What to expect seeing a specialist

[Mum2SweetCs]

So after 60 days and still no period, i went to the docs to get a referal to see a specialist.

Since i havent been trying for over a year i cannot see an FS so am seeing a gyno first.

What do i expect from the first consultation?

Do I bring all my fertility friend charts etc?

Also, i have a massive vent. I went to 3 docs and none allowed me to do blood tests to see if i ovulated or not!

What is the go with that???!?!?!??!

Thanks in advance.

[PumpkinZulu]

The first thing they should do is check for ovulation. They might do this with a blood test, or they might do a scan (trans-vaginal, woohoo...not lol). If you've ovulated, then you'll wait it out. If not, they should suggest giving you a script for some progesterone tabs, this will bring on your bleeding. That's what my FS gave me, I think I had my appt on cd74, then had a scan at cd78 and it showed (in conjunction with the temps on my chart) that I had O'ed on cd76 and was 2dpo, so I didn't need the progesterone, and finished my cycle at 87 days. FWIW, my next cycle was 29 days with O on cd17, so a much better cycle. Hopefully then, the specialist will want to keep treating you regardless of the fact you haven't been ttc for 12 months yet v

[Mum2SweetCs]

Thanks PZ,
does that mean i have to keep going to her instead of my GP? It costs $200 a visit (can claim some on medicare).

While I know getting pregnant outweighs how much it costs, its still a bit of money for routine blood tests that my GP might be able to do?

[Manhattan]

:yeahthat: Yup, what PZ said.

I went to see a FS after not having AF for more than 10 months. First thing he did was an ultrasound, and to our utter amazement, it showed that I had just ovulated (but I attribute that to TCM and acupuncture)

I find it odd that 3 drs you have seen havent ordered any blood tests. My GP did a full work up of all my hormones so he could see what was going on, and also so I had the info to take to my FS. The gyno will order these tests for you though.

Also, fwiw, I went straight to the FS, didnt see a gyno at all.

Hth, and goodluck x

[Mum2SweetCs]

Yeh im quite dissappointed to be honest.

Last cycle the BB ladies suggested i go ask for an ovulation blood test done, so i went to 3 drs and they said they dont perform these as they are not routine.

Yesterday was the 3rd doc, female too and i asked her and she said they dont perform those =(

[PumpkinZulu]

It depends on whether the fs suggests you keep coming back. They may go either way, maybe they'll say, 'once you get af, come back in and we'll see what else we can look for/do' or you might just go back to your gp. Hun I TOTALLY understand the money thing, in the end DF and I decided to go through the public hospy system, for two reasons. One, it is free, and two, even though it is a tad slower that going private (although the longest I've ever waited for an appt has been 1 month, usually it's one or two weeks but I've gotten some within days), DF and I have a bit more time to wait than most couples I'd maybe ask, can these sorts of test be done by my gp, and see what the fs says.

[Mum2SweetCs]

TBH, i feel so emotionally gutted. I go to the docs and am already quite upset over this and it seems like they don't think its big of an enough issue seeing that I haven't tried for 12 months.

My family doc was the worse, he blatantly said, just let nature take its course .. hence why i dont ever want to see him again for pregnancy related issues.

I really really want to find an understanding female doc but that just seems so hard to do.

[glenny_c]

That's horrible about your docs hon! My GP did a 21 day ovulation blood test pretty much when we first told him we were trying. We also got a referral to a FS before 12 months of trying,I think it was about 8 months in from memory. GP also sent DH to have his boys tested after 6 months so he was really on top of it!

I hope you can find a doc who will help you. The 21 day test we did was fully covered by medicare so I don't understand why they won't send you for one. So what if it's not standard!?!

[Elocin]

TBH, i feel so emotionally gutted. I go to the docs and am already quite upset over this and it seems like they don't think its big of an enough issue seeing that I haven't tried for 12 months.

My family doc was the worse, he blatantly said, just let nature take its course .. hence why i dont ever want to see him again for pregnancy related issues.

