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MissMel
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Joined: 25 October 2010
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Topic: Clomid Posted: 25 October 2010 at 7:15pm |
Hi all
I'm new to all this.
Came off the pill in Jan 2010 after being on the pill for about 7 years. Am 29.
Have irregular periods. At the moment my last cycle was over 70 days ago. Am doing the temperature charting and it's up and down and really no pattern.
Dr doesn't seem to be helpful, says you have to wait 2 years for help. Is this true?
Have been tested for PCOS but have not got it.
My mum had difficulty conceiving back in her day and way on clomid. She had the same problem with irregular cycles
I am wondering if you can get Clomid through your dr or if you have to go through a gyne. ? How long do you have to have been trying before the dr will prescribe.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks
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_H_
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Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:05pm |
Dont know about clomid but you dont have to wait 2 years its only 1 year.
Good luck
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MissMel
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Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:28pm |
Thank you, that's good to know. Maybe I need a new doc ..
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jem
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Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:28pm |
To be refered on to Fertility Associates like i was you need to have been trying 6 months. Some Doc's are mean and make you wait and wait but if you have a prob its best to just get there quick. Try to find a GP who takes fertility seriously coz they will refer you at 6 months (which is FA's minimum)
I have been with FA now for almost a year and a half so these things does take time. I have tried clomid but was found to be clomid resistant.
So my advice is go find yourself a GP that is focused on women,babies, fertility and families. My old GP was going to make me wait 18months so I am sooo glad that i changed GP's!!!
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jem
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Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:29pm |
YES you do need a new doc!!! lol
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_H_
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Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:48pm |
Jem- most docs will make you wait longer if you are younger.
Missmel- you did need a new doc! i wish i got one sooner its been over a year of waiting (both DP and i new there was a problem!) but the doc didnt want to listen as we are 'young'
Dont waste time, if you arent comfortable with your doc you should change
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jem
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Posted: 25 October 2010 at 8:50pm |
I must be lucky with my doc then, I was only 24 when she refered me and Im only 26 now.
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Hopes
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Posted: 25 October 2010 at 9:35pm |
Don't wait for a referral, self-refer! It was people on OB who told me to do that, and it ws great advice. You don't save any money by waiting for your Dr to refer you, and why not get the basic tests run now if you're worried that there's something wrong?
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GuestGuest
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Posted: 26 October 2010 at 11:38am |
GPs can prescribe clomid now, we were talking about it in the Clomid Pill Poppers thread a few months ago. I'm not sure what the criteria would be though and would still recommend seeing a specialist. Self refer as Hopes says.
And what tests were done in order to rule out PCOS? Did you have a scan? Irregular long cycles are often a good indicator of PCOS.
Edited by Little_Red
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Ceres
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Posted: 26 October 2010 at 1:56pm |
I definitely agree with Hopes and Little Red about self-referring, there is no advantage to waiting for a GP referral as you still pay the same.
If you go to FA, they'll do monitored clomid cycles (blood tests to check for impending ovulation, scans to check follicle development, and further BTs to check for ovulation) so you know you're on the right dose and no other interventions are needed. I would think if you go straight through a GP that they would probably only be able to offer a blood test to check to see if you actually ovulated that month (could be wrong).
And even if isn't PCOS (although it sounds suspicious), clomid is good at regulating cycles so could be worth a shot.
Good luck!
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MissMel
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 2:43pm |
Wow, thanks for all the replies girls!
I didn't know you could just self refer. Thought you had to be referred on for help by your doctor. That is good to know. Just so we can be prepared, bout how much does it cost for an appointment at Fertility Associates?
PCOS check by doctor was just bloods to find out hormone levels. Rung the nurse and she said my results were normal.
Finally got my period yesterday! Will try plotted temperatures again but have been using fertility friend site and I can't see any trends at the moment.
Thanks for the advice girls. Will try the doctor once more and also look into visiting fertility associates. Sooner we start looking at what might be causing this the better!
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astral_monkey
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 3:26pm |
I've just been referred to FA (my appt is next week) and it is going to be $230 for the first consultation.
Everything I've read on PCOS says that it is not easy to diagnose as there are so many different symptoms - the best way is through blood tests AND ultrasound. I don't think your doctor has done enough.
I've got super long cycles as well and even though I know a lot of people happily conceive with long cycles, there is also an increased risk of miscarriage etc.
If you can afford to go to FA, then I say do it!
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MissMel
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 3:41pm |
Astral Monkey - let me know how you get on with your consultation.
So you still pay same amount for your consultation even though you've been referred to by the doctor?
Have you been diagnosed with PCOS?
Will talk to husband and we might just bite the bullet and book in with FA. Will read up more on PCOS. They did the testosterone test and that was all. I haven't been back again though as she just said they'd contact me if there was something abnormal with results (went because I was having pain lower ab, right side as well as lack of periods). When I rung nurse said 'all normal'.... frustrating!
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astral_monkey
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 4:33pm |
Mel, they actually have a section regarding costs on their website and they don't seem to differentiate between doc referrals and self-referrals (I contacted them and made the appt before my doc had sent any paperwork through too).
Oh, also, it is $230 in Auckland, other areas are different.
And, yup, I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple of years ago and while I had blood tests I think they primarily used the ultrasound to diagnose.
I will definitely let you know how my appt goes!
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Ceres
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 4:39pm |
MissMel I have completely normal looking blood hormone levels (testosterone etc) but definitely have PCOS: Annovulatory 'cycles' (I don't cycle on my own), very polycystic ovaries that can be seen on ultrasound, & minor insulin issues. So, totally agree with astral_monkey, a blood test for testosterone is not enough!
As far as I know, the cost for the initial appointment is the same (at FA) whether you self-refer or not (we paid about the same as astral_monkey has been quoted and were refered by our GP).
I hope you get to the bottom of things quickly, I agree, hearing 'all normal' when things are clearly not is very frustrating.
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lilymay
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 5:04pm |
hi missmel, you have come to the right place for some great advice.
i went to FA without referral and they are fantastic. as mentioned earlier, the prices are all listed on their website. in the last four months i have had loads of tests and a couple of surgeries to figure out why we can not conceive (after 3 years and i am now 30). i feel so much better having some expert advice - these guys know what they are doing and can take control, at a time when things often feel out of control. information is power after all. stay positive, make the call and let them take care of you and your partner. best of luck
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MissMel
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 6:45pm |
Great advice thanks ladies, yes - glad I stumbled over this website for sure!! Thank you!
It is comforting to know I'm not the only one with long cycles and there is help out there.
Good luck to all of you TTC. I have talked to my husband and we're definitely keen to get help and are willing to pay for it ourselves.
Yes, staying positive and still making the most out of life!
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Hopes
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 7:34pm |
Ditto to what has been said re hormone levels - I definitely have PCOS, but it was a scan that showed it up. They'll do one at your first FA appointment (so go prepared for an internal scan!).
I think my first appointment was $260, in Hamilton. I'd absolutely reccommend spending the money.
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MissMel
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 7:56pm |
Hopes - good to know they do a scan (although a little scary), it will good to know what's finally going on after my whole life with irregular periods (when off the pill).
Ladies, anyone tell me how long you have to wait for an appointment in Auckland, just so I can prepare..
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Ceres
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Posted: 27 October 2010 at 8:07pm |
MissMel, my first appointment, in about June 2009, took about 6 weeks to get from first phoning to book. I think it depends quite a lot on which particular doctor you book with, if you're happy to go with who ever is available first it may be faster. For subsequent appointments I was able to get in much more quickly as well. Hopefully the wait time has reduced somewhat, but if not, you could perhaps ask them about their cancellation list?
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