Advice

Tina · Post by **Tina** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 4:51 pm

I wondered if anyone could give me some advice re: clinics. My first attempot at ICSI was succesful but I had a miscarriage at 9 weeks. The treatement was on the NHS, and so I had litle choice of clinic. My dilemma, now I have to go private, is whether to stay with this clinic (where things have been great and relatively successful), or to try ARGC or London Infertility Clinic, as they have such high success rates. If I do move clinics, does anyone know if I have to strat all over again, or can the new clinic obtain my notes? Any advice or experience that anyone has on this would be really useful. Thanks Tina

a gibbons · Post by **a gibbons** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 6:12 pm

To Tina I also have the same dilemma so I am also looking for some advice.My first cycle of ivf in December was on the Nhs but only entitled to one attempt so now think I will have to look at going private.The treatment was carried out at St Marys in Manchester. I have not heard from the clinic since treatment failed, they say I will have to wait 6 weeks until I hear from them but i am sure they will not offer me another cycle. Any advice on clinics and costs would be appreciated, I will be looking in the Manchester or Sheffield area. Thanks Amanda

caz · Post by **caz** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 6:20 pm

Hi there Your notes are YOUR notes- you can take them with you where ever you go. But some clinics might still want to do their own tests anyway. we are at teh London Fertility Center (I guess thats where you where talking about?), and they were happy to use the test results we'd had from previous doctors. Yes the LFC and ARGC results are very good. But beware that some clinics are selective about who they take on, which can flatter the numbers. however i know that the LFC has a reputation for taking on older women and tough cases - so I think their good numbers are guenuine. I dont really know anything about teh ARGC - the numbers looked good. We are at very early stages, but the LFC (I guess we are taking about the same place? Where Prof Craft practices?), so far have been very good. They have managed our expectaions very carefully and teh good thing about going private is that things move as quickly as you want them to. But so they should for what they charge! My DH had PESA (surgical reteival of sperm) done there this week and it went as well as it could have - they looked after him v well and have literally done EVRYTHING thats possible with current medical expertise to get sperm (and by a MIRACLE did get some), so at least we feel like we've tried everything we can. Hopefully we'll do ICSI there as well. It just means making savings elsewhere, which we decided was worth it. Having said all that - if you are happy with where you are and you like the people then why change it? You got pg last time - so they did the job right, no? The NHS has all the same expertise and talented people as the private sector, they are just spread a bit more thinly. One other thing.....if you do go privately you have to be very certain that the doctors aren't encouraging you to keep going when theres no chance, with their profit in mind, which of course the NHS wont. Maybe I am WAY too sceptical about this, I hope so and actually I think the LFC are pretty straight. They initially told us there was no chance and only now are saying well maybe there is..... What a ramble - sorry Good luck!

caz · Post by **caz** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 6:23 pm

Amanda - I have got a price list somewhere, tell me what you need and I'll tell you the price! Our inital consult was I think £150ish, with tests on top. PESA op was £1600 ICSI is I think about £2500 scary huh? I'm slightly guessing numbers but can check

a gibbons · Post by **a gibbons** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 6:40 pm

caz-where is this price list for and is it a good clinic? I will be looking at IVF using partners sperm, that is what they suggested at St Marys on my last attempt but another clinic may suggest something else. I only got 2 fertilzed eggs on last attempt so another clinic may suggest ICSI.Not had a follow up appointment at St Marys yet so dont really know where I stand. A few more questions if you dont mind... What tests will they need to do at a new clinic? How long do you have to wait to see a consultant? Thanks for your help Amanda

vanessa · Post by **vanessa** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 7:32 pm

I have just booked an appointment to see Mr Lieberman at Manchester Fertility Centre which is at Bupa at Whalley Range. He also works at St mary's as you will probably know. They want to do their own u/s scan, sperm check and day 2 bloods from you, this along with the first consultation is £290. IVF is £1950 plus drugs, plus HEFA fee. There latest published results for jan - dec 2001 for Ivf was 38%. You would need to be refered by your GP, or I think from St Marys. I was refered in December and have a date for an u/s scan on 23rd January. Also waiting to see him on the NHS. Hope this helps! Love Vanessa x

a gibbons · Post by **a gibbons** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 8:51 pm

Thanks Vanessa found your information very helpful. I shall wait to see what they say at St Marys and as you say they may refer me. Are you going private because the NHS waiting list is so long and will this be your first attempt? Anyway thanks again Love Amanda x

vanessa · Post by **vanessa** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:34 pm

Glad the info was useful! We were going to MFS for a consultation as the wait is so long on the NHS... but have had a letter through today for an appointment at St Mary's on the same day!!! Think we will go to St Mary's first and ask all our questions and take it from there. It would be our first attempt at anything other than Clomid (looking back I don't think the first consultant really knew what he was doing and fobbed us off for two and a half years!!) Let me know what St Mary's say... Good luck! Love Vanessa x

caz · Post by **caz** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:52 pm

Third time lucky - keep losing this! Anyway - my prices are for teh london ferility centre - which is meant to be good - altho I'll give you my answer in a years time! But they are very nice and trying so hard for us Cost: quite scary.......... IVF £2550 IVF with ICSI £3750 initial consultation £165 and follow ups £125 We need sperm test, ultrasound, day 2 blood test and day 21 (ovulating one) Theres no real wait for appointments and you dont need to be refer (I think) If you DH has normal sperm then I guess IVF is what you'll need, We are doing ICSI because dh has v v low sperm Hope that helps!Hope this gets thru this time!

fiona_lk · Post by **fiona_lk** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 9:10 am

Hi Vanessa and Amanda, Just wanted to let you know that I'm at MFS (2 years now), so if there are any specific questions you want answering just let me know. I can say without doubt they are incredibly caring, sensitive and want you to get pregnant more than anything in the world. And you are not just a statistic, but as Caz says, when paying the amount of money we do, that is what it should be like. Maybe we'll get to meet there someday. Love Fiona xxx

a gibbons · Post by **a gibbons** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 6:08 pm

Thanks everyone for your advice, will definatly look into MFS if St Marys refuse me another cycle. The costs are Scary dont know how we will afford it, but do not feel that we can give up after only one cycle. Vanessa I would advise you to have a go at St Marys, they were very nice and understanding and it will save you a hell of a lot of money. Have they told you how many cycles you can have on the Nhs?I am still waiting patiently to hear from them. I am praying that they let me have another go but cant really see it happening.Anyway good luck to you will keep you informed. Love Amanda

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