Those with IF or who have seen an RE *update*

[jewel]

What happened after that first discussion of "concerns"?

I have an appointment with my regular OB on Tuesday to talk about my empty uterus. We've been trying for a little over a year (like super charting, good-timing, trying) with one pregnancy and missed m/c this past summer.

As far as I know, I have no issues. I've had regular cycles and am clearly ovulating. We know that my husband has low numbers, all around, but not crazy low. The urologist said that she wouldn't expect it to seriously impact our ability to get pregnant.

So, what should I expect? Testing? What kind of testing? What might they look for? What are the steps of intervention that people typically take - Clomid, IUI, etc? If you had to pay out of pocket, what did it cost you?

To clarify - I have HMO coverage and any intervention up to, but not including, IVF is treated in house, and is covered 50%. My normal OB will continue to treat unless we have to move on to the IVF.

Thanks in advance....

[sunflower22]

That's great you have some insurance coverage! My IF coverage is 0 . Every situation is different (I have endo so my treatment may be a little different) but I'm guessing the first step would be cycle day 3 bloodwork to check hormone levels, thyroid, etc. Then from there it could go in any direction. Maybe an HSG to check your fallopian tubes? I know IUIs are good for people who have sperm issues. Clomid is mainly for people w ovulation probs. IVF is obviously a last step when everything else has been tried. In my area, clomid runs about $20 for the meds (not counting monitoring and testing), IUI is around $500, and IVF is around $10,000. I really only know my own experience, good luck w your appt! Just be open and honest, bring something to take notes on. And get your doctors nurse's info in case you have any questions later.

[ilovecandy]

Generally they start with bloodwork for you and maybe some ultrasounds. Then an HSG possibly. We have unexplained infertility (nothing wrong with either of us) and after everything our next step is IUI.

[thatgirl2478]

THANK YOU for writing this post! I could have written it almost word for word... (except we've been trying for just under a year for #2 and we have 0 IF coverage). I'm looking forward to reading the responses.

[discogranny]

We had our consult on CD3 and got bloodwork done that day. I had an HSG the next week. Everything came back normal, we were diagnosed with unexplained and the RE recommended IUI with either Clomid or injectable meds, our choice. We chose injects since we are 100% out of pocket. We did two IUIs and each one including meds was $1750. If we had done Clomid it would have been around $1000. We are now in the beginning of an IVF cycle which is costing us $15,000. I am in Texas, so a pretty middle of the road place cost of living wise. Hope this helps!

[KaraOrNot]

It is great that you have some coverage. We are 100% out of pocket and it is the only reason we aren't moving forward w/ treatment at this time. My first appointment w/ the RE was bloodwork, scheduling an HSG, and reviewing H's SA (the first doctor I say had ordered it). Based on the results, they will lay out your options. We were diagnosed w/ MFI, so we only briefly talked about Clomid. I think it was around 1k w/ monitoring. An IUI is around 5k. IVF is 14k-19k.

[jewel]

Ahh, my appointment got changed to tomorrow! I guess I'll find out sooner than I thought.

In the meantime, I have also self-google-diagnosed possible intrauterine adhesions.

[ejpint]

My insurance covers testing, but not treatment, so I was mostly covered. Just paid office visit co-pay to see a specialist, and my HRA account covered the rest.

I started with bloodwork and an ultrasound. Then an HSG to check for any blockage in my tubes. H had to give a sample to be tested. We were done there, as my doctor was able to see that H was just fine, but I had PCOS and thyroid concerns (I already knew the latter, and suspected the former). We went immediately to meds, metformin and femara for me along with my thyroid medication.

I was unsuccessful the first medicated cycle, but got pregnant the second. Unfortunately we lost it, but now are on our second medicated cycle after the loss. Fingers crossed we don't have to do any more!

[Cheesecake]

:-( the CD3 bloodwork makes me sad. My first appointment is on CD7, so that means a whole other cycle of waiting to do something probably. Hope they can start other things in the mean time.

[thatgirl2478]

Just checked my Insurance plan doc - looks like the diagnosis of IF problems is covered but not the treatment.

[ejpint]

Nov 7, 2012 13:18:08 GMT -5 thatgirl2478 said:

Just checked my Insurance plan doc - looks like the diagnosis of IF problems is covered but not the treatment.

The good news for me (so far, at least) is the meds are covered for other reasons. Femara and metformin both have other uses, so whether I'm using them for IF or for diabetes/breast cancer, I'm still getting them covered by insurance. Now if we have to move on to other options? Well, we probably just won't go there, sadly.

[jewel]

This is what I found out today, for anyone who is interested:

We have to go to a general information group class first. They host these once per month. Then they'll do a SA, CD3 blood testing, an HSG, and an untrasound. After all of the test results come back, we'll see the doctor.

Here are my costs in a MCOL area (mine is covered 50%, and this is just my half):

New Patient visit w/ ultrasound - $157
HSG - $63
CD3 testing - $82
Semen Analysis - $36

Any office check with ultrasound (clomid check, baseline for injections, follicle sizing, etc) - $112
Total insemination (sprem prep, IUI, DH office visit) - $66

There are a variety of costs for other uterine treatment procedures, between $80 and $150. Overall, the prices don't seem too bad, although the office visit costs will add up quickly if we have to be monitored. Med prices are quoted at the pharmacy, so they aren't listed.

So, we'll get moving on the class later this month, and see how it goes....