Florida Institute for Reproductive Medicine - Jacksonville

[debbymc4]

I have an appointment with FIRM this month. Anyone used this group?

[chinadoll_mel]

No, but please let me know how it goes with them. I am trying to switch to another firm because the doctor I have now is gave me an impression that he don't care and is only after the money.


Update: I went to see my regular doctor and he referred me over to the same place. The nurse there told me that most of the patient came back with a possitive feedback from that place. Two doctor she highly recommended was Dr. Winslow and Dr. Brown. Trying to see up an appointment with them, fingers cross.

[jennifer c]

Whos in that group?? I am from Jacksonville (born and raised there). Still have family and friends there and I might be able to ask around for you....

[debbymc4]

I had my appointment with Dr. Winslow. I liked him a lot. It was a very quick appointment...asked me a few questions and wrote me a script for Clomid. I guess it's still too early to pass judgment since not much has happened yet. I'm going to do an IUI if I'm not pregnant this cycle (not looking good).

[debbymc4]

I had my IUI with Dr. Winslow last Sunday. It was a much better experience than the one with the ob/gyn, so I'm very happy about that. The only thing is that the timing of the trigger shot and IUI (which were done at the same time) seems to be highly unusual based on everyone else's experiences and what I've read. I'm feeling confused about that, and if I'm BFN this time, I'm going to ask to do something different next time. I think they were trying to accommodate me since I drive from Tallahassee, but most women seem to be able to give themselves the shot at home. I'd prefer that. Did you get an appointment, chinadoll? jennifer, it's Dr. Winslow and Dr. Duffy in that group.

[chinadoll_mel]

Sorry for the late response.

Ya, I've seen Dr. Winslow twice now. I like Dr. Winslow. Unlike when I went to the obgyn where the U/S is done by the nurse, Dr. Winslow do it himself. I prefer it this way because he knows what he is looking and be able to immediately tells me whats going on.

Currently right now I am still on Clomid. He wants to see how I response to Clomid. He put me on Clomid 50mg from Day 3 thru 8 and he did an U/S on Day 12. But he couldn't find any big follicles. So he had me take another round of Clomid 50mg from Day 12 thru 17. Going back on Day 18 (July 25) to do another U/S to see if any follicles grew since the last scan.

My only problem right now with FIRM is the insurance and them. Somehow, there are way too many miscommunications and I had to pay the full amount instead of my co-pay when I see Dr. Winslow the second time. But my husband finally fix the problem for me after calling back and for between FIRM and BCBS (lots of fustration and finally had to get a manager from BCBS to resolve the problem) for 2 days. So hopefully there will be no more problems.

Overall, so far so good with them. But like you, I don't want to pass judgement too soon. I want to at least go through 2 cycles with them to decide if I want to stay with FIRM or no.

[ZRXGIRL]

I am new to this forum, but I really can't say anything good about the FIRM. I think they are just out to get as much money as they can and use the most expensive treatments possible. My husband and I went there last October after a year of TTC. After having done simple blood tests (which were normal) and a sperm count (again, normal), I was told based on my history & age (38), that my only option was IVF. Of course I thought they knew what they were doing and I wanted to have a baby, so I said OK. On day 7 of my first round of medicine, while having my every other day sono, I was diagnosed with a uterine polyp. Had they done the preliminary tests they would have found this - so after wasting almost $2000 on medication, I had surgery and that round was scrapped. So, after I heeled, I went back for the second round. I was on the drugs for 15 DAYS! Way over ovulated! I had 23 eggs retrieved. It was so painful to have my ovaries that large. Then of course they say they have to use ICSI (which I am told by others that they do this for EVERYONE although studies show it DOES NOT increase the chances of conception) which cost $1500 dollars EXTRA. After all this. none of my eggs were viable, but they decided to transfer 4 anyway (more money for them?), and put me on two weeks of progesterone injections (more pain, more money spent).
Of course I didn't get pregnant. AND, that place is a mad house. I usually went before 8 am and the lobby was completely full! Generally, I waited over an hour for each appointment - sometimes even just for a blood test, and one time I waited 3 hours! The day I went for my pregnancy blood test my appointment was at 7:15 AM, and when I walked in there was no room to sit the lobby it was so full. Ridiculous! I decided right then that even if I was pregnant I would never go back.

So, after several months of unsuccessful TTC, we decided to go to another specialist (we thought maybe the polyp was the problem since it was so large). I got my records from the FIRM, and went to see Dr. Fox (waited about 15 minutes). He could not believe what he was reading in my chart from the FIRM. He was shocked that they didn't do any tests. Needless to say, he did, and I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance and put on a no carb diet. That was last month. I then had an HSG-negative, Clomid challenge test - normal, more blood tests - consistent with Insulin Resistance. This past week Dr. Fox diagnosed me with PCOS, and explained that all the IVFs in the world wouldn't work unless I got my insulin in check first! And, he also told us there is no reason we would need to use ICSI in the future.
I am going to proceed with my low carb diet (I lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks), and then schedule IUI.

I know that the FIRM gets lots of people pregnant, it's quite the baby factory. So, if you can deal with all the waiting and the bull**** then by all means go. Otherwise, you might consider someone like Dr. Fox who likes to take the least invasive and most healthy approach required for the situation.

