Do your own research (pg ment)

rachael1013 · 08-03-2007, 10:51 AM

The one thing I've really learned from my IF is that I need to do my own research and not just follow what the doctor says (or what he doesn't say). I am currently TTC #2 and with my first I was on Clomid for 22 cycles straight last time, 16 before I went to an RE.

I looked it up and all the websites & literature say that if you don't get pregnant by month 5 or 6, you should go off it and/or move on to a fertility doctor. Most people that it works for with just BDing, it works in the first 3 months.

I am just annoyed that my OB kept refilling the medication but let me go for soooo long without referring me to the RE. It just seems like a lot of heartache that could have been avoided if it wasn't going to work anyhow.

So, my advice is to do your own research, which the internet is great for. In fact, the best info and advice I've gotten has been from other women on this board and other infertility boards! Use the people who have been around here as a resource to find out when your next step is. It is important to you and you shouldn't have to be your own doctor, but it's a good idea to know exactly what is going on!

lianyla · 08-13-2007, 08:24 AM

Great advice. In fact, the BEST advice there is.... I did SOOOO much research before doing fertility treatments that I literally ended up telling my docs what to do. And thank GOD because I "saved the day" for myself a few times. I'm not exaggerating here. Docs are not perfect and they are VERY busy people. No one cares about YOU as much as YOU so make it your responsibility to check and double check what is going on at the doc office. I believe I went to a wonderful clinic, but w/o my own "expertise" would not have had the luck that I ended up having. Know your role as an informed patient and do not take everything the docs say as the final word. You could end up in a real bind. To this day, I am still asking questions that the Peri will actually say to me "How did you know to ask that? " And I'm not kidding you. I am 28 yrs old and have not even begun to scratch the surface but have had enough experience w/ RE's, Ob's, and Peris at this point to know that I NEED TO BE INFORMED too! Good luck to you and do not just be a passive player in this game!

caridd · 10-21-2007, 07:49 PM

Yeah, me too! I have had to "suggest" to both my GYN and RE what meds I need to be on and at what dose. It would be so much easier if I could just write my own RX's since it seems like all my DR's do is call in the RX to the pharmacy for me. I do all the research and make all the decisions!

SomedayMommy · 10-22-2007, 06:57 AM

I couldn't agree with you more. And it doesn't matter if you are just starting or if you are on IVF #3.

Luckily, I have an RE who is very open minded. I did a lot of research on a lot of things, and when I would present it to him, he would certainly be knowledgeable on what I was talking about. He would say, "Well, studies are showing that it may not help afterall, but if you want to try it, it couldn't hurt." Did that with dexamethasone and Glucophage.....

It's always good to have new research!

08-03-2007, 10:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
rachael1013 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bothell, Wa Posts: 70	Do your own research (pg ment) The one thing I've really learned from my IF is that I need to do my own research and not just follow what the doctor says (or what he doesn't say). I am currently TTC #2 and with my first I was on Clomid for 22 cycles straight last time, 16 before I went to an RE. I looked it up and all the websites & literature say that if you don't get pregnant by month 5 or 6, you should go off it and/or move on to a fertility doctor. Most people that it works for with just BDing, it works in the first 3 months. I am just annoyed that my OB kept refilling the medication but let me go for soooo long without referring me to the RE. It just seems like a lot of heartache that could have been avoided if it wasn't going to work anyhow. So, my advice is to do your own research, which the internet is great for. In fact, the best info and advice I've gotten has been from other women on this board and other infertility boards! Use the people who have been around here as a resource to find out when your next step is. It is important to you and you shouldn't have to be your own doctor, but it's a good idea to know exactly what is going on!

08-13-2007, 08:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
lianyla 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: May 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 2,027	I second this... Great advice. In fact, the BEST advice there is.... I did SOOOO much research before doing fertility treatments that I literally ended up telling my docs what to do. And thank GOD because I "saved the day" for myself a few times. I'm not exaggerating here. Docs are not perfect and they are VERY busy people. No one cares about YOU as much as YOU so make it your responsibility to check and double check what is going on at the doc office. I believe I went to a wonderful clinic, but w/o my own "expertise" would not have had the luck that I ended up having. Know your role as an informed patient and do not take everything the docs say as the final word. You could end up in a real bind. To this day, I am still asking questions that the Peri will actually say to me "How did you know to ask that? " And I'm not kidding you. I am 28 yrs old and have not even begun to scratch the surface but have had enough experience w/ RE's, Ob's, and Peris at this point to know that I NEED TO BE INFORMED too! Good luck to you and do not just be a passive player in this game!

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10-21-2007, 07:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
caridd 700-799 post 9 of hearts Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: kansas Posts: 797	Yeah, me too! I have had to "suggest" to both my GYN and RE what meds I need to be on and at what dose. It would be so much easier if I could just write my own RX's since it seems like all my DR's do is call in the RX to the pharmacy for me. I do all the research and make all the decisions!

10-22-2007, 06:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
SomedayMommy 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 16,194 Blog Entries: 75	I couldn't agree with you more. And it doesn't matter if you are just starting or if you are on IVF #3. Luckily, I have an RE who is very open minded. I did a lot of research on a lot of things, and when I would present it to him, he would certainly be knowledgeable on what I was talking about. He would say, "Well, studies are showing that it may not help afterall, but if you want to try it, it couldn't hurt." Did that with dexamethasone and Glucophage..... It's always good to have new research!