Loula - yup..he's the one..
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Loula - yup..he's the one..
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?
Hi Loula - surgery was End of Feb last year and I have done 1 FET and 1 Stim cycle since. I had no idea that anything was even wrong as I had no pain associated with the swollen tubes. It came as a complete shock to me when the FS told me. DH and I went through a difficult time trying to decide whether or not to go ahead with the op. Iknew deep down that the chances of falling pg were pratically zero but I still wanteed that chance of a miracle. In the end though we decided that we had to make sure we were doing everything we could to give IVF the best chance possible. But i have to say that barely a day goes by that i don't wonder about whether we did the right thing or not.
i know just how you feel. we found out in 2003 that this was the surgey we needed and at first i was like no, no way am i having it done and was reasured by FS that we would not need it as IVF bypasses the tubes anyway! then three years later we changed FS and again i was met with this surgery before us! we tried it but the scaring was too bad it have it done by then, and now with every IVF cycle i was starting to get infections and PAIN! not to mention all the MC that followed.
We then decided that we needed to get it done to give IVF the best chance too.
we found a great FS and surgeon and finally had the op in November last year! so we have not done a cyale since
After my last MC my tubes swolen to 15cm by 8 cm! needless to say yes there was more pain! after mulling over it for many years i am sad that this surgery was done, but am happy now that i can start to move in a forward direction. i feel cleansed IYKWIM?
always did i pray for a natural pg. but now i just pray for a healthy one with a beautiful healthy baby. whatever it takes.
Hi Loula and Molly girl,
I also can only concieve through IVF, my DH's vasectomy reversal did not work, ICSI only for us.
Brave move re tubes must have been hard decision, I'm sure it will be a fruitful one.
Gosh how busy has it gotten in here. All with a view to getting outta here ASAP!!!
Welcome newbies to LTAC thread but not so new to TTC :)
Lou, sounds like things are happening for you hunny, glad to see you on the road again. 2009 is our year ladies (love your positive thinking mollygirl).
Mel what a bugger the clinic is booked up. I hope the next couple of months fly by.
Dh and I are regrouping and wondering what 2009 holds for us. Everything is possible :crossfingers:
xx
Hi Girls,
Discussed with DH tonight about going ahead with our last FE (clinic opens tomorrow) before the planned stim in Feb. Will try baby asprin. Maybe even prednisone as well depending on what FS says. If not and doesn't work then good argument to do prednisone and maybe heparin with the stim cycle.
Can anyone tell me what the test is for NK cells, is it a blood test? I seem to remember somewhere that it can be a biopsy (yuk).
On other fronts planning a Greek feast tomorrow night for brother's birthday. Even got suggestions for table decorations from Google! (Marvelous this internet thing). 2009 is the year try new things!
Samandpoppy - I totally agree with 2009 being the year to try new things. I have taken note of all the tests other BB members have listed for recurrent failure to implant and am faxing them to my FS tomorrow along with the Colorado protocol. He asked me the other day what i wanted to try as he is open to suggestion (unlike my previous FS who told me they were all a big fat waste of time). So I am looking forward to getting his feedback - he is a total sweetheart and is happy to do whatever makes me happy!!!
On a side note, I also get my results tomorrow from the testing i had done last week as my GP suspects i may be wheat/gluten intolerant. I know its a long shot but if it comes back positive, maybe, just maybe the unbalance in my body could be affecting my body's ability to conceive - you never know!!!!!
Mollygirl,
so great FS is open to suggestion!!
I am definitely wheat intolerant, had the genetic blood test for coeliac disease and do not have the gene. (though my Aunt is coealic, and mum very sensitive, puts her to sleep) There is such a thing as non-coeliac gluten sensitive. Anyway if you go off wheat for 2 weeks and you feel better, that is a good indication according to my Aunt!!! I don't have to worry about a little bit eg in gravy, but if get carried away get a sore tummy and nasty wind after a couple of days. It's a bit inconvenient having restricted diet, but you get used to it and is pretty healthy.
There is also a correllation b/w wheat intolerance and low iron absorbtion. my iron is low borderline and I've been on iron tabs, and will also get results for that tomorrow.
Definitely think that if something affects you overall health, it would affect conception too.
