[AmyK]

Originally Posted by jenna356

Hello all-
I am a newbie here & lurker but was so happy to see this thread as I have been struggling with infertility now for 4+ yrs. I filled out the screening tests and was informed by email that I would be contacted with an appointment date. I have not been contacted yet, but here is my dilemma: I have started to spot, which normally means AF is a few days away. I would call this clinic and ask what tests they require prior to an appointment, but obviously there is no way I could get the preliminary tests in time if AF is going to begin in a few days. In fact, I don't even know what tests they are. I really don't want to waste such an incredible opportunity but I am just not thinking straight at this point. I have so many worries and concerns not to mention the fact I have PMS and the moodiness isn't helping me make decisions rationally! Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on what I should do?
Good luck to all of you participating in the trial-I know it is a huge glimmer of light in an otherwise frustrating and bleak situation.

Hi there. You could always call Matt (research coordinator) and leave a message to ask. Otherwise, wait for this cycle and arrange all your testing this month so you will be ready to go next cycle. I am on CD4 myself, so I plan on doing my new pap/bw next week so I can call and be ready to go at the end of March. Good luck!!

[thunder]

Amy: I'll be thinking of you next month around March 24th! You have to put it in your signature. hehe I am so happy for you! Yipeee!

Yeah, we decided to seek 2nd opinion. We looked at the NH, but with the time off and all the flights and accommodations, we couldn't do it. Someone on this forum told me that the office I was at does not take any insurance for IVF and I think we have $2-3K left of our lifetime coverage and I would like to use that! So, we can't lose anything by seeking a 2nd opinion and to be honest, I feel so happy! Even if it fails (which ever protocol we do), it won't feel as we are doing the "same old-same old" with the same office. And the way I look at it... I am feeling great, happy to move on, Looking forward to our new RE (that we get to meet next week) and hey... being happy and positive can only help! heheheh

I"ll keep lurking on this post to keep an eye on you and all the other ladies going through NH! Good luck to you all!

[jenna356]

Thank you Amy! That sounds like a reasonable plan and I am lacking all reason at the moment. Good luck to you on your upcoming visit.

[sas9300]

Jenna,

Here is a copy of the tests requested. It should be in your email as well.
All screening tests are required to be updated within one year of the IVF cycle. Genetic testing and blood type are only done once.
Female Testing:
HIV 1 & 2
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Hepatitis C Antibody
RPR
Rubella Titer
Varicella Titer
Blood type/Rh
Pap smear
GC swab
Chlamydia swab
CBC
Male Testing:
HIV 1 & 2
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Hepatitis C Antibody
RPR
Genetic Testing:
All patients:
Fragile X
Cystic Fibrosis
Jewish patients:
Ashkenazi Panel
Asians, Latinos, & African Americans patients:
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis




They will see you for cycle day 3 appointment before all the tests are completed, but they won't begin actual IVF treatment or pre-treatment until they have all the test results. If you are going to start this weekend, call and leave a message for Matt and he will get back to you to schedule your appointment. I am scheduled to go in for my 1st appointment on Monday since should come this weekend. Good luck!

[vfever]

Hello, all NH participants!


Do you have to have all your test results before you go to 3 day cycle appt? I have my medical records but not my hubby. Can they do most of the tests there, they take my insur. carrier.


Ectopic Preg- 1 in 2005 & 1 2006

[AmyK]

I think so. Call and verify. Matt told me yesterday that you would have 20 days to complete any tests (if you "pass" the other day 3 tests) Good luck!

[sas9300]

I went in for my Cycle Day 2 appt. (Matt said that it is what they preferred) and all the tests came out great. Well actually I had 4 follies on the right side and 8 on the left, but they said that was fine and I am accepted into the study. I have to get the results of the genetic tests faxed to them yet and then I will start BCP on 3/21.

When I go in on 3/21 they will tell me what arm of the study I am on. I can see advantages to either one so I am letting a higher power determine that one with no preference with me. (not like I have any say anyway, lol)

Good luck to everyone else! Hopefully many of us will get from this.

[AmyK]

Originally Posted by sas9300

I went in for my Cycle Day 2 appt. (Matt said that it is what they preferred) and all the tests came out great. Well actually I had 4 follies on the right side and 8 on the left, but they said that was fine and I am accepted into the study. I have to get the results of the genetic tests faxed to them yet and then I will start BCP on 3/21.

When I go in on 3/21 they will tell me what arm of the study I am on. I can see advantages to either one so I am letting a higher power determine that one with no preference with me. (not like I have any say anyway, lol)

Good luck to everyone else! Hopefully many of us will get from this.

That is such great news Shelly. Please keep us posted. Did you find everyone nice? Was the clinic easy to get to/find. I am bummed I have to wait til the end of March for my CD2 testing. I am getting excited though. Did you DH go? or did they say what appointment he needs to go to sign consent forms?

[CryingInside]

Hey everyone. If you have been for your appointment please let me know how it goes. I have talked to one couple who went and found out that they did not qualify. She said that I could post some of the story here. Basically when she didn't qualify someone came in and tried to force-feed her their mini-IVF procedure. They kept saying "just sign here." When she tried to ask questions she did not get any information. She asked how many people were in the study and was told around 20 and the waiting room was full of people trying to get in and it has been running for 5-6 months.

