Dr. RE's nurse called me back yesterday to give me "the plan", which was essentially the same conversation I had with her Monday. I'm not to take the progesterone prescription that I have-- instead, I'm supposed to wait until CD35. If I haven't gotten my period by then, I need to come into the office where they'll give me a pregnancy test, then a progesterone shot.
I think the nurse already doesn't like me-- while Dr. RE was pleased and impressed by how much I knew about this process and the questions that I asked her, the nurse just seems put off every time I ask a question. She would like for me to blindly follow whatever advice they give me, whether I understand why or not. It bothers me, but I suppose she's just a bit desensitized by having to deal with women who desperately want to get pregnant all day every day.
I think the nurse already doesn't like me-- while Dr. RE was pleased and impressed by how much I knew about this process and the questions that I asked her, the nurse just seems put off every time I ask a question. She would like for me to blindly follow whatever advice they give me, whether I understand why or not. It bothers me, but I suppose she's just a bit desensitized by having to deal with women who desperately want to get pregnant all day every day.
So, I'll suck it up and do what she said, even though I have a few problems with it.
1) I have not ovulated yet. It's CD25. The lack of a positive OPK, my temps & the progesterone bloodwork proves this. Dr. RE said that she wants me to be ovulating before CD21 (preferably before CD17!). That didn't happen, so what are we waiting for? Obviously, it's still possible for me to ovulate later this cycle, but that brings me to my next point...
2) You want to do a pregnancy test on CD35? Unless I have just been blessed with the second immaculate conception, I'm not sure why we are wasting the time and/or money with this? Last time I checked my biology text book, it was impossible to conceive without ovulating. And just in case this nurse is holding out hope that I may ovulate sometime between now and then, I certainly wouldn't not be far enough along at 8-9dpo (MAX!) to result in a positive pregnancy test.
3) And last, why do I have to come into the office for a pregnancy test and progesterone shot? I have a pregnancy test at home, as well as a Prometrium prescription sitting on my nightstand. If they were monitoring me, I'd have no complaints about having to go in for an ultrasound or whatever... but having to pay the $40 co-pay for things I could do at home really irritates me.
Plus, I have two weeks of vacation time-- CD35 falls on the Saturday before I have to return to work, which means that they would like me to wait until Monday. When we were given two weeks off of work, we were all encouraged to handle any doctor's appointments or personal appointments during this time off. Now what? I'm supposed to make a doctor's appointment on my first day back? I'm not really cool with that. I'm either going to insist on a Saturday appointment or I will ask to come in on CD34.
I'm sorry I'm so cranky... I just believed that seeing the RE would be the end of my long cycles and I'm extremely frustrated that they seem to be content with me having 45-50 day cycles. When I called to let them know that I hadn't ovulated, I felt certain that the day I got my progesterone bloodwork done, they would help me move on. Instead, I'm being told to wait 10 days (for nothing) to go back to the doctor, then an additional 10-15 days to start my period (once I've had the progesterone). We're now looking at mid-late January before we can even start trying again.
Bah Humbug!!
Oh Stef, I can understand how you feel. Once you know this cycle is a bust, it seems important to move on to the next one ASAP. It's so much easier to deal with the hope of a new cycle than the disappointment of a failed one. I totally get that.
ReplyDeleteYour RE has years of specialist and subspecialist training and has the knowledge, time, and authority to make decisions on an individualised basis.
On the other hand, nurses are very protocol-driven. It's an important and necessary part of their job but it means that they can seem pretty inflexible when things don't follow the set course. They often aren't privy to the reasoning behind certain decisions and therefore don't necessarily know the answer to "But why...". And whle they often have years of training and experience, the training and knowledge is different to that of an RE, so the dependence on protocols is important. Unfortunately that means that when stuff isn't happening as planned it can be outside their knowledge and comfort zone.
Not that any of this makes it easier for you to bear! I hope it gets sorted out quickly, Stef.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Ugh. This just sucks. I get that the nurses have to deal with a lot of crap from people, but at the end of the day it's the patient that has to be in charge of getting the care they need. Don't feel bad about asking questions and making sure you're getting the best care you need.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a very Merry Christmas
Definitely don't feel bad asking questions! To be honest I got to skip a couple of tests that I questioned (b/c I didn't want to pay) and I pushed them on why it was necessary. Plus the nurse could be following standard procedure, I would definitely push her by saying that's not what the dr. said last time. Maybe just asking for her to check on it and call you back with why the change is necessary would be good. Sure you might be annoying and they probably deal with annoying all day long (hey they picked that business, baby making is not stress free in that office!)so who cares, all that matters in the end is you feel comfortable with what is going on and not lost in the process. I think doctors in general probably mourn over the loss of people just doing what they say but oh well. I bet my ob silently sobs in his head when I say, "Well I read on the internet..." haha. But I love when he can bust what I read or affirm it; it makes me trust him more and that's what matters in the end. Good luck and Merry Christmas!!!
ReplyDeleteThat sucks! Totally call back and make your appointment during your vacation and see if you can talk to your RE, not the nurse, about why they're making you wait an additional 10 days. I'm not seeing the point in making you wait either.
ReplyDeleteAnd see if you can get out of the pregnancy test at the office. That's crazy, especially since their tests are the same ones that are in the stores (my gyno said the same thing). Good luck.
Way to be a good advocate for yourself! I think it's wonderful that you've educated yourself so much, and I think it's such a strength that you ask questions and even challenge certain plans. Definitely feel good about that, regardless of a curmudgeonly nurse!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a very merry, relaxing Christmas!
DO NOT feel bad about asking questions!!! That is your job. This is your body, not anyone elses and YOU are in control of your treatment. If they are suggesting you do something that you don't want to do, tell them. You are paying them an awful lot of money to have THEM serve YOU. I'm so glad you are standing up for yourself and telling them how you feel. That's exactly what you need to do.
ReplyDelete(((hugs))) I hope you have a very, Merry Christmas!
I'm sorry this isn't your cycle, and I agree with the others that you are doing yourself a favor by asking questions and demanding answers! I hate when Drs/nurses act like I'm asking stupid and annoying questions...we have a right to know! They are our bodies!
ReplyDeleteI can understand your questions. It doesn't make sense to me either! Sometimes havind Dr. in front of your name doesn't mean diddly-squat!
ReplyDelete