RE Appt

sprkls8506

I was on here more back in late fall/early winter after a miscarriage. Just needed a break I guess. Trying not to think about it. Anyway, 5 months and nothing has happened and since I'm 35 we are seeing a specialist on Monday. I'm assuming there will just be a lot of talking at this appt. I wish I could have done at least the hormone testing with my ob-gyn but they said to just see the specialist...

The joys of apparently being "old".

Can anyone tell me what their 1st appt was like? 

Thanks 

vlagrl29

How long have you been TTC?  I have not been to an RE but had all basic fertility testing done in December and DH had an SA.  It's all pretty easy and painless - all our testing turned out normal.  It's just going to be a matter of time for us I assume before we get pregnant again.  oh and your not old at 35 so get that out of your mind

sprkls8506

Well I called with some concern since it's been 5 months and they told me I should see the specialist next. I'm assuming they would start with basic testing. 

Thanks for sharing your experience with the testing! 

And I don't consider myself old...until it comes to all of this 

vlagrl29

GL with the appt at the RE - I hope it all goes well and that all your tests come out great!  I'd say give it a good year of TTC before you loose hope.  At least that's what I keep telling myself

Mack2342

I went to RE because we had been trying for a while after our last loss and I'm almost 42.  They sent me a long packet of health questions for both me and DH to complete before the appointment.  At the appointment, the doctor went through all the paperwork and then discussed options and his opinions of what we should do next.   Said I could think about it.  They did ultrasound and blood work.   I already knew what I wanted to do so he prescribed me meds to start the IUI process.  

dpjennifer

Good luck!

kiki75

*Lurkingish* Did they plan this appointment for a certain part of your cycle? If not, this appointment is probably mostly a consultation to discuss what's been going on, what your concerns are, and to make a plan for testing. Typically the initial testing they do for nearly everyone will involve blood work for you (FSH, LH, TSH, AMH, I may be forgetting one or two). The aim is to do at least some of that on CD 3. They'll do a pelvic US on you sometime during WTO to count your antral follicles (total number of follicles recruited for a cycle). They should (but not all of them do, if not, you should request it) also have YH do a semen analysis. At some point they'll also have you do an HSG where they'll use a catheter to push dye into your uterus while doing an x-ray. This way they can see the shape of your uterus, potentially see any problems there, and see if the dye flows through and out of your Fallopian tubes, indicating if they are clear. (For some it hurts, but for others, it's nothing.) Good luck! 

sprkls8506

Thank you everyone. It was a fairly quick appt. I have to call them on CD1 to schedule blood work for CD3. Then they will also do an u/s (I have to check when). And also they want to do a sono HSG. Hubby will also get a SA. Best part of all of this-I'm pretty sure my insurance won't cover anything. 

vlagrl29

@sprkls8506 - That's 1 of the reasons why I never saw an RE for it.  All my tests were ordered thru my OB.  Our insurance doesn't cover anything fertility related.  CD3 blood work is $1k if not paid by insurance.  My OB marked everything as irregular periods though they are not.  Every test was covered.  I was paranoid the blood tests wouldn't be covered so I went ahead and bought the blood order thru my chiro and it cost me $180.  Insurance did approve the HSG to my shock.  HSG had to go thru a pre authorization process with blue cross.  ALL of that to find out we are normal lol - its just taking a bit longer this time to conceive.

MooFish2364

I know insurance coverage varies greatly and my insurance doesn't cover any IF tests or treatment - but so far they have covered all of my bloodwork and ultrasounds. My RE used OB/GYN codes so the insurance company processes them just as they would if it came from my OB. Your RE should have an insurance specialist in their office who can look up your specific coverage and give you detailed information on what your responsibility will be as far as payment goes. 

sprkls8506

@vlagrl29 I tried getting the blood work done through my ob-gyn. 

@MooFish2364 I hope that I am able to do something similar! Thanks for sharing!

vlagrl29

The things we do for a peace of mind. Oh well I'd rather know the results of tests rather than always wondering.

sprkls8506

@vlagrl29 yes! I feel like I just want to rule out these things. 

vlagrl29

well it totally gave me a sigh of relief!  Go figure the month I had all the testing was the month I found out I was pregnant.  So deflated after it taking 6 months to get pregnant with the loss.  I'm fully expecting it to take another 6 months again.

sprkls8506

@vlagrl29 life works in funny ways I guess huh?

vlagrl29

that's so true @sprkls8506 - I would love if it worked sooner this time around.  My fear is it take a year but can't live life wondering.

msstephanielynn

@sprkls8506 I'm in the same boat with an RE apt next month. Your experience was helpful FX that they will be able to figure out what is going on quick and painlessly and here's to hoping that insurance will pick up some of it!

sprkls8506

@msstephanielynn I'm waiting for the RE to call me back but my ob-gyn will most likely be able to do the testing. Thankfully!! 

