Wonderful PCOS Specialist in Philly Area - Dr. Minassian - Page 5

sassygirlj · 10-28-2009, 09:19 PM

Hi Ladies,

I read through your pages on this thread and they were extremely informative and helpful. At this point, my husband and I are going to RSI. However, nothing about my PCOS has really been discussed. They recommended IVF/ICSI bc my husband has borderline low sperm count. However, I don't feel very informed on my condition. One of the nurses told me I had cystic ovaries so I am assuming that means I have PCOS?

I am wondering if I should make an appointment with dr. Minassian. My close friend did 3 IVF cycles with RSI that were a bust and went to Dr. M and her first IVF was a success! This is telling me a lot! Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you!

AngelaGrace · 10-29-2009, 12:33 AM

Sassy ~

I actually met Dr. Browne of RSI at an infertility support group meeting. She's very down to earth and knowledgable. If I wasn't already happy with Dr. M, I'd give RSI a chance. My only hesitancy was that she didn't seem to recomment Injectables for PCOS patients and seemed to go more of the IVF route. For us right now, that isn't an option really and we are giving Injects/IUI a try next go-round.

That being said, if your underlying condition (if you have PCOS) isn't being addressed, then I'd try making a seperate appointment to address just that. When I first went to Dr. M it was for infertility - then in realizing all of my PCOS issues, I got informed and got better control of it in order to hopefully have a successful pregnancy soon.

If you make such an appointment at RSI, have a list of questions. (The cysters here on in the Infertility thread are good about helping you make your list

) Or of course come to Dr. M's office - he is great and so very knowledgable in PCOS -and- infertility. It may take a little time to get in for your first appointment (depending what time of day you're free) but if you bring your records/history - I'm sure he'll be able to make the best plan for you!

Good luck + let me know if I can help you further!
~ Angela

sassygirlj · 10-29-2009, 08:42 AM

Angela,

Thank you so much for the advice. I am seeing Dr. Brown at the moment and she told us to go right for ivf/icsi. I was literally shocked!! I mean I want the best chance for us but I wasn't really expecting that. I should have gotten advice from everyone on here before I went to Dr. Brown bc I didn't think I was well enough prepared with questions. Does the Women's Clinic have decent hours or do they clost at 4? It is definitely frustrating when the only hours are btw. 8-4! Thanks again for your help!

TriptheCat · 10-29-2009, 09:57 AM

Hi Ladies,
My appt with Dr. M went was yesterday, he confirmed my fears but at least offered a choice of solutions.
AngelaG-Thank you so much for telling me what to expect - it made it really easy. He really knows a lot about PCOS and told me some new things that I didn't know that were right there in my bw.
I have to redo the glucose tolerance (he confirmed that I have IR), hsg,& shg (to ck for any damage from the ep). I think for the time being I am going to just keep taking the glucophage and start the adoption process and then save for IVF.

Sassy- RSI has the best hours (morning - evening and weekends) and they were very helpful in diagnosing me - I just didn't get preggo with the clomid cycles. I didn't get to meet Dr. Brown but I'm sure you can tell her what you'd like to do and see if its a realistic option.

AngelaGrace · 10-29-2009, 10:59 AM

Sassy - IVF/ICSI would give the best odds for anyone, as it's pretty aggressive. I'd think it'd be the best try for a couple w/ a very, very low sperm count. But you said borderline low... so I wonder if IUI would be good to try first? (either at RSI or Women's Clinic) Have you tried mainly naturally so far, or tried other routes w/o success?

My DH's sperm count was perfect for his first SA, but this most recent one, it was a little less than what they'd like to see. Dr. M wasn't overly concerned, he just said that it makes us candidates for IUI.

I think at Women's Clinic, the last appointment is usually 3:30. (For Dr. M atleast.) They close at 4-4:30 I think. The good thing is that they open at 7:30am for ultrasound and bloodwork monitoring in their in-office lab. They are also open on the weekends for ultrasounds & procedures like IUI and such.

TriptheCat - glad you got to meet w/ Dr. M. Sorry that he didn't have "good" news for you - but he is a physician full of hope and seems to know how to get to the goal! He did my HSG + SHG, so you're in good hands. Did he say that it looks like you'll need IVF? Or perhaps a less-expensive/aggressive route could be an option? (i guess better to save for it just in case)

Good luck + best wishes to you both!
Angela

TriptheCat · 10-30-2009, 10:01 AM

Hi Angela - Dr. M said I can do 1 of 3 things keep taking the metformin and see if it happens again naturally, take metformin and try injectibles or take metformin and try IVF. IVF would present the lowest risk of a repeat ectopic however my insurance doesn't cover much besides bw and IUIs. My DH wants to wait and see after the retesting but most likely we will try the inj first before jumping to IVF bc of the out of pocket expense.

AngelaGrace · 10-30-2009, 11:16 PM

TriptheCat -

That's the route I will be taking in Nov (injects) and IUI. I wish you the best!

~ Angela

sassygirlj · 11-08-2009, 04:46 PM

So I made an appt. with Dr. M but I couldn't get in until December 22!! The secretary said they are really busy right now! I hope it will be easier to get appointments once you are an established patient.

Angel-We have been trying naturally thus far. We did do three rounds of clomid on 50mg and I ovulated but no success obviously. Prior to going to RSI, our obgyn did a semen analysis and told us that everything looked normal. When we went for an initial consult with RSI, Dr. Browne said that we had a low count and morphology and the best bet would be IVF/ICSI! We just did a repeat SA and it was a bit better but I am going to wait and see until our appt. with Dr. M and see what he suggests. We are OOP so I want to do the most practical approach with our limited funds.

A friend of mine went through RSI with 3 IVFS..switched to Dr. M and got preggers the first IVF. It could be just luck, but who knows!

I wish everyone the best of luck on this stressful journey!

AngelaGrace · 11-08-2009, 08:09 PM

Sassy -

Glad you made your appt. - but yeah, that stinks about not getting in 'til 12/22! It's an initial appt, so it's harder to find a big block of time to schedule you in. It should get easier next time! It'll be great to have him give a 2nd opinion and let you know what his course of action would be... to give you options! Best of luck!

~Angela

TriptheCat · 11-17-2009, 10:53 AM

Hi Ladies - I just wanted to say hey!
I got my 2nd post EP AF this week - WOOT! Scheduled my sonohyst and HSG and will repeat the glucose tolerance all before my next appt w/ Dr. M. I'm really excited for the first time in a while, I guess I feel hopeful and my family & "cysters" have been really supportive through all this. Hope your all doing well!

AngelaGrace · 11-17-2009, 11:16 AM

Trip - great news! Glad things are moving along for you - good luck w/ the HSG, Sonohyst, & GTT. It IS exciting - to get answers, have options, make a plan, etc. When do you see Dr. M again?

Sassy - I was just re-reading some of this thread and noticed I have an appt. on 12/22, too! Well, so long as I have a cycle that results in a BFP or BFN so I can follow-up with him.

~ Angela

TriptheCat · 11-18-2009, 11:11 AM

Hi Angela, my follow up w/ Dr. M is 12/16. Going to assume we will discuss the injectable option then. DH is submitting a new SA on Friday - he's being really good about doing this over again, he's going to go with me for these tests and all. I hope there are more BFPs on this thread so I can be covered in 2010 baby dust!

AngelaGrace · Yesterday, 07:47 PM

Trip -

Sounds good - hopefully you're on your way quickly to a BFP!

PS - LOVE your new pic!