Very much Depressed.. Be careful if you are planning to fly

[Sara_123]

Hello Everyone,

Hope you are doing well

So after my first failed ivf cycle in June we had an appointment immediately to the following week to discuss further options. It was decided that the second fresh cycle would be started in September depending on AF. During this appointment we asked doctor whether it would be OK if we plan our overseas trip just to get out of stressful mind. She said ya absolutely fine go and refresh yourself for second cycle.

After returning from 10 days abroad holidays, Yesterday, when we went for first scan (because my AF started) to start second cycle doctor said everything is fine and Suppression can be started. Accordingly nurse gave us medication and further plan. At the end when we were about to leave the cabin, doctor came back and told us we can't provide you treatment for 6 months as we have been out of country and therefore there is possibility of zieka virus infection.... We both me and hubby were Shocked... couldn't speak for a minute.. Second cycle can be started only in March.

I told them why don't you test us for this? She said there is no provision of this test here in UK.

We were so disappointed. They could have even informed my letters to all patients. But nothing was organised. Now, I am looking for private clinic here and abroad as well. In any case if I go out of country even for an emergency situation, they will restart my 6 month period freshly.

Sorry for long message. Just to keep you all aware I had to tell whole story. So if you are already on waiting list for ivf and planning to go on holiday out of country think before you plan.

I hope this post will help you to save your time.

Regards

[Hannah_J]

What an irresponsible attitude of your Dr! She should've informed you right away 😤

[Sara_123 in reply to Hannah_J]

I already waited for one year for my first cycle. Then before starting cycle to increase my hemoglobin they spent 6 months and 3 months to bring Thyroxine in the range. Now I'm already 38 last month. So now just to save time instead of waiting for free second cycle I have to see other options around xxx

[Hannah_J in reply to Sara_123]

Some docs just don't care that our precious time is being wasted ((

I wish you to find great other options!

[E_05]

Can totally understand why your feeling disappointed how insensitive of the doctor. Isn't this only applicable though if you've been to a country that is affected by Zika Virus not just because you've been out the country? I went abroad a month before starting my cycle last year and just had to sign a form to say it wasn't a country affected by the virus x

[abcgirl]

Did you go somewhere that had Zika? If not I don't see why it would matter where you went. Oh this would make me so mad.

Personally I would fight it. Where there any documents that said anything about Zika? Mine did say something about avoiding travel to Zika countries but I can't for the life of me find that paperwork - might have been something I signed and handed back.

[emmab178 in reply to abcgirl]

It applies to all nhs funding ivf cycles as it's hfea guidelines

[Sara_123 in reply to abcgirl]

They just have list nothing else. I had long arguments with team of doctors. I myself is doctor have depth knowledge about the subject. But they said it's governments policy we have to do with every patient.

I suggested them send letters to all patients regarding this new rule so that they can be ready accordingly.

[Amieha in reply to Sara_123]

This is so bad, the NHS clinic we used told us repeatedly about the country list and reminded people at every stage. They should be notifying people in information packs, not at the appointment stages. So sorry to hear this for you, wishing you good luck x

[mupcake]

They have a long list of countries which are affected by zika, have they checked that list or just made the decision on the basis that you have been overseas 😡

[Sara_123 in reply to mupcake]

They just have list of countries. No more information about infected cases. But what astonished me that I asked them before planning, they could have at least intimate me about this. The country where I visited is at low risk and no information about the infected cases.

[mupcake in reply to Sara_123]

That is insane. You have informed them that you are flying, they should have told you. We were told from day 1 even before starting the ivf.

[Sara_123 in reply to mupcake]

No, they never informed me about this..

[emmab178]

We got caught with this and even though the consultant said it was fine for my husband to travel to lima for work the nurse got hold of it two days before he went and tools is we had to freeze his swimmers at an extra £450 cost.

The six month only applied to the male when we were looking into it. For women it was less.

Where did you go?

[Sara_123 in reply to emmab178]

Yes for male 6 months and for female 2 months.

[Mrsgled1982]

It must be a regional thing. I went out of the country twice in May once to Lanzarote and to Magaluf. I was allowed to start my treatment in the June. This was an NHS funded cycle too

[Sara_123 in reply to Mrsgled1982]

They just excusing that.. It has been started recently asking the patients... From August..

[emmab178 in reply to Mrsgled1982]

That's because Spain isn't on the list. Think it's more countries near the equator with the mosquito around that carries the virus rather than a whole travel ban. Florida is in a zika zone.

[Amanda86]

Sorry to hear this. It's absolutely terrible. We started treatment for FET in August and were asked had we left the country in the last 6 months, we had literally just come back from Spain the day before so told them this. They referred to a chart they had which must list places affected and said this was fine. Does your clinic have this? Were you in a place that is at risk? How disappointing for you to be told this 😢 Xxx

[Sara_123 in reply to Amanda86]

Yes too much disappointing 😢

[abcgirl]

This must be the list they refer to: gov.uk/guidance/zika-virus-...

[Cinderella5]

Sorry to hear that you've had your cycle post-poned. I have been avoiding the lovely southern hemisphere coutries for sometime but that was mainly due to my own knowledge but I have recently seen the latest guidance on a notice board at our clinic. Have they specifically checked where you're been and if its high risk as I was in Turkey and it wasnt a problem!xx

[Sara_123 in reply to Cinderella5]

Yes they checked from the list of restricted countries but there is no information whether how many cases found or any details in that country...

[Cinderella5 in reply to Sara_123]

Where did you go? I wonder if we can help find some info for you?xx

[bluewanderlust]

This is really bad as the clinic should tell you which countries are on the zika virus list, did they do this? Also where did you go if you dont mind me asking as it does not apply to all countries?xx

[Oakey80]

Wow that's really bad they didn't pre warn you. My nhs clinic gave us a list of no-go countries way before we started treatment, so at least we knew where to avoid...so frustrating for you xxx

[Sara_123 in reply to Oakey80]

I'm so upset...

[Fredaflintstone]

Ours also warned us. It's mostly countries near South America, Caribbean,Florida and even India now - they added that to the list half at through. I can see why you'd be frustrated. They should have told you when doing your consent forms at least. 🙁 Xx

[Lynnr54]

They should have told you in advance where you are not allowed to go! Which country was it you went to?

[abcgirl]

I just got a letter from my clinic with my protocol and scans dates and in the letter they mention Zika. (A little too late though isn't it!?)

For those interested it says:

It is recommended that you avoid trying for conception while visiting an area with active Zika virus transmission and for eight weeks after you return home. It is important that you inform clinical staff if you or your partner have recently travelled to or are planning to travel to unaffected country. An up-to-date list of affected countries can be found at the following link: transfusionguidelines.org.U....

It was hard to find the list of countries but managed to find it in the document called: JPAC position statement on Zika virus June 2017

Hope that helps those following this

[Sara_123 in reply to abcgirl]

Thanks... The list is also available on nhs site... Take care

[KB11]

I've just come across this post and just want to tell you it is possible to be tested for Zika in the UK because I have been tested.

This is going back nearly two years just before the start of our IVF journey, we went to Costa Rica and Nicaragua on our honeymoon, it was just when Zika was all over the news because of Brazil.

When we got back we knew we were going to start trying and wanted to sure there was no risk of Zika so we told our doctors that we've been to a Zika at risk country and think we might have symptoms and asked to be tested. No one knew much about it back then but they sent us for a blood test and got the all clear. Just wanted to let you know it is possible to be tested