IVF etc)?
- Is there anything else we should be doing before we start TTC with MA?
- What tests do you need to perform on us now?
- Who do you recommend for genetic counseling? (Not sure if you guys will need this)
- Do you follow pregnancies at the clinic or do you partner with an outside OB to do that?
- What is the cost of the (IUI/IVF etc) procedure from start to finish?
- Do you work with our insurance company/ies and what do they typically cover, if anything?
- Do you offer financial assistance, payment plans or loans to help with costs?
- Do you offer any grants, experimental procedures or a shared risk program to help with costs?
- Do you offer any money back guarantees or refunds if the (first, second, tenth) procedure is not successful?

Here is what she recommended:
- She pulled out the wand today and did a vaginal u/s to check my lining and ovaries. She measured my ovaries and told me she could see my corpus luteum and that I o'ed from my right side this month, which was cool to know. She said my lining looks thick and healthy LOL
- Ordered me to call on my next CD1 (which will be today or tomorrow) to schedule a Day 3 FSH test
- At the same time as the FSH test they are going to do a blood test for the cystic fibrosis gene (just to make sure I'm not a carrier)
- Ordered a sperm analysis done on Eric
- Ordered a hysterosonogram done to check for abnormalities and polyps
- Referred us to a genetic counselor to get an analysis of Eric's balanced translocation - they will be able to tell us what the odds are of him producing a genetically normal embryo - could be 20% or could be 80% depending on his specific translocation

Let me know how it goes... I haven't been here in a couple of weeks, so if you want you can PM me so I definitely get the update! Good luck Lauren.

#17 February 25th, 2009, 12:42 PM

Hey Kyle, I hope you update us with all the findings when you get a chance. It sounds like you have a good plan going. Everything is crossed for you that Eric falls towards the 80% and all the other labs come back normal

And try to avoid the HSG horror stories, I thought it was a pretty easy and painless procedure.

Hope you are getting some Cooter Cam love Lauren!