New to this Board

mattka

Looking for a little advice, if anyone has recommendations they'd be willing to share. I've worked with my OB for over a year now in an attempt to get pregnant, I don't ovulate. I did 6 rounds of clomid, with monthly blood checks to monitor my levels to no avail. OB did an HSG and determined there was nothing wrong with my tubes.Towards the end of that we met with a fertility specialist to determine what else might be going on. I was entirely distraught at the amount of money the tests alone would cost to even determine a potential problem (yes, I know fertility treatment is even more expensive) that we decided to stop trying for the remainder of the year (in September). I had my hubby at the time get tested even though he has a son so we didn't think he would have problems, only to find out he has a low count.

As we look to start exploring our options again after the new year, I'm curious to see people's experiences in choosing either a fertility specialist or a reproductive endocrinologist. My OB did recommend some uroligists for my husband, but given that we both have problems now, I just don't know if we should waste our time strictly dealing with that issue. Did anyone else have a similar situation? If it's not too personal, what was a recommended plan? I know everyone's situation is different, but I'm just trying to get a sense of what might be coming.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks for any responses!

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monimu13

Everything Sweet said.

I thought DH's appt with a urologist was worthwhile (eventhough he told us the numbers were "fine"...which they arent, it made DH feel better).  Our RE suggested Fertilaid supplements and CoQ10 as well, then a repeat SA in 3 months after starting those.

Just meet with the RE to see what they have to say.  Our RE wanted to start right away with IUI b/c of our MFI issues, but DH wanted to wait until after the repeat SA to pursue that...so here we are...waiting.  

mattka

Thank you - that's helpful!

Audaciousarica

From experience, I would suggest getting several opinions, if it's available to you. Most RE's will do 2nd opinions for free.  We live in a very large city, so there are several fertility clinics here.  If you are paying everything OOP you do not want to waste money and an RE that you hate.  I didn't waste a lot of money....but I wasted a lot of time on an RE that gave me a lot of run around.  If we'd paid for all that stuff OOP I would have been so much more ticked!  

My husband had to see a urologist before they'd refer him to my RE.  The urologist proclaimed everything fine, even though both my RE's totally disagree with that.  Thus, we didn't get a referral  So, that made even more OOP costs for both of us.  I would recommend an RE for both of you ASAP.  You won't regret the extra cost for that. 

rawilli

1.) I agree with a PP, don't do anything else with your OB. I was given a 3 mo. prescription for Clomid and Prometrium and sent on my way, NO guidance and NO monitoring!

2.) My fertility specialist is an RE (I'm assuming many are) and I was diagnosed with PCOS in September and I'm now on Metformin and Clomid and I'm being monitored (at least somewhat, my insurance only covers diagnostic testing so the office is very careful to do testing only when I request or when necessary).

 I'd at least go for a consultation appt. and then make a decision on what to do.

Good luck to you! 

BlueEyedDreamer

Definitely go to an RE. It is worth the money and time to get proper medical care. You need to complete full testing before taking clomid or any other drugs. It's also important to get u/s monitoring during medicated cycles in addition to b/w.  And a urologist for your H sounds like a good idea, too. Good luck!

katib77

Get the MFI uro consult.  Start your husband on Fertility Blend for Men and Co-Q10 200mg like PP mentioned.  

Go see an RE not a "fertility specialist" because the difference it actual schooling on the subject.  ((I like the comparison between a CPA accountant or someone just saying they can do your taxes...one had to actually go to school to get their knowledge...while the other one just claims they have it.))

As for treatment, We deal with MFI and LPD so I do ovulate on my own - just not strongly nor do I produce enough progesterone to sustain if I did get PG.  Our treatment path has been two IUIs using clomid, one IUI cycle of combo clomid and three days of injects but that was canceled due to low sperm, and our third IUI was a full injects cycle.  I will do a fourth IUI on injects next month before moving on to IVF.  Being OOP sucks, so we've had long breaks between treatments but the confidence of our RE and plan keep me going.

Good luck and welcome to the board. 

jfb29

Welcome to this board!  Sorry you have to be here - PPs gave great advice!

hlke

I would recommend seeing an RE for all the reasons mentioned above, but for the additional reason that most REs have a financial department that can help you work out how to pay for testing and treatment.  The finance people at our RE are AWESOME.  They called our insurance company, figured out what is and isn't covered, and talked to us about financing options.  We actually had more coverage than we thought, and our initial testing was covered when we thought it wouldn't be.

mattka

Thank you SO much for everyone's advice! I will absolutely look into an RE now.