Did any one switch RE's?

msjcordova

Some one in my post below suggested that I switch RE's so im wondering if anyone here did so and why? What experience did you have and what are some reasons you decided to switch?

LCB34

I did.

I had all of my initial testing and my first IUI cycle done with my first RE.  That cycle was a mess - his office staff was so unorganized, I never saw him, never knew what was really going on. It was just one big mess.

I started out my second cycle with him but, on CD4 I made a call to another RE who just so happened to have an opening that afternoon.  I got in with him and he was amazing.  I really think he was meant to be my RE and it wasn't just chance that he was open right when I needed him to be open!

I am a firm believe that you need to feel comfortable with your RE and the care you are receiving.  If at any point in time you are not, seek another doctor.  This is a stressful process as it is - no need to have the added stress of an RE that doesn't fit your needs.

Best of luck with your decision.

catery18

I didn't suggest it but after 4 failed IVF's I switched. I made the move because at my ivf wtf appt #4 my RE said he had no idea why I was getting pregnant & he wasn't changing the protocol and my gut told me I should leave. 

I am on a break but I LOVED my new RE so far. He does things differently and basically said I needed to make major lifestyle changes for him to accept us and give us a good % chance at this.

Good luck with your decision.  

ladyluxe

I did. Basically, I felt like my RE wasn't taking my trouble TTC + multiple m/c serious enough. she kept saying it was bad luck. and this was at a highly respected fertility center in NYC.

steveandkim2

I did!  I had a few reasons, but the bottom line is that my first practice wasn't right for my husband/me.  They were a larger university practice (and an hour and a half away), and I'm now going to a smaller, local practice.  The big practice wasn't right for me, but I know others who have had great experiences @ first RE.  We had a few bad interactions (like one time when they called and gave me someone else's protocol when the fellow mixed up my labs and someone elses).  I also didn't like that they wouldn't monitor my Clomid cycles and only had me come in when OPK was positive.  I subsequently learned that with my hormone levels, I'm highly likely for false OPKs.  My current RE also has higher IVF success rates, which I liked.

I think everyone is different about what they like/don't like.  I just was up front with my current RE about my past experience. 

I saw your other post, and I don't think it will hurt for you to have a consult with a new RE.  Lots of luck!

 

kthappy76

I switched after 2 IUI's as my 1st RE refused to address the huge septum I had in my ute while at the same time recommending IVF.  So I got a new RE who immediately removed it and is willing to move at our pace.  But now I'll likely need a new one, again, when we do IVF.

patchen30

I switched.  I did IUIs with a smaller, lesser known clinic in the city b/c they took my old insurance.  When it came time to do IVF, I wanted to go with a place that had more of a reputation.  So far the efficiency of the two places can't even compare.  One is MUCH bigger than the other.  I feel like that's a good thing b/c they've seen so many different situations and have a ton of experience.  Although, they're definitely not going to hold your hand - it's a leap of faith trust them kind of experience.

msjcordova

I forgot to mention that we have only seen our RE once, when we did our consult and for all other apts we see a nurse in the fertility clinic.

Imanurse03

I switched RE's after a year of treatment.  I did 3 Clomid/IUI cycles and 2 injectables/IUI cycles with 1st RE.  I had 2 m/c during the treatments.  I switched for several reasons.  Several women who had gone to my first RE had unpleasant experiences with the RE and switched to another RE.  The women actually went to the same RE.  They highly recommended him to me in the beginning of my IF journey.  I didn't want to switch at first because my 1st RE was here in town and the new RE was 45 minutes away.

I also just had a gut feeling that I should switch.  Actually I had an ectopic pg and was given methotrexate at my 1st RE's office.  Since the drug stays in your system for 90 days and is cytotoxic, we had to hold treatments for 3 months.  I did a lot of thinking during that time. I felt like my RE's office wasn't taking my concerns seriously.  I also was irritated they way they handled my questions.  I always felt like it was a hassle for them to take my calls with questions.  I'm glad I switched.  My new RE diagnosed me with 3 clotting issues with the RPL testing that my 1st RE had done but missed diagnosing.  

My current RE is much more aggressive and I like that. 

njohnson1972

I shopped REs initially. 

Met with one my Ob/gyn recommended and one the ladies here use in Houston.  I felt comfortable that both REs made the same recommendation and I felt comfortable with both.  There was also a difference in cost (we are 100% OOP).  DH had a preference for one - the lower cost one.  The high cost RE had super fancy offices and DH felt like we were spending money for the fancy office and incredible views.

