Dr. Vandermolen seems like a great physician. He did take good care of me, he performed my laparoscopy and diagnosed me with endometriosis. I am glad that he pushed me to have that performed before starting IUI. He may not be quite as aggressive as I would prefer, however. But my case was a difficult on because I was a poor responder to the fertility drugs and had poor egg quality.
Lori Fellah [a nurse] was relaxed and friendly. I got annoyed at a few minor overlooks ( for instance, incorrect amount of Doxycycline ordered and I ran out of medications-but she was eager to correct overlooks); there was an error on the IVF schedule with conflicting directions which she clarified via email. I think she could have been more organized and willing to prevent these same mistakes from recurring. She was new to the IVF as a full-term nurse, however, so I gave her a lot of slack.
How was your experience with David Vandermolen at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine?
Dr. Vandermolen seems like a great physician. He did take good care of me, he performed my laparoscopy and diagnosed me with endometriosis. I am glad that he pushed me to have that performed before starting IUI. He may not be quite as aggressive as I would prefer, however. But my case was a difficult on because I was a poor responder to the fertility drugs and had poor egg quality.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of David Vandermolen at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine?
To seek out support outside of the clinic ( counselor, social media, local support groups, etc) because infertility is so tough and that is not a topic that they really harp on (the emotional aspects.)
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with David Vandermolen at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine?
For the most part I did feel like a human. They are a friendly staff. There was overturn with the fertility nurse during my treatments, and some appointments felt very rushed and there were a few things overlooked at times. SO some days I did feel like a number too, now that I reflect back on it.
Describe the protocols David Vandermolen used in your cycles at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine and their degree of success.
For all IVFs, I took 5-6 weeks of birth control and 10 days of Doxycycline before starting.
My initial IVF, I was on the following ( I under-responded and we converted to an IUI): Leuprolide ( micro) 40 mcg, follistim, menopur.
Start Lupron 10 units subcutaneous injection (in abdomen) once daily ( in the evening).
Date AM dose PM dose Lupron Appt
03/31 NA 100 F / 2 M 5 units
04/01 NA 100 F / 2 M 5 units
04/02 NA Need appt this day for E2 LH and P4
04/03-04/10 100 F/ 2 M 5 Lupron
04/11 Tentative retrieval
2nd IVF: I was a poor responder, with 7 eggs retrieved. The RE transferred 3 embryos, but negative pregnancy test.
I started microdose Lupron 20 units subcutaneous injection twice daily.
I started gonadotropins (Follistim) subcutaneous injections Doses are as follows:
Date AM dose PM dose Appt
6/24 225 F 225 F
6/25 225 F 225 F
6/26- 225 F 225 F until 7/05 retrieval
For my final IVF, I had 3 embryos transferred and was negative test again. I did have 12 eggs retrieved, however, the quality was not great and I had none to freeze.
I took Ganirelex 250 mcg SQ daily for 3 days,
then started 200 Follistim / 2 Menopur, then twice daily
150 F / 1 M for 9 days until retrieval.
Describe your experience with your nurse at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine. (Assigned nurse: Lori Fellah)
Lori Fellah was relaxed and friendly. I got annoyed at a few minor overlooks ( for instance, incorrect amount of Doxycycline ordered and I ran out of medications-but she was eager to correct overlooks); there was an error on the IVF schedule with conflicting directions which she clarified via email. I think she could have been more organized and willing to prevent these same mistakes from recurring. She was new to the IVF as a full-term nurse, however, so I gave her a lot of slack.
Describe your experience with ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine.
Strengths: Friendly staff, Organized, Efficient, RE does spend time with you in his office laying out details and effectively communicating
Weaknesses: Disorganized with finances/billing information; No "IVF classes" offered, no resources for emotional support offered ( such as counseling hotlines, counselors, support groups, etc)
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine.
I never had a problem with scheduling these; and did not have to wait too long in the waiting room.
Describe the costs associated with your care under David Vandermolen at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine.
My surgery ( laparoscopy) was about $8,000 with insurance. IUIs were about $500. IVF: all in cost about $8,000 for services. Cost of fertility drugs were $,4,392, $6,691.97, and about $5,000 for last round.
Describe David Vandermolen's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine.
For my final rounds of IVF, the RE was very helpful in judging/recommending how many embryos to transfer based in the quality. In my case, I had poorer quality so he elected multiple embryo transfer.
What specific things went wrong at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine?
- Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
- Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine.
Incorrect dosage of Doxycycline ordered for all 3 IVF rounds.
Conflicting directions on IVF schedule ( but was clarified when I brought it to their attention).
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Clinic
ArkLaTex Fertility & Reproductive Medicine
Shreveport