GKU Informal Check-In *10/24*

[Deleted]

🤘🏻🍕❤️. This roughly translates to rock on my pizza loves.
My ANA test was negative, so that wasn't helpful.
I also had an EMG today. There is slightly decreased nerve activity in my left hand, but not enough to be clinically significant. (Shocker)

I just started my on call week and my brain is already fried.

[juliayadda]

Chicken coop my RE does research on IUI success rates and have not found significant evidence that a lower post wash count affects the probability of success. We had 2 MIL post wash last December and had success. It didn't work out later but had nothing to do with sperm count. My RE would never cancel for low count. What on earth would be the point anyway. All the prep is over 1000 dollars so what if there are less sperm. I think cancelling IUIs is a scam. Do not let them cancel if there is say 1 mil or whatever it is bullshit.

[thechickencoop]

Oct 29, 2016 14:42:27 GMT -5 juliayadda said:

Chicken coop my RE does research on IUI success rates and have not found significant evidence that a lower post wash count affects the probability of success. We had 2 MIL post wash last December and had success. It didn't work out later but had nothing to do with sperm count. My RE would never cancel for low count. What on earth would be the point anyway. All the prep is over 1000 dollars so what if there are less sperm. I think cancelling IUIs is a scam. Do not let them cancel if there is say 1 mil or whatever it is bullshit.

Ah, that's good to know! We are OOP anyway so yea, we would be going ahead with it regardless. No less chance than TI in that case anyway.

[thechickencoop]

Oct 28, 2016 22:50:56 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

🤘🏻🍕❤️. This roughly translates to rock on my pizza loves.
My ANA test was negative, so that wasn't helpful.
I also had an EMG today. There is slightly decreased nerve activity in my left hand, but not enough to be clinically significant. (Shocker)

I just started my on call week and my brain is already fried.

::squishy boob hugs::

I was just putzing around over on 3T and saw you have an appt with a new dr next week? I really hope you get some sort of answer or at least a new path to one.

[Deleted]

Oct 30, 2016 9:01:48 GMT -5 thechickencoop said:

Oct 28, 2016 22:50:56 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

🤘🏻🍕❤️. This roughly translates to rock on my pizza loves.
My ANA test was negative, so that wasn't helpful.
I also had an EMG today. There is slightly decreased nerve activity in my left hand, but not enough to be clinically significant. (Shocker)

I just started my on call week and my brain is already fried.

::squishy boob hugs::

I was just putzing around over on 3T and saw you have an appt with a new dr next week? I really hope you get some sort of answer or at least a new path to one.

Just a new primary. I have to set up an appointment with pulmonology.

[Deleted]

So I'm still waiting for my referral to be authorized and I'm starting to get nervous because I cannot find any info on the doctors in the clinic I will be going to. It is through the naval hospital and they never give info on doctors unfortunately. Also I looked at the info from my last dr visit and it says referral to infertility specialist, so most likely I won't be seeing an actual RE. I'm almost at the point where I want to just find a civilian RE that accepts my insurance and have to pay some oop. This is causing me so much anxiety right now. My H is completely against having to pay anything oop if we don't have to, especially since Tricare doesn't cover any ART procedures if it comes to that. I am just so sick of waiting to get anything accomplished. I just wonder at what point I rate getting to see a RE, its been 4 goddamn years with nothing. Does anyone have any experience with IF and the military?

[wannabmama]

Sorry @stormageddon that sounds so frustrating! I have no experience or advice, unfortunately...just, a shared, ugh!

[thechickencoop]

Oct 30, 2016 18:44:30 GMT -5 @stormageddon said:

So I'm still waiting for my referral to be authorized and I'm starting to get nervous because I cannot find any info on the doctors in the clinic I will be going to. It is through the naval hospital and they never give info on doctors unfortunately. Also I looked at the info from my last dr visit and it says referral to infertility specialist, so most likely I won't be seeing an actual RE. I'm almost at the point where I want to just find a civilian RE that accepts my insurance and have to pay some oop. This is causing me so much anxiety right now. My H is completely against having to pay anything oop if we don't have to, especially since Tricare doesn't cover any ART procedures if it comes to that. I am just so sick of waiting to get anything accomplished. I just wonder at what point I rate getting to see a RE, its been 4 goddamn years with nothing. Does anyone have any experience with IF and the military?

Ok, I KNOW there are some other tricare users but I can't remember who off the top of my head...3Ters, anyone??

You may want to pop over to 3T yourself and ask.

[rooskie]

Cythe was Tricare I think.

[Deleted]

Oct 30, 2016 22:58:34 GMT -5 rooskie said:

Cythe was Tricare I think.

Do we still have a military family board?

ETA: I could go look but I'm lazy.

[thechickencoop]

Oct 30, 2016 22:58:34 GMT -5 rooskie said:

Cythe was Tricare I think.

Yes!

[juliayadda]

Oct 31, 2016 5:03:58 GMT -5 thechickencoop said:

Oct 30, 2016 22:58:34 GMT -5 rooskie said:

Cythe was Tricare I think.

Yes!

She is most likely taking a little break right now. 

