Columbia IVF department

[jenniferdp]

Any one have any feedback on Columbia???

[banana]

Do you mean CWRC? What do you want to know?

[jenniferdp]

yes, thank you. I would like to know how good they are, etc. Some background on me: I had an FSH of 16 and it went down to 12. they harvested 9 eggs only 1 was good (8-cell no fragments) day of transfer, with negative results. Second go at it: FSH 9.6, harvested 15 eggs, 12 fertilized, and they transferred 3 (8-cell, no fragments), negative results. Basically, we have money for more go at this (insurance is not covering anything) . I currently have a consultation set-up for 10/22 with Cornel. I just want to ensure that I am going to the best possible place that specializes in high FSH levels.

[banana]

I have been going to CWRC since April of 2006. I've only done one fresh IVF cycle but it was cancelled due to OHSS. I just did and FET my transfer was this past Tuesday and am now in the 2ww. The doctors there have been great. My issue is that i have PCOS and dh also has low motility. I specifically see Lobo there. i highly recommend. Let me know if you have any other questions

[Michellyn8]

Hi Jennifer.

I have been at Columbia since August 2006. After 3 cycles I got a BFP. I switched my Dr after the 2 failed cycles and that made all the difference. the Dr. I switched to was Dr. Guarnaccia and he was great. My first Dr. there was nice but I think she had too many patients and passed me off as an easy case due to my age. Dr. G is the medical director there and I think he is just starting to take on more patients. I highly recommend him.

Cornell is supposed to be great also but I know that it is extremely busy there. From what I hear Cornell, NYU, and Columbia are the best in the city. Let me know if I can answer any more questions.

Good Luck!!!

Michelle

[banana]

Hey Jennifer,

Congratulations on your twins. How are you doing? I'm in the 2ww of my FET and I don't know what to do with myself. Do you mind me asking how many embryos you transferred? I go for my first bw on Friday and am super nervous. I'm also at CWRC. Can you tell me what the protocol is after the 2ww? I really appreciate it.

[jenniferdp]

Hey guys,

So I totally made a mistake. It is not Columbia but CORNELL that I am now going to. I'm not pregnant but i will take your "congrats on our twins" has a preview into my future

During, each of my two 2WW I took it VERY easy but went to work the next day. I walked very slowly, didn't run up an down stairs, just took my time. BUT this time I think i I am going to commit myself to complete bed rest for 3 days! Hopefully that will help matters!

[banana]

oops i apologize for the mix up. I meant my questions for Michelle. But Jennifer I do wish you the very best at Cornell and I know it will work out in your favor.

[Michellyn8]

Banana,

Just try to take it easy....I know easier said than done : ) I read and watched tons of movies. Although I broke down pretty early and took a HPT. We transferred 4 embryos. This was most likely going to be our last cycle and we are never able to freeze any leftover. Also the last time we put in 4 and none worked. How many did you put in? That is great that you are able to do FET. Many people especially us PCOS girls do better with FET because our bodies are not so overstimulated.

After a BFP they have you come back in 2 days later for another beta test to make sure that your levels are rising. After that looks good you go in a week or two later to do ultrasound, they check for the HB. We did that and now we are going in one more final time at the 8 1/2 week mark and then we will need to start going to a regular ob/gyn. Which will be so weird to not go to Columbia any more...It is insane the amount of time I have spent there. I feel good. I don't have morning sickness (knock on wood) but I am very tired and I have some heartburn and occasional cramping. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you! Friday is only a couple of days away!!

Take care,

Michelle

[banana]

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for your response. It made me happy. We put back two because I'm 28 and the doctor's thought I would have a good chance with two. Yes, I'm very lucky that I had frozen embryos but my fresh cycle was cancelled due to OHSS and that was not fun. I know Friday is right around the corner but its the anticipation of a really good weekend or a bad one. Did you have any symptoms during your 2ww?

How far along are you now? It's so exciting that your having twins. I think I will actually be a little disappointed if I don't because I feel like the embryos are already a part of me.

