[gracevanowen]

Hi.
I am brand new here and am so glad to have found you all. It makes me both happy (I am not alone) and sad (so many other girls really struggling) to know I am not alone.

I am hoping you all can provide some advice to a newbie. I am 40 and I know the sucess numbers for a girl my age aren't great. My local RE only gets live births for 5% of girls my age. When you consider that we are a very middle class couple and we have no insurance for this, it is hard to justify draining our retirement account for a 5% chance.

Even though it will take up most of our savings, we are considering traveling to CCRM in Colorado. We have a phone consultation with Dr. Schoolcraft in two weeks. It seems his numbers are the best in the nation. I have read he is brutally honest and doesn't have much bedside manner but honestly I don't care so long as I have a good chance of getting pregnant.

Anyone here want to share their experiences with CCRM or Dr. Schoolcraft? It seems like such a hassle- I have to find someone here to take my blood, I have to miss my DH since he can't travel out there with me, etc. Also, from looking at the other time lines CCRM has given other girls, it looks like it will be at least 4 months from my phone consultation to ER. It is frustrating to repeat all of the test I have already had (all testing done, unexplained infertility at this point but no IUI or IVF yet), and 4 months is a very long time when you are 40 and your eggs are dissappearing with lightening speed. Even CCRM's sucess rates go from 40% to 28% when you go from age 40 to age 41-42. Yikes. So if I have to wait that long am I better going with a local RE who can get me in for IVF right now?

So much... my head is spinning... please help.
Grace

[embarazada]

There are a few ladies here that post who went to CCRM here. Most are at ivfconnections.com: register: go to ivf connections board --> IVF--> IVF by location--> US--> colorado. It breaks my heart when I read about women in their 40s after years of IF are still doing IUS and IVF with local REs with their own eggs. I think once you are 40, your eggs are VIP and only deserve the best care and management.
HTH

[bq122]

Originally Posted by embarazada

There are a few ladies here that post who went to CCRM here. Most are at ivfconnections.com: register: go to ivf connections board --> IVF--> IVF by location--> US--> colorado. It breaks my heart when I read about women in their 40s after years of IF are still doing IUS and IVF with local REs with their own eggs. I think once you are 40, your eggs are VIP and only deserve the best care and management.
HTH

I like your thinking....LOL..

Grace welcome...I can not be of any help because I know nothing of the CCRM of Colorado except woman from these threads do go there.

But I am 42yrs old. With a extremely high FSH and so far so good. I do have a low prog. level and I wish my beta could be higher. But I have faith in God to make everything all right.

I wish you the best of luck, I will keep you in my prayers.

God Bless

[tko6666]

Hi Grace,
Hope I can offer some help. I'm 42 and have been seeing Dr. Minjarez since Jan. We origionally were seen by another RE who takes our insurance, but decided after 2 miscarriages and our advanced age, we wouldn't risk the rest of our lives to anyone else. We are also paying out of pocket, but decided it was worth it since we knew we didn't have much time. We chose to go to Dr M (she's one of his partners) instead of Schoolcraft and absolutely love her! She is very sweet, compassionate and brilliant to top it off. She always has time for us and listens to all of our concerns. I have also heard good things about Dr. Gustofson, although I have not met him. They also have a study we are enrolled in to rule out chromosomal issues. It is only offered in a few centers around the country. You may be a candidate. I know it is a big commitment to come to CCRM, but how would you feel if in 5 years if you didn't? Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. I hope this helps a little.

[shellie9]

I am 40 and in the same boat. My diagnosis is unexplained, with recurrent pregnancy loss after a live birth (my son, in 2003). I considered CCRM (still am truth be told), but wanted to at least try IVF locally first with my own eggs. I am limited to 2 insured IVF cycles lifetime (and not really wanting to fork out for any self-pay cycles). The clock is ticking, I know.

I am in the middle of my 1st IVF now (egg retrieval any day now) but honestly, if this doesn't work my hubby and I have already decided to make the leap to DE's, and perhaps cycle @ CCRM as I know a few ladies our age that have had much success there.

Will be following this to see what kind of feedback you receive.

Best of luck to you!!!!!

