Anyone change doctors/clinic?

[boonie]

I'm debating on doing a 3rd IVF early next year and possibly changing doctors. It's not that I don't like the doctor I had or his staff but I'm wondering if possibly going elsewhere will give me a better chance. I hate doing this because of medical records, etc. but I'm wondering if all doctors use sort of the same protocol so it may not even matter.

Any comments? Anyone switch dr's?

[woodcliff]

All doctors do NOT use the same protocol. Check around...

I can just tell, by reading the boards, that there are some, what I would call, SHAM or SCAM clinics...that release patients too early to their OBs, and do not do enough follow up blood work on pregnant patients...

Do your research on the top clinics in the country...I think it's worth every penny.

We got our BFP on our FIRST IVF try in Colorado, Denver, using Dr. William Schoolcraft. He's one of the #1 guys in the country. I've gotten incredibly great care, even though I live on the East Coast...I am in contact with my nurse almost daily...as we try to ease me off my medications (I won't be off until week 13-14). This clinic is very buttoned up, and the best, as far as I'm concerned...

On this board, I've read about screw ups at clinics and it breaks my heart...too much is at stake. Go for the best.
There are probably good clinics close to you...check around...
Best of luck.

[judyy]

Hi Woodcliff

First of all, congratulations on twins! (their due date is my birthday )

I have a quick question: How did you find your doctor? What made you decide to go to the Dr. in Colorado? As I was doing some web search, and it's so hard to tell which doctor is better. I had one IVF (failed) so far, but I do like my doctor a lot. Then a friend of mine recommended her doctor, who treated her 17 years ago! She swears he's the best. I was all excited about switching, until I went to the CDC site and saw his IVF % is no better (or even worse) in some age categories than my current doctor. So now I'm not sure any more. Plus they don't work with insurance companies.

Thanks!

Judy

[Kery]

Hi ya
I changed clinics and found that they did things very different. The one thing that I found hard was the expense. I had to do another assessment cycle as clinics vary from clinic to clinic on what they assess and what they don't.

Good luck

Kery

[kbat]

I've switched clinics myself. My basic reason was more of a repore thing than anything else. I live in RI and there are only 2 clinics in the entire state. I could try to go to the Boston area, however, w/ my husband's job, it's difficult for him to get time off at the last minute. While we could aways work around this from a sperm standpoint, you need someone to go w/ you on the day of the e/r so someone can take you home. I am not sure how the others work around this--if they have someone who can travel w/ them, etc. or if their d/h can always get the time off to go w/ them where it's not an issue.

I did look at the results for both clinics and found that for my age group they had similar results. But I did find that each clinic/re does do things a little differently as well. If I go on, I am not even sure if I want to stay at this clinic or give my last 1 or 2 chances to someone else who won't just look at the success rates and whether or not my case will mess those numbers up.

My main reason for switching is based on how the clinics seem to treat me. I understand that some of this may be perception, but I want to feel comfortable w/ the people who treat me. I was at the clinic I am now originally. I had this doctor who had no bedside manner--never really explained things at all or not very well, really only wanted to try 3 times, them move on, etc. Also, the office always seemed to screw up my bills, and I was constantly on the phone trying to fix them. Another time someone took a photocopy of my blood donor card for my bloodtype and then I was told that I needed to come back for that b/w. When I told her about the photocopy, she questioned me about whether or not I really ever gave it to her. So, I am not saying that they didn't know what they were doing from a medical standpoint--just I wasn't 100% comfortable w/ them.

I ended up switching to the other clinic in RI, mainly because the doctor I had originally moved to this clinic and the new doctor they had at the original clinic hadn't been approved by my insurance yet, and know way of knowing how long it would take. Still had some of the same issues w/ doctor. But this clinic definately seemed more disorganized. I would give them paperwork and then they would call me to say they didn't have it. Then one nurse would call me back w/ one set of instructions and several hours another one would call back w/ different instructions. I could go on about how disorganized they were. It was just added stress that I didn't want. Also the doctor originally said we would do 6 and then after the 2nd one, I was told I should probably stop at 3. They did day 2 transfers, which I found out later, that most clinics don't like to do day 2 transfers anymore because it's better to wait to see how the embryos develop.

Now I am back at the original clinic I was at and still not fully satisified w/ the way I am being treated. I do like this doctor more than the original one, so that's a plus. However, I still have issues w/ the way they clinic runs. I am fortunate to have my insurance cover 100% of the IVF cycles. However, the way I was billed, I had to pay a co-pay. When I called the insurance company to see if my plan had changed I was told that it hadn't, but instead it was the way the clinic billed it. They would have gotten the same amount regardless. But the thing that I didn't like the most was the fact that they "forgot" to call me the night before the egg transfer. To me this is an important procedure, so I think they would want to call me. It ended up that I wasn't going to even have the egg transfer, so it would have been nice to dicuss it w/ my team instead of just getting the on call nurse who really wasn't able to give me a reason exactly why it wasn't going to go. Also, started a clomid challenge test and on Sat. I went for my day 3 test. My nurse had asked me ahead of time if it was ok to call me on Monday w/ the results and I said o.k. But then as of 4 p.m she hadn't called me still. I called and left a voice mail and she did call me back a bout 45 minutes later.

Sorry this post is so long, I am sure you didn't want the details of why I left my clinics and possibly looking for another. However, I think it is important to go to a great all around clinic. One that will hopefully give you good results (and has good numbers), one that will look at your case and not try to fit you into a box, and one where you think you are getting great overall care. You shouldn't have to worry about whether or not you'll get a phone call or whether 2 different people are going to different instructions. Your doctor should be available to answer your questions, and the nurses shouldn't sound like it's an inconvenience when you want to ask questions, etc. I

I too just don't know how the best way to research clinics because doing research on the numbers doesn't take into account personal experiences as I mentioned for myself. But sometimes word of mouth is good--from people on this board or from people you know who went through this also.

Good luck to you. Sorry for the long post.
P.S. I did find that both of these clinics do things quite differently, so it maybe good to try someplace different if the regiment is different

[Michellyn8]

Hi,

I changed my Dr but stayed at the same clinic for my 3rd IVF cycle. My first Dr was nice but I knew that the 3rd was our last try and I wanted to be a bit more agressive. Well I finally got a BFP so that says something.
I was told early on to be your own advocate. Your clinic might give you a hard time about changing your Dr. (mine did) but you gave this first Dr. 2 tries. And it sounds like your gut is telling you to switch for a reason.

Good Luck!!!!

Michelle