Going Private ..

NickiMark · Post by **NickiMark** » Fri May 27, 2005 3:30 pm

what clinic are looking at??

hopeful · Post by **hopeful** » Fri May 27, 2005 4:12 pm

Hi sandra

most of the girls seemed to have answered your questions re referral to private clinic etc..

I agree that you have to choose very carefully. We had our first cylce locally in Scotland and were treated like cattle!! We had this treatment in London and the travelling was a pain but so worth it! You need to have faith in the folk treating you and handling your tiny embies!!

Best of luck

Julesxx

Sand · Post by **Sand** » Fri May 27, 2005 4:25 pm

Thank you everybody for your thoughts ..

Eskavon .. I just thought my GP may prescribe, as my PCT funds the NHS cycles .. In a way I'd actually be saving them money by funding the tmt myself, just getting the drugs through them ? That's how I'm trying to rationalise it anyway. Thanks for the tip about the contingency. I've had a look through their price list (god, it sounds like shopping at Tesco) and I think it's probably going to be around £3-3.5K, plus the drugs. More if you want them to store any frosties ... It's really different looking at it this way - an extra £100 for this, £250 for that ... Stuff that I've just taken for granted before ..

BigJ ... Taking control, but really a bit mad now that it's taken me so long to come to my senses. I have wasted so much time on NHS speed explorations and that damn waiting list. I should have been here years ago. You are absolutely right about choosing the clinic carefully. I have only looked in the Lancashire and Yorkshire area. Saying that, some of them were quite a way off. I don't think I could travel further than that (other than get on a plane a la BigJ). This clinic seems to have the best results. I will have another look through the HFEA site, as a double check.

Hi Julie .. I'm pleased that you're happy with your hospital - you got to have faith otherwise you might as well give up. That's how I feel with my current St Mary's. When I saw their results for FETs on 35-37 year olds was 5%, I could have cried. I just can't put myself through that again for a 5% chance. I'm not sure but I think I'll miss out on the Aug Buddies, which I'm peed about. I would love to be cycling again with such a lovely bunch of girls. We WILL sort out the weight/fitness thing though !

Nicola .. It's Care Manchester. I've just had a look on the map and it's actually on the next street to St Mary's, so no problems finding it then ! I've had a read through the bumf that arrived this morning. Most of it just covers old ground, but one or two things grabbed my attention. For example, they say they don't usually recommend transferring 3 embies for women under 37 who have already been pregnant. I thought it wasn't legal to do this in the UK until reach 40 years old .. They also do blast transfers, which I want to do (St Marys don't do this)... so looking positive so far. (As I said above though to BigJ, I will just recheck HFEA).

Sandra x

LittleP · Post by **LittleP** » Fri May 27, 2005 4:48 pm

Sandra

You are right about the 3 egg transfer not being allowed. The HFEA figures are all from 2003 and the new law hadn't been put into place.

Good luck with everything.

Little P

Sand · Post by **Sand** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:09 pm

Thanks Little P ... Got to say it's a bit scary starting all over again ..

Sandra x

LittleP · Post by **LittleP** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:14 pm

Sandra

I know what you mean. When we decided to change hospitals it was like having to work from the beginning all over again - it seems really strange because you're not new to it, but you feel as though you are because you are in a different environment.

Oh well, people say IVF is a learning curve - I just seem to be having quite a few bends in my curves

I wish you loads and loads of good luck.

If you want any information from the HFEA's booklet let know, because I have a copy.

Big hugs

Little P

Sand · Post by **Sand** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:18 pm

Thanks Little P .... I had a look on the website the other day and looked at clinics in this area ... I will have another quick scan through though, just to compare nationally I think .. I know if you e-mail HFEA they'll post you the booklet but, how did you get it so quick ? You had it the day it was published on the web didn't you ?

Sandra x

LittleP · Post by **LittleP** » Fri May 27, 2005 5:22 pm

I did download a couple of bits - but the actual book arrived the next day.

