I decided that I was going to meet with the RE doc that I was referred to and thought of it was an interview...for HIM. Before walking in to his clinic yesterday, I wasn't sure I wanted to go there or the clinic with the better CDC stats. I got a whole lot of information yesterday and I'm going to relay it as best I can.
I haven't done any infertility treatments or testing since Dec 2009. Things have changed. Now, before I can do an FET I have to have all sorts of oh so fun testing done, AGAIN. I guess the new regulations say that all the testing has to be done within six months of any embryo transfer. I have to repeat my water u/s (sonohysterography), have a uterine biopsy, a mock embryo transfer, blood work, physical, pap smear, and a uterine lining measurement performed. I am not thrilled but I've been through it all before-except the biopsy. I understand why all of it is necessary-to have the best possible environment for the embryos-but that doesn't mean that I have to like it. Dr. H and I talked about everything infertility and I liked him...and trust me, it takes a lot for me to like a doctor. I've done this three other times, in three other states and had just about every fertility treatment and test done to me. I loved the fact that he was straight out about everything...he promised he wasn't going to do anything unnecessary and only does the minimum medications for the best possible outcomes. Before, for my first FET, I was on 10 units of Lupron injections and vaginal Estrace every day for like 45 days. Dr. H told me that Lupron does the same thing as the Estrace and it's overkill. He no longer uses Lupron for FET's. Music to my ears. Obviously, if I ovulate with only the Estrace, I'll have to do Lupron too but it's unlikely so why use both if you don't have to? I liked his reasoning a lot. He took close to an hour and a half with me, asking and answering questions. I asked how long he would follow me if I did get pregnant. He said 12-14 weeks gestation. Again, I was THRILLED to hear that. He was open and honest and reasonable. He was someone I could easily talk to and I felt like he actually worked FOR me. By the end, I was convinced this was the clinic for me and my 12 babies. I asked/talked about the CDC stats and while I didn't get a firm percentage on his live birth rates, he told me he's done hundreds of FET's (which is not what the CDC had on record for 2009) with great results. I'm going to trust him on that. I could always change docs (once the testing is done so Tricare will pick up the tab) and go with the other clinic. But for now, I am completely at peace about this decision. (oh and if you want to check out his book-one he gave me free yesterday-click here)
Now the fun begins. I've called my AZ RE to arrange transport of the embryos and have heard NOTHING back from them all day. I'm not surprised but still annoyed. I'll try again tomorrow.
I'm supposed to start 4mg of Estrace when I get AF, which is due to happen next week sometime. (yes, this is all happening this fast!!!) I went to Randolph AFB to try and fill it, but they don't carry it. Neither does Wilford Hall/BAMC...Walmart does, but get this: Tricare won't cover it. Yeah, remember how I said they would cover all my meds? Apparently, it has to be generic Estrace or they won't...and I can't have anything but the brand name according to my doctor. (which by the way I can take orally this time not vaginally so I do not have to leak the blue nastiness!!!) Walmart's Estrace: $429 for one month...ouch. I've been hooked up with Freedom Pharmacy and their cost is $329/month. I'll take it.
The FET is set for January...as long as I can pass all the testing and get it all done before then. Here we go!
I haven't done any infertility treatments or testing since Dec 2009. Things have changed. Now, before I can do an FET I have to have all sorts of oh so fun testing done, AGAIN. I guess the new regulations say that all the testing has to be done within six months of any embryo transfer. I have to repeat my water u/s (sonohysterography), have a uterine biopsy, a mock embryo transfer, blood work, physical, pap smear, and a uterine lining measurement performed. I am not thrilled but I've been through it all before-except the biopsy. I understand why all of it is necessary-to have the best possible environment for the embryos-but that doesn't mean that I have to like it. Dr. H and I talked about everything infertility and I liked him...and trust me, it takes a lot for me to like a doctor. I've done this three other times, in three other states and had just about every fertility treatment and test done to me. I loved the fact that he was straight out about everything...he promised he wasn't going to do anything unnecessary and only does the minimum medications for the best possible outcomes. Before, for my first FET, I was on 10 units of Lupron injections and vaginal Estrace every day for like 45 days. Dr. H told me that Lupron does the same thing as the Estrace and it's overkill. He no longer uses Lupron for FET's. Music to my ears. Obviously, if I ovulate with only the Estrace, I'll have to do Lupron too but it's unlikely so why use both if you don't have to? I liked his reasoning a lot. He took close to an hour and a half with me, asking and answering questions. I asked how long he would follow me if I did get pregnant. He said 12-14 weeks gestation. Again, I was THRILLED to hear that. He was open and honest and reasonable. He was someone I could easily talk to and I felt like he actually worked FOR me. By the end, I was convinced this was the clinic for me and my 12 babies. I asked/talked about the CDC stats and while I didn't get a firm percentage on his live birth rates, he told me he's done hundreds of FET's (which is not what the CDC had on record for 2009) with great results. I'm going to trust him on that. I could always change docs (once the testing is done so Tricare will pick up the tab) and go with the other clinic. But for now, I am completely at peace about this decision. (oh and if you want to check out his book-one he gave me free yesterday-click here)
Now the fun begins. I've called my AZ RE to arrange transport of the embryos and have heard NOTHING back from them all day. I'm not surprised but still annoyed. I'll try again tomorrow.
I'm supposed to start 4mg of Estrace when I get AF, which is due to happen next week sometime. (yes, this is all happening this fast!!!) I went to Randolph AFB to try and fill it, but they don't carry it. Neither does Wilford Hall/BAMC...Walmart does, but get this: Tricare won't cover it. Yeah, remember how I said they would cover all my meds? Apparently, it has to be generic Estrace or they won't...and I can't have anything but the brand name according to my doctor. (which by the way I can take orally this time not vaginally so I do not have to leak the blue nastiness!!!) Walmart's Estrace: $429 for one month...ouch. I've been hooked up with Freedom Pharmacy and their cost is $329/month. I'll take it.
The FET is set for January...as long as I can pass all the testing and get it all done before then. Here we go!
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