[lemonliz]

Oct 30, 2016 22:55:48 GMT -5 ****** said:

Oct 30, 2016 21:13:06 GMT -5 thechickencoop said:

Ok, I KNOW there are some other tricare users but I can't remember who off the top of my head...3Ters, anyone??

You may want to pop over to 3T yourself and ask.

ditto!! I know there was at least one. Maybe lemonliz can help bat signal someone :)

@ketchup and calindi, but I think calindi has peaced out on TCF. Ketchup will help!

[Deleted]

That sounds about right for MTF docs. I have had nothing but awful experiences so far. Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I'm definitely at that point and will be doing some research today to find an actual RE. Thanks again and I'll probably be asking you tons more questions!

[Cythe]

Oct 30, 2016 18:44:30 GMT -5 @stormageddon said:

So I'm still waiting for my referral to be authorized and I'm starting to get nervous because I cannot find any info on the doctors in the clinic I will be going to. It is through the naval hospital and they never give info on doctors unfortunately. Also I looked at the info from my last dr visit and it says referral to infertility specialist, so most likely I won't be seeing an actual RE. I'm almost at the point where I want to just find a civilian RE that accepts my insurance and have to pay some oop. This is causing me so much anxiety right now. My H is completely against having to pay anything oop if we don't have to, especially since Tricare doesn't cover any ART procedures if it comes to that. I am just so sick of waiting to get anything accomplished. I just wonder at what point I rate getting to see a RE, its been 4 goddamn years with nothing. Does anyone have any experience with IF and the military?

Hey there, I was Tricare prime when we first started IF treatments. I'm in the Norfolk area (pls no skin suiting) so if you happen to be as well I have some great pointers and specifics for the area.

General things though, I did see an RE at the Naval hospital and they did seem fairly competent. We did 3 IUIs before re realized that something wasn't working and moved on to IVF (I then switched to Standard so some of the procedures would be covered with a civilian RE). The initial testing and IUIs were totally covered with the exception of the sperm wash which had to be sent out to a local RE clinic because the naval hospital doesn't have the capabilities to do it in house. It was like $150 or something.

Overall I didn't get pregnant from the military docs but I don't think it was due to their lack of knowledge or anything. That said, I won't go back to them. In my area getting an appointment was HELL every month because they are so overbooked. Everything was a fight with them and finally I just didn't have the energy to deal with IF and the bullshit scheduling issues.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like, or on the board is fine too. Good luck! PS - I did look at cycling up at Walter-Reed for their military IVF cycles if you need any info on that too.

[thechickencoop]

Oct 31, 2016 10:03:37 GMT -5 Cythe said:

Oct 30, 2016 18:44:30 GMT -5 @stormageddon said:

So I'm still waiting for my referral to be authorized and I'm starting to get nervous because I cannot find any info on the doctors in the clinic I will be going to. It is through the naval hospital and they never give info on doctors unfortunately. Also I looked at the info from my last dr visit and it says referral to infertility specialist, so most likely I won't be seeing an actual RE. I'm almost at the point where I want to just find a civilian RE that accepts my insurance and have to pay some oop. This is causing me so much anxiety right now. My H is completely against having to pay anything oop if we don't have to, especially since Tricare doesn't cover any ART procedures if it comes to that. I am just so sick of waiting to get anything accomplished. I just wonder at what point I rate getting to see a RE, its been 4 goddamn years with nothing. Does anyone have any experience with IF and the military?

Hey there, I was Tricare prime when we first started IF treatments. I'm in the Norfolk area (pls no skin suiting) so if you happen to be as well I have some great pointers and specifics for the area.

General things though, I did see an RE at the Naval hospital and they did seem fairly competent. We did 3 IUIs before re realized that something wasn't working and moved on to IVF (I then switched to Standard so some of the procedures would be covered with a civilian RE). The initial testing and IUIs were totally covered with the exception of the sperm wash which had to be sent out to a local RE clinic because the naval hospital doesn't have the capabilities to do it in house. It was like $150 or something.

Overall I didn't get pregnant from the military docs but I don't think it was due to their lack of knowledge or anything. That said, I won't go back to them. In my area getting an appointment was HELL every month because they are so overbooked. Everything was a fight with them and finally I just didn't have the energy to deal with IF and the bullshit scheduling issues.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like, or on the board is fine too. Good luck! PS - I did look at cycling up at Walter-Reed for their military IVF cycles if you need any info on that too.

Fuck, I'm so sorry we paged you back in here. {{hugs}}

[Cythe]

Oct 31, 2016 14:08:40 GMT -5 thechickencoop said:

Oct 31, 2016 10:03:37 GMT -5 Cythe said:

x

Fuck, I'm so sorry we paged you back in here. {{hugs}}

Its okay, you couldn't have known. Also, at first I thought this was the grad thread and that would have sucked way worse. I'm glad to be able to offer my knowledge, I know navigating Tricare was (still is...) terrifying so I'm glad to help.

