I too have been speaking with FS about the issue of failing to implant. This seems to be my major issue, I stim well, good number of follies, good number of eggs, fert is fine, growth is ok (better when I haven't overstimmed), good quality blasties, but no luck with a BFP.
He has recommended the Colorado Protocol for next stim cycle, aparently designed to alter you immune system and improve the endo lining to aid in implantation. I had also asked for more tests and he has given me:
Karoytype
Antithrombin III
Protein S & C
Factor 5 Lieden
Prothrombin gene
Anti beta 2 glycoprotein 1 (IgG & IgM)
ACA, ANA (DNA & ENA if indic) DSDNA, LAC
Homocystine
TSH
Prolactin
Some you guys have mentioned, some not, and I have no idea at all what they all mean.
Will let you know my results once they are in and will stay tuned to see how you all go. Hugs xx
Got my results back yesterday when saw FS for a scan - my results came back positive for ANA. This means that I have antinuclear antibodies in my blood - these attack my own cells apparently! FS did not give me many details but has said that I will have to be on asprin from the day of the transfer as my blood vessels constrict and so would reduce blood supply making it hard for the embie to implant. I'll also be considered high risk if we get pg. I'm off to see another doctor (non IVF related) at the Royal Melb Hospital on Wed (they were so good and got me in before transfer as initally they were saying they could not get me in till after xmas) to find out more.
Sorry to hear your results (I hope you doing mind me saying that am a little excited for you if this makes sense) but this means you have identified something which is an issue and can be treatable with a different protocol. I have heard of quite a few success stories after this was identified. Will be crossing my fingers and praying for you. Hugs xx
I have just read your March 2009 post in this thread about MTHFR factor and I also saw that you had posted in the high FSH thread as well. I too have high FSH (19) and wondered whether you had managed to lower your FSH as well as doing the new protocol for MTHFR for your pregnancy in June?? Congrats by the way.
I had a BFN after my first IVF cycle in August (down reg) and the FS suggested we do a flare cycle... well today is CD1 and my FSH is too high. So i am waiting for the next cycle I suppose. In the meantime I was interested in MTHFR and am going to ask my FS tomorrow to test me for it. I have had Vitamin tests before though and think they were okay. Not sure. Anyway, it interested me because I googled MTHFR and saw it is related to miscarriages etc and I remembered that my mother and her sister (my aunty) both miscarried their first child (and they were in their early 20's) and I'd completely forgotten to tell my FS of this fact.
Like you i've been tested for most of the other stuff...but i"m pretty sure not this MTHFR factor. I know i've only had one cycle but I just think maybe there's more to it.
Hi Daisie,
It seems that while my FSH level was high (day 2 = 12) it was combated by what my FS described as ovaries with PCOS tendencies, so despite a high FSH I normally still managed a decent number of follies.
I think it is a really good idea to make sure you have all the tests done, at least to set your mind at ease. I am assuming you have read all the threads, including the Immunological Tests sticky thread in the LTAC area, this made all the difference to me. I did post once for someone else my history and everything I did to get a BFP, maybe this will help some and give you some ideas.
Had appointment with specialist yesterday, and have been diagnosed with Antiphospholipid syndrome - which basically means my body attacks the embies before they implant and the interaction with the immune system occurs to allow the pregnancy to progress. Apparenlty the syndrome is also related to reoccurent M/C. So I'm on asprin as of now and then 2 x per day heparin injections from transfer. If we get a BFP than I'm on the injections for the first 16 weeks and then it is reviewed. There is not clear answer on why this treatment does (or in some cases does not work)...but I just hope that this works for us
Selin - wishing you all the best with your pregnancy.
FG
Fingers crossed for you that this is the starting point for your BFP, and that the aspirin and heparin do the trick. I have a friend of a friend I believe was in the same situation and IVF was successful. Will be praying for you and looking out for how your next cycle goes. Hugs xx
Hi Selin,
Congratulations on your pregnancy, glad your bleeding has stopped, and your hcg numbers look great.
I'm really good at starting threads and forgetting to come back and reply to them....and to be honest I've been really struggling lately with our situation.
I got my test results back in December. A couple things which my doc said aren't major, but added together could potentially have caused problems. I tested positive to the MTHFR gene mutation (which I think makes you more prone to miscarriage?). I've been told to take mega folate and a vitamin b maxi for the rest of my life.
Tested positive for thyroid antibodies, so I need to get checked yearly for thyroid problems.