[vinjosmom]

I went to Dr G at CCRM and loved him. I think our phone conversation was in March and I went in May for my cycle. I loved everyone from the front desk to my nurse. It was really night and day from the way I was treated from my former RE. I can't say enough good things about them but if you have any particular questions you are welcome to IM me. I'll be 15 weeks tomorrow.

[Yogagrrl]

I just returned from my full day work-up with Dr. G at CCRM. I'm impressed (to put it mildly). Dr. Gustofson was very informative and easy to talk to (not to mention, since the phone consult, has been available to talk to, if needed). I am scheduled to go down again for an IVF cycle in late September/early Oct...I will honestly say that, thus far, I believe that it is worth it. Coordinating the trips and bloodwork, etc is a lot, but I think it will be worth it, PM me if you want more info:-)

[RLR]

Hi girls- I'm new to this forum and found this thread while looking for commentary on Schoolcraft. I am 32 w/ PCOS and have had 2 pg (1 tubal & 1 triplet m/c). I got pg both times w/ femara- no IUI. These were both w/ the help of another Denver RE. I'm currently trying acupuncture & Chinese herbs and have actually started cycling (huge success since I will usually go 6 mo without af- even then I doubt I ovulate). I guess I'm hoping for some advice from you girls b/c I feel like I want to give the natural way a try, but at the same time, CCRM is literally up the street and I feel so confident that they would help me sustain a pg. Here's where I'm torn: I didn't like Schoolcraft when I had my consult (but also know he's good and would prob get results), the cash-upfront lab situation pisses me off and, like Grace, I don't want to have to spend $2K to redo all the tests I've already done! (I know, "their lab is different, more precise...")
I know you all might think I'm crazy not to go to CCRM since we live so close. What would you guys do if you were in my situation? Suck it up and go, stick w/ natural for a while, or go back to my other RE while doing the acup/herbs? Thanks for your help & support!

[desperate]

I've got my consult with CCRM (Dr. Schoolcraft) on October 1st, and I'm really hoping he has some new insight and a good plan to offer us. I've heard wonderful things about him, aside from poor bedside manner and gets results. We are out of pocket too, so it is going to be tough financially and all the added stress of travelling, etc. But I think, since it's our last chance, we must put all our cards on the table and go all in!!!

[RLR]

It's so great to know we're not the only ones struggling with these decisions. I really hope your FET next wk goes perfectly and you get your little one(s) w/out having to come out here to CO. But, if you do end up mtg w/ Schoolcraft, let us know how it goes!

[embarazada]

When I did my full workup with another clinic locally in Jan 2008 they said my husband's sperm were super. Then with CCRM, in June 2008 we find out that his morphology was 2%. On backup day (before my cycle), they said the medium in which the sperm live in was exceptionally thick.

We have insurance so the price of a cycle was considerably less but travel expenses were still high. My rationale for spending the extra money to cycle there is that if I had cancer or had to have a surgery performed, I would research and find the BEST physician to perform treatment for me so why not with infertility. I believe that my one and only body deserves to have the best RE available to work on it.
Unfortunately this condition doesn't get better with age.

We just finished a cycle and everything considered it wasn't a horrible experience. Not fun by any stretch of the imagination but very necessary. It just hurts the finances soo much for treatment I understand peoples hesitation for going. Good luck.

[AHealthyMiracle]

I do not have any insight as my clinic is in PA... but I would just like to welcome you! Best of luck & I hope you stick around!

[RLR]

Thanks everyone! I think dh and I have decided to stick with acup & herbs for the next 2-3 cycles and then if I don't get pg again, try Schoolcraft. Thanks for the help and support!

[Lisag]

I also was torn between CCRM and SIRM (Sher Institute for Reproductive Medicane). I know CCRM has higher statistics but "statistics" vary (i think) alot on individual circumstances. I'm sure they are both great facilities especially if you get a BFP!

We chose SIRM in NY b/c Dr Sher also has high statisitics, he does immune testing (I have high NK cells), he sees his own patients (so you don't have multiple docs), they have forums that the MDs personally answer questions very quickly, they have oputcome based plans, and they have multiple locations in the US. Check out haveababy.com!!

Either way I wish you girls success! Good luck!

Lisa