I am new to here, and desperately need your advice

[mandyliang]

Hello, everyone, very glad to discover this forum. Everyone is so kind and information is very useful.

I got a problem for my IVF treatment, and desperately need your advice.

I used to live in Glasgow. I am referred to ACU at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 2007. After some examination, I was put into the IVF waiting list at the beginning of 2008. After a long time waiting, I am now reach the top of the waiting list and can start my IVF treatment at any time.

The problem is I got a job at Sheffield and moved to Sheffield now. My husband is still living in Glasgow at most of the time, which means I am still eligible to have my treatment at Glasgow. I asked my GP if I can be transferred to Sheffield, the answer is if I’d like to do it in Sheffield, I will be treated as a new patient. The process could be sooner as they could use my examination results from Glasgow, but I still need to go through all the process as a new patient.

I need to make a choice now. I am thinking about 3 options, but not sure which one is the best.

(1) Do my IVF treatment at Glasgow. The benefit is I can start immediately, not any more waiting. The disadvantages are I need to travel a lot during my treatment, it takes 5.5 hours driving from Sheffield to Glasgow, and I need to cope with my work time, definitely it will bring more pressure. I just worried the tiredness caused by travel and pressure caused by working might decrease my chance of success.

(2) Transfer to Sheffield. The benefit is it is a lot easier to cope with my job and living. The disadvantage is I could wait another maximum 36 weeks. I have already waited so long, I really don’t want to wait any more. Another issue is concerning my fertility problems, doctor at Sheffield may not know as much as my doctor at Glasgow, could it influence my chance of success for IVF?

(3) Do my treatment at Sheffield. Waiting for the NHS funded treatment, at the same time, pay to do the treatment in a private clinic if I can not start the NHS funded treatment very soon. The problem for this option is I am not sure if it is OK that I begin these two different routes at the same time? If I am referred to the private clinic as a self-funded patient, do I still need to wait or I can start immediately? Normally, how much is the cost for a cycle (I mean including everything, the prices listed on website are separate prices and I’m not sure which should be included and which shouldn’t), is 5000 pounds enough?

I am near 35 years old, I don’t think I have so much time left. What I mostly concerned is the biggest chances of success. Within my affordable scale, cost will be the last thing to be considered.

It will be very appreciated if you can provide some suggestion and help me to choose the best option. Thanks a lot.

[angeinhull]

Hi

Could you contact your primary care trust in Sheffield to find out the real waiting times? I am in Hull and was told 12 - 18 months but was funded in 10 months then when I had second treatment the waiting list was down to about 4 months. Also, we could have paid and stayed on the waiting list.

The least stresful option the better really.

Good luck

Angela

[mandyliang]

Hi, Angela,

Thanks for your advice. I called the centre, but the lady who in charge of these were not in. I will keep calling. At moment, I inclined to do it at sheffield cos it is easier to me.

Thanks again for your help and good luck.

Mandy

[heidi b]

I'm in the states so i'm not aware of ivf wait lists, what is that? so you do not have to pay out of pocket?

[angeinhull]

We have a NHS (National Health Service) that offers free treatment for medical needs (we do pay small contribution from wage) for all british citizens and other eligible people. However, as a consequence there are waiting lists for most treatments.

IVF is a bit different because depending on where you live depends on how many cycles, etc you are entitled to free as it is not considered an illness by some. For instance where I live we are entitled to 2 fresh and 1 frozen if we have no children, are in a long term relationship and the woman under 40. In the next city they are entitled to 1 fresh and 1 frozen. So yes some get free and have to wait for it, some do not and have to pay.

[heidi b]

thanks for explaining, that's really interesting and weird that it goes by your city.

[Ghost]

I like option 1. It gets you started sooner, and time can be critically important.

[mandyliang]

Thanks for all your reply and concern.
Comparing all the advantages and disadvantages, finally, I have decided to do it at Sheffield. I was told the current waiting time is totally 14 weeks, although the 36 weeks is the maximum. So, figure crossed, hopefully I will receive the appointment letter soon.