Newbie- Intro and looking for RE in Chicago area

schmella · December 2014

I’ve been on BC for 15 years due to irregular and extremely heavy periods, and I stopped taking it last October. It took a good 4 months for my cycle to regulate, then I tried temping for a few months but never saw any evidence of ovulation. I also have a history of cysts. In May, I started a new job and with all the stress of changing careers and the frustration of not getting pregnant, I stopped temping. Late July, I talked to my OB and after some testing indicated I was probably not ovulating, he prescribed clomid 50mg. No ovulation at that level, so we upped it to 100 for a second cycle and my levels at CD23 were 9.1. He said that was ok so now I’m on my third cycle at 100mg. He refused to test my husband until next cycle (red flag I ignored, I know), and I have had visual ghosting on 100mg on day 4, which my eye doctor and my OB were not concerned about.

I really thought I’d be lurking much longer on this board, but all the posts about unmonitored clomid rx’s from an OB have me terrified. I have a lot of homework to do, I know, and I know that this is nothing compare to what many of you ladies are going through. I’m back to temping next cycle and using OPKs this cycle (NO indication of ovulation and I’m on cd14 today). I have an appointment next week for blood tests, at which point I’m hoping to ask them to send my charts elsewhere.

I’m in the Chicago suburbs and looking for a good RE. Reproductive Medicine Institute has a very convenient location, but I can’t really find any reviews. Can anyone recommend them, or another clinic?

pinkdoggie · December 2014

Hello, just wanted to say welcome. Honestly, you should be terrified from taking clomid from an OB because clomid can do horrific things to your body, so I am glad you are seeking treatment from an RE. Unfortunately I don't live in Chicago so I can't refer you, but I wish you good luck.

dancerspose · December 2014

I'm very sorry you find yourself here, but welcome.

I'm not in the Chicago area, so unfortunately can't give any recommendations.

Since you've been lurking you already know all the Clomid dangers. I will say that my RE's office told me if I experience ANY visual changes while taking the medication to call immediately and they'd likely have me stop taking it and try something else. So, for your OB to dismiss that side effect is extremely troubling.

I wish you the best of luck as you transfer your care to an RE.

LindseyM2012 · December 2014

Hello fellow Chicagoan! Sorry you find yourself here, but welcome. It sounds like it is definitely time to stop with the OB (no more Clomid unless monitored....but hopefully you know this from reading this board). Are you north, west or south of the city? I love my RE and the practice has several offices in all directions. I'm not familiar with Reproductive Medicine Institute, but I was referred directly to my RE at Fertility Centers of Illinois and was very comfortable with what I found researching that practice so I didn't really look elsewhere.

Feel free to private message me if you don't want to make your specific town public info.

schmella · December 2014

Lindsey,

I'm trying to find something close to work in the Oak Brook area- considering the frequency of blood tests, I figure I'll be running over there pretty frequently.

Thanks!

LindseyM2012 · December 2014

I'd definitely check out FCI. I go to the Hoffman Estates location so I can't give personal recommendations for the Oakbrook location doctors (mine works out of the Hoffman Estates & Highland Park offices), but I do like the practice in general. They are very organized and are really well versed in the insurance side of things (thankfully Illinois is a state that mandates fertility coverage and they know how to maneuver it).

ETA: Something else that I like about them is that a lot of the doctors are active in research, so they're quite current. I am comforted by this because I don't want to waste my time on outdated treatments, especially because assisted reproductive technology is such a relatively new field.

schmella · December 2014

With the visual changes- I had them on day 4 and already had an appointment with my eye doctor scheduled for day 5. I have a long history of vision issues, so it isn't a given that the visual change was actually clomid related the first time around. I had a thorough exam and retinal scan and got the all clear from my specialist- she called me the next day after doing a little more research and said she that because it was a) momentary and b) when I was tired, she wasn't very concerned. My OB was originally concerned but happy with what my eye doctor sent over.