I really really want to find an understanding female doc but that just seems so hard to do.

Sorry that you're feeling upset - I too can't understand why they wouldn't do the BT.

I hate when Dr's just brush over the issues... especially when you're obviously upset about it!

I would take your FF chart, just to show the gyno what's been happening.

I hope you get some answers soon hun xo

[Manhattan]

Big big hugs sweetie

Sometimes Drs just dont think! And need things pointed out to them ie: How can we ttc when my body isnt cycling atm??? Kwim?

Where are you located? Maybe BB land can help find you a supportive gp. I love mine, he is in Melb.

[Mum2SweetCs]

I am in southwest syd so any docs around liverpool area would be great. I prefer female docs though.

Im hoping that the gyno would be more supportive.

[PumpkinZulu]

It's so hard to find a gp sympathetic to ttc issues, I went through a stack. In the end, the first thing out of my mouth at a new appointment was, 'I realise we are young, I realise we have more time than most. If you feel you cannot treat me, or if you feel you are not going to treat us as an infertile couple REGARDLESS of our age, then we'll finish this appointment here, we'll happily pay the lady at the front desk for the full consult. We just don't want to waste our time, or yours.' I did have a few who said things along the line of, 'relax, it will happen, you ARE young so we won't worry about tests for a while'. And we were outta the places like that in a flash. It's so hard, but once you find that right person, it's great

[Manhattan]

Found this googling, not sure if it helps, click here

[Mum2SweetCs]

Thanks Manhattan, the link doesnt work =)

Hmmm ... im not sure why our reaction is, I think it is because we have a DD already that was easily conceived so the docs must assume the second one should come naturally also? heck knows.

[Manhattan]

Hopefully it works now

here

Otherwise I'll pm u the link

[Mum2SweetCs]

Yup works!

The thing is, im not getting referred to an obstetrician but a gyno?

[Manhattan]

Oh i realise that hun, but there was a couple of GPs mentioned, both male and female.

Hopefully someone pops in soon from around your area

[MissM]

Hi there mum2onesweetbun!

How frustrating and upsetting for you. There is nothing worse then seeking medical answers to be basically brushed off in the end!

We had a similar issue at the beginning of the year. we had been 'officially' ttc for 6 months without acheiving pregnancy. we had also had 12 months of 'not trying but not preventing' and nothing at all so all up its been close to 24 months now! Dr sent me for the routine tests (hormone, ovulation, thyroid, kidney etc BT's) all BT's came back perfect. I monitored O'ing and was perfect cd 12 every month.

In Feb my dr sends me to see a gyno at the public hospital who my cousin recommended who IMHO was too busy to make time for me which we found out later as he ran the same blood tests my dr done and said there was nothing he can do for us other than refer us to an IVF clinic. Being 26 at the time, I found it extremely hard to deal with (Im not so bad now) Went back to my GP and told him I wasnt happy with the care I had received. Went home to discuss it with DP and we decided to leave it until September '10 then we would seek a referral.

Well - my lovely body decides to start playing games with me!! my last cycle was 42 days!! I am a textbook 28 day cycle!! I thought I was UTD, 20 tests later, all neg so I take myself to the Dr, fill him in on whats going on with my cycle etc, he runs more tests INCLUDING Ovulation!! I am sent for trans vag u/s WHOO HOO (lol) which reveals a cyst

I tell my gp I would like to see a particular Gyno in my area, however, the wait is far too long and my Dr doesnt want to wait that long. so he refer's me to a gyno he sends his clients to. Gyno suggests a lap. Had my lap done this week & they found a cyst on each ovary (one we knew about already), drained them, my cervix was closed & I had some endo.

I wouldnt see a public gyno ever again. I originally wanted to see a priv gyno, but my cousin said her gyno was fantastic - I didnt think so!

My gyno was $200 for the first visit, and only $100 thereafter.

Sorry for the long novel - but I just wanted to share my journey this year with you. I guess the moral to my long winded story is, dont give up. If you dont like the answers you have been given - continue to look and you will hopefully find them!