What can I expect from my RE appointment?

runforcookies

I had my initial consult with a fertility specialist 2 weeks ago. He had me take a blood test to check my progesterone levels. Today is CD 1 and I have an appointment on CD 4 to have an ultrasound and possibly a pelvic exam.

 What can I expect from this appointment. Other then the tests I mean. I am nervous about what can come of this, but I am relieved to have started the process to get some answers.  

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runforcookies

GhostMonkey:

Dildo cam and a blood draw. Is this to get your CD3 numbers? Expect to fill a lot of those little tubes with blood. I think I did 9.

That's pretty much it. There's not much they can do until those tests come back.

 

 He didn't say anything about CD 3 specifically. He said as soon as I started my next cycle to call and I had to come in within the first 5 days because depending on what he finds, if I had to start medication, it would have to be on CD 5. Does that sound like testing for CD3 numbers? 

ellewoodsSC

Sounds like maybe they want to put you on Clomid? They will probably want to check your ovaries, follicles and uterine lining with the vaginal ultrasound.  

 

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SweetC80:

runforcookies:

GhostMonkey:

Dildo cam and a blood draw. Is this to get your CD3 numbers? Expect to fill a lot of those little tubes with blood. I think I did 9.

That's pretty much it. There's not much they can do until those tests come back.

 

 He didn't say anything about CD 3 specifically. He said as soon as I started my next cycle to call and I had to come in within the first 5 days because depending on what he finds, if I had to start medication, it would have to be on CD 5. Does that sound like testing for CD3 numbers? 

Have you had an HSG or your DH a SA? Because they can get CD 3 b/w and u/s results fast enough to do a cycle right away if the results are normal, but I am surprised that he is trying to push w/o knowing the results of the diagnostic testing. This is with your RE and not the fertility specialist right? 

I have had no testing done yet other then the blood work to check my progesterone. I was mistaken, it is the fertility specialist, not an RE. I was under the impression they were the same thing. What is the difference between the 2? 

JilllyBean

I had CD3 b/w and the dildo cam at my CD3 appt. It isn't that bad really. Doesn't hurt, just a little weird.

runforcookies

JilllyBean:

I had CD3 b/w and the dildo cam at my CD3 appt. It isn't that bad really. Doesn't hurt, just a little weird.

Is it always on CD 3, because I am going on CD4 and he said it had to be within the first 5 days of my cycle so I am not sure if it is that test. I am a little nervous about him saying depending on the outcome of the test, I would start medication on CD 5. I am assuming he means Clomid. 

TammyDoubleB

My initial appointment consisted of bloodwork, an internal ultrasound (aka dildo cam), a long talk with the doc about mine and my husband's histories, and we scheduled my husband's SA and a laporascopy for me since I had endometriosis. We really didn't form a plan until after my lap. Every RE and every situation is different though. 

Good luck to you! 

JilllyBean

runforcookies:

JilllyBean:

I had CD3 b/w and the dildo cam at my CD3 appt. It isn't that bad really. Doesn't hurt, just a little weird.

Is it always on CD 3, because I am going on CD4 and he said it had to be within the first 5 days of my cycle so I am not sure if it is that test. I am a little nervous about him saying depending on the outcome of the test, I would start medication on CD 5. I am assuming he means Clomid. 

You can do on CD4, but before Clomid your DH should have an SA and you should have an HSG to make sure your tubes aren't blocked. Plus I would think he would want the results of your b/w and ultrasound before starting anything. Do you have a dx yet? I didn't notice your siggy

runforcookies

JilllyBean:

runforcookies:

JilllyBean:

I had CD3 b/w and the dildo cam at my CD3 appt. It isn't that bad really. Doesn't hurt, just a little weird.

Is it always on CD 3, because I am going on CD4 and he said it had to be within the first 5 days of my cycle so I am not sure if it is that test. I am a little nervous about him saying depending on the outcome of the test, I would start medication on CD 5. I am assuming he means Clomid. 

You can do on CD4, but before Clomid your DH should have an SA and you should have an HSG to make sure your tubes aren't blocked. Plus I would think he would want the results of your b/w and ultrasound before starting anything. Do you have a dx yet? I didn't notice your siggy

This might be a silly question... but what's a dx?

No matter what it is, the answer is probably no, because I don't have anything yet. 

jeffsjayme

runforcookies:

This might be a silly question... but what's a dx?

No matter what it is, the answer is probably no, because I don't have anything yet. 

dx = diagnosis (aka: reason for the infertility, which you might not have yet if you're just starting testing) 

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runforcookies

jeffsjayme:

runforcookies:

This might be a silly question... but what's a dx?

No matter what it is, the answer is probably no, because I don't have anything yet. 

dx = diagnosis (aka: reason for the infertility, which you might not have yet if you're just starting testing) 

That's what I though, so no. Nothing yet. It all sounded good while he was explaining the testing to me, but then when I came here, it sounds like he's jumping the gun... Hopefully I just misunderstood his explanation. I'm seeing a different specialist on Thursday for the tests so I have some questions I have for him.

Can you clear this up for me though anyone really. I did chart for a few months and always had a clear temp shift, so I have been assuming I have been ovulating. If whatever he looks at shows I ovulated, then he wouldn't prescribe Clomid, correct?

runforcookies

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They can be the same, but also you can have somebody call themselves a fertility specialist that doesn't have the same qualifications a an RE. My OB had a fertility specialist in their office that was not much more qualified to help get me pregnant than my OB, so just research your odor to see if they are a RE or not.

What qualifications should I be looking for?

JilllyBean

I'm sure this is kinda a lot of info, but I think this should summarize (feel free to correct me anyone if you disagree)

You should probably have cd3 bw and ultrasound, hsg, and an SA for your H before starting Clomid. While on Clomid, you need to be monitored through ultrasounds and bw to make sure you are responding well and to make sure you aren't developing too many follicles, thinning your lining, etc. you can ask if you are seeing an RE or not. I am continuing with my OB for now since she is doing all these things for me.  

babydreams13

This is a really good topic that I was wondering about as well.  I thought it was interesting that a poster said you could be put on Clomid even though you are ovulating. Good to know.  Good luck at your appointment.  Just wondering:  How old are you?  I'm in my 30's so always wondering who is in the same boat.  How long have you been trying and/or off bc?  Thanks

runforcookies

babydreams13:

This is a really good topic that I was wondering about as well. nbsp;I thought it was interesting that a poster said you could be put on Clomid even though you are ovulating. Good to know. nbsp;Good luck at your appointment. nbsp;Just wondering: nbsp;How old are you? nbsp;I'm in my 30's so always wondering who is in the same boat. nbsp;How long have you been trying and/or off bc? nbsp;Thanks

I'm 26 and I have been off BCP and trying for just over a year. It's weird, I felt like I knew a lot until now. I suppose I was just learning about TTC and not really preparing for what would happen when it wasn't happening. That's why I love this board. So much knoweledge in one place.