Barts Ivf/ICSI referral. kindly read I know it's long write up

[Cici85]

Hi everyone, I am new to this and would like answers. I have been trying for over 5years and was referred by my GP to Newham gyeanacology(outpatient). I was lucky to get my first appointment after a week of referral in May 2018 was asked to go for several test and scans. Long story short we had to repeat again and was seen twice before final discharge in January 2019.

Reason for discharge was that we have been referred for Ivf/ICSI as male factor Azoospermia. The consultant filled the referral forms right in front of us before we left . I received a letter sent to my Gp which i was copied stating we have been referred for IVF at St bartholomew's. I received another letter few days ago which states my Gp should kindly offer us an appt for review with the view to offering further fertility management and that he would be grateful(Consultant) if my Gp could see us for consideration of testicular aspiration or biopsy with view to offering ivf and ICSI.

My question is does this mean we have not been referred yet?

Is my Gp the one to reffer us, so the referral form he filled is for who and what?.

Please kindly reply if you have any suggestion. I am really depressed and sad about our infertility.

[kt_11]

Really sorry to hear you’re having a tough time.

I might be totally wrong but that letter sounds like it’s aimed at another consultant (maybe a fertility specialist or urologist) rather than the GP. The procedures they’re asking for consideration are not things the GP would do so could it be a referral elsewhere?

Unless they’ve referred to fertility clinic but are asking the GP to refer to urology which seems a bit of a long way around but might be how it’s done?

Maybe try contacting the gynae consultant’s secretary or your GP to check who you’ve actually been referred to? Perhaps if you go to see your GP you might mention how depressed you’re feeling and see if there’s any support they can offer?

And keep checking in on here as there are lots of lovely people who know what you’re going through & will be there to talk to x

[Cici85 in reply to kt_11]

Wow I didn't know I will get a reply that fast and am glad I did. It's been so hard for me and I guess I did not look at it well enough. It was addressed to Barts reproductive but my Gp's name was on it so I thought it was to my GP .I will give the consultants secretary a call tomorrow to ask questions. I don't want to waste time booking to see my Gp when other people might need that time slot. I am going to see if I can get a telephone appt.

Lastly my husband is not taking the news well and feels bad talking to be about it. Each time we try to talk about it I flare up and just end the conversation.

Have u been referred to Barts in the past, how was your experience?

Thanks you so much for taking time to read and reply me.

[kt_11 in reply to Cici85]

No problem. No, I was never treated there, I’m from the north of England so this clinic would never have been an option for me.

Good luck with everything x

[Cici85 in reply to kt_11]

ok thank you . is the waiting times over there a long one?.

[Hidden]

Hi! If you're in Tower Hamlets it's usually your GP who has to refer you for further fertility treatment, even though you've completed all of the first stage. Might also be the same in surrounding boroughs. It's a pain. As you have a copy of the letter if I was in your position I'd make an appointment with the GP to get the referral completed. When we did this we were given the option of fertility treatment through Barts or Guys and St Thomas's. Good luck with the next stage x

[Cici85 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. Actually my Gp has referred me to Barts gyneacology where I did all the consultations. The consultant at Barts reffered me to Barts reproduvtive medicine from the letter I posted. I also have copies of the referral forms sent to me as I requested the consultant to please do so.o will.have to make so many calls e.g. to my Gp, consultant secretary and Barts reproductive medicine.

If I may ask please , where did you choose and how long was the wait for you ?

[Cici85 in reply to Cici85]

My mistake sorry . My Gp reffered me to newham general gyneacology unit . After all investigation I was reffered to Barts from Newham general hospital . I have just called Newham hospital and was told my referral has been sent to Barts and that I could call Barts reproductive medicine to find out more about my referral.

[Cici85 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to bother everyone again. I just got off the phone with Barths reproductive and I was told they got my referrals last week and that if accepted I will hear from them within 2-3 weeks but my appt is going to be between 10/12 weeks . After initial appt it's going to be straightforward as I have done all d scans and test needed most recently . Fingers crossed I hope and pray I concieve naturally by God's grace.

[Anya80]

I would be in mind that Barts made some further referral and you should hear from someone soon.

However, as your files are with Barts now, I would’ve email or call them for further clarification. They will call you back for that!

I was with Barts hospital and I’ve had my almost 4year old son with them and now 16wks pregnant with number two also thankfully them! Both ivf/FET. I’m generally very happy with their care, my opinion however is that after all my experiences there is a room to push them for something else if they will have this solution in their hands they will offer this to you but the problem with them is they not often disclose to you what they can offer, if that make sense! Definitely get back to Barts for more clarification they should be able to talk to you meantime!

All the best hun xxx

[Cici85 in reply to Anya80]

Wow am glad to hear that your ivf has worked for you twice. U must have a lucky star. Yes to your reply I spoke to them few minutes ago n was told they got everything and they got it on the 25th of February. I was told they sent quite a lot of referals last month that is the reason it might take up to two weeks to get s letter of appt from them. I posted the referral letter which states we need ICSI n testicular aspiration. It's a pretty straight forward thing. I hope we get accepted as the only criteria I know for been accepted is not having kids , Bmi which I need to work on about 2 /3 kilos or matsin my weight. Lh,fsh are in line.

Can u tell me a little about your timeline please ?

Are u private or on Nhs?

How long was the wait for you?

Was it ICSI or conventional IVF?

What was the issue you went for ivf?

Thanks awaiting your response.

[Anya80 in reply to Cici85]

Yes and no re lucky star😊but in the end I think I’m lucky haha thank you

So before I had my son (nhs funding) I had to go through all steps iui and then ivf. No luck on iui -3attempts completed in space of around 6months I think. Then we moved on to ivf (lucky to be granted 3attempts on nhs!)-unsuccessful 1st attempt and I think this was due to with weak support of crinone gel(progesterone). We are unexplained fertility always well responding on drugs no issues to fertilise my eggs but I’ve workout my issue is to hold the embryo! First didn’t work we opted for second fresh attempt of ivf as available to us for free and we believed fresh attempt give higher chances (we were right but this only been found few years later)

For 2nd ivf I’ve opted for progesterone in injections! This made a trick my son was born healthy and pregnancy was just super normal, natural birth.from that cycle we frozen 6very good quality blastocysts!

3years after having my son we decided to go for FET with embryos in storage.

1#FET -one embryo transferred, same drugs, monitored transfer, I’ve fell pregnant but sadly mmc in 7th week

2#FET-one embryo transferred, more progesterone drugs pessaries +injections, no monitored transfer, bfn

3#FET-two embryos transfered, additional mock transfer and monitored transfer too, same drugs as FET no 2, BFP and 16wks pregnant 💝

I’ve strongly believe that I was much better responding on fresh cycles. Second thing is for me progesterone in injections is must have with FET I needed even more! I’ve actively discussed with Barts future options and work out what they can give me or offer. I know them try from easy/cheaper approach and this is not always worth it but o know they are also prepared for more advanced techniques, drugs etc so you might be a bit of advocate of yourself if you feel you know (as you know youbody better)what the problem might be XX

[Anya80 in reply to Anya80]

And re timeline for funded cycles was for like :Feb 2012-June 2014, were I fell pregnant with my son. With self funded cycles you pretty much quite quick with them the moment you pay you choose the right starting date;))

[Cici85 in reply to Anya80]

Thanks for the reply. I wish u a healthy 9 months .I doubt if Barts still grants 3 attempts on NHS. Thanks for all the information. I am grateful

[RDT144]

Hi! I know you posted this a while back now.. what’a the update in your IVF journey? I’m about to embark on mine. Could do with some advice..