Switching RE

[Anonymous]

I have been seeing my RE since April. I did all the testing with him and did two failed IUIs. While I like my RE, in our consultation following my testing, he said that before moving on to IVF, he wants me to go through a laproscopic procedure to rule out endometriois. I have never had any symptoms and all my testing was clear and normal. I did some research on my own and it said if your testing was clear, it is highly unlikely that you have endometriois to the extent that it would interfere with carrying a baby. It also that the payoff was not enough to justify the surgery given that it is under general anesthesia. I raised this with my doctor and he said it is better to rule it out and I need the surgery if I want to go forward. I disagree and want a second opinion. I have read great things about Dr. Gordon on here and coupled with the fact that I could possibly be a candidate for NCIVF, I would like to see him for a consultation. Has anyone switched doctors on here? Has anyone switched to Dr. Gordon? Did the switch go smoothly? Any input/suggestions would be most helpful to me in making my decision. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

What tests have you had OP?

As for switching REs, it's your body and your life -a second opinion wouldn't hurt at all, and will give you peace of mind, no matter what you decide.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't just get a second opinion, I'd get at least a 3rd opinion.

[Anonymous]

OP, endo (even stage IV) can be asymptomatic in some women. Or the symptoms may seem so unrelated that a normal person wouldn't connect them.

Could there be some other minor physical things you've mentioned (or your RE has noticed), that may have the RE interested in seeing what is going on.

FWIW, I had the laparoscopy, and didn't think it was bad at all. It was good to have some conclusive answers, and changed some of our IVF plans.

Agreed with PP -get a few different opinions. There are multiple good REs in this area.

[Anonymous]

I was told that endometriosis should not matter if you decide to do an IVF. And I switched my REs twice - just remember to take copies of your medical records with you to the new RE.

[Anonymous]

I didn't switch from another RE to Dr. Gordon, but worked with Dr. Gordon my entire infertility journey.

Despite the fact that I completely adore the other medical professionals in my life (my OB/Gyns--all three of them, my eye doctor, etc.) I believe that Dr. Gordon was and will be the finest 'human being' I have ever had the chance to be a patient of. He is by far the best medical professional I have ever worked with...hands down.

Loved him...we had a wonderful outcome, but it wasn't how he worked with me during the successes that made the impression on me. It was how he was really 'there' for my husband and me when we went through some horrible struggles.

You can get a feel for who he is, and his medical philosophy, by reading his blog...100 questions and Answers about infertility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told that endometriosis should not matter if you decide to do an IVF. And I switched my REs twice - just remember to take copies of your medical records with you to the new RE.

My personal experience: I went to an RE who said to leave the stage IV endo be. The fertility drugs fed it, and I ended up with so many other complications (and no baby), that I needed a laporotomy. I understand that the current trend (and heaven knows, opinions on these things change by the minute) is to let it be, but if you don't get pregnant right away it can cause you a lot of trouble (endo on my bowels so bad, I ended up with a bowel obstruction -NOT FUN).

Fast forward, new RE, surgery, hormone levels finally looking more normal. Success on the first try of IVF.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all of your advice and input. To answer the question of one of the previous posters, I had an HSG, a Hysterscopy, a Hystersalinogram (I think that was what it was called--it was basically a sonogram with saline injected into your uterus) and an endrometrial biopsy. This is in addition to the numerous blood work and sonograms that I have had along the way with the IUI's.

[Anonymous]

I switched REs 3 times and each time it went smoothly. I would get a second opinion before getting a lap. I don't think those are routinely done anymore without some reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all of your advice and input. To answer the question of one of the previous posters, I had an HSG, a Hysterscopy, a Hystersalinogram (I think that was what it was called--it was basically a sonogram with saline injected into your uterus) and an endrometrial biopsy. This is in addition to the numerous blood work and sonograms that I have had along the way with the IUI's.

OP, FYI -those tests don't rule out endo. If you have endometriomas, they will show on a sono, but none of the other tests are used to diagnose endometriosis (which occurs outside of the uterus -all those tests (with the exception of sonos are more or less inside the uterus. (also, no endometriomas does not mean no endo). Basically, it sounds like you've had your tubes checked and good look at the inside of the uterus to make sure that you don't polyps (which can inhibit implantation).