Hi ladies
We have a sticky thread on immunology testing in the LTAC area that members have added too over the last few years but it has been dormant for a while. There is some interesting information in there that may be of use for you.
Also if you were able to take the time, it would be valuable for other members to have the information you may have gained from your own investigations included in this thread which wont disappear when these fast chat threads end.
I will also bump it to see if we can add valuable learnings for us all.
[B]HERE it is.
Thanks :)
Hi Dusty
thank you for that - i have been refering it to several ladies of late! I know you have a lot going on at the moment and want to wish y ou all the very best for your up coming appointments. IRL disscussions are also hard and i hope to be a support to you in the comming days. x
Molly and S&P - it is interesting with regards to how much diet REALLY DOES effect TTC! i once knew a lady who cut wheat, dairy and gluten right out of her diet and bingo! PG! amazing. i have tried to be 'good' when ever i can and went n a major health kick last year, but have relaxed a little since Christmas and the NY! Now being back at work i am hoping to get back into the routine of it, and remembering to start taking my meds but .....shh shh... dont let mel know! lol
AFM! still waiting....CD 24! lets hope im not going to be typical PCOS and be late!
In addition to Lou's comments about diet... the ONLY thing that stopped me from getting OHSS on a stim cycle is sticking rigidly to a low-carb, low-GI, high-protein diet. Diet has a huge impact on all aspects of TTC and IVF... absolutely massive.
Dusty... :hug: things do improve in time... just very slowly. Hang in there.
BW
HI ladies. I have been lurking a bit but not posting as didn't really want to believe I belonged in here but truth is I am ofiicially LTACer.
I started TTC #1 in early 2005 but no AF when i came of th pill so have never really tried au natural. After a few rounds of clomid and then puregon/IUI plus some tragic m/c's in there... we did achieve our miracle DS. So I know I am in a far luckier position than many of you.
TTC #2 has been been a much tougher battle. Over a yr of back to back cycles with the joy of pg only to be followed by more m/cs.
Just at the end of 2008 we embarked on our first IVF/PGD cycle getting a fabulous 14 embies all suitable for PGD testing. 9 tested "normal" and we had 2 transfered at day4. Sadly that resulted in a BFN and despite how good everything looked, none were suitable for freezing by day6 so a dud cycle all round really.
Have pulled myself out of the deep hole that is a failed cycle and will be starting another IVF antagonist cycle later this week, when AF shows up post provera. No PGD this time and a lower dose of FSH to try and get fewer but hopefully "better" eggies.
Looking forward to getting to know all you brave ladies. I know many of you have ebdured far tougher journeys than anyone ever should
Mollygirl - Your FS sounds like a gem and its great that you are going in armed with knowledge to help yourself. It would be nice to just trust someone else to know everything and do everything possible to help create your dream but unfortunately, I think in this game you HAVE to know whats out there and push for changes when the "standard" treatment isn't working.
Samandpoppy - You have had a tough road. Hoping 2009 brings it to and end.
Re NK cells, I had testing after my most recent m/c in Aug 2008. I had been tested for everything else in relation to recurrent m/c with nothing showing up. The only "reliable" NK cell testing is done in Sydney. You would normally start with a BT and if results inconclusive then a uterine biopsy is reccomended - this has to be done at a specific time of your cycle and you can't TTC in that month.I did mine with the BB favourite Dr Sacks. Flew up to Syndey in the morning and had blood taken. Then had appt with Dr S in the arvo when he had the results and flew back that evening.
I did it mainly so I didn't have any regrets if i were to have another m/c. I was truly not expecting anything to come of the testing but as it turned out, I had quite high levels of NK cells ( 21 I think it was). High enough that Dr S recc I defnitely should try prednisolone next cycle. I had planned on doing this anyway but is nice to know i have a real reason to do so.
So far, haven't been able to see if its going to work as haven't managed to concieve again since.
Let me know if you want anymore info.
Sorry for those I haven't mentioned. Will get to know you all soon
hmmmm did I hear my name mentione Loula.....missing medication again are we...did I mention the boy works just up the road from you...a spanking could be in order methinks......PMSL!!
