I've decided to go for a second opinion on my infertility diagnosis. While I've come to terms with the idea of not having kids, posts that @Mrs.Someone: has put up made me want to get closure through an answer.
I was able to get into a cancellation this Wednesday.
Is there anything in particular I should be asking? I am willing to go through any testing they want me to do again, I don't care, I just want an answer.
pomelo / 5000 posts
Questions for you:
What tests have you had done?
How far are you willing to go with treatments?
What type of approach are you ready to take? Conservative, aggressive, middle of the road?
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@Happygal:
HSG, day 3 blood, thyroid blood work and ultrasound, internal and external ultrasounds, hubs had SA.
My husband does not want medical intervention (at least at this point) which means no IUI or IVF. He feels "unexplained" means nothing is wrong and we should be able to get KU on our own.
I'm willing to do whatever I have to do. I wanted my other dr to give me something and do TI at least, but she wasn't willing to do that.
ETA: The first place I went was to a gyno who specialized in fertility. This time I'm going to an actual fertility clinic.
pomelo / 5000 posts
@babycanuck: that dynamic is tricky. My husband wasn't ready to move forward when I was--sorry you're dealing with that. Is he ok with getting another opinion?
Any possibility of endometriosis?
Why wasn't your doctor wanting to do a medicated cycle?
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@Happygal: He's totally okay with me getting another opinion. I told him I need an answer, the unexplained is driving me crazy.
I don't think I have endo, I've never had any signs.
The first doc said because I ovulate, she generally only gives medicated cycles to those that have issues ovulating. Though I was unsure of things because she didn't do day 21 blood - I was a bit concerned that maybe my LP was short.
My cycles since coming off BCP 3 years ago have been fairly normal...28-30 days long, though I have had a couple of really wonky cycles, include two with random mid-cycle bleeding. Shortest cycle = 23 days, longest = 34. I was on BCP for 10 years, before that, while a teen, my cycles were wacky. 2 months on, 3 months off for a few years, then normal, then wacky again until I started on BCP.
pomelo / 5000 posts
@babycanuck: I'm not much help with all the testing. I ran through that awhile ago and just remembered when they said things were fine! I imagine your new RE will review things and may want to repeat a few as well. Good luck--let us know how it goes!
eggplant / 11861 posts
I think a second opinion is a good idea especially for peace of mind! Have you talked to DH about maybe a time line of TTC naturally before getting some intervention?
It's hard, to me unexplained means they haven't found it yet or it's just not findable..... these doctors can know/do a lot but they can't see everything......
Hopefully this RE will give you some better understanding and maybe even a road to take!
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@FaithFertility: I'm hoping this one will at least consider a medicated cycle of some sort. I have a HUGE fear of needles but I would be more than willing to give myself a trigger if they need me to. Hubs won't commit to a timeline, I think he's also curious as to what this doctor will say, though (even though he won't admit it).
I've been really frustrated with work and was going to start looking for a new job, he told me not to since I'm going to the specialist.
eggplant / 11861 posts
@babycanuck: awwwww I'm a huge needle freak and well got over that quick with my IF road 
still don't like it!
Yeah I think an RE is a good bet they seem to be more aggresive!
nectarine / 2834 posts
How long have you been trying? After 10 months and all of the testing, we left my gyno who specialized in conceiving and went to an RE. He took just a slightly different approach and we got pregnant the 2nd cycle under his care.
pomegranate / 3105 posts
I've converted all my tracking data into a chart for CD1, cycle length, # of days of menstruation, days of confirmed OPK if I tracked it and any notes/tests. Anything else I should include??
bananas / 9628 posts
@babycanuck: i have no advice, i just wanted to tell you how happy i am to see you posting this thread! i hope they have some answers for you, and for your hubs so you don't have to be 'unexplained' 
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@mrs. bird: Thank you 
I'm hoping they have some better insight for me, and much closer to home than the last place!
pomelo / 5228 posts
Yay, glad you got an appointment so soon! Make sure to bring in all your previous labwork. I'd also bring in a list of things you'd like to be checked for like low progesterone. And make it clear that you don't want to be labeled "unexplained", because if everything is fine, then it would've worked by now IMO.
kiwi / 636 posts
@babycanuck: FX that the RE will be able to provide you with answers! I think @bluestripedbee: received her diagnosis after switching REs. 
