Long Term Assisted Conception - 2009

[butterfly_warrior]

I don't think it really matters whether you have fallen pregnant and miscarried, or just been through years of IVF with no success - it just doesn't change the fact that being stuck on this journey utterly sucks. It's painful, heartbreaking and so completely unfair - no matter which way you look at it!

Further to my story started at ungodly hours of the morning... Pregnancy, miscarriage and babies will be mentioned...

I have an active auto-immune disease (rheumatoid arthritis) so I was always a bit wary of miscarrying, and when it did happen with our first pregnancy (first transfer despite being a FET, I had bad OHSS on my first stim cycle), I jumped straight in to insisting that further testing was done.

My FS refused, so I sought a second opinion. It came back that I possibly had a problem with natural killer cells (read Lou's link). We couldn't confirm it as the drug that would be used to treat it was already being used to treat my arthritis. The second FS suggested that we just bump up the dose of prednisone and get back into it. I'd also been taking metformin for PCOS, and the first miscarriage coincided with a dosage reduction...

Another FET, another miscarriage (this one early), another stim cycle, another round of OHSS, another FET, another miscarriage later and I was back at my first FS insisting once again that further testing be done. This time he agreed. My tests came back with a borderline result on lupus anticoagulants... The lady I had been seeing for acupuncture (highly recommend this, by the way!) suggested that my body had so much stuff going on with the arthritis, PCOS, etc that a normal test result for one person could mean very bad things for me, so we worried about the borderline LAC result while my FS didn't. We looked into the treatments - prednisone (already on it) and low-dose aspiring. Considering that the aspirin was available over the counter, we decided to add that to the regime, took the prednisone dosage back to what I was on originally (it messes up blood sugars and my gut feeling was that it was making the PCOS worse than any potential NK cell problem).

And then we launched into our third stim cycle... Followed an extremely strict low-carb, low-GI, high-protein diet and finally managed to not get OHSS and got my first fresh transfer. This one took, stuck... I reduced my metformin dose from 14 weeks and had weaned off by 17 weeks. Around 18 weeks I reduced my prednisone dosage, but could never get off it completely and at 34 weeks I stopped taking the aspirin. At 36 weeks I gave birth, and I'll probably always wonder WHY we went early and did it have something to do with stopping the aspirin, but at least my little boy is here and safe now.

I'd really recommend demanding testing, seeking out second, third, fourth opinions... don't stop searching, don't stop trying things until you finally have success or are physically/emotionally/financially unable to continue. There's so much about the process of conception that they just don't yet know that it's worth continuing to look and seek until you find the magic "recipe" that will bring you success.

BW

[Loula]

BW - thanks you - really enjoyed reading your last post, so full of hope and sprit tried to give rep points and comment but need to share the love around apparently! lol

[*Hope*]

Samandpoppy welcome and congrats on your first post ? its exciting joining a group like this. So much support and info. The girls in here are great.
5 out of 6 has obviously been a rough ride for you, well hopefully you?ll be cycleing with one of us next time.

Hi Mollygirl welcome to our friendly thread too. I?m going with your logic on the 9?s.

Briggsysgirls ? Congrats to you you must be thrilled. I go along with what you said 'a normal couple can easily be 12 months' so IVF can also easily be 12 attempts ? unfortuneately if we are doing two ETs at a time we may feel that it should take half that but....well thats probably wishful thinking. But thats ok to.


BW ? I agree with your below quote. I now wonder if it was a fluke I fell pregnant with my DD. Coz now we?ve had 4 transfers (fresh and fozen) with a neg, a m/c, then a raised HCG and then a neg....what ever happens you mind still manages to come up with scenarios of why it hasn't worked/stuck.
I cant believe how much 'pushing? you have to do with the FS. That can be disheartening to know that your specialist still doesn?t have all the answers but on the other hand the more you know the better off you are at understanding whats going on and what drugs effect what. You have an amazing story I say.

I don't think it really matters whether you have fallen pregnant and miscarried, or just been through years of IVF with no success - it just doesn't change the fact that being stuck on this journey utterly sucks. It's painful, heartbreaking and so completely unfair - no matter which way you look at it!

BW

Hi to the other girs that are around here too

[Samandpoppy]

Hi Hope, Thanks for your welcoming reply also. and to all other girls too for all other comments, soooo good to hear.
I think did something wrong with first 2 posts today, probably too long, so don't know if they will come up, oh well. I am writing myself a summary of what learned so far and will add as I go along.
have a good weekend!!!

[mollygirl1977]

Hi Everyone - just on the way out the door but wanted to stick my head in and say good morning!!! I am actually really excited as I am about to go and meet another BB member for coffee - first time - very exciting!!!

[*Hope*]

Oh how exciting Mollygirl I hope it goes well. You'll have to let us know

[MsPink]

Loula - yup..he's the one..

[Loula]

Ive seen him too - he is divine! (maybe i liked him cause he is a fellow pom). i felt listened to when i visited with him and he ALWAYS replyed quickly to my email - no matter what time of the day or night, i kept him updated after my MC and he wrote a lovely email reply. he even remembered me when a friend went to start treatment with him lol. he would be who i would see if i were in Sydney for sure! GL with him! we did think about doing a cycle with him but my FS here was happy to follow his protocol.

I love meeting BB girls too! even interstate! i crashed at Holly's for a few night when i went to see DrS and we had never met before and when we did ! well it was like two peas in a pod! speaking from myself neither of us could shut up TTC related or not - it was great fun.

Am also hoping to catch up with another BBer next Tuesday and so looking forward to it. I hope you have fun too, are they a LTTTCer?

ETA - molly i see you have both your tubes removed too(as do i) hard to know that IVF is the only option but feeling better without the swollen tubes IYKWIM? can i ask when you had your surgery?

[Samandpoppy]

Hi Butterfly warrior,
thanks so much, I was wondering what the treatment for NK cells was and assume it is Prednisone. It is only one I haven't been tested for.
I think you also need a FS who is willing to do tests and recommend changes in treatment if you have any autoimmune issues, not sure if my second one will go the distance, but we will see. at least I found out late last year that the thyroid antibodies could be a problem, and started taking a naturopath recommended tablet (reishi mushroom) and from what I have found on net asprin might be enough and then if not push for next level, probably prednisone or heparin or both.

NK cells relationship to thyroid fundtion: "If you have been diagnosed with natural killer cells, it is important to also have regular monitoring of your thyroid performed. Approximately 5% of women with elevated natural killer cells will develop hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Therefore, it is necessary to have yearly thyroid testing done."

just got back from holiday, so getting my head back into ivf, need to chill a bit. was lovely in perth