Antiphospholipid Syndrome

[yellowblue]

Hi Jules, hows everything going, all good I hope. I am 8wks and a couple of days today and have been to the hospital to start my injections today and it went well. I was nervous and thought they might let me practice on an orange or something but I put it straight into my belly and the nurse has assured me it does get easier, it did sting for a little while but by the time I got in the car it had gone but will take your advice and ice the area when im at home. Look forward to hearing from you, regards Alana.

[Aphrael]

yellowblue, you share the same name as my DD2 her name is Alannah!!!!!

Thanks for the info Jules, I generally have the shot in hospital so I'll see if they can give me some ice beforehand (although I dont think they do heparin after natural birth, this baby will be born the way nature intended).

All the best Alana I'll be keeping an eye out for you on the boards (or you can pm if you want to let me know).

Cheers,

Beck

[Jules_P]

yellowblue, you share the same name as my DD2 her name is Alannah!!!!!

Thanks for the info Jules, I generally have the shot in hospital so I'll see if they can give me some ice beforehand (although I dont think they do heparin after natural birth, this baby will be born the way nature intended).

All the best Alana I'll be keeping an eye out for you on the boards (or you can pm if you want to let me know).

Cheers,

Beck

Beck - for how long will you have to get the shots? The ice really helps - even my midwife at the clinic agreed it was a good idea, though the girl who I first practiced with (with the insulin needle) did not suggest it. So see how you go.

My new OB told me that a vaginal birth is absolutely possible for me!! I thought for sure I'd have to do a c-section. But she said she'll take me off the Clexane and aspirin towards the end and I should be fine. Of course there is always a chance I'll need a c-section for other reasons, but unless there is a massive problem, I'm so glad vaginal is a possibility!

Hope all is going well for you!!!

[farmgirl77]

Hi,
Just saw this post and thought I'd say hi. I was diagnosed with APLS in Nov this year after 4 failed IVF transfers, the APLS was preventing our little embies from having any chance of implanting and growing. Since being diagnosed I have been on 100mg of asprin, and from the day of transfer, 2 x heparin injections per day. Well, the treatment must have done something as we got our first BFP just a week ago, and now have our fingers crossed to see a little heartbeat on our US in a weeks time (xmas eve!). The specialist suggested that I will continue this treatment until we are at 16wks pg - if all goes well.

YB, Bec and Jules - I'm really sorry for your losses, and hope that the diagnosis will give you a succesful pathway to a beautiful baby. I know that my specialist said that women with APLS who have recurrent MC but then go onto heparin and asprin have a 80% chance of having a live baby with their next pg once they have started treatment! And congrats to you all on your pg and this great start to them, wishing you all the best for h&h 9 months!

I'm just wondering how often you are all having scans? My specialist for the APLS said that she needed to see regular scans from the OB to judge if everything is going well with the PG and if my meds needed changing, but I'm not sure what 'regular' means. Have you had to have other additional tests because of the APLS?

Thanks
FG

[Jules_P]

Hi,
Just saw this post and thought I'd say hi. I was diagnosed with APLS in Nov this year after 4 failed IVF transfers, the APLS was preventing our little embies from having any chance of implanting and growing. Since being diagnosed I have been on 100mg of asprin, and from the day of transfer, 2 x heparin injections per day. Well, the treatment must have done something as we got our first BFP just a week ago, and now have our fingers crossed to see a little heartbeat on our US in a weeks time (xmas eve!). The specialist suggested that I will continue this treatment until we are at 16wks pg - if all goes well.

YB, Bec and Jules - I'm really sorry for your losses, and hope that the diagnosis will give you a succesful pathway to a beautiful baby. I know that my specialist said that women with APLS who have recurrent MC but then go onto heparin and asprin have a 80% chance of having a live baby with their next pg once they have started treatment! And congrats to you all on your pg and this great start to them, wishing you all the best for h&h 9 months!

I'm just wondering how often you are all having scans? My specialist for the APLS said that she needed to see regular scans from the OB to judge if everything is going well with the PG and if my meds needed changing, but I'm not sure what 'regular' means. Have you had to have other additional tests because of the APLS?

Thanks
FG

Hi FG - congrats on your BFP! I hope this is your sticky one!!

I am having weekly scans at the recurrent miscarriage clinic, but that is my choice - I think it's offered more for emotional support b/c of the stress experienced after recurrent loss.

I have had like 10 different blood tests b/c of my losses - all sorts of different clotting disorders and immune things. One of the conditions I have is a genetic one - not APLS - so I am happy they caught it.

Best of luck to you!!! Let us know how you go.

[yellowblue]

hi julesp,

just wanted to catch up with you to see how you are doing, all really well i hope. Im doing ok still taking all my medications and a clexane injection eveyday unfortunately im unable to administer it myself and a very good friend does it for me, i started off OK but i just lost my nerve for whatever reason and found myself in the bathroom for over an hour trying to give the jab and by that time i was anxious and would start crying as i was so disappointed in myself for being unable to do it but luckily it gets done now. Im nearly 19wks have my scan next week and feeling good. Would love to hear from you.
Regards,

Yellowblue.

[Possums]

Hi, I am so glad that through a link from farmgirl (hello!) in the LTTTC section I found this thread. I have just been diagnosed with this after testing for recurrent miscarriage and must admit am freaking out a bit, even though I am glad they have identified the problem and it can be treated.
I am just worried about what it will mean/possible problems and also a bit sorry for myself just right now, that we not only have trouble conceiving (I have only one tube left which is 'dodgy'), but now have another issue to deal with. I know I will get my head around this, but right now I am still I suppose dealing with the losses of the past 12 months and am a bit shell shocked and processing this latest info.
Your stories are encouraging and just knowing you ladies are here is also encouraging and helpful

[Jules_P]

Hi Jules, hows everything going, all good I hope. I am 8wks and a couple of days today and have been to the hospital to start my injections today and it went well. I was nervous and thought they might let me practice on an orange or something but I put it straight into my belly and the nurse has assured me it does get easier, it did sting for a little while but by the time I got in the car it had gone but will take your advice and ice the area when im at home. Look forward to hearing from you, regards Alana.

You did it!! Yay!

I got to practice with an insulin needle (nothing in the syringe) at the hospital (that needle is actually thinner I think) and I freaked and almost could not do it, but it wasn't so bad.

I've had a few trials with the heparin (I'm actually on Clexane/Lovenox) from being nervous, etc. and had a few weeks with lots of bruising. I found I was not icing myself long enough - so now I make sure I am good and numb before I do it. I may have mentioned this (just woke up after not a great night sleep so am delirious) but I find that injecting very slowly helps with the stinging. DON'T RUB the injection site afterwards whatever you do. I still get occassional bruising but they are really small and right around the injection site.

I am 11 weeks today and my weekly scans have gone great - bubs is growing like crazy and moving around like a maniac every time!! On Thursday bubs mooned me - bum down and towards the screen, both legs up in the air. It was hilarious. To see this after losing so many babies is truly a miracle to me, and I really think it's the heparin and aspirin making it possible. None of my babies have ever made it this far. Fingers crossed my NT scan comes out well on the 22nd.

All the best to you Alana - let me know if I can help!!!