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@Mrs.Someone: For sure - they have copies of all of my previous tests...they initially wanted to schedule me with one doctor there in September, and I told them I don't care WHO I see, I just need something sooner. Thank you to for for your posting that pushed me
cantaloupe / 6630 posts
@babycanuck: Could you do an un-medicated cycle? Bloodwork and ultrasounds to track ovulation? At my clinic they do that as part of the diagnostics.
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@travelgirl1: Let's hope they want to do that. I'll take anything I can get!
cantaloupe / 6630 posts
@babycanuck: well if you are ovulating on your own, it would give them a clear picture of the way your hormones go up and down, your lining, follicle growth etc.... It could tell you a lot. And then they will tell you exactly when to BD. That's how I got pregnant both times. It's a lot of work to go in every day but you get a lot of info.
eggplant / 11408 posts
@babycanuck: good luck! I'm glad you're going in for another opinion. I hope that you can get some answers!
pomegranate / 3533 posts
@babycanuck: Just wanted to chime in-- it sounds like a second opinion is totally worthwhile! Things to ask for (in addition to what's been mentioned): maybe an HSG to confirm that your tubes are open? Maybe more testing for PCOS (because of irregular cycles)? Maybe testing of ovarian reserve (AMH/FSH)? Just a few thoughts... to you!
pear / 1986 posts
@babycanuck: I'm sorry I don't know more about your situation, but I just wanted to double check that your DH has had an SA done. The RE will likely want to do one. Wishing you the best, too!
bananas / 9899 posts
I definitely think a second opinion is a good option for you. I really hope that this new doctor will be able to help you out.
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@FliegepilzHut: They are clear, I did do the HSG test but more than happy to do it again
@GreenThumb: He has done it, and had a horrible experience when he did it (in a lab in a communal bathroom?!) but it's done and all is well 
pear / 1986 posts
@babycanuck: Sorry he had that experience (yikes!!) but so glad that the results were positive!
GOLD / pomegranate / 3688 posts
@babycanuck: I just wanted to say congratulations and good luck! You're taking a big step and I hope it proves fruitful for you. I ended up seeing two different doctors to diagnosis my IF... the first was completely useless and I am so glad I kept pressing for answers. Unfortunately, I know other women who have been in the same position. I hope that you find your new doctor to be patient, kind, aggressive in treatment, and a good listener.
honeydew / 7463 posts
@babycanuck: what about full karyotyping of you and DH? It's a blood test so minimally invasive and they just check your chromosomes for any abnormalities or imbalances.
We had a "reason" to get karyotyped, so I'm not sure that it's standard procedure or something they'd test without real "cause" to believe its chromosomal. (ie recurrent miscarriage and one of them had fetal tissue tested that had an abnormality).
But just adding my two cents and letting you know its another test that I don't think you've had and it's pretty easy!
pomegranate / 3105 posts
@SweetiePie: Thanks!! Marking that down to ask them to do it as well
persimmon / 1085 posts
@babycanuck: Just want to wish you all the best at your appointment! I hope this new doctor can provide answers for you so you know what you are dealing with!
pomegranate / 3105 posts
Thanks everyone! I will be posting my experience after I see them for sure
pomegranate / 3533 posts
@babycanuck: Oops...that was the first thing you said, wasn't it? Hope you have a good appt!
pomegranate / 3105 posts
Update 1:
I had 2 ultrasounds today and 14 (!!!!!!) vials of blood taken, including enough for AMH and karotyping.
Tomorrow I have to go for another HSG (why do doctors need you to do this again every time you see someone new?) to confirm the dip in my uterus and the size of it. The last tech didn't measure it and she wants to make sure it's not getting in the way.
In 2 weeks I have to go for an endometrial biopsy, hubs has to come with me for blood work and he has to give 3 semen samples (from home - phew) over 4 weeks, 2 for morph/etc and the 3rd for Chromatin assay (?).
I also have to start daily blood and u/s starting my next cycle.
She said I should have an answer within about a month. We didn't discuss options yet because she wants to do that with both of us. She won't give his SA results to me, which is why I told him he HAS to come with me on July 2.
I told her I didn't care about the outcome but I am not satisfied with an "unexplained" diagnosis.
GOLD / pomegranate / 3688 posts
@babycanuck: WOW. That sounds so thorough, so aggressive (in a good way), and so promising!
nectarine / 2932 posts
@babycanuck: I agree with @septca: that sounds really promising and thorough!
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