At what point do you see an RE?

kendra316

I'm beyond frustrated with my OB. Since i've started treatments with her, 4 months now, I have yet to speak with HER. I speak with her assistant. I get basic answers. "Oh your bloods look good" "Bloods weren't as good as last cycle" "Sono looked good, there were follies"....WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

I'm SICK of talking to her assistant. I want to know numbers, I want to be 100% informed, I want to be in control of treatment as well. I had to ask for a sonogram this cycle. She was only monitoring me with CD21 b/w on Clomid. She's so "whatever" about it and thats not okay with me.

So my question to you is who sends you to an RE? Does your OB refer you, does DH's urologist refer you? Do you chose to find one on your own?

Any advice?

Dr.Loretta

A lot of it depends on insurance. Some requires a referral, some doesn't. I went with who my ob/gyn recommended, but she didn't have to refer me.

And keep in mind that you are your own medical advocate. If the assistant won't give you numbers, don't hang up until she tells you! I think a lot of them haven't been challenged by well-educated patients.

Good luck.

kendra316

I've had her fax me the lab results and googled my heart out to no avail. I have no idea how to read them. Everytime I ask a question she takes my number, asks the doc and calls me back. If I ask another one same process. It will go on all day. I can't anymore.

I'm going to call my insurance company and see what they say.

Thank you.

MrsCmx

I would say do whatever you can to get to a RE. Seems like you've had several medicated cycles and it's possible you need more insight. The sooner you can get a proper dx, the better!

Assembly_Reqd

I would get to an RE. Since you also have some questionable SA results an RE would be able to taylor/tweak your cycle to give you optimal results. It sounds to me like you are just getting the "typical" treatment and not treatment geared towards your specific issues.

I have never not been able to get real numbers when I call the RE's for info. Another thing to keep in mind is that you will have a lot of contact with the nurses there because they do all the blood draws etc. I have never taked to my Dr over the phone (or needed to) because the nurses were always so helpful.

You'll have to call your insurance provider to see if you need a referral. Good Luck!

blossom

Once you start taking Clomid, you are at the point of seeing an RE. Ask your current GYN for a referral if you need it. You should be monitored with bloodwork and ultrasounds to accurately pinpoint ovulation and how your body is reacting to the medication.

Check out the web site ivfconnections and it lists RE's in your area or post on the local boards for recommendations.

Good luck.

Mrs_Springbride

My GYN referred me.  my gyn had me do 4 rounds of unmonitored clomid. 

I speak to my RE's assistant about my results, but i do meet with the RE directly at my appointments.   the assistant tells me everything i want to know.  shes great. they both are.

MrsWood1228

My insurance doesn't require a referral - so I just made an appointment. The RE office did ask me some basic questions before I made the appt. to make sure I wasn't getting ahead of myself or coming there unjustified. Like, "what problems are you having?" "how long have you been TTC"

I did go see an OB, just to establish a relationship with someone close to work that I can go to once I finally get PG. She agreed with me that I was appropriate to see the RE. Of course, I'd already made the appointment at that point. But, whatever. lol

Tell your GYN you want a referral (assuming you even need one?) as her practice does not have the staffing to give you the specific type of medical attention you feel you deserve. For me - going to an RE was an obvious choice. We started TTC in Aug 08, I made the appt in Sept 08, for a Dec 08 consult. I didn't wait long at all. But I knew I had problems - I suspected not having O'ed for the last 5+ yrs and I only got break-through AF after several months of nothing. Plus DH had been given a drug in the Army to treat leishmaniasis. The drug killed his little men and they told him it may or may not be permanent. Drug wasn't even FDA approved but it was the only treatment they had. Fortunately, DH's SA came back great!

It's me with the problem.  :Sigh:    GL to you!

Dragonfly1226

It looks like you've been TTC since 9/08... it's time to see ann RE. My OBGYN had to refer me for insurance purposes. I'd check to see what your insurance requires. I'm so sorry you've been getting the tun around. Best of luck!?