I have been shying away from this because I've been worried that it sounded a bit like they were unorganized, ect. And after hearing that I am even less excited to "waste" my money on the testing and the trip there. So please let me know how your first appointments go. I would like to try it, but not if it is going to be a ploy to get people there to sign up for their IVF program!

[Hopeful12]

HI

I am currently under their care...I have been going since Nov. 08. Not too long...but I met with Dr. Zhang once, for the consultation. He did the retrieval but his associate (Dr. Chang) did the transfer for IVF #1. Dr. Chang did round #2. Dr. Chang is very nice and thorough. Everytime they call I receive calls from the nurses..not him. It is a hectic place...it took a few weeks to get used too...there are times that there are no seats in the waiting room...Just want you to be prepared for what it's like.

Jeannie

[sas9300]

Everyone at New Hope was very nice but you could tell they were swamped, probably because with the study they are seeing more people then they are used to. The nurse who took my blood and did my ultra sound seemed skilled and was professional and friendly.

I do see the disorganized part. We did not get seen until about 1:20 for a 1:00 appt, but I guess that is pretty normal for any office. Matt was very willing to answer any questions.

My DH did go, and was able to sign consent forms. They said he should also be when they teach how to give shots, if I am in the conventional arm of the study and also has to be there for ER obviously. DH is going to try to make as many appointments as he can, but his work is not being near as accommodating as mine. My supervisor is being very supportive.

As far as location, we had a Tom Tom which took us there, but the building has scaffolding so you have to look hard to find the door. The office/entrances before and after have awnings with the street number so we then looked in the middle. Parking is, well Manhattan Parking. It costs $47 for about 3 hours. We might drive to the Seacacus rail terminal and take the train in to the subway next time.

DH asked alot of questions about collaborators for the study, (he researches for work and has his own research grants), and they were able to give clear answers. The study is legit, but they might have made there criteria pretty stringent. All of my numbers were good, but that isn't surprising since my problem is a tubal litigation (which isn't that same infertility not intentionally brought on) (My heart goes out when I read the stories of how hard you try to have a baby and then I think I intentionally chose to have no more, silly me)

My appointment went something like this 12:30 arrived for 1:00 appt. Receptionist let Matt know were there. 1:20 They pulled a vial of blood from me. Matt took us back and went over consent forms. In the interest of time, we had read the forms and knew any questions ahead of time. That all took about 35 minutes. Then DH had to give his semen sample and I had my ultrasound. I had to wait about 25 minutes for the ultra sound to start. We were done with all that about 3:15. Matt told us to come back in about 45 minutes so they could review our results. We found a cafe with coffee and pizza. When we returned Matt gave us our results (semen analysis, FSH lvl etc) and told us we were accepted. He said a nurse would go through our file and call us if we need anything else. So it was about 4:30 when we left NYC.

I am curious to see how long it takes them to tell me we need the genetic testing. We had the tests but they weren't back to my doctor when I picked up the rest of the FDA testing results.

I would rate the experience a 7 out of 10. It's not the posh office of our local fertility center and they were definitely busy, but everyone was friendly and the medical staff knew what they were doing.

Since you can do the first appointment before the FDA testing, if you aren't sure on whether you will be approved, I would sign up, go to your cycle day 2 (tell them you are scheduling your FDA testing) and if you are accepted pending the FDA testing then get the testing completed.

I can't wait to find out what arm of the study I am in!

[AmyK]

Hi Shelley,

Thanks fpr the detailed information on your appointment. Sounds like a pretty good experience. I will not have to worry about parking, since I will fly in and take a train/subway. I will have to find a hotel though. I can't believe they got back to you so quick with your results! Hope they are that quick with a beta!!

I look forward to hearing what arm of the study you are in too. Please keep us posted and thanks again for all the info. Congrats again.

Amy

[CryingInside]

Hey Shelley! Thanks for the good info! That's two accepted. I'm still skeptical, but less so. That's just my nature LOL! I will probably try to check it out and see what happens. If I waste a small amount at least I will know and not wonder.

[CryingInside]

Ok I obviously can't count because that's one accepted for sure! I'm goofy, what can I say?!

So, I'm waiting for my RE's office to call me back to tell me if they ever did an FSH or antral follie check. I would at least like to know those numbers before I do anything else and you would think that an RE's office would have done them right? I hope so.

Also, I am thinking of seeing if Planned Parenthood would be acceptible for some of the testing. I know they do like the HIV and probably the Chlamydia tests for sure. It might cut some of the pre-costs. Once I hear back from the RE I'll call NH and find out and let you girls know. I'm trying to figure out who all we still have, I'll update that in a little bit!

[CryingInside]

Ok, I *think* this is the updated list of everyone. Let me know if it is wrong!

Shelley (Sas9300)-Accepted. Next appointment 3-21.

PinkTink-Accepted. Next appointment ?.

Waiting on Prelim Appointments:
Dittoxtina-March 3rd appointment to find out if in the study or not (hope it went ok!)

Amy (AmyK)-Finishing testing. Appointment approx 3-24 to find out if in study or not.

Aidan'sMom
Lucy4
Banna
Stephanie (CryingInside)