Dr. Rana never discussed my protocol with me. After the first failed transfer he suggested I seek help from an autoimmune specialist even though I don’t have any autoimmune diseases. He changed my protocol by adding blood thinners but never really explained why...As his patient I don’t think I should have been trying to suggest other options and to why things failed. When I did get pregnant it was only because my nurse coordinator suggested lipids infusion and this was only suggested right before I was about to get have my last transfer. When we asked why the pregnancy ended up as a miscarriage he said most times it’s not a good embryo. I think he forgot or didn’t even know that the embryo was tested before.
Nursing staff [at Reproductive Medicine Institute] was excellent! Krystyna my nurse coordinator was very unorganized...Whenever I tried calling Krystyna she was very unresponsive. We’d leave voicemails and she would never call back...Sometimes you have to call more than once to have someone pick up the phone. The receptionist are wonderful though! The nursing staff is wonderful as well!! I think the clinics strengths are their compassion. Weaknesses are disorganized, lack of communication.
How was your experience with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Dr. Rana was compassionate. He never explained reasons for my protocol. He completely forgot that my tubes are gone so when I went in for a HSG test he asked where they were and I had to explain they were gone due to ectopics. I ended up suggesting possible test like a ERA biopsy to check why the first transferred failed. I also asked to look at my thyroid levels which then he said they were a bit high and then put me on medication. As his patient I don’t think I should have been trying to suggest other options and to why things failed. When I did get pregnant it was only because my nurse coordinator suggested lipids infusion and this was only suggested right before I was about to get have my last transfer. When we asked why the pregnancy ended up as a miscarriage he said most times it’s not a good embryo. I think he forgot or didn’t even know that the embryo was tested before.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
If you want to waste your money and your sanity then Dr. Rana is the doctor for you.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Dr. Rana never discussed my protocol with me. After the first failed transfer he suggested I seek help from an autoimmune specialist even though I don’t have any autoimmune diseases. He changed my protocol by adding blood thinners but never really explained why.
Describe the protocols Nasir Rana used in your cycles at Reproductive Medicine Institute and their degree of success.
He suggested adding blood thinners during and after transfer. Didn’t really explain why. I had a HSG done before I started treatment and then again after the first transfer failed. He didn’t explain why. I later learned that HSG is a good test to use to look at the uterus but especially your tubes. I don’t have my tubes anymore. At my current clinic instead of a HSG they did a saline ultrasound and found polyps and scar tissue. I asked them if the HSG would have pick that up and they said no HSG is more for tubes. Dr. Rana never picked up these polyps of mine which might be interfering with implantation.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Reproductive Medicine Institute. (Assigned nurse: Krystyna Fitros)
Nursing staff was excellent! Krystyna my nurse coordinator was very unorganized. I started treatment with not so great insurance so my medication needed to be authorized prior. Krystyna completely forgot to get authorization the first time and that delayed my treatment. Whenever I tried calling Krystyna she was very unresponsive. We’d leave voicemails and she would never call back.
Describe your experience with Reproductive Medicine Institute.
I’ve noticed they been very busy lately. So the receptionist are getting backed up with phone calls. Sometimes you have to call more than once to have someone pick up the phone. The receptionist are wonderful though! The nursing staff is wonderful as well!! I think the clinics strengths are their compassion. Weaknesses are disorganized, lack of communication.
What specific things went wrong at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Failed to call with results
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
Test results come in very late! With my last transfer I had a early loss. I needed to go in for blood work to make sure my HCG level were going down. I waited over 24 hours for my results! Which then ended up that I needed to get a D & C done since my levels weren’t going down. I had results before take a very long time to get in and had to call to make sure I was going to receive them. It’s very nerve racking when you are waiting for your pregnancy results.
Dr. Rana was helpful during our initial consult in explaining why my husband's sperm count and motility pretty much necessitated IVF. That was the most informative conversation i got through this process..when I had concerns about my mental wellbeing and questions about exercising during the process for my mental health, Dr. Rana didn't seem to understand why I would want to exercise for reasons other than weight loss. I was feeling down and frustrated and like I needed more information and support. However he simply referred me to an acupuncturist, and I didn't feel entirely supported or heard.
I don't always feel a great connection with the people on my care team [at RMI]. The most caring and compassionate nurses and staff I've encountered are actually people I've worked with when they were covering for someone else. I often felt like I wanted more information than was provided for me, and felt very alone in the process... I love the phlebotomist -- she's always cheerful... The communication can feel lacking, and I do sometimes feel like I would like a more personal touch. The medical parts of this process have gone very well so far; it's just the emotional support that feels lacking
How was your experience with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Dr. Rana was helpful during our initial consult in explaining why my husband's sperm count and motility pretty much necessitated IVF. That was the most informative conversation i got through this process.
