Tired of nurses/technicians

[Anonymous]

I've been going to Columbia Fertility for a few months. Basic problem is PCOS and miscarriages. Every time I go in for a sonogram I see a sonogram technician. Even when I ask to speak with Dr. Sacks I'm told that he has other appointments and that I'll have to set up a separate appointment to meet with him. Why should I pay ANOTHER co-pay to come back and meet with him?! I'm very frustrated that the nurses/technicians aren't able to answer my questions, but then tell me I can't see the doctor. Is anyone else fed up with this process? Does anyone have suggestions as to other RE offices where you actually meet with the doctor when you have an appointment? Does anyone know if Sacks is responsive to emails/voicemails? (lots of questions) Thanks ladies.

[Anonymous]

I go to Rifka, not Sacks but I have always had IVF sonos done by my RE, and if I have ever been in for a blood draw or something like that, I leave a message with the nurse and I always receive a call back if I have any questions.

If it's not an IVF cycle (or an IUI cycle) where there are teams of nurses etc., I just ask for Dr. Rifka's nurse, Lynn. If she isn't available, I leave a voicemail and receive a prompt call -sometimes, she can answer the question. If not, I have never had a problem with her conveying info to Rifka and getting a call back. The front desk receptionists seem a little lackluster in the communication department, so I always deal with a nurse.

I have never had to schedule an appointment to discuss tests. Try to find out if Sacks has a specific non-IUI/IVF nurse, and work through her.

I'm sorry you are so frustrated -nothing like that to add to TTC stress....Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

I am sure that is very frustrating and even more so because you already have the stress of TTC. I go to Dr. Sharara at VCRM. While alot of people on here don't like him (and I am sure you will have some posts after mine discussing that), I have had a really positive experience with him. He is a solo guy and does everything except draw blood, which the nurses do. So, he did all my testing and all of my sonograms. I meet with him every time and he has always answered any questions that I have. For times that I want to have a more detailed conversation with him, I make an appointment for a consultation. I did this twice--after all my testing was complete in order to figure out a plan of action and after two IUI's failed for me and we wanted to discuss our next steps with him. He was really good and answered everything we asked and explained all of our options. I had actually decided to start an IVF cycle and was waiting to start it when I found out that I am pregnant. He is going to do the pregnancy monitoring for me until I am released to my OB--Reiter, Hill which is a big practice. I have to say I am going to really miss the personal attention from the doctor. I guess my best advice to you would be to do what is right for you and what makes you most comfortable.

[Anonymous]

It sucks, doesn't it? I haven't been to Columbia, but have cycles at three other clinics and two of them didn't handle very well answering patient questions and getting information to the patient.

[Anonymous]

I think if you do IVF, the doctors are much more involved. For IUIs and other cycles, the nurses/techs do more.

Dr Sacks is GREAT about responding to email, so definitely email him and ask him your questions. You'll hear back quickly.

Also, keep trying to ask to see Dr Sacks at your monitoring appointments. If he knows you're interested, he'll make an effort to see you if he can.

[Anonymous]

I do not believe that one can get better, personalized care here in the DC metro area, than at Dominion Fertility.

I was Dr. Gordon's patient, and I can tell you, in 5 years and 3 IVFs, I can count on ONE HAND (well, maybe two hands) the times I had to see someone other than Dr. G.

If you do NC-IVF, you might have to have care from the other docs in the practice, just based upon the timing...but for all my 'controlled' cycles...Dr. G actually tweeked the timing sometimes, to make sure he was there for important procedures like ER and ET.

[Anonymous]

I would always email Dr. Sacks with questions, and he would respond promptly, usually the same day or the next morning. When I was doing IUIs it was the techs who did the sonograms, but Sacks always did the monitoring with IVF. You get a lot more one-on-one with the doctors if you do IVF. I would encourage you to email him.

[Anonymous]

Agree Dr. Gordon is the best, and I saw him for most appointments which I think made the difference in my success.

[Anonymous]

This is one reason why I loved the Muasher Center. Dr. M does all the sonos.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Sacks will definitely reply to email. That's one of the many things I really liked about him.

[Anonymous]

Every time I am in the DC office Dr. Sacks does my sonos. I am an IVF patient, so I don't know if that makes a difference. I will second what everyone else is saying about email, he usually responds very quickly.