Best questions to ask at my 1st RE appt?

alaskachik

Hi all - I'm fairly new to posting on this board but I have been lurking for a while.  I need some help/advice - I have my first appointment coming up with my RE and I have no idea what to ask.  I feel like I have just let my doctors tell me what to do instead of taking a proactive approach up to this point. 

Background:

I'm 36 and have been actively TTC for 2+ years.  I have never been PG before.  I've had an HSG (completely normal), Blood/hormone work (normal) and DH is above average in count and normal in other aspects.  In other words, our infertility is a bit of a mystery at this point. 

I would love to know what the best questions I could ask during my appointment might be.  Was there something that you learned that I might want to ask about?  Was there something that you wished you had asked?

I'm actually terrified and feel so alone in this process.  I feel a bit strange turning to the internet for advice but I can see that this board is a very supportive and helpful community.  I'd love to hear about/learn from your experiences.

magsp

Hi there.  I just started posting here -- but I lurked for a long time too.  I am navigating my way through this frustrating situation as best I can, so I can only offer a little advice.  

I got rid of one RE and am now seeing a fertility specialist and I feel really hopeful.  It's good you and DH had all your testing done -- now you may want to talk to your RE about all your options.  We were also diagnosed with "unexplained infertility", which can be annoying because there is no clear answer as to what to do.  One thing I wish I had done is get an idea of what steps to take and a timeline... for example, if he/she puts you on clomid for a while... you may want to ask for how long... when would he/she suggest you try something more aggressive.  

Our first RE didn't seem organized and was really forgetful.  That got frustrating.  I am now at a fertility center and it is great.  We had a miscarriage in September, which was pretty awful.  I just went through my first IUI cycle.  My fingers are crossed!  The whole process can be lonely, but I think reading other posts has really allowed me to feel less isolated.

Good luck! 

alaskachik

Thanks so much for the reply.  I appreciate your advice so much.  Unfortunately, I don't really have a viable option for switching RE's (truth be told, I'm not really going to an RE - I'm going to an ANP who specializes in fertility treatments).  There is not RE in Alaska.  So I really hope that I love the ANP or it will be trips to Seattle for us

I'd love to know how your IUI went and know that I am wishing you the best of luck.