How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

A few posts I have seen on here about switching REs has sparked my curiosity.

We have done 3 medicated cycles with TI and 5 medicated IUI cycles. (Including one missed cycle because I had 9 follicles and dr. didn't want to risk multiples). All of them failed. All cycles were clomid and hcg trigger.
I've had an HSG done and everything was all clear.
We still have to do another IUI before we can try to get approval for IVF.

I've been wondering if I had seen a different RE from the beginning or switched if the outcome would be the same. I go to the RSNY and have seen more success stories with other doctors. Maybe I'm just looking too much into it?

Anyone have any thoughts or advice? I like the doctors there and I'm usually in and out relatively quickly. I just wonder if had I seen another doctor they would have followed a different protocol.

I guess I'm just looking for answers...trying to make this happen quicker since it seems to just keep dragging.

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

I've been down that road A LOT lately... I think what it comes down to is, infertility is an art, not a science. There is no one right answer and it's all trial and error. Would you be in the same place with another doctor? Maybe.. Maybe not ... but if you are feeling like you may want to get other opinions, get them NOW. There's no sense in sticking around where you are and playing the 'what if' game...



ETA: .. I also want to add.. I was in love with my RE and the practice and had a very hard time with the idea of going somewhere else. That's why I stayed there for my entire infertility road, until just recently when I got half a dozen other opinions. Another opinion is just a conversation. It doesn't mean you are definitely switching. You may regret NEVER getting another set of eyes, but you will never regret GETTING them. It's just an hour of your time.. a copay.. all it is, is a conversation about where you are and where you wanna be.

Message edited 2/21/2012 7:43:03 PM.

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

i beleive that we spend more time interviewing hairstylist or googling about cars kwim? i believe that the best re is the one that works with you and knows you.

i started with one...switched and also got tons of second opinions...and then went back to original re.

i am glad i questioned because i have no regrets kwim?
xo

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

I think it depends on what issues you're dealing with and how willing you and your doctor are to experiment with the "art" of intertility, as Pennycat so wisely put it.

My doctor never used the same protocol twice. I've been successful in getting pregnant (staying pregnant is another issue). I don't think I would have stayed with him had he used the same protocol over and over again with negative results. What was it that Einstein said about insanity? Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

Personally I would question using clomid for that long. Everyone is different and reacts differently to the drugs but it has been known to affect lining. Also, if you're making enough follies and you have no other known issues, there could be some underlying issues that need to be explored. Are there any other tests your doctor is willing to order?

DH and I also decided to go into it relatively aggressively, so we were ok with pushing it. You have to go with your comfort level. If you're comfortable and feel like your current doctor is making the right decisions, stick with him. If you're starting to question it (like by posting this, I guess you are), I definitely would get one or two more opinions. It won't hurt.

I know it's really hard- I agonized over switching doctors and did so a few times. I never regretted the decisions I made because I tried to make them in my best interst. You are your only and best advocate, so if you are unhappy with your treatment, it's best to speak up and explore other options! Good luck

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

Thank you everyone so much for your thought out responses.

I had asked about doing something other than clomid last cycle. The doctor said to just keep doing clomid because I was responding well. Kind of brushed me off actually. Seeing the RE has become very routine.

Now I'm thinking that maybe it is worth getting a second opinion. Does it matter where I am in my cycle when I go for another opinion? Should I finish this IUI cycle off and then see diffeent doctors? How am I supposed to approach this?

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

I think it's everything. Not just the RE, but all doctors involved and where you seek treatment. All of us have completely different body compositions and all doctors have different perspectives. If there was one doctor or clinic that was the end all and be all, we'd all be there. One person's hero is another person's detriment. There is always one doctor who has a small idea that another doesn't have and you are closer to a cure. It doesn't mean a doctor is bad or stupid, he's just not g-d.

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

I think a big part of it is you just need to feel comfortable with the RE. I switched because I did not like (a very well liked Dr by others). You have to trust them. I think with IUI it is a bit different because there isnt as much the RE can control except the stimming paart

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

Thank you so much everyone Your responses help a lot.

I'm trying to figure out what to do since this is my last IUI before (hopefully) IVF. Not sure if I want to switch right before that.

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

From my experience I also went to RSNY and I decided to just get a 2nd opinion for my treatment...it doesnt hurt to just get a consult with another doctor to see what they would do differently...it also may be helpful if you are going to do IVF consults since each facility is different in what the protocol would be and the pricing too...Lots of luck!!!

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

I'm on my 3rd RE. By this point, I've realized it's all pretty much the same, and medical science has gotten me absolutely nowhere--no diagnosis, one lost tube, 2 more losses in addition to the 2 I had on my own, 2 failed IVFs, no frosties, no baby. This is why I moved to LIIVF because at least the monitoring is convenient and helps me manage my stress better.

After all this time, sometimes I wish they'd just give me the d@mn Rx pad because I know this stuff like the back of my hand, and I seem to be paying much closer attention than any doctor I've worked with.

My ideal doctor at this point would be one who doesn't constantly overlook things that should be obvious so maybe I could relax and stop advocating for myself all the time.

Everything else is pretty standard, I feel. It's meticulousness in patient care that counts.

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

Re: How much of a role do you think the RE you see really plays?

I was a patient of RSOFNY (all 3 of my DC's were conceived there)

I know with me because I too was a good responder to Clomid, they really were very hesitatant to consider injectables because of the risks involved with multiples....They generally seemed to be a bit more conservative in that area...

Clomid got me DS #1, but it did not get us PG with #2 so they thought it best to skip over injectables and go straight to IVF because it was more controlled (and then #3 was an FET)

I think certain RE's specialize more in certain areas of IF(recurrent miscarriage etc..) , and that is where getting 2nd and 3rd opinions is a always a good idea..

Best of luck