Good luck with ur appt! Hopefully some good news for both of us-soon!

SP128

Hi. I thought fertility was covered in Massachusetts.....  Massachusetts is a state that mandates its covered I believe. I may be mistake but though. 

sprkls8506

@SP128 my insurance company told me it's not part of my plan?? My insurance is horrible.   We have open enrollment coming up but not til Sept 

SP128

@sprkls8506 what insurance do you have? Maybe google it? Doesn't hurt to call back and talk to someone different. I get different answers all the time. 

I did need to get prior authorization from my pcp to see the re. I also did need authorization for ivf 

SP128

Also I heard from my re office that unicare is the only insurance company that doesn't look at prior ivf cycle where others do. Don't even know if you Guys aren't thinking of going that route, but just in case

so my plan is to exhaust my tufts benefit and go to unicare if need be

sprkls8506

You're right. I get diff answers all of the time too. I have Cigna.

dpjennifer

Insurance is GRRrr...  I hope that your RE stuff is covered!
When I knew we may need to try IUI or IVF, I called during the last open enrollment period to ask if the higher plan (I have the basic plan) would cover these options... and the lady thought I said IUD instead of IUI, so she started to talk to me about all the different types of contraceptives that are covered.  *sigh*  Then I had to be like "No lady... I WANT a baby." Of course, IVF isn't covered.  
Better luck to you!

sprkls8506

@dpjennifer I hate insurance. So much. I'm 99% ivf would never ever be covered. It's looking like not even my bloodwork will be covered. So yay for Tues. 

SP128

That stinks. I would call again just to make sure. Maybe have them submit to insurance just in case it slips through ?.......

vlagrl29

I've actually heard Cigna in our state (MO) covers fertility.  I'm with blue cross.  Just make sure your doctor codes the tests as irregular periods or something similar.  You can always call your insurance with the codes your doc gives you beforehand to see if they are covered.

sprkls8506

Yesterday the insurance lady was a grouch. I will def call again today but I am not hopeful 

SP128

For the thyroid test my friend told me to give them some key symptoms like tiredness so it gets coded as such. That way it'll be medical and not be fertility 

sprkls8506

@SP128 the nurse I talked to this am did say something about possibly saying it was due to period problems. As of now I have made no progress on it. I called back ins and they told me they need the codes to see if it is covered. Of course, I think I know the answer. I'm leaving a message with the RE. I'm already over today. 

vlagrl29

yep - get the codes from the nurse and call your insurance.  If the code says anything about ferility it probably won't be covered.  GL - I know this is a PITA but it's worth it for a peace of mind.  If it's not covered ask what the cash price is - also see if you can find a chiro that also does blood work orders.  I found out mine did last year and the cost for all those blood tests was so much cheaper!

vlagrl29

Also a semen test is really cheap at least in our area.  It cost us $80 OOP at a fertility clinic.  That for sure was not covered in insurance.  Having him checked is just as important.

sprkls8506

Well nobody called me back so I will have to call again tomorrow. And bloodwork would have to be done Thurs. So guess that prob isn't happening. This is exactly why I called before 6 months of trying   

vlagrl29

Oh that sucks! I hate when people drop the ball. I have faith in you though - 6 months isn't that long.

SP128

@sprkls8506  : (     Which bmb were you in?  I was may and your screen name sounds familiar...

sprkls8506

@vlagrl29 thanks 

I was June 

vlagrl29

How long did it take you to conceive last time @sprkls8506 ?

Hard to believe I'd be entering my 3rd trimester right about now if I hadn't lost it. ugh!  Time goes by so fast.

SP128

@vlagrl29. Tell me about it. My edd is 5/17

Mack2342

EDD are hard.  I had one this past March and the next day I found out I was pregnant with an EDD of 11/11 only to loose that one a couple weeks later.  Take care of yourself @SP128 as that day approaches 

SP128

@Mack2342 I think I'm just in denial abt it right now. I hope it doesn't hit me hard later. I'm going to try to focus on my next steps to move forward with ivf. I'll be thinking of you on friday

Mack2342

@SP128. That's a great attitude!   Keep focused girl. Thanks. I'm excited for Friday