I'm a bit sketchy on the next bit - there was an 18% result on something which I can't remember, but it was an immunity thing. I'm sure she said it could be immunity, or I could have just had an infection in my uterus at the time. But anyway, as a result when I do the next cycle, I need to take antibiotics, progesterone and aspirin. And if I get pregnant then they'd swap the aspirin for injections for the first trimester.
We haven't attempted another cycle yet. I want to but my husband wants a break. Says he just wants a break from the disappointment. I'm keen to do one asap to see if this new protocol makes any difference, but at the same time I'm not sure I'm ready emotionally for a disappointment either.
Hi incomplete,
While your test results are going to be overwhelming to start with, I guess the positive is that they give you a course of action that will lead you that little bit closer to your baby. Take strenght from that fact that you have taken more control over your fertility by asking for, and having the tests.
For me one of the big issues was remembering that find out about our problems was not going to mean we were going to get pg on the next cycle - it just put us back on an even footing with everyone else in the population which can mean that it will still take time, and there will still be disapointment...there is no great way of getting around that other than each attempt will be one step closer. The councillor that I was talking to at our IVF clinic was good at helping me deal with the struggle - it did not make it less disapointing, but it gave me, and DH ways to cope.
I agree with BD - get a copy of your results - they are good to have for future reference.
I just wanted to post that yesterday my new FS gave me the results from an extra BT she requested. My last FS had requested a whole range of tests, see my earlier post in this thread, but had missed MTHFR for some reason, not sure if this was not requested just because of an error.
Anyway, lucky for me my new FS picked up that it was missing and my results showed positive for MTHFR. In the weirdest way I am over the moon as now I have something that could be contributing to my unexplained infertility.
From what I understand people with MTHFR factor don't produce folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Women with MTHFR factor can have early miscarriages and a lack of B6 and B12 directly affects rapidly reproducing cells... which is exactly what an embryo is. In fact, a lack of B6 and B12 causes rapidly reproducing cells to STOP reproducing. This is also linked to an increase in homocyctein levels and falls under the thrombophillia blood clotting disorder.
Some I am now on:
Low dose aspirin daily (100mg)
5mg folate daily
Mega dose of B6 and B12
Clexane injections daily from ET
I am yet to know if this will make the difference to me getting a BFP, will definitely post my results, but just wanted to stress how worth it it is to get all your tests done and make sure ALL of them are done. I don't want to think about what it would have meant if I didn't get this one result, (everything else tested normal), possibly endless more transfers.
Good luck to you all.
UPDATE: I got my first ever BFP on my second cycle following commencing treatment as above. My scan today at 5 weeks showed TWINS! I attribute this to the Prednisone, Clexane and getting all my levels right.
Last edited by Baby Dreamtime; June 25th, 2009 at 11:57 AM.
I just wanted to say that this thread was really helpful. I have had three failed transfers, and am currently in the TWW for the fourth. Am worried that I might have an issue with implantation. I was thinking of asking our FS about further testing, and now I know exactly what to ask for!
Like many of you have commented, I am frustrated that they do not do this testing up front, but your stories have inspired me to take charge of the process!
Hi ehm - first of all, good luck with the TWW. Fingers crossed for you. Do you know if you have a problem with high FSH? There is a good thread for that as well. And have you considered or are you taking low dose aspirin at all? There is a thread in here for that too. I have posted my story on one of those threads (along with the other girls stories) and there are heaps of ideas on things you can try yourself rather than leaving it all up to the specialist to advise you. Hopefully you won't need it though
Hi Daisie - thanks for your reply. I'm not sure about my FSH levels, but it has never been mentioned to me as an issue. I will definitely ask the specialist about it, and follow up the threads that you mentioned.
Congratulations by the way, and I wish you all the best!
Hi there girls, I agree, awesome thread
I am in a real dilemma at the moment. I have had tw m/c plus two failed cycles so my FS arranged for all the tests to be done on DH and myself. I already knew that I had small amounts of thyroid antibodies but we've also discovered that I am ANA positive and am probable coeliac as well. Now my big problem is that when our FS ordered these tests, I was about to start a stim cycle - I now am on day 4 of Buserilin jabs (equivalent to synarel/lucrin) and am still waiting to hear what the plan of attack for this round will be. Can they give me more drugs at this stage to counter my immune system or would we be better off cancelling and getting my health sorted to give it a better shot at succeeding? Don't know what to do, I'm expecting to hear back from the clinic today as my FS has been on holiday. The waiting is driving me CRAZY!!!!!
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