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Have you switched clinics?
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Anonymous
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I am at one of the two big clinics and am thinking of going for a consult at the other.
After a couple of failed cycles, I'm sort of at a juncture where I need to make some "what next?" decisions, and I think it's worth getting another opinion before moving forward, BUT I need to do so quickly. If you did something like this, how did it work out for you? Did you call Clinic A and just ask for copies of everything without saying why? Do they even care if you go talk to someone else? I don't want to seem like I'm "clinic-hopping" since I have not done that much treatment where I am, but I sort of feel like there are other worthwhile treatment options or protocols out there that aren't being considered where I am now. So, while I'm not even sure I will be switching, I feel like I need to go for the consult at Clinic B & have all my records with me when I do that. |
Anonymous
| That is funny that you are posting this because I am considering doing the same (but for different reasons). i'd be curious to hear how much of the "info" transfers over. I'd hate to re-do some of the preliminary work-up. |
Anonymous
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If you are currently at Shady Grove, the Rockville office has a medical records department that will handle your records request. I'm not even sure if your RE would know if you don't tell him/her. One warning -- it takes 2-3 weeks to get your records and they do charge a small fee. My records were much more detailed than I expected and included summaries of my email correspondence with the nurses, along with info about the meds/follicle size, etc.
I will say, Dr Widra was super classy when he found out that we had scheduled a consult with Dr Davis at Cornell. Not sure if it would have been different if we had switched to another DC clinic. Widra really helped us think through whether we should go to Cornell vs other top clinics and told us that even though he would no longer be treating us, he still considered us to be his patients. What a sweetie!!!! Good luck!!!!! |
Anonymous
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FWIW - I switched from a small, solo practitioner to Shady Grove very early in the process. I was terrified to call the RE's office for my records and was sweating when I went to pick them up, because I felt like I was cheating or something. Little did I know that patients constantly switch practices and seek second opinions and these guys have come to expect it. Each practice is different in terms of what tests they will have you repeat. I think it is standard practice to do cd3 b/w and u/s. As to more in-depth tests (saline sono, hsg), it could depend on your specific situation and the new clinic's standard practice.
If you happen to be at SG now, the form for requesting medical records is on their website. You mark off what records you want and I believe you can fax it in. Your RE probably has to sign off on on the release of your records. As PP indicates, it is a 2-3 week turnaround. At the end of it all, you may determine you don't want to switch practices, but gain some ideas and insights from whomever you consult with that you can apply at your current clinic. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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Thanks! You're right - I do feel like I'd be "cheating" on my current RE by going for a consult elsewhere. It's way worse than switching hairstylists!
Another thing I'm concerned about is whether my insurance will cover diagnostics if they have to be repeated. I am at SG now & am considering checking out Dominion. Will they accept my diagnostic testing (day 3 bloods & u/s, HSG, and my husband's s/a)? It was all done in September & I really don't want to redo the HSG. Don't really care about redoing the other stuff -- as long as my ins. will pay for it again. Sounds like I need to get moving on this asap given the quick turnaround time - didn't realize that, so thanks for that info. |
Anonymous
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I also consulted with others after leaving SG. You may be able to get records faster if you have them delivered electronically and print them out yourself.
Dominion would accept most of my testing, like my day threes, HSG, and the sperm analyses, but to do a natural cycle IVF wanted me to come in once the month before starting for bloodwork, ultrasound and an internal exam/mock-embryo transfer. |
Anonymous
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Yup...know from the Docs themselves, DF tries to limit the amount of 're-do' tests. Pretty much will try to work with what you can send them and then go from there...
I would call for a consult before you even get your records fully sent. This way you can meet the docs, meet the staff and make your decision whether it is a good 'emotional' fit. Maybe there will be no need to have your records sent if you don't quite 'click'. But...I have no idea what the REs would say. I think I know you from another site??? WLD |
Anonymous
Yes, I think you do! 
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Anonymous
| I'm the PP who switched from SG to Cornell. I was also previously a patient at Dominion. Dominion let me have my HSG done at GW because it was cheaper and I got my day 3 b/w done at labcorp b/c that was cheaper too. DF was totally fine with this -- so I assume they'll accept diagnostics that you had done at SG. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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i felt like i was cheating on my RE. i ended up going from a small clinic to a very large clinic. so i knew all of the small clinic's staff. finally after the last failed attempt, i just was honest and said that i needed my records for a second opinion.
maybe they won't ask? i remember one clinic did ask though...it was on a form that i had to fill out to release the records. ultimately they are your records, and it is your choice. sometimes you just need a set of fresh eyes to look at your case. it can't hurt! i'm glad i switched b/c now am pregnant! |
Anonymous
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"I would call for a consult before you even get your records fully sent."
Yes, actually, if you know most of your numbers and can give a good oral overview of what happened during your cycles at SG, you can go in without your records. If you can't remember something, you can ask your SG nurse to get you a copy of a few things from your records; my was fine doing this. |
Anonymous
don't do this at dominion- i went there for a consult, and my records actually didn't get there in time; i had unfortunately relied on my previous RE to fax them over, so i had planned to have them there for the appointment. dimattina would not entertain ANY of my questions or concerns. he just kept saying, "i'm not answering that until i see your records". and i know my history too, especially my condition. when i asked if he ever had other patients with the same condition he said not to insult his intelligence and continued to reiterate that there was absoultely nothing he could tell me w/o seeing my records. complete waste of time...i never went back either. after that experience, i learned to always have copies of my own records for myself. i would make copies for any other doctors/consults, and keep the originals. this goes for other doctors as well... good luck! |
Anonymous
SG made me repeat everything, it was their way of making more money in my opinion 
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Anonymous
| SG didn't make me repeat everything. I guess it depends on the doc, how current your tests are, and what your specific condition is. |
Anonymous
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"don't do this at dominion- i went there for a consult, and my records actually didn't get there in time; i had unfortunately relied on my previous RE to fax them over, so i had planned to have them there for the appointment.
dimattina would not entertain ANY of my questions or concerns. he just kept saying, "i'm not answering that until i see your records". and i know my history too, especially my condition. when i asked if he ever had other patients with the same condition he said not to insult his intelligence and continued to reiterate that there was absoultely nothing he could tell me w/o seeing my records." Well, I actually did do this with Dr. Gorden and he was fine with it. |