[Deleted]

Oct 31, 2016 10:03:37 GMT -5 Cythe said:

Oct 30, 2016 18:44:30 GMT -5 @stormageddon said:

So I'm still waiting for my referral to be authorized and I'm starting to get nervous because I cannot find any info on the doctors in the clinic I will be going to. It is through the naval hospital and they never give info on doctors unfortunately. Also I looked at the info from my last dr visit and it says referral to infertility specialist, so most likely I won't be seeing an actual RE. I'm almost at the point where I want to just find a civilian RE that accepts my insurance and have to pay some oop. This is causing me so much anxiety right now. My H is completely against having to pay anything oop if we don't have to, especially since Tricare doesn't cover any ART procedures if it comes to that. I am just so sick of waiting to get anything accomplished. I just wonder at what point I rate getting to see a RE, its been 4 goddamn years with nothing. Does anyone have any experience with IF and the military?

Hey there, I was Tricare prime when we first started IF treatments. I'm in the Norfolk area (pls no skin suiting) so if you happen to be as well I have some great pointers and specifics for the area.

General things though, I did see an RE at the Naval hospital and they did seem fairly competent. We did 3 IUIs before re realized that something wasn't working and moved on to IVF (I then switched to Standard so some of the procedures would be covered with a civilian RE). The initial testing and IUIs were totally covered with the exception of the sperm wash which had to be sent out to a local RE clinic because the naval hospital doesn't have the capabilities to do it in house. It was like $150 or something.

Overall I didn't get pregnant from the military docs but I don't think it was due to their lack of knowledge or anything. That said, I won't go back to them. In my area getting an appointment was HELL every month because they are so overbooked. Everything was a fight with them and finally I just didn't have the energy to deal with IF and the bullshit scheduling issues.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like, or on the board is fine too. Good luck! PS - I did look at cycling up at Walter-Reed for their military IVF cycles if you need any info on that too.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. It sucks how awful the system is with military healthcare. With regular illness or checkups it wasn't as much of an issue, but for something like IF that involves so damn much they need a better way of doing things.

I have been doing some research on the military IVF clinic here in San Diego and it looks like the wait list is super long right now. Like 5 years... I have been considering switching to standard and getting a supplemental plan if they won't work with me and let me see a RE. Did you have any issues with switching or was it pretty straightforward?

I really appreciate you and @ketchup coming by to offer me advice. It means a lot to me and makes me love this community more than I already do.

[Cythe]

Oct 31, 2016 17:56:36 GMT -5 @stormageddon said:

Oct 31, 2016 10:03:37 GMT -5 Cythe said:

x

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. It sucks how awful the system is with military healthcare. With regular illness or checkups it wasn't as much of an issue, but for something like IF that involves so damn much they need a better way of doing things.

I have been doing some research on the military IVF clinic here in San Diego and it looks like the wait list is super long right now. Like 5 years... I have been considering switching to standard and getting a supplemental plan if they won't work with me and let me see a RE. Did you have any issues with switching or was it pretty straightforward?

I really appreciate you and @ketchup coming by to offer me advice. It means a lot to me and makes me love this community more than I already do.

I had no issues switching from Prime to Standard, you can do it online and its super easy. Once you cancel Prime, you are automatically enrolled in Standard so it takes like 2 minutes to do. I prefer Standard, almost all the same things are covered but I have the freedom to go where I want.

About IF treatments though, if you are Standard will still not cover IF treatments  - Im not sure if that applies to IUIs with a private RE, it may. I know it wont cover anything with IVF outside of any surgical procedures you may need.

For us, we left Prime when we made the switch to IVF since there is 0 Prime or Standard coverage. It was just worth the peace of mind to be in a clinic where I was a person.

[Rama]

Oct 31, 2016 20:26:55 GMT -5 @ketchup said:

Oct 31, 2016 17:56:36 GMT -5 @stormageddon said:

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. It sucks how awful the system is with military healthcare. With regular illness or checkups it wasn't as much of an issue, but for something like IF that involves so damn much they need a better way of doing things.

I have been doing some research on the military IVF clinic here in San Diego and it looks like the wait list is super long right now. Like 5 years... I have been considering switching to standard and getting a supplemental plan if they won't work with me and let me see a RE. Did you have any issues with switching or was it pretty straightforward?

I really appreciate you and @ketchup coming by to offer me advice. It means a lot to me and makes me love this community more than I already do.

I'm mobile so please to forgive the trees. FWIW, I created a spreadsheet at one point with all of the MTF that offered IVF at discount and tallied the costs based on their rates +/- the cost of travel from our base at the time. I hope to God you don't find yourself at that point, but I'm sure I can find it somewhere if you ever need it.

Honestly, as tempting as Standard is, Prime actually worked in our favor once the referral went through. Most civilian REs that take TriCare take both, and they are few and far between because TriCare only pays a limited portion to them and they write off the rest. With Prime, all dx testing, labs, monitoring, meds to go with TI cycles (including injects that you can work the system for in the event you need to pursue IUI or IVF -- PM to ask how, not comfortable airing that in public), etc are covered with no deductible at all. Just sayin...

Ketchup for Prez

You're accepting write-ins, yeah?

[Deleted]

@ketchup that is really good to know about the difference in things being covered staying with prime vs standard. I'm hoping that I can get my referral switched to an RE at one of the local fertility clinics and stay on prime. We shall see. Thank you again!!