Dr Gavin Sacks and treatment for APLS?

[farmgirl77]

Hello all,
I know from the immunology thread in LTTTC/AC thread that a few from this site have visited Dr Gavin Sacks at Aust IVF for a range of issues. I was wondering if anyone had seen him for autophospholipid syndrome (APLS) and had success?

Also, for those that visited for a 'one off' consult or visit while getting treatment at another clinic, eg if you dont live in NSW and were doing IVF through another clinic, as we are, what was the process, and did it work?

If we dont have any luck with this transfer, and maybe the next, I'm wondering about taking a trip up to Dr Sacks, as our FS, and the specialist I went to for the APLS (while really good and nice) have kind of indicated that the asprin/heparin is about all they can do for us to help us get our baby - but I guess if that does not work, I'm keen on making sure there is nothing else immunological going on that may also be reducing our chances (esp if it is treatable).

Any advice much appreciated.
FG

[butterfly_warrior]

Farmgirl, it was about a 2 hour drive each way for us to consult with Dr S, even though we lived in Sydney. We saw him twice, once to get referred for a heap of tests, again to get the test results and since then we have communicated via email. He has always been brilliant at responding quickly.

I know others have consulted with him via email first and have come to Sydney for one day - having tests in the morning and a consultation with him in the afternoon, or similar.

I'd certainly suggest that contacting him by email even at this stage may well be worth your time. I may be completely wrong, but I was under the impression that APLS was also treated with prednisone and not just aspirin/heparin.

Wishing you all the best with the current cycle and hoping that the Dr S consult becomes completely unnecessary.

BW

[farmgirl77]

Hi BW,
Thanks for the advice. I too have read that some people suffering from APLS have also been treated with prednisone and am curious as to its benefits and if it would increase our chances. I think that I'll take your advice and send him an email.

I really hope that we dont need to go down this path but I feel helpless if I'm not taking some sort of action.

Thanks
FG

[butterfly_warrior]

In short, prednisone is a steroid that suppresses the immune system. So in a case where the immune system attacks the baby and stops it from implanting, it can help a great deal.

For me - it helped greatly. But because it has an impact on blood sugar levels, I couldn't take it at the dose Dr S suggested as it seemed to make my PCOS worse and stop implantation happening properly. Fortunately, I found a happy medium and things have worked out for me.

Now that I know I was on the right track with the prednisone, I'd certainly suggest contacting Dr S now, seeings your current doctors don't seem to want to know. I've always been of the leave no stone unturned line of thinking.

BW