NK Cell result back - Very high

[butterfly_warrior]

Cuddlepie, I'm on the prednisone in order to try to fix my incredibly whacked out immune system. I don't think we'll ever know why it went nuts, but it certainly wasn't from the prednisone. I hope the chat with Leah helps - hearing that she's back at work makes me want to find an excuse to go in for AP just so I can see her! Please let her know that me and Sam are doing really well and that I think of her often.

BW

[Cuddlepie]

BW, Yes, Leah is back to work only on Saturdays from 30th May...I will definitely let her know, Im sure she will be so happy to hear that you and Sam are doing so well. I saw the photos of her little boy a month ago, he is just gorgerous as well.

Jordon, I am rejoiced for you and thank you so much hun for popping in and letting me know this, that gives me hope. I hope the line gets darker and bring your longed-for-baby!

I have been reading Dr. Alan Beer's book "Is your body baby friendly?' over the weekend and it gaves me such an insight of how immue system works. I am now almost 100% sure that is my problem. I got achy legs and twinge and tingling after transfer like it described in the book. The feeling that 2 cycles ago 2 blastiecysts implanted might not be simple as my 'wishful thinking', it could have happend but then was killed off by my "midnight killers" (so I call NK cells now). Dr, Beer also said in the book "if you have 5 failed IVF cycles, the chances of autoimmune problem is 100% based on his patients stats."

I also felt better about my FS' attitude towards immune suppressive therapy, I am so not alone. In the book, it tells many many women's stories of being laughed at, rejected and pushed away by this theory. I guess now I feel that I not only have to pursue this to fulfil my own dream but feel a kind of responsibility to go through it and becoming another proof for other struggling women who fail to find any anwers. I don't want to (or any other women) wait for 16 IVF cycles or m/c (one lady's story) and then go down this path. All the risks of the penedisone seems acceptable now comparing to the anguish and soul-destroying experience of being failed by IVF again and again. I also remembered a few years back, a trusted psychic I see a lot did a reading for me and passed on what my angels said 'IVF is a waste of time for you'...how funny to think back on that....

To me, now the answer becomes clear but I just need the timing to be right. I will finish this cycle regardless and hoping to put some snowbubs in the bank, then I might pursue to go ahead with Hysteroscopy to fix the fibriod problem (sick of people using it as an execuse to be against me) and clear a potential obsticles even if I get pregnant. Then I am going to see Dr. Sacks and seriously seeking treatment.

I still have two minds whether to transfer or not this cycle, what's the point if I already knew its not going to work. But I will check with Leah if herbal can do some trick for this cycle and then decide.

I guess that's the plan for now. Feeling much better with an idea in mind. Knowledge do give you power...just off to post a thread about the risk for removing submucous firoids to get myself prepare.

Love to all xxx

[Sara69]

Cpie, so gald to hear you sounding so decisive and positive, It realy sounds to me like you've found the right way for you

Sara

[butterfly_warrior]

Cuddlepie, I hope Leah is able to shed some light in things today and you come closer to making peace with your decisions.

BW

[dusty]

I also felt better about my FS' attitude towards immune suppressive therapy, I am so not alone. In the book, it tells many many women's stories of being laughed at, rejected and pushed away by this theory. I guess now I feel that I not only have to pursue this to fulfil my own dream but feel a kind of responsibility to go through it and becoming another proof for other struggling women who fail to find any anwers. I don't want to (or any other women) wait for 16 IVF cycles or m/c (one lady's story) and then go down this path.

Good point CP. I have heard too many stories too of excessive cycles with no investigation and being told to just accept their lot. Thank goodness we can chat to each other and learn about what may be available or going on so we can at least try to do something about it - especially if our medical experts aren't raising the possibilities with us earlier rather than later.

Best of luck this cycle and with your journey with Dr S.
xx

[Inanna]

So happy thaat you have found peace and optimisim in your direction...

[farmgirl77]

Cuddlepie,
Sorry for coming so late into this threat - what a tough time you have been having . My advice is go with your gut - it you dont want to go the surgery and you want to give the treatment a go - then do it even if it means a stint with another FS - you can always do the other if you have no luck with the one you go with first. It is your body and you are the only one who can weigh up the risks - physical and mental as they apply to you.

I cant offer much, especially about the treatment (my implantation issues were due to ANA antibodies not NK)...but my only piece of advice is that if you go down the treatment path to ask your FS, or prescribing Dr about clexane vs heparin - they both do the same thing, but have slightly different side effects. You may also find that you start on one and then get switched to another. The main advantage of heparin - the injections hurt less, and the blood thining effect is reversable (which is why if you have to continue close to the third trimester they often swap you to heparin in case you need an emergency c section or go into early labour), on the up side for clexain - only one injection per day and I think less side effects in terms of long term use and osteoperosos (sp!).