That being said, I love my RE at the not-as-fancy-office.  He is kind and I feel like an advocate for me.  I feel like he is on my side with this battle and one of my biggest cheerleaders.  He even gave me his cell phone number in case I ever have a question.

I feel you should never settle with a doctor.  There are so many and you should always like your doctor (I even feel that way about dentists).

Good luck!!

07may07

We did.  We were with my first RE for 11 months.  My RE kind of made me feel all alone in the process and I was hoping to feel like I had a team working to help me get pg.  There was no monitoring on clomid.  I just got a prescription and was told to come back in 3 months if I wasn't PG. 

The final point for me was after my 1st IUI when I had my 3rd m/c.  The doctor didn't want to see me, or discuss what was going on.  Just told me to wait 2 months and we'd try again.  I don't need to have my hand held by my doctor but she made me feel like I was an inconvenience to her.

We switched to the practice I am with now.  I like it so much better.  Everyone at the practice is so friendly.  Anytime I have to call and talk to anyone they make me feel good about calling and asking my questions.  Even though I've had another m/c with this practice, the doctor and nurses were great and saw me and talked with me about my concerns and where to go from there.  I really feel like my new practice is a great fit and I wish I had switched sooner.

One interesting note was that when I received my medical file from the old RE, I reviewed it and the doctor had all these notes like "Met with patient for 50 minutes, blah blah blah"  We were never in her office more than 5-10 minutes each appointment.

Wow!  That was long.  Sorry for such a long answer.  I guess I just had pent up frustrations with my old RE!

 

Mrs.AmandaMqn

I switched for a number of reasons and it's been the best decision so far. However, I never did more then an ultrasound and blood work with my old one. In our 4 appts, I just never felt comfortable with my old RE and just couldn't believe that he was the best option for us. I didn't have any confidence that he would be able to get me pregnant. But, the main reason I ended up switching was because I needed a RE that was affiliated with H's reproductive urologist in another state.

It's been a easy process, getting files sent to my new RE and I am sure I could go back to my old RE's practice, if needed, just to a different doctor though. 

Temp893722312503334

I did. I switched after my first IVF didn't work.  I needed to try something new - to feel like i was being proactive. I also needed a Dr. that was willing to be more aggressive and continue to search for the why in my IF and repeat losses.  I am excited for my upcoming IVF 2, its been awhile but I am really happy with the new protocol.

caityr

Yes, best decision ever. My orig clinic did not have enough exp with DOR dx patients and really pushed me to use DE. Before I made that choice I wanted to exhaust my resources, so glad I did.

colbie77

I very recently switched. I was at RE #1 for my initial testing, 3 injectable IUI cycles (all BFN's), 1 fresh IVF cycle that ended in a c/p, and one FET BFN. The major motivator for my switch was actually the staff - they were totally unreachable and their mistakes (in handling insurance) caused me to miss a few months of cycling. I was having more stress from administrative stuff than from the procedures themselves, and my RE was not at all sympathetic. The other reason was that my RE was not at all open to switching up my protocol, despite many failures. It felt more like a factory (everyone on the same protocol) than a doctor's office.

I asked advice of the ladies here and got some great recommendations. I am SO happy with my decision to switch and am in the process of IVF #2 with the new RE. He does things a lot differently, gives me stats for everything he does (which I love), and just makes me feel much more at ease. His staff is awesome and he told me up front to let him know if they ever weren't. It wasn't fun to redo some testing, but the testing only took a few weeks and I was able to start cycling again right away.

So I totally recommend getting a second opinion if you're at all unhappy with your current RE. It can't hurt (you don't have to switch) and it could make a huge difference.

musubigirl

I switched.  I only did labs with the first RE.  I was referred to him because he was part of my medical group.  I just didn't feel comfortable and went looking.  Did you ever get the feeling that they cared more about the money than actually getting you preggies?  I don't know why but that's the feeling I got.  I didn't want to be somewhere where I didn't feel in sync with the doctor.

samm1983

I did.  My RE told us to stop trying, so I went to someone else for another opinion.  The new RE is a little more optimistic. 

yodasmistress

I had 4 REs.  I kept test driving them until I found one I liked.

juliannat

Twice!

first RE was not aggressive enough in our opinion; we left her after 2 cancelled IVFs and one BFN.

second RE we really liked, 1 cancelled IVF, 1 BFP m/c, 1 cancelled transfer due to no fert.

we changed to the third RE b/c going to the US to do DE (DE are very difficult in Canada)

GL!

sushi&wasabi

I did.  I don't know if I will go back to the original one or not but something didn't feel like it was.....right.  I met with the second RE and feel much better.  When we get to IVF, I may choose an RE out of state and have this RE that is doing the IUI's do all of the monitoring.