RE questions

[Scarlatav]

I am currently going to a reproductive endocronologist and its very strange. They hardly give me any information and I feel like they think I am a totally insane person.

For example, when my husband had a SA they never told me any info except "Yes, it looks fine". Now as I read through the boards (WC) many people say they knew mobility, % of some info. etc.

Today I had an ultrasound after taking 50mg of clomid and all they said was I had one dominant follicle that measured 17 and that I would not be getting a trigger shot because it was not large enough. By the way I had to ask what the size of the follicle was or they would have probably never told me.

I don't know what to think or if I should change doctors, any experiences are greatly appreciated.

[Heather719]

Hi Giggle-

My RE's office is similar to yours in that they don't give me specifics unless I ask. They won't tell me follicle size, blood levels, etc- just that everything looks great and to do XYZ. Like you, though, I ask for all the specifics. I can't stand not knowing. ;) The difference is that the staff at my RE's office doesn't make me feel bad about asking- they always have the answers on hand. I think they keep it simple b/c they are so busy and they don't want me over-analysising everything (which I have been known to do!).

Bottom line is, based on my experience, the way your RE treats you is normal. However, them making you feel badly for asking questions isn't right.

Best of luck!
-Heather

[karlatta]

I agree with Heather - my RE doesn't tell me specifics either, unless I ask. I think it is their way of keeping us from overanalyzing everything. Not that it works. :D

I always have to ask specifics, like how big my follicles measured, how thick my lining was, what my DH's numbers were, etc. But I always get my answers, and they're always very nice about it. I'd say that as long as they're being nice about telling you the answers when you ask questions, and you're happy with your RE otherwise, you should stick with them.

[karlatta]

Oh, and I totally felt like the RE's office thought I was insane when I first started going there and was asking questions. Turns out it was all in my head - probably because I felt really uncomfortable about having to ask questions. Now that I'm an old pro at the RE's office, I know they don't think I'm crazy (and never did!).

[kamileer]

Wow...I feel really lucky with my experience. My RE was beyond thorough with DH and I. I did ask a lot of questions in the beginning and made sure he knew I was an informed patient. Perhaps yours doesn't want to overwhelm you with confusing information. I would make it clear that you WANT to know details. We were always told things like sperm count/motility, blood monitoring results (the actual numbers) and u/s results without having to ask.

I am surprised that they didn't trigger you at 17mm. I wonder why not???

[jennylou]

I think that they give out info because that's all that the majority of people want. I know my OBs office is this way...I think they think I'm nuts. :D The REs office that I went to never gave me weird looks when I asked questions, but they also didn't offer most of it up.

[Scarlatav]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

Maybe I am overanalyzing the situation with the RE's office.

At my first appt the doctor told me that I was the most informed patient. I had read TCOYF and charted and read alot of threads on conceiving and was also pretty well informed. I am very inquisitive and I would think most women are who are going through infertility are as well.

I guess I need to relax and let things happen

From reading most peoples posts it sounded like maybe all the detail info was provided to them without asking.

But it seems that everyone on these boards are as inquisitive as I am ;)

Thanks again.

[Scooter]

I always ask for all this info. "Your bloodwork looks fine." "Great, tell me all the numbers, I want to write it all down." Or "your follicles look like they're developing nicely." "Ok, how many are there, what are the sizes, which sides are they on, what size should they get before we trigger (18mm, by the way), should we wait longer so more can catch up?" etc etc.

I might sound like some over-involved type-A person to the nurses & Drs, but personally I need to know all this stuff. I think the more info I have, the better the choices I can make. Knowing all the info allows you to do your own research, and you don't have to feel quite so dependent on your Dr for all your info.

Another thing you can do is check out the Still At It (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=192) thread, which has a lot of members who are seeing REs. Reading people's posts about their various appts can give you a better idea of what's normal & how people handle it. HTH!

[AusMarchBride]

my RE doesn't tell me specifics either, unless I ask. I think it is their way of keeping us from overanalyzing everything. Not that it works. :D

I think they know we spend so much time on messageboards comparing information ;)

My RE is exactly the same, they'll tell you the actual details if you ask, but you do have to ask. Maybe they're still catching up with the fact that there is so much communication/information between people with fertility challenges.