~BIG HUG~

I'm sorry. I really really am. It is such a horrible rollercoaser, and it is just so unfair sometimes. I've actually had to reduce some of the forums that I was modding on because I just can't deal with it anymore. If it wasn't for you and some of the other girls, I have no idea how I would have gotten as far as I have.

I'm sorry that I have no real advice or words of comfort. In all honesty, I think it just gets worse by the day, some days are better then others, but they are all pretty bad. On the advice of Lee, I'm going to look into a support group here in town. (for this and other things) It might be an idea for you to look into. While you know I'm always here for you, sometimes you need the person to person contact.

I know this might be a bad time to ask, but have you and dh talked about what your next step may be? Maybe look into clomid or something along those lines. Have you had an hsg?

~~~BIG HUG~~~

Sorry I didn't respond to your pm earlier Christy, but this is what I was going to tell you anyways...I knew you would respond.

Yes we have talked about what to do now. I know he is willing to go, but I think its just me. I just keep thinking that it will happen and we dont need all that. I would love to start taking Clomid. I have no idea what an HSG is...

I was supposed to go to the gyno for another check up from my treatments, but af decided she didn't want me to go to that appointment. My plan was to print out my charts and talk about my options and see if they can prescribe me clomid. This was going to be with another doctor than the one I didnt like a while ago. The other one didn't want to even talk about procedures, she just wanted to refer me to a reproductive endocrinologist right away. I don't know if I want to just run and go to that doctor without giving a local one a chance first.

So I think that when I go on the first of November that I will see what she has to say. She is alot nicer than the other doctor. I really want to try Clomid, but I don't know if they would prescribe it to me.

Can you tell me more about the HSG??? Who can do it, where is it done, does insurance likely cover it?

I tried to write my own explanation, but it just didn't make sence, lol. So I found this on webmd. It is a pretty basic procedure that they tend to do right after the blood tests. My regular gyn could do it, but she referred me out to the RE so she said it would be better if they did it. Because you are ovulating monthly, you can tell by your temps and your lp looks good to me. An hsg might be a good next step, to make sure there is no tubal blockage. Not saying there is...I just think they may want to do this before they put you on meds. It's probably the first thing I will do at with my new doctor.

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them. It often is done for women who are having a hard time becoming pregnant (infertile).

During a hysterosalpingogram, a dye (contrast material) is put through a thin tube that is put through the vagina and into the uterus. Because the uterus and the fallopian tubes are hooked together, the dye will flow into the fallopian tubes. Pictures are taken using a steady beam of X-ray (fluoroscopy) as the dye passes through the uterus and fallopian tubes. The pictures can show problems such as an injury or abnormal structure of the uterus or fallopian tubes, or a blockage that would prevent an egg moving through a fallopian tube to the uterus. A blockage also could prevent sperm from moving into a fallopian tube and joining (fertilizing) an egg. A hysterosalpingogram also may find problems on the inside of the uterus that prevent a fertilized egg from attaching (implanting) to the uterine wall. See an illustration of a hysterosalpingogram.

Why It Is Done
A hysterosalpingogram is done to:

Find a blocked fallopian tube. The test often is done for a woman who is having a hard time becoming pregnant. An infection may cause severe scarring of the fallopian tubes and block the tubes, preventing pregnancy. Occasionally the dye used during a hysterosalpingogram will push through and open a blocked tube.
Find problems in the uterus, such as an abnormal shape or structure, an injury, polyps, fibroids, adhesions, or a foreign object in the uterus. These types of problems may cause painful menstrual periods or repeated miscarriages.
See whether surgery to reverse a tubal ligation has been successful.

It sounds scary, but its really not and a few of the girls here have had it done. Like I said, it's a pretty common procedure. As for your insurance covering it, that's a tough one. I'm not really sure...are they going to cover your RE if you go to one?

Probably not. I don't know though, i haven't talked to anyone about it yet. I was just wondering if that is a common procedure that might not be linked to infertility that might be covered.

As far as the bloodwork goes. I have recently had some done, but not sure it it was the right kind. Last year, and again in two weeks, I will be having a full physical for work where they do a whole blood work up. Also, I had more bloodwork done when I went to the doctor in July. They wanted to test my thyroid because they thought it might have been causing my illness.
Do you think that the results from these might help?

It might. I know that the blood work for your thyroid will be helpful. That is a common test done for fertility. Honestly, I'm not sure what all they will do. I've had alot of bloodwork done so far, but I'm not ovulating (I might be today though) and they needed to figure out why. (actually, it was to figure out why I hadn't had my period) I know that they normally test your lh, thyroid, something else that has to do with egg quality/amount and progesterone. Then, if it looks like your ovulating (like you) and have had well timed bd (like you) they normally do the hsg to make sure there would be nothing stopping the egg and spermies meeting. Once that is clear they go on to Clomid to help with ovulation. Past that is when you get into the IUI's and what not.

Can I butt in here. Star, I know you are a bit hesitant to get into the whole infertility treatment but it never hurts to make an appointment and just see what your options are. You can decide what you do and don't want to proceed with. My doctor was willing to give me clomid after only 5 months of trying (we had trouble with our first pregnancy as well). I didn't want to go that route and it took me 14 months to decide to go ahead and do it. I wish I would have tried it sooner.

Abbysmom - I don't know if I know your name...Sorry!
Thanks for that, I think I do need a push every now and then.

I was supposed to go for my checkup from my treatments on Monday, but Im going next Thursday instead becuase stupid af came. I plan on taking my charts and im going to ask if I can be put on clomid.

You got pregnant your first month of clomid right? how is your pregnancy going by the way?