However, when I had concerns about my mental wellbeing and questions about exercising during the process for my mental health, Dr. Rana didn't seem to understand why I would want to exercise for reasons other than weight loss. I was feeling down and frustrated and like I needed more information and support. However he simply referred me to an acupuncturist, and I didn't feel entirely supported or heard.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Advocate for yourself. Ask lots of questions.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
I felt that I had little information about this process. I skipped over IUI and straight to IVF, so perhaps my team felt I understood more than I did. I got a phone call at 4:45pm on a Friday the first time I was told to do injections, and felt I had zero support. Throughout the process I learned I needed to ask far more questions, because I felt the information they provided me was not sufficient.
I did have a consultation with Dr. Rana after our first failed transfer, and I appreciated the time he took to meet with me. However, I didn't always feel like my concerns were being fully heard.
Describe the protocols Nasir Rana used in your cycles at Reproductive Medicine Institute and their degree of success.
I had to do a round of birth control before each cycle. For my Stim cycle, I was on Follistim, Menopur, and Ganirelix. I also had to do Doxycycline before each transfer. For my frozen transfer I was on two pills of Estrace twice a day and PIO. For my fresh transfer it was only one Estrace pill 2x day.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Reproductive Medicine Institute. (Assigned nurse: Krystyna)
My coordinator, Krystyna, is okay. She responds to calls quickly, but I do wish I had a direct extension to be able to reach her. I also haven't had much facetime with her, other than when we were first getting started and when we have to sign paperwork.
But, it's actually the nursing staff during the retrieval and transfers are the ones I like best. They're much more approachable and informative, and have a friendlier demeanor.
Describe your experience with Reproductive Medicine Institute.
I'm still undergoing treatment with RMI, so I am unable to write a full review of the entire process. That said, there are some things I like and some things I don't. I don't always feel a great connection with the people on my care team. The most caring and compassionate nurses and staff I've encountered are actually people I've worked with when they were covering for someone else. I often felt like I wanted more information than was provided for me, and felt very alone in the process. I tried my best to stay away from the internet and only go off instructions from my actual doctor/nurse, but sometimes that was extremely hard because I didn't feel well informed.
There are great staff members, though. I love the phlebotomist -- she's always cheerful and will pick the colored gauze to match your outfit that day. I also have almost always been able to get an early enough appointment to get my bloodwork done before work, which is appreciated. The communication can feel lacking, and I do sometimes feel like I would like a more personal touch. The medical parts of this process have gone very well so far; it's just the emotional support that feels lacking.
Finally, I have heard from friends at smaller clinics that while they know their team very well, the doctor will only perform transfers every three months -- I could not handle that, and I am grateful that RMI works with the schedule that's best for me.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
My insurance covered nearly all of the procedure, other than embryo storage, once my deductible was met.
Describe Nasir Rana's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
My doctor recommended "1 or 2" embryos, and I selected 1 both times, for my fresh and frozen transfer. If this cycle doesn't work, I will do 2 next time. I think Dr. Rana prefers two, but when I told him I'd prefer 1, he didn't push one way or another.
For the times I saw Dr. Rana (only for the initial consultation, on the day of the egg retrieval, and for the WTF appointment), he was patient with our questions and seemed interested in finding something that should work for us. The ins-and-outs of recommendations for drug dosages, etc., also seemed very tailored to what was happening with me. However, there were times when he was pretty insensitive (at WTF appointment told me we'd all be happier if I didn't cry).
I think this clinic [Reproductive Medicine Institute] has the benefit of not being one of the HUGE players in the Chicagoland area, so its not as crowded and is a little more personal. They also share offices with specialists in Endometriosis, so if you have that as a complication, it's probably an excellent place to go.... I had a care coordinator who dealt with paperwork/ordering medications (Krystyna), who was very helpful and on top of everything. Other than that, I had the same nurses for ultrasounds/bloodwork 90% of the time.
How was your experience with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
For the times I saw Dr. Rana (only for the initial consultation, on the day of the egg retrieval, and for the WTF appointment), he was patient with our questions and seemed interested in finding something that should work for us. The ins-and-outs of recommendations for drug dosages, etc., also seemed very tailored to what was happening with me. However, there were times when he was pretty insensitive (at WTF appointment told me we'd all be happier if I didn't cry).