[cheekskuss]

conradulations michelle i have a question for everyone at columbia does anyone see dr. troy and how do you feel about her. they are ok but i am made because dr.lobo is suppose to be my re thats who i saw when i came in and i only saw him once on my last cycle i had 3cycles the first cancelled and 2bfn and i will start the third cycle in december but i am confused i dont know if i want to stay what protocal did they use on you guys i always transferre three and they where all 8cell 4grade as they say text book so why did it not work the only time they changed was the first cycle with lupron and it had me suppressed to much then they changed it and put me on 7-10day and it was repronex and gonalf and the last cycle same protocal but just up the dosage for repronex. and my re next option was to take out my tubes even though they dont see no bacteria or anything in it please help advice please.

[banana]

Hi Cheekskuss - I think that if you want to speak to Dr. Lobo directly that you should just make an appointment with him to discuss your options. I see Dr. Lobo too but I only see him when I actually have an appointment. During my 2 cycles I never saw him during the morning monitoring or the procedures. I think that you mean Dr. Choi and she actually did my FET this past week. She seemed really nice and attentive. My protocal on ivf sounds very similar to yours with Lupron, repronex and gonal F. My first cycle was cancelled and we just had an FET so now I'm in the two week wait. I'd be more than happy to answer any more questions.

[cheekskuss]

banana doctor troy is the one i usaully see and i really like her but when she is not around i hate seeing to many diffrent you know what i mean and i am upset i used up all my insurance and i got approved by the state program but i dont have to pay much but with the state program they give you a max of meds you can give the patient so if you need to up the protocal you cant which is crazy.

[mlc]

Any one have any feedback on Columbia???

Hello--
I am currently going to CWRC at Columbia. Although they do accept more difficult cases, and pride themselves on their success rate, I do not see how it is the case. I am not all that happy with the program. I am currently in an IVF cycle and supposedly will have the egg transfer on Monday, tomorrow. What I do not like is the whole group thing.

My doctor is Dr. Choi. I liked her. Her manner is friendly and professional and she does not speak to you condescendingly. She treats you as intelligent people. That said, I have seen her once since our first meeting. She was not there in the morning during this cycle. I do not believe the group practice provides the proper continuity of care that one doctor and one patient provides.

I had 7 large follicles. I got the sense that every time I went in the morning for monitoring, whatever doctor showed up [Zimmerman 2x for sure; Wong(?) once; another man I do remember; and Nahkuta did my retrieval] spent 2 seconds looking at your chart, and did not know you from a hole in the wall.

Someone screwed up something w/the hCG (I think), b/c when they finally retrieved, supposedly 7 follicles, all but one of them had already ovulated. In my book, this does not speak well for them. They do hundreds, if not more of these, and should more closely control their patients. One person with one doctor may have been able to provide closer, more consistent, more attentive care.

Obviously, you must judge their care for yourself. This has been my experience. I can only hope that my one little embryo has developed to a quality embryo to be transfered tomorrow. I will not go to a group practice again.

Good Luck.
mlc

[mlc]

Any one have any feedback on Columbia???

Hello--
I am currently going to CWRC at Columbia. Although they do accept more difficult cases, and pride themselves on their success rate, I do not see how it is the case. I am not all that happy with the program. I am currently in an IVF cycle and supposedly will have the egg transfer on Monday, tomorrow. What I do not like is the whole group thing.

My doctor is Dr. Choi. I liked her. Her manner is friendly and professional and she does not speak to you condescendingly. She treats you as intelligent people. That said, I have seen her once since our first meeting. She was not there in the morning during this cycle. I do not believe the group practice provides the proper continuity of care that one doctor and one patient provides.

I had 7 large follicles. I got the sense that every time I went in the morning for monitoring, whatever doctor showed up [Zimmerman 2x for sure; Wong(?) once; another man I do remember; and Nahkuta did my retrieval] spent 2 seconds looking at your chart, and did not know you from a hole in the wall.

Someone screwed up something w/the hCG (I think), b/c when they finally retrieved, supposedly 7 follicles, all but one of them had already ovulated. In my book, this does not speak well for them. They do hundreds, if not more of these, and should more closely control their patients. One person with one doctor may have been able to provide closer, more consistent, more attentive care.

Obviously, you must judge their care for yourself. This has been my experience. I can only hope that my one little embryo has developed to a quality embryo to be transfered tomorrow. I will not go to a group practice again.

Good Luck.
mlc