He did NOT, however, mention visual side effects as something I should call about at any point, which has me more concerned than the actual visual side effects....

megrae12 · December 2014

Hi, welcome. I am glad you are taking to heart the stories about unmonitored clomid. I do not live in Chicago so I can not give you any advice there.

katers79 · December 2014

@schmella‌ I go to RMI! Feel free to poke around in my posting history- this was my 2nd RE office. I fired my first, and was referred to RMI by my OB/GYN.

I see Dr. Rinehart- I found some reviews that he wasn't "warm and fuzzy", but that's not his job to be. IMO, his job is to knock me up. I don't know who said he isn't friendly-- I find him very personable, extremely smart, and patient. I definitely recommend this office- I love my RNs. I normally go to the Winfield office, but I've had my ER in Oak Brook, and will have my FET there as well.

PM me if you want to know any more specifics (I can also tell you what clinic NOT to go to-- my first one!). GL!

Eta-- he's also very up-to-date on current research and technology. He told us about our translocation in our first consult-- and explained it perfectly.

SND1231 · December 2014

So sorry for your experiences, but welcome. I want to agree with PP that it is time to move to a RE. You can not put the health of yourself in danger. I am so glad that you are seeing the advice mentioned here and are actually listening to it! I am not in Chicago, so can not be much help but I would suggest looking up the clinics that you are interested in success rates. I forgot where they are located, but I am sure some of the ladies here can help out with that. Good luck!

deelopi9 · December 2014

Hi and welcome! I'm not familiar with Chicago just wanted to tell you to run from your OB as fast as you can. Hope your stay with us is a short one.

typo31 · December 2014

Hey there!

I won't repeat what PPs have said (though I can't stress enough how strongly I think you should heed their advice) but I will say that I work with FCI downtown and so far I'm happy with my experience. It is not a warm and fuzzy environment but it is an efficient one and a professional one, factors that matter more to me personally.

Good luck

tweetyknicks · December 2014

Fertility Centers of Illinois had great customer service and conservative treatment (though that may vary by doctor). I only did IUI there. I switched to Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago because they take my insurance. They seem to treat more aggressively, which at this point I am fine with that. If I'm doing IVF, I may as well be fully committed. Occasionally the doc comes across as a bit gruff, but nothing DH and I can't handle :-P

PM me if you want more info.

BunnyBerry · December 2014

Welcome! Normally I am sorry to see that women are here on 3T because it means that are struggling with IF...but at the same time I'm glad you noticed that unmonitored Clomid is not for you! I second @iputkechuponketchup's advice - either get in for an ultrasound or avoid TI. Sucks but I know I wouldn't dare to BD after taking meds without knowing how many follies were developing.

I hope you find a good RE soon who takes wonderful care of your health and does everything needed to get you KU!!

eener817 · December 2014

Welcome and glad you are planning to see an RE!
I live in Chicago and I go to RMI. I see Dr. Rinehart like one of the PPs. I like him a lot! I am just wrapping up my testing, so I haven't had to take any action yet though. He is very willing to let me take charge of what I want to do. DH and I decided to wait a couple months before moving to IUI and he was completely supportive and didn't pressure us at all. However, if I wanted to start my meds ASAP, he would go for it too. The office staff has all been great so far and I have been able to get appointments fairly quickly. I have also heard great things about FCI. I have them in my back pocket in case I were to ever feel like I needed a second opinion or anything like that.
Good luck regardless of who you see!

eener817 · December 2014

Also, forgot to add - you will have to go to Evanston for your HSG since that is the only office that has the equipment. It took me almost 2 hours to get there from my house! But no biggie, I should only have to go there once. (Hopefully).

Fenderbot · December 2014

I just had my first appointment with Dr. Uhler at Fertility Centers of Illinois (Warrenville office). I really liked her a lot--forward and to the point. She does talk a little fast, but I'm outgoing enough to tell her to slow down and repeat stuff.

She did warn me that they do a ton of monitoring, but I'm completely fine with that because I just went through two rounds of un-monitored Clomid. It was terrifying once I started lurking here more and reading all the posts and recommendations from other people on here. Not only was it scary for my health, but was also very frustrating and stressful because I had no idea what was going on. I'm ALL for lots of monitoring!

Good luck with everything. Please feel free to PM if you want more information...

Edit: Dr. Uhler not Uheler.

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