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Don't expect tons of communication directly from Dr. Rana - instead you'll deal mostly with his assistant/the nurses.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
While actually speaking with Doctor Rana and some of the nurses at the clinic, I felt very much like a human - but at times with scheduling or regular lab visits, I felt like I was being cycled in/out amongst hundreds.
Describe the protocols Nasir Rana used in your cycles at Reproductive Medicine Institute and their degree of success.
Dr. Rana uses an antagonist protocol - the drugs I used first cycle were 3 weeks of birth control suppression, followed by stimming with Folistim, Menopur, and Ganirelix, with an HcG trigger. This resulted in 1 egg that was mature, but did not fertilize (out of ~7 good sized follicles). He said the other follicles were either empty, or the eggs were of such poor quality they broke up upon retrieval. In my current (second) cycle, he increased the dosages of Folistim/Menopur, and added some HcG microdosing throughout the cycle. We did no suppression beforehand. Haven't done retrieval yet, but my follicle and E2 numbers are higher so far this time.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
I had a care coordinator who dealt with paperwork/ordering medications (Krystyna), who was very helpful and on top of everything. Other than that, I had the same nurses for ultrasounds/bloodwork 90% of the time. They were both friendly, though the ultrasound tech was always a little reticent.
Describe your experience with Reproductive Medicine Institute.
I think this clinic has the benefit of not being one of the HUGE players in the Chicagoland area, so its not as crowded and is a little more personal. They also share offices with specialists in Endometriosis, so if you have that as a complication, it's probably an excellent place to go.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
My costs for my first cycle were greatly covered by insurance, so I don't have a good answer for others.
Describe Nasir Rana's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
Dr. Rana highly suggested single embryo transfer in most cases, citing the reduced success in live births with multiples. However, he did say that he might encourage multiple transfer in certain situations (advanced age, low embryo quality, others)
He [Dr. Nasir Rana] was very dismissive of us because we proved to have a complicated case. He also proceeded with a transfer where we lost 2 embryos that we should have not proceeded with due to liquid in the uterus... We did menopur and follistim for retrieval. Got 5 blasts. Estrogen priming and progesterone injections for FETs. 2 FET cycles were canceled. The other had complications and we proceeded anyway. The doctor didn't make us aware of the risks, which would have changed what we did that cycle. It failed and we lost two embryos
It's [Reproductive Medicine Institute- Oakbrook] very clean and has a nice setup. I just didn't like the care I received. I did like the fact that I could go to the same place for procedures and for random appointments. But I do not like the way I felt like a number and the way I was dismissed when it became obvious my case wasn't as cut and dry as they wanted it to be
How was your experience with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
He was very dismissive of us because we proved to have a complicated case. He also proceeded with a transfer where we lost 2 embryos that we should have not proceeded with due to liquid in the uterus
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
See someone else. He may be good for cut and dry cases but he is not good for anything more complicated.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
He was not interested in trying new things because my case turned out to be not as cut and dry as first assessed. He canceled two transfer cycles due to thin lining and then randomly brought up surrogates because I couldn't hit 10 mm, but had hit 8mm every cycle.
Describe the protocols Nasir Rana used in your cycles at Reproductive Medicine Institute and their degree of success.
We did menopur and follistim for retrieval. Got 5 blasts. Estrogen priming and progesterone injections for FETs. 2 FET cycles were canceled. The other had complications and we proceeded anyway. The doctor didn't make us aware of the risks, which would have changed what we did that cycle. It failed and we lost two embryos
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
They were really great for ultrasound and blood work appointments, but not great when we got bad news
Describe your experience with Reproductive Medicine Institute.
It's very clean and has a nice setup. I just didn't like the care I received. I did like the fact that I could go to the same place for procedures and for random appointments. But I do not like the way I felt like a number and the way I was dismissed when it became obvious my case wasn't as cut and dry as they wanted it to be
Describe the costs associated with your care under Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
Covered by insurance mostly, so I'm not sure
Describe Nasir Rana's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
He advised us to transfer 2 since we didn't PGS test
What specific things went wrong at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Provided conflicting information
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
I was not informed fully when I developed fluid on my uterus that it could be bad for embryos. I had to call them back to get prescriptions re called in to the pharmacy, though they are generally good
We only heard from the dr [Rana] once when we first met and once when we told them we were thinking of switching clinics. ... Then when the second cycle didn’t work, he seemed to blame us. ... At first we were very confident he was the right choice, but after not hearing out our concerns when we asked to switch meds for second cycle, we lost hope. ... He started me on metformin for pcos and then Myo inositol. After my cycle regulated, we did 2 IUIs with clomid and trigger shot.
