Recommendation Needed: TTC, Over 40, Low AMH Post Reply

[MrsTex]

Hi NVNers,
I have had a rollercoaster year and DH and I now have come to the conclusion to go for IVF. I’m over 40, have low AMH and have endometriosis.
I would like to hear from your experiences which fertility clinic you would recommend for IVF. DH and I have done research and it seems that Lister, ARGC and CRGH are good ones (open to others). I am also torn with going with the last resort (like a ARGC) or whether I should go for something gentler. I want to make sure that I go through all options as time is running out.

[IrenaP]

Highly recommend ARGC. We had issues and were advised by others including the nhs not to waste time and to go right to the top eg the best success rates. Yes it’s full on but I didn’t want to prolong the physical and emotional toil. I had low AMH too but I was not in my 40s. If you are interested in them you may find it easier to get an appointment in August when everyone is on holiday otherwise it’s quite a wait. They will tell you upfront if they think they can help you. They are pretty honest and your age might not help. But worth a try!!!

Ps I did acupuncture throughout the process for about 6 months. I believe it helped.

Everyday I am amazed by my miracle twins and I know and meet many others who had success at Argc. I do feel that you just have to give into the process and do whatever they say.

Ps we did get a second opinion but still thought the most radical approach at Argc was right for us. Good luck.

[this_is_cat]

Another recommendation for ARGC although they do have criteria for which patients they will take on

We also had positive experiences at Create, which specialises in low AMH

[NoodleFan]

Hi

This was a while ago so things may have changed, and also I was in my mid thirties with unexplained fertility issues, but....

We tried the Lister first. I would not recommend the experience we had there - we felt like we were on a conveyor belt and shoved through a standard process with no personal touch at all.

On the recommendation of a friend we tried the London Bridge Clinic (https://www.londonwomensclinic.com/clin ... on-bridge/). It was totally different. They really listened. The treatment worked first time so I’m obviously I’m going to be biased but it’s definitely worth a look.

Wishing you loads of luck!

[this_is_cat]

We also had a terrible experience at the Lister, similar to @noodleFan

[popsypumps]

We did a lot of research and decided to go with the Lister. They have been great so far, we have literally just started and my doctor (dr Faris) has been really great. He’s been very supportive and the whole process has been very organised which has been great and my partner and I are very busy and need lots of structure. I chose them as a couple of people from the school had used them previously and had good success rates. People also recommended ARGC but their twin rates seem to quite higher... we didn’t get round to checking them out properly as we were happy with the lister. If this cycle doesn’t work we will look at ARGC in more depth (although from memory I don’t think they had an open day). We also checked out Create (which we nearly went with) and Zita West but I wasn’t impressed with the open day as there wasn’t that much scientific info presented. Also check out the regulatory body which says that most good clinics will have similar success rates, it just depends how they cut the information for marketing purposes. I would go with the clinic that you feel suits you best in this case, I.e if you need a more nurturing treatment or a more structured treatment. I have to say though I had to take an urgent work call during one of my appointments (to which my partner was very annoyed). Dr Faris was very supportive, patient and understanding. I didn’t feel rushed and he is available at all times for me if I have any questions out of hours. If that isn’t going the extra mile I don’t know what is! Good luck with it!

[jevcg]

First of all - good luck. It can be a long, and sometimes painful road, but you're not alone - there are a lot of us out there who've been through this and I think anyone who has, will want you to know that despite what can often feel a lonely process, you really are not alone.  

I went through the Lister twice. It was ok. The doctor - and scanner (very important person) were supportive and knowledgable. It's a very medicalised environment, and I quite liked that. Ultimately, I didn't feel they offered the detail I needed. That didn't work a couple of times however so through a recommendation, I heard about Sara (say: Sarah) Matthews. She doesn't advertise and is based at great Portland St. She's something of a maverick and possibly not for everyone. It's a very unmedicalised environment - pink leather seats, scented candles. However, her treatment involved a lot more drugs plus various other types of therapy (for me - hypnotherapy - odd, very expensive, but I threw everything at it for the last round). It's expensive. I have friends who she's worked for and someone who didn't like her - she's very glamorous and big personality. For me however, I felt she suddenly addressed concerns that had not been looked at previously. Maybe worth investigating. https://www.sarajmatthews.com/ . It finally worked for me here. 

I'm sure you're done all this but do make sure you're BOTH looked at. It's generally both of you who need help whatever some doctors say. 

From someone who's had multiple rounds of ICSI plus a load of other stuff over 5 years, I would also recommend this lady - https://www.melaniebrownnutrition.com/. She's not expensive in the scale of all of this - although what she 'prescribes' start to add up. She's very no nonsense and practical. I felt there was something in it. Your husband should go through this process to. 

Either way, very best of luck. It doesn't work for everyone; I wish someone had said that to me earlier in the process. But all you can do is give it your best shot. It's half magic and half medicine I think, so I hope the magic part happens for you. 

[Marce]

Hello -- we went through IVF a number of times at the ARGC and the experience was immensely traumatic -- absolute conveyor belt approach, sense of utter desperation and the hottest thing in there was the credit card machine. It was horrible, in our experience, not least when I miscarried and was promised a call from a doctor there: I am still waiting 5 years later. 
We then went to New Life in Epsom -- Mr Gafar treated us, although he has since retired. It was completely brilliant. I would say that given that we were successful but I also believe that the approach they take, which is as relaxed as it's possible to be, helped enormously. I also liked leaving London for treatment very much -- 30 mins from this area. Both of my sisters have had success through New Life as well. I was post-40, just, low AMH, low everything. Very good luck. 

[Strathcona]

I also had a horrible experience at ARGC, and wouldn’t recommend them if they were last clinic on the planet! We did all our treatment with Mr Colin Davis, who was with CARE London at the time, but has now moved to a new clinic called The Evewell. It’s a full service women’s health centre, with all IVF done on site (Harley St). Mr Davis was the best part of our experience. He is totally hands on, calls you personally every step of the way, and takes loads of time explaining the different stages. When we had miscarriages, he called personally and always made time in his schedule to see me when I had concerns. I absolutely cannot recommend him enough. Good luck!