Anyone else waiting for NHS referral?

[victoria401]

Hi. I'm looking for ladies in the same boat as me to go through the crap that is the NHS referral process to possibly having ivf/icsi.

I'm 34 and dh is 36 and we have male factor infertility. After much nagging the GP has finally sent off our referral letter to the local clinic. I've no idea how long the wait is to see a consultant or what to expect when we get there! We know that we are only entitled to one funded cycle of ivf/icsi which sucks big time as we are looking at 7k for another icsi cycle at the clinic :-(

Looking for friends to go through the highs and lows of treatment with :-)

[Gingerbreadlady1]

Hi victoria. I'm a little further on than you. We were referred in march (approx dates from memory) by our fc. Called unit after a couple of months to check they had it. Told about 3 months wait for first apt if refered by fc (as already had a long period of tests etc), 6 months if not. Got our letter June for first apt in July. But, here's the kicker, I think we only get put on waiting list at this first apt, as well as some more tests. Waiting times 12-14 months. I'm in glasgow & it all depends where you live. I'm now looking into private ivf whilst I wait.

Our gp refered us to fc before acu (on last of 6 months of clomid). Hth! Keep us posted.

[suzylee73]

Hi :)

Well done on your nagging, it can be a hard battle getting what your entitled to.
I would leave it 6 weeks and then follow it up, I know I waited for the results of a funding request and when I nagged they gave me a copy of the reply which was dated a month ago!

I had a failed round of ICSI in March and now I'm self funding. It's too expensive in the UK for us so we are going abroad.

Let's hope it's first time lucky for you though :D

[Gingerbreadlady1]

Sorry, don't want to hijac your thread, suzy do you mind me asking where you're going? I'm doing my research at mo and there's so much out there! Bit over-whelming.

[victoria401]

Goodness ginger that is a long wait. I've been on the clinics own forum and ladies there say anything between 6 weeks and 4 months for first appointment and then they seem to be starting treatment 2 or 3 months after that! I think I've read somewhere lists are long in Scotland and Wales. How many cycles of ivf can you have on nhs if that's what you need? And is time on your side? Ie. How old are you?

[Heels99]

We had Icsi before it was available on nhs and had to pay ourselves, total cost £17k for 4 cycles, this was a few years ago. I would recommend saving for private treatment whilst you are waiting and undergoing nhs treatment. you can then have more cycles self funded if your nhs cycle fails, or even better if your nhs cycle works then you have some money saved for any future cycles e.g if you want a sibling in future. If an nhs cycle fails and then you have to start saving and more waiting for private cycles, that could be frustrating

Good luck to all

[victoria401]

Thanks heels I hope you were successful. We do have a few k saved but at the rate we can put money away it will take a while until we could afford a cycle. I was hinting to my mum at the cost of private to see if they seemed interested in helping us out but it seems that ivf is not worth spending money on in their eyes. They are 'sad for me, but that's life. It wasn't meant to be'. Looks like its down to us. Hmmm I wonder what my dad things of the situation... He never thought dh was good enough for me and now that he knows his sperm is duff too. Probably things his point has been made...

[Gingerbreadlady1]

Time is not on my side unfortunately hence the reason we'll prob do at least 1 private cycle whilst we wait. I think we get 2 cycles. 7k is a lot for 1 cycle, would you consider going elsewhere?

[suzylee73]

I'm going to Poland. It's super cheap but they aren't very good at speaking English so its quite hard. I know there are some brilliant English speaking clinics in Spain, Greece and Cyprus but money was my main decider.

They have a fab website though :) invitro24.co.uk

I have already had IVF in this country so don't need my hand holding this time, just as well as they are very clinical.

[victoria401]

Because I think we need isci its more expensive. Normal ivf is 'only' around 4 point something k. But then drugs are on top pushing it up more. My clinic also does a '3 cycle package' for £8.999 plus drugs. In the small print however it says no money will be refunded if you get preg on cycles one and two.... The preg rates look quite good compared to the national rates though and you have to stay positive.

[Gingerbreadlady1]

Thanks suzy. I'd had a look at them also due to prices but as this will be our first ivf, I fancy some hand holding. Good luck!

[victoria401]

I definitely need hand holding too! I think I'd need to experience my first and only nhs cycle and see if I wanted to go through it again (unless its successful of course!). If it doesnt work and I found it a traumatic experience then I think I would accept my lot, if you know what I mean?

[RogueV]

Hi Victoria
I too am waiting to be referred for ivf by my gynae consultant. I had a loss at 6 months last year it was out first pregnancy after trying for 2 years. Not conceived since (surprise surprise). Have had loads of tests, all bloods fine however my right tube is blocked and DH last two sperm samples have been poor! So looks like we'll be referred for ivf next time I see the consultant. Why don't you join us on the infertility meltdown chat? To be honest I avoided the infertility forums for ages but the way I feel now I just want to share my issues with others. Nobody I know in real life is going through the same! X

[victoria401]

Hi rogue, thanks for replying. I wanted to join the infertility meltdown but there is just so many pages to read and get to know everyone! Maybe I'll give it a read later

[RogueV]

I know what you mean Victoria, I only just started posted on it myself though xxx

[minibmw2010]

Gingerbreadlady please be careful about doing anything private while waiting on your NHS referral (if I read you correctly). Certainly 4 years ago when we had NHS help it was made very clear to us that if we had any private 'help' before our NHS cycle we'd lose our NHS funding. It may well be different now but maybe investigate just in case.

[Gingerbreadlady1]

Thanks for the heads up minibmw. Our fc has said it will be okay but ill double check at my apt at acu. Don't want to jeopardise anything!