3T?

mmb248

I just finished my 11th ovulatory cycle since August 2011, and I think it's time I admit that we're having trouble.  I was holding off contacting an RE until I got setup with a new OB/GYN (mine moved earlier this year), but my OB/GYN from years ago moved back to town and I immediately called her new office.  Thank god, because I was having no luck with referrals from friends - so many Clomid-happy drs out there!  I found out that I don't need a referral to an RE, but she did recommend that I see one, so I just made an appointment.  Is it normal to cry after you make that first appointment or should I chalk that up to CD1?  (Or whatever's going on with me.  CD1 with stop and go flow, tons of cramps, and a squinter of a line?)

Should I bring DH to my first appointment?  The RE's office said that it was up to us.  She said he would most likely order an SA for DH, but that wouldn't be done at the 1st appt so it's not necessary for him to be there.

What should I expect from the first appointment?  Is it mainly a consult?  I'll be CD15, so I don't think there's much testing they can do then, right?

Blah.... should I go an intro over on 3T and ask them?  It's always felt scary to me, but now that I've made the gigantic leap of calling the RE, posting a message on a board full of women in the same boat doesn't seem so daunting.

johnsonscharosch

I don't have much advice, just support!  I hope you have good luck from here on out if you decide to make the jump from TTGP to 3T!  I hope you get some answers too! I would personally like to know what you hear back from them...

sunlavender

I think it's normal to feel emotional when you take the step to call an RE.  I know I felt a mixture of relief, anxious, and excitement over the next steps it would bring.

My first RE appointment was simply a consult with the doctor.  My husband was unable to go with me to the appointment.  It would have been nice to have his support, but it wasn't necessary he was there.  I talked for about an hour with the doctor about our medical histories and our year TTC.  I took my charts, which he did look over, and we talked about my areas of concern (longer cycles, spotting during LP).  Unfortunately it was too late in my cycle to schedule my HSG, but we made plans for my husband's SA, and he explained what I needed to do to get things rolling once my next cycle started.  He also ordered bloodwork to check several of my hormone levels (we were checking for PCOS, which it turns out, I do have).  I've heard of some ladies have a physical exam during their initial consulation, I did not.  We also discussed my level of comfort with treaments (medications, IUI, etc) for future cycles and our plan once testing was complete.

If you'd like to send me a PM, I'd be happy to send you a list of the questions I put together to ask at my first appointment.  It was easier than I thought, though.  And, when I forgot to ask something (which I did) I was able to call back and speak to one of the nurses (who was very helpful!).

It's a big step, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming one.  Good luck!

beckynsean11

I'm so sorry you're at this point. I still have my fingers crossed for that squinter! 

I took my DH to the 1st appointment, he wanted to be there. It's really a personal decision if the office isn't requiring it. We reviewed medical history for both of us & reviewed TTC history(bring your charts). Then we discussed a monitoring cycle, CD3 b/w, ultrasounds, HSG, all that fun jazz. Since you'll be mid-cycle, they probably won't do anything that day. They'll tell you to call on CD1 to set up your 1st appointment.

GL!!! 

ETA: I think it's perfectly normal to be emotional about this step, it's a big deal. Adding CD1 to it probably isn't helping. Hugs! 

mmb248

Thanks everyone!  Sun - YGPM.

jaytee16

I look forward to other ladies responses, today marks one year for us and I'm about to O any day now in cycle 11 - I feel ya.  I wrote a bit of a sobfest/pity party in my blog about it, so I think it's pretty normal that you had a cry after booking the appointment.  

My regular GP gave me a requisition for an u/s so I'm supposed to do that and then go see her, at which point I think she'll refer me to a specialist.  I'm guessing the u/s is just to make sure there's nothing obviously wrong, like I don't have a uterus?  I'm just trying to figure out the timing for us, I still have a tiny little bit of hope for this cycle (but if I'm being honest, not so much) and we're on vacation for the first couple of weeks of July.  I'm ready but nervous to take a step forward.

As I said, not much advice but I'm kind of on the same page, I feel for you.  Sending creepy internet hugs your way! 

wearebirds

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

DH did go with me to our first appointment. He didn't do much talking, since we had already done all of the testing, and I've been driving this train. It was basically just going over what our diagnosis was and what treatments he recommended. But it was so nice to have him there with me. We went to lunch afterwards to unwind.

Feel free to PM me if you want/need to.

jaytee16

sunlavender:

snip... 

If you'd like to send me a PM, I'd be happy to send you a list of the questions I put together to ask at my first appointment.  It was easier than I thought, though.  And, when I forgot to ask something (which I did) I was able to call back and speak to one of the nurses (who was very helpful!).

Hey Sun, any chance I could look over those questions, too?

  

curlylocks3

Good luck with your first appointment! We had to fill out a giant packet of information prior to the appointment and already had most of our testing done so the first appointment was more about getting a plan made. My H went, and I'm really glad that he did. We got tons of information and it was very helpful to have us both there to hear it since I knew I wouldn't be able to absorb it all on my own. If its possible for your H to go I'd recommend it. 

sunlavender

mmb248:

Thanks everyone!  Sun - YGPM.

Replied!

sunlavender

jaytee16:

sunlavender:

snip... 