Good Luck

[debbymc4]

Thank you for that input on FIRM. Needless to say, I did NOT get pregnant from my IUI with Dr. Winslow since I did confirm that the timing was WAY OFF. I went back for another round of IUI but got switched to Dr. Duffy since Dr. Winslow was on vacation. I really liked him and he worked with me more individually and really seemed to care if it works this time. I admit I wondered if the timing of my first IUI was off so that I would be encouraged to move to IVF, but I thought I was being really paranoid until I read your post. It's really disappointing to think that this really is what is going on. I hope Dr. Duffy isn't that way, too. I have one week until I test.

[ZRXGIRL]

I wish you well. You know how I feel about that place, so I won't repeat myself. I am in the middle of my first cycle of IUI with Dr. Fox. I will let you know how it goes. He seems very concerned about testing/timing/medication. I will say this much - IUI is WAY less invasive and expensive than the IVF I went through for NO reason.

[debbymc4]

Well, I LOVED Dr. Duffy and he got me pregnant!!!! I just had the bpt today and it was confirmed. FIRM is redeemed for me and I really recommend Dr. Duffy. He was very sweet and kind and was genuinely concerned about doing the IUI right.

[ZRXGIRL]

Congratulations! You must be so excited. Enjoy your pregnancy.

[debbymc4]

Did you get the results of your IUI yet?

[ZRXGIRL]

I am still in the process. Today is my first day of injections. I had 6 follicles developing this morning! Next Wednesday is supposed to be the first insemination. So, let's hope all goes well.

[debbymc4]

I've got my fingers crossed for you.

[ZRXGIRL]

Thanks! Unfortunately, while I was in the office getting my second ultra sound I ovulated. Therefore the whole process was canceled. The doctor and nurses were quite amazed - one minute the follicle was there and a nice size, the next minute they couldn't find it and there was fluid in my ovary. That's nature for you!

[debbymc4]

Oh, crap! Why couldn't they do the insemination right then?

[ZRXGIRL]

I am not sure. I guess they figured the odds were too slim to make it worth it. They told me to try the natural way!

[debbymc4]

I hope it works for you. Best of luck!!!

[SunshineDust]

ZRXGirl- I see Dr. Duffy for IVF at the FIRM and I am not defending them necessarily but I must tell you that some of the things that they did for you during IVF are standard in ANY IVF cycle such as the PIO shots, stimming you for lots of eggs and the HSG during your cycle. They do the HSG to see where they can put the embryos in your uterus and also to see if there are any issues in there that would cause problems in getting you pregnant. They do it DURING your cycle because they want to catch your reproductive system at that perfect time..When you haven't ovulated and also right after you have shed your lining (through AF). I'm not sure why they cancelled your cycle after your surgery for polyps because I was allowed to continue with mine after I was diagnosed with polyps For an IVF cycle, you WANT 23 eggs. I would have killed for that amount of eggs but after 18 days on stims, my ovaries just wouldn't cooperate. The point of IVF is to get as many eggs as possible without hurting your health. They do NOT do ICSI for everyone unless your husband's sperm has issues or if they are worried the eggs are not going to fertilize without assistance. No, ICSI does not increase your chance of implantation, but it DOES increase your chance of fertilization. If your eggs were not viable then they would not have made embryos and they would have had nothing to transfer. I'm not sure who you saw there, but Dr. Duffy was VERY honest with me about my eggs and the fact that only 4 fertilized out of the 9 they retrieved. I don't believe that any dr. at the FIRM would transfer nonviable embryos into your uterus. And especially tell you about it if they did.

FIRM is one of the top clinics in the nation...THAT is why there are so many people packed in the waiting room to go there. I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience with them and I hope you find success at JCRM with Dr. Fox. Just know that they were not trying to rip you off for putting you on PIO and overstimming you...That is standard IVF procedure ANYWHERE.

I hope I didn't upset you...I've just only had positive experiences with my RE there. I wish you the best of luck on your TTC journey!

Debby- I see Dr. Duffy too and I just LOVE him!!!! We've been working with him since 4/2005 and I just think he is so wonderful!!!! Congrats on your pregnancy!!!

[debbymc4]

I just have to post and say what a good experience I had with FIRM and Dr. Winslow these past few weeks. Almost two weeks ago, I learned from my OB that my baby had died. I called FIRM, rather hysterically, and they had me come right in the next morning. Dr. Winslow took my case back from the OB and he just did a D&C on me yesterday. He was very sweet to me and took the best care. He has a really good plan for going forward. Even though they see tons of people there, they worked me right in with no hassle at all. I really recommend them after this experience and I trust them...which is a big thing for me. I think the initial problem I had with him was just an off day and a mix up. I also have nothing but good things to say about the outpatient surgery unit at Baptist Hospital.

[ZRXGIRL]

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I am glad Dr. Winslow took such good care of you.

[HopefulRN]

I just went to Dr. Fox recently and waited for more than 45 minutes in the waiting room. I was there ten mins early so really I waited more than an hour. He was an ice cold person and didnt say much at all. Not satisified. The no carb is interesting and makes sense but he thinks that is the ONLY issue.