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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Can you explain Kofinas to me?
I'm experiencing my 4th miscarriage in a row now. I've been going to RSoNY and they are at a total loss. They found that I have a mild clotting disorder (Antiphospholipid Syndrome) so I was on baby aspirin and Lovenox, as well as Progesterone, for the past two losses. Despite that protocol not working, they told me that there is nothing else wrong with me, so there is nothing different we can do next time. That's not ok with me.
It's been suggested to me by a lot of people that I see a MFM (perinatologist), and several have suggested Dr. Kofinas. But I don't understand how this works. I would still have to see an RE to get pregnant, right? For Clomid and IUI, say? Does Kofinas work with RE's? I know a lot of RE's don't believe in immunological testing - are they resistant to working with him? Also, I think I remember hearing on this board that there's something funky with him and insurance, either that he doesn't take it or that a lot of what he does isn't covered. If you have been to Kofinas, can you let me know? I'm a teacher on LI, if any other teachers have experience with him.
My DH works at Winthrop Hospital and a friend of his who had recurrent losses recommended the Chief of Obstetrics there, who is a MFM specialist - Dr. Sicuranza. Does anyone have experience with her? I know she'd be covered with our insurance.
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Posted 8/10/14 11:28 AM  |
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Can you explain Kofinas to me?
I am so so sorry.
Kofinas got me pregnant after 3 losses/chemicals with RSOfNY. I actually made an appointment with him while I was experiencing the chemical pregnancy. He tested all different things including Natural Killer cell levels which the old RE didn't believe in. Well, once I got my results back from Kofinas I knew I needed another RE. He only works with a few REs I believe. He also only works with certain OBGYNS.
He takes certain out of network coverage but you have to meet your dedictible. He also is very interested in blood flow to the uterus which is once reason why I needed Lovenox.
Once I got the results and next steps from him it worked with Braverman to get pregnant froma FET. Braverman believes in the immunological side of RE so they both would be a great next step for you.
In my case my body was attacking the embryos each time. I would get pregnant, but wouldn't stay that way for long. I know your pain FM me and definitely talk to Kofinas!
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| Posted 8/10/14 4:10 PM |
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ready2go
LIF Adult
Member since 1/08 2379 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can you explain Kofinas to me?
Posted by 2BirdsofaFeather
I am so so sorry.
Kofinas got me pregnant after 3 losses/chemicals with RSOfNY. I actually made an appointment with him while I was experiencing the chemical pregnancy. He tested all different things including Natural Killer cell levels which the old RE didn't believe in. Well, once I got my results back from Kofinas I knew I needed another RE. He only works with a few REs I believe. He also only works with certain OBGYNS.
He takes certain out of network coverage but you have to meet your dedictible. He also is very interested in blood flow to the uterus which is once reason why I needed Lovenox.
Once I got the results and next steps from him it worked with Braverman to get pregnant froma FET. Braverman believes in the immunological side of RE so they both would be a great next step for you.
In my case my body was attacking the embryos each time. I would get pregnant, but wouldn't stay that way for long. I know your pain FM me and definitely talk to Kofinas!
I am a patient of Dr. Kofinas, and like the PP, I went to RS of NY. I had 3 failed FET's with them. Dr. K. is working with me, but I am not currently seeing an RE. When I get pregnant with Dr. K. (who just finished a medicated cycle with TI for me), I will see him and my OB (who also works with him). So my understanding is that you don't necessarily need an RE to work with him.
His sonos are top notch; RS never checked me for blood flow to my uterus either. He has really been assertive in monitoring me and I like his office. He diagnosed me with a genetic thrombophilia and I take medication for it.
He has cost me a lot of money, all of which is worth his care to me.
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| Posted 8/10/14 6:35 PM |
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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can you explain Kofinas to me?
Interesting. Like both of you, these failures I'm having are with RSoNY. I am so done with them. At my last appointment, the doctor who met with me (who kept me waiting for 90 MINUTES in the waiting room after the sono tech told me the pregnancy was over) told me that she literally has no idea why the pregnancies have all failed. That on paper, they shouldn't have. And since she can't think of a reason they failed, she has no plans to do anything different next cycle.
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| Posted 8/10/14 7:45 PM |
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Michelle1110
My family is complete
Member since 1/12 2338 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can you explain Kofinas to me?
You know that the re response is ridiculous. At LI Ivf, they always changed my protocol and sent me for tons of tests to see what the issue could be. I think it's time you see Kofinas.
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| Posted 8/10/14 7:47 PM |
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ready2go
LIF Adult
Member since 1/08 2379 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can you explain Kofinas to me?
Posted by SummerMom
Interesting. Like both of you, these failures I'm having are with RSoNY. I am so done with them. At my last appointment, the doctor who met with me (who kept me waiting for 90 MINUTES in the waiting room after the sono tech told me the pregnancy was over) told me that she literally has no idea why the pregnancies have all failed. That on paper, they shouldn't have. And since she can't think of a reason they failed, she has no plans to do anything different next cycle.
