Can I Rant?

[LittleDalla]

I don't know why I feel the need to rant today.


It's 4 year in January since we first ever inseminated. I have been like a human yoyo (like many others) back and forward to doctors and hospital appointments. Apart from having a Fertility Referral in 3 weeks it seems after 4 years this is the only good thing to come along (fertility wise), and even then I have no idea of the outcome due to being in a same sex relationship. I know the guild lines have changed and same sex are entitled to treatment, within reason. I have PCOS and at the minute that is the only answer I have.

I just can't seem to find any support when it comes to same sex, PCOS and treatment.
The one thing crossing my mind is them turning us away and telling my OH to TTC. As much as we BOTH want a baby and start a family she just is not quite ready to be a child barer and both decided I would be the first. Plus if she falls pregnant that stuffs up my changes of getting any fertility help. (Is that selfish?)
Will I find out on the day of the appointment what the most likely outcome will be? Will I have tests? etc.

We had a talk the other day and she asked me if she was being selfish. Her words were 'Am I being selfish putting you through all of this? All the BFN, the appointments and stress'.
She isn't it is both our decision, and I will go through what ever it takes to give us a family we both long for.

Hospital appointments have been useless but still need to go as don't want them to think I am not serious about this, which I am.
I wish this was easy.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[snowbee]

Hiya, I think there is so little information as there haven't been as many cases and therefore they don't have guidelines as yet. My nhs area says 'Currently it is our policy not to treat single women or lesbian couples until each case has been discussed individually at a Case conference of Centre staff, although the majority of cases are approved.' Also in addition in my information pack it says same sex couples need to have proof of 6 consecutive cycles using donor sperm around the time of ovulation in order to qualify.

As you also have pcos that adds an extra 'problem' as such and like you I can't find any information specific to your circumstances. If you have a sperm donor I would go in and ask if you can have 6 cycles of clomid and do 6 rounds at home with donor sperm, hopefully the clomid will make you ovulated and you will be able to catch that egg. Or you could ask for IUI while on clomid (now this seems to get complicated as it varies as to who funds the sperm donation and who funds the actual treatment, maybe these are questions you can ask at your appointment) but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't get 6 rounds so maybe go down the clomid and home insemination route first for the most chances? Or if that isn't an option then ivf (and in this area it is either one or two rounds depending on circumstances).

I hope that makes some sense. Hopefully you going down this route will make it easier for other ladies in your position in the future. Not long until your appointment now, good luck!

 

[LittleDalla]

Thank you

From what I have read, if accepted and funded there will be 6 rounds of IUI for same sex couples with unexplained fertility problems. (Would I be classed as unexplained?)
IUI with Clomid would probably help, as there will be scans to see if I will be actually OV with Clomid etc
If you fail the 6 IUI cycles IVF will be offered, in most cases.
I believe in my area, our CCG will offer the full 3 rounds of IVF. Also being said that treatment will start within 18 weeks of referral. Which is also said on my referral letter.

If for any reason I skip IUI and offered IVF I have some major work todo as my BMI is too high. But I am currently on Slimming World to help with this.
All of this is at the minute is theory and 'IFs' ... I will not get any answers until our appointment. I have said to my OH that we cant go in shy, we need to ask questions, any questions. I do not want to walk out of there with more questions than I went in with.

 

[snowbee]

You wouldn't be unexplained as you have a pcos diagnosis. 6 rounds of iui is good, I think that is better than what is on offer here as far as I can make out from our complicated forms! Do you not also need to be under the same BMI for iui as ivf?

That is great that they tell you a treatment timescale upfront too, at least you know there won't be a massive wait for treatment

 

[LittleDalla]

That is another thing that is bugging me. I can not find any criteria for IUI. Or at least as in depth as it is for IVF.
All I find for IUI is who it is offered too and nothing when it comes to 'health issues'. If that makes sense.

Yeah, I was not expecting anything as short as within 18 weeks, to be honest I was expecting 1 year plus.

I have read that the North is the best place when it comes to fertility treatment, just hope this follows through next month.

 

[phonixgirl]

Wow, your area is good! I could only have three rounds of IUI and I only get one go at IVF. Re: the BMI - Snowbee has a good point. Mine was just under but they only weighed me right at the start. They let me have it anyway.

Are you on metformin? It's done amazing things for me. X

 

[LittleDalla]

I think I will have to investigate more on the IUI criteria.
I suppose if I don't manage to find anything out, I will find out on the 1st.

Yeah I am Metformin. It is helping a little bit. The hospital who but me on them last year has also just prescribed me an injection, usually for diabetics but they have gave me it to help with wight loss.

 

[phonixgirl]

What dose are you on? Maybe you could increase it, although I guess the injection should help anyway. I am on 3 X 500mg per day but I only weigh 7 1/2 stone.

Regarding the IUI requirements, I replied on the IVF/IUI thread - I can confirm they are the same.

Do you take any supplements? I found chromium helped a lot. Others you can take are myo-inositol, cinnamon capsules and NAC. And avoid refined sugar as much as possible Xxx

 

[LittleDalla]

I am on 4x500mg a day. 2 in the morning and 2 at tea time. I think it is the highest. I am not too sure.

Great thank you very much, I will have a look

No I don't take any at the minute, I was taking Folic Acid but I have stopped them. I will have a look at Chromium.
You have been a great help, thank you very much