I phoned the number on the website and they say allow 10 days, but it was there the following morning - talk about an efficient service

It is really comprehensive and offers loads of information about what's what - It would have been really helpful to have had this when I first started, just for the information about the various treatments available and what goes on.

Still, it's nice to have it now.

Give the number a ring or e-mail them.

Little P

lumi · Post by **lumi** » Fri May 27, 2005 6:32 pm

Just thought I'd share my experience, it may be helpful!

We were initally having investigations on NHS and then knew we had to have private IVF as it isn't covered in my area. However, due to a couple of very bad meetings with a consultant (I came out in tears, coundn't believe I woul dhave to wait about 6 weeks to get blood test result confirmation, sat next to an old lady with a smelly bandadged toe - communal waitning room with what seemed like the entire hospital....) we decided to go private with investigations too. We really paid in the end because I needed a hysteroscopy that cost £2000! Hadn't planned that one!!!

However, my doctor was VERY supoortive. My clinic does NHS and Private and so they communicate with my doctor. They did want to do ALL tests again except HIV/Hep was done by my doctor and he sent the results. Also, my doctor agreed to a couple of cycles of drugs. I just take the private prescription to the surgery and he returns it along with a NHS prescription! Fantastic! BOOTS have been excellent at getting hold of drugs the same day or next at worse. They were brilliant when it seemed like they didn't have any in their warehouse, and I heard the pharmacicst insist my Gonal-F was delivvred by the next morning from the supplier instead. Boots phoned for me to collect it.

Having had ICSI the cost of drugs being supplied has made a huge difference. I guess it does with IVF too!!!! FET drugs are much cheaper, and my doctor has covered those too.

If doing this mix of private/NHS drugs it seems you have to do the leg work yourself. Most people are one or the other.

Hope this helps! Love Lumi xxxxx

lumi · Post by **lumi** » Fri May 27, 2005 6:35 pm

By the way, NHS hospitals don't accept NHS precriptions!!!

Only hospital prescriptions. So if your doctor does give you a NHS presrip. then you have to go to BOOTS or another pharmacy. Just thought I'd explain!

Sand · Post by **Sand** » Fri May 27, 2005 10:08 pm

Thanks Lumi .. It's very useful knowing how others have managed. We're ICSI too, which I understand is £800 extra at my chosen clinic. I wonder who comes up with these prices ? The £2K op must have come as a nasty blow to you.

I'm going to speak to my GP next week as a first step and see if he'll fund the drugs, and get him to do the referral letter. The clinic bumph does say that if you do need to pay for the drugs, they can supply them cheaper as they buy in bulk (they don't give any clues though re £ss).

Sandra x

lumi · Post by **lumi** » Sat May 28, 2005 7:12 am

Hmmm...the operation was not a nice surprise! We could have waited and gone NHS, but we were so ready to go (I know we are lucky to be able to do that - no one should have to wait so long for medical help - it's too emotional waiting)! However, getting 12 embies has meant we will (god willing) get three ET from one ICSI! As FET is £700, we feel like at least two of these are 'bonus goes' if you see what I mean.

Good luck with yout treatment and docotrs meeting. Each meeting is exciting as you get one step closer all the time

Love Lumi xx

Bronagh · Post by **Bronagh** » Sat May 28, 2005 8:39 am

Sand,
I had 2 treatments on NHS, when we went private they needed a letter from my doctor to give an update on what had happenend so far, then I got an appointment. As the consultant I saw also worked at the NHS hospital they were able to transfer my notes across and did not have to do any more of the tests over, whcih at least was something that made life a little easier. I think you just have to ask and see what they say.

Iam now on my 2ww and have been very happy with going private, it makes such a diffeence not to be just a number.
B

Sand · Post by **Sand** » Sat May 28, 2005 8:53 am

Thanks Bron. The more I think about it, the happier I feel that it's the right decision. It's reassuring to hear you've felt a difference this cycle.

The best of luck B for 3rd time lucky ..

Sandra x

Bronagh · Post by **Bronagh** » Sat May 28, 2005 9:04 am

thanks sandra I need al the kuck I can get.
b

Going Private ..

my experience

thanks

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