If you'd like to send me a PM, I'd be happy to send you a list of the questions I put together to ask at my first appointment.  It was easier than I thought, though.  And, when I forgot to ask something (which I did) I was able to call back and speak to one of the nurses (who was very helpful!).

Hey Sun, any chance I could look over those questions, too?

  

Of course!  YGPM.

sueann911

Oh girls, I totally get the range of emotions that you feel with that first call and first appointment. It's a mix of happy for a plan, sadness and fear. All of these are normal. I also had a hard time saying the word infertility and admitting that was what we were facing. I think you have to have this cathartic moment to mourn the hope of doing this naturally.

Please don't be afraid of 3T. The women there are awesome and are my rock. Hugs to all you facing the dreaded year/12 cycle mark.

mmb248

Thanks everyone! I didn't realize so many of you felt the same way as me. I feel so much better. And I feel like I added a lot of anxiety for no reason!

I'm going to stop lurking on 3T and actually post some. I'm not afraid of the ladies... just the gravity of admitting that we're having trouble.

And now I'm going to let DH take me out for Japanese and tell him that we have an appointment in 2 weeks.

jschwind22

3T ladies are nice, and many of us post on both boards.

I brought my H with me to our first RE appointment.  Our RE first gave us a basic overview of the wide variety of treatment methods that were available, which was nothing I didn't know.  He also talked about the testing that he wanted to do.  Then I had a date with the dildo cam (surprise!) and we set up the testing.  I think it was helpful for my H to hear about everything.  I knew a lot from these boards, but he knew nothing.  Good luck!

rrdiva1

We welcome you over there! 

babybean82

jaytee16:

sunlavender:

snip... 

If you'd like to send me a PM, I'd be happy to send you a list of the questions I put together to ask at my first appointment.  It was easier than I thought, though.  And, when I forgot to ask something (which I did) I was able to call back and speak to one of the nurses (who was very helpful!).

Hey Sun, any chance I could look over those questions, too?

  

 

Me too? I will be making my RE appointment when this cycle ends as well. 

coopsbaby

I'd love to see them too Sun. We're about to make our first RE appointment as well. Thanks!

Palmtrees09

I'm sorry you're at the point that you had to make the call. I'm on month 6, cycle 2, and have a requisition for a trans vaginal u/s. [I assume that's what pps are referring to when they talk about the dildo cam]. The reason I mention this is because i've been TTC for half as long as you, and I'm afraid/emotional to call and schedule the u/s.

I hope your first appt goes well and that it wont be long before you get your BFP. GL.

sunlavender

babybean82:

Me too? I will be making my RE appointment when this cycle ends as well. 

coopsbaby:

I'd love to see them too Sun. We're about to make our first RE appointment as well. Thanks!

PM's for you both!

RunCC37

mmb248:

Blah.... should I go an intro over on 3T and ask them?  It's always felt scary to me, but now that I've made the gigantic leap of calling the RE, posting a message on a board full of women in the same boat doesn't seem so daunting.

Yes! Come on over to 3T - we don't bite In all seriousness, I'm sorry you find yourself in this position. Good luck with your RE consult, and truly, feel free to ask questions.  

Twinkie0612

I have seen two different REs and DH came to both consults.  While it may not be absolutely necessary, I think it's nice for him to meet the doctor and hear his or her plan for testing/treatment.  He's part of the IF journey too and it's good for him to be there when you take the first step.

If you feel comfortable, intro on 3T.   We're not as scary as we look.:)

STBMrsMiller

sunlavender:

babybean82:

Me too? I will be making my RE appointment when this cycle ends as well. 

coopsbaby:

I'd love to see them too Sun. We're about to make our first RE appointment as well. Thanks!

PM's for you both!

One more, sun? We just had ours, but I've got a list of my forgotten questions to call the nurse with.

OP, if you intro on 3T, I will too, deal?

Jenn06L80

I was really scared about contacting the RE too.  DH urologist recommended we see one because of his low count.  DH did come to the first appointment.  It was mostly talking about tests and future options.  DH didn't have to be there, but I was glad he was.  

I was CD 4 so they did blood work and an ultrasound, and then we scheduled my HSG.   

I am starting IVF sometime this summer.  I am not posting on 3T because I have a child already, and would post on the secondary infertility  board if I had questions or needed support.  However you should introduce yourself.  I am sure the ladies can give you support and answer any and all questions!  Good Luck!

Alicia_R1

I took DH with me to my first one, our RE's office recomends it since they had him give a sample for his SA that same day.  They also reviewed my info and since I was midway through my cycle (clomid cycle #2) he did an U/S and bloodwork and then gave me an Rx for metformin and ordered 7 DPO bloodwork.  He confirmed the PCOS diagnosis from the OBGYN and also said he was concerned I may also have endometriosis (family history, my symptoms, and results from a lap in 2000) He set us up to come back in a few weeks to go over all the bloodwork, DH's SA, and do a saline sonohysterography. 

It was a rough appt because I was not expecting to hear such bad news, that if we are having to deal with both issues, our quickest and cheapest route to go would be IVM (about 7K compared to IVF) and as someone with PCOS, I am a very good candidate for it.  Not something I wanted to hear our first visit.

2nd visit wasn't any easier and we decided to schedule the laparoscopy then to make sure we had to deal with endo or if it wouldn't be a factor since that would give us different options.  (I just had that done on friday).  DH has been with me to each visit.  Hopefuly the one today, will be better.