I just called to schedule my RE appt today. So, we can be on almost the same schedule, probably! I'll be right here going through the same stuff with you, so don't be afriad.

I'm hoping to get my bfp while waiting to go. I heard it is a pretty good feritlity enhancer...you know....finally getting up the courage to go to the doctor. lol.

Christy, is your insurance paying for anything? I dont even know if I can go have a consultation with an re without paying out of pocket. I have to call my insurance company

Actually, one of the girls that I work with said that when she was going to an RE (she doesn't know I'm ttc) that our insurance covered everything. She thought that maybe they just didn't catch what kind of doctor she was going to. She said the only thing they wouldn't cover was the actual procedures (IUI, Egg Retreivals, S/A'as) Stuff along those lines. But they covered all the doctors appt. and the prescriptions. However, my benefits book says they don't cover anything 'infetility' but Clomid is listed in my 'prescription' book with a $ next to it (so it's not that expensive. )

At this point I'm 100% willing to pay out of pocket though. I know that this doctor give you a 'menu' with prices. So, at most I will be out the consultation fee and thats it. If everything will be to much, then I'll just go back on birth control.

Yeah me to, and dh and I talked about it and he said, well if thats what we have to spend our money on then thats what we will do. So that made me feel better.

This is what it says for our insurance

Infertility and Sexual Dysfunction Services
Up to $5000 per Lifetime
Coverage will be provided for the following services:
*Testing and treatment services performed in connection with an underlying medical condition
* Testing performed specifically to determine the cause of infertility. Treatment and/or procedures performed specifically to restore fertility (eg. procedures to correct an infertility condition.

It also says that it does not cover Infertility services, surgical or medical treatment programs for infertility, incluing IVF, GIFT, ZIFT, variations of these procedures, and any costs associated with the collection, washing, preparation or storage of sperm for artificial insemination.

I HATE insurancce and I never know what they do and don't cover, and Im embarrassed to talk to a stranger on the phone about that

I just heard back from the RE office to schedule the appointment. It is December 5th. That feels like forever away.

Anyways, I was speaking with the new patient coordinator on the phone (after a 20min quesitonaire) And she asked if I had called my insurance about whether they cover infertility. I told her that I didn't think they did, and that we would be paying out of pocket. She told me that I need to call my insurance and tell them that I am have a consultation and to ask if they cover a consultation and diagnostics. She said I may be surprised.

At least I know what to ask about now. Before, I would have just said infertility and they would have said 'nope'.

I finally went to my first RE appt on Monday. I'll write another thread about it.

Basically, I've been spening very little time on-line because so much of my free time is taken up dealing with insurance. I was in insurance hell a few weeks ago. Our insurance covers 50% of infertility tests and procedures, including IUI and IVF. But before we could go to the initial consulation, I had to ask my PCP to request authorization from the insurance company. That was a big pain because I got my RE referral from my OB/GYN. I spent so much time on the phone trying to get everyone the information they needed and it seemed like no one did anything unless I was on the phone with them.

The worst was about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I called the insurance company to see if there was any progress on the authorization as I had only a few days before going out of town on business and my RE appt was right away. I sat on hold for thirty minutes before finally spoke to someone. She then put me on hold again to check with another department. She came back on about five minutes before I was supposed to go to a seminar (I was at work). She told me that they had rejected the information they had and I had to go back to my PCP.

I completely broke down and started bawling on the phone. I complained about how hard they make things during such an emotional time in a persons life. It hurts so much when you try so hard to get pregnant and can't. I said that her company's handling of infertility coverage just intensifies that pain. Then I demanded that she call my PCP and explain exactly what they need. At that point she started acting more sympathetic. She put me on hold and called my PCP. By the end of the day, I had my authorization. It took over a month!

By that point, I was five minutes late for the seminar and in no condition to go. I knew that I didn't want to deal with questions about why I wasn't there and I didn't want to show up in that condition. So I composed myself (it took 15 minutes) and went to the seminar late.

No matter how much coverage you get from your insurance company, I hope they treat you a lot better than our insurance company has treated me.

THat sounds like what I will probably be going through in the next few weeks.

I just (yesterday) got my forms to fill out for the Re. Holy piles of paper work! It is crazy. Anyways, one of the papers said the if you are paying out of pocket it will be $220-300 just for the consultation, that isn't including the ultrasound (which they do the same day) or the lab work (ditto). It was a little more then what I was thinking. So it could easily cost me close to $700 just for that day, not to actually fix anything.

So, I will be pressing my insurance company for real answers. Heather, I will let you know what all they cover, just to give you an idea. I have blue cross and blue shield ppo, by the way.

Mine is Cigna ppo...

Star - Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I don't get online that often anymore. I got pregnant on my second round of clomid. The pregnancy has been going well.

I feel for all you ladies who are struggling with insurance. I was able to get my clomid from my regular OB and didn't have to go to an RE.

Well, now my insurance company has said that they need the results of my husbands SA before I can get tested at all. Since I'm probably ovulating this weekend, he is unlikely to get the SA for about a week. I hope there will be enough time for the insurance company to get the results and make a determination before my next FSH and HSG opportunities. My next FSH will be within three weeks.

I have to keep telling myself not to get stressed about the tests. I looked at a calendar. Assuming 27 day cycles, I'll be ovulating this weekend, then on vacation in December, and potentially on a business trip in January. Realistically, my first possible treatment cycle now looks like late January. That would give us two more cycles for my tests.