Samandpoppy....I also have seen Dr Sacks for the NK testing we actually went straight for the biopsy and planned our trip to sydney to occur at the right time in the cycle.....the bloods I had taken at the same showed a normal level of NK cells but the biopsy showed 6 times the normal level of NK cells so for us the biopsy was very revealing. Our planof attack is now high dose prednisilone and clexane injections till about week 16-20 of a pregnancy to avoid my body trying to destroy itself. i have to say though that I was not surprised by the results as I also have longstanding type 1 Diabetes which is also an auto immune disease and anything auto immune has a tendency to occur in clusters.
Our plan of attack now is try like anything to fall pregnant again naturally between now and April which is the earliest so far I have been able to book in for another PGD with MIVF...apparently they are heavily booked until then, which a right royal pain but ah well thems the breaks.
and its funny you should mention diets but it was about 2 months after I cut tomatoes out my diet afetr suspecting I may have a mild intolerance to them that I fell pregnant naturally in October so yeah I agree diet has a huge impact...
Meredith ? I hope 2009 is a better year with some fabulous results. You comment on how everyone else has had it tough, you have too and you should know that we are all here to help support you.
Samandpoppy, Lou, Melbel and BW you have mentioned diet (food types) playing a significant part of TTC. Is there a list of foods that one can exclude from their diet without having to go a strict eating plan. I do eat as little bread type products as possible as I know I feel terrible if I start eating bread for breakfast and lunch?.. but what would you say is a basic rule to follow?
I have also been taking note of how some of you have taken higher doses of certain medications or gone onto new meds after m/c. I don?t know what I should be requesting / discussing when I see my FS again. In addition to the BFNs I have had one m/c and also a raised HCG.?(and I know this is no where near the number of losses some of you ladies have had).
So I guess I?m a little confused about asking for other options or should I just stick to what he recommends? (Apologies for asking sensitive questions).
I hope every one is on track for where they want to be at this stage in their cycles.
Hope
I thought I would share this with you
:goodluck: means hope, faith, love and luck
The belief still exists that finding real four leaf clovers, which are very rare, is an omen of good luck. Each of the four leaves has symbolic meaning: one leaf is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.
Hope thanks for the welcome.
Wish I could help you on the diet discussion but other than just generally eating fairly healthy foods, I haven't done anything specific to TTC. I don't however, have any known intolerances, diabetes, PCOS etc. I am vegetarian but was so WELL before I ever TTC. My honest opinion ( and this is not fact just my opinion) is that I don't think for the "everage" person ( with no specific health issues), changing diet dramatically is really going to make much difference. Sticking to a healthy, balanced diet should really be the aim. I have enough to stress about during this whole TTC journey without worrying to much about everything that goes into my mouth.Just think of all the people out there eating maccas every second day who manage to have babies without trouble.
Melbel - What a pain having to wait for a PGD cycle.Is MIVF, Melbourne IVF? I have done all my cycles with Monash IVF and altough have only done one PGD cycle, certainly never had to "prebook". Just rang up when AF came as usual for any cycle and off we went. I do recall my FS also saying there is no need to book ahead.
Hopefully you can get there naturaly in the meantime!
Can I ask what dose of pred and clexane you are going to take? I will b on 20mg pred daily and 40mg clexane. My DS was a "clexane" baby but have never used the pred during a pregnancy. Used it last IVF cycle but didn't manage the pregnancy part. Don't think i had any side effects though, altough was on so many other drugs I wouldn't know what caused what!
thanks dusty,
I have read that thread and got some really useful ideas from it, but didn't know I could add to it. I am really keen to share what I am learning, so I will add to that one.
Meredith,
My heart went out to you, similar boat except I am meatatartian! thanks for info on KN cells so helpful and also thanks melbel. also want to do it to rule it out, apparantly 50% of those with thyroid antibodies have elevated active NK cells, 1 in 2 chance for me.
Am going to see Dr Nick Lolagis on mon, and according to nurse he does uterine biopsy for NK cells. My friend says he is very gruff!
Do you reckon that the NK cells cause auto immune problems, maybe I am totally off track here.
Good news my iron is up from ferritin 21 to 49, am v pleased as has been low for 2 years despite red meat intake. Finally slogged it out taking 100mg iron tabs, will keep taking to get it ferritin up around 100, optimal according to doc.