Strength- the front desk [Reproductive Medicine Institute] and phlebotomy nurse staff were great. Weakness- communication. We felt many times that our questions were not answered .. unfortunately because stuff was billed incorrectly, we ended up paying MORE for 2 iui cycles than if we would have just done 1 IVF. ... [nurses] The communication was very poor. Questions weren’t answered. Sometimes questions were answered with a bit of an attitude.
How was your experience with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
At first we were very confident he was the right choice, but after not hearing out our concerns when we asked to switch meds for second cycle, we lost hope. Then when the second cycle didn’t work, he seemed to blame us.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Get a second opinion. Even if it’s from a different dr at RMI
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
It was very difficult to get questions answered. Nursing and billing were not always on the same page. We only heard from the dr once when we first met and once when we told them we were thinking of switching clinics.
Describe the protocols Nasir Rana used in your cycles at Reproductive Medicine Institute and their degree of success.
He started me on metformin for pcos and then Myo inositol. After my cycle regulated, we did 2 IUIs with clomid and trigger shot.
Describe your experience with your nurse at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
The communication was very poor. Questions weren’t answered. Sometimes questions were answered with a bit of an attitude.
Describe your experience with Reproductive Medicine Institute.
Strength- the front desk and phlebotomy nurse staff were great. Weakness- communication. We felt many times that our questions were not answered and we would have to call a few times just to get a simple question answered. Also, tests were billed incorrectly by nursing staff so we paid out of pocket for almost every single test before our IUIs even started.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
A lot. We had a lot of billing issues with test being miscoded
What specific things went wrong at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Failed to convey critical information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
Billing was the biggest issue. We were quoted pricing for IUI and IVF. We chose to do 2 iui cycles before switching to IVF. unfortunately because stuff was billed incorrectly, we ended up paying MORE for 2 iui cycles than if we would have just done 1 IVF.
He [Dr. Nasir Rana] seems to stick to the same treatment regimen for everyone. There was no personalized care. The information he told me turned out to be incorrect. He never followed up on results. He ordered test and didn’t check the results prior to the implantation which would have changed management...Diet changes to include higher protein...IvF with One month birth control pills...Then stimulation with Antagonist protocol
The nurse [at Reproductive Medicine Institute] seemed to make all decisions on medicine during the cycle...Didn’t send in prescriptions on time...Didn’t communicate with team...Lost paperwork...I did a lot of my monitoring out of town...My local clinic had difficulty getting results to this office, this office would say they weren’t received...Monitoring there was done by a nurse or tech. Dr Rana didn’t seem to be very involved in process Other doctors in the group did their own monitoring
How was your experience with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
He seems to stick to the same treatment regimen for everyone. There was no personalized care. The information he told me turned out to be incorrect. He never followed up on results. He ordered test and didn’t check the results prior to the implantation which would have changed management.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
Look elsewhere
There are many better options
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Nasir Rana at Reproductive Medicine Institute?
The initial consult was good. Dr Rana spent time answering questions but after that it seemed like his nurse and coordinators made the medical decisions. It was impossible to get in touch with him.
Describe the protocols Nasir Rana used in your cycles at Reproductive Medicine Institute and their degree of success.
Diet changes to include higher protein
IvF with One month birth control pills
Then stimulation with Antagonist protocol
The protocols were not personalized
The nurse seemed to make all decisions on medicine during the cycle
The first round retrieved 4 day 5 embryos, 2 normal genetic testing
They told me to batch my eggs after first round and do a second retrieval
Second cycle retrieved 0
The 2 embryos from the first cycle were thawed and then biopsied and then refrozen to wait for results
Two unsuccessful transfers
Later doctors who saw the medical records and images of the embryos said the embryos on the day of transfers showed signs of damage from the repeated freezing and thawing
Describe your experience with your nurse at Reproductive Medicine Institute. (Assigned nurse: Krystyna Fitros)
She was rude, disorganized
Didn’t send in prescriptions on time
Didn’t communicate with team
Lost paperwork
The genetics office said that was common from this office
She pushed blame onto the patient
Describe your experience with Reproductive Medicine Institute.
I was told by another specialist in Chicago that this clinic was created after several separate doctors merged
This lead to a very disorganized and large practice
This shows in everything that they do
You can get better care at other places
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
I did a lot of my monitoring out of town
My local clinic had difficulty getting results to this office, this office would say they weren’t received
Monitoring there was done by a nurse or tech. Dr Rana didn’t seem to be very involved in process
Other doctors in the group did their own monitoring
Describe Nasir Rana's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at Reproductive Medicine Institute.
They seemed to make decisions that were in the clinics best interest and not for the patient
What specific things went wrong at Reproductive Medicine Institute?