Good luck.
FG

[Cuddlepie]

Thank you so much ladies....

BW, saw Leah on Saturday and had a good talk to catch up...She agrees to get rid of the fibroid issue first and then seeking treatment. Herbal wise, the tricky part is I don't have any significant symptoms with autoimmune problems, like RE or coeliac etc, which she can target that to treat it with herb, but there is no one herb can be pinned down just targeting NK cells though. BUt we are going to monitor the hormones and bring my body to the optimal balance.

I have also looked through some autoimmue friendly diet so it won't provoke the immune system to go haywire. The toughest thing for me is I really don't know if I am doing it right or wrong as my body so far don't show any symptoms but pretty healthy IYKWIM...that feels a bit walking in the dark...anyway, remember you mentioned you exclude sth from your diet just before your PG, was that gluten?

Dusty, glad to read that all your tests came back normal, just one less thing to worry really. I am grateful to have BB family here to fall back on, everytime when I most needed help. I won't have known all these if not for the girls here...Good luck with your next cycle too after leaving all these yucky test behind, hope its a clear road ahead to a BFP!

Flowerchild, thank you so much for your wisdom and help even when you are in hospital and I hope you are recovering now...

Farmgirl, thanks for poping in, that's a great tip thanks hun. So glad that the treatment helped you and you are this far along. It gives me hope every time I think of the stories like yours. I think the treatment will more likely involve Presidnsion maybe Clexane/Heparin, this will be Dr. S' call as I don't think I have blood clotting issue. Its good to know the difference though as I knew people were on both for NK cells.

Current cycle is not going so well atm, I now regret that I was so rushed in this to do back to back cycles. Well, you learn don't you? Now I just need to think that I am only 38 still have 2 years till 40 and plenty of time and lots of things can happen in 2 years, just keep cool and steady rather than 'OMG, I am 38 already!" Its all in the head!

[Possums]

CP- glad you have a direction and way forward. It's true knowledge is power and you have to ask questions and push to get answers sometimes. That had definately been my experience. I wish you the very best as you move forward.
I see a naturopath and he is about to put together a diet for me to support the immune system and try and reduce my autoimmune problems, reduce the antibodies etc. He is looking at my blood test results and trying to do his part to help me fall pregnant and then keep the baby.

[Cuddlepie]

A little update from me...

Hysteroscopy is scheduled for next Thursday 18th June to remove the submucous fibriod, appearantly I was reassured that this is not a big procedure, so I feel more relaxed about it now and just hope to leave it behind as soon as possible.

DH & I also went to see Dr S again yesterday to discuss the 'Immune suppressive treatment' plan and this will more likely to be used coinside with a stim down-reg cycle. So yes, we've pretty much have made the decision to do the next cycle with Dr S. The reason is just too obvious to ignore and we just have to try this, even it means we have to give up a few things we already felt comfortable with SIVF, such as locations, admin etc etc. I guess going to Marubra is not the end of the world for EPU and TF if that can give me a baby. The only thing I hope is IVFA will do procedures on weekend/public holiday etc. Just need to find out this...Otherwise, I know I am in good hands, FS is one of the most loved doc on BB, so I don't have any concern there....

The treatment will more likely to be Predinsion and clexane starting first day of FSH, Dr S said there is no need to start prior to the cycle and he said its best to minimize the length of the drug on me as its not a happy drug. He'd rather used it when there is the best chance of conception.

Timing wise I am thinking maybe August/September. I am not even in that hurry like I was just a few weeks ago, I guess something inside of me has changed and mind-power can do wonders. I refuse to use my age to be against myself and become a source of stress. My situation hardly changed in the last few weeks (only older) but I feel more calm rather than un-settled about my future. Bring whatever comes, I will happily accept. Thanks for the Dusty's recommendation of the book "choosing happiness'.

So before the next cycle starts, there will be lot of relaxation, meditation, reading and enjoying life to do...Thanks for all your input when I felt most desperate, I feel now I am able to float up the top and breath more easily now. I just can't do all these without knowing you are all there, so Thank you!

[MsPink]

YAY CP....

You sound like you're in a much better space right now - I am so glad..

Ahhhh so now you're finally doing my cycle...

Glad you are getting the op over and done with..it will be such a weight off your shoulders..

Have a lovely weekend honey-pie..

[Dutchie80]

Really great to hear things are going well for you CPie. Wishing you the best of luck with the surgery in June and for your next cycle, something to really look forward to.

[matilda2]

What doctor did you see for NK CEllS

[Cuddlepie]

Its Dr Gavin Sacks, he is with IVF australia. just google...