darkwater

Hi, all. I haven't posted in a long time, but I still read every week about what everyone is going through. I need some down-to-earth advice about how to work the medical system to get some of what I need done. My story is similar to lots of other people's stories. I am 39 (40 in August, been trying to get pregnant for over a year). I have had an initial appointment with an RE last year and I am clear on what my options are. I have read a bazillion books and articles so I think I am informed about what is possible. I am going to have my DH's sperm tested to rule him out, but the chances that he is the problem (since he has other children) are pretty slim.

That one appointment to the RE cost me around $3,000 out-of-pocket, all of which I still have not paid. I do not have the resources for the high-tech stuff, so I am trying to get all the non-high-tech stuff done that is possible. I know that at my age, I need to run straight to the RE and be very agressive with trying to get pregnant, but that is not something I am able to do financially. I tried telling one ob-gyn this and he just kept repeating "go back to the RE" like he hadn't heard what I just told him. What would be the right way to approach another non-RE ob-gyn to make my case and get the treaments and procedures I need done?

I do have health insurance, though no fertility treatments are covered. I have a documented case of endometriosis that was treated back in 1993 and its been relatively quiet since, but it could be doing all kinds of stuff in there. I could come at it from that angle and go in the doctor's office saying I have been having problems with that again. I simply must know if my tubes are blocked or scarred and to do this I need the dye test, plus I think I need another laparoscopy to check if there is scar tissue and if I need to have more stuff lasered off. I also know I need to have my hormone levels checked to see if I am still producing eggs. If that turned out good, I would to do the Clomid thing and anything else short of IVF to increase my chances. I know my age is a challenge, but that everything that I can try has not been done yet. How do I get it done?

thanks for any advice you can offer