Hey Lovelies,
With the transition back into the TTC world comes the inevitable testing mania. I have an appointment with the RE end of February and know that they will reorder CD3 bloods, follicle count (AFC),and an HSG… fun, fun, FUN. But I guess they also called my GP and wanted me to have a physical. So my GP obliged and then sent me off for yet more blood work. Just the routine kind. I tried my best to convince her to also send me off with an RX for CD3 bloods and the AFC but she told me flat out that, with budget cuts, she absolutely would not send me for anything more than they specifically indicated.
So much for bucking the system and getting a move on.
So, just routine bloods. Nothing interesting expect that one of the forms was labeled “prenatal” blood work, the kind that checks antibodies and disease resistance. No fucking clue why she thought this was necessary but it has meant that both her receptionist and the receptionist at the lab congratulated me on my “pregnancy”. Super awkward for everyone involved… Cringe worthy.
Am I the only one who thinks that typical GP’s don’t know anything about fertility or the fertility medicine process? I mean, I get that it isn’t their wheelhouse, but I am so sick of having to be the knowledgeable one in the room when I go in looking for answers. February can’t come fast enough. Looking forward to seeing Dr. Freckles again and dealing with a professional who fucking knows something.
The Chicken
oh jeeze, some people really put their foot in it don’t they? I remember when I went to my HR manager to tell her I would be doing infertility treatments, she immediately thought I wanted to talk to her because I was pregnant and was all happy for me. Awkward!
Dubliner,
It’s so awkward when people open their mouths without thinking… A fact that unfortunately happens a lot in infertility lol.
XOXXO, The Chicken
Sadly, I don’t think they do know anything. Infertility is poorly understood and severely behind other diseases for understanding the underlying mechanisms. The push instead has been in pushing advancement in the technologies and types of treatment instead of getting at the underlying causes. So no, I don’t think your GP understands.
Cristy,
It’s true, I suppose infertility is actually not very well understood even by some RE’s so I shouldn’t be surprised my non specialist dr, who is also ancient, doesn’t get it at all. It certainly is frustrating.
XOXXO, The Chicken
I happen to really like my GP and have never found him anything but helpful and kind, but I’m sure you are right in general. And testing is never fun. I think part of the reason I put off going back to RFP as long as I did was the generalized dread of testing. Now that I’m doing/have done it all it doesn’t bother me….well other than the fact that all the results say “your reproductive systems suck”.
Turtle,
Are they accepting new patients? Because, gee whiz, this is my second in the city and I liked neither. Testing is really emotional for so many people I beleive, it’s part of the fear that something else will be wrong or have to relive the trauma of the original dx.
XOXXO, The Chicken
So when I was making my first OB appointment, back when I just had graduated from the RE, I was talking to the receptionist at the OB clinic and she was having the damnest time trying to figure out how I knew my exact date of conception. I had to explain to her what IVF was… so… there’s that.
Risa,
Oh. My. God. Your OB? Did you keep them or get a different one? Becuase, oh, my god.
XOXXO, The Chicken
Hi chicken! I was wondering, have you tried any alternative remedies for your diagnosis? I mean diet, vitamins, hormonal yoga, etc. I don’t know if it is any good, I’m really just curious, if you have any experience. I wish you the best of luck with trying for another baby!!! đ
Jana,
Yes, Ma’am! I sure have. Diet, Vitamins, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Chiropractic, Meditations… Tried lots of things. Some helped a bit, but still needed IVF to conceive. Thanks for the luck!
XOXXO, The Chicken
It’s best to just leave all these testing to the RE, it’s frustrating but it never seems to change. Good luck in February.
Ms. Infertile,
I suppose you’re right. At least they know wtf they are looking for!
XOXXO, The Chicken
Oy, a lot of needles. Sending a deep breath to you as you jump back into the cycling world.
Mel,
Thanks, love.
XOXXO, The Chicken
I can confirm that GPs know nothing and are dangerous with it. In my early 30s my female GP told me “pain usually means things are working right” when I complained of the agony that years later was diagnosed as stage 4 endo…. If you ask me, they need to go back to college every couple of years.
Different Shores,
How absolutely terrifying! Yes I think upgrading needs to be continuous. There is always so much changing for IF, all the time, I guess without the upgrading it would be dizzying to keep up.
XOXXO, The Chicken
My GP has been great, but I still knew more than her about fertility tests and even ectopic pregnancy. I volunteered for 6 years or so for a UK ectopic pregnancy charity website, and the number of women who almost died (and several who did die) as a result of lack of knowledge by GPs and ER doctors about specific issues around ectopic pregnancy or pregnancy in general – and their inability to accept that the patient might know what they were talking about – was very worrying.
Mali,
That is incredibly terrifying. Especially in an emergency situation like an Ectopic Pregnancy.Jesus.
XOXXO, The Chicken
I’m with you. My GP doesn’t have a CLUE about infertility. I’m 25 weeks pregnant after IVF and this week I started with the OBGYN. They asked me for my pregnancy record, which I had never heard of. Turns out I should have been carrying it with me since week 20, and my GP wasn’t even keeping one.
Heather,
WOW. I don’t know what that is, maybe we don’t have one in Canada, but you’d think your GP would know about it! Hopefully it’s no big deal and you’re in more capable hands now.
XOXXO, The Chicken