Wow...I had a very similar conversation with my RE at RSofNY after my 3rd consecutive failed FET. I asked him why I wasn't getting pregnant and he told me "sometimes there is no reason." I was stunned. I walked out of that appointment to the front desk, where I promptly requested all of my records. I will never go there again.
I consulted after with Dr. Keningsberg at LIIVF and I liked him. He told me to try a few cycles on my own before trying IVF. I met with Kofinas in the meantime, who diagnosed and treated me, and I got pregnant during my first cycle with him. I had a mc, not due to anything connected with his care.
I was tired of doctors not looking into WHY my cycles were failing. My RE was going to use the same protocol for another round of IVF, which obviously wouldn't work.
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| Posted 8/10/14 8:07 PM |
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AliB
LIF Infant
Member since 3/11 332 total posts
Name:
alison
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Can you explain Kofinas to me?
Dr Kofinas saved my son after I was told to have a reduction! He is amazing!
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| Posted 8/10/14 9:01 PM |
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babyfever24
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 3340 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can you explain Kofinas to me?
Posted by SummerMom
Interesting. Like both of you, these failures I'm having are with RSoNY. I am so done with them. At my last appointment, the doctor who met with me (who kept me waiting for 90 MINUTES in the waiting room after the sono tech told me the pregnancy was over) told me that she literally has no idea why the pregnancies have all failed. That on paper, they shouldn't have. And since she can't think of a reason they failed, she has no plans to do anything different next cycle.
They do not think outside of the box thats for sure....if you're a typical IUI or IVF case they will get you pregnant, sounds like you need someone who thinks outside the box......i've heard great things about kofinas, give it a try......best of luck 
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| Posted 8/10/14 9:48 PM |
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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can you explain Kofinas to me?
Posted by Michelle1110
You know that the re response is ridiculous. At LI Ivf, they always changed my protocol and sent me for tons of tests to see what the issue could be. I think it's time you see Kofinas.
Can I ask who you worked with at LI IVF? I'm going to book a consult with them. I might also see Kofinas, I'm not sure. But I'm definitely leaving RSoNY and LI IVF is much closer to where I work anyway, so it'll be more convenient for me for monitoring.
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| Posted 8/10/14 10:47 PM |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: Can you explain Kofinas to me?
Technically, you do not need to see an re if you see dr Kofinas, but he will not do IUI or IVF procedures so anything beyond TI and you will need the help of an re.
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| Posted 8/10/14 11:40 PM |
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Michelle1110
My family is complete
Member since 1/12 2338 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can you explain Kofinas to me?
Posted by SummerMom
Posted by Michelle1110
You know that the re response is ridiculous. At LI Ivf, they always changed my protocol and sent me for tons of tests to see what the issue could be. I think it's time you see Kofinas.
Can I ask who you worked with at LI IVF? I'm going to book a consult with them. I might also see Kofinas, I'm not sure. But I'm definitely leaving RSoNY and LI IVF is much closer to where I work anyway, so it'll be more convenient for me for monitoring.
Brenner. After my first loss, we realized I had a progesterone problem crinone wasn't fixing. After second loss, he called me in for a new game plan and would not do a new cycle before I had more testing done. He had me do thrombo blood work, some immune work, more in depth genetic work, sperm dna fragmentation (which can be a cause of recurrent loss even with a good sperm analysis).
I came back as having a thrombo issue, and as you know - I'm now 34 weeks.
Brenner was always kind, compassionate, realistic and determined.
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| Posted 8/10/14 11:46 PM |
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beachmama
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/12 599 total posts
Name:
T
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Can you explain Kofinas to me?
He didn't really overlap with the RE for me. I saw him with a pregnancy as it was failing. He did tons of testing, during that and after. I tried with his guidance for a few months. I did IUIs with the OB (many here thought that was a bad idea/waste of time). Those IUs didn't work. I went to Braverman, got pregnant second month, and released to Kofinas at week 10 I think. Kofinas will only work with several OB practices, not sure where he stands with RE, but again, there wasn't an overlap. They did cordially send records back and forth, and both doctors seemed to think well of each other.
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| Posted 8/10/14 11:54 PM |
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bookworm
Two Little Rosebuds
Member since 8/09 2106 total posts
Name:
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Re: Can you explain Kofinas to me?
The Kofinas thing is confusing to me because there are two of them. I saw George Kofinas in Brooklyn to put together an immunology protocol for my FET because the RI who worked me up originally is in Chicago and that got too stressful. Anyway, he worked with my insurance, tho things like intralipids and ivig are usually not covered. Also, as I talked to them about the plan for my FET with my RE, they kept suggesting that I transfer my embryos home and they could do my transfer and (I thought...tho it's hazy) that i could cycle with them if I wanted to keep banking embryos. I didn't want to pull my embryos out of the lab where we made them, and they were willing to manage just the immunology protocol in coordination with my RE.
Out of curiosity, did they do genetic testing on the pregnancy tissue from your losses?
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| Posted